Title: Watch Over You
Author: Lisa
Email: lc7685@yahoo.com.au
Disclaimer: I do not own X Files, and they remain the property of the
people/companies who do own it (like der) and I'm not writing this for
money! Yay!
Category: DRR Rating: I'm rating it R, just because it contains adult themes, medium level language, low level violence and one very tiny sex scene. Notes at Part One and final part
Monica burst through the door and grabbed the man around the waist. They crashed against the hallway wall and then onto the floor as Monica struggled to get the upper hand. She had his left hand pinned behind his back as she straddled him, and her other hand was pushing his face into the ground. She needed Butler and she needed him quickly.
Soon enough, Monica heard footsteps hurrying to the door and could hear Butler shouting orders down his phone. She turned her head as he appeared in the doorway. The man underneath her took his chance and turned, his right hand finding the gun and swinging it, along with his fist, back in her face as he pushed her off him and ran in the opposite direction, dropping his gun, probably stolen Butler realised, on the way. Monica went to stand and follow him but Butler grabbed her around the waist.
"They'll pick him up, we can ID him, leave it." Monica sighed but nodded as her hand rested against her right eye, holding it closed.
"Are they-" He cut her off as they pulled apart.
"They're putting lockdown procedures in place right now... Now, you gonna let me see the shiner?"
"It doesn't feel very shiny at this point, more like throbbing mass of pain- " she cringed as she removed her hand. Butler whistled as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and bundled it in her hand, holding it to her eye again. "That bad?"
"It looks worse than it is," he responded, picking up the abandoned weapon.
"That's really comforting Butler."
"Hey, no problems." He walked back into the auditorium and by now the assistant principal who'd introduced them was talking to the students, but he spoke with some staff closer to the doors, before shutting both. "Now all we have to do is wait for the cavalry to arrive and guard this door."
"What about the other classrooms?" Monica asked.
"There's a phone inside, they've been told to lock their doors and close all the curtains in the classrooms." Monica nodded and took a seat against the hallway on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest.
"I should've shot him," she groaned, resting her head back against the wall.
"You're lucky he didn't shoot you. Sorry you lost your backup for a while there."
"No, it's better you kept them calm in there, otherwise it would've been much harder." Butler turned as the auditorium door opened and a pair of eyes peeked out. He moved closer.
"What is it?" he asked. Monica listened carefully but didn't make an effort to move just yet. She could only hear Butler's side of the conversation. "Oh, um- Monica?"
"Yeah?"
"JJ wants to-" Monica shook her head.
"No, she stays in there with the rest. Tell her I'm fine."
"But you're not."
"Tell her I'm fine," Monica repeated, getting to her feet as several officers entered the hallway, running silent. Butler quickly shut the auditorium door and spoke for several moments with the captain, who ordered his men to continue searching, directing them into certain hallways using hand gestures. Two armed officers took guard at the door and Butler and Monica were led back outside.
"He didn't open fire on the students?"
"No," Monica answered.
"He might have, but we drew our weapons and I don't think he was prepared to be faced with two armed FBI agents. He yelled something like 'Where's the kid?'"
"Unplanned then?"
"Or just poorly researched," Monica replied as one of the officers helped her into the back of a squad car.
"Ambulance will be here soon."
"I really don't need one-" Monica maintained. "Hey Butler!"
"Yeah?" Butler came over to the car and leant against the open door.
"Can I use your phone? Mine's back inside the auditorium."
"Sure. I just called John though if that's who you're going to call."
"You did?" Monica smiled as her partner nodded. "Thanks Butler."
"No problems. I give him five, ten minutes max, way over the speed limit." The captain approached them both and Monica stood back up out of the car.
"Any sign of him?" she asked, still not game enough to remove the handkerchief from her eye.
"None. But his prints will be all over the gun we're hoping."
"He wasn't wearing gloves. I should know," Monica commented. The captain smirked.
"That's a good thing. You know you should get that checked out."
"I'll be fine," Monica insisted.
"The building's clear so far, and we're nearly done. We're pulling student details straight away, going to ask parents to come and collect hopefully before the media catches on."
As the captain left Monica was approached by a medic and sighed, following them over to their bus on Butler's orders. Carefully, her hand was removed from her eye.
"Ooh, nasty," one commented.
"That makes me feel so much better," Monica mumbled as she tilted her head back and they rinsed the wound.
"Nothing we can't fix," the other reassured.
*
John slammed his car door shut as he jumped out and spotted Butler straight away. He was arriving with the first wave of parents, he guessed, looking around at officers gathering small crowds to get names. Butler walked up to him.
"They dragged her into the ambulance," he called, gesturing to the bus at his left. John smiled and nodded his thanks before jogging over.
"Ow, shit!" he heard and was instantly reassured that she was fine, she was alive, nothing serious. Butler had, of course, told him that over the phone, but he had to see it for himself.
"Sorry Monica it's going to sting."
"You're going to have one helluva blac-"
"I'll bet, and you have a great bedside manner. I hope you're not doing this to pay your way through med school. Are we done?" she asked impatiently.
John rounded the back of the bus and flicked his badge open for the medics to see.
"Agent Doggett here. How's she doing?"
"I think she's pissed he got away," one commented as he took a closer look. "Doggett eh? Isn't that her name Mike?"
"Jesus Carlos."
