John stood motionless in the doorway, his shoulders tensed and his jaw clenched. He walked over to Monica, trying to ignore the soft whimpers she let out. He sat down in front of her, lightly brushing her hair away from her face. She had the remains of tears on her cheeks and her eyes were closed. "Mon, please talk to me."
Her eyes opened slowly. "There's nothing to talk about."
John shook his head stubbornly. "I think there's a lot to talk about," he paused taking a deep and shallow breath. "We have to talk about this."
She turned around and laid flat on her back, leaning back in the pillows, staring at the wall in front of her. "John, I don't think this is the right time for us to talk." She diverted her look from the wall to his face for a second, before closing her eyes. "I'd like to get some sleep John." She missed the hurting in his eyes, his shoulders tensing up even more. She even tried to ignore the angry scowl, but she couldn't. She opened her eyes again and looked up at him, honesty shining through his entire body. "John please..."
John swallowed hard. "Monica, listen to me. I'm begging ya," he whispered, fighting back to coming tears. "I really need to say something. Something I have been meaning to say to you for so long, but it never seemed to be the right time. And I don't think I can keep it to myself for much longer."
So much honesty coming from John Doggett surprised her. She tried to look in his eyes, but she couldn't. She was afraid that in his eyes she'd find what she had been looking for since the very first day she met him. Instead she played with her sheet, turning it around her index finger. John took her hand to stop her from fidgeting. She looked at him and she was suddenly surprised with all the love she saw in his eyes. She saw her own feeling for John reflected in his whole being. She had waited for this moment for years and yet she was going to hurt him. She was going to hurt the both of them and she hoped from the bottom of her heart John would understand why she was going to do it. "John..."
John put his finger on her lips to stop her from talking. "Just... listen, please. There's so much I need to stay and I'm afraid that I won't find the guts to tell you if you keep interrupting me." His finger moved from her lips to her face and rested on her cheek, making soft circles. The tenderness in the gesture made Monica close her eyes. John smiled at his partner. "I'm sorry about earlier. I should have told you what was going on. But I guess I told you what was important first. You took a bullet that was meant for me Monica." He almost choked in his own tears and Monica opened his eyes to look at him. Really looked at him for the first time in her life. She felt her heart thumping in her chest and she was trying to keep a clear head. She needed to do this.
"John, just don't, okay? I know you're sorry, I know the bullet was meant for you. And I'm sorry for yelling at you. I know you were going to tell me about the safe house, but sometimes it's so much easier for me to be angry at you." She looked at him, surprise evident in his eyes. "I just want to distance myself from you sometimes. Even if that means us getting in a fight. I don't want to lose myself in you John."
John frowned, a soft growl escaping his throat. "Mon, don't say what you're gonna say." He held his finger up and gave her an angry look. "Just let me finish." His voice turned into a whisper. "Please?"
"Okay."
He let out a deep breath and looked straight at her. "Here it comes." He paused and took her hand in his. "Monica, there's something I have been meaning to tell you for I don't know how long. I just never found the courage to do it, but after almost losing you twice, I don't think I can keep this to myself anymore. First of all, I don't want this to come between us, whatever happens. I want us to stay friends beyond everything. But I don't think it's fair to our friendship that I keep my real feeling for you hidden." Another pause followed and a soft puff of air leaving his lips. "I am in love with you Monica. I have been for such a long time. I can't remember not being in love with you."
Monica's eyes were filled with tears. John had finally said what she wanted to hear and yet she was going to break him. She whimpered. "John please..." Another tear made its way down her cheek and when John tried to wipe it away, she pulled back. "John, I know it took you a lot of courage to say this in my face. And I admire you for that. But I think it's time for me to be honest too." She tried to fight back tears the best she could, trying to sound as honest as she could. "John, I love you, I really do. But.." Another pause followed. "But I'm not in love with you."
John's heart felt like a ten-ton truck had hit it. He stared at her with his mouth wide open, his whole body turning rigid. Without saying a word, he got up and gave Monica once last look. He turned around and left the room, ignoring the soft sobs coming from Monica. Bitterness got the better of him and he walked back to Monica's bed. His voice was low and dangerous. "Suddenly I can't remember why I fell in love with you in the first place. What the hell did I ever see in you?" he spat before storming out of the room, closing the door with a loud thud.
He stormed out of the hospital, only to be stopped by Scully coming in. "John? What happened?"
He shook his head and frowned. "Nothing. I've just been a stupid blind son of a bitch for the last few years." He stomped off to his car, only to be stopped by Mulder.
"John, you can't drive like that."
John pulled away from Mulder. "Who asked you anything?"
Mulder took a step back, trying to reason a very angry John Doggett. Whatever had happened inside must have been very serious. He had never seen John like that. "John don't..." Before Mulder knew what was happening a fist connected with his jaw and he fell against John's car, feeling a stab of pain in his side. John came towards him, his eyes turning from angry to ballistic. He lifted his hand to hit Mulder again, but a pair of strong arms suddenly pulled him back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Agent Doggett?"
Mulder got up and silently thanked Skinner, who was having a hard time keeping John in his grip. "Go and get Scully will you." Mulder ran inside, while Skinner tried to calm down Doggett. A minute later both Mulder and Scully came running back outside. Skinner looked at Scully. "What the hell happened in there?"
Scully shook her head. "I have no idea Sir, but Monica was crying and I couldn't get her to talk."
Skinner turned back to John and gripped his collar. "What the hell have you done to her?" He growled dangerously.
John turned his head to the floor and pushed Skinner away with a force he didn't know he possessed. "I just followed the advice you didn't give me Sir!" John spat, grabbing his keys out of his pocket. "Why the hell did I listen to you in the first place?" John shook his head. "I shouldn't have listened to an old man who's been single for the better part of his life. What the hell do you know about true love?" John said sarcastically, opening his door. "I'm outta here." He was about to get in his car when he was pushed against the door with a violent force.
Skinner took him by the collar of his shirt, his eyes becoming suddenly very dark and dangerous. "You're out of line Agent Doggett." He held him tighter when he tried to get out of his grip. "I'm gonna say something to you and I don't want a word to come out of your mouth, is that clear?" John bowed his head and didn't respond. "Good, why don't we go inside and discuss it over there?" He looked at John. "If I let you go, you're not gonna try to get away?"
John shook his head. "I won't." His voice sounded childish, as if he was suddenly realising what an idiot he had made out of himself. "I'm sorry." He looked at Mulder, his cheek already turning blue. "I'm sorry for hitting you, Mulder. I don't know what happened. I wasn't in control of my body anymore."
Mulder gave him a small smile. "It's okay John, don't worry. I'll be just fine. Got the perfect doctor to take care of me at home." He took Scully's hand in his and the four of them walked back inside.
