Disclaimer:  These characters aren't mine.  They mostly belong to
the actors who portray them, but Chris Carter created them, and
Ten Thirteen and FOX own the rights.  I mean no infringement, and
I'm not making any profit from them.

Dedication:  to my friend Peggy, who is the biggest Skinner fan I
know.  Happy birthday, dear.  Also to BCA, who gave me the idea!

Author's Notes:  Rewrite!  Get me Rewrite! <g>

Dead to the World
by ML

Skinner was awake instantly when the phone rang.  He glanced at
the clock radio on his nightstand; it was only a little after
10 PM.  He'd fallen asleep while reading, the light still on,
his glasses askew on his nose.

"Skinner," he barked into the phone.

"Sir?"  The voice was hoarse, hesitant, and not the one he
expected, or feared, he might hear.

"Agent Doggett, what is it?"  Skinner asked, a little more
abruptly than he intended.

"Sir, I'm sorry to bother you at home, but it's Agent Reyes."
Skinner could hear the effort Doggett was making to control
himself.  "There's been an accident."

"Where are you?"  Skinner was already shucking off his sweats
and reaching for his jeans.

"I'm at St. John's Hospital," Doggett said.  "They brought her
in a while ago."

"I'm on my way," Skinner said.  "How's she doing?"

There was a long pause.  "It doesn't look too good, Sir," Doggett
said steadily.

x=x=x

It was still drizzling as Skinner drove to the hospital.  He made
himself drive carefully, watching for drivers who never seemed to
get used to driving in anything other than optimum conditions.

He hadn't asked John Doggett how the accident happened; he hadn't
wanted him to go into details over the phone.  The man seemed
pretty raw; emotional in a way Skinner hadn't felt from him
before.

Doggett hadn't been out of the hospital long himself. Maybe that's
why he sounded that way.  Was it just a coincidence that Agent
Reyes landed in the hospital so soon?  Skinner had been used to
regular visits when Mulder and Scully had had the X-Files, but
not so much with these two.  He was out of practice with these
late night calls.

He called a colleague in the Falls Church police force and got
the information he needed about the accident.

When he arrived at St. John's, Doggett was waiting in Intensive
Care, his eyes red like he'd been rubbing them.

"Thank you for coming, Sir," Doggett said.

"What happened, Agent Doggett?"  Skinner asked.  Even though he
already knew the facts, he wanted to hear Doggett's version.

"She was driving me home," Doggett said.  We'd gone out for a
drink after work, and I'd had a couple of beers.  Monica had
one, too...she didn't want me to drive."

"Were you with her when it happened?  Was it her fault?"  Skinner
asked.

Doggett shook his head. "No, Sir.  The other guy ran a stop sign.
Never even slowed down."

"Don't blame yourself, Agent," Skinner said.  "From what I heard,
the other guy'd had fifteen beers."

Doggett acknowledged this with a nod but it obviously didn't make
a difference to the way he felt.

Skinner asked, "Did you call Agent Scully?"

"No, Sir.  Considering everything she's been through lately, I
figured she could use some rest."

Skinner nodded in agreement, though he was surprised at this.  It
was true that Scully had just been through a pretty harrowing time,
but that had never stopped either Doggett or Reyes from pulling her
into their concerns before.  He'd noticed a tendency on their part
to rely on Scully.  Neither of them seemed to consider that Scully
was a new mother, and no longer assigned to the X-Files.  He'd spent
a fair amount of time covering up her involvement in their cases,
though from the snide comments, he was pretty sure Kersh was aware
of most of them.

For Scully's part, she did her best to be there for Reyes and
Doggett.  She never complained, at least not in Skinner's
hearing.  Maybe she was so used to being called out on some late
night investigation by Mulder that it seemed normal to her.  He
did wonder, though, how Scully's mother felt about these late-night
 forays.  He assumed that Mrs. Scully was the one who took William
those times that Scully had to go out on an emergency call.

It wasn't his place to judge, but he could see it taking a toll
on Scully.  He knew if he said anything to her, she'd tell him to
mind his own business.  Perhaps a word to Doggett was in order...

"Sir?"  Doggett had asked him a question.  "Do you want to see
her?"

Skinner nodded again.  This was the part he liked least: the first
view of the injured agent.  He was never prepared for that.

Monica Reyes looked pale, but other than that, appeared uninjured.
She had a slight cut on her forehead.

"Excuse me?"  A middle-aged man with tired, kind eyes stepped into
the room.  "Are you relatives of Ms. Reyes?"

Doggett spoke first.  "I'm her partner, name's John Doggett.  Her
work partner," he added awkwardly.  "Her parents live in Mexico
City.  This is Assistant Director Skinner, he's our boss."

"I'm Jack Preiers.  I was the attending in the emergency room when
Ms. Reyes came in."

"How's she doin', Doctor?"  Doggett asked.

"Mr. Doggett, I'm sorry to tell you that there hasn't been any brain
activity since shortly after she came to the ER.  Are you familiar
with what that means?"

Doggett stared at Reyes.  He was refusing to acknowledge what Dr.
Preiers was saying.

