"A Valentine in Three Acts"

by Kathmak

Valentines Day 2002:

His hand trembles slightly as he slides the pink-tinged envelope onto the center of her desk. He places the card and a single red rose right next to her coffee cup where she is sure to see it. If there's one predictable thing about Monica, it's that she never starts out her work day without a cup of the strong stuff. No decaf for her.

She strides into the office moments later, her eyes immediately drawn to the foreign items on her desk.

"What's this?" she asks softly.

He doesn't answer. He has his nose is buried in a case file, pretending to concentrate on the latest X-Files du jour. He's trying hard not to watch her because it would be too painful to see any sign of rejection in her reaction. The silence is interminable until he dares to sneak a glance at her.

She is grinning as she looks over at him. "Yes," she says quietly.

He stands up and nervously clears his throat. "Yes?" He echoes.

One can never have too much reassurance, you know.

"Yes, John" she nods, "I will have dinner with you tonight. On one condition, though . . . "

Uh oh here it comes, he thinks, preparing for the dreaded 'let's be friends' speech.

But nothing of the sort comes out of her mouth. Instead she walks toward him and takes both of his hands in hers. He catches a whiff of her perfume and it makes him dizzy with longing.

"What's the condition?" he croaks, still trying to process this wonderful turn of events.

Monica gives his hands a little squeeze. "That you'll kiss me."

His heart skips a beat. No, make that two beats.

"Now? Right here at work?" He looks around furtively as if there were hidden cameras recording their every move.

"Yes, right here. I don't care who sees us." Her tone is almost defiant. "I've been waiting a long time for a kiss from you, John Doggett, and I'm not going to let anything get in my way now."

Almost immediately the tension in his body dissipates and he feels free: free to make the move he should've made a long time ago. They share their first kiss, and then their second, and he wonders what the hell took them so long. Monica slides her arms around his waist and he pulls her close.

"Wow," she whispers breathlessly.

"You can say that again."

She adds coyly, "there's more where that came from, you know."

Doggett feels almost faint with the promise of things to come. "Happy Valentine's Day, Monica."

She beams and he kisses her again.

End