Title: About voodoo and other possibilities Author: Vibienne Rating: PG 13 Disclaimer: John Doggett, Dana Scully, Monica Reyes and Brad Follmer are all property of CC and 1013 Productions. No profit is made. No copyright infringement intended. Feedback: PLEASE Archive: You want it, you have it. Just let me know. Summary: This has been written for the SHODDS fan-fiction challenge: -DSR -Involves a curse (or is it???) -Takes place in Memphis, TN -Includes the line: “Geez! It’s so big!” -Takes place during a holiday Notes: This one is for everybody who made my 12 months in Memphis so important, extraordinary and unforgettable. ***** December 30th, AD Follmer’s Office “No offence, Mr Follmer, but I didn’t plan on spending New Year’s Eve with you.” “I share your excitement, Mr Doggett. But if the security of some of our countries highest ranking politicians is at stake, you might have to get over yourself.” “Could be worse, right?” Brad Follmer replied by shrugging his shoulders. “I leave it to you to brief Agents Scully and Reyes. You three better get packing, Doggett.” Follmer rose from his chair and escorted John Doggett out of the room. X-Files Office, 15 minutes later “Agent Doggett, you are joking!” Dana Scully looked up at him from under her eyes. “No, I’m afraid not. I’ve just come out of a meeting with AD Follmer.” “So what? We are going to Memphis tomorrow to investigate a string of murders at the Peabody Hotel…because the Governors of Arkansas and Tennessee, with their families, and everyone else are spending New Year’s Eve there? I don’t understand. Isn’t the field office already investigating? How is it an X-File?” Monica Reyes said with a puzzled look. “Well, here’s the thing. Apparently everyone who has been questioned at the hotel thinks it’s a curse. Four weeks ago a woman busted her husband cheating on her in the hotel. She went crazy in the lobby and said that people will have to start paying for their wrongdoing, and should watch out for bitter revenge. The next day a voodoo doll was found in the kitchen, and the same night the first victim was murdered, stabbed exactly where the pin was stuck in the doll. The entire kitchen staff thinks it is a curse, and that the woman had somehow put it on the hotel.” “John, this is ridiculous.” Scully laughed out loud. “Well, I also think it’s a load of BS, but fact is that in the past three weeks there have been four dead bodies. All male, all at the hotel to have a hot night with someone other than their long time wives or girlfriends. Now, the FBI field office has not released any details of the murders, which is causing the curse-theory to circulate. Hotel personnel are freaked out and are threatening to stay at home until the murderer is found. The Governors and their families are also aware of the killings, but insist on having their party there. And for their sense of protection as much as everything else, we are called out.” “That’s…okay then.” Monica said trying to get her head around what John had just tried to tell them. “Does anyone involved in the investigation actually believe it is a curse?” Scully asked. “As far as I understand, a few people are a bit concerned.” “Are you kidding?” Scully looked at John. “Well, Dana, you have to understand that curses…as part of voodoo and black magic are treated a bit differently in the south today still. Many people have great respect for it all, and many people also still practice it. I understand people’s concern in a way.” Monica jumped in. “So what now?” Scully said. “Well, Dana. We will have to cancel our plans for tomorrow, but you’ll still get to wear that sexy dress of yours and I will still be the first to kiss you in the New Year.” John winked at Scully. Monica laughed. They were so cute together. “And you, Monica, will have to cancel whatever you were going to do.” He added. “Oh, no, Monica. That’s terrible, I feel so bad.” “You don’t have to feel bad, Dana. It’s okay. It’s only New Year’s Eve, right?” She said and shrugged her shoulders. “One more question,” Scully said, “why exactly is AD Follmer coming as well? He is usually quiet happy laughing and pointing at us from a distance.” John looked at Monica, and out of Scully’s eye line pulled up his eyebrows. Monica felt busted for a second. John answered: “Well, I am sure he had other things planned as well, but I believe the Mayor of Tennessee called for a senior member of the FBI to be there.” Scully seemed satisfied with that answer, but then said. “Oh no, Monica. I am so sorry. He’ll have to be your date for the evening.” “Or yours, Agent Scully.” Monica quickly reminded Dana that no one at the FBI knew of her and John’s relationship…and they wanted it to stay that way. “True!” Scully said and lowered her eyes. She was so tired of constantly having to hide her personal life, even though it had become second nature to her. “Come on you two.” John finally said. “Let’s go home and try to have a relaxed evening. You ready, Dana?” “Yeah. Let’s go. We’ll see you in the morning, Monica.” Scully and John walked to the door. “Alright. Have a good night.” Monica said and started to tidy her desk. December 31, Washington Dulles International Airport “Morning, Agents.” Brad Follmer greeted Doggett and Scully at the gate. “You all set?” John just pulled up his eyebrows at Follmer. There was something about Brad Follmer that made his stomach turn at times. “How about you?” Scully shot right back at Follmer. “I couldn’t be better. I am ready for all that voodoo nonsense.” He grinned. “Where is Monica?” John asked in Brad’s direction. “How should I know? She’s your partner, Doggett.” John decided it had to be Follmer’s condescending smart-ass attitude that made him want to punch him. “There she is.” Scully smiled at Monica who was running