Title: “A Tale of Existence” Author: Little Albatross (monicaxrohrer@gmail.com) Date: January 27, 2004 Distribution: XFMU. Anyone else, please ask. Rating: PG-13 Category: DSR, humor, DRF (kinda…), FRR, MSH (Mulder/Scully hate) Spoilers: Essence/Existence Disclaimer: I do not own John Doggett, Dana Scully, Monica Reyes, Alex Krycek, Fox Mulder, Walter Skinner, Knowle Rohrer, Gene Crane, Alvin Kersh, Brad Follmer, Frohike, Langly, Byers. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting. Furthermore, I’d like to state that I didn’t really pay close attention to Essence or Existence, so the timeline of the episode may be off in this story, but go with it, it’s fun! Summary: A slightly different take on Essence/Existence in which we find out why Monica Reyes was so irritated with John Doggett. Author’s Note: I’ve always watched episodes a little differently, and this is one of the ways I interpret Essence/Existence. I hope you like it! -------------------- John Doggett answers his cell phone in a hurry. “John Doggett.” He says, his voice frantic. “John, its Monica.” Comes the voice of Monica Reyes. “Where the hell are you?” Doggett asks. “I’m on my way.” Monica answers him. “Where exactly are you, and what the hell is going on?” “I’m in the FBI parking garage.” Doggett says. “I can’t discuss what’s going on right now. This may not be a secured line.” “Since when have you been so paranoid.” Monica asks, already getting irritated with him. “Since I started working on the x-files.” Doggett says. “Now get your ass over here now!” Doggett cuts the line off so Monica doesn’t have a chance to say another word. Doggett turns to Scully and speaks quietly to her. “Dana, my friend Monica is going to take you somewhere safe.” Doggett says. Scully nods her head, just as a cab pulls up in the parking garage. Everyone turns their attention to the cab. Monica Reyes steps out, pays the cab driver and grabs her bag. “Wow, that was fast.” Doggett says. “Ok John, I’m here. What the hell is going on?” Monica asks. “You have to take her to a safe place.” Doggett says, leading Scully towards her. “Why?” Monica says. “Because people are after her.” Doggett says. “It’s not my responsibility. You’re the one who knocked her up, not me!” Monica says. Doggett moves closer to Monica. He speaks to her in a low tone. “How did you know that?” Doggett asks. “Know what?” Monica asks, getting extremely irritated with him. “That I was the one who knocked her up. No one even knew we were seeing each other.” Doggett says, keeping his hushed voice. “It’s not important how I know. Let’s just say I had a feeling.” Monica smirks at him, knowing very well that the word ‘feeling’ will crawl under his skin with annoyance. Doggett glares at her. “You have to do this.” Doggett demands. “No.” Monica says. “You have to take my girlfriend and get her to a safe place!” Doggett yells with all seriousness. Monica glares at him, not happy about coming all the way up to Washington, D.C. from New Orleans. “Under one condition.” Monica says. “What’s that?” Doggett glares. “You get me assigned to the x-files up here in D.C.” Doggett looks at her, not knowing her true intentions. “Why?” He asks. “Because.” Monica says. “Because isn’t an answer, it’s a word!” Doggett yells at her. “Because I want to be up in D.C. to make this frickin’ trip worth my while!” Monica yells back. Krycek comes up to them. “Stop your bitching!” Krycek yells at them. “We’ve got things to take care of, and the clock is ticking!” Doggett and Monica look over at Krycek. Monica cocks an eyebrow and checks out Krycek. She leans over to Doggett. “He’s cute…” Monica says. Doggett rolls his eyes. “Are you going to do this, or not?” Doggett asks Monica, growing very impatient. Monica looks over at him. “Can you get me on the x-files?” Monica asks. “Sure. Fine. I guess so.” Doggett says. “Ok. Fine. I’ll take your little girlfriend somewhere safe so she can have your baby.” Monica says. “Thank you.” Doggett says with a hint of relief. Monica gets in the car that Doggett has waiting for them. Krycek helps Scully in. “Drive carefully.” Krycek says to Monica. Monica rolls her eyes. “Do they think I’m stupid?” Monica says under her breath. She speeds away with Scully next to her, leaving Doggett and Krycek in her dusk. “She’s hot.” Krycek says to Doggett. “Yeah, whatever.” Doggett says, getting annoyed. “Hey, can I have her number?” Krycek asks. “No.” Doggett says, walking