Title: Just don’t!

Author:  Vibienne
Email:  vibienne71@hotmail.com
Rating: PG 13 mostly, but R for sexual situations
Disclaimer:  Monica Reyes, Brad Follmer and John Doggett do not 
belong to me. They are property of C.C. 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 Kristi’s August-November 2004 
FRR fan-fiction challenge (Brad and Monica must have something 
dramatic happen to them).  I have had fun writing it.
Notes:  This is my personal love letter to the character of Brad 
Follmer.  I hope it’s bearable and turns a few heads.


Friday, 13:55.  X-Files Office

“I’ve got five more minutes, okay?  Chill, I’ll be right there, alright?”  
Monica slammed down the phone.  “ARGH, he drives me crazy!!!” 
she hissed. 
“John, I am sorry, but we have to finish this on Monday. I need to 
leave this second.” She said, pulled her suitcase from under her desk 
and flung her handbag over her shoulder.  

“Secrets, secrets, Monica.  Come on, you can tell me.  What y’a up 
to?”
She was already halfway out of the door, but the condescending, 
nagging attitude John had put on all day made her stop and turn 
around.  She knew it wasn’t his fault she felt edgy, but there was 
nobody else to yell at, and she knew he’d forgive her instantly.  

“Fine!  I am going up to New York to go to my friend Lisa’s wedding.  
Her husband-to-be is Brad Follmer’s best buddy…that is how I met 
her, and all four of us were friends when Brad and I still lived in New 
York.  Brad is the best man and we are travelling up to New York 
together!  And if you say one word, John, I swear to God I will kill 
you.”

John just stood there with a quirky smile on his face and said:” You’re 
not falling back into old habits again, are you, Monica?”
She was just about to throw her handbag in his direction when Brad 
Follmer stormed into the office.  

“Monica, come on.  You know I hate it when you are late!”
“I am never late!”
“You are always late.  Oh, Mr Doggett.”  Brad nodded at John, picked 
up Monica’s case and headed back out into the corridor.

“Argh!”  Monica was ready to break something now.  
Her eyes were firing bullets at a still grinning John.
“Not one word, John, I swear, I’ll kill you.” she said again and 
marched off after Brad.



17:50, New York City


“Brad, that’s enough now!  Get your hand off my leg!”
“I didn’t realize I had my hand on your leg…”

Monica turned her head towards Brad who was driving their rental 
car from the airport to the hotel.  She pulled up her eyebrows.

“It has been travelling up my thigh, underneath my skirt, for the past 
15 minutes, Brad.”
“Really?”
“Really!”
“Is that why you have been chain smoking for the past 15 minutes, 
Monica?  Am I making you nervous?”
“No, you driving way too fast with only one hand on the wheel is 
making me nervous.”
“I never drive too fast.”
“You always drive too fast!”
“Nice, by the way.”
“What’s nice?”
“Your leg. You shave them yourself these days?”
“Brad!”
“What?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t.”
“I am only making conversation, Monica.”
“Okay; yes, I shave my own legs these days.  Why?”
“Because.  Shaving your legs was one of my favourite things.  A 
sharp razorblade, us in the bathtub, all hot and wet, your great 
legs…it had a certain edge to it.”
“Yeah, I’ll tell you about edge in a minute if you don’t stop this talk.” 

Monica was definitely struggling now.

“Do you know what really worries me?” Brad changed the subject.
“What’s that?” Monica said, opening the window a bit more, letting 
the wind blow in her face, closing her eyes.
“I have to give a speech tomorrow- and I don’t know what to say.”
“Oh, come on, Brad.  You’ve been to enough weddings to know.  
Just the usual:  what a brave step, what a commitment, you admire 
them, they are so right for each other, may they always have love 
and respect in their relationship, and show how they trust each 
other…”
“For example by Alan shaving Lisa’s legs?”
“Absolutely, Brad.  Great speech.”  Monica laughed.  “But seriously, 
you have known Alan for such a long time.  He’s like a brother to you.  
Make it personal.  And you know Lisa as well!”
“Yeah.  I spent a lot of time with Lisa after you left, did you know 
that?”
Monica felt how the funny part was suddenly over.
“I did. She only gave me the details when I saw her last year, 
though.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah.”
“She was a good friend.” Brad concluded.
“She is the best.”  Monica added.

A few minutes passed in silence, and Monica watched New York go 
by.
“Do you miss New York, Brad?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the city.  Living here, working here?”
“At times I really do, actually.  I loved working here.”
“I can never think of New York without thinking about us, you know.  
What a crazy time that was.” She said quietly.
“But we had fun!” Brad whispered, starring at the road.

Monica leant her face to the other side to look at him.  She opened 
her eyes, and feeling her eyes on him, Brad gave her a genuine and 
comfortable smile.
“We did.” Monica replied, put her hand on his leg and closed her 
eyes again, and dove into the big city.
 

 19:00, Marriott Hotel


“Alright here we are.”  Brad stopped outside Monica’s room and 
watched her fumble with the key card.  
“Do you want to have dinner in a while or something?” he asked.
“No Brad thanks, but it has been a long week.  I think I’ll have a 
shower, watch some TV and go to bed.  I have to look fit tomorrow.  
And you should work on your speech anyway.”
“Alright then.  Good night, Monica.  See you at 8:30 tomorrow.”
“Okay!”  Monica opened her door and Brad walked to his room which 
was right next to Monica’s.
“Monica?” 
“Yes?”  She poked her head out again.
“Can I shave your legs?”
“Get lost!” she laughed and disappeared into the room.


19:45, Monica’s room 

The phone rang.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing?”
“Brad…I am painting my nails, if you must know.  Why?”
“Because. I am struggling with my speech, and I’d rather take you out 
for a drink.”
“Brad.”
“Monica, come on. Let’s go to our Jazz Club.  It’s Friday night.  I bet 
you anything nothing will have changed in that place.”
“Yeah, I bet it hasn’t, actually.”
“Is that a yes?”
“No, Brad.  I have stuff to do, and I am tired.  And my nails are 
drying.”
“Excuses, excuses, Monica.”
“That’s exactly what John said earlier.”
“Did John Doggett ask you out?”
“Brad!!!”
“What?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t.”
“You are not afraid of me, are you Monica?”
“No, of course not.  I am just tired.”
“Alright then.  Sleep well.  But I do think you are scared.”  Brad said 
and put down the phone.