"You know I am still here," Monica commented, as Carlos dabbed some cream onto her cheekbone. She reached out for John's hand and found it instantly. "He's my husband." Mike moved aside so John could get closer. He took a seat on the edge of the bus next to her.
"Got here as soon as I could."
"Stitches need to come out in a week, and the swelling should go down within a day or two."
"Can I steal her back now?" John asked.
"She's all yours buddy," Carlos replied, laughing as Monica shot him a look. "Take care of yourself."
"Where did you park?" Monica asked as John led her over to the parking lot.
"Right here." He opened the front passenger seat and she got in, immediately snapping down the mirror to check herself out. The swollen cheek and three stitches below her eyebrow, irritated and covered in disinfectant, weren't the most battered collection she'd ever seen, but it wasn't bad. John laughed as she sighed and flipped the mirror back up.
"Please tell me it looks better than it looks." John met her eyes with a smile.
"As much as it confuses me to say it, it looks much better than it looks." Monica bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "How about you stay put, I'll go back in and get our girl. She saw the whole thing?"
"Until we got out into the hallway and the doors were shut after us, yeah."
"She'll be chucking up a storm trying to get out."
"I'm sure she is. My um, bag should still be up on the stage."
"Sure. Stay exactly where you are."
"Ahuh."
"I won't be long. Stay right there."
"Okay John," Monica laughed, waiting until he'd walked into the school before getting out of the car and walking back over to Butler.
"Have they found him yet?" she asked.
"No," he replied, eyeing her injury. "Where's your other half? Shouldn't he be dragging you back home for some rest kicking and screaming while the police handle it?"
"He's collecting JJ. I'm meant to be sitting in the car."
"You know you're lucky Monica. Wish I had someone to drag me kicking and screaming." Monica smiled.
"One day you will, I bet."
"I'll hold you to that, you know."
"Okay, now who can we talk to about this?"
"Captain wants your statement asap."
"Good," she replied, leaving him and walking over to a couple of officers and the captain, offering an account of the situation.
*
John flashed his badge and was let into the auditorium. Everyone looked around, expecting more student names to be called, but lost interest when they saw him and assumed it was just another policeman. John made his way towards the stage where he saw Jodie sitting on one of the chairs onstage, holding Monica's bag and arguing with a teacher who was trying to get her off. When she saw John, Jodie's face lit up and she jumped off her chair.
"Daddy!" she called, brushing past her teacher without a second thought as John got down and gave her a big hug, pulling her close.
"You giving your teacher a hard time JJ?" John asked her, standing back up and showing the woman his identification.
"Leslie Liebermann," she answered as he pocketed his ID and shook her hand, his other hand holding Jodie in place.
"Is this all mum brought?" he asked her, taking Monica's bag and slinging it over his own shoulder.
"Yeah," she replied, her eyes growing wide. "Is mum-"
"She's gonna be fine. Where's your schoolbag?"
"At the classroom," Jodie replied.
"Lead the way," John concluded, giving Jodie's name to the officials as they left.
*
"Mum wasn't shot was she?" Jodie asked as they approached the car several minutes later.
"No honey but she's got a black eye," John warned her as they approached Monica and Butler at John's car. Monica was sitting on the hood and Butler was leaning beside her as John and Jodie stopped in front of them.
Monica slid back onto her feet and leant over to be eye level with Jodie. "Hey JJ, you okay?"
"Does it hurt?" she asked incredulously.
"Yep, and all the blood is rushing to my head so you better hug me quick-" Jodie smiled and stepped forward into her mother's arms, letting Monica pull back and stand quickly. She winced as she said goodbye to Butler. "Call me if anything happens-"
"You know I will. I'll see you in a couple of days. When are you going to sign your statement?"
"Probably later this afternoon. I'll just head down."
"Oh really? You'll just drive yourself down?"
"Yeah, why not?" Butler laughed as he waved goodbye, heading back to his car.
"You're a riot Mon," John added, helping her into the car and preparing to leave.
*
They arrived at the Doggett house in no time and while John set Jodie up for a video, Monica went upstairs to change out of her suit. She only got half way through that task before the mirror beckoned again and John found her eyeing her face in the mirror in her underwear. She watched him approaching in the reflection and leant back into his arms as they encircled her waist, his lips making contact with the soft skin past the juncture of her jaw and ear.
"Macho FBI Monica can rest now," he whispered, as she turned further in his arms, letting him push her up against the bathroom sink and look deeply into her eyes. "You sure everything's okay?" Monica's face softened and she nodded, leaning forward for a brief kiss. "You should probably get some clothes on then," he added, affectionately nudging her chin with one of his knuckles. Monica tilted her face quickly and caught the finger between her lips, kissing it as she nodded.
"I'll be down soon." John smiled and headed downstairs to call Scully, but the phone was already ringing. John heard Jodie pick it up.
*
"Oh awesome!" Will exclaimed as he got a look at Monica's swollen eye later that afternoon, John having just picked him up from school.
"Thanks Will, I'm glad you appreciate the effort," she replied with a wry smile. Jodie had just explained to him what had happened and, being a young boy, he was very interested in the parts with the guns, hence the interest in any injuries caused by guns or other body parts.
*
Even later that night, Monica waited patiently as she felt Scully's hair brush across her chin.
"Well the swelling's gone down," was her final conclusion when she pulled away. "But you probably could have told me that. Can you open your eye?"
