Monica Reyes POV:

The X-Files Office

February 4, 2004

3:35 p.m.

"I've got directions to her house," I tell John, sliding it past him on the desk.

"Samantha's?"

"That is, unless you've been there before? Maybe you know a shorter route?"

"Will you drop it, Monica?"

"No," I laugh, "I want to know all about this past life of yours with the NYPD."

"There isn't much to tell."

"Then this shouldn't take too long," I grin, taking a seat and getting comfortable to hear his story.

"Monica," he lets out a sigh of defeat, trying to come up with any possible scenario to get himself out of speaking about her.

"So, you two had a fling in the past," I eye him intently. "The news isn't that shocking."

"I was married and it wasn't a fling," he corrects me.

"All right, an affair."

"It wasn't that either."

"Then what was it?" I quip, my head tilting slightly to the side, imaging what transpired between the two of them. "Indulge me," I whisper in a low breath, scooting closer to John Doggett.

"Monica, we're at work!" he chides, as I move my hand over and down his chest.

"Hasn't stopped us before." I lick my lips as I eye his mouth, knowing exactly what I want. "Tell me how she was."

"We never had sex," he chokes out in a cough, his lungs lacking the necessary oxygen required to survive.

"Then what did you have?" I eye him intently.

"Nothing," he laughs, bringing his hands together on the desk.

"I don't buy it."

"It's the truth."

"Why all this secrecy?" I question.

He shrugs with a smile, "I never said she wasn't a phenomenal kisser."

"Oh really?" My eyes meet his with a challenge. "Better then me?"

"I don't recall," he laughs, and my eyes glance into his. They've turned a darker shade of blue, filled with desire and want.

"Do I need to refresh your memory?" I tease, drawing my tongue over my lips and John leans closer to feel and taste the sweetness between us.

"Excuse me," I hear Assistant Director Skinner coughing at the door and I immediately grab a file, pretending to be hard at work.

"Yes?" John eyes Skinner, curious about his appearance in the basement office.

"I've heard you're taking on a case involving the New York Field Office?"

"We've been called about an X-File," I answer, eyeing John and then our boss.

"I'm aware," he nods, glancing between us suspiciously. "I've been called personally about the investigation."

"We don't even know the circumstances of what's transpired," I point out.

"You'll get the details tomorrow. I just wanted to warn you that you've got one of the best agents of the Missing Persons Unit who needs your help first thing in the morning. Don't disappoint the Bureau." He exits the office and my eyes are wide, eyeing John.

"You heard him, one of the best agents," John repeats.

"I guess that means they have a good solve rate," I chime with a grin.

"Monica."

"Hmmm?" I close the file, tossing it onto the desk and glance up into his steely blue gaze.

"You want to head out early? Think anyone will notice?" His lips curve up in a smile. "The day's been slow as it is. Besides, we could always head up to New York tonight and stay at a hotel."

"Sounds like a plan."

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

Jack Malone POV:

Jack's Office

February 4, 2004

2:22 p.m.

I stand up, slip my cell phone into my pocket, and head for Van Doren's office. She doesn't look pleased to see me, and I can't blame her. I haven't had time to explain my actions of sending Agent Spade home. How do I tell her that Samantha's behavior when she woke up in bed beside me was unusual? Of course, her actions at work weren't any different; at least I have that support to help with my decision.

"Jack," she eyes me with a tight-lipped smile, motioning for me to come in and take a seat. "I want to discuss Samantha's absence."

"Yes," I nod, "there have been some problems recently and I was concerned about her going into the field."

"You sent her for a psychological work up," she eyes the report. "It claims she's fit for duty."

"She may be, but she's also not herself."

"How so?" Van Doren eye's rise in curiosity.

"I know her, Paula."

"I'm aware of that, Jack." Her eyes stare into mine before she continues on with the discussion. "Is this some personal matter between the two of you? If it is, then I can easily have the issue removed. A transfer might be the best decision for all parties."

"I'm just concerned about her. She doesn't have the slightest idea of what case we're working on. I can't see how she's fit for duty," I repeat.

"Nothing is physically wrong with her. You can send her twice a week to meet with the in-house therapist if you're concerned."

"I think it's something else."

"Stress?" she questions.

"Perhaps," I nod. "I can't say for certain. I'm not a mind reader and she certainly won't talk to me about it."

"Well you'd better figure things out, Jack. Her job won't be waiting forever."

"Paula."

"I'm sorry, I can't help you," she tells me. "Agent Spade is a phenomenal field agent but if she's not up to the job description, I can't even give her a temporary leave of absence."

"You're going to fire her?"

"I'd likely be able to get her some sort of severance package."

"That's it?" I stand up, angered by this new information. "She gets shot in the line of duty and this is the thanks she gets?"

I storm out of her office, upset by this news and concerned for Samantha's well being.

I know Samantha. If something is bothering her, she'd talk about it--- right? I head into my office and go over the latest case, trying desperately to look past my own problems. I can't get her smile out of my head---the glow of her eyes, the way her hair frames her beautiful face. There are no words to describe it.

"Jack?"

I glance up to see another one of my agents, Vivian Johnson, standing in the doorway.

"Come in," I tell her.

"I heard you had a meeting with Van Doren."

"Yeah," the words slip from my tongue, like a blade cutting my throat.

"Take it things didn't go so well."

"You could say that." I pause, glancing up to meet Vivian's eyes. "What is it?"

"We've got a ransom demand for our missing person."