Monica sighed and gave John a grateful smile. "Thank you John, that must be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me."

"I could say the same about you." He gave her a last look before getting up from the couch and breaking the moment. "How about I make us some dinner before you go all mushy on me again?"

Monica giggled softly. "Again? I'm not going mushy on you John and I certainly never have."

"That's not what I heard."

Monica got up and gave him a straight look. "What have you heard?" Suddenly she had a serious look on her face. "Who told you anything?"

John just smiled, but didn't answer. Monica elbowed him in the ribs and he put in hand up in defence. "Hey, don't go slapping me. I'm just saying..."

Monica interrupted him. "I'd like to know what you have heard."

John smiled mysteriously, causing Monica to grin. He looked at her for a few seconds before he decided to put her out of her misery. "I got you going there for a second, didn't I?"

Monica pouted. "Very funny ha ha." She looked at him. "I bet you were the joke of the class."

John rolled his eyes. "I was a very good student for you information, thank you very much."

"So you were the kiss-ass of the teacher." Monica grinned. "I should have known."

John held his arms up in defence. "I didn't say that. I had to study very hard to achieve something, but I still managed. And I gotta say I was pretty proud of myself when I graduated."

"I can imagine. But I still bet all the girls were coming on to you?"

John gave her a mysterious smile. "Well, I couldn't complain. But I barely had time for a girlfriend, then one lost weekend on my studies made me feel very insecure. And not to talk about my complex."

Monica pulled him down to sit down on the couch again and looked at him. "I find it very hard to believe that you had a complex."

"I sure did. Can't you guess what my complex was?"

Monica went silent for a few seconds. "Don't tell me it were your ears."

"Yes, I was very well aware that my ears were a little big."

"I hope you still don't feel that way."

"Not really, but I still feel very insecure."

Monica turned to face him and touched his ears. "I find them very cute."

"You think my ears are." John paused, swallowed deeply and stared at her. "Cute?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Yes. I mean no one ever used the work cute when talking about me."

"That's their loss then. You're a cutie John."

John smiled cheekily. "Why thank you very much my lady."

"You're more than welcome Sir."

"How about you then, Mon? What kind of student were you?" John waggled his eyebrows and Monica smiled. "I bet you were a teacher's nightmare." He shifted in the couch and waited for an answer. He put his elbows on his knees and leaned his head in his arms. "How about it Mon?"

Monica just shrugged her shoulders. "I was the foremost perfect student." She turned her head and looked away from him. He looked at the back of her head and got up. She looked up at him.

"I'm gonna make us dinner." She smiled gratefully and watched him walk to the kitchen. She was smiling to herself, before she picked up the remote and did some Channel surfing. She turned her head in the direction of the kitchen. "John?"

He appeared in the doorway and looked at her expectantly. "Something the matter?"

"Not really. I just can't seem to find Sci-fi."

John shook his head. "Don't tell me to watch that?"

"Yes I do. They have some very interesting programmes."

"Let me make a wild guess here. You are glued to your TV screen on Friday night watching a certain sarcastic Colonel and his beautiful 2IC walk through a gate."

"How the hell do you know all that?"

From a distance she saw John's face turn red. "I might have watched that show every now and then."

"For someone who watches it every now and then, you know an awful lot."

"I swear I only saw it a couple of times. But I find O'Neill memorable."

"Right John."

"It's true."

"But how did you know I was a fan?"

John gave her a mischievous grin. "Scully told me."

"I knew she wasn't to be trusted with my little secret."

"But she said some other very interesting things."

"What else did she say?"

"I dunno if I should tell you Mon. I mean it's a very private matter."

"John," Monica wined.

"Okay okay, I'll tell you. But please stop wining." Monica smiled at him. "She said that she once watched the show when she had you over and you did more drooling than anything else."

"Sure I did. She was the one who couldn't shut up about how she would love to be in the Air Force serving under such a CO." Monica shuddered."

"So you don't think he's cute?"

"I find it remotely plausible that someone might think he's hot."

John shook his head and got up from the couch. "Okay." He turned around and walked away.

