Title: The Truth is Out There -- Scenes 1-30 from XF3
Author: Lolabeegood
E-mail: lolabeegood@gmail.com
Distribution: Archive freely with my name attached
Rating: R
Categories: S, R
Keywords: Mulder/Scully romance, Post-IWTB
Spoilers: IWTB.

Summary: The truth is something Mulder Scully may have to pay a steep price for.

Author's Notes: Ever since I watched IWTB I have thought of the ideal way to start and storyline a third movie. So, after much thought and deliberation I have a series of scenes that I have written for the third XF movie. The scenes will not necessarily run right after each other but they are in sequence. They are more like scenes I would like to see in the XF3 that develop character, tie loose ends, and add plot interest.

I don't own any of the characters.

Enjoy!

Fox Mulder walked up to the front lobby desk in the historical Hotel Burnham in Chicago and waited not so patiently for the woman at the desk to get off the phone. He was tired and had a bag that was too heavy slung over his shoulder as he leaned against the desk to take some of the weight. The girl finished her call and walked over to him smiling.

"Sorry about that sir, can I help you?" she chirped.

"Yes, I'm Fox Mulder. I have a room booked for 3 nights," he offered as he went to pull out his Internet confirmation slip.

"Ahh, yes, Mr. Mulder," she said starring at a computer screen built into the desk and absently reaching for his confirmation number. "You are in room 804. I'll get your key."

"Thank you," he said as she leaned down on an elbow and rubbed the side of his forehead. What Mulder needed was a three hour nap. He had to admit this was the nicest hotel he had stayed at in a while. The large vaulting ceiling and antique chandeliers gave the place a note of elegance chain hotels just didn't have.

"Here you are sir," she said handing him the key "I hope you enjoy your stay at Hotel Burnham and if you need anything please do not hesitate to contact the front desk or the concierge."

"Thank you," Mulder said with a faint smile as he stifled a yawn.

As he turned to walk across the marble floor to the elevators his phone chirped to life. Pulling it from his pocket he looked down at the screen and smiled. This was the best thing that had happened to him all day.

"What are you wearing?," he said in the sexiest voice he could muster as he placed the phone to his ear.

"Is this how you answer the phone all the time?" she snickered into his ear. "Mulder, you've been on the road too long."

"I have been on the road too long Scully, tell me something I don't know," he laughed "But you still haven't answered my question."

She hesitated just a moment. "skirt, sweater, nothing you were hoping fo.r."

He could tell she was smiling into the phone.

"How about you give me 5 minutes, call me back in room 804 at the Bunham, and I bet I can talk some of those clothes off you," he said seductively.

"I bet you could" she whispered "but you look a little tired for any of that."

"I am actually, I...I...uh, Scully," he said looking around the lobby "how do you know I look tired?"

"By the way your back is slumped carrying that bag that looks really heavy."

He looked around the lobby and then spotted her sitting on a bar stool right at the entrance to the hotel lounge. Her legs were crossed and looked impossibly long in the black skirt and heels. She was smiling right at him with a cell phone up to her ear.

He snapped his phone shut and walked quickly toward her. He had a wolfish grin on his face as she snapped her phone shut and hopped off the stool. When he reached her he engulfed her in his arms and passionately kissed her. So passionately that he knew it would embarrass her but, at that moment, he didn't give a shit.

"You're glad to see me," she said as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and tried to temper her blush.

"You can tell?." He smiled down at her not releasing her from his grip.

"Mulder" she chastised as her eyes darted around them.

"I don't care what people think," he said as he leaned his forehead against hers "I haven't seen you in 3 weeks."

"I know" she whispered back leaning more into him.

"What are you doing here? You said you couldn't meet up with me until I got to New York."

"I lied" she smiled "But it was worth it to see the look on your face at the moment you figured it out."

"Was it, now?." He smiled as he drew circles on her back.

"Yes" she moved her face closer so her lips were closer to his ear "it was the closest I've seen to a Mulder orgasm face that didn't involve a sexual act."

"Ohhh" he growled softly "I just got my room key, let's..."

"Foxxx!" a young man said too loudly as he slapped Mulder on the back.

Scully immediately stiffened in his embrace and pulled herself from him. Mulder winced at the use of his first name and hesitantly let go of Scully.

"Jeremy," Mulder said as he turned toward the man.

"This is Jeremy, my tour manager," he said to Scully.

"Oh, nice to meet you," she said offering her hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Ms..." he started as he took her hand.

"Scully" she replied with a soft smile "Dana Scully."

"Are you..." he paused to look at Mulder for clarification "is she Murphy?"

"Yes, Jeremy, the character Murphy is loosely based on Scully," Mulder said as he put his arm around her shoulder.

"Wow!" Jeremy gushed, "it is so great to finally meet you. You are such a great role model for so many young women out there. I am just beside myself."

"Thank you," Scully answered, obviously embarrassed "but she is just loosely based on me."

"What Scully means to say is that I had us sleep together much earlier in the book than in real life." Mulder grinned.

"Chapter 3 as I recall," Scully clarified.

"Why waste time?" Mulder said as he pulled her in a little closer.

"The sex scenes in the book were...well, I am sure there are many ear-marked copies out there."

"Yes, my mother appreciated those," Scully whispered under her breath.

"I had to go where the characters led me" Mulder smiled at Jeremy "you know what I mean, don't you Jeremy?"

"Yes, I do." he grinned "Uh, how about we all go grab a drink and..."

"Oh, Jeremy, that's not going to work. I'm uh,...beat and Scully has just got off a plane," he said as he shifted from foot to foot.

"No, it's okay Mulder, you go have a drink with Jeremy," she said smiling up at him deviously. She reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek "I'll just go up to the room."

She grabbed the key from his hand, picked up her small bag and walked toward the elevators.

"Just the two of us then, Fox," Jeremy said as he put an arm around Mulder.

Mulder leaned into Jeremy and conspiratorially whispered "Uh, Jeremy...we haven't seen each other in 3 weeks."

Jeremy nodded his head but still remained clueless. The young man was new to publishing and Mulder had seen the hero-worship Jeremy had for him early into the book tour. Mulder liked him even though he insisted on calling him 'Fox' all the time. He was a nice guy to chat with after a long day of book signings and readings. He had booked some nice hotels and always had the publisher pick up the check whenever they went anywhere.

"Okay, you obviously aren't getting this are you?" he looked at Jeremy for clarification. The young man's brow furrowed. He didn't know where Mulder was going with this.

"Jeremy, see that beautiful woman standing there in the elevator bay?" Mulder gestured toward Scully.

"Yes" Jeremy smiled.

"I have not seen her in 3 weeks and, for the last 7 years, I have spent every day with her. We are going to go up to my room and we're not coming out until 5 minutes before my reading at Barnes and Noble tomorrow."

"Ohhhhhh." Jeremy suddenly realized what Mulder was getting at.

"Thank you," Mulder said as he slapped him on the back and darted toward the elevator Scully was entering.

"Hold that" he yelled as he got closer.

He entered the small mirrored elevator and smiled down at her.

"I thought I was going to actually have to go up there by myself," she said as she walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

He smiled down at her.

The elevator doors closed.

The young boy ran through the old farmhouse gathering his most precious things, a picture of his parents, the baseball he caught at a minor league game, his ratty teddy bear and his favorite novel. He threw them into his new backpack, put on his warm fall coat, grabbed some apples and Little Debbie's and walked out the kitchen door into the backyard. He carefully avoided the living room, even though the images would be burned in his mind for the rest of his life. Sirens were faint in the distance and getting louder by the second. He was running fast across the fields and into the brush where his silhouette would be less obvious. A hand roughly grabbed his shoulder...

Patrick was started awake from his dream.

"Wake up son," the old man next to him said with a smile. "We're just pulling into the bus terminal. It's just after 8 am."

"Uh, thank you sir," Patrick said catching his breath "I wouldn't want to miss my stop. My aunt Shannon would have the National Guard looking for me."

The old man laughed. "Sounds like you were having quite the dream, boy."

"I uh, watched a monster movie last night and my mother...she warned me I'd be scared. I guess...I guess I should have listened.." He smiled at the man.

Patrick thought back to the images that poured through his head. His mad dash to leave the house he had always lived in, the last kiss his mom gave him before he went to bed that night, the blood that lay soaking through his pillow from the large knife that lay next to him. Tears were about to jump from his eyes but he wiped them back and shook it off.

"Son, if there's one thing I know, it's that moms are always trying to protect you from stuff you're not ready for. You should listen to her when she says you're too young. Save yourself a lot of grief."

"I'll take that advice sir," he said kindly.

Patrick looked out the window for a woman who looked like Aunt Shannon. Then he spotted her standing inside the terminal, next to the window waiting. She was looking at the next bus dock expectantly and Patrick noticed the arrival time posted was 10 minutes from now.

"Thanks for being such good company sir." Patrick offered his hand to the old man.

"It was a pleasure son," he said shaking it "you have fun with your Aunt and don't cause her too much trouble."

"I won't, sir." Patrick smiled as he walked down the aisle.

He walked cautiously off the dock and past all the people collecting their luggage from the bus storage. Patrick entered the terminal and walked purposefully toward the woman waiting by the window. He reached out and grabbed the woman gently by the hand.

"My mom isn't here to get me yet and I really have to go to the bathroom. I'm not supposed to go alone. Can you help me find one?," Patrick said in his sweetest voice.

"Of course." She smiled down at him. "you poor thing," she said as she wrapped an arm around him and walked him toward the family washrooms.

Patrick turned and waved at his bus companion watching him from his seat. The old man waved back. Everything was working out perfectly.

Mulder lay on his naked stomach amidst rumpled sheets and slowly re-gained consciousness. His back was exposed and a shiver ran up his spine but he was either too tired to too lazy to search for the blanket. He knew he was alone in bed because her familiar warmth was missing, as was her leg, that was usually draped across his body. Scully had never been one for cuddling but a leg or a foot always found its way to touch him throughout the night. It was almost as if she needed to physically feel his presence to sleep.

They hadn't spent much time sleeping last night; the three week drought in sex had left them both with libidos in high gear. They normally only had sex a few times a week but being away from each other had meant they had reached their usual weekly amount in one night. When they weren't satisfying that need they were catching up on conversations that took place best face-to-face. Although they had spoken on the phone pretty much every day of his book tour there were certain things that just get missed in a hurried phone conversation between patients and book signings. He liked talking in person, he could gauge her reactions better, see if she was trying to smooth over the rougher points, and look into her eyes for approval.

He heard the shower turn on in the bathroom and glanced at the bedside clock. It was 8:53am and he needed to be at Barnes & Noble down the street for a 10 am reading and signing. Scully would be coming with him for the first time and he was excited for her to see all the fuss that was being made over him.

His first book Deceive, Inveigle & Obfuscate had made the New York Times best sellers list. He had been invited onto several late late shows and interviewed by Quill & Quire magazine, the LA Times and various other big newspapers. It was a little overwhelming and offsetting at first but eventually Mulder had learned to accept the success along with all the accolades and all the pay checks that came along with it.

The book tour was 5 weeks in length and they were nearing the home stretch. They had hit the west coast first and now were making there way across the mid-west to the east coast. It had been a long 3 weeks without Scully but to ask her to take time off to travel around with him on a book tour seemed a little childish as the time. He had hoped she would just offer, but she hadn't. Her patients at the hospital meant a great deal to her and he knew she couldn't just pick up and leave them. He was happy she had surprised him in Chicago though.

Mulder slid his legs off the side of the bed and followed them with his torso. He walked nude into the bathroom and looked at the steaming shower and the naked body that was behind the glass door. He walked over to the silhouette and opened the door allowing steam to escape.

"Good morning sunshine," he said smiling down at her as he walked into the shower and shut the door behind him.

"Good morning," she said smiling from under the water spray "I was going to let you sleep for a few more minutes and then get you up. Your reading is at 10, right?"

"Yes, it is," he said reaching out to her and placing his hands on her hips to pull her closer to him "we still have lots of time."

She raised an eyebrow at him and he knew she thought this wasn't a good idea. He reached for a nearby bottle and thought of a different plan.

"I wanted to make sure you washed your hair thoroughly Scully," he said as he dropped a blob of shampoo onto the top of her head and started to massage it working his hands against her scalp.

"No fair Mulder" she purred "you know what that does to me."

"I know exactly what it does to you," he growled low into her ear and turned her around to face the tiles. He rubbed his hands up and down her head and then up and down her slick back, then up and down her tight ass. She moaned to herself and her body relaxed completely. He massaged her up and down her body over and over again until the moans were whimpers. He placed one arm around the front of her waist and pushed her up against the tiles so her breasts were plastered against them.

"Mulder, you have to walk to the signing, right?" she asked as she turned her head to the side.

"Yes" he whispered as he peppered her shoulder with kisses.

"If you keep this up you're not going to be able to walk straight," she said as she leaned her head to the side so he could access her neck better.

"I actually think it's you that won't be able to walk straight," he said as he reached for her mound gently pulled apart her folds and inserted his hard cock into her in one swift movement.

"Uh" she groaned as he entered her.

"You okay?" he asked concerned.

"I'm good" she whispered and smiled at him. "I'm just not used to this much sex in such a short period of time."

"Yeah.." He smiled as he started to move inside of her. "I remember when it used to be like this all the time."

She laughed against the wall.

"What's so funny?" he asked as he continued to move inside of her.

"You're getting nostalgic for wild, rampant, daily sex of the past and I keep thinking about the chaffing I had to deal with."

"Wasn't I worth it?" he asked in all sincerity.

"Yes, you were Mulder." She smiled at him. "You're still worth it."

He pumped in and out of her as she clenched her muscles against him and rocked her hips back against him. His balls slapped against her ass and she started to moan loudly. He gently spanked her ass as he pumped into her and she pushed herself with great force back against him. He kept an arm wrapped around the front of her waist to steady her as he slammed up against her. He didn't want her banging up against the wall with each thrust.

Suddenly her walls spasmed around him and her body froze pressed up against him. She let out a soft whimper and a smile moved across her face. He leaned against her and planted a kiss against her sweaty cheek as he released himself into her and shuddered all around her.

He ran a wet hand down her back and dipped his sweaty face under the shower spray. Pulling her back against his chest and directly under the water spray he said softly "rinse cycle" and massaged the shampoo out of her hair while she remained motionless in front of him.

"I don't know if it's the steam or the..." she panted as she leaned against him "but I feel like Jell-O."

He ran soapy hands over her body and pulled her under the water rinse again rubbing off the last of the bubbles. He reached to open the glass door and patted her ass to step outside into the bathroom.

"Go lay down for twenty minutes," he said releasing her from his embrace "I'll get you up in time to get ready."

"Promise?" she asked turning to look at him through hazy orgasmic eyes.

"Promise," he said as he kissed her on the nose "now, close the door, it's freezing out there."

He reached to snap the door shut and started to wash himself off. So far this day had started the best out of any on the book tour.

Patrick had managed to ditch the woman at the bus terminal and was making his way across town. The eight year old with the back pack blended into the crowds in the big city in the early morning hours. He was just one of many kids on his way to school, as far as anyone else was concerned.

His stomach was growling and he decided, after consulting his Transformers watch, there was enough time and money to buy a quick McDonald's breakfast along the way. Once he got to his rendezvous point he wouldn't need to conserve money anymore, all that would be taken care of.

He quickly ordered a pancake breakfast and realized when he sat down to eat that his stomach was really aching for food. He practically inhaled his food much to the amazement and disgust of the elderly couple seated at the next table and threw his garbage out in 10 minutes flat. He would have to catch a bus if he was to get there and have time to settle in to an inconspicuous spot. He couldn't miss this rendezvous; he didn't think he had enough time or money to make it any farther on his own.

Patrick jumped on a bus one block over and allowed his pancakes to digest as he rode on. He watched the beautiful buildings as he passed them thinking of the last time he was in a big city. His family had gone to Denver last year to visit his father's great aunt who was dying of lung cancer. They had stayed at a nice hotel and Patrick had enjoyed all the sights. His parents both seemed uncomfortable in a big city and they were anxious to get back to the farm. He wanted to stay longer but that had not happened.

"Hey," an older kid standing nearby called to him, "don't you go to my school?"

Patrick looked up at him and smiled "No, sorry," he answered, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

"No, not here, I mean back in Big Piney.." He smiled down at him. "I was your bus buddy. You're Patrick."

"Yeah," said Patrick. "now I remember, you're Elric."

Patrick shifted uncomfortably in his seat. What are the chances someone from Big Piney was here? He should have walked.

"That's right." The boy smiled back. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh, my mom and I are staying with my aunt Shannon...she has cancer and mom is taking care of her. I'm in school here for...for a while because my aunt needs my mom."

"Uh, sorry to hear about your aunt" Elric said sympathetically.

"Yeah, it's a bummer," replied Patrick. "I...uh, I forgot you moved here with your mom after your parents..."

"Divorced," Elric offered "yeah, we've been here for 3 years now. It's ok."

Patrick looked out the window; he had forgotten to watch for stops. He frantically searched for street names out the window. Seeing the library he knew it was time to get off. He reached for the buzzer to request the next stop.

"It was nice seeing you Elric, but I gotta go," Patrick said as he started to stand.

"Hey, give me your aunt's number and maybe we can meet up, you know, or something," Elric said as Patrick started for the stairs.

"I don't know it off by heart yet," Patrick yelled when he exited the bus. "but I'm sure I'll see you around."

He waved and the doors closed in front of his face. Elric waved goodbye and the bus drove on.

Patrick was very nervous about his meeting with Elric. No doubt he would tell his mom when he got home from school today, and his mom would mention it to some family member back home the next time she was on the phone. Then the truth would come out, and Elric's mom would contact the authorities. There would be no way she would want her son accidentally encountering a killer on the bus again.

The way he saw it, he had less than 6 hours to get out of town and into hiding. He couldn't chance staying any longer than that. He had to get to the rendezvous point, finish what he had started, and get out of town quickly and quietly. He had a few minutes to spare so he went to the library to access bus and train schedules for the next few hours. If things didn't go as planned he needed a back-up escape plan.

Scully watched as Jeremy and Barbara, the manager of Barnes & Noble, gushed over Mulder. He was a little embarrassed by all the accolades but Scully could tell he was pleased to be respected again.

"I can't say again what an honor it is to have you with us, Mr. Mulder" Barbara said touching his chest for the third time in their brief conversation.

"Well, it's great we could fit your store in" Mulder smiled at her.

"After all the requests we got to come to this location, we couldn't refuse" said Jeremy smiling.

"Well, as you can see," she said pointing to the people assembling in chairs "you have quite the Chicago following. And this is only the morning crowd, I'm sure the evening reading will be even more packed."

"Speaking of which" Jeremy looked at his watch "you are on in 2 minutes."

"I better visit the facilities then. Excuse me" Mulder said making himself scarce.

Jeremy left to straighten the poster behind where Mulder would be reading. Scully noticed a local camera crew also setting up and wondered if Mulder would make an entertainment clip on the news tonight. She also wondered if he was this popular in every city he visited; he hadn't mentioned all the attention on the phone.

"Do you work for the publisher as well?" Barbara asked.

"Me? No," Scully replied warmly.

"His assistant?" Barbara inquired further.

"I guess in a matter of speaking." She laughed at the analogy "I'm his..." Scully always stumbled over terminology "...wife, sort of."

"His wife?"

"Well, we're not married," she clarified. "I just think at our age the term 'girlfriend' seems odd. We live together, we've...uh, been together for a while."

"So you know his old partner Murphy?"

"Yes, yes, I do," Scully said uncomfortably.

"Are they still close?" Barbara asked eager for insider information.

"They are," Scully said wistfully, "when you go on the cases they have together, and see what they've seen, you can't help but feel that's the only person who understands you, sometimes."

"And you're not jealous?" Barbara asked. "I mean, the way he describes his love for her in the book...well, a girl's gotta wonder..."

"I know he loves me. I also know he still loves Murphy. I'm okay with that," Scully said matter-of-factly.

Just then Mulder appeared and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need it, Mulder." She smiled back.

Jeremy went in front of the audience and introduced Mulder. Citing his career as an FBI agent, profiler, and paranormal expert. He talked about the book series Mulder was working on and read some of the fabulous reviews the book had received. He cited its long run on the New York Times bestsellers list and the many places they have visited on the book tour. The audience clapped and Mulder walked to the podium.

"Usually, I read first and answer questions later but I always like to mix it up. How about we start with some questions?" Mulder smiled at the bevy of people in front of him.

"Hi Mr. Mulder, I'm a huge fan of yours." A young man stood from his seat.

"Thank you," Mulder replied.

"I'd like to know how many books are planned for the series and when can we expect the next one?"

"The second book is with the editors now and hopefully it'll be out by the New Year." He smiled as the audience clapped "As for the rest of the series, I've signed on to do 6 total, and we'll see what happens after that. The publisher might be sick of me by then" he laughed "Yes, the lady in the green shirt."

"Hi Mr. Mulder. I just loved your book. You and Murphy seem to have this amazing relationship in the novel. Is she a real person you worked with and if so, are you still together and is she supportive of the book?"

"I get asked this a lot" Mulder smiled over to Scully "Yes, she is a real person; she saved my ass more times than I can count."

The audience snickered at his comment.

"She is very supportive of the book, although I think she could have done without all the sex scenes for everyone to read about. She's sort of shy that way" he looked over to her again.

The audience giggled at his comment.

Scully was starting to blush as she leaned against a book shelf.

"Okay, the lady with black hair," he said gesturing to another person.

"Uh, Mr. Mulder" the first lady interrupted.

"Yes?" he asked confused.

"You didn't answer my question, are you still together?"

"Oh, sorry. I missed that.." He smiled "Uh...she's the only woman for me...now, and always," he said looking directly at Scully "So, yes, we're still together."

Scully pursed her lips into a kiss and he blushed slightly as he looked back at the audience.

"Where was I? Oh, yes." He smiled "the lady with the black hair."

Scully noticed out of the corner of her eye Barbara who, was now focused on her instead of Mulder.

"You're Murphy?" she mouthed toward Scully when she turned to look.

Scully gave her a tight-lipped grin and looked back towards Mulder. He had been good at keeping her anonymous in all of this. The people who knew them from their days on the X-Files and her family knew who she was, but Mulder had kept her out of all the attention, at her request.

She had heard collogues at work talking about his book, saw people reading it in the waiting room, and had not said a word. They had no idea that the book was about her as much as it was about Mulder. She liked that they still had one secret to keep. It would have also been a distraction at work if word got around and Scully wanted to look privately and nostalgically back on her X-Files days, not publicly as Mulder had.

She looked back at Mulder answering a question about government conspiracies and smiled. This was perfect for him.

'William was a bullfrog...he was a good friend of mine...'.

She heard herself singing the words in her head but she had not been thinking of William. She opened a closed her eyes a few times and ran few fingers along the opening of her ears but the music kept playing over and over again.

'I never heard a single word he said...but I helped him drink his wine'.

Scully's head quickly jerked from side to side looking around the store for the source of music. It must be a CD playing somewhere in the store and it just sounded like her voice.

'Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea...joy to Wil and me'.

She held her breath and turned to look at Mulder. He was opening his book to read and was not looking at her.

'If I were the king of the world...I'll tell you what I'd do'.

Scully stepped back from the crowd and walked through the book stack. As she walked the sound got louder and louder.

'And I'd give sweet kisses to you'.

Scully knew those were not the real lyrics. It was her modified song for William, from many, many years ago. He body was shaking as she walked on and the lyrics got louder.

'You know I love my baby...we love to have our fun'.

As she entered the children's area of the bookstore she had to cover the openings to her ears, the song, her song, was so loud it was painful in her ears. She looked around the area and spotted two moms in the corner reading books to their toddlers. At a side table there was a young boy drawing on some paper.

'Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea...joy to Wil and me'.

The music suddenly stopped and Scully let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She closed her eyes and held back the tears that such a memory usually brought to her eyes.

She was just thinking she would chalk this up to a minor mental break, when the young boy sitting at the table turned and looked right at her with his hazel eyes. Scully gasped and took a step back shaking her head back and forth.

'Come, sit with me' the voice in her head requested.

Scully grasped her one shaking hand with the other and took tentative steps toward the young boy. Her eyes were filled with tears, her throat was dry, and her lip was quivering. She pulled a stool out from the children's table and stumbled into the seat placing her hands flatly on the table.

"Take a breath" the young boy said quietly.

"I can't" Scully told him truthfully.

"Just try," he said gently as he placed a hand over hers.

Her eyes fell to their two hands resting on the table together. Together. She looked back up at his face. His beautiful, perfect face. He had his father's eyes and hair. He had her nose and face shape. He had a small beauty mark under his right eye that she remembered as much smaller when he was a baby but must have grown over time as he aged. She opened her mouth several times to ask the question but no sound came out. She shook her head and looked down at their hands again.

"Hi mom," he said as he smiled at her.

She let out a gulped cry and leaned her forehead against their hands, her whole body rocking forward.

'You can't make a scene. We can't draw attention to ourselves' the voice in her head told her gently.

"I'm sorry," she said as she pulled herself back up to a sitting position and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"It's okay," he said as he placed his other hand on top of hers.

"You should never wander away from me like that," she said in the sternest voice she could muster.

"I was just over here" he whined to play the part.

'Tell me we have to get going' the voice instructed her.

"We have to get going. Your...your...your father is waiting."

"My what?" the young boy asked startled.

"Your father," she said gently as she looked over to the man reading at the podium across the bookstore.

"For real?" he asked in a whisper unsure if this was still a game.

"Yes, Wil. For real" she smiled at him.

'We need to get out of here right away. I'll tell you why later. Can he meet up with us?' the voice asked.

"Yes, we'll get a note to him. Just come with me..." she started to rise from her seat while still holding his hand.

"No," he said quietly "we can't be seen around here together."

"Why?" she asked.

'Someone might figure us out. This meeting was already a risk. Tell me where to meet you and I will' the voice said.

"Leave you alone?" she asked suddenly scared.

'You have to' the voice pleaded as he looked at her with love. 'okay...meet me at card catalogue number 522 in the stacks in the library across the street in ten minutes'.

"I don't like this," she said as her voice wavered and her hand started to shake again.

"I know you don't," he said quietly "But it's the only way."

He got up and released her hand and walked away from her without looking back.

Scully fell back onto the stool and starred after him. Astonished she had let him go so easily. Again.

She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She was going to be at the library in two minutes if she could. She walked very purposefully over to Jeremy, Mulder's tour manager.

"Do you have a piece of paper?" she asked quietly.

"Uh, sure," he said as he reached into his folder.

"And a pen?" she asked quietly as Mulder looked over at her from the podium.

She hesitantly smiled at him but he looked concerned and paused in his reading to take a drink and study her a little longer. She turned her back to him and started to scribble on a piece of paper.

He finished the section of his book and everyone clapped. He broke from the podium quickly and went to Scully's side. Jeremy went to the podium and announced Mulder would be signing books in a few minutes if everyone wanted to form a line.

"Scully, what's the matter? You look pale," he said grabbing her arm.

"I love you," she said as she kissed him on the lips tenderly.

"I love you too." He smiled back and put his hands on her waist "now what has gotten into you?"

"Take this," she said as she hugged him close and placed the paper in his pant pocket "We might be watched, open it somewhere discreet and meet me there as quickly as possible with as much money as you can take out without drawing attention to us."

"Scully?" he asked confused as he looked into her eyes.

"I'll see you for lunch?" she asked looking around and playing a role.

"Sure," he said as he leaned in to kiss her again.

"You're scaring me," he said against her lips.

"I'm scaring myself," she said as she broke from his embrace and walked away from him, not looking back.

He stood there looking after her. Unsure as to whether he should run after her or follow her instructions. She was obviously shaken and terrified.

"Fox, ready to sign some books?" Jeremy asked as he slapped him on the back.

"Yeah, let me just run to the..." He paused "...it's all the water."

"Sure, I'll hold down the fort."

Mulder walked toward the washroom but ducked into a broom closet and shut the door behind him.

He took the paper out of his pocket and strained to read it in the dim lighting.

The note read simply:.

Meet me where Wyle E. Coyote lives.

Mulder was perplexed. Wyle E Coyote? He stood there for several moments trying to make the connection. A connection Scully was confident he would make.

Henry Weems! He almost said the name aloud and stopped himself. Scully had joked he was Wyle E. Coyote because he never got hurt. He lived in Melrose Park a suburb of Chicago.

He was to meet Scully there with as much cash as would not draw attention, as soon as possible. He could finish signing books in a half hour if he hurried, get the money, and get to her about a half hour after that if he took the expressway. He could be there for lunch just like she had said.

Mulder reached for several spray cleaners and sprayed the paper with them. He ripped it into shreds and dropped it into a bucket of soapy water where it started to dissolve. Now he was starting to feel as paranoid as Scully, only he didn't know what he was paranoid about.

Mulder walked out of the broom closet and over to the table to sign books.

Dana Scully scaled the three flights of stairs leading to the Science section in the library. She wondered the whole time what had caused her to act so swiftly, to believe the voice in her head--William's voice. She knew without a doubt that this boy was her son, but the scientist in her needed more.

She walked quickly and efficiently through the stacks watching the numbers get lower with each pass. She rationalized that she would get some more information, get some tests done, assure herself that what she knew to be true was, in fact, true. Instinctively she knew she needed to get William away from the city as quickly as possible, questions and answers could come later.

When she got to the early 500's she started to slow down, scared she would get to the right aisle and no one would be there. When she saw 522 she took in a deep breath and rounded the corner. There sitting on the floor looking at a book with large illustrations was William.

"Hey," he said looking up at her.

"Hi, Wil," she said as she approached him.

'Call me Patrick' the voice in her head interrupted.

"Patrick" she sighed.

'I've been called that my whole life' the voice told her 'I know you really want to call me William but, my name is Patrick'.

"Okay" Scully nodded as she crouched down to be closer to him "Patrick."

"Is he...?" Patrick asked about Mulder as he closed his book and re- shelved it.

"Uh, later," she said scanning the stacks on either side of them "We should get out of here, I have to get..."

'I'll stay here. How long do you think it will take you to rent a car?' the voice asked.

"30," Scully said not wanting to give away too much information in case someone was nearby.

"Maybe we should call...?"

'We don't need to contact my parents' the voice informed her with a note of sadness.

"Are you...?" she started to ask.

'Yes, I'm sure' the voice said with a note of finality.

"Okay."

'I'll meet you outside the children's section in 30 minutes. Just pull up in the car, I'll watch for you' the voice instructed.

"Okay," she said and leaned in to muss his hair.

She wanted to say more but couldn't bring herself to. There was so much they needed to talk about, so much she wanted to say, so many questions she had to have answered. But in the library, and out in the open, was not the place to have that discussion.

'I know' the voice responded to her flustered mind.

"Thank you" she smiled at him and got up to leave.

Scully turned once before she walked away to look at her son as he pulled another book from the stacks and started to open the pages. She would have her answers, but after her son was safe.

She walked quickly to the phone book located at the main desk of the library and opened it to car rental agencies. She scanned the pages for one in her vicinity. She didn't know Chicago well and wasn't sure if any of these side streets listed were nearby.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Scully called to the librarian carrying a stack of books to be re-shelved past her.

"Uh, yes?" she asked as her books teetered in her hands.

"I'm trying to find a business but I'm not sure where we are. Does this neighborhood go by...?"

"The Loop" the librarian interrupted tersely "it's called the Loop."

"Thank you," she said and turned back to the phone book.

She located a car rental agency that advertised they were in The Loop. Pulling out her cell phone she made the call.

"Hi, can you tell me where you are located in The Loop neighborhood?"

She nodded absently as he gave her instructions. She walked out of the library and started to head down the street.

"Yes, I'll hold," she said as she walked quickly down the street with the song 'Go for a Soda' playing in her ear. The entire song was over before he returned to her call.

"Do you have any cars available to rent right now?" she asked as she swiftly walked through the crowds of people crossing at a busy intersection.

"I'll take whatever you have. I want to surprise my husband with a car trip around Chicago while we are staying here...Yes I'll wait."

"You Give Love a Bad Name' roared in her ear as she walked through a small park. Scully looked around her for street signs and continued to walk confidently forward. The phone crackled alive in her ear.

"A Jeep Patriot? Sounds good ," she said as she rounded another corner "I'll need it for 2 days."

She waited again while the attendant pulled up his rental screen.

"My name?" she asked as she opened the door.

"It's Dana Scully," she said to the shocked attendant who was now looking at her face-to-face.

She handed him her credit card and he booked the SUV for 2 days. She knew that she would be abandoning the car somewhere along the way so she bought the extra insurance just in case something happened to it while it was parked.

"I hope your husband likes the car trip" the attendant smiled uneasily at her.

"It's a surprise," she said with a smirk "I snuck away while he was working out in the hotel gym so I have to get back fast."

"Ohhh, I get it. That's why you were in such a hurry" he suddenly relaxed.

"Yeah" she smiled at him.

"Well, enjoy your stay in Chicago, Mrs. Scully."

"Thank you," she said as he handed her the keys.

She hopped in and turned it around to head back to the library. The rust colored jeep was much bigger than anything she had driven in a long time and it took some time to get used to its turning radius. When Scully pulled up in front of the library 25 minutes had passed. She squinted to look inside the windows but the sun was reflecting back at her and she couldn't see anything. She sat for 3 minutes listening to horns honk at her and watch people give her the finger as they swerved around her big SUV. She was just about to undo her seatbelt and run inside when the right back door opened and her son got inside.

