Left Behind
By: Olivia
Chapter 3

Monica looked up from the report at John seated beside her. He had other things on his mind as he gazed out the plane window. "John, you don't believe in aliens."

John turned his attention back to her grinning. "That's true, but this could be a way to get the X-Files reopened."

"I can't believe that they are allowing you to investigate this much less allow you to bring me in to consult," said Monica still disbelieving.

John shrugged. "I'm part of the Missing Person's unit and your specialty is cult and ritualistic crimes. Makes perfect sense to me as it did to A.D. Stricklyn."

Monica smiled and shook her head. "I agree that we too are probably the best agents for this task, but as for this case getting the X-Files back...." Monica sighed. She still had her doubts. "Okay this man, Colin Julian Watkins, from all accounts a rather successful lawyer in D.C., with no history of mental illness or professing any belief in aliens, suddenly joins a alien cult. When his parents, living in Canada, worried about him, attempt to contact him a few weeks later, they can't reach him. When they contact the group they are told that he was abducted by aliens, that he was quote "called home."

John nodded. "That about sums it up. My team will have more information ready for us when we land."

Monica looked intently at John. She saw the contradiction. She saw a man who didn't believe in the paranormal trying to reopen a unit based solely on the investigation of the paranormal. He was the skeptic and she was the believer. That's why he was still in Washington and she was cast out to Utah.

John looked up at her and their eyes locked for a moment. For that moment Monica understood why John had brought her unto this case. He was worried about her. He had missed her. With this case, he had found the one way to bring her back into his life without directly stating his feelings for her. But it was more than that as well. She knew John believed in Mulder and Scully. He believed in their integrity, he knew, just as Monica did, that some horrible truth had driven them both into hiding. Deep down Monica knew that he was just afraid to believe, even if he didn't realize it himself.

John broke eye contact and looked down at his empty hands. Monica didn't say anything. She knew John wasn't ready to admit belief right now and there was no reason to push. They almost worked better this way. She knew he believed in her and that was all that mattered right now. So, even though she already knew what he was going to say, she asked, "So you're thinking....?"

"I'm thinkin' that this alien cult group killed Mr. Watkins and are lyin' to cover it up with this alien abduction nonsense."

"But why? For what reason?"

"Dunno yet. Maybe money. Like you said he was a rather successful lawyer. Mabye it had somethin' to do with some case he was workin' on. That's what we're gonna find out. There might be a possibility he's still alive. Maybe they're holdin' him or somethin'. There's been no ransom demand but you never know."

Monica looked back down at the report. Quietly, despite her earlier misgivings about pushing, she asked, "And what if he really has been abducted by aliens?"

When John didn't respond, Monica looked up at him. He had resumed looking out the plane window as the landing platform of Regan National came into view. John's response didn't matter. They already knew the answer. If Watkins had been abducted by aliens there was probably little earthly means the two could use to bring him back.

End of Chapter 3