towards the gate, pulling her suitcase behind her. “Hi! Sorry! I made it!” Monica stuttered, out of breath. Scully smiled, John gave her an accusing look, and Brad ignored her all together, sorting their tickets. “Here, Mr Doggett. I need to borrow your partner to get a crash course in black magic, so you can sit with Agent Scully.” “Thanks.” John said in his very manly voice and took the tickets. For a few seconds no one spoke. All stood there in awkward silence. “I’m gonna go and get some gum quickly. Anyone want anything?” Monica broke the silence, and without awaiting an answer stormed off towards the little store. Scully looked after her with question in her eyes. Follmer stared at his feet. “I’m gonna get some chocolate.” John said and dashed after her. ‘Why would he want chocolate’ Scully wondered, but didn’t say it. “So, Assistant Director. Have you ever been to Memphis?” ******************** “Monica!!!” “Hey John.” She said and Doggett pulled her behind a shelf with magazines. “Come on, Monica. You can do better than that!” “What do you mean?” “Monica, come on!” She shrugged off her put-on, distant attitude and sighed: “It’s ridiculous. And I don’t mean the voodoo. There is no reason for him to be here, and you know it.” “Monica, come on. You know he is not my favourite person, but you have to give the guy some credit. He’s obviously here because of you.” “Since when are you on his side?” “I’m not on his side, Monica. But he IS here because of you. That’s got to count for something?” “Have you told her?” Monica said with piercing eyes. “Of course not. What do you think I am?” He couldn’t believe she even asked. “I’m sorry, John. I’m a bit nervous is all.” “Relax, it’ll be fine.” She took a deep breath and said:”Don’t ever get involved with anyone at work, right?” “Yes, and look at us now.” John said in a matter of fact tone of voice. “It’s foolish: I know you and Dana are in a relationship. Dana knows I know. Brad doesn’t know about it. You know I am sleeping with Brad, but Scully doesn’t. And he doesn’t know you know. But Scully knows Brad and I are old friends…and you and I know it all…” “You want some gum or what?” John ended the pointless conversation. “One more thing!” Monica said. “I am not in a relationship with Brad Follmer, so don’t treat this like it!!!” “Of course you are not in a relationship with Brad Follmer.” John said, rolled his eyes, paid for her gum and some random alibi- chocolate-bar and pulled Monica out of the store. Memphis, Tennessee “I really have missed the south a bit. I didn’t realize how comforting the constant presence of sweet tea and barbeque is. Feels almost like home.” After her conversation with John and having spoken to Brad on the plane, Monica was back to her old self again. She was driving their rental car to the hotel. “I’ve never been one for the southern things.” Scully said, winking at John who sat next to her in the back seat. “One of my colleagues in New Orleans was from Memphis, and I spent Thanksgiving with him once. His family lived in Germantown. It was so lovely. We watched the Memphis Concert Ballet and his mom made the greatest Turkey. And we went to B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street…Oh, it was so much fun, and look, that Taco Bell had just burned down the night before we got here”, Monica pointed to the right “…I love Taco Bell.” Everybody laughed at Monica babbling on. “Are we going to get the complete guided tour tomorrow?” John asked and Monica smiled at him through the rear mirror. “If you want to! Memphis is a stunning place; we should make the effort, really.” She beamed back at him. “I’ve never been to the Peabody Hotel, is it true they have those ducks living there that walk over the red carpet?” Scully asked. “Yes, they live on the roof, the ‘penthouse’, and travel up and down the elevator.” John explained. “And the reason is…” Scully said playfully. “Because the tourists love it. I’ll show you. You’ll love it” John said and Scully and Monica could hear that he was talking about something quiet different when he said the last part of that sentence. Monica concentrated on the road…she did not need to think of those two having sex… “Before we move on to the touristy stuff, here’s the deal.” Brad said, finally lifting his nose out of the paperwork in his lap. “We are attending dinner with everybody starting at 20:00. Security knows where and who we are, as well as the head waiter and the head of kitchen operations. Agents Shelby and Simmons will be at the hotel as well. Since it’s ‘black tie’, I hope you all brought your fancy clothes. Really, all we have to do is mingle.” “And make sure everyone goes to bed with the right person.” Monica interrupted. “Well…” Brad gave her a look and shook his head slightly. “It’s very likely the murderer is a member of staff at the Peabody Hotel, and since literally everybody will be working tonight, we can do our part and stay alert.” “Will we be armed?” Scully asked. “What sort of question is that? Of course we’ll be armed.” Follmer shook his head. “If you had to wear a dress tonight, Assistant Director, you wouldn’t ask that question!” Scully explained sharply. John laughed at her, thinking about how much he loved her being so logical. Monica laughed as well, much to the annoyance of Brad Follmer. “Oh, come on Brad. That was funny.” She said and put her hand on his. She pulled it back as quickly, mentally hitting herself for allowing that sudden rush of affection to happen. Follmer gave her an evil glint, and Scully having watched this little exchange from the back seat starred at John with her mouth opened wide, who quickly turned to look out of the window. “Agent Scully, why don’t you do your best to be armed?” Follmer finally said. “Here we are everybody, the