"I was just about to go in and get you," Scully said straining to look at him.

"I got caught behind some kids that were trying to steal graphic novels."

"They have graphic novels at the library that kids can access?"

Patrick laughed at her question as he buckled his seatbelt "No, they are like comics but the length of a novel. They're not the kind with sex in them, or anything."

"Oh," she said smiling to herself "why don't you sit up front with me?"

"Kids aren't supposed to sit in the front because of airbags."

"Oh," she said looking down sadly "I didn't know that, either."

"That's ok," he said as a horn blared behind them "we better get moving."

"Uh, yeah," Scully said a little distracted.

She turned around in her seat and moved the Jeep into traffic.

A couple minutes into their drive Patrick thought he would start the conversation.

"If you keep starring at me in the mirror we're going to get into an accident." He smiled at her in the mirror.

"Uh, sorry," Scully said as she looked away from him "It's just you're Wil...I mean Patrick."

"I am William, or, I was until my parents decided to re-name me Patrick, I guess they liked that better."

"Sure," she said wanting him to continue.

"You know, one time I asked my mom why I can remember being called William and not always Patrick, and she dropped the plate she was drying on the kitchen floor" he laughed "It burst into a million pieces and she called my father in from watching the news."

"What happened then?" Scully asked quietly.

"They sat me down and told me I was adopted, I was about 4 at the time. They told me that my mother was a single mom who couldn't take care of me anymore so she gave me to them. They said I was the best gift they ever got."

Tears started to roll down Scully's face and she wiped them away so she could look at the road.

"They also said there was no way I could remember being called William because they changed my name to Patrick 1 week after they adopted me. They said I was just a baby, but I knew I remembered."

"How...how did you know?"

"I remembered you. I remembered your voice. I remembered the way you smelled. I remembered how you would make silly faces at me when you were trying to get me to eat. I remembered our house and crawling across the living room floor to you as you smiled at me and held out your arms. I remembered it all."

Scully sniffled from the front seat.

"I started to draw pictures of you but when my mother seemed upset by them I stopped."

"Oh," she said as she looked back at him in the mirror again.

"Then," he started "I began to feel you."

"You what, Wil?" she shook her head "I mean Patrick."

"Around my fifth birthday, I felt you crying. I don't know how to describe it. You were incredibly sad, you were hiding your pain and for a whole afternoon you cried and couldn't stop. I felt sick because of it and my mom made me stay in bed all day because she thought I had the stomach flu. I felt your sadness all afternoon and there was nothing I could do about it. But, I knew it was you."

"I'm...I'm so sorry" she whispered from the front seat.

"What made you cry?" he asked concerned.

"Uh, a few things actually," she said wiping the tears from her face again and pausing to catch her breath "It...it was almost your fifth birthday and I was very sad you weren't in my life anymore... and...and I had just got a call from someone telling me that my mother was undergoing cancer treatment."

"Grandma used to watch me." He smiled. "Why didn't you know?" he asked.

"I wasn't in contact with her, or really anyone at the time, except your father, which was why I was crying, there was no way I could go to her" Scully gulped from the front seat.

"Is grandma okay?"

"She's in remission and doing great. You shouldn't worry about her" Scully smiled from the front seat as she made a turn.

"Where was my dad? Why didn't he make you feel better?"

"He was...he was out for the afternoon building a smoke house near the woods on our property. I didn't want him to know how sad I was. He would just feel guilty."

"A smoke house?" Patrick asked.

"Your...your father has developed some odd hobbies over the years" Scully smirked.

"And he's a writer?"

"Yes, a very well-known one, apparently."

"And you're still together?"

"Yes, we are" she smiled.

"Then...then why don't I remember him?" Patrick asked confused.

"He wasn't around when you were a baby. You only knew your father for a few days before he had to leave us, for your safety."

"So, my mom was right, you were a single mom?"

"I guess I was. But not by choice, your father's, or mine."

"And...and you gave...gave me up?" he asked with a crack to his voice.

She felt her stomach lurch. Scully quickly pulled the Jeep to the side of the expressway. She got out and bolted to the gully at the side of the road. She violently vomited over and over again. Soon, she felt a small hand rubbing circles on her back. Slow, gentle circles. Then she heard her own voice singing in her head again.

'I believe in miracles...where'd you come from? You cutie baby'.

She laughed at the words, forgetting she had altered that song too.

'How did you know I needed you so badly...how did you know I'd give my heart gladly'.

She started to wipe her mouth and smiled, "I was never good at making up songs so, I just...altered them."

'Yesterday I was one of the lonely people...now you're snuggling next to me...I love you Willy'.

She stood up and looked into her son's beautiful face. Tears filled her bloodshot eyes as he looked at her with such intensity. He had just asked the question she had spent the last 8 years trying to answer for herself. The question she had always dreaded he would ask.

"It...it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life," she said honestly as tears rolled down her cheeks "because...because I loved and wanted you soo much," she said gently palming his face in her hand as she cried in front of him "you were my miracle baby and I needed to keep you safe. You weren't safe as long as...as long as you were with...me."

"I know you loved me, that's...that's why it didn't make... sense," he said with tears streaming down his face.

"I do love you, and I always will," she said as she pulled him toward her and held him tightly against her.

"I love you too, mom" he choked from beneath her tight embrace as his arms wrapped around her waist.

Mulder sat on the bus starring out the window at the houses that blurred past as the bus sped down the street. Scully's behavior had genuinely unnerved him. His heart raced and his palms were sweaty as he gripped the handle of the seat in front of him tightly with his fist. He had a backpack with him and it sat stuffed on the seat next to him. He was sure they were on the run again, why, and who from, he did not know. One thing he did know for sure, was that Scully would not say what she said to him lightly.

The time that they had spent on the road before settling in their little house had been unpleasant for both of them, her especially. Mulder had been used to a sparse existence from the time after William was born. Scully was not used to living without the comforts of home, the conversations with her mother, the loss of a daily timetable on which to orient herself. She had struggled for quite some time to get her bearings as they traveled from place to place, attempting to establish a routine of sorts, whenever they landed somewhere.

She compensated for her feelings of disorientation with an unyielding orientation towards the one thing she did know--him. She would notice the slightest smirk on his face, the barest of whispers he let escape his lips, the most miniscule of eyebrow raises and ask him about them. He felt, for a while, as if she was cataloging him and all the information she could gather about him.

What she was doing, was holding on desperately to some semblance of order in her life. He had not realized how deeply upsetting the disorder was to her until one night he woke at 3 am to find her trying desperately to glue a missing tile back into the shower stall with a paste concoction she had mixed herself. They bought the house one week later and have lived there ever since.

He thought back to the wild, happy look in her eyes at the book store when she kissed his passionately after his reading. Those were looks and kisses she did not share while under public scrutiny. She seemed both scared and thrilled at the same time and Mulder didn't know what to make of it. He shifted in his seat and glanced down at his watch. It was 1:47, his morning had taken longer than expected.

He managed to get out of the signing just after 11:30 and had walked quickly back to the hotel telling Jeremy that Scully was waiting for him so they could hit the town together. He went to their room and packed their toiletries and some of his clothes into a small black backpack. He dumped Scully's bag on their freshly made bed and rummaged through her things trying to decide what she would want to bring. He picked out jeans and two sweaters, some underwear and a bra. He also noticed that, had he wanted to pack pajamas, he couldn't, she hadn't brought any for the weekend. He donned the backpack and set out using the back exit of the hotel to leave.

First, he went to his bank and took out a thousand dollars, then took a cab to Scully's and took out the same. They both had cards and access to each other's accounts and he hoped Scully had not taken out a large amount of money as well because that would pop up like a flashing red light. A few thousand dollars would keep them with funds for a while and then, when they needed it, he had another account and safety deposit box under an alias they could access.

As he exited the bank in the posh area if Chicago he thought of another way to get even more money under the radar. He walked into the Hermes store across the street and started to look at their expensive items. Scarves were 600 dollars, hair clips were 200 dollars. Mulder knew he had found the right place.

"Can I help you, sir?" the nicely dressed and coiffed woman asked.

"Yes, I'm looking for something for my wife...It's our anniversary."

"Well, we have some lovely hair clips" the woman gestured to a display cabinet.

Mulder realized that this woman was trying to help him find something inexpensive as she sized him up in his jeans and leather jacket. He was looking for the exact opposite.

"What about your scarves?" he asked looking at another display cabinet.

"They start at $600," she said looking him in the eye.

"Oh, that's not bad," he said looking at his watch and pretending to be in a hurry "Look, I've got to decide this quick, she'll be back from the spa any minute."

"Okay, would you like to look at some?"

"That would be great. Hey, do you do cash back as well? I'm taking her out for the day and my bank is across town."

"Yes, we'll match whatever the purchase is up to $2000."

"Great" said Mulder smiling.

"These are the classic Hermes design," she said gesturing to the gold scarf.

"Do you have anything in the same pattern but maybe bigger so she can wrap it around herself?" he asked.

"Well, sir we do. But...the shawls are about a thousand dollars."

"Fifteen years of putting up with me? I think the least she deserves is a shawl" he quipped.

"I'll bring some over" she smiled and seemed to realize Mulder had money to spend.

Ten minutes later Mulder exited the store with a shawl, a pendant to hold it closed and fifteen hundred dollars in cash. He walked over to Tiffany's and did the same routine, it was their fifteen year anniversary and he needed to get her a gift while she was at the spa. He bought a $3000 cultured pearl necklace and walked out of the store with another $1500 in cash in his wallet. Then he hoped on a bus and took it out of the downtown core.

Two bus transfers later he was in Melrose Park and looking for the nearest stop to Wyle E Coyote's house. He pulled the chord to indicate he wanted to get off and grabbed his backpack to make his exit. Once off the bus he looked around to see if there was anyone following him. The neighborhood was quiet and Mulder felt oddly at ease for the first time since Scully had left him.

His heart rate, although quick, no longer felt like it was going to burst from his chest as he walked up the street and toward Henry Weems' old apartment building. He remembered the case they had worked on many years ago. A young boy was in danger of dying and Henry Weems was trying to use his luck to save him. It was a very good time in their new and budding relationship. He and Scully had flirted with each other relentlessly the entire case, and made love up against the door once they were inside her hotel room. It was the first time she had told him she loved him. He knew it already, but it was really nice to hear.

Mulder rounded the corner and saw the apartment building before him. It looked like it had been re-done, it had stucco covering some of the brick and all the trim had been painted a soft cream color. But, Mulder knew this was where he was to meet Scully. He glanced around the road in front of the building and noticed there were no cars or people. He decided to approach the building from the back. He walked up the back driveway and spotted a Jeep sitting in one of the spots. He walked up to the window and saw a note sitting inconspicuously on the driver's seat. It read "Roadrunner". He looked in all the other windows and saw nothing but a backpack in the back seat. He looked around him and up at the building. There was no sign of her anywhere.

He stopped to think for a minute. What could roadrunner mean? The road runner ran down roads, he outsmarted the Coyote, he was fast. None of this information helped Mulder decide what to do. Should he just wait by the Jeep? Would a neighbor think he was some sort of peeping tom? He walked down the driveway to the other side and looked up and down it.

A car passed him and a woman walked by with a buggy. She smiled at him and started to cross the street to go to the park. At the park a few kids were running around, taking in one of the last nice fall afternoons. Then he caught it. A flash of red hair. She was struggling on the other side of a small wall near the play structure. All he could see was her back as she grabbing at something, or trying to pull herself away. The partial wall was obstructing his view but he knew, without a doubt it was Scully, and she was in trouble.

He took off in a sprint across the street and jumped like a hurdler over the small garden that surrounded the entire play structure. He ran directly to her and without thinking grabbed the back of her leather jacket and pulled her away from her assailant and placed his body between them.

"Mulder!" she yelled as he pushed her back.

Her assailant fell onto his hands and knees in front of Mulder, pulled by the force of his separation from Scully. Mulder was just about to grab him by the back of his coat when Scully pulled him back by the shoulders.

"Mulder!" she yelled again as she threw him back against the partial wall and fell beside the person wiping the sand from his face.

It was then that Mulder looked for the first time at the person he has pulled from Scully. It appeared to be a young boy and Scully knew him. She was calling him Patrick as she cooed to him and asked if he was okay.

"Scully, what the hell is going on?" he snapped unsure of what had just happened, the adrenaline was still coursing through his veins.

She ignored his question and helped the young boy get up from the sand brushing his pants as he straightened himself out. She looked up at Mulder nervously and then back down at the boy. It was the first time she had looked at him since the incident, and Mulder was sure he had done the wrong thing.

"Is he okay Scully?" he asked more gently as he shifted his feet "I thought you were in danger. All I could see was you strug..."

He stopped mid-sentence as the young boy looked up at him. He looked strikingly familiar, someone Mulder had known a long time ago, on a case possibly. He scanned his face to figure out the connection as names and pictures flew through his mind and he dismissed each and every one of them.

"Do I know you?" Mulder finally asked as he glanced furtively at Scully.

"He's...uh..." Scully started and then stammered as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm William" the little boy said as he looked straight at Mulder.

Agent Franz Lutman walked restlessly through the old farm house kicking the crap that was on the floor out of his way. The floor boards creaked beneath his heavy frame and he ran a hand through his thick, curly, brown hair as he studied the room. The bodies were gone, the forensics team had been through and all the right conclusions had been drawn. Patrick Van De Kemp was a young murderer on the loose and he was being hunted down at this very moment.

He was confident they would find the boy sniveling in the woods somewhere, cold and freaked out. He wasn't even nine yet and would have no idea how to deal with this type of crime. He would be questioned, placed in custody for his own protection, and shipped off to their facility in Kansas where he could be studied further. Franz had no doubt the boy had started to see signs that he was different but, he was sure, the young man hadn't really learned what was so special about him.

"Are you ready to go?" Agent Mallory Suharta said tersely from the entrance to the room.

"I want to take a look at his room" Franz said as he turned toward the stairs.

"They said they don't need a profile" Agent Suharta said as she leaned heavily against the door frame "I've been up for 34 hours, Franz."

"Then 10 more minutes shouldn't make a difference" he yelled from the top of the stairs.

The short black- haired agent closed her eyes for a minute and then opened them looking at the wreck of the room in front of her. The blood all over the old carpet, the blood splatter on the walls and furniture. The mid-afternoon sun was revealing the aftermath of a bloody attack. The young man had a lot of pent up anger that he unleashed last night.

She felt her eyes close heavily again and it wasn't until her body started to stumble forward that she woke from her standing sleep. As she corrected herself to prevent hitting the floor she knocked over a picture on a nearby table.

"His poor parents" she sighed as she reached to put back the family photo "they didn't even see it coming."

"They didn't even see what coming?" Franz said as he sidled up close behind her and put a hand on her waist.

"Franz" she hissed as she pulled away from him.

"No one's here Mallory" he smirked at her.

"It doesn't matter," she said, instantly forgiving him.

"You didn't answer my question. Who didn't see what coming?"

"His parents" Agent Suharta answered "he was a very angry young man. His counseling records point to a boy ready to snap but no one told his parents how fragile he really was? Why would they conceal this information? He was being treated for psychotic episodes but by all accounts of friends and family no one knew."

"Maybe his parents were embarrassed. Maybe they loved him so much they underestimated what he could do."

"Franz, this young man should have been sedated in a treatment facility not running a paper route and interacting with other kids unsupervised."

"Maybe they were hoping he'd get better."

"Is that your expert opinion?" she asked smiling at him.

"I wasn't asked to profile this one, remember?"

"Yeah, but you can't help yourself."

"How about I go tuck you in?," he said leering at her.

"That would be nice" she lazily smiled and walked out of the house ahead of him.

Agent Lutman took one last look around the living room. His instinct told him something had been missed but his mind couldn't figure it out. Everything was equating just as expected, and all parties were on board with the plan. Once they had the young boy in custody this sleepy town would forget all about this double homicide and go back to being a quaint farming community again. They just needed to get the boy.

A horn beeped from outside the house causing Agent Lutman to jump slightly. He smiled to himself thinking of how foolish it was to be so easily spooked. There was nothing to be scared of in this house anymore.

"Do I know you?" Mulder finally asked as he glanced furtively at Scully.

"He's...uh..." Scully started and then stammered as tears filled her eyes.

"I'm William" the little boy said as he looked straight at Mulder.

Mulder stumbled back several feet and put his hand to his forehead. He looked at Scully standing next to the young man, her hand protectively grasping his shoulder. He turned and walked away from them struggling with each step and turning to look at them astounded at the sight before his eyes. He paused for a minute and his thoughts shifted from happiness to disaster. He swiftly marched toward the young man and leaned into his space placing his face directly in front of his.

"Who sent you?" he yelled.

"Mulder!" Scully shouted pulling the boy against her.

"I...I..." Patrick stammered, obviously confused by his anger.

"Who sent you to screw with her head?" Mulder shouted again gesturing towards his temple.

People at the playground started to gather their belongings and exit the park quickly.

"Mulder!" Scully shouted again.

"I...I..," Patrick said as his eyes filled with tears.

"Why are they screwing with her again?" Mulder shouted even louder into the young man's face.

Scully placed herself between them drawing Patrick protectively around the back of her body.

"He is William," she said forcefully.

"He is like hell," Mulder said turning to put some distance between them again.

"Stop Mulder. Just stop," she said lifting a hand out in a halting gesture.

Scully turned to look at Patrick huddled behind her, obviously scared of the man who had been yelling at him.

"Patrick, are you okay?" she asked as she ran a hand down the side of his face.

'He doesn't believe me' the voice in her head said through muffled sobs.

"He will," she said reassuringly as she hugged him against her body "He will."

Mulder stood several feet away his heart breaking at the sight before him. They had sent a child, a child who maybe didn't even know he was part of a bigger plot, to fuck with Scully's head. She would be devastated when she learned the truth. Mulder wasn't sure if she could withstand this new horror.

"Can you sit for a couple of minutes on that bench while I talk with him?" she asked in soft tones.

"Yeah" he answered weakly.

She let him go and he walked over to a nearby bench and reached into his back pocket to pull out the comic book Scully had bought him an hour ago. He heaved himself onto the bench, slumping forward and opened the pages. Scully knew this meeting had caused him great pain and she needed to find a way to repair that. She turned and walked briskly toward Mulder, no softness in her demeanor.

"He is William," she said definitively.

"Scully," he grasped her arm and pulled her closer toward him "I don't know what is going on but that" he pointed toward Patrick "is not our son."

"He is, Mulder. I know he is," she said assuredly.

"How? Tell me how you know Scully? Because the woman I know, and the investigator I knew, would need more than a gut feeling," he said sharply.

"He..." she paused to glance at Patrick again "he...he speaks to me in my head...I don't know how, but he does."

"Aliens can do that," Mulder said as he too glanced at the young man.

"Mulder, he's not an alien. He's our son," she said looking deeply into his eyes.

'What does he say? How do you hear him in your head?" he asked shaking his head in disbelief.

"It's like a voice, his voice, which comes in clearly and drowns out all my other thoughts."

"How...how...how do you know it's him?"

"I know. I just know," she said grasping his hand "he knows songs I used to sing to him..."

"...they could have that information stored" he interrupted.

"He knows things even you don't know," she said looking down at her feet.

"Things like what?" he asked suddenly concerned for her "Scully are you okay?"

"No, not that," she said dismissing his worries about cancer "he... he...he knew about the day I found out my mother was in treatment..."

"...there are hospital records, they could have..."

"...Mulder, he didn't know why I was so sad, just that I was sad and crying and sobbing for a whole afternoon alone."

"Where was I?" Mulder looked at her searching his memories "you told me at supper that you just got a call...you seemed upset and worried but not beside yourself..."

"...you missed the afternoon show," she said as she looked up at him.

"Why...why didn't you come and get me?," he said with tears in his own eyes as he thought of her in so much pain.

"I...I...didn't want you to feel..."

"Guilty" he finished her sentence.

"How could he know that Mulder? We were still in hiding. There were no cameras on us, he would have no clue that my reaction would be like that and that...that I was alone."

"He...he..." Mulder was at a loss for words as he looked at the young man sitting on the bench engrossed in his comic.

"He's William," she said running a hand up his arm "Look, Mulder, we'll get DNA testing, we'll get it, I promise you, but...but for now, until then...you have to trust me. You have to know that he is our son."

He stood looking between the boy on the bench and the woman who stood in front of him. He wanted to grab her hand and run away, he wanted to tell her it was a trick and he wanted to save her the ache of finding out he wasn't William. But, she would never forgive him, and maybe...unknowing...he could never forgive himself.

"We'll get testing Scully," he said as he broke from his thoughts "we'll get it right away because if...if he's not who you think he is...I want you to know as soon as possible. You...you need to guard your heart until then because...because..."

"I know," she said as a tear escaped from her lashes.

She grabbed his hand and turned to walk towards Patrick but Mulder halted her journey with his feet staying firmly in place.

"Scully," he said as she turned toward him "if he really is William..." he stammered over the thought "I just fucked up big time, didn't I?"

She gave him a tight-lipped smile and tugged at his hand, motioning for them to join Patrick on the bench.

The old man paced around the extravagantly decorated private smoking room. He was visibly upset and shaking his head.

"Explain to me again, why you have not located the boy?" he snapped at the young man sitting in the chair to his left.

"We have searched the entire county and we can't find him anywhere. We've been to his friend's houses, searched barns and dilapidated buildings. No one has seen or heard from him since he got off the bus from school that day" the young man seemed exhausted with the old man's slow thought process.

"Is it possible..." the old man murmured and then shook his head "is it possible he wasn't there in the first place?"

"No, our sources had visuals of him in the house playing video games with his dad earlier in the evening. He was asleep in his room when the knife was placed on his pillow. I have confirmation that it was him in the bed."

"How do you know for sure? Children can look..."

"We have DNA evidence that he was located in the bed. Hair fibers and skin epithelial confirm it."

"The police were in the house 5 minutes after our people left. How could he have...known? How can an 8 year old boy who grew up on a farm have the mindset to not only vacate the premises, but in such a way we cannot track him?"

"We're looking into that, sir."

"No hard enough, it appears" he snapped as he reached for a cigar in an ornately carved box.

"Yes, sir" the young man groaned as he rose from his chair.

"I want people on Mulder and Scully. I want to know how many times a day he scratches his head and how often she visits the ladies room, you got that?" he growled.

"Yes, sir."

"We can't let the boy find them."

"We won't, sir."

"You won't," he said looking determinedly at the young man.

"I won't" he replied and left the room.

The old man sat in the club chair and lit his cigar. The plan had not gone as smoothly as he had hoped. He would have to inform the others of this unfortunate turn of events.

"Mulder, this is William, but he goes by the name Patrick," she said as she sat next to the young boy and placed her arm across the back of the bench behind him.

'He doesn't believe I'm William' the voice said softly in her head.

"He will," she said looking at him "we need to do some blood work though, so Mulder gets..."

'Confirmation' the voice said interrupting her.

"Yes, that's right" Scully smiled down at the top of his head.

'What if I don't want to confirm he's my dad' the voice said sadly.

"You will" she sighed, knowing that their first meeting today had taken the worst possible turn "trust me, Patrick."

'I trust you. But not him' the voice said as Patrick looked up and directly into Mulder's eyes.

"I know you think I'm being a real ass right now" Mulder sighed as looked down at the young man "but I'm only doing this to protect Scully. You may not even know you are being used. Were you talking to her in her head right now?"

"Yes. And I'm not being used. That's exactly what I'm trying to prevent from happening" Patrick spoke harshly.

"Well then, explain it to me," Mulder said as he shifted his feet.

"Explain what?" Patrick groaned and looked back at his comic book.

"How do you talk to Scully in her head?"

"I don't really know..."

"Oh, come on Patrick. You must have some concept of how..."

"...I feel her okay?"

"You what?"

"I can feel her taking up a part of my mind. When I want to talk to her I just access that part," he said tersely "I can't explain exactly how I do it, but I do. When she's close to me, like now, I can actually hear her thoughts. When she was far away it was more feelings, if that makes sense."

"So Scully is always there, lurking in a part of your brain."

"Sort of" Patrick sighed as he rolled the comic book into a tight wand.

"Do you feel anyone else in there?" Mulder asked smugly.

'I told you' the voice said to Scully.

"Patrick, answer his questions," she said calmly as she gave Mulder a stern look.

"Not really. There are others, but I can't really feel them as clearly as her. It's like I know they are there, taking up space, like old computer files, but I can't access them. Does that make sense?"

"You are doing great Patrick," Scully said as she patted his leg.

"Do you know how you can access them?"

"No, and I don't really want to."

"Why not?" Scully asked concerned.

"It's enough having you in there." He smiled up at her "I don't think I can handle managing others."

"Am I that much to deal with?" she smiled at him.

"Sort of," he said looking back at his lap.

"How so?" she asked quietly.

"I don't really want to talk about it."

"Patrick," she said shifting in her seat "I think we need to."

The young boy sighed and shifted in his seat, drawing up a dangling leg and hugging it to his chest.

"Sometimes I have accessed you over the years and found that you were very scared, or sad, or happy and I didn't know why, and there was nothing I could do about it. It really bothered me sometimes."

"When was she scared?" Mulder interrupted, his voice cracking.

"Just over a year ago she was really scared for a few days, but not scared she'd get killed or anything."

"What was I scared of?" Scully asked remembering back to the case that brought Mulder out of hiding.

"You were scared of losing everything," Patrick said as he looked up into her eyes "were you bankrupt or something?"

"No" she sighed as she looked up at Mulder "I was scared of losing everything I loved, though."

Mulder smiled down at her and shifted his eyes to the young boy.

"When was she very happy?" Mulder asked trying to gauge the young man's response.

"Last night and um, this morning" the young boy buried his head into his leg more "you were having sex, weren't you?"

Scully gasped and threw a hand across her mouth.

"How...how would you know that Patrick?" Mulder asked quickly.

"It was just a hunch."

"It was a pretty good hunch" Mulder smirked down at him.

"I get a lot of those feelings at night," Patrick said with his head still buried in his leg "it took me a few years to figure out why. Now, I know I was right."

"Patrick...I...I..." Scully began, unable to formulate words.

"Can we stop talking about this now?" he interrupted, obviously embarrassed.

"Yeah, sure," Scully said patting his back "you did very well."

'But he still doesn't believe me' the voice said to her.

"He will" she told him reassuringly.

"I know you two want to talk," he said matter-of-factly "I'll head over to the climbing wall."

"Thanks Patrick," she said patting him on the back as he rose to leave.

Scully watched him walk away from them. She was scared he would go too far. She didn't want him out of her sight for a minute. She also couldn't stop herself from constantly touching him whenever he was near. It was like she was trying to make up for years of not being close enough to hold him.

"So he's a little Karnack. Maybe he's another Gibson Praise, but it doesn't make him our son. And why is his name Patrick?" Mulder said looking after the boy.

"His adoptive parents changed his name, they liked Patrick better." she added "Mulder, look at him," she said gesturing toward the boy "he is the spitting image..."

"Made to look that way so we'd believe" he winced "Look, Scully, I want him to be William, just as much as you do, I just think the chance that he is William, is slim to none."

"How can you say that so...so callously?" she shifted to look directly at him.

"Because of Emily" he sighed "because I know what losing her did to you. I was there, remember? I picked up your broken body and spirit and put you back together after they were done fucking around with your feelings."

"I know" she sighed.

"I don't think you'd get put back together again so easily," he said as he touched her cheek "and maybe I'm just a little afraid of losing everything I love too."

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him. Emily, was a subject, like William, that they never spoke about. She remembered her daughter's death and shook with fear of going through an even greater loss.

Mulder had picked up her pieces. He ushered her from Emily's deathbed. He tucked her into a bed that night and held her while her body raked with sobs. He made the funeral arrangements she couldn't bring herself to do. He spoke with her family and explained the importance of their attendance. And finally, he took her away to his father's empty house and sat next to her on the porch in the freezing rain for hours while she stared into oblivion. He was right, if this wasn't William, she wouldn't get put back together as well as the first time.

"We need to get DNA testing," she said definitively "before we go any further with this."

"Thank you," he said as he reached for her hand.

"What now?" she asked unsure of their next move.

"I would like to know how the hell he got here but," he said glancing at his watch "I have to get back to a book reading."

"A book reading? Mulder!"

"Scully, I have a feeling that William, or Patrick, or whoever the hell he is, is here hiding, don't you?"

"Yes, we took all kinds of precautions and he seemed very nervous back in Chicago."

"Then, whoever he is hiding from might know who he really is, and, if he's William or even like Gibson Praise, people will be looking for him and they may be connecting him to us."

"You've got a point."

"So...we need to be above reproach. I'm going to my reading tonight."

"I can't leave him Mulder."

"I don't expect you to," he said squeezing her hand "but I do think you need to be at my reading tonight, if only for appearances."

"Mulder, I can't..."

"Yes you can. We'll get him set up in a nice hotel here in Melrose Park and we'll get back to him tonight. That buys us almost a day. Jeremy and I aren't leaving for our flight until supper time tomorrow. I'll tell him I'm with you and no one will know we've skipped town. In the meantime we'll run the DNA test."

"How do you propose we do that?" she asked crossing her arms in front of her.

"Do you remember Dr. Berenbaum?"

"Bambi?"

"Yeah, her."

"Well she's doing some research here at DePaul for a semester. She contacted me about the book tour and wanted to know if I could meet..."

"And when were you planning on telling me you were meeting up with Dr. Bambi?" Scully asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I was going to meet her and her husband for coffee tonight, maybe I could push it up?"

"Bambi and her husband?"

"Sure Scully, what did you think? I was stepping out?"

"No" she acquiesced "I'm just not sure why you didn't mention it."

"We were busy with other activities," he said as he rubbed her back "activities that little Karnack over there was privy to."

"He didn't say he could see anything, only that he felt when I was happy."

"Well that brings me some comfort" Mulder murmured.

"How do you think Bambi, I mean Dr. Berenbaum could help us?"

"If she could get you into a lab..."

"Okay, but can we trust her to keep this quiet?"

"I don't think Dr. Berenbaum is interested in global conspiracies, just bugs."

"Patrick!" Scully stood up and called him over.

The young man came ambling towards her but stopped short a few feet away "you want to stick me with a needle."

"I'm going to run a DNA sample today when I go back to Chicago."

"I can't go back there. I ran into a kid I knew from back home," he said panicked.

"Are your parents looking for you?" Mulder asked.

"No."

"Patrick, I can't believe that the parents of a missing 8 year old are not combing the countryside looking for him," Mulder said standing from his seat.

"They're...they're dead," Patrick said as a tear ran down his face.

"What do you mean?" Scully stepped forward.

"Did people come to your house to kill you?" Mulder asked suddenly on alert.

"No, they came there to kill my parents," Patrick said in muffled tones.

"They weren't interested in you?" Mulder asked confused.

"They...they set it up to make it look like I killed them," Patrick said with hitched breath "I got out just before the police arrived."

"Patrick, did you...did you see your parents after..."

"Yeah" he choked out and started to cry.

Scully engulfed him in her arms and pulled him tight against her "It'll be okay," she said over and over again.

In her heart she hoped she was right.

Agent Franz Lutman peered out from under the covers at the cell phone that was vibrating across the room. It sputtered across the slick table and fell to the carpeted floor with a 'thump'. A grimace moved across his face as he reached to remove the arm from over his hairy chest. He gingerly slid out of his bed and placed a pillow where his form once was to keep her company.

Franz looked down at Mallory and pushed a strand of her long jet-black hair away from her face. He looked at her beautiful features for a moment, at the luminescent brown skin on her arm as it wrapped itself comfortably over the pillow, her plump breast as it bunched up against the mattress and thought that he was a lucky man.

Agent Mallory Suharta was ten years his junior and a hundred times more beautiful than he was. She had a sleek, hard body and a bubbly personality that could light up any room she entered. Oh, she was serious enough for an FBI agent and sharp as a tack, ask anyone who had the pleasure to work a case with her. She committed herself to her work with an endearing quality that first caught his attention. She was relentless in her pursuit of a criminal and devoted herself wholly to looking at a case from every possible angle.

He ran a hand across his protruding belly, looked at the curly grey hairs as they dotted his chest and rubbed the beard on his full face and thought no one would ever believe they were sleeping together. But, smart is sexy, and Mallory definitely found him a turn on.

She was the one, in fact, that had made the first move 2 years ago, sidling up to him in their office and asking him over for dinner. They had been partners for over a year and Franz had been hiding his attraction to her for almost the same amount of time. That night, at dinner, she made her intentions clear and they hadn't looked back since. Franz always wondered if she knew he thought he wasn't good enough for her. He had never had the heart to ask, just in case she agreed and left him for one of the many young agents that had been sniffing around her.

He knew their affair would end abruptly one day when she looked at him and realized he was too old and too fat for her. Until then, Franz was thankful for each day she spent with him. He knew the minute she found someone else he would need to transfer out of the New York office. As much as he wanted to see her happy, he didn't want to see it plastered on her face every time he looked at her.

He picked up his dress pants which were scattered on the floor and pulled them on. He trudged over to pick up the phone off the floor. He recognized the number and, glancing back at Mallory decided that he would need to take this call elsewhere. He visited the bathroom, pulled a sweater out of his bag, and threw it on hastily. He wrote a quick note to Mallory and placed it on the pillow next to her. Grabbing his keys and phone he walked out the door.