They sat down in the waiting room and Skinner eyed John. The younger man seemed to have calmed down but he had a look on his face that made Skinner feel sorry. He looked as if he was about to break down and cry every second now. It was as if he had lost the most important thing in his life. And Skinner knew it had something to do with Monica. "How is Monica doing John?"
He shook his head, lost for words. "I dunno Sir."
Skinner got up from his chair and motioned for John to follow him. He walked behind Skinner and they stopped in front of Monica's room. "What happened John? I know I'm your boss and technically the two of you are not allowed to be together, but I'm not too stupid to see true love when it's right in front of me. And I don realise that I'm the last person you want to confide in. But I don't want to see my best pair of agents tearing each other apart."
John looked at Monica through the door, sadness in his voice. "I told her how I felt Sir and to make a long story short, she turned me down."
Skinner raised his eyebrows in surprise. "She turned you down?"
John looked down at the floor. "Yes Sir, she said she wasn't in love with me. And I really wanted to leave, but since she hurt my pride I said that I didn't know why I fell in love with her in the first place. She started crying and I just walked out."
Skinner shook his head in defeat. "You two are quite the pair, you know that?" he said sarcastically. "She hurts you so you decide to hurt her even worse?"
"Basically-" John paused and swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "Yes Sir."
"John, you have to let go that masculine pride of yours every now and then. You'll end up a very lonely old man if you don't." Skinner gave him a small smile. "Take it from someone who has been there." He softly knocked on the door and entered Monica's room, John looking at him from behind the window.
Skinner sat down in front of Monica, her shoulders softly shaking. "You and John are quite the pair, let me tell you that."
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Sir?" She frowned, but Skinner ignored it.
"Agent Reyes, I'm gonna say something to you and you'd better listen, cause I'll only say it once." He paused and waited until he had her complete attention. She turned to lie on her back and leaned back in the pillows, her eyes still red from the tears she had shed. "What you and John got going is very special."
"Sir, there's nothing going on between me and John."
Skinner let out a chuckle. "I don't know which one of you is the most stubborn. John with his pride or you with your blindness? Anyway, I just came to give you a good piece of advice." He pointed to the window where John was waiting. "That man out there cares a great deal about you. I don't know what the hell possessed you to let him down, but I know for a fact that it was a white lie. I know you said you didn't love him, but I'm not buying that. Just follow your heart Monica." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and got up to leave a surprised agent behind. Before he left the room he turned around. "If you pretend that we didn't have this conversation, I'll just pretend that I have no clue what's going on between you and John. As far as I'm concerned you're just good friends." He winked at her, and softly closed the door behind him.
John was tapping his foot on the floor, waiting for Skinner to say something. Skinner looked up at him and gave him an icy look. "Will you just stop that John? You're making me nervous."
John pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sorry Sir."
Skinner put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Go in there John and start all over again. And maybe you'll find it in your heart to forgive her for letting you down the first time." He growled at John. "And if you don't, you're the biggest idiots I have ever seen." He turned around and left a nervous John Doggett standing in front of Monica's room. John felt his hands shaking and softly knocked on the door.
He opened the door to her room, feeling his heart thumping in his chest. She was curled in a ball, her back to him. He walked over to the bed, kneeling down in front of her. Her eyes were closed and she was softly whimpering. John got up and sat down on the bed, his hand making lazy circles on her back. She opened her eyes to him and he gently smiled. Monica put her arms around his neck and drew him closer to her. No words were spoken between them; they were just content to hold each other. Monica was the first to pull away, looking up at John with a heavy heart. "I'm so sorry John. I didn't mean to hurt you."
John clenched his jaw and tried to remember what Skinner had said. "It's okay Mon. I forgive you. And I'm sorry for what I said too." He gave her a radiant smile and she felt her heartbeat speeding up. "I just wanna know one thing: Why did you turn me down?"
Monica swallowed and turned to lie on her back, her hands clasped in her lap. "Because I was afraid."
John shuffled his feet on the floor. "But why? Have I done something to scare you?"
She offered him a small smile. "You didn't, but..." Monica hesitated and swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Tell me Mon." He pulled her hands out of her lap and held them in his.
"The guy who tried to rape me," she paused and tried to find her voice again. "He had the same eyes as you. The same colour, the same spark." Her voice was barely heard and she looked down at her lap.
John let out a sigh he didn't know he had been holding. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean to."
Her lips curled into a grin and she looked him straight in the eyes. "It's not your fault John. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
"If I understand what you're saying correctly, you said you weren't in love with me because you were scared?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
John nodded and smiled at her. "And what would you say now if I told you I was in love with you and have been for a very long time?"
Monica grinned. "You're not gonna make this easy on me, are you?"
He shook his head. "I don't intend to." He looked at her expectantly. "And?"
She sighed and squeezed his hands. "I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember and I wouldn't want it any other way. That being said, I'm not ready yet to take this relationship to the next level."
"I know you're not ready yet Mon and I respect that." He tenderly kissed her cheek and traced her lips with his finger. "And I'm prepared to wait as long as I have to. Even if it takes you years, I don't care. I just wanna be there for you and hold you when you need me."
A huge smile spread across Monica's face. "Thank you John." She pulled her hands away from his and threw them around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. John tenderly traced her cheekbone with his lips, stopping at the corner of her mouth. Monica felt his hesitation and turned her head a little and their lips met for the very first time. It was a soft and gentle kiss, one full of future promises. He traced her lips with his tongue and pulled away before she could deepen the kiss. She smiled when he rained butterfly kisses all over her face, still tasting John on her lips. He finally pulled away and smiled at her.
"I should probably go Mon. Visiting hours are long over."
She sighed. "Do you really have to?" She moved aside to make room for him. "You can stay here if you want." She looked at him with pleading eyes, very well aware of the fact that he probably couldn't turn her down. It wasn't her intention to take advantage of it; She wanted nothing more that to be in his arms.
John's lips curled into a small smile and he took his shoes off. He lay down on the very small hospital bed; his front spooned to her back, his arms encircling her waist, carefully avoiding her wounded arm. She leaned back against his strong and muscular body, inhaling his intoxicating scent. She turned her head and claimed his lips with hers, lingering on his mouth a little bit longer than intended. She felt John smile into the kiss and a soft chuckle left her mouth. "Goodnight John."
"Ya betcha it will be a good night." He dropped a feather light kiss on the tip of her nose before pulling her into a tight embrace. After a few minutes he felt Monica's breathing slowing down and he fell asleep not much later, a smile on his lips.