Peabody Hotel. You can see the Mississippi river from the roof, and the lights of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge are lovely at night. So please make a point of visiting the top at one point. And Agent Scully can visit her ducks.” Monica said and pulled up in front of the entrance. AD Follmer went to the reception to get their keys, and the other three stood at the side. “So, Monica, you think this place is cursed?” Scully asked looking around. “I’m not picking up anything at the moment.” She said. “Don’t strain yourself, Monica. I don’t think you will.” “What are you doing with your hair tonight, Dana?” Monica changed the subject. “Down, down, down. I don’t think I have the patience to struggle with it.” “Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. But seriously, did you bring the appropriate holster for your gun?” Monica asked quizzically. “I don’t think I need to be hearing this conversation!” John said, trying not to think of those two with gun holsters on their thighs. Scully laughed at his expression. “You love it, really, John!” She laughed and slapped his arm. “Glad you are having fun.” Brad appeared from out of nowhere, holding out four keys. “All rooms are on the same floor and are the same, so whatever.” “Thanks.” Scully said picking the key with the highest number. “Thanks.” Monica took the one with the second lowest. “Thanks.” John said picking the second highest, congratulating his girls for being so great and keeping him from having sneak past Follmer’s door to get to Scully. “Good.” Brad said, taking the lowest number. Scully smiled at Monica and all made their way to the elevator. “If you can’t make it fit anywhere, Monica, I’ll come and help you later.” Scully said, obviously going back to their conversation about the gun. “Thanks, I mean, they teach us how to handle it, and how to look after it and all, but they don’t teach us these very important things…well, men, I guess. I was taught by a guy, how about you?” “Same here.” Scully said. “You know, the first time I held one in my hand I thought ‘Geez! It’s so big!’” “I know!!!” Monica agreed. Not having been part of their previous conversation, Brad Follmer pulled a face that was worth a million dollars. “Well, as I said, if you can’t make it fit, Monica, I’ll show you later!” Brad’s jaw dropped and the elevator doors opened. Doggett’s Room, 19:35 “Dana, let’s be late.” Doggett stood in the middle of the room, his hands tracing Scully’s hip bones as she was fastening his bow tie. “Are you crazy? It took me 45 minutes to get ready and do my hair. I am not going to have you mess it all back up again.” She said with a hint of humour. “Oh, darlin’, you can leave your dress on, and I won’t touch your hair. Trust me!” He said with a tempting voice, lifted her up in a swift move, sat her down on the mini bar and gave her a kiss that took her breath away. “John- stop it. We can’t be late.” She whispered excitedly. “Believe me you are turning me on in such a big way right now…we won’t be that late.” He told her and started to pull up her dress. He firmly ran his thumps up the inside of her thighs, kissing her neck. Scully let out a deep groan and gave herself up to his touch. “Forget what I said.” She whispered, kissed his mouth hungrily and unbuckled his belt. Monica’s Room, 12 minutes later “Dana, thank God.” She opened the door, gun in hand. “Monica, relax.” Scully was all business, but with a beautiful light in her eye that matched John’s glowing cheeks. “Where is yours?” She said, looking Scully up and down. “I love that dress, by the way. It’s beautiful.” “Thanks, and the gun is in my handbag, of course!” Scully said swinging her purse. “Very funny!!!” Monica laughed at herself and put her gun in her bag. “Let’s go.” “You are looking good, John.” She smiled at Doggett as she escorted everyone out of her room. “Brad said he’d be downstairs!” Monica told them. ************************* They made their way to the function rooms of the hotel which had been decorated beautifully for the occasion. All the tables were set with glistening crystal glasses, snow white porcelain and shining silverware. There was loads of confetti on each of them, balloons, and candles along with beautiful flower arrangements. People were starting to stream in, all meeting and greeting. It promised to be a very festive evening. “My goodness, looking at all those knifes and forks we won’t be through dinner come midnight.” John remarked. “Looking at all those knives and forks I will have burst out of my dress come midnight.” Scully said thinking about all those courses that clearly had to be eaten. They walked around, scanning the room, and Monica was eating appetizers off silver platters dozens of waiters carried around. “Uuuuh, Monica,” Scully suddenly whispered at Reyes in a low voice, her eyes on the opened, large double doors that were the entrance to the room. “Look at that!!! AD Follmer is a bit hot in his tux!” Monica’s mouth opened at that remark. “Dana!” She hissed under her breath. “What?” Scully took an hors-d’oeuvre and ate it. “Monica- I thought he was an old flame of yours. Don’t tell me you don’t think he’s cute at times. Look at him!” Monica’s face went bright red, much to Scully’s amusement. She hadn’t been aware of the fact that the Brad Follmer topic was still such a hot one with Monica. Interesting! But seeing Follmer and Reyes at work together she’d been given the impression they couldn’t stand each other. John never really gave her the gossip about those two…but she would find out. Monica’s reaction to her statement was…great. “Monica, I am sorry, I was joking.” Scully said very diplomatically. Follmer was still standing in the door, looking around to find them. His eyes fell on Monica, and the look on his