Kathleen A. Klatte
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[email protected]
"Twice Now"
Feedback and commentary are most welcome.
Disclaimer: The X-Files is the property of Chris Carter, FOX, and Ten Thirteen productions, et al; this is a recreational endeavor, no profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Eighth season to date.
Scully & Doggett
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Dana Scully released her seatbelt and leaned forward the instant the flight leveled out and the seatbelt sign blinked out. Special Agent John Doggett observed surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye for a few minutes as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, then he flagged down a flight attendant.
"Ma’am, do you suppose I could trouble you for a couple of pillows?" he asked quietly. The woman returned a moment later and Doggett thanked her before turning to Scully, who was eyeing him curiously. "Lean forward," he suggested, offering her his free arm to brace herself. He deftly slipped one pillow behind her lower back to cushion the entry wound made by that disgusting slug-creature, and the second behind her neck, to cushion the equally ugly gash he’d made cutting it out of her. "Better?" he asked as Scully cautiously leaned back.
She sighed softly, then opened her eyes and graced him with a small, Mona Lisa smile. "Yes. Thank you." Scully chuckled quietly. "I seem to be thanking you a lot lately."
Doggett shrugged slightly. "These things have a way of evening out over time."
"That they do," Scully agreed.
Scully’s eyes slipped shut then and Doggett thought that the stress and meds had finally caught up to her and she’d dozed off. Moving carefully so as not to disturb her, he pulled out a notepad to work on their final report, but his mind kept drifting away from the task at hand.
~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That’s twice now that I’ve held her in my arms. I meant what I said, when I told her that watching her back was never an option – I’ve felt that way about every person I’ve been partnered with. Agent Scully is one of the most learned and professional people I’ve ever worked with, and one of the bravest. I think it’s that courage that gets her into trouble…I think she forgets that she has her limits. Hell, I think we all do…until I see her hurt and bleeding and realize just how fragile she is.
There’s something about her…some look in her eyes that says that this is more than just a job to her, and that it’s brought her more than her share of pain. And something in me would like nothing better than to take that pain away and protect her…and if she knew what I was thinking, she’d probably deck me.
And then of course, there’s Mulder. They’ve been together for seven years, and whatever else the rumor mill might have to say, I’ve seen enough to know that there’s a very deep, personal friendship there at the very least. I’ve heard all the stories, about how he’d drag Scully out into the middle of God-knows-what and she’d get hurt or kidnapped or whatever. And she looked surprised when I picked up her bag. I know a lot of female agents are into the women’s lib thing, but Mrs. Doggett didn’t raise any bums – a gentleman carries a lady’s bag for her, end of discussion. Makes me wonder of Mulder used to do stuff like that for her…just…little stuff, to show her how special she is.
A lot of people blame Mulder for a lot of things that have happened to Scully, both personally and professionally. I’d like to know the truth, because Dana Scully doesn’t strike me as someone who gives her loyalty or her trust easily. But she trusts, and I think, loves, Mulder. I’d like to know why.
This started out as just another assignment for me, to find a missing agent. But now it’s become more…I want to find Mulder, or at the very least, discover what happened to him, for her, so she can find her peace at last.
~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That’s twice now that he’s held me in his arms. I know that most female agents try to emulate their male counterparts, so that the aforementioned male counterparts don’t come to consider them liabilities in the field, but…I guess I’m just so tired…and it felt so good to lean on someone else for just a little while. I feel guilty. My partner of seven years – my friend - has disappeared without a trace. Wherever he is, I don’t think he has anyone to hold him or comfort him and so I feel guilty for having someone to depend on.
John Doggett is a good man, I think. Seven years of working on the X-Files has given me a very jaundiced view of life in general, and other agents in particular, but Agent Doggett has a strength and an…honesty…that are very comforting. I’m glad he’s with me, because I don’t think I can do this by myself. And I must admit, I enjoy the little courtesies he extends – holding doors and carrying my bag – things that Mulder was just as likely to forget. God, that sounds so petty.
I know somehow, that it is John Doggett who will be with me when I find Mulder. I can’t say why, exactly, but feel very strongly that he has committed himself to this search and that he has the conviction to follow it to the end. I wonder sometimes, what they will think of one another when they meet. Agent Doggett reminds me very much of myself when I first came to the X-Files - and I don’t think Mulder cared for me much when we first met.
~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A ripple of silent laughter shook Scully’s diminutive form.
"What’s so funny?" Doggett asked curiously.
"I was just thinking," Scully began, her smile fading guiltily, "I think I’ve been treating you the way Mulder treated me, when I first came to the X-Files."
"You mean ditching me, or just not trusting me?" he asked gently.
"Both," Scully admitted. "I haven’t been very fair to you, and I apologize."
Doggett turned slightly in his seat so he could see Scully’s face without her having to move. He chose his next words carefully. "There are a lot of…things…said around the Agency – about you, about Agent Mulder, and about the X-Files. I’m sure you’ve heard some of them."
"Only the most offensive and improbable ones," Scully admitted wryly.
"So, I guess I can’t blame you for being…on your guard. But please believe me when I tell you that I want to help you find your partner."
Scully sucked in a deep breath. "I do believe you," she replied slowly. Her smile blossomed again as she held out her hand. "Think maybe we could start over?"
Doggett smiled warmly in return as his hand closed around hers. "Deal." He released her hand and watched as she slowly drew it back into her lap. After a moment, he spoke again. "Since I’ve pretty much determined that the stuff being said around the Agency about Mulder is BS, would you do me a favor? Would you tell me what he’s really like? Because I think he must be a very special person for you to care so much about him."
Scully smiled indulgently, despite a faint sheen of tears that silvered her eyes. "Mulder is an extraordinarily complex person," she began. "He doesn’t give his trust or his loyalty easily, but he will literally go to the ends of the earth for someone he considers a friend…"
Fin.
Copyright © 2000 Kathleen Klatte
All Rights Reserved