THE NEXT MORNING
John awoke when a small ray of light was coming through the curtains. He looked at Monica over her shoulder and she was still asleep, softly breathing. He door opened and he heard a chuckle. "Darn Scully, we should have brought the camera."
Scully grinned. "Shut up Mulder." They walked to the bed and John looked up at them, a smile on his face. "I don't want to interfere in what's not my business John, but Skinner is on his way and..."
"The last thing he probably wants, is seeing the two of you like that," a low and amused voice said from the doorway.
Scully turned around and looked at Skinner, who was grinning. "Busted."
Monica was stirring in John's arms and she mumbled. "Morning." She turned around and placed a tender kiss on his lips, not realising there were other people in the room.
"Ahum... I don't mean to interrupt." Monica pulled away from John, surprise written all over her face. She turned her head and looked at Skinner.
"Sorry Sir, I had no idea you were here."
"That was indeed very obvious." Skinner scratched his throat and looked at Scully. "Why don't you tell them?"
John gave Scully a questioning look. "Tell us what?"
"Well, we found you a safe house. It's in San Diego, but it's not your usual FBI standard safe house."
Monica leaned back in her pillow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we rented a cabin at the local campground over there. We know it's very unusual, but we think no one will go looking for the two of you at a campground."
John looked at Monica and then at Skinner. "Who's idea was it Sir?"
Skinner nudged his head in the direction of Mulder. "Who else but Mulder would come up with such a stupid idea?"
Mulder grinned and turned to look at John. "But they haven't told you the best part yet."
John let out a primal growl and looked pleadingly at Skinner. "Don't tell me he's coming along."
Skinner held his arms up in defence. "Actually, he is. Scully and Mulder will come along to keep an eye on you. Besides, I think it would be safe for Monica to travel with a doctor, since her stitches will have to be removed and someone should take care of her arm."
Monica looked at Scully. "What about William?"
Scully smiled back. "My mom will take care of him until this blows over. We feel like you'll need all the help you can get."
Monica smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
Scully squeezed her hand. "You're more than welcome. We hope we'll catch this guy soon." She paused, her eyes flickering between John and Monica. "We took the liberty to pack your bags. They are in the trunk of our rental car."
"Rental car?" both John and Monica replied at the same time.
Scully nodded. "Yes. We're not going there by plane. We're gonna drive all the way to California."
Monica smiled and looked at John. "This is gonna be fun." John didn't say anything, he just grumbled. Monica elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't be such a grumpy man John."
He sighed. "If that's your idea of fun." He looked at her eyes; obviously he had hurt her feelings. "Sorry, but I hate driving."
Mulder looked at him. "Don't worry John. Me and Scully will do all the driving and you can have the backseat to yourself."
"Geez, thank you so much," John replied sarcastically. "Just let me get one thing straight. How the hell did you get into my house without a key?"
Mulder grinned sheepishly. "Well, we kind of picked yours and Monica's locks."
John looked at Scully. "And you let him do that?"
Mulder put his arm around Scully's shoulder and smiled. "She not only let me pick your locks, but she helped me."
John growled and scratched his head. "Did you take a course in lock picking or something?" He felt Monica touching his back, her eyes pleading him to calm down. He couldn't resist the look in her eyes and sat quiet on the bed.
Skinner broke the silence. "Why don't you get ready so you can get going?" He watched John get up from the bed and take the small bag of clothes Scully was handing him. He disappeared in the small bathroom in the corner to emerge ten minutes later, his hair wet and spiked. He helped Monica up and she made her way to the bathroom too, coming out after a few minutes, looking more like Monica without the hospital gown.
They followed Scully, Mulder and Skinner outside, Monica saying her goodbye to the nurses. The five of them walked to a grey Ford Windstar waiting for them. The car had dark windows and John was happy about that. At least no one would be able to see them in the car. Monica walked to the front of the car and let out a scowl. John stood next to her, still holding her hand. "What's wrong Mon?" She motioned to the front wiper, a note stuck under it. He looked from Monica to Skinner and back to Monica. "Sir?"
"What's up?"
John motioned to the note with a wave of his arm. "I think our friend has been here," he said sarcastically. "How the hell are we gonna stop him? He knows our every move before we even make it."
Skinner walked to the front of the car and put on a glove and pulled the note away from the wipers. He opened it and held in front of John and Monica: 'You can run, but you can't hide. I'll follow you to San Diego, California.'
John looked at Monica and she had a scared look on her face. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "Will this ever stop John?" He put his hand on her back and tenderly caressed her, trying to calm her down. She gave him a small and thankful smile, fear still written all over her face.
Mulder and Scully were looking at Skinner. "Sir?"
Skinner handed them the note and Mulder scratched his chin. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but who else at the FBI knew John and Monica were going into hiding at San Diego?"
Both John and Monica looked at him, expecting an answer. He let out a sigh and thought things over for a second and his eyes turned wide. "I didn't tell anyone but Kersh" he paused for a second. "And Assistant Director Follmer."
"Brad?" Monica whispered, her hand gripping John's tighter.
Skinner tapped his left foot on the ground and drummed his right fingers on the roof of the rental car. "We don't know for sure it's him," he tried, John giving him angry looks. He tried to ignore the scowls coming from John's way, but he couldn't. "Will you give it a rest John?"
John growled. "I've always known the guy was a scumbag." He felt Monica releasing the grip on his hand and turning her head to look at him.
"Why don't you just shoot him straight away?" She took a step closer to him, the hurt obvious in her eyes. "You can't prove he's guilty!" she spat, raising her voice. "So why don't you shut the hell up!" She turned around and angrily walked away.
John rolled his eyes and looked at Skinner. "What the hell did I say?!"
Skinner shook his head in disapproval. "You're never gonna learn, are you?"
John frowned and looked at Scully, who was in deep conversation with Mulder. She took her eyes away from him to shoot John an angry look. John groaned and ran after Monica, catching up with her a little further down the parking lot. He held her back with a hand on her shoulder. She whirled around and gave him an angry look. "What?!"
John raised his eyebrows. "I really don't understand what you're so worked up about."
"You don't? Then I can tell you've got a lot to learn, John Doggett!" she spat, her voice loud and threatening. "Have you ever thought about the fact that everyone is innocent until proven guilty?"
"Yes, but I never thought much of it, especially when we're talking about our beloved Assistant Director."
"You never gave him a chance, did you?"
John frowned. "You can't blame me that I never liked the guy."
Monica looked him deeply in the eyes. "I once cared about him a lot and you'll want to excuse me if I want to see prove before I convict him."
John hung his head low. "You're right." He looked up at her and took her chin between his thumb and his index finger. "I'm sorry Mon. I should know by now when to keep my mouth shut."