"John?"

He turned back to his partner and sighed. "Sci-Fi Channel is on number 40."

"Thank you John." Like a kid who received his Christmas gift she took the remote and flipped to number 40. John shook his head and made his way over to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later Monica smelled something very nice coming from the kitchen. He nostrils were filled by a wonderful smell she would know with her nose closed. She knew John would make her favourite dinner just to make her feel better. She was looking at her partner in a whole new light and she really liked that side of him. Back in the days she was going out with Brad, it had never been this good. She knew that she and John were just partners and friends, but she couldn't help but feeling that soon it would all change. She started to realise that with John she would find what she had been looking for all her life. Everything she always wanted had been right in front of her for the last 10 years.

John appeared with a tray and she smiled warmly at him. "A hot turkey and cheese sandwich for Madam with a little mustard and a diet coke." He handed her they tray and bowed his head. She giggled at him. He went back in the kitchen and came back with another tray. He sat down next to her and she smiled at him.

"Thank you John. How could you have known I was craving for a hot turkey sandwich?"

John smiled, his lips pressed together. "Because Monica, you are always craving for a hot turkey sandwich. I even think that's why you came to DC, because they have the best hot turkey sandwiches in the whole US of A right across the street."

"Darn, I'm busted. Let's eat." She took a mouthful of her sandwich and was surprised at how perfect it was; John had made it exactly the way she loved it. "This is delicious. Did you put some honey on the turkey?"

"No Mon, a chef ever reveals his secrets."

"Okay, I'm not gonna this discuss now. I just want to eat this delicious sandwich."

John smiled at his partner and took a bite of his sandwich. It was not bad. While Monica had been sleeping he had called his mom and asked her how to make the sandwich even taste better. He mom had asked if it was for a special woman. He chuckled at the enquiry his mom had made. Monica looked at him.

"What are you looking so smug about?"

"Nothing. Just something my mom said on the phone earlier." The rest of dinner was spent in a companionable silence, Monica clearly enjoying her sandwich and John being just happy because his best friend hadn't lost her appetite. Once they were done John put the trays in the kitchen sink and sat down next to his partner. "What kind of movie do you wanna watch?"

"I dunno, what have you got?"

"Okay, I've got a feel good movie, a comedy, an action movie or Men in Black II."

"Why don't we watch a feel-good movie?"

"Okay, feel good it is.

John got up from the couch and put the tape in the VCR. "Which movie is it?"

He turned around and sat down next to her, his arms going around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. She laid her head on this chest. "Runaway Bride."

Monica looked up at him and smiled. "I love that movie." John smiled back at her and their eyes locked. Anything else around them stopped existing.

John was fighting an inner battle on weather to kiss her or not. His brain said no and his heart said yes. And like in most cases his heart won. As by their own accord their mouths approached. They were merely and inch or two away from each other when the phone started ringing. John was about to close his mouth over Monica's but he was pulled out of his haze. His eyes opened again; Her eyes were still closed and John could feel her breath on his lips. He gently touched her cheek with his finger and gave her apologetically smile. He got up from the couch and picked up the receiver. "Doggett." He listened and paused. "Yeah, she's here." He held his hand over the mouthpiece and turned to face Monica. "Scully want to see how you're doing." She got up from the couch and he handed her the receiver.

"Hi Dana." Monica smiled into the phone. "Yes Dana, I'm feeling okay." She smiled at John and he sat down on the couch again. "Yes I have been eating." She raised her eyebrows at John. "John has been taking very good care of me." Monica was playing with the wire of the receiver. "Thank you for calling Dana and see you soon. Bye." She put the receiver down and sank down in the couch next to John.

"What did Scully want?"

"She wanted to know if you were taking good care of me." Monica was fidgeting with her big silver ring, John's closeness making her slightly nervous.

"Have I?" John took her hand to stop her from fidgeting and she gave him a small smile. She turned her hand until their palms were touching and linked her fingers through his.