"Not yet," Monica replied. "I'm working on it." Scully rolled her eyes and went to join Mulder and John in the kitchen. Monica was about to get up off the couch and follow when someone knocked on the door. "I'll get it!" she called, hearing Mulder spout something intelligent about scaring off intruders and then John come to her defence with a, 'It's not that bad!'
"Hey Frankenstein," Butler exclaimed as she opened the door. "Brought you your statement."
"You know it'd be you in this position if you could run as fast as me," Monica snapped playfully. "What'd you bring it over for? Come in." She closed the door behind him and followed him into the living room.
"They faxed me mine so I asked them to send yours to, save you the trouble." Monica nodded, leading him into the kitchen. "Ah, the whole gang's here."
"You got a pen anyone?" Monica asked, opening one of the drawers and fumbling around.
"Yeah, here," Mulder answered. "Make sure you sign on the line now."
"You're all so kind and caring, I don't know what to say," Monica mocked, signing her name and handing the statement back to Butler. "Thanks, you want a drink?"
"Ah no, I won't stay." She nodded, smiling. "I'll see myself out."
"Sure. Hey Butler-" she called before he left the room. He turned.
"Yeah?"
"That shot he fired. Where'd it go?"
"Ah, it hit one of the chairs onstage."
"So it flew right past you?"
"Something like that," he shrugged.
"If you wanna talk-"
"I'm good. Part of the job as I can see you already know. Have a nice vacation!" He disappeared around the corner but Monica couldn't help herself.
"I'll see you in 'two' days. No more!"
"Bye Agents Doggett...or is it Agent Doggetts?" He called out before Monica heard the front door shut. She walked around to the sink and got herself a glass of water.
"You two work well together," Mulder observed.
"Yeah Butler's great," she replied, turning to look between the three cupboards that lined up above the oven.
"What do you need?" John asked.
"Drugs," she replied, picking the middle cupboard and removing a box of Panadol. "I just needed to line up my vision. It's a little off centre."
"You wanna lie down?"
"Augh, no I'm okay."
"Monica." Monica swallowed the pill and finished off the water while John watched her sternly. She fought off the desire to walk forward and jump into his arms for a long, passionate kiss, and satisfied herself with a small peck on the cheek.
"Okay daddy," she replied and walked upstairs. John was struck by how youthful Monica could sound sometimes. Just like Jodie. He bit his lip as he turned back to Mulder and Scully.
"The kid he was after," Mulder began. "There's no one significant at that school, no child who'd be held for ransom, no one that could be used as bribery?"
"It's not exclusive, you know that," John replied.
"I'm sure they'll identify him so school can resume as soon as possible. Keep us updated all right?" She turned to John. "Thanks for looking after William."
"That's not a problem," John replied as Mulder went to bring William inside, followed by Jodie. After they'd left, John picked his girl up around the waist and carried her half way up the stairs. She laughed, and after several protests to put her down he obliged, shushing her as she went to bound up the stairs two at a time.
"Goodnight mum," she called at the doorway of the main bedroom on her way past it. John checked the locks on the doors and windows before heading up to bed.
The answering machine! John remembered he'd seen the light blinking downstairs several times that night but had never taken the time to press replay. Oh well, he figured, he'd do it first thing the next morning.
Monica was sitting up in bed with a frustrated scowl on her face. John smiled as he walked in, grabbed his pyjamas and changed in front of her.
"What's the matter?" he asked. Monica smiled and shook her head.
"There's something about you taking your clothes off that always makes me smile." John laughed, crawling into bed beside her and covering them both with the blankets.
"Yeah but I put more clothes on." Monica nodded. "Now what 'was' the problem before I changed for your entertainment?" Monica met his eyes.
"I sleep on my right side."
"Hmm, how about we swap sides on the bed for the night and then you can sleep on your left side but your subconscious might think it's the right side because I'm in a different position?" Monica seemed thoughtful and rolled over until she was straddling him and leaning against his chest, his arms holding hers to him tightly so that she didn't lose her balance.
"You think you could stand that?" she asked, raising the eyebrow not locked down by three tiny sutures.
"Yes," he hissed, bringing her down onto his other side slowly as they kissed and keeping her close. She rested a hand on his arm and closed the eye that wasn't already swollen shut. "Comfy?"
"Mmhmm," she replied, opening her eye to find that John was already asleep beside her. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, before falling asleep.
*
A week later, Monica was leaning against the kitchen bench, flicking through a file when John returned.
"How was the meeting?" she asked without looking up. John grunted.
"Just great. Whatcha got there?" She grinned, handing him the file. He read slowly. "Where'd you find this?"
"In a pile of our old stuff." He nodded, handing the X File back to her. "I miss it sometimes, you know. Never thought I'd say that."
"Tell me about it," Monica replied softly.
"Monica."
"Mm?"
"You know you left that message last week before school?"
"Yeah-"
"You seen him again?" She shook her head.
"No, I'm beginning to think I just imagined it."
"You said JJ saw-"
"Exactly, and that's not possible, is it?" John shrugged.
"I don't know." Monica sighed. "Something else on your mind?" She brought her eyes off the floor and to his face.
"Yeah," she responded softly. John hesitated, before taking a step closer to her. He rested his hand out on the bench beside them and Monica didn't hesitate to cover it with her own.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. "Are you okay?" Monica smiled, nodding.
"Yeah, I'm fine John. I didn't tell you something last week and I think I should have. Actually, I know I should have." John nodded but was interrupted when Jodie came bouncing into the room.
"Daddy I need help with these fractions." John looked between Monica and Jodie, and Monica nodded.