Ten minutes later he was sitting in the McDonald's parking lot returning the call and sipping his coffee.

The phone rang, picked up, and silence greeted him on the other end.

"Lutman" he mumbled as he reached to undo his constraining seatbelt.

"We need you to do a profile" the voice said briskly.

"On the kid?" he asked as he took a sip of the hot liquid.

"Yes."

"For when?"

"Tonight."

"Are the orders coming through FBI channels as well?" he swallowed hard.

"Your partner will think it's business as usual."

"Thank you" he sighed.

"There's some information you need though."

"Are you sending it?"

"It'll arrive to your hotel room by courier within the hour. Straight from the Bureau."

"When will the Bureau call?"

"Agent Suharta is on the phone with them right now."

The connection ended and Franz hung up his phone. He erased the call from his memory and took a new chip out of his pocket. He replaced the old chip with the new one and, as he stepped out the car, smashed the old chip with the heel his shoe. He picked it up, tossed it in a nearby garbage and walked into the McDonald's to get an unhealthy, and very early dinner, that Mallory would complain about. He smiled thinking of her on the phone with the Bureau and decided that he'd get her a salad so she wouldn't be too upset.

"Yeah, I'm sorry he can't meet with us too," Mulder said into the phone as Scully drove through downtown Chicago.

"I'll come to your lab to pick you up, Room 457 McGowan Hall. Great. See you then" he hung up the phone.

"I told her I'd be there in 20 minutes" he turned to look at Scully.

"Good, you two go for coffee and I'll run the tests," she said nervously.

"Maybe Dr. Berenbaum can help with them?"

"It's not anything I can't do myself, it'll just take a few hours to get the results."

"What do you want me to do in the meantime?" Mulder asked as he patted her thigh.

"Maybe choose some new clothes for me to wear tonight and think of how we are going to get back to Patrick with no one any the wiser."

"Will do," he said as he turned to face her more fully "And Scully, if that young man is not our son, it doesn't make the leap of faith you took for him foolish or misguided. It makes you human. And, we will help him. That, I will promise you."

"Thanks Mulder, but I have no doubt he's William. I just think it'll be good to have the proof in our hands," she said as she determinedly faced forward.

Mulder's stomach knotted with her words. They had set up Patrick in a nice hotel in Melrose Park, got him food, a game system and rented a bunch of kid's movies through the hotel. He was on strict instructions to not leave and they would return at some point that night. Mulder knew the young man was not fond of him, he didn't have to be Karnack to figure that one out, but, he knew the boy liked Scully and he trusted Patrick would do what she asked of him.

Scully maneuvered the car into the DePaul University parking garage and found a space.

"Do you think anyone is looking for us yet?" She asked as they walked toward the elevators.

"I think," Mulder started as he grabbed her hand "that if he's William, or like Gibson, someone is going to connect him to us pretty soon and if they are in Chicago, they are looking for us. If they are not in Chicago, then they'll be here shortly."

"I was thinking the same thing," she said as they rode up in the elevator.

"We can at least be anonymous until your reading, they would never think to look for us here."

"Scully, I think, if we're lucky, we are about one step ahead of them at this point but, once we go to my reading tonight we're on equal footing."

"Yeah, but who are they?" she lowered her voice as they walked down a long white hall "the Consortium? The rebels? A new group?"

"Someone who wants Patrick contained, possibly studied." He leaned in close and answered her quietly "He would have been shipped off to a Juvie Psych ward if they thought he killed his parents. There, he could be studied and no one would be the wiser. They could hide behind the old adage 'he was a danger to himself and others' and dope him up whenever any family came to visit so he couldn't spill the beans about what was really going on."

"I see you've thought about this," she said meeting his eye.

"When it comes to you Scully, I don't stop thinking." He smiled down at her and opened the door to room 457.

"Excuse me," Scully said as she approached a lab technician making notes "we're looking for Dr. Berenbaum."

"She has her own private facility three doors down in molecular biology" he pointed across the large laboratory.

"Thanks" Mulder offered as they walked across the room that was filled with young graduate students in lab coats filling out massive amounts of paperwork as they observed bugs.

Mulder leaned forward to knock on the door when it was opened by a young woman in a lab coat. She smiled shyly at them and walked past. He held the door for Scully and they walked inside a state-of-the-art lab with Dr. Berenbaum hunched over a microscope.

"Dr. Berenbaum?" Mulder asked as they approached.

"Fox," she said as she hopped off her stool and walked toward him with her hand outstretched.

They shook hands and smiled at each other.

"Dr. Berenbaum..."

"Call me Bambi" she offered as she smiled at them.

"Bambi, you must remember my partner Dana Scully," he said gesturing toward Scully.

"Oh, yes. You look different" she smiled.

"Thank you" Scully smiled back, unsure if it was a compliment.

"You have quite the set-up Bambi. You must be doing some very important research for DePaul," Mulder said truthfully.

"I'm trying to help them with a study they are doing on the molecular cloning of Blattella Germanica."

"Cloning or cockroaches? Aren't people trying to eradicate them in New York?" Mulder laughed.

"Unfortunately, yes" Bambi scowled.

"Sorry, bad joke" Mulder apologized "how's the research coming?"

"Very well, but I sense that's not why you want to take me out for coffee. Are you joining us as Agent Scully?" she asked gesturing for them to take a seat.

"I, will have the distinct pleasure of taking you out for a coffee," Mulder postured "but we also have a favor to ask."

"Name it," she said happily.

"Scully needs to run some DNA testing and we were wondering if she could use your lab for a bit?"

"What kind of DNA testing? Doesn't the FBI have facil..."

"I'm not with the FBI anymore, Bambi" Scully interrupted "I'm a doctor working in Virginia."

"May I ask whose DNA is being tested?"

"Uh, it's confident..." Mulder started.

"Our son is in danger" Scully interrupted "and we need to help him."

She smiled at them sadly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Of course you can use my equipment."

"Thank you," Scully said as she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding "we will have to ask that you don't share our meeting and use of your facilities with anyone."

"Ahhh, all the cloak and dagger stuff again. That's why I like your book so much," she said giving Mulder a swat on the shoulder "I won't breathe a word of it, not even to my husband."

"Thanks a lot" Mulder smiled at her warmly "if you can show Scully the equipment, we can go for some coffee and cheesecake."

"We are actually really lucky. The university has several pieces of DNA testing equipment that they've made available to me." She started to walk toward a small machine "but if time is of the essence, which I sense it is...you want The Spartan. It'll give you results in 30 minutes."

"I can run a PCR for genetic fingerprints on it?"

"You can" she smiled.

Scully felt instantly relived and got to work on her samples.

One hour later Mulder returned with Dr. Berenbaum to the lab. He wanted to give Scully some time to absorb the information without an audience and pull herself together before Bambi saw her. He knew the results would show that Patrick was not their son, and he hoped that Scully had not decided to flee.

He had decided while out with Bambi that they would follow their plan and return covertly to Patrick tonight and make decisions from there. The young man, he was fairly sure, did not know he was being used against them. He was the other victim in this whole shitty situation. He thought he had found his biological parents and would be disappointed with the information from the lab.

When they walked into Dr. Berenbaum's lab they found Scully leaning over a desk. She looked over at Mulder and smiled.

"You know'" she began "you should really eat more vegetables."

"There are pickles on this, see?" he answered opening up the burger.

"You know what I mean" she smiled back "your heart..."

"Is beating just fine" he interrupted "my whole body is in perfect working order, wouldn't you say?"

She blushed across the table and popped a tomato in her mouth. They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before she broke it, she always did.

"What about choosing a salad for your side instead of french fries? They probably have more fat in them then..."

A knock came to the door. She stopped talking and rose to answer it.

"Hi , Agent Suharta, this package arrived for you" said the man in the police uniform as he stood outside their door.

"Yes." she answered and reached for it "Thank you."

He peered over her shoulder at Franz sitting at the table in the motel room eating his burger and fries and ignoring him. Mallory Suharta studied the package for a moment and then looked up at the young officer.

"If you need any other help from us, please let me, or one of the other officers know" he offered.

"We will, thank you" she smiled back and shut the door.

"You should have invited your little Romeo in" Franz said as he wiped his mouth.

"Oh, come on Franz," she said as she walked back to her seat "I saw how they were all offering to take you back to the station in their squad car" he coughed as he studied her reaction.

"Yeah, whatever" she responded nonchalantly as she worked open the seal.

Several files spilled out onto the table. Two were personnel files on Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. The others mostly had the label 'X' attached to them.

"You need all this to profile an 8 year old boy?" she asked confused.

"Apparently," he said as he reached for one of the personnel files.

"Dana Scully" he read aloud "hey, she graduated the same year as I did from the academy."

"You know her?"

Franz looked at her picture closely "No, but it was a big class."

"Huh" she smiled and looked at her own folder "it says here that Fox Mulder was a profiler, like you."

"I know his work," he said reaching to take the file from her "he was a legend in violent crimes, and then he left to head up the X-Files. There were really bizarre stories circulating about him and an abduction and being buried alive. I took all of it with a grain of salt. If they were true, that information was above my pay scale."

"Is he still with the bureau?"

"No" he paused to read some information "it says here that he was charged with murder, the charges were stayed, then dropped. He apparently helped out with an FBI profile just over a year ago. I guess he's on good terms with them now."

"Why do we need these personnel files to track this kid?" she asked reaching for Dana Scully's.

"I don't know" he murmured as he flipped pages "but their must be some connection."

"It says here Dana Scully was wanted in the jail break of Fox Mulder. It sounds like these two are an interesting pair."

"Ah ha!" Franz yelled hitting the file with his hand "the rumors were true! He was buried alive."

"What?," she said rising to look a the file over his shoulder "how is that possible?"

"Something to do with a toxin in his body. The report is unclear."

"That's some crazy shit," she said walking back to her seat.

"Yeah, now the Bureau wouldn't dig someone up because of all the overtime hours it would cost in paperwork" he laughed "they'd just let him rot."

"It says here Dana Scully took a pregnancy leave" Mallory murmured under her breath.

"Uh, huh" Franz absently answered, engrossed in his own file.

"Uh, Franz, where is the file on Patrick?" she asked looking through those scattered on the table.

"What?" he asked being pulled from his thoughts.

"The file on Patrick?" she asked.

"Over on the nightstand," he said blindly gesturing toward the bed without taking his eyes off Fox Mulder's file.

Mallory Suharta got up and walked over to grab the thin folder. Patrick Van De Kemp's birth date was listed as May 23, 2001. She took the file back to the table. Agent Dana Scully gave birth on May 23, 2001.

"I've got something," she said opening the files for Franz to see.

"What?" he asked as his eyes drifted up.

"Agent Dana Scully gave birth on the same day as Patrick Van De Kemp was born. He's adopted right?"

"Yes."

"What if her baby and Patrick were switched at birth? Or, or, Patrick is her baby? Or...something happened at the hospital that day and it affected both Patrick and her child? Maybe something related to the X-Files?"

"It is awfully coincidental they were both born on the same day..." he murmured "We need to get some birth records unsealed," he said rising from his chair toward his cell phone "if this isn't the link we need to know now, so we can start looking for another one."

"Maybe we need to pay Dana Scully a visit" Mallory said as she looked at the file "her last know address is just outside Richmond Virginia, maybe once we see her kid..."

"Hello, I need to speak with Assistant Director Morgan immediately" Franz said as Mallory looked deeper into the files.

Mulder stood off to the side not listening to a word Jeremy was saying about him. He couldn't stop thinking about William, or Patrick, as he preferred to be called. His son. The young boy who he had yelled at, pushed down, and doubted all day. The young boy who has no memory of him before today. Mulder wished silently that he could erase this day and start over again. He looked down at his hands as they shook in front of him and shoved them into his pockets.

How could he not know? How did Scully, his skeptical partner- in-life, believe while he refused to? The boy looked undeniably like him, but Mulder had assumed he had been created to be that way. He knew intimate details about Scully, but Mulder had assumed those were things implanted in his memory. He was so scared...and Mulder had done absolutely nothing to alleviate his fears, choosing to protect Scully instead. In the few hours Mulder had a chance to be a father to his son, he had been no better than his own father, something that made him quite ashamed of himself.

He looked up through glazed eyes at Scully as she stood at the back of the packed audience. She watched him intently, wavering between joining him and staying where she was. She took a step toward him and he put out his hand telling her to stop where she was. He could get through this, he had to.

He took a deep breath and looked at all the people in the audience. They had come to listen to him, to talk with him and he needed to be there for them for the next hour and a half. It was probably the last time he would be in public as Fox Mulder again, the publisher would be royally pissed. After tonight he would do everything in his power to fix what had unfolded between him and William today, even if it took him the rest of his life. He would protect his family at all costs.

"...and without further ado, Fox Mulder" Jeremy chimed and the audience clapped.

Mulder walked to the podium smiling to the crowd.

"Thank you for such a warm welcome" he looked out at everyone "I hope I live up to all those nice things Jeremy said about me."

The crowd laughed at his joke and Mulder started to introduce his novel.

"This book, my first book, 'Deceive, Inveigle and Obfuscate' was a work of love. I loved my time at the FBI and on the X-Files and I enjoyed re-living those special days in my life through my writing. My partner Murphy and I, sacrificed a lot for our investigations and, although we didn't love everything about our work," he snickered with the audience "we appreciated being on the journey together." He paused to smile up at Scully and clear his throat "The part I'm going to read for you tonight..."

"Ms. Scully?" Barbara, the store manager approached her.

"Yes?" Scully answered quietly, trying not to disturb those around her.

"I was talking with Jeremy earlier and he said you and Fox would like to go to a pub tonight, preferably one with a live band?"

"Yes, we're looking for a nice night out" she answered quietly.

"Well, there is a pub called The Fiddler that is only a few blocks away, I called them and they have a live Celtic band tonight."

"That sounds great. Is it a busy place?"

"Apparently this band is quite popular so they fill the place."

"Sounds perfect" Scully smiled at her "thank you for finding out that information for us. We don't know Chicago well."

"No problem. I've been there before and it's a very nice place."

"Would you...would you like to join us?"

"Join you?" she asked obviously happy.

"Uh, yeah, Jeremy will be there and we'd be happy to have some company, maybe there are a few others here to meet Mulder that would like to..."

"Oh heavens, yes!" Barbara said a little too loudly.

"Shhhh" someone sneered from the last row.

"Sorry" Barbara whispered "I know of quite a few of our regulars that would be thrilled to spend some time with him."

"Great" Scully smiled.

"Maybe I'll call over...explain who is coming and they'll set aside a table for us?"

"Sure."

"This is so exciting!" Barbara chirped as she left to make another call.

Scully looked back up at Mulder. She knew his mind was in overdrive and that he was struggling to get through this very public end to his public life. She had tried to comfort him when the news that Patrick was indeed their son hit him full force. He had sat down, struggled to speak, and looked at her with such a pained expression that she knew, in that moment, he had considered himself the worst person on the face of this earth. As much as she was happy to have her son back, she was equally saddened by the fact that Mulder was feeling so guilty about how he had treated Patrick. She needed to find a way to get the two men in her life on the same page. She also knew that protecting Patrick was foremost in both of their minds.

She stood and watched Mulder read a particularly lively part of his novel involving a character called Fanshawe which was based on Alex Krycek. She also watched him sign books for patrons, pose for pictures with fans, and get into detailed discussions about conspiracy theories before Jeremy interrupted and explained there were others waiting. She knew he would miss this aspect of his life and was happy he was going out with such a bang tonight. There were well over a hundred people here for his reading and many of them mingled around her discussing how charismatic and intelligent he was. She couldn't help but smile, she had discovered these things about him many years ago.

"We're going to have to wrap things up in the next few minutes, Fox has had a very busy day" Jeremy apologized to the crowd.

He walked over to Scully and stood close beside her "They love him, you know."

"I...I can see that" she answered back hastily.

"He's good looking, smart, funny, knows how to use a gun, and can spout off about any subject from love poetry to new cloning theory."

"That he can" she smiled to herself.

"We have received so many requests for copies of the second book it's sure to make the New York Times list as well."

"Really?"

"Really," he said with a smile "You and Fox will be living very comfortably off the profits from these two books alone. Never mind the other 4 he's signed on to do."

"When is he supposed to have the next one done?" she asked.

"He has until March to submit his first draft. I'm sure he'll get it in early like the other two."

"Yes" she responded as Jeremy left her side to rescue Mulder from the crowd.

"I've got a few people joining us" Barbara said as she walked up behind Scully.

"Oh, sorry, you startled me" Scully jumped.

"Sorry" Barbara apologized "Is Fox ready to go?"

"Jeremy is just rescuing him now" Scully smiled at the pair "How about we meet you there? Which direction is it?"

"Just go out this exit and walk 3 blocks to your left. It's on the corner, you can't miss it, it's called The Fiddler."

"We'll be there shortly" Scully told the woman.

She watched her walk back to a group of about 10 people and tell them Mulder and she would meet up with them. The group buttoned up their coats and walked out of the bookstore.

"How'd I do?" Mulder asked as he sidled up next to her and put his arm around her waist"You were wonderful Mulder" she smiled up at him "there's a group meeting us at a pub called The Fiddler down the street, there's a live Celtic band playing there tonight, supposed to draw quite the crowd."

"Great." He smiled and pulled her a little closer "I'm in the mood to celebrate."

Scully knew him all too well. Despite the smile on his face she could see the uncertainty behind his eyes. He was still struggling with some demons but was putting on one hell of a show for anyone that was watching them.

"Hey," she said looking at him in the eyes "You and me" she reached up to touch his cheek.

"You and me" he confirmed as he closed his eyes and softly kissed the tips of her fingers.

"Are you two ready to go?" Jeremy asked as he approached them.

"Ready when you are" Mulder turned to face him "I feel like celebrating with my girl here."

Ten minutes later they squeezed into a packed pub with very loud music and a lively audience dancing in front of them.

"We got a table" Barbara yelled over the music when they entered "It's a little tight though."

Scully looked over at the large group of people squished into a booth and smiled.

"That's okay" Scully countered "Mulder likes to dance."

"He does?" she asked quite surprised.

"Oh, yeah," Scully smiled "you should see him go when he's had a few drinks."

Barbara looked over at Fox Mulder who was leaning his whole body across the bar placing an order with the bartender. He returned with two beers and gave one to Scully.

"Slainte," he said as they clinked glasses.

They joined the group at the table and found it hard to engage in conversation over the loud music. The 'regulars' from the bookstore had about a million questions for Mulder and he was nice enough to patiently answer them despite the noise. They finished their first beers and Mulder was quick to order for them as soon as the glasses were almost empty. This continued throughout the night with Mulder and she knocking back 4 beers each before the band took a break.

During the break Mulder got into a very intense discussion with a conspiracy theorist about Area 51 and Scully found herself confirming to a bunch of women that she was indeed, Murphy. Jeremy had bought 2 rounds of shooters for the table and Scully could feel the sting of Sambuca in her throat.

The band started up again and Mulder grabbed her to dance. Scully knew this would be the hardest part of the night. She was not a recluse, but dancing in front of people while completely sober was something she always had difficulty with. Luckily, the dance floor was packed and a few others from their group joined them.

Scully had always admired the way Mulder was so free with his body, how he moved with such ease and with little care for what others thought. He gyrated his hips loosely and drank from a pint that he held in his hand. She was always thinking of what to do with her arms, how to shuffle her feet, and how to sway her head. When she danced with him holding her it was always easier, but this was not that kind of dancing. She had to admit, she did enjoy the Celtic music, and was happy they didn't have to go to some punk bar tonight. She stumbled over her feet and Mulder caught her.

"Whooa, there Scully," he said quite loudly.

"I'm fine, Muulllerr" she swayed in his arms.

She heard the snickers of those around her.

Just then a slow, breezy fiddle song started and couples paired off on the floor. Mulder placed his hand firmly on her lower back and pulled her close to him. They swayed slowly on the floor and Mulder made a show of bumping into another couple.

"Sooorryyyy" he slurred as he patted the woman on the head.

"Muulllerrr, stop" she giggled "Sorry, he's had a little too much...a little too much to drink."

"No problem" the man said as he danced his partner away from them.

"You're soooo bad" she smiled up at him as he took another swig of his beer.

"This is fun Scully, I should get you drunk more often" he whispered into her ear.

"You remember the first time we danced?" she laughed into his chest.

"Oh, that was just bad" he laughed back "but I made up for it at that Cher impersonator concert."

"I wasn't asking about that time" she looked at him with her eyes sparkling.

"You mean the time in the office?"

"You know that's what I'm talking about" she whispered in his ear.

"Isn't my behavior tonight humiliating enough without bringing that up?" he growled as he moved them forward nearly side swiping another couple.

"This just reminded me of that" she giggled as she thrust her hips ever so slightly against him.

"You mean, I had an erection then too?" he murmured low into her ear.

"Oh, boy did you ever" she laughed.

"I thought we agreed to never speak of that again?" he asked as he took another drink from his pint.

"I'm drunk Muuulllerr" she giggled "I can't be held responsible for what I...for what I say."

"Is that the excuse you're working with?." He smiled down at her.

"You...you were sooo embarrassed," she said as she stumbled backwards and brought him with her.

"I was hoping you didn't notice it."

"How could I not? That thing was practically drilling a hole through me" she giggled.

"You don't seem to mind it now," he said gyrating against her.

"Things are different now, back then..."

"Back then...I was humiliated and you...you were about 16 shades of red" he interrupted.

"I blamed it on the Spanish music."

"I blamed it on your tight skirt." He smiled back and took her hand to guide her back to the table, stumbling as he walked.

"Hey, you two" Jeremy smiled up at them from his seat.

"Jeremy," Mulder said as he plopped his empty pint glass down on the table "we're going to call it a night."

"Man, you two know how to party," Jeremy said as he got up "let me call you a cab."

"No," Mulder said as he slapped him on the back "we'll just pick one up out front."

Jeremy frowned "Okay,...if you're able to."

"Bye, everyone" Mulder called to the various people still surrounding them "See you next time we're in Chicago."

"Shhhh" Scully giggled from under his arm.

They both stumbled outside and a bouncer hailed them a cab. Within minutes they were at their hotel and muddling through the lobby. Mulder pushed both the up and down button and Scully scolded him loudly.

"Now we'll have to wait longer, and I have to P-E-E" she whined.

The walked into the elevator and slammed up against the mirrored wall with a loud laugh. Mulder pressed the buttons for all the floors and the door closed.

A woman sitting on the bench near the front entrance spoke into a microphone hidden in her collar.

"They're here and from the looks of their condition they're not going anywhere for the night. Did you say they had over 7 drinks each plus shooters?" she waited for the response "Yeah, we're not going to see their hung over asses until late tomorrow."

The elevator opened on the second floor. Mulder and Scully swiftly walked through the hall toward the second room they had booked earlier today under an alias. They shut the door and went to change their clothes.

"You think we're good?" he asked as he pulled his shirt over his head.

"I think we were perfect. Not too over-the-top to look fake but just enough giggling and stumbling to look authentic," she said as she whipped off her shoes.

"Those two shots Jeremy bought were a little strong though."

"Yeah, that and the non-alcoholic beer made me have to pee every 5 minutes," she said as she tossed her pants aside.

He changed into some blue jeans and pulled a sweater over his head. She shimmied into her cords and pulled on some boots.

"We have to get to Patrick fast. Did you see that woman in the lobby?"

Scully nodded her head in agreement as she tugged on a turtleneck.

"They're already tailing us."

Scully went to the washroom and pulled on the wig of long brown hair she had purchased earlier today. She adjusted it to look natural, went to work on her eyebrows with a brown pencil and put on some dark lipstick.

"I sent the Hermes wrap to my mother this afternoon" Scully called from the washroom.

"She'll like that," Mulder said as he joined her "I'm glad we had some time to get things ready this afternoon before they knew where we were."

Mulder stood next to her and pulled on the cap with long scraggly hair sticking out of the bottom. He too adjusted it on his forehead and pulled some of the hair around to the front.

"God Scully, you look like a Bond girl and I look like I belong on Wayne's World" he snickered.

She looked at him in the mirror and smiled "Ready?"

"Ready" he replied.

They tucked their things into a backpack and opened the window to the fire escape. Mulder surveyed the alley with his night vision goggles and nodded that it was all clear. He and Scully made their way down to the alley and to their parked SUV in the DePaul garage. They would be with Patrick soon.

The old man shuffled through the stack of papers on his desk. He signed various documents as he hunched over them for a better look. His office was large and extravagant; no penny had been spared in the choice of furniture, draperies, or accessories.

There was a knock at the door. He sighed heavily, not wanting to be interrupted in his business.

"What is it?" he snapped.

The door creaked open to reveal a gentleman in pants and a collared shirt peering around it.

"Sir, I know you told me not to disturb you..."

"But you did so anyway" the old man interrupted and scowled at him.

"A call came in for you from Mr. Hanson, should I route it to this room or ask him to call back?"

"Send it through" he groaned.

"I will" the servant replied and shut the door softly.

Within moments the phone on his desk rang loudly, disturbing the tranquility of the room.

"This better be good" the old man huffed into the phone.

"Mulder and Scully are tucked in for the night. They went out to celebrate with some fans and ended up quite intoxicated."

"Is that like them?" he old man asked as he fingered a loose thread on his sleeve.

"When working for the Bureau he had a perchance..."

"I know, I know," he cut him off "But lately?"

"Sir, we have no Intel on them lately. I know from searching their credit card bills and banking transactions they do like to purchase wine and beer regularly, but, " he paused "no more than anyone else I'd say."

"But they do drink?"

"Yes."

"So, they got drunk while she was visiting him for the weekend."

"Yes sir."

"Have you located the boy?"

"We have Lutman profiling him right now."

"Does he know about Mulder and Scully?"

"We sent him the files, I'm sure he'll make the connection."

"Is that it?" the old man grunted impatiently.

"Yes, sir that's..."

The old man hung up his phone with a loud bang before Hanson could finish his goodbye.

He sat back in his chair and looked intently at his top desk drawer. Pulling himself up and groaning, he reached into the drawer and took out an old tattered black and white picture of him and William Mulder standing proudly with their arms around each other, a science lab behind them. He was so young in that picture, so innocent. The old man shook his head and sighed. He rubbed some dust off the surface of the picture and replaced it back in the drawer. He hunched forward and continued his paperwork.

"Franz" Mallory called from across the room "I just got an e-mail from records in Georgia. It has Dana Scully's baby's birth registration attached."

Franz got up from the chair he was sitting in and walked over to the bed where Mallory was hunched over her laptop. He stood next to her and peered over her shoulder as the attached document was slowly and painfully revealed.

"Name of mother: Dana Katherine Scully" Mallory read aloud "Name of father: Fox William Mulder, Name of baby: William John Mulder."

"So they were more than just partners" Franz said as he rubbed Mallory's shoulder.

"Yeah, partners who didn't know how to use birth control" Mallory shrugged off his hand.

"What, you think it was unplanned?"

"They weren't married and from the information I've gathered she was pretty conservative. She was raised Catholic, wasn't one to sleep around, and the last thing I expected was that she would fool around with her partner."

"Weren't you raised Muslim?" Franz queried, already knowing the answer.

"That's different" she snapped.

"How so?" he asked, interested in her response.

"First of all, I wouldn't get pregnant and secondly if I did..." she let the sentence die.

The room was silent for a moment.

Franz cleared his throat. "So she got knocked up by her partner and then broke him out of jail so they could raise the child together? One happy family?"

"Our Intel on her life since before breaking Mulder out and after she re-surfaced has no child listed."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean from what I can gather he just disappeared."

"Sounds like an X-file" he scoffed "So, what happened to the kid?"

"That's what I'd like to know. I'm going to do some more searching. Have you got Patrick's adoption file unsealed yet?"

"I'm waiting for it" Franz said as he walked away "there's an old lady I woke up in the records department who had to be shown how to use a scanner."

"Great."

"Oh, it looks like she figured it out," he said as he sat down to open the e-mail.

"And?"

"And it was a private adoption. Mother's and father's name are missing from the document. The baby's name is listed as just Baby boy, his birth date is May 23, 2001...he was just over 10 months old when he was adopted."

"Gee, I'm glad she learned to use the scanner, it gave us so much to work with" Mallory sighed.

"There's a contact name listed at the bottom, but the scan seems incomplete, I can't read it."

He took out his phone and started to dial numbers.

Franz held a phone to his ear "Let's hope Trudy is still in the office."

"Franz?" Mallory wanted to know what was so interesting.

"Hi Trudy, it's Franz Lutman with the Bureau calling to bug you again" he laughed and continued "I need the contact name off the bottom of the adoption record you sent me. The scan didn't come out clear."

He listened intently to her talking.

"Oh, there's a page two? Let me scroll down...yes, I found it, sorry to bug you Trudy, you can go home now" he clicked his phone off.

"Well?" Mallory asked, obviously interested.

"On page two, the signature of a Walter Skinner listed as guardian of the child."

"Walter Skinner with the Bureau? He was their supervisor for most of their time on the X-Files."

"It's a little too coincidental that Dana Scully's son disappears and then Walter Skinner is signing over a baby boy born on the same day, to the Van De Kemps."

"So she put her son up for adoption?"

"It appears that Patrick is indeed the son of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. We'd need DNA to prove it. Either that or a testimony from Walter Skinner."

"That means whoever sent us these files at the Bureau knew this."

"Yes."

"Why wouldn't they just tell us this and save us all this time searching?" Mallory asked confused.

"I'd like to know that myself" Franz answered.

"Franz there's something about this boy that's not sitting right with me."

"I agree. Why would two competent adults give up their son so randomly?"

"Fox Mulder did disappear soon after the baby was born. Maybe they were going to meet up, disappear together, pretend to adopt their son out only to assure his safety. Maybe the Van De Kemps were part of the plan. Maybe something happened that prevented their plan from working."

"You think they were that suspicious of the government? I mean, I know they worked on the X-Files but..."

"From everything I've read about the two of them, he didn't trust the government he worked for and she eventually started to agree with him."

"If there was a plan to meet up with Patrick, and the Van De Kemps were part of it, I wonder if they told him who his biological parents were?"

"Maybe that's why he killed them. It's an awfully big secret to learn."

"Yes, that must be why he killed them" Franz answered, knowing that wasn't the truth "I'm going to get a location on Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. I want a car to check out their house and make sure they are tucked in for the night."

He picked up his phone to dial when Mallory's phone started to ring. She flipped it open and looked at the name.

"It's Hanson, he's going to be wondering where your profile is."

"Tell him, if he told us Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were Patrick's biological parents he could have saved us a hell of a lot of trouble. No wait...I'll tell him myself," he said as he got up and walked toward her phone.

Mallory answered her phone quickly "Hi, Robert" she smiled into the phone listening to the person on the other side "we're working on it, but no, it isn't done yet" she responded.

Franz stood in front of her, gesturing for her to hand him the phone.

"We'll work through the night and have it to you and the sheriff by the time everyone gets their morning coffee."

She listened some more and Franz reached to grab the phone from her but she turned away.

"Thanks Robert. We'll talk to you in the morning," she said as she shut off her phone.

"Mallory, why didn't you let me..."

"Ruin your career?" she interrupted him He starred at her blankly.

"Robert Hanson is an up-and-comer. Everyone loves him at the top, which is why he gets supervisory status on all the plumb cases. One day that young shit is going to be your boss and you want to be on his good side."

"He has a good side?" Franz sneered.

"Get back to work," she slapped him on the arm "don't make a liar out of me."

"I'm going to run out for coffee. I need some fresh air to clear my head. You want anything else?"

"No, I'm good" she smiled up at him.

Franz grabbed his cell, keys, and his wallet and exited their room. He didn't like being made a liar either.

Fox Mulder stopped abruptly outside the hotel room door, unable to move. Dana Scully bumped into the back of him with a thump.

"Mulder?" she questioned unsure of why his forward motion halted.

"I just need a second" he muttered under his breath.

She rounded in front of him and took his two hands in hers "You are his father Mulder. It was not a good start with Patrick, but it will get better. You are going to be a wonderful dad."

Mulder scoffed at her remark and looked blankly behind her at the wall.

"Hey," she said calling his eyes to meet hers "would I have a baby with just anyone?" she smiled at him.

"I know you are trying to make me feel better, you were trying all the way here."

"And apparently it's not working" she huffed.

"Not really" he answered honestly.

She looked down at her shoes. Then suddenly, she straightened her back, took in a deep breath, and looked at him purposefully.

"How about this?," she said decisively "You are the only father that little boy has, so you better just get over yourself, and be there for him."

He looked down at her face, at the tears welling in her eyes, and knew that was probably the harshest thing she had ever said to him, and it killed her to do it.

He drew in a deep breath "You and me," he said with a cracked voice.

Her face softened, she was glad he understood.

"You and me" she answered back.

She turned to unlock the door.

Agent Franz Lutman entered the hotel room with two steaming cups of coffee and a cinnamon bun for each of them. He knew that Mallory, as much as she went on about healthy eating, had a weakness for cinnamon buns and he needed give his brain a 5 minute break.

"That was quick," she said quietly as he crossed the room.

"There's a coffee shop right around the corner. The whole time I had been exiting left from the parking lot, but today I exited right and Voila!," he said with enthusiasm.

"You seem in a better mood. You got this kid figured out?"

"I have some ideas" he teased "But first I have a cinnamon bun for you."

He dramatically pulled the bun from the package and showed it to her.