face was…remarkable. Scully was very excited that she had clearly caught on to something. On the same note she knew how disappointed she’d be if she found out there was something going on between them, and Monica hadn’t shared it- when John and herself trusted Monica 100% with their relationship. Scully watched a smile hush across Monica’s face, and very quietly Monica whispered: “He’s hot, alright!” *********** “Good night! Whatever next?” Agent Scully leant back in her chair as the waiter cleared away all their plates. They had already had their salad, soup, a starter and the fish main course. “Well, Agent Scully, if you are so keen to know what still lies ahead, let me inform you.” Doggett picked up the menu card from the middle of the table. “Peach sorbet, Filet Mignon with puree on vegetables, Crème Caramel, coffee, and there will be a desert buffet at midnight.” “Ugh, stop it John, it’s making me nauseous.” She said with horror written all across her face. Dinner had been fun so far. They sat at their own table, Brad sat across Doggett, and Scully and Monica sat opposite each other. Conversation had been going well, and much to Doggett’s surprise AD Follmer had not yet made his skin crawl. “Any New Year’s resolutions anybody?” Brad asked into the round. “Agent Reyes, how about you?” She gave him an evil smirk. “Very funny, Brad. I’ll give up smoking, of course.” “Oh- of course.” He gleamed back at her. “I wonder why you’ve never succeeded!” “It’s probably because of you, Brad.” She gave him the sweetest, most mischievous smile, not minding at all that John and Dana were watching them. “Monica, now you are being unfair. One time I even got you that gum that is supposed to help you stop.” “Yes you did. And two days later you said my constant chewing drove you crazy.” “You chewed with your mouth open.” “So?” “Every time I went to kiss you, you had gum in your mouth!” Monica instantly blushed again- for the second time that night. Scully kicked John’s leg under the table to make acknowledging eye contact…but he was busy brushing imaginary crumbs off the table. Scully was sure they were all hiding something… ************ In the general food break after the sorbet, Brad got up from his chair, put his folded napkin on the table and held out his hand to Monica: “Come on, Agent Reyes, let’s do some work and check out the dance floor. I remember you being a bit of a dancer.” “Alright. You’ll excuse us.” She said with shining eyes and quickly followed Brad. “You okay, Dana?” John said and put his hand on her knee. She gave him a happy smile: “I’m fine. And you?” “I’m great. I just don’t really see the point in us being here. It doesn’t look like the platform for any sort of potential voodoo activity.” “I doubt it as well.” She glanced around the room, her eyes finding Follmer and Reyes dancing a waltz. “Oh, look, John. They are really good at it!” “Those two are really good at most things.” Scully pulled her chair a bit closer to him. “Okay, now give me the story.” “What story?” John asked innocently. “Cut the crap, Agent Doggett. I am a woman, I see things. Don’t tell me you are that oblivious to what is going on here.” “And what exactly are you seeing, Dr Scully?” John grinned. “They are clearly flirting with each other. Come on, John. When I said earlier I thought AD Follmer was hot, Monica couldn’t have looked guiltier. She blushed. And just now she blushed again…Monica NEVER blushes!” “You think Mr Follmer is hot?” John looked at her in complete disbelief. “Well, he is a good looking guy.” She told him. “Oh no Dana, not from you.” John put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. “John, that wasn’t the point of my story.” She gently stroked his leg under the table. “I know. I just don’t want you to think he is hot. Him of all people. Dana!!!” “John, I believe I have already chosen you to be the hottest man in my life. And believe me; I am not having second thoughts...at all. I just want to know about Monica and him!” Doggett lifted his head up again. “Well, I can’t really tell you anything, Dana. But I believe Monica is still crazy about that guy, no matter what she says, and I believe that underneath it all he worships the ground she walks on. But I also believe they would rather kill each other than ever admit it.” “Are you saying there is something going on again?” “Darlin’, that is something you need to ask Monica, not me…or ask Mr Follmer, who you think is hot.” ************ “Monica, how come you are such a good dancer?” Scully asked three minutes later to officially kick off her personal investigation into the Follmer/Reyes relationship. “I’m not really. I just learned the steps once and never forgot them again.” “And you, Assistant Director?” “Same here. Plus we had a lot of formals at school.” “I can’t dance to safe my life.” John said to everybody. “Of course you can, John. You don’t have to do proper steps, anyway! Just move your feet and take your partner with you. It’s easy. I’ll dance with you after the Filet Mignon.” Monica said and smiled at him. “And Mr Follmer can whirl Scully around the dance floor. You’d love that.” He grinned at Scully who kicked his leg under the table once again. Ugh, she never should have told him she thought Follmer was hot. “Good God, here comes course number 150.” Sully turned her attention to dozens of waiters approaching the tables. Two waiters put down the four plates and proceeded to pull off the silver covers simultaneously…to reveal three times Filet Mignon and one voodoo doll with a pin through its chest on AD Follmer’s plate. One of the waiters jumped and a silver cover crashed onto the floor. Brad pushed his chair away from the table, Monica looked at John, Dana starred at the plate with wide eyes and John said calmly:”What kind