20:00, Brad’s room


The knock on the door made him jump to his feet.
“Hang on.”  He said and opened the door.

“I am not afraid of you, Brad.”  It was Monica, looking gorgeous in a 
little flowery skirt, a halter neck top and high heels.
“Okay.” He said, wanting her to spit it out and give him the reason for 
why she had come.  
“Let’s go then.”  She smiled, nodding her head.
Brad smiled back and gestured her to come into the room.
“Let me get some proper clothes on.”
Monica walked into the room and sat in the only chair.
“I won’t be a minute.”  Brad pulled a clean shirt out of his suitcase 
and disappeared into the bathroom.

Five minutes later he was ready to go.  
“Will you put my wallet in your purse, please?”  He asked and 
handed it to Monica.
“You men!  And then you always ask why we need big handbags.  
You know I hate it when you do that!”  She said but took his wallet 
anyway.  
“I’ve never asked you to put my wallet in your handbag.”
“You always asked me to put your wallet in my handbag.”
“Did not.” He said and opened the door for her.
“Did too.” She muttered as she walked past him.  Brad gave her a 
cheerful slap on the bum.
“Brad!!!!”
“You look lovely, by the way.” He replied and they made their way out 
of the hotel.
	






20:35, a Jazz Club on the Upper East Side


“Oh my goodness, Brad.  Can you believe we ever left?”
“No; this is crazy. I guess time stops at some places.”
“Oh, no, can you believe it, look!”  Monica was almost shouting, 
bouncing up and down, pointing at the bar. “It’s Sammy.  That’s 
ridiculous. I wonder if she remembers us.”
“Let’s find out.” Brad said and both started making their way to the 
bar.  

The club was exactly how they remembered it.  Everything was still 
covered in old fashioned red carpet.  The tables and chairs were 
arranged in a semi circle all facing the medium sized stage where a 
band was performing live jazz.  

“SAMMY!” Monica shouted at the pretty black girl behind the bar.
“Oh my Lord….What in the hell…” Sammy stood there with her 
mouth opened wide.  She put her arms out and walked towards 
Monica, who was now half hanging across the bar to hug her friend.  
“Girl, whatever happened to you?  I thought you disappeared or 
something…my goodness, it must have been years.  I can’t believe 
it.  What a surprise!”
Monica laughed and was happy Sammy recognized her immediately.
“My Lord, Monica…and look at you.  You are gorgeous…where the 
hell have you been?”
“Long story, Sammy, but I work in Washington now.  Brad and I are 
here to go to our friends’ wedding tomorrow.”
“Hey Brad, what’s up?”  Sammy hugged Brad as well.
“Hey.” Brad replied.  He had never been very good with 
overenthusiastic people…they made him feel uneasy.  But it was 
very nice seeing Sammy.  
“I thought y’all must have broken up or something when I didn’t see 
ya any more.  And then that one day you were here with that blonde 
girl and I thought….oh, well, ya know…but then her boyfriend came 
by as well.  You remember that, Brad?”
”Yeah!”
Monica’s face was a mixture of curiosity, question and 
disappointment.  Realizing this, Brad explained: “Lisa and Alan.”
“They are the friends that are getting married tomorrow.”  Monica told 
Sammy, relieved somehow it was them Sammy had seen him with.
“And I thought y’all had separated, but look at y’all now…” 
”Well, we are no longer together, actually.”  Monica explained 
quickly, not wanting it to become awkward.
“Oh, no, I am so sorry!”  Sammy put her hand over her mouth and 
pulled an apologetic grimace.  
“I’m glad y’all came by to say hello anyway.  What ya wanna drink?”
“I’ll have Bourbon with soda, please.” Brad jumped in quickly.
 “And I’ll have a dry Martini.” Monica smiled at the further déjà vu, 
now involving their choice of drinks.
“Y’all have a seat.  I’ll bring them over.”


“Why did you come here with Lisa?  I mean, of all places?”  Monica 
asked as they sat down
“Monica, it’s a long time ago.”
“Well, it’s hard not to bring it up.  Being here…tonight…with 
you…drinking Bourbon and Martinis.”
”Let’s talk about now.  Sammy is right, you know?”
“Right about what?”
“You look great.”
“Brad.”
“No, seriously.  I mean, obviously I always thought you were hot and 
very beautiful, but these days you are stunning.”
“Brad!” Monica was a bit embarrassed.
He looked at her with that piercing, merciless look, and its intensity 
made Monica’s knees go weak.  She was glad she was sitting down.  
Thankfully the drinks arrived.
“Here y’all go.  Enjoy!” 
“Thanks.” Monica said and lifted her glass.  She held it out towards 
Brad.
“Here is to New York, Brad.  Then and now!”
“Cheers, Monica” Brad smiled and they clinked glasses. 



Four drinks later they were back to talking about old times, and 
Monica was laughing hysterically.
“Brad, let’s get out of here before I am so drunk you have to carry me 
home. Let’s take a walk.”
“Monica, I hate to tell you this, but as sexy as your shoes are, you 
can’t walk in them to save your life.”
“Yes, I can.”
“No, you can’t”
“I’ll prove it.  And anyway, I bought them especially because I thought 
they were comfortable and I knew tomorrow is going to be a long 
day.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me. I still haven’t finished my speech.  But come 
on then, Baby…Monica.”  He quickly corrected himself, getting out of 
his chair.  
Monica smiled him a smile with a hint of sadness…being a bit tipsy 
she allowed herself to recognize that she missed being “Baby”…she 
had loved being “Baby” when they were together.  

After having said goodbye to Sammy they walked out of the club into 
the nightly warm New York summer heat.
“Brad?”
“Yes and no!”
“What? You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Oh, I do.  Yes, I know you are hungry, and no, I don’t mind walking 
all the way to that hideous diner so you can have dinner.”  Brad 
explained in one breath.
“I hate you,” Monica said flatly, “you know too much.” 
“I know, but then again, we did this a lot, don’t you think?”
“Yeah!”

