He lay there under the covers in the darkened room, the only light coming from the gentle illumination of the alarm clock beside the bed. It was the quiet before sleep he had gone through so many times in the past but this was different. This was at the end of a day where he had experienced some romance in his usually prosaic life.
John's mind flipped back to the scene in the car on their trip that morning. What had come over him to suddenly pull over like that and kiss her? He didn't even want to think what would have happened if she'd refused him. Instead the kiss was so much more remarkable than he ever thought possible. He had dreamt about that instant, the moment of their first kiss, but it had been all so different, the timing and the event itself.
Rolling onto his side he brought the covers with him and thought about when he had laid next to her on the bed that afternoon. It had been so tempting just to touch her, to feel what he had only imagined in the past. When she moved the way she did and hearing that moan, displaying her desire for more of his touch, he couldn't help but let his body rule his actions. The kiss was even sweeter than in the car. Her body under him was so inviting. The way she moved and sighed and let him sink himself into her, worked his passion up to heights he hadn't remembered for years.
As Monica had said, it might have been mainly fantasy on her part but calling his name made it a dream with him playing a part.
Monica had clearly wanted him and he her. For the first time they could have made love on the bed that afternoon but that was not to be. He had no regrets; it was the right decision to hold off what they both wanted. It showed that their jobs were indeed important and that their training came to the fore in a time of vulnerability.
John rolled onto his chest, resting his arms up over his head, his cheek skimming the soft cotton pillow, his naked shoulders feeling the coolness of the room. He was pleased that the ladies were not right next door, that way he was left with his own thoughts, and not influenced by what he heard.
As his body relaxed into the comfort of his bed he thought about how he and Monica had been so relaxed on their walk that evening and how good her hand had felt entwined with his. If Dana hadn't been arriving until later, what could have happened between them? They had done all they could for the day case-wise. Could he have lead her to his room to finish off what they both wanted?
His mind imagined her standing there before him next to the bed. Her eyes told him she wanted to go all the way and when she lifted her shirt over her head letting it fall to the floor, he was certain.
Her hands went behind to undo her bra and when she peeled it off, his jaw relaxed letting his mouth fall open. She was perfect, even more so than imagined. Her bare upper body cried out to be explored.
"Touch me John." It was a simple command but it was all he needed to move forward and comply. His heart pounded furiously as he ran light fingers over her shoulders and down her arms. She took his hand and laid it on her breast inviting the other to join in. Their soft, supple fullness caressed his digits and she leant her head back enjoying what his fingers were exploring. As she crooned pleasure he watched her silky skin in the darkened room.
'Touch,' he mouthed the word. That's what had made him come to see that Monica wanted him. In the past week there had been so many signs that had slowly become apparent but the greatest of these were the touches. It had been the gentle nudge on the shoulder, the fingers caressing his forearm and the hand along his thigh. There were the times when they were looking at the same file and sat closer than ever, comfortably in each other's personal space.
Shifting his chest, he lifted his body and moved his head to face the side of the bed where his fantasy was taking shape.
Wanting to feel her more closely he swiftly lifted his T-shirt off his body leaving both chests exposed. Her fingers drew a line over his chest and then her hands moved around to his back, pulling him closer, the smile never leaving her face.
"Like this?" John's hands stroked her back, feeling its soft, gentle contours as he looked at her lips and moved closer until he could feel her breasts sinking into his chest. He gave her a gentle, slow kiss then moved back for her to talk.
"Yes, just like that, and more," she whispered close to his open mouth. The next kiss was just as sweet. John could really feel her lips on his and her mouth part to let him inside. Her fingertips ran through his hair then around his neck pulling him even closer to strengthen the blending of physical affection. Those fingerprints skimmed down his back to the rim of his jeans just as he had felt her that afternoon on the bed, undoing his belt.
The urge had been so strong to let her go that one step further and then maybe the next but even getting on the bed and feeling over her body, kissing her, lying on top of her were all previous steps he had tried to halt. This time in his mind he would go further.
She slowly unzipped him and pulled down his pants just enough to get her hand inside. She was welcomed with a readiness for her that made her throat rumble with lust. Fingers interweaved around his staff and began a move that was causing his body to over heat.
Feeling himself sweating, John rolled onto his back, flicking the sheet off his overheated body and stared up at the darkened ceiling. How could he go on like that? The person he truly wanted was only a few doors away. He could go to her and lead her back to his room for the night. Who was to know that two FBI partners had slept one night together in a small isolated town's motel? Dana would know. Would she tell?
His mind went back to the dream before it faded and sleep took over.
It was John's turn to take the next step and pull off the remainder of Monica's clothing. In the dimness he made out her slim shape. With his hands he felt over her skin as he slid down her jeans and underwear. Once around her ankles she flicked off her shoes and other clothing as John tenderly kissed over her abdomen smelling the remnant scent from her clean clothes.
Kissing his way back to her mouth he straightened his body wanting to go further than ever.
"I want you Monica," his rough voice pierced the stillness of the room. "I want you in bed with me."
"You do?" She respired between their impassioned lips as her fingers pulled on his clothing. With her help they swiftly removed the remainder of the garments between them and stood ever so close, two naked people caressing, kissing and loving.
John rolled on his side, leaving the sheet to fall off his body and to accept Monica's bare form beside him. She lifted a thigh to rest on his, letting his hard on flick between her legs. In his mind's eye it was all too genuine. The veins in his neck throbbed intensely from need, the need to be inside her, to feel the inner heat of the one he loved. They rolled on the bed, bodies enveloped and kissing fervently.
The coolness of the room was forgotten as Monica took charge and lay above him, his manhood at her entrance. There was a moment of pure love shared between them before she channelled him inside. Passion, friction, heat, blood soaring through arteries, heavy breathing and moaning encompassed the room as they took up position after position sharing each other's bodies. Thrusts alternated with kisses as the energy on the bed spiralled up to its zenith.
John's chest rose and fell in increased timing to the throes of his fantasy. It was when he imagined his lover in her final ecstasy and about to come that reality hit him. His eyes opened and he suddenly sat up in bed feeling so totally alone. What was he thinking? It was very uncomfortable between his legs. He needed release but not the way of the past, he wanted it to be real. Monica was in reach and he knew she was ready.
Looking at the clock said fifteen after eleven, not too late to pay a visit to his partner's room and try to entice her to his. Flipping his legs over the side of the bed he slipped on his nearby T-shirt and his jeans over his boxers. Bare feet would be fine for such a short journey.
It was cool on the path but only a short distance away he stopped outside her door, heart pounding from the anticipation of the moment, not caring if Dana knew what he was there for.
His hand went to knock when he heard the sounds from within the room. They were not sounds from dreams but reality.
"Oh Monica, just there," Dana groaned out.
"You like that?" Monica's voice sounded so sexy.
"Hmm," Dana crooned.
John's fist stayed frozen, on the verge of knocking.
*****
(STGBT)
Stiff as a board, John stared at the door as if he had x-ray vision, and was trying to focus on what was happening beyond him. As he listened intently, the grunts returned, only this time, more audible and in rapid succession. Sure that the two woman were engaged in some monkey business, his hand pounded on the door as he screamed, "Monica, open this door!"
Through the noise of his knuckles banging on the hard steel, he heard the faint reply of "Hold on John."
As he stopped his beating of the inanimate object his blood boiled at the thought of what those two were doing behind the door. Is imagination ran wild thinking of their naked forms twisted and intertwined on the sheets, flesh mingled with lips and fingers. He raised his fist and was about to start again when the door opened. Standing there was Monica dressed in loose night pants and a white tank top.
"What the hell is going on in there?" He questioned with anger
"Nothing John, and keep your voice down. What has gotten into you?" She answered, slowly pulling the door to an almost close.
"Do not tell me nothing Monica, I could hear the moans coming from hear. Whatever it is you two are doing, I think I deserve an explanation." His anger was becoming more enraged.
"And just what are you implying?" She knew but had to keep up the act, "And come to think of it, what are you doing hanging around outside my room?"
"Oh no, don't twist this around, I heard you asking Dana if she liked it," as his tone increased in volume, his brain went into overdrive and thought back to something he heard her say earlier, "And how did you know there wouldn't be any rooms available for Dana to stay in. I'm the one who checked into the hotel. You planned all this didn't you." His anger was getting the best of him, and each time she tried to respond, he cut her off. "And what about this afternoon on the bed, the walk, and that kiss before I went off to bed. Was that all just some sort of foreplay for you?"
By this time, other guests had begun to peek outside their doors to see what the commotion was about. As Monica tried to reason with John to quiet down, he waved his arms at the onlookers to go back inside.