of sick joke is this?” They all looked at each other, except for Brad who starred at the doll, concentrating. He went straight into his business mode a second later, put his napkin over the doll and eyed the waiters who were still frozen to the spot. “I need you two to escort me out of the room, please. Agents Doggett and Reyes, get into that kitchen, and Agent Scully, I need you to see if you can find any prints on this thing.” Monica got up, grabbed her purse and followed John to the kitchen. Follmer gestured at the two security guards to join him at the table. ************ “Let’s do it.” John said and pushed open the doors to the kitchen. “John, we can’t interrupt the flow. 200 people are being catered for here.” “We need to find out who could have possibly put that thing on Follmer’s plate, and how!” Doggett felt overwhelmed by the general tumult. “Let’s ask someone who is in charge here…what a chaos.” Monica was sharing his concern. “So: The dish washer people put the hot plates here, and then the food goes on it in stages. Then the plates come here where they are covered with the silver covers, and that’s where you take over and call the tables for your waiters.” John tried to recreate the way of the plates and the food with the head of kitchen. “That’s right. You’ll have to excuse me now, we are very busy.” He was obviously annoyed with the interruption. “Monica, come here.” John said, looking at a trolley with plates on it. “What if a plate with a cover had already been on the trolley? No one would have noticed. The cooks put on the other plates, and when they get taken out, someone naturally picks up the plate with the doll and carries it out. “ “But John, what are the chances of that plate then ending up at Brad’s place?” John smirked and pointed upwards. “It’s not funny, John.” “Don’t worry about him, Monica. The dolls were never found with the future victims.” “I’m not worried.” She tried to sound indifferent. “Yeah, right.” John muttered. “Don’t you ‘yeah right’-me, John.” She shot back at him. “And anyway, you are not even in a relationship, so he can’t even cheat on anyone, so he won’t get murdered.” John concluded in mocking, straight forward way. Monica didn’t say anything. “So let’s check out where these goddamn trolleys are coming from then.” She hissed and marched back to the head of kitchen to inquire. “He said we could have a look around in the back.” Monica said a minute later, walked past John, and left the kitchen through one of the back doors. “Creepy!” Monica remarked before switching on the lights and stepping into a cold and empty storage room. “It’s useless looking for anything here anyway…I mean, of course all the trolleys must already been out front because we had all those courses prior to the Filet Mignon. So the plate must have been put onto the trolley between courses.” Monica tried to figure. She turned around to return to the kitchen only to hear a loud bang and watch the door closing on them. She jumped. “What the hell?” John shot to the door and tried to open it. It was locked. “Ok, Agent Reyes, something is fishy here. Have we just been locked into this room?” “I believe so!” “HELLO! HELLO! ANYBODY THERE?” John shouted, banging on the door. “Great. No one is going to come here. Why would they? The corridor is a dead end, and anyway- there is nothing here for anyone to get.” Monica sighed. “Damn! You got a phone in there by any chance?” Doggett pointed to Monica’s purse. “No, just my gun. You wanna shoot the door open?” John looked around. “No, look.” He pointed at open pipes running under the ceiling. “It’s probably gas!” “Damn. So what now?” Monica asked. “I guess we have to wait here like idiots until someone finds us.” “Damn!” Monica said again. ************** “Anything?” Brad Follmer looked up as Agent Scully walked into the conference room which had been transformed into an FBI office. “Nothing at all. No prints, no fibre. Exactly like the other ones. It is a cheap voodoo doll. You can get it almost everywhere. Some southern gift shops even sell them as a gag.” “Agent Reyes said if this had any serious voodoo background the dolls would not be as commercial- handmade, most likely.” Brad muttered half to himself. “You don’t actually believe this has to do with voodoo, Assistant Director?” “Of course not.” “How about the two waiters you questioned?” Scully inquired. “Nothing. They were in and out of the kitchen all night. They simply take whatever plates are to go out next off a trolley, and serve the tables that are being called at them by the head of kitchen.” Follmer explained the proceedings. “Why plant the doll on a plate that goes out to our table? You think it happened on purpose?” “I can’t answer that question, Agent Scully, but the dolls have always been found in the kitchen area, with no link to the future victim at all. Therefore, we are most likely looking at a member of the kitchen staff.” “That means someone has to know they are going to commit a crime later the same day…if it is the same person doing the doll and the killings. But they are not random murders...” “Well, the only thing the victims had in common was that all were cheating on their partners.” Follmer said. “So we are looking at revenge, maybe.” “Yes, but none of the partners knew their husbands or boyfriends were at the Peabody Hotel on those nights. And they all have alibis.” “Agent Follmer, going back to what you said earlier…if the murderer planted the dolls and committed the crimes; it must have been someone who was at the hotel all those times. We are looking at a full time employee, possibly? Can we get a copy of the list of those people who were on duty those times? And if they are also here tonight, I suggest we question them all.” Scully asked. “I’ll get one off Agent