"You know my weakness" she smiled as she hopped off the bed lunging for it.

"Sit for a minute" he motioned "I need to get my mind off the case for a second."

"Okay," she said as she sat at the table "What do you want to talk about?"

"Seen any good movies?" he asked.

"Franz, you know the last time I went to see a movie was somewhere around 2004. Next topic."

"Tell me about growing up, you don't talk about that a lot."

"What, so you can add to your profile of me? No thank you."

"Who says I have a profile of you?" he asked feigning hurt.

"You can't help yourself" she smiled back at him.

"Okay, you choose the subject," he said taking a bite of his bun.

"Well..." she started "I know you went to Cornell and got your Masters at Harvard, but you talk about how you grew up so poor, was that all just BS to make you more intriguing?"

"Was the Cornell, Harvard part bullshit?"

"Not that, and you know it."

"Ohhhh, the poor part?" he asked raising an eyebrow "No, that was completely true. You know, my mother came to the US from Austria with me and my two older sisters when I was just 4 years old. My dad was dead and she worked as a cleaning lady just to make ends meet, but I've told you all this already."

"Okay, how about something I don't know" she smiled and rubbed his arm.

He smiled back at her "Something you don't know...okay, when people say they didn't have a pot to piss in..."

"Yes" she encouraged.

"Well, we literally pissed in a pot because my mom couldn't afford our water most of the year so it kept getting shut off."

"You lived like that?" she asked "You've never said..."

"Yeah, we did." He smiled "we didn't have any money but it was a good childhood. We went to school, we played in the streets, I had lots of friends..."

"Things got better? I remember you talking about going to the movies a lot as a teenager."

"When my sisters and I started working it did. We paid our bills, we could buy more food, and I worked a whole year delivering fish so I could buy my mom a used TV. We could only get the local stations because we couldn't afford cable" he laughed "but, it was good. And...we snuck into the movies most of the time, but don't tell my boss."

She laughed "So I guess it was scholarships?"

"Yeah, I went to school on scholarships, luckily my sisters and I were smart, we all had school paid for one way or another."

"Must be nice," she said and Franz raised an eyebrow "Oh, not to be poor," she corrected "but to not owe anyone anything. My parents remind me every time I go home how much they sacrificed for me to go to school. So, my mother didn't go to the spas as much, and my father drove a Volvo in stead of a BMW. Some sacrifice! It's like, if I disappoint them in any way, that's money down the drain. Money they could have spent on themself instead."

"Yeah, it's nice not to owe anyone" Franz lowered his face to cover the lie.

"I know you're mom's retired down in Texas, and Anna is still in New York, but I didn't know you had another sister."

"She died," he said with his head still lowered.

"I'm sorry Franz. You've never said," she said putting a hand on his knee.

"It was a long time ago" he muttered under his breath.

"I can see you miss her" Mallory offered.

"Everyday" he answered straightening up to look at her "but that's not going to help us profile this boy. Let's get back to work."

He rose from his chair to throw out their garbage. Mallory watched him linger over the garbage pail for just a moment too long. She knew he was switching his thoughts over from the personal, to the job at hand.

She understood this man so well, and strangely, she loved him, but didn't feel she could share that with him. He was her opposite and he complimented her in every way. But she knew it could never work out, and, even though her mind kept telling her to stop the affair, she found herself unexplainably crawling into his bed quite regularly and thinking about his well-being. He was a complicated man, and Mallory knew that those complications would be what would eventually drive them apart.

"Pass me his Psych Reports," he said as he walked back toward her.

Dana Scully and Fox Mulder stood just inside their hotel room and took in the sight in front of them. Patrick lay curled up and passed out at the foot of the queen size bed. One shoe had fallen to the floor. The TV droned in front of him on the cartoon network and a bag of chips lay strewn on the floor, apparently knocked from the bed. Their son was passed out and ignorant of their entrance into the room. His face was peaceful, his body was relaxed. He was an eight year old boy who, at 1 am, was lost to his dream world.

Scully crossed the floor to turn off the TV when Mulder grabbed her hand.

"Don't" he whispered looking at her "the silence might startle him."

Scully nodded, knowing that he was an expert at falling asleep in front of the TV as well, and would know better than anyone else what would startle Patrick out of his slumber.

"Patrick" she whispered as she leaned in front of his face "It's us, we're back."

The young man groaned and rolled his head away from Scully. She looked at Mulder as if to ask 'what do we do?'.

"Get his stuff together" Mulder whispered to her as he stood guard over the young man, worried he may roll off the end of the bed suddenly.

He watched Scully gather his backpack and comic books and nod in his direction that all was ready to go. Mulder reached down and tucked his arms around the young boy and lifted him up into his embrace. The boy was light and wiry so he was no burden to bear. He snuggled into Mulder's and murmured "dad" when he tucked himself against Mulder's chest.

Mulder's heart stopped for a moment and his gut lurched when he realized the boy had thought he was his dad, his dad who was now dead. The dad he really loved. He shook his head and walked forward out of the hotel room and to their SUV protectively carrying Patrick. Scully climbed in the back and Mulder lay Patrick down so his head was on her lap. They covered Patrick with a blanket Scully had snatched from the hotel and, once Mulder was sure they were comfortable, he climbed behind the steering wheel. Patrick had slept through the entire transfer and it astounded Mulder that, although this young man obviously had amazing abilities, and had traveled halfway across the country to reach Scully, he was still just an eight year old boy. Mulder turned and glanced at his precious cargo. Scully was running her fingers through Patrick's light brown hair and smiling down at him. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.

He drove though the night stopping only for gas once in the middle of nowhere Ohio and by morning they found themselves in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania. Patrick slept through the entire trip and just after they had stopped in Ohio Scully had nodded off as well with her face pressed against the back window. Mulder pulled into the Beaver Falls Motel and checked them into a double room. He pulled the truck outside of their door and turned to wake up his passengers.

"Scully" he whispered "Scully" he whispered a little louder.

"She's really tired" Patrick groaned from his place on her lap.

"Patrick" Mulder nervously grinned at him "I didn't realize you were awake."

"I woke up when you went inside to get us a room," he said as he rose from his spot.

"You were out for the whole night" Mulder smiled back at him "how do you feel?"

"Hungry," he said as he rubbed his eyes.

"I...uh, we can fix that right away. What do you like for breakfast?"

Patrick paused and sighed. He looked at Mulder and assessed him.

"So I take it you got the results of the tests and that's why you're being so nice to me?," he said unflinching.

"Patrick...it was just that..." Mulder stammered over his words "I was trying to protect your mother. I'm so sorry that I didn't believe you. I really am," he said sincerely.

"Why are you so worried about protecting her?" he asked leaning back against his seat "you always have kids appear claiming to be yours?"

Mulder paused for a minute, wondering if he should tell Patrick the truth. He decided there would be no more secrets in their family, such as it was.

"There was one other girl..." Mulder started and lowered his head "Emily."

"What do you mean, you have another kid?" Patrick asked worried.

"No, Scully did" he sighed "it was a long time ago, she wasn't like you though, she was very sick and she died. Your mother went through a lot with Emily in a very short period of time, and she didn't know about Emily until she was dying. I was scared what it would do to her again if you weren't William, or if you were like Emily."

"Oh" he whispered from the back seat.

"Look Patrick," Mulder said turning to face him better "the things I said to you...the way I treated you...it is still inexcusable. You deserve better than that...you deserve better than me..."

Patrick looked a the man before him. The man who was obviously struggling with his actions, struggling with his place in his life. Patrick still didn't like him, but one thing he did know was this man loved his mother, and she loved him.

"You love her" he blurted out.

"I do." Mulder smiled to himself "And I know it's hard to believe after everything that's happened, but I love you too."

Patrick lowered his eyes and starred at his hands which were clasped on his lap. He didn't know what to say to him. Maybe he did love him, but Patrick didn't feel that he had shown him much love lately.

"Can I...can I call you Mulder, too?" Patrick mumbled.

"Yeah, you can call me that" Mulder smiled from the front seat.

"'Good" Patrick nodded to himself.

Silence fell over the truck.

"So," Mulder smirked "should we wake her up or just bring her breakfast?"

Patrick wanted to wake her up. He didn't want to be alone, in awkward conversation with this man who was his father, but, he also wanted his mother to get some sleep.

"We should let her sleep" he mumbled.

"I agree" Mulder smiled "There's a pancake house down the road. Do up your seatbelt and we should be there in 5 minutes."

Patrick covered Scully with the blanket that had been over him and within minutes he was seated at a table across from his biological father, waiting for pancakes to arrive. Patrick starred out the window at the passing cars, at all the people going to work. The restaurant was fairly empty except for a few people sitting in a booth near the entrance.

"So, Patrick, what do you like to do in your spare time?"

"I uh, like comic books. I really like the transformer ones." He smiled "I also like to play video games, me and my dad..." he drifted off.

"Do you want to talk about your dad or not? It's up to you" Mulder said as he reached across the table and placed his hand an inch from Patrick's, unsure if his touch would be welcome.

"I don't want to talk about that night" he mumbled, obviously shaken.

"Okay, that's fine," Mulder said in his calmest voice "what did you and your dad like to do?"

"We...we had a video game challenge on nights when I didn't have a lot of homework. But I usually had a lot of homework."

"You get homework at your age?" Mulder asked astounded.

"Lots of it." Patrick groaned "it's all this state testing stuff my mother complained about."

"Oh" Mulder smiled down at him "what else do you like to do?"

"I play little league and I have a paper route, but my mom said it's more her route."

"Why's that?" Mulder chuckled.

"Because she had to drive me around for it."

Mulder chuckled again, "So I guess she's right."

"Was right" Patrick corrected him.

"Yeah...was right," Mulder said glumly.

Patrick's eyes welled up with tears and he turned to look out the window and avoid Mulder.

"Patrick" he started and leaned in "when all this is over, I promise you we'll have a memorial so you can say a proper goodbye to your parents, is that okay?"

"That would be nice" he turned smiled back at Mulder as the words strained from his throat.

"We'll find out what happened to them." Mulder nodded assuringly "We'll get through this, and I promise that I'll keep you and Scully safe. I promise you that, Patrick."

"Thank you" the little boy choked out.

Mulder moved his hand the last inch and placed it over Patrick's. The young boy didn't move away.

Their pancakes arrived and Patrick, instead of pouring his maple syrup, looked toward the SUV.

"What is it?" Mulder asked him startled.

"She's awake." He smiled.

"Good to know" Mulder looked around "Waitress!"

A few minutes later Scully walked into the pancake house straightening her clothes and running her hands through her hair. When she spotted Mulder and Patrick sitting at a booth by the window she was visibly relieved. She pointed to the ladies room and disappeared. Patrick and Mulder dug into their food each hoping the other would hold off conversation until Scully returned.

"Good morning," Scully said as she reached their table and sat next to Patrick "how do you feel Patrick?"

"Good, you have a comfortable lap to sleep on" he joked as he shoved some pancake in his mouth.

Scully and Mulder smiled at him.

"For the lady" the waitress said as she placed Scully's poached eggs and coffee in front of her.

"Thank you," Scully said surprised as she looked up confused at Mulder.

"Patrick told me when you woke up, so I ordered for you." He smiled back at her over his coffee.

"How convenient is that," Scully said looking at Patrick "are you always this tuned into me when we're close to each other?"

"Yeah, pretty much.." He smiled up at her "but when I watch TV or play video games, or...or when I'm asleep I get nothing."

"Okay," Scully said a little overwhelmed.

"So what have you two been up to?" Scully asked while she cut into her eggs.

"I've been asking Patrick about himself," Mulder said.

"That's good" she smiled "he likes video games almost as much as you do, Mulder."

"You like video games?" Patrick asked excited for the first time this morning.

"I do" Mulder smiled at him, glad to share something in common with his son.

"Maybe you two should do a challenge..." Scully's voice tapered off when she noticed Mulder stiffen and Patrick cower.

Mulder cleared his throat and Scully looked at him confused.

"So, Patrick, do you want to ask us anything?" he asked attempting to change the subject.

Patrick sat silent for a minute. Scully and Mulder exchanged concerned looks across the table. She placed a hand on Patrick's leg to re-assure him that they would wait until he was ready to continue.

"So do...do you two live in Chicago?" he murmured.

"No" Mulder smiled, happy Patrick was talking again "we live in Virginia. Scully was just joining me on the Chicago leg of my book tour."

"And you're not married?" he asked looking at their bare hands.

"No, we're not" Scully answered.

"But you live together?"

"Yes, we do." Mulder answered "we have a little house in the country."

"Oh," Patrick said, taking in all the information "So... I was a mistake?" Patrick asked with his head lowered.

Mulder and Scully exchanged looks across the table. Her eyes were asking Mulder how much they should reveal. Mulder nodded 'yes' and she knew, Patrick should know how he came to be.

"You weren't a mistake Patrick" Scully smiled at him and patted his leg "we had tried a year before I was pregnant with you to have a baby through in-vitro fertilization, do you know what that is?"

"Is that the test tube babies?" he asked.

"Sort of" Mulder responded "but, it didn't work."

"So you wanted a baby?" Patrick asked looking at Scully.

"Yes, I really did" she nodded "but we didn't get pregnant and we thought that we couldn't after that. But then one day I found out I was pregnant with you" she smiled.

"But, you didn't try to have me?"

"We didn't think there was any way I could get pregnant. You were a wonderful surprise and the greatest of gifts" she smiled at him with tears in her eyes.

"Were you happy she was having me?" Patrick asked Mulder pointedly.

"I was." He smiled "your mother was the most beautiful pregnant woman I had ever seen. And you...you were a perfect baby."

"So why didn't you take responsibility for me?"

"Huh?" Mulder asked confused.

"My mom said that when a man gets woman pregnant and they are not married, he should take responsibility for the baby and marry her."

"Oh" Mulder understood "well, I did ask your mother but..."

Patrick looked at Scully and then turned confused to look at Mulder again "she says you didn't ask her to marry you."

Mulder looked across the table at a shocked Scully.

"Patrick" she gasped.

"Well, you thought that."

"We...we...I did ask you," Mulder said confused, looking at her.

Scully looked at him across the table and shook her head 'no'.

"I did" he stammered again "that...that morning."

They exchanged looks across the table and Mulder realized that Scully didn't know what he was talking about.

"That morning," Mulder said with inflection, not wanting to reveal details.

"There is a morning everyday Mulder, which one do you think you proposed on?"

"We had just woken up" Mulder tried to gloss over the details about it being the first time they had had sex since he returned from the dead "I asked if marriage was important to you."

Scully's eyes widened with the realization of which morning he was talking about. She remembered it clearly, she was lying on her back and he had pushed up her shirt so he could place his head on her bare belly and listen to the baby. They had made sweet and awkward love the night prior. She was happy to have him back in her bed, warming her, touching her. As he lay with his ear pressed up against their child he had asked about marriage.

"You did ask that" she conceded.

"Thank you," Mulder said as he reached to eat some more.

Patrick smiled at the man sitting across the table from him. The image of him laying with his head pressed up against Scully's belly trying to listen to him inside the womb softened Patrick's opinion of him. He didn't know if his mother realized she had revealed this image to him, but he was glad she had.

"But you didn't want to marry him?" Patrick asked confused.

"I...it's not that I didn't" she stammered "it's just that at the time marriage wasn't important to me, you were."

"But you two never got married? And you've been together since before me?"

"No, we haven't got married. Maybe I should ask again, and hope you remember?" Mulder joked.

"No, I'm good" she smiled back "Sorry about that."

Mulder cleared his throat and smiled at her.

"To answer your question, we've known each other a very long time" Mulder smiled.

"How'd you meet?" he asked through a mouthful of juice.

"We...uh...we both worked for the FBI" Scully stammered.

"The FBI, really?," Patrick said a little too loudly.

"Shhh" Scully cautioned.

"Sorry" he apologized "Is that why you keep thinking about people at the Bureau?"

"Yes" she answered "we're going to get some of them to help us."

"Did you carry guns and catch bad guys?"

"Yes, we did" Mulder snickered "and your mom was a really great shot."

Scully winced and thought of how Mulder knew quite well how good a shot she was.

"You shot him?" Patrick asked confused.

"For his own protection" Scully answered quickly, knowing Patrick had caught that thought.

"I'll show you the scar when we get to our room" Mulder offered.

"Cool."

Mulder yawned and stretched his arms. It had been a long night for him.

"We should get back, so you can sleep" Scully offered as she craned her neck to find their waitress.

"Well, I am about to take a nose dive into my pancakes" Mulder smiled.

Patrick chuckled. He was starting to like his father more each minute.

Scully rose to pay their bill and Mulder sat across from Patrick trying to keep his eyes from closing.

"Mulder?" Patrick asked shyly.

"Yes?" he murmured.

"Once you get some sleep, do you wanna play some video games with me later?"

Mulder's eyes had closed and Patrick thought maybe he was asleep sitting up, until he saw a smile sneak across his features.

"I'd love that William" he murmured.

"I would too" the boy said as he looked at his father's features as they softened and sleep took him.

"Yes, sir" Mallory agreed as she sipped her 5th cup of coffee.

"We think they should be picked up for their own safety. Franz is convinced Patrick will try and harm them."

She listened intently for a few moments.

"Yes, the sheriff has the profile as well. They are acting on it. Have you located Dana Scully and Fox Mulder yet?"

She nodded her head again. "Book tour?" she asked confused.

"We'll be on the first flight to Chicago. You have agents on their house?" she asked and waited for his reply "Authorities and bus terminals have his photo?" she nodded as she hung up the phone.

Mallory Suharta walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next Franz who was lying down with his hand covering his eyes.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as she ran a hand down his arm.

"Like shit." He smiled beneath his hand.

"I'll call the airport and see when the next flight is. With any luck we can sleep for a couple of hours first."

"Why are we going to Chicago?" he asked through a scratchy voice "The kid's going to Virginia, if he makes it there."

"The reason they weren't at home last night when you sent a car to check on them, is because he's on a book tour promoting his book about working for the FBI."

"That's him?" Franz laughed "I had heard someone was, but I hadn't paid attention to who."

"Apparently she got on a flight and has been in Chicago with him for a few days."

"Well, at least we know where they are" he chuckled "I take it we're going to Chicago to see if they have any insight into the child or contact with him and his family?"

She nodded that he was correct "We've got 2 agents on their hotel and there's no sign of the boy, I'm sure he doesn't know they're in Chicago but, better safe than sorry. Should I tell them to alert Mr. Mulder and Ms. Scully or should it wait until we get there?"

"What time is it there?" he groaned.

"Almost 9am" Mallory said as she reached for her phone.

"Is he scheduled to do anything for the book this morning?"

"No, according to his publisher it's a free day and they catch a flight at suppertime tonight to New York. Ms. Scully is scheduled to return home at that same time."

"Let them sleep in. God knows someone should be sleeping. If they start to move, get the agents to intercept them and explain the threat."

"Get some rest," she said softly "I'll book the flight and call the Chicago field office."

She got up to call the airport and arranged a flight for 10:30 am. Mallory called the field office and gave them Franz's instructions as well. She walked over to the bed, pulled off her shoes, set the alarm clock, and stripped down to her bra and panties. Mallory climbed into the other side of the bed and flung a blanket over Franz who was passed out and snoring on his side. Her eyes closed as her head hit the pillow.

Dr. Charles Burks sat down at his computer to check his e-mail, it had become a weekend ritual for the aging scientist. He liked having the lab all to himself, he liked the quiet that came in these rare moments when he was usually surrounded by enthusiastic students.

He always picked up a chai latte and a pecan tart on his way into work He knew that it wasn't helping his waistline to eat this way but, since Frieda had died, he hadn't cared much about his waistline. He then shuffled through his e-mails, mostly from grad students begging to be part of his latest project, and got sticky fingers all over his keyboard. All in all, it was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning, especially after he had been away at a conference on Friday. He was sure there was double the mail to catch up on.

He took a tentative sip of his latte and typed in his password. Chuck choked on his mouthful of foamy liquid when he read the title of the second last e-mail. It read 'Your subscription to Celebrity Skin has Expired. Renew Now!' . Chuck looked over his shoulder to make sure he was alone before he clicked the e-mail open. He didn't have a subscription to Celebrity Skin, but Chuck knew exactly what this e-mail meant. He printed off a copy, sent it to the trash bin with a bunch of other junk mail, and emptied the trash bin on his computer. He folded the paper neatly and shoved it in his pocket. He went about checking the rest of his e-mail.

Later that morning Chuck walked to the cemetery next to the university campus and sat next to his wife's grave. He unfolded a paper he had stored in his wallet and pulled out his cell phone.

"John Doggett" the voice on the other end said briskly.

"Agent Doggett, it's Chuck Burks," he said nervously.

"Dr. Burks, what can I do for you?"

"Remember last time we spoke you wanted to set something up for your students?"

There was a noticeable pause at the other end "Yes, yes I do," he said.

"Well, I have some free time this afternoon if you want to get together for lunch and figure out our schedules. I've also got some really cool sound images..."

"Uhhhh...I'm at Quantico right now. I can't do lunch unless you come to me" Doggett apologized.

"I needed to visit my mother-in-law anyways" Chuck tried to sound upset "I can meet you there."

"Great, how about that greasy spoon, the one you like?"

"I can be there for 12:30" Chuck said glancing at his watch.

"That's great Dr. Burks. Hopefully we can work something out, and bring those sound images, I want an idea of what your presenting before you show it to my impressionable class."

Chuck laughed at his last comment and hung up his phone. He went over and caressed the top of his wife's tombstone and turned to leave. He could make it to Quantico in about an hour.

Scully had been hesitant to leave Patrick alone with Mulder softly snoring on one of the double beds. She had to go out and buy a few things and realized that a sleeping Mulder was still more effective at protecting Patrick than half the male population. She had been out and back within the hour finding Patrick entranced with the children's movie Nim's Island when she returned. She had died and cut her hair and his. She now had a very short crop and he had hair so short it looked like a buzz cut. She knew from experience that in just a week Mulder would be wearing a full beard and she felt confident they didn't look much like their former selves.

'We are now the dark brown family' she thought as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"It looks nice on you," Patrick said from behind her as she scowled in the mirror.

"Thank you" she smiled back at him in the reflection.

Silence fell over them for a moment and Scully was unsure how to start up a conversation they had began earlier.

"Patrick" she started hesitantly "back when I was cutting your hair you started to tell me about that night...I need to hear the rest."

He matched her serious expression and took a seat on the covered toilet. "We left off after the video game challenge right?"

"That's right."

"So my mom put me to bed and kissed me good night" he started hesitantly "and then a while later, I wish I'd thought to look at the clock, I heard a 'bang' like something falling over."

"Go on" Scully encouraged as she crouched in front of him and placed a hand on his knee.

"I heard all these thoughts flowing through my brain, so fast I couldn't make sense of them, I don't know what they were or who they were coming from but I was so freaked out by it I couldn't move."

She nodded for him to continue hen he was ready.

"Then I heard someone walking down the hallway toward my room. The thoughts got louder and flowed quicker the closer the person got to me and I couldn't even move a finger, it was like I was paralyzed or something," he said taking deep breaths and re-living the moment.

"Patrick" she interrupted "remember you're here with me, and you're safe," she said as she patted his leg.

"I know" he nodded and paused to relax "and then I felt something move on my pillow, I felt my pillow bear some weight, and then I knew someone was standing over me, looking at me."

"Oh Patrick" she sighed, obviously upset by her son's terror.

"Then the person walked away and the thoughts got quieter and less fast until they just stopped," he said looking at her "it was then that I could move again and when I turned my head I saw a knife covered with blood lying on my pillow."

Scully reached up and cupped his cheek with her hand.

"I grabbed at it, scared someone was still holding it, but then, when I realized no one was there I dropped it and blood splashed on my pillow. I went to my mom and dad's room but they weren't there. I was really worried and I ran downstairs."

"Patrick" she inhaled quickly "if this is too difficult right now..."

"No," he said surely "I need to tell you, so you understand, so you know what they did to my mom and dad."

"Okay" she sighed and moved a bit closer.

"My mom was lying on the carpet near the couch," he said escaping back to the scene in his mind "She had all these lines all over her back. Then I realized the lines were stab marks and she was bleeding all over the floor. I went to her and touched her cheek, but when I did that, I realized there was no breath coming from her. She was dead. Then I looked over at my dad and he was lying near the TV and there were lines all over him. His eyes were still open..." Patrick drifted off as he started to cry.

Scully leaned forward and hugged him to her chest. He cried for a while and she wished the whole time that she could bear this burden for him. That she hurt instead of him. Patrick said muffled things into her hair and Scully wasn't sure what he was trying to tell her.

"What is it, Patrick?"

"I didn't go check him" he cried as the snot ran down his face "what if he was still...and I didn't check him."

"Oh, sweetie, if he had those lines all over him there was no way he was alive" she reassured him "you couldn't have done anything for your dad."

"I hope that's true" he sobbed loudly.

"I know it is. I know it is" she repeated to him as she rocked him back and forth"How...how did you know to leave?"

"I've read a lot of mystery books and the guy found with the weapon is usually locked away" he murmured amid tears"That, and the fact that I knew those thoughts I heard in my head were not from a good person. I don't know how I knew... maybe it's because it felt different from your thoughts."

"How so?"

"I know this sounds strange," he said as he wiped his nose on his sleeve "but your thoughts come with colors like pink and orange and teal blue."

"That sounds nice" Scully smiled at him.

"Those thoughts, that night, they came with black."

"Oh, that is different" she agreed.

"So I did what everyone in my stories does, I grabbed the stash of money my dad keeps in his sock drawer and a few personal things and I took off. I could hear the sirens when I was leaving my house." He paused again "How did they know to come?" he asked.

"I don't know Patrick" she answered "but that is one thing we need to find out."

"Okay." He smiled at her through bloodshot eyes and a red face.

"I'm so sorry you had to..."

"I know you are" he interrupted her.

"What did you bring with you?" she asked hoping to focus him on a better subject.

Patrick rose from his seat and went into the other room, and to his backpack.

"Oh, Patrick" she started "you don't have to..."

"I want to," he said as he sniffled.

"These are my parents," he said proudly as he passed the picture to Scully.

She studied the picture for a moment, "they look like really nice people. People who loved you" she smiled as she offered back the picture.

"They were great." He smiled "my mom told me everyday that she loved me. Corny, huh?"

"No, Patrick, nice" she smiled at him through teary eyes.

"And dad...dad didn't really say it, but he hugged me a lot, and always listened to me when I was talking, he really listened."

"That reminds me of my dad," Scully said meeting his eyes.

"I also brought this," he said pulling out his raggedy teddy bear "I know it's for babies but..."

"It's nice to have an old friend with you when you're all alone" she smiled and squeezed the bear.

"Yeah, something like that." He smiled to himself.

"And I brought this book," he said bringing out a copy from his backpack "it's really heavy, and I should have left it at home but it's my favorite."

Scully looked down at the copy of 'Moby Dick' she held in her hands. It was the same book she had sent with William's things when he was adopted. She had written a quotation from Saint Augustine inside the cover. She caught her breath and looked at him with tears running down her face.

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe," she said to him through tears.

"That's what it says on the inside...how do you know that?"

"I wrote it" she stammered "I...I gave you this book."

"My mom said she got it at a garage sale."

"It was...with your things when you left" she caressed the inside cover of the book where her handwriting was "you like it?"

"It's my favorite." He smiled at her and placed his hand over hers, over the words she had left him with "Thank you."

"You're welcome" she sniffled.

They heard an audible groan from the bed outside the washroom.

"I think the monster has awoken" she chuckled at Patrick trying to lighten the mood.

"You go ahead. I'm gonna take a bath." He smiled as he removed his hand from hers.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"I'm okay" he answered truthfully.

Scully rose and shut the door softly behind her. She looked over at Mulder as he lay on the bed and rubbed his eyes.

"Feel better?" she smiled at him as she crossed the room.

"Where's Patrick?" he asked as he sat up and looked around.

"Running a bath" she smiled as she sat next to him.

"You've been crying," he said as he cupped her cheek.

"Good crying" she smiled at him.

"I haven't known you to do much 'good crying' over the years" he noted.

She lifted up the book to show him "I packed this with him when I gave him up" she explained as Mulder thumbed the book open.

"You wrote this," he said pointing to the quotation, and knowing her so well.

"I did" she smiled "and it was one of only a few things he thought to bring with him when he left his house. It's his favorite book, Mulder" she sobbed.

He hugged her against him "Shhh" he whispered into her hair. Her newly short, brown, hair he noted.

"Mulder," she said into his shoulder after a few minutes had passed "about earlier..."

"What?" he asked.

"I hope you don't think that I...I took your suggestion of getting married as a forgettable act."

He laughed at her "Scully." He smiled.

"It's not that I was rejecting you..." she started "it's just that I was so worried..."

"Shhh" he hushed her with a finger over her lips "Scully, that afternoon you said the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, it was much better than 'yes'."

She smiled at the remembrance "I said that the only people that mattered to me were in this bed."

"That you did." He smiled back at her "and, in the end, that response was much better than any 'I do' in front of a preacher."

"So you didn't feel rejected?" she asked for clarification, this conversation had been waiting almost 9 years and she wanted to make sure everything was on the table.

"Exactly the opposite." He grinned at her "I married you that day Scully, in that bed. I didn't need a ring or a ceremony. I had you."

"And I had you," she said as she leaned in for a kiss.

She kissed him passionately as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body leaned into his and he moaned against her.

"Whoa there," he said, suddenly pulling her off him "Patrick, knows your thoughts."

"I forgot" she giggled very uncharacteristically, knowing her thoughts had bordered on the smutty.

He smiled at her. She was buoyant, almost floating off the bed. She had her son back, and as dire as the situation was, on the run from god knows who, she was the happiest he had seen her since William was born. He felt unbelievably fortunate to see her this way again.

Franz Lutman stood in front of the security clearance at the Jackson Hole Airport. He had tried to steam his suit while he showered but it had come out of the washroom looking almost just as rumpled. He watched Mallory as she applied lipstick using her compact and wondered if she felt as disheveled as he did. She certainly looked neater. They wouldn't get into Chicago until almost 8pm and Franz wanted Dana Scully and Fox Mulder there when he arrived.

"All boarding Delta Flight 470 to Chicago at Gate 14" the overhead voice rang out.

He realized that the call needed to be placed now or he'd be in an argument with a flight attendant in 10 minutes. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed.

"This is Lutman," he said tersely "go in and get them. There's been a delay and we won't be there until 8pm. Tell them about Patrick and sit on them until we get there."

He nodded as he listened to the other person in Chicago.

"Listen, he escaped from a military prison and she helped. Cuff them if you need to, and don't take your eyes off them."

He clamped his phone shut and turned it off.

"Ready?," he said to Mallory who stood in front of him.

"At least we can sleep more on the plane. Was that Hanson?"

"No, the guys keeping an eye on Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. Their romantic escape will be coming to an end any minute."

"Well," she said shutting off her phone as well "I just got a text from Hanson a few minutes ago, no signs of the kid yet in Virginia."

"He's going to them, I know it" Franz mumbled.

"Well, he thinks he is, at least" she smiled back "he'll be in for a rude awakening in Virginia."

"Come on" Franz said lifting her bag "let's settle in. This is going to be a long flight."

Charles Burks sat uneasily in the booth he occupied at the Lick, Shoot and Suck bar. The greasy diner John Doggett had referred to was code for the local biker bar. At least, that was what Chuck hoped.

He knew John Doggett used the word greasy for a reason because Chuck Burk's last presentation to his class had involved the term "greaser" and it' new connotations in the biker world. He was going to give John the chance to be 10 minutes late and then he was getting out of here and looking for a real greasy spoon.

As he eyed the long legged spider as it made its way across his table, a light shone through the front door and in that light was the shadow of one John Doggett. Chuck Burk let out the breath he was holding and a nervous laugh escaped from his lips.

"Chuck" Doggett said as he grasped his hand in a firm shake.

"John" Chuck said extremely relieved.

"You found exactly what I was looking for" John smiled as he sat down.

"What can I get you?" a big burly guy asked as he leaned over the bar.

"I'll have a Bud" John said and then he looked toward his tablemate "Chuck?"

"The same" Chuck smiled at the burly fellow.

"So how are you doing?" John asked trying to make small talk.

"I'm good" Chuck smiled "it's not the same without Frieda... but...the grad students keep me busy."

"I'm sure everyone at the lab misses her as well" John smiled down at his hands.

"She was my number one" Chuck said making a Star Trek joke that fell flat on Doggett.

"Sure" Doggett said, not sure what that meant.

The burly fellow pushed their beers across the counter. John rose to get them and dropped some money on the bar.

"Thanks," he said as he turned to go back to their table.

Chuck eyed a cockroach that made its way across the window sill next to him.

John sat across from Chuck and raised his glass "Cheers."

"Uh," Chuck stammered "I wouldn't drink that...this place" he leaned in closer "is very unsanitary."

"I don't think the cockroaches are in the beer line" John smiled and took a swig.

Chuck looked into his glass and sat back against his seat, leaving it untouched.

"So..." John began "you have some sound images."

"Right here" Chuck said digging out some papers from his pocket.

John Doggett looked at the top sheet while Chuck explained the image to him. He nodded his head and asked a few questions.

Chuck then drew his attention to the next page which, although it didn't have a sound image on it, he explained in great detail. The second page was a letter from Mulder and Scully disguised as a Celebrity Skin subscription expiry notice. Doggett was honestly surprised by what he saw.

