Title: Regrets Author: RPcrazy Classification: Angst, Romance Category: Doggett/Reyes romance Rating: NC-17 Summary: Is it too late to mend the rift? Will John ever forgive her? Maybe it's better to be out of his life for good than to endure daily reminders of what it used to be like. *** Chapter One It had been almost two weeks since she had last seen him. Two weeks of constant thoughts of how they had come to be separated. Two weeks of trying to tell herself it was for the better. Thirteen days of self-punishment for the way she had behaved. She had tried to empty her mind of him, his touch, his taste, the way his lips would caress hers as they lay in one another's arms. The way his scent would linger in her clothes after he left for the night. All night she would hug his pillow and on waking it would still be in her arms; the substitute that was her fellow agent, her work partner, her lover John Doggett. Since leaving there was no one to remind her to eat so she had rarely partaken. The hunger was penance for her sins. The pain in her belly she endured. The hurt in her heart was eternal. The tears rarely had time to dry before there was another bout. Her life was at the lowest ebb but she could not return. In her eyes the wrong could not be righted. There would be a constant reminder of what she had done without permission, without his consent. John could not and should not forgive her. Rolling onto her back she sighed deeply as she noted the small cracks in the ceiling of her hotel room. Each crack representing a notch of the rift that had come between them. The tears ran again as she remembered his face when she left. The soulful eyes, the worry-lined brow, his pleading expression. It was when she reached the elevator and pressed the button for the parking garage that she decided she would leave him. She would ring Skinner and ask to be transferred. To see his face day in, day out and not be able to touch it, to not be able to take him in her arms and hold him, could not be endured. It was better she be transferred than constantly to be reminded about what it was like to lie next to him in bed, to bask in the afterglow following making love. There was a muted knock at the door and voice from beyond. "Ms. Reyes?" It sounded like Allison from Reception. Monica lazily rose from the bed she had rarely left preferring to sleep rather than go through waking withdrawal. Wrapping her robe around her nightgown she shuffled to the door. "Yes?" she croaked without opening the door. "Ms. Reyes, you have a visitor, down in Reception." .................... Monica's stomach felt a lead weight. She had told no one except Skinner where she was going, not wanting anyone to disturb her period of mourning. "Okay," she said with a confused manner, not having made too many decisions in the past weeks. "Give me five minutes." Who could it be? Her mind raced through faces of acquaintances not coming to any understanding. If Skinner wanted to talk to her he could have rung. Who would come all the way across the country to visit her? Who else knew she was there? She hoped to god it wasn't John. She was in no condition to go through it all again. Any contact with him would mean going through mourning yet again. Dressed in her first day clothes for three consecutive mornings she ran a brush through her hair and checked her face in the mirror. Her eyes were tired and her face cheerless but she could not lift herself from the mood. She knew there would come a time that her smile would return and her life would move on but that was too far in the distant future. Opening the curtains on the new day she took a deep breath, watching the traffic as it swirled soundlessly below. The large city sprawled out before her, a city she had visited years ago. Making her way down the elevator her blood coursed through her veins and her pulse quickened imagining the worst. She was beginning to wish she had left the country to be away from any reminder of her past life. ................. "Monica, my darling." The voice sounded from behind as her vision circled the room. Tears began to well as she saw the familiar woman, her height, her colouring. The face and body were rounder than they used to be but she still kept in good shape for a woman of her years. "Mama," Monica accepted her mother's embrace. They lingered that way, her mother seeming to accept her need to be consoled. "Come," she signalled Monica to follow and took her daughter's hand. Monica was initially confused how her mother could find her but she also knew how persuasive she could be when she wanted her own way. In a way she had taken after her mother, head strong, keeping true to her heart and caring. She sighed thinking how all that strength had been whittled away with the reaction of just one man, the man she loved with all her heart and now was gone. Taking her into a café and into a remote booth they ordered coffee and began the inevitable conversation. "Mama, I was going to tell you. I just needed time," her hands lay clasped on the table. "Tell me what? That you were holed up in an LA hotel miles away from home?" Mama was rightfully scolding yet with a tinge of the empathy that Monica had learned while growing up. "That you are wasting away to nothing for God knows what reason?" "Mama, I...." What could she say? It all looked so silly, so childish and yet it was the only way she knew to let go of the pain she had created for herself. "Monnie, it's over a man isn't it." She lifted a hand to the waiter who came promptly. "I'd like to order two serves of French toast." The waiter nodded and moved on. "Mama, I'm not hungry." It was partly true, her stomach having shrunk from two weeks of neglect. Deciding to ignore her plea Mrs. Reyes continued to make headway into the reason her daughter would travel to the other side of the country leaving those at home to guess where she might be. Not even advising her loved ones of her intentions. "You need to talk to me Monnie." Her comforting hand reached over and lay on top of her daughter's. "Whatever you're going through I want to hear it, no judgements, just sound advice." The waiter bringing the food and coffee provided only a short break in the conversation. Monica looked at the French toast and her stomach churned but she knew she would have to try some. With knife and fork she cut off a small corner piece and placed it in her mouth. Fighting the nausea she chewed and swallowed as her mother half watched on. "I don't know what to say." It was true. She found it difficult to decide where to start and how much to tell. "It's that Brad Follmer isn't it." Monica's mother took a sip of her latte coffee as her daughter snorted and shook her head. "Ah, it's that partner of yours. I know you've had your eye on him for quite some time." The wave of nausea hit stronger visualising John's face and how quietly seething he had been when she had dropped the news in the basement office two weeks ago. She could have waited for a better time but she had to give him some reason to his question of why for the previous three months she'd been drinking herbal tea and switched to soda rather than have their usual Friday night beer. The best reason was the truth. "Monica, you're pregnant." Mrs. Reyes squeezed her daughter's knuckles showing how well she knew her charge. Chapter Two "Why can't you tell me?" John Doggett's voice was louder than usual, and his hand thumped the desk, demonstrating his obvious frustration. "She's my partner. She's my..." he cut off his sentence but Assistant Director Skinner completed it for him. "You lover?" Skinner had resisted the urge to let on he knew anything about Monica leaving but when confronted by the agent before him it was hard to keep it hidden. John Doggett had a way of getting to the truth. "John, it's for your good and Monica's that I keep her whereabouts hidden." John paced the room, his fingers working the worry lines on his forehead. "Is she coming back?" He stopped and put both hands on Skinner's desk and looked him in the eye. "Tell me she's coming back!" His face fell further as his boss just slowly shook his head. "Damn!" If there were no listening ears his vocabulary would have been much stronger indicating his high frustration level. "John, I don't know what happened between you two and I'm not going to ask but I suggest you drop it." Skinner's voice sounded his authoritative self. "For the FBI and your jobs." "Sir, I'd like to take some leave." John stood his tall self and kept as cool a face as would allow in the testing situation. It was a long shot but it was the best course of action he could see. "You know I can't do that Agent Doggett," Skinner shifted on a different angle in his chair. "You can't or you won't." John's jaw ground as his icy stare fixated on his boss. "That's not fair Agent Doggett," his voice was lower, not wanting others to know the tension that pervaded his office. "You know I must keep Agent Reyes' wishes." With increasing frustration John gave Skinner's desk a final thump and then with silent aggravation left his office with a bang of the door. ..................... John recalled the unanticipated news that his partner had hit him with two weeks previously. It wasn't so much the news but how unexpected it had been. It still smarted that she had kept it to herself for so long. Was she ever going to tell him? Was the baby even his? Brad Follmer's sorry face came to mind. How he wished he could just march into that son of a bitch's office and punch his lights out! His teeth ground together as he slumped in his office chair a disappointed man. The basement office had been a quiet place since Monica's absence. More than quiet, it had been lonely. Alone during the week and two friendless weekends. Since Monica had graced his office, life had been more bearable. Thinking more and more about her had helped him cope with the pain he had harboured for so long. That of his son's death and all the other horrors he had seen and experienced in his line of work. His partner's warm presence had softened his otherwise tough heart. A tear came to his saddened face. He loved Monica more than life itself and yet once more he had driven her away with his overreaction. Initially he had half expected her to walk back in the door any time but when it had not happened for a few days that was when he had tried to contact her. Expectation that she would return led to uncertainty which in turn led to fear that he would never see her again. If the child she was carrying were his would he ever get to see it? He shook his head to erase all those thoughts but they were not going to go away in a hurry. Sitting stiffly in his chair he made a decision. He was not going to just sit there and take it. He was going to find Monica and bring her back to him. No matter what, he wanted her in his life. He just hoped with all his heart that she still wanted him. ........................ Chapter Three "What will you do?" Mrs. Reyes held an arm around her daughter as she led her back to the hotel. "A single mother living in LA. It's expensive here." "I know. I thought I might ask the assistant director if I can be transferred to a smaller place, maybe look at part time work." It still wasn't clear in Monica's mind where her life would lead her but until then she had lived with fate. Fate had its highs but also its drawbacks. She was resigned to live with both. As if reading her mind Monica's mother spoke, "This may be one of life's messages, Monnie," she lightly caressed her upper arm. "But are you in the right frame of mind to read it correctly?" "Mama, you didn't see how angry he was." They stopped while Monica took a breather on a bench seat, watching the traffic as it scooted by. "He even said the baby was probably Brad's." Mrs. Reyes was quiet, just thinking, letting her daughter continue. "It is John's, Mama. I've never been unfaithful to any man, you know me." "Yes, I do know you and I also know that this isn't like you, to run away from your heart." Even though she wanted to be by herself to brood Monica was coming to see that having a listening ear was probably what she really needed. Her mother was always one to talk sense. "I just don't know." Monica sighed and looked down to her lap. "I do know I can't just go back and let it continue on its merry way. This, my pregnancy, changes everything." "Do you love him?" Her voice was almost inaudible over the traffic sounds. Against her better wishes Monica nodded. "I will always love him." "Your child needs a father, Monnie." "I know." Monica sighed again as she rose and resumed walking to the hotel. ................ John used his lock pick to let himself into his partner's apartment. The room had the stale smell of non-occupancy. The apartment was tidy just as though the occupant had left on a vacation. Opening the fridge he saw there was little food and the dishwasher had no clean or dirty dishes. The apartment had been left tidy and clean for a reason. Flipping through some magazines left on the kitchen bench and reading over notes left on the fridge John Doggett was looking for some clue as to the whereabouts of Monica. He picked up her phone and redialled the last number. "Scully." The female voice responded. "Dana, it's John." He anxiously looked around the room as he spoke. "You happen to know where Monica is?" He took the portable phone with him as he searched through the rest of the rooms. "Monica? I haven't heard from her in two weeks." John tried to listen for any wavering in her voice to suggest she knew anything. "She said she was going away for a while. I thought you knew." "Did she say where?" John opened the bathroom cabinet and noticed the absence of everyday items such as toothbrush and toothpaste. "No, she just said that she was on an extended vacation and would ring when she got back." Scully's inflection was genuine concern. "Is there something wrong John?" Moving into Monica's bedroom his eyes noticed the similar tidiness of the remainder of the apartment. Opening drawers and moving some of the clothing he tried to find any clue. Knowing Monica she would be thorough with her cleaning up. She clearly did not want to be tracked. "Never mind Dana, I'll find her." He didn't want any extra person also worrying. "I'll call you okay?" John moved back to the kitchen to replace the phone when he saw a small notepad. There was nothing written on the top sheet but there looked like an imprint of something having been written on the torn off page above. Noisily opening and closing drawers he finally came across a lead pencil and lightly rubbed over the etching. His eyes widened seeing the message. 'UA 129'. ........................ Chapter Four Mrs. Reyes helped her daughter pack up her belongings. "It'll be a better place to stay until you can think more clearly," her mother consoled. "Your father will be pleased to see you." "Thanks Mama, I've missed you both." She took one bag, her mother took the other as they made their way down to pay the hotel tab and make their way back to Mexico. "You have to promise me you will think about going and getting him back." Maria Reyes reminded her what they had talked about in their discussion back in the room. "I want you to ring and explain everything." "Yes Mama," Monica flipped out her credit card and lay it on her payment record as the receptionist checked the details. Not sure how he would react was not so daunting in her mind until her mother had helped her see some reason. When she got to her the country in which she had been raised and home and settled in a little she would contact John and see if at least part of the rift could be mended. It could never go back to the way it was before. Life's circumstances had changed too drastically. Signing the card let her mind wander back to when John had asked her quite innocently one evening in bed what she thought about changing names when couples married. She smiled her first real smile in two weeks recalling her response, "John Reyes sounds good." He had kissed her sweetly after that and they had made love all the while wondering if he had really been thinking about marrying her. Her face went immediately sad again. There she was thinking about how good it had been. That was the past. The present and future held only instability. If only she had thought about contraception. No, that thought had tried to surface but she had buried it not thinking that she would actually get pregnant. More importantly she quashed the thoughts that having John's baby was something that had been on her mind often. Somehow she thought it would make him happy to have another child. She had been so wrong. Not thinking of the repercussions of actually conceiving she went and enjoyed all the loving and pleasure that two people in love could endure. "Come on, the cab's waiting," her mother gestured. ...................... John knew he was taking a big risk in trying to find Monica. Two big risks. One was that he was on a flight to Los Angeles on the assumption that the she had actually taken the United Airlines flight, the number UA 129 having been found in her apartment. The second was that he had disobeyed the wishes of his superior. No matter, when John Doggett had his mind set there was no turning him around. He would deal with the repercussions later. There was usually a way. Looking out at the white clouds was a distraction from the noise and activity around him. He was not interested in talking to the woman beside him who had three strident children with her. He just wanted to sink into his own thoughts. Putting up with her chatter he was polite for the first half an hour and then his head slowly turned to the window and her voice faded. In his reverie the offending conversation surfaced. It still made him smart when he remembered Monica's words. It made him shift uncomfortably in his seat the way he had responded. Given the same circumstances he would have acted exactly the same way. "John, there's something I need to tell you." He recalled her gentle voice and her sweet smile. "Something I've been meaning to tell you for a while." "What? You've given up beer and caffeine because you've joined the church?" He had chuckled to himself at what he thought was a joke. "No John, I haven't joined the church." She had conjoled. It had been difficult for her but he understood why. It was something she had kept from him that he'd had every right to know. The clouds through the porthole window served as a backdrop to what was next staged. "What could you possibly tell me I don't already know?" His remark had been flippant as he dangled back in his office chair. Then the words hit like a lead balloon. "John, I'm pregnant." It was something he was unprepared to hear. The thoughts of more children were something he had considered, what man who had experienced fatherhood would not? But to not be able to share in the decision almost made a mockery of the situation. Wasn't deciding to have children an important life-changing event? "You're pregnant?" He had half laughed, half needing confirmation. She had nodded but kept silent waiting for him to respond further. "Since when?" He had found his breathing becoming too noticeable and the flush in his neck must have been obvious. "Since three months back." Again she waited until the words took hold. "And you decide to tell me now? Why?" He stood up and began clenching and unclenching his fists. Monica had clearly been uncomfortable in telling him and rightly so. "John, please don't be mad." She had come closer and tried to touch his arm but he had moved away too aggravated for tactile consolation. "Mad, Monica?" His voice had been raised. "How silly does this make me look? My partner is pregnant and I didn't know. We are partners damn it! Don't you think I would have liked to have had a say in this? Did you even ask me if I want children?" "Do you want children John?" It had been a teary request, one in which he had no desire to soothe. "I want children when I want them not when someone else decides for me!" What he'd said was true but in looking back, in retrospect he need not have been so harsh. "How do you now expect me to know for sure that the child is mine?" That had been the last straw. Her face went from teary to exasperated and then she was gone out the door. John's eyes misted up as he recalled waiting for her to return. She had left her jacket on the coat stand and the weather had turned cold. He waited until seven that evening. He waited the next week and a half giving her the time he thought she needed to calm down. When Skinner told him she had taken some personal time then he had accepted it at first but when she wasn't returning his phone calls he started to become concerned. .......................... "Mister," there was a tug on his shirtsleeve and he looked down to see one of the woman's children next to him. "Don't be sad. Mommy said we're landing soon." He gave a half hearted chuckled and a smile and looked back out the window as they touched down in LAX. "Returning home?" The woman resumed her conversation but this time he knew it would be short lived. "No, I'm meeting up with a friend." His face must have given away his grief. "You've missed her haven't you." John silently nodded and then all thoughts went to what he would do next to find the love of his life and try to get her back. Playing and giggling the children ran on ahead of their mother, up along the long walk way of the arrival lounges. John, with one bag in hand proceeded through the barriers and down the short escalator to the ground floor. Looking from left to right he imagined what Monica would have done as she could also have stood in the same position. It was a long shot if anyone would remember a face from two weeks ago but it was worth the try. Heading over to the Information booth John produced a photo of Monica. "Excuse me, but I was wondering if you remember seeing this woman here two weeks ago?" he asked humbly at first. "Two weeks?" She looked at him as though he had to be kidding but took a look anyway. "No sir, she doesn't look familiar." John stood there looking like a lost sheep and she must have felt sorry for him. "Is she visiting LA sir?" John nodded confirmation. "She hasn't been here in the ten years I've known her and she knows no one here as far as I know." "Then many people head for the hotels booth." She directed him to an area a few meters to John's right. Starting to doubt whether Monica actually was in Los Angeles or had travelled elsewhere he headed for the suggested booth and produced the photo. "Can I help you sir?" came the happy voice of a man in his mid twenties. "Yes, I'm looking for this woman." He laid the picture on the counter. "I have reason to believe she may have enquired about hotels from you?" "Pretty lady." The man smiled up at John. "The face doesn't ring a bell but if you tell me her name I'll see if she's in my records." "Reyes, Monica Reyes." It seemed to take an eternity as he searched the records. John took in the scenery around him mentally crossing his fingers that he would come up trumps. "Well, well," As the man spoke John jumped to attention. "A Ms. Reyes booked into one of my hotels two weeks back." "Yes?" John's heart restarted. "I'll tell you the hotel if you can prove you're not a stalker or something." The man showed some teeth in half a mock smile. "She's my...," he hesitated, not having said the phrase before and feeling a little uneasy. "She's my lady friend." "Ah, lovers quarrel." He laughed. "I'm all for patching up relationships. She was booked into the Sofitel in Beverly Boulevard. Want me to make a reservation?" "No, no, that's okay." John thanked the man and took a step back ready to find a cab. "Sir, there should be a hotel bus coming past within the next ten minutes." The man added. John nodded and waved a finger in thanks for the information and then was outside in the busy LA activity. ......................... Chapter Five. It had been a long drive from the airport. Monica was thankful for the air conditioning to cool her hot, dry, tired body. Her father had been pleased to see his daughter once more but also gave her the scolding she was expecting from him about her unannounced pregnancy and her fleeing from the man she professed to love. "I thought you'd be happy to be a grandfather, Papa." Monica had tried to make amends. He'd had the same tack as her mother and reminded her that a baby needs a father and a mother. "Children can grow up just as well adjusted with one parent," Monica had reminded, but it was really quite moot. "Cherub, usted ama a hombre?" He had a way of using dated endearment names for her but he was her dad. That was him all over. "It's not as simple as whether I love John or not," she had looked out the window at the passing housing and the dry, dusty terrain that was the place she was brought up. "Cuál no es simple?" He then reverted to English knowing that it was what his daughter was more used to recently. "You either love him or you don't." It was all black and white with her father. She knew she inherited her mother's tendency to look for deeper meanings in life. Not everyone and everything could be reduced to a single 'yes' or 'no' answer. Her mother had been quiet on the trip, preferring to listen to her daughter and husband conversing. She had given her thoughts on the matter. She wanted to know her husband's. Her house had been just as she remembered it. The single fronted weatherboard painted white with a green front door. The path to the front entrance was short but lined with a well-tended garden considering the shortage of water in the region. Ciro Reyes took his daughter's luggage into the house. "Call the man, Monica. No importa el coste. El amor vale el dinero." Her father reminded as he placed the luggage into Monica's old bedroom. "I know love is more important than money but I'm not sure he'll want to talk." Monica hovered over the phone generating courage to lift the receiver. "Monnie," her mother called, "I'll make some tea. Take the phone into the bedroom for some privacy." Monica nodded, nervously biting her bottom lip. Sitting on the bed she keyed in the numbers for John's cell phone and anxiously waited through the several rings. When it rang off with a disconnected message she sighed disappointment but then decided to call his home phone. It would have been towards the end of the afternoon back in DC and there was the chance that John was home. After three rings the phone went into answering machine mode. That was when her face began to pucker up and the tears started. Just hearing his voice in a recorded message sent a flow of remorse through her veins. She missed him so much it hurt considering it. "Monnie? Did you talk?" Her mother's face appeared around the door. "He wasn't home and his cell phone is off." Monica felt her bottom lip tremble and knew that her emotions were brought on more than just her regrets for leaving her lover. Pregnancy, she'd heard, had a way of heightening sensations. "There's always later." Her mother consoled. "Come, there's some Camomile tea and some sponge cake for you. We need to fatten you up." Monica's mouth formed a small smile as she followed her mother and friend to the kitchen. She hoped beyond words themselves that John would forgive her for walking out on him. Even if he didn't want the baby, to bring it up as the father then that was his choice. She could only try to persuade him that she wanted him to be part of their life but in the end it was his decision alone. ......................... After the flight John switched his cell phone on to ring back home. Sitting in the hotel bus enduring the stop and start traffic that was LA he contemplated the single red light flashing telling him he had one caller. Could it have been Skinner ringing him? After all he had left his office in one of his hell bent moods. Perhaps his boss could see through his motives and had already deciphered what he was doing, and maybe where he was going. Pushing that button to give him the phone number of the caller he squinted not recognising the pattern. It was probably one of those over the phone donation places that had become more popular recently. He shook his head and snorted. If they really wanted him they'd ring back. The bus pulled up outside the tall building with the dark blue portico out front. Doubts began to cloud John's mind. Monica had indeed booked into the hotel two weeks ago but that was no guarantee she would still be there. What would he do, where would he go if she had moved on with no trace? He stiffened his body and his jaw as he thought about getting that far. He was a trained investigator. This was what he was taught to do. "Excuse me Miss," John got the attention of a receptionist. "I'm looking for a woman who booked into this hotel a couple of weeks ago." "Sir, I can't give away information about residents here," was her off pat reply. "This is important," he decided to use his savvy before resorting to using his FBI credentials. He produced the photo and decided to gauge her reaction. "Her name is Monica Reyes." John kept a firm gaze on her expression but it didn't change. "I know her," another female voice came from the adjacent position. "You do? Tell me anything. Is she still here?" John couldn't get the questions out fast enough. "She checked out this morning." The woman said in a matter of fact tone. John's shoulders slumped but he somehow knew that finding Monica was not going to be that easy. "Do you know where she went?" John was hopeful for more information. "We don't ask those questions sir." Of course she was right. "She left by cab at about midday with another woman." "Another woman? Can you describe this other woman?" John's hands gripped the wooden bench in anticipation. "Don't know her name but they seemed to know each other well. Tallish, dark hair, similar color to your friend." She added, "That's all I know." "Okay, thank you." With the new information John decided he needed to collect his thoughts. Finding a place to order a coffee he sat in a booth near the window of the café looking out into the crowded LA street. As he sipped the strong black liquid the kick it gave helped him fit together the pieces. At least he knew for sure that she had been there. Who was this dark haired friend of Monica's? Was it someone she had befriended in the past couple of weeks? He decided he would ring Scully to let her know his whereabouts and to cover for him if need be. Not to lie for him, but to at least be informed so she could formulate a response if needed. "Dana, it's John." He could see people watching him using his cell phone so tried to keep quieter so as not to attract listening ears. "John, where are you? Skinner's been looking for you." Dana's anxious high-pitched voice sounded in his ear. "LA," he said simply, taking another sip of his coffee and then fingering the photo of his loved one. "LA?" The others in the café must almost have heard her exclamation. "Skinner's really pissed I can tell you. John, what do you want me to tell him?" "Tell him anything Dana. I promise I'll face the music when I get back." His voice then softened. "I love her, Dana. I'd do anything to get her back." His eyelids tightened but he took a breath to keep the tears at bay. "I know John," her voice also lightened. "I'll call you if I have any news." "Same," he replied and then pushed the 'end' button. There was a presence beside him. Slowly John turned to see the waiter eyeing Monica's photo. "Hey man," he pointed, touching the picture. "I know her." John looked from the photo to the large man almost not believing his ears. "Know her?" "She and an older woman were in here this morning. They ordered French toast." He hammered away in his west coast lilt. "Older woman?" John needed more information. "Yeah, in her sixties, dark hair, looked fairly similar." The man thought for a moment, as did John. "Maybe family." John's expression showed the most hope it had in the past thirteen days. Quickly thanking the man he paid for the coffee and left the café. ................ Chapter Six "Mama, that was a wonderful dinner." Monica was trying to smile. "No one makes 'Tortas de Papas con Espinaca' quite like you." "I know it's your favorite, Monnie." Her mother placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her daughter into an embrace. "You and your baby deserve the best." "Do you think he will forgive me?" Monica looked up into the starlit sky as she and her mother sat on the front porch of their house. "If he's the John Doggett you have described to me and the one who was there for you after that nasty car accident he will." Her other hand linked through her daughter's fingers. "You're the one who told me he was dependable and faithful. I trust your judgement." Monica sighed and nodded. She had been a fool for the past two weeks, preferring self-sacrifice rather than facing the music. It had been her mother, her best friend of all, who had made her see reason. Even though she had called John again that evening without success she knew she would eventually grab hold of him and explain all. No matter his reaction she needed that closure in her life in order to move on. Life's direction may have changed never to deviate back but what was done was done. She would be having John's baby. That thought alone made her lighten up. Growing inside her was part of the man she loved and would always love no matter what life's changes brought her. The night was quiet except for the faint hum of traffic on the highway about a mile away. The heat of the day had been replaced with the cool of the night. It would soon be time for bed but Monica and her mother had taken the chance of solitude to relax and talk. "No matter what happens, your father and I will be here for you." Her hand affectionately felt over her upper shoulder. In the distance a sound was getting louder but mother and daughter dismissed it as they talked over old times and possible times to come. When the sound of the car came closer both ladies looked up to see that it was a taxicab. It was unusual to see one down their street. When it stopped right at the front gate the ladies stared with curiosity. It wasn't until the lone passenger exited and paid the driver did all become clear. Maria Reyes gave her daughter a silent smile and a final embrace before standing and heading inside the house. ...................... He stood there just looking at her simple beauty. It dawned on him there and then that she was the best thing to happen to him his whole life and how could he have turned her away? Was she smiling? It was difficult to tell in the dim starlight. He had to move closer to make sure. Every step nearer revealed more of her face, her sweet expression he had come to love. She made no effort to move but let him come to her, as it all should have been. He was the one who had forced her away so he should be the one to reel her back in. Her face was a half smile. What did that mean? Had she forgiven him or was she waiting to hear what he had to say? "Monica?" How else could he start? "John." The tone was enchantment to his ears. He had missed her voice more than anything. The way she was there for him, always the positive, ever the forgiving nature. He stood before her and bent so that both knees knelt on the step below her, his whole body craving forgiveness. "I'm sorry," his eyes swelled with tears and his whole face begged clemency as the word were uttered. "Me too," her simple words rocked his heart. "Come here." Tentatively he moved to her open arms and then accepted her embrace with his own, nestling his weary head into her shoulder. "Monica, I'm so sorry." He sat on the step beside her and drew her closer. "I was an unfeeling ass. I hope you forgive me." "Yes, you were," she lightly laughed, agreeing. "And I should have told you where I was going." "Yes, you should have." He looked into her eyes seeing the forgiveness he had dearly craved. "I've come to tell you that I would love to be the father to our baby. If you don't want me I will understand." "John, this is your baby inside me." For added proof she took his hand and gently placed it on her abdomen. "You are the father." His face lit into a rare but wonderful smile. "Our baby," he verified, lightly nodding his head. A moment passed between them that was mystical. Until that moment he hadn't thought about how much he had missed her kisses. Moving closer their lips gently touched, almost as though they needed rediscovery. When comfort took hold, their mouths took over, devouring each other as though they had been parted for an eternity. As the kissing continued they both failed to see the two happy, contented faces at the window. Smiling and taking his hand Monica led John to her bedroom where they would spend the night together in each other's arms once more. There was so much on which to catch up. Making quiet, passionate love was high on their agenda as testimony that they each shared reciprocated forgiveness. Tomorrow would indeed be a brand new day. One of uncertain destination, but at least both knew they would take that path together no matter what the future would hurl in their paths. The End Title: Reunion Author: RPcrazy Classification: Angst, Romance, Doggett POV Category: Doggett/Reyes romance, casefile. Rating: NC-17 (sexual situations) Summary: Doggett accepts the consequences of his actions when returning to DC after the search for his partner had been fruitful. The time away from work gives him a chance to reflect on the change of direction his life has laid out for him. Which course will he choose as his number one? Will it be his career or his duty to his partner and lover Monica Reyes and their unborn child? Also, when a mystery reveals itself at work can he stay out or does his thirst for work won out? Notes: Sequel to 'Regrets'. This could be read alone but it would make more sense to read the first of the sequel. *** Chapter One It had been a week since returning to DC and facing the music. Seven whole days and nights of Special Agent John Doggett's two week suspension. As he sipped his hot morning coffee he leant back, relaxed on his kitchenette bench surveying the tornado that had hit his living room the previous night. Well to him, the meticulously ordered ex-marine and New York and now FBI agent, it was. To any other visitor it would be yesterday's open newspaper, last night's pizza remnants on a plate, an empty beer bottle and unwatched videos strewn about. "To hell with rules," he muttered to himself yet again as he stood there perusing his handiwork. Before working with the X-Files and Monica Reyes he was a rule freak. Regulations were not there to be flouted for any reason except through threat of serious injury or worse. In the past few years his attitude had slowly modified. It began when he met and then partnered Agent Dana Scully where he was exposed to cases he had not come across in all his dealings in law enforcement. Scully with her 'leaps' of logic had initially caused the proverbial 'eye roll' but slowly he became to understand that in the direction his career was leading then that 'educated stab' was more than likely to lead to the right path. Why had he been assigned to the X-Files? In hindsight it was to add the face of reason, to be the doubting Thomas, to direct Scully back on the straight and narrow. Any straight as an arrow agent could have provided that guidance but he could also see that the move was sidestepping him away from cruising up that corporate ladder. Since the super soldier threat he could see it was a smart move on Kersh's part to direct him to the basement office job. The Deputy Director was a puppet just like they thought Doggett would be. However, Kersh also had survival instincts and a world with the threat of alien invasion and a slave race was not something he could comfortably tolerate. The X-Files had reopened after a word in Kersh's ear that Doggett expected to have gone higher. After the commotion of Mulder's trial and then escape and the inevitable media leakage, following the closure of the X-Files there were bound to be communal mutterings. Was that in the FBI's best interest? Along with their renewed status in the newly refurnished basement office had come a lull in the future threat, a lull that would bide them time. With Mulder on the case and him gathering supporters, with Doggett and Reyes keeping an eye out from another angle, it all would give them the chance they needed to be able to stop the menace, of that Doggett was determined. This suspension had certainly given him the time to think about the direction of his life and career. Perhaps that had been another reason for Skinner's straight non-descript face as he had issued the punishment for flouting orders and going after his partner and lover, Monica Reyes. .... The week had been a good one for introspection about his life's path but even one day of that was reminder of how lonely he had become before Monica Reyes had come into his life. The suspension A.D. Skinner had bestowed on him would be no holiday but had been described as one where he needed to look deeply internally for what he needed to do with his life and love. Being forbidden to see or even get in touch with Monica was the worst punishment. That was wrong but no amount of persuasion was worth getting into more serious trouble and have a longer red mark on his record. He had agreed with his suspension and had admitted to his superior that it was wide of the mark to disobey an order. He neglected to say he would do the same again in a heartbeat. Against wishes he had gone looking for his partner who had left without telling him. He more or less knew it was after the argument they'd had the previous day in their office. Not knowing if she would ever return or if she had fallen out of love with him was too painful to stand. At all costs he wanted to find her, and he had. To see her there, sitting on the front steps of her parents Mexican home was initially relief. To find out she still loved him and wanted him unconditionally was what he never thought he would ever hear again any woman speaking to him since his divorce all those years ago to Barbara. All concerns about fugitive consequences were lost that night as they lay in bed together. It had been two weeks since they had previously made love. John had wanted to show his lover, partner and the mother of his unborn child just how much he adored her. The night had been solely for her. The way she responded with her coos and sighs as he lapped at her body with his tongue and lips was more than expected. He had worshipped her with his unbound affections that night and he hoped she would remember leaving no doubt of his devotion to his lady. They fitted together in perfect contrast, two singular bodies and souls being finally united. Trying to keep quiet from her parents in a room close by they woke several times during the night to continue giving thanks and mutual forgiveness. John headed up the stairs of his Falls Church home to freshen up his bedroom all the time thinking of that one night and day one week ago. ..... John and Monica had quietly slipped into the bedroom at her parents' home both understanding that Ciro and Maria Reyes would have sanctioned the layover. The following morning they had laid in bed just holding each other, caressing, loving, knowing they would need to face the reality of a new day and new direction. Her parents were wonderful, accepting their daughter's and her boyfriend's time for solitude. "When was the last time?" was Monica's father's first question to John as they made their way out of the bedroom for the first time that morning. He shook John's hand and they exchanged manly hugs as though they had known each other a lifetime. "Ciro, you know it was the hospital in DC." Maria had playfully nudged her husband's arm and then welcomed John with a warm smile, an embrace and a light kiss on each cheek. "We're happy you're here John." There was a genuine greeting in her stance and she looked across to her equally smiling daughter. John had been accepted as part of the family. After all they were going to have the grandchild that had been long awaited. Monica had linked an arm with her lover and shown a radiance he hadn't seen for a long time. It could have been the night full of lovemaking coupled with the wonderful mellowing time of pregnancy. "It's good to finally make it here Mrs. Reyes," John tried to stay composed, not looking as though he had just spent the night with her daughter. "Please, I'm Maria and Monica's father is Ciro. You are like a son now." She had beckoned them to the breakfast table leaving John's blush to wane away. Not once had the word 'marriage' come up but John knew it was on their minds. With seemingly old fashioned values their daughter's condition would mean the prospective father would need to make an honest woman of her. John wondered why they had been so accepting of his presence after what he had done but the fact that he came after their daughter and that the couple had made up so easily was all good for them. John finished his bedroom cleaning ritual and took a pile of washing down to the laundry. Filling the machine he smiled coming across a pair of Monica's pink underwear. Chuckling to himself he held them up imagining the shocked faces if he had been at the local laundromat. A man in his early forties with a pair of women's bikini underwear? All of a sudden he had a rush of remorse. He so much wanted to be with his lover and for it all to go back to before she announced she was pregnant. Even though they needed to keep their relationship secret he found he could easily keep work at work knowing that she would be in his arms that night. She seemed to feel the same way. Circumstances had drastically changed but it didn't stop him craving her company, wanting her close. His eyes closed as he remembered the feel of her face close to him as they were about to kiss. The way her fingers would run through his hair came to mind. Then he would feel her warm breath on his face just as their lips touched. Monica was so good to kiss. Sometimes she would lead and just the way she turned her mouth or touched his body would give him a whole new experience of gratification. He missed her body resting on his, he longed for the warmth and security of her skin next to his. It had been well over three months since the first time they had slept together. A case had just been solved and they were on their way back to DC. It had been a particularly difficult one for John to handle, one with the disappearance of a child. Monica had been there for him, holding him together when that magic three days had passed. The boy had been found alive but in a critical condition. After busting the cult and extracting the boy who had been taken by his delusional father the two agents had left the mopping up to local law enforcement. The night was late and both agents were tired but wanted to get the hell away from the town and the memories. It had been halfway home when the road was beginning to distort, not from some unusual phenomenon but lack of sleep. Monica had suggested they pull over and stay the night in a motel. ...... The lack of sleep for the previous days coupled with the intensity of the case had clouded their minds. So when reception handed them a single door key they didn't think to question it. They were both tired and in need of sleep, real sleep. There had only been a hazy memory of stripping down to his boxers and climbing under the cool, welcoming covers. There was no memory of Monica just wearing an oversized t-shirt that she must have brought for her night attire on the case. There was no memory until part way through the night he had partly woken after dreaming he was in bed with a beautiful woman. The feel, the smell, the warmth had all seemed so real because it was. He was holding Monica against him, not wanting to move away. She had woken too and lay in his arms cooing and slightly moving making his body more alive with every sound. The FBI agent in him said to move away, roll over and let it pass but the man in him wanted it to play out. Deciding on half way he let her make the first moves. When she lifted her body and began taking off her only clothing article, he knew what was to happen and decided the time was right. They were officially not on a case and not in work mode so any physical attention they paid to each other would not affect their judgments. There was certainly no one around to report them back to Headquarters. Considering the trying time they'd had the past few days any sexual activity would be healthy and take their minds off the worrying circumstances of the case. In the moonlight that coursed through the partially open curtain he found his eyes wandering from her smiling face down over her perfect curves that previously he had only imagined. Her velvety looking skin had been even softer to touch as his hands wandered over her body. Each caress brought her closer and closer until he could feel her pressing into him and they were kissing for the very first time. Even if there were time for reflection they would have chosen the same path. The first kiss was perfection. With each ripple of her lips and contented sound from her throat he knew it was right. He had told himself a year back after a fling with a woman he had met at a bar that if he ever made love to someone again she would be the one. He was past flings, he wanted love to be real and he had been hoping Monica would want it too. As their lips parted and the kiss was more intense he felt her hands move underneath the band of his boxers and begin to tug them off. Lifting his hips he assisted her and once the material was on the floor they resumed a similar position but closer. They both understood that being naked together in bed would lead further but neither wanted nor needed to think about consequences. As the kiss progressed, Monica's hand made its way down John's body and rested on what had grown physically large between them. Temporarily he had to remove his mouth from hers through risk of biting as she gave him pleasure with her hand down below. The touch was enchantment itself. Whether that hand was experienced or not, he had never felt so good being handled that way. "John, I want this," she had whispered as she lay over him spanning his hips. The silver of the moonlight shimmered on the side of her face making it all seem unreal and dreamlike. "Me too," he had managed to respond even though his thoughts were between his legs and Monica's. She had guided him inside her, moving slowly down while she watched his face. In the past he might have put on a bit of a show but at that time all his honest, unbound pleasure was revealed. His mouth hung open trying for air as she slowly and deliberately moved on him. He rewarded her with tenderly touching her body looking for signs of contentment. They were too numerous to remember. He thought back to how she had first appeared as an angel, riding him above. Her hair flung back and in the filtered light appeared as black velvet. Her unclothed body bounced in all the right places as she rode her steed. It hadn't taken him long to expel months of pent up sexual energy. Normally he would try to wait. He hoped he was a gentleman in bed as well as outside the bedroom but the surroundings and his vulnerability meshed together letting his well of desire escape. He felt her own throbbing as he came down from the heights. Watching, he could almost see the aura that radiated from her skin as her body slowed and then stopped as she regained her regular breathing. However all too brief in context with the passage of time he would never forget their first time. It would be etched into his psyche forever. As he poured the powder into the machine and punched in the setting he wondered if she remembered the first time like he did. She must have enjoyed it because she came back for more, over and over. Most nights from then on they would be sleeping at either his place or hers. It hadn't first been planned that way. They had decided to take things slowly but at the end of the day at the office either one or the other would give that first smile. Like an addictive drug the attraction of sex and togetherness was too powerful. Unlike the destructiveness of illicit drugs love and sex were highly beneficial. ..... The hum of the machine in the laundry was a comfort in a way. It was like the proverbial mother's womb where all was peaceful with the methodical, calming beat of her heart. "Monica, Monica," he found himself saying as he opened the door to his rear garden. He'd had time to labor on his gardening in the past week. No FBI work and no Monica had left him with too much time on his hands. "Why, Skinner?" One of the terms of his suspension was that he was to have no involvement with his partner in any form. He was to think about where he was headed professionally and spiritually. Did he want to jeopardize his job and continue the sexual relationship with his partner or would he break it off and continue to work on the X- Files? They had decided to keep the pregnancy angle from Skinner for the time being until they could plot a plan of action. It didn't leave them much time though, she would be showing in a month or so and an explanation would need to be proffered. "Fraternization." The term Skinner had used spilled from his lips as he sat on the only piece of garden furniture, a long wooden bench. Naturally he sat to one end as though an imaginary Monica was there next to him. Numerous times they had made out on that seat, enjoying the outdoors for more than the fresh air and sights. He couldn't imagine her never being there again, never touching her, never again kissing her sweet lips. "John, you know the code of ethics here," Skinner had explained. "What will people think knowing that two fellow agents are in a sexual relationship?" John had just sat there and taken it. He could have said how much he loved her and wanted to be continually with her but it seemed not the right time. It was time for him to be berated and he deserved every penance for his disobedience. "Put yourself in my shoes John. Someone finds out I have been condoning the behavior of you two and I could lose my job." He had sat back in his seat waiting for a response. "We wouldn't let you be blamed Sir," he had tried to make light of the situation. "They were our actions, our choices." "Now that I know, I cannot just turn a blind eye as I have in the past." He once again leant forward as though a magistrate in a high court about to lay sentence. "I'm going to suspend you for two weeks which may or may not go on your permanent record." "Permanent record Sir?" he had assumed it would. "I'll get to that. During those two weeks I want you to think long and hard about where you want this to go." His voice was softer. "You are a good agent John, one of the best I've seen. Don't throw it all away for a non sanctioned workplace fling." At that point John stood knowing the meeting was almost over. He was not going to give Skinner any more fuel for the fire. "If that's all I'll see you in two weeks." He began unpinning his badge and then too his gun and placed them on the desk in front of him. "John, don't you see? I have to do this, for the good of the FBI and the X-Files." He was almost apologetic. "I know." With a straight John began heading for the door. "There's one more thing." Skinner called then John swiveled back to catch his slightly nervous stare. At that moment John knew that the condition of the suspension not going on his record would be one to sting. "To also show your commitment I suggest you not contact Agent Reyes during your two weeks away. If you can do that then I'll scrub this disciplinary action from your record." ..... That had come as a big blow. After Monica had left for LA then Mexico it had already been two weeks without seeing each other. Another fourteen days would mean they would have had only one day and night together in a month. He yearned to be with her every day since Mexico. "I've arranged for Agent Reyes to be out of the office. I want you to get your things, the suspension starts of right now." That time it had been Skinner who had opened the door for John to finally leave. Those words still hurt even after a week with his own thoughts. The number of times he was tempted to call her was too numerous but he had to be strong. If he were to commit to a life together with Monica, if he was to continue working with the FBI with a clean slate he would need to keep to the rules. There was also the possibility that when he returned to work, the old job would not be an option. Perhaps Skinner saw that their partnership could be a distraction no matter what he chose to do. He could handle working in another unit in the same building. He could endure not seeing her during the day but he wanted the chance to be with her at least at night. "Too much time on your hands," John mumbled to himself. He was doing a lot of that lately but that's exactly why Skinner had said 'No Monica' and to stay in town. He stood knowing he should be doing something around the house to keep his mind off Monica and how dearly he yearned for her. A checklist showed in his mind. He had fixed the oil leak in his truck, done a bit of gardening in the front and rear gardens. The floors had been vacuumed at least three times, the washers in the upstairs bathroom had been replaced. There was not too much more to do. Having thrown himself into his work his leisure time would normally be arranged when he wanted it. The enforced time without work was different to what he had experienced in many years. He had taken leave before but that was for a specific purpose. To go out of town for a sporting match or interstate to visit relatives were examples of what was the norm. He would never take leave just to stay home and potter around the house. To keep up his activity he had planned a daily fitness schedule. Each morning he either set off for a bike ride, went on a run or perform some other indoor activity such as push-ups or lifting the weights he kept in a spare room. He had done all that for the morning including showering, having breakfast and tidying the house. Running a hand along a bookshelf in the downstairs guest room his fingers settled on the familiar well-worn photo album. Thoughtfully extracting it he went to sit on the bed and lay it across his lap. Barbara had been the one to start the album of their son Luke. It began with birth photos and worked their way chronologically through each new year of his existence. As each page turned John's eyes began to appear sadder and more glossy. When he arrived at the photos of his eighth birthday party he swiveled around to lie on the bed, the photo album open above him. All those feelings of failure came back. During Luke's early years he had been there for him as a father but in retrospect he could have done more. In every aspect of his past life as a father he could have done that bit better and maybe Luke would still be alive. Each time his thoughts went in that self-deprecating direction he knew it was irrational but he couldn't help think it. He was going to be a father again. It was still too hard to envisage. Until he held his child in his own arms it would be difficult to imagine looking after a son or daughter once more. What would they be like? No matter what, he wanted to do a better job this time around. As his arms grew heavy the album drifted down to lay across his chest. His eyes closed and he imagined Monica's sweet face. What was she thinking about all this? How did she feel about also being punished for what he had done? She also would have been warned not to contact him. Did she also find it as difficult as he not to just pick up the phone and ring? He drifted off into his own thoughts as his body sank further into the mattress. Chapter Two It had just been another regular day and tomorrow would be the same and then the next until the two weeks suspension was up and the meeting with Skinner would decide his fate. As each day dawned he knew he could not return to the X-Files but he hoped and preyed he would be permitted to stay in DC. Of that he would plead with his superior. More and more Monica and their unborn child were taking precedence in his life decisions. His marriage had not succeeded. He had failed his son. This was his chance to right the past wrongs and live his life in the happiness he had decided was not his lot. Maybe there was something in Monica's theories. Whether in future lives or this one there would be chances for redemption. This was fate giving him another opportunity. He had fallen asleep with those thoughts and slept the most soundly he had in a long time. He missed Monica's warm body beside him but he would have her back and when he did he would try for something more permanent. It would have been just before midnight when he woke with a start to something touching his face. "Shh," said the quiet voice. "It's me." At the sound instantly he knew whom it was as in the dim night light he watched her peeling off her clothes. "Is this wise?" Was that all he could think of, getting caught? It was nighttime. As far as he knew the FBI wouldn't waste money on surveillance of his house. Skinner would surely just trust him. He found his heart thumping erratically as the body slipped in beside him and encircled his own with her arms. "I've missed you." She settled her head into the pillow beside him gazing into his recently woken eyes. As if remembering the feel of his body her hands meandered over his chest and down to his hip where it ran in long strokes along his thigh. John's hand quietly rested on her hip not sure if he should go further, he certainly wasn't expecting female company and was still not fully awake. "I've missed you too but I don't need to say that you shouldn't be here Monica." He whispered as though the walls had ears. "I was told we shouldn't try to see you." "John," her whole body moved closer once again sparking a desire in him that only she could ignite. "All I was told was that you were not to contact me. Nothing about me not seeing you." "That's splitting hairs," he added. "If anyone saw you then it will look bad on my record Mon." "No one saw me." Coming closer still he could feel the warmth from her body and then her lips on his. Fingers found the bottom of his boxers and slid underneath. "I parked a few houses away and walked." Her lips were on his. What could he do? The no contact rule had been broken and could not be undone. He found his mouth yielding to hers until they were in a fully fledged emotional kiss. It had been so long without the feel of her next to him that he found it difficult to stop but he had to ease his conscience before they moved on to more intimate activities. "Monica, do you know how serious this is?" She kept kissing over his mouth and face as he spoke making it difficult to concentrate on the words he was saying. Then as she slipped off his boxers she ran hot wet kisses down his body. "I could lose my job over disobeying orders again." As her mouth kissed up one thigh deliberately going slowly, teasing him, she was making him want her to stay no matter how perilous. John's eyes slipped closed as she kissed and lightly licked his balls. She seemed to enjoy giving him pleasure that way and on the occasion he could actually open his eyes and watch she seemed contented. He gasped as hot wetness traveled up his shaft. "What did Skinner actually say to you?" She spoke between upward and downward attention to his very much alive member. After her mouth slipped over the tip and down little by little his vocal chords needed to be sought out by trackers. It wasn't until she stopped and moved further up his body that his voice