The Truth is Out There--Scene 38 from XF3 by Lolabeegood E-mail: lolabeegood@gmail.com Distribution: Archive freely with my name attached. Rating: R Categories: S, R Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance, Post-IWTB Spoilers: IWTB Summary: The truth is something Mulder & Scully may have to pay a steep price for. Author's Notes: Ever since I watched IWTB I have thought of the ideal way to start and storyline a third movie. So, after much thought and deliberation I have a series of scenes that I have written for the third XF movie. The scenes will not necessarily run right after each other but they are in sequence. They are more like scenes I would like to see in the XF3 that develop character, tie loose ends, and add plot interest. I do not own the characters and I don't make any money from this. Enjoy! ********************************** John Doggett walked quickly through the Memphis airport, exiting and going to the rental agency to pick up a car. He had made this trip many times in the past, although not in the last year, and it wouldn't look too suspicious for him to be making it again at this time. It was almost 8 am and he needed to get moving if he was to meet Mulder and Scully by noon. He drove directly to Monica's, knowing that at this time of morning she would be just getting up and throwing together breakfast. When he arrived at the grand mansion 45 minutes later he was caught by how beautiful this place was at the sun flickered between the willowy trees. He knew that there were many reasons why Monica lived here, and that the beauty of this place was one of them. He pulled up in front of the house and parked his car to the side of the circular driveway. The house was a former plantation owner's grand masterpiece. It had a high roof, large windows, and a balcony that wrapped around the top floor. The mansion was painted in a crisp white and the gardens were immaculately kept. Monica employed many workers to keep the mansion maintained and grand. It was a tribute to her aunt who still resided there with her. John Doggett walked up the staircase and lifted the heavy knocker to announce his presence. Besides the few health care workers and a cleaning lady, Monica employed no other help inside the house. He fully expected her to answer the door. "Can I help you?" the teenaged boy asked as he opened the door. "Uh, hi" John answered him uncomfortably "I'm here to see Monica." "I'll get her" he said as he walked away from the door, leaving it open for John to walk inside. John stepped in the large foyer and admired the grandeur of these old houses. The detailed millwork and the beautiful staircase were works of art in his mind. They don't build houses like this anymore. "John?" Monica asked as she rounded the corner coming from the back of the house. "Hi Monica" he said with a smile as he shifted his feet. "John" she said walking to embrace him "it's so good to see you." He held her with both arms tightly "it's nice to see you too." The young man came up behind Monica and watched the interaction. "Atticus" Monica said addressing him as she pulled away from John "you remember my friend John, don't you?" "I remember you eating my Cheerios the last time you were here." "I like Cheerios, too" John sheepishly grinned, knowing that they had encountered each other accidentally in the morning the last time he was here. "We don't buy Cheerios, anymore" he said coolly. "John will eat whatever breakfast cereal we have, Atticus" Monica said sharply. "Uh, Monica" he interrupted the confrontation "can I talk with you a minute?" "Sure, John" she said looking at him worried "Atticus, are you going over to Daniel's?" "Yeah, I'll be back after youth group" he said as he left the hallway. John looked inquisitively at Monica and she shook her head "he's going through a period of Christian rebellion just to get under my skin. He's going to church, involved in the youth group, next thing you know he'll be singing in their choir." John nodded his head in acknowledgement and they walked into the parlor. He sat on the sofa and she sat next to him, holding his hand in hers. "It's great to see you, John" she smiled "but I sense you're not here for a personal visit." "Unfortunately, no" he said as he looked at their joined hands. "So, what's up?" "I need to borrow your truck" he said looking at her in the eyes and saying more with them then his mouth. "Sure, you can" she smiled "Mind if I tag along?" "I'd really like that, but if your aunt or Atticus..." "He'll be at youth group until lunch and my aunt has her bridge ladies dropping by to visit her this afternoon. She has Nancy with her all day. The fort will hold until I get back." "How soon can you leave?" he asked. "Give me a few minutes" she said rising from the sofa "why don't you make some toast in the kitchen. Atticus has some Count Chocula out there you can eat..." "I'll just grad a cup of coffee" he said as he made his way to the kitchen. John was pouring a cup of coffee for himself when Atticus entered the room. The two men sized each other up and John spoke first. "So, Atticus, you playing on any school teams this year?" "I'm on the swim team because Monica won't let me play combative sports." "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." John winced "Swimming's good though, right?" "I'd rather play football" the teenager sulked. "Sorry about that" Doggett offered. "You didn't make the rule" he snapped. "No, but I played football as a kid, and...I know how fun it can be. Combative, or not." "Well, maybe you can tell that to her." "Atticus, your aunt is only trying to do..." "I know, what's best for me." He interrupted "How about her asking me what I think is best sometimes?" John didn't have any response for that. Monica had a way of making up her mind regardless of what other's thought or felt. For an open-minded person she could be very rigid in her decisions. He knew that from personal experience. The teenager picked up his iPod and slung his sack over one shoulder. "See you later" he said to John. "Yeah, I'll see you later, Atticus" John offered as the boy walked out the door. "Don't eat all my Count Chocula" he yelled at he jumped off the back porch. John Doggett winced at the remark. Obviously the boy was still holding on to a great deal of anger towards him. He could understand the young man's feeling though. He walked into his house on a Saturday morning to find a stranger sitting at the breakfast table, shirtless, and eating his cereal. He was supposed to be staying at his friend's house for the weekend, but they had a falling out. Any 14 year old would react as he did. Now, Atticus was 15 and he was still busting John's balls over something that happened a year ago. That morning was the reason why John had not visited Monica in a year. Why their relationship had become strained, e-mail heavy, and conversation lite. John leaned against the counter and drank his coffee. Maybe Monica was right, Atticus was too messed up to deal with any more crap. Or maybe, John thought, Monica focusing too closely on the young man was hurting him more than helping him. "Ready" she announced as she walked into the kitchen. "You look great" he said as he put his coffee mug in the sink. "I've been waiting to hear that for a year" she smiled at him. "Now, Monica, you were the one..." he started. "...yeah, but no one said you had to listen to me" she smirked "It's nice to have you here, again." He looked down at his feet, not wanting to get drawn in by her beautiful eyes, "we better get going." ************************************ The end of scene 38