Monica shook her head. "It's not about keeping your mouth shut." She put her hand on his chest. "It's about not jumping to conclusions straight away when it involves Brad." She moved her hand to his heart. "I know you really hate the guy, but give him a chance." Her eyes pleaded and John sighed. "Do it for me."
He gently pulled her mouth closer with the hand that was still holding her chin and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I'll do it for ya."
She smiled thankfully and pulled her to him with her good arm, holding his strong body against hers and putting her head on his shoulder. John's arms encircled her waist and he would have pulled her closer if it were possible.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, both of them unable to pull away. John swallowed hard and took a step back, breaking the contact between them. "We should get going."
Monica let out a soft moan. "I don't want to." She gave him a tender look, making his heart double its speed. "Can't we stay like that for the rest of our lives?"
"Awww Mon." He sighed and pulled her back to him, dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. "As much as I'd love to, we should get back to the real world. Not to mention the fact that our boss is probably watching us." He turned his head to find Skinner staring at them, his hands on his hips and an annoyed look on his face. "He sure is and he doesn't look too happy."
Monica stepped out of his embrace and straightened her clothes, not resisting when John took her hand in his. Together, they walked back to the car, only to find that it was gone. "Sir?"
"There's been a change of plans. Mulder and Scully took the car back to the rental agency; your trip to San Diego has been cancelled. Since there's obviously a mole inside the FBI, I'll send you some place else. No one will know where you're going, except Mulder and Scully and me of course. Kersh won't be informed and neither will AD Follmer."
John looked at him. "He won't be too happy about that."
Skinner shrugged his shoulders and John could swear he saw a grin forming on his lips. "Not a day goes by that Kersh isn't royally pissed off about something."
Both John and Monica chuckled. "Come on Sir, he's the friendliest Director the FBI ever had."
"Don't let anyone hear you say that or you'll ruin the good man's reputation," he said sarcastically, causing John to burst out in laughter.
Monica looked sideways at John; he was beautiful when he was laughing. His smile added an extra sparkle to his eyes. She wished he would smile more. John still had a huge smile on his lips and the beauty of his face made Monica fall in love with him even more.
John noticed she was staring at him with a dreamy look on her face. "What?"
"Nothing." She smiled. "It's just that I love it when you smile and I wish you would do it more often." When John didn't react, she continued. "I would love to keep that smile with me every minute of the day."
He didn't say anything, he just pulled her in his arms, and totally ignoring that Skinner was standing there. They held onto each other for a few more moments before they were interrupted by a loud cough. Both heads turned to look at Skinner, who was trying to wipe the smile from his face. "Keep it private?" He eyed John.
"Sorry Sir, it won't happen again." He looked at Monica and then back at Skinner. "It's just that..."
"I know John." He made a move forward and motioned for John and Monica to follow him. "I doubt you want to stay here all day? Why don't I just drive the two of you home for now and I'll see what our next move will be. I'll put two agents permanently in front of your house. And I'll take care of you car." He looked at John.
John smiled thankfully. "Thank you."
The drive to Falls Church was spent in comfortable silence, Monica looking out of the window and John playing with her hand. They arrived at John's house not much later, Skinner pulling the car to a halt and getting out with them. John gave him an odd look. "I just want to get you inside safely."
"We'll be fine Sir, but thank you." Monica said.
"If you're sure." He paused. "I'll just wait until you get inside safely and then I'll go." Skinner watched as John and Monica walked up to the porch, John opening the door and motioning for Monica to get inside. She halted at the entrance to look at the damage the bullet had made. Skinner walked back to his car and drove off.
Monica was still standing still, looking at the remains of blood on the ground. John ushered her inside and locked the door behind her.
She sank down on the couch, John dropping next to her, taking her hand in his. He looked at her and smiled. "Is there anything special you feel like doing today?"
Monica thought it over for a minute before replying. "Not really. There's not much we can do while locked up in here."
John waggled his eyebrows. "I might have an idea."
She slapped him on the arm. "John!"
He held his arms up in defence. "You've got a dirty mind." He grinned at her. "I was thinking about watching some old movies on TV."
Her face turned red and John smiled at her. "Oh."
"Yes oh. I know I'm a guy, but not all guys are obsessed you know."
"So it seems." A huge grin appeared on her face. "You're fading like a flower John Doggett."
John pouted. "But you love me anyway."
She pulled him to her and softly kissed him on the lips. "Yes I do."
"How about watching those movies then?"
She shifted on the couch. "What have you got?"
John got up and walked to his VCR, opening the cabinet under it. He rummaged through it and pulled out some old tapes. "Let's see. I've got Casablanca, Out of Africa; " he paused, turning one of the tapes in his hand. "The Maltese Falcon and my personal favourite, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Monica gave him a surprised look. "I didn't picture you as a Robert Redford fan."
"Yeah," he paused. "I love him as an actor, he 's great."
Monica smiled. "You don't happen to have 'up close and personal', do you?"
John blushed. "Yeah, I've got that one."
Monica grinned. "I can't believe a macho FBI agent like yourself owns a chick flick."
"There's a lot about me you don't know."
"Apparently."
"So, what's it gonna be? Which one do you wanna start with?"
Monica smiled sheepishly. "How about 'up close and personal'?"
"I somehow knew you'd say that."
He put the tape in the VCR and joined her on the couch, his arm going around her shoulder. Monica smiled up at him and put her head on his shoulder, her arms around his waist.
They spent the better part of the day curled up in front of the TV watching old movies. Skinner called them in the afternoon to tell them that it was probably safer to stay at home, but that four agents would sit watch outside. No fingerprints had been found on the note, so basically they were back to square one. They had nothing, not even a hunch. Deep down John knew Brad had something to do with it, but he let it rest. He was sure he would make a mistake soon. That was, if Skinner's plan would work. Skinner would accidentally tell Brad about John and Monica's relationship, hoping to make him blindly jealous. If that plan worked well, they would catch him soon. He didn't tell Monica about the plan, not wanting to scare her more than necessary. If Brad wasn't their guy, it was a very risky plan, John knowing very well that he and Monica would probably be split up.
At around nine thirty, after a nice dinner, Monica started yawning. John looked at her. "Why don't we go to bed?"
"We?" she joked, John smiling sheepishly. They walked upstairs and both got changed in the bathroom. John was waiting in bed for Monica to join him and when she entered the room he lifted the covers and pulled her close to him. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Night Mon."
She yawned. "Night John." Even before he head touched the pillow, she was already half asleep.
Monica awoke in the middle of the night with from a nightmare, sitting straight up in bed, and waking John in the process. She turned on the lamp on the night table and John looked at her. Her face was white and she was shaking. "What's wrong Mon?"
