Title:  Introducing Doggett
Author:  Nikki: nolenee@aol.com
Rating: PG 
Classification:  MSR
Spoilers:  Requium

Summary:  Agent Doggett compiles facts and 
opinions on his new assignment: Agent Scully.

Archive: Let me know first.

Disclaimer:  I don't own any of these fine 
characters.  Wish I did.  

Feedback: Nolenee@aol.com  I would greatly 
appreciate a line or two if you liked or didn't 
like this story.  I tried to be original and 
creative, so pardon me if this little story 
doesn't meet that goal.

***
Introducing Doggett


As assigned by Asst. Director Walter Skinner, I 
will begin a daily journal containing my 
interactions with Agent Dana Scully.  As I 
understand it, this is to be an informal approach 
to behavioral patterns not for myself to analyze, 
but for the Bureau specialists.  With that in 
mind, allow me to begin with day one.

Day 01  The Introduction

I arrived in the dark, cold, steely basement 
office at 8 am to try to make a good impression, 
being that I was early.  Agent Scully looked like 
she'd been there a while as she was knee deep in 
files surrounding her small frame.

"Morning, I'm Agent John Doggett," I said, 
extending a hand.

She looked up hesitantly and only moved her arm to 
reach my hand and give it a firm shake.

"Agent Dana Scully, but I'm sure you know that," 
She said now looking back at the file in hand.

I made my way through the mess on the floor and 
placed my brown paper bag on the desk to my right.

"What are you doing?" she asked without looking 
up.

"I'm setting up shop.  I was assigned to work down 
here with you, or haven't you been informed?"

She looked at the bag on the desk before finally 
looking at me.  "You can set up anywhere but 
there.  That desk is mine.  For now, it's mine."

I found this a little peculiar until I saw the 
nameplate of Fox W. Mulder hidden behind a stack 
of paperwork.  It was clear after that why I 
wasn't allowed to set up shop at that desk.  
Whether someone physically sat there or not, to 
Agent Scully, that was her partner's space, and 
just as she respects the man who occupied that 
space, she wanted me to not necessarily respect 
the man, but respect his space.

I moved to an area that must have been her work 
area in years past, because I got another 
frightening look from her.  I decided to put my 
bag on the floor, which I assumed would be where 
I'd end up at this rate, and begin a conversation.

"I read your profile, Agent Scully.  You were 
recruited to work for the FBI just as I was.  So 
we have something in common already,"  I tried.  

Nothing.

"I also know that you were originally sent to work 
on the X-Files to debunk Agent Mulder's work; to 
reign him in, but somewhere in the middle of all 
the work, you began believing in him; trusting 
him.  I know your superiors weren't happy with the 
turn of events, and they've tried for years to 
shut this division down.  But somewhere along the 
way, someone believed in your work and wants to 
fight for it now.  That's why I'm here; to help 
you find your partner so that the X-Files can 
continue."

For that small soliloquy, I got eye contact.  She 
turned her neck as the tendons popped back in 
place and looked at me like a human looks at a 
mysterious insect.

"Is that all, Agent Dogett?" she responded 
somewhat sarcastically.

"That's all the facts I was presented with, yes.  
That's not all I have to say on the matter 
though."

"Ah, you have an opinion.  An informed opinion, no 
doubt?" she asked.

"You know what they say about opinions, don't you, 
agent?" I asked with a grin.

"Yes, I believe I do.  But since everyone I've 
come into contact with these past few weeks seems 
to share their opinions rather openly with me, I 
thought maybe you'd like to give me yours," she 
said, standing slowly.

"I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with 
you.  I was sent here to work with you, not as 
your partner, but as an accomplice.  The way the 
Bureau sees it, two minds are better than one.  
I'd like to start things right, so no verbalized 
opinions right now." I said with conviction and 
honesty.

I was rewarded with a half smile and a nod.

"What's in the bag?" she asked, changing the 
subject.

"Just some personal things I like to have at work.  
You know, photographs, a desk clock, my nameplate, 
some condoms."

Her eyebrows shot up.  Lesson number one: no 
jokes.

"I'm kidding, just kidding," I said opening the 
bag and putting my things on a table behind me.

"What are you looking for?" I continued, motioning 
toward the stack of files surrounding her.

"Evidence, clues, results, anything and 
everything," she commented.

"Should I dive right in?" I asked her, trying to 
sound enthusiastic.

For the first time, she walks over to me and looks 
me up and down.  I see her take in everything in 
one glance.  She's already read me.  She knows me 
from God knows what report or who.  Regardless, 
this woman has me pegged.

"Here's some background information on the events 
that occurred the week Agent Mulder disappeared.  
I suggest you start with this.  When you're done, 
we'll go from there." 

"I've read this report, agent." I say sort of 
hoping to impress her.

"You haven't read this report.  This report is my 
own, unofficial report.  No one has seen this 
except for you, me, and some of Mulder's 
colleagues."

I feel good.

"Alright, I'll make myself comfortable and get 
cracking on it.  Oh, where's the coffee?"  I say 
trying to lighten the mood.

She points toward the door.  No words.

That was our morning.  I read her 125-page report 
and made notes.  She continued reading files and 
researching on her computer.  About every 30 
minutes, she'd stop and stare straight ahead.  At 
first, I thought she was looking at me, but I 
realized she was looking straight through me.  
She's a tough one, this Dana Scully.  Although her 
stature is small, her attitude is huge.  After the 
first ten minutes, I didn't even remember that 
she's only a hair taller than the lamp in the 
corner.

It was time for lunch, so I invited her to join 
Agent Evans and me at Mack's Deli down the street.

"Dana, how about some lunch with me and my buddy 
Joe Evans?"

An awkward snuff came out of her mouth.  She 
thought for a second before responding.

"I'd like to keep this as professional as 
possible.  It's Agent Scully.  No Dana."

I nodded.  Lesson number two: no first names.  I 
guess that rules out pet names too.  I've got a 
few I'd like to use.  Damn.

* The Afternoon *

I found Agent Scully in the same place she was 
when I first came in the office that morning.

"Did you already have lunch, Agent Scully?" 

"Yeah."

A woman of few words.

"I'm done with that report you gave me.  I 
couldn't help but noticing that some parts differ 
greatly from your official report that I read a 
few days ago."

She looked at me as she walked to her (Mulder's) 
desk to sit down.  "The government doesn't exactly 
respond favorably to words like 'abducted' or 
'aliens.'  They like it clean.  The report you 
just read is the unspoken truth."

"What I've been attempting to do is compile 
similarities.  I've studied hundreds of abductee 
case files and made comparisons to what happened 
the night of Mulder's disappearance.  The more we 
come up with, the better understanding we'll have 
of the situation and hopefully how to get Mulder 
back," she said.

"So you're convinced it was an alien abduction," I 
ask bravely.

"I'm convinced it was an abduction by an 
unidentified flying object.  Even Assistant 
Director Skinner verified that.  Beyond that, I 
know nothing of the people or beings that took 
Mulder," she said matter of factly.

"But you think he's out there somewhere?" 

"Yes, I do, and unless you believe that too, you 
will be no help to me," she said sternly.

With that, she showed me some files and her notes 
and instructed me to get to work on a stack about 
four feet tall.  Our afternoon conversation was 
non-existent.  At 5 pm, I decided to call it quits 
for the day.  

"Good night, Agent Scully," I said as I grabbed my 
suit jacket.

"By the book through and through, huh, Agent 
Doggett?" she asked arrogantly.

"My job, as I understand it, is to help you find 
Agent Mulder.  I will do that from 8:30 am to 5 pm 
five days a week.  Don't ask for more.  I'm 
working on a case that most agents flat out 
rejected."

With that, she lowered her head, and I walked 
away.

Day 02

I arrived on time this morning.  Agent Scully was 
on the phone with someone, I later found out, 
named Langly.  He and two other men are referred 
to as The Lone Gunman. They are who Scully refers 
to as 'Mulder's colleagues.'  I believe, however, 
that they are as much her friends as Mulder's.  
Agent Scully does not like making anything that 
belonged to Agent Mulder her own.  

Today, the small talk was even more limited than 
the day before.  One thing I noticed that Agent 
Scully continuously did was touch her neck as if 
she had on a necklace.  She reaches down blindly 
and finds nothing, so she pinches her skin where 
whatever she's looking for should be.

This is like pulling teeth.  So far I've 
determined that Agent Scully prefers to work 
alone, does not follow the book, and has three 
friends who are conspiracy theorists.

Days 3 through 14 

Pretty uneventful days of nothing but research.  I 
have yet to enter the office at a time when Agent 
Scully is not present.  I think she sleeps there.  
Nonetheless, I respect her space and she respects 
my space on the floor.  It's the only spot that 
isn't covered in paper, files, slides, or videos.

Day 15

Today she decided to talk to me.

"Agent Doggett, I'm curious, what is your opinion 
of this case?  Why, if everyone else rejected it, 
did you decide to take it?"

I'm relieved she's even spoken to me.  "I didn't 
have much of a choice, quite frankly.  They sugar 
coated it and made it sound like I was the only 
one who could help you find this man.  They told 
me about you and your loyalty to Agent Mulder.  
They warned me that if I pushed the wrong buttons, 
you wouldn't cooperate."

She huffed, "Is that right?"

I nodded and took a step closer to her.  She 
immediately squared her shoulders and lifted her 
chin.  Lesson number 3: do not stand too close to 
Agent Scully.

"My opinion of this case is that you lost someone 
very close to you.  Someone, maybe the only one 
who understands you," I paused as I watched Scully 
blush and look down.  "I also believe Asst. 
Director Skinner feels largely responsible for 
Agent Mulder's disappearance since he was with him 
that night.  I think that's the main reason I was 
assigned to help you find him is to cover Skinner's 
ass."

"That's a good assessment, Agent Doggett," she 
said.

I smile at her acknowledgement.  Maybe she's not 
so bad after all.  

"Can I ask you a question, Agent Scully?"

"You can ask," she says hesitantly.

"Why is it so important for you to find Agent 
Mulder?  I mean, I know he was your partner, but 
you look exhausted, and I've never even seen you 
leave this place.  Is finding him THAT critical?"

She licks her lips and says, "Agent Mulder may 
have all the answers he's ever wanted; ever 
searched for.  In a way, he's an X-File.  My job 
is to attempt to solve unexplainable cases.  
That's what I'm trying to do here."  

I let it rest.

Day 23

Over the past twenty days, I've learned very few 
things about Agent Scully.  She's a very private 
person.  She does not volunteer information 
freely.  With that in mind, I decided to do a 
little research on Agent Scully.  After hearing 
her talk on the phone nearly everyday to Langly, 
Byers, and Frohike, I decided it was my turn to 
talk to them.

Agent Scully had just hung up the phone with the 
Lone Gunman, and went outside, to use the 
restroom, I presume, since she's never gone more 
than 15 minutes.  As soon as she left, I hit 
redial on the phone and this is what occurred.

"Mervyn's" the voice on the other line answered.

"I must have the wrong number," I said.  

Before I hung up, the voice said, "Who are you 
trying to reach?"

"Uh, The Lone Gunman," I said as a question more 
than a statement.

"Who is this?" the accusatory tone was obvious.

"I'm Agent John Doggett.  I work with Agent 
Scully."

I heard the man put the phone against his chest 
and yell to the other people in the room "it's the 
new guy."  Then I heard two clicks.  They must 
have decided to get on the line too.  No surprise, 
these guys are conspiracy theorists.

"Agent Doggett, so nice to hear your voice.  We've 
heard about you," came the voice.

"Good things, I hope," I said.

"Just things; neither good or bad. Are you calling 
for a reason or do you want a subscription?"

"Subscription?" I asked.

"I guess not.  Damn, sales are low this month.  
Just wait until the presidential election heats 
up.  They'll be at our door begging for re-
prints!"

I have no idea what these men are talking about.  
I guess I should've done some research on them 
first.  Regardless, I pursue.

"Is this Langly, Frohike, or Byers?"

They pause.  "Does it matter?" the voice says.

"I guess it doesn't.  Listen, I've been working 
with Agent Scully on trying to find Agent Mulder, 
and we're at a dead end here.  Not to mention I 
cannot get through to Scully.  She's like a closed 
book.  That's why I'm calling.  You guys seem to 
talk to her quite a bit, and I was wondering if 
you guys know anything I don't; I mean about 
Agent Scully."

A different voice takes a stab at this one. He 
sounds quite protective of Scully.  "Agent Scully 
is a force to be reckoned with.  It took her about 
five years to prove herself to us.  A little less 
time to prove herself to Mulder.  She's hard-core.  
Nothing stands in her way.  She'll find Mulder, 
you can bank on that."

"Is there any soft spot that I can find to try to 
relate to her?"

Two huffs come from the other end.  "Mulder would 
know her soft spots," one chuckles.

"Excuse me?" I say.

Seriousness ensues, "If you want to reach Scully, 
you'll have to go through Mulder.  That's all I 
can tell you, buddy.  He is her only weakness.  He 
can also be her greatest strength."

I hear a small voice in the back, barely audible 
say, "I can list a few other strengths."  Then a 
shushing from the man I've been speaking with.

"Thanks, I guess."  I'm forced to hang up the 
phone as Agent Scully enters.

"Who was that?" she asks.

"Oh, wrong number," I offer.

She looks suspicious.  I think to myself "please 
don't hurt me, please don't hurt me."  She 
doesn't.  I don't think she even wants to hurt me.  
She just wants to find her partner.

Day 42

Today, Agent Scully is not in the office when I 
arrive.  This, I find very strange.  For exactly 
six weeks, she's been here constantly.  I look for 
a note.  I check voicemail.  No sign of her being 
here yet this morning.  I become worried, so I 
phone Asst. Dir. Skinner.  He said he hadn't heard 
from her yet, but it would be good if she decided 
to take the day off.  I agree, but I don't think 
that's what this is.

I continue looking for signs that she was here.  I 
even pick up the phone to call the Gunman, when I 
hear the door open.  It's her.  I breathe a sigh 
of relief, but play it off.

She's actually smiling.  I don't think I've seen 
this woman smile a genuine smile since the moment 
I met her.  This is nice; very nice.  I could 
just look at her forever like this.  It's 
comforting.  I wonder if Mulder saw her smile like 
this.  Maybe a couple of times in seven years, I 
decide.

"Morning," she offers.

"Morning, you're a bit late, is everything 
alright?" I ask. 

"Everything is still alright, yes."

Still?  What?  "Still" alright?  I wonder what 
that means, but I'm afraid to ask.  She looks 
almost surprised.

"Agent Doggett, there's something I need to talk 
to you about." She sits down on the edge of 
Mulder's desk with a long, wide envelope in her 
hand.

"Is it concerning Agent Mulder?" I ask with 
hopefulness in my voice.

I just rained on her parade.  She looks down and 
her chin wrinkles as she huffs a bit.  "If you're 
referring to my getting any closer to finding 
Mulder, then no."

"Ok, then what is it?"

She takes a deep breath, "I'm, um, I'm pregnant."

I must turn white as a ghost because she nearly 
pops up in an attempt to catch me from falling off 
the table I'm leaning on.

"Doggett, are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.  I just didn't expect that 
announcement.  Wha? when?"

"It's been almost four months.  I'm beginning to 
show, so I thought you ought to know that it's not 
fat, well, I suppose it could be baby fat," she 
says with a smile, rubbing her stomach.

I'm speechless.  Now that she mentions it, I have 
noticed her dressing kind of frumpy.  God, I would 
never tell her that.

"I had an ultrasound done this morning.  These are 
the photos," she hands me the envelope.

I look at them and can clearly see the baby 
growing inside her.  It's amazing.  I think for 
the first time, Scully is a woman.  No matter what 
her attitude or stature is, the woman before me is 
capable of being a mother; a good, protective 
mother. I smile.

"It's so tiny," I say, "and beautiful.  I never 
knew a baby could be this beautiful when it's so 
young."

That wins me another smile.  I could live off that 
smile.  She continues rubbing her stomach.  
Another first occurrence: I just realized this 
means Scully had sex.  Almost unfathomable.  
Scully had sex.  I don't think she'd get 
artificially inseminated.  I think she notices my 
quick change of expression.

"What is it?" she asks.

"Uh, nothing.  Really."

"I know what it is."  She stands tall and puts her 
hands to her side.  She's in full military stance 
now.  From mom to FBI Special Agent and Doctor 
Dana Scully in one second flat.

"No, it's nothing," I offer.

"You want to know who the father is."

Shit. Busted.  "Sure, yeah, it crossed my mind 
but-"

"I'm sorry.  I would rather not discuss that with 
you.  Professional, remember?"

"Hey, you're the one coming in here all smiley and 
sharing baby pictures with me, so let's not talk 
professional all of a sudden."  I think I have a 
right to say that.

She looks down.  "I'm new at this sharing stuff.  
I was just getting good at it when"

I know what she's going to say next, but she 
doesn't finish her sentence.  She doesn't need to.

"I'm sorry, Agent Doggett.  Thank you for 
listening though.  We should really get to work."

Now I'm suspicious.  Does Scully have a boyfriend 
on the side?  I don't see a ring, so I know she's 
not married.  Hell, almost everything she does is 
secretive so maybe she does have a man stashed 
somewhere in her life.  Maybe it's Mulder.  Wait a 
minute, maybe it's Mulder. He's the one.  Could 
it possibly be?  I wouldn't peg Agent Scully as 
the type to disobey Bureau policy of relations 
with a fellow agent, but it would make sense.

I ponder this for the next few days.  I notice the 
way she says his name; not the way she says it to 
me, but the way she says it on the phone to her 
mom.  That's the only time I hear her gentleness.  
I want to tell her that it's ok to be gentle.  I 
think I'd get a kick in the groin.  That would 
show me how gentle she intends to be with me.

Day 62

Two months into our search and we received two 
leads on Agent Mulder; both of which turned out 
to be bogus.  Today, we received another call from 
a hospital in rural Oregon.

"Hello, is there a 'Scully' there?" a woman's 
voice asked.

"Speaking," Scully answered.

"My name is Lydia Sampson.  I'm a nurse at St. 
Augustine Hospital outside of Bellefleur, Oregon."

"Yes," Scully nearly interrupted.

"I have a man here in our custody who mentioned 
your name.  Actually, it's all he's said.  He says 
it over and over again."

Scully gets weak and sits in a chair.

"How did you get this number?  Who is this man?" 
she asks, irritated.

"We don't have identification on the man.  He did 
say some other words.  He said 'Bureau, Scully, 
Fed Bureau, Scully.' I've been on the phone all 
morning talking to various Scullys who work for 
the government.  I'm not even sure if you're the 
one."

"Yes, yes, I think I am," Scully rushed. "Where 
did you say you are?  What does the man look like?  
Is he ok? Can you speak to him?  Can I speak to 
him?"

"He was on the steps of the emergency room 
yesterday with no identification.  We've treated 
him for mild skin abrasions and dehydration.  He 
may have had a concussion.  He doesn't remember 
much, and as I said before, he can't really say 
much."

"What does the man look like?  Is he wearing a 
cross?  Tell me if he has on a gold cross," Scully 
insisted.

"Yes, he has a gold cross around his neck and a 
wrist watch.  No wallet.  Hello? Hello?"

Scully hung up the phone then picked it up again 
to get a plane ticket to Oregon.  She gathered a 
few things, breathing heavily.  She picked up the 
phone again.

"Mom, it's me.  They've found him.  They have 
Mulder," she said quickly.

"I'm fine. Yes, Oregon.  I know. I'm going.  I will. 
I will.  I love you too. Thanks."

After that, she acknowledged me.  "Come on, 
Doggett, we have to go!"

I jumped up at the call. I drove us to the airport 
while she called the Lone Gunman and had a very 
similar conversation that she had with her mother.  
I think they decided to go to Oregon too.  She 
said she'd see them there.

On the plane, she was a ball of nerves.  She 
wouldn't sit still.  Sometimes she'd smile, 
sometimes I'd see tears in her eyes.  Sometimes 
she'd close her eyes and rub her tummy.  When we 
arrived, she spoke.  

"This is it.  I can feel it."

I let her ride with that one.  I certainly didn't 
want to make her lose hope.  

St. Augustine Hospital, 2nd Floor

Although Scully's six months pregnant, she runs 
like she's racing in a marathon.  She flashes her 
badge to the few people who unsuccessfully get in 
her way, until she reaches a desk.

"I'm Agent Dana Scully.  I'm looking for a man who 
was treated in the ER yesterday.  He's wearing a 
gold cross and has no identification," she 
breathes deeply as she gets the words out.

"If I hear the name 'Scully' one more time, I 
think I'll die.  He's in room 212, right down the 
hall, hon," the elderly nurse says with a smile.

She takes a deep, deep breath, flattens her 
clothes, tucks her hair behind her ears and 
gingerly walks forward.  Room 212.  She's here. 

She opens the door and gets inside before looking 
up.  She forgets that the door is open.  When she 
lifts her eyes, she sees the man with the gold 
cross.  She shivers.  She cries.  He stirs.

"Oh my God, Mulder," she says through choked 
tears.

He barely opens his eyes, but he can see her.  He 
lifts his right arm and it's a struggle.

"Sc Scully," he whispers.

She walks to the bedside and grabs his hand and 
presses it to her face.  He works on his smile.  I 
don't think it came out the way he wanted it to, 
but she likes it nonetheless.

"Mulder, don't talk.  Don't say anything." She 
wipes her tears, then his.  (I think a few of his 
must have slipped out as I wiped my own.)

"Scully, you found me," he struggles.

"Of course I found you.  I never gave up," she 
says trying to stop crying long enough to smile.  
Ah, that smile, here it comes.

"You, what happened to you?" he asks.

She doesn't know what he means at first, but she 
looks down and realizes what Mulder is referring 
to: her "condition."

"Mulder, I; we're pregnant," she says as she 
stifles another set of sobs.  She's laughing 
through her tears now and his face lights up.

"Pregnant?  How?  It can't be," he says.

"It is, Mulder.  I don't know how.  It's a 
miracle.  I just know that I am pregnant, and you 
are the baby's father.  My two miracles."

He brings his other arm up to put around her, and 
she pretty much lays on top of him with her feet 
still on the ground.  They share a moment that 
only parents can share.  The moment they realize 
that they are not "me and you" anymore, but 
"family."

This was a good assignment for me.  I realized 
some important lessons: no jokes with Agent 
Scully, no first names, no lies, don't stand too 
close, and no way I will ever understand the power 
of love.  I only hope one day the mere mention of 
my name will make a woman smile the way Agent 
Scully smiles at Mulder.  Ah, beautiful smile.


Yes, no, maybe?  Please let me know.  
Nolenee@aol.com.