Shelby.” Follmer rose from his chair and walked to the other agent’s desk. ******************* “It’s freezing.” Monica said and rubbed her naked arms. “You want my jacket?” “If you don’t mind.” John took off his jacket and Monica put it on. So…how’s life?” She asked and clapped her hands together, trying to be cheerful. “Life is great. It’s New Year’s Eve and…” he looked at his watch,”in 20minutes we’ll get to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’.” “It’s that late?” “Yeah.” “I bet everyone is having Crème Caramel now.” Monica sighed. “If missing Crème Caramel is your only worry, Monica, I will make it you when we get home tomorrow.” She chuckled. “You’re sweet, John.” “I know.” She gave him a cute little smile. “Why do you think Brad got the doll?” “You still worrying about that, Monica? Do you honestly think there is a curse on the hotel?” “No, I don’t believe it’s a curse or anything like that, but how did that thing get on his plate? Why him?” “I don’t think it was meant for him, Monica. I mean, if there is a pattern, then finding it would not have an immediate impact on him or us. Nothing ever happened to the person who found the doll.” “True! But it is very odd.” Monica kept thinking out loud: “Unless someone tried to scare us. That’s it, John!!! What if someone knew we were on to them?” “But only a handful of people even know who we are and why we are here tonight, and also where we were sat.” “But that’s it! You know who knew? The person assigning the waiters to the tables, the head of kitchen. He knew where we were sat; he was the only person who could have had any influence on the plates. He stands there at the trolleys, telling the waiters which tables to serve. It all makes perfect sense. And he suggested we come back here to have a look around. I bet you anything he has something to do with it. UGH, how frustrating. HELLO, HELLO.” Having drawn her conclusions, Monica was now at the door, shouting out of the top of her lungs. “Damnit, damnit! UGH, this is so stupid!” She kicked the metal door, hurting her foot. Even though John shared her frustration about being trapped, he was rather amused to watch her little outburst. “ARGH!” She yelled at him and sat down on the floor. *************** “Where the hell are they?” Follmer said to Scully. Both had made their way to the kitchen on their search for Doggett and Reyes to share what they had come up with. With the help of Agent Shelby they had come up with a list of 15 suspects. They would be called in for questioning before they went home that night. It was four minutes to midnight and the immediate bustling had shifted from the kitchen to the beverage area out in the function room. The kitchen was quieting down. “Well, they are not here, and I don’ think we need to alarm anybody by snooping around the kitchen as well.” Agent Scully turned around and marched back out. In the function room waiters rushed around with silver trays, handing out glasses of champagne. “They are not here either.” Follmer was annoyed. “Champagne for you?” A waitress stopped and held out a tray with glasses for Dana and Brad. “Why not!” Follmer took two glasses, handing one to Scully. “We might as well.” He smirked apologetically. “So what? We stand here and do nothing?” Scully asked. “Well, Doggett and Reyes can’t have disappeared, and we can’t question anybody before later. I don’t think it is necessary for us to run around as well, if we just keep our eyes open here. Even though, nobody ever got knifed in public. To be honest, Agent Scully, I think this is all a joke. I am not saying nothing is going on here, but I am sure we’ll know more after having spoken to the people on our list.” Both stood there for a while, watching the room. Scully was a bit annoyed there was no sign of John and Monica. Even though she hated getting traditionally emotional, she would love to be the first to wish John a happy new year. She’d never been so happy with anyone, and having him share her life with her was the most wonderful gift she’d ever received. It was foolish getting so emotional about New Year’s wishes, but she was so in love, and simply acknowledging that deep feeling inside her was enough to make her cry these days. She smiled as she felt the tears come to her eyes, and swallowed them, counting her many blessings. The band had stopped playing, and one of the singers took to microphone: “Ladies and Gentlemen. Please raise your glasses to welcome the New Year.” Everyone in the room was laughing, oo-ing and ah-ing, shouting and rushing to raise their glasses, looking at the band. “Here it goes, and it is ten, nine, eight, seven, six,” 200 people were joining in now, shouting out the numbers. The room was buzzing with excitement. “…five, four, three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!” Applause broke out, balloons were being kicked around, and people were blowing whistles, and kissed each other. Confetti went flying, and the band instantly boomed out ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Everybody was singing and shouting. Scully smiled. It was a great party. “Well, Agent Scully. Happy New Year to you!” Follmer lifted his glass and turned to face her. “Happy New Year, Assistant Director.” She said and put on her work face. They clinked glasses and she looked at him. Follmer took a sip of his champagne, not taking his eyes off her. It made Dana feel a bit uneasy…for some reason. She arched her eyebrows as if saying ‘why are you starring at me?’ Brad smiled. “Well, in the spirit of the season, Agent Scully” He leant down and placed a very gently, barely noticeable kiss on her mouth. Her lips tingled, and her eyes went wide as she stood there frozen to the spot. Hhhuuuh…there was definitely something about him. No wonder he got Monica so flustered. She hadn’t finished that thought when she decided to get real. Scully had to admit that as revolting as his confidence was at times, it was…interesting as well. And that was the only reason why she didn’t hit him where it hurts in response to that. That guy was so cheeky. Unbelievable! How cheeky was that? Scully looked at him and pulled away. She wrinkled her forehead and said softly but firmly: “Assistant Director, I hope for your own sake you are not seeing anyone because you might end up with a knife in your chest. Kissing other women does not seem a very good idea in this building at the moment.” His smug demeanour crumbles and he turned pale. Scully burst out laughing. “I am sorry! I am joking!” She put her hand on his arm. Brad tried very hard to force out a smile. Scully could not suppress a laughing fit. “I am sure it is very funny, Agent Scully, but it’s a bit of a sick joke as well.” He bravely put on his manly voice. “I thought you didn’t believe in this curse. Relax; I was just trying to be funny.” Scully could not believe she actually got him concerned; and then she congratulated herself on the smooth transition to her investigation: “So, where is our girlfriend tonight? I hope she wasn’t too disappointed you had to be here with us.” “I’m not in a relationship, actually.” Follmer explained that bit too quickly. “Even less reason to worry. All victims were involved.” “Come on, let’s find Doggett and Monica. They have been gone a bit too long.” He changed the subject and gestured for Scully to come with him. ************** “That’s it, Monica. Happy New Year.” Doggett and Reyes were still locked in the storage room. John sat on the floor, legs stretched out in front of him, leaning against a shelf. Monica lay on her side, her head on his legs. He looked at his watch and was stroking Monica’s head. “Happy New Year, John.” She mumbled, half dozing off. “I wonder what Dana and your lover-boy are doing!” “He’s not my lover-boy.” She whispered and John rolled his eyes. “Dana thinks he’s hot.” He said. “I know. I’m sorry John.” “I’ll get over it.” “He’s not her type, John.” “What makes you figure that?” “Because you are her type. And you are nothing like Brad Follmer.” “You wouldn’t say I was hot?” Monica turned onto her back, glancing up at her partner with tired eyes. “You are the most wonderful man, John. And you are very attractive. But you and Brad are not very alike. And Dana is besotted by you, and you know it.” He smiled down at her. “What is it about him, Monica?” She tried to shrug her shoulders. “Come on, you’ve gotta know why you are still into him this much. And don’t tell me you are not.” “Intellectually I have no explanation. He does something to me. I am not sure if it’s healthy, but I need whatever he gives. I think I’m in love.” “You gonna tell him that?” “Not in a million years!” She said quickly. John gave her another smile, shook his head slightly, and kept running his fingers through her hair. “I hope you know I will have to beat him up if he upsets you!” “I’m counting on it.” She smiled back. 15 minutes later John heard doors opening and footsteps. “Monica, wake up!” He gently shook her shoulder. “What?” She sat up. “I think I can hear someone. HELLO.” Doggett shot to the door, banging against it. “John?” It was Scully. “Hang on we’ve got the master key.” Doggett and Reyes heard rustling and two seconds later the door opened. “Agents?” Follmer said to a sleepy Monica, wearing John’s jacket. “What happened to you?” “Oh, shut up, Brad. I think the head of kitchen is responsible for planting that doll. And I think he wanted to scare us, or warn us or something…” Monica led the way out of the kitchen area, explaining her theory. FBI briefing room It turned out the head of kitchen, Mr Benedict, was on Follmer and Scully’s list of possible suspect. Because of Monica’s thoughts on the case they had brought him in for questioning first. Much to everybody’s surprise he didn’t deny a thing. He admitted to having planted the dolls in the kitchen, and having committed the murders. Still, he was convinced of his innocence. “Mr Benedict. What you are saying is that you felt called upon by that woman to carry out those murders?” “I was in the lobby when she said someone would come to make people like her husband pay.” “And with ‘people like her husband’ she meant…who exactly?” Reyes sat across Benedict at the table. “Adulterers, deceivers, liars.” “And why do you believe you were called on- you of all people? You don’t even know the woman.” “It was a sign. I knew I had to be the one to make them pay. I knew I was called upon to carry it out.” “How did you know those people were having affairs, though?” “I just knew.” “How?” “I just knew!” Doggett got up from his chair and started walking around the room. To him that guy was clearly crazy. “Why the voodoo dolls?” Scully jumped in. “As a warning.” “How can it be a warning if the victims never even saw them?” “A warning to the world.” “To the world…?” “People today have no respect anymore. People don’t believe in doing the right thing out of goodness. They only do the right thing if they are afraid of being punished if they don’t. People are more willing to believe in the evils of curses and voodoo than in the goodness of our Saviour Jesus Christ. We need to make them fear.” Benedict was starting to sound like an agitated child. “Who were you planning on killing tonight then?” Doggett asked to stop the mad ranting. “No one.” “Why place a doll on AD Follmer’s plate then?” Scully was also tired of this. “To warn you. I knew why you were here. You tried to interfere with my mission. I must not be stopped. I am doing the right thing. I have been called upon. By Jesus Christ. He spoke to me through the lady that