was found. "He told me I was to think about where my head and heart were headed." He gasped again as she took a nipple in her mouth and began lightly grinding it between her teeth and then sucking on it to relieve the pain. "I wasn't to see you for the duration of the suspension." The last part fizzled away in his mouth as she took the other nipple and ran her tongue in repeated damp circles. He found himself running fingers through her dark waves and then over her back feeling her muscles undulate as her body moved further up his weakened torso, over his neck and back to his mouth. "John, I've missed you so much." Her mouth once more pressed into his showing without a doubt her sentiments were genuine. He couldn't help but run excited fingers down to knead her ass and pull her hips to be perfectly aligned with his. "I've dreamt each night of doing this." She displayed one of her wide smiles before kissing him again. Her body was light and very alluring as her hips wavered over his. Was she waiting for his move? If she wasn't it was too late. With a swift movement he rolled her over and was on top in the dominant position. The look of mischief on her face told him the timing was perfect. "You've dreamt of this have you?" He took her in his mouth that time and let their tongues collide as below he urged her legs apart further. Taking his very ready sword in hand he found its prepared entrance and pushed in as his mouth continued, swallowing his lovers sounds of satisfaction. It felt even better than in his dreams. The way his body fit with perfection inside hers and the way they interacted with almost telepathy told him it was all meant to be. He wanted to be with this woman for life. She was his life. Anything else could be thrust upon him or taken away and it would be nothing compared with their love for each other. Nothing else mattered except being with her. No matter what Skinner said, he was not in charge of John's love life. His thoughts were for the moment as he loved her body, caressed, kissed and moved inside her. "Just like that, ahh." Her voice vibrated on his cheek as her hands pushed on his ass cheeks urging him to move faster. As her legs spread wider he slid in deeper and worked up a more fevered rhythm. Concentration moved away from their faces and to the activity below as John saw Monica go into a trancelike state. Her arms moved above her head and fingers held onto the bed head slats as she moaned for more. John could give her all she wanted. He had a week's worth of stored up sexual energy and it was all for her when she asked for it. It only took a few more deep thrusts before he felt her body shudder and her face flush, illuminating the dim light. He felt proud he could make her come and he felt even better when they would experience the ultimate together. Still floating over his lover he waited until she was fully recovered before slipping off and lying beside her equally quenched body. "I really love you John." She rolled to her side and ran fingers along his jaw. He smiled back but let her talk. "I don't think Skinner meant us not to see each other." A lone finger ran over the lips that had not long previous tantalized hers. "But..," Her finger pressed on his lips stopping any further reply. "He told me that he said for you not to contact me. Is that right?" She released her hold on his mouth. "That's right, or I would have a permanent mark on my record." He wondered where she was headed. "He didn't tell me not to contact you, he couldn't." Looking into his eyes she waited for understanding. "He couldn't because you weren't the one to break the rules." It was his turn to reach out and feel down her arm to her fingers. "So I'm not breaking the no contact rule because you came to see me." "That's right," she smiled and shuffled closer to let him take her in his arms. "But to be safe I waited a week and parked away from the house." Her hair smelt wonderful as he nuzzled her. Her arm draped over his body made him feel wanted and loved more than ever. ~~~~~ "So anything happen while I've been away?" Sleep was imminent but something told him he would not have another chance soon to talk with her. "No new cases if that's what you mean." Monica kissed his chest as she spoke. "I've been looking through the files and doing a bit of research." She stopped for a moment and drew a breath. "What's wrong?" John could tell she had suddenly remembered something. "There was something, just yesterday." She propped herself on one elbow to see her partner's face. "I didn't know what to make of it. Could be nothing." "What is it?" It had been a whole week of no work. He could feel the embers of challenge as Monica spoke. "When I got to work there was a hand-written note pinned to the office door." John looked on curiously as she continued, "It was written in a hand from I'd estimate early last century and maybe even written with a quill." "What did it say?" Those embers were starting to flame. "I don't know what it means but from what I remember it said, 'My shoes crunched over frost-covered dead leaves. The sky seemed to grow darker as we made our way past the bare black trees of the woods.'" "You think it might be someone playing a joke?" His fingers linked through her hair pulling it away from her face. "Could be," She flopped back down on his shoulder and sighed. "John, I wish you were back working with me." "Me too," The flames were sparking the real desire to return to work. "Was there anything else on the paper?" She started slowly, clearly imagining the note in her mind, "Centered on the top of the sheet were some symbols. An upward arrow and what looked like a key, both in the same pen as the rest of the note." "Let me think on that one Monica." He reached over for another nighttime kiss and flopped back on the pillow clearly needing the kind of sleep that a contented man required. ~~~~~ Chapter Three John Doggett hadn't slept in since he was a teenager and that morning was no exception. His eyes opened, adjusting to the dull morning haze. As his mind unclouded he smiled remembering the previous night with Monica. Her being gone was no surprise. What was unusual was that he hadn't heard or felt her leave. He was starting to wonder if it was all a dream. His sore muscles in odd places told him otherwise. He rolled over to the side of the bed where she had slept and smelt her scent. That took no imagination. He still felt her arms around him and the touch of her hands over his skin, her sweet lips on his. Still caring to think about the previous night he rose out of bed, did a morning stretch to uncrack rested bones and padded to the shower. They hadn't made arrangements to meet again but it was probably apt that he knew nothing. That way if he was asked if he had contacted Monica he could honestly deny it. He did hope that the question would not arise because he would still feel deceitful letting Skinner understand that he hadn't seen Monica for the whole two weeks. Under the shower he stretched again and then let the hot water do the rest of the work to waken his comfortably slept body. As the hot droplets caressed his skin his mind wandered to the note Monica had found pinned to the basement office door. Initially looking like a joke it was becoming more sinister in his mind. There was something not quite right about it. However, unless he had more to go on there was not much he could do. After his morning push-ups, dressed casually in jeans and T-shirt, he ventured downstairs for some breakfast and to plan his day. In the garden there was the lawn to mow and some fallen leaves to sweep. Outside there was the bit of roofing to fix and the back of his garage needed painting. He had also made a point each morning of reading the newspaper that he had decided to get delivered. As he turned the pages his smile got wider thinking more and more about the night's visit and hoping it would happen more often. They wouldn't have to have sex each time but just her presence in his bed would be a comfort and relive the boredom of being alone. Being home for the past week he had come to notice some simple things. One was the next door neighbor's dog would whine and scratch at the back door to be let in. Another was that he could actually hear the train in the distance running along the tracks. He hadn't consciously heard it before. Still another was that the postman would deliver each morning about ten. Not that he ever received much other than spam and bills. It was still a break to go to the letterbox and look. The familiar whistle sounded that he had mail so he took a rest from cleaning the fridge to check. The morning was cloudy but dry. He took in the fresh air as he opened the letterbox. Pulling out three envelopes he began opening the first. A telephone bill was first and then some advertising for a housing estate up north. He had no intension of moving from where he was. The third one was more interesting. There was nothing on the outside but was not flat like the others. It contained something other than paper. A little curious he set the other envelopes down on his kitchen bench and carefully opened the unsealed flap. Curiosity grew as wide as his eyes as he opened the single sheet letting something fall to the ground. Bending down he picked up a single leaf. It was brown and dead and otherwise just an ordinary leaf but having fallen from the envelope he carefully placed it in a zip lock bag he found in one of the draws. He'd already had a glimpse of the paper and that it was almost a match to the one Monica had described. It was thin like paper from a novel and a rippled edge showed it had been torn out of perhaps a notebook. He wondered if Monica's note had also been torn out. Similar to how she had described it the message was written in ink and in an old hand. Just under his breath he read, "Come with me. Come home with me now. Come home to where you belong. Come to your grave Tabby and Lee. I have come for you and you alone. Come Tabby and Lee. Come with me now." His brow wrinkled with confusion, not just from the worrying words but that he and Monica should be the ones to get these messages. Even more concerned he looked in the direction of his mail box and wondered how the person knew where he lived. What was he to do? This needed further investigation and yet he was on suspension. As if on cue the telephone rang. As if there was a certain tone of ring for each person he knew whom it would be. ~~~~~ "John?" Her sweet voice sounded concerned. "We need to talk." "Monica, I don't know about this." He wanted to hear her voice on the phone. He wanted her by his side but it could all be too damaging to his career. For her to call during the day and jeopardize the terms of his suspension her news must have been vital. "I'm on a break and decided to take a walk outside for fresh air. No one knows I'm calling you," she reassured but John still felt uneasy. He had messed up once, if he was caught again it could mean bigger trouble. "It's something about that note isn't it." He was still holding his in his hand and looking at the clear plastic bag holding the dried leaf. "John, I have to see you. I need your help with this." Monica continued. "There's another note. It was under my apartment door when I came home after leaving your place this morning. I had to wait until the right time to tell you." "What does this one say?" A chill went down John's spine understanding that the joke was getting a little too close to home. "It's not just what it said but what had been placed on top." Monica paused. "A Hershey Kisses." "What?" He needed more details. "You know the chocolate treat wrapped in silver foil. It was placed on top of the note. John," her voice was softer as though there were people passing she didn't want to alarm. "The way the note and chocolate was arranged they would have had to break into my apartment." "Where do you want to meet?" Normally he would have suggested she go ask another agent or even go to Skinner but the fact that the perp was becoming more personal and that he had been dragged into the mystery made his suspicion grow. The thrill of the chase was also too hard to ignore. Also the fact that his partner's security had been compromised hurled him into protective mode. "There's an internet café called The Mousetrap in Arlington. No one would ever suspect." With that the phone went dead without giving a time. Not wanting to risk calling back and literally breaking the suspension terms of contacting her, he surmised that she would probably use her lunch break as a cover for leaving the Hoover building. ~~~~~ Trying to look inconspicuous John peered left and right before entering the Internet café in Wilson Boulevard. He half expected Monica to be there already but was a little disappointed when a scan of the room proved negative. "Can I help you?" Asked a young blond teenager with black- rimmed glasses and hair up in a braid. "I'm just waiting for a friend." He looked to the entrance as he spoke. "You can wait over there." She smiled and nodded towards a comfortable corner arrangement of lounge chairs and a coffee table. "Can I get you anything, a coffee?" "Coffee, black, thank you." As he sat, he wondered whether Monica had been there earlier after all but that was dissolved as she entered the large room with about thirty terminals, the light buzz of conversation was punctuated by the clicking of computer keyboard keys. He had missed her smile, the one that lit up every room she entered. It was a smile that showed her love for him and that she relished his presence. It gave him hope for the future that he wouldn't be alone again. The life that grew inside her, the life they shared, was even more of a reminder of their eternal connection. As she made her way over, his skin had a warm flush remembering the previous night of love-making. He wanted to let the whole room know that the love of his life had just entered. He would just have to settle for a warm kiss with the lips that had just smiled sweetly for him. "Love you," she whispered in his ear before sitting next to him on the couch for two. John flashed back one of his rare smiles that had been appearing more and more as their relationship had progressed. "What's that?" Monica noticed John had an envelope and the bag with the leaf on the table in front of them. "It's what I found in my mail box this morning." He waited for her reaction. Picking up the letter she opened the back flap and took out and unfolded the contents. He could see curiosity and a hint of trepidation in her eyes as she read through the lines with her eyes. "Tabby and Lee?" She kept her voice soft not wanting any unwarranted attention. "Who are they?" "It's a mystery for sure," he commented as she lifted the bag with the leaf. "This was inside." "A dead leaf," she confirmed. "It might look insignificant to us but we both know it's some kind of clue." She noticed her reach into her jacket pocket and produce what were clearly the two notes she had received so far. John took them both and lay the first one on the coffee table next to his then opened the one Monica had found in her apartment. "I don't like this John. Why us?" Monica's voice was tinged with urgency. He read the note quietly, "It says, 'I could read the bold, black headline from across the room: LOCAL MYSTERY: 4 HAVE VANISHED.'" He placed the note next to the others. "Does Skinner know about this?" "Not yet. John," she went on quickly. "If I go to him now then he'll put me on the case with another partner. I want you John, only you." "You don't know how much I want it too but Skinner's not going to agree to cutting my suspension short to follow this case." He looked to Monica and saw that she agreed. "What about this, 'Four have vanished'? It sounds urgent." "I checked all the recent news and the FBI database. There's nothing out there that resembles what we have here." She began to fixate on the notes before them. "What?" John knew from past experience that Monica's thoughts were racing. "The notes, they're all torn from what seems like the same book but look at the symbols at the top of each." She put a finger on the first note. "This is an upward arrow then a key. On this one there's an acorn shape with two upward arrows." It was beginning to make sense as Monica spoke. He finger rested on the symbols of the third note. "A key and an arrow." "You're suggesting these might be numbers?" John was catching on. "Possibly page numbers." As they were concentrating on deciphering the puzzle they felt a presence beside them. "Are you Agents Doggett and Reyes?" They looked up to see the blond haired attendant holding out something in her hand. With puzzled looks they glanced at each other before nodding agreement. "Why?" Monica asked. "This is for you." She handed them a similar envelope to the one John had receive that morning. "How did you get this?" John interrogated. "It was on the floor when I opened up this morning. I thought maybe you fitted the description." Oblivious to the irony of the situation the attendant smiled and walked back to her station. ~~~~~ "How would the perp know that we would be coming here?" John asked the question they were both thinking. The whole situation was becoming stranger by the minute. "The only way would be if they overheard our phone conversation. They couldn't have followed us if the envelope was already here when we arrived." She moved a little closer to her partner as though gaining comfort from his proximity. "I don't like the way this is heading." John rested a light hand on her knee acknowledging her closeness. "Let's see what's inside here and piece all this together." The package was bulky as if something was inside. John weighed the envelope in his hand making it out to be heavier than the earlier one. Giving Monica a puzzled but determined looked he carefully opened the flap. Tipping it over he let the object slip out onto the table. "A Snickers bar," Monica mentioned aloud. As she spoke John was opening the new note. "What's it say?" There in the same handwriting as the other three notes was a fourth message. "'At first I thought he was a policemen. But as he stepped under a streetlight, I saw that he wore a blue work uniform.'" John slowly looked up at Monica's similarly puzzled features. Then she seemed to have an idea. "John, look at the symbols at the top of the paper, two keys and three arrows." She took the message from John and then arranged the notes in an order that she would need to reveal. "Do you notice a pattern here?" "With the symbols?" John slowly shook his head but was still scrutinizing the figures. "The first note has an acorn shape and two upward arrows, the second has an arrow and a key," she broke allowing John to respond. "You think they're some sort of numbers, page numbers or something?" As he spoke her fingers went to the final two symbols. "A little like Roman numerals. If the arrow is a one and the acorn a five then the first note must be a seven." Her finger went to the next note. "This must be a nine. The key could represent a ten." "That would mean this one would be an eleven and the last note," he picked it up for a closer look. "The two keys and three arrows would make it twenty-three. Don't tell me there are more of these to come." "I don't know but I'm not waiting round for them. We need to do something now." She shifted on an angle with her knees touching his. "Look at the gifts he's given us. A snickers bar, a leaf, a Hershey's Kisses." "But nothing with your first note." John reminded. "That's what I thought too." "You found something." John read his partner's expression. "I thought nothing of it at first but I found something on the floor just at the office door. A pumpkin seed." She pulled a piece of plastic out of her pocket and showed the small evidence bag to John. "A pumpkin seed," John repeated as he held in up looking at the small almost unnoticeable contents. "This makes no sense." "There's something here John." Her eyes moved over the contents on the coffee table. "Something tells me there will be no more notes and that we have all the information we need." "Well you're seeing something I'm not." John slowly shook his head. At that moment Monica stood and picked up one of the notes, some confidence in her air. Walking over to the attendant John heard her ask to use a terminal. "John, there's a reason why we were directed to this place." Without explaining further she sat at one computer and drew up a chair for her partner. ~~~~~ Monica surfed into google search on the computer. "What are you doing Monica?" John looked at the screen and then her. He was getting used to the way her mind worked. It was certainly on a different tangent to his but that's why their partnership worked. Each agent came from a different angle; saw different parts of the same from an adjacent point of view. "Look at this note." She let him take it from her as she finally produced her reading glasses from her jacket pocket and put them on before typing in something on the screen. "This is the one the perp so kindly left in my mail box." He read it over in his mind and then looked up to the screen. "Look at the names, 'Come to your grave Tabby and Lee'." Monica intently looked over the products of her search. "Ah hah." Her curser rested on a link about fourth from the top of the screen and then clicked. "What is it?" John carefully folded the note and placed it back in his pocket. "Goosebumps." Was Monica's simple reply. "Goosebumps." John gave her a baffled look. "John, you've been a father. They are a series of scary children's books by R.L Stine." Monica took one last look at the screen reading the title and then logged off. "You and I both know it's been a while." John took Monica's cue and stood with her. "Well you will need to get used to that again," she mentioned softly as she took one hand in hers and then the other. Moving her body close she slipped her arms around his middle. John felt an overwhelming rush of realization. Monica was pregnant with his child and indeed there would be a whole new world after the child was born. Even Monica as first time mother would not expect the overpowering comprehension that it would be a whole new life for which they would be responsible. They would be accountable for bringing the child up to be safe, healthy, educated and loved. "Monica, not here," he said barely audibly as he looked at a few smiling faces around the room. "Okay." Still smiling she gave his hands a squeeze and let go. "Come on, let's collect our things. There's a book store down the road." ~~~~~ Chapter Four What they had bought at the bookstore was safely in Monica's possession but before any more investigation they needed to find a quiet place to talk and above all to be able to act like lovers. Apart from sleeping together the previous night they had seen little of each other for a month. Since first realizing their deep affection as a couple their natural urges were to want to be together, to touch, to hold each other, to talk. There was much to catch up on. John still felt remorse for reacting harshly to the news of Monica's pregnancy. He wanted to make it up to her and the one day and two nights he had been with her since then, in his mind was not enough to make amends. Monica seemed to know that part of DC better than he and led him to an area of about half a block that had been converted into parkland, a little area of green, colorful gardens and peaceful solitude in a busy city. "No one will see us here," Monica assured as she led him to a garden seat away from the central path. Although the weather was crisp, as long as they wore their jackets the small amount of sun was enough to keep their minds on the case clues rather than the elements. "'Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns' by R.L. Stine," John repeated the name of the book they had bought at the bookstore. Everything led to that book and Monica began opening the pages expecting the words to jump out at her. "Those symbols are not page numbers John, look." Monica had opened page twenty-six but what caught his eye first was the large number seven to indicate the chapter. The next he saw was the message on the note he had mysteriously received that morning, the message that had given them enough of a clue to find where it had come from. "Come with me. Come home with me now. Come home to where you belong. Come to your grave Tabby and Lee. I have come for you and you alone. Come Tabby and Lee. Come with me now." They both shared worried looks. It was becoming all too real and not a joke any more. "So Tabby and Lee are fictional children," Monica was flicking through the book looking for other clues. "Tabby is short for Tabitha and Lee is an African-American boy." "I still don't get it. Do you think there's a real danger here?" John was being careful how to proceed. If it was just a prank by a mate then it was going past a joke. If it was a real threat then it needed to be acted upon and soon. Any other day he and Monica would be investigating further without a question. The fact that he was still on suspension from the Bureau made it a difficult position to be in. After finding the first three messages Monica flicked through the pages to Chapter Twenty-Three and ran her finger down the lines. As she read through the lines of the message again her eyes widened. "What?" John seemed to be relying on Monica and her imagination to be coming up with leads. "What is it Monica?" ....... "Let me see those notes again." John handed over the pages and she intently flipped through them. "This one." John just frowned and shook his head. "I know what this is. 'At first I thought he was a policemen. But as he stepped under a streetlight, I saw that he wore a blue work uniform.' Where have we seen this before?" "Monica, I'm not sure I understand?" She was trying to help him also work out a lead but he was clueless. "A month back, that case in Palmerton with the missing boy?" John let her continue with her thoughts. "You know, after the case we stayed in a motel on the way home." He may have forgotten a few details of that case but that night was something John would never forget. "I remember." He must have blushed because Monica couldn't help but show a smile. "We were entering the town and there was a large advertisement on the side of a building. I wouldn't have remembered it if it wasn't for this note." Monica shook the wad of paper. "It was for a company that sold workplace clothes and had a man dressed in a blue uniform." "Monica, that's a long shot." John was once again the doubter. "Is it?" She shuffled through the notes again and found the first one she had received. "It talks here about the black wood of the trees, 'My shoes crunched over frost-covered dead leaves. The sky seemed to grow darker as we made our way past the bare black trees of the woods.' Don't you remember? Where we busted that cult, the one where Samuel's father had taken him. It was in the middle of an area just like what this describes." "This is reaching Monica." He still wasn't convinced it was serious enough to break his terms of suspension to follow the case. "Is it John? Don't you see? It all fits." Monica turned on an angle to look more into his eyes and spoke softly. "Do you remember the boy's father and his last words to us before being taken away?" "That was just to get up our goat. We'd busted his ass, what was he to say?" John stood and looked down to Monica who was prepared to still sit. "He said, 'Agents beware, you're in a for a scare.'" His partner reminded as she stood beside him and handed him the book presenting it with the back cover showing. "At the time it might have been mindless but look at this." As John read what was on the back cover it was his turn to be enlightened. It was the turning point where the bit of horseplay became something more sinister. "'Reader beware - you're in a for a scare!'" He read it with a soft voice and then looked up to a face that knew she had convinced him. "But the boy's father was put away, we know that with our follow-up call a week later." "Then something has happened John. For some reason he is free and he wants revenge." As she spoke she looked around the parkland as though there could be watchful eyes. His gaze followed hers. "You don't think he's been following us." He wanted to put a protective arm around her but somehow in public it was still a little awkward for him. There would come a time they could freely express their love and affection for each other no matter where they were. John knew that he wanted it to be sooner rather than later. He had already waited so many years. "I think he's had his fun with us and now expects us to follow these leads." "Then why should we give him that satisfaction?" It was John's logical comeback. "John what if there are children involved here, what if there will be a child in danger?" She looked him squarely in the eyes. "Everything here leads to children, the Goosebumps book, Tabby and Lee, the trick or treat items." Sensing his apprehension she moved closer, resting a hand on his. "I need you with me on this John. It's clearly 'our' case." As she moved her arms around him, like melting ice he slowly relented and matched her embrace. "This could mean my job Monica, if I'm caught. No way would Skinner agree to me doing this." His face was close to hers as he spoke quietly. "Then we won't get caught." For reassurance she gave him a small kiss on the lips and then ran her fingers over his cheek admiring her catch. "How can I explain being away from home? What if Skinner calls?" As he spoke Monica's fingers were playing with the back of his neck. "I'm sure you'll think of something." She grinned and then pulled him down for a deeper kiss. His surroundings and concerns had temporarily vanished as he lost himself in that kiss. It was designed to show him that love was far more important than anything else. He had a loving woman who was carrying his unborn child. They had a job that was certainly eventful and full of surprises. Life with Monica would always be novel and exciting. Chapter Five Palmerton Police Headquarters stood in the center of town, a building that spoke law enforcement. The two agents conveniently found a park out front and made their way to the front entrance. They had made little delay on beginning their trip back to the environs of the case they had left seemingly solved over three months back. Monica had signed out an FBI vehicle to show she was on Bureau business but declined to mention who would be accompanying her. If questioned about going alone she would just plead that she was only following up on a lead and thought nothing of it seeing her partner would be gone for the next week. Naturally if he was on duty they would be going together. If anyone was to check in on him John had left the house as though he was still around and had just momentarily popped out. His truck was in his garage, the curtains were partially open letting any onlooker see that his interior had a few things strewn about. There were even dishes in his sink, something he would only do if he was home. In case he would be away for a couple of days he'd even asked a neighbor to check the post for him and anything that would suggest he wasn't at home or close by. They had both brought a few provisions in the event they needed to stay overnight. Deep down they both hoped that it was just a prank so played it a little low key over the phone. They had decided to let the detective in charge of the case Palmerton end make his her own observations. "We're Agents Doggett and Reyes," John mentioned to the welcoming party of one, a short balding man in a suit that at first glance seemed a little oversized. He was certainly not the bodiment of who they would have expected to greet them at a Police station "Ah, Detective Bartlett has been expecting you." He went to shake both their hands. It was firm for his size. "I'm