"I'm going to go for a walk," she said quietly. "I'll be back in twenty minutes or so."
*
"Well you tell me. Is eight tenths bigger than four fifths or smaller?" Jodie thought about it and John watched her draw imaginary circles on the tabletop.
"Aren't they the same?" she asked, confused. John grinned. "Dad that's not helping!" He laughed.
"Okay, sorry. It was a trick question. I promise, no more."
"I don't believe you." John saw the smirk on her lips and forgave her sarcasm. "Is mum mad about something?" she asked out of the blue, halfway through another equation.
"Mad? No of course not. When have you known your mother to be mad? Particularly at you."
"Well there was the time I refused to cut my hair-"
"For real, JJ."
"Okay never, really."
"So what gave you that idea?"
"I heard her on the phone to her parents this morning and she was... I dunno what she was saying but she was upset, and she hasn't been herself."
"We've both been-"
"No, it's not work!" she huffed. "I know it's not."
"What is it?" John asked. She sighed.
"I didn't tell you something before and I should have." John took in a sharp breath as she unknowingly paraphrased Monica. He felt an overwhelming love for them both and watched her intently.
"What is it Jodie?" Jodie's mouth opened slightly and she didn't reply for a long time.
"You never call me Jodie," she stated. "Now I know something's wrong!" John grinned.
"Come on, tell me what you know. Nothing's wrong, I promise. What did you have to tell me?"
"It wasn't just you. I had to tell mum too but I... Then I thought maybe I shouldn't."
"You have my full and absolute attention."
"Well," Jodie began. "There's a man who's been...hanging around."
"Who?" John urged, his mind already going into worst possible scenario mode.
"No he's not dangerous. He's...the man that mum and I saw on the way to school the morning of the talk."
"You've seen him other places?"
"Well...not really. The night before that I had this dream."
"A dream?" John raised an eyebrow. "This man was in it?"
"No, the other man was. The man with the gun. He shot mum. Except it wasn't at school it was in the street. But it was the same, when it was happening for real."
"That's why you were worried she was hurt?"
"When she left the room I thought she might've chased him into the street and-" She stopped and looked at John, who nodded.
"How does this man fit into it?"
"Well he's um-" she shook her head and took off her glasses, abandoning all consideration of further school work. "It's really weird."
"Trust me kiddo, I've seen my fair share of weird. Lemme have it." Jodie smiled.
"Sometimes in the last few days he's...around. Walking down the street or sitting in the backyard."
"In our backyard?" Jodie nodded.
"Except that when I saw him there, Mulder and Scully were here and you were all sitting right there in front of him. He smiled when he saw you and mum kissing but you didn't see him. Do you think I'm crazy?"
"No," John affirmed. "Your mum and I know what's going on but I'll have to talk to her before we fill you in, okay?"
"So I'm not seeing things? I don't need new glasses or anything?" John laughed.
"No, you're perfect."
"Okay," she finished, almost confused. "Well..."
"Something else?"
"Last night I had a dream too. You and mum had a fight and she left."
"Left?"
"To walk around the block. Just for a little while. And then I saw the man with the gun again. But I woke up before anything else happened. I just...when mum was angry on the phone and she said she was going for a walk- It was the same feeling daddy. Like last week." John sat quietly for a few moments letting this all sink in. They hadn't been able to identify the man from the school, and hadn't been able to locate him anywhere. "Dad- " His daughter shook him out of his thoughts. "Did mum take her phone with her?"
"Uh, no JJ. It's upstairs with her work things."
"Maybe you could try to find her?" she suggested.
"I don't want to leave you home by yourself."
"You'll just be round the block, dad," she smiled. "I promise you I'll be sitting right here when you get back. You know where she's gone. Please? I'm worried." John glanced up at the clock on the wall and turned back to Jodie, nodding.
"You'll be right here when I get back, you understand? And you'll lock the front door behind me."
"Yes daddy." John bit his lower lip in hesitation as he stood. Jodie picked up her pencil and got back to working on her fractions as he locked up the house and left, jogging the familiar route he and Monica regularly walked.
*
John found Monica sitting on the grass in a small park some way across the block. She looked over at him in surprise when he joined her.
"Where's JJ?" she asked.
"Insisted I come find you and bring you back."
"Why John?"
"I had a talk with her she's, Mon she's..."
"She's what?" Monica asked as John pulled her to her feet.
"She thinks you're in danger."
"Why would she think that?"
"I don't understand it Monica, I never have, but I think you should come home. Whatever's going on, we can talk there." Monica nodded and reached for John's hand as they headed slowly home.
*
"Okay JJ we're back," John called as he walked into the kitchen. She wasn't sitting at the desk but John didn't worry. Monica went to the table and cleaned up her daughter's schoolbooks, before following John upstairs when she heard him call her name just one too many times.
"John?" she asked, coming up the steps. John met her half way.
"She's not up there."
"Are you sure?" He nodded. Monica's brow creased and she turned and returned downstairs, taking a walk across the floor. She went to open the back door and found it locked. As she unlocked it she turned back to John.
"I locked her in all right," he said as Monica pushed the door open and stepped out onto the veranda.
"JJ, you out here?" Monica called. There were a couple of trees scattered around but none large enough for her to be hiding in. Monica doubted she was hiding at all. It wasn't like Jodie, she always made her presence known. She felt John walk right up behind her, so close she could feel his breath against her ear.
