Lifeline Author: Kimberly Spoilers: None Category: DRR Rating: PG-13 (just barely) Summary: It takes something bad to make something good. Archive: XFMU, The Vision. Any others please feel free to archive. Just drop me a note to tell me where. Disclaimer: John Doggett, Monica Reyes, and The X-Files all belong to the wonderful and talented Chris Carter. _______________________________________________________ "Monica, you look hungry." She lifted her head from the computer screen and up towards the voice that always sent shivers down her spine. "I guess it's getting to be that time." She closed down her monitor and grabbed her coat off the hook. "I'll take any sandwich, as long as it's not that vegetarian crap." John stood at his desk and handed her some money, "Don't be too long. We still have work to do." "Oh thanks, John." Monica grabbed the bills. "It's Friday evening. There's no way I'm coming back once I leave." She began making her way to the elevator just as footsteps began to follow her. "No you don't!" John grabbed her arm and whirled her towards him. "Hey!" She held the money in her other hand, "That's mine, Monica, and I expect a sandwich." Monica's eyes sparkled as she stuck the bills in the waistband of her pants, "Are you that desperate for food?" "Oh you don't think I'll do it, do you?" John pulled her closer to him, so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. With thumb and forefinger, he reached down and retrieved his cash. "Never play games with a detective." "Rule number one?" Monica locked her gaze on his blue eyes. Never before had she desired a man like she desired John Doggett. He was so close now. So close she could almost taste what his kiss would be like. "Why don't we call it a day? Alien colonization takes awhile so we should have plenty of time to eat before things get crazy." John immediately caught the tone of her voice. Soft and more seductive than normal. "We'd better get going if we're gonna beat the crowds. Even street vendors can get busy on a Friday." "I wasn't thinking street vendors and I happen to know of a quiet place that is away from the city crowds." Monica trailed a finger along John's shoulder. He cleared his throat as he watched her and felt the welcomed touch through his shirt "Sounds like my kinda place. Hope the food's decent." ************************ "One thing I can promise you," Monica said as the door lock to her flat clicked open, "there will be no hotdogs, no polish sausage, and absolutely no mustard." "And I was so looking forward to it." John pulled off the coat Monica was struggling with, "Don't flail your arms so much. You're just twisting the sleeves." As he turned, Monica caught a whiff of his cologne. Funny that she had never noticed it before. In the basement, surrounded by musty boxes and metal file cabinets, she had only noticed work and the pain he carried around. But work was professional, home was personal. Who knew when the opportunity would again present itself? "Come on. Fettuccini with clams in a light cream sauce." Monica began pulling pots and ingredients from various places in her kitchen. "Sounds great." John fought the urge to wrap his arms around her and, instead, hovered over her shoulder, "Anything I can do to help?" There it was again. The warmth of his breath on her skin the smell of his cologne. Intoxicating. "Grab a bottle of white wine and a couple of glasses. It'll be a few minutes before everything's ready." He did as told and watched as Monica opened, containers, filled a pot with water, and measured the various necessities. She was a pro. At everything, he thought. John could barely recall the last time a woman had fixed dinner for him. He could not conjure up such a moment without knowing why his happiness had ended. Luke. Everything had ended with Luke. But, now... Was it possible he could begin to feel again? Sure, he was attracted to Monica. But could he physically act on those feelings without believing he was betraying a promise he had made years ago? "John?" Monica was standing over him. When had he moved to the sofa? When had she approached him? "Are you okay?" "Yeah." He watched her sit next to him, wine glass in hand. "You're pretty anxious to get some alcohol in your blood." "I asked if you wanted some. You didn't answer me." Monica took a sip and watched John examine his shoes. "I guess I didn't hear you." "So I gathered. What's the matter, John?" His chest heaved. She was so beautiful in that simple black pantsuit. Why was he questioning this? "You didn't have to make supper for me. I can do just fine on fast food." "I wanted to." Monica sat her glass down and removed the jacket of her pantsuit. "Is it hot in here?" "Monica..." John leaned back and rolled his eyes. Surely she had a