Title: Only the lonely Doggett turned from the scene visible through the glass panelled door. Yet again Mulder was lying injured in a hospital bed with Scully, as usual, sitting at his side, her anger at his injury being tempered by her worry at his injury. He felt how he always felt in this situation. Extra. Not needed to stay with Mulder, not when he had Scully. Slowly he turned and made his way down the corridor and out into the parking lot. ************** ‘Skinner.’ ‘Wisk? It’s Hank. I’ve got one of yours here. Wanna swing by and pick him up before he falls down?’ Skinner sighed. The local bar owner knew him well and called to warn him if any of his subordinates were getting close to their alcohol limit. Usually a quiet word sent them home in a cab. ‘Sure. Who is it?’ ‘Dunno. Don’t recognise him.’ Skinner relaxed a fraction. At least it wasn’t a woman. But who? ‘What does he look like?’ ‘Tall, skinny, kinda prominent ears.’ Doggett. Skinner let out an angry breath. ‘Thanks Hank. I’ll be right over.’ ************ ‘C’mon Doggett. Time to call it a night.’ ‘Wha…AD Skinner…hey, wanna drink?’ Doggett’s slurred words, coupled with his squinting gaze and unsteady wobbling on the barstool he was perched on told Skinner what he needed to know. ‘No Agent Doggett, I do not. I’m taking you home.’ Doggett frowned. ‘I’m not done.’ Skinner pushed the half-empty glass out of Doggett’s reach. ‘Yeah, John, you are. Come on.’ ‘Hey!’ John made an ill-judged attempt to retrieve his glass and knocked it over, spilling the contents. Skinner put a hand under John’s elbow and John slid off, his weight falling against Skinner. Skinner steadied himself then reached around John’s waist and steered him towards the door. ‘Thanks Hank.’ Restraining his amusement, the bar owner nodded. ‘Anytime Wisk, anytime.’ ************ Skinner managed to get Doggett into his car, out of his car, into his apartment and onto his couch. Covering him with the throw, he pulled off Doggett’s shoes and turned out the light. ************ Doggett’s pained groans carried into the kitchen as Skinner put the coffee machine on and turned on the small TV on the countertop. Turning the TV off, he walked into the living room. ‘Morning.’ John’s eyes opened, slowly, one at a time. Taking in his surroundings, the pounding in his head, and the awful sensation in his mouth, John groaned. ‘Tell me I did not get so drunk last night that my boss had to pick me up from a bar and bring me to his place.’ ‘What happened John? It’s not like you.’ Skinner said quietly, mindful of John’s condition. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ John began to get up, then paled suddenly, flinging the throw off his legs and rushing for the staircase. ‘First on the right.’ Skinner called as John dashed up the stairs. Shaking his head, Skinner walked back into the kitchen. ************* John walked slowly into the kitchen. He was in such trouble. Transfer if he was lucky and Skinner was in a good mood. Dismissal if Skinner gave the word. ‘Coffee?’ The single word echoed in John’s head. He nodded, instantly regretting the action. ‘Thanks.’ ‘You wanna tell me what last night was about?’ Skinner asked. ‘I got drunk sir.’ Doggett sipped experimentally at the strong black liquid, decided he wasn’t going to puke again and took a few larger gulps. Skinner made an exasperated sound. ‘I remember Agent Doggett. And the reason?’ ‘S’not important sir. I’m sorry I put you to such trouble.’ John drained the coffee cup then turned to leave. ‘Sit down Agent Doggett.’ Skinner said in a tone which indicated disagreement would be pointless. Reluctantly, John dropped into one of the chairs. ‘Is it work, or something else?’ ‘It’s Mulder.’ John said, the words evidently surprising them both equally. Skinner waited and, eventually, John added. ‘I’m jealous of Mulder.’ John waited for the laughter and the teasing. There was only silence. He looked up and Skinner’s frown made him regret his words. ‘Stupid huh?’ ‘No. Irrational, maybe. Unexpected, definitely. But stupid? No.’ ‘He gets so much as a headache she comes running.’ ‘She?’ Skinner asked, knowing the answer to his own question. ‘Agent Scully.’ John said quickly, realising he’d been more than a little impolite. ‘They act like an old married couple, but…’ ‘What Agents Mulder and Scully have is based on what they’ve been through together Agent Doggett.’ ‘Yeah, and then some.’ John said bitterly. ‘You hungry?’ Skinner asked, getting up suddenly. ‘What’cha got?’ John asked, more to give himself time to work out if his stomach could cope with breakfast than any interest in the answer. ‘Eggs, toast.’ ‘Okay. Thanks.’ John said, hoping he wouldn’t embarrass himself a second time. Skinner got up and walked to the refrigerator. ‘You wanna shower while I get this done? I laid out some stuff will probably fit.’ ‘Thanks.’ Doggett said gratefully. At least he wouldn’t have to sit in the kitchen while Skinner prepared their food. From Skinner’s reaction to his confession he guessed he’d said the wrong thing. He just couldn’t work out why Skinner seemed to bothered by his honesty. Continued in Part Two… Home Send me feedback on this fic Return to the X-Files Fic Index Return to the West Wing Fic Index Return to the other fic index