She put her hand in front of her mouth, her eyes wide. "Oh my God John, those eyes..." She paused and swallowed back tears. "It was Brad!"
Her eyes opened slowly. "There's nothing to talk about."
John shook his head stubbornly. "I think there's a lot to talk about," he paused taking a deep and shallow breath. "We have to talk about this."
She turned around and laid flat on her back, leaning back in the pillows, staring at the wall in front of her. "John, I don't think this is the right time for us to talk." She diverted her look from the wall to his face for a second, before closing her eyes. "I'd like to get some sleep John." She missed the hurting in his eyes, his shoulders tensing up even more. She even tried to ignore the angry scowl, but she couldn't. She opened her eyes again and looked up at him, honesty shining through his entire body. "John please..."
John swallowed hard. "Monica, listen to me. I'm begging ya," he whispered, fighting back to coming tears. "I really need to say something. Something I have been meaning to say to you for so long, but it never seemed to be the right time. And I don't think I can keep it to myself for much longer."
So much honesty coming from John Doggett surprised her. She tried to look in his eyes, but she couldn't. She was afraid that in his eyes she'd find what she had been looking for since the very first day she met him. Instead she played with her sheet, turning it around her index finger. John took her hand to stop her from fidgeting. She looked at him and she was suddenly surprised with all the love she saw in his eyes. She saw her own feeling for John reflected in his whole being. She had waited for this moment for years and yet she was going to hurt him. She was going to hurt the both of them and she hoped from the bottom of her heart John would understand why she was going to do it. "John..."
John put his finger on her lips to stop her from talking. "Just... listen, please. There's so much I need to stay and I'm afraid that I won't find the guts to tell you if you keep interrupting me." His finger moved from her lips to her face and rested on her cheek, making soft circles. The tenderness in the gesture made Monica close her eyes. John smiled at his partner. "I'm sorry about earlier. I should have told you what was going on. But I guess I told you what was important first. You took a bullet that was meant for me Monica." He almost choked in his own tears and Monica opened his eyes to look at him. Really looked at him for the first time in her life. She felt her heart thumping in her chest and she was trying to keep a clear head. She needed to do this.
"John, just don't, okay? I know you're sorry, I know the bullet was meant for you. And I'm sorry for yelling at you. I know you were going to tell me about the safe house, but sometimes it's so much easier for me to be angry at you." She looked at him, surprise evident in his eyes. "I just want to distance myself from you sometimes. Even if that means us getting in a fight. I don't want to lose myself in you John."
John frowned, a soft growl escaping his throat. "Mon, don't say what you're gonna say." He held his finger up and gave her an angry look. "Just let me finish." His voice turned into a whisper. "Please?"
"Okay."
He let out a deep breath and looked straight at her. "Here it comes." He paused and took her hand in his. "Monica, there's something I have been meaning to tell you for I don't know how long. I just never found the courage to do it, but after almost losing you twice, I don't think I can keep this to myself anymore. First of all, I don't want this to come between us, whatever happens. I want us to stay friends beyond everything. But I don't think it's fair to our friendship that I keep my real feeling for you hidden." Another pause followed and a soft puff of air leaving his lips. "I am in love with you Monica. I have been for such a long time. I can't remember not being in love with you."
Monica's eyes were filled with tears. John had finally said what she wanted to hear and yet she was going to break him. She whimpered. "John please..." Another tear made its way down her cheek and when John tried to wipe it away, she pulled back. "John, I know it took you a lot of courage to say this in my face. And I admire you for that. But I think it's time for me to be honest too." She tried to fight back tears the best she could, trying to sound as honest as she could. "John, I love you, I really do. But.." Another pause followed. "But I'm not in love with you."
John's heart felt like a ten-ton truck had hit it. He stared at her with his mouth wide open, his whole body turning rigid. Without saying a word, he got up and gave Monica once last look. He turned around and left the room, ignoring the soft sobs coming from Monica. Bitterness got the better of him and he walked back to Monica's bed. His voice was low and dangerous. "Suddenly I can't remember why I fell in love with you in the first place. What the hell did I ever see in you?" he spat before storming out of the room, closing the door with a loud thud.
He stormed out of the hospital, only to be stopped by Scully coming in. "John? What happened?"
He shook his head and frowned. "Nothing. I've just been a stupid blind son of a bitch for the last few years." He stomped off to his car, only to be stopped by Mulder.
"John, you can't drive like that."
John pulled away from Mulder. "Who asked you anything?"
Mulder took a step back, trying to reason a very angry John Doggett. Whatever had happened inside must have been very serious. He had never seen John like that. "John don't..." Before Mulder knew what was happening a fist connected with his jaw and he fell against John's car, feeling a stab of pain in his side. John came towards him, his eyes turning from angry to ballistic. He lifted his hand to hit Mulder again, but a pair of strong arms suddenly pulled him back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Agent Doggett?"
Mulder got up and silently thanked Skinner, who was having a hard time keeping John in his grip. "Go and get Scully will you." Mulder ran inside, while Skinner tried to calm down Doggett. A minute later both Mulder and Scully came running back outside. Skinner looked at Scully. "What the hell happened in there?"
Scully shook her head. "I have no idea Sir, but Monica was crying and I couldn't get her to talk."
Skinner turned back to John and gripped his collar. "What the hell have you done to her?" He growled dangerously.
John turned his head to the floor and pushed Skinner away with a force he didn't know he possessed. "I just followed the advice you didn't give me Sir!" John spat, grabbing his keys out of his pocket. "Why the hell did I listen to you in the first place?" John shook his head. "I shouldn't have listened to an old man who's been single for the better part of his life. What the hell do you know about true love?" John said sarcastically, opening his door. "I'm outta here." He was about to get in his car when he was pushed against the door with a violent force.
Skinner took him by the collar of his shirt, his eyes becoming suddenly very dark and dangerous. "You're out of line Agent Doggett." He held him tighter when he tried to get out of his grip. "I'm gonna say something to you and I don't want a word to come out of your mouth, is that clear?" John bowed his head and didn't respond. "Good, why don't we go inside and discuss it over there?" He looked at John. "If I let you go, you're not gonna try to get away?"
John shook his head. "I won't." His voice sounded childish, as if he was suddenly realising what an idiot he had made out of himself. "I'm sorry." He looked at Mulder, his cheek already turning blue. "I'm sorry for hitting you, Mulder. I don't know what happened. I wasn't in control of my body anymore."
Mulder gave him a small smile. "It's okay John, don't worry. I'll be just fine. Got the perfect doctor to take care of me at home." He took Scully's hand in his and the four of them walked back inside.