Monica took his hand and the strolled towards the burger joint.  
“I haven’t seen Alan and Lisa in a year, can you believe that?  And 
New York is almost around the corner. I feel kind of bad.  I even saw 
them more when I was in New Orleans.”
“I saw Alan about a month ago.  We still get together as often as we 
can.”
“When did you find out they were going to get married?”
“He told me last year he was going to propose to her at Christmas.”
“Oh, and you didn’t tell me, that’s so mean!!!”  She gave him a slap 
on the arm.
“Well, best man privileges.”  Brad smiled.
“I guess.”
“I always thought they would have gotten married years ago.”
“Me too.  And Lisa said they always thought we’d show up one day 
having gotten married somewhere without saying a word.  Isn’t that 
funny?”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
“Monica, were we ever that impulsive?”
“Yes we were.” They said together at the same time, looked at each 
other and laughed.


Midnight, “That Hideous Diner”  


“You know, Brad, you can’t find burgers like these in DC.”
“Have you tried?”
“Well…not really…but these are the best, I am telling you.”  She said 
and took the biggest bite out of her burger.
“And they always help me to get over the first drunkenness…  I am 
never really drunk in DC.” Monica said with her mouth full, 
contemplating her statement, wondering why.
“Monica, maybe you need to get out more.  What do you do for fun 
these days?”
“Fun? Are you kidding? I sleep.  I know you think we don’t have 
anything to do, but we are busy all the time.  No weekends, Brad, do 
you even remember that time?  Anyway, what do you do for fun?  
You seeing anyone?”
It was the one thing they had never talked about.  And both knew 
why.  Monica had wanted to ask him this question for months, but 
she hadn’t been ready to hear the answer…she still wasn’t ready for 
an answer, but it felt like a ‘now-or-never’ situation, and the Martinis 
made whatever answer somewhat more bearable…she thought so, 
anyway.

Brad leant on the table and looked her straight into the eyes.
“And how long, Miss Reyes has it taken you to ask me that 
question?” 
She didn’t respond, just stared at him, getting smaller and smaller on 
her bench, eyes wide.
He was amused. “Monica, you should see your face.  I didn’t think 
you’d give a damn, but seeing you now I could swear you actually 
care.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.” Monica tried to sound confident, but then added: “Fine!  I 
didn’t think I would.”
“So you do?!”
“Ugh, you drive me crazy, Brad!”
“I know.  But, Monica, to answer your question, no, I am not seeing 
anyone.  Why?  Interested?”  Brad said, not taking his eyes off her.
“Brad, don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t.”
“Fries?”  He asked, breaking their eye contact, dipping a handful of 
fries into the ketchup, holding them to Monica’s mouth.
Her face cracked into a smile, she chuckled, tucked a strand of hair 
behind her ear and ate the fries.
“You know, Monica, I work a lot as well.  I have done nothing but 
work for years now.  And…ehm…are you seeing anybody?”
Monica laughed, dipped some fries in ketchup, and held them to his 
mouth.
“Fries?”  She asked sweetly.


01:00, somewhere on a busy corner in NYC


“Here it comes!” Brad said turning the wheel of the gum machine.
He opened the little door and pulled out a plastic ball.
“Oh, sorry, Monica.  No gum.  But you won the jackpot.”  He opened 
it and held a small golden plastic ring between his fingers.
Monica smiled and was just holding out her hand so Brad could put it 
on her finger when somebody ran past her, grabbed her handbag, 
knocked her onto the ground, and bolted off through a crowd of 
people standing outside a busy bar.
Before she fell, Monica let out a scream, tried to hold onto Brad, who 
didn’t have time to catch her, and she landed heavily on her 
shoulder.
“Aw!!! My bag!!!” she yelled and got back onto her feet immediately.  
Brad had already stormed off after the guy.
“Brad, my badge is in my bag!!! Goddamnit!!! Bastard!”  A young man 
had rushed over to help Monica.
“You alright?  You need an ambulance?”
“I’m fine.”  Monica said and tried to gather herself.
“You are bleeding.” The man said, took Monica’s right arm and 
looked at her shoulder.
“I think it’s just a scrape.”  She said, moved her arm, and decided 
she’d live.
“Where did they go?”  She asked.
“That way”, the guy said and Monica gave him a quick nod ‘thank 
you’ and started jogging in the direction he had pointed out; cursing 
her shoes after all.

What a disaster if her purse was gone.  Complete debacle!  Her 
badge, her money, her credit cards- and HELL, Brad’s stuff…what a 
complete nightmare.
She forgot about the pain in her shoulder and her feet and ran.
Two blocks down she could see Brad standing on the corner of a 
building.  He heard her coming and gestured for her to be quiet and 
stand next to him.

“What?”  She whispered.
“He ran into the ally.  I am not sure there is a way out but around the 
building and down that ally there.  You alright?”  Brad said, giving her 
a quick concerned look.
“Fine.”
“Wanna go get him.”
“Yeah.  I am going this way.”  Monica said and headed off to go 
around the building.
“Alright!”  Brad disappeared into the ally.  


Monica was determined to get her purse back.  What a disaster it 
would be…’Yes, Sir, AD Follmer was just getting me gum out of the 
gum machine outside some random bar in New York at 01:00 in the 
morning, only it wasn’t gum but a ring, and then somebody snatched 
my bag which had my FBI-badge as well as both our wallets in it, 
because AD Follmer always puts his wallet in my purse when we go 
out drinking, even though he knows I hate it.’…….ARGH, why did 
these things always happen to her???
Monica had reached the end of the building when she heard loud 
banging, trash cans being pushed over.
She pressed her back against the wall.  Brad had probably chased 
the guy round the back.
She felt fragile without her gun, but was still determined to get him.  
She heard quiet footsteps moving in her direction.  Her heart started 
pounding and she felt the adrenalin go through her body.  He had to 
be so close now.  Monica didn’t dare to look around the corner.  She 
listened for every noise, not daring to even breathe.  A sudden 
rustling noise right next to her around the corner made her jump.  
She let out a scream, stepped around the corner and blindly threw a 
punch at face level.  
She hit the person so hard it hurt her bad arm and shoulder.  Her 
opposite fell to the ground.

“Auwww,” both cried out simultaneously, and only then did she 
realize it was Brad.