"Mon," was all he said as she turned to him, reaching out and gripping his hand tightly.
*
Category: DRR Rating: I'm rating it R, just because it contains adult themes, medium level language, low level violence and one very tiny sex scene. Notes at Part One and final part
Monica burst through the door and grabbed the man around the waist. They crashed against the hallway wall and then onto the floor as Monica struggled to get the upper hand. She had his left hand pinned behind his back as she straddled him, and her other hand was pushing his face into the ground. She needed Butler and she needed him quickly.
Soon enough, Monica heard footsteps hurrying to the door and could hear Butler shouting orders down his phone. She turned her head as he appeared in the doorway. The man underneath her took his chance and turned, his right hand finding the gun and swinging it, along with his fist, back in her face as he pushed her off him and ran in the opposite direction, dropping his gun, probably stolen Butler realised, on the way. Monica went to stand and follow him but Butler grabbed her around the waist.
"They'll pick him up, we can ID him, leave it." Monica sighed but nodded as her hand rested against her right eye, holding it closed.
"Are they-" He cut her off as they pulled apart.
"They're putting lockdown procedures in place right now... Now, you gonna let me see the shiner?"
"It doesn't feel very shiny at this point, more like throbbing mass of pain- " she cringed as she removed her hand. Butler whistled as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and bundled it in her hand, holding it to her eye again. "That bad?"
"It looks worse than it is," he responded, picking up the abandoned weapon.
"That's really comforting Butler."
"Hey, no problems." He walked back into the auditorium and by now the assistant principal who'd introduced them was talking to the students, but he spoke with some staff closer to the doors, before shutting both. "Now all we have to do is wait for the cavalry to arrive and guard this door."
"What about the other classrooms?" Monica asked.
"There's a phone inside, they've been told to lock their doors and close all the curtains in the classrooms." Monica nodded and took a seat against the hallway on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest.
"I should've shot him," she groaned, resting her head back against the wall.
"You're lucky he didn't shoot you. Sorry you lost your backup for a while there."
"No, it's better you kept them calm in there, otherwise it would've been much harder." Butler turned as the auditorium door opened and a pair of eyes peeked out. He moved closer.
"What is it?" he asked. Monica listened carefully but didn't make an effort to move just yet. She could only hear Butler's side of the conversation. "Oh, um- Monica?"
"Yeah?"
"JJ wants to-" Monica shook her head.
"No, she stays in there with the rest. Tell her I'm fine."
"But you're not."
"Tell her I'm fine," Monica repeated, getting to her feet as several officers entered the hallway, running silent. Butler quickly shut the auditorium door and spoke for several moments with the captain, who ordered his men to continue searching, directing them into certain hallways using hand gestures. Two armed officers took guard at the door and Butler and Monica were led back outside.
"He didn't open fire on the students?"
"No," Monica answered.
"He might have, but we drew our weapons and I don't think he was prepared to be faced with two armed FBI agents. He yelled something like 'Where's the kid?'"
"Unplanned then?"
"Or just poorly researched," Monica replied as one of the officers helped her into the back of a squad car.
"Ambulance will be here soon."
"I really don't need one-" Monica maintained. "Hey Butler!"
"Yeah?" Butler came over to the car and leant against the open door.
"Can I use your phone? Mine's back inside the auditorium."
"Sure. I just called John though if that's who you're going to call."
"You did?" Monica smiled as her partner nodded. "Thanks Butler."
"No problems. I give him five, ten minutes max, way over the speed limit." The captain approached them both and Monica stood back up out of the car.
"Any sign of him?" she asked, still not game enough to remove the handkerchief from her eye.
"None. But his prints will be all over the gun we're hoping."
"He wasn't wearing gloves. I should know," Monica commented. The captain smirked.
"That's a good thing. You know you should get that checked out."
"I'll be fine," Monica insisted.
"The building's clear so far, and we're nearly done. We're pulling student details straight away, going to ask parents to come and collect hopefully before the media catches on."
As the captain left Monica was approached by a medic and sighed, following them over to their bus on Butler's orders. Carefully, her hand was removed from her eye.
"Ooh, nasty," one commented.
"That makes me feel so much better," Monica mumbled as she tilted her head back and they rinsed the wound.
"Nothing we can't fix," the other reassured.
*
John slammed his car door shut as he jumped out and spotted Butler straight away. He was arriving with the first wave of parents, he guessed, looking around at officers gathering small crowds to get names. Butler walked up to him.
"They dragged her into the ambulance," he called, gesturing to the bus at his left. John smiled and nodded his thanks before jogging over.
"Ow, shit!" he heard and was instantly reassured that she was fine, she was alive, nothing serious. Butler had, of course, told him that over the phone, but he had to see it for himself.
"Sorry Monica it's going to sting."
"You're going to have one helluva blac-"
"I'll bet, and you have a great bedside manner. I hope you're not doing this to pay your way through med school. Are we done?" she asked impatiently.
John rounded the back of the bus and flicked his badge open for the medics to see.
"Agent Doggett here. How's she doing?"
"I think she's pissed he got away," one commented as he took a closer look. "Doggett eh? Isn't that her name Mike?"
"Jesus Carlos."
"You know I am still here," Monica commented, as Carlos dabbed some cream onto her cheekbone. She reached out for John's hand and found it instantly. "He's my husband." Mike moved aside so John could get closer. He took a seat on the edge of the bus next to her.
