Title: Something There That Wasn't There Before Author: Jamma (icblu84@yahoo.com) Date: November 2, 2005 Rating: PG Category: DSR, ficlet Spoilers: 8x01 "Within", 8x02 "Without" Disclaimer: All X-Files characters belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting. Summary: POV of another agent during the snuggly scene Author's Note: In response to the 2005 DSR/FRR Awareness Month "Within/Without" ficlet challenge. My first time ever writing anything remotely considered fan-fiction, so hopefully it's not too bad. Oh, and the title I kind of borrowed from Beauty and the Beast. It's a long title, but it's all I could think of. * I could hear the glass shattering from down the hall. Whoever, or whatever, created that sound must be in pretty bad shape. Agent Doggett heard the sound, too, as well as every other agent surrounding me. We all froze for a second, most likely thinking the same thought. Agent Doggett was the first to break free from his trance, sprinting down the hall before any of us could react. We all stood for a few moments staring at his retreating back before myself and a few other Agents followed. I pushed past a few people, trying to see what all the commotion was about. Agent Doggett was yelling something, but my eyes went immediately to the green goop covering the ground. It was disgusting, and the fumes caused my eyes to water just a bit. I could see it had been stepped in, the footprints leading to where Agent Doggett sat cradling a weeping Agent Scully. This was a surprise to me, seeing the two of them like that. I had been in the same room with them when they'd first met. The scene was not pleasant. Quiet words exchanged between the two before water went cascading all over Agent Doggett. I guess I should have suspected a little something from the look he gave Agent Scully as she stormed out of the office. Back to the current scene before me - again, I say it comes as a bit of a surprise. After spending so much time with the two, I was sure they'd never be able to work together. I had even taken part in a bet with a few other Agents, my side going for the moment Agent Scully finally snaps and pulls her weapon on him. All was quiet in the room, except for the deep, heartbreaking sobs coming from a battered Agent. I had always believed this woman to be made of stone, never once imagining I would bear witness to Agent Scully in tears. I had heard this woman could take down men three-times her petite frame without breaking a nail. Of course, I realize that a majority of the rumors flowing around about this woman are greatly exaggerated, but I'd never imagined I'd see the extreme opposite of them. After awhile, a few hospital employees came rushing in, ordering us to clear the way for a gurney. A few Agents behind me protested to this, telling them to leave the gurney in the hall. They didn't want the scene to be destroyed. I, on the other hand, could care less. For at the moment, I am watching the exchange between Agents Doggett and Scully. He's speaking to her softly, his face just above hers. She's calming down now; she's taking notice of her surroundings and the many people crowding the room. I can hear the small whimpers coming from her as she continues to hide her face in Agent Doggett's shirt. For some reason, I feel a strong need to see what she hit, looking up to view shards of clear glass covering the shelf and ground. That must have hurt. I admit, if it had been me, I'd be doing a lot more than whimpering right now. I guess I'm seeing the testament of her strength and vulnerability at the same time. He'd trying to stand now, gently pushing her away from his chest. She's not having it, though. Her arms immediately wrap around his neck and from where I'm standing, it's a pretty strong hold. He's not getting out of it any time soon. I can hear her softly speaking, pleading with him not to leave just yet. He's assuring her he's not going to leave her, and she's nodding against him. The doctors are asking if she's alright, but she won't answer them. She's looking at Agent Doggett, staring him in the eye with a look that sends shivers through me. I'm not sure why I feel so strongly about this gaze, but it's something deep. And he's returning it, giving her the same deep look in return, kind of like a private message between the two. He then asks her the same questions the doctors are trying to ask; only, she answers him. "You ready to go get checked out, Agent Scully?" Agent Doggett asks her, his voice low and raspy with that accent of his. She nods, her face frowning slightly from pain, I assume. "Just don't let go," she whispers, taking a brief look at the other Agents, including myself, staring so intently at them. I can still see she's shaken, nearly ready to break down again, and her hold on his neck returns full-force. He grabs a firm hold of her, clutching her carefully to himself as he stands. He lifts her as if she is weightless, and her face buries itself in the crook of his neck. She's shaking again, and soon, her quiet sobs could be heard. She must be in some pain. Her face has already begun to discolor, and streaks of blood soak through the blue of Agent Doggett's shirt. I could only imagine how badly other parts of her hurt as I quickly glance at the shelf again. He's standing tall and still, holding her and rocking her soothingly with an indescribable look on his face. It is different than the looks he'd donned since he'd met her. This one is a look that one might give to a loved one, which confuses me greatly. Are these the two people that held such palpable distaste for each other not so long ago? Carefully, he steps over broken glass and green goop, agents splitting the way as he carries her to the awaiting gurney. He places her on it gently, speaking directly in her ear so that no one can hear him but her. And then, hospital personnel wheel her away and he follows them, ignoring the activity he is leaving. There's definitely something there that wasn't there before. The End