"Mr. Doggett, Ms. Reyes is brain dead," Dr. Preiers said gently.
"There's something else you should know."

Doggett still said nothing.  Skinner finally spoke up.  "What is
that, Dr. Preiers?"

"Ms. Reyes has a living will.  She wishes to be an organ donor.
If we are to honor her wishes, we have to act soon."

Skinner recognized the determination in Doggett as he shook his
head.  "No, I don't accept that.  She's not dead.  She's still
breathing, her heart's beating --"

"Mr. Doggett," Dr. Preiers repeated.  "There is no activity in
her brain.  Brain death truly is death."

x=x=x

Even though his main concern was for Agent Reyes and her partner,
Skinner couldn't help but reflect on the other hospital visits
he'd made over the years.  Meeting one partner or the other in
Intensive Care, pale and stoic, or seething and inconsolable,
depending on which agent was the injured party.

Doggett and Reyes were entirely different.  He remembered how
openly emotional Reyes was over Doggett, both at the scene and
in the hospital.  Scully would never have shown her hand in that
way.

He brought a cup of coffee to Doggett, who sat guarding the
entrance to Monica Reye's hospital room, as if he could keep
the doctors from coming in.

Doggett turned bleak eyes to Skinner.  "Could you call Agent
Scully, Sir?"  he asked.  "There's gotta be something that can
be done."

"Agent Doggett, I don't know what miracle you think Agent Scully
can perform," Skinner said.  "I think she'll tell you the same
thing that Dr. Preiers has."

"Doesn't matter," Doggett said.  "She'll think of something.
She'll see something that the doc couldn't see.  I know she will."

Skinner made the call.  It didn't surprise him that Scully agreed
to come immediately.

Skinner turned to tell Doggett that Dana was on her way, but he'd
gone back into Monica's room and was standing by her bed, stroking
her hair.
 
Last year, when Monica Reyes invited herself up to investigate
an X-File behind Doggett's back, he'd seemed more than put out by
her presumption, he seemed flummoxed by her insistence that the
case was somehow connected with him.  When she'd been attacked in
the hospital by the sister of the main suspect, Doggett's attention
to her had been correct but somewhat perfunctory.  Of course, he'd
been distracted by other things at the time, and had had another
partner.

Skinner had Doggett pegged as yet another who'd fallen for Dana
Scully.  He could see the way Doggett used to follow her with his
eyes and he often looked like he'd like to touch her, even if it
was only to take her arm.  But he kept his distance, even before
Mulder came back.

Doggett hardly even looked at her after Mulder returned.  Skinner
thought he could still see longing in Doggett's eyes, but he seemed
to know instinctively that a) Mulder would have his balls if he
said anything remotely personal to Dana Scully in his hearing;
and b) Dana really had eyes for no one but Mulder.

Another kind of man might have come on to Dana Scully once Mulder
left, but gentleman that he was, Doggett never said or did
anything to indicate to Dana that he had any interest in her
other than partnerly concern.

Not that anything had changed as far as Dana's affections were
concerned.  Anyone could see that Mulder would always be first
with her, whether by her side or far away.

As for Reyes, Skinner knew that the two agents had some history
relating to a case involving Doggett's family when Doggett was
still a detective with the NYPD.  He didn't think, though, that
there was anything personal between them.  After seeing Monica's
reaction to Doggett's stay in the hospital, he was pretty sure
that there was something at least on her side.

Dr. Preiers came by.  "Mr. Skinner, we're making the calls.  The
transplant teams will be arriving shortly.  There really isn't
much time."

"I understand," Skinner said.  "But it's going to have to wait."
Dr. Preiers looked as if he was ready to protest, then he nodded
slowly and walked away.

Doggett was staring at Monica's chart.  "Do you know how to read
these things?"  he asked Skinner.  "I don't understand this."

"Agent Scully's on her way," Skinner said.  "She'll be able to
tell you what it means.  But I'd like to remind you of something,"
he added.  He waited for Doggett's attention.

Doggett looked up at him.  "Remember that Agent Mulder had been
diagnosed with an incurable brain disease," he said.  "This may
bring back some unpleasant memories for Agent Scully."

"I remember, Sir," Doggett said.  "I wouldn't ask her if I didn't
think it was important."  He rubbed his hands over his face.

"Why don't you go splash some water on your face?"  Skinner said.
"I'll stay here."

This happens much too often to the agents in my care, Skinner
thought as he watched Monica Reyes.  He looked over at the monitor,
and back down at the unconscious woman.  I don't think there's
going to be a miracle this time.

He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and thought Doggett
had returned, but whoever it was had already moved on.  He looked
out the door, and all he saw was a girl in a pink smock, who turned
and looked back at him.

"Can I help you?"  Skinner asked.  The girl looked frightened but
she came slowly toward him.

When she got closer, Skinner could see that she was not a girl,
but a woman.  He could see tiny lines around her eyes and mouth.
Her mop of straw-colored hair showed a few strands of white.

"The man who was in there before?"  she asked in a soft, hesitant
voice.  "What is his name?"