Mayor Tim Sayers, you might have heard of me." John's eyes enlarged in recognition and he half expected his partner to have reacted the same way. It had only been a month since the well-publicized mayoral election of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. "Hello Mayor," Reyes decided to choose her next words carefully as they followed the short yet full of character man down a busy hallway. "You look different from your photos." "Ah yes!" He turned and opened a door to his right a bright, confident look on his face. "Photos can be flattering. Here we are, Detective Bartlett's office." "Can I ask why a mayor is working in Police Headquarters?" John could sense that his partner felt the same way. "This is the way I stay in touch with my constituents. One day a week I go into the community and work there." For a little guy the man exuded charisma. "That way I can sense the working environment first hand. Knowing the community means making wise decisions for the people." How could either of them dispute that? This man left them both thinking why it wasn't common practice in other communities. John pursed his lips and nodded his acceptance. As they entered the room, the mayor had one last comment, one that left both agents a little puzzled. "Hope you catch the culprit." He said it with a wink making John and Monica wonder whether it was said as a joke considering their profession or was there a deeper meaning? They had given each other confused looks but when they looked back at the door he was gone. "Senior Detective Bartlett will be with you shortly," came the response from behind the desk in reception. If she hadn't spoken then the two agents may not have noticed her in the same room. She was a slight woman probably in her late teens, quite nondescript in the features department. They both wondered what had become of the Detective's previous secretary, the one who had received the original call of the tip-off about the cult and its whereabouts. It all led to the original solving of the case and the capture of Dan Murphy, the father of Josh who had been abducted and then been subsequently at the mercy of the cult. Even before they could respond, the internal door opened and out came the larger than life detective. "Agent Reyes." She held out her hand for the greeting. "Agent Doggett." She did the same for John. "Please come in." She turned letting the agents follow. From behind, the door quietly closed as if by itself. "I didn't think we'd be seeing you back so soon." Senior Detective Marion Bartlett was a big woman, not just in size but height. She seemed strong in both body and personality. John remembered his and Monica's conversation back in the car those weeks back sharing a laugh over if she ever decided on a change of career they could see her as a nightclub bouncer. John wondered if his partner was thinking the same. After a quick glance to each other their eyes met in a half smile. "Us either Senior Detective." Monica was always the polite one. "But we really need you to have a look at what we've got." "Please call me Marion, I mentioned that last time." For a woman who appeared so formal it seemed off beam to be on first name basis so the two agents used it sparingly. "We'd like you to take a look at these and see what you think." Monica decided to get straight to the point. From a satchel she retrieved the notes and four evidence bags. It all looked so formal for something that could realistically be a prank but they were playing the safe side. As Monica placed the evidence on the desk before the detective, John watched her mannerisms. That was what he was trained to do and did so well. The slightest flinch or facial movement could tell him a whole story, give him an unexpected lead. Monica explained how they had received the notes but not what they had discussed, leaving that for the detective to decipher. Mumbling to herself the agents let her think, "Tabby and Lee, four have vanished, dead leaves, black trees, blue work uniform." Her eyes scrutinized the clear plastic bags and her eyebrows rose. John could see nothing in her features that would suggest any type of recognition. There was nothing and yet that was unusual in itself. Surely there would have been more surprise. Perhaps she could at least show a frown of concentration. "What do you think? Is this linked with the cult case?" Monica wanted some sort of reasoning from the woman on the other side of the ample desk. "I don't know," her speech was drawn out as once more she poured over the notes. "Is this all you have?" At that moment Monica pulled something more from her bag and handed it over the desk. "Goosebumps, a series of children's books by the author R.L. Stine." She let the detective take it from her hand. "This one is called, 'Attack of the Jack-O'-Lanterns'. All those quotes come from this book." John could see that Monica was becoming uneasy and he understood why. The woman behind the desk was being quite noncommittal. It was becoming clearer by the moment that she knew something but was not sharing. "Senior Detective," John wanted to stay in professional mode with this woman. He had experienced her hard-handed ways since they were there last and didn't want any familiarity getting in the way of solving the puzzle. "If you know something then we'd appreciate you sharing. Agent Reyes and myself have had our privacy violated here. The person who planted these notes knows where we live. It seems they also know what we do, where we go." "Well in all honesty I don't know what this has to do with this town." She stood as though the meeting was almost up and began gathering the evidence in front of her. John and Monica remained seated. They were far from finished with the meeting. "I think it is." Monica spoke in a more forceful tone; the one John loved to hear. It was the tone she used to show she could match personalities with the best of them. "The blue work uniform relates to the painted advertisement on the side of the Brown's Realty a few blocks from here." "There must be many of those in DC. Maybe you should be looking there." She was waving the wad of paper over the desk for one of them to take but Monica stood her ground. "That company isn't a DC one. It's based here in Pennsylvania and has a sister company in Maryland." "Then maybe you should be going to Maryland." Her face had turned sour. When a woman in power used that stance John knew it was time to back off. There were other ways. John stood and took the evidence whether his partner wanted him to or not. "Just two questions and then we'll be on our way." John posed. "Okay." The senior detective seemed to be appeased by that. "Dan Murphy, the father of the abducted boy, he's still in prison right?" They had been told that on the phone but he wanted her to respond in person. "Yes, he has been incarcerated since being found guilty of kidnapping over three months back." She seemed to be telling the truth. "And there have been no reports of missing children, people in the last few days?" John added. "None around these parts." She then took a steadfast stance.. "Maybe in Maryland." Without any more words they left the Detective's office. Just as they exited, John turned to face her once more and knew from all the experience gleaned from years in investigation that there was more than met the eye. She knew he knew it too. ~~~~~ "John, what do we do now?" They were out in the street after being waved goodbye by the mayor. "Come on Monica, let's go." He ushered her to the FBI issue sedan. "This is not the place to talk." Once donning their seatbelts and moving into the traffic, securely away from prying ears it was safer for discussion. "She knows something." They both unexpectedly said the statement at the same time. It wasn't often their brains were on the same wavelength. "Link pinkies." Monica held out her little finger but John just looked at it briefly as he drove. "What? That's a child's game Monica." He rolled his eyes but still chuckled. "You're going to need to get used to child's games John," she so aptly reminded and then laughed herself. He smiled and nodded and then linked his pinky with hers. "What did you wish for?" "I thought the wish didn't come true if you told?" John questioned. "Well if you don't tell, who will there be to help you achieve that wish?" Monica had a point but John's wish was something he would keep to himself until later. "You'll find out." Secretly smiling he went back to concentrating on the traffic along Delaware Avenue. Monica also smiled probably guessing what he had in mind. "What involvement do you think she has in this John?" She looked behind her as she spoke. "You think we're being followed?" Looking in the rearview mirror revealed nothing suspicious. "I just have this feeling that all is not as it seems here. Dan Murphy is still in prison. There have been no reported abductions." She spoke as she thought it all out. "Maybe this has nothing to do with our cult case." "So we came all this way for nothing?" John's expression turned serious. "Oh no, there's definitely something here, just not what we thought." Monica looked back again and then rested a hand on her partner's arm. "John, stop here for a moment." He quickly found a park in a side street by the town's athletic field. "Did you see something?" John also turned to look behind them. Just at the corner of Delaware Avenue and the one they were parked was the hood of a vehicle, barely visible. "What do they want with us? Why us?" "Let me drive." Monica got out of the vehicle and around to the driver's side. John had already shuffled over to the passenger seat. There would be no argument when his partner seemed to know what she was doing. "I'm going to lose them and then I think I know where we're meant to go next." "Where?" John was completely baffled. ~~~~~ Monica had meandered in and out of streets until she was sure they were not being tailed and then made her hasty way along route 86 traveling northwest. It wasn't until they passed the gravel pit that John knew where they were headed. "I thought this had nothing to do with our original case?" John looked over to the driver with confusion. "I don't think it does." Monica kept an eye peeled in the rearview mirror but was satisfied there was no one following. "You asked the question before 'why us?', I think this person chose us deliberately." "Deliberately," John wanted assurance. "Why would us of all people be targeted?" She turned onto the dirt track off to the left and the car made its bumpy way along the path that few vehicles had traveled. "Because we're the X-Files," It was beginning to make a little sense. "So you think this is an X-File after all and not a case of falling into a trap that has been neatly set out for us?" "Have you noticed that even though our personal lives have been invaded we don't feel threatened?" Monica pulled the car up a little way from the log cabin the cult had used for their practices. It was set in bush land just as one of the notes had indicated. A fire that had raged a few years back had blackened the trees but new vegetation had grown back. The forest floor was covered with leaf litter that was damp from recent rain. "Did you bring your weapon?" Instinctively John's hands went to his gun belt but it was not there. "No." He looked even more puzzled than he had before. "Neither did I." Monica undid her seatbelt all the time looking across at the seemingly abandoned building. "It never crossed my mind." "I always carry my weapon on cases like this." He got out of the car and followed his partner. Just as he reached her the ground seemed to give way beneath his feet. All turned into a blur as he landed with a thud, something heavy on his chest winding him. ~~~~~ "John? John!" The voice was getting louder as he opened his eyes to darkness. "Are you okay?" He shook his head more to see if he could move. There was a sharp pain in his wrist and in one ankle. His head fell back as he rode the throbbing sensations. "What happened?" His head was still a little groggy. "Monica, are you okay?" He reached his good hand out to touch her. "I'm all right John, I landed on top of you." He could feel her arm under his urging him to his feet. Calling out in pain she quickly let go. The tenderness in his wrist was unbearable. "My wrist." He managed to explain. "We need to get help John." The comment seemed arguable in the surrounding unfamiliar darkness. "Can you stand?" With his good hand he steadied himself and as he stood he almost fell again as his ankle cried out in agony. "My ankle." He explained further. Resting against an earthen wall he collected his breath. "Looks like we've fallen down an old dried up well." John could tell that his partner was feeling around the area they had landed. "We have to get out of here." Just as she said the words there appeared some golden light to one side. As their eyes adjusted to the faint glow it made out some sort of underground tunnel. Without the need for words Monica put an arm around her partner for support and they made slow progress along its length. Every so often the couple needed to stop while John rode the agony in his ankle. "John," she said softly. "Something tells me we were meant to be here." "You think this has all been planned?" They came to a dead end with a small very low wattage light globe about half way up one wall. As she felt around the walls Monica explained. "The notes, the gifts, the internet café. This person knew exactly what we would do even before we knew it ourselves. Someone must have switched on this light." There was no visible way of exiting the tunnel until Monica looked up. "It could be a sensor light." John again leant against one wall to relieve the pressure from his excruciating ankle. Monica found some indentations in the wall and began a slow journey climbing up the footholds. "Be careful Monica. Remember you're pregnant." Immediately the pain in his ankle was secondary to what was then on his mind. It was lucky that his body had broken her fall. In the past falls like that could mean pregnancy complications. As she made her way to the top she began pushing on the ceiling. After a few pushes he could see some slits of light. With a big heave there was sudden light streaming through what appeared to be a trap door. At first the brightness blinded them until their eyes focused. "Monica, I'm not going to be able to climb up there." Even though he had promised himself he would not complain but be thankful his wounds had prevented injury to his partner he had to face facts. He was stuck unless Monica could find an easier way for him to get up there. "Wait there." Monica's words were redundant but still comforting as she lifted herself up into what must have been a room of the log cabin. He could hear her shuffling above and then something was being passed down through the opening, a ladder. "Well, this was conveniently easy to find." "It would be wouldn't it?" John knew it would be painful to climb but it was better than the alternative. "With a trap door here and all?" "That's just it. What are trap doors for John, but as a secret escape?" He was half way up when he had to take a few moments rest. "The ladder would be hidden away too until needed." "So you're still saying that this has all been planned?" John tried again to climb, keeping his pain to himself. "When you're up here look at this." It gave him further incentive to get to the top. Monica helped him the rest of the way to a standing position inside a room well illuminated by strategic windows letting in the afternoon daylight. "How do you explain that?" John looked from where he had come to see a rectangular patch of floor that looked darker than the surrounding area. Monica closed the door and then went to one side of the room where she found a piece of floor covering what John just knew would exactly fit the irregular patch surrounding the trap door. "Someone knew we would be coming through there." John imagined what Monica was thinking. "And look over here." She took his good hand and helped him hobble over to the only table in the room. Slowly but surely John was being convinced. There on the table was a first aid box. Lifting the lid Monica pulled out some bandages. "Here, sit down." She pulled out a chair and arranged it for easy access. Unraveling the gauze she proceeded to wrap John's apparently broken wrist. "This should give you some support until we can get a doctor to look at it." Over and over she surrounded his wrist, then with the scissors and fastener finished off the makeshift bandage job. "So this person is predicting what we'll do? That's some damn prediction. Maybe the X-File is that he has a crystal ball." John winced as Monica began binding his swelling ankle. "That's not as silly as it sounds but I think it's more than that." She continued as she wound the fabric in circles. "It almost like he's reading our future minds." ........ "Future minds? You're making no sense Monica." John was becoming a little short tempered. It was hard going internalizing his obvious physical discomfort and trying to think laterally at the same time. "This person knew we would be meeting at that Internet café even before I thought it." She continued carefully working on her partner's injured ankle. "At first I thought maybe when he entered my apartment he saw it advertized somewhere or he left a clue that put the thought in my mind but it was nothing like that." "Then how did you know about the place and why there?" John was certainly intrigued but still it was incomprehensible. "Just before I rang you I'd heard it advertized on the radio." She finished fastening the bandage and then looked up to see John's strained face. At that moment she must have seen his pain. "So you're telling me that this guy left the note addressed to us at the Mousetrap Internet café even before you'd heard about the place? That's some feat Monica." "Don't ask me to explain it but we do need to look around this place." She stood, and did a sweep of the room as if searching for something in particular. Walking over to one side of the area John's eyes really widened at what she brought back with her. "Who would leave a first aid kit and a walking crutch in plain sight in an abandoned cabin?" John's mind was finding it difficult to grasp the incredulity of the situation. He would have preferred to have applied the Occams' Razor theory but it was certainly looking much more complicated. Monica just displayed a 'believe me now?' look. A search of the cabin proved that it was indeed unoccupied and had not been lived in since the cult days months back. There were however a few signs that someone had been there and may be returning. The kitchenette cupboard had a few provisions. The afternoon was turning to dusk as they decided that hunger was looming and to share some of the rations. They had come this far and something told them that they were in the right place at the right time. Even though John needed medical attention for his injuries it could wait. Monica had found some strong pain relievers in the first aid box and he felt a little numbed by their reaction. One hour led into two as they waited knowing that was the right approach. Monica found a gas stove and put a kettle on to boil for coffee. It wasn't until they were part way through the warming brew that they heard something at the cabin front door. It was dark out by then and Monica had lit a few candles for some illumination. "Who is it?" Monica called as John hobbled behind her to the front entrance. There was no reply and they had no weapons for protection so would have to trust that they were in no danger. To add the element of surprise Monica quickly flung open the door and then stepped back out of the way. The porch was empty. "You two are predictable." The sudden unexpected yet familiar voice came from behind them making them jump. John once again felt the pulling sensation on his wrist telling him the pain relief was wearing off. "Agent Doggett, you really need to see a doctor about that wrist of yours." Both agents' mouths just hung open recognizing but not comprehending the person before them. ~~~~~ "Gibson, this was you?" John couldn't believe his eyes at seeing the boy they hadn't seen since Mulder and Scully had fled after Mulder's prison escape. "You planned all this?" It was Monica's turn to question. "Not exactly." He walked to the kitchen with the agents following, John hobbling along as best he could. He must have known how much pain John bore because he sat at the table beckoning the couple to also sit. "Where have you been Gibson? We were worried about you." Monica's nurturing quality shone through when it came to Gibson. He had also seen that with Scully and Mulder's William. It was part of the reason he knew she would make a perfect mother for their child. "I've been on the run. I couldn't take you up on the offer to protect me, not then." For a fugitive he looked healthy and well fed just a little sad. John had had a hard life but it was nothing compared with the teenage boy in front of him. He empathized with the youth. "So that's what all this is about? You got our attention because you want our protection now? All you had to do was say so and we would have been there for you Gibson." Monica rested a linking hand on John's arm. "I know about your baby." He looked to her belly. "You read my mind?" Monica was surprised but not offended. It was probably because she rarely had a harsh thought about anyone. Gibson just shook his head making the agents even more confused. Besides Monica's parents, John and she were the only ones who knew about the pregnancy. "Then how? How did you do all this Gibson?" Monica was clearly curious as to the extent of Gibson's abilities. So was John. They had both come to believe that he could read people's thoughts but to read their future thoughts and predict their actions was something new. "What did you mean 'not exactly' planning all this?" John was not going to let that initial statement go. If he didn't exactly arrange it then it certainly went to some sort of plan. Gibson casually looked across to the open door of a room that was bathed in darkness. There was movement and then something else came into view. ..... "Meet Gizelle." The agents looked across to the doorway not at all expecting to see the person they did. "Gizi, you've met Agents Doggett and Reyes." "Pleased to meet you again," came the same sheepish voice they had heard that day in the Palmerton Police station. She was just as unassuming as they had originally seen her sitting outside Senior Detective Bartlett's office as her secretary. "Gizelle?" Monica just shook her head still stunned by her unexpected appearance. "This was all you then?" The girl would have been in her late teens making her a couple of years older than Gibson. "Gizi is like me but with her own unique abilities." Gibson explained seeming to know that his friend was too shy to talk about herself. "There are more of us out there. That's why I couldn't stay with you. I wanted to find them." John seemed to know there would be more children like Gibson but had not pursued his thoughts. Maybe one day when their X- Files plate was not so full that would be a case they could have conquered but on the other side it could also put these children in more danger than they deserved. Just knowing that his thoughts were validated would be enough for the time being. "Gibson, there's not much time." Gizelle's voice sounded concerned. "Not much time?" John tried to be as compassionate as his maleness would allow. "Are they coming?" "Who's coming?" Monica added. "I think you know," was all Gibson mentioned. "Gizelle, we have to know. How did you do it and why?" Monica could tell there was urgency in the girl's action but they all had to know. "I wanted you to know because you understand. The others just...." She broke down and flopped on the spare seat. In a fashion that the agents hadn't seen before Gibson put a comforting arm around his friend and continued for her. "They don't know it's her yet but it's only a matter of time." He looked down with concern at the form in his arms and then back at the agents. "They somehow know there is someone like Gizi with her ability to read more than just minds but be able to predict their actions to almost perfect precision." "They? Are they the super soldiers? Some other aliens, the government?" John was continuing to fit the pieces, as was Monica. He also knew that Gibson probably didn't know exactly who the 'they' were. Maybe it was indeed some government faction that would want to study anyone who had abilities that could be useful in the event of the future alien invasion. "So they want to study Gizelle like they studied you." Monica knew the thought was a painful one for Gibson but also knew that knowing what he did and going through those dreadful experiences would urge him to protect others with his life. "Then why go to all that trouble with the notes? You must have known we'd go to the Palmerton police." That was still confusing John. Why not just come straight to them? "We wanted them to know that you knew." The girl had composed herself enough to sit up and talk. "That way it would hopefully put them off track." "Come back with us," John was in his insisting mood. "We will protect the two of you." "If I leave Palmerton now they will know it's me." Gizelle was making sense. "I must go back to my job. That way I can monitor the situation. Bartlett might be a tyrant but I can still predict what she will do." The wisp of a girl uneasily looked across to the door as though looking past it. "Gibson!" "We have to go." The teenage boy stood and helped his friend to stand. "Okay," John accepted. "Will we see you again?" "I will find a way." The two left the kitchen as quickly as they had appeared. Only moments later there were sounds of vehicles and then loud chatter coming from what sounded like a large posse surrounding them outside. A moment hence there was a loud rapping at the door. "FBI, open up!" came the familiar voice from the other side of the door. The agents looked around them but as if by magic the teenagers were nowhere to be seen. Before opening the door to the inquisition John quickly flicked back the remaining piece of floor covering to once again conceal the trap door. Chapter Six "I don't think you'll lose your job John," Monica was consoling as the doctor added a fresh bandage to John's twisted, swollen ankle. "Give that an hour to set and you can be on your way Agent Doggett." He pretended to pat the plaster cast that was all the way from John's hand almost up to the elbow. "How long will I need this?" With frustration John examined the doctor's handiwork. "Keep it inactive and about six weeks should do the trick." He was smirking under his breath, which added to John's annoyance. How was he meant to keep fit with a bung ankle and a broken wrist? How was he going to be able to make love to the woman he loved more than anything in the world? The doctor left with the promise of returning when the hour was up to check all was right to leave the hospital and return to DC. "John, with what we know now, it's all the more important that the X-Files go on and with you running them." Monica continued. "So you think it's safe to tell Skinner everything?" John was doubtful. "I don't think he needs to know every detail but we can tell him about meeting Gibson and that he contacted us this way to tell us he thinks there are others out there like him and he's in search of them." "Would he buy that?" John was careful not to speak too loudly. "He's an astute man. He'll know we are keeping something from him." She sat on the trolley where John was then sitting. "But I also know he won't probe. For obvious reasons we know and he knows there are some things better kept from him." There was a cough at the door and the agents wondered how much Assistant Director Skinner had overheard. They had been careful to keep their voices low. "You did a foolish thing John." Skinner seemed his authoritative self, leaving both agents to wonder where the conversation was heading. "Breaking your suspension." "Sorry sir but we thought this case needed urgent action." What else could he say? It was true. The case had been designed for Special Agents Doggett and Reyes and them alone. It had been Gibson who had known all the information about them and where they lived. He had probably been the one who had made the trip to DC. "To be frank sir, I would do the same again." That way his boss would understand that the situation was indeed an important one without having to tell him too much. "I know and that's why the only action I'm taking is leaving the suspension on your permanent record." John breathed a sigh of relief. That was a small price to pay compared with the bigger picture that proceeding with the case had presented. Skinner looked across to an equally surprised Monica. "You should have told me Agent Reyes." It was then that each agent knew that Skinner knew about her pregnancy. "How did you find out sir?" Monica expressed John's curiosity. "A call from Mexico wondering how you were." He didn't need to explain further, the cat was out of the bag and probably at the right time too. His eyes looked back to John and his injuries. "I think you'll be glad to know it was all worth it." "Sir?" Skinner's words needed an explanation. "Put it this way, a little bird spoke in my ear that it's now more important than ever that the X-Files stay open." Neither of them needed any more details. That little bird was probably Gibson but his name needed no mention. "Agent Doggett, I'll see you back on board next Monday." "Thank you sir." He'd expected as much that he would be required to finish his suspension. A reduction in time was unrealistic seeing he had flouted orders yet again. "Agent Reyes, I'll see you in my office tomorrow." He started to walk towards the door. "We need to talk about this new condition of yours." Once at the door he turned and with just a hint of a smile he added, "With Kim arrange an afternoon appointment." "Sir?" Monica stopped him before he left. "Senior Detective Bartlett, what's her involvement in all this?" "I think we're safe on that one," he confided. "She knows only what we want her to know. Just looking after her town and its reputation." Then he was gone. ~~~~~ "You're not serious!" John looked across to The Blue Lagoon Inn, the same one they had spent their first night together over three months previously. "John, it's late and I'm tired." There was a hint of a wink. "And you're in no condition to drive." She looked behind her to the back seat at his plaster cast and the elevated foot along the seat, and then at the walking crutch lying along the floor. Monica had a point. It had been a really long day, he had been injured and was still feeling discomfort even after taking the prescribed pain relievers. To lie between cool, clean sheets on a comfortable surface was looking tempting. Before he could even agree she was turning into the motel and pulling up the car in the parking bay provided. "Wait here, I'll go get us a room." Monica swiveled back and smiled. "How are you feeling?" She looked down at his heavily bandaged ankle. "I've been better." He didn't want to complain too much. That was not his nature. He had been injured enough in the line of duty to come to expect it as part of the job. Inwardly chuckling he thought about how he'd never sustained injuries before from falling down an abandoned well and a woman landing on him. How would it all look on the report? "Monica," his voice went lower. There were a few people milling about and he preferred they didn't overhear the private conversation. "I'm tired and sore and in need of a hot shower. I'm not really up for it." His eyes scouted around to a couple of people looking at him curiously as they walked past. "That's okay John." Monica reached back