| John Doggett was standing at the door. He was wearing one of his beloved Marine T-shirts, jeans and a black leather jacket. He was carrying a large box, and smiling. "Oh, God, John, I was just thinking about you!" "Good or bad?" "Good...always good. Come on in." He did, and set the box down on her coffee table. "I brought some stuff over for William. I had a bunch of things stored away that belonged to Luke. I decided it was time to get rid of them. Some of them are too big for this little guy," He said, stroking the baby's soft hair, "But he'll grow into them." "John, I don't know what to say." Dana's heart ached every time she thought about what Doggett must have gone through when his son was murdered. "That's a very special gift, and I'll treasure all of it." He looked around. "Where's Mulder? I was looking forward to seeing him again. I thought he'd be here." "I have no idea where he is. Since he started this new business he's been driven. I never know what's going on with him." It was hard to hide the strain in her voice, and she glanced away. He had noticed the look of pain in her eyes, but didn't know what to do about it. Doggett had never been able to figure out Scully and Mulder's relationship. Dana Scully was a smart, beautiful, devoted woman,and Mulder didn't seem to appreciate her at all. He had been tempted on several occasions to try to talk some sense into Mulder, but he knew by now that Mulder never listened to anyone's advice. Finally he just said, "I'm sorry. Can I do anything to help?" "You could have dinner with me, unless you've got plans." "No, I'd like that. Want me to hold the little guy while you get organized? I haven't held a baby in a long time. I'd like to remember what it feels like." "You can hold him and keep him," Dana teased, "At least until he gets done teething." John took the baby and walked around the apartment with him, looking out the windows, at pictures, just talking to him. William sat quietly in his arms, taking everything in. "Hey," said Dana, "He really likes talking to you." Doggett laughed. "He's probably just trying to figure out my voice. I've lived all over the world and it shows. I get a lot of grief over it." "How did you get from Georgia to New York, is what I'd like to know." "I joined the Marines at 19. I traveled all over, Europe, Asia, the Middle East. I thought about making a career of it, but I was in Lebanon when the barracks got bombed. I lost a lot of good buddies. I decided to get out, and New York seemed like a good place to go to school." As he talked, William looked up at him steadily. Dana watched the baby gurgling happily, and shook her head. "Not everyone is that good with kids, John, and not all guys like babies. Mulder says he'll play with William when he's old enough to hold a baseball bat." Then Mulder IS an idiot, John Doggett thought to himself, although he didn't say so. "William, you're all right," He said to the baby. He looked up at Dana. "It does me good to see him here, safe and sound. With all the stuff I heard about aliens and chips and implants, I was really worried about him." Dana put the food on the table, and looking up, saw that her child had gone to sleep in John Doggett's arms. "Want me to take him?" "I'll put him to bed." Doggett got the baby down in his crib without waking him, and Dana felt tears in her eyes. It was so nice to have some help! They had a pleasant meal, and Dana cheered up considerably. Doggett couldn't compliment her cooking enough. "This is great. I usually go out to eat. I can cook a little, but I usually don't bother." "Why do you have such a big house then?" Dana asked curiously. "I traveled so much when I was in the service that I decided when I got out, I'd always have a house. I just wanted to have a home. Sounds nuts, doesn't it?" "No," said Dana, "It sounds sweet. Just what I'd expect from you." He actually blushed, and she found herself smiling once again. |