“Oh my God, Brad!!!  Oh my God, are you alright?”  Monica kneeled 
next to him.  Brad held his face.
“Monica, are you crazy? Augh, geez! You out of your mind?”
“Oh my God, Brad, I am so sorry.  I thought…I didn’t think it was you.  
How did you get here, anyway?”
“Awww!  I jumped the fence.  My head!  Oh, woman, you are lethal!”
Monica took a closer look at his face.  The punch had been a good 
one.  Quietly congratulating herself, she could already see the 
swelling on his cheek, right under his left eye.  
“Can you see alright?  Look at me!”  She ordered, holding his face.
“Yeah, it’s alright.  But it hurts like hell.”
Monica knew he was a bit of a baby when it came to pain, but she 
decided making fun of Brad now wasn’t a good idea.  She sat down 
on the ground next to him, leaning against the wall. 

“Oh my God, Brad.  We need to get on the phone.  I had all my credit 
cards in there, and my badge.  I’ve got no ID now…and no key to my 
room.  Fuck!”  She cussed.
“Yeah, I had my credit cards in there as well.  But my badge is in the 
hotel. I have some cash in my pocket and my room key.”
“Can you get up?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah!”  He said struggling to his feet.  
“You have enough money for us to get a cab?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”


02:00, Marriott Hotel, Brad’s room  


“Alright.  Thank you very much!”  Monica put down the phone.
“That’s it then for me as well.  Credit cards are cancelled, new room 
key is at reception, and I’ll have a new badge on Monday.  What a 
mess.”
“It is.”
“So what; if the police find my purse…like they ever will…they will 
contact you or me in Washington?”
“Yeah, I said we were on surveillance and no one is to find out about 
it.”
“People don’t ever question you, do they, Brad?”  Monica smiled at 
the ridiculous story Brad had made up.  
“I can be very convincing, Monica!”  He was obviously very satisfied 
with himself.  
“Good.  No one needs to know we are here together.”  She said, 
realizing that even though she hadn’t used that sentence in years it 
was still very familiar.  

“We look like we have been in a car crash together, Monica.  Want 
some ice?”  Brad held a towel filled with ice to his face and offered 
Monica the ice bucket.  
“Yes.”  She said, prepared a little ice pack for herself, and with a 
painful groan pressed it against her shoulder. 

“I think I have a concussion.”  Brad said and lay down on the bed.
“I can’t believe I hit you that hard.  Let’s see it.”  Monica leant over 
him and took the ice pack off his face for a second.  He was definitely 
going to have a black eye the next day.
“I can read your mind, Baby.  Don’t even say it!”  Brad whined and 
put the ice pack back on his face. 
“I am so sorry, Brad.”  She said and stroked his head.
“But my dress isn’t going to cover my wound, either.  So at least we’ll 
both look a bit battered tomorrow.”
“I need another drink!”  Brad was all into his pain now which made 
Monica smile.  He was so cute when he was suffering.  

“What do you want?”  Monica walked over to open the mini bar.
“Bourbon!” 
Monica got Bourbon and Vodka for herself out of the fridge.  
“Ice?”  She laughed.
“Please.”  He whined.
Monica put ice in their glasses and poured their drinks.
“Here you go, Brad.”  She handed him the glass and sat on the bed 
next to him.

“You wanna know a secret?”  Monica asked.
“Sure!”
“My feet are absolutely killing me!”  Monica said, looking at her bare 
feet.  
“Told you, Monica!”  Brad put his drink down on the bedside table 
and laid his head on the pillow again.  

“I think I better go downstairs and pick up my key and get some 
sleep.  I am going to look like death in the morning.”

Monica was about to get off the bed when Brad put his hand on her 
leg and started stroking her thigh.

“Don’t go.”  He said.
“Brad, I think tonight was eventful enough, don’t you?”  
“Come on, Monica.  Just stay.  Please.”
“I don’t have anything to sleep in, and I have to take my make-up off.”
“Sleep in your underwear, use my stuff.  I don’t mind”
“Do you have moisturizer?”
“Of course I have moisturizer!”
“Of course you do.  Silly question.”  She said, laughing at the 
memory of how vain he was.
“Please.  I am not feeling well.”
What a big baby he was.  Monica looked at him lying there with a big 
ice pack.  She couldn’t just leave him like that…
“Alright!”  She got off the bed and went into the bathroom.  She was 
amazed at the amount of toiletries that guy required.  Worse than a 
woman.  Had he always been like that?  Yeah, of course he had 
been.
Monica took off her skirt and thought about how ridiculous it was for 
her to jump into bed with Brad Follmer…well, no one needed to 
know, and they were old friends who knew each other inside and out, 
so no big deal…’yeah, right, Monica’  she thought.

She was already dozing off when Brad came to bed.
“When do you need to get up?  I will need an hour.  How about you?”  
Brad asked.  
“Oh!  Judging by the way I feel right now I will need about two to look 
decent.  Give me an hour and a half, okay!”
“Alright.”  Brad said and she heard him set the alarm. 
“I hope you feel better in the morning.  I am so sorry I hit you, Brad.  
Good night.”  Monica said and rolled onto her left side, onto the good 
shoulder, away from him.
“Goodnight.”  Brad said and switched off the light.

Monica tried to give his hand a friendly good night squeeze and 
searched for it under the covers, finding only his stomach.  

“Brad!  You never sleep with a shirt on.”  She turned onto her back, 
starring into the darkness of the room.
“I always sleep in a shirt.”
“You never sleep in a shirt.”
“Do!”
“You don’t.” 
“Why are you checking these things, Monica?”  Brad mumbled and 
she felt busted.
“I wasn’t.  I was trying to find your hand.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Sure?”
“Brad!”
“What?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t.”