"Got here as soon as I could."
"Stitches need to come out in a week, and the swelling should go down within a day or two."
"Can I steal her back now?" John asked.
"She's all yours buddy," Carlos replied, laughing as Monica shot him a look. "Take care of yourself."
"Where did you park?" Monica asked as John led her over to the parking lot.
"Right here." He opened the front passenger seat and she got in, immediately snapping down the mirror to check herself out. The swollen cheek and three stitches below her eyebrow, irritated and covered in disinfectant, weren't the most battered collection she'd ever seen, but it wasn't bad. John laughed as she sighed and flipped the mirror back up.
"Please tell me it looks better than it looks." John met her eyes with a smile.
"As much as it confuses me to say it, it looks much better than it looks." Monica bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "How about you stay put, I'll go back in and get our girl. She saw the whole thing?"
"Until we got out into the hallway and the doors were shut after us, yeah."
"She'll be chucking up a storm trying to get out."
"I'm sure she is. My um, bag should still be up on the stage."
"Sure. Stay exactly where you are."
"Ahuh."
"I won't be long. Stay right there."
"Okay John," Monica laughed, waiting until he'd walked into the school before getting out of the car and walking back over to Butler.
"Have they found him yet?" she asked.
"No," he replied, eyeing her injury. "Where's your other half? Shouldn't he be dragging you back home for some rest kicking and screaming while the police handle it?"
"He's collecting JJ. I'm meant to be sitting in the car."
"You know you're lucky Monica. Wish I had someone to drag me kicking and screaming." Monica smiled.
"One day you will, I bet."
"I'll hold you to that, you know."
"Okay, now who can we talk to about this?"
"Captain wants your statement asap."
"Good," she replied, leaving him and walking over to a couple of officers and the captain, offering an account of the situation.
*
John flashed his badge and was let into the auditorium. Everyone looked around, expecting more student names to be called, but lost interest when they saw him and assumed it was just another policeman. John made his way towards the stage where he saw Jodie sitting on one of the chairs onstage, holding Monica's bag and arguing with a teacher who was trying to get her off. When she saw John, Jodie's face lit up and she jumped off her chair.
"Daddy!" she called, brushing past her teacher without a second thought as John got down and gave her a big hug, pulling her close.
"You giving your teacher a hard time JJ?" John asked her, standing back up and showing the woman his identification.
"Leslie Liebermann," she answered as he pocketed his ID and shook her hand, his other hand holding Jodie in place.
"Is this all mum brought?" he asked her, taking Monica's bag and slinging it over his own shoulder.
"Yeah," she replied, her eyes growing wide. "Is mum-"
"She's gonna be fine. Where's your schoolbag?"
"At the classroom," Jodie replied.
"Lead the way," John concluded, giving Jodie's name to the officials as they left.
*
"Mum wasn't shot was she?" Jodie asked as they approached the car several minutes later.
"No honey but she's got a black eye," John warned her as they approached Monica and Butler at John's car. Monica was sitting on the hood and Butler was leaning beside her as John and Jodie stopped in front of them.
Monica slid back onto her feet and leant over to be eye level with Jodie. "Hey JJ, you okay?"
"Does it hurt?" she asked incredulously.
"Yep, and all the blood is rushing to my head so you better hug me quick-" Jodie smiled and stepped forward into her mother's arms, letting Monica pull back and stand quickly. She winced as she said goodbye to Butler. "Call me if anything happens-"
"You know I will. I'll see you in a couple of days. When are you going to sign your statement?"
"Probably later this afternoon. I'll just head down."
"Oh really? You'll just drive yourself down?"
"Yeah, why not?" Butler laughed as he waved goodbye, heading back to his car.
"You're a riot Mon," John added, helping her into the car and preparing to leave.
*
They arrived at the Doggett house in no time and while John set Jodie up for a video, Monica went upstairs to change out of her suit. She only got half way through that task before the mirror beckoned again and John found her eyeing her face in the mirror in her underwear. She watched him approaching in the reflection and leant back into his arms as they encircled her waist, his lips making contact with the soft skin past the juncture of her jaw and ear.
"Macho FBI Monica can rest now," he whispered, as she turned further in his arms, letting him push her up against the bathroom sink and look deeply into her eyes. "You sure everything's okay?" Monica's face softened and she nodded, leaning forward for a brief kiss. "You should probably get some clothes on then," he added, affectionately nudging her chin with one of his knuckles. Monica tilted her face quickly and caught the finger between her lips, kissing it as she nodded.
"I'll be down soon." John smiled and headed downstairs to call Scully, but the phone was already ringing. John heard Jodie pick it up.
*
"Oh awesome!" Will exclaimed as he got a look at Monica's swollen eye later that afternoon, John having just picked him up from school.
"Thanks Will, I'm glad you appreciate the effort," she replied with a wry smile. Jodie had just explained to him what had happened and, being a young boy, he was very interested in the parts with the guns, hence the interest in any injuries caused by guns or other body parts.
*
Even later that night, Monica waited patiently as she felt Scully's hair brush across her chin.
"Well the swelling's gone down," was her final conclusion when she pulled away. "But you probably could have told me that. Can you open your eye?"
"Not yet," Monica replied. "I'm working on it." Scully rolled her eyes and went to join Mulder and John in the kitchen. Monica was about to get up off the couch and follow when someone knocked on the door. "I'll get it!" she called, hearing Mulder spout something intelligent about scaring off intruders and then John come to her defence with a, 'It's not that bad!'