They sat down in the waiting room and Skinner eyed John. The younger man seemed to have calmed down but he had a look on his face that made Skinner feel sorry. He looked as if he was about to break down and cry every second now. It was as if he had lost the most important thing in his life. And Skinner knew it had something to do with Monica. "How is Monica doing John?"
He shook his head, lost for words. "I dunno Sir."
Skinner got up from his chair and motioned for John to follow him. He walked behind Skinner and they stopped in front of Monica's room. "What happened John? I know I'm your boss and technically the two of you are not allowed to be together, but I'm not too stupid to see true love when it's right in front of me. And I don realise that I'm the last person you want to confide in. But I don't want to see my best pair of agents tearing each other apart."
John looked at Monica through the door, sadness in his voice. "I told her how I felt Sir and to make a long story short, she turned me down."
Skinner raised his eyebrows in surprise. "She turned you down?"
John looked down at the floor. "Yes Sir, she said she wasn't in love with me. And I really wanted to leave, but since she hurt my pride I said that I didn't know why I fell in love with her in the first place. She started crying and I just walked out."
Skinner shook his head in defeat. "You two are quite the pair, you know that?" he said sarcastically. "She hurts you so you decide to hurt her even worse?"
"Basically-" John paused and swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat. "Yes Sir."
"John, you have to let go that masculine pride of yours every now and then. You'll end up a very lonely old man if you don't." Skinner gave him a small smile. "Take it from someone who has been there." He softly knocked on the door and entered Monica's room, John looking at him from behind the window.
Skinner sat down in front of Monica, her shoulders softly shaking. "You and John are quite the pair, let me tell you that."
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Sir?" She frowned, but Skinner ignored it.
"Agent Reyes, I'm gonna say something to you and you'd better listen, cause I'll only say it once." He paused and waited until he had her complete attention. She turned to lie on her back and leaned back in the pillows, her eyes still red from the tears she had shed. "What you and John got going is very special."
"Sir, there's nothing going on between me and John."
Skinner let out a chuckle. "I don't know which one of you is the most stubborn. John with his pride or you with your blindness? Anyway, I just came to give you a good piece of advice." He pointed to the window where John was waiting. "That man out there cares a great deal about you. I don't know what the hell possessed you to let him down, but I know for a fact that it was a white lie. I know you said you didn't love him, but I'm not buying that. Just follow your heart Monica." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and got up to leave a surprised agent behind. Before he left the room he turned around. "If you pretend that we didn't have this conversation, I'll just pretend that I have no clue what's going on between you and John. As far as I'm concerned you're just good friends." He winked at her, and softly closed the door behind him.
John was tapping his foot on the floor, waiting for Skinner to say something. Skinner looked up at him and gave him an icy look. "Will you just stop that John? You're making me nervous."
John pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sorry Sir."
Skinner put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Go in there John and start all over again. And maybe you'll find it in your heart to forgive her for letting you down the first time." He growled at John. "And if you don't, you're the biggest idiots I have ever seen." He turned around and left a nervous John Doggett standing in front of Monica's room. John felt his hands shaking and softly knocked on the door.
He opened the door to her room, feeling his heart thumping in his chest. She was curled in a ball, her back to him. He walked over to the bed, kneeling down in front of her. Her eyes were closed and she was softly whimpering. John got up and sat down on the bed, his hand making lazy circles on her back. She opened her eyes to him and he gently smiled. Monica put her arms around his neck and drew him closer to her. No words were spoken between them; they were just content to hold each other. Monica was the first to pull away, looking up at John with a heavy heart. "I'm so sorry John. I didn't mean to hurt you."
John clenched his jaw and tried to remember what Skinner had said. "It's okay Mon. I forgive you. And I'm sorry for what I said too." He gave her a radiant smile and she felt her heartbeat speeding up. "I just wanna know one thing: Why did you turn me down?"
Monica swallowed and turned to lie on her back, her hands clasped in her lap. "Because I was afraid."
John shuffled his feet on the floor. "But why? Have I done something to scare you?"
She offered him a small smile. "You didn't, but..." Monica hesitated and swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Tell me Mon." He pulled her hands out of her lap and held them in his.
"The guy who tried to rape me," she paused and tried to find her voice again. "He had the same eyes as you. The same colour, the same spark." Her voice was barely heard and she looked down at her lap.
John let out a sigh he didn't know he had been holding. "I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean to."
Her lips curled into a grin and she looked him straight in the eyes. "It's not your fault John. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did."
"If I understand what you're saying correctly, you said you weren't in love with me because you were scared?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
John nodded and smiled at her. "And what would you say now if I told you I was in love with you and have been for a very long time?"
Monica grinned. "You're not gonna make this easy on me, are you?"
He shook his head. "I don't intend to." He looked at her expectantly. "And?"
She sighed and squeezed his hands. "I have been in love with you for as long as I can remember and I wouldn't want it any other way. That being said, I'm not ready yet to take this relationship to the next level."
"I know you're not ready yet Mon and I respect that." He tenderly kissed her cheek and traced her lips with his finger. "And I'm prepared to wait as long as I have to. Even if it takes you years, I don't care. I just wanna be there for you and hold you when you need me."
A huge smile spread across Monica's face. "Thank you John." She pulled her hands away from his and threw them around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. John tenderly traced her cheekbone with his lips, stopping at the corner of her mouth. Monica felt his hesitation and turned her head a little and their lips met for the very first time. It was a soft and gentle kiss, one full of future promises. He traced her lips with his tongue and pulled away before she could deepen the kiss. She smiled when he rained butterfly kisses all over her face, still tasting John on her lips. He finally pulled away and smiled at her.
"I should probably go Mon. Visiting hours are long over."
She sighed. "Do you really have to?" She moved aside to make room for him. "You can stay here if you want." She looked at him with pleading eyes, very well aware of the fact that he probably couldn't turn her down. It wasn't her intention to take advantage of it; She wanted nothing more that to be in his arms.
John's lips curled into a small smile and he took his shoes off. He lay down on the very small hospital bed; his front spooned to her back, his arms encircling her waist, carefully avoiding her wounded arm. She leaned back against his strong and muscular body, inhaling his intoxicating scent. She turned her head and claimed his lips with hers, lingering on his mouth a little bit longer than intended. She felt John smile into the kiss and a soft chuckle left her mouth. "Goodnight John."
"Ya betcha it will be a good night." He dropped a feather light kiss on the tip of her nose before pulling her into a tight embrace. After a few minutes he felt Monica's breathing slowing down and he fell asleep not much later, a smile on his lips.
THE NEXT MORNING
John awoke when a small ray of light was coming through the curtains. He looked at Monica over her shoulder and she was still asleep, softly breathing. He door opened and he heard a chuckle. "Darn Scully, we should have brought the camera."
