Kathleen A

Kathleen A. Klatte

"The Demons Within"

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Missing Scene: Daemonicus

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I carefully check the safety on my weapon and holster it. I want both hands free. To do what, I'm not precisely sure. I eye my friend and colleague, John Doggett, carefully, watching for some hint of what he might do next. John's eyes burn with a manic gleam as he out stares into the dark, oily water. I know that what he wants most, right at this second, is to haul up the body of the suspect he's just shot onto the dock to confirm the death...to prove that this is really over. I'm half-afraid he might try to jump in and retrieve the body himself, and I know that once John Doggett makes up his mind to do something, he's damn hard to sidetrack.

One of the few chinks in John's otherwise impervious armor of police professionalism is his concern for his friends. I'm about to exploit that mercilessly. Anything to keep him out of that water and get the three of us off this damn dock.

"Dana, are you all right?" I ask in a clear voice.

The smaller, red haired woman nods slowly. "I think I'd like to go home now," Dana Scully replies quietly.

I carefully swallow a smile as I see my words have the desired effect.

"'Course you would," Doggett agrees, holstering his gun and stepping back from the edge of the dock. "You sure you're all right?" he asks her.

Scully nods again, with a little half smile, but a shiver betrays her, despite the bulky jacket that one of the DC cops had wrapped around her.

John notices and wraps his arm securely around Dana's shoulders, tucking her in tightly against his side. "Monica, you OK if I drive Agent Scully home?"

This time, I can't repress that smile. The contrast between the formality of "Agent Scully" and the familiarity of his arm around her is a little too much for my nerves at this point.

I try very hard to repress a sharp stab of jealousy, because I know damn well that John would do the same for me. And yet... "Want me to pick you up at your place in the morning?" I ask as casually as I can.

I watch as John's gaze sweeps over Dana's features, noting her pallor, and the shadows under her eyes, and the way her hands are still slightly trembling. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he tries to camp out on her sofa tonight.

"Thanks, Monica. I'll let ya know."

"That's not necessary," Dana protests, but John isn't listening as he steers her towards the car. He's made up his mind that he's going to take care of her this evening and once John Doggett has decided to do something, he becomes your basic irresistible force, as anyone who tries to interfere quickly discovers. Like that homicide detective who's blocking their way. I suppose I'd better go deal with that so John can get Dana out of here. She's had a rough night, and I want him away from here. I want him to get this case out of his system. God knows, John has enough obsessions...first his son, then Agent Mulder and Dana and her baby...he doesn't need another piece of unsolved lunacy to keep him awake nights.

Hell, I don't need this, either. This entire case has been fraught with something other than criminal intent. Something...evil. Something that even now, is sinking beneath the dark waters of this harbor. I hope it stays there. I hope we never encounter anything like it again. I don't think we'll be that lucky.

I shiver as I take one last look back at the greasy, still surface of the water.

Fin.