This whole contact system had been devised years ago when Mulder and Scully had gone on the run. Once they were out of hiding he had never expected to use it. He was wrong. They were in trouble and from the name on the letter he gathered they were waiting for him in Beaver Falls. He also realized they wanted him to contact Skinner for information, information about William. Something, he gathered was time-sensitive. Doggett wondered if they were putting out feelers to see about getting him back after all these years but didn't want to alert anyone to his whereabouts.

"So why would this be beneficial for my students?" Doggett asked pointing to the paper.

"Everyone can learn the subtleties of sound, Agent Doggett, and with all the iPods out there, we need to get to their ears before they're destroyed" Chuck smiled up at him.

"Okay" Doggett smiled back "you've sold me. When are you free?"

"I can see your students" Chuck said pulling out his day planner "Tuesday or Thursday two weeks form now."

"That should work with me" Doggett nodded "they'll be just done an anti-terrorism unit and the sound imaging will come in handy after that."

"We're set then" Chuck smiled over at him, happy his part of the chain was over with.

That afternoon Mulder had been looking at Scully waiting for her to bring up the subject he knew they needed to discuss with Patrick, but she, kept avoiding it. They had asked him about school, growing up, his friends, his interests, and Patrick had been more than obliging to fill them in. He and Mulder were playing a video game for about an hour when Scully finally asked if they could turn it off after the last round.

"You've been thinking of a way to talk to me about it all afternoon."

"I...we have" she smiled back at him as he took a seat on the bed and faced her.

"You know I have been listening to you off and on, so I know what's coming." He smiled back at her.

"What do you know?" Mulder asked leaning over his knees on his chair.

"I know she doesn't want to scare me and she's worried you will," he said looking at Mulder.

"How would I scare you?" Mulder asked, already knowing the answer.

"She doesn't want you to go into all the details about the aliens," he said honestly.

"So where do you want us to start Patrick?"

"Why don't you start with why I'm special."

"Well..." she hesitated looking at Mulder.

"You are special because both your mother and I have had experiences that have possibly changed our genetic make-up. I was exposed to a black oil that was alien in origin, your mother was abducted and subjected to some experiments..."

"But I'm fine" she interrupted as he laid a hand on his knee.

"Okay." He smiled nervously at her.

"They took things from me...things that make babies and...well, that's why we thought we couldn't have one."

"But what we think really changed things was your mom's exposure to an alien craft," Mulder said excitedly "it had an energy that we think, allowed her to have you, despite what had been done to her earlier."

'Where is this craft?" he asked, interested.

"It's gone, Patrick" she sighed "like most of the evidence we find, it mysteriously disappears."

"So besides giving you a chance to have a baby, what does this have to do with my..."

"You could move things as a baby" she interrupted "objects...you could move objects across a room and make your mobile turn with your thoughts."

Patrick suddenly got an image of something floating above him as he lay in his crib.

"Oh," he said, looking down at his hands and suddenly interested in his fingernails.

"Somehow people knew this about you even before you were born, which is how you came to be in danger the first time."

Patrick had an image of his mother yelling and screaming for a group of people to not take her baby. There was another woman there helping her and many others just watching, and waiting.

"There were lots of people there when I was born."

"I still don't know why they didn't take you," she said raising his chin to look at her "I was very glad they didn't."

"Where were you?" Patrick asked turning his eyes to look at Mulder.

He suddenly had an image of Mulder rushing through a doorway and falling to his knees next to his mother asking her if she was okay. He saw him kiss her forehead, push sweaty hair away from her face, and pull her close to him. He saw him move a blanket to look at the tiny child she clutched to her body and he heard his mom tell him he had a son. He saw the other woman yelling at the door and waving for them to come. He saw Mulder pick up his mom and him and carry them outside into the night, to a brightly lit helicopter.

"I was..." Mulder started.

"I know," Patrick said looking at his mother.

"Then when you were a little older someone abducted you, and someone who used to work with us injected you with some 'treatment'" she sighed "Everyone was relentless about you Patrick, we needed to keep you safe, we needed to keep your abilities hidden."

"Besides talking to Scully in her head, what else can you do, Patrick?" Mulder asked, interested.

"The only time I've been sick was when I was really upset. I haven't ever had a cold or anything like that," he said.

"Okay, what about broken bones?" Scully asked.

"Nope." He smiled "but my dad said he was surprised I hadn't broken anything after all the accidents I've had."

"What kinds of accidents?" Mulder inquired.

"Well, I've fallen off the top bunk at my cousin's house, and I was in a car accident with my mom a couple of years ago. She had a broken hip, and collar bone and bruises everywhere and I had nothing. Stuff like that," he said casually.

"So you've never been hurt" Scully murmured.

"Nope."

"Can you still move things with your mind?" Mulder asked.

"If I could I would have won that last game" he chuckled.

"Have you ever tried to move an object with your mind?" Mulder asked.

"Of course I have. Don't all kids do that?." He smiled.

"And...did it work?"

"No, sorry."

"Patrick" Scully started gently "were you able to hear the thoughts of your other parents?"

"No," he said truthfully "I kinda knew when they were in a bad mood, or when they were mad at each other, but I don't think that makes me special."

"It makes you there son," Mulder said gently.

"Anything else?" he asked obviously impatient with their questions.

"Nope, that's it for now," Mulder said cutting off the conversation that was not complete.

"I'm sick of being stuck inside," Patrick said "can I go out to play?"

"How about I take you to a park and..."

"Mulder" Scully interrupted "I don't think it's safe."

"Scully, he can't stay holed up in a motel room forever."

"Well, he'll need to until we can get to someplace safe" she looked at Patrick "it's for everyone's good."

"How about I toss a ball around with him behind the motel? I don't think the five other guests at this fine establishment will mind."

"I really don't..."

"Please?" Patrick asked with his hands in prayer position.

"I just think..." she started and then stopped as she looked at her son and the father who desperately wanted to connect with him "Okay, 30 minutes, behind the motel, and no noise."

"Thanks" they both said quickly as they rose to get their shoes on.

"Uh, Scully, do we have a ball?" Mulder asked suddenly realizing there was a flaw in the plan.

"I've got one," Patrick said producing it from his bag.

"We'll have to get some gloves," Mulder said as he caught to ball Patrick tossed to him.

"Maybe when I go into town Monday," Scully said as she reached for 'Moby Dick'.

"You're not going to join us?" Mulder asked.

"I'm going to enjoy having the room to myself for 30 minutes," she said positioning herself on the bed.

Mulder walked over to her and gave her a soft kiss "Thanks."

"Go play with your son" she smiled back at him.

"Mulder, are you ready?" Patrick asked as he placed a hand on the door handle.

"Let's go," Mulder said as he mussed Patrick's hair and walked outside.

The door closed and Scully cracked open the book.

After a quick beer with Chuck and a call to a collogue at Quantico, John was on the road and headed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He was surprised he made it there so quickly, and was happy his lead foot did not draw any attention on the I-76. What should have taken five hours took four, his desperation to see why they were contacting him this way, overwhelmed his need for personal safety.

It had been five months since he last saw them, a month since he last spoke with her. Six years in hiding had put a lot of distance between them and their conversations were stilted and filled with pregnant pauses. It reminded him a bit of the early stages of their partnership when she was just starting to trust him.

He was happy to have them, well really her, back in his life again, even in a small capacity. She had changed over the years, softened, and he liked the transformation. He was glad to see her passionate about medicine and content in her life with Mulder. He was also pleased that after the fiasco of a case that brought them out of hiding, Mulder had not involved himself with the FBI any further. John wasn't sure if Mulder had lost his passion for the chase, or if Dana had given him an ultimatum. Whatever the case, John was satisfied she was alive and safe.

He pulled into the small town of Beaver Falls and parked close to the post office. A few people were milling about in the late afternoon, rushing in and out of stores that, like in all small towns, would close at 6pm. John was sure no one had followed him here, so he did not hesitate to park close to the meeting location. He looked around and did not spot either of them. If they didn't meet up today he'd have to get a motel room for the night and meet them tomorrow.

John got out of his car and walked toward the local coffee shop, needing to top up his caffeine before he got back in the car. As he moved toward the shop a familiar figure quickly crossed the street and ducked into a pharmacy. She had short brown hair now, but he could recognize her petite form anywhere. Without drawing attention to himself John pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and pretended to smack at the list and look around for the pharmacy. He headed toward the small shop hoping she was not getting medical supplies for a damaged Mulder.

The bells on the shop door rang as he entered. There was an elderly lady getting a bottle of medication explained to her at the pharmacy counter, two young girls were trying on make-up, and a young boy, who was supposed to be stocking shelves, was leering at them. The shop was small and probably hadn't changed much since the 60's; many small towns had pharmacies like this one. He saw her at the bottom of an aisle scanning some shelves as she bent down to take a closer look. John rounded the corner and stood behind her.

"Excuse me, ma'am" he started softly.

She jumped at the sound of his voice and frightened, turned to the source. When she saw it was him, her eyes softened, a smile crept over her face, and then her cheeks reddened.

"My wife sent me here, and I'm not good at picking out these sorts of things," he said gesturing to the row of maxi pads and tampons in front of them.

"Oh," Dana smiled facing away from him "well, these," she said picking up a package of maxi pads "will probably be okay until she can get to the store herself."

He took the package from her and smiled "Thanks, this is a really...awkward situation to be in."

"Yes, yes, it is" Dana smiled as she looked at her feet.

"You have a good day ma'am." He smiled and left for the checkout with his package of maxi pads.

She waited a few minutes after he exited the store and picked up some tampons, a package of chocolate bars and some gum for Patrick, paid and left the store herself.

He sat in his car waiting to see what her next move would be. He expected she would jump in her car and lead him back to where she and Mulder were staying. She did just that. Getting into a Jeep she pulled out of her spot and started to drive down a lonely stretch of forested road to, he suspected, some crappy motel.

When she veered off the road and drove down an old deserted lumber trail John started to get anxious. If they were this far off the beaten path, he wondered what kind of trouble they were in. She suddenly stopped her SUV, got out, and walked toward his car. He got out as well and went to meet her between the two vehicles.

"Thank you for coming, John," she said as he approached her "we didn't expect you until Monday or Tuesday."

"Chuck is in the lab on Saturdays too." He smiled as he reached her.

She hugged him warmly "well then, I guess I should be grateful for my emergency visit to the pharmacy."

"From what I know of those emergencies, there is little to be grateful for" he laughed as she released him.

She smiled up at him and then seemed to be suddenly lost for words.

"So what are we doing here Dana?" he asked looking right at her.

She smiled and shook her head "that is a very complicated question."

"Start at the beginning," he said softly "is Mulder with you?"

"He's back at the motel" she answered quickly "he...he was on his book tour and I met up with him in Chicago."

John nodded for her to continue.

"But, while I was watching him answer some questions at a reading, a very familiar song started to play inside my head."

John looked down at her not knowing what to say, but imploring her with his eyes to continue.

"I walked toward it and it got louder and louder until it led me to this young boy" she stopped speaking and looked up at him.

"Dana, who is the boy?"

"He's...he's William" she gasped through tears.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and held her firmly "Dana, how do you know?"

"I just did" she answered looking up at him "but if you're asking did we test..."

"That's exactly what I'm asking," he said harshly.

"We had DNA analysis done. It's him, John, it's really him."

He pulled her toward him in a fierce hug patting her hair and softly calming her while she cried.

"You're the first person we've told," she said, muffled.

He pulled her away from him. Hating the break in contact, but needing to look her in the eye "Dana, you are sure?" he asked.

She nodded her head "yes."

He gasped and ran a hand through his hair, looking around at their surroundings.

"How is he?" he asked with a choked voice, trying to keep his teary eyes from releasing themselves "he has special abilities?"

"He's...he's great" she laughed,.

"That's good, that's good" he laughed back "Dana, I'm soo happy for you," he paused "for you, and Mulder."

"Thank you" she smiled back at him, knowing this was hard. He didn't get his son back.

"So why all the cloak and dagger?" he asked.

She took in a deep breath "his adoptive parents are dead and they set it up to make it look like William murdered them."

"You want me to clear this up, while you stay out of the way?" he asked eager to help.

"We need you to find out some information for us, we want to know why they set him up. Can you reach Skinner and see if he knows what's going on?"

"Sure, I can do that. Do you...do you need anything else?"

"We have to switch cars, but we don't want to steal one."

"Do you want me to get you a car?" he asked.

"Can we take yours until we get to one Mulder has in storage down south?"

"No problem." He smiled.

"Why don't you...come back to the motel? You are probably exhausted and...do you want to see him?" she asked with a smile.

"I would...I would." He smiled back "lead the way" he gestured toward her SUV.

"Thanks again" she smiled warmly at him.

"Anytime," he said as he turned to walk toward his car.

They drove for less than 5 minutes before Dana turned into a motel parking lot and drove around to the back area. He saw Mulder tossing a ball back and forth with a young boy. He looked about 8. He was tall for his age and he seemed quite relaxed until he noticed John's fleet sedan round the corner after her SUV. He stopped for a second, looked toward his mother and smiled at her, a flash or recognition and something else.

John parked his car next to Dana's and exited his vehicle.

"John" Mulder yelled as he walked toward the man "you're here already?"

Scully walked over to William and placed an arm around his shoulder, guiding him toward John. The boy looked at him and smiled.

"Patrick , this is..."

"Your old partner" Patrick interrupted.

"Yes" she smiled down at him "did you read that?"

"No, I remember him" Patrick revealed as Mulder joined the group.

"You remember John Doggett?" he asked a little stunned.

"You were at our house a lot." He smiled at the man "you played with me."

"I did" John smiled warmly at him.

Mulder shuffled his feet and put out his hand "Thanks for coming to help, John."

"No problem." He smiled at Patrick as he shook Mulder's hand "it's nice to see you again."

"You too," Patrick said softly.

"So, Patrick?"

"It's...uh, what his adoptive parents named him" Scully answered.

"Nice name," he said touching the boy's arm.

"How about we move inside," Scully said wearily looking around.

"Don't forget this" John said handing her the pharmacy bag with the maxi pads.

"Thanks," Scully said softly as she took the bag from him.

"Where did you two meet up?" Mulder asked as he opened the door.

"It was an accident, actually. I was going for a coffee and I spotted Dana going into the pharmacy. She helped me pick out something my wife needed" he laughed.

"You have a wife now?" Patrick asked.

"No, Patrick I don't. It was just a lie to cover up the fact that your mother and I knew each other."

"Oh," Patrick said as he sat on a bed.

Scully excused herself to the washroom while John and Mulder took seats at the table.

"So, your mom says you were framed?" John said leaning toward Patrick.

"The crime scene was made to look like Patrick did it. The murder weapon was placed on his pillow" Mulder interrupted.

"Patrick, do you have any idea why someone would do this?"

"No," he said honestly.

"Were your parents in any sort of trouble?"

Patrick laughed "My mom ran the church ladies club and my dad only had a beer when he watched football. They weren't trouble makers."

"They sound like nice people, Patrick. Did you have a good childhood?"

"It was lots of fun." He smiled at John, relaxed in his company.

"Did anything weird or strange happen lately, anything that stands out at all?"

"Oh...they came to do some testing at my school a month ago. They tested me and were supposed to come back and test this grade 7 girl but they never came back. I remember the teachers were a little mad about that."

"What kind of test?" Mulder interrupted.

"Just a lot of word and math questions. They said I was gifted, I thought it meant I got a present."

Both Mulder and John chuckled.

"You should get one," Mulder said as he awkwardly mussed his hair.

"Who was the person that tested you?"

"A doctor...something. I didn't really pay a lot of attention to him. He was about your age," he said gesturing to Mulder "he seemed nice."

"You don't remember anything more about him, or where he came from? Did your parents have to sign a permission form?"

"I remember he showed my teacher the signed form but I don't remember ever bringing it home from school for my parents to sign. Maybe my doctor gave it to my mom?"

"Maybe" John said looking at Mulder.

Scully exited the washroom and walked toward the huddled group.

"Anything?" she asked.

"I'd like to look into this testing and see if Skinner can grab the crime scene photos and information. I can be back to DC by midnight," he said looking at his watch.

"John, I don't think you should be driving back right away," she said resting a hand on his shoulder "you need to eat and rest."

"Well, I won't argue with the eating." He smiled up at her "but I need to get to Skinner before this gets closed and I can't get any access to it."

"I'll go and get us a pizza," Mulder said rising from his chair and walking across the room.

"Mulder, I can go," she said walking toward him.

"No, John and Patrick need to catch up," he said looking over at the two of them in a discussion.

"I don't know if there is much to catch up on," she said softly.

"Patrick remembers him, Scully. John was there when I wasn't. He deserves this time with him," he said seriously, as his heart constricted in his chest.

"Mulder..." she sighed.

"It's okay Scully," he said leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek.

He grabbed his coat and was out the door in one swift movement.

Scully turned to look at the two of them laughing next to the bed. John had spent a lot of time with William all those months ago. She was glad for him William remembered, but she also knew that it broke Mulder's heart.

After some delicious pizza and quick packing, Mulder and Scully were headed south with Patrick in John Doggett's car and John was on his way to the Akron airport in their Jeep. He would pay for two weeks parking and no one would spot the truck until the time expired. He would catch the 8:20 flight back to DC and be there by midnight. He would call Skinner when he got to Akron and hope that the information they needed could be assembled by the time he arrived.

He ran the SUV through a car wash and interior clean before he parked it and dumped the keys down a sewer drain as he walked into the airport. He dialed a number he hadn't called in a while.

"Hello?" the voice asked nicely on the other end.

John could hear music playing in the background and people chatting.

"Walter!," he said happily "it's John, John Doggett."

"John" Skinner said quite surprised "can you hold for just a second?"

"Sure" John said.

He heard Skinner excuse himself from wherever he was and walk to a quieter area.

"I'm back," he said quickly.

"Remember how we said we'd get together for that beer?" John said, playing the role.

"Yes, I've been meaning to call you to set up a time."

"I was supposed to call you at the end of the week, but I got tied up with this murder."

"I understand...it's.it's part of the job" Skinner looked around to coat room where he was standing.

"So I was thinking maybe we could get together tonight, I may need to head out to Wyoming to visit my aunt. She's not doing so well, she keeps thinking she's seeing things on the farm."

"I'm sorry to hear she's not doing so well."

"It's dementia I'm sure. I keep telling her it's just foxes and chipmunks."

"Uh, when do you want to meet? I'm out at dinner right now."

"Oh" John said "I didn't mean to spoil your evening."

"Dinah will understand" Skinner said without apology.

"How about 1am? The usual. I don't want to cut your night short with Dinah."

"I'll be there" Skinner said, and then turned off his phone.

John Doggett grabbed his coffee and paper and slumped in the uncomfortable airport chair. His flight would be boarding soon and he was both tired and surprisingly awake at the same time.

Mallory Suharta listened as Franz ripped into the two agents sent to watch Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. They were not found in their room and there was no sign of them anywhere. The team was not sure how long they had been missing. She and Franz had been unaware of this development the entire flight to Chicago. It was the agent who met them at the gate that informed them things had gone sour. The last visual anyone had on them was a stumbling pair going to their room just after the clock rolled past midnight.

She took in their room. It looked like that of two people away for a weekend, except for the fact that there were no toiletries. They had missed their flights and his tour manager Jeremy Fenwick had also not seen either of them since last night. He had left them alone for the day and was surprised to not find them when he went to collect Mulder for their flight. He was even more surprised when he was cornered and questioned by the FBI.

It was too coincidental that they were missing and Patrick was on the run. He must have got to them, but it was obvious from the shape of the room he had not harmed them here. They were two trained FBI agents so they could not be over-powered by an 8 year old boy. Mallory was just considering the possibility that Patrick lured then away when Franz interrupted her thoughts.

"Not one fucking thing to go on" he shook his head "except that she rented a Jeep yesterday with her credit card."

"Have you..." she started.

"Already done" he interrupted "if they are on a highway in the next 3 states patrol will know."

"Good," she said fingering a glass of water left at the side of the bed.

"Do you think he lured them?" she asked as she starred into the liquid.

"I think he wants to get his anger out and they are great targets" Franz admitted "I also think that the draw of their long lost son would get them to do pretty much anything."

"I guess you still love them, even if you give them up," she said distantly.

"If he's got them to meet him somewhere...he's a lot smarter than my profile give him credit for...and maybe a lot more dangerous."

"We need to find them" Mallory said definitively.

"Preferably before he does" Franz said as he walked from the room "we've wasted enough time here."

Mallory looked around the hotel room and thought that Patrick may just kill off all his parents in just a few short days. She wondered where that would leave the boy. Franz's profile said he had probably engaged in self-mutilation. She wondered after committing these horrifying acts they would find one last body.

Scully was navigating the traffic through Columbus at 9:30 pm when she heard a familiar snore come from the backseat. She checked her rearview mirror to see Patrick attempting to squirm away from Mulder who was starting to lean across the backseat.

"I take it he didn't like the movie?" Scully said from the front seat.

"I keep trying to lean him against the window but he keeps toppling over onto my side," Patrick said as he again propped up Mulder.

"How long has he been out for?" Scully asked.

"About half way through the movie he started to doze. But he's just started to snore."

"I guess Spy Kids is not his thing?"

"Judging by his snore, I'd say no."

"Do you want me to wake him and get him to come into the front?" she asked.

"Can we stop soon? I have to use the bathroom?"

"Sure Patrick" she smiled "I'll look for an exit."

"Thanks." He smiled back and then paused to look at her "you think he's trying too hard."

"What?" she asked as she changed lanes.

"Mulder, you think that he should just be himself instead of trying to impress me."

"I guess I do think that" Scully sighed, a little perturbed her thoughts are readable.

"It's because of John, isn't it?"

She didn't answer him immediately. Choosing to keep her focus on the road and the exit she was taking. She maneuvered the car through a set of lights and pulled into a McDonald's parking lot. She parked right in front and killed the engine. Scully undid her seatbelt and turned to face Patrick more fully.

"You...you just seemed so much more...relaxed with him."

"I am," Patrick said honestly "I knew him from before. I don't know Mulder."

"I know" she murmured "but I do. And, he's desperate."

"For what?" Patrick asked, eyeing the man across the seat.

"For your love, Patrick." She smiled at him "Look, I know that you just met him and it wasn't an ideal..."

"You're right about that" he interrupted.

Scully grimaced at the ache in his voice. The pain of an eight year old boy who has been disappointed.

"But...he made you, just as much as I did. He sacrificed for you, just as I did. He mourned your loss, just like me. Patrick, you couldn't possibly..." her words trailed off and she turned to look out the window with wet eyes.

Then he got a picture in his head. His mom, walking down some stairs in her bathrobe. It's late at night, and there is a light from a TV casting shadows onto a couch. He sees Mulder laying on the couch as she saw him. His face is red and it looks like he's been crying. He's holding a photo to his chest. She doesn't turn it over, because she knows what picture it'll be. The picture of Mulder holding William, looking down at his sweet face as he grabs at a foot. A smile plastered on his face from ear to ear. The only moment caught on film to prove he was once a father, once held his son, once was that happy. She bends down beside him and runs her hand along his wet cheek, wiping away the tears. His eyes open, they are glazed and he is lost for a moment. He looks at her, and realizes the scene she has found. He, embarrassed, rises quickly, pockets the picture and looks beyond her, out the window. She turns to switch off the TV and, in the dark of that room, kisses him deeply. She wraps her arms around him and tries to inhale his sorrow, make it her own, take it away from him, so she never has to find him like this again. She knows, in her heart, there will be other days.

"He did miss me" Patrick says matter-of-factly.

She turns to look at him. Knowing he has just seen into her memory, happy he shared that with her. She smiles tight-lipped at him and nods her head.

He waits a moment and takes in the information. Patrick turns to look at the man sleeping nearby, pressed up against the window. His face soft and relaxed in the parking lot lights. A small smile crosses over Patrick's features.

"I'll be right back" he says as he opens the door.

She watches as he walks into the well-lit restaurant and ducks into the washroom.

"Mulder" she says nicely, not taking her eyes off the interior of the fast food restaurant "wake up."

He stirs but does not revive. He merely shifts position.

"Mulder" she says louder.

"Huh? What?" he shakes himself quickly from sleep "Where's William?"

"Patrick" she reminds him of the proper name "is inside, using the washroom."

"Where are we?" he asks squinting against the bright lights.

"Columbus," she said stretching her arms to the ceiling.

"Want me to drive for a bit?" he asks leaning forward to be closer to her.

"No, I'm good" she says as she wraps her hand around the side of his head.

"I guess I nodded off near the end of the movie," he said rubbing his eyes.

"More like the middle" she smiled at him.

He grinned back "How long has he been in there?"

"2 minutes" she answered quickly.

"I wanted to watch the movie with him, and have something more to talk about. But I guess I fucked up."

"Mulder, you have to just relax," she said patting the side of his head "it's only been..."

"I'm trying too hard?" he interrupted her with the pointed question.

She nodded her head in agreement.

"He's just so good with you, and with John Doggett, I guess..." he drifted off.

"He will be good with you too. Not because you play baseball with him or watch movies on a portable DVD player, but because you're...you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but it's just hard..."

"I know." She agrees "I know how much you want this," she said looking at the car clock.

"I'll go in and see if he's okay," Mulder said planting a peck on her cheek.

"Thanks," she said releasing him from her grasp.

She watched as Mulder walked in the McDonalds and held the door for a young woman. Just as he was about the push open the washroom door Patrick emerged and was startled by him. He relaxed, when he saw it was Mulder, and smiled up at him. Scully didn't have to see Mulder's face to know that he was smiling back.

Franz Lutman snapped his phone shut and walked briskly toward Mallory Suharta. She was sitting across the room in the Chicago field office going through phone records.

"Come with me," he said quietly as he walked past her.

Mallory put down the phone logs and followed him out the door and into a private office. She watched as Franz shut the door behind her and paced back and forth in front of the messy desk.

"Are you going to let me in on something?" she asked a little annoyed.

"We have a source in Wyoming who says her nephew saw Patrick yesterday in Chicago."

"What?" she asked alarmed.

"Apparently this kid went to school with him."

"I don't get it," she said truthfully "what are Patrick and this other kid doing in Chicago?"

"Well, the other kid an Elric Marsden, moved here with his mom a few years ago. And Patrick...well, he must have figured out his biological parents were here."

"Want me to drive?," she said reaching for the door handle.

"Go ahead," he said as he dropped the car keys into her hand and walked out the door.

They needed to interview this Elric kid and find out everything about his conversation with Patrick. Mallory quickly grabbed her coat and they were off to the parking garage and climbing into their fleet sedan. They drove in silence for a few minutes, each caught up in their own thoughts about this turn in the case. Mallory was the first to break the quiet.

"He's smarter than your profile indicates," she said softly.

"I under-estimated his abilities" he sighed.

"What abilities?" she asked quickly.

"Uh...his intelligence. His ability, as an eight year old, to get across the country and locate his biological parents after killing his adoptive parents" Franz quickly corrected himself.

"Oh."

"He's a smart kid, I'll give him that."

"Are you altering your profile?"

"I need to, in light of the new developments. I need to adjust the way I think about this kid. He's not much of a kid, as children go."

"I don't know," she said, quickly glancing at him "he doesn't seem to be doing much more than the kids did in 'Escape from Witch Mountain' or 'The Journey of Natty Gann'" she smiled.

Franz laughed at her comparison. She was telling him to not be so hard on himself.

"Thank you." He smiled at her.

"That's what I'm here for" she smirked "to boost your ego."

"More like, make me feel like I don't know shit" he smirked back at her.

"That too."

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Franz watched Mallory as the street lights danced off her features and her luminescent skin glowed in the reflection of the window. She let him watch without calling him out.

Elric Marsden lived in a modest duplex in a working class neighborhood with his mother. They had the upstairs apartment and all the lights were on as they awaited the arrival of the FBI agents. Franz rang the bell and his mother answered the door before it stopped chiming.

"Mrs. Marsden?" Franz asked.

"I got by Cooper, now. Gema Cooper" she smiled at them "you are the agents?"

Franz and Mallory pulled out their ID badges. "I am Agent Lutman and this is my partner Agent Suharta."

"Please come in" she smiled at them and gestured toward the small living room. "I'll just get Elric."

"No problem" Mallory said as she took a seat on the sofa.

Franz walked around the room looking at photos and pictures on the walls. He noted that the divorce was probably not amicable as there were no pictures of Elric's father anywhere. That, and the fact she moved halfway across the country to live in a small apartment, led him the believe that daddy wasn't really in the picture much. He heard a door open and close, music flowed into the hallway while it was open and was muffled when the door shut. Franz looked at the worn furniture, the cigarette butts in the ashtray, and the bills piled up on the dining room table. Life in Chicago was not easy for Gema and Elric. He heard the sharp snap of an angry mother's words and the music being abruptly turned off.

Then, Elric appeared. He walked begrudgingly down the hallway toward the living room, the whole time being trailed by his mother.

"This is my son, Elric" his mother said as she patted him on the back.

"Hi Elric" Mallory said standing and putting out her hand "I'm Mallory Suharta and this is Franz Lutman."

Elric shook Mallory's hand and nodded toward Franz, who was across the room.

"Have a seat Elric" Franz indicated "we want to ask you about Patrick."

Elric sat nervously on the edge of the sofa and looked inquisitively at the carpet.

"When did you see him?" Mallory started.

"I saw him on the way to school this morning. He was riding the Number 7."

"How was he dressed?" she inquired.

"He looked like every other kid on their way to school. He had a backpack, jeans, and a jacket, nothing special."

"So nothing unusual about his appearance or demeanor?"

"No, he just looked like Patrick, only a few years older."

"How do you know him?" Franz asked quietly.

"I was his bus buddy when he was in Junior Kindergarten back in Big Piney."

"And you were...how old?"

"I was in grade 7, uh...I was 12."

"Do you remember where he got off?"

"Uh, I think it was near that big library downtown. But, I'm not 100% sure."

"That's okay" Mallory smiled "anything can help."

"How did he explain his presence on a bus in Chicago?" Franz asked.

"He said his mom was here taking care of his aunt and he came with her. It seemed like a good reason to be here."

"Anything else you can remember?"

"No, that's it. But...can I ask you something?"

"Sure" Franz said, knowing what the question would already be.

"Do you really think he did that to his parents because...the Patrick I knew...well, he wouldn't harm a fly."

"We're interested to hear his side of the story" Franz smiled at Elric "but, to answer your question...people change."

"I guess so."

"Elric if you have any further contact with Patrick I want you to call me right away" Franz said as he handed the young man his card.

"You don't think he'll try and find Elric, do you?" his mom asked panicked.

"No ma'am" Mallory smiled "we honestly think his bumping into Elric was a pure accident. I'm sure you are both safe."

"Okay" she smiled nervously "I'll take your word on that."

"We'll get Chicago PD to run a patrol car by here every hour or so, if that would make you feel better" Franz offered, knowing Patrick would not try and contact Elric.

"That would make me feel better" she smiled warmly.

Gema Cooper showed her FBI guests to the door while Elric skulked back to his room and cranked up the tunes again.

When Franz and Mallory were back in the car she turned to look at him more fully.

"You don't think he's coming to see Elric, do you?"

"No." He smiled at her "but it'll make his mom feel better to have a cop car drive by every once in a while."

"You old softy," she said as she started the engine.

"Hey, what can I say? I like to help the single moms."

Scully drove down the narrow alley between garages at the storage facility in Buckner Kentucky and eyed the numbers. Mulder was leaning forward in his seat trying to determine if the numbers formed any sort of pattern.

"I think they numbered them by pod, Scully," he said as he mentally tallied the numbers.

"They certainly didn't number them sequentially or even odd numbers on one side, even number on the other" she yawned.

"Go to the right up here, I think this is our pod," he said pointing ahead of them.

She turned the corner and stopped the car when the number G-4786 was revealed in her headlights.

"Good work, Mulder," she said as she killed the engine.

He looked over at her tired face and grasped the back of her head, rubbing her hair in the process. "Let's get my car, park Doggett's and you can sleep until morning."

"I like that plan" she smiled with eyes closed.

They both exited the car and walked toward the electronic keypad. Mulder entered his code and the door rose in front of them. A 2000 Grey Toyota Corolla sat un-used in front of them.

"I didn't realize it was a new car," she said to him.

"I bought it with some cash I found at my mom's place. I figured it may be years before we would need it so it should at least start new."

"So, what do we have to do to get this thing started?"

"I have to connect the battery and charge it, pump the tires, put in some oil, and you can fill it up with the gas we bought at the service station."

"You looked into this," she said as she walked back to John's car.

"When I drove it down here one weekend, I set this car up to last as long as we needed it to. It would be really shitty if, after all these years, it was un-drivable."

"Let's hope you're not wrong."

"Scully, when am I ever wrong?" he quipped as he reached for some tools.

She glanced down at Patrick asleep in the back seat of John's car. He was curled up and covered with the blanket they nabbed from the first hotel in Chicago. His left cheek was squashed up against his face and drool fell out of his mouth. He looked serene and content. She hoped that one day he would look that peaceful when he was awake.

She popped open the trunk and heaved out the heavy plastic gas container and hauled it next to the Corolla.

"Do you want me to fill it now or later?" she asked Mulder as he studied some papers.

Mulder did not respond.

"Mulder?" she implored.

"Huh?"