"Of course you have been taking very good care of me. You're the best nurse I could possibly have." She smiled thankfully and sank further down in the couch. John took the remote with his free hand and pressed play. The credits started playing and Monica put her head on John's shoulder, wearing a dreamy look on her face.

Almost two hours later she was soundly asleep on his shoulder, her breath calm and even. John stopped the movie and re-winded the tape. He gently touched the outlines of her face with his index finger and she stirred. "Time to go to bed, sleepyhead."

Monica mumbled. "Movie over yet?"

John smiled. "Of course it's over. You slept right through it."

Monica yawned. "Sorry about that." She looked at their still linked hands.

"Come on, let's go to bed." John got up and pulled her to her feet. Hand in hand they slowly made their way upstairs. Monica made a grimace every time she took a stair, but she didn't complain. "You wanna take a shower first Mon?"

Monica shook her head. "I'll be fine John. I took one earlier and look what happened then. All I want to do is get in bed and sleep for days."

John nodded and opened the door to her bedroom. He pulled the cover up and she slid it gratefully. She pulled the covers up till under her chin and John put his hand on her forehead. "If you need anything, just yell. I'm right next door."

"Thank you John. I don't know what I would do without you." She yawned, her eyes already starting to close. John kissed the top of her head, got up and switched the lights off. "Can you leave the door open John?"

"Sure." He made his way to the bathroom and a strange feeling went through his body. Monica was being too cheerful. For someone who could have been killed she seemed to be doing too well. He was happy about it, but she could very well be putting up a facade. He also knew that he had to do something about the feeling that went through his body and soul every time she looked back at him. But it was neither the time nor the place. All he needed to do right now was be there for her when she needed him.

He turned the warm water on and got in, enjoying the sensation of the water releasing his tensed muscles. He got out, dried off and put on his usual clothes for bed: A boxer and an old, way too big shirt. He got in his room and made himself comfortable in bed.

It was nearly one o'clock in the morning, but John still couldn't sleep. He was tossing and turning in bed trying to find the right position. He found none. Something didn't feel right in Monica's story. He was having doubts on weather she told him everything. He knew she hadn't been raped, but he was wondering if she hadn't been forced to do other things. Maybe she had been raped, but in another sense of the word. Still, there was nothing he could do about it; He had to let Monica come to terms with it. While he was thinking about it, he found sleep drifting further and further away.

At 3.30 he heard noises coming from the stairs. He got out of bed and walked down to find Monica sitting on the couch, on the verge of breaking down. John got to her and sat down next to her. "What's wrong Mon?"

She sniffed. "I don't know John. I'm scared to close my eyes."

John looked at her, worry creeping into his features. "Why Mon? Is there anything I can do for you?"

Monica sighed and tried the best she could to control her emotions. "Every time I close my eyes I see a black face in front of me. Then I try to listen to the calmness of the night, but I start hearing sounds coming from everywhere."

John pulled her to him. "There's no need to be scared. I'm here for you Mon."

"I know John and I'm very grateful. But it still doesn't stop me from being scared." She was still softly sobbing and she was having trouble speaking with the bruises that were now very apparent around the corners of her mouth.

"Monica, I want to ask you something. And I want you to be as truthful as you can." John paused. "I know the police asked you the same thing, but did you actually see the guy that did this to you?"

Monica swallowed hard. "He was wearing a ski mask John, but I could see the shape of his face and I saw his eyes. It's just that I can't remember what I saw and it makes me sick. He can do it again and I wouldn't know it was him."

John nodded in understanding. "I know Mon, but he won't hurt you anymore. I won't let him do that to you again. I'll stand by your side and together we'll get through this."

"Thank you John, but I can't help but think that I need to get on with my life."

John nodded in approval. "Yes you should Mon, but you can't expect to pick up where you left up twenty four hours later after something like that happened to you. Give yourself some time and before you'll know it, you'll have your own life back. And in the meantime you can stay here as long as you want."

Monica smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"No worries Mon. Ya think you'll be able to go back to bed now?" Monica nodded and they made their way upstairs. At the top of the stairs Monica turned her head to look at John.

"Hold me tonight John?"