away from Krycek. “Why not?” “Because.” “Because isn’t an answer, it’s a word.” Krycek says, making Doggett eat his own words. Doggett ignores him and continues on his way. Meanwhile, the next morning, Monica Reyes is driving Scully down to the Democratic Springs in Georgia. The car is silent so Scully can continue to sleep. Monica yawns, having driven all night to get this far. The silence is interrupted by the sound of Monica’s cell phone ringing. She glares over at it and reaches over to pick it up, knocking her Morley Lights to the floor of the car. “Aw shit.” Monica says with annoyance as her cigarettes go out of view. She answers her phone. “Monica Reyes.” She says calmly. “Monica, its John Doggett.” “Oh god.” Monica says, rolling her eyes. “What do you want now?” “I just don’t want you to smoke around Dana.” Doggett says. “You know, how she’s pregnant and all. I don’t think it would be very good.” “Do you think I’m stupid and don’t know that?” Monica asks, as she reaches with her other hand for her Morley Lights, now driving with no hands on the steering wheel. “Well, I’m just saying that I know how you get when it comes to your cigarettes. You could be reaching for them while driving and hit a semi- truck or something.” Doggett says. “I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t do that.” Monica says, as she starts to drift into the next lane, not watching where she’s going as she grabs her cigarettes. She’s sits back up in her seat and quickly swerves back into her lane to avoid being hit by a semi- truck, who honks his horn at her. “Shit.” Monica says. “What?” Doggett asks, having heard the honking of the horn. “What’s happened?” Monica senses the panic in his voice. “Oh nothing, Dana just fell out of the car.” Monica says, obviously lying. “Monica!” Doggett yells at her through the phone. “Oh John, I’m joking.” Monica says, getting annoyed. “You should stop smoking those damn things!” Doggett yells at her. “You’re gonna get someone killed. Someone important like Dana.” Monica rolls her eyes. “I’m not smoking.” She says, as she puts a cigarette to her mouth and fumbles around for her lighter. “Monica, what are you doing?” Doggett asks, hearing the change in her voice. “Is there something in your mouth?” “Yeah, candy.” Monica says sarcastically. “Monica, I mean it! Don’t smoke!” Doggett yells. “Stop yelling at me!” Monica yells back and hangs up the phone on him. She throws her cell phone into the back seat of the car with an irritated grunt. “He’s so annoying.” Monica says to herself. Next to her, Scully wakes up. “Huh? What’s going on?” Scully says as she looks over to Monica. Monica quickly tosses her unlit cigarette out of her mouth. She looks over and smiles at Scully. “Where are we?” Scully asks. “I’m taking you to the Democratic Springs in Georgia.” Monica says. “Oh…” Scully says. Scully watches Monica, seeing that she’s irritated with something. “Are you all right?” Scully asks. Monica looks over at her. “Yeah. I’m fine.” Monica says, obviously bothered by her conversation with John Doggett. Meanwhile, Doggett and Mulder are having an in depth conversation. “How is it your baby?” Mulder asks Doggett, growing in complete confusion. “Well you see, Dana and I… we… well… you know, the birds and the bees.” Doggett says. “You mean you two had sex.” Mulder says. “Yeah.” Doggett asks. “Then how the hell did she get knocked up before she even met you?” Mulder asks. “Oh that.” Doggett says, knowing the whole story on that. “She wanted a vacation so she thought that she would fake a pregnancy because she knew if she cried, Skinner would fall for it.” Doggett explains. Mulder looks at him blankly. “So let me get this straight… She was jealous that I got abducted by aliens and got a vacation on a space craft, so she faked a pregnancy to get one herself?” Mulder asks. Doggett thinks for a moment. “Yeah.” Doggett says, nodding his head. “Then how in the world does everyone think it’s mine?” Mulder asks. “I don’t know.” Doggett says. “I mean… ugh!” Mulder spazzes in disgust. “We never did… that! Eww!” Mulder shakes in place, trying to shake out the disgusting thought of he and Scully having sex. “All I have to say is… Thank God it’s not mine!” Mulder says, letting out a sigh of relief. “Good luck man. She can be a real bitch.” “No she’s not… well, when I first met her she was, but that’s just because Skinner and Kersh weren’t giving her the vacation she wanted.” Doggett says. “After we hooked up, things got a lot better… until you showed up.” “Me?” “Yeah, whenever your name is mentioned, she gets in a bitchy mood.” Doggett explains. “Oh. That’s because we hate each other and we make each other’s life a living hell.” Mulder says. “That’s a mean thing to do.” Doggett says, not approving. “Yeah, well… I’m a jerk.” Mulder says, smiling proudly. “How is it you two were partners for seven years and no one got killed?” Doggett asks. “Well, she shot me once… I’ve tried to kill her by taking her to a haunted house on Christmas Eve…” Mulder says, followed by a little chuckle. Doggett doesn’t know what to think of this, or their relationship. At the Democratic Springs, night has fallen. Monica Reyes pulls up to an abandoned house. “This should be fine.” Monica says as she and Scully walk into the house. Scully looks over at her questioningly. “Oh don’t worry.” Monica assures her. “I can get it cleaned up in no time.” She gives Scully a smile and starts to unpack her bag. She pulls out a bunch of candles. She sets them on a table that is in the middle of the room and lights each one. “Anyway, we need some water. There’s a well outside.” Monica says, grabbing her Morley Lights. “I’ll be back.” Monica leaves the house. Scully doesn’t know what to think of her. John Doggett sure does know strange people. Scully can’t help but get the feeling Monica doesn’t want to be here. Scully looks around the dirty, run down, house. She finds a place to sit, and sits down patiently waiting for Monica to return. Outside, Monica has found the well and is leaning up against a wall, smoking a cigarette. She slowly blows the smoke out, a smile forms on her face. It seems that all the stress in the world has gone away with just one puff. She shuts her eyes, enjoying the nice breeze. She looks up to the sky and spots a strange light. It seems to be pulsating. “What the hell…” Monica says to herself. She throws her cigarette on the ground and puts it out with her foot. “I need to find a new stress reliever… those things are going to kill me.” She grabs the bucket of water and heads back to the house. Scully is still sitting down, not sure what to do now. Monica enters. “I got the water.” She says. “That’s good.” Scully answers. “So how are we going to make this place livable?” Monica sets the water down. “Well, I don’t know… but I’ll find some way.” Monica says. Scully nods her head. “So, you and John Doggett?” Monica asks. “Yeah.” Scully says. “Why?” Monica asks, not understanding why someone would want to be with him. “What do you mean ‘why’?” Scully asks. “I mean, it’s John Doggett. Man of obsession, man of self blame, man of-“ “-Great sex.” Scully says with a smile. “So that’s all your relationship is?” Monica asks, a little stunned. “No… He’s a great, caring person.” Scully says. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him. Before he even knew me, he cared about my safety. He became more than just my FBI partner. I feel a connection with him.” “Hmm…” Monica comments. “So, you’re carrying his kid?” “Yep.” Scully answers. “Are you two getting married. That’s what he did with Barbara when she got knocked up with Luke.” Monica says. “He hasn’t asked me… not yet.” Scully says. “You should play hard to get after this.” Monica says. “Why?” “Because he’s not down here for you, instead he sends me. You should test him to see if he really wants to be with you.” Monica says. “It could be fun.” Monica smiles at her. “It could…” Scully says with a sly smile. Monica gets out her lighter and lights some more candles. “Hey, do you want to sing whale songs?” Monica asks. “Whale what?” Scully says, afraid that she heard her right. “You know…” Monica says, and then continues to sing whale songs. Scully looks at her like she’s a crazy nutcase. Monica stops and looks at her with a smile. “You think I’m crazy.” Monica says. “No…” Scully says. “You just reminded me of someone I use to be close with.” “Oh?” “Yeah, my sister Missy.” Scully says with a smile. Monica sits down next to Scully. “I’m confused about one thing though.” Scully says. “What’s that?” Monica asks. “How in the world did you meet John Doggett?” Scully asks. “I mean, you believe in everything, you sing whale songs, you… well, you’re just the complete opposite of him.” “I was the head investigator on his son’s case.” Monica says. “I guess maybe that’s why he’s bitter towards me.” Scully looks at her confused. “What do you mean?” Scully asks. “I didn’t solve the case.” Monica says. “Do you really think he’d be that happy with me?” “Well, he must’ve felt a closeness with you.” Scully says. “He called you up to take care of this situation because he trust you.” “I doubt it.” Monica says. “I think there’s something else behind it. I don’t know what, but I’m going to find out.” Back in Washington, D.C., Skinner and Doggett are snooping around the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All the lights are off in the hallway. “I don’t think we should be doing this, Agent Doggett.” Skinner says. “There’s a conspiracy going on here, and we have to get to the bottom of it.” Doggett says. Doggett and Skinner make their way around the corner and look into Deputy Director Alvin Kersh’s office. To their surprise, they see Agent Gene Crane and Knowle Rohrer. “What are they doin’ having a late night meeting with the Deputy Director…” Doggett wonders out loud. Skinner looks around in a paranoid fashion behind Doggett. “I don’t know, but we shouldn’t be here.” Skinner says. Doggett looks back at Skinner. “Will you get your balls back, sir?” Doggett says irritated. “Act like a man for cryin’ out loud.” Doggett turns his attention back to Kersh’s office just as Doggett’s cell phone rings. Doggett looks down at his phone. “If that’s Monica, I’m killin’ her…” Doggett says as he picks it up. “John Doggett.” “Doggett, it’s Mulder.” “What?” Doggett says. “Where’s Scully?” Mulder asks. “I sent her away, don’t you remember?” “Yeah, but where is she?” Mulder asks again. “Why do you want to know?” Doggett asks, becoming suspicious of Mulder’s question. “You’re not gonna try to kill her again are ya?” “Uh… no.” Mulder says, obviously lying. “No, I’m not tellin’ ya.” Doggett says as he hangs up his phone. “There’s something fishy going on here with the Deputy Director.” Doggett turns to face Skinner, who is quietly tip- toeing away from him. “Hey, where you goin’?” Doggett asks. Skinner turns around, startled by Doggett’s words. “Uh…” Skinner says. “I don’t want to get involved…” “Oh for cryin’ out loud!” Doggett yells at Skinner. “There’s a conspiracy going on here and you’re runnin’ away like a coward?” Skinner says nothing and quickly runs down the hallway and away from Doggett. “Geez…” Doggett says with a sigh as he turns his attention back to Kersh’s office. He can’t believe what a wuss Skinner has become. At the Democratic Springs… “…So that’s why I left New York and went to New Orleans.” Monica says, explaining how she got to New Orleans from New York. “You were sleeping with your superior?” Scully asks in shock. “It wasn’t just sex, Dana.” Monica explain. “Brad and I had something together.” “Until you saw him taking what you thought was a bribe?” Scully asks. “Yeah.” Monica says. “If you loved him, why didn’t you question him about it?” “I don’t know…” Monica says, biting her lower lip. “Maybe I was just afraid of ruining my professional career because I was involved with my superior. Maybe things were getting too serious for me and I didn’t know what to do.” Scully listens. “New Orleans is a lot better than working at the New York Field Office. That place is hell.” Monica says. “What would you do if you saw him again?” Scully asks. “I don’t know…” Monica says. “Do you still love him?” Monica waits a few moments before answering. “Yeah.” A strange expression has come over Scully’s face. Monica looks at her questioningly. “You all right?” Monica asks. “Aw shit. I think my water just broke.” Scully says, not too happy about this. “Oh god…” Monica says, not thrilled either. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve never done this before.” Scully rolls her eyes. “I’m a medical doctor, I’ll coach you through it.” Scully says. “This is why you shouldn’t be with John. He sends you with me when he knows I’ve never done this.” Monica says, her bitterness towards John Doggett showing through. “Ok first…” Scully starts to say, but something outside catches her attention. “Aww hell.” Monica follows Scully’s eyes and see that several people are making their way towards them. “What the hell is this about?” Monica asks, still having no clue what danger Scully is in. “I need a cigarette…” “No!” Scully yells at her. “John will you kill you! We have to do this fast!” “Are you yelling at me?” Monica asks. “Yes!” Scully yells at her. “Whoa… take a chill pill.” Monica says. Scully glares at her. “Ummm… Ok… I guess… Uh… Push.” Monica suggests, having no clue what to do. The people outside start to make their way in. Moments later, John and Dana’s kid is born and the people leave. Monica glares at them, not understanding why they were there in the first place. “Psychotic cults…” Monica mumbles under her breath just as a helicopter can be heard landing outside. “Now what?” Monica looks out the window, she’s not happy about this. “This is exactly why John wanted me to do this…” Monica says, leaving the house, making sure to grab her Morley Lights on her way out. Monica steps out side, just as Mulder runs up to her and stops her. “Where’s Scully?” Mulder asks. “Get the hell out of my way. I just want to smoke a fucking cigarette! Why is that so hard for everyone to understand?!” Monica yells at Mulder, pushing him out of her way. Mulder backs off, not wanting to piss her off. “Relieving stress should be easier…” Monica says as she lights up her cigarette. The next day, in Washington, D.C… John Doggett and Monica Reyes sit in Deputy Director Alvin Kersh’s office. “You’re placing me under investigation?” Kersh asks with anger in his voice. “Yes, sir.” Doggett says with confidence. “You’re putting your career on the line here, John.” Kersh says, as his eyes drift from Doggett to Monica. “You too Agent Reyes.” “You assigned me to investigate x-files, sir.” Doggett says as he stands up. “That’s what I’m doin’…” Doggett heads to the door. Kersh looks on, pissed like a bat out of hell. Monica eyes Kersh down and then gets up from her seat. She stands with Doggett in the doorway as they leave. Kersh sits down. He can’t believe he’s under investigation. Doggett and Monica walk down the hallway. Monica doesn’t seem happy with him. “You know, I didn’t think you’d be behind me when I went in there.” Doggett says with a smile. “Yeah, well… I didn’t know until then that we would be investigating the Deputy Director.” Monica says, anger in her voice. They both stop in front of the elevator. “You knew. Don’t you dare try and blame this on me.” Doggett says. “Besides, you wanted to be on the x-files, so now you’re investigating a x- file.” Doggett smirks at her. “What? Are you still bitter because your son’s case never got solved and this is how you ruin my career?” Monica accuses him. “What?!” “Oh you heard me.” Monica says with a glare as the elevator door opens. Doggett and Monica turn to get in, but stop when they see Brad Follmer. “Monica?” Brad says, shocked to see her up in D.C. “Brad?” Monica says, shocked to see him too. Doggett mimics Monica’s line and rolls his eyes as he gets in the elevator. Brad gets out of the elevator and goes up to Monica. “Are you coming?” Doggett asks, getting irritated. Monica smiles at Brad. “No… you go on without me…” Monica says to Doggett, not breaking eye contact with Brad. Doggett rolls his eyes and hits the button to go to the basement. “So, you’re in D.C now?” Brad asks. “Just arrived. John assigned me to the x-files to investigate the Deputy Director.” Monica says. “Is he trying to ruin your career?” Brad asks. “Probably.” Monica says. “But I won’t let him.” She smiles at him. “So, where’s your office?” Monica asks with a seductive smile. “I’ll show you…” Brad says, as he leads her to his office. In the basement office, John Doggett slams the door. He’s beyond irritated with Monica. How dare she say he’s trying to ruin her career! Doggett is fuming inside. The phone to his office rings. He glares at it. “John Doggett.” He says into the phone with an attitude. “John, it’s Dana. What’s wrong?” Scully sounds concerned over the phone. “Nothing. Just Monica.” Doggett says. “Yeah, she is a little strange.” Scully says. “Anyway, I was wondering if you could come over and make Mulder leave. He keeps insisting that he’s the father of our baby.” “He is?” Doggett asks. “But I told him it was mine and he rejoiced.” “Did he?” Scully says, not amused. “That bastard… he must be trying to annoy me… Well, two can play that game.” Scully hangs up the phone, not giving Doggett and explanation of what the hell that meant. Doggett slowly hangs up the phone. He looks at it for a moment and then decides he better go help Scully get rid of Mulder. At Scully’s… “Just give me a kissy, Scully.” Mulder says, begging Scully with all his hatred, knowing that a kiss would kill her. “I’m the father!” “No you’re not, and you know it!” Scully yells. There’s a knock on the apartment door. “Hopefully it’s John. He’ll beat you up!” Scully yells at Mulder. Mulder rolls his eyes and glares at her. He’s getting mad at himself for being unsuccessful in annoying her. He wants to see her have a break down because of him. Scully goes to answer the door. To her surprise it’s Frohike, Langly and Byers. “What do you three what?” Scully says, obviously annoyed by Mulder. “We came to bring you gifts.” Frohike says. Scully moves aside so the Gunmen can enter. “Frohike, I need to talk with you.” Scully says as she takes him to the other side of the living room. “What’s goin’ on?” Frohike asks. “It’s Mulder. He’s annoying the hell out of me.” Scully says. “He keeps wanting to kiss me and insists that he’s the father.” “But I thought I was the father.” Frohike says. “Ummm… actually, you’re not. I just told you that to see your reaction.” Scully says with a laugh. “We haven’t even had sex.” Frohike looks down, he knew it was too good to be true. “Anyway, the father is actually John Doggett.” Scully says. Frohike raises an eyebrow. “What does he have that I don’t?” Frohike says, taking offence. “Well…” Scully says, about to tell him, and then decides that wouldn’t be a nice thing to do. “That’s not important right now, Melvin. I want you to go kiss Mulder and make him think it’s me so he’ll go away.” “Hey… I don’t swing that way.” Frohike says. “I know, but you’re close friends… it couldn’t hurt.” “No. Out of the question.” Frohike says, walking away from her. “Please…” Scully says in a pleading tone. “No.” There is a knock on the door. Scully lets out a sigh and answers it. To her happy surprise, it’s her knight in shining armor, John Doggett. “Oh thank god you’re here, John.” Scully says as she gives him a passionate kiss. “I think Mulder should be here more often if this is how you’re gonna greet me.” Doggett says with a smile. “Please get rid of him, he’s in the bedroom.” Scully says, moving to the side to allow John in. Back in Brad Follmer’s office… Brad and Monica are laying on the couch in his office, with only a thin sheet covering them. They are both catching their breath, smiles on both of their faces. “Well…” Brad says with a smile. “Yeah…” Monica says. “That was… awesome.” Brad looks over at her. “Think I should go away and come back again more often?” Monica asks. “No, I think I’d like to keep you right here.” Brad says with a smile as he leans in to kiss her. “Are we going for round three?” Monica asks with a smile. “Certainly…” Brad says as he rolls on top of her and kisses her. “Oh shit…” Monica says. Brad pulls away from her. “What?” He asks. “I didn’t want to fall back into my New York habits.” Monica says, sitting up and grabbing her shirt. “Shit.” Brad watches her, confused. “What do you mean?” He asks. “I want more than this.” Monica says. “I want to keep work at work. I don’t want to blend work with personal life.” Monica finds her pants on the floor and grabs them. “Shit.” Monica says, angry at herself. “I understand…” Brad says as he finds his clothes. “So how about we get together this weekend for a drink or something?” Brad looks over at Monica, who is fixing her hair. “Yeah.” Monica says. “I’d like to do that.” “Let’s see, tomorrow is a Saturday…” Brad says. “I’ll pick you up at seven?” “Yeah.” Monica says. “I’m at a hotel for the moment until I find a place of my own.” Monica goes over to his desk and writes down where she’s staying. She turns to face him as he comes over to her, tucking in his shirt. “So where do you want to go?” Brad asks. “Surprise me, this is my first day in Washington D.C. I don’t know the good places.” “All right.” Brad says. “Some place casual?” “Casual is good.” “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.” Brad says. Monica nods her head and heads for the door. Before she leaves, she turns to face him. “Umm… thanks for the uh… stress reliever…” Monica says with a sly smile and leaves his office, shutting the door behind her. Monica stops at Brad’s assistant’s desk, which is currently unoccupied, and spots a garbage can. She pulls out her pack of Morely Lights and tosses them away. With the feeling of accomplishment and of taking a step forward, she leaves the office with a smile. Until next time… THE END. -------------------- Love it? Hate it? Let me know! monicaxrohrer@gmail.com Like my work? Want more? Check out these sites: http://www.foxandrat.com/ http://www.littlealbatross.com/