Title: Please Remember Author: Agent X Summary: Can they say goodbye? Category: post-ep, angst, DSF, AU but might happen in the future - would have been a good way to end season 8 if D+S aren't gonna be partners anymore Keywords: Scully, Doggett, Mulder's return Spoilers: Up to Three Words Timeline: After Three Words - in the park after the meeting with Knowle Disclaimer: The character in this story are the property of the genius Chris Carter, 1013 and Fox Archive: anywhere you like, just let me know please Feedback: Good or bad, to aussie_xphile25@yahoo.com.au . Can someone flame me just so I can use this cool banner 'I've been flamed' that someone on SHODDS designed? Dedication: This story is entirely dedicated to the wonderful Robert Patrick, who has inspired me to write this by bringing the character of John Doggett to life! _ Also to my fellow WIB and the crew of the Doggship - love ya guys!! Author's Note: at the end * No beta reader used. Please excuse the typos * Note: This story assumes Kersh's transfer offer still stands * * * John Doggett knew what had to be done now. It was simple enough. All he had to do was pick up the phone. It's funny, he thought, how the simplest things in life are often the hardest. Now that Mulder was, literally, back from the dead, there was no need for Doggett to stay on the X-Files. Scully had her old partner back and neither of them would want him interfering, getting in the way. Hell, he thought, Scully acted like she would rather not have *any* partner than have him some days. All he had to do was pick up the phone, call DD Kersh and tell him he wanted the transfer he had been offered. *Maybe I should talk to Scully first,* he thought. Then again, why bother. She would only give him a lecture on how good the transfer was for his career, how his talents were wasted on the X-Files; all the while hoping he would agree with her so she could get rid of him. Besides, she was probably 'round at Mulder apartment, 'catching up on lost time' or something. He sighed and pulled out his cell phone. Kersh's assistant asked him to hold the line and he sat down on one of the park benches. *For a place where people go to relax, they could at least have comfortable seats*, he thought. Then again, after sitting in those darn hospital chairs, these benches were a blessing. He had been sitting in those darn chairs for over 12 hours after Mulder came back from the dead. Well, except for a few minutes when he'd been hanging out the window of a moving car instead. Variety is the spice of lifeÉ Thinking back, he didn't even know why he'd bothered to stay at the hospital. *She* didn't need him, that's for sure. After their little argument about his refusal to believe, she had hardly said two words to him. Still, he wanted to be there. He wanted to be near her just in case the world came to an end and she decided she *did* need him. Back in the park, he switched the phone to his right ear and closed his eyes. "Agent Doggett?" His eyes snapped open as he heard *her* voice. She was standing in front of him. "Agent Scully, what are you doin' here?" he asked. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realise you were on the phone." He cancelled the call and put the phone in his pocket. "I was on hold anyway," he said. "I think DD Kersh's assistant forgot about me." He paused. "So, what can I do for you, Agent Scully?" "What were you calling Kersh about?' she asked, not answering his question. Doggett hesitated for a moment and then decided he'd have to tell her sooner or later, so he might as well do it now. "I was calling him to let him know I'm gonna take his offer of a transfer." Scully's eyes widened. "What?" she said, with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "You're *leaving*?" He looked uncomfortable. "Not until Agent Mulder is back at work," he said quickly, thinking she was worried about being left without a partner. "As soon as he's back, I'll be out of the way." Scully looked upset. "How can you just leave like that?" she asked. "Don't these past few months mean anything to you? Don't you *like* working on the X-Files? Don't you want me as your partner?" "Whoa! Agent Scully, calm down," he said, rather confused by her outburst. "Of course I like working on the X-Files. These past few months have been the best months of my life and you've been a great partner-" "Then why do you want to leave?" she asked, almost crying. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Agent Scully, I was assigned to the X-Files to find Agent Mulder. I found him. Case closed. Now Mulder is back on the X-Files and *he's* your partner again. If I stayed I'd just be getting' in the way. After what happened today with Mulder and me, it's clear he doesn't trust me and he made it quite clear that I'm not welcome on the X-Files anymore." Scully gasped. "What?! Who the hell does he think he is? He's been gone for six months. *You* are my partner and he can't just tell you to piss off! He's not even officially on the X-Files anymore, and until he is, I still consider *you* my partner." Doggett smiled wryly. "Look, Agent Scully," he began. "I appreciate you backing me up and all, but the X-Files is Mulder's unit. *He* created it. I don't even believe in that stuff. He has every right to want me out of there." He smiled at her. "And I'm glad you consider me as your partner, but I don't want to cause problems between you and Mulder, so it's best I get out while I have the opportunity." He stood up, turned to Scully and extended his hand to shake hers. "It's been great workin' with you, Agent Scully, and I hope everything goes alright with the little one," he said, motioning to her stomach. He pulled his hand from her grasp and started to walk away. *Keep walking, John* he told himself. *Don't turn around. Don't let her know how much this hurts. Don't let her know how you feel* "John?" As she said his name, the voice in his head screamed at him to keep walking. The voice in his heart told him to stop. He stopped. "Yeah?" he said, turning to face her again. He was surprised to see that her eyes were bright with tears. "Don't I get to say anything?" she almost whispered. He walked back to her. "What is it you want to say, Agent Scully?" he asked, not looking at her for fear of her seeing the wetness in his own eyes. Instead of saying anything, she stepped forward and gave him a hug. After the initial shock, he responded by putting his arms around her, too. "I'm gonna miss you, you know?" she whispered. "Miss me?" he asked, amused. "What on earth will you miss about me?" She pulled back from the embrace and smiled up at him. "I'll miss trying to convince you of some wayout theory I hardly believe myself. I'll miss that look you give me as if to say 'Are you serious?'. I'll miss the way you answer your cell phoneÉ" she laughed to herself. "What's so funny about that?" he asked. She shook her head, then got serious again. "I can't explain it, really. After being partner's with Mulder for seven years, you'd think I couldn't get used to anyone else, but without you it's going to be strangeÉ strange not having the smell of doughnuts in here every morning." He laughed. "So, where will you go?" she asked. "Probably Violent Crimes," he replied. "Closest thing to the X-Files but without that weird stuff I can't handle." "For someone who's only been doing it for six months, I'd say you're pretty good." He smiled. "Well," he said reluctantly. "I better get going. I'm gonna see DD Kersh tonight and get this transfer happening ASAP." Scully looked down at the floor. "Will I still see you?" she asked quietly. "Of course you will," he replied. "It's not like I'm moving to Australia or something, I'll only be upstairs." She nodded. He was about to walk away when she said his name again. "Yeah?" he replied. "Promise me something?" "Anything," he said, hoping he didn't sound too desperate. "Please remember," she whispered. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Don't forget me. Don't forget our time together. Remember me and, if you ever need anyone to turn to, turn to me." He pulled her into a hug again, rested his chin on the top of her head and whispered: "I will never forget you." The End * * * Author's Note: Just another short piece, in no way related to my other pieces. I heard the song 'Please Remember' while standing on a darn checkout at work today - die Target die! - and I spent the rest of my shift trying to think up a fanfic to go with the song. So, this is the product of five hours of thought, in between asking 'Is that cheque, savings or credit?' and 'Do you have flybuys?' God I hate my jobÉ Anyway, here's the song: Please Remember LeAnn Rimes [Coyote Ugly Motion Picture Soundtrack] Time, sometimes the time just slips away And your left with yesterday Left with the memories I'll always think of you and smile And be happy for the time I had you with me Though we go our seperate ways I won't forget so don't forget the memories we made Please remember, please remember I was there for you and you were there for me Please remember, our time together The time was yours and mine while we were wild and free Please remember, please remember me Goodbye, there's just no sadder word to say And it's sad to walk away with just the memories Who's to know what might have been We'll leave behind a life and time I'll never know again Please remember, please remember I was there for you and you were there for me And remember, Please remember me Please remember, please remember I was there for you And you were there for me Please remember, our time together The time was yours and mine While we were wild and free Then remember, please remember me And how we laugh and how we smile And how this heart was yours and mine and how a dream was out of reach I stood by you, you stood by me We took each day and made it shine We wrote our names across the sky We ride so fast, we ride so free And I knew that you had me Please remember, please remember