"Are you sure about that Monica? I mean, I don't want your demons to come back and haunt you because of me."

Monica nodded. "I want you to stay with me John and hold me."

John smiled and he made his way to his bedroom. He pulled the covers up and Monica slid in next to him, her arms going around his back. John lay down on his back, Monica's head going on his chest. He gently touched her hair and put his arms around her waist. John smiled at Monica and it didn't take too long or her felt her breathing slowing down. He also felt better now that he knew that Monica was safe and it didn't take too long or they were both asleep. They didn't wake until the next morning.

It was nearly ten when John opened his eyes. Monica was still lying comfortably on his chest, her eyes still closed and her breathing slow. He tried to pull away without waking her, but decided to stay in bed a little longer, enjoying the sensation of Monica lying in the same bed as him. He watched her sleep, her face as beautiful as ever. He bruises were already turning from blue to pink, the ointment she had to put on clearly helping. She was softly snoring and he smiled at her calm and peace.

About half an hour later John crawled out of bed, showered and dressed, checking up on Monica before going downstairs. She was still sound asleep and John walked down. He yawned; the lack of sleep from the two previous nights started to catch up with him. He took a pan out of the cabinet and started making scrambled eggs. Not even ten minutes later Monica appeared in the doorway, wearing a large shirt and track pants. "Good morning John."

John looked up at her and smiled. "Mon. How was your night?"

"Very restful. I slept like a baby. You're a very good pillow John."

"Geez, thanks Mon. I was just about to call you. Breakfast or should I say brunch is ready. I hope you liked scrambled eggs."

Monica eyed everything he had made. Scrambled eggs, toast, sausage and of course coffee. She wasn't really hungry, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings after all the trouble he had been through making her a nice breakfast. She had never been much of an eater in the morning." If made correctly I like them."

"Are you putting my cooking skills in question?"

"I wouldn't dare to John."

"Good."

They both sat down at the kitchen table and Monica did an effort to eat as much as possible. John's eggs were delicious, but how hard she tried, she couldn't eat much. John eyed her. "You not hungry Mon?"

"To be honest with you John, I've never been much of an eater in the morning."

"You know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

Monica nodded and played with her fork. "Yeah, Scully already said so much."

They finished eating in silence, John putting the dirty plates in the sink and making his way to the living room, where Monica was already flipping through channels. He looked at her with a smile on his face. She gave him a questioning look. "What?"

John chuckled. "I thought Channel surfing was a typical male thing to do."

"It is John, but I can't find a darn Channel on this TV."

"Sure you can't Mon."

"You'd better believe it." He sat down next to her and leaned back in the couch, his hands behind his head.

"What do you wanna do today? Wanna go some place, do something?"

"How about staying here and watch a movie?"

"Sure. Anything you wanna watch?" He looked at her expectantly, but she didn't answer. "Mon, what kind of movie do you wanna see?"

"It's your pick John."

"Okay. How about I go to Blockbusters and get us a couple of movies."

"Sounds like a plan to me." She watched him as he got up.

"Wanna come along or do you wanna stay here?"

She stretched out and leaned back in the couch. "It'd rather stay here if it's all the same to you."

"No problem. I'll be back before you know it." He took his car keys, his jacket and headed out. Monica watched him go and picked up the remote.

Almost two hours later John was still out. She had tried calling his cell phone but all she got was his mailbox. She was about to pick up the phone to call him again when it started ringing. She picked up after the first ring. "Monica Reyes."

"Agent Reyes, it's Skinner."

"Sir." Monica paused. "Something the matter?" She could hear Skinner swallow on the other side of the phone and immediately knew something was wrong. "Is it John?"

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but he has been shot."

Monica couldn't believe her ears. How could John have been shot? He was just going to Blockbusters...or was he? "Sir?"

Skinner paused on the other side of the phone. "I'm sorry Agent Reyes. I just got a call from the George Washington Hospital. They called in a couple of minutes ago. They found his FBI badge in his wallet and they called me." Skinner took another pause. "Agent Reyes, are you okay?"