Scully grinned. "Shut up Mulder." They walked to the bed and John looked up at them, a smile on his face. "I don't want to interfere in what's not my business John, but Skinner is on his way and..."
"The last thing he probably wants, is seeing the two of you like that," a low and amused voice said from the doorway.
Scully turned around and looked at Skinner, who was grinning. "Busted."
Monica was stirring in John's arms and she mumbled. "Morning." She turned around and placed a tender kiss on his lips, not realising there were other people in the room.
"Ahum... I don't mean to interrupt." Monica pulled away from John, surprise written all over her face. She turned her head and looked at Skinner.
"Sorry Sir, I had no idea you were here."
"That was indeed very obvious." Skinner scratched his throat and looked at Scully. "Why don't you tell them?"
John gave Scully a questioning look. "Tell us what?"
"Well, we found you a safe house. It's in San Diego, but it's not your usual FBI standard safe house."
Monica leaned back in her pillow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we rented a cabin at the local campground over there. We know it's very unusual, but we think no one will go looking for the two of you at a campground."
John looked at Monica and then at Skinner. "Who's idea was it Sir?"
Skinner nudged his head in the direction of Mulder. "Who else but Mulder would come up with such a stupid idea?"
Mulder grinned and turned to look at John. "But they haven't told you the best part yet."
John let out a primal growl and looked pleadingly at Skinner. "Don't tell me he's coming along."
Skinner held his arms up in defence. "Actually, he is. Scully and Mulder will come along to keep an eye on you. Besides, I think it would be safe for Monica to travel with a doctor, since her stitches will have to be removed and someone should take care of her arm."
Monica looked at Scully. "What about William?"
Scully smiled back. "My mom will take care of him until this blows over. We feel like you'll need all the help you can get."
Monica smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
Scully squeezed her hand. "You're more than welcome. We hope we'll catch this guy soon." She paused, her eyes flickering between John and Monica. "We took the liberty to pack your bags. They are in the trunk of our rental car."
"Rental car?" both John and Monica replied at the same time.
Scully nodded. "Yes. We're not going there by plane. We're gonna drive all the way to California."
Monica smiled and looked at John. "This is gonna be fun." John didn't say anything, he just grumbled. Monica elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't be such a grumpy man John."
He sighed. "If that's your idea of fun." He looked at her eyes; obviously he had hurt her feelings. "Sorry, but I hate driving."
Mulder looked at him. "Don't worry John. Me and Scully will do all the driving and you can have the backseat to yourself."
"Geez, thank you so much," John replied sarcastically. "Just let me get one thing straight. How the hell did you get into my house without a key?"
Mulder grinned sheepishly. "Well, we kind of picked yours and Monica's locks."
John looked at Scully. "And you let him do that?"
Mulder put his arm around Scully's shoulder and smiled. "She not only let me pick your locks, but she helped me."
John growled and scratched his head. "Did you take a course in lock picking or something?" He felt Monica touching his back, her eyes pleading him to calm down. He couldn't resist the look in her eyes and sat quiet on the bed.
Skinner broke the silence. "Why don't you get ready so you can get going?" He watched John get up from the bed and take the small bag of clothes Scully was handing him. He disappeared in the small bathroom in the corner to emerge ten minutes later, his hair wet and spiked. He helped Monica up and she made her way to the bathroom too, coming out after a few minutes, looking more like Monica without the hospital gown.
They followed Scully, Mulder and Skinner outside, Monica saying her goodbye to the nurses. The five of them walked to a grey Ford Windstar waiting for them. The car had dark windows and John was happy about that. At least no one would be able to see them in the car. Monica walked to the front of the car and let out a scowl. John stood next to her, still holding her hand. "What's wrong Mon?" She motioned to the front wiper, a note stuck under it. He looked from Monica to Skinner and back to Monica. "Sir?"
"What's up?"
John motioned to the note with a wave of his arm. "I think our friend has been here," he said sarcastically. "How the hell are we gonna stop him? He knows our every move before we even make it."
Skinner walked to the front of the car and put on a glove and pulled the note away from the wipers. He opened it and held in front of John and Monica: 'You can run, but you can't hide. I'll follow you to San Diego, California.'
John looked at Monica and she had a scared look on her face. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. "Will this ever stop John?" He put his hand on her back and tenderly caressed her, trying to calm her down. She gave him a small and thankful smile, fear still written all over her face.
Mulder and Scully were looking at Skinner. "Sir?"
Skinner handed them the note and Mulder scratched his chin. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but who else at the FBI knew John and Monica were going into hiding at San Diego?"
Both John and Monica looked at him, expecting an answer. He let out a sigh and thought things over for a second and his eyes turned wide. "I didn't tell anyone but Kersh" he paused for a second. "And Assistant Director Follmer."
"Brad?" Monica whispered, her hand gripping John's tighter.
Skinner tapped his left foot on the ground and drummed his right fingers on the roof of the rental car. "We don't know for sure it's him," he tried, John giving him angry looks. He tried to ignore the scowls coming from John's way, but he couldn't. "Will you give it a rest John?"
John growled. "I've always known the guy was a scumbag." He felt Monica releasing the grip on his hand and turning her head to look at him.
"Why don't you just shoot him straight away?" She took a step closer to him, the hurt obvious in her eyes. "You can't prove he's guilty!" she spat, raising her voice. "So why don't you shut the hell up!" She turned around and angrily walked away.
John rolled his eyes and looked at Skinner. "What the hell did I say?!"
Skinner shook his head in disapproval. "You're never gonna learn, are you?"
John frowned and looked at Scully, who was in deep conversation with Mulder. She took her eyes away from him to shoot John an angry look. John groaned and ran after Monica, catching up with her a little further down the parking lot. He held her back with a hand on her shoulder. She whirled around and gave him an angry look. "What?!"
John raised his eyebrows. "I really don't understand what you're so worked up about."
"You don't? Then I can tell you've got a lot to learn, John Doggett!" she spat, her voice loud and threatening. "Have you ever thought about the fact that everyone is innocent until proven guilty?"
"Yes, but I never thought much of it, especially when we're talking about our beloved Assistant Director."
"You never gave him a chance, did you?"
John frowned. "You can't blame me that I never liked the guy."
Monica looked him deeply in the eyes. "I once cared about him a lot and you'll want to excuse me if I want to see prove before I convict him."
John hung his head low. "You're right." He looked up at her and took her chin between his thumb and his index finger. "I'm sorry Mon. I should know by now when to keep my mouth shut."
Monica shook her head. "It's not about keeping your mouth shut." She put her hand on his chest. "It's about not jumping to conclusions straight away when it involves Brad." She moved her hand to his heart. "I know you really hate the guy, but give him a chance." Her eyes pleaded and John sighed. "Do it for me."
