Review By: Cerasi J. After locking John and Monica in the basement to work out their problems things erupt upstairs. Marita is conviced Monica is a home-wrecker and Mulder just doesn't understand why everyone is fighting on this beautiful day in which he was supposed to welcome his newest Super Buddy. Will Doggett and Monica work everything out? Or will their friendship be ruined forever by words that can never be taken back? Tune in tonight to find out! |
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Title: "Underneath It All"
Written by: Kristi
Date: January 6, 2004; January 10, 2004; January 15, 2004; January 20, 2004
Air Date: February 9, 2004
Rating: PG-13 (language)
Series: FRVS - Episode #119
Spoilers: Past episodes of FRVS may be spoiled.
Feedback: We love it. There is a form at the bottom of this story that you can use to send us feedback. Thank you.
Archiving: "Fox & Rat" Virtual Series only!
Disclaimer: We do not own anyone. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions, and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting.
Author's Note: The personalities of the characters within the world of "Fox & Rat" are not those you know from "The X-Files" television series. We have warped them and given them a common past, immature behavior and a sense of humor. Any horrid behavior should not be mimicked in your every day life.
Summary: Mulder's happy Super Buddy Party is ruined when John and Monica break out into a very serious fight.
DR. MILLER'S OFFICE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
9:30 A.M.Monica Reyes comfortably sits on a leather couch in the doctor's waiting room, patiently flipping through PEOPLE magazine. The waiting room is empty and cold, and the elevator music is starting to get to her.
She impatiently checks her watch. The doctor should be ready by now.
Monica flips through the magazine, until an intense pain in her head forces her to shut her eyes. She shuts the magazine and tosses it on the table in front of her. She places her head in her hands, applying pressure to relieve the pain. In hopes of willing away the pain, she shuts her eyes tightly.
She's been having these headaches for about four weeks now, ever since she got whacked on the head with a frying pan. Brad had a hell of a time convincing her to see a doctor about the intense pain that came with every headache. She had convinced herself that it was nothing, but with each passing day, the headaches became more intense and last for longer amounts of time.
The decision to see a doctor came earlier this week, when Monica woke up in the middle of the night with her head pounding. Nothing she did helped to alleviate the pain.
Monica wasn't sure what caused the sudden headaches she's been having. Sometimes it was being alone in the office, or the sound of footsteps outside of the apartment. She is certain that being in the waiting room of this doctor's office is causing the current headache she is experiencing. The sterile smell isn't helping at all.
"Monica?" comes the kind voice of a nurse.
Monica slowly looks up from the ground and over at the nurse.
"Dr. Miller will see you now." The nurse says with a warm smile.
"Thank you." Monica responds, hoping the doctor will be able to shine some light on her pain.
She gets up off the couch.
The nurse leads Monica through the long white hallway, heading to an examination room. An uneasy feeling comes over Monica. She usually never feels uneasy in hospitals or clinics. She doesn't have a fear of doctors, or needles. This uneasiness is coming from nowhere. The pain returns in her head as they continue down the hallway.Monica presses her palm to her forehead, hoping to send a flow of relieve once she removes the pressure that her hand causes. She is unsuccessful as they continue to walk down the hall.
The nurse opens a door and allows Monica to enter the exam room. Monica goes in first, followed by the nurse.
The room is cold. The walls are covered in a light pastel wallpaper that should be soothing, but for Monica, it is not. She helps herself up on the exam table.The nurse sits in front of her with a thermometer.
"I just need to take your temperature, hon'." The nurse says.
Monica nods her head, and the nurse takes her temperature.
"Well, you're normal." The nurse says with a smile. "Guess that's a good thing."
Moments later, the nurse finishes her duties and gets up.
"Dr. Miller will be in soon."
"Thanks." Monica says.
The nurse leaves the room.
The pain in Monica's head begins to intensify. Maybe it's the anticipation of the doctor arriving, or that sterile smell again, or perhaps the florescent lights. She doesn't know, but wishes the pain would stop.
A few moments pass, and Dr. Miller comes in. Monica jumps as the door surprisingly clicks open, breaking the silence.
The doctor is one of the younger doctors on staff, in his early forties. He wears a stethoscope around his neck, pens in the breast pocket of his white coat, and a clipboard in his hand. He gives Monica a friendly smile.
"Hi Monica, how are you feeling?"
"I've been having painful headaches." Monica replies, never understanding why doctors ask such a silly question when you've already decided you need to seek medical attention.
Dr. Miller sits in front of her.
"What kind of headaches?" He asks, as he shines a light into her eyes.
"Well, they are very painful and nothing I do seems to help alleviate the pain." Monica responds.
"And when you have these headaches, where do they hurt the most on your head?"
"Right here." Monica answers, pointing to the center of her forehead.
"How often do you have them?"
"At least four or five times a day. They started about four weeks ago when I was hit on the head with a frying pan." Monica explains.
The doctor gives her a look. She was hit on the head with a frying pan? He takes out a wooden stick.
"Open wide, stick out your tongue and say 'ah'."
Monica does.
"At first, I thought it was because of the frying pan incident." Monica continues to explain. "But then they kept coming and coming. Each time getting more intense and lasting longer."
"Like a migraine?"
"I guess so, only it won't go away." Monica says, the quickly corrects herself. "Well, they do go away, but come right back."
The doctor nods his head.
"What are you doing when these headaches come?"
"Well, I had one in your waiting room as I was reading a magazine. It continued as the nurse showed me to this room, and it's still pretty painful now." Monica says. "Other times, I'll be sleeping and wake up with a pain in my head. I'll be in my office writing an insert of my novel and one will hit out of nowhere."
The doctor takes all this in.
"Has there been a lot of stress in your life recently?" He asks.
Monica thinks for a moment. Thoughts of her job suspension, the OPR report against her, her job in general, being engaged and not telling her family, her brothers, John constantly nagging her about everything, John blaming her for everything, the list goes on.