"John," she reached for his arms, "you're upset. Settle down and come inside." She tried to pull him in, but he resisted. "What you heard was me giving Dana a massage. She was feeling cramped from the drive. That's all. Think about it, if we were doing anything, wouldn't it have taken longer for me to answer the door. And yes, I did call ahead to see if there were going to be rooms available, but it was to see if you and I would have to spend out time together. I didn't know Dana was even coming up." It was a stretch, but laced with some truth. Plus she figured it would help calm him.
"I'm sorry Monica," he began as her touch soothed him, "there has been some strange things going on with you and Dana lately, and with everything that happen today, I guess I'm a little off nerve." He took several deep breaths as he hung his head low in shame. "And I was coming to see if you still wanted to spend the night together."
"Awe John," she took his hand and lifted his head so their eyes were in line, "I'm sure I would have reacted the same way. And in light of the circumstances, I think we should be separate tonight. I know we can trust Dana with anything that would happen between us, but there's no need to bring her into it just yet." She suggested knowing it was probably breaking his heart.
"Alright I do understand, but please, get her out of here as quick as possible tomorrow, so we finish this case and resolve whatever tension there is between us." As he spoke, a grin moved across his lips full well knowing his words left no doubt in her mind what he was talking about.
"Agreed." She responded as she touched his lips.
As they separated and John turned to walk away, she slapped his behind, "Soon." Was all she said as she disappeared back into the room. John walked away satisfied that his accusation was unfounded and that soon his fantasies would become reality.
Monica re-entered with the look of a giddy schoolgirl. Glancing at Dana, she was grinning knowing her plan to push John over the edge was working beyond her expectations. She felt bad for John, and fully understood his frustrations, and as much as she would have loved to have stayed with him that night, there was one chapter she needed to close, and fast. She was enjoying her game with Dana, but knew John would never be able to accept it. Especially since they all worked together.
Sitting behind and placing her hands on Dana's shoulders, she continued were she left off. Dana asked if everything was working out as they had planned, and she gave a resounding yes interlaced with a chuckle. She reconvened the conversation as her hands dropped lower along Dana's back, and moved to her sides. Looking at the inviting pale neck in front of her, she leaned forward and planted little wet pecks along the warm flesh, as both hands gently rubbed the perky breasts though the light material.
"Hmm, now that feels good." Dana sighed. As she felt the moist lips of her partner take in her right ear lop, she offered a slight protest, "Should we really be doing this Monica?"
With a soft blow she answered, "I wouldn't worry about John anymore tonight, and besides, I still owe you from the last time."
With her reassuring words, Dana's hands cupped the ones on her chest and pulled them closer. The heat flowing through her body was rising as Monica's tongue was working circles around her neck. Unable to stand it any longer, she turned to talk her dark haired female friend in an embrace. She attacked Monica's mouth with her own tongue, as she pulled her down onto the bed. In haste, she tore at Monica's little clothing and ripped her own off. She had been waiting for this all day.
As she lowered her head to take one on the dark nipples in her grasp, Monica's fingers traced their way down the creamy thighs to find the moist center of Dana's core. Before she could go any further, Monica rolled her onto her back. "No no," she wiggled a finger on her free hand, "tonight it's your turn."
Kissing the fair lady one last time, she retraced the path her fingers took with her lips and tongue, making sure to stop and pay attention to the heaving mounds of Dana. After a brief delay, Dana watched until all that was visible was the dark locks of hair. With her finger working it's way in and out Dana's hot spot, she kissed all along the insides of her thighs, moving closer and then further away from Dana's delicate petals.
"Oh Monica, please" she pleaded as she raised her hips to meet the increasing rhythm of the slender digit inside of her. She watched as Monica extracted her finger and stuck in into her mouth to taste her juices. As the tip exited, she felt Monica's hands on her ass, raising her up. With hips in the air, she groaned as Monica's face became buried in her delicious den of delights. She was trying to control her moaning as Monica's tongue probed at the inner walls of her sweetness.
As Monica's oral navigation of her most private of parts continued, Dana grabbed her partner's head and began to grind her flooding bud against her mouth. She was rapidly reaching the point of no return. Sensing this, Monica slowed her movements to allow for more build up. If this was going to be the last time, she was going to give Scully the orgasm of a lifetime.
Dana, eyes closed, and groaning in complete excitement, was fondling her own orbs with one hand, while loosely resting the other atop Monica's head. She could feel the others hands squeezing her rear and massaging her inner thighs, as that tongue drove her into a frenzy. Crying to Monica that she is so close, she pulled her legs up further to allow more access.
Taking the cue, Monica attacked the strawberry colored love bud in front of her. With each flick of her spongy appendix, she brought Dana to the point of orgasmic explosions. To finalize her treatment, she took one finger and gently rubbed the outside of Dana's back door. That was all it took. Dana shook in a nipple-bursting eruption; that was so intense, that it left her light-headed for many minutes after Monica finished.
Resting in each other's arms, they lightly ran fingers around each other's smooth sweat drenched flesh. Dana was still catching her breath and allowing the blood to flow to parts of her body that were lacking just minutes prior, when Monica looked deep into her eyes and spoke.
"Dana, I have had a really great time with you the last couple of weeks..." She wanted to finish, but was cut off.
"I know what you're going to say, and I agree. The plan has worked, and it's time for you to focus on John." She cuddled deeper into Monica's arms. "I must say that I'm disappointed that it didn't take long, but I know this has to end." She hid her sadness at the thought of never having Monica do to her what she just did, but understood it had to end. She leaned back, kissed her partner, and rolled back around to go to sleep, not wanting the inevitable pain to creep in.
XXX
The next morning:
"Good morning ladies!" John stated with an uncharacteristic cheerfulness.
"Morning Agent Doggett," Scully responded, "I trust you slept well?"
He just nodded his head. As he stood there, he watched the two women hug, but it seemed different than all the playful touches he had been witnessing lately.
"I'll call you when I get back to D.C. with anything I find." She spoke to both of them.
Doggett and Reyes watched as she began to drive away, then turned to look at each other. Knowing that the rest of the time was just theirs, John asked if she wanted to get a bit to eat. With a nod of agreement, they turned to get in the car and find a real place to have a meal.
Driving down the street and taking in the small quaint town, Dana noticed a truck parked off to the side in a back alley. Thinking it was strange for a truck to be pulled in like that, she turned into the alley to get a closer look. Leaving the car running, she got out to inspect the vehicle. It was an ordinary white box truck with the company name of "Beaver Land Corporation" written in blue on the door. It was small enough that unless you were next to it, a person would not be able to read it. Inspecting it further, she noticed a faint glow coming from the rear tires. Was it the early morning light glistening from the damp rubber, or the same chemical found in the fingernails.
With these and many other questions running through her mind, she decided to delay her departure, and go and talk to the sheriff. Not wanting to bother Monica and John, she went on her own. Finding the inconspicuous building, she knocked and entered. "Hello?" She called. Noting no presence of a human, she walked around looking carefully upon the desks below her. Seeing the sign for the sheriff's desk, she moved closer with a keener eye.
Peering down, she spotted an envelope sticking out from a drawer. Judging by the way it was placed, she deduced it was put here in haste. Bending to examine it closer, she could make out the blue writing of "nd Corporation". Instantly, she formed some theories about what was going on. Not wanting to delay her return any further, she quickly went back to her car and drove away.
XXX
"If you don't mind, I took the liberty of calling the sheriff this morning. He and a deputy will be meeting us back at his office when we get back." John informed Monica as they made their way back to the tiny town.
"What's the plan for the investigation?"
"Well, the deputy and I will head back up the mountain to go further into the forest, while you fill in the sheriff what we found, saw yesterday, and what Dana told us."
"Are you sure you want to go up there John, we still don't know what's out there. And I already know what you are going to say, but I'd like to be the one going back up." She put a finger in the air to stop him, "Hear me out. I want to see if I can recapture that feeling I had. If I can pinpoint it, or a least find out where it's coming from, we might be able to end this case sooner." Her request was ended with a hand on his lap.
"Absolutely not Monica! There is no way I'm letting you go back up there alone!" He voiced his disdain for her idea.
"I won't be alone, and we both have weapons. Plus we'll have radios if anything should happen." She was going to finish, but just for fun, decided to throw in one last line, "and besides, I can take care of myself."
After their talk at breakfast, he reluctantly agreed. Monica had revealed that more was going on between Dana and her. She wanted to be honest with him. But she was selective about what she had told him. As far as he knew after that morning, they had slept together once, and that last night after he left, they talked about ending it, so that she and he might pursue something. Uncomfortable with this new knowledge, he accepted her past, and agreed not to look at Dana any differently. From now on, he was only going to focus on her and work, and allow himself the pleasure of finding a relationship with Monica.