He gently pulled her mouth closer with the hand that was still holding her chin and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "I'll do it for ya."
She smiled thankfully and pulled her to him with her good arm, holding his strong body against hers and putting her head on his shoulder. John's arms encircled her waist and he would have pulled her closer if it were possible.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, both of them unable to pull away. John swallowed hard and took a step back, breaking the contact between them. "We should get going."
Monica let out a soft moan. "I don't want to." She gave him a tender look, making his heart double its speed. "Can't we stay like that for the rest of our lives?"
"Awww Mon." He sighed and pulled her back to him, dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. "As much as I'd love to, we should get back to the real world. Not to mention the fact that our boss is probably watching us." He turned his head to find Skinner staring at them, his hands on his hips and an annoyed look on his face. "He sure is and he doesn't look too happy."
Monica stepped out of his embrace and straightened her clothes, not resisting when John took her hand in his. Together, they walked back to the car, only to find that it was gone. "Sir?"
"There's been a change of plans. Mulder and Scully took the car back to the rental agency; your trip to San Diego has been cancelled. Since there's obviously a mole inside the FBI, I'll send you some place else. No one will know where you're going, except Mulder and Scully and me of course. Kersh won't be informed and neither will AD Follmer."
John looked at him. "He won't be too happy about that."
Skinner shrugged his shoulders and John could swear he saw a grin forming on his lips. "Not a day goes by that Kersh isn't royally pissed off about something."
Both John and Monica chuckled. "Come on Sir, he's the friendliest Director the FBI ever had."
"Don't let anyone hear you say that or you'll ruin the good man's reputation," he said sarcastically, causing John to burst out in laughter.
Monica looked sideways at John; he was beautiful when he was laughing. His smile added an extra sparkle to his eyes. She wished he would smile more. John still had a huge smile on his lips and the beauty of his face made Monica fall in love with him even more.
John noticed she was staring at him with a dreamy look on her face. "What?"
"Nothing." She smiled. "It's just that I love it when you smile and I wish you would do it more often." When John didn't react, she continued. "I would love to keep that smile with me every minute of the day."
He didn't say anything, he just pulled her in his arms, and totally ignoring that Skinner was standing there. They held onto each other for a few more moments before they were interrupted by a loud cough. Both heads turned to look at Skinner, who was trying to wipe the smile from his face. "Keep it private?" He eyed John.
"Sorry Sir, it won't happen again." He looked at Monica and then back at Skinner. "It's just that..."
"I know John." He made a move forward and motioned for John and Monica to follow him. "I doubt you want to stay here all day? Why don't I just drive the two of you home for now and I'll see what our next move will be. I'll put two agents permanently in front of your house. And I'll take care of you car." He looked at John.
John smiled thankfully. "Thank you."
The drive to Falls Church was spent in comfortable silence, Monica looking out of the window and John playing with her hand. They arrived at John's house not much later, Skinner pulling the car to a halt and getting out with them. John gave him an odd look. "I just want to get you inside safely."
"We'll be fine Sir, but thank you." Monica said.
"If you're sure." He paused. "I'll just wait until you get inside safely and then I'll go." Skinner watched as John and Monica walked up to the porch, John opening the door and motioning for Monica to get inside. She halted at the entrance to look at the damage the bullet had made. Skinner walked back to his car and drove off.
Monica was still standing still, looking at the remains of blood on the ground. John ushered her inside and locked the door behind her.
She sank down on the couch, John dropping next to her, taking her hand in his. He looked at her and smiled. "Is there anything special you feel like doing today?"
Monica thought it over for a minute before replying. "Not really. There's not much we can do while locked up in here."
John waggled his eyebrows. "I might have an idea."
She slapped him on the arm. "John!"
He held his arms up in defence. "You've got a dirty mind." He grinned at her. "I was thinking about watching some old movies on TV."
Her face turned red and John smiled at her. "Oh."
"Yes oh. I know I'm a guy, but not all guys are obsessed you know."
"So it seems." A huge grin appeared on her face. "You're fading like a flower John Doggett."
John pouted. "But you love me anyway."
She pulled him to her and softly kissed him on the lips. "Yes I do."
"How about watching those movies then?"
She shifted on the couch. "What have you got?"
John got up and walked to his VCR, opening the cabinet under it. He rummaged through it and pulled out some old tapes. "Let's see. I've got Casablanca, Out of Africa; " he paused, turning one of the tapes in his hand. "The Maltese Falcon and my personal favourite, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."
Monica gave him a surprised look. "I didn't picture you as a Robert Redford fan."
"Yeah," he paused. "I love him as an actor, he 's great."
Monica smiled. "You don't happen to have 'up close and personal', do you?"
John blushed. "Yeah, I've got that one."
Monica grinned. "I can't believe a macho FBI agent like yourself owns a chick flick."
"There's a lot about me you don't know."
"Apparently."
"So, what's it gonna be? Which one do you wanna start with?"
Monica smiled sheepishly. "How about 'up close and personal'?"
"I somehow knew you'd say that."
He put the tape in the VCR and joined her on the couch, his arm going around her shoulder. Monica smiled up at him and put her head on his shoulder, her arms around his waist.
They spent the better part of the day curled up in front of the TV watching old movies. Skinner called them in the afternoon to tell them that it was probably safer to stay at home, but that four agents would sit watch outside. No fingerprints had been found on the note, so basically they were back to square one. They had nothing, not even a hunch. Deep down John knew Brad had something to do with it, but he let it rest. He was sure he would make a mistake soon. That was, if Skinner's plan would work. Skinner would accidentally tell Brad about John and Monica's relationship, hoping to make him blindly jealous. If that plan worked well, they would catch him soon. He didn't tell Monica about the plan, not wanting to scare her more than necessary. If Brad wasn't their guy, it was a very risky plan, John knowing very well that he and Monica would probably be split up.
At around nine thirty, after a nice dinner, Monica started yawning. John looked at her. "Why don't we go to bed?"
"We?" she joked, John smiling sheepishly. They walked upstairs and both got changed in the bathroom. John was waiting in bed for Monica to join him and when she entered the room he lifted the covers and pulled her close to him. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Night Mon."
She yawned. "Night John." Even before he head touched the pillow, she was already half asleep.
Monica awoke in the middle of the night with from a nightmare, sitting straight up in bed, and waking John in the process. She turned on the lamp on the night table and John looked at her. Her face was white and she was shaking. "What's wrong Mon?"
She put her hand in front of her mouth, her eyes wide. "Oh my God John, those eyes..." She paused and swallowed back tears. "It was Brad!"