"Hey Frankenstein," Butler exclaimed as she opened the door. "Brought you your statement."
"You know it'd be you in this position if you could run as fast as me," Monica snapped playfully. "What'd you bring it over for? Come in." She closed the door behind him and followed him into the living room.
"They faxed me mine so I asked them to send yours to, save you the trouble." Monica nodded, leading him into the kitchen. "Ah, the whole gang's here."
"You got a pen anyone?" Monica asked, opening one of the drawers and fumbling around.
"Yeah, here," Mulder answered. "Make sure you sign on the line now."
"You're all so kind and caring, I don't know what to say," Monica mocked, signing her name and handing the statement back to Butler. "Thanks, you want a drink?"
"Ah no, I won't stay." She nodded, smiling. "I'll see myself out."
"Sure. Hey Butler-" she called before he left the room. He turned.
"Yeah?"
"That shot he fired. Where'd it go?"
"Ah, it hit one of the chairs onstage."
"So it flew right past you?"
"Something like that," he shrugged.
"If you wanna talk-"
"I'm good. Part of the job as I can see you already know. Have a nice vacation!" He disappeared around the corner but Monica couldn't help herself.
"I'll see you in 'two' days. No more!"
"Bye Agents Doggett...or is it Agent Doggetts?" He called out before Monica heard the front door shut. She walked around to the sink and got herself a glass of water.
"You two work well together," Mulder observed.
"Yeah Butler's great," she replied, turning to look between the three cupboards that lined up above the oven.
"What do you need?" John asked.
"Drugs," she replied, picking the middle cupboard and removing a box of Panadol. "I just needed to line up my vision. It's a little off centre."
"You wanna lie down?"
"Augh, no I'm okay."
"Monica." Monica swallowed the pill and finished off the water while John watched her sternly. She fought off the desire to walk forward and jump into his arms for a long, passionate kiss, and satisfied herself with a small peck on the cheek.
"Okay daddy," she replied and walked upstairs. John was struck by how youthful Monica could sound sometimes. Just like Jodie. He bit his lip as he turned back to Mulder and Scully.
"The kid he was after," Mulder began. "There's no one significant at that school, no child who'd be held for ransom, no one that could be used as bribery?"
"It's not exclusive, you know that," John replied.
"I'm sure they'll identify him so school can resume as soon as possible. Keep us updated all right?" She turned to John. "Thanks for looking after William."
"That's not a problem," John replied as Mulder went to bring William inside, followed by Jodie. After they'd left, John picked his girl up around the waist and carried her half way up the stairs. She laughed, and after several protests to put her down he obliged, shushing her as she went to bound up the stairs two at a time.
"Goodnight mum," she called at the doorway of the main bedroom on her way past it. John checked the locks on the doors and windows before heading up to bed.
The answering machine! John remembered he'd seen the light blinking downstairs several times that night but had never taken the time to press replay. Oh well, he figured, he'd do it first thing the next morning.
Monica was sitting up in bed with a frustrated scowl on her face. John smiled as he walked in, grabbed his pyjamas and changed in front of her.
"What's the matter?" he asked. Monica smiled and shook her head.
"There's something about you taking your clothes off that always makes me smile." John laughed, crawling into bed beside her and covering them both with the blankets.
"Yeah but I put more clothes on." Monica nodded. "Now what 'was' the problem before I changed for your entertainment?" Monica met his eyes.
"I sleep on my right side."
"Hmm, how about we swap sides on the bed for the night and then you can sleep on your left side but your subconscious might think it's the right side because I'm in a different position?" Monica seemed thoughtful and rolled over until she was straddling him and leaning against his chest, his arms holding hers to him tightly so that she didn't lose her balance.
"You think you could stand that?" she asked, raising the eyebrow not locked down by three tiny sutures.
"Yes," he hissed, bringing her down onto his other side slowly as they kissed and keeping her close. She rested a hand on his arm and closed the eye that wasn't already swollen shut. "Comfy?"
"Mmhmm," she replied, opening her eye to find that John was already asleep beside her. She gave his arm a gentle squeeze, before falling asleep.
*
A week later, Monica was leaning against the kitchen bench, flicking through a file when John returned.
"How was the meeting?" she asked without looking up. John grunted.
"Just great. Whatcha got there?" She grinned, handing him the file. He read slowly. "Where'd you find this?"
"In a pile of our old stuff." He nodded, handing the X File back to her. "I miss it sometimes, you know. Never thought I'd say that."
"Tell me about it," Monica replied softly.
"Monica."
"Mm?"
"You know you left that message last week before school?"
"Yeah-"
"You seen him again?" She shook her head.
"No, I'm beginning to think I just imagined it."
"You said JJ saw-"
"Exactly, and that's not possible, is it?" John shrugged.
"I don't know." Monica sighed. "Something else on your mind?" She brought her eyes off the floor and to his face.
"Yeah," she responded softly. John hesitated, before taking a step closer to her. He rested his hand out on the bench beside them and Monica didn't hesitate to cover it with her own.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. "Are you okay?" Monica smiled, nodding.
"Yeah, I'm fine John. I didn't tell you something last week and I think I should have. Actually, I know I should have." John nodded but was interrupted when Jodie came bouncing into the room.
"Daddy I need help with these fractions." John looked between Monica and Jodie, and Monica nodded.
"I'm going to go for a walk," she said quietly. "I'll be back in twenty minutes or so."