better come on than that. "Honestly, I thought I had turned down the heat. Maybe I need to get someone to look at the settings." Her face was flushed now as she turned to meet his eyes. "John, you need a decent meal and I need someone to talk to. This place can get lonely at times." John noticed the smooth beauty of her hand resting on her knee. He reached out and took it in his. "You could have called me anytime. I would have been around to listen. I always have time for the important stuff." Monica smiled as best she could. It really was getting hot in the room and she could not figure out what was wrong. She was too young for hot flashes and, as she pulled at the top button of her shirt, John was beginning to stare. "You don't think it's a little warm in here?" "Let me help you with that." He dismissed her question as he pulled her fumbling fingers from the button. Slowly, he began to unbutton the first button. He let his lips brush against Monica's. John did not believe he could ever allow himself to do such a thing - show physical attraction to his partner. His partner. He wanted her to be that. And now, he believed he wanted her to be so much more. His lips were soft against hers. Monica allowed his kiss to fill her body. A warmth flowed over her as his body heat transferred to her already flushed skin. She could feel his hands around her now. Soft and considerate. And, then a new sensation. She felt like she was being consumed. John smiled as a small gasp came from Monica. He kissed her more deeply as her hands made their way to his chest. Her touch was...not what he had expected. She seemed to be pushing him away. John reacted by leaning up quickly. "I..I'm sorry, Monica. I thought..." How could he be so stupid? This was his working partner. But, as he finally focused on her, he saw something not right. "Monica?" She was reaching out for him and could see his concern. One hand fanning her face, the other reaching out. "B..breathe..." She could barely speak. The air was quickly leaving her lungs. "Oh, God! Monica!" John jumped off the sofa and bent over her. "Try to stay sitting up." He grabbed the telephone and dialed 911. "This is Special Agent John Doggett. I have a federal agent in need of urgent medical attention at 67 Bennett Avenue. She can't breathe." He listened to instructions from the operator and began wetting a towel with cold water. "I don't know. We were sitting here one minute and the next..." The towel was cold against Monica's forehead. A welcome change but she still could not breathe. Air. She needed air. She began tugging at the collar of her shirt. She was going to pass out. "ETA of three minutes, Monica! Hang on!" John hung up abruptly and leaned her against him. He began to softly knead the muscles in her shoulders. They were tense from the panic seizing her body. "Monica, you cannot do this too me. I've already lost too many people." His throat constricted as reality set in. She could die. He could not live without her, the one who had saved him from the black hole of depression. She could hear his voice. Loud. Commanding. Scared. Her brain was telling her to breathe. Breathe! Live! Fight! Why was this happening? What had gone wrong? Banging on the door announced the paramedics' arrival. Reluctantly, but out of necessity, John left Monica to let them inside. "Did she say anything before this occurred?" One paramedic questioned John and assessed the situation as another prepped Monica for transport. "She kept complaining of the heat. Next thing I knew, she was gasping for air." John nervously ran a hand through his hair before running to turn off the stove as the water began to boil over. She had been cooking for him. Her attention had been focused on him. And now... "Baltimore General," a paramedic called as they began wheeling Monica out on the stretcher. "Wait!" John grabbed his jacket and followed them to the ambulance. "You can sit here." The paramedic he had first spoken to indicated a bench to one side. "Hold her hand, whatever, just don't tangle the lines." An iv had been inserted into Monica's left hand. A colorless liquid dripped down the line. "I'm here, Monica. They're gonna take care of you. Hear me?" John watched as her eyelids fluttered back and forth. She was a fighter, he knew it. She would be fine. "Hey," he addressed the paramedic attending to her oxygen mask, "Do you have any idea...?" "Anaphylactic shock." The answer was matter of fact and elicited a pained look on John's face. "She's having an allergic reaction?" He could not believe it. An allergy to what? "Looks like it. Could be from anything. Food, medicine, perfume." The paramedic took Monica's blood pressure. She was completely unconscious now and her heart beat had yet to slow