Monica Reyes POV:

The X-Files Office

February 4, 2004

9:45 a.m.

John Doggett sits at his desk, his eyes on me as he scribbles down the information before hanging up the phone.

"A new case?" I probe.

"They wouldn't talk about it over the phone. An agent from the New York Field Office called it in."

"Who?" I glance into John's clear blue eyes.

"Samantha Spade."

A smile grows on my lips. "You're kidding!"

"No," he laughs softly, shaking his head. "I haven't heard from her in ages. She acted like she didn't even know who I was!"

"You didn't exactly remind her," I point out, moving closer to his body. I approach his desk and take a seat at the edge, my legs brushing his.

"It was forever ago," he muses.

"Tell me about her, John."

"There isn't anything to tell." He shifts uncomfortably, trying to move away from my grip. I lean down, my hands resting on the armrest, pinning him in the chair. My breath teases his lips as my eyes bore into his.

"Tell me," I repeat, as he swallows nervously and shifts in his chair.

**************

Jack Malone POV:

Jack's Office

February 4, 2004

2:15 p.m.

"Jack?" I glance up and see Martin stepping through the door. "Do you have a minute?"

"Take a seat," I answer him. I close the file I've been reviewing for the past twenty minutes and clasp my hands together in front of me. What news is he going to lay on me today? Another shooting gone bad or is it something worse?

"I'm concerned," he pauses, obviously uncomfortable with being in here, discussing whatever is on his mind.

"About what, Martin?"

"Samantha." He eyes me intently. "I don't know what's been going on--and I know it's none of my business--but I'm worried about her."

"So am I," I whisper. "I gave her a temporary leave of absence. Until she's suited to being in the field again, I thought it best to let her stay at home."

"Maybe she just needs a vacation. She puts in more hours than Vivian, Danny, and I combined." Martin's eyes meet mine.

"She didn't seem enthralled about taking a vacation or a leave of absence." I shake my head with a sigh. "I don't know what's going on with her, and I'm not sure she'd tell me anyhow."

"Do you want me to stop by tonight?" Martin offers, his smile soft and slightly energetic. "Maybe I could get her to divulge what's going on?"

"Don't press your luck. Give her a call before you stop by; otherwise she might shoot you."

Martin's eyes are wide with fear. "You'll be fine," I tell him, opening the file and getting back to work. He heads out of my office and finds Vivian and Danny to discuss the recent missing person's case.

The phone on my desk rings abruptly. "Malone."

"Jack, its Sa-Maria."

"Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she laughs softly. "I was going to pick up the girls from school in a little while. I wanted to know what time I should expect you for dinner and if you had anything in mind you wanted me to make."

Her voice is soft and I glance down at the photos of my girls on the desk, feeling so much love for my children. My gaze moves up over the desk and towards the blinds, looking through the office towards Samantha's desk where her lonely chair sits by her computer.

"I'm in the middle of a case right now, and we have one less agent. I'll likely be home late."

"Jack," her voice tells me she knows where I'll be going.

I have to see Samantha to make sure she is truly all right. If she's not, for all I know it could be my fault.

"I'll be home to tuck the girls in tonight."

"Yeah," her breath is a sigh of defeat and my head falls downward. "I love you," she reminds me, hoping that those words will save us---and bring me home.

"I'll see you tonight, Maria." I hang up the phone and hope I haven't upset her too much. I'm under enough pressure as it is.

"Jack," I glance up, seeing Paula Van Doren with her head in my office. "I need to see you in five," she tells me sternly.

"All right." I let out a soft sigh, wondering what she wants to talk about. Whatever it is, it can't be good.