Title: Second Chances
Author: Sienna Wilson
Fandom: The X-Files
Characters: John Doggett/Monica Reyes
Prompt: #100 - Writer's Choice
Rating: PG
Summary: John Doggett takes advantage of a second chance
Author's Notes: Written in 2002, reworked in 2008 for fanfic100
Disclaimer: I don't own Doggett and Reyes. If I did, we would've gotten a season nine sex scene. :)
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Sometimes in life there are second chances.
John Doggett pondered this as he sat in his truck outside his partner'sflat. Three nights ago he had come within a hair's breadth of losing hisbest friend. No, Monica was more then that...she was his soul mate. Hewas more sure of it now then ever. But still he couldn't tell her how hefelt.
Audrey had been right. John loved Monica. The feelings had grown everyday since they had been reunited on The X-Files. She was the last thinghe thought about before going to sleep and the first thing he thought ofwhen he rose again in the morning. He looked forward every day to beingwith her in that basement office and, even though the cases oftenquestioned his sensibilities, he enjoyed having her at his side in thefield.
He had almost lost all of that only a few days ago. During those horriblylong hours he sat at her bedside watching her hang in the balance betweenlife and death, he prayed for a second chance to tell her just how muchshe meant to him. And through nothing short of a miracle, his prayers hadbeen answered.
John had been given a second chance, but for the second time he wasmaking the exact same mistake. Tonight was just like the night of Monica's accident. He had let her walkaway again without admitting his feelings to her. He had suppressed theurge to take her in his arms and kiss her. And why?
Luke's death had almost broken him. He experienced more hurt at that timethen he ever thought it was possible to feel. It was something John neverwanted to experience again. He couldn't bear to experience it again. Sohe had shut himself off from loving. First it destroyed his marriage, andthen it destroyed the relationship he had with Monica afterwards. Monica had said she could never see him disappointing anyone but she hadbeen wrong. He disappointed himself all the time. John never thought ofhimself as a coward, but now he realized he was one.
This last thought struck a bitter note inside of him. There was only one way he could remedy it, but he was still afraid to let go and allow himself to love again. But, he already did love again. It had taken a harsh blow for him to realize it, but now he did.
John found himself out of his truck and on Monica's doorstep. Hehesitated a moment before knocking. The doctor said she needed her rest,but it couldn't wait any longer. Second chances were far and few between,you could never count on one.
"John?" Monica opened the door, surprised to see him.
"Monica, I - You need anything?"
She smiled the smile that made him weak in the knees. "No, I'll be fine,John."
The words stuck in his throat, and he was unable to speak again. An awkward silence fell upon the pair as he stood there, kicking himself fornot just coming out and saying it. Then John decided maybe actions wouldbe better then words. He took two steps forward and kissed her softly.
Monica returned the kiss, and he felt himself delve into it further. He put as much passion into it as he could, trying to tell her what he felt without the words that seemed to fail him time and a word he took her into his arms and held her close, as he wantedto so many times. And now that he had, he was never going to let her go again.