***
(ILS)
John watched on from the front door of the Sheriff's office as the Deputy Strachan and his partner headed for the crime scene once more. Monica looked back before entering the car, and immediately John had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. This time it was more than just concern for the safety of his partner. He had felt this before. He swallowed hard trying to flush the emotion from his mind and turned to the Sheriff.
"What's happening here Sheriff?" John frowned keeping the cool manner he'd reserved ever since re-entering the office from the afternoon before. With all his suspicions he wasn't about to become too chummy with this man.
"You know as much I do." He said a little too calmly and anyone else would probably believe he was telling the truth but from his years of police work Agent Doggett wasn't so accepting.
"What about the footprint we found and the fabric remnant? How many men have you had on this case Watts?" John wasn't about to let him get away with anything.
"Didn't think it needed any more than a couple until you guys from the bureau came." The Sheriff had a bite of his donut and a sip of coffee taking the situation too lightly for John's patience.
"So how many people are to die before you take this case seriously?" The Sheriff took another bite of donut almost trying to avoid the agent's icy stare.
"I'll have you know Agent Doggett, I do take my job seriously, just ask any of the town's people. I don't like your insinuations." His voice was increasing in volume in parallel to his growing defensiveness.
"Oh, I'm sure they would give you glowing reports," John said sarcastically, especially after the sheriff got off his chair displaying the same faint luminescence he had seen in the clearing near the crime scene. "What's that on your shoes?"
"What?" The Sheriff looked down, clearly calculating his reply. "Oh, I've been painting the house. Must have got some on my shoe."
"You usually do house painting in your best shoes Sheriff?" John decided not to wait for an answer but continued on. He would only get more lies anyway. "We saw something up in the mountain last night that you should be aware of."
"Oh?" The agent could see Watts was slowly losing some of his complacency.
"Do you know anything about an area close by to the crime scene that has been cleared of trees and vegetation? Seems to have the same 'paint' as your shoes." John walked over to the wall map and pointed giving substance to the fact he knew exactly where to go back and find it.
"Really? Do you think it has anything to do with these murders?" Watts was really trying the agent's patience.
"I think Sheriff Watts that there is more going on here than meets the eye and I will find out." He turned from the map to eye his adversary and strengthened his voice. "If anything happens to my partner because of what you're holding back I will have the full force of the law down on you."
"Calm down Agent Doggett, I'm sure Agent Reyes can take care of herself. Strachan will be there to watch her back."
John just gritted his teeth, even more worried for his partner.
XXX
Monica was part way along the path when Deputy Strachan caught up to her.
"So Steve, you have told us everything you know?" While questioning, Monica became aware of everything around her, she decided to see if she could get information out of the deputy that the Sheriff might or might not be imparting to her partner back at the office.
"It's all in the report." She gave him a look as to suggest that it was not what she had suspected.
"Why? You found something we didn't?"
"Just a little." They came to the police tape and the deputy lifted it to let Monica bob underneath.
"So you think there's more here than in the report?"
"How do explain the clearing to the west?" Monica was half listening to the deputy and half becoming aware of the surrounding woods. "Did you hear that?" For some reason the air went silent except for a faint cry through the thick vegetation.
"What?" The deputy was confused but then he heard it again. "What was that?"
"Shh," Monica made her way between the trees with her gun ready while Strachan followed. Both investigators were quiet and aware of every sound. It was more animal than human. "This way." Monica turned as she spoke to make sure the deputy was following.
"I'm calling the sheriff."
"Do it quietly, we don't want to frighten this thing off." Monica did a circle sweep of the bush before heading once again in the direction of the sounds that seemed to change in unpredicted sequences. The female agent was only slightly aware of what Strachan was telling the sheriff over his radio.
Then suddenly there was an unusual noise behind her. She quickly turned in time to see an unconscious deputy being dragged off by a creature she had never seen before in her life.
Before being able to sense her horror of the situation and do something to help, there was a noise behind her. She quickly turned to see another of the creatures.
All Doggett and Watts would have heard on the radio was a scream and a gunshot and then everything go quiet.
*****
(ILS)
"Monica!" John pulled the radio from Sheriff Watt's grasp. "Monica, talk to me!" Anxiously pacing the room he waited for a very silent few moments. "Are you there, Agent Reyes?" He looked up at Sheriff Watts with a killer look. "Deputy Strachan!"
The sheriff looked on with a worry that as yet he had not displayed.
The federal officer pointed an accusing finger at the sheriff.
"You better hope nothing has happened to them." He took charge and collected a rifle from the wall. The sheriff knew what he was going to do and threw him a box of ammunition he'd quickly extracted from his desk drawer.
"What do you want me to do?" Clearly the sheriff was not used to that type of urgency.
"Get on the frikkin' phone to the bureau and get us some more people up here quick smart." He was almost out the door when he turned back. "We need men here and fast, do what you have to."
XXX
Many images flashed through John's mind as he sped alone to the crime scene. He feared the worst and that these creatures had abducted his partner and the town's deputy sheriff. He didn't want to think about the consequences. Maybe he was overreacting just as he had with Monica and Dana the previous night but something told him that this time his partner was in grave danger.
Aggressively he thumped the steering wheel, frustrated about his decision to let Monica go without him. If he were there to watch her back she would probably not be in her certain situation. If any physical harm came to her he couldn't live with the thought that it would all be his fault.
With the other hand on the wheel he extracted his cell phone from his jacket pocket and with a thumb dialled Dana's cell phone number.
"Dana Scully," John breathed a sigh that it was really she and not the message bank.
"Dana, it's John. Where are you?" He stopped the car at the edge of the track and quickly got opened the car door.
"I'm halfway back to DC. Why?"
"Well do a one eighty and come back here, Monica's gone missing." He reached to the passenger seat for the rifle and ammunition and then began jogging along the track.
"John?"
"Looks like the creature or creatures have her and the deputy." He frantically looked around him as he reached the police tape where his partner and escort had recently traversed. "Dana, just get back here and make sure the sheriff is doing all in his power to help. I frankly don't trust that son of a bitch." With the arm holding the rifle he pulled up the tape and moved underneath.
"What are you doing?" Dana was already on her way back to the small town of Beruga at least forty-five minutes away on a good run.
"I'm at the scene now. Look, gotta go. Just hurry, will you!"
"You take care John, and find her for us," were the last words he heard before shutting off the phone and replacing it in his pocket.
Searching for any sign of the direction the two people went was quite difficult because of the all the activity in that area in the last few days. John placed the series of bullets in the barrel and then rested the firearm on his hip as he explored the perimeter of the small clearing.
He was at a loss as to the direction and almost frantic when something strange happened. Slowly standing upright he had the weirdest sensation. Could it have been the same feeling that Monica had experienced the evening before? In an almost trance like state but still fully aware he felt compelled to go in one certain direction into the undergrowth, the same direction Monica had taken when he had found her in a daydream.
It was a few meters into the bushes when he heard a crackling sound. Firearm at the ready he followed the sound becoming louder with each step. After a number of steps the crackling translated to words and then he saw it.
"Agent Doggett? Come in Agent Doggett." It was the sheriff's voice over the deputy's radio. He had found it in the leaf litter on the floor of the woods.
"Agent Doggett here, is that you Watts?"
"You've found it." The sheriff seemed unusually relieved. Perhaps he was feeling a little remorse for his former complacency.
"Talk to me Sheriff." As he spoke, John kept a look out for any signs of where his partner and escort had travelled.
"An Agent Dana Scully called and said that she's on the way here and has sent the evidence onto DC." John was still not convinced that he and the sheriff were on the same side but something told him that the disappearance of his deputy had kicked his ass into gear.
"Have you called for that back up?" John anxiously looked for anything that would suggest the direction his partner would have taken.
"Two FBI helicopters are on the way, should be there within a few hours. Just keep this frequency open and they'll be able to find you."
John dropped the arm holding the radio to his side as he felt a sudden force come over him.
There was only one way that was the right direction.
*****
(STGBT)
Trying to calm his own nerves in his desperate search, his senses where wide open as he dodged the ever-growing thick vegetation that was starting to form a dark canopy around him. He knew if he didn't stop, he might suffer the same fate as Monica, but he was not about to let his conscience turn him. He had lost someone close once, and he'd be dammed if he was going to let it happen again.
"Agent Doggett!" the shriek came from his pocket, "Agent Doggett, this is Watts. What's your location?"
As the sheriff talked, John's frustration grew at the officer's bad timing. He needed silence, and the radio was covering up the natural sounds of nature. "Sheriff Watts, what is it?" He responded in an angry tone.
"Agent Scully is about twenty five minutes away. What do you want me to do with her when she arrives?"