Monica swallowed. "I don't know Sir. I'm having a hard time believing this." Monica was on the verge of tears, not wanting to break down in front of her boss. "How is he?"

"I don't know. They didn't tell me anything over the phone. Scully is on her way to pick you up. She should be there shortly. I'll see the two of you at hospital."

"Yes Sir." Monica disconnected the phone and sank down in the couch, staring in front of her. Maybe there was so kind of mistake. Maybe it wasn't John who had been shot. Monica put her arms on her knees and leaned her head in her hands. Before she knew it, tears were streaming down her face and her sobs were uncontrollable. Minutes later she heard a soft knock on the door. She got up and tried to wipe her tears away with the back of her hand. She opened the door and looked straight at a very worried Scully and an anxious Mulder. Scully lay a comforting hand on her arm and Mulder did the same on her shoulder, letting her know that whatever happened, they were there for her. "Monica, I'm sorry."

Monica sniffed. "Not...your...fault."

"Will you be okay?" Scully offered her a compassionate look. "Let's go to hospital." Monica nodded her head and climbed in the car, Mulder behind the wheel and Scully next to him. He carefully pulled out of the driveway and took Scully's hand in his, keeping a close eye on Monica in his rear view mirror.

The drive to hospital was the worst and longest in Monica's life. She stared out of the window, trying to avoid Mulder's comforting look in the mirror. Her tears had slowed to a trickle, but her heartbeat was two times its usual beat. Mulder parked the car and mechanically Monica got out of the car, closely followed by Mulder and Scully. They opened the door to the emergency room and were greeted by Skinner. "Agents." Monica accustomed him with a small nod from the head.

"Have you got any news on John?"

Skinner shook his head. "I'm sorry Agent Reyes, but they won't tell me anything."

"Maybe they will tell me." Scully held her back with a hand on her arm.

"They won't tell you anything either. I'll go and talk to them. Tell them that I'm John's doctor." Mulder gave her hand a gentle squeeze and all three of them watched her go.

Monica felt a hand at the small of her back and turned around to look at Skinner. "Why don't you go and sit down Agent Reyes."

Monica shook her head stubbornly. "I'll be fine Sir." She turned to Mulder and he eyed the waiting room with his eyes. The silent communication between them was enough.

Nearly five minutes later Scully appeared. She was trying to fight back her tears, failing miserably. She looked at Monica. "I'm sorry Monica, but there was nothing they could do. He..." Mulder pulled her in his arms, while Skinner laid a gentle hand on Monica's arm.

"I'm sorry Agent Reyes. If there's anything I can do." He didn't speak further; he just let her cry, afraid to touch her. Scully pulled away from Mulder and kneeled down in front of Monica, her hands on Monica's knees.

"Monica, I'm really sorry."

She looked up at her, her eyes red from crying, her lip slightly shaking. "How did it happen?"

Scully took Monica's hand in hers. "A shot in his heart. He didn't stand a chance. I'm sorry..."

"Can I see him?" Monica paused. "I just want to see him."

"I don't know if that's a wise idea Monica. Besides, I don't think they'll allow you to see him. They didn't let me in either."

Monica let put her head between her knees and let out a soft moan. "I just wanna see him."

Scully sat down next to her and laid her hand on her back. "I know you do, but you can't."

Skinner sat nervously in his chair and he eyed Scully. "Will she be okay?"

"I don't think so. She's going to need a lot of help. And the person she needs help from is not here anymore." A lonely tear escaped Scully's eye. "Sir, if we don't do anything, we will not only have lost John, but we will lose her too."

Skinner nodded in understanding. "Why don't you get her home, take care of her?"

"We'll take her home with us," Mulder interrupted them. "I don't think it's wise for her to be alone, let alone at her place. And that's not to speak about John's place."

The four of them got up and left the waiting room. Scully had an arm around Monica and slowly they made their way outside. They were almost run over by someone who came running inside. He ran against Monica and she stumbled backwards, falling on the floor. "I'm sorry...Mon?"

Monica looked up from the floor, staring straight into John's worried blue eyes. "John?" She didn't care where they were or who was watching, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him as close to her as she could. John returned her embrace and they held on to each other tightly while they were both crying.