and ran a hand along his leg. "We have plenty of other nights for sex." She smiled as she got out of the car. Before closing the door she peered back in. "In six weeks when your wrist's better we can try again then. I'm pregnant but I've been reading and we can safely have sex all the way up to when the baby's born." She left him to brood over the final comments. "Monica!" He tried to call after her but she was gone. A frown appeared on his face. Six weeks until more sex? She had to be kidding! Was she teasing to get him thinking? He had heard how manipulative women could be but surely not his Monica. He had gone months without sleeping with a woman since his ex but with Monica it was different. His body and soul craved to be with her. Even just thinking about being in bed with his lover was starting to liven his energy. In no time the back door opened and Monica's sweet face was still smiling at him, the same way as it had left. "Need help?" She collected his wooden crutch and stood at the door as he awkwardly slid over the seat. "No, I'm right." He finally stood and he took the crutch from his partner. It would have been far easier with two but there was the problem of his wrist. Walking beside him she honored his wishes to do it alone. It had been a while since the last time he had used such a contraption. He was still a little out of practice. Monica went a little forward and then through some double glass doors to an elevator. "Figured it'd take all night if you used the stairs." She chuckled as the door dinged open. Holding it open allowed him enough time to hobble inside. "You could have just asked for a room on the ground floor." It seemed logical but he knew Monica always did things for a reason. "Not where we're going." She decided to play a game. For the first time John noticed that she had both their overnight bags. He had been so internal with his feelings and ailments he hadn't thought about how she was feeling. "You okay with all this? I mean, you don't have to look after me Mon. I can take care of myself." "I know you can John but isn't it better with two?" The elevator door dinged open to a small foyer, unlike any motel he'd seen. There were only two doors, one for the stairs and the other leading off a short distance to the right. Using a keycard Monica unlocked the door and let John through first. "What is this?" John's eyes could not believe it was the same motel in which they had previously stayed. The room was ample with faint violet yet warm tones and a large king size bed in the center. It was far larger and better appointed compared with anything he had stayed in courtesy of the FBI. "It was the only one with a special feature I was hoping for." Laying the bags on a bench next to a large closet she began looking around the room. ..... "Special feature, you mean a bed big enough to fit a marines platoon maybe two?" His eyes began to look worried. "Monica, you must have spent a fortune on this. It's really not deserved. All I'll be doing is sleeping. Look at me!" Her smiling mouth and happy face were all he could see as she came up close and wrapped her arms around his middle, being careful not to knock him off balance. "We're going to be parents in just under six months," she reminded as she began unraveling his tie. "When will we get another opportunity like this?" "But Monica, as you can see I'm not in a shape I could put all this luxury to good use." His eyes did a sweep of the room and then to the marvelous nighttime view out the window, with the twinkling lights from the township. "Come," she motioned for him to follow. "I think you could put this to good use." She was through the door that clearly led to the bathroom. He could hear the faucet being turned and the rush of the water as he finally made it through. The lighting was dim with the effect of candlelight and the mist that clung in the air was so romantic. Again his eyes displayed what he had not imagined. Instead of a bath there was a spa, a huge shell shaped contraption. The water was steaming from the faucet and Monica had found some scented bath solution. As she poured, the sweet perfume filled the room. "So this is that special feature?" He still couldn't believe what he was seeing. Suddenly guilt overcame him. "We can't stay here Mon." She must have known how he'd feel because her expression never changed. Letting the water continue filling the shell Monica came over to him and took his crutch leaving him to hop if he wanted to go anywhere. "John," she said softly as she assisted him to a ceramic bench clearly made for sitting. "I know what you're thinking but I'm happy to look after you. Let me do for you. This is just what you need to relax you" Urging him to sit she knelt down and started taking off his only shoe, then both socks, the second one over the bandage covering his badly twisted ankle. The thought of what she had in mind was beginning to excite him. It was indeed a surprise that no other woman had offered him. As her gentle fingers undid his buttons and took off his shirt, with each touch his skin was tingling. He let her take off his undershirt leaving him bare-chested. Without touching him sexually she slowly took off his clothing until he sat in his briefs, his foot elevated on a small stool. The plaster surrounding his mending broken wrist lay on his lap. "I have to keep this dry remember." In no way was John in a condition to get up unassisted and find something to waterproof the plaster cast. Not only because of his injuries but that this woman was undressing him so sensually. Before, he was in no way ready for sex but slowly she had been changing his mind with her actions. Briefly exiting the room his partner came back with the plastic casing the Palmerton hospital had provided. After wrapping the plaster she began unraveling the bandage from his ankle. "I don't want this getting wet. I'll put it back on later." After gently kissing the visibly painful black and blue distended ankle she helped him over to the side of the spa where the water level was perfect. The bubbles, the steam, the golden light and the gentle hum of the spa's motor created an atmosphere most conducive to relaxation. "That oil I added is a muscle relaxant. It should help you sleep later too." There was a rim around the edge of the bath that was meant for sitting. It made it easier for John to be able to swivel his legs into the water. "You will join me?" John was beginning to think that the bath had just been run for him. Monica had helped him off with his last article of clothing and watched as he slid into the fiery liquid, she had made sure that the plaster was resting on the spa rim, but she was making her way to the bathroom door. It was as though she was serious about looking after him as his nurse and not his lover. "I was going to hop into bed and watch a little television." Was she teasing again? If so it was well hidden. "John, if I join you, I'll want to touch you and we can't risk injuring you further. I can wait six weeks if I have to." John's insides were screaming out for her to just strip off and slip in beside him. The way he was feeling after those gentle fingers had touched his skin, just her being close after so much time apart was making his body respond in ways that forgot all about his wounds. "Monica, you won't injure me, now please come back." If she had wanted him to say that then it had worked. More than anything he wanted to feel her naked body close again. Even if they kissed and he used his good hand to touch her was better than no sexual activity at all. "If you want, John." She came back a few minutes later dressed only in a short bathrobe that hung slightly open at the front. Not even looking at him she checked on the plastic covering his arm. Did she know how the hint of what was underneath was turning him on beyond distraction? "Monica, just come here," he pleaded. Past hiding his true desires he held out his good hand beckoning her to finally join him. A suggestion of a smile crossed her lips as she slowly let the fabric fall from her body revealing her slender, sexy physique underneath. If he was in better form he would have pulled her in on top of him and then rolled her over in the water kissing her wildly. He would have taken her cues of readiness and then made love there in the water. Unfortunately he was at her mercy and she was playing on his helplessness. He watched her every move as she slowly stepped into the ample tub designed for two. "Happy now?" She reached for the small square washcloth and dipped it into the bubbles. "You just want me to wash you." "Stop teasing me and just kiss me!" Trying to move too quickly sent a sharp pain to his ankle and he screwed up his face in agony. "There, you must keep still John." He felt the hot washer over his face and then neck. The sensation rippled under the water and across his chest then up over his shoulders. Her body was so near his barely touching. His manly instinct was to reach out and hold her but he couldn't move without something hurting. "How does that feel?" The quietness of her voice matched the warm glow of the room. "Hmm, good." His heartbeat elevated further as she replaced the cloth with her fingers and felt down his good arm under the bubbles. As his eyelids grew heavy all he could hear was her voice and the hum of the spa motor. The fingers that had concentrated on his upper body were slowly going further down. It was only a matter of time. "Just let me do for you John," she reminded with a whisper, blowing air on his cheek and then lips. Being careful to avoid the ankle she gently lay above him. Knowing that his breathing was becoming difficult to control, she covered his lips with her own. He wanted it, he wanted her mouth to devour his no matter how painful it was to the rest of his body. As his lips opened so did hers and making up for lost time they linked more than just mouths. With all worries gone he kissed her long and gently and then deeply as the pressure grew between them. His good arm played along her back under the water just playing along her curves with the gentle caresses. If there was such a thing as cloud nine then it was there on earth. The way her foot was playing with his good leg and the way her throat purred each time his hand found a new unexplored patch on her back urged him to go further. "Monica," he whispered, his neck not the only part of him pulsing with deep desire. Her hand found its way over his hip just flicking at the head of his stiff hard-on. "How will we work this?" A deep involuntary groan escaped his throat as sure fingers enveloped his shrine. His lust was almost uncontrollable but he knew if he moved then the pain would take away from the overwhelming need to be joined with his lover. "Just keep really still," she murmured in his ear before carefully climbing on top. With her knees either side of his submerged hips and hands supporting herself beside his head she leant down to kiss him again. As their lips produced more and more pressure her hips slipped down letting his tribute to all things manly press inside. He wanted so badly to thrust more evenly but it would only end up in distracting pain so he let her do all the work. "That's right John," she whispered with heavy lust. "Just stay still." It was so much sexier letting her take the control of his body that in the past he had been reluctant to allow. For someone to be in control when he was helpless required all his trust and Monica was a woman he entrusted with his life. He could move his head without any pain so the kissing was awesome. When Monica let go of his lips, producing rumbling moans and writhing her hips rhythmically, he knew that she also was in sexual ecstasy. It was hard keeping himself from just exploding inside her but he held it back just watching her beautiful body responding above him. Her breasts glistened and bounced in the reflective light giving her the appearance of an angel. She was certainly his saving angel, saved from more than just a life of being alone. "Oh John," she flopped forward, her head near his and then up again as her hips' pulse grew faster. Accepting intermittent kisses he moved his hips just enough to not feel pain but to add some part to the most amazing sex he had experienced in many days. Just when he thought he could hold back no longer he heard those throat rumbles that told him she was about to come. Feeling her internal muscles clamp on the part of him that was thrusting deeply inside was too much. With exquisite sensations radiating out to his extremities he surged inside her. With each pulse she kissed him over his face until she was once more on his lips. The kissing was almost a blur as his body tried to recover. They lay there just holding each other and caressing as the bubbles revitalized both their bodies. She softly kissed his skin as he smiled his love for the woman he could not see ever living without. Her face was watching him as his eyes slowly opened after what were untimed moments of repose. "Come on." One more kiss was felt on his lips. "I'll dry you. We need to get some sleep." "Monica, I can't." At that moment he truly believed he would be stuck in that tub until someone strong enough could extract him. "I told you we should have waited until your wrist is better." She laughed as she knelt and then stood to get out of the tub. Wrapping a towel around her she also fetched one for her lover. "Stop teasing, you knew I couldn't wait that long." His face winced from more than just the pain in his ankle as he tried to sit up. The toll sex had put on his body had made his muscles like jelly. "Yes, I knew. Maybe I just like to see my men begging," she beamed. "Begging and helpless," he corrected, shaking his head with amusement. He tried to show more strength but the journey out of the tub was a slow one, even with Monica's help. Once dry and the plastic off the plaster, she helped him to the bed where she had turned down the sheets. "I'll just wrap that ankle of yours again," she suggested as he sat down on the bed feeling the full weight of his spent body. Knowing protests would fall on deaf ears he just let her tend to his ankle. As if he could perform the task with only one good arm anyway. "So what do you make out about Bartlett?" John mused while he endured the pressure bandage that the doctor had told him to keep on until morning. "Do you think she knows more than she lets on?" "I didn't check the back of her neck if that's what you mean." She briefly looked up to see his face wrinkled with pain. "Sorry John, the doctor said to make it tight to keep down the swelling." "At least Gizelle will be there to keep the reigns on." He spoke through partially gritted teeth. Once the ankle wrapping was completed Monica carefully helped him into bed and pulled up the covers. "Here, have this." Handing him his prescription pain reliever and glass of water he dutifully swallowed it down and then placed the glass beside the bed while Monica turned off the bedside light and slipped her naked body in beside him. Being careful not to touch his arm or ankle she snuggled up beside him. Her body was warm and soft beside his and her hand felt wonderful as it made its way over his chest. "What a reunion!" John was probably thinking the same as his partner at that time. "I hope we see Gibson soon, I worry about him." As she spoke John could feel Monica's warm breath on his skin and he took comfort that she was in his arms once again. He also felt relief that Skinner knew about everything, possibly except Gizelle and her amazing talents. "He's survived this long. He's a strong boy." John's good hand traced over his bed partner's smooth back. "Yes, I suppose so." Her hand continued its path over his chest as though she was still in thought. "What do you think of Gizelle and her ability?" "She's amazing for sure. What I see is hope for the future," John mused as he looked up to the darkened ceiling. "I was first concerned that our baby would be coming into a world of change to the detriment but with people like Gibson and Gizelle I see hope for the future." Monica hugged him tight. To hear words like that coming from a man who had experienced so much pain and disappointment in life must have been consoling. "Yes, John, there's hope." She kissed him on the shoulder where her head would be lying. They would lie like that until morning. The End Title: Regrets 3: Rebirth Author: RPcrazy Category: DRR, Key words: Doggett, Reyes, romance, casefile, mytharc, William, Gibson, Skinner Rating: NC-17 Summary: Doggett and Reyes are now parents while John still works on the X-Files. As well as going through the rigors of parenting there are plenty of surprises in store both in John's job and in his family life. Something more ominous and unexpected clouds the horizon putting in doubt the authenticity of Mulder's alien colonization date. Notes: This can be read alone however if you wish to read the first two fics of the series - here are the links. Regrets http://www.geocities.com/holosweet/FanFic_Regrets.html Regrets2: Reunion http://forums.prospero.com/foxxfiles/messages?msg=120878.1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter One Washington Memorial Hospital, 2.30am "Just get it out!" Monica grunted as she lay on her back, sweat dripping down her forehead, her brow uncharacteristically furrowed. "It won't be long now." John consoled as he patted her brow with a cool cloth and then looked across to the doctor with concern. "Now Monica, just follow your body's natural urge to push and we'll have this baby out in no time." The doctor's voice was as calm as it had been for the previous five months of visits. It had been on John's insistence that they had found Doctor Judith Ramirez through Monica's parents. She had come highly recommend by some friends of theirs and luckily had a business in DC. She would spend one week of every month in DC then return to Mexico City for the other three. It had been Monica's belief that doctors were not needed during pregnancy until the final throes and even then she only wanted someone to watch over who'd had childbirth experience, perhaps a midwife. John had had none of it. To him it was important that the baby's development and health be monitored as well as the mother's and he believed that would be through a medical doctor. Knowing her partner's past history with the loss of his only child it was a small price to pay to see him content. It had been estimated that Monica was four months gone on her first visit and had already begun to show. Her pregnancy had been trauma free with both happy parents to be following the growth of Monica's stomach at ease with the fact there was a healthy boy or girl inside. "I ca - a - n't!" She drawled out in obvious hardship, her teeth gritted in a shape John had never seen. "You can." The doctor's words were confident and yet comforting. It was clear she had been through the same scenario multiple times. "Only a little way to go. I can see the head." She nodded the father over to see the progress. "No, John!" Monica bellowed has his presence left her side. "Stay!" Her hand went out searching for his. It was comforting that she wanted him so much during the ten-hour labor. With Luke's birth his ex wife had gone through with all the stages hardly needing his presence. He had felt like a fish out of water. With Monica, she had held onto him all through first stage contractions and also never wanted him to leave her side through the second stage. It was he who talked her through the excruciating pain and he who put smiles on her face when she thought she couldn't go on. "So what do you think if it's a girl, Buffy?" Doggett showed a smile that his partner just had to reciprocate between contractions. "I thought we'd decided on a name." Monica prodded his arm. "Yes, but she hasn't been born yet, there's still time." The conversation had to be airy to get her mind of another approaching wave of pain. "It might be a boy." She had leant heavily against him, he sensing another episode. "What about Fox?" Monica's fingers began gripping his arm but not for the reason John believed it to be. As her eyes glazed she commenced some of the controlled breathing they had both learnt in pre-natal classes together. When Barbara was having Luke, John had felt remorse at being too busy with his career and study to attend many of the classes. This time would be different, this pregnancy, childbirth and fatherhood would be his chance for redemption. On the other hand he knew he had a sympathic boss if work related issues were really tight. Pushing back the wet hair from his partner's face as she bore down all he could think about was how much she must have loved him that she would go through all this just to have their baby. He also admired her choice not to accept any pain relief but always knew Monica would be an advocate of natural childbirth. There would be no argument. "It's almost there Monica. One more of those and we should have the head." There were two attending nurses with facemasks next to the white clothed doctor with latex covered hands. Her hair was tied back off her face but John hardly noticed the appearance of the doctor, his mind was on his partner and how she was preparing for another contraction. 'It's almost there.' John repeated in his mind. The months of waiting were nearly over. The whole scenario was quite unique even though he had been present at a previous birth. As he dabbed at her forehead with the cool cloth and accepted her fingers cutting off the circulation to his hand he listened as the doctor give a commentary on the next stages of delivery. "Good Monica, here's the head coming. Gently now. Calmly control that breathing." The doctor's eyes were only on the baby. John was trying to juggle between watching Monica's well being and the remarkable birth of their child. Even John could feel the relief in the room as the head finally pushed out. "One more contraction should bring the rest of your new baby." What comforting words to the ears! They would have been even more relief for his partner who could see the end of all that pain and discomfort. "John?" The doctor wanted him to witness the birth but also not distract his partner from her ending labor. "Easy Monica, almost there. We have a shoulder, and now two." John couldn't believe the sight as he observed his child being born into the world. With a gush the rest of the tiny form was expelled into the doctor's waiting arms. It was so small and vulnerable but John didn't get to see the gender with the nurses quickly wiping the skin clean for Mom to have a hold before the umbilical cord was cut. Lightly wrapped in a soft white cloth the tiny form was placed in Monica's arms after John helped her into a sitting position. The look on both the couple's faces must have mirrored multitudes before them but it was all so unique to them. With not a cry the baby lay there, seeming to look up at both their faces in turn. "Oh John, our baby's beautiful." As if the past ten hours had not occurred Monica's radiant face had returned as she held the squirming infant securely on her lap. John just numbly nodded. Words to describe his overall sense of awe, relief, pride and love were all too hard to express. There in Monica's arms was part him and the other part the love of his life. God had given him another chance to make things right this time. He would nurture this child with a hindsight he had not had with his first. The nursing staff was wonderful and had given them time to bond with the newborn and check that all the parts were there before John was asked if he wanted to cut the cord. It was something that had taken him by surprise but when he had looked across to a beaming Monica he knew it was the right thing to do. After discussing what they needed to do next they took the tiny being away for examination. "John, go with them!" Monica had insisted. They had discussed it all before the birth. If for any reason their baby was going to be out of her sight then the father would be their eyes and ears. Dr. Ramirez finished up with Monica and had a final chat before leaving and getting the sleep she had missed from attending the early morning birth. "Congratulations on a healthy baby girl." She spoke with the slight Hispanic accent Monica had become used to during the past five months. "Thank you, she's beautiful." There were tears forming in Monica's eyes, the events of the last ten or so hours paying their toll and then the overwhelming joy of receiving such a precious gift. All the agony had been worth the end result. To have a healthy child and to the man she adored the most in the world was her every wish come true. "He's going to make a good father." Her head tilted to the door through which John had briefly departed. "I know," Monica blinked back the tears remembering the sessions she had felt at ease to talk about her family and her concerns and joys. Judith had been more like a friend than a doctor and was more than happy to hear about the loss of John's son Luke and how he had found it hard to cut the strings of guilt. When Monica discovered that Judith had also been adopted as a baby that's when the friendship blossomed further. It was the main reason she went into medicine and then obstetrics. She wanted to see the children being born to their natural birth parents. She had never known her origins, so naturally wanted to be eyewitness to others' beginnings. "Your baby girl will be back here soon and as we've discussed you can try and start breastfeeding." Judith lightly squeezed Monica's fingers as if to hand over the confidence and assurance she had expressed and bestowed at their previous meetings. "The nurses will be able to assist if you need it. I'll be back tomorrow to check on you, all three of you," she gave a knowing smile as she headed to the door. However, something stopped her in her tracks and she spun around and moved back to be by Monica's bed. "What is it?" Monica frowned a margin but immediate calmed her face when Judith shook her head and smiled. "It may be nothing but I owe it to you to pass it on." The doctor took a moment to respond making Monica's mind race one hundred fold. "Don't worry, it's a good thing." Taking another instant to express her words clearly, she took a breath. "This has been the simplest pregnancy and childbirth I have experienced in all my years." "Simplest?" Monica needed to confirm and to express her interest in where the conversation was headed. "Well apart from mothers-to-be anxious about weight gain, the swollen ankles, possibly urinary tract infections, back ache. I don't want to bore you with the long list at a time like this but you have had none of those." Her voice lightened at the end of the sentence. "What are you saying Judith?" Monica looked into her eyes for more truth. "My pregnancy has been problem free? I assumed I would be like a thousand others." "There have been a few unproblematic pregnancies but not so often combined with childbirth." Judith straightened her spine as if she was going to come to the point. " Look Monica, I'm a medical doctor and deal with facts and what I see, but my senses tell me more here." "More?" Monica looked her square in the face for the details. "You have had not one thing go wrong!" Judith emphasized. "Even your baby girl came into the world without crying and yet seemed content as though appearing here from your womb was the most natural thing to do." Not having the medical expertise and experience of the doctor Monica could only surmise what she meant, that she was one of the lucky few to go through the nine months without a hitch. Judith patted her friend on the arm, smiled and then made as though she was about to leave again. "What I'm saying is you have something special there, more special than you both realize." Another arm pat and she was really out the door. Only moments later a glowing, proud John entered the room, in his arms carrying the small bundle of precious human life, John Doggett's and Monica Reyes' new baby. Chapter Two Falls Church, 12.30pm "John, switch that thing off now?" Monica called from across the room in the Falls Church house kitchenette where both she and her baby's father lived. "You've seen it about twenty times already." "Twenty-one," he grinned and deliberately pushed the pause button on the VCR remote control. Walking over to Monica and his live in partner she looked up from her lunch preparation to see his lop sided smile and the living room's big screen television showing a still image of a mother breastfeeding her tiny charge. "John, why do you have so much of a fascination with my breasts?" Monica returned the grin as she broke up the lettuce and added it to the salad bowl. "Because," he deliberately strung out the conjunctive word to give him time to reach her. "They are about to be mine again." From behind he seductively slipped his arms around her and held her firmly but not enough to stop her from rotating in his embrace to face him. Placing her arms over his shoulders she pursed her lips in mock disdain and softly exclaimed, "Just because Lana is temporarily using them doesn't mean they're just hers." As her lips moved closer to his she knew where it would lead. More and more her libido was returning after the birth of their baby daughter. John had been patient in the post partum period and now four months down the track their sex life was in full bloom again. Well, in bloom enough to also cater for a thriving, wakeful yet adorable four-month-old baby girl. "Oh? You can share?" He whispered on her mouth as his mouth just barely touched hers. They lapped teasingly at each other's lips as John's hand crept up between them. Knowing exactly where it was going she allowed access. Breastfeeding their baby girl Solana had made the experience of him touching her breasts quite stimulating. As long as all images of motherhood escaped her thoughts then he could get her to new heights of enjoyment just with a simple touch. "They're yours if you want them John," she sighed contentment as he lifted her t-shirt and ran fingers over the warm flesh. As if reading that there was something on her mother's mind Solana had been just put in her crib for one of her rare midday naps and even though Monica had thought it a ripe opportunity for some alone time with her life partner she had decided to gauge his mood and make lunch first. When the hospital birth video came out once again she sighed but accepted that John needed some relaxation time too. Looking after a wakeful baby was tough work on both parents, day and night, but they were both confident in the fact that they were doing the best for their baby girl and she would eventually settle into a more acceptable sleeping pattern when she was ready. "Oh I want them." His fingers lingering over the nipple through her bra sending signals to more than just her brain. She had wanted this, needed it. There had been no time for sex the last few days, each slumping into bed at night exhausted from work and/or family life. As he unclipped the front bra fastener his hand ran gently over the soft rounded flesh sending her into waves of delight. When his lips slipped over hers and his body grew closer she knew he was just as aroused as she. Their kiss was filled with passion collected and stored after all the soulful glances they had given each other as they watched their daughter play. "Let's go up to the bedroom," Monica was breathless, pining for his skin to be close to hers, for him to physically express the deep love he had for her. Her fingers were through his hair, tousling it from its neat grooming. To not move her hips into his would have been painful. Both hips in rhythmic unison and both sets of arms by pressured movements demonstrated the heated condition their bodies displayed. Still entwined in a kiss,. John lifted Monica's light frame and carried her to the hearth rug. "We don't want to wake