"Yeah." Monica answers, not really realizing how much stress is in her life until now.
"Headaches are a common thing." Dr. Miller says. "I think what you need to do is relax. Your record says that you're an FBI agent."
"Yes, that's correct."
"That's a very stressful job." Dr. Miller says. "Have you ever considered seeing a stress management therapist?"
"A stress management therapist?" Monica says with a hint of doubt. "You're kidding, right?"
"No. Stress is probably the cause of these headaches." Dr. Miller says.
Monica is silent for a moment. Maybe he's right and stress is the cause. What else could it be?
"I guess I could look into that whole therapist thing." Monica says, not thrilled that a doctor suggested she seeks help from a stress management therapist. "In the meantime, is there anything you would suggest for me to do to stop the pain?"
"Extra strength Tylenol." He smiles at her.
Monica nods her head with a little smile. Something that easy, and she made an appointment.
"Are there any other concerns you have?" Dr. Miller asks.
Monica thinks for a hesitated moment. She looks up at him about to say something. Whatever it is, we'll find out soon enough...
MULDER & KRYCEK'S APARTMENT
THE LOVE ROOMThe sun warmly shines in on Krycek as he peacefully sleeps on the bed.
The peace is broken with a loud crashing noise from the living room. Krycek's eyes pop open in anger. Pissed, he gets out of bed and goes into the living room, not caring who sees him in his red and pink heart boxer shorts with little smiley faces.
In the living room, Mulder has clumsily fallen to the ground. He's currently picking up red and green plastic cups that have scattered to the ground when he fell.
Krycek stands behind him, his hands on his waist.
"MULDER!" Krycek yells.
Mulder looks up at him from the floor.
"Why the hell are you up already?!" Krycek screams with fury. "It's almost ten in the frickin' morning! On a Saturday! You're making a ruckus and I can't SLEEP!"
"Well, you can forget about sleeping." Mulder says with a happy grin.
Krycek steps back in shock. They always sleep in on Saturdays. Always!
Mulder stands up, holding his stack of plastic cups.
"I've planned a very special Super Buddy party." Mulder explains.
"Why?" Krycek asks with obvious annoyance in his voice.
"Because, Alex…" Mulder explains as if talking to a child. "It's time to bring Brad into the wonder that is Super Buddies."
Mulder smiles proudly. Krycek looks on, not thrilled at all.
"I'm not cleaning this dump for some stupid Super-"
"-You won't have to." Mulder says, interrupting him. "I made a new Super Buddy rule."
Krycek rolls his eyes.
"When someone becomes a Super Buddy, it means their residence can host Super Buddy parties at any time."
Mulder smiles at his new rule, which makes it so he and Krycek won't have to clean their apartment.
"That's stupid." Krycek says bluntly.
"No it isn't!" Mulder demands. "Besides, I think John will be thrilled to know he's hosting the party."
Mulder happily skips into the kitchen. Krycek follows.
"You chose John Doggett?" Krycek asks in disbelief.
"Yep."
"Does he know?"
"Nope."
"He's gonna be pissed." Krycek states.
"No he's not. He's a Super Buddy. He'll agree. He has to." Mulder assures Krycek.
"I'm not a part of this." Krycek says. "I don't want him pissed at me. Been there, done that!"
Krycek can't help but not forget about the time John Doggett kicked him out of the van and punched him out and let him on the side of the road. Leaving him to walk from the mid-west to Washington, D.C.
"But you're the Vice President of Super Buddies! You stand behind all of my decisions." Mulder reminds him.
"No. I fund your lame adventures with my endless credit card." Krycek corrects Mulder.
"So. You still take responsibility." Mulder says, his expression suddenly becoming devious. "That is, unless you want everyone to know you secretly love Super Buddies…"
Krycek's eyes widen with fear. He knows Mulder would leak that kind of classified information. Krycek wouldn't want that. Not in a million years! That would crush his sexy man reputation, as it has done to Mulder. No wonder Diana left him. He's such a dweeb.
JOHN DOGGETT'S HOUSE
11:30 A.M.Doggett sits down on his couch and sets a glass of orange juice down next to his strawberry pop-tart that is on the coffee table in front of him. For a moment, he watches the television. NASCAR is on. He picks up his gun and concentrates on cleaning it. He doesn't know why, but cleaning his gun on a Saturdays brings him much needed relaxation.
Buddy carefully goes up to the coffee table and sniffs at one of the strawberry pop-tarts. He keeps a watchful eye on Doggett as he quickly takes one of the pop-tarts and runs for his doggy door in the kitchen so he can escape to his favorite corner in the backyard and enjoy his stolen treat.
Startled by Buddy, Doggett watches as he slams through the little door. A small smile forms on his face as he slowly shakes his head in amusement.
"Buddy, Buddy, Buddy…" Doggett says to himself.
Suddenly, the front door flies open and Mulder and Krycek walk in. They are carrying large brown paper grocery bags from Happy Gilligan's.
"Johnny! This is your lucky day!" Mulder happily shouts.
Doggett is confused by the sudden intrusion. He sits on his couch looking at Mulder and Krycek as they go into his kitchen and put the grocery bags on his counters.
"I didn't agree with this." Krycek says to Doggett, already defending himself.
"Agree with what?" Doggett asks.
"We've elected your house to throw the next Super Buddy party, announcing our newest Super Buddy member!" Mulder explains with a burst of excitement.
Doggett gets up off his couch and enters his kitchen. Mulder is starting to unpack the grocery bag. Setting bottles of soda pop, bags of potatoe chips, candy, and other various junk food on the counter.
"When did this happen, and who's the new member?" Doggett asks, not exactly pleased with Mulder's decision, and worried that some stranger will be 'welcomed' into his home.
"This morning, and Brad Follmer." Mulder replies with a happy smile and nod of his head.
"I don't remember voting." Doggett states.
"Oh, that's ok." Mulder says. "I voted for you!"
"And only him." Krycek states, giving his disclaimer. "I had nothing to do with this. Remember that."
