“Déjà Vu”
by Andra Marie MuellerPart 5
WASHINGTON D.C.
Mulder had called Scully from the plane and requested that she meet him at FBI Headquarters, saying only that he was returning home with a significant new development in John’s case. More than a little curious about his evasiveness, Scully arranged to have one of her assistants finish her class and headed across town to the Hoover Building. Making her way to the basement office she once shared with Mulder and Doggett, Scully walked inside to find her husband seated at his desk.
“All right, Mulder,” she said. “I’m here as summoned. What is this ‘significant new development’ in John’s case?”
“What would you say if I told you John’s not dead?” Mulder asked.
“I’d say you had one too many glasses of champagne on the flight home,” Scully responded dryly.
“Just bear with me for a minute. Medically speaking what would be involved in restoring the face of someone who had been in an accident and suffered third and fourth degree burns on their face, as well as multiple fractures of the facial bones?”
Scully gave him a curious look, but nonetheless answered, “Well assuming that they survived the initial burns, it would involve a series of surgeries designed to both repair the broken bones and build a foundation of muscle and tissue that could be used as a base for skin grafts. The bones would have to be set first, and once they were stabilized the grafting could be done.”
“What would that entail?”
“I’m not a surgeon, but my guess would be that they would start with sheet grafts - literal sheets of skin taken from unburned areas on the patient - and use them to create a protective cover of sorts to allow the muscle time to heal before they began permanent grafting. Aside from being incredibly painful, the procedure would require extensive medical technology and take place over several months. And even if the patient survived through all the surgeries without developing infections or simply dying from shock, they’d most likely be horribly scarred.”
Mulder glanced at a point beyond Scully, on her right. “Well aside from the scarring she pretty much hit the nail on the head,” he remarked.
From behind her a masculine voice declared impatiently, “Why don’t you just cut the crap, Mulder, and explain to her what the hell you’re gettin’ at with all the questions?”
Scully’s eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the voice, and she turned around to discover Doggett seated in a char near the door. She studied him in silence for a moment, her trained eye recognizing the surgical scars, and it registered then why Mulder had been asking for information about reconstructive surgery. “John?” she asked hesitantly.
He graced her with the ghost of a smile. “Long time no see, Doctor Scully.”
The redhead briefly shot an astonished glance at Mulder before returning her attention to Doggett. “How is this possible?” she asked. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed, Scully,” Mulder interjected drolly.
“Where have you been?” Scully demanded. “We’ve all spent the last thirteen months mourning you, and Jessica has blamed everybody but the postman for your death. Why the hell didn’t you pick up a phone and call her? Or us?”
And so it begins, Doggett thought silently, knowing that Scully was just the first round in a long line of people – starting with his wife – who would be angry at his absence and skeptical over his return. “I was in one of the clinics Burlinski told us about,” he told her. “And I didn’t call because up until a few months ago the doctors weren’t sure I was gonna survive. I didn’t want to tell Jess or anyone else I hadn’t died in the explosion until I knew I wasn’t gonna die from the injuries I’d suffered in it.”
Scully shook her head. “This is unbelievable,” she muttered.
Doggett glanced at Mulder. “I want to see Jess.”
“I know, John, but we can’t just drive over to Alexandria, march into her precinct and announce you’ve returned from the dead,” Mulder replied. “Until we know for certain who blew up that clinic, and what Stuckhold and Elizabeth are up to, you need to keep a low profile.”
“I don’t give a damn if Stuckhold and Elizabeth are planning to replace the entire US government with alien replicas and super soldiers,” Doggett snapped. “I want to see my wife.”
“Fine. I’ll get her here, but you are going to stay quiet and out of sight until I tell her what’s happened.”
Doggett sent him annoyed glare but gave a curt nod of silent agreement.
******************************
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Inside the conference room of Alexandria P.D., Jessica was finishing a detectives meeting when her cell phone rang, and she dismissed her officers as she retrieved it from her coat. “Jessica Doggett.”
“Good afternoon, Captain,” Mulder greeted formally. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Not really. What can I do for you?”
“If you can spare the time, I was hoping you could stop by my office this afternoon,” Mulder requested. “There’s been a new development in John’s case I think you should be made aware of.”
“Can’t you just fax it to me, or explain it over the phone?”
“Sorry, little sister, but this requires a more personal touch.”
Jessica sighed, and glanced at her watch. “Fine. I have some things to finish up here but I should be able to make it into D.C. by 5:00.”
“I’ll see you then.”
*******************************
HOOVER BUILDING
At precisely five o’clock, Jessica pulled her Expedition into the Bureau’s parking lot. After a brief stop at the front desk to flash her badge and receive her visitor’s pass, she made her way down to the basement. As she approached the X files office, she could hear Mulder engaged in a mild argument with Scully.
“I really think you should have given Jessica some kind of warning before summoning her here,” Scully said. “You can’t just drop this in her lap out of nowhere and expect her to run with it.”
“She has a right to know the truth, Scully,” Mulder countered.
“A truth that has yet to be proven.”
“That’s why we’re bringing her here.”
Curious as to what they were discussing, Jessica walked into the office and saw Scully standing beside Mulder’s desk, and he was seated behind it.
“Jessica,” Mulder said. “Thanks for coming.”
“So let’s hear what this mysterious new information is that you have regarding John’s death,” Jessica replied.
“What would you say if I told you that John wasn’t killed in the explosion last year?” Mulder asked his sister
“Really…and next you’ll tell me the Pope is Jewish, right?”
Mulder ignored the jibe. “He was critically wounded, but he did survive and was taken to a clinic overseas to recover.”
“Let me guess…one of the same clinics run by Stuckhold where Burlinski claimed that the doctors were using alien technology to perform medical miracles? And I suppose John has just been hanging out with these wonder doctors for the past year while everyone who cared about him believed him to be dead?”
“That’s an oversimplification, but in essence, yes.”
“Uh-huh. Well then, why don’t we just hop on the next flight to Europe and track him down so we can have a family reunion? I’d love to hear all about these marvelous medical procedures that are so sacred Monica and a dozen other people died to keep them secret.”
“Jessica…” Scully began.
“Save it, Dana!” Jessica snapped. “I’ve got to hand it to you, Fox. For a man of your intelligence you are certainly capable of some remarkably stupid stunts. I can’t begin to fathom what you hoped to accomplish by bringing me here and feeding me some lame story about John surviving the explosion, but I’m sorry to disappoint you. I was there, remember? I watched that warehouse burn to the ground with Monica and John inside of it. I stood in Skinner’s office and died inside when you told me that the D.C. fire department shifted through the ashes, and found nothing but John’s partially melted wedding band. So don’t stand there and try to convince me that my husband isn’t dead, because I know better. And damn you for wanting to make me believe anything else.”
“He’s not dead, Jessica!” Mulder exclaimed in exasperation. “He’s standing right behind you.”
Doggett stepped out of the shadows as Jessica turned to face him, and her eyes widened with shock as the blood drained from her face. For the briefest of moments, she feared she might faint, but the sensation quickly passed and she stared at the man in front of her. He was slightly thinner than he had been the last time she had seen him, and the scars were obviously new, but there was no mistaking the face that had haunted her dreams for most of the past thirteen months.
“John?” she managed in a shaky whisper.
“Hello, Jess.”
"This isn’t possible…you’re dead…"
Doggett flashed her a faint smile as he walked over to stand in front of her. “If I were dead, we wouldn’t be havin’ this conversation," he teased. "I’m no ghost, sweetheart."
Still not entirely sure she wasn’t hallucinating, Jessica cautiously lifted a hand to touch his face, gently placing her palm against his cheek. The smooth skin was warm to the touch, although slightly bristly along his jaw from his shadow, and Jessica’s eyes filled with tears as the reality of his presence finally registered.
"Oh, God…you’re really here…"
His own eyes welling with tears, Doggett mirrored his wife’s gesture and lifted his hand to lightly caress her cheek. "Now that we’ve established I’m not an illusion, do you think I could get a hug?"
The jibe shattered Jessica’s control, and she buried her face in Doggett’s chest as she began to cry. Doggett wrapped his arms around her and gently pulled her to him, grateful beyond words to be with her again. Locked in one another’s embrace, both felt thirteen months of anger, fear, and anguish slowly melt away. After a moment, however, a sudden thought occurred to Jessica and she wiped the tears from her face as she pulled out of his embrace.
“This happy little reunion is well and good, but it occurs to me that you may very well be the latest weapon in Stuckhold’s war against me,” she said.
“Meanin’ what?” Doggett asked.
“How do I know you’re really John Doggett, and not some bio-engineered look-alike sent to deliver me into the hands of Stuckhold?”
Doggett glanced at Mulder. “You been coachin’ her about this paranoia stuff, Mulder?” he asked dryly.
“Those are obviously surgical scars on your face,” Jessica replied. “How do I know that you haven’t had surgery to make you look like John?”
“I have had extensive surgery, Jess,” Doggett admitted quietly, “but not for the reason you think. I was badly burned in the explosion and the doctors were forced to reconstruct my face.”
Jessica glanced at Scully. “Please tell that you’re not buying into this.”
“It does make a certain amount of sense,” Scully allowed, “and I certainly saw stranger things while working on the X files.”
Jessica glanced back at Doggett. “I don’t know how or why you’ve managed to convince my brother that you’re actually John Doggett, and frankly I don’t care. But I knew John for thirty-five years and it will take a hell of a lot more than this fairy tale you’ve concocted to convince me that you’re him.”
“How about a polygraph test?” Mulder suggested.
“I’ve been a police officer for twenty-three years, Fox; I know how unreliable those tests can be.”
“If I was a crime suspect and you were tryin’ to validate my alibi, you’d interrogate me,” Doggett interjected.
“You’re asking me to interrogate you to prove you’re John?”
“Why not? Ask me questions that only the ‘real’ John Doggett would know the answer to.”
“This is absurd…”
“Your middle name is Alexandra,” Doggett said suddenly, “after Elizabeth’s mother. Mine is Jeremiah, after my father.”
“What was your father’s chosen profession?”
“He was a Baptist minister.”
“And your mother?”
“Her name was Rose, and she was a pre-school teacher. My older sister Emily now teaches at the same school.”
“How many children does Emily have?”
“She has five; three sons and two daughters – Daniel, Jonah, Barrett, Desiree and Jennifer.”
“What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”
“Rocky Road.”
“Your favorite football team?”
“Atlanta Falcons.”
Jessica paused then, and Mulder reached behind himself to retrieve his mug of coffee off the desk, bringing it to his mouth just as his sister asked her next question.
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?” she inquired casually.
Mulder promptly choked on his coffee as Doggett flushed and Scully smiled in amusement.
“You really want me to answer that question here?” Doggett pressed.
“The interrogation was your idea,” Jessica reminded him coolly. “And it is certainly a question only John Doggett would know the answer to.”
Doggett met her gaze, and after a moment answered. “We were both virgins on our wedding night.”
The captain released a heavy sigh. “You can’t seriously expect me to believe any of this,” she replied.
“I’m tellin’ you the truth, Jess,” Doggett said quietly.
“There is one way to definitively determine whether or not he is John,” Scully interjected, and at the others expectant glances, added, “I could do a DNA test and compare it against John’s medical records.”
“And that will prove that he’s John Doggett?”
“It will certainly prove it if he’s not,” Scully allowed.
Jessica paused. “How soon can you do the test?” she asked.
Scully glanced at Doggett. “If you’re willing, we can head to the forensics lab and take a sample right now,” she said. “It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so to run the analysis on your blood and get a DNA comparison.”
“Then let’s do it,” Doggett declared.
*****************************************
Forty-five minutes later, Mulder, Jessica and Doggett were once again sequestered in the X files office, awaiting the return of Scully and the results of the DNA tests. Jessica had remained stubbornly silent after her initial reunion with Doggett, and in an effort to ease the tension he and Mulder had engaged in general small talk about what had transpired at the Bureau in Doggett’s absence.
“I still can’t believe they made Potter an A.D.,” Doggett said. “The man would be out of his depth in a rain puddle.”
Mulder shrugged. “They needed to get the position filled, and with you assumed dead and the higher ups reluctant to bring in another outsider, they gave the job to Bernie.”
“Does he still follow after Kersh like a lost puppy?”
“No. One of the reasons he got the promotion was to keep him busy enough so he couldn’t shadow Kersh. They gave him an office across the hall from Walter.”
“I’m sure Skinner’s lovin’ the company.”
As if to speak of the devil, the intercom on Mulder’s desk buzzed and Skinner’s voice filtered out. “Agent Mulder, are you there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Would you please come up to my office for a moment? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“I’m on my way.”
Mulder flicked off the intercom and started for the door. “Play nice, kids. I’ll be back shortly.”
He exited the office, and Jessica was alone with Doggett for the first time in thirteen months. Not wanting to further upset her, Doggett remained silent to allow her to start a conversation. Yet when almost a full minute passed and his wife remained stubbornly silent, he decided to switch strategies.
“Are the Three Stooges still runnin’ the twins ragged?” he asked.
Jessica acknowledged the question without glancing in his direction. “Who or what are the ‘Three Stooges’?” she asked with feigned ignorance.
“Our dogs; Georgia, Spooky and Semper Fi.”
“Which one’s the collie?”
“None of ‘em. Georgia’s a bulldog and the others are extra large Saint Bernards, although last I saw Georgia was the one in charge.”
A sudden memory popped into Jessica’s brain, and she permitted herself a small smile. “Just goes to show that when you’re dealing with females of any species, size doesn’t matter,” she responded softly, her tone free of the hostility and suspicion that had colored it since her arrival.
A light at the end of the tunnel, Doggett thought in relief, gratified that he was finally making even miniscule progress. “Is it so difficult to accept that I might be who I say I am?” he asked gently. “That what I’ve told you about the explosion and the surgery is the truth?”
Jessica offered no verbal response, but a flicker of some unidentifiable emotion passed across her elegant features for the briefest of moments, and Doggett knew he had hit the proverbial nail on the head. “That’s it, isn’t it?” he pressed. “You’re worried that maybe I am tellin’ the truth and you don’t know how to deal with that.”
“If for argument’s sake you are John Doggett, then that means you made a conscious choice to spend the last thirteen months away from me, and our children, and to allow us to believe you were dead. That’s what I don’t know how to deal with.”
“I wish I could offer you an explanation that made sense, or hurt less, but I can’t.”
“Well that’s honest, at least.”
He took a step toward her, and although she shot him a wary glance, he took it as encouragement that she didn’t step away from him. Taking another step closer, Doggett closed the distance between them and slowly reached over to take her hand in his. The physical contact caused a small flicker of awareness to pass between them, a reaction that Doggett had produced in Jessica since the first time she had seen him so many years ago. Feeling it now, after believing for the last thirteen months that she would never feel it again, caused her heart to constrict.
Please, God…don’t let this be some kind of cruel trick, she pleaded silently.
Her train of thought must have been evident on her face, and Doggett flashed her a small smile as he idly ran his thumb across her wedding bands. “I feel it too,” he replied softly. “The mysterious spark that flares to life whenever I touch you. It’s not dead, Jess, any more than I am.”
Scully returned then and walked into the office carrying an unmarked folder. The tension in the air was nearly palpable, and she shifted her gaze from Jessica to Doggett. “Am I interrupting something?” she asked carefully.
Jessica glanced at her sister-in-law as she withdrew her hand from Doggett’s. “Are those the test results?” she prompted.
“Yes,” Scully confirmed. “I’ll spare you the list of the technicalities involved, but suffice it to say that the DNA test proves this man is John J. Doggett.”
Doggett released the breath he didn’t know he had been holding as Jessica momentarily closed her eyes in an attempt to control the flood of emotion that poured through her at the revelation. Doggett automatically took another step toward her, reaching out to put a comforting hand on her arm, but she stepped away from him. “Don’t touch me!”
“Jess…”
“I need some time to deal with this, Jo…”
She stopped in mid-sentence, still unwilling to address him by name in spite of the test results, and took a deep breath before speaking again. “I need some time to deal with this,” she repeated. “I know the test results prove that you are John, but understanding it intellectually and accepting it emotionally are two different entities.”
“So what – I’m supposed to stay away from you until you’re ready to deal with me bein’ alive?” Doggett prompted irritably.
Jessica shot him an angry glance. “Don’t get self-righteous with me,” she retorted. “You’re the one who stayed away for over a year. I’ve spent the last thirteen months mourning you, and I can’t just flip a switch to turn off my grief. Not to mention the issues involved in explaining this to the twins.”
Knowing she was right, his ire cooled considerably. “You’re right,” he relented. “I’m sorry.”
Pacified by the apology, Jessica made an attempt to meet him halfway. “I need to pick up the children at Sarah’s,” she said. “Why don’t you get things resolved here regarding your return and then you can meet me at Sarah’s. In the meantime I’ll do what I can to help them understand what’s happened.”
Doggett nodded in silent acknowledgement, and Jessica bid farewell to Scully before leaving the office. Once she was gone, Doggett released another sigh.
“Mulder warned me before we left France that Jess wasn’t gonna be overjoyed to have me back,” he remarked. “Obviously he was right.”
Scully gave him a small smile. “Give her a little time, John,” she said gently. “It’s a bit much to take in all at once.”
He afforded her a sideways glance. “Speakin’ from experience?” he prompted.
“In a way,” Scully allowed. “If you were Jessica, wouldn’t you be a little out of sorts?”
“I’d be pissed as hell.”
Scully’s smile widened. “Then you see my point.”
Doggett returned her smile. “You certainly seem to be takin’ all of this in stride,” he observed.
“I’ve seen stranger things than your return from the dead, and I have a six year old son who is living proof that miracles can happen. So while you being alive will take some getting used to, it doesn’t have the same emotional impact for me that it does for Jessica. But it’s nice to have you back.”
“Thanks.”
They exchanged a hug just as Scully’s cell phone rang, and she pulled it out of her coat. “Dana Scully.”
“It’s me,” Mulder’s voice said. “Did you get the test results?”
“I have them in my hand as we speak.”
“And?”
“And your competition for the agent most likely to annoy Kersh is back amongst the fold,” Scully told him. “The tests proved conclusively that he is John.”
“Are he and Jessica still with you?” Mulder asked.
“John is, but Jessica left to go explain what’s happened to the twins.”
“Well I’m in Skinner’s office and he wants to see John and the test results right away.”
“We’ll be right up.”
Scully replaced her phone in her pocket and met Doggett’s inquiring gaze. “That was Mulder. Skinner wants to see you in his office immediately.”
“Just like old times,” Doggett muttered.
“You’d better get used to it,” Scully said. “DNA tests or not, you’re going to have to convince a whole lot of people you’re really you before you get the rest of your life back.”
“Bring it on,” Doggett declared.
***************************************
Two minutes later, Scully and Doggett entered Skinner’s office and walked over to stand in front of his desk. The A.D. momentarily ignored Doggett as he focused on Scully. “Are those the test results?” he asked, and gestured at the folder in her hand.
“Yes, sir,” Scully confirmed, and handed him the file.
Skinner opened it and scanned the papers inside, reviewing them carefully before closing the file and looking at Doggett. “Well Agent Doggett, it looks like you’ve finally become your own worst nightmare,” the older man remarked. “A walking, talking X-file.”
Doggett managed a small smile. “Considerin’ my wife is one as well, that puts me in very good company,” he replied.
“Speaking of Captain Doggett, how is she taking all of this?” Skinner asked.
“Better than I would be,” Doggett allowed, “but she isn’t exactly overwhelmed with joy at my return. She’s gone over to Sarah Caldwell’s house to try and explain to the twins what’s happened.”
Skinner shot a questioning glance at Mulder and silently mouthed ‘Samuel?’ Mulder discreetly shook his head, and the older man let it pass.
“Where have you been, Agent Doggett?” Skinner asked. “And how in God’s name did you survive the explosion? There were two witnesses – one of whom was your wife – who watched the building burn to the ground with you inside of it.”
“Frankly, Assistant Director, I really don’t want to get into all of that right now. I need to head over to Sarah’s and see my kids.”
“Deputy Director Kersh is going to want to meet with you,” Skinner said. “DNA tests or not, he’s not going to just accept your story at face value and hand you your job back on a silver platter.”
“Kersh and his cronies can keep the job,” Doggett countered. “I came back to reclaim my family.”
That earned him a small smile from Skinner, who rose to his feet. “Well the attitude certainly remains the same,” he remarked, and extended his hand. “It’s good to have you back, John.”
“Thank you, sir,” Doggett responded, and the two men exchanged a handshake.
“Well now that we’re all happy to have John home, I think he should catch up with Jessica,” Mulder replied. “I know he’s anxious to see the twins, and I’m sure Jessica will want him to meet Sam.”
“Sam?” Doggett echoed. “Who’s Sam?”
Mulder gave him a look of feigned innocence. “Oh, I didn’t mention Sam?” he asked innocently. “He came to live with Jessica and the twins about six months ago.”
“You’re tellin’ me that Jess is livin’ with somebody?” Doggett demanded. “Why the hell didn’t you say somethin’ before now? And why didn’t Jess mention this Sam guy?”
“In all of the hullabaloo over your return it must have slipped her mind,” Mulder suggested.
Shooting Mulder a glare that bespoke future retaliation, Doggett glanced at Skinner. “Are we done here, sir?”
“For now.”
Without bothering to bid anyone farewell, Doggett spun on his heel and strode out Skinner’s office. Once he was gone, Scully addressed her husband.
“You realize that once he discovers Sam is his son, you’re a dead man.”
Mulder merely smiled.
***************************************
On to part 6