After a while Brad asked quietly: “You know what I miss?” 
“What?”
“You in the mornings.  The way you were so grumpy when you had 
to get out of bed early and then I’d watch you get dressed and have a 
quick cup of coffee…on your mission to shake off the night before 
and be all professional.”
Monica smiled into the darkness.
“I never realized you were that observant.”
“Well, I was.”  His hand found hers and Monica squeezed it.
“Why did you leave?”
“Brad…”
“I am sorry.  You don’t owe me an explanation.  I didn’t mean to bring 
it up.”
“But you did.”
“Can we talk about it?”
“No!”
“I’d like to talk about it one day...”
Monica lay there, unable to think or speak.
“Monica, it’s just that…you’ll never know how disappointed I was.”
Monica felt numb.  She couldn’t move or breathe.  Brad continued:” I 
was in love with you.”
She couldn’t bear it.  She felt unshed tears burning in her eyes and 
her heart was beating so loudly she was sure Brad could hear it.  
What could she possible tell him?
“I am sorry, Monica!” Brad whispered and tried to let it go.
After a few seconds of mind-racing confusion she said:
“Brad?”
“Yeah?”
“I was in love with you.  Loving you wasn’t ever the problem.” She 
whispered ever so quietly.
It was a simple statement, but it was the truth, and in its own way it 
ended many years of heartbreaking doubt for Brad.  Back then this 
had been the one thing he would have wanted to know from her.

A moment passed and Brad said: “Come here, Baby.”
Monica reached out for him and Brad pulled her into his arms.
They held each other for a while, both enjoying that familiar feeling of 
physical contact, their warm bodies wrapped around each other.

Monica soon realized it was no longer a friendly hug.  As she felt his 
hands stroking her back she pulled herself closer and closer to him.
And then his touch became seductive.  It didn’t take her a second to 
recognize it.  She carefully slid her hand under his shirt, pushed it 
upwards and started caressing his naked chest.  Monica sighed; 
what the hell was she doing... She loved his body.  Touching him 
gave her the most sexual feeling in the world and was outright 
exhilarating.
She knew if she started any form of lip-action that would be it…but 
her face now resting on his naked chest CLEARLY asked for just 
that.  
And the ball was in her court.  Way in her court.  
Monica felt a tiny flash of common sense go through her before she 
lifted her head slightly, slid down to his stomach, started placing 
small kissed there, and then finally gave herself up to that riveting 
feeling of lust.

Brad responded immediately.  “Monica!”  He whispered with his cute 
little accent coming through a bit, the way it always did when he was 
nervous.  He grabbed her, pushed her onto her back and kissed her 
mouth.  The kiss was hot, full of yearning and months of hidden 
desperation for rediscovery.  

“I’ve missed your kisses, Brad.  You are the most phenomenal 
kisser.”  Monica whispered.
“I’m glad you remember.”
“Oh, yeah!”  Monica smiled and Brad’s mouth found hers again.  
“Am I hurting you?”  She said to make sure.
“Not at all.  Am I?”  He replied.
“Absolutely not!”
His hands were slowly going up and down her body, getting familiar 
with it again.  Monica did the same.  God- he was hot!
“Take off your clothes, Baby.”  Brad breathed into her ear, and 
nothing else needed to be said.  They were off in seconds. 

Still under the covers Brad reached for her and pulled her towards 
him again.
Their kisses started to level up with the height of passion their bodies 
required, as they knew what was inevitably going to happen.
“You get naked, too, Baby.”  Monica whispered at Brad and started to 
fumble with his boxers and t-shirt.
He took everything off, and feeling his hot and heavy body on top of 
her, his excited breathing and the way he kissed her was more than 
enough for Monica to let out deep and husky little noises. 
Brad’s talented hands touched her exactly the right way- as 
always…time obviously could not erase sexual chemistry and a once 
very well established and mind-blowing love life.  
They were so good at this, Monica thought, but as his hands slid all 
the way down her body and between her legs she surrendered 
herself to his touch, banishing the thinking process altogether.  Brad 
continued his slow caress, watching her.  
Monica started pressing into his hand.  She clung to his shoulder and 
dug her fingernails into his back.  
“Oh, my God; Brad!”
“Look at me, baby.”  Brad demanded and in the dim light he could 
see Monica opening her dark and magical eyes.  Her mouth was 
opened slightly and she had a few strands of hair across her face.
“What do you want, Baby?”  Brad breathed into her ear.
“Everything!”  She muttered softly, her voice shaking.  
“Good.”  Brad said, kissed her mouth again and time slipped away.    


07:00, Brad’s Room

The sound of the alarm woke them both from a deep sleep.  Monica 
couldn’t immediately make out where she was.  Her left shoulder was 
hurting badly, and she felt a hint of a headache mixed with utter 
exhaustion…had she been drinking?  The incessant beeping of the 
alarm didn’t help at all. 

“NOOOOO!”  She said and buried her face in the pillow.  She heard 
someone chuckle, then the alarm was switched off and a naked body 
hugged her from behind.  Soft morning light and a sweet realization 
helped her on her final way out of dreamland.
“Brad!”  She whispered.  
He chuckled again and buried his face in her hair.
“Don’t make me get up!” she mumbled.
“You already turning grumpy on me again, Baby?”
“Yes!”

Brad’s hand lazily traced her body.  It made her skin tingle with 
recognition and new excitement…UGH, it was too early to be feeling 
this much…and yet she was…her heart was racing!  Still lying 
sideways she slid her upper leg up Brad’s and reached her bad arm 
up behind her to pull Brad’s head closer to her neck.  He placed a 
soft kiss behind her ear and Monica moaned.  Having given him the 
silent permission to play, Monica felt his breath change and his grip 
on her became firm.  He kissed her neck with his great mouth and in 
a luscious lick put his tongue in her ear.  Monica got goose bumps all 
over.  It was stunning being with that man.  No need to explain a 
thing, no wish he couldn’t read in her eyes, no sexual desire he 
couldn’t fulfil. In the bedroom he knew her better than anyone else in 
the world.  Their chemistry still floored her.  After all those years of 
not being with him...or maybe because of it?  And last night had been 
just beautiful.
And now he was taking his sweet time…just because he could…oh, 
it was too much!  Monica was ready to move things along. 
She led his hand to rest it on her hipbone and she pushed herself 
back into him.  She could feel how excited he was and she wasn’t 
really prepared to wait any longer.  Monica rolled onto her stomach 
and angled her one leg so he could have his desired access.  Brad 
got the message, half-rolled onto her back and pushed into her.  The 
next few minutes passed with slow loving and pleasurable little 
groans.  Then things started to heat up a notch and with that 
irresistible hot excitement in his voice he whispered: “Baby, is this 
working for you?”
“Yeah.  Why?”  She breathed back, her eyes still closed.
“It’s working a bit too well for me!”  
Monica smiled.  It was nice knowing how hot he was for her…and all 
that after a whole night of almost unbearable pleasure.  
“Don’t worry about me!”  Was all she said and Brad started to move 
inside her with more feverish force.  She could feel that he wasn’t 
going to last much longer and to give herself the remaining help she 
needed she reached for his hand, shifted her position ever so slightly 
and led him to touch her between the legs.  And of course…she was 
putty in his hands…again!  She felt him come about 30 seconds later 
just as he breathed her name…or Baby…or God, she wasn’t sure, 
and instantly she felt herself go over the edge... Once again not 
really caring that there were probably a lot of other people in the 
hotel as well.  As she lay there in the aftermath of her orgasm she 
buried her face into the pillow.  Brad had collapsed on top of her.  A 
few seconds passed and when Monica found her voice again she 
mumbled: “My God, my God, my God.”  She was exhausted!!! She 
could feel Brad’s fast heartbeat against her back…or was it her own?  
They lay there for a few moments longer and stroking her back gently 
Brad said: “Monica, you are so loud.  I thought I taught you how to do 
this quietly in semi-public places.”
“Oh God!” she sighed again, and added: “Shut up, Brad.” 