"Now or later?" she asked, gesturing to the portable fuel container.

"Oh, sorry," he said putting down the papers and walking toward her "why don't you go and sleep in the car with Patrick. I can get all this myself."

"Someone needs to keep a lookout" she sighed, obviously tired.

"It's midnight Scully, no one is here, or will be here, before we leave."

"I'm staying with you," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

He placed both his hands on her shoulders and leaned into her "I'm fine. I have a gun right here," he said gesturing to the one hidden in the waistband of his jeans.

"I know, but..."

He cut her off with a soft kiss on the lips "Get some sleep" he muttered into her mouth.

He turned her around, facing the car and let go of her shoulders. When she didn't move he gently tapped her butt and encouraged her "I'll be fine."

She took a few steps forward and then got in the car. The next time he looked up from his instructions she was fast asleep in the driver's seat of Doggett's car.

Walter Skinner sat uneasily at a table in the bar. He watched the elaborately dressed people walk past him and noted that he stood out like a sore thumb. He was sitting in slacks and a crew neck sweater, far too conservative for this crowd. He and Doggett had established this place as a meet spot years ago, before it changed hands, before Saturday night became Alter-Nite at the bar. The location was perfect, the bar, although it changed hands, had been steadily in business for over 50 years, but, they had not anticipated Alter-Nite.

Two men dressed in drag with loads of make-up walked past and eyed him. They were wondering if during the rest of the week he was a drag queen and his 'alter' was this conservative man. Walter smiled uncomfortably at them and looked down at his scotch. He may need a double for his next drink. When he raised his eyes to the entrance he spotted another, equally uncomfortable and awkward man looking around for him. John Doggett was obviously as caught off guard as he was at the change in status. He spotted Skinner and walked over to his table.

"John" Skinner acknowledged him as he got closer.

"Sir," he said sitting down "I'm sorry I had no idea..."

"Save it," he said eyeing the waitress dressed as a man who had approached their table.

"What can I get you?" she asked with a husky voice.

"Uh,...I'll have a Bud" Doggett said looking uneasily around.

"Wow, you're really playing this up" she nodded and walked away.

"When did this change to..." Doggett said looking around.

"I'm just as surprised as you are" Skinner interrupted as he took another drink from his glass.

"Last time I was in this area, it was a sports bar."

"After that it was a strip club."

"Too bad for us, huh?" Doggett laughed nervously.

Skinner just eyed him across the table.

"Thanks for meeting me. I'm sorry I interrupted your dinner with...?"

"Dinah" Skinner answered "and she's used to it. It comes with the vows, love, honor and never eat dinner in peace."

"Well, sorry anyways."

"I assume this is about them" Skinner said looking him in the eye "you know, they are not in hiding anymore."

"Yeah, well, maybe things have changed" Doggett said as the waitress put his beer on the table.

"There you go," she said huskily.

"Keep it," he said as he handed her a bill.

"Thanks" she smiled down at him from her mustached face.

"What's changed?" Skinner leaned forward.

Doggett looked around the bar and asked "Are you sure you weren't followed?"

"I'm sure" Skinner chuckled "you're starting to sound as paranoid as him."

"William is with them" Doggett said quietly.

"Who?" Skinner leaned in.

"You heard me the first time" Doggett told him "he's been accused of murdering his adoptive parents Thursday night."

"How is he with them? Did they break him out of..."

"No, he ran from the scene and found them." Doggett interrupted "He's got a...a...connection with Dana. He knows how to get to her."

"So his abilities..."

"Going strong" Doggett finished his thought.

"Did he kill them?" Skinner whispered.

"No, as far as I can tell, it was a set up. But that's where you come in. I'm sure the Bureau is in on this and we need to find out everything they know."

"To what end?"

"So they can clear his name and find out why someone is trying to set him up. This didn't just happen. I'm not much good at Quantico. It'll look suspicious if I..."

"I'll get the file" Skinner said draining his glass and standing "you get it to them."

"Sir, I know this..."

"No, John you don't know" he answered him as he leaned down close to his ear "my name is connected to that child. I was his guardian at the time of adoption. Everyone is going to be all over me as soon as they unseal his records. I'm going to the Bureau now to get the information and then I'm taking a 1 week leave of absence. They'll follow me thinking I'm going to lead them right to...them. Tell me which direction I should go."

"Northeast would be good" Doggett whispered back.

"I'll go that way then, maybe Boston?"

Doggett nodded "Where can I pick it up?"

"Back here, 2 hours" Skinner said and walked away.

Doggett didn't turn to watch him exit. He sat for a few minutes finishing his beer and left. He had two hours to kill and needed to find someplace to crash.

It was 3 am and Mulder was covered with oil and grease but the car was running. He opened the trunk of the Corolla and rifled through the bags of clothing trying to locate some fresh blue jeans and a clean shirt.

Not only had he secured a car but he had packed the trunk with fake ID, clothes, and some traveling essentials. This was, after all, their second fresh start car, waiting for them whenever they needed it.

The other car they had used, when they went on the run many years ago, along with the James and Carla Morgan ID's. Back then he had liked being called James when they were in public; it was his little secret with her. Now, he glanced at the new ID's of Bradley and Sarah Foster and winced at being called Brad whenever they were out in public.

Unfortunately, he had just packed for himself and Scully, their son would need some new clothes as well. They would need to stop somewhere and get him a few things. As he rifled though the Target bags he realized that Scully may not like the 9 year old, out-dated clothing, he had bought for her at the time. His grasp of women's clothing had been mediocre at best; she probably wouldn't have liked his choices back then either. But then, he thought, she would just be happy with some clothes to wear.

He stripped out of his greasy clothes and ripped the tags off the jeans and shirt before he pulled them onto his body. He made a few trips back and forth between the two cars packing up the Corolla with all their things. Scully and Patrick were both down for the count and were not disturbed by his meanderings. When he was satisfied that they were ready to go he went to gather his first passenger.

"Patrick?" he whispered softly.

The young boy didn't move.

Mulder smiled down at him and decided to just move him to the backseat of the waiting vehicle. He reached down and shoved his one arm under his knees while he secured his torso with the other arm. He pulled into a standing position and adjusted Patrick's weight so he could walk better.

"Mulder?" Patrick asked groggily.

"Yeah, it's me." He smiled down at him "I'm just moving you into our new car. You keep sleeping."

Patrick tried to open his eyes but found it difficult. He let his head loll back against Mulder's shoulder.

Mulder walked him over to the awaiting car and carefully placed him along the back seat. He pulled the blanket up around him and put his balled up jacket under Patrick's head. He patted the young man on the shoulder and went to move away.

"Thanks," Patrick said as he yawned.

Mulder smiled down at him "Go back to sleep, son."

Patrick curled up some more and tucked his hands under the warm jacket.

Mulder rose to a standing position and looked over at Scully fast asleep in John Doggett's car. "One down, one to go" he mumbled to himself.

He approached the car and decided it was best not to even wake her. He opened the door and scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the awaiting Corolla. She stirred once in the air, saw it was him, smiled and softened into his embrace.

"I never did carry you over any threshold's Scully" he mumbled.

"So, now you're making up for it?" she murmured.

"Well, you've always said you liked romantic gestures." He smiled down at her.

"That I do" she smiled to herself "Where's William?"

"Already in the new car." He smiled at her using their son's original name "and fast asleep."

"Good" she murmured "he's had a long few days."

"We all have" Mulder mumbled as he placed her on the passenger seat.

"Um, thanks Mulder," she said under sleepy eyes as she adjusted herself in the seat.

"Anything for you." He smiled at her and reached to do up her seatbelt.

As he leaned across her she moved forward to nuzzle his neck and give it a soft kiss "I love you" she whispered.

He stayed frozen there. Allowing the brief connection, the feeling of electricity coursing through his veins, to wash over him. He closed his eyes, and thought of all the times her touch had meant so much to him, all the times it had both comforted and excited him. How, after all these years, she could reach the very depths of him with such a simple, yet intimate, gesture.

"I love you too." He smiled and turned to kiss her on the lips before he reached to snap the belt in the buckle.

As he snapped the clasp in place his eyes caught those of Patrick staring at him from his spot curled up on the back seat. Mulder was stunned to find his son awake. Patrick looked up at him and smiled a soft, knowing, smile and then closed his eyes again. Mulder watched him for a moment, unsure as to whether he should say something, or just leave what Patrick had witnessed alone. He decided that a child seeing his parents share words of love and soft kisses was not going to send Patrick off the deep end, after everything he had been through. He looked over at Scully who was falling asleep again and raised himself out of the car and shut the door.

It was going to be a long drive and they needed to keep moving. He backed Doggett's car into the storage locker and set the security system. Mulder maneuvered the car out of the storage facility and went to get onto the Interstate again. They had 7 hours of driving ahead of them. He hoped John Doggett would be able to meet them and give them the information they needed to get William out of this mess and go on with their lives, together.

John Doggett sat in his rumpled suit waiting for Walter Skinner to show up. He was more comfortable this time at the bar, knowing what to expect when he walked in the door. He nursed a Coke and watched the front door. The music was loud and the people on the dance floor seemed to be having a good time. The flashing strobe light and the heavily costumed bodies looked like Mardi Gras before his eyes.

He thought about the plane ticket he had purchased and the opportunity to see Monica while in the area. He had spoken with her only a few times in the last year and they communicated mainly through e-mail. Monica was a fan of forwarding messages with very cryptic headings that always made him laugh. Unfortunately, the text of her e-mails was unsubstantial. She would include a few words like "Thought you'd like this, Monica" and that was it. It was only during the few phone conversations that he had the opportunity to ask her about her life, about the details she didn't share in her e-mails.

"John" he heard Skinner say.

"Sir" he turned to face him "I must have missed you coming in."

"I used the back entrance" Skinner said as he sat down.

"Were you able to...?"

"I have it saved on this drive," he said shoving a napkin towards Doggett.

John wiped up the table, clutched the flash drive in his palm and scrunched up the napkin into a ball.

"Can I get you something?" the waitress asked.

"Scotch, neat" Skinner said smiling up at her.

"Be right back," she said as she turned to leave.

"Anything interesting?" "Two agents are working the case, one is a well-known profiler, Franz Lutman."

"The name seems vaguely familiar" Doggett noted.

"He works out of the New York office. His profile was key in the Marco Palermo arrest."

"Oh yeah" Doggett smiled "he's good."

"What I don't understand though" Skinner said leaning in "is why a New York profiler is the first agent called onto the case in Wyoming."

"He was the first?"

"Him and his partner, Mallory Suharta."

"Who brought them in?"

"Hanson" Skinner said as he sat back in his chair.

"One scotch, neat" the waitress smiled down at Skinner, her tattooed face revealing a skull design around her eyes.

"Thanks." He smiled at her as he handed her some money "I'm good."

"Thank you" she smiled back as she trotted away.

"That does seem a little off. Usually it's the local..."

"I know" Skinner said as he took a drink.

"Anything else I should know?"

"They know I was the guardian and they know the child was Mulder and Scully's. I expect agents at my house tomorrow waiting to question me about my involvement in the adoption."

"But you'll be..."

"In Boston with Dinah, visiting family and going to a B
B for a few days. She's packing and we are leaving as soon as I get back. I need to look as suspicious as possible to get followed."

"Sounds good, sir. Anything you want me to relay?"

He leaned in to speak again "tell them, I didn't get their asses out of hiding just to get them killed again."

"I will relay that sir."

"Tell them, I'm also happy they have their son," he said as he took one last drink.

"I'm sure they will be happy to hear that."

Walter Skinner stood and handed Doggett his card. "My private cell number is on the back. Call me if you need me."

"Thanks, sir" Doggett nodded as he too, rose to leave.

Walter Skinner went out the back door and John Doggett exited out the front. John had a plane to catch and he was looking forward to getting some in-flight rest.

Franz Lutman pulled up outside their motel. It had been a long day. They interviewed Elric hours ago and had not been able to find one lead on Patrick's whereabouts or those of former agents Mulder and Scully. They had tracked down the bus driver around midnight, but he didn't remember the kid.

Tomorrow they would canvas the library and see if any morning staff or patrons remembered the young man. Until then, they had a few hours to sleep and re-charge before hitting the trail again. Franz knew they were no good to anyone if they were exhausted, but he also knew that going to bed when on a hunt was one of the hardest things for an agent to do.

"Home sweet home" Franz murmured as Mallory undid her belt.

"Well, for tonight at least" she smiled back at him.

He removed himself from the car and went around to the trunk to grab their bags. Mallory was used to this chivalrous act of his and walked directly to her room and started to fumble with her key. She opened the door and Franz walked past her placing her bag on the foot of her bed. When he heard the door close he turned to face her.

"Mallory, we need to sleep" he chastised her.

She walked toward him like an animal circling its prey "I'll sleep much better after some exercise."

She got close to him and pulled at his tie. He smiled at her and couldn't help but look flattered.

"Let me at least go and brush my teeth."

"You're perfect, just the way you are," she said as she started to undo his tie.

"Mallory, I have 2 days sweat and dirt on me. Let me have a shower," he said moving away from her "not all of us can stay as pulled together as you."

"You can have a shower, or a nice long bath, whatever you want...after," she said undoing the buttons on his shirt.

He watched as she slid each button from its hole and his shirt fell more and more open.

"You're not making this easy" he grinned at her.

"Who said anything with us is easy?" she smiled as he reached for his belt.

"Don't you want easy...one day?" he asked as she slid the belt out of the loops.

"I've always been the one to take the road less traveled" she smiled as she ran her hands over his big, hairy chest.

"You are very convincing," he said as he lunged in for a kiss.

She met him with equal amounts of passion as his tongue slid in and out of her moist mouth. His hands danced across her back as he pulled her shirt from her pants and reached for her bra clasp. She whimpered as he roughly shoved his knee between her legs and ground his thigh up against her with purpose.

With one quick movement he pulled her shirt over her head and snapped the bra from her body. She was naked from the waist up and he leaned in to taste her skin. Her breasts were sweet like almonds, the curve of her neck smelled of honeysuckle and her shoulders were soft as Egyptian cotton. Franz committed each spot to memory, as he always did, thinking in the back of his mind that this may be the last time he was with her.

She gyrated against his thigh and arched her back to reveal plump, pert breasts waiting to be suckled. Franz dove into her chest licking and sucking her nipples as he bit at her mounds and roughly ran his hands over her stimulated areolas.

She moaned in his embrace and her chest heaved as she got closer and closer to orgasm. He reached to undo his pants and they dropped to the floor at his feet. He grasped the button on hers and popped her free of the encapsulating fabric and underwear. She kicked her pants free of her feet and pulled at him as she moved toward the wall.

Franz smacked his body into hers when she hit the wall. She smiled at him and he rubbed the back of her head where the impact was. He moved her legs apart with his thighs, pulled her up with his arms and pushed himself unapologetically into her. She gasped at the intrusion and then sunk around him tangling her hairy mound with his.

They both gyrated against the other, he making fast pumps into her body while she circled his cock with her hips. The pressure was perfect, the friction divine, and the moaning very loud. It was a familiar dance with him and her, they knew each others bodies very well, they both knew what pleased the other and sought out that pleasure.

She banged her head hard against the wall when her orgasm overwhelmed her. The wince of pain across her face almost got Franz to stop seeking his own release until he saw a look of utter calm wash over her face. He continued to pump fiercely into her longing for his own orgasm. She smiled at him and reached her face closer to lick one nipple. That simple act was his undoing and he spilled himself into her and heaved his body over her shoulder.

They stood joined to each other for a few minutes, each trying to gain their breath. Franz released her slowly to the floor; his penis fell from her body, and then took one step back. She opened her eyes and smiled a slow, sweet smile at him, telling him she was really happy he obliged her request. It was that smile, not the orgasms, that kept him coming back again and again.

He reached to pull up his pants "I didn't wear a condom. We usually use a condom."

"Have you been with anyone else recently?" she asked as she walked towards her luggage.

"No," he said.

"Then we're fine," she said as she opened her bag.

Her avoidance of him was telling. He knew the answer to his question before he asked it.

"Have you?" he closed his eyes as he asked.

There was a long silence.

"We used protection," she said not turning to face him.

"Good," he said as he did up his shirt.

She paused to look at the bathrobe in her hands. He knew she wasn't that interested in the robe. She was contemplating telling him about her encounter with the other man. Franz was her best friend and she longed to share these details with him, she didn't because she knew it would break his heart.

"It was nothing" she mumbled under her breath.

He walked over to pick up his bag by the door. Without turning he uttered "I'll see you in the morning."

Franz walked out her door and went down the walkway to his own room, where he would not sleep for the rest of the night.

"Sir, I can explain" Robert Hanson grasped at the few straws he had left.

"You can explain" the old man snickered "you can explain how an operation this simple has gone so terribly wrong."

He walked away from Agent Hanson who was sitting upright in the chair across from his lounging chair. The old man shook his head, he thought that involving a young and ambitious agent would work in their benefit, but instead he was dropping the ball.

"Sir..." the young agent began.

"Shut up, I'm thinking" he snapped as he turned to walk back towards him.

The young agent nodded and waited. He watched the old man saunter around in his tailored housecoat and fancy slippers, a little too spry for this time of the night. He wondered if the old man had become a night owl, like many old people do, unable to sleep because they think death will take them.

"Have you started to look into their past relationships at the FBI and elsewhere?"

"Yes, sir, we've developed a list of possible people that may help them and we are combing through their e-mails and I'm sending people to interview them tomorrow."

"Why are you waiting until the morning?" he asked angrily.

"Sir, its 4 am. Morning is just a few hours away and waking up a bunch of federal agents is going to cause quite a stir, and get us the attention we don't want right now."

"You have a point" the old man said as he rubbed his chin.

"Is there anything else?" Agent Hanson asked as he started to rise.

"I expect regular updates. I have 42 scientists awaiting his arrival."

"I realize that, sir."

"Do you realize how much money, each day you don't get me that boy, is costing me?"

"I understand it's a lot."

"It's a hell of a lot!" he yelled.

"Yes, Dr. Ervin" Robert Hanson said as he went to duck out of the room.

"Robert" the old man called to him as he was almost out the door "I'm giving you 24 hours from this minute to get me that boy. If you don't, it's not only you that suffers."

Robert looked out in to the dark hallway ahead of him. He knew he didn't need to acknowledge the threat. He merely shut the door quietly behind him.

John Doggett walked quickly through the Memphis airport, exiting and going to the rental agency to pick up a car. He had made this trip many times in the past, although not in the last year, and it wouldn't look too suspicious for him to be making it again at this time. It was almost 8 am and he needed to get moving if he was to meet Mulder and Scully by noon. He drove directly to Monica's, knowing that at this time of morning she would be just getting up and throwing together breakfast.

When he arrived at the grand mansion 45 minutes later he was caught by how beautiful this place was at the sun flickered between the willowy trees. He knew that there were many reasons why Monica lived here, and that the beauty of this place was one of them. He pulled up in front of the house and parked his car to the side of the circular driveway.

The house was a former plantation owner's grand masterpiece. It had a high roof, large windows, and a balcony that wrapped around the top floor. The mansion was painted in a crisp white and the gardens were immaculately kept. Monica employed many workers to keep the mansion maintained and grand. It was a tribute to her aunt who still resided there with her.

John Doggett walked up the staircase and lifted the heavy knocker to announce his presence. Besides the few health care workers and a cleaning lady, Monica employed no other help inside the house. He fully expected her to answer the door.

"Can I help you?" the teenaged boy asked as he opened the door.

"Uh, hi" John answered him uncomfortably "I'm here to see Monica."

"I'll get her," he said as he walked away from the door, leaving it open for John to walk inside.

John stepped in the large foyer and admired the grandeur of these old houses. The detailed millwork and the beautiful staircase were works of art in his mind. They don't build houses like this anymore.

"John?" Monica asked as she rounded the corner coming from the back of the house.

"Hi Monica," he said with a smile as he shifted his feet.

"John," she said walking to embrace him "it's so good to see you."

He held her with both arms tightly "it's nice to see you too."

The young man came up behind Monica and watched the interaction.

"Atticus" Monica said addressing him as she pulled away from John "you remember my friend John, don't you?"

"I remember you eating my Cheerios the last time you were here."

"I like Cheerios, too" John sheepishly grinned, knowing that they had encountered each other accidentally in the morning the last time he was here.

"We don't buy Cheerios, anymore," he said coolly.

"John will eat whatever breakfast cereal we have, Atticus" Monica said sharply.

"Uh, Monica" he interrupted the confrontation "can I talk with you a minute?"

"Sure, John," she said looking at him worried "Atticus, are you going over to Daniel's?"

"Yeah, I'll be back after youth group," he said as he left the hallway.

John looked inquisitively at Monica and she shook her head "he's going through a period of Christian rebellion just to get under my skin. He's going to church, involved in the youth group, next thing you know he'll be singing in their choir."

John nodded his head in acknowledgement and they walked into the parlor. He sat on the sofa and she sat next to him, holding his hand in hers.

"It's great to see you, John" she smiled "but I sense you're not here for a personal visit."

"Unfortunately, no," he said as he looked at their joined hands.

"So, what's up?"

"I need to borrow your truck," he said looking at her in the eyes and saying more with them then his mouth.

"Sure, you can" she smiled "Mind if I tag along?"

"I'd really like that, but if your aunt or Atticus..."

"He'll be at youth group until lunch and my aunt has her bridge ladies dropping by to visit her this afternoon. She has Nancy with her all day. The fort will hold until I get back."

"How soon can you leave?" he asked.

"Give me a few minutes," she said rising from the sofa "why don't you make some toast in the kitchen. Atticus has some Count Chocula out there you can eat..."

"I'll just grad a cup of coffee," he said as he made his way to the kitchen.

John was pouring a cup of coffee for himself when Atticus entered the room. The two men sized each other up and John spoke first.

"So, Atticus, you playing on any school teams this year?"

"I'm on the swim team because Monica won't let me play combative sports."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." John winced "Swimming's good though, right?"

"I'd rather play football" the teenager sulked.

"Sorry about that" Doggett offered.

"You didn't make the rule" he snapped.

"No, but I played football as a kid, and...I know how fun it can be. Combative, or not."

"Well, maybe you can tell that to her."

"Atticus, your aunt is only trying to do..."

"I know, what's best for me." He interrupted "How about her asking me what I think is best sometimes?"

John didn't have any response for that. Monica had a way of making up her mind regardless of what other's thought or felt. For an open-minded person she could be very rigid in her decisions. He knew that from personal experience.

The teenager picked up his iPod and slung his sack over one shoulder.

"See you later," he said to John.

"Yeah, I'll see you later, Atticus" John offered as the boy walked out the door.

"Don't eat all my Count Chocula" he yelled at he jumped off the back porch.

John Doggett winced at the remark. Obviously the boy was still holding on to a great deal of anger towards him. He could understand the young man's feeling though. He walked into his house on a Saturday morning to find a stranger sitting at the breakfast table, shirtless, and eating his cereal. He was supposed to be staying at his friend's house for the weekend, but they had a falling out. Any 14 year old would react as he did. Now, Atticus was 15 and he was still busting John's balls over something that happened a year ago. That morning was the reason why John had not visited Monica in a year. Why their relationship had become strained, e-mail heavy, and conversation lite.

John leaned against the counter and drank his coffee. Maybe Monica was right, Atticus was too messed up to deal with any more crap. Or maybe, John thought, Monica focusing too closely on the young man was hurting him more than helping him.

"Ready" she announced as she walked into the kitchen.

"You look great," he said as he put his coffee mug in the sink.

"I've been waiting to hear that for a year" she smiled at him.

"Now, Monica, you were the one..." he started.

"...yeah, but no one said you had to listen to me" she smirked "It's nice to have you here, again."

He looked down at his feet, not wanting to get drawn in by her beautiful eyes, "we better get going."

There was a loud knock on Mallory's door and she strained to see the clock on her nightstand. It was 9 am and she needed to start working her case again. Five hours of half decent sleep was all she was going to get, for now. The knocking pounded against her door again.

"I'll be right there Franz" she yelled as she turned over.

"It's not Franz" the familiar voice on the other side said.

"Oh."

Mallory was surprised and she reached for her robe before answering the door. As she cinched the waist she opened the door to let light invade her blackened room.

"Robert, what are you doing here?" she asked her supervisor.

"I'm up shit creek Mallory and I need your help," he said flustered as he waltzed into her room.

She took in his disheveled suit and his twisted neck tie and quickly decided that Robert Hanson had been having a crappy start to his day.

"I thought you were in New York?" she asked as she shut the door.

"I was" he answered as he paced the floor.

"Robert," she said reaching out to touch his arm "calm down and tell me what the problem is."

He glanced at her furtively and seemed to be making up his mind about something.

"I really shouldn't bring you into this," he said as he sat on her rumpled bed.

"You flew all the way from New York to not get me involved?" she asked as she sat next to him"Stupid, huh?." He smiled up at her.

She cupped the side of his cheek and smiled back at him. He was the man she wanted to tell Franz about, the man she had recently become involved with. He man she couldn't tell Franz about because, it would break his heart. The truth was, Mallory didn't know if her heart was at all involved with Robert Hanson. It was a very physical relationship. She cared about him, in a way, but she didn't think she loved him. He was younger than her, quickly rising through the ranks, head-strong, and confident. Most of the things Franz was not. Mallory wasn't sure why she became involved with him, but she was.

"Start at the beginning," she said calmly.

"I got involved in a project" he seemed to exhale instead of say "Mallory, you can't breathe a word of this to anyone."

"I promise," she said genuinely.

"It was a way to...to...to prove myself, to show everyone that I was ready to play with the big boys."

"Okay."

"I needed to get some merchandise to a lab."

"For what purpose?"

"Scientific testing. There is a team of world-renowned scientists waiting to work on this project and it was my job to deliver."

"Okay...what happened?"

"The merchandise escaped."

"You mean someone stole it?" she asked confused.

"No, it escaped."

"Was it an animal?"

"No" he paused and looked across the room at some unknown point.

"Robert, I don't understand."

She turned to see what he was looking at. He was staring at his reflection in the mirror. He looked sad and disappointed.

"Robert," she said guiding his face towards her "what is the merchandise?"

He sat still for a second looking down at her lap, at her leg as it peeked out from under her robe.

"It's Patrick VanDeKemp."

"What?!" Mallory stood up, shocked by the revelation.

Robert grabbed for her hands and tried to pull her back down. "Mallory...it's not what you think."

She starred at him with wild eyes, shaking her head.

"It's my understanding" she paused to gather her thoughts "that... that...that you were to deliver this young boy to a lab to...to have tests performed on him?"

Robert just looked at her and nodded his head softly.

"Robert, what the fuck were you thinking?," she said pulling further away from him and raising her voice.

"I...I...I don't know what I was thinking," he said standing to walk toward her.

"You were going to kidnap a young boy?," she said as she moved away from him "You were going to make him a lab rat? For what...for what purpose?"

"Mallory, let me explain," he said still walking toward her.

"Get away from me!" she yelled.

"You need to let me explain..."

"Back off!" she yelled louder, and he stopped.

They stood at a standstill. Her chest heaving with anger and her face wild with rage. He looking more and more desperate as each second passed.

"Mallory, I..." he started toward her again.

Just then the door flew open and Franz, with gun drawn bolted into the room. He immediately walked in front of Mallory and was surprised to see who the other person in the room was.

"Hands up" he demanded.

"Franz, it's..." Robert started.

"Get your hands up" Franz said as he pointed his gun more directly at Robert.

Robert Hanson put his hands in the air and Franz took out his handcuffs and cuffed him behind his back. Throwing him toward the bed, protesting.

"Now, what the fuck is going on?" he asked turning toward Mallory.

Scully breathed a little easier once she cleared Memphis traffic. The last thing they needed was a fender-bender or accident of any kind to draw attention to them.

Patrick sat uncomfortably in the backseat of the car. He had been watching the same scenery off and on for hours now. He hadn't slept much, hadn't eaten much when they stopped for breakfast, and felt very raw and irritable this morning. How did he end up here? What did he do to deserve this? He looked at his mother driving in the front seat. She was focused on the road and had not even acknowledged his existence this last half hour. He looked at Mulder asleep and hunched against the passenger door of the car. He shifted every few minutes in his sleep and mumbled incoherently from time to time.

"I'm bored" Patrick groaned from the backseat.

"Do you want me to stop and buy you another movie to watch or some new comic books?" she asked smiling.

"No" he shifted uncomfortably in his seat "I can't handle another movie and I feel queasy when I read while you or Mulder is driving."

"Sorry," she said genuinely "it won't be much longer, and then we'll stop for a day or so, I promise."

"This sucks," he said kicking the back of the armrest.

"Patrick...I know that sitting in this car for all these hours has not been much fun."

"Much fun?" he asked.

"Okay, any fun but...we need to get somewhere safe."

"And Colt is safe?"

"For now, it is."

"Is this what I have to look forward to?"

"What?" she asked, already knowing what he was implying.

'You know' his voice said in her head.

"Patrick, it's only been 3 days...I...I don't know what you expected but..."

"I didn't expect this," he said honestly.

"Well, I don't know what you want me to say," she said defeated.

Patrick thought of his mother, the one who used to bake him a pie for when he came home from school. The one who dressed up like Mrs. Claus for his school's Christmas Celebration. The one who tickled him until he practically peed his pants, but never long enough that he did. The one who smelled of oranges all the time. Then he looked at the woman in the front seat. She was not the same kind of mother. He would never have that again.

"I want you to find out who killed my parents," he said harshly.

The word 'parents' stung her. She had to remind herself that he was still hurting, that to him they would always be 'parents' and that she and Mulder were still something 'other'.

"We will find out..."

"All you've been doing is trying to protect me," he said coldly "you don't care about my parents."

Her eyes watered with unshed tears and she found herself licking her lips, looking for the right answer. Secretly she was a little happy they had died, because it brought her son back to her. He may have never looked for her if the tragedy had not occurred. She wasn't happy these were the circumstances that brought him to her, she wasn't happy her son was adrift in the world away from the only parents he had know. But, she was happy he was with them. It was selfish. True, but selfish. She was ashamed of her feelings.

"You're happy they're dead," he said with venom "what kind of mother are you?"

"A great mother," Mulder said groggily from the passenger seat as he sat up.

"Mulder, it's..."

"No, Scully, it's not okay," he said turning toward the back seat and catching Patrick in his gaze "your mother...your mother would do anything for you, has done everything for you, don't ever doubt her commitment to you."

"She was so committed to me..."

"Stop" Mulder interrupted, glaring at Patrick "Scully, pull over."

"Mulder, I don't think it's the..."

"Pull over, damn it" he snapped at her.

"Fine," she said through clenched teeth.

The car veered off onto a side road and Scully pulled it to a stop. Mulder got out of the car and walked around to Patrick's door. He opened it.

"Come on, Patrick, out," he said gently.

"What? Are you going to shove me to the ground ag..."

"Just get out of the car," Mulder said softly.

Scully opened her door and got out to stand beside Mulder. She had no idea what he was up to, but the gentleness of his voice spoke volumes to her about intent.

Patrick slowly unfolded himself from the back seat and raised himself out of the car.

"I'm out" he announced to the pair.

"Come with me, son," Mulder said as he put his arm around Patrick and steered him toward a clearing next to the road.

Scully followed close behind them. She watched as Mulder lead Patrick to a tree sitting on the edge of the field. When they got to it Mulder stood leaning against it with one arm.

"Patrick" he started gently "you have been through more in the last few days than any other kid will go through in a lifetime. Your parents were killed, and I'm very sorry you saw what you saw."

Patrick starred at his feet and started to sniffle. Tears dripped off his cheeks.

"No child should have to live through the changes you have."

Patrick stood silently, absently kicking at the hay lying loose at his feet.

"But son, they were your parents and you loved them. I don't doubt that for a second. And we are not trying to replace them, but, we can also be your parents. Choosing to be happy with us is not betraying their memory, do you understand?"

Patrick nodded slightly.

"In fact, if that was me, and I was killed, it would bring me a lot of peace to see my son being loved and cared for by people who would do anything for him. Do you think your father would feel the same way?"

Patrick shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you think your mother would be happy your birth mother was taking care of you, and loving you?"

Patrick raised his teary eyes to look at Scully who was standing speechless next to him. Tears running quietly down the sides of her face.

"Yes" he squeaked.

"Then, let us love you Patrick. Because we already do," Mulder said with a cracked voice "We will find the people who killed your parents. But, let us be your parents from now on. It won't be the same because we are different people. I'm sorry for that, but it's true. But don't ever doubt that we love you, and that we will do anything for you."

Scully reached out to Patrick and drew him into her arms. "I really am not happy they are dead Patrick" she whispered "I'm just happy to have you, and those two things are unfortunately linked."

"I know" he cried into her embrace.

She held him for quite some time while sobs raked over his body. He cried for his mother, for his father, for the loss of his innocence, for the uncertainty of his future. He cried until there were no more tears left. When he raised his head finally he noticed that both his parents were holding him. He hadn't even noticed the set of strong hands that held him equally as tight as his mothers. He felt truly safe and happy for the first time in days.

Walter Skinner took Dinah's hand as they walked through Boston Airport. He was sure that they were going to be followed at some point today, but he didn't think they would have agents on him yet. Nevertheless, he wanted to keep Dinah close.