John stared at the radio in disbelieve. 'Didn't he just ask me that?' He questioned out loud at the insanity of the officer's question. "Bring her up here as quick as you can! The air support should arrive just before she does. I'm..," he heard the radio start to lose reception, "I'm about five hundred yards past the far right corner of the.." And with that the forest covered his frantic set of orders. Stuffing the device back into his pocket, he continued further, heart beating from the anxiety of what might be happening around him.
XXX
Watts paced the tiny walkways of his office; head hung low in disbelief. He kept telling himself that this had gone too far, and he could never forgive himself if anything happened to his deputy. He also realized that if anything serious happened to the agents, he was going to be in deep shit. As he rubbed the sweet from his brow, he heard the distinct sounds of helicopters in the distance. Reaching for his radio, he waited for the call.
"That was the last I heard from him." Watts told the lead pilot as his finger traced John's position on the map.
"Sheriff, what's the status on the agents?" A frantic Scully asked as she barged into the office.
"I don't know, plus, I have a lost deputy up there as well." He finished and turned, assuming that it was Agent Scully in front of him. "Agent Scully," she gave an affirmative nod, "the helicopters just arrived and are searching the area as we speak. We have radio contact with them, but Agent Doggett is too far into the woods for the signal to reach. I'm supposed to take you up there immediately."
He reached for a shotgun off the wall and grabbed another box of shells. The two made haste to the car and took off up the mountain. Along the way, he filled Scully in on what had transpired.
"I hope there are more of you coming?" He asked in a concerned manner.
"The closest field office we have is in Pittsburgh, they should be here within four hours, but I fear that might be too late." She turned to him, and losing her temper, she fired off, "How the hell could you let this happen!"
Watts, unable to speak, just bowed his head and continued driving.
As John continued moving further into the dark forest, his sense of something near him peaked. Ahead, he saw a small opening and made his way towards it. As he went closer, he could hear the faint sounds of the helicopters above him. Hoping this would be a chance to make contact with them, he shrugged off the chill that raced through his spine and moved forward. About ten yards from the opening, he felt a sharp blow to the back of his head before he hit the ground.
XXX
Before they reached the previous crime scene, Dana took the opportunity to inquire about the truck she saw before leaving town, and the envelope in the sheriff's office.
Knowing he had to play this one as cool as possible, the sheriff fabricated a story about the land development company wanting to come in and build a nicer hotel and some shops to attract more tourists to the tiny town. He went on to explain that the company believed there was great economical potential from the hikers that came through, as well as those seeking to escape the daily routine of city life with small amounts of time in nature, but the town had stubbornly opposed the idea.
Listening to the sheriff, she was glad that she had called in a check of the company and the law office beside her after she had left earlier. The more he talked, the more she became suspicious of the man and his motives.
When they reached the opening that Monica and John had described to her the previous night, Dana stood in wonderment at the perfectly cut trees, and eerie feeling that over came her. It wasn't the same feeling that Monica had had, but rather one of despair and pain for her fellow agents. As she examined the scene, looking for anything that might lead her to her friends, she overheard Watts talking to the pilots above.
"Agent Scully," she turned towards the sheriff, "your agents haven't been spotted anywhere, and the pilot suggested we stay here in the open while they continue the search."
Though she did not want to delay the search from the ground any longer, her sense of duty was subdued by the fact that she too might suffer the same fate if they travel into the woods where the air support above would not be able to keep track of them.
So, against her heart, she agreed to wait for either a signal above, or until the field unit from Pittsburgh arrived. It was going to be a long wait she feared.
XXX
Light began to make its way into John's eyes as the bruise on his head throbbed from pain inflicted upon him. "John, it's ok." Now he was convinced he was hearing things. 'That sounds like Monica.' He thought as he struggled to see.
"John, take it slow. You have a pretty bad cut on your head." Now he was sure he heard her voice.
"Monica, is that you?" He asked as he felt the restraints around his wrists loosen.
"Yes John, it's me." She undid the rope and gave her partner a huge embrace.
"Monica," he was able to see her then, "what happened? Where are we? How'd we get here?" He had so many questions.
"Take it easy. I'm not sure how or why, but I know the deputy wasn't as lucky as us." She spoke in a sombre tone as she pointed to the lifeless, half naked, limbless, young officer lying off in the distance.
"Monica, we need to get out of here fast." He tried to stand, but was still shaken from the blunt trauma to his skull.
"John, you can't. And besides, something tells me we are not going to suffer the same fate as Strachan." She was trying to be consoling as she looked around at their surroundings.
"I don't like this one bit!" He exclaimed as he attempted to look around and find the first route out of there.
"John, if they wanted me dead, I'd be lying next to the deputy by now. They made quick work of him, but never harmed me, other than when they dragged me off." She moved to her knees to inspect John's wound.
"Something's not right here..." he started before he spotted a creature, walking on two legs, and covered in some sort of animal hide, slowly moving towards him, carrying something in his hand, "Monica, watch out!" He screamed as he positioned himself in front of her, and reached for his service pistol that was not where it should have been.
XXX
"Yes I see. Are you absolutely sure? Thanks." Scully's eyes widened as she turned to face the sheriff after her brief conversation. "Sheriff Watts, would you mind telling me who Carwood Ranault is?" She asked with raised brows and hands on her hips.
'Oh crap' he thought, 'how am I going to get out of this one?' Quickly and as calm as possible he answered, "I believe he is the owner of the Beaver Land Corporation. The company I was telling you about on the way up here."
"Have you ever had any connections with Mr. Ranault? And let me remind you that I am an FBI agent performing an investigation." She questioned with authority.
"I've met him on a few occasions about his plans for the town, but that's it." He was becoming fidgety with her interrogation.
"Then could you explain to me why there were four fund transfers from his personal account to that of your sons over the past six months?" She could see he was becoming uncomfortable, but she wanted answers.
"You know, you ask a lot of questions for someone so venerable." His hand was slowly raising the shotgun.
"It's my job Mr. Watts." She refused to use his title on purpose, "And may I remind you, there are two FBI helicopters hovering above us."
***
(ILS)
John felt a fear he hadn't felt in a long time, a profound fear that he never knew he could feel until joining the X-Files. There was something about the unknown that supported the trepidation, not just rarely but as a matter of course in his line of work. Realizing his weapon was gone all he could do was lift a hand into a stop position as the other hand reached behind him to protect his woman.
The 'man' before him held out something in his hand and as he approached he saw that it was maybe his weapon.
"That's far enough!" John called but the creature kept approaching. "Stop there!"
"John, it's all right," Monica spoke softly and placed a consoling hand on his shoulder. "Look." The creature was holding the gun but in a position as to suggest that he didn't know what it was. "He is curious, that's all."
"That's all?" John found it hard to believe bearing in mind the fate of all the others who had crossed his path. "How do you know this Monica?"
There was a rustle all about them just like a breeze through the trees and another appeared. It was smaller in stature with a cloth covering similar to the swatch they had found at the crime scene, a material that had been crudely woven. She was distinctly female and when she stood close to the man it was evident they were linked somehow. Small grunting noises were coming from their throats and their heads tilted from side to side. Monica squeezed John's shoulder indicating for him to turn around because there were not just two of them but they were surrounded by at least twenty of these creatures, all watching with apparent curiosity.
"Oh crap!" John lowered his hand knowing he couldn't stop the inevitable.
"John, they're not going to hurt us." Monica seemed unafraid.
"What about all the others?" He needed to remind her. The male and female began to move which alerted John once more to be his wary self. They started a slow circle around the fellow agents.
"We're different," she kept her hand on his shoulder but this time began to move it in caress mode, over his shoulder and up to his neck. "Let your fear go John, you'll see." She slowly moved so she was in front but decided against standing her full height. John just let her do her 'Monica' thing as she positioned herself in front of him and smiled sweetly. "Kiss me John."
"Monica!" he spoke under his breath. "This is not the time."
"Trust me, it is." She took his hand and drew in closer; her knees knelt beside his hip. "I love you John and I want you to show me you feel the same." Her eyes were wide with a normally misplaced desire but Monica with all her past wild ideas had usually been right. He took a last look at the inquisitive group around him and then visibly relaxed letting his partner move in towards his lips.
It was a surprisingly tender moment considering the audience but one that he knew Monica thought was necessary. She purred into his mouth and ran fingers through his hair as they kissed. John was only partially aware of the noises of the crowd around him but ran with the moment, sliding an arm around her waist and tugging her a little closer. His body physically relaxed just before she moved back slowly. For a few moments they held eye contact and John suddenly knew why she had acted that way. There was something that had shifted in the ambience around him, he felt it and she knew it would.
"You feel it too," Monica knew he had come to understand that the way to communicate with these people was though emotions and maybe even touch. Not anger or fear but positive feelings that showed that the outside world was not all bad.