her," John whispered and then gently lowered his lover to the spongy floor covering. "When was the last time we made love here?" He lifted her T-shirt over her head before removing his own. "Hmm, can't remember." Monica enjoyed him taking control and this was no exception. As he slowly removed their clothes he kissed her sweetly, touching the parts of her body he had come to know excited her. When he licked around her swollen nipples she shuddered with passion willing him breathe his warm breath all over her, anywhere, everywhere. Even before he removed the rest of his clothing he had slowly peeled off her casual daytime attire kissing every patch with tenderness. She welcomed his every move writhing her body this way and that to give him easier access and to tell him without words what aroused her the most. John had been so wonderful with his acceptance that it was taking Monica time to feel normal again after the toll on the body pregnancy and childbirth inflicted. With never a selfish compliant he would do what was required to look after a child and mother, and never having to be asked. That was the beauty of him being a second time father, knowing what needed to be done. He probably had sex on his mind more often than he let on, that was part of being a normal healthy male but he waited for her, knowing that if he was patient then their sexual relationship could be the best ever. "I know I don't say this enough but I love you Monica." The lips found hers again as his naked skin touched her ready flesh from above. Instinctively her fingers trailed through his hair while the others wandered down his back to his butt and lingered feeling the muscles at work. The words of professed love seemed to infuse through her body adding to the already peaked passion between them. "John, you tell me every day," she managed to whisper as she bodily gave permission for her lover to go that next step. Even though their sex life was not back to the frequency it was before their angel came into their lives, each time they felt free to take their time, there was no need to hurry, worrying that there would be a small gurgling reminder that there was also someone else living in the house. "But I love you more than just once a day." Fondly he looked into her eyes for the impact. They were not just words but a heart felt emotion. "And I'm madly in love with you too." They kissed deeply after their devoted exchanges knowing that lovemaking was so much more profound when they were both in such affectionate moods. "Love me John." Those were the final words before she felt his hand slip down her thigh and lift her willing knee to give him the access she so craved. He pushed in slowly, using his seemingly unlimited strength to hold himself up on one arm while the other played along his lover's thigh. The way his fingers searched just touching her inner thigh as he repeatedly yet deliberately thrust inside made their union all that more intense. There was nothing about their lovemaking that was mundane. Each movement on both their parts seemed perfectly matched and tantalizingly addictive. Wanting even more action Monica began to sit and rolled her lover over onto his back trying not to break their merger. Astride his hips it was her turn to show how much she loved him and how making love to the man she adored was so precious and highly craved. Tugging at her hair tie her hair sprang free and fell over her face as she moved downward to capture John's lips. "This is so good," she found herself saying inadvertently. With John she could express her innermost feelings without being made to feel silly or be judged. He had proved that he loved and admired every part of her. The dark hair fell around his face as she parted his lips with her tongue and then went into another round of kissing. John's ample hands slipped slowly down her back to her thighs where they rested, feeling their hips thrash in adoring bliss. When Monica lifted her head for the air she needed, John elevated both their bodies to a sitting position on the floor's soft surface, continuing the fluid motion that had their emotions in an alter reality and their corporeal beings in chemical mayhem. Monica relaxed, letting her mind go inward. She never had cause to worry that John wanting more than she could give would break her concentration. As their bodies interweaved John held her close sensing she was coming to a climax. He gently kissed the rapid, hot pulse on her neck as her breathing became more ragged. When the edge of Monica's release began was when her lover began moving more quickly, perfect timing, he was perfect. The coinciding of mutual release made their lovemaking so much more intense and memorable. As they both let their bodies share the mutual rewards of sex neither of them thought about the impractibility of the location when their small charge was mobile. A shrill squeal came from somewhere outside their cacoon of shared love and afterglow. It took another before John's head moved from the warm, comfortable nest that was Monica's neck. "She's your daughter," Monica laughed and then kissed the bridge of his nose. "My daughter!" John shot her a sideways glance as he reluctantly began extracting his limbs from his lover's. Shaking the hair away from her face she sweetly looked into his eyes of blue. "She has your eyes," she began as a lone finger traced over an eyebrow and then over his cheek. "But she has your hair," he mentioned in a low sexy drone as his fingers spreadeagled through her thick locks. "And your smile." He looked down to her lips which were forming an even bigger grin." Suddenly there was an even louder squeal that had them both laughing. "And your personality." Monica added the trait she had intended from the start and then moved her head back a little to gauge his reaction. "I don't yell that loud to get attention!" He knew what she meant but he loved talking about their daughter together with all the reminders that she was indeed his. "You don't? You don't have to listen to yourself talking on the telephone sometimes at work and me hearing it all the way from the elevator." Her fingers went behind his neck allowing some extra sensuous strokes before having to get back fully into reality. He showed a sideways smile of understanding. "So you think she might be one of the next generation X-Files agents when we move on?" He had secretly imagined his daughter following in her parents' footsteps but shrugged it off as only distant speculation. Her life choices would become apparent as she grew and thrived. This time he would savor every moment with his child. Work was a necessity for income and also a needed distraction from domesticity but family was the most important. He had come to learn that by one of the hardest ways of all, through the death of his first child. "I can just see it now," Monica gestured in the air with thumb and forefinger. "'Special Agents John and Solana Doggett' on the plaque on the FBI basement office door." "So what will you be doing then?" John questioned, enjoying the conjectures. "I can't see anyone other than you being my partner," he added in a softer, genuine voice. "Me neither," she added, giving him a kiss on the lips, her face changing to more pensive. "You're thinking about it, aren't you." John's arms found their way around his lover's body and into a firm, protective hold. "Having second thoughts?" "No it's not that," Monica returned his embrace continuing her thoughtful repose. "I want to return to work, I need to come back." "It's Lana, you can't leave her?" John had a way of reading her emotions. He had been doing that more lately. "It'll only be two days a week until you're ready for more." "Before she was born I thought it would be easy to return to work but now that I know I love her so much it's just hard." Monica poured out her thoughts. "You're Mom and Dad will take good care of her for those first four weeks," John reminded, feeling over her back with his consoling hands. "And it's still two months away." Monica begrudgingly smiled and nodded. John was right. Solana would be in good hands and thanks to a sympathetic boss she could add working days as she became ready. "So you don't mind them staying here?" Monica asked for the umpteeth time as the backs of her fingers felt over the smooth skin of her lover's cheek. "As long as they stay away from the marriage topic," John chuckled as they heard another squeal from upstairs. This time they knew they had to move. From previous experience if by the baby's fourth squeal they were not showing that they were at her mercy all hell would break loose. "They're just traditional people John," Monica extracted herself from the body with which she had shared so much communal pleasure. "They still understand that we can have a commitment without the piece of paper." "All I can say is we'll need to get in some serious loving before they come." His eyebrows raised and his lips formed a smirk as he proceeded to clothe his lower body. "They'll give us our space." Monica slipped on her track pants over her underwear. "So you're not uncomfortable making love to me when your parents are under the same roof?" John grabbed a squeaky toy giraffe from his daughter's downstairs collection on the side table. "Be back soon." He didn't need a verbal response to his question. Back in Mexico inside her parents' home where he had followed her all those months back, they had made love over and over in Monica's bedroom, not caring that the main bedroom was only a wall away. Monica smiled up to him as he climbed the stairs, loving him even more for being so caring towards their daughter. She gave an extra smile for being blessed with such an adorable child. After fully dressing, she made her way back to the kitchenette to wash her hands before continuing the lunch that lay neglected in favor of a little fun. "Hmm," Monica sighed, remembering the words of her doctor at her daughter's birth and how she had remarked about her sensing there was something more to the baby than just the normal. Day by day Monica was sensing it too. The time was approaching where she would need to confront her child's father with her suspicions. Would he be as understanding as he had been with his partner's talents? ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Here's our little ray of sunshine." John appeared at the bottom of the steps with a happy, gurgling baby in his arms clearly having been diapered upstairs. "There's Mommy." Lana pointed a wobbly arm over to her smiling mother. The other arm clutched the rubbery yellow giraffe. "Hello sweetie," Monica rubbed a finger over the velvety chubby cheek. Lana stretched her arms out to her Mom with a gurgle and gesture that told her mom it was baby's lunchtime. "Go on, feed her," John relinquished the possessive hold of his daughter. " I'll finish up here." It was good to have her partner there knowing he'd be around for the whole weekend. AD Skinner had made special arrangements for Agent Doggett not to be disturbed on weekends save for emergencies. These arrangements had been in place from the birth until Monica was due back at work when their daughter turned six months. He had only been called out twice but both knew that it was his expertise that was essentially needed. Neither occasion took more than a day. It had been difficult at first for John to come to terms with separating his work and family life. He had been too used to following up leads immediately instead of prioritizing, which he had learnt to do with Monica's help. He smiled as he watched his wriggling daughter latch onto her mother as she lay in the comfortable lounge chair. Monica was a natural mother. Even for the first time she seemed to know what was right for her daughter and was calm in her every approach with her baby girl. This seemed to be rubbing off on their daughter. As far as he could remember Luke had been a wakeful but fussy child. There were often crying bouts that tested both Barbara's and his patience. For Lana to be so content they must have been doing something right. Monica had read the books and related to him the month-by- month development phases of babies. The average four-month-old child was sleeping nine hours through the night with a morning and afternoon nap but Lana was taking only one small unpredictable daytime nap and would wake a couple of times through the night. There would be no crying, just the squeal to announce her important existence. Most of the time she would settle back to sleep but on occasions she would want her parent's attention, thus the fourth squeal. All it would take to get her sleeping again was a pat on the bottom by either parent. Monica had laughed it off as a sign that the more she was awake, the more she would be learning about her environment. It made sense and was a way to make the worry and the disturbed sleep short lived. Reaching over to the radio he put on some gentle background music. He was not used to so much silence. Sprinkling the salad bowl with olives and then a little dressing that Monica had made he went for the well and truly heated quiche in the oven. The music changed to news headlines as he cut a wedge each of the cheesy egg pastry dish and placed them on clean white plates. As he was accustomed in his profession he listened to the usual doom and gloom of the daily news line-up. 'A train disaster in Connecticut has claimed the lives of three people, as predicted the eye of Cyclone Lucy has missed major towns on the coast of Florida and it appears to be heading for sparsely populated areas in the south-east of the country, the bomb that was allegedly planted by a newly formed middle-eastern group has been reported comprising materials gathered here in the United States.' John just rolled his eyes. He could never get used to why terrorists would want to harm anyone but why Americans, his fellow citizens would aid and abet, was too difficult to fathom. He was collecting the plates to take into the living room for lunch when the final part of the news caught his ear. It made him stop in his tracks, a chill vibrating through his body. Placing the plates back on the bench he listened as the news hit his ear. 'On a funnier note folks, a series of UFOs with a difference has been reported in Maryland.' John shifted uneasily as each revelation by the newsreader hit home, he was certainly not taking it as light-heartedly as the reader. 'Wait for it! Ever seen a star- shaped spaceship? What about a flying wheel? Maybe a soaring four-leafed clover? That's what Joan Walsh witnessed last night in her home just outside Preston, Caroline County.' Hearing enough of what was meant to ironically make the news a little lighter he pulled the folded note from his jeans pocket and opened it up to read the familiar hand-writing. His stomach churned more as he reread the note that had been left for him the previous day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The previous morning John had been feeling in a better than better mood as he went about looking through the files for an X-File that caught his attention. At least the night beforehand, his daughter in the other room had only woken him once. On the spur of the moment deciding to go out for morning tea to a newly opened café he had been more than surprised when the attendant asked him if he was John Doggett and that that morning a note had been left for him. After looking at the handwriting he understood immediately who had sent it. It was the only person he knew who would have known his actions even before he knew them himself. Looking at the message again he was slowly coming to believe he understood what it meant and it wasn't good. They are here. Wait for the call. He read the message over three more times and then thought back to the news report from Preston, Maryland. What did it all mean exactly? Was it the start of the alien invasion that Mulder had said would happen in 2012? Had the timeframe shifted? Maybe he was just overreacting, a characteristic that was not like him. That's why he had decided to keep it all to himself until he knew the facts. He so wanted to tell Monica and show her the note. Even though on maternity leave she was still his partner and had a right to know what he knew but what did he really know? Taking a deep breath and slipping the note back in his jeans pocket he decided to wait for the contact. "Hmm, that smells great." With a warm smile Monica looked up from a feeding, contented daughter. "Looks like you've got your hands full. Want me to feed you?" John chuckled as he placed the plates together with the cutlery on the low table in front of the couch. Holding back the urge to spill all he took a moment to look at mother and daughter and smiled at how comfortable Monica was with motherhood. He always knew she would make a good carer but to see a contented, healthy daughter and an equally relaxed mother was better than in his dreams. Monica chuckled, "She'll be done in a moment." John took the chance to begin eating. There had been many a time that Monica had had to wait to begin her own meal but he knew she was putting her daughter's needs ahead of her own. The small form in his partner's arms was still such a tiny, dependent bundle. Sitting up groggily in her mother's lap Lana gurgled contentment. With one hand Monica adjusted her clothing. "Look, she wants her daddy." Lana's little arm was pointing to John. "Come here pumpkin." John temporarily replaced his cutlery and took his daughter while Mom did up her buttons and then also began on her first morsels of salad. Sitting her on one knee and in the crook of John's arm, with the other hand his lifted a fork to continue eating. A few quiet moments passed as they enjoyed the delicious tastes, Lana watching her dad's every move with the fork. He had to dodge her solid grip a few times as a hand darted out to the capture the free entertainment. "This is not for you," he mentioned playfully as firm fingers took a grip of the fork when he wasn't paying attention. Lana just chuckled and gave one of her big smiles that had her mom and dad tied around her little finger. "Here," Monica stood and reached over to another of her favourite toys. "Lana, here are your bells." Handing her the bright pink plastic ring the customary jingle sounded from within. After a few excited shakes she held the musical instrument in both hands and brought it to her face for closer inspection. John took the distraction as a chance to finish his meal. "This is good. What's in the dressing?" John took a piece of lettuce into his mouth. "I added a little lemon juice and tarragon." Monica was looking at her daughter as she spoke and felt internal warmth that the tiny being loved her parents equally. It took a little of the pressure off her that she was happy to also go to her father for comfort. "It's good," John nodded popping more salad into his mouth. "John?" Monica paused until she knew she had his attention. There was something she needed to discuss with him. As an active father to his daughter Monica wanted to know if he also had been wondering something. ~~~~~~~~~ "Let me take Lana and give her some play time on the floor." Monica lay out a play rug and placed a few of her toys at one end. "Okay, what's on your mind?" John relinquished his contented daughter, not nearly ready to let her go but knew there was something on his partner's mind. "Lana, come to Mommy." Holding out her hands Lana leant forward to go to her. Scooping her in her arms she carried her to the floor rug the other side of the table. "Here are your toys." Monica's voice was higher pitched and light as she placed Lana on her stomach near the brightly colored objects. Coos and gurgles came from the small kicking bundle on the floor as she reached out for her first toy. It was a ball that rolled a little and she squealed with delight as she tracked it with her eyes. "So what's up?" John could see Monica's look of love for her daughter but also a mixture of something more. "Have you noticed how our daughter rarely cries?" Monica began slowly. She wanted also to gauge if he had experienced anything remarkable with his daughter like she had. The experience she'd had the previous day churned over in her mind and there was no doubt what had occurred. "She's a happy baby." John shrugged it off. "John, it's normal in the first three months of life for babies to be unsettled as they get used to their surroundings but Lana hardly ever showed fussiness that way." Monica looked across to John's frown of concern. "You think there's something wrong with our daughter?" He looked across to the picture of health and happiness cooing and gurgling as she rolled over onto her back clutching the ball she had eventually conquered. "No! It's not that." Monica quickly dismissed any doubt about abnormalities. "She's not exactly like other babies her age. In physical development she is on track and according to her maternal nurse this week she is in perfect health." "I don't see the problem, she's healthy." Monica could tell that John wanted to go retrieve his daughter but stopped him by moving closer along the couch and resting a hand lightly on his. "There are no problems with Lana and that's just the point." Monica linked fingers with her partner hoping the contact would keep his mind open to what she was saying. "She is in perfect health and has been since birth." "There's something else." John clutched Monica's fingers not entirely sure where the conversation was leading. "You gotta tell me what's on your mind." "You know I've been seeing Judith Ramirez as a friend a few times since the birth. She rings me when she has some spare moments and we catch up." Monica wanted to word the next part carefully because knowing the doubt John had without seeing things for himself he would probably not believe. "And?" John looked at her with the concentration she had seen so often as a partner on a case. It was almost as though he predicted he would not be able to believe what she was going to say. "Judith has always thought our daughter was special, as do we." Monica smiled hoping to lighten the mood. "But something happened John. I can't explain it but I did see it with my own eyes." "What?" The look in his eyes was becoming impatient so she decided to quickly get to the point. "Judith was holding Lana on her lap yesterday when we met at our usual café in the mall. We both know how Lana loves people and is always content to go to Judith." Monica moved a little closer rubbing along John's thigh then linked fingers of both their hands. "She was showing me her swollen finger where she had stubbed it on a door that had unexpectedly got stuck halfway." "Monica!" John was becoming even more impatient. "John, I wouldn't have believed it either if I didn't see it with my own eyes. Lana reached and grabbed the finger. Judith winced at first but then let her keep hold." Taking a deep breath she continued, "Before my eyes and Judith's the swelling went down. When Lana let go of her finger it was normal just like all the others." At this point Monica decided to wait for John's reaction. She looked into his eyes that were slowly absorbing the enormity of what he had just heard. "You're kidding right?" John's natural instinct was to test if it was a joke. "Our daughter healed Judith's swollen finger, is that what you think?" "John, I knew you would have doubts but you know me. That's what I saw. You can even ask Judith herself." Just at that moment there was a shuffle from just outside the window and both adults went into agent alert. "Who's that?" Monica whispered and in protection mode got up to approach her daughter. "Stay here, I'll check." The conversation about Lana and what really happened would have to go on raincheck. ~~~~~~~~~~~ John immediately made for the front door. It was probably a couple of neighbourhood boys who liked to dare each other to look into 'FBI Agents'' windows to see if they could see any 'guns'. John had caught them recently and they had confessed. Boys being boys of that age, flippant apologies often were short lived. The lure of the dare was far more fun than the possible consequences. Still with Monica's conversation in the back of his mind he opened the front door to find the area empty, as also was his yard. Even a look along the street proved fruitless. With a huff of frustration he was heading back to the front entrance when something caught his eye. Others may not have seen it at first but when John Doggett's curiosity was piqued he noticed things others would possibly overlook. He bent to pick up the pale brown piece of paper roughly torn in the shape of a dead leaf. In familiar handwriting on the underside was written the simple message: The back door 'Gizelle,' he thought, and pictured the petite young lady they had first met in Buckland, Pennsylvania nearly nine months previously. He still found it difficult to fathom her talents and yet she had proved them on a number of occasions. To be able to predict with such accuracy what another person would do in the future was startling yet a little unsettling. After reclosing the door he went back to Monica who was standing rocking their wide-eyed baby daughter within protective arms. "Here," John gave the paper to a puzzled Monica and then went for the back door. In the past it would have been second nature to also have his gun at the ready but since having a family they had decided that their guns, even though a necessity of their profession, would remain hidden, locked away and unloaded. Cautiously he opened the rear door and saw someone he had half expected. "Gibson, you could have used the front door." John ushered him inside his home. "It's still not safe." Gibson replied in a monotone and walked past John, past the kitchenette and into the living room. Suddenly John regretted not having told Monica about the note he had received the previous day. This way could be another bombshell. He had to admit his life had become a lot more interesting and unusual since his time on the X-Files. "Gibson!" Monica smiled and held her hand out to shake his. Her natural instinct was to give him a welcoming hug but her arms were already full of a gurgling, relaxed baby. Knowing he would have sensed her intension comforted her. "It's good to see you again." "Can I get you anything? Soda? Coffee? Have you eaten?" Really filling his father role, John also felt an affinity with this boy. As much hardship as the former marine and cop had gone through in life Gibson had endured so much more in his yet short existence. "Soda, thanks," he half smiled. John jumped to attention and headed for the fridge. Monica was about to ask why he was there but noticed the faraway look in Gibson's eyes. It was as though he had never seen a baby before. "This must be Solana." Gibson moved a little closer and lifted a hand to touch her tiny chubby hand, which provided the action of her immediately latching onto one of his fingers. With a gurgle and a delighted squeal she swung his finger around giving no sign she would ever relinquish the digit. "Lana, this is Gibson." Monica introduced in a higher pitched voice. It was after another happy squeal and a wide smile that Monica noticed a different look on the teenage boy's face. Was he reading her mind? ..... She mentally shook her head. It was not something over which she needed to be concerned. She had come to accept Gibson and his unique ability and knew that he would never use it to harm or embarrass any of them. "Can I hold her?" It was a moot question because Lana was already half out of Monica's grasp and reaching out to the boy. "I think she likes you." Monica beamed and handed over her daughter. As Gibson cocooned the baby there was certainly a hint of a smile on his face. It was so refreshing to see Gibson look as though all his worries were momentarily locked away and he was free to live for a change. "I know," Gibson looked up to Monica with a different expression. "There's something else too." Just as he spoke the words, John came back with the drinks. "Monica, here's yours," he handed her a bottle of mineral water and then opened soda cans for him and Gibson. "I'll put yours here pal." Seeing that the boy's arms were full he placed the open can on the coffee table that still held their empty lunch dishes. Without direction John began piling up the plates. "John, wait!" Monica placed a hand on his forearm urging him to leave the dishes for the moment. "Gibson has something to tell us." John immediately thought about the note he had in his pocket and instinctively placed his hand there. He mentally kicked himself for not broaching the topic sooner. There would need to be apologies. Choosing to sit, Gibson took Lana with him to the nearest sofa that happened to be a single seater. Taking the cue the parents also decided to sit. Lana raised a wobbly hand and began playing with Gibson's mouth as he spoke. "What is it Gibson?" John decided to let the boy start the subject but was surprised at the topic. "I can tell you sense it too." He tried to dodge Lana's tiny fingers but they kept finding their fascinating destination. "Lana is different." "Different, how?" Monica wanted to know exactly what Gibson sensed. Maybe he could provide them with some answers. "I'm not exactly sure yet but I feel an energy from her, in her mind and in her body." Gibson reached for a soft toy that was on a nearby side table and attempted to distract the curious baby. It worked and with a few bubbly gurgles she was playing with the new diversion. "Energy?" John needed clarification. He could sense no 'energy' from his daughter except when she needed a diaper change. "Gibson, what's this energy like?" Monica used her gentle interrogative tactics. "Does it say anything to you?" "When she held my finger before, I felt a warmth travel up my arm." Lana played happily in Gibson's lap seeming oblivious to the talk of which she was the center of attention. "Warmth?" John confirmed. "She knows." He looked across to Monica. "I've told John what I saw yesterday but I don't know what to make of it." Monica bore a slight frown. "Lana belongs to John and myself. She's our baby. I can't imagine how this could have happened." "You're thinking of William too." Gibson mentioned plainly. "We know that William has some sort of alien DNA and he could control objects with his mind." John added. "What's that got to do with our girl?" He turned to Monica. "You absolutely sure of what you saw yesterday?" "Yes John, I know what I saw. Just ask Judith." A gasp was almost audible from Monica's mouth. "She mustn't tell anyone!" There was no need to give Gibson any more details about the miraculous healing of Judith Ramirez's swollen finger. "You could be in danger." Monica immediately picked up the cell phone and clicked the fast dial number to reach her doctor and friend. ~~~~~~~~~ "She's not there!" Monica dialled the hospital number and anxiously waited out the chimes. "This is Monica Reyes, I urgently need to talk with Doctor Judith Ramirez." <> came the distant officious voice on the other end of the line. The moments were ripe with anxiety as the three waited for confirmation that the secret had not been spread further. Lana was still insensible to any urgency on her behalf. She had thrown her toy on the floor and was looking at her hands as though it had miraculously disappeared. <> Monica's thoughts were racing. "Give her a vital message for me." Monica's mind formulated how she would phrase the words without giving too much away. "Tell her that yesterday never happened." <> She replied slowly as she wrote it out. <> "Yes, she should but I still want her to call me back as soon as she's free." Monica clicked off the phone and visibly slumped her shoulders. Lana must have sensed something in her mother's demeanor because she began one her squeals for attention. Also sensing that Lana had had enough of his lap Gibson stood and carried