They hadn’t looked at each other at all and Monica moved to finally 
turn around.  The ‘oh my God’ that came out next was of a quite 
different nature.
“Oh my God, Brad!”
Now it was his turn to bury his face into the pillow.
“Don’t say it.”
“Yes!”
“Oh no!”
“Oh my God, Brad!”
He jumped out of the bed and walked into the bathroom, switching on 
the lights.  Monica heard a groan and Brad tumbled back into the 
room and into bed.

“I am not going to that wedding!  They have to postpone it.”
Monica laughed.
“I don’t think they’d appreciate you walking out on them now.  Come 
on Brad, have you never had a black eye?”
“As a matter of fact, no, I have not!”
“Wear sunglasses!”
“In church?”
“I am so sorry, Brad!”
Monica sat up and gently stroked his face.  She had great difficulty 
suppressing the giggle that developed in her stomach.  It was a 
shame, yet very funny she gave pretty boy a black eye.
“I’ll try my best with some concealer in a minute.” 
“Great!”  Brad muttered.
“Brad, I’ve got to go and start getting ready.  I’ve got to pick up my 
key and get changed and do my hair…what time is it?  Oh my God!”  
Monica was suddenly panic struck and started searching for her 
clothes.
“Let’s shower first!”  Brad suggested.
“Bad idea!”
“Why?”  
Monica allowed herself to give him a lusting look.  “You need to stop 
distracting me, Brad.  They are absolutely going to kill us if we are 
late.  So let’s concentrate.”  Monica was babbling now, still on her 
unsuccessful rampage for her underwear. She decided to just put on 
her skirt and top.
“Alright.  Let’s get ready then.”  Brad said.
“I’ll come here when I am ready to look at your eye, okay?”   Monica 
said and was out of the door. 


45 minutes later           

    
 “I’ve never gotten ready so quickly in my life!”  Monica stood in front 
of Brad wearing the most beautiful dress he’d ever seen her in.  The 
colour was a mix of white and pink, changing shade depending on 
the light.  It was long and had only very thin little straps.  She wore a 
matching scarf and even her lip-gloss seemed to be matching.
Brad was speechless, and glad she didn’t seem to expect a comment 
right that second. 

“I just called Alan to tell him to get us some cash.”  He said.
“Thank you.  I hope he doesn’t mind.  I feel like such a fool having 
been robbed.  Do you have money to get me a coffee on the way?  I 
don’t think I will live otherwise.”  Monica babbled.
“I think that will be possible.”
“Come here then!” she said, concealer in hand.  “Let’s see it in the 
light!”  Monica went to the window and sat down on the table in front 
of it.  Brad stood facing her, and closed his eyes.
Monica tried her best to cover the injury and even though the 
concealer took a bit of the dark blue colour out of it, it could not hide 
the fact that it was a black eye.
“I am sorry.  This is the best I can do.”  She finally said.

Brad opened his eyes and looked into hers.  She could almost see 
how a million thoughts raced through his mind; a million of 
possibilities of what to say next.  She saw a certain desire and she 
saw fear. No, no, no, no, no…she couldn’t possible talk about what 
had happened.  Monica was glad to see his attention shift.  He 
looked at her shoulder which was also black and blue and scraped.
“God, is this hurting you?”  He traced it with his fingertips.  Monica 
felt electricity and tingling and could only shake her head to answer 
his question…unable to take her eyes off his beautiful face.  Brad 
finally broke the silence.
“Monica, I don’t want us to pretend that what happened didn’t 
happen.”  He was still stroking her injured arm, not meeting her eyes.
“I thought it was wonderful,” she whispered, feeling lost in space.
“Me too.” 


09:45, Alan and Lisa’s House



“Here we are!”  Monica parked the car in front of their friends’ house 
and gave the keys to Brad.
“I am totally nervous for them, Brad.”
“Don’t worry, Monica.  If this was your own wedding you’d have a 
reason to be nervous.”  Brad smiled and got out of the car.
“Look at Alan.”  He said nodding his head towards his friend who was 
pacing up and down the porch of the little townhouse.

“Wedding nerves, Alan?”  Brad greeted him and they hugged, 
slapping each other’s shoulders in a manly way. 
“I am telling you, I feel like throwing up. Never thought I’d be this 
nervous.”  Alan laughed at himself and turned to Monica.  “Monica, 
you are a vision. It is so great to see you.”  They also hugged and 
Monica gave him a kiss on both cheeks.
“You look great, Alan.  Is Lisa inside?”
“Yeah, you know, I am not allowed to see her before and whatever.  
Her sisters are helping her get ready.”
“You guys off now?”  Monica asked.
“Yeah, we better go.”  Alan said.
“See you both at church then!”  Monica pulled up her eyebrows and 
rushed into the house.

“So!  What in the hell happened to you?”  Alan asked pointing at 
Brad’s face.
“Well.  When Monica had her purse stolen we went after the guy and 
she hit me by accident.” 
“Really?  Here’s your money by the way.  Tell me, Brad, how’s it 
going?”  Alan handed Brad some cash.
“Well, I can’t see very well, so I suggest you drive.”  Brad gave the 
keys to Alan who sighed:
“Gotta drive myself to my own wedding…you suck Follmer!  Monica 
is looking well.”