*
"Well you tell me. Is eight tenths bigger than four fifths or smaller?" Jodie thought about it and John watched her draw imaginary circles on the tabletop.
"Aren't they the same?" she asked, confused. John grinned. "Dad that's not helping!" He laughed.
"Okay, sorry. It was a trick question. I promise, no more."
"I don't believe you." John saw the smirk on her lips and forgave her sarcasm. "Is mum mad about something?" she asked out of the blue, halfway through another equation.
"Mad? No of course not. When have you known your mother to be mad? Particularly at you."
"Well there was the time I refused to cut my hair-"
"For real, JJ."
"Okay never, really."
"So what gave you that idea?"
"I heard her on the phone to her parents this morning and she was... I dunno what she was saying but she was upset, and she hasn't been herself."
"We've both been-"
"No, it's not work!" she huffed. "I know it's not."
"What is it?" John asked. She sighed.
"I didn't tell you something before and I should have." John took in a sharp breath as she unknowingly paraphrased Monica. He felt an overwhelming love for them both and watched her intently.
"What is it Jodie?" Jodie's mouth opened slightly and she didn't reply for a long time.
"You never call me Jodie," she stated. "Now I know something's wrong!" John grinned.
"Come on, tell me what you know. Nothing's wrong, I promise. What did you have to tell me?"
"It wasn't just you. I had to tell mum too but I... Then I thought maybe I shouldn't."
"You have my full and absolute attention."
"Well," Jodie began. "There's a man who's been...hanging around."
"Who?" John urged, his mind already going into worst possible scenario mode.
"No he's not dangerous. He's...the man that mum and I saw on the way to school the morning of the talk."
"You've seen him other places?"
"Well...not really. The night before that I had this dream."
"A dream?" John raised an eyebrow. "This man was in it?"
"No, the other man was. The man with the gun. He shot mum. Except it wasn't at school it was in the street. But it was the same, when it was happening for real."
"That's why you were worried she was hurt?"
"When she left the room I thought she might've chased him into the street and-" She stopped and looked at John, who nodded.
"How does this man fit into it?"
"Well he's um-" she shook her head and took off her glasses, abandoning all consideration of further school work. "It's really weird."
"Trust me kiddo, I've seen my fair share of weird. Lemme have it." Jodie smiled.
"Sometimes in the last few days he's...around. Walking down the street or sitting in the backyard."
"In our backyard?" Jodie nodded.
"Except that when I saw him there, Mulder and Scully were here and you were all sitting right there in front of him. He smiled when he saw you and mum kissing but you didn't see him. Do you think I'm crazy?"
"No," John affirmed. "Your mum and I know what's going on but I'll have to talk to her before we fill you in, okay?"
"So I'm not seeing things? I don't need new glasses or anything?" John laughed.
"No, you're perfect."
"Okay," she finished, almost confused. "Well..."
"Something else?"
"Last night I had a dream too. You and mum had a fight and she left."
"Left?"
"To walk around the block. Just for a little while. And then I saw the man with the gun again. But I woke up before anything else happened. I just...when mum was angry on the phone and she said she was going for a walk- It was the same feeling daddy. Like last week." John sat quietly for a few moments letting this all sink in. They hadn't been able to identify the man from the school, and hadn't been able to locate him anywhere. "Dad- " His daughter shook him out of his thoughts. "Did mum take her phone with her?"
"Uh, no JJ. It's upstairs with her work things."
"Maybe you could try to find her?" she suggested.
"I don't want to leave you home by yourself."
"You'll just be round the block, dad," she smiled. "I promise you I'll be sitting right here when you get back. You know where she's gone. Please? I'm worried." John glanced up at the clock on the wall and turned back to Jodie, nodding.
"You'll be right here when I get back, you understand? And you'll lock the front door behind me."
"Yes daddy." John bit his lower lip in hesitation as he stood. Jodie picked up her pencil and got back to working on her fractions as he locked up the house and left, jogging the familiar route he and Monica regularly walked.
*
John found Monica sitting on the grass in a small park some way across the block. She looked over at him in surprise when he joined her.
"Where's JJ?" she asked.
"Insisted I come find you and bring you back."
"Why John?"
"I had a talk with her she's, Mon she's..."
"She's what?" Monica asked as John pulled her to her feet.
"She thinks you're in danger."
"Why would she think that?"
"I don't understand it Monica, I never have, but I think you should come home. Whatever's going on, we can talk there." Monica nodded and reached for John's hand as they headed slowly home.
*
"Okay JJ we're back," John called as he walked into the kitchen. She wasn't sitting at the desk but John didn't worry. Monica went to the table and cleaned up her daughter's schoolbooks, before following John upstairs when she heard him call her name just one too many times.
"John?" she asked, coming up the steps. John met her half way.
"She's not up there."
"Are you sure?" He nodded. Monica's brow creased and she turned and returned downstairs, taking a walk across the floor. She went to open the back door and found it locked. As she unlocked it she turned back to John.
"I locked her in all right," he said as Monica pushed the door open and stepped out onto the veranda.
"JJ, you out here?" Monica called. There were a couple of trees scattered around but none large enough for her to be hiding in. Monica doubted she was hiding at all. It wasn't like Jodie, she always made her presence known. She felt John walk right up behind her, so close she could feel his breath against her ear.
"Mon," was all he said as she turned to him, reaching out and gripping his hand tightly.
*