Things had been good for the Doggetts. Neal was healthy and had begun to start walking. Though now he was with a trusted sitter as John took Stark on a mini trip. Both needed it with work more so then anything else. So there they were visiting somewhere nice, Miami.

John and Stark had been working hard lately, and now they had time off. So he made dinner for her, something simple as she was teaching him to cook. He also got her favorite flowers, and he set it out as a surprise as she put their son to bed.

Story behind my name, not something I've ever been asked before. But since you asked, here we go.


My parents had decided they wanted a baby, and began trying right after they got married. There was a time they had nearly just given up, and accepted they wouldn't have a child of their own. It was when they were giving up that my mother found out she was pregnant. She rushed home to tell my dad, and she told me they both just couldn't believe it, believe that finally by the grace of God they finally got their wish for a child. My mom didn't care whether I was a boy or a girl, she was just happy.

She had a hard pregnancy, she told me I was a stubborn child that liked to act up. That I didn't listen when she asked me to stop using her insides as punching bags. The day I was born however was the best, and single most painful day of her life. Trust me, she used the pain thing on me a lot over the years. Once she knew I was a boy, the name was easy. John, which means simply the Lord is gracious. She said God was smiling down on her and my dad the moment I was conceived. Moms, always have a way making you feel ten feet high right?

John Doggett
The X-Files
235 Words

John went and called up their favorite restaurant, and managed to get them a good table. He smiled hanging up, and checked the mail quick and messages.

[All set Honey.]

One rat I know, and he was a big one. Alex Krycek. Of course I didn't know him as well as Mulder, or Scully, or even Skinner. From what I gather he was a thorn in their sides at times. He sure became one in mine, and fast. I was sent after him to get this vial of some kind of alien virus vaccine, that was supposed to help keep Mulder from becoming a human replica. I'm still lost in all of that to be honest. Aliens, abductions. Still hard for me to believe at times. Skinner sent me after this guy to get the vial, not liking his deal he tried to make, neither did I to be honest. The vial if it was made sure Scully's baby wasn't born. That's a no go in my book. Of course the guy tried to kill me, and in the end he let the vial drop and shatter. Can't say I liked the guy much, because I didn't. He was just a pain in the ass if you ask me.

Things went all kinds of crazy, Krycek was close to killing Mulder. Skinner comes out of nowhere and shoots him. Krycek right to the last moment tries to get Mulder killed. Trying to get Skinner to do it until he shoots him in the head. I knew there was something wrong, Skinner enjoyed that too much. Of course I find out Krycek had been a pain in Skinner's ass for years, and even used nanotechnology against him. Now some might wonder why I call Krycek a rat. Easy, the way he acted all out for himself mostly, ready to turn on you in a second. And Krycek means rat in Eastern Europe. Interesting isn't it? And oddly, fitting to the man I read about.

John Doggett - The X-Files - 303 Words

Neal, his son was having a rather bad night it seemed. He was trying to quiet him down, seeing as he was trying to let Stark sleep. He walked rocking him, but that didn't seem to help. He had changed him, given him a bottle, and for awhile there he was feeling like he was failing as a father. Maybe he wasn't good at this, and he sighed.

"Come on Neal, what's wrong little man?"

He smiled seeing as all he got was little gurgling sounds. He kissed his tiny forehead and began making faces down at him, delighted to hear the giggles. He laid him down, blowing raspberries on his son's tiny stomach. Just happy to hear the squeals of laughter, instead of the louder squeals of crying.

"Daddy loves you very much Neal."

He chuckled as a tiny hand reached up and grabbed hold of his nose. Kissing his forehead he sat down with him, telling him stories about the brother he'd never meet. Telling him how much Luke loved riding a bike, or playing baseball. He smiled watching Neal reach up for him smiling, wiggling around. It was always the sound of his voice it seemed that did the trick. He was just like his mother when it came to that, both loved the sound of his voice and it could cheer them up most times.

John Doggett - The X-Files - 229 Words

John and Stark had finally settled into a schedule between the two with Neal. It gave them both a chance to rest, and spend time together in between, he was at least a good baby and slept through the night fairly well. Christmas morning came and this year there were extra gifts under the tree though they didn't go too overboard with gifts for their son seeing as he was just an infant. He woke early, and went and lit up the tree, smiling waiting for his wife, and son to come down. Waiting to see Neal's face with all of the lights. He had an extra special gift for Stark, hidden away in his pocket.

John when he didn't understand someone, usually just stepped away. It wasn't meant with any disrespect, it was just his way. His way of taking everything and processing it through his mind. Though he had learned to open up to Stark now, let her try and help. He no longer tried to do everything on his own. He was growing in that aspect, it came with her being both his partner, and his wife. She would always know when something was troubling him. She had an insight no one else would ever have with him, they shared a special connection. So much now he knew, when something was troubling him he could always turn to her. When he didn't understand someone, she was there to help him sort it through.

When John Doggett didn't understand someone, he turned to his partner, his wife for help. It was just how they had meshed together. He could always turn to her for help, and he knew she knew he was there for her as well.

John Doggett - The X-Files - 173 words

Feels good being a dad again.

This list would be too long. On the job I've outlived so many things. Near death experiences, hell even an actual death. Now if we go based on things I regret outliving, there would be just one thing. Luke.

Parents just aren't supposed to outlive their children, it's not how it's supposed to go. You are supposed to get to sit there and watch your children grow up, go through school, their prom, graduation, then off to college. Supposed to mold them and raise them well. Just sometimes life just doesn't go how it's supposed to. Where the children should bury the parents, sometimes life is cruel and the parent has to bury a child. It's not easy, and for a long time I know I let it eat away at me. Let it make me bitter, but now I've come to accept that I did all I could have done. That sometimes you just can't stop something bad from happening. That's all been settled and I've started living my life again.

I got Stark that really helped me a lot with that, as did Mulder, Scully, and Monica. They've all put up with my moody ass, and helped me to see things I never saw before. So really the things I've outlived, I couldn't have done so on my own, or without the support of others along the way. Now things have seemed to come full circle for me. The woman I loved in college by my side, and a new baby boy to watch over. I think Luke would be proud of his old man for outliving the pain, and moving on.

John Doggett - The X-Files - 274 - Stark mentioned is followedhimdown and is used with love and care.