"John Doggett," Skinner replied.

The girl/woman ducked her head in thanks and fled down the
corridor.  He saw her move away, pushing a cart full of flower
arrangements.  He started to follow her, to ask why she wanted
to know Doggett's name.

"Mr. Skinner?"  Dr. Preiers came by.  "Your agent is making a
nuisance of himself in the trauma area.  I'm perfectly willing
to help him understand what happened to his partner, but he's
obstructing work that could save other lives.  Could you have
a word with him, please?"

"I already have, Doctor," Dana Scully came around the corner.
She introduced herself to the doctor and he told her the
prognosis.  "You're welcome to look at the records, Dr. Scully,"
he said graciously.  "Perhaps you can persuade your friend what
needs to be done."  He handed Monica's charts back to Scully and
took his leave.

Skinner looked at Scully.  "He's in a bad way, Dana."

Dana smiled sadly.  "I know the feeling."

Skinner couldn't say anything.  Scully had racked up more hospital
vigil time than all of them combined.  "Thank you for coming down,"
he said.  "I know it isn't easy for you."

"It's something I can do," she said simply.  "Even if I can't tell
him what he wants to hear, at least he'll know someone tried."

x=x=x

Skinner watched as Dana Scully spoke gently to John Doggett, her
hand on his arm.  He could see the compassion in her eyes as she
tried to explain to him.  He could tell by the set of his shoulders
that Doggett wasn't really listening.  After a moment, Doggett left
the room.

Dana came out of Monica's room.  "I've looked at her charts, gone
over everything I can think of, and I've tried to explain, but he
insists that she's alive, that he got a message from her, but he
won't tell me how."

Skinner couldn't help but say it.  "He's reminding me of someone
else who could be just as tenacious."

She nodded, biting her lip.  He could see the tears forming in
her eyes.  "I was just thinking the same thing.  That's why I
want to stay.  He's going to need someone.  I honestly don't know
what he'll do when they shut off life support."

"Is there anything I can do?"  Skinner asked.

"There's only one thing left, Sir."  Scully took a breath.
"Call Monica's parents so they can come and say goodbye."

There was a commotion at the end of the hallway, and a bitten-off
scream.  Instantly, both Skinner and Scully were on the alert.

x=x=x

John Doggett was nowhere to be found when Scully finished with
Nurse Whitney.  Skinner met her outside the examination room.

"We'll have to have her shipped to Quantico for a more thorough
examination," Scully said.  "But I did find what I think is a
needle puncture, in her neck.  There's a little bruising there,
which made it more noticeable.  We'll have to wait for the tox
screen to be sure, but I put a rush on it."

"Is it enough to hold Dr. Preiers?"  Skinner asked.  "That's who
Doggett suspects."

Scully shook her head.  "Not until the tox screen comes back and
I can do a more thorough examination.  But we'd better keep an eye
on him."

"You won't have to," Doggett's voice rang out as he held a
handcuffed Dr. Preiers in front of him.  I caught `im.  Agent
Scully," he said.  "There's a young woman downstairs.  Audrey
Pauley.  I told the ER staff, but could you take a look at her?
It might be too late," he said, shaking Dr. Preiers a little, "but
I'd appreciate it."

Without another word, Scully went.  Skinner took Dr. Preiers off
Doggett's hands and made the necessary calls to get him out of the
hospital and into custody.

x=x=x

Skinner was standing outside Monica Reyes' room again when Scully
rejoined him.  "The transplant team is here," Scully told him.

"What happened with Audrey Pauley?"  Skinner asked, though he was
pretty sure he already knew.

"She was already gone when I got there.  She probably died
instantly."

"She seemed to have some connection between Doggett and Reyes,"
Skinner said.  "I don't know what it was."
Scully shook her head.  "What I'll never understand is how doctors
who can do so much good, who hold life in their hands, can turn
this way."

"Maybe it's what Monica said once,"  Skinner said.  "There is
evil abroad in the world.  You never know where it resides."

Scully looked at him.  "We're all becoming too much like Mulder,"
she said, with the ghost of a smile.

"Someone has to do it," Skinner replied.

Scully watched John, and sighed softly.  "I told John that even
solving this case couldn't help Monica.  I have to get him to see
reason."  She left Skinner's side and went into the room.

Skinner watched as Scully stationed herself across the bed from
John Doggett and spoke softly to him, trying to get him to
understand.  John shook his head, then stopped and stared over
Scully's shoulder.  It took Skinner a moment to realize what he
was seeing.  The monitor had gone from flatline to activity.
John pointed, and Scully turned around at the same instant.

And Monica's eyes fluttered open.  Skinner could see the word
she formed from where he stood:

"John."

end.

====

A Few More Author's Notes:  I did think this was a halfway
decent episode, but the more I thought about it, the more I
found things that could have been done differently, and involved
both Skinner and Scully a little more.  And filled in a few plot
holes at the same time!

I'd love to know what you think of this little re-working of this
ep.  Drop me a line at:  msnsc21@aol.com

Thanks for reading!
 
 
 
 
 
 

________________________________________________________________________