down. ************************ The emergency room was a flurry of activity as Monica was whisked to waiting doctors and nurses. "Monica Reyes, approximately 30 years of age, in upper respiratory distress. Looks like sudden onset of anaphylactic shock." Orders were being shouted back and forth. Get this! Get that! All John understood was that she was hurt, in pain, suffering. "Sir, are you a relative?" A nurse had stopped John from going further. "Sir?" John shook his head, "No, we work together." Please save her, his eyes begged. "Okay, have a seat and we'll have the doctor speak with you once she's stable." The nurse rushed off, leaving him alone and with his thoughts. The questioning thoughts he had previously were turning to panic. An allergic reaction. To what? What had been different that she could have come in contact with that was so different? Why Monica? What if she did not...?" No. John put his head in his hands. He would not think that way. They had shared so much incredible sadness already. No matter how hard he tried to shake them, the thoughts of her pain persisted. Traumas were being tended to everywhere near him, yet he paid no attention. He was focused on one person and one person only until a hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality. "Mr. Doggett?" John looked up to see a doctor hovering above him. "Ms. Reyes is going to be fine. She was lucky you called so quickly." A sigh of relief flooded over John. He stood, anxious to see her. "Is she awake? Was it an allergic reaction?" "Slow down. Your friend will be asleep for some time because of the medication administered. We'll keep her overnight for observation and she can be released tomorrow morning." The doctor began walking down the hall with John following. "Meanwhile, let me show you to her room. But I suggest you go home, get some sleep, and return tomorrow to pick her up. I assure you, we have everything under control. There is no immediate danger." Seeing her in that hospital bed was a surreal experience. John's mind tricked him into believing she was just sleeping, to believe she had never been in any danger. "Did she eat anything odd? Take any medicine?" The doctor broke the silence and forced John to focus on the here and now. "No. She had just prepared supper and we were sitting on her couch talking." "This is something you do often?" The doctor looked at him puzzled. "Well," John stammered, "no. Not really." "So your presence in her house was the major difference tonight?" John's palms were sweaty now. "Yes." The response came in a monotone voice. "But you work together." The doctor stated before pausing. "Have you changed cologne or aftershave? Detergents maybe?" It was John's turn to have a puzzled expression. "I have a different cologne." He watched as he doctor's face lit up. "Wait a minute. You think..." "It's a strong possibility, Mr. Doggett. Go home, shower, don't use that cologne and come back tomorrow. Ms. Reyes will be awake and we'll test this theory." John said a silent prayer as he took a last glance into Monica's room. If he had caused her to be in danger... ************************ "Okay, Monica, I need you to start on this today." John watched from the doorway as the doctor handed Monica a small bottle. The night had passed so slowly and had left him eager to be by her side. "You'll start with seven pills and taper off gradually until they're gone. Instructions will be given to you as you check out." "Knock knock." John announced his arrival. "Am I interrupting?" Monica grinned widely as he approached. "Nah, just learning how to be a druggie." She stood to meet him as he neared and threw her arms around him, inhaling deeply as she hugged his neck. "No, Doctor, no weird feelings or hot flashes." "At least I know how I effect you." John teased as he hugged her back. "Our little test worked then." The doctor signed the release papers and headed out of the room. "I'll see you in a week. Have a good day." With the room cleared, John and Monica sat next to each other on her hospital bed. "What's in the bottle?" Monica picked it up and held it out to him. "Prednisone. A steroid to build up my immune system." John hung his head. "I'm so sorry, Monica. If I had known this would happen, I would have..." "Chosen a different cologne?" She interrupted him abruptly. "Look at it this way. Now I get a second chance at cooking dinner and a second chance to have you in my home." John wrapped his arms around her and hugged her body to him. "I wouldn't miss it. This has taught me one thing." "And what is that?" "Never question what fate throws your way." John kissed the top of her head. The emotional barriers he had built around his heart began to crumble as he sat with her. "I am so glad I have you in my life."