the baby to her mother's arms. Sweetly looking at her daughter she brushed a little of the wispy dark hair away from her face and kissed her forehead. "I'm not sure I like what's happening here." John stood and started to pace the room. "Do you think Judith can be trusted?" he turned his attention to his partner. "Yes John, she can." Monica was in no doubt that the past nine months of seeing her friend regularly had given her a deep understanding of the trust that had developed between them. John just nodded knowing that the mother of his baby was a good judge of character. "Well I'm not sure about you Monica, but I want some answers here." John was adamant. "If this is our daughter's and our safety we're talking about I'm not sure I want to go through the uncertainty." "Gibson, if you can tell us anything about our daughter we don't know already then please do." A mother's fear and protectiveness was beginning to show. "It's too soon," Gibson's said simply and then turned his gaze to John. "She doesn't know yet." John's eyes grew wide with understanding and self-consciousness and again he went to the pocket with Gizelle's note. "What don't I know?" Monica shot an exasperated look to her partner. ~~~~~ Chapter Three J.Edgar Hoover Building 1pm "I've said it once and I'll say it again, I don't like this Monica," John reiterated his concern over the growing situation after he and his partner had sailed through FBI security. He still didn't know what to believe. He as yet had seen no sign such as the healing of Dr. Ramirez's finger that Monica had witnessed and yet he knew his daughter was unique in some way, and more than just the 'special' that comes with having a second chance at being a father. "So you think these UFO sightings in Maryland are connected to us in some way to us?" Monica followed her partner as he strode to the elevator that would lead to Assistant Director Walter Skinner's office for the meeting at his request. "That's a big assumption. Why should we be so unique?" His eyes were icy and his teeth gritted frustration as he hit the up button, not looking to see if Monica was beside him or not. "Because Gibson thinks so." Monica brushed up next to him hoping that her touch would somehow melt his arctic mood. "He thinks they're here for a reason to scout around or at worst to possibly bring the invasion date further forward." John suddenly turned, his eyes narrow and jaw clenched, "You really believe all that crap about aliens taking over the world." His voice suddenly dropped twenty decibels, remembering the possible prying eyes from security above them. "You believe Mulder and his crazy theory?" Monica's eyes watched him intently. She had seen him mad before, she had seen him angry and sceptical but this time was different. With his own eyes he had witnessed things that would have given him plenty of doubt over his long-standing non-believing convictions. Monica saw that atom of mixed emotion and played on it. "Why would Mulder risk his life to break into that government facility to gain that end game date?" Being used to having to explain herself Monica stood her ground. "Why would he not reveal that information during the trial if it could have saved his life?" "Because he's relentless to find something there when it may all just be a government game to misdirect us, to play with us. That's what's probably happened all along." He softened his voice again realizing that he was being harsh on Monica when he should have been punishing himself for actually beginning to believe the possible conspiracy. "You've seen the super soldiers for yourself John. Shannon McMahon, you knew her as a marine and then a changed woman, a super soldier." Monica saw the cogs in John's brain begin moving but still needing convincing. "You know they cannot die. Knowle Rohrer, you said you saw him killed in the parking garage and yet he came back to life." "It's a miracle for sure and don't ask me to explain it but how do you know this government objective has anything to do with aliens coming to take over the planet?" As the bell sounded for their destination floor, John turned towards the door. He'd had enough of super soldiers and government conspiracies and alien invasion. He wanted to get on with a normal life with his lover and new daughter. Anything else was an intrusion on the every Americans' dream. Monica placed a hand on John's elbow silently urging him to slow down. "John," she wanted him to stop and look her in the eye before reaching Skinner's office. "Wait up." He turned again, knowing what she was going to say and beating her to the punch. "I don't know what all this is about, X-File or just something made out to look like one but I want answers just as much as the next person." His voice was a low whisper. "I want definitive answers about my daughter." "And we'll get them John, I promise." Monica stroked his arm believing that her touch would calm his demons. "We can go see Judith today and ask her discretely to examine Lana." John's ire began to fill the hallway, "No way is she touching our daughter!" "But John she's my friend. We can trust her." "Can we?" John's annoyance was returning. "I trusted Knowle Rohrer and look where it got me. How do you know she's not a super soldier planted to keep an eye on us?" "I just know John," Monica linked fingers with his. She didn't want to go into the meeting with Skinner having the air of just stepping off a battlefield. "Trust me." "I trust you, I trust Scully and that is why if any doctor is going to examine our daughter I want it to be her." He waited until her face softened and a smile appeared like a colorful rainbow signalling the calmer weather ahead. "Okay, when we go to pick Lana and Gibson up from Dana's we'll broach the subject." Monica conceded, smiling as she slipped her arms around his warm waist inside his suit coat. As she felt his arms travel around her body they both squeezed and then each peered into mutually soulful, forgiving eyes. "I do love you John." Their lips joined in a kiss, not caring who saw. The couple had already weathered the storm of colleagues finding out they were a couple. A small hug and a kiss on company time would be overlooked. "Me too," he whispered, all anger having been temporarily forgotten, as he gave his lover another soft kiss to the lips. "Agent Doggett, Agent Reyes?" Kim's apologetic voice broke their mood. "He'll see you now." ~~~~~~~ "Sir, you wanted to see us?" Agent Doggett was the one to open the door to the assistant director's office. Agent Reyes followed on his heels. Without turning, Skinner placed a finger on the map that was displayed on one wall. It was a large chart of some states of east coast of the United States, spotted with colored pins. North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland and other surrounding states had multiple pins. His finger specifically lay in Maryland and John immediately knew where the meeting topic would head. "Glad you could make it." He finally turned and made his way to his desk. "Take a seat Agents." "I don't get it sir, why are we here and why Monica?" To comply, John took one seat and Monica the other. "You said I could have the weekend free." "And I had every intention of keeping that promise John but something has been brought to my attention that needs to be checked out." As yet unnoticed, his eyes looked up and over the two agents' shoulders. "I need to be with my daughter sir," Monica added. "Isn't there someone else who can handle this?" "There is no better person than you," came a quiet voice from behind. Startled, the two agents turned to see a familiar face. She was not yet twenty, mousy brown hair fell to her shoulders and the clothing she chose could have been more flattering to her petite frame. Both agents knew that beneath the unassuming features lay gold, a still largely untapped talent. "Gizelle!" Monica smiled as her head followed the girl as she came between them and the assistant director. John just looked on with curiosity, a slight furrow in his brow. "It's good to see you again. Is it safe?" Her head turned towards her boss. "Gizelle is under FBI protection," Skinner stood to pull over another chair for their visitor. "Tell them what you told me." Sitting forward a little in her seat there was a moment's pause that seemed to last an eternity. "They're here and they're early." The statement was a simple one but it sent sparks of terror through the agents' bodies. ........ "Who's here? Who's early?" John knew what she meant but wanted it to come from her mouth not his. "That's what we want you to check out and you two are the best agents for the job." Skinner called from behind his desk. "What happened to the end game date of 2012?" John's brow had a permanent furrow. "Agent Mulder risked his life for that information. Are you saying it was wrong, we were all suckers for a lie?" "That's not what is being said here John." Monica's soft voice came from beside him. Was he the only one in the room not comprehending? "That date probably has some significance but it's only one date. I don't think we're having an 'Independence Day' here." She stood and made her way to the wall chart and lightly ran her fingers over the spanse of the pins resting on the black pin of the initial Roswell find. "If these suggest other UFO sightings on the east coast then I say that they're sending out scout ships." "Scout ships!" John huffed and uttered a sarcastic laugh. "Mulder and all those others being abducted, they are learning about us." Monica moved back to the listening three. Gizelle knew exactly what Monica was going to say but let her speak. "Why attack Earth unless they know our vulnerabilities first. We all know that the end game date is when the ancient Mayans predicted would be the end of the world. They didn't say the world would go up in a ball of flame. Maybe it all happens slowly over time." "So what we're seeing now is the start of the alien invasion," John confirmed, his mind still in confusion. "So what can we do? How are us two going to stop what must be something probably a million times more powerful than us?" "There have been precedents for it in history," Monica continued. "Whole armies being tricked and defeated by a handful of men. Maybe if we worked out a way for us to communicate that we are not as vulnerable as they believe, they might decide to leave us alone and go back home." "So what would be our Trojan Horse?" It was John's turn to stand and move to the map. He hovered there just taking in the multitude of pins. If that was a representation of their small part of the planet then what would a globe of pins be like? "Any suggestions?" He swivelled, his hands resting on hips. "Agent Doggett," Gizelle's voice was almost a whisper. "There is a way, I feel it deep down, we just have to find it." "That's why I suggest you all go to Preston, Maryland to interview the person who witnessed the latest event just this morning. I want Gibson there too." Skinner stood to indicate the meeting was almost over and that time was of the essence. Moving towards Gizelle he placed a light hand on her shoulder. "Take care of yourself." John knew at that point that his boss must have also been given a demonstration of Gizelle's gifts. Could it be possible that with Gizelle's talent for accurately predicting people's future actions and Gibson's ability to read minds that somehow they could provide the tilt that would sour the aliens' taste to conquer Earth? It was all too much consider. ~~~~~ Chapter Four Preston, Maryland 4pm "Monica, I know you're not happy about leaving Lana but we'll be back tonight." John drove into the Walsh property that was situated past the city limits of Preston, Maryland. "She's in expert hands." "Dana's a good person," added Gibson from his position in the rear seat. "I know all that. I'd trust Dana with my life." It certainly wasn't like Monica to worry so much. "I just would have liked to have had a conversation with Judith first." "Well, if she has told anyone about Lana, what are the chances of it being the 'wrong' person?" John made his way up the long driveway to the Walsh residence. He had a point but her excuse was that she was naturally more in mother mode than agent mentality since being on maternity leave. "And would that person actually believe it without seeing evidence." Gibson also contributed. "Thank you Gibson," Monica turned with a smile. "You're right. You're both right." She turned back to face the front. "I still say we should have told Dana." "Plenty of time for that when we get back." The car pulled up outside the white weatherboard residence that looked like it was due for a coat of paint. "I just think that we need to be there when Dana examines our daughter. There wasn't time for that then." As he turned the ignition off he looked across to his partner with a calm expression that Monica was getting used to from when they had been living together, since shortly after John found out about the pregnancy. "Okay," Monica half smiled and then exited the FBI issue vehicle, waiting for the other two to do the same. "Let's find whatever's happening here and get home." The three investigators looked around at the vast expanse of property as they made their way to the front entrance. The fields appeared to spread right up to the distant hills. A few houses similar to the Walsh's could be seen spotted around for miles, indicting the area was shared between a number of landowners. "Anything Gibson?" John glanced across to the teenager who seemed to be in deep thought as he scanned the horizon. His gaze fixed on one point in the distance and he just stopped rigid and stared. "Gibson?" By this time Monica stopped and looked behind her to also witness Gibson's sudden change of bearing. Both agents slowly turned to fixate on the same piece of land on which the boy's eyes lay. "What do you see?" John squinted and blinked barely making out what seemed like a shimmery haze in the distance and then it was gone as though it had never existed in the first place. "What was that?" Monica's whole body turned to the boy. "I told you. They're here." Was his simple reply. "Who's here?" John's brow was quick to become serious. ~~~~~ As if on cue there was a sound from the house, breaking up the tension that had frozen the three investigators in their tracks. "Well hello there." It took a few moments for their thoughts to focus back on their current surroundings. It was too late to immediately act on what had seemingly just happened. "You must be the agents that nice man on the phone said he was sending." John turned to see an elderly but healthy looking woman who was beckoning them to enter her abode. He was the one to lead and the others followed, Monica giving Gibson a furtive glance as she took up position beside him. The strange discovery would need to go on hold. "Mrs. Walsh, I'm Agent Doggett and this is my partner Agent Reyes and assistant Gibson Praise." John aired his not too serious side, the one he showed when he did not want to press but to find answers by making the person more at ease. "Your assistant? What a nice boy!" She reached out her hand and ruffled his short hair. Resisting the urge to pull away, with a rigid head he just looked from one agent to the other as though the show of affection he knew he would have to endure for the sake of the investigation. "Come inside, I've made us some afternoon tea." "Mrs. Walsh, with all due respect we are here to find out what you know and maybe have a look around." John followed her into the house explaining that there was no time to spare. It smelt softly of freshly baked cake and coffee and to the visitors it immediate felt like a warm and inviting old country abode. The lighting was soft hues of orange as though they had just woken to the morning light streaming through the window. "Come, follow me." It was as though the elderly woman had not heard a word John had said. "I hope you like chocolate cake. Come on, please sit." They had walked into a country kitchen with the large family table in the center, set with crockery, cutlery and adorning the middle was the most delicious looking cake Gibson had ever seen. "Really Mrs. Walsh, we can only stay a moment." John reminded but looked across to a wide-eyed boy. Relaxing a little and letting him past, the male agent relented, especially after Monica's silent body language telling him to lighten up. "I'll hear none of it! Now sit! It is much more conducive to talk if we are drinking coffee and eating," smiled the woman as she busied herself piling cake wedges onto a few plates. John was the only one to reluctantly sit but was resigned to the fact that he would need to endure the ritual just to get to the facts of the case. The male agent was the only one who decided not to partake. When in agent mode he rarely ate until he at least was making some headway. He was the type who never slept until he was satisfied that no one was in danger if he did so. Just waiting until the women seemed ready to talk, he sat back in his chair; hands resting on his slightly parted thighs. "So Mrs. Walsh." Monica was the first to speak seeing her partner was getting nowhere and looking decidedly uncomfortable as the moments piled into more. "Please dear, call me Joan." She took another mouthful of her cake and then took a sip from her cup. "Joan, how long have you lived here?" Monica used a soft tone, the one she utilized to get people to relax and open up. "All my life. I was born and raised here." She took a moment's respite to sit and ponder. "Mama and Papa died ten years ago about two months apart leaving us to run the property and my children have all grown up and left the place." "You say us?" Monica questioned as she took a sip of her herbal tea that she had requested in lieu of the coffee. "Allan's my faithful husband of fifty-five years now." She smiled and took another sip from her cup. John nervously shuffled in his chair. All the small talk was causing him to become more irritated and impatient. "He'll be home soon." "Any grand children?" Monica continued much to John's growing uncomfortable stance. "Ten and another two on the way." Her head swivelled to the wall where many pictures of the Walsh's extended family were displayed. "The little 'uns are so innocent." Her voice trailed off as she became deep in thought. Meanwhile Gibson had finished his cake and coffee and was sitting back just listening to the conversation. As the elderly woman's thoughts went internal so did Gibson's making him sit more upright in his chair. "They're very handsome," Monica continued leading the way for John to have his piece. "Mrs. Walsh, Joan, tell us again about what you saw this morning." He began slowly, sensing out her readiness to talk. "Just what I told the press." Her manner seemed to change with the topic of conversation. "There were a number of them all hovering over the field out back." "Can you describe exactly what you saw?" John had waited long enough to ask the question for which they were there. "I can do more than that," she mentioned as she stood from the table. "I have something that I haven't shown the press yet. Wait here." With the help of the table as an anchor she stood and began shuffling towards the door. As she briefly left the room, the agents were well aware of Gibson's change in character. "Gibson, what is it?" Monica's voice was soft so as not to attain the woman's attention. John steely eyes just looked in the boy's direction. "She knows!" ~~~~~ Georgetown, DC 4.30pm "Lana, want to come and see William?" Dana Scully bent down to pick up John and Monica's baby from the floor where she had been happily playing with some toys. Dana had been keeping an eye on her while catching up on some relaxing reading on the couch. Looking after an active, inquisitive two year old was tiring work. Her son's naptime was the only time she could indulge in the written word, a time where she did not have to follow his every move. Dana smiled at how easy it was to look after the four-month-old girl. Only on one other occasion had she been asked to babysit, when John had taken Monica out for her birthday one evening. Other times the two women had got together for coffee, a chat, also a time for the two children to interact with each other. Lana was always happy to come to her and Dana appreciated that. She was an honorary aunt. It wasn't always like that though. Two weeks previously, the last time she had looked after baby Lana there had come an unforeseen knock at the front door. Balancing Lana on her hip and putting her leg up as a barrier to save William bounding out the door she opened up after looking through the peephole to the seemingly harmless woman. There had been someone asking for a donation to a neighbourhood charity. When Lana had unexpectedly tensed in her arms and begun to cry she was caught off guard, causing the polite knockback of the donation for the calmer interior of her apartment. All it had taken was for the door to be closed and the crying ceased. Dana had been confused at the time, never having seen Lana so upset but shrugged it off as her X-Files imagination getting the better of her. "Here he is." With one hand Dana unlatched the side of the crib to let the high side lower enough for her son to climb out. "William, say hello to Solana." She bobbed herself down to her son's height. "Lana," his small voice echoed and he reached out to touch her smiling face. "Cuddle!" "You want to cuddle Lana?" Dana questioned and took William by the hand, leading him to the living room and to the couch. "Sit here first then." As he had a few times previously, William climbed onto the soft surface and waited for his mother to lower Lana onto his lap. Wrapping his chubby arms around her tiny body he cuddled her like she was his little sister making Dana smile and then go thoughtful. Would she ever have a chance to have another child? She had always been grateful having had siblings and would hope that another miracle would occur and she could become pregnant again. "Mommy, take her." Just like a toddler his attention span was short but he'd been granted what he needed and Lana was also the cheerier for the interest. "So William, let's get that diaper changed, will we?" Lifting Lana carefully out of William's arms she propped the gurgling baby up to peer over her shoulder and went for the diaper bag. "You first and then Lana." Dana lay the baby on her stomach just next to where William was standing, already trying to pull his pants down over the cloth bulge. Before helping him off with the rest of his pants Dana gave Lana a pat on her back as assurance that she was still being cared for. "I go potty." William began stamping his little legs. "You're dry." Dana mused as she began undoing the first pin of William's cloth diaper. That was a good sign that potty training was well under way. "What a good boy!" "Mommy, potty!" His voice and body were becoming more active. "I'll just take out the last pin and...," It was a chore, especially with the urgency of her son's actions. Just as she had undone the safety pin William suddenly began moving away causing the point of the pin to stab deeply into his mother's finger. Using the restraint learnt by being around children's ears she held in her expletives by biting her bottom lip and tightening her eyelids. "Mommy, Mommy!" William must have run into another room but Dana still needed to get back her bearings as the wound pulsed pain and blood began to ooze down her finger. Rocking her body she didn't see Lana's tiny wobbly arm reach up to her until she was touching. Dana's eyes opened as the baby girl latched onto a finger on her other hand. Even though she felt like pulling her hand away, not needing any distractions until she could cope better, she left it there. Then something happened that had Dana's eyes widening in disbelief. Instead of the blood dripping down her finger, like a movie going backwards, it stopped and then began moving up again. The fingers of her wounded hand splayed she watched in further awe, as the blood seemed to go back into the gash in her finger and the wound close up. In no time her finger was back to normal and all the pain dissipated. Just as she realized that her finger was completely healed, with a squeal Lana let go of her other hand causing her to look down to the smiling, cooing four month old. Looking from her finger to the baby the synapses in her brain did a few connections. Did all that just happen? Frowning a little in deep thought she hadn't noticed that William had brought his potty out and was already sitting on it. ~~~~~ The Walsh Residence Preston, Maryland 4.30pm "She knows what?" John was careful to keep his voice down low. "She knows about your baby." Gibson's monotone voice sounded. "What about our baby?" The furrow in John's brow deepened. It was a strain to keep his sound quiet when he was hearing all this incongruity. "That Lana is special." The agents could tell it was hard for him to come out with it. So much in the past he needed to keep to himself for fear of reprisal but he trusted his friends and knew if he was to have any chance of a normal life he would need to tell all and be honest with them. "How could she possibly know that?" Monica was clearly irritated as well as curious but her mood was broken by the seemingly oblivious voice coming from the doorway. "I took these." Walking back to the table, Joan split the number of pictures in two and handed a pile to each agent. "Polaroids of what you saw?" With concentration Monica poured through the few photos and then handed them to Gibson as she finished with each. With growing concern John did the same. "This is what you saw?" John needed to confirm the sights before him. They appeared just as the news report had described, three different crafts of varying shapes hovering above the horizon. In the distance were the same hills that were in their vicinity. He knew photos could be doctored but what would the elderly woman before them achieve by deceiving them and the public? "At first light this morning. Each morning I take a walk to the front gate to pick up the newspaper we get delivered. On the way back I saw these." She collected the photos back up and organized them into a neat pile. "As fast as these old legs could go I grabbed the camera before they disappeared." "I'd like to take one or two of them as evidence if I may." John's first thought was to analyze them for incongruities. "I'd also like to have a look around here." "My husband will be home soon, he can take you there." Joan Walsh handed John the top two photographs. "Joan," Monica had been deep in thought. "Did anyone else also see the UFOs?" "They must have or why would the press have believed me without evidence?" Joan sat once again in her chair. "They were as plain as day. Anyone for miles around could have seen them." Monica made a mental note of possibly talking to a few of the sparsely populated neighbors. All this time Gibson was very quiet. The vibes he was getting from the woman were not right. He could see that she was telling the truth but there was something more. It wasn't until there was a sound behind them that his suspicions were confirmed. "Good afternoon all." The elderly gentlemen seemed cheery enough but all was not right. Stiffly, Gibson stood and moved to a position just behind Monica. "You must be Agents Doggett and Reyes, and you must be Gibson." There was an evil twinkle in his eye that seemed directed solely towards the boy. ~~~~~ "This is my husband." Choosing not to notice Gibson's display of distrust Mrs. Walsh stood and moved over to be beside the man who would have been a similar age to her. "We've been married for fifty-five years." John and Monica shot each other confused glances but they could not speak freely in front of the elderly couple. It was John who spoke first. "Looks like our reputation precedes us." John made his face as cool as possible. He didn't want to waste any charm on someone who according to Gibson's actions may not be trustworthy. "You wanted us here Mr. Walsh?" This time it was John's turn to stand. He'd had enough small talk. They had a reason to be there. He wanted to do his job and go home. Monica also stood and rested an assuring hand on Gibson's shoulder, reminding the boy that he was in the company of two trained FBI agents. "So you knew we'd come and bring Gibson?" Monica also spoke out, moving her hand to draw small involuntary circles on the boy's back. "Asked for you in person in fact," admitted the elderly man who stood a deal taller than his wife beside him. "Heard of the division some years back when I was in the police force in DC. I did a little research and found that two new agents had taken over from the original pair. Quite impressive!" "Impressive?" John was becoming more agitated by the second. "The fact that you lured us out here on false pretences? What is it you want Mr. Walsh?" "Impressive in the number of cases you've solved and nothing false about asking for you by name. UFOs is your business is it not?" His arm lay across his dear wife's shoulders. "He's lying!" Gibson's voice was barely heard. "Gibson?" Monica couldn't believe the growing strength of character in the boy. He was finally plucking up the courage to speak his mind. "What are you two not telling us?" John laid it on a platter. "There are no UFOs are there!" "In a way you're right," mentioned Mrs. Walsh to the agents' surprise. "To us they are not UFOs because they are not unidentified. "And we have a good reason for wanting you three here." "Oh, cut the crap!" John began moving to the door that the elderly pair was occupying. "Agent Reyes, Gibson, let's search here and then get outta here." "John, watch out!" Gibson called but it was too late. Allan Walsh held up a firm hand and as if by some unseen energy he was forced back with such speed and vigor that he was solidly hurled into the table sending it and his whole body hurling to the floor. "John!" Monica rushed to his side. He was dazed but seemingly unhurt. "What did you do to him?" She turned angrily to see Joan holding Gibson back with a similar force. "Who are you?" "Monica!" Gibson was slowly being pushed towards the wall by the same unseen force. "They are not human!" Just then the boy was hurled into the wall. With a whimper he slid down and lost consciousness. In agent mode Monica whipped out her gun and trained it from one to other of the couple. "Stay right there!" she said with authority. "Hands to the side where I can see them." Her attention but not her line of vision briefly turned to her partner. "Agent Doggett are you all right?" There was a groan but she felt him move to stand beside her. Just then the people before her began to change. As John stood, holding his sore head, his eyes also went wide at what he saw. If Gibson hadn't been on the floor unconscious he would have told them all to get out of the house somehow. That way it would give them time to think about possibly retaliation. It was too late. As if someone had thrown a blanket over their heads all went suddenly dark as each agent slipped into unconsciousness. ~~~~~ Chapter Five Georgetown, 9pm "Where could they be?" Dana was feeding the last of Monica's expressed breast milk to her godchild. If John and Monica were any later then she might have to give her baby formula milk but she knew Monica would have none of that. William had been put to bed two hours earlier after having a pleasant afternoon with his 'cousin'. He had been great company for Lana. There had been lots of shared laughter and fun. Lana's giggles were becoming quite alluring. It had made Dana yearn more for a sibling for William. Also it would be hard to give her over when her parents finally came back for her. She was such an easy, delightful baby. There had been no call from the agents and no signal the other end when she had tried to phone them. If they were a no show