"It can't be here today. I'm busy." Doggett lies.
"That's right!" Mulder exclaims in excitement. "Busy with the Super Buddy party!"
Mulder gives him a happy grin and continues unpacking the junk food.
"John, I need you to get all the soda pop out of the trunk of the car." Mulder commands. "Alex, you take John's truck and go get Brad and bring him here. I'll finish calling everyone to let them know about the party."
Krycek and Doggett head for the door. There is no stopping Mulder, he's got Super Buddy determination.
"You know why he won't call Brad, right?" Krycek says to Doggett with a whisper.
"Why?" Doggett asks.
"Because he knows Brad won't willingly come."
Doggett nods his head in agreement as they head out of the door. There's no doubt that Brad won't be happy to come to this Super Buddy inauguration.
"Drive carefully, Krycek." Doggett says.
"I'm not Mulder, I don't fall asleep at the wheel and almost get hit by a semi." Krycek assures him.
BRAD FOLLMER'S APARTMENT
11:45 A.M.Monica quietly comes through the door. The apartment is silent. Monica makes her way through the apartment and to the bedroom. She quietly opens the door and peeks in.
Brad is sleeping peacefully. Sheets of the bed barely covering his backside. She sees the rim of his black boxer shorts.
Monica quietly enters the bedroom and sits on the bed. She looks down at Brad as he sleeps. Gently, she shakes him, her hand on his lower back.
"Bradley?" Monica says in a sweet quiet voice.
She watches him for a moment. He doesn't stir. She shakes him a little harder.
"Bradley." She repeats, this time a little louder.
He moves a bit, but doesn't open his eyes.
"Brad sweetie, it's three o'clock in the afternoon…" Monica users her initial soft voice.
Brad opens his eyes and looks up at her with a tired smile.
"No it's not." Brad says, squinting his eyes, trying to stay asleep.
"I know. It's after eleven-thirty." Monica smiles at him.
Brad rubs his eyes. Monica can't help but smile at his messy bed-head.
"How was your appointment?" Brad asks, as he rolls over and sits up.
"The doctor says I should see a stress management therapist." Monica says, not happy about being told to see a therapist.
"You're not happy about that." Brad states.
"People with mental problems see therapists. Not me." Monica says.
Brad gives her a smile.
"You don't have mental problems, Moni." He assures her. "Although, sometimes you are a little crazy."
He winks at her. She looks at him, not amused.
"How's your head now?" Brad asks, realizing she didn't care much for being called crazy.
"I feel pressure right here." Monica says, pointing to the center of her forehead.
Brad moves in and gives her forehead a gentle kiss.
"Better now?" He smiles at her.
"I only wish." She says, giving him a smile.
"Well, since that didn't work, have you taken any Tylenol today? That might help." Brad suggest.
"I haven't felt like taking Tylenol anymore." Monica answers.
"Haven't felt like taking it?" He repeats her with amusement.
Monica nods her head. He looks at her suspiciously.
"Why is that?" Brad asks, getting the feeling she's hiding something.
Monica shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't know." She smiles at him, then drifts her eyes out the window.
Brad eyes her.
"You're hiding something." He states with a smile.
"No." Monica says.
"Is this some strange Reyes Remedy?"
Monica laughs.
"No, I just don't think I should take it." She says with a hint of mischief in her voice.
She smiles at him. Brad nods his head.
"You're a strange one, Monica Isabella…" He says with a smile as he gives her a kiss on the lips.
His warm lips press against hers, as he lies her down next to him. Passion growing inside, and just as they are about to do something about it, they are interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.
They reluctantly part and look towards the front door, which is barely visible through the bedroom doorframe.
"I wonder who that is…" Monica says.
The knock comes again.
"Whoever it is, they're persistent." Brad says.
"It's probably Krycek." Monica says as she gets up off the bed. "I'll get it, as long as you get up."
She smiles at him. He gives her a look, it's so early…
Monica stops at the doorframe.
"Sleepy head." She says to him with another smiles as she goes to answer the door.
Monica walks over to the front door and opens it. She's right, it's Alex Krycek. He pushes past her and enters the apartment."Alex?" Monica says, shocked by how he pushed his way in.
"Where's Brad?" Krycek demands.
"No, I don't want to go to some stupid party Mulder's throwing." Monica says with annoyance.
Krycek looks at her confused, how did she know about it? Mulder hasn't called her!
"I'm suppose to bring him, where is he?" Krycek asks.
Brad comes out of the bedroom wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.
"We have plans today." Brad says calmly.
Krycek snaps a look at him.
"Sorry." Brad says with a smirk, obviously not sorry for not wanting to go.
"I don't care!" Krycek yells. "You have to come or else I'll have to listen to Mulder cry all day!"
Krycek truly fears Mulder's tears soaking him.
"That's not my problem." Brad says, giving him another smirk that digs underneath Krycek's skin.
"Everyone's coming, and so are you!" Krycek yells.
Before Brad or Monica have time to say another word, Krycek has them both by their arms and is dragging them out of the apartment.
JOHN DOGGETT'S HOUSE
12:15 P.M.Doggett's living room is full. Skinner is there, sipping a lemonade that has a little umbrella in it. Kim Cook is sitting next to him and they are holding hands.
Scully, Doggett and Marita are sitting on the couch, watching Mulder set out the refreshments.
"So what exactly is this party for, Fox?" Marita asks.
"Well, we're all welcoming the newest member of Super Buddies." Mulder says happily.
"Oh." Marita responds happily.
"Why did you set up the Twister mat if we're only welcoming him to the… club?" Doggett asks, fearing the answer.
"I thought we'd all play games first." Mulder answers.
"I'm a little old for Twister, Mulder." Skinner says.
"You're never too old for Twister, Wally!" Mulder says cheerfully.
"Don't call me that." Skinner says with annoyance.
"So Walter, have you used that Rogaine yet?" Scully asks.