“Lisaaaaaaa!” Monica shrieked as she walked into her best friend’s 
bedroom.
“Aaaaaah, Monica!”  Lisa jumped up from the chair in front of the 
dresser.
“Sorry I come busting in.  Anne and Mira said you were up here.  Oh, 
you look so beautiful.  Are you nervous?”  Monica babbled on, 
hugging Lisa.
“I think I might pass out, I tell you that.”
“I bet!”
“Sit down, Monica, Let’s talk.  Did you get to New York alright? How’s 
life?  Where’s Brad?”
Monica sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Life is…great.  And Brad has a black eye, but don’t stare.  He didn’t 
even want to leave he hotel this morning.  I think him and Alan just 
left for church.”
“Why does he have a black eye?”
“Oh, I hit him by accident when my purse was stolen.  Look, I fell 
over as well…”  Monica showed her shoulder.
“Oh, no!”  Lisa said with a painful expression on her face.
“It’s alright.”  
Monica took Lisa’s hand: “Before anything else, I want to say how 
sorry I am for not having made more of an effort to come and see 
you this year.  I know it’s such a lame excuse, but I was so caught up 
at work…”  Lisa was quick to jump in: “Listen, I am as much to 
blame.  I should have come down to DC to check on you…I know we 
had Brad over a lot, but I never knew if it would have been a good 
idea to ask you up at well…”
“Ok, let’s just forget about it,” Monica ended their mutual apologies, 
“It’s your big day! You ready?”
“Oh, yes!”  Lisa smiled happily and looked out of the window.  “We 
have been together seven years now.  I don’t think we have made 
the wrong decision getting married.”
Monica hugged her again.
“I wish you absolutely everything, Lisa, with all my heart.”
“Thank you.  But how about you, tell me, tell me, tell me…any cute 
new man in you life?  No one at work this time, I hope…”  Lisa looked 
at Monica, expecting some gossip only to see her friend turn bright 
red and jump onto her feet.
In an agitated voice she tried to keep as quiet as possible, Monica 
said: “Oh my God, Lisa…I haven’t even had time to think about 
this…and I shouldn’t even say a word…and I don’t even know what 
to do with it…and I think I might just be loosing my mind…but I slept 
with Brad.”
“You what???”  Lisa shouted in a very high pitched voice and 
immediately held her mouth as if she herself was surprised at the 
enormity of the sound that had just come out.
“When?” she whispered sharply, suppressing a laugh.
“Just then…and last night.  Oh my God, what have I done?”  Monica 
collapsed onto the chair in front of the dressing table and buried her 
face in her hands.
Lisa was at her side instantly: “And?”
“And what?” 
“How was it?”
“Lisa, don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t.”
“You loved it!”  Lisa concluded. 
“Yes.”  Monica whispered.
Lisa was just about to say something when Anne called from 
downstairs: “Lisa!  We’ve gotta go!”
“We’ll be right down.”  Lisa shouted back.
“Monica, let’s get me married first and then we’ll figure out what to do 
with you.”
Monica looked up at her own reflection in the mirror…she was totally 
groggy.  Why didn’t she look it?
“Alright.”  She said.
“What does Brad say?”  Lisa enquired as they walked out of the 
room.
Conveniently still standing in the bedroom doorframe Monica took 
this opportunity to purposely and painfully hit her head against it.  
She let out a painful groan.
“He also loved it!”  Lisa drew her final conclusion.


11:00, Church 

Exhaustion finally caught up with Monica at church.  She’d had such 
a busy week, then coming to New York with Brad, staying out so late, 
drinking, chasing robbers, sorting things out afterwards, and then 
hours of mind-blowing loving with that man…she couldn’t have slept 
for more than three hours…if that.  Her emotions had reached that 
point at which she just couldn’t take any more.  And then her friends’ 
wedding…Everything was so beautiful.  And there was Brad, 
standing behind Alan, looking so great…Monica couldn’t stop crying 
and Lisa’s father had to keep passing her tissues.  At one point 
during the service Brad gave her a concerned look, but he figured 
she always cried at weddings.  Seeing her cry still as everybody left 
the church he looked at her and shook his head: “Monica- you’re a 
mess!  Will you live?”
She blew her nose and nodded her head. 
“Come on then.”  Brad said, took her hand and they walked out of the 
church.


13:00, Lunch 


At lunch Monica and Brad sat next to each other.  Monica could have 
sworn Lisa had already spilled the beans as her and Alan both lifted 
their glasses in Brad and Monica’s direction and Lisa winked…or 
maybe Brad had said something to Alan.

They were through their soup and the father of the bride had already 
said a few words when Brad rose from his seat to give his speech. 
Monica had completely forgotten…oh no, when did he have time to 
write it? 
As the room went silent, Brad spoke: “It’s my duty as Alan’s best man 
to say a few kind words to love, life, Lisa and Alan here.  I’ve known 
Alan for more than ten years now and Lisa all those seven years she 
has been his other half and I have to say that I have a very good 
feeling about those two…”  

Everybody laughed.

“..I have been trying to work out what to say, and it only really came 
to me this morning as Alan and I were driving over to church…and 
sadly these aren’t my words but his, but they are worth sharing.  Alan 
said to me ‘If after all those years she still gets to you like no one 
else, and you suddenly no longer THINK you know, but you KNOW 
you know, then it is time to cut the crap an get real’”  

At this point Monica was wondering how much longer she could 
concentrate on the fork without bending it by the sheer powers of not 
wanting to comprehend what he was really saying. 

“I understand that today Alan knows that he knows, and I envy him.  I 
admire him for ‘cutting the crap’ and embarking on such a brave 
journey.  I wish you both all the happiness in the world.  To Alan and 
Lisa.”
Everybody raised their glasses and Brad sat back down.

“So glad that’s over,” he muttered.