Skinner looked at Mulder and Scully, both staring at Monica and John on the floor. "Could someone tell me what is going on here?" Scully put her hands in the air and Mulder shook his head. "Well Skinman, it looks like John is not dead."

Skinner gave Mulder an angry look. "Mulder, now many times have I told you not to call me Skinman?"

Mulder grinned. "Sorry Sir, I couldn't help it."

Skinner groaned. "The name is Walter, Mulder. W-A-L-T-E-R. I'm not your boss anymore."

Mulder's grin turned even wider and Scully elbowed him in the ribs. "Stop doing that Mulder."

"Sorry." He looked at Skinner. "Walter, I think there is something funny going on here."

Skinner crouched down on the floor next to Monica and John and touched John's arm. He looked up and Skinner and released Monica. He helped her to her feet, wiped his eyes dry with his sleeve and put an arm around her shoulder to steady her. She was still shaking. "Sorry Sir."

Skinner laid a firm hand on his shoulder. "You're looking very healthy for a dead man."

"Sir?" John shook his head in confusion, clearly not understanding what was going on. "What is going on here?"

"I received a call from this very hospital that you had been shot. When we came here you were already dead."

John looked at Monica and she pushed him away. "Why didn't you call me?"

"Call you? Why don't you tell me what is going on?"

"I think Skinner already told you what is going on. Why the hell did it take you more than two hours to get back from the video store?"

John's face turned red and he smiled sheepishly. "My SUV got stolen at the video store."

Monica stamped her foot on the floor. "And?"

John sighed. "I called the police from inside, because the battery to my cell phone was empty. They arrived 30 minutes later, I made my statement and they were about to leave when they received a call that my SUV had been found. They drove me to my SUV and it seemed fine. And then I found a note stuck under my wipers."

Skinner turned to look at John. "What did it say?"

"Actually not much. It just said: 'This is only the beginning'. I have no idea what to make of it. The police took the note, I had to go to the station with them for some more paperwork and after nearly an hour I was finally allowed to go home." He turned to look at Monica. "That's why it took me so long."

"I tried to call John, but you didn't pick up. I was worried sick."

John pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry Mon." He kissed the top of her head, causing Skinner to raise an eyebrow. He looked at Scully and she shrugged her shoulders. Mulder had a huge grin on his face.

Monica took a step back from him. "How did you end up in hospital?"

John took a deep breath of air. "Well, I drove home and you weren't there. I was really worried about you. I thought you were asleep. I looked for a note but found none. And then I received a phone call from this hospital saying that someone shot you."

Skinner's eyes opened wide. "This is really worrying me, Agents."

John shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it's just a practical joke, Sir."

"I don't think so. They called me from here and they identified you with you badge."

"That can't be Sir. My badge is in my SUV."

"Agent Doggett, are you sure it's in there?"

John nodded his head. "I'm sure it's in there."

Scully put a hand on John's arm. "Can we see it John?"

"Sure." He took Monica's hand in his and they walked to John's SUV. Skinner noticed the strong bond between his two favourite agents, but he said nothing. He just turned a blind eye on. He had always knows that they were close and as long as it didn't interfere with their work, he would act as if nothing was going on.

They reached John's SUV and he opened the passenger door, rummaging through the glove compartment. He looked at Skinner. "Sir, my badge is gone."

Skinner nodded and walked to the front of the SUV. "Does anyone have a towel or a latex glove or something?"

Scully stood next to Skinner. "I have a glove in the car. I'll get it." Scully walked off to Mulder's car and pulled a pair of latex gloves out of the trunk. John turned to look at Skinner.

"What is it, sir?"

Skinner shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know yet John, but I think there might be another note."

John walked over to where Skinner was standing, pulling Monica along with him. Scully arrived with the latex glove and carefully removed the note. She opened it and her eyes turned wide. She read aloud. "Dear John. What happened today is only the beginning. Stay away from Monica or I'll hurt her even more than two nights ago. And you have been warned."