"Yeah, I think it's working." Skinner replies optimistically as he rubs the top of his head.
Kim shakes her head with a smile. It's not working, and it never will.
Everyone looks over at Skinner as if he's crazy for thinking it's working.
The front door flies open and Krycek comes in, dragging Brad and Monica.
"Oh goodie! Everyone's here!" Mulder shouts.
"That's right!" Krycek says. "Let's get this party started!"
Krycek lets go of Brad, but not Monica. He drags her over to Mulder, who is putting in his party mix CD.
"Hey Mulder," Krycek says in a low voice.
Mulder turns to face him with a big grin.
"I've got an idea for a… game." Krycek says in a devious tone.
"Oh goodie! That sounds great!" Mulder says, not realizing Krycek never told him his 'game'.
"Ok. I'll do it then." Krycek says with an excited grin.
He quickly turns away from Mulder and starts to drag Monica towards the staircase to take her upstairs… towards Doggett's bedroom…
Skinner goes up to Mulder.
"When we do Twister, can I be the spinner? I don't think my back can handle the actual physical aspect of the game." Skinner explains.
"Sure thing, buddy." Mulder says as he slaps Skinner on the bum and walks off.
Skinner is frozen in his place. Did Mulder really do what he thinks he just did?
Kim comes up to him.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who's noticed you working out in the gym." Kim says with a sly grin, amused by what Mulder just did.
"ALEX! LET ME GO!"
All heads turn to the staircase, where they see Krycek has pinned Monica up against the wall.
"Come on, baby! I know you want me!" Krycek says.
"Let me go." Monica's tone is threatening.
Krycek doesn't listen and he kisses Monica, but it doesn't last long at all. Monica pushes him off of her and down the stairs. On his way down, his foot hits one of the rails of the staircase, and because his boots are heavy, the rail breaks.
Marita stomps over to Krycek, who has passed out on the floor after hitting his head.
"I thought you loved me!" Marita screams at him with angered shake of her head.
Doggett comes over as Monica makes her way down the stairs.
"Dammit Monica! You broke my staircase!" Doggett yells at her.
"I broke your staircase?!" Monica can't believe he's yelling at her. "I had to get that little leach off of me!"
Mulder looks worried… this is suppose to be happy… no fighting…
"You were asking for it." Doggett says, as if he's making a true statement.
Monica is appauled. She reaches ground level at the edge of the staircase.
"Asking for it? What the hell does that mean?" Monica is getting angry at him. She's sick and tired of him blaming her for anything.
"Oh I think you know." Doggett states. "You're gonna pay for that you know. If you weren't whoring yourself-"
"Whoring myself?!" Monica's pissed.
Brad steps forward.
"Guys, this is only going to turn-" Brad is cut off by Doggett.
"-That's right! You were whoring yourself for him."
"You're an asshole!" Monica yells back.
She tries to walk past him, but he gets in her way.
"Get out of my way!" she yells at him.
"No!"
Doggett attempts to reach out and take hold of her shoulders, but Monica slaps him hard across the face. So hard that it actually hurts him. He won't let it show, he'd never give her that satisfaction.
"Ooh… is that all you've got?" Doggett says, encouraging the fight to continue.
Monica lets out a heavy sigh. She doesn't want this fight to continue, especially seeing that tears are streaming down Mulder's face.
"Johnny," She holds back anger, but it's still there. "I am not going to fight with you again."
She looks him in the eyes and walks past him towards the living room. The spectators part as she walks by them.
"Always giving up so easily, aren't you?" Doggett says, his tone disapproving.
Monica stops walking, her back still to him.
"Guess that's why you never solved my son's case, right?"
This hits her like a thousand knives being stabbed into her heart. She stands there, trying to control herself.
"Maybe you were too busy fucking your superior to even care." Doggett says with hatred, pointing at Brad.
Monica turns to him, tears in her eyes. Anger all over her.
Why is he doing this?
"What? You gonna cry now? Can't even defend yourself?"
"You're an asshole, John." Her heart is shattered.
Doggett makes his way through the peanut gallery and stands right in front of her.
"That's it? I'm an asshole?" He says, mocking her words, truly being an asshole to her. "So then it's true."
He glares into her eyes.
"John." Brad says in a demanding tone, trying to stop this fight from getting worse.
Doggett ignores him and looks deep into her tear filled eyes.
"You killed Luke." He says, blaming her. "You killed my little boy."
"STOP THIS!" Mulder can't take it anymore!
This was supposed to be a fun Super Buddy party and here they are, fighting!
Before either one of them can react to Mulder's outburst, he grabs them both by their arms and drags them down into Doggett's basement.
Mulder drops them off in the middle of the room and then runs up the stairs, slamming and locking the door.
Doggett, having heard the latch of the lock, runs up the stairs. He tries the door knob, and can't get out. He pounds on the door.
"Dammit Mulder! Open the door!"
"No! Not until you guys kiss and make up!" Mulder shouts through the door.
"Mulder!" Doggett yells back.
"You heard me!" Mulder shouts back.
Everyone stares at Mulder. How was he brave enough to do that during a John and Monica fight about Luke?!
Mulder turns away from the basement door as he hears Doggett stomp back down.
"No matter what happens," Mulder commands. "No one, and I mean no one is to open this door."
His tone is rather threatening as he intensely stares everyone down, daring anyone to disobey him.
"So I take it we won't be playing Twister?" Skinner quietly asks after a few silent moments.
Everyone looks at him in disbelief.
The basement is silent. One dim light hangs above the room. Doggett furiously makes his way down the stairs. He stops a few feet away from Monica and glares at her.Monica stands in the middle of the cold basement. Anger building in her as she returns Doggett's glare.
They stand in silence for a long time.
"Happy?" Doggett says in a tone that frightens her.
Monica doesn't respond. She looks away from him, not understanding where this anger towards her is coming from.
"What? Can't look at me now that you know I know the truth?" Doggett sneers at her.
He walks over to her.