after one more hour then she would need to call the assistant director. As Lana lay in her arms almost asleep, her little mouth involuntarily sucking the last of the white droplets, Dana began thinking back to her injury. The image had replayed over and over in her mind and there was no doubt that it had been the little baby who had healed her. Did her parents know of this gift? If so they were probably just as stunned as she and understandably keeping quiet until there could be more proof. She knew that William was also a special child. She had to work on him not demonstrating his ability in public for fear the information would reach the wrong quarters. The times when toys mysteriously flew through the air and landed in the supermarket trolley she explained away to amazed onlookers as . It seemed to work. Who would believe what he was really doing? Sighing she lifted the sleeping baby and took her to her portable crib that Monica had set up just in case her baby slept. After wrapping her securely, for a moment she smiled and just watched how peaceful her godchild looked. When John and Monica returned she would need to bring up the subject of her ability. With a finger feeling the soft, velvety texture of the baby's cheek she sighed again and stood. Hopefully she could get a few winks of sleep before her parents came back for her. A soft knock was heard at the door. It did not seem like the knock of either agent but must have been from someone who knew not to use the doorbell. ..... Looking through the peephole her face went a little more urgent and then she opened the door. "Walter?" Dana produced a frown of concern. "Is everything all right?" "Can I come in?" Skinner just stood at the door his usual self, sticking to protocol. "Oh sorry," Dana hung her head a little thinking how remiss of her to make him stand there. "Please come in." Closing the door she ushered him to a couch. "So how are they?" Skinner's head pointed towards the bedroom area and Dana knew whom he meant. "They're fine. William's been in bed a couple of hours, Solana just went to sleep." "Dana, I'll get right to the point." He shifted uneasily in his chair. "John, Monica and Gibson are missing." "Missing?" The news hit her like a brick. "How?" "When they didn't report in as expected I asked the local PD to check the farmhouse." The next words were even harder to say. "Looks like we should have checked with the locals before blindly sending in two of our agents." "Blindly?" To Dana, the situation was seemingly more worrying by the second. "According to Sergeant Falco of the Preston PD there is no Walsh family living on the outskirts of town and never was." He paused again letting Dana take in all the bad news. "There is no farmhouse, just open fields." "Walter, this looks serious!" She turned her head towards the bedrooms and then slowly back to her superior. "Let's not think the worst just yet. They are fine agents and have scraped out of far worse. A team is on it and doing a search of the area." As if on cue Skinner's cell phone sounded in his pocket. "Skinner." He listened for a moment and then turned off the device. "That was Falco. They've not found the agents or Gibson but a locket has been at the site. It has a picture of John inside." "That's Monica's. John gave it to her when she was a few months pregnant." Out of habit Dana stood. She was still not used to just sitting back and letting others do the work that she so wanted to be part of. "Dana, we're on it." Skinner also stood resting a comforting hand on her arm. "You have two small children to care for." He lowered his voice not wanting them to absently overhear any urgency. "John and Monica, wherever they are would be comforted by the fact that their daughter is safe with you." There was another soft knock at the front door causing them to stiffen with alarm. Looking through the peephole revealed a familiar face but she still wasn't sure whether to open the door so under the circumstances she decided to play cautiously. "Who is it?" "Dr. Scully, I need to speak with you," came the quiet feminine voice from the other side. "What about?" Dana looked over to Skinner who was hanging on every word. "About your friends the FBI agents." "How do I know I can trust you?" Dana had to hear it with her own ears. "You have to trust me, I know how you can find them," came the muffled reply. ..... Dana paused and looked across to Skinner wanting his permission to open up to possible danger. After he nodded, she turned the knob and pulled. There stood a petite female possibly in her late teens, early twenties, the same girl who had visited her apartment a month back asking for donations. "I'm sorry to walk in you like this." The unassuming girl flowed into the room and noticed the company. "My name's Gizelle, I'm a good friend of Gibson's." "You have information about the agents?" Dana got straight to the point. There were so many more questions she wanted to ask of the girl especially why baby Lana cried uncharacteristically the first time they met. "I knew they were heading for danger but I had no choice. It's the only way to defeat them." "Defeat them?" Skinner queried. "I cannot tell you who they are yet but I can say that they're not human. All I can mention is that they plan to take over the world by December 22, 2012." "The End Game date Mulder was keeping to himself all that time?" Dana questioned. "How do you know this?" "I have always known it. It was always meant to be," she spoke in enigmas. "What do you mean, it was always mean to be?" Skinner interjected. "There is no time to explain now except that we must remember we are all God's children. We are all part of God's plan for us." Gizelle was starting to sound kookier as she uttered each new sentence. Dana's faith was strong but even she didn't go round preaching that way. "Why should we trust you? We hardly know you." Skinner needed to ask before being duped for a second time that day. "Because if you don't then the world as we know it will end at the hands of these aliens. We have at our disposal the means to defeat them. We must go now or else we could be too late." Gizelle made her way to the front door. "Wait!" Dana put up her stop sign hand. "I can't just up and leave. There are two sleeping children in this apartment." "Then bring them." Gizelle said simply. "You have to be kidding! You want us to go into a probable dangerous situation with two young children in tow?" Skinner stated. "Assistant Director, you don't understand." Gizelle turned her waif- like body towards the tall balding man. "They must go. It's their destiny." ..... William and Lana were asleep in their child and baby seats in the rear of the vehicle with Gizelle between them. Skinner drove so that Dana could keep an eye on the back seat inhabitants. "So tell us again." Dana broke the silence that had endured until safely out of the city limits and on the highway to Caroline County, Maryland. "You make accurate predictions of the future. You can tell what I am going to do next?" "I see that Agents Doggett and Reyes were true to their word." Gizelle calmly looked out the window of the vehicle into the black of the night. By this time there were only spasmodic lights and a few night travelers. "I asked them to keep it quiet. It's not all as it seems though." "Look Gizelle, we need more to go on that that." Skinner looked in his rear view mirror at the girl. "I only agreed to go along with this if all was perfectly safe for the little ones." "And all will be safe for them and us only as long as we do go, and we find Gibson and the agents." "And if we don't?" Dana was becoming even more curious about the mysterious girl in their company. "That is not in question here." Gizelle mentioned with a confidence smile. "You do and you will." "Because you know what we're going to do in the future." Dana needed more convincing so decided to test her. "What if we stop the car and go back now. What then?" "Go ahead if you wish but that is not wise. More than just our friends need our help." The girl looked down at the sleeping children and mused in a soft voice, "I was like them once." "Like them?" Again Skinner broke into the conversation. "What are you talking about?" He knew about William's ability to shift objects with his thoughts. Dana had yet to tell him of her suspicions about Lana. "You know," Gizelle deliberately looked at the female front seat resident. "How do you know?" Dana asked, preferring Gizelle to explain. "At your door last month. Immediately I knew how special these two children were. People like this are difficult to forecast. I have never been able to predict Gibson well either. You may have wondered why baby Lana cried when you opened your apartment door to me." "She is usually such a peaceful child. Yes I had wondered." "She must have sensed me in her thoughts." Gizelle again looked out the window into the night. "To make my calculations, most of the time I must get into the head of the person. Not reading their minds as such but their psyche, their mindset. That way I can be more accurate." "Isn't that a form of personal invasion?" Skinner offered. "You're not exactly asking permission here." "True, but it is in no way harmful to the person and I only resort to it if really necessary." Gizelle remained her calm self no matter what questions were thrown her way. It had the effect of drawing Dana and Skinner more into her trust. "What's this about special children?" Skinner asked but didn't see the silent communication between the ladies. "There is something different about Lana," Dana began. "You're saying alien DNA like William!" Skinner's voice suddenly lowered half way through the statement realizing his tone could be waking the young ones. "I won't know until I test her with her parents' permission but I cannot see how. As far as I know their baby was conceived through natural means." Dana felt a flush come to her face. It was something she had dearly wanted to experience herself. Instead she'd had two children, both from artificial fertilization of her ova, one of them without her permission. "It's not that." Gizelle spoke up. "Then what is it?" Dana didn't appreciate information being kept from her even though it was information about a baby that wasn't hers. "That I cannot tell you yet. You must trust me. I will explain everything after tonight." Gizelle stayed quiet for the remainder of the journey. Somehow it seemed clear after her last statement that no amount of questioning would make her explain. It was too soon. Dana would have to be content with knowing she would learn all eventually but not yet. Dana had been in some tricky situations with her time on the X- Files but something in her bones told her that this would be a night of reckoning. Chapter Six Preston, Maryland "We're here!" Gizelle touched Skinner lightly on the shoulder. To Skinner 'here' looked like in the middle of nowhere. They had passed through the Preston township and were on the way to where he had directed the two agents previously that afternoon. "Where to now?" Except for the vehicle's headlights all was dark outside. "To the right there's a narrow track." Gizelle sat forward on the seat pointing out of the front windscreen. The car made its way up the bumpy track, a little too turbulent for Lana because she began to stir and whimper in her seat. "We'll be there soon," Gizelle comforted as she patted the baby lightly on the chest. This time instead of crying Lana settled. She must have sensed Gizelle's good intentions. "She must be hungry. We're going to have to find Monica soon or we'll have a starving baby on our hands." Dana had only been able to breastfeed William for a few months but she knew that any significant time away from him had caused her discomfort. How would Monica be feeling? "We'll find them." The girl seemed confident, which put Dana a little at ease but they were all still going into the unknown. What if they were indeed found but were seriously hurt or even the unthinkable. The track seemed to go for a few miles through various fields that were probably used for cattle grazing. No animals were spotted, probably asleep for the night somewhere away from the track. "How far now?" Skinner questioned. "Stop the car and headlights off!" Gizelle was out the door as soon as the driver complied. The front seat passengers watched with curiosity as the girl stood in front of the vehicle as though getting her bearings, then she moved back the open door. "They're here," she began undoing the Velcro belt around Lana's middle. "You really think we should take them with us?" Dana had to make certain it was the right thing to do. Not just anyone would lead his or her children into the unknown and possible danger. "I told you they will come to no harm." As Gizelle lifted Lana from her baby seat William began to stir from sleep and then stretch. "Mommy, where are we?" He was trying to undo his seatbelt when Skinner opened the rear door from the outside and helped him. "We're just going to stretch our legs a little," Skinner explained which was half true. "Uncle Walter?" William's trusting face looked up at his pseudo uncle as he was extracted from the seat and lifted onto the man's hip. "Mommy?" The boy twisted around to see his mother taking a restless baby Lana from Gizelle. "Mommy's just going to find Aunt Monica and then I'll give you a big cuddle, okay?" She moved over to the boy and gave him a reassuring kiss on the forehead. "This way," Gizelle beckoned, finding a break in the fencing running alongside the track. After closing all the car doors Skinner with William followed close behind Dana and Gizelle. The further they made their way from the vehicle the more their eyes adjusted to the dark. "I can't see anything. How far is it?" Dana questioned after ten minutes of walking on bumpy sod being careful not to stumble with the baby. It was then that Gizelle stopped and moved her body around in a circle. "Right here." Her voice indicated her wonder but Dana and Skinner saw nothing. It was as though they each saw something different than being in the middle of a field at night with not anything around for miles. Lana was becoming wrigglier in Dana's arms. It was clear that she was missing her mommy and daddy and her stomach was calling out for nourishment. "Gizelle, there's nothing here." Skinner pointed out the obvious. "Oh but there is. You just need to clear your senses." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again and approaching the other four beings. "Hold my hands and I'll show you." With their spare hands Dana and Skinner obeyed. "What now?" Skinner was becoming impatient. They had come all that way to meditate in the middle of a field? "Just close your eyes, take a deep breath and relax." Her last words were soft and breathy conveying the required relaxation level. "Now, open your eyes." Even before Dana's eyes focused on her surroundings her nasal senses smelt something quite different. It was an aroma she couldn't quite put a handle on but she knew why. As their eyes adjusted and their brain kicked in they couldn't believe where they were. Instead of the field out in the open, they had seemingly materialized inside a small dark room. The only lighting came from small pinpoints dotted over the entirety of one wall. Were they indeed inside a spacecraft? Every part of Dana's being told her it was so. ~~~~~~~~ "What is this place?" Wanting William to stay close, Skinner kept him on his hip and moved around the room feeling the walls. If it were Dana she would have had to put him on the floor by then. He was a growing boy and becoming a lead weight to carry. "I believe you know." Gizelle said simply, waiting for the two to finish orientating themselves. "Is this leather?" Dana also felt the walls but more importantly searched for a way out. Covering a pinpoint of light with a finger had her marvelling. Seemingly covering the light with a flat hand had her more in awe. She looked to the others who were also staring. It was as though her hand was not even there. The shafts of light went straight through the bone and skin. Lana squealed and put a tiny hand on top of her godmother's and the same phenomenon occurred. The light permeated through both sets of hands. "A form of leather found nowhere on earth." Gizelle mentioned as though she knew all there was to know about their surroundings. "There is much to see here but come, we must move more quickly." Just as she spoke a doorway appeared and the girl began moving off. "Wait!" Dana was not finished. Gizelle turned but this time there was a hint of exigency in her stance. "How do you know all this? Have you been here before?" "No, this is my first time just like you." She moved up and took Dana by the arm and began walking her out the door with Skinner not far behind. "I will explain more later but for now we must hurry, your friends are in need of urgent help." Dana was expecting a series of corridors with rooms off to the sides but they had entered a similar room to the last. This time the pinpoint lighting was on a different wall and with blue hues instead of yellow. Also the smell of the room had subtly changed. "What the hell?" Skinner looked around him and then across to Dana. "What the hell!" William repeated and then wriggled free from the assistant director's arms. There was no time for reprimands about his language rubbing off on the boy. William went straight for the wall but before bumping into it a doorway opened. "I think your William has got the idea," Gizelle half smiled and followed. "What idea?" Dana was puzzled but more concerned that her son would wander off in the completely alien environment. "William!" She called after him but there was no response. "Walter?" Skinner was the first out the door and just in time to see the boy slip through another hole in the wall. "William, hold up there!" He was too fast for the older man. "He'll be all right." Gizelle placated a worried mother as they hurriedly followed the human pathway from room to room. The chambers were all very similar except each had different colored lights on varying walls. One even had light emanating from the floor. "He knows where they are." "How does he know that?" The frown on Dana's face indicated her incredulity. Lana was once again becoming restless in her arms. She must have sensed the worry. "People back at the bureau will think we're all nuts for taking children with us." "They will come to understand." Just as Gizelle finished the words they spilled out unexpectedly into an area that would have been comparable to a basketball arena. They all stood on the lit part of the court while the surrounds were in darkness. Above them the time pale orange lighting was brighter and shone through saucer- sized holes in the ceiling like spotlights. "Mommy, Uncle Walter, here!" William called from the shadows. Skinner was there before the ladies and was just standing not sure of what to do. On an elevated platform under what looked like a softer form of the leather that covered the walls of the spacecraft chambers was an ashen looking, very still Monica Reyes. ~~~~~ "Take William and look for the others!" Being the doctor, Dana took charge. Handing Lana over to Gizelle she quickly moved to Monica's lifeless side and took her pulse. It was an excruciating wait while her fingers felt around for some sign that her friend and work colleague was still alive. A few stray tears came to her eyes as she went from one pulse point to the next feeling over the cold, blue tinged skin. Lana gave a squeal from Gizelle's arms and tried to wriggle free. She was heavy and lopsided in her arms as she stretched out her hands to her mother. Dana's head flopped forward as though she had given up, her hands on the side of the platform, holding herself upright. She could sense Gizelle moving to the other side of the dais and looked up. "What are you doing? She's gone." Dana looked with a mixture of annoyance and confusion. "She's not dead, it's a test." Not complying with Dana's protests she lowered Lana to lie next to her mother. "Gizelle, this is insane!" No sooner had the protest escaped her lips when there seemed to be a change in Monica. As Lana gurgled happily beside her form some pinkness began replacing the bluish flesh. Dana's eyes widened with awe. Never before as a doctor had she witnessed such a miracle. "Just a little longer." The girl stood beside the dais watching that the baby was secure. There was movement on Monica's face and then her eyes opened slowly, eliciting a squeal of delight from her baby daughter. "Where am I?" A croaky sound came through Monica's parched lips and then she looked down and smiled as her daughter was trying to get at one of her breasts. "Never mind that now." Dana remarked. "How are you feeling? Can you sit up?" "I think so." As Monica tried to sit, Gizelle held onto the baby who obviously wanted her mother. "Come here sweetie." Monica smiled, also clearly happy to see her daughter. "Do you know what just happened?" Dana enquired, still in shock over someone alive and well before her who had been diagnosed as lifeless just moments previously. "I will tell her," came Gizelle's soft voice. "Go! The others need you." At that moment she could hear Skinner distant voice calling to her. ~~~~~ "We've found the others!" The assistant director was once again holding William but put him on the floor and held his hand when he saw her. "It's not very hopeful." Dana hurriedly followed Skinner, her son running quick steps beside him. On the other side of the stadium they found John and Gibson lying side by side on matching platforms. She had feared the worst. They looked in the same condition as they had found Monica. Thinking quickly Dana once again organized her boss. "Can you go get Monica and the others?" "She's all right?" Skinner questioned with disbelief. "She seems to be in perfect health, I'll explain later." Dana busied herself feeling for any sign of a pulse on the two lifeless looking bodies while Skinner moved off. In no time they were all back, Monica holding a bubbling baby, looking as though she had just finished a session at a health spa. The light material of the covering tied around her body. "Monica knows what she must do." Gizelle explained as Lana's mother stood beside her prone partner. "John," Monica's eyes visibly teared up as she placed their baby daughter on top of his unmoving chest. One hand held Lana in position as the other held John's hand. The expected recovery was taking a little too long this time. Perhaps it was John's size or maybe he was in worse shape than his partner, as if one death was worse than any other. When Lana began to whimper it was time to hold her again. Some pink had returned to John's complexion but he was not making the recovery most had anticipated. "I'll take her," Gizelle offered and Monica sat next to her lover holding one hand in both of hers, waiting for a sign of recovery. Gizelle calmed Lana enough to make her comfortable to lie beside Gibson. It was obvious that her energy reserves were low, not from lack of nourishment but that she was still a tiny being. As she grew so would her gifts. Even the powers she possessed at so you an age were well beyond any predictions of Gizelle's. "Monica," a low rumble came from John's throat. "John!" His lover's face lit up seeing the promising results. "Gibson." He managed to ask but was still quite weak. Monica looked across to a teenage boy who seemed to be recovering just as slowly as John but appeared as though he would make it. "How?" John's body was motionless. Just his face moved, reserving energy for his body to heal enough to be able to stand as soon as possible. "Our daughter John. Lana healed us." Monica explained to a man who never in a million years would have believed it when they had first met. "So it's true!" There was a booming voice behind them and all turned to see something unexpected out in the spotlight of the 'basketball court'. ~~~~ The voice seemed to be coming from a ball of golden luminosity brighter than the surrounding spot lighting. It took most of the visitors a little time to adjust to the oddity. In all their haste to find Gibson and the missing agents they hadn't stopped to think that they were intruding in a place where they were more than likely being watched. "Yes, it's true." Gizelle confidently stepped forward just as the golden glow diffused and took up human shapes. "But you didn't have to harm these people to prove it. That's not the way we work here." As the shapes also stepped forward it was clear they were back to being Joan and Allan Walsh. "Not how you work?" The male alien spoke first. "That's not the way we see it." "Then how do you see it?" With a burbling baby on her hip Monica decided to step into the conversation. If these were indeed a sample of the beings that had targeted Earth for final take over in 2012 then this was a time for them to get the message loud and clear that they were not wanted. The first reaction could have been to run but that would show a weakness that was uncharacteristic of earthlings as an entirety. Skinner and Dana holding William's hand looked on with commonality. They could see the enormity of the moment, the importance of giving a message of pride, independence and ownership. "We see a world in turmoil, of war, conspiracies, man pitted against man, sickness, poverty, a world also in climatic flux. Why would you want to live in a world such as this?" It was Mrs. Walsh's turn to speak. "Then you see only the bad." John's vocal chords and body were weak as he hobbled up next to his partner but his message was strong. "The good far outweighs the bad." "Then why don't you fix the bad? You have an example here in your midst, a healer." The being that was Allan Walsh spoke. "Because without the bad we would not see the good." Dana spoke up as she moved forward with William. "Don't get us wrong though. We work on our misfortunes remedying some, rallying alongside others but we see them as challenges and not as pitfalls. Without challenges we would be weak. We are not weak, we are strong." "We do not see strength here but a handful of pitiful humans." As Allan Walsh's voice became more aggressive the outline of his body began to distort, as did his wife's. Were their human forms all just a trick of the eye? It did seem far-fetched that aliens possibly from another galaxy would look and talk just like them. "There's nothing pitiful about us." Gizelle's quiet yet determined voice responded. "Each person here is representative of the talents of which every human is capable. "Baby Lana is a healer but there are many more out there spread across the continents who have similar talents. Gibson here can read people's thoughts." As she spoke Gibson took up a position next to her. "Just like him there are many others with that potential." "Can you read my thoughts?" Mrs. Walsh tested. "I know that you are deceiving us." Gibson retorted just as the shimmer around the elderly couple's bodies became more pronounced. Skinner as well as the other saw the pattern that was emerging. "Do you get the message? We don't want you here!" The assistant director's announcement was firm but not aggressive. "We want you to go home and never come back here! Earth is ours to make the best of what we have. We don't need anyone else taking over and we will fight with all our strength to keep it that way." "See?" Gizelle decided to keep up the barrage to back up the point. "Skinner here is a warrior, John is a doubter but one that every world needs to get us thinking and solving problems." As she spoke, the beings were becoming increasingly agitated. "Monica is an empath, Dana a teacher." "We can take care of ourselves. We are all special in our own way. We are all God's children." Dana added to the solidarity of the moment finally understanding Gizelle's earlier comment back in her apartment. That final statement seemed the last straw. Both beings had merged into one big ball of violent gold light. All eyes watched and wondered what would be the outcome. No matter what, they had said their piece and were proud they had done the ultimate show of cohesion. "You will not be allowed to leave!" Came the booming voice from the luminous eruption. Just then they felt an overwhelming force shifting their bodies back. Trying to stand was all too much. As a result of the massive force each of the seven visitors ended up on the floor and sliding towards the side of the vast gallery room. But then it stopped just as quickly as it started. "Go away you mean people!" It was William's tiny voice. He was standing in front of the now massive sphere of lava-like flares, his tiny body silhouetted against the reds and oranges. "William!" His mother called but was interrupted by what happened next. With his tiny hand pointing to the seething radiance it began to move back. William was not only counteracting the power the being was emitting but was more forceful. Slowly the room was filled with the most piercing sound making everyone except William cover their ears. "Go back home and don't come back!" he yelled as the ball of light began to retreat and diminish. All of a sudden at an astonishing speed the remaining fireball flew backwards and hit the far wall with so much force that it disintegrated sending sparks of light throughout the arena just like a fireworks display. Then all went quiet and black. ~~~~~ As their eyes adjusted to the pinpoints of light they came to realize they were in fact stars of the night sky. A cool breeze brushed over their bodies as one by one the group picked themselves up off the cool ground. They were once again in the field with no sign of the spacecraft they had just been on. "What just happened?" Dana was the first to query. "I think we suitably pissed them off." Monica smiled giving Lana a kiss on the cheek and a cuddle before moving over to be with her partner who was also picking himself off the ground. "Are they dead?" Skinner enquired as he carefully stood brushing himself down. "Not dead but bruised a little, and not just their corporeal being either." Gizelle moved over to Gibson to help him up. "They won't be back." Gibson mentioned as he accepted Gizelle's hand in his and looked up into the night sky. "Won't be back ever?" It was John's turn to question as he took Lana who was holding her arms out to her father. Even he was starting to doubt that anything they had just seen actually happened. "Not even in 2012?" "We put on a suitable demonstration for them." Gizelle looked around at each member of the group and smiled. "It may be millennia before they even think of conquering another world." "Just to think," Monica smiled at the way Lana was cooing and playing with John's ears. "This is probably one of the biggest events in history and yet it won't even appear in the News or even history books." They all nodded and chuckled understanding the irony. "Mommy look!" William pointed into the night sky. Up in the darkness there was a light brighter than the other stars, just hovering. "They're saying goodbye." Gizelle offered. Then like a shooting star the light swooped out into the dark expanse of space. "I could go a hot dog right about now." Skinner lifted William off the ground and gave him a twirl in a circle. "How about you?" The boy squealed with delight securing the attention of baby Lana, who pointed a wobbly arm and squealed along with him. "I'm not sure there'd be a place open in town." John offered just as Monica began moving towards their vehicle that was still parked where they had left it that afternoon. "Then let's keep driving until we do." The group happily agreed and made their way to their respective vehicles. As the vehicles drove off along the lone country track all was quiet again in Preston, Maryland. All was also quiet in the hundreds of locations throughout the world where other scout ships had been and now had departed. The End