She was as tall at Walter Skinner with long thin legs that easily matched his pace. Dressed in jeans, heels and a light blue pea coat with her soft brown hair bouncing around her shoulders she was sight to be seen. Walter Skinner knew that his wife drew the attention of many wherever they went, but her attention was always focused on him when they were together. They had been married for five years now and Dinah Sharpe looked gorgeous for a woman in her early fifties.

He knew she was happy to be included on one of his 'adventures' as she called them. She too, was aware that they were leading the FBI on a wild goose chase. She didn't know the details, had only met Dana Scully once, and had never worked in law enforcement, but she knew how much the two former agents meant to him. Enough, for her to piss off her boss at the gallery with an unexpected vacation, that was long overdue.

"Walt, maybe we should rent the car in my name" she leaned in to whisper to him.

"That's exactly what I was thinking," he said squeezing her hand.

"The B
B will be expecting us by noon, what do you want to do until then?"

"Want to hit some stores?"

"I know you don't want to" she smiled at him "but I would love to."

"Then that's what we'll do. Is your sister expecting us for dinner?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"You're ditching me there aren't you?" she teased.

"For just for a few hours. You'll be safe, she's with Boston PD after all."

"Always surrounded by cops" she joked "I'm probably the safest woman in the US."

"No, you're the most dangerous woman in the US" he smirked at her.

She chuckled into his shoulder "you know me so well."

He walked up the car rental desk and waited for the young agent to get off his cell phone. Walter really did think that texting was destroying the world.

"So, how is Belle Meade lately?"

"Quiet and snobby, as usual" Monica smiled from behind her sunglasses as they drove along the roadway.

"Your aunt? How's her health?"

"Oh, she's a typical southern woman. Healthy as an ox, but thinks she's dying with every case of indigestion."

John laughed at the description. Monica's aunt was a woman of great distinction in this area. She was 91 years old and had single-handedly hung on to her family's estate through all economic times.

Monica convinced her, once she moved in to take care of Atticus, to become an organic farm owner. The main estate remained untouched, but the fields surrounding it were filled with a variety of crops ranging from heirloom vegetables to hemp. It had taken years to become certified but now Monica was running one of the most successful and diverse independent organic farms in the southern United States.

"Farm's doing well?"

"Very well" she smiled back at him as she slowed the truck for a light.

"Good," he said as he stared out the window.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the cab of the pick-up truck. The two of them sat bolt still waiting for the light to change. Monica waved to an elderly man as he crossed the street in front of them. She tapped nervously on the steering wheel. She cleared her throat. John covered a cough and pulled at the strap of his seatbelt as it cut into his shoulder.

"So, are you going to tell me why you have shown up out of the blue to take me to Colt, Arkansas?"

"You know why" he answered simply "But they're not in hiding anymore. Why the cloak and dagger? I just saw Mulder, what 4 months ago, when he was down in New Orleans doing some promotional stuff for the book, it's set there you know?"

"Yeah, I read it."

"And what'd you think?"

"I think that Mulder is a very good writer, but that he must have embarrassed Dana with some of his descriptions."

"You mean the sex scenes?" she laughed.

"Yeah, I meant those."

"What was embarrassing? The fact that they were so descriptive, or the fact that they may have been accurate?"

"A little bit of both" he blushed next to her.

"You don't think she'd be like that in bed?" Monica asked seriously.

"I don't really think about what my work collogues would be like in bed. Nor, do I really care to know."

"Oh, you wanna know" she smiled to herself "you wanna know just like everyone else who knows them, really wants to know."

"Can we move on to something else?" he asked as he shifted in his seat.

"Well, I'm going to find out" she smiled.

"Monica" he paused "there are more serious things to worry about then whether she gives..." he trailed off.

"Amazing blow jobs" she finished his sentence.

John rubbed his temples "Let's just say there were parts I skipped over entirely."

She sensed his unease and decided to give him a break, "so, what's so serious?"

"They have William," he said quietly.

"They took him?" she asked shocked.

"No, he found them. After he high-tailed it out of the house he grew up in because his adoptive parents had been killed."

"Is he okay?" he asked concerned.

"He's no worse for wear. He's obviously quite messed up with the whole murder scene and everything..."

"But no one hurt him?"

"No, they set him up. They wanted to make it look like he did it."

"Oh, shit. So...so the police are looking for him."

"The FBI, actually."

"Why is the FBI involved?"

"I'm hoping Skinner has some answers, on this," he said as he pulled the flash drive from his suit pocket.

"Skinner's in on this too?"

"He's our decoy. He accessed the information and left abruptly to vacation with his wife in the Boston area. We're hoping he's being followed and that will buy us some time."

"And Mulder and Scully are in Colt with William?"

He looked at his watch "they should be there soon, if they're not already."

"Where are we meeting them?"

"Dana will be watching the post office and will take us to them."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know. I don't know yet," he said looking out the window "I guess it will depend on what we get off the flash drive."

"Now, what the fuck is going on?" Franz asked turning toward Mallory.

"I can't...I can't" Mallory said as she ran her hand through her hair.

"Franz, take these cuffs off me" Robert Hanson protested as he tried to push himself off the bed.

"You stay right there" Franz said as he anchored him down with a shove to the small of his back.

"Franz," she said looking at him and still unable to speak.

"Are you okay?," he said grasping her by both elbows and lowering his voice.

"I'm fine, but...but there's so much more to this than we know."

"To what?"

"This case...Robert just told me he was sent to kidnap Patrick."

Franz froze. Robert had made Mallory aware of the plan. How much he had said about Franz's involvement was unknown. He recovered quickly, "What?"

Malloy's eyebrows knitted for a second. Something was off. "Franz?"

"What the hell's going on?"

"I don't know," she said looking at him closely "You tell me."

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"You know about this. Maybe not all of it, but some of it. Don't you?" she asked approaching him.

"Mallory, I don't..." he stammered.

"Just tell her" Robert barked from the bed "and get these fucking cuffs off me."

"Franz?!" she snapped at him and took a step back.

"Let me explain," he said walking toward her as she retreated from him.

"Get the fuck away from me" she yelled as she swung a gun at him.

"Mallory..." he pleaded walking closer "it's not what you think."

"Oh, isn't it?," she said cocking the safety "what I know for sure, is that there are two FBI agents in the room with me who have conspired to break the law."

"Mallory, please," he said taking one step forward.

"Don't make me shoot you, Franz," she said steadily from the other side of her gun.

The shower ran full-force in the hotel washroom and Patrick sat on the bed starring at his father's book. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to read it, but it was just laying there on the bed, tempting him with stories of his parent's past. His mom was in town meeting up with her FBI friends and pretty soon there wouldn't be enough quiet to read. He started on chapter one.

There was a cargo train speeding along tracks with unmarked cylinders on it. A hit squad pulled up next to the train and opened fire on the engineer and the scientists who were operating in one of the cars. Someone jumped on board and brought the train to a stop. A HAZ-MAT team swooped in on the operating room car and quickly bundled and removed the person being operated on. The car was set on fire and the cylinders loaded onto tanker trucks. The operation was carried out in a remote field where no one would see what was happening. A lone man, smoking a Cuban cigar oversaw the entire operation, climbed into a waiting helicopter and flew off to destinations unknown.

Patrick loved the novel so far. He was a sucker for spy stories and thought that the descriptions were amazing. He thought it was a little more descriptive and violent then he was used to but overall it was amazing--his father had talent.

The shower stopped and Patrick immediately threw the book back where he had found it and picked up his Transformers.

Fox Mulder stepped out of the shower and dried off his wet body with the plump hotel towel. The spacious bathroom was filled with nice smelling toiletries and all the amenities for travel. He wondered if maybe he and Scully had gotten soft as they aged.

When they were partners they happily stayed in every cheap motel across the country. He barely noticed where they stayed, as long as it was close to the crime scene. When they were on the run, they stayed in every dive motel across the country. As he toweled off his back he remembered the time they had slept in a place that had bed bugs. They had bites all over their bodies and Scully scratched at phantom itches on her body for weeks afterwards.

Mulder peered around the bathroom door and saw William playing with his Transformers. He watched his son for a moment, enjoying the sight of a regular 8 year old boy talking in various voices as he marched his figurines across the bed. His son was, for the most part, still a child that needed to be shielded from life, even as life barreled toward him.

They had reasoned that they needed a hotel with WiFi and room for an 8 year old to move around and play. The fact that there was a pool, and plush beds was just an added bonus. Mulder brushed his teeth and admired the few days growth that was creeping across his face. Scully hated facial hair.

Once, before he had been brought back into the FBI fold, they had placed a bet about his ability to cook a gourmet vegetarian meal. If he won, he could grow a beard for the first time, if she won he had to cook with at least 3 different kinds of vegetables for every meal after that. In the end, she had to admit his Pumpkin, Corn and Lemongrass soup and the savory Farro Tart was as good as restaurant quality. He had grown the beard but she hadn't let him touch her for 2 weeks. He called her a sore loser on a couple of occasions which did not endear her toward him either. In the end, he shaved the beard and pretended it was just to prove a point.

"Are you having fun?" Mulder smiled as he waltzed across the room in the hotel bathrobe to retrieve some clothes.

"Yeah," Patrick said self-consciously.

"Can I play too, when I get dressed?"

"Uh,. Sure. Do you know the characters?"

"No, but you can teach me. I'm a quick study" Mulder smiled as he threw his book away from the duffle bag in search of socks.

"So this is your book?," Patrick said picking up the copy.

"Yeah, that's my book," Mulder said pre-occupied with his search for socks.

Patrick studied the cover and flipped it over to read the back "They were making a big deal about you at the bookstore, huh?"

Mulder stopped sifting through their things and looked at his son "Yeah, they were."

"And it's about your adventures with my mom when you worked for the FBI?"

"It is."

"So you're some big author, huh?"

"Well, I'm not that big" Mulder smirked as he pulled a rolled up pair of socks from the bag, victorious "I've only got one book out, but it's part of a series that the publisher thinks will go places. They have my second book for editing right now. The third one is due in March."

"Will you be able to work on it, while we're...you know, on the run?"

"I don't know," Mulder said with all sincerity "but right now, my book is the least of my concerns."

"But it's important to you."

"Not as important as you and your mom. I'd give up all the books to keep the two of you safe. I'd work as a hotdog street vendor for the rest of my life if you two were okay."

"You really mean that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do, son." He smiled at Patrick "I'm just going to get changed and I'll be right back so you can give me a detailed history of the Transformer universe."

"Okay" Patrick smiled and watched Mulder walk towards the bathroom "Thanks, dad," he said quietly.

Mulder just turned his head and smiled at the young man. He had heard the term of endearment and didn't want to embarrass the boy by making a big deal about it.

When the door shut Patrick immediately reached for the book again. Like a moth to flame he wanted to get in another page or two while his dad was in the washroom.

The next chapter started with a phone call that a young FBI agent received in his basement office. He was being called out to the scene of a crime in DC and his new partner would be meeting him there. At the scene he spotted her immediately, hunched over a corpse and examining what used to be its face.

Patrick thought the description of the decomposing body was good, so good he felt a little queasy.

The hero, Agent Shepherd made a joke about latex to his new partner, Agent Celina Murphy, that Patrick didn't get. Celina Murphy was un-amused by her new partner and he immediately thought of ways he could get her re-assigned. He went into great detail describing the colour of her hair and her eyes, the way her mouth pouted, and how her eyebrows arched, the way her body seemed...

"Patrick" Mulder snapped as he lunged for the book and grabbed it from his hands.

"I...uh, it was there," Patrick said looking guiltily at his father.

"Patrick, this book...this book is not meant for eight year olds," Mulder said running a hand through his hair. "How far did you get, what chapter were you on?"

"I was just starting chapter 2" Patrick confessed.

"You hadn't got to chapter 3?" Mulder sighed as he sat on the bed.

"No" Patrick answered honestly.

"Thank god" Mulder groaned.

"What's in chapter 3?" Patrick asked, inquisitively.

"A lot of stuff you are too young to know about" Mulder murmured and stared at the book in his hands.

"You'd be surprised what I know," Patrick said defending himself.

"I'm not saying that, son," Mulder said leaning toward him "I'm saying that there are things kids should not ever read about their parents."

"But you wrote them for other people to read, and you're okay with strangers reading your book."

"I'm okay with mature adults, who don't know me or your mother reading the book. I'm even okay with some people we know reading the book. I'm not okay with my son reading the book."

"But I want to learn your story," Patrick said picking at a stray thread on the bed cover.

"You can ask us about it" Mulder offered.

"You won't have time to tell me once mom gets here with all those people."

"I'll make time."

"That's what everyone always says."

"How about I read you an edited version of the story? Every morning I'll read you a chapter that is 8-year old appropriate?"

"That sounds okay" Patrick conceded.

"But you have to promise me, Patrick, promise me you won't read any of this book on your own, even if it's left lying around somewhere by accident."

"I promise," Patrick said sincerely.

Mulder put out his hand for Patrick to shake. The two of them shook hands to seal the deal and Mulder pulled him into a hug. When he wrote the book, he never, not in his wildest dreams, thought he would have to protect his son from it.

They were at a stand-off. Franz was frozen in front of Mallory as she confidently trained her gun on him.

"Mallory, if you let me explain..." he began as he took a step backwards.

"Cuff yourself to the frame of the bed," she said as she threw her handcuffs at him.

"You can't be..."

"Do it!" she interrupted.

Franz obediently took the handcuffs and snapped one around the bed frame and the other around his wrist.

"Happy?" he asked defeated.

Mallory lowered her gun for the first time. It felt like a heavy paper-weight in her hand, her gun had never felt more dangerous than when it was pointing at Franz.

She walked over to Robert and flipped him over on the bed so he was facing her. He moved to sit up, but winced as the cuffs cut into him.

"Is this necessary?" he asked.

"You don't have a say in this" she hissed at him "be grateful I haven't shot you, yet."

The two men looked at each other, she knew they were both wondering what the other would say to her.

"Robert, why do they want the boy?"

"I don't know."

"Robert, why do they want the boy?," she said punctuating each word.

"I told, you I...don't...know."

"So, you are that stupid that you were going to kidnap a boy and you didn't even know why?"

"Mallory, you have no understanding of..."

"Then make me understand!" she snapped.

"This was my first job for them, if I did well, they would give me more clearance."

"So, you're just a messenger boy!"

"No!" he snapped "I dealt with the man in charge of the whole operation."

"Who?"

"I can't tell you."

"Who, damn it!"

"Mallory, these people..."

"Who?" she snapped and pointed her gun directly at his head.

"Mallory" Franz's calm voice came from the other side of the bed.

"What?" she mumbled.

"He can't tell you without putting you in danger."

"I'm already involved."

"No beyond this room you're not" Franz clarified.

"What?" she asked as she un-cocked her gun.

"Only me and Hanson know. If we keep it to ourselves..."

"Oh, yeah, because I trust you both so much right now" she snickered.

"You have to trust us" Franz noted.

"No," she said reaching for her cell "I have to turn you in."

"Don't!" Robert yelled "you have no idea how high this goes. You'll be dead before you have a chance to tell anyone anything."

"Who else is involved?" she asked as she opened her phone.

"Mallory, you have no idea..."

"You keep telling me how clueless I am, but who's the one in cuffs?"

"I need to speak with Agent McCabe," she said boldly into the phone.

"Mallory..." Franz started.

"Shut up, Franz," she said waving him off.

"Yes, I'll hold," she said into the phone.

"If I don't deliver, you die" Franz said forcefully.

"What?" she snapped looking at him.

"That was my deal. They were threatening you, so I got involved."

"What do you mean threatening me?" she stepped a little closer to him.

"They had me, Mallory. They know things. They hold things over you. They never forget. I couldn't let them kill you," he said as a tear fell down the side of his face.

"So I'm the reason..." she looked at him for a long moment before being snapped back into reality by the voice on the phone "Uh, yes, Agent McCabe...this is Agent Suharta...any updates on your search?"

She listened for a moment "Thank you. No, that was all," she said as she snapped the phone shut.

Dana Scully sat in her small grey car sipping from her coffee cup and pretending to read a book. She had been in the car for almost a half hour and was wondering if she should leave for a bit and return to park on the other side of the post office so people wouldn't think she looked suspicious. The truth was, she could be sitting in this car all day waiting for John. She had no idea when he would arrive, all she knew was that the post office was their meeting spot for all encounters.

A blue pick-up truck pulled up in front of the old postal building and John hopped out of the passenger sear. Dana strained to see who the driver was but the reflection from the sun was causing nothing but glare on the back windshield. Originally she was going to get out of her car and meet him on foot, but this driver had thrown her off. She watched at the pick-up truck rounded the corner and was out of sight. Dana decided to drive over to get John.

She started her car and pulled up along side him and clicked the doors unlocked.

"Hi John," she said as she got into the passenger seat.

"Hi Dana." He smiled back.

"Who dropped you off?" she asked as they started to pull away.

"Go around this corner and you'll find out."

"John, you know I don't like..."

"Just trust me" he snickered.

She turned right and there, standing on the sidewalk was Monica Reyes. Dana's face lit up at the sight of her friend.

"But she's not in the..."

"She wanted to help" he interrupted.

Monica got in behind John and patted Dana on the shoulder "Hi Dana."

"Monica...you didn't have to..."

"I wanted to" she smiled "Besides, I want to see this son of yours again."

Dana smiled warmly back at her.

"Thank you" she offered as she turned to drive them back to the motel.

"He doesn't go by William, anymore" Scully began.

"John told me his name is Patrick and that he has some really special abilities."

"He's a very special boy" Dana offered.

"So, how does it feel to know someone listening to your every thought?"

"Very...disconcerting...very personal" Dana remarked as she rounded another corner.

"I can't imagine."

"It's even hard for me to believe and I'm the one living it" Dana snickered.

"I have a flash drive with all the information Skinner could get before he left" Doggett said as he pulled it from his jacket pocket.

"Left for where?" Scully asked alarmed.

"He and Dinah are taking an unannounced vacation to Boston. He's hoping they'll follow him thinking there's a meet set up with you and Mulder."

"Skinner's doing this for us?"

"He's buying us some time, Dana."

"What's on the drive?"

"I don't know. I just got it and left DC. We'll find out what's on it when we get to your motel."

"We're staying at the Holiday Inn."

"I expected some highway motel..."

"With William, we couldn't just stay just anywhere. The Holiday Inn has a pool and WiFi."

"You're already acting like such a mom, Dana."

"Thank you" Dana smiled from behind her sunglasses.

"What if I take him swimming while you three look at the drive."

"That'd be great Monica...but I don't have a suit and neither does Patrick."

"Turn left at the light. I'll run into the Target, grab one for each of us and be out in 5 minutes flat."

"You don't have to."

"I want to" she smiled back "what size does he wear?"

"I bought him clothes in size 8 and they seemed to fir pretty good. Let me at least give you some money" Scully offered as she stopped in front of the Target.

"Five minutes" Monica said as she jumped out of the car.

Hanson started to laugh uncontrollably.

"What is so funny?" Mallory snapped at him, hers nerves raw.

Hanson continued to laugh until he seemed to be gasping for air.

"Robert, have you lost it?" Mallory asked even more on edge.

"He did it for you" Robert gasped between gasps of laughter.

"Fuck you, Robert" Franz snapped from across the bed.

Mallory turned to face Franz and attempted to ignore the hyena on the bed "Why did they threaten me?"

"They've been setting me up for years Mallory, and when I found out about..."

"How have they been setting you up?" she asked sitting on a chair so she could see him better.

"It started with scholarships. I had my entire university education paid for by Kite Pharmaceuticals. I always wondered why a pharmaceutical company was interested in someone studying psychology, but then I figured maybe they gave them out to all different faculties..."

"When did you clue in?"

"Surprisingly late, actually" he snickered. "For a profiler I didn't even consider profiling myself, but then I started to get case after case that seemed to involve the company and eventually I was asked, no ordered, to do some things that, in retrospect were not entirely legal."

"Not entirely?"

"Mallory, you know how it goes when you are a new agent, the boss says jump and you say, how high? I didn't want to get labeled as an agent who didn't follow orders, even if I knew some of the orders were questionable."

"So, that's how they found out you'd play along?"

"Well, for a while. But then I did start to ask questions and look into activities...and that's why young Hanson here is my boss. Now they only call on me when they need a profiler as a front man."

"Franz, I can't believe..."

Robert Hanson had calmed down his laughter at this point and listened to the last bit of explanation "and now I won't even get the luxury of being a wash-out like Franz here, I'll be dead."

"Shut up, Robert" Mallory snapped.

"They threatened you, my sister, and my mother,. You however, are a recent addition. If I walked away, if I failed to do as told, they had the ability to kill each and every one of you before I would even know what happened."

"So, you are involved with these people because..."

"I have no alternative" Franz finished her sentence and bowed his head "I've tried to think of every conceivable way out of this hell-hole I live in, but there's nothing, no way. It only ends if I..."

"Don't" she interrupted.

"I should, that little boy..."

"It won't stop them from trying to find him. We can find a way..."

"Ha!" Robert laughed from his spot on the bed "you may be good at some things Mallory," he leered "but leave the detective work..."

"Shut up, you son of a bitch" Franz snapped.

"Franz, don't."

"Yeah, Franz. Although you may be lusting after your little partner here..."

Franz knew from the moment he found them in her room that Robert Hanson was intimately involved with Mallory. He also knew that she didn't really care much for him from the way she had been dealing with him. Finally, he knew that Robert would never clue into the fact that he and Mallory were involved, and Franz wanted to keep it that way.

"I don't give a shit about you and Mallory" Franz bit back "all I care about is not getting anyone I know killed."

Mallory looked at him, stunned. He knew. Her heart wanted to break into a million pieces but she couldn't allow that to happen at the moment.

Mallory walked over to her bag and got out her handcuff keys.

"It's about fucking time" Robert snapped from the bed.

She walked over to Franz and undid his cuffs "I'm sorry" she whispered as she leaned into him.

"I don't deserve..."

"Yes, you do" she whispered.

"Uh, over here" Robert called them back to the reality of the room.

Franz looked at Mallory and she knew they needed to talk, without Robert present. He took the handcuffs and walked over to Robert. He dragged Robert off the bed and into the washroom. He snapped one on his hand and the other onto the pipes coming out from the bottom of the sink. Robert now had a set of cuffs holding his hands together, and a set tying him to the sink.

"What are you doing?" Robert snapped.

"We'll be back" Franz said as he shut the door behind him.

"Your room" Mallory said as the door shut.

"You can't do this!" Robert yelled from the washroom.

"Robert, you better stop yelling or you'll draw attention to yourself, and I'm sure you don't want to be found here" Mallory chastised through the door.

"Get dressed and grab the files, I'll see you there in a minute" Franz said as he walked out her door.

"I will get you Optimus Prime, you can't escape Megatron" Mulder said seriously as his action figure dove off the side of the bed.

"You will never find me!" Patrick called to his father as he ran around the room flying his action figure.

The door opened and Scully stood at the entry way watching the action with two people peering in from behind her.

"Oh, hey Scully" Mulder acknowledged her presence.

"I will get my army force to capture you and bring you back to me" Mulder said seriously as he ran around the bed after Patrick.

"Your decepticons will never find me, the All Spark will be mine!"

"Oh, hey mom," Patrick said as he lowered his figure.

"Hi" Scully smiled at them "it looks like you two have been having fun."

"Oh" said Mulder wrapping his arm around Patrick "just a little robot warfare."

Scully stepped into the room followed by John Doggett and Monica Reyes.

"Hi Patrick" Monica said as she entered the room.

"You're my mom's friend," he said smiling at her.

"I am" Monica smiled back "I've missed you."

Patrick just looked down at his feet and shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey, Patrick" John said trying to lighten the mood.

"Hi John, long time no see." He smiled.

"Uh, Skinner gave John a flash drive," Scully said uncomfortably, anxious to get to the information "is the computer on?"

She walked over to Mulder and handed him the flash drive.

"Yeah" Mulder sighed "Good to see you again John, Monica" he nodded towards them.

"Not exactly a book promotion..."

"No," he smirked, "not exactly."

"Hey, Patrick?" she asked walking toward him "how do you feel about going for a swim with me? I hear the hotel has a great pool."

"My mom says you got me a bathing suit." He smiled at her.

Monica turned to look at Scully.

"I told you" Scully looked at her "Patrick why don't you go and get changed and go swimming with Monica, it'd be boring sitting around here any longer."

"Okay, but I want to find out everything, no hiding stuff from me."

"How can I possibly do that?" Dana smiled down at her son.

"Yeah, I guess that's true," he said as he walked past her into the washroom and shut the door.

"He's beautiful Dana" Monica said as she touched her shoulder.

"He is" Dana sighed as she looked toward the bathroom door.

"We're up," Mulder said from across the room.

All four people crowded around the laptop, anxious to read what secrets these files held. They were all numbered files, there were no names to indicate which ones were the most important. There was almost 8G of information on the drive, lots to sort through.

"Just click on the first one," Scully said impatiently.

Mulder opened the first file and it was William's birth certificate naming Mulder and Scully as his parents.

"I didn't know his middle name was John" Doggett piped up.

"It's Scully's grandfather's name" Mulder answered quickly.

"Oh" John sounded disappointed.

Mulder closed the file and clicked on the next one. It was William's medical records, every doctor's visit and immunization was catalogued.

"These look like my pediatrician's notes," Scully said looking closely at the screen.

"So, he was tracking William?"

"I don't think so" Scully murmured as she placed her hand over Mulder's on the mouse to move down the documents "it looks like these are scanned versions of his notes. I don't see any indication that he was taking specific notes for anyone, or charting any particular progress William was making."

"When do the notes end?" Monica asked.

Scully moved the mouse down further and looked at the final date "just before he was adopted."

"So he's been out of their range all these years?" Doggett asked.

"Hopefully" Mulder sighed.

"What about that psychologist the school had him see?" Doggett asked.

"That wasn't too long ago, maybe they've just found him" Scully answered as she opened the next file.

"More medical records" Monica said looking at the screen.

"They pick up right after he was adopted," Scully said tersely.

"They knew where he was the whole time" Doggett said what everyone else was thinking.

"God damn it!" Scully yelled at the screen.

"Scully," Mulder said turning in his seat to face her and hold her two hands "you couldn't have known, there was nothing..."

"I should have kept him, Mulder. They knew where he was the whole time, they knew!"

"Um, ready," Patrick said from across the room.

All four people turned to face him.

"I'll...I'll just get on my suit" said Monica brushing past him.

"It's not your fault," Patrick said to his mother, who had turned to face away from him.

"Patrick, right now your mom is just really upset about a decision she made, she's second-guessing herself, do you know what that means?" John asked as he kneeled in front of the boy.

"She thinks that if she kept me, none of this would have happened," he said to John as he watched his dad gently rub his mother's back.

"Yeah, that's what she's thinking" John acknowledged.

'You'd be dead' Patrick's voice said in her head 'so would dad'.

Scully turned to face him. Her eyes were filled with tears. It was the first time she's heard Patrick refer to Mulder as 'dad'.

"Would you have wanted that?" Patrick asked.

Mulder and Doggett looked from her to Patrick, not sure what conversation was taking place.

"No," she said sincerely.

'Neither would I' Patrick's voice said again 'I love both of you'.

"Thank you" she smiled at him.

"Ready to go!" Monica announced as she walked from the bathroom in a blue one-piece suit.

"Ready," Patrick said as he grabbed a towel "See you in a while."

"Be careful" Scully called after them "Monica..."

"With my life" Monica interrupted, as she shut the door behind her.

"When did the threats start?" Mallory asks not skipping a beat once she entered Franz's room.

"A couple years after I joined the Bureau."

"But how did they know you would join...I mean you could have been in any profession."

"In grad school I had an advisor that coaxed me, not so gently, into profiling, and then I had FBI recruiters visit me personally, promising me the moon and feeding me ego. I joined the Bureau , like a good little boy who wanted to feel important. I had lots of cases that didn't add up, I started to ask questions and then I got a call to a meeting...I was told in no uncertain terms that all the scholarships I got for my education were now being collected and my mother and sister were my collateral until I was paid in full. Just after we became involved, you were added to the list. I shouldn't have ever..."

"Why didn't you report..."

"My supervisor was in the room, Mallory, it was pretty clear there was no reporting to be done" he interrupted.

"What..." she paused unsure of how to continue "Franz, what have you done for them?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"Not really," she said honestly "but I think I need to."

"I've arranged profiles to reflect who they want to be guilty instead of who may actually be guilty, I've helped them track people where no official report was ever filed, I've..."

"Stop," she said raising a hand "How come I have not noticed any of this?"

"I haven't done much for them recently, mostly sign off on fake arrests and testify in court, nothing that really involved you, until..."

"Now" she interrupted "what are you supposed to do with this boy? Were you faking all of it? Did you really know he was two former FBI agents kid all along? Were you playing me for a..."

"No," he said grabbing her by the shoulders "what Hanson said was right. In their eyes I am a wash-out. I was just as out of the loop as you were. I knew I had to back up the psych reports that this kid was unstable, they never expected him to get away, I really am trying to find him."

"So they can ship him off for testing? What kind of testing Franz?"

"That's...more complicated," he said letting go of her and taking a few steps away.

"Enlighten me," she said crossing her arms over her chest.

"He has special abilities...I think he's tapped into some previously unused areas of the brain that allow him to sense things, know things, do things, that we can't. I just thought that he was too young to realize these abilities. I was wrong."

"How did he get these abilities?"

"There are...children...not many, but some, and they are born this way, born with these amazing abilities that no one else has. They need to be studied so maybe, we can tap into these areas in other people."

"So it's all one big science project? Who is funding this? Is our government doing this?," she said loudly, not meaning to raise her voice.

"Our government is in on it, in a large way. But, the testing is done through Kite Pharmaceuticals. Know them?"

"Yeah, they are one of the oldest and biggest pharmaceutical agencies in the country, if not the world."

"Third largest in the world, I checked."

"What's their part?"

"They run the tests and they get the rights to whatever products are derived from the testing."

"And the government plays the goon, rounding up the victims?"

"Sort of. They must get something more out of it then scientific advancement...but I don't know what, yet."

"How many?"

"How many, what?"

"How many kids have you helped bring in?"

"Two" he lowered his head "but I'm sure there are others."

Mallory walked away and bent over, holding her stomach.

"Mallory, are you...?"

She didn't answer him as she ran past him into the washroom and threw up into the toilet. Franz sat on the edge of the bed and held his face in his hands.

Mulder had been meticulously clicking on one file after another revealing all the details about his son that he had not known. Patrick's dental records, his school report cards, a listing of the badges he had achieved in Scouts. As much as he would be happy, any other time to peruse this information, it was not important to their investigation. It did not answer the question of who killed his parents and why they wanted Patrick.

He opened and closed files at a high speed until they got to some picture files. There was one file for each year of Patrick's life catalogued in photos. Mulder couldn't help but pause at the pictures of Scully pushing him through the park in his stroller, her kissing the top of his head as she walked him into her apartment.

"Mulder," she said softly from behind him as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know" he sighed and closed the file.

But the next few files captured Scully's attention too. There was Patrick's adoptive mom ushering him though the streets as he toddled next to him, his father carrying him on his shoulders at a parade, Patrick standing in the rain next to a bus with his mother on what looked like the first day of school, Patrick eating cotton candy at a fair and laughing.

Mulder abruptly got up from his seat and pushed his way past Scully and Doggett.

"Mulder...where...?" was all Scully could get out before he walked out of their room and slammed the door.

She stood facing the door for a few moments looking deflated. She knew that these pictures not only brought up old feeling with her about the decision she made, but they also reminded Mulder of the decision he wasn't part of. He had told her a long time ago that he couldn't judge her decision, but right now, as they looked at Patrick's smiling face as he ate cotton candy at a fair, she knew he was judging her.

"Hey, Dana, take a look at this" Doggett said gingerly from behind her.

She turned to see he had closed the picture files and opened an FBI case file that had all kinds of details about Patrick.

"What's this?" she asked leaning into the computer screen.

"It looks like that Agent Lutman has been investigating Patrick for quite some time."

"I want to know what he found out," she said as she sat down next to him.

Mulder stood looking through the glass partition at his son playing in the pool with Monica. He was jumping off the side and swimming over to the ledge with no help from her beyond some clapping and encouragement. He didn't even know his son could swim. He didn't know much about his son.

He shook his head and starred at his feet willing the thoughts that were invading his brain to go away. He couldn't help it, they were there, like the elephant in the room between him and Scully since they were found by Patrick. She had willingly given their son up. She had decided, without even an e-mail, to categorically change their lives forever. And then she expected him to just accept it, move on, and forget. And he had, in many ways. But now the photos of his son's life, the life he has missed so far, were cruel reminders of what he had allowed himself to be part of.

He remembered back to the time he first heard. Skinner had come to visit him in jail without Scully and he had assumed it was to discuss the case but, from the moment the man walked into his cell Mulder knew he was there on personal business. Skinner looked so awkward and hurt that Mulder thought the worst-- Scully's cancer was back. Mulder blurted out the question and Skinner had vehemently shaken his head no.

Then when Skinner started to talk about a decision the he and Scully had made, a decision that he thought Mulder should know about, Mulder started to feel sick to his stomach. His mind immediately raced to the fact that Skinner had always been fond of Scully, that she had always been fond of him, that in Mulder's absence, with no return in sight, maybe something had happened between them. Skinner seemed so strangely awkward in his speech that Mulder had prepared himself for the punch to the gut, Scully and Skinner were involved.