"Shut up, John." Monica says quietly.
"Do you know what I went through? What Barbara went through?" He stares her down.
He let's his words take their toll on her, knowing she knows what's coming next.
"What Luke must have been through?" His words stab her. "You don't understand the pain of loosing-"
"-I understand the pain of loosing a child, John." Monica strongly stands up to him.
Doggett gives her a doubtful look.
"Do you?" He sneers at her.
"Yeah, I do." She states.
"Please Monica, enlighten me." Doggett dares her with hateful sarcasm in his voice.
Monica turns away from him.
"I'd rather not." She says.
"That's what I thought."
His accusation gets to her. She turns to face him.
"In 1987-"
"-Oh don't give me that miscarriage story, Monica!" Doggett interrupts her. "That's not the same, and you know it."
"It may not be the same, John." She stares back at him intensely. "But that same pain you felt when Luke died, I know it.
Doggett rolls his eyes.
"It's just as painful when you choose the fate of an unborn child." She tells him.
Doggett looks at her, not sure if he should believe what she's saying.
"You're sayin' you had an abortion?" Doggett asks, becoming cynical of her. "What? Didn't want to have rich Bradley's bastard?"
He glares at her. She takes a deep breath.
"It wasn't his." Monica states.
Doggett eyes her, almost coming to an understanding of what she's saying.
"Do you remember the incident of Christmas '86? What happened when you, Brad and I had a little too much eggnog?" Monica asks.
Doggett's glare pierces into her.
"Yeah…" His rough voice is filled with anger as he begins to understand.
"Do you remember where you were positioned that night?"
Doggett doesn't have to answer, he knows.
"Why'd you lie to me and say it was his?" Doggett asks, angered by her decision.
"Why do you think? You were married at the time. What would you have done anyway?" Monica asks.
"I would've been there for you." He says with anger.
"Oh, I see." Monica says sarcastically. "Like how you were there for Barbara that Christmas, right?"
"It's no reason to kill an innocent life, Monica." Doggett stresses his words back at her.
"I had no choice, John." Monica states. "My family would've killed me if they found out. I didn't want to ruin your marriage. Barbara didn't need to know about what happened."
"So you decided that the easiest way to save your own ass was to kill a child." Doggett glares at her. "Real smart, Monica."
"I was young and had my whole life ahead of me." She explains. "If I would've had that child, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"You're selfish, that's what you are." He glares at her.
She doesn't break eye contact with him. "So, you've lied to Brad all these years too? Great relationship you two have." He sneers at her.
"I've lied to everyone, John." She says. "Do you think I'm proud of what I did?"
He doesn't respond.
"I'm sorry, John. I'm sorry for all the mistakes I've made in my life. I'm sorry for all the mistakes I've made in your life. I'm sorry I couldn't be as perfect as you." Tears well up in her eyes.
He doesn't respond.
They stand in silence for a long time. The whole house is silent. Monica's eyes drift upwards, wondering if everyone upstairs can hear their argument.
Doggett goes over to a wall across the room and leans against it. The unexpected coldness of the concrete sends a chill up his spine. He doesn't flinch.
Without a word, Monica makes her way over to a dusty, unused bar. She stumbles a bit over random boxes that are on the cold concrete floor. She removes a dusty bar stool that is sitting upside down on top of the bar. She sits down and wraps her arms around herself. The coldness of the basement getting to her.
Monica looks around the basement with her eyes. So many of John's things are in boxes. Things from his past. His past with Luke and Barbara. She notices a box of toys that use to be Luke's. It's no wonder he hasn't gotten over his son's death, he can't let him go. She looks around some more, wondering if Luke's soul is present with them at this moment. She hopes he isn't.
The cold sends a chill over her.
From across the room, Doggett watches Monica. He doesn't know what's come over him. Why is he so angry with her? He doesn't know, it just happened. It's too late now to apologize, he's gotten way too deep to just let things go.
Where the hell did blaming her for Luke's death come from anyway? Maybe he secretly has thought that, just now it surfaced. He doesn't know.
"It's cold down here." Monica says from across the room, breaking the silence, and his thoughts.
Doggett looks over at her. Her tone with him is still harsh.
"It's a concrete basement on a cold February day, what the hell did you expect?" Doggett sneers back.
"I was simply making a comment, John. Not fighting with you." Monica says.
"I'm not bothered by it." Doggett says, leaving his post on the wall. "Of course I lived up in New York longer than you, so I can handle the cold."
Monica eyes him as he comes closer to her, standing in the middle of the room again.
"So what if I don't like being cold." Monica says.
"You're a wuss." Doggett states.
Monica rolls her eyes.
"Oh my God." Monica can't believe him. "What, you want to fight about the cold? Is that it?"
"No, I'm simply saying that weaker people can't handle the cold." He smiles at her.
"I'm not weak, John." Monica defends herself.
"Sure. Fine. Keep telling yourself that."
"Yeah, well at least I'm not going to die alone." Monica sneers at him.
"What the hell does that mean?" Doggett is angered by her comment.
"What it means, is that you will forever be alone because you can't even ask a girl you like out on a date." Monica says. "That's weak."
He glares at her.
"Fuck you, Monica."
"Oh, is that all you have to say?" Monica asks.
He glares at her.
"You know John, you blame me for so much unhappiness in your life, did you ever stop to think that maybe you're the cause of your unhappiness?" Monica asks.
Doggett doesn't respond.
"If you'd stop being so damn gutless all the time, you'd be happy." Monica harshly states. "If you'd just ask Dana out, you'd realize that life is good, and that not everything is my fault."
"What do you know about it?" Doggett asks harshly.
"I observe people, John." Monica says. "You let the littlest things stop you. I think you're afraid to be with her."
"I'm not afraid to be with her." Doggett says.
"You're pathetic John. You go around blaming people for your problems." Monica says. "Problems like not being able to ask Dana out. You blame that on me because you have a fear of heights. How the hell am I responsible for that?"
Doggett doesn't answer her.
"Why can't you stand up for yourself?" Monica asks. "Do you really think Dana's going to want to be with someone who can't admit when he's wrong?"
Doggett looks up at her.
"No, she won't." Monica says, answering her own question. "I think she can do better than you. She deserves a man who can stand up for who he is, and that includes all his faults. A man who can admit when he's wrong. A man who won't blame his friends for his problems. That's who she deserves."
Doggett glares at her. He knows she's right, but he's stubborn and won't admit it.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the kitchen, Mulder is bawling his eyes out. His perfect Super Buddy party is ruined!"Why do they always have to fight?" Mulder manages to spout out through his tears.
"I don't know, Fox." Scully says, acting the part of his mother.
"They are Super Buddies." Mulder says. "Super Buddies don't fight. Super Buddies is all about love and understanding."
Krycek laughs. Scully and Mulder look up at him. Scully gives him a look not to laugh at the situation.
Krycek ignores her look.
"Not enough love and understanding…" Krycek starts to sing.
"Alex." Scully says sternly, shutting him up.
"See, love and understanding, Scully." Mulder looks at her with pleading eyes. "Love and understanding. Not hatred. Not yelling. Not… not… oh I don't know!"
Mulder drops his head down on Doggett's kitchen table in frustration. He can't think right.
Skinner comes in, followed by Kim.
"Guys, we're gonna get going." Skinner says. "If we're not going to play Twister, then…"
Skinner shakes his head, he was looking forward to being the spinner. Scully nods her head. She doesn't blame them for wanting to leave.
"I'll see you guys later." Scully says.
"Bye." Skinner says.
"Don't worry, Fox. I'm sure they'll make up." Kim says, trying to comfort Mulder.
Skinner and Kim leave the kitchen, passing Brad in the living room. He's sitting next to the door, trying to hear what they are arguing about.
Marita watches him from the couch. She looks pissed.
"Monica's a whore!" Marita yells at Brad.
Brad looks over at her, not happy.
"No she's not."
"Yes she is!" Marita yells. "She's cheating on you. You know that, right?"
Marita says her lines with confidence, as if she believes them.
Brad rolls his eyes.
"She stole you away from me when we were betrothed. She's a mean home wrecker and I hope John beats her up!" Marita shouts.
"Marita, you're making yourself look like a fool." Brad calmly says. "And she had nothing to do with us not getting married. If you were the last person on this planet, I still wouldn't marry you."
"That's a LIE!" Marita yells.
Brad rolls his eyes.
"Marita, I embarrassed you on purpose. That's why I said 'no' in front of everyone." Brad says with a smirk.
"I hate you!" Marita shouts as she stands up and leaves the living room.
"Good." Brad says quietly under his breath.
Marita enters the kitchen. Mulder is now on the floor crying in Scully's arms. Krycek is watching them.
"I don't get it!" Mulder yells in confusion.
"No one does…" Scully says in a soothing voice.
"Alex!" Marita shouts, startling everyone in the kitchen. "I want to leave!"
"Why?" Krycek asks.
"Because I'm unhappy here." Marita says.
"Ok… I think we should get Mulder home anyway." Krycek says. "Hopefully, if we get him home and sit him in front of his Patrick Swayze movies, he'll be better."
Scully nods her head in agreement. Krycek helps Scully bring Mulder to his feet. Mulder continues to bawl his eyes out as he hugs Krycek, hiding his face into his shirt, soaking him. So much for not wanting to deal with Mulder's tears. They leave and head out the door.
Scully goes into the living room and sits on the couch. Brad is still listening by the basement door.
"What are you doing?" Scully asks.
"Making sure he won't hurt her." Brad says. "You never know how bad a John and Mon' fight can get."
Brad looks over at her.
"Especially given how this fight started." Brad says as he turns his attention back to the basement.
Scully shrugs her shoulders, doubting that John would hurt Monica. She turns on the television and finds "The Brady Bunch" on TV Land. She sits back comfortable on the couch, trying to block out the shouting that comes from below.
"At least I don't close my feelings off to people!" Doggett says."Yes you do!" Monica yells back at him.
"You say you don't cry," Doggett says, ignoring her. "And then when you do cry, you hide it!"
He looks her in the eyes.
"When someone catches you crying, you immediately deny it."
Monica glares at him.
"I mean, my God! When Alex Krycek rigged that elevator with a bomb and you thought Brad died, you denied ever crying about his death!" Doggett glares deep into her eyes. "Are you that heartless?"
"I'm not heartless." Monica says, ironically close to crying. "I was raised in a harsh environment."
"You blame your family for everything!" Doggett continues to pick her apart. "You can't stand up for yourself and admit when you've done something wrong. You lie about-"
"-Wait a second, Mr. Doggett." Monica glares at him. "I can admit when I'm wrong. If there's anyone I know who can't, it's you."
Doggett glares at her daring her to go on.
"You blame me for everything." She continues. "Even Luke's death. To me, that is a heartless accusation. You have no concern for my feelings. Do you think that case easy for me?"
He doesn't answer her.
"It wasn't, John." She continues. "Not only on a professional level, but on a personal level."
"Which is why you weren't qualified for the case. You should've backed down! Allowed someone more qualified to work the case!" Doggett yells. "Guess that's why you thought fucking your superior was more important, huh?"
She glares at him with hatred.
"A high profile case like that was too big for you to pass up. You used it as a way to gain promotion. To gain a reputation. You had no consideration for the people involved. You're selfish! You couldn't do your damn job, and you failed!"
He knows Monica's biggest fear is failure.
"I had as many agents as I could working around the clock for those three days." Monica says sternly. "I never once gave up or thought it was a lost cause. I never let my personal connection cloud my judgement."
She stares into his eyes.
"Never." She repeats.
They both hold their intense eyes connection.
"Why do you keep insisting Luke's death is all my fault? When you know damn well that when Luke went missing, I was miles away at my office." Monica says.
Doggett doesn't answer.
"Are you afraid you failed?" Monica asks him without missing a beat.
"I don't fail." Doggett snaps back at her. "One thing I learned is never to clock out. That's what makes good cops. Good investigators. That's the difference between solving a case and not solving a case."
He looks deep into her eyes.
"You clocked out."
Doggett's harsh words break her inside. Not only personally, but to who she is as an investigator.
She doesn't respond.
Doggett leans himself back against the cement wall. They say nothing to each other. Both of them boiling up inside as they stare one another down.
"So what are you saying, John?" Monica asks. "That I'm not qualified to be an investigator?"
"Yeah." Doggett responds without hesitation.
This hurts Monica. Being an investigator has been her life's passion. Ever since she was a little girl and watched her brothers break the law. It's the reason she pursued a career in law enforcement. To be able to bring justice to those that get away with crimes.
"I don't even think we should be partners anymore." Doggett says, starring her right in the eyes.
Monica swallows down her tears. She doesn't know what to say to that. She's never once thought about that. The fact that he said it now, only means it's been on his mind. For how long she wonders.
Doggett leans back against the wall and looks away from her, knowing damn well he's hurt her bad.
"Do you really think that?" Monica asks, tears in her eyes.
Doggett looks up at her.
"Because if you do, why not get on the phone right now and call Kersh and request a new partner." Monica says as she wipes away a tear.
Doggett doesn't respond.
"I guess you've never trusted me." Monica says, truly hurt by this. "Why?"
He doesn't say a word.
"Because I couldn't solve your son's case?" Monica asks, still not getting an answer from him. "Have you blamed me this whole time?"
No answers.
"If so, then why even allow me on the x-files. You've been down there longer, couldn't you have just told them you didn't want me down there? Wouldn't that had made your life easier? Made my life easier?"
He looks away from her.
"Is that why you made me look like a bad agent when we worked on the Kelly Clark case? Is that why you took the side of the Senator?" Monica asks. "As a way of getting a new partner? Did you hope I'd get fired?"
No answer again.
"I want an answer dammit." Monica says, not going to take silence anymore.
"No."
"Were you happy when I got suspended?" Monica asks.
"What makes you say that?" Doggett asks, getting annoyed.
"Oh come on, John." Monica says, getting angry. "I thought I'm always the one nagging you down there. Getting in the way of your job. It must have been so nice not having me down there. Having everyone agree with you. Never challenging your theories? Was it nice?"
Doggett doesn't comment, he doesn't think right now is the best time to admit that he told Scully it was nice down there without Monica.
Monica watches him, knowingly.
"That's what I thought." Monica says quietly.
She looks away from him, hurt by what she knows to be true.
They are silent for a very long time. Neither one knowing what to say.
Several hours pass as they sit in silence.
Upstairs, Scully and Brad sit at Doggett's kitchen table, eating sandwiches. They haven't been able to hear all of their arguments, just the one's where John would shout at her."Are they always like this?" Scully asks.
"Usually, but not this bad before." Brad answers.
"How long do you think they'll be down there?" Scully asks.
"They're both stubborn." Brad says. "I was thinking we should bring them some food."
"Mulder wouldn't allow it. We can't break Mulder's plan." Scully informs him.
Brad shrugs his shoulders. Scully knows Mulder best, and the last thing Brad would want to deal with is Mulder finding out he opened that door prematurely. Who knows how long Mulder would be in his office lecturing him about how Super Buddies always have to be friends and solve things together.
Brad check's his watch: eight o'clock in the evening. They've already been down there for over eight hours.
"I can't believe how cold it was today." Scully comments.
"It's February." Brad says.
"Did I ever tell you about the time Walter proposed to me around Valentine's Day?" Scully asks.
"I don't think so…"
"He had Mulder and Krycek build a snowman around Valentine's Day." Scully says.
"So let me guess, Mulder and Krycek got into a snowball fight and all hell broke loose?" Brad asks.
"No. It worked out just fine." Scully says.
"A snowman?" Brad asks.
"Yeah. Walter is strange."
"No kidding." Brad says.
"I think he's got an unhealthy obsession with Rogaine." Scully says.
"I don't doubt it." Brad laughs.
They are interrupted by the shouts of John Doggett from below.
"Here they go again…" Scully says with a heavy sigh.
"My only human emotion is not arguing with you!" Doggett yells at Monica."Yes it is!"
"Prove it!"
"This is proof!" Monica states.
"No it isn't." Doggett defends.
"Then why are we even fighting?" Monica asks. "One moment Alex Krycek is forcing himself on me and then suddenly it's my fault because 'I want him'."
She glares at him.
"John, you blame me for breaking your staircase."
He glares at her.
"You know damn well that wasn't my fault." Monica says.
"Yeah, well-"
"-No." Monica interrupts him. "I don't want to fight with you anymore. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of our friendship being based on fights. Since day one you've blamed me, fought with me. I'm sick of it. I hate it."
She looks away from him. Doggett doesn't have a response. She's right.
Doggett leans himself back against the wall and looks down to the ground, thinking about what she just said.
Monica's right. He won't admit it often, not even to himself, but she's right. Ever since he was four years old he had picked on her, fought with her. Nothing has changed between them.
Can their friendship stand without fighting? He doesn't know. They've always fought. Why is he being such an asshole?
He looks up at her but doesn't say a word. She looks right back at him. The tension between them is thick.
Several minutes pass before anything happens.
Monica shuts her eyes and holds her forehead. The dreadful headache returns. Pressure building in her head as she hopes to God that John won't decide that now is a perfect time for a new fight.
Doggett watches her from the room.
Monica's eyes shut tighter as she lets out a painful moan, wishing this hell would just stay away.
"What's wrong?" Doggett asks.
He's concerned, but she doesn't notice.
No, not a new fight… Monica thinks to herself.
"My head hurts. Why?" Monica replies, dreading the emergence of a new argument.
"I'm concerned, that's all." Doggett says.
"Stop talking, please." She begs him.
Doggett does as she requests, and leans back against the wall.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Brad and Scully are watching the ten o'clock news. Scully is slowly drifting off. Her head nodding as her eyes close. She quickly snaps her head back up, realizing she's dozing off.Brad looks over at her from a chair.
Scully's eyes are wide as she tries to stay awake. She's unsuccessful and shuts her eyes again, tipping over on the couch.
Brad laughs a bit as he goes over to her. He shakes her a bit to wake her up. Her eyes slowly open.
"Huh?" Scully manages to moan.
"Dana, you're falling asleep." Brad says.
"Oh… I'm gonna go sleep now." Scully slowly gets up off the couch and staggers herself up the stairs and into Doggett's bedroom.
Brad slowly sits back down in the chair, wondering about Dana, and how comfortable she is going up to Doggett's bedroom. Maybe that theory he had months ago is correct and she and John are together…
He continues watching the news, wondering when John and Monica will be done.
The basement is quiet for almost an hour as Monica waits for the pain in her head to pass. The pain throbs all over her head, in her brain. Thinking it away doesn't do her any good.Doggett comes over to her to see if she's all right. She hasn't looked up or said anything for a long time.
Sensing him, Monica looks up. The pain hasn't left her yet, but she manages to find the strength to look up. She wipes away tears that have fallen from the pain.
Doggett stands in front of her. Concern written all over him. He's never seen Monica like this. She looks up at him.
"Why do we fight?" She asks.
"I don't know."
"Do you hate me?" Monica asks, wanting nothing more from him than the honest to God's truth.
"No." He says in disbelief that she would think that.
"I want you to be completely honest with me, John."
"I am being honest with you." Doggett assures her.
"Then why do you blame me for Luke's death?"
Doggett looks away from her, taking his time to answer her question.
"Because I can't deal with the fact that I didn't do everything I could to save him."
"What could you have done?" Monica asks, as she shuts her eyes from the pain the headache is giving her.
Doggett doesn't answer. He looks down to the ground.
"I'm sorry I blamed you." He says quietly.
Monica looks into his eyes and sees that he's sincere. Apologies have never been something either one of them could do well. Especially when it came to apologizing to the other.
Doggett looks up at her.
"I don't know." Doggett shakes his head, thinking about a previous question. "I don't know why we fight."
He gets a barstool off of the bar and sets it down next to her. He sits.
"Maybe because we've known each other our whole lives." Doggett shrugs. "Maybe because… hell, I don't know."
"We've never been this bad before though." Monica says with worry. "I mean, how the hell did we end up down here in your basement?"
"Mulder." Doggett replies.
Monica can't help but laugh.
"Poor Mulder…" She says with sympathy. "All he wanted was a Super Buddy party."
Doggett nods his head.
"How the hell did pushing Alex Krycek down the stairs result in a fight between us anyway?" Monica looks at him.
Doggett shrugs.
"I can't even remember." He says as he looks over and gives her a sincere smile.
"I guess I don't know why you decided to pick a fight with me today." Monica says. "Did I do something to piss you off?"
Doggett shakes his head.
"No."
"Then why?"
"I don't know. I'm an asshole." He looks over at her.
"You're not an asshole, John." Monica says.
"Maybe I was mad at Krycek for breaking my staircase and he was knocked out so I felt I could blame you."
"You have a bad case of Blame Monica Syndrome." Monica tells him. "We need a remedy for that."
Doggett laughs, knowing Monica is right.
"I'm sorry I'm such a jerk, Mon'."
He puts his arm around her and pulls her closer to him. He gives her a kiss on the top of her head. Monica smiles.
"I liked it better when we were younger." Monica says. "Our worst fights were over sandwiches."
Doggett laughs, remembering the past.
"You always liked to eat my lunch." He smiles at her. "I honestly thought you'd never loose all that weight."
"Yeah well, I met Brad." She gives him a devious smile.
"Yeah, Knowle and I always used to wonder how you lost all that weight. This was before we knew you and Brad hooked up." He says. "We always thought it was that nasty cigarette habit you picked up."
"That helped too." Monica says. "Although that wasn't the best way to loose weight."
"No kidding."
They sit in silence for a few moments.
"How about we go tell Mulder we kissed and made up." Doggett suggests.
"Good idea." Monica says. "I'm freezing down here, and I'm hungry."
"Me too."
They both get off their barstools and head up the stairs and knock on the basement door. Doggett knocks on it.
"Mulder?" Doggett says, hoping that it's not late enough at night where everyone would've left to go home and forgotten about them.
They hear calm footsteps coming to the door. The door is unlocked and Brad opens the door. He's tired.
"Are you guys done?" Brad asks, hoping everything is resolved.
"Yes." Monica says.
Brad moves out of their way so they can get out of the basement. Brad shuts the door as they head into the living room.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is on the TV. Conan is dancing and clawing at the camera.
"I'm ready to go home, Brad." Monica says.
"Me too." Brad says as he leads Monica over to the door and grabs their coats.
"I'll see you later, John." Monica says as Brad puts her coat on her.
"Oh, and John, don't be alarmed when you find Dana sleeping in your bed. She got tired." Brad says.
"Oh… ok…" Doggett says.
"Mulder didn't drag you into Super Buddies, did he?" Monica asks Brad.
"No, thank god." Brad answers.
Monica smiles at him.
"Lucky…" Monica replies.
"Yeah well, I'm still pestered by Kersh and The Brotherhood…" Brad comments.
Brad opens the door.
"Good night, John." Brad says as he and Monica head out the door.
"Drive carefully." Doggett says as Brad shuts the door.
Doggett looks up the stairs towards his bedroom door and decides not to disturb Dana. He goes over to his TV and turns it off, sits on his couch and kicks off his shoes.
He lies down on his couch, putting an afghan over him as he falls asleep.
So much for a relaxing Saturday, hopefully tomorrow will be a lot calmer…
THE END.
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