Author: Mariann

Rating: PG

Category: Episodial

Spoilers: "Audrey Pauley"

Keywords: Doggett/Reyes romance

Disclaimer: I don't own "The X-Files", but I don't make money off these fics so don't sue me!

Summary: Doggett takes advantage of a second chance.

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Sometimes in life there are second chances.

John Doggett pondered this as he sat in his truck outside his partner's flat. Three nights ago he had come within a hair's breadth of losing his best friend. No, Monica was more then that...she was his soul mate. He was more sure of it now then ever. But still he could not tell her how he felt.

Audrey had been right. John loved Monica. The feelings had grown every day since they had been reunited on The X-Files. She was the last thing he thought about before going to sleep and the first thing he thought of when he rose again in the morning. He looked forward every day to being with her in that basement office and, even though the cases often questioned his sensibilities, he enjoyed having her at his side in the field.

He had almost lost all of that only a few days ago. During those horribly long hours he sat at her bedside watching her hang in the balance between life and death, he prayed for a second chance to tell her just how much she meant to him. And through nothing short of a miracle, his prayers had been answered.

John had been given a second chance, but for the second time he was making the exact same mistake.

Tonight was just like the night of Monica's accident. He had let her walk away again without admitting his feelings to her. He had suppressed the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her. And why?

Luke's death had almost broken him. He experienced more hurt at that time then he ever thought it was possible to feel. It was something John never wanted to experience again. He couldn't bear to experience it again. So he had shut himself off from loving. First it destroyed his marriage, and then it destroyed the relationship he had had with Monica afterwards.

Monica had said she could never see him disappointing anyone. She had been wrong. He disappointed himself all the time. John never thought of himself as a coward, but now he realized he was one.

This last thought struck a bitter note inside of him. There was only one way he could remedy it, but he was still afraid to let go and allow himself to love again. But, he already did love again. It had taken a harsh blow for him to realize it, but now he did.

John found himself out of his truck and on Monica's doorstep. He hesitated a moment before knocking. The doctor said she needed her rest, but it couldn't wait any longer. Second chances were far and few between, you could never count on one.

"John?" Monica opened the door, surprised to see him.

"Monica, I - You need anything?"

She smiled the smile that made him weak in the knees. "No, I'll be fine, John."

The words stuck in his throat, and he was unable to speak again. An awkward silence fell upon the pair as he stood there, kicking himself for not just coming out and saying it. Then John decided maybe actions would be better then words. He took two steps forward and kissed her softly.

Monica returned the kiss, and he felt himself delve into it further. He put as much passion into it as he could, trying to tell her what he felt without the words that seemed to fail him time and again. Finally they parted, and the pleased smile on her face gave John the courage to finally say what he had come to tell her.

"Monica..." He brought a hand up to touch her cheek. "I love you."

There was that smile that made him weak in the knees again, only this time there was a slight sheen of tears in her eyes. "John, I feel the same way. I have for a long time. I love you too."

Without a word he took her into his arms and held her close, as he wanted to so many times. And now that he had, he was never going to let her go again.

The End

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