got betrayed.” “Ok, enough is enough.” Doggett said and gave Follmer a look. Follmer glanced over to Agent Shelby who nodded his head and opened the door for two cops. They walked over to handcuff Mr Benedict, and lead him out of the room. There was no struggle. “Thank you everybody. I think we’ve got it from here.” Agent Shelby said shook everybody’s hands and followed the cops out of the hotel. “What a confused soul.” Monica said looking after them. “I bet he has a history of mental illness. I wonder what triggered this outburst.” “I guess we’ll find out from Agent Shelby soon.” Follmer remarked and turned to the other three:”I think we are done here. I am not expecting your reports until the 2nd. We might as well enjoy the party now.” “Agent Scully, you wanna go and see those ducks?” Doggett asked, wondering if it sounded like the most ridiculous thing he had ever said to be alone with her. “Why not- dancing is probably the other option, and I’d rather pass.” “After you.” Doggett said and pointed to the elevator. Already half way through the lobby, he turned around to Monica and Brad:”You two coming?” “No thanks, you go.” Monica said quickly before Brad even had the time to think about it. Doggett and Scully disappeared into the elevator. “So, what do you wanna do?” Monica asked Brad. “I think first I am going to get you a glass of Champagne, Agent Reyes. Then I shall pull you in some dark corner, wish you a Happy New Year, and kiss that phenomenally sexy mouth of yours that has been driving me crazy all day.” He whispered dangerously close to her ear, and Monica blushed for the third time that night. ************* “It’s lovely up here.” Dana said, looking over the city of Memphis. “Look at the bridge, John. It’s absolutely stunning. How beautiful.” “Isn’t it?” Doggett said and pulled her into his arms. “Happy New Year, by the way!” He whispered. Scully smiled: “Happy New Year, John. I wish you everything.” “I already got everything.” He pulled her closer and whispered into her hair. All those feelings that had started to overwhelm her earlier suddenly rushed back and Scully could feel tears running down her face, unable to speak. John pulled away from her slightly and looked at her. She was smiling at the same time. “What?” He asked, puzzled by her suddenly being so emotional. “I’m sorry.” She half wept, and John laughed. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel so blessed these days, and you make me feel so much, I don’t know what to do with it sometimes.” “It’s okay, darlin’.” John kissed her lips gently and Scully continued: “This past year you have changed my world, and I can truly say I have never been happier. And even though things have been so crazy, loving you has been the easiest thing in my life…ever! And now here we are, and John, telling you ‘I love you’ doesn’t seem to be enough. I feel so much more than that.” John just looked at her in stunned silence for a few seconds. He knew he was crap at this kind of truth-talk, and he definitely was even more crap at putting his feelings into words. But she knew that. He decided he wasn’t going to try it, and therefore he simply whispered those three little words, took her face in his hands and started a kiss that was to last a very long time and told her everything she needed to know. ******** An hour later Doggett and Scully were back in the hotel lobby, trying to find Monica and AD Follmer. John didn’t want to suggest that they might have gone to bed, knowing Scully was still on her mission to find out what was going on there, and would probably suspect…well, the right thing. Some people were still celebrating, but hotel staff were also already cleaning up around them. In the big conference room the band had packed up and things had quietened down. The tables had been cleared, and only a few people were still sitting down talking. “Maybe they have gone to bed.” Scully suggested herself, looking around the room to find them. The second she said it, Doggett caught sight of them. Deciding it was his duty as Monica’s partner to respect her wishes, he pulled Scully around and dragged her out of the room before she could see anything. “What?” She let out a little shriek, trying to stay on her feet as John pulled her behind him by her arm. “You’re probably right. They must have gone to bed. Let’s go.” Doggett said and only back in the hotel lobby Scully could free herself from his grip. “What’s going on here, John? Don’t you go thinking for one minute I am that stupid.” She explained with a mocking smile and briskly walked back to the room. Three seconds later she saw what John had unsuccessfully tried to conceal. She could not hide her excitement: “I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Yes. I am so good at this. And you are a bastard for not telling me.” Follmer and Reyes were absorbed in the most passionate of all kisses, obviously completely oblivious to their surroundings. Monica was sat on the desert buffet, right between what was left of the fruit salad and the pecan pies. Follmer stood in front of her, and she had her legs wrapped around him; he looked like he was going to have her right there on that table before too long. John smiled at his Monica…doubting still he’d ever grow to like Brad Follmer. Follmer obviously did ‘something’ to her; Doggett recalled their conversation from earlier. And they were cute together- he had to give them that. “You wanna go to bed Dana, or you wanna stay and watch this?” John asked Scully who was grinning from one ear to the other, still watching those two make out on the buffet table. She looked up at John through crystal blue eyes and took his hand. “I think I’d rather watch you! Let’s go to bed.” She said in a sexy voice, and led him away from the scene of the crime.