There were a few grunts from the leader and the two partners looked up to see him beckoning them to follow. Monica helped John to his feet, wincing a little with the change of altitude on his injury, but secure and relieved in the arms of his partner whom he had feared dead not long ago.
*****
(ILS)
It had been a long, anxious wait but when one of the helicopters returned Dana stood and followed its downward, windy, noisy path into the clearing. The sheriff and she keeping their distance they waited until it had completely landed and the engine off before approaching closer with uneasy anticipation.
Two men alighted the machine, the second closing the door and both began walking over to the two bystanders. The familiar leading man held something in his hand.
"Assistant Director?" Dana was not surprised that Brad Follmer would get in on the case. Monica had told her that he still had feelings for her and on numerous occasions had tried to spark up their relationship again. He was a good-looking man but, according to Monica, had done his dash back in New York. The relationship would stay in the past; Dana knew who was the new love of her friend's life. However, she could understand his worry for his fellow agent and friend.
"Agent Scully, and this must be Sheriff Watts." The men shook hands and by the look in Follmer's eye he knew something that the sheriff didn't. It was only a matter of time before it was outed. "This is Agent Wiles." The fellow agent nodded as he stood in a protective position.
"What do you have for us, sir?" Dana enquired first.
"Apart from this," he handed the manila folder to Dana who waited a moment before opening it. "The other crew are still up there but we've spent the last two hours searching for miles around but nothing."
Dana visibly slouched with concern. It was one thing her two friends being lost, it was considerably worse under the circumstances. She didn't even want to think about the consequences.
"Nothing?" She almost hyperventilated and Follmer gently touched her shoulder with concern.
"Agent Scully, we will keep trying until we find them, I promise," he spoke in an uncustomary empathic voice. "and when the ground crew get here they will leave no stone unturned."
"I just hope it's not too late." Out of the corner of her eye she saw the worried look on the Sheriff's face but she didn't care about his concerns, he had been the one to lead her partners to their peril. It was too late for retrospection.
"Agent Scully, we need to talk alone." Follmer led her out of earshot from the sheriff and the other agent who continued to stand beside him. "That report is about the findings of that chemical found here. I'll let you read it and then there is something we must do to close part of this case."
Dana looked up to him as if to say 'Oh?' but then opened the folder and began reading. Follmer did a sweeping circle of the clearing taking in the clean-cut edges and making sense of what he could from his understanding of the report.
"I can't believe it." Dana kept reading. "The chemical found here," she looked to her feet and then to one edge of the clearing, "has been analysed as carbon-silicon based."
"What's that mean?"
"It means that it's nothing I have even seen before." She looked back to the report. "The luminescence is from one of the noble gases Neon. It would appear that it was probably injected under the ground and then began to destroy the carbon and silicon in layers above it, leaving no trace." She glanced across to the sheriff who looked decidedly on edge. "But he knows more than he's letting on."
"He certainly does." Follmer nodded to the agent who in turn nodded back with silent communication. The sheriff must have seen what was happening and began to lift his weapon. The agent beside him was too quick and plucked it from his hands before he had time to aim.
Follmer ran back followed by Dana.
"Agent Wiles, arrest this man!" He was taken with an elbow behind his back.
"Why, what did I do?" he struggled but knew it was no use.
"There is a long list including taking illegal bribes from developers and an accessory in the deaths of three men and possibly others. Take him away Wiles." They could hear him complaining all the way to his vehicle.
"I didn't know, it wasn't me, I had no way of knowing,..." They trailed off as Follmer guided Dana to the helicopter.
"An accessory in the deaths?" Dana quizzed.
"Come on, I'll tell you more while we continue our search. Just hope there are not two more murders to add to his list."
*****
(ILS)
The sight was nothing like they had seen before. At the base of the tall mountain trees there were multitudes of small wooden huts almost camouflaged with the browns and greens of the surrounding vista. Looking upward, the housing extending layer after layer up the trees, connected by masses of ropes and ladders. Hundreds of forms could be seen going about their daily business.
As John and Monica followed behind the two leaders, many faces turned to watch them, almost frozen with wonder.
"Something tells me no one has made it this far before," John looked from one side of the track to the other, keeping close to his partner, every now and then bumping shoulders, to remind them they were in the situation together. "What plans do you think they have for us?"
"Well I don't see any big stewing pots around John," Monica chuckled.
"Don't joke like that Monica!" John mentioned under his breath.
"I sense it and I know you sense it, these people are friendly." Her hand went to his and their fingers entwined.
"Tell that to the people who found the bodies and bones, tell that to the deputy." He winced at the thought of the last sight he'd had of the body. Just then something came running out on their left, followed by something else. There were two small children laughing and playing. They chased each other right in front of the pair making them stop momentarily. The children turned to look at the strangers and then big grins crossed their faces. Each went up to John and Monica and lifted their arms.
"I think they want to be carried." Monica was amused and picked up the child who would have been no more than three years old. The infant crooned in her arms and started what seemed like talking but came out only grunts. "Hello, my name's Monica, Monica, " she reiterated.
She laughed and smiled when the child came back with sounds that sounded like 'm's. "Did you hear that?"
John was having his own amusement. The child he carried was playing with his ears with curiosity.
"Hey, stop that!" John said playfully when the child began squeezing his nose.
There were a couple of grunts from the leaders that signalled the children to jump out of their arms and continue playing. They looked back and giggled before heading back from where they came. John and Monica exchanged some amused glanced before the procession came to a stop.
The leader woman took Monica by the elbow and the man took John and led them to a small hut with a cloth door. The woman opened the drape and indicated for them to both enter. Sensing all to be peaceful they obliged and went inside what seemed like a bedroom, with soft furs lining the floor.
"You're not thinking what I'm thinking." John's brain went into overload, as the door was 'closed' and the sounds of the people quietened.
"I think they want us to make out, John." Monica chuckled.
"Now? Here?" It was the last thing he had on his mind but he had to admit to himself that the environment was conducive to quiet repose.
"Well we did put on a show for them earlier, maybe they think we want to take it further." A lone finger traced down his arm and she moved closer.
"Mon, you can't be serious. You really want us to make love here and now?"
There was a grunt from the hut opening and the female brought in what looked like a change of clothes. After a few hand movements and some stray thoughts they both knew that these people wanted them to change.
Monica began undoing her shirt buttons.
*****
(STGBT)
"So are you going to tell me how you found out about Watts?" Dana questioned in the mic that was connected to her earpieces, as they began to rise above the tree line.
"Your call for information about the development company brought up a lot. Apparently, Sheriff Watts was bribed into the company to let them do some testing to see if the soil would support a large amount of development in the region. The chemical used, served two purposes: one for testing, and two, to make people think that something strange was happening up here.
The hope was that it would keep people away long enough until they were sure the land would support heavy machinery and buildings." Follmer answered as he swiveled his head back and forth across the land below.
Dana could tell that the recent turn of events had affected the Assistant Director deeply. "Sir, that still doesn't connect him with the murders?"
"We are still looking for a connection, but even without one, we have enough to lock him up for a long time. Any idea of where they might have headed?"
"No. But the forest is so dense, that they could be anywhere." She answered with deep regret at what might have happened to John and Monica.
"Sir..." The voice of the pilot came through to Follmer's ears, "The Pittsburgh unit is in route, ETA, 2 hours."
"Good, but see if they can move any faster. I WANT them found before night fall!" He ordered.
XXX
John watched as the slender fingers of his partner glided from button to button undoing her blouse. Under different circumstances, he would have jumped at the chance to speed the process along. Monica looked up to see his eyes locked, glued to her motions. Feeling safe in the custody of the beings outside, she took this opportunity to further their relationship.
"John, why don't you help me with this?" She slid in closer to him.
Feeling his breathing become heavier, his hands reached out to undo the remaining plastic nubs connecting the fabric. His hands moved to her shoulders and pulled the shirt down her back and off her arms. All the while, Monica was doing the same to John.
As she looked into his eyes, she could see the apprehension coming through.
She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "It's alright. They'll give us as much time as we need." When she finished speaking, she gave a little blow of air.
For some reason, the incredibly cautious Agent Doggett allowed himself to believe his partner. As he glanced at her, all matters of the world outside the hut disappeared, and his only thought was of her, and how much he wanted to show his love. Finally he let down his guard and decided to live life for the moment, instead of in long calculated segments.
Loosening his body, he pulled her lips to his and embraced the fleshy rows. In response, she placed one hand behind his back to draw him closer, and put the other on his thigh, and slowly moved it upwards.
With passionate gentleness, he laid his partner on her back and ran his hands along the length of her body. Accepting his commitment, she moved her hands around his back until they rested above his beltline. Satisfied he was ready and willing to continue, her fingers glided along his waist so she could begin work on his pants.
Meanwhile, outside the crowd of creatures was impatiently glaring at the hut, wondering what was taking the two beings so long. With silent steps, that only years of skilled hunting and the want of avoidance had perfected, the apparent leader made a movement to lift the flap. In slow motion, just lifting enough to see inside, and as not to startle the inhabitants, he peered upon two forms lying on the ground.
Even for an uncivilized beast, he was able to recognize what was transpiring before him. Love and devotion was important in this culture of the forest, and respecting that, closed the flap and made a gesture towards the others.
All seemed to understand its meaning, and one by one, dispersed among the other huts. Glancing back over his broad, slightly hunched shoulder, he let loose a small grunt of acceptance, and with a light touch to his female companion's arm, retired to his own dwelling.
XXX
The helicopters made a sweeping pattern along the mountainside. Fuel was running at half full, and still no site of the two lost agents. Feeling out of control, Dana suggested that they land until the ground team arrived. With a resounding, defiant NO, Follmer continued the search.
She could see he wanted to find Monica, and possibly John as well. Was his thought that if he was the one to find her, Monica would go back to him? She prayed that wasn't the case, but to protect him, and her friend, she knew she had to intercede.
"Assistant Director, may I be frank!" She wasn't really asking for permission. "What do you expect to happen when we find them?"
"I'm not sure what you mean Agent Scully." He tried to read her expression.
What he was about to hear would be the worst possible news for him.
"Sir, Monica is in love with John, and nothing you do is going to change that." She almost felt bad for the man. "When they come off this mountain, it will be John she runs to, to consol her, and make her feel safe. Especially when she finds out what he did for her." She could see the pain in his eyes.
"Agent Scully, if you're implying that I have other motives here other then rescuing two of my agents, you're sorely mistaken." He tried to be convincing, but knew it wasn't working.
"Yes sir." She felt the need to add one more thing, "All I'm saying is, leave your feelings for Monica up here in the wilderness, it will be best for all parties involved."
He could see the truth coming from her, and though not ready to accept it, was beginning to realize that nothing he could do would change her feelings. His chance had slipped away.
"OK Agent Scully, let's land and wait." The words came out in a heartbroken tone.
The craft carrying Follmer and Scully landed in the clearing and as the agents exited, Scully noticed the A.D. wonder off to a corner. She wanted to stop him, but decided to let him think this through on his own. Restless with just having to wait, she walked the clearing to get a better sense of what had happened there; the sheriff, the possibility of development, and the unknown whereabouts of her friends.
*****
(ILS)
For their first time Monica wanted to see John's face and drew him on top. The fur lying over their naked skin felt as light as air but also cocooned them against the chill of their environs.
Sex in the open wilderness was an exciting proposition but to make love to someone in a primitive dwelling in a community that was undiscovered to the world was highly arousing. The improbability of it made the scene seem almost ethereal.
John's torso draped over his lover's body just gently touching skin against skin as they kissed. He had the sense at one stage that someone was watching and he smiled knowing the lovers in their consummate bed wouldn't be disturbed until they wished it. The primal aroma of the furs and hut around them together with his lover's scent propelled his mind into swirls of deep longing. He had thought and dreamt about this moment for years, never thinking it would happen until the previous couple of weeks when Monica was becoming more open with her feelings.
There was no hurry; each part of the lovemaking process could be savored knowing they had all the time they wished. For some reason the thoughts of a ground crew search party or eye in the sky stumbling on them was far from their minds. The possible threat was like a tiny seed in their psyche preferring instead to think that they were safe; these people would be protected, especially with their help.
As Monica did a manual sweep of the remarkable body above, her heart quivered with the realization of the enormity of what she and John were finally about to do. She could feel him at her entrance as she opened herself wide for him. The rumbles from their throats as they ground their lips together were only a small suggestion of the profound desire they both felt throughout their souls.
"You want this?" John's low rumble broke the kiss but their lips still touched. With her tongue she licked along his upper lip and then leisurely tasted the lower. Between languid kisses she purred,
"As much as you do, John."
"Okay," he softly growled, there was still no hurry. His hand trailed down her side, the parts he could feel that weren't swathed in his ready body. He linked a hand under one knee and pulled it gently up to encourage her to open further and she rubbed a foot down his thigh. Her toes felt over the backs of his strong legs as she, with her actions, encouraged him to cross the threshold.
A hand caressed down her thigh and then he lifted his hips a little to help guide himself onward. As he found access, Monica felt an overwhelming feeling of well being and love, almost as though a hundred souls were encouraging her all at once. A massed choir sang in her mind as he pushed in deeper, completely satisfying her need for him to fill her. Those open eyes of his looked dreamy as his smiled reflected their mutual ecstasy. Again it was all slow and unhurried. John wanted it all to last, to be able to look back on the first time and smile that they had both ridden each other to never before attained heights.
Her body reacted perfectly to his every natural move. He would want a kiss and she lifted her head to oblige, their exchange sweet and soulful. Hands would run down his back, fingernails lightly stimulating the enlivened flesh, then knead his butt as he continued the slow, sexy pathway to ultimate satisfaction.
The feel of the fur and John's skin all at once, together with the way he was tasting and teasing her was building the desire in delicious layers. Like a pot simmering, if the heat were hot enough it would eventually boil. John's heat was just right, pushing her ever upward to steaming point. His hands slid up her back and with one nimble move, lifted her onto his lap and held her close sustaining his thrusting movements.
"I never knew," John didn't need to say any more, Monica knew what he was sensing because she felt the same and knew they were both nearing the pearly gates of love making.
"Oooo, John," the words slipped out and made their feathery way to his ear. Her breath played with his lobe and he could tell that she was getting closer to wanting and needing final freedom. Fingers slipped through his hair and their cheeks rubbed in gentle friction as he sensed her building blood force. Almost holding his breath he felt for her first signs before letting himself relax and let his body take its inevitable control. "John," she exhaled before letting her weight fall on his lap.
The dual feeling of their mutual coming and their hearts beating against each other's chests added to the euphoria of that singular moment. They were hot and alive in each other's arms.
"Monica," the air was searing in her hair and she smiled with the satisfaction that their first time was so ideal; perfect atmosphere and a journey that was unforced and natural. The air was ripe with mutual love as they fell slowly from their heights not wanting to unlink bodies.
"Hmm, that was wonderful," she kissed his lips in thanks and they smiled on hers.
"Yes, it was." He gently laid her back on the thick, soft floor covering not wanting to disconnect, but it had to happen sometime. They could have stayed joined all night if nature had allowed it. Monica rested her head on John's shoulder as he played with her hair. All was silent. "I can't believe we just did that, with all these creatures knowing." Monica felt the vibration of his laugh.
"Only a matter of time. This has been the way to communicate to them that there are those of us out there who hold love in our hearts and not hate." She edged her hand to his and lifted it to her lips and ran kisses up his forearm.
"Should we stay here?" The fading light outside and the quiet of the camp gave them their answer and they slowly fell into blissful repose.
Neither of them heard the rumble of encroaching technology in the distance.
*****
There was a single light on at the sheriff's office in town. Dana Scully sat with her head in her hands bearing all the pain her small physique could withstand. It had been ten hours of searching for the missing agents and still nothing. The ground and helicopters crews had called it a night and promised to resume the search at daylight.
All she could think of was Monica's sweet face and gentle nature and how much she showed she loved John. Dana wished she could have that kind of love. She found herself more than ever yearning for Mulder's return. He was the one with whom she could have true happiness. There was that hope in her heart knowing that her two fellow agents and friends could look after each other and that they were somewhere out there safe and well. Their partnership was more than just professional and with that would come added strength to survive.
There was a crackle from the radio sitting on the sheriff's table that made Scully instantly alert.
"Agent Scully?" It was Follmer's voice. Ever hopeful, she had half considered it would be John's.
"Scully," she replied desultory.
"You still up? Get some sleep Dana." The AD wasn't usually one to empathize and with that compassion on his part she knew there was someone else this end of the search that cared enough to find them safe and well.
"Have you anything to tell me?" The AD wasn't one to call on the radio just to tell her to go to bed.
"We've had a breakthrough with a little help from Sheriff Watts. Seems under questioning he's shown a little remorse and confessed all."
"All what?" Dana stood and paced the room, the radio to her ear.
"Promise me you're making your way back to the hotel and I'll fill you in."
Dana reached for her jacket and began to put it on, the radio still perched between her ear and shoulder.
"I'm on my way." She flicked off the single light and snibbed the lock of the front door. After checking the office was secure she headed for her vehicle, listening to the revelations from the other end of the radio.
XXX
Something was tickling John's nose or was it part of his dream? He'd dreamt he'd been the proud leader of a vast army. He was on horseback, draped in furs and leather. He stood on top of a hill and looked down at the fields that held his army. They were all creatures he'd recently met except one, and that was his grown son. Similarly clad and proud, he had dark hair and eyes like his mother and the strong, athletic build of his father. In true 'Ten Commandments' epic style, with fists in the air the crowd gave a victorious roar that echoed throughout the valley.
Turning his head the way they had come he saw piles of groaning bodies and the smouldering of recently spent fires. There were burnt out machinery and buildings and many 'unyielding to the end' faces of greedy corporate heads. John showed no remorse, they would all live another day but would need to regroup and head in another direction, away from his army and civilization.
John turned to his side to see his wife and the scene abruptly changed. He was home in their modest dwelling, the fire crackling and spreading its heated tendrils throughout the room. The flicker of its orange light on the walls was the faint reminder of the defeat they had just caused.
"Now we are free to live our lives again," he could hear her soft voice and see her beautiful, loving face. It had been a lengthy time since he'd last seen her and all he wanted to do was take her in his arms to their mutual bed and lie with her until daybreak. He swiftly lifted her light frame and never unlocking their gaze he took her to the bedroom to make the love he had wanted for so long.
John opened his eyes to feel Monica's finger lightly caressing his nose and her contented face looking to his.
"What time is it?" John sat up a little and remembered where they were and that he was totally bare. The new day light shone with translucence through the cloth door.
"Does it matter?" Monica smiled and ran a hand under the fur and across his chest and felt her soft, warm skin against his arm.
"Only if you're part of the search party that is bound to be after us." John didn't want that thought to invade their moment of intimacy but that FBI part of him was hard to repress.
"They won't find us." Snuggling into him and running her hand further down his body caused him to relax and really understand what she was saying. "Haven't you heard them?"
"Heard what?" He did a small turn towards his bed partner and wrapped a protective arm around her, enjoying the moments alone. "I was fast asleep all night."
"The helicopters. They've been in the distance most of the night but have never flown any closer." She gave him a small morning kiss, which he returned and with it the emotions of the previous night came flooding back. They had actually slept together and it was more than just great, the event had been mind blowing and he knew he wanted more but then was not the time.
"What are you saying Monica? They won't find us because...?"
"It's not just these people. John, these people need 'us'."
Before he could respond to her puzzle there were some giggles of children at the hut entrance that redirected their thoughts.
"What do we do now?" It was going to be almost embarrassing facing these creatures after it had been obvious what they had done in their presence but it had felt right or he wouldn't have gone through with it.
"Let's dress, we need to meet with the leaders."
To fit in with these people's lives John and Monica dressed in the clothes they had been given the previous night. As they emerged out of the hut and made their way to what seemed to be the central meeting area, slowly heads of the villagers began to turn.
One man started and then little by little they all began to beat their chest with one hand and let out a cry that echoed through the trees. The two consummate lovers looked around them open-mouthed as they heard the sounds multiply as though every entity was calling their appreciation.
"What's happening here?" John whispered as he took Monica's hand to bring her close.
"They are thanking us." Monica pulled her lover along towards a clearing with logs set out in a circular pattern not unlike the proverbial campfire.
"Thanking us for what?" The male agent had become accustomed to his partner coming out with something extraordinary and this was no exception.
..........
"For saving them." Monica sat down on one of the logs and urged her partner to sit beside her. "I feel I have a connection with these people John, I know you do too. Just open your heart and mind and you will see." He looked into her gentle brown irises and felt a flood of energy pour over his senses. It was not just his own, it was also from her.
"We helped save them? Making love last night created some sort of energy that was able to put a protective bubble around this place." He couldn't believe he was thinking like her.
"You're getting the idea John. It wasn't just us but the combination of all our emotions that was the basis for the protection. Didn't you feel it too, as we were making love? We were the catalyst they needed, the emotional link between both our worlds" She looked up and John's eyes followed to see the man and woman who had originally met them in the forest.
The two agents stood as they approached, their fists also over their chests and beating slowly.
"Why do they do that?" John still held Monica's hand.
"I think you know John." Monica did the same and her lover followed suit until all four were sitting on the logs. A number of onlookers were crowding around to see them but were silent.
From the crowd came two people carrying what looked like trays. As they came closer they revealed that this was going to be a breakfast meeting. It had been a while since the two had eaten and they welcomed the food and drink. They were given wooden bowls filled with water and a dish with what looked like cereal. No matter how it tasted they were determined to eat it all to satisfy their hunger and to show these people respect.
The male spoke first although there were no words just gestures and grunts.
"Just open your mind." Monica reminded and as if a veil had fallen from his eyes he 'heard' what was being said, not in words as such but emotions.
"Have you been killing these people encroaching on your territory?" John had to ask even with a risk that their trusting link could be broken. There were more grunting sounds but they both heard the truth.
"Only one and that was the deputy, he shot and killed one of their own and that was their only form of retribution." The creatures picked up on Monica's illustration of her grief for the fallen officer and they returned their remorse.
"Why the others?" John asked aloud out of habit. He turned to Monica when he heard their reply. "They were already dead when they were found."
"Watts?" Monica's eyes went thoughtful just before the creatures beckoned them to follow. The crowd of onlookers had increased but they kept their distance, trailing along behind. They were led to the side the thick trunk of a tall tree where there was a wooden platform and a series of ropes that looked like they were part of a primitive pulley system.
The male creature stepped onto the platform that had a waist height barrier, and beckoned for the two to follow.
"Hope you don't suffer from acrophobia, John." She pulled him next to her and he knew exactly what she was inferring. It was a long way up but they knew it had to be done, there was something that this man wanted them to witness.
A team began tugging on some ropes and the platform began to move. Clutching onto the sides and each other they braced themselves for the slow rise in altitude. Without looking down they focussed on the trees around them and the beauty that this pristine forest afforded.
Once at the top the splendor was breathtaking and the smells vibrant and refreshing. All around them there was green as far as the eye could see. The raw feel of the open air and freedom hit them and they felt a peace that was only rarely experienced.
"This is unique, thank you." Monica smiled at the slightly hunched man beside her. Then he let her 'see' the real reason they were given that inimitable opportunity. "Look John." She pointed in one direction, then another and another.
"I see it." In the distance there were three distinct areas that had been carved out of the forest of trees. One was the clearing they had originally seen and there were two others they had previously not known about. No wonder these creatures had been worried, they had witnessed something they knew nothing about. With John and Monica's help they would come to not be afraid any more. Both knew what they must do.
XXX
"We must go now." Down from the high place they had been, Monica saw the non-understanding in their eyes and knew immediately that these people wanted them to stay. "We will keep protecting you, we will let no harm come to you."
John also saw their misinterpretation of their intentions and knew what he had to do. With a deep breath he cleared his mind, only leaving his sincerity, honesty and care, traits that had been with him and would be with him for eternity. He slowly approached the male leader and with nonverbal permission he took his hand and placed it gently on his chest, over his heart.
It was something as simple as a touch that helped them understand the difference between their two worlds and that each belonged in their own. That touch also demonstrated the bond they had forged and would stay with them for a lifetime.
John turned to see the smiling Monica behind him, tears of happiness filling her eyes. They both knew that no matter what it took, this part of the forest and vast stretches around would remain sacred and untouched indefinitely.
*****
(STGBT)
"Watts has committed ten murders in the last two years." Dana heard Follmer retell what Watts had confessed. "He was taking bribes from the Beaver Land Development Company. It seems that the only way for them to build in the town was to have an influential member of the community convince the rest of the citizens that it was time to develop the town into a tourist trap."
"But we know that some of the victims were just hikers, why kill them?" She asked to get a further explanation.
"A couple had strayed from the marked trail and came across some employees laying the chemical compound down. Thinking something was wrong, they went to the sheriff's office. When he drove them to the clearing, that's when he killed them." He was about to finish when Scully heard a flash of humanity come across the A.D. "Cold hearted bastard." Were his last words.
"Sir, that explains a lot, but a majority of the bones I looked at in the lab had bite marks across them. How did the sheriff explain that?"
"He can't Agent Scully, and to be honest, I believe him. He cracked rather quickly, and that was the only part of the mystery he had no connection in."
"Then there has to be something that we're missing sir." The frustration was building. "I'm here, meet me outside." She pulled into the small lot and watched the Assistant Director make his way towards her. It was obvious to her that there was something he was not telling her.
"Dana," the sudden disregard for formality stunned her, "you should know that Sheriff Watts told us that there are two more clearings further up in the mountain."
"What!" She shuttered at the thought that helicopters missed them. "We need to get up there right away!" She jumped through the open door and started the car with a renewed intensity.
"I've already sent one of the choppers up, the other is waiting for us at the edge of town." He moved around and entered the car and the two drove off to meet their awaited ride into the sky.
XXX
The two lovers took a long, slow walk through the covered village. With each step, they could feel the pain that surrounded them. These beings had taken them in without harm, and conveyed a sense of urgency to them. How could they leave there knowing that this primitive civilization that had survived for probably generations was about to meet its end with the encroachment of the modern world. Like the small Spartan Army that held the pass at Thermopylae against ten thousand Persians, John and Monica both knew that these beings would only be delaying the inevitable if they fight. They had to find a way to curtail the impending battle.
Continuing their walk towards one of the previously unknown clearings, they tried to avoid eye contact with anyone or thing. The realization and sadness was too much to bear. Just before their final exit, the couple looked back at the many beings, standing with hunched backs and long faces.
"Whatever it takes John." A watery-eyed Monica spoke as she gripped his hand with force.
"Whatever it takes." He answered back.
For what seemed like hours, they trudged through the thick undergrowth, with little light coming from above. It was easy to understand how these beings could have gone so long without being discovered. The canopy was dense, and the rocky terrain mixed with vines, ferns, and other vegetation made it nearly impassable. Only the small hunting path that had been trampled down over the years had allowed them to move swiftly over the mountain to their destination.
As they neared the opening, the sounds of blades cutting against the air filled their ears. 'Whop-whop-whop-whop' the faint noise was becoming louder. The pair looked at each other and both knew they had to speed this up, or it was going to be a long walk down the mountain. Picking up their pace, they dodged all obstacles, and the sounds filling the air were right above them.
XXX
"Is that clearing large enough to land this thing?" The A.D. asked as he looked below, wondering what was stirring in the dark green cover below.
"Yes sir, but I wouldn't advise it right now, not until we can get a tactical team up here." The muffled reply came.
"Alright make one more pass, and then head back to base." He tapped the pilot on the shoulder.
Scully just sat listening to the conversation over her headset, hoping that this search would not lead to the worst. She glanced at Follmer with an understanding face, and turned to look below one last time at the second clearing, wondering if the second air team was having better luck, when she suddenly sat up and put her forehead against the window.
"Assistant Director, below us to the left!" she shouted into the mic.
He quickly shifted so he was hovering above Dana's tiny form. "You think that's them.
"Let's get down a little closer to make sure." She insisted.
The craft lowered enough for the agents to get a better look at the shapes emerging from the forest. As they stared, the brown domes gave away that it was in fact Monica and John. The two stood at the edge of the tree line signalling while keeping the increased wind from their faces.
With a slow decent, the pilot brought the helicopter down in the centre of the field, which had just enough opening for the blades to avoid the trees. As it touched down, Follmer and Scully exited from the sides and rushed towards the missing agents. As they crossed the path of the speeding blades, the pilot called off the other helicopter, and put the rest of the agents back at the town on alert that they were coming in.
"Are you two alright, any injuries or wounds?" A relieved Scully asked in an excited frantic voice.
"We're fine, we'll fill you in when we get back." John answered as he guided Monica to the open doors of their rescue vehicle.
"John, Monica, it's good to have you back." Follmer extended his hand in a gesture of pure happiness. Having to give up Monica was going to be tough, but having to explain the loss of two agents would have been worse. The senses that Monica had opened in John allowed him to sense that Follmer was sincere.
(ILS)
It was two days later and the agents sat in their darkened office with only two lights, one from each of their desk lamps. Monica's bare feet rested on her table top as she lay back in a chair reading a book, clearly waiting for her partner to finish up his task for the evening.
"What do you think of this?" John's eyes never left his computer screen but silently kept reading the report as his partner padded over to him. Resting a hand on his left shoulder she peered over his right, making sure he really knew her presence. "It is believed that the board of the Beaver Development Company will found guilty of land mismanagement and given a reprimand and a hefty fine."
"That would probably send them bankrupt." Monica added her thoughts and shifted a few fingers over his collarbone through his shirt.
"If that doesn't then the negative publicity will mean that companies will think twice before taking on their services, so either way they're rooted." He looked to his side and took in her perfume. Was it her hair or a new scent? Either way it was slowly putting him off track. With an intake of breath he once again focussed on the report, he wanted it over and done with so he could have time to himself, and possibly her. He kept on reading,
"For further study as to the safety issues the company was also ordered to release any notes, equipment and technology associated with the new chemical they had been using for their illegal logging in three distinct areas of the West Virginian Appalachians."
"Dana never did find out where that chemical came from?" She ran a hand over his shoulder. It was about time he finished up for the night, she thought. It had been two days since their first encounter in the hut in the woods and with all the follow-up work from the case neither of them had had the opportunity for the seconds they both desperately desired.
"I'm no chemist but there was certainly something out of the ordinary in the test results." That hand of hers was playing with his shirt collar. With each stroke his resolve was diminishing.
"You're thinking something of alien origin?"
"With all I have seen in my time on the X-Files I have to admit that I was thinking that way. I suppose we'll find out for sure after the examination of all the equipment they've confiscated." Her finger drew a line along the back of his neck above his collar and back again and then lightly played with his hair. "Monica," he produced a light growl and swivelled his chair on an angle to meet her part way.
"Let's call it a night John?" He looked into her eyes and saw that same look he had witnessed those two nights ago when they were about to make love for the first time. She leant in and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek.
"I want us to finish this tonight Mon. I only have the part to go about the village we encountered." As much as he wanted to take her in his arms and let it lead wherever it would go, he was one for finishing what he had started or it would niggle on his mind. "I am in two minds as to how much detail we add here."
With a sly grin she agreed and then slipped sideways onto his lap.
"We can finish this only if I write the rest my way." She smugly smiled as she turned in his lap to the screen. "You have to have your arms around me like this." Collecting his forearms she placed then around her waist, making sure she settled snugly into his crotch.
"I don't think we should be doing this here," he sighed as she moved her ass in just the way to get his hormones racing.
"Well we both know what happened." She went on as though nothing was awry. "How about we say...," John heard her fingers tapping the keys and was enjoying holding her again to stop where they were both going. "We met the creatures that had caused the bite marks on the victims. There were some among them who were part cannibal and they had devoured the bodies as a warning to maybe frighten the intruders away, not realizing that in so doing they would attract investigators."
"I'm not sure we should say we met them."
"Shh," Monica scolded. "Just sit there and listen if you want to finish this."
"Monica!" he whined as she moved his hands to her breasts. He couldn't help but feel their soft, spongy texture and remember back to when he had first touched her skin.
"Three of the bodies were not to their liking so they were only tasted rather than devoured." She paused as he felt over her abdomen and down to between her legs, her breathing becoming heavy. "The beings turned out to be sensitive to feelings and that is how we were able to communicate. Doctor Dana Scully was able to determine that the elongated thirteenth chromosome she had found in their DNA was probably attributed to this and she is currently testing our cheek cell samples to see if ours is indeed the same."
"We shouldn't be doing this here." John half wanted to just go for it in the office and have Monica on his desk but that reminded him too much of her office relationship with Follmer.
"Just some finishing off sentences." She continued. "The beings, sensing that we were horny for each other, took us to a secluded hut to make out." He heard the keys tapping.
"You're not adding that!" He was half asking.
"Shh!" She reminded. "We then proceeded to undress and make the most amazing love any two people could make, and we lived happily ever after. Save." She exhaled and moved around to straddle him. John's grin couldn't have been wider.
"You make it read like a fairy story."
"I just thought Follmer might like a little happy ending bedtime reading," she teased, smiling widely and their eyes locked.
"I've been known to make the meanest blueberry pancakes for breakfast." Even though he was not used to such an outward display of affection at the office John couldn't help but feel carefree in this woman's presence.
"So it's your place?" Monica leant in and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Hmm," she closed her eyes, "I can see a nice candlelit dinner with some red wine, a hot tub and then sleep in a big warm bed."
"Almost right, you need to perfect that sense of yours Mon." He gave her a kiss in return. "Big warm bed yes, but who thought anything about sleep." He grinned and slowly lifted her off his more than willing body and switched off his computer. They took a moment to straighten their clothes and to catch their breaths.
"Promises, promises," Monica slipped on her shoes and went for her jacket. "You're too old to stay awake all night making love." She smiled impishly.
"Oh? You don't think I would have the stamina?" Looking a picture of manhood he slipped his arms through his suit coat and straightened the collar.
Knowing her partner liked the challenge she continued as she opened the office door,
"Oh, you have the stamina for our job but in the bedroom department?" She let it hang.
"Monica Reyes, you're on for the challenge." John was determined.
After switching off the lights and closing the door, the basement office fell into darkness. All that could be heard was the agents' playful banter as they headed for the elevator.
The End