But when he heard that William had been given up for adoption his mouth went dry. It was not what Mulder had expected and he was rendered speechless. Skinner took the opportunity to tell him the details, that Scully had come to him asking for advice and that he had helped her make this decision. That he was just as responsible as she was for the outcome. After several minutes of silence on his behalf Skinner had demanded that Mulder say something. But he couldn't. He couldn't speak for almost 15 minutes. During that time Skinner went on and on about the heartbreaking decision, the details of him being made guardian, the couple William was placed with, the care that was taken to ensure everything was done properly.

"I did this" was all Mulder could say and all he would say for nearly an hour afterwards until Scully came to visit him again, to tell him what he already knew.

A knock against the glass partition Mulder had been resting his head against jolted him back to the present. He looked across the glass into the confused eyes of Monica Reyes standing wrapped in a towel and dripping. His eyes scoped the pool beyond her to Patrick , who was happily snorkeling in the shallow end of the pool. He looked back to Monica and she gestured for him to join her.

Mulder walked into the humid air of the swimming pool and immediately felt all his clothes stick to his skin.

"Christ it's hot in here," he said as he walked up next to Monica.

"Not if you're just in a suit" she smiled at him and gestured for them to sit down on some lounge chairs "he's quite a swimmer."

"Yes, I was watching" Mulder conceded as he watched Patrick dive for rings in the shallow water.

"I hear he comes by it honestly. Dana once told me you swam in college."

"She did?"

"We had a lot of conversations about you when she was pregnant."

"So you knew I was the baby's father?"

"I think it was pretty obvious, but I kept that bit of knowledge to myself."

"I wasn't even sure I was the father at first" Mulder chuckled "but then I knew."

"What did you think?"

"I thought that after I disappeared Scully went through with IVF again, with a different donor this time."

"You and Scully tried IVF?"

"That didn't come up in all those conversations?" Mulder laughed.

"No, I had no idea."

"We had tried it almost two years before William was conceived. Scully wanted children and I wanted to give her them. It obviously didn't work."

"But you didn't want kids?"

"What?" Mulder asked.

"You said 'Scully wanted children and you wanted to give her them' but you didn't say that's what you wanted."

Mulder looked at her and smirked, "no, I guess I didn't want children."

"But you are happy you have Patrick."

"Very" Mulder smiled.

"So, why not then?"

"Things were complicated." Mulder shook his head "I wanted Scully to have a happy life, even if it was without me, and a child, even my child, would certainly guarantee that."

"How do you mean?"

"I knew that if the IVF worked that Scully would take a job at Quantico and that would be the end of our partnership, the end of her being in my life in any significant way."

"But, you would have had a child together, you were involved..."

Mulder laughed at her assumption. "No, we weren't."

"You mean you and Scully..."

"Not until after the IVF failed. You see, we do a lot of things ass-backwards, when it comes to our personal lives."

"I'd say so" Monica chuckled "So all those years..."

"I loved her, but I didn't make a move. She knew it, and she came to love me, but she didn't say a word. We just co-existed peacefully in that knowledge for quite some time. Then she brought up the IVF and everything changed."

"How so?"

"You see, many men would see having a baby with the woman they loved as a positive step forward in their relationship but for us it was the exact opposite. I knew that if the IVF worked and Scully had my baby I would forever he categorized as 'best friend' and never anything more. She would not want to risk our child having parents who couldn't work things out instead of parents who were just best friends. Which is why, when I agreed to do the IVF with her, I also knew I was giving up on any hopes of a romantic relationship with her."

"Wow" Monica said, shaking her head "but you did it?"

"I needed to. She needed me to. It was beyond what I wanted at that point."

"You two are amazing."

"I wouldn't say that" Mulder smiled.

"You both put the greater good ahead of yourselves and anything your decision could do that may ruin your happiness."

"Huh?"

"Sort of like her decision to give up William. She risked you, the man she loved, hating her for the rest of her life so your son could be safe."

Mulder just looked at her amazed. How could she know?.

"She said that to me once, after she gave William up."

Mulder's mouth was dry. "Said what?"

"That you would never forgive her for this. I told her she was wrong."

Mulder looked at William as he dunked under the water again. His son was there, with him, despite the years of absence. He had made this child, their child, with her and caused her to endure all kinds of heartache because of him. How could be not forgive her?.

Mulder stood from his lounge chair and repeated the phrase that was now lodged in his throat "I did this."

"Mulder?"

"She was wrong," he said as he walked from the pool area.

"Take a look at that" John said over her shoulder as he pointed at the screen.

"But that would mean that everything the FBI was basing their search for Patrick on was false information," Scully said turning to look at him.

"It means a hell of a lot more then that Dana" John said leaning in and looking her squarely in the eye, "it means that not only was the murder of his parents a foregone conclusion but that the FBI, in some capacity, was in on it from the start...with this Agent Lutman leading the way."

"So he's hunting my son," she said with a waver to her voice.

"I think he's hunting Patrick, you, and Mulder, judging from the information the FBI already has in these files. The one thing we don't know, is if they've found out that we know about them."

"So all these psych visits and reports..."

"Falsified to make Patrick look like a loose canon capable of killing his parents," Doggett said as he rubbed his chin.

"So bringing him into a facility for testing would happen without any red flags being raised about his case."

"And this Agent Lutman would testify to that in court and seal the deal."

"What I'm interested in is the mention in a few reports of Kite Pharmaceuticals. What the hell does Kite Pharmaceuticals have to do with my son?"

"Maybe that's the next thing we should..."

The door opened abruptly and John Doggett didn't finish his sentence. Instead he stood upright and slightly in front of Dana as she sat wide-eyed at the computer. Mulder stood at the doorway to the room looking crumpled and awkward for a moment before he crossed the room and stood closer to them.

"Here," he said holding out a bundle in his hand toward Dana.

John Doggett moved slightly out of the way so she could grasp the object. When she did a slight smile broke across her face as she placed it on her lap and over her stomach.

"Thanks," she said looking up at Mulder with trepidation.

"I thought it would help," he said awkwardly as he shuffled his feet.

John looked from one person to the next unsure of what was going on between them, but sure that Mulder was not going to yell at Dana.

"I'm,...uh...going to get a coffee. Do either of you want one?" he asked as he walked to the door.

He didn't hear a response from either person as he walked out the door and shut it behind him.

Franz had been sitting on the edge of the bed for twenty minutes, waiting for Mallory to pull herself together. He didn't dare walk into the washroom, even as he heard the water running and the toilet flushing. He knew she was disgusted with him, and he couldn't bear to see the look on her face when she came out of that room. So, the longer he sat there, the longer the delay before the inevitable look.

From the small part in the curtain Franz saw something that caught his eye outside. A black SUV pulled up quickly to the motel office. There was something in the halting motion and urgency of the truck that caught Franz's attention and he moved toward the window to get a closer look. The truck didn't have a license plate on it. Franz's stomach dropped.

Someone had discovered that Robert Hanson was here seeing them. Someone had sent this man to get rid of the security breach. The man driving the truck calmly walked from the vehicle toward the office. Franz knew he was military. Franz could tell by his gait, and the way he casually wore a sidearm as if it was part of his body. He watched the man go into the office and wait behind the family checking out.

Franz quickly bolted across the room and opened the bathroom door only to see Mallory wiping her face and looking into the mirror.

"They know we know," he said as he peeled the screen off the window and opened it as wide as it would go.

"Who knows?," she said looking at him strangely "What are you doing?"

"Do you have your gun?" Franz asked quickly as he marched from the washroom, "Mallory!" he yelled as he grabbed the files and his gun.

"Yes, yes, it's here," she said still confused.

"Climb out that window, now!" Franz said tersely.

Mallory didn't know what was going on but she knew that whatever her partner had done, he would do nothing to harm her. She stood on top of the toilet and boosted herself out of the window.

Franz went to check on the status of the assassin. He was still waiting.

Franz ran to the washroom and boosted his heavy frame out the window, squeezing through the small frame with all his might, as Mallory stood, gun drawn, looking around for the threat.

"We need to get Hanson," she said.

"We don't have time" Franz said as he walked along the edge of the building with his gun drawn.

"But..." Mallory started.

"There is a military assassin in the office of the motel. He's here to kill all of us, Mallory."

Franz knew Robert was a sitting duck, but he also knew if they tried to save him, Mallory would be dead. He would never risk that.

Mallory looked at him wide-eyed as the knowledge of their circumstance sunk in. She then looked around and spotted what they needed.

"That car" she motioned with her head toward the parking lot.

They quickly walked to a small sedan that was parked behind the motel. The door was unlocked and Mallory reached under the steering column to hotwire the car. It seemed to take forever but it was only thirty seconds. Franz sat next to her sweating and looking around for any possible threat. The car started and as they drove out of the parking lot they saw the assassin jimmy the lock on the door to the room where Robert Hanson was handcuffed. He drew his gun and walked inside.

"How did you know?" she asked looking up at him.

"We've been together, how long?" he asked with a smirk "that.., and the pain medication I saw you take earlier."

"Where'd you...?"

"In the lobby downstairs. It's made of cherry pits and we can keep re-heating it in the microwave whenever it gets cold, or if your cramps get worse."

"I meant...where'd you go?" she asked as she cleared her throat.

"I needed to clear my head," he said looking at his feet.

"You mean you needed to put on your game face" she replied quickly.

"No, I think I needed some perspective."

"And you found it?" she asked cautiously.

"I found what I knew was there."

She starred at him and raised an eyebrow. She was scared to ask the question that could change everything between them. Dana Scully would rather live in the world of ambiguity for a little longer.

"Forgiveness," he said as his voice cracked.

"Mulder..." she started as she starred at her hands "I can't begin to tell you...to explain to you..."

"No, Scully. Hear me out," he said, cautioning her to stop "all these years, in some corner of my heart, I have resented the decision that you made, the decision you didn't involve me in, about us, our son, our future. But the truth is, I made that same decision several times without consulting you years ago."

"Mulder, what are you talking about?"

"Like when I brought you into all the conspiracy investigations, or when I ran off knowing you'd find me, or when I chose to ignore the attraction that was obviously happening between us in favor of the X-Files, or when I chose death over telling you the truth that I had learned," he said obviously upset. He was trying to make her understand. "Remember when you took me out for a coffee and told me about the IVF?"

"Yes," she said still looking confused.

"And I said I needed some time to think about it?"

"Yes."

"I wasn't lying, I really did. I went to a park for a couple of hours and watched mothers playing with their kids. I saw couples with their children. I saw little girls running to their father with their arms outstretched and jumping into their embrace. What I needed time to think about was whether I wanted you to be happy with a child, or us to be with each other."

"Mulder, you aren't making any sense," she said.

"Scully," he said taking a few steps toward her and grasping her by the elbows "I knew that the decision to do the IVF with you meant no future for us beyond friends. And...whether you knew it or not, our future was in my hands."

"Mulder, that's not true. If we had conceived..."

"I would have been uncle Mulder who visited your house and stayed for dinner once a month, while you and Junior had a life together. Because Scully, you would never have risked us not working out as a couple if a child was involved."

She looked up at him, aware that he was right. With teary eyes, she murmured "but you chose to do the IVF."

"I did."

"What does that say about us?"

"What it says is..." he stopped to clear his throat "that sometimes we make bad decisions for good reasons. And that I would hope that if we had conceived through IVF, you would have forgiven me, for the same reason that I forgive you."

"Have you?" she asked with a cracked voice.

"I'm working on it," he said honestly "but I think that, when I look at everything you've been through, all the things that I have decided for us, without asking you..,forgiving you is the easy part, but how can I forgive myself?"

"Oh, Mulder, how can you not?"

"I don't know, Scully..."

She wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled into his chest. "Mulder, we have to start fresh, if we are to help Patrick, and get through this, we have to...we have to wipe the slate clean, otherwise it will haunt us forever."

"You make it seem like we're key figures..." he started as she laughed into his chest.

"Come here," he said raising her face to look at him.

With tenderness he swiped the tears from the sides of her face and looked lovingly into her eyes, the deep blue wells of faith and trust that he had always known. She sniffled as she starred back at him.

"Are we okay?" he whispered.

"You and me" she smiled up at him.

"You and me," he said softly as he captured her mouth with his and tried to convey to her all the love that he felt in his heart.

The kiss deepened and Mulder found himself pulling her toward him, wanting to feel her entire body pressed up against him. He loved it when they were so close it was hard to tell where he ended and she began. He hunched down toward her rubbing his hands down her back and along her hips until he was grabbing her ass. His cock hardened and he felt her hum against his lips. She melded into him and plunged her tongue deeply into his mouth. She pulled him tightly against her body and felt his erection palpitate against her stomach. His clothes were damp and they stuck to his skin even as she snaked her hands underneath the back of his shirt to feel his warm body. She reached up and under his shirt revealing his warm, toned back as it strained to get closer to her. Her nipples hardened as he took one hand and cupped her over her shirt. He was voraciously massaging her breast with his cupped hand.

The door opened abruptly and Mulder and Scully snapped away from each other like two chopsticks being pulled apart. They looked toward the door to see the dripping faces of Patrick and Monica starring at them with open mouths.

Scully's face was red as she ran her hands quickly through her hair and pulled down at the hem of her shirt. Mulder stepped toward them trying to seem nonchalant about the whole situation.

"So you two are back?" he asked nervously.

"I knew she was happy," Patrick said with eyes narrowed as he looked at his father "I'm going to change."

He quickly walked toward the washroom and shut the door.

Monica just looked at them with a knowing smile. She started to walk toward the other room when she suddenly stopped "I'm glad everything is good" she smiled.

"Monica..." Scully started but was waved off by Monica as she crossed the threshold into the other room.

Mulder walked toward Scully and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her against him again into a soft hug.

Franz and Mallory had been on the road for almost 5 hours headed East. Franz had spotted a car covered up with a tarp sitting at the back of someone's property. He switched their plates so they could not be as easily spotted on the road.

The entire time he had been driving Mallory had been studying the file with the new knowledge that she had of Franz and Robert's role in all this.

'Poor Robert' she thought time and time again, he was guilty of many things but, he didn't deserve what may be happening to him right now. She hoped in her heart that his death was quick and painless but somehow she sensed that was not the case.

Mallory looked at Franz in his wrinkled clothes as he clenched his jaw and watched the traffic. He had spoken very little in the time they had spent in the car, both agents seemed to be quite introspective right now.

"Did we know the location of AD Skinner when all this went down?"

"He's in Boston being tracked, so far nothing has turned up in connection with him, except some really quick vacation plans. But our Intel is a few hours old."

"Would he be involved? He's..."

"One of the people who helped Mulder go on the run years ago," he said glancing in her direction "I don't doubt that for a second."

"If that was me, and I was protecting my son, I would call on all the people I know I could trust but, I wouldn't do it directly."

"Maybe they have a way of contacting each other outside the regular channels?"

"Or maybe they have people in common that wouldn't seem such obvious links."

"Who do you mean?"

"Skinner's wife Dinah, she's an art dealer, right?"

"From what I recall, a very high end one."

"What if a message was delivered to her, that she passed on to Skinner and thus the quickie vacation. Maybe they knew Skinner would be watched, but the real link is his wife, she's meeting up with one or all of them" Mallory said eager to have made some sort of connection.

"It's a reach, but he's the only one we have right now." Franz said looking over at her "Is there anyone else we should consider?"

"Agent Scully worked closely with John Doggett and Monica Reyes at one point. Reyes left the Bureau years ago to raise her nephew when his parents were killed in a car accident. Besides a personal relationship with John Doggett that seems to be over, she doesn't have any other Bureau contacts."

"And John Doggett?"

"No one was tracking him, as of a few hours ago. He trains new recruits at Quantico, a pretty cushy job, really. He's still part of the Bureau but hasn't been in the field in years."

"What about family?" he asked "Hers, I mean." he emphasized, knowing all of Fox Mulder's immediate family was gone.

"Uh," Mallory stammered as she looked at the file "her oldest brother Bill lives in San Diego and there's no record of contact between them since she gave up her baby...her brother Charlie lives in Australia with his family, having re-located there with the US Navy 4 years ago."

"Isn't there a mother, still?"

"Yeah, but besides the occasional visit and phone call, not much there since she came out of hiding."

"But I bet she'd protect her daughter."

"What mother wouldn't?" Mallory mumbled under her breath.

"Maybe we should start with the mother" he huffed as he changed lanes.

"If I was her, I wouldn't bring civilians into this, especially my mother."

"Maybe that's why we need to look into her."

"If we take the time to go and find her, we could lose the chance to find them with Skinner's wife."

"We're about 9 hours to Boston right now..."

"I think Boston is the right call" Mallory said confidently "but, you are the profiler."

Franz scoffed at the comment. If she only knew that right now, in this moment, he could not concentrate on anything but getting them to safety. How, he had considered many options in his own mind, like a cargo ship to Europe where his distant relatives could hide them on a farm not even on the map.

"Franz?" Mallory woke him from his reverie with a warm hand placed on his arm.

"Sorry, what?" he asked.

"What do you think?"

"Boston" he answered, trying to sound confident.

"Boston, it is" she smiled at looked out the window.

Franz thought that if they didn't find any answers from Skinner, they were at least close to water.

After a bucket of chicken had been devoured, and Patrick had successfully beaten everyone at his video game, he was soundly sleeping in the other room. Monica had left just after supper to get back to her house and would return again tomorrow with more supplies.

It was midnight and John Doggett was feeling the day close in on him. He shut down Monica's laptop and stretched his arms.

"I'm done" he announced as he rose from the table "I'll take the other bed in Patrick's room."

"We can sleep in there, if you want some privacy" Scully offered, about to gather their things.

"Nah," he said dismissing the offer "it looks like you two might still be up for a bit."

"I'm making someone go to bed now," Mulder said reaching over her head and shutting down her laptop.

"Mulder, I still wanted to look at..."

"A file that will still be there in the morning," he said looking down at her "you're exhausted."

Scully straightened in her chair "I'm not that tired."

"Tell that to me again, five minutes after your head hits the pillow." He smiled at her "working at 20% tomorrow is not going to help us come up with a plan."

She lowered her head and conceded his point.

"Goodnight" John Doggett called softly as he shut the adjoining door.

Scully rubbed her face in her hands and Mulder rubbed her shoulders.

"Come on," he said as he coaxed her to rise.

She padded across the room following behind him as they entered the washroom. They were used to sharing the same space after all these years. As Mulder globed on his toothpaste and began to brush, she washed off a days worth of make-up and grime. They went about their nightly routine quietly and with little acknowledgement of the other. When Mulder left the washroom he shut the door behind him and went to get on his pajamas.

He pulled some clothes out of the Target bag and ripped the tag off with his teeth. The blue plaid flannel bottoms looked comfortable and the new white t-shirt, although stiff, would be adequate. He rifled through the bag and pulled out a short grey jersey nightshirt he had bought years ago for Scully. He hoped she would be too tired to notice it was short. He ripped the tag off with his teeth and laid it on the bed for her.

With perfect timing the door opened and Scully shuffled toward the bed.

"Mulder, I think I'm going to have to borrow a t-shirt again, I didn't bring pajamas with me this weekend."

"I noticed." He smiled at her "did you think it was clothing optional in Chicago?"

"I guess I just didn't think I'd have much use for them" she softly grinned "but then I end up on the run from the law..."

"There's a nightgown on the bed" he offered "I had some clothes for us in the trunk of the Corolla."

Scully looked at the jersey nightie on the bed and smiled "Mulder, you shopped for me."

"Don't get too excited...." He smiled "it's all Target clothing that I bought in about 20 minutes. You might not be impressed, when you see the rest."

She pulled her shirt over her head and slipped on the nightie before taking off her pants. The nightie was a little large but at least seemed comfortable.

"Thanks, Mulder" she smiled as they climbed into bed.

"Anything for you," he said as he pulled her closer "even shopping."

She leaned in and gave him a sloppy kiss goodnight and then went to roll onto her side of the bed. He took his cue and let her pull away. It had been a long, sometimes emotionally charged day and, in all the years he'd known Scully she had always liked her space. Her space to sleep, to focus, to re-charge, to process. She was not a cuddler and he could count on his hands the times she had fallen asleep in his embrace.

Mulder waited for her foot to inch its way over, to touch him like it always did, before she could fall asleep. He started to feel anxious when that did not happen. Her foot did not move, and instead he felt the bed shift and an arm snake around his waist and a hand move up to rub against his hairy chest. She nuzzled into his back and her body seemed to go limp. Within a minute she was softly purring against his back as he felt her chest rise and fall against him and her one hand hold him against herself. She was out for the night and for the first time in a long time Scully had fallen asleep wrapped up against him. That comfort alone, caused Mulder to drift off peacefully to sleep.

The young agent sat in his SUV and closed his eyes for a moment. Enjoying the silence that was about to be broken. His phone chirped alive on the seat next to him and he hesitated before reaching for it, but decided to not delay the inevitable. He hit the talk button and put the phone to his ear.

"Have you got a lead on them yet?" the gruff voice on the other side asked.

"I went door to door at the motel and one family's car is now missing. I suspect they used that to escape" he answered decisively.

"The plate?"

"Already called into state troopers, along with their descriptions."

"They've got quite a lead" the voice said unapologetically.

"Yeah, but they are running and we are hunting. They won't know what to expect" the young agent replied.

"We didn't expect this" was the quick response.

"But we know better now" the young agent said as he rubbed his temple.

"We better" the voice grumbled "Hanson?"

"Complete."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing" he replied.

"What's your next step?"

"I think they're headed to DC. They'll want to find Mulder and Scully and they may start with her family."

"And?"

"I'll already be there to greet them. I'm on the next flight."

"If they don't show up...there may be another use to your visit."

"I understand," he said confidently.

The phone disconnected and he was left in the cab of the SUV listening to faint sounds of Willy Nelson playing in the background. He looked at his watch, exited his car, and walked into the departure gate of the airport.

John Doggett heard the bed creak next to him and he was instantly awake. His eyes adjusted to the pre-dawn light of the room and, when he realized there was no one else in the room but him and Patrick, he started to relax.

"You up?" John asked.

"I'm trying not to be" the boy said as he hoisted himself from his bed.

"If you want to go back to sleep," John offered "it's generally better to stay in bed."

Patrick rummaged through his bags and looked around the room, angry with himself.

"What are you looking for?"

"My video game" Patrick offered "I left it in the other room."

"You'll have to wait until your parents are up" John said as he rolled away from Patrick and shut his eyes.

"But it's one of the only things that works."

"Huh?" John muffled from under his covers.

"I can hear her thoughts otherwise" Patrick offered.

"Well, she knows that already" John said groggily.

"Yeah, but this is a dream I really don't want to know about."

John's eyes popped open with realization.

'Oh," John said rolling off the side of the bed quickly "that kind of dream."

"Get you mind out of the gutter" Patrick snickered.

"So, what kind of dream?"

"Uh...she's on a long table, there are doctor's all around her, she's cold and she's thinking that they are never going to let her live..."

"Patrick, I think your mother is dreaming about when she was abducted."

"I don't want to see this" he says very faintly.

"But, it may help her to know what happened to her, maybe her dreams are trying to tell her something..."

"I see her head roll to the side and tears spring from her eyes, they are hurting her and she can't think of anything..." Patrick starts to cry.

John bolts from the room and flings open the door to Mulder and Scully's room. Mulder quickly rolls onto his back and crushes Scully beneath him. She is still clinging to his form as she is startled awake.

"Mulder!" she yells as he realizes, quite astonished, that she is underneath him.

He rolls off her and stands at the side of their bed, looking disheveled and suddenly alert.

"What the hell?" he asks as Doggett stands in the middle of their room. "Is William okay?"

"He's fine" Doggett offers as she sees Scully walk past him and into the other room.

She re-emerges with Patrick in tow and stands with her hands on his shoulders.

"Patrick said he had a nightmare" she announces.

A look is exchanged between John and Patrick. John will not say anything at this time.

"Are you okay?" Mulder asks as he crosses the room to his son.

"I'm fine, now" Patrick offers as he looks at John and silently thanks him.

"You want to try and go back to sleep, or are you up?" Scully asks, as she tugs at her short nightgown.

"I think I can try and sleep a bit more. I went to bed late last night."

"Do you want to stay here with us?" she asks, longing in her voice.

"I'm okay" Patrick says, slightly uncomfortable.

Patrick walks back to his room and crawls under his covers.

"Sorry about that" John offers "I was just a little worried about him."

"Thanks, John" Scully says while she pats his shoulder "for everything."

"Uh, better get back to sleep" he offers as he walks through the connecting door and shuts it behind him.

"Do you think he was dreaming about his parent's murder?" Mulder asks as he walks toward the bed.

"He wouldn't say, but Mulder, that boy was as white as a ghost when I walked in that room" she says as she climbs into bed "whatever it was, it scared him to death."

"Maybe it was just a bad dream" Mulder offered as she leaned over to kiss her on the lips.

"I hope so" she wished, as she closed her eyes.

After too many hours of driving and speculating whether they were making the right call, Franz and Mallory pulled into the greater Boston area. They had stopped at a local library to research Dinah Skinner and it constantly amazed Franz all the information anyone could unearth about someone.

Dinah and Walter had been married for a couple of years and she originally hailed from Boston. Her Irish maiden name 'Shea' was quite common in Boston so it was difficult to figure out which Shea family she belonged to. Then Mallory read an interview she had given to a local DC newspaper about an art exhibit she had pulled together on Local Criminals of the early 1900's. In the article, Dinah joked that criminals were in her blood because she came from a family of police officers, including her sister and father. A quick search of the local PD unearthed a Paula Shea-Hamm who received a commendation for bravery when she ended a hostage-taking situation with no injuries to the hostage or the assailant. In the comments she gave to the local paper she said how proud she was to receive the same commendation her dad had when he was a police officer in Boston. In the article it also noted she was a mother of two. A look through the phonebook for all Hamm residences that were not in the downtown core or condos (where no local cop could afford to live, or would choose to live with kids) narrowed their search down to 4 residences. With this knowledge Franz and Mallory started their search for the Skinners.

They pulled up into the quiet working class area in Boston, the second Hamm residence they were checking out, and spotted the surveillance vehicle immediately. Two agents were stationed down the street from the house they now knew was Dinah's sister's house. They had looked up information on her local family and Franz had decided that instead of causing alarms to go off by hitting the hotels they were much wiser to check out family. Mallory turned away from the house and parked around the corner.

"Let's take a look" said Franz as he sipped the last of his cold coffee.

The two agents exited their car and walked on foot up a back alley to get a closer look.

Two FBI agents were in the car were eating peanuts and having a casual conversation until suddenly one of them sat up straighter, causing the other to reach for his belt. Mallory walked closer between the houses and saw a car with AD Skinner whiz past the agents. The surveillance vehicle followed close behind.

Mallory jumped when she heard Franz's voice behind her.

"He knows they are following him."

"Jesus, Franz!," she said turning to face him "now we have his wife all to ourselves."

"I think we were right Mallory, she's the link."

"I don't see any other signs of surveillance" she noted.

"Let's get back to the car in case she's ready to move," he said grabbing her arm.

Franz and Mallory left the back alley and sat in their car for another two hours before Dinah made an appearance.

She was dressed in a long grey pencil skirt and heels with a crisp blazer jacket. Her hair bounced against her shoulders as she walked and she didn't seem to be nervous as she hopped into the cab waiting outside the house.

"I want you to be careful," she said as she watched Mulder shove some things into a backpack that had NASCAR down the side of it. "I'm not so sure about this."

He looked over at her and sighed, an exhausted, 'I don't want to talk about this, again' sigh.

He and John Doggett were taking separate routes to Kite Pharmaceutical's research facility in Kansas and meeting up there. Scully and Monica were going to keep Patrick safe here, where they would get the least amount of attention. They were fairly certain the answers they needed could be found in Kansas but it was too risky to take Patrick to the place where they wanted him. Mulder and Scully could therefore not go there together. The decision for Mulder to go and Scully to stay back, unable to protect him, was gut-wrenching but the right call. It still didn't make the contingency plans any easier on either of them.

The plan was, if Scully didn't hear from Mulder within a certain time period or, if he was caught, Scully and Patrick were to disappear out of the country and away from him forever. They knew that the FBI or whoever else was behind this, would be tracking Mulder and they couldn't take the risk of him leading them right to Scully and Patrick. Scully had identities and money secured for a quick escape and a comfortable life in New Zealand.

"It's just that, if you get caught..." she left the rest unsaid.

He walked a few paces over to sit next to her on the bed "I won't get caught."

"But you'll be on your own until John meets up with you, and we already know that they know about Patrick."

"And I'll do anything to protect him. Him and you," he said as he looked into her eyes.

"If you find nothing at the facility I want you to come back immediately, no alternative leads. You have one shot to figure this out Mulder and then...then if we don't get the answers we are looking for we leave, all three of us."

"Yes, sir," he said with a military salute mocking her.

"Mulder" she sighed as she grabbed his hand from the air and pulled it onto her lap griping it tightly.

"I won't take any risks," he said leaning in to kiss her nose.

She closed her eyes and nuzzled her nose against his, breathing in the beautiful scent that only he possessed.

"I love you" he whispered softly.

She gulped hard and allowed a tear to streak its way down her cheek. She didn't want to say the words because they seemed so final, possibly the last words she ever spoke privately to him. She wanted him to come back to those words, not leave with them. Instead, she found words of promise.

"You and me," she said opening her watery eyes to look into his soft hazel ones.

"You and me," he said back to her with a sad smile.

He got up and walked over to the door. He now needed to say goodbye to his son.

Patrick looked up at the sullen face on his father and knew that his mother's thoughts had not been dramatic or overblown. This was real. If he was caught he would never see them again, he would live the rest of his life alone so he and his mom could be happy and safe. This was his father, the man he had barely got to know, who could be out of his life permanently in about fifteen minutes.

Patrick could feel his mother's sadness permeating the wall between the two rooms. She was trying to be strong for him, knowing he could sense the hole that was forming in her heart.

"I guess you already know why I'm here," Mulder said as he switched off the TV.

Patrick looked up at his father and nodded once. He didn't know how to say what he needed to. And Patrick realized, looking at the twisted features that were looking down at him, neither did his father.

"Why can't we all just leave now?"

"Because" his dad started as he sat next to him "if I don't at least try and find out who is behind this, I can't stop them from coming after you again, or another kid for that matter."

"Maybe we can research it from..."

"...I can't know" Mulder interrupted him with a hand up to stop further conversation "for your safety, where you and your mother go, is only between the two of you."

"So you can't ever find us?"

"No," he said sadly, looking down at his hands "but that's not going to happen."

"You can't guarantee that," Patrick said looking right at him.

Mulder looked up and met his gaze "No, I can't. But...but I can promise that I will do everything, and I mean everything Patrick, to get back to you and your mother without..."

"...getting caught" Patrick finished his sentence.

"Yeah" Mulder smiled at him.

"Dad," Patrick said, and paused when he saw his face light up, "I think I know why you are doing it. But it still doesn't help."

"I know that feeling," Mulder said as he wrapped an arm around Patrick's shoulder "I don't think it helps me much, either."

"Mom really doesn't want you to go. I don't know what she's said but she thinks..."

"Patrick" Mulder interrupted and then seemed to pause and ponder how to form his thoughts into words. "You know, I once was able to hear people's thoughts."

"You're serious, aren't you?" Patrick asked with eyes wide.

"Yeah, I am" Mulder smirked to himself, "and the one thing I learned out of it, was there is a reason why we all aren't able to do that."

"Why?" Patrick asked, curious.

"Because sometimes people think things that, if they are said, make real life a whole lot more complicated than it already is."

"But you two love each other," Patrick said quietly "why wouldn't she want you to know what she thought?"

"Because, she doesn't want me to feel even worse about this whole situation. Because she knows it's..." Mulder paused to clear his throat "it's killing me to do this, to leave you after I just found you again."

"I found you," Patrick said through tears as he threw his torso against his father and wrapped his arms around his neck.

Mulder grasped his son's body tightly against his own, smelling the hotel shampoo in his hair and the licorice on his breath "I love you son, and it's because I love you so much that I have to do this."

"I know" Patrick cried "I just wish you wouldn't."

"I love you so much, William" Mulder murmured into his soft brown hair over and over again.

"I love you too, dad," he said as he sniffled into his shoulder "come back to us."

Mulder couldn't say he would, because he didn't want his son to think he was a liar.

The two of them sat on the bed holding on tightly to each other until there was a light tap at the door. Patrick pulled away and wiped his nose on his sleeve as Mulder wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"It's time," she said from the doorway.

Patrick couldn't get over how small and fragile his mother looked at that moment. Until then, he had only seen her as an unstoppable force, stronger then her frame. Now she looked like she could crumble to the ground if someone touched her. He saw his dad walk over to her, grasp her and fold her into his arms with such force Patrick was sure she would fall to pieces. But instead, surprisingly, she gained strength from his embrace and seemed to transform in front of his eyes. She became solid and formidable in the blink of an eye. Patrick couldn't even look away when he saw his father place a passionate kiss on her lips and then walk past her out the door. Not a word was uttered between them, and he knew he and his mother would not go outside to see him off. Their goodbye had just taken place.

Patrick walked over to his mother and wrapped his arms around her and sobbed. She patted his soft hair and whispered "he'll always love you" over and over again as she tried to hold back her own tears. Patrick knew she was saying it to herself as much as she was saying it to him.

Franz and Mallory had been following Dinah Skinner around to various galleries for the greater part of the day. