All To Plan
Their eyes meet across the boarding room table and they silently console one another.
It will be all right.
Even if they've been found out, it will be all right.
It's a cold comfort. They both know it won't be all right; their jobs are at risk as is the continuation of the X files. (They can't let the FBI – or anyone else for that matter – shut down the X files.)
To have everything their lives have been around over the past few years endangered is not a thing either of them is remotely comfortable with. However, they did both know the risks when they first began this thing between them.
They wait.
"Agent Doggett. Agent Reyes," Assistant Director Kersh finally says, fixing them each in turn with stern glares. "We have been led to believe that your partnership has…evolved. Are you or are you not pursing a romantic relationship on the side?"
They share one final moment of quiet before their world goes up in an explosion of colours and sounds and truths.
John breaks his gaze from hers first and turns to their boss, preparing in his mind what they had planned for him to say in the case that this scenario ever came up.
"Sir. I'd like to be temporarily transferred to another unit. Monica and I," he makes a point of saying her name, "intend to get married."
Silence.
Kersh clearly was not expecting that.
It looked like things might go according to plan.
"You want to get married," Kersh states, rather than asks. He has a faraway look on his face that suggests he's still digesting this new development and it hasn't quite sunk in.
"Yes," Monica says, her first word spoken that morning. "We do."
They exchange a look, brown on blue on brown. It's as if Kersh is trying to see past what is on the outside to what they keep hidden below the surface. It's as if he's trying to read them and see their feelings for each other for what they truly are.
"Very well," Kersh finally says, with a sharp nod, apparently satisfied. "If that's what you want to do, I've no place to stop you." He pauses.
"Before you do this, however, I want you to realise the implications of what this will mean."
John nods once.
All according to plan, he tells himself. He gives Monica an encouraging half-smile.
Kersh continues. "The X files will no longer have two assigned agents. For the duration of Agent Doggett's transfer, Agent Reyes, you will be alone. I will not assign anyone new knowing that Agent Doggett will be returning. You intend to return, do you not?"
"Yeah," John agrees, eyes narrowing slightly. "I do."
"Agent Doggett, you will be assigned where needed. Your assignment will not be of your choosing."
All to plan, John repeats. There was no way Kersh could let them do this and not give him grunt work.
"And finally," Kersh goes on, "I'd like an invite to the wedding, if you don't mind."
His last words are as unexpected as his others were not.
John's eyes widen and he sees Monica pull her bottom lip into her mouth in surprise.
"I…sir," John says.
"Those are my conditions," Kersh interrupts. "Take it or leave it."
They know that they have no choice but to take the offer.
"John?" Monica prompts him. "What do you think?"
Their eyes catch once more and he grins at her. She is certain it is the same grin she is wearing – the sort of grin that can't be helped. "I say we do this," he replies.
Her heart races. "I say we do this as well."
Kersh clears his throat and they turn to look at him, remembering that they're not quite alone. "I'll write up the papers."
fin.