“What exactly were you two discussing on your way to church 
then…?” Monica decided teasing him about it was the only way out.
Brad arranged his silverware saying: “Oh you know the usual: love, 
life and weddings.”
“Brad!” she said with an alarming tone in her voice that told him 
playing with her now would not be a good idea- but highly 
entertaining.
“I told him you made a move on me last night and I had no chance to 
get out!” he whispered and looked her in the eyes.
“ME?  You started.  And you know it.”
“Monica, you tried to feel me up.  I wouldn’t have dared.” He 
explained innocently.
“You are so bad!” she couldn’t believe what she was hearing; even 
though she knew he was right.
“You love it!”  
The intensity of the look he gave her had become unbearable.  Her 
heart was threatening to explode and Monica broke eye contact to 
sip at her water.

Brad laughed and put his hand on her leg.  He leaned over a bit more 
and feeling his mouth so close to her ear was surely going to drive 
her insane.  She stared straight ahead, sucking on a piece of ice 
from her water.
“Don’t worry, Monica.  I didn’t tell him that.  I only told him you were 
still as loud as that first time I had you coming on my desk- except 
this time I didn’t have a free hand to cover your mouth.”

That did it.  Monica inhaled sharply, chocked on the piece of ice and 
lapsed into a coughing fit that alerted the entire room.  
Brad was very satisfied.  It was great to know he could put her into 
such a state so easily.  He helped by slapping her back. 
A minute later Monica had semi recovered.  The coughing had made 
tears stream down her face again, reducing her make up to 
nothingness.  She was laughing.
“You bastard!” she said, shaking her head.


21:00, Marriott Hotel Parking Garage 


“I am dead tired.”  Monica stopped the car and laid her head down on 
the steering wheel.  “Will you carry me to my bed?”
“Sure!”
“That wedding was so much fun.  I hope they have a great 
honeymoon.”
“I am sure they will…Monica?”
No, no, no, no, no…she had been dreading this…no, no, no, no, no, 
she couldn’t have this conversation…no, no, no, no, no!  
But at least if he brought it up then she didn’t have to start it.
“Yes!” she said.
But Brad didn’t say a word.  He just looked out of the window at the 
wall.

She knew they had come a long way to become friends.  She had 
always been aware of the remaining attraction- on both sides.  But 
they had done such a good job just laughing it off and turning it into 
ridicule.  And it was fun! They always flirted…but only so much.  And 
a few topics had always been out of bounds…they had a sort of 
silent agreement almost. 

Monica sat up and looked at Brad…his helplessness stunned her.  
The words ‘I love you’ sprung to mind, but she knew better than to 
say them out loud.

He finally spoke: “Just…don’t just leave again, okay.”  
Thankfully she’d already done a year’s worth of crying that day; else 
she would probably have collapsed in desolation.  Was she such a 
bitch?  His need for reassurance was devastating.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and struggled out of her seat and 
climbed over to sit on Brad.  She felt a bit like an idiot having to 
fumble with limbs, getting into an awkward position, tangled in her 
dress and all.
Finally in position, she looked into Brad’s sky blue eyes: “I can’t tell 
you what is going on between us, Brad.  I don’t even know how much 
of this is real right now.  Watching a wedding doesn’t help clear 
thinking, either. But if you need to know, then yes; you also still get to 
me like no one else.  Yes, you fascinate me, you enthral me, you 
take my breath away, and I am infatuated with you.  And I am lost for 
words as to what happened last night…but I just don’t know.”

Brad played with her hair.  He knew she was right and it wasn’t the 
time or the place to have that conversation.  He pulled her towards 
him and gave her a deep, loving and juicy kiss which she didn’t 
resist, but let herself drown in. 
Monica thought maybe they should keep laughing at themselves…it 
was all a bit funny.  Out of that notion- or was she going mad? - she 
started to giggle.
What if anyone busted them like this?  Were there cameras in the 
garage?  
‘No, this isn’t at all what it looks like; we were just talking about our 
friends’ wedding.’ 
Brad felt how she was trying to suppress a grin and concentrate.  But 
there was something about the way Monica laughed that was very 
contagious.  Brad tried to stay serious for another second but then 
burst out laughing.
They looked at each other and were in stitches…or delirious.
“Why are you laughing?” he finally asked.
“I was just thinking about what this would look like to anyone.  God, 
John would give me so much shit!”
“I am not sure I feel comfortable with you thinking of John Doggett 
when you kiss me.” Brad said in a mix of disgust and mockery.  
Monica looked at him inexpressively: “Brad!” she warned.
“What?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just don’t!” she said and slapped his shoulder, making him flinch.
“I’m not going to hit you, Brad.” She couldn’t believe he just did that.
“Aah, Monica, better safe than sorry.” He smiled, touching his bruised 
cheek to let her know he was still in pain.

Monica leant forward, resting her body on his.  She hugged him and 
he held her tightly.  It was so nice being with him like that. 
Brad stroked her back…bliss!  She sighed. 
”I hate you, Brad!” she whispered and felt his smile.
“I feel the same way about you, Baby.”


They spend the next 14 hours in Brad’s hotel room, and reluctantly 
came out when it was time to fly home.
Monica had to get special security clearance to fly without any form 
of personal ID.
It was a clear Sunday afternoon when their plane took off.  Monica 
looked out of the window.  She never thought she’d leave New York 
together with Brad one day.
A lot of reality had entered her mind again, but it wasn’t threatening 
her feelings.
Brad was reading the Sunday paper and Monica reached into her 
pocket to get out a piece of gum to chew to keep her ears from 
popping.  Brad watched and suddenly shifted to reach into his pocket 
as well.  Next thing she knew he held out the small plastic ring he 
had gotten out of the gum machine two nights ago.
“Oh, I completely forgot!” Monica smiled and held out her hand again.  
Brad put it on her pinkie finger.
“Very nice!” Monica looked at it with a playfully critical expression on 
her face.
Brad smiled and picked his paper back up.

“So, Monica…” he said a few moments later, “wanna marry me one 
day?”

First she was convinced her heart must have stopped and she was 
dying.  But then she decided the loud banging in her chest had to be 
it.

“Brad!” she tried to gather herself, staring at the folded up tray table.
“What?” he was seemingly all into his paper.
“Don’t!”
“Don’t what?” he said pretending not be paying attention to the 
conversation at all any more.
“Just don’t…tempt me.” She whispered and out of the corner of her 
eye she watched him grin in recognition and nod his head slightly.

Smiling like the biggest fool, Monica just sat there!  Glued to the spot!  
Staring at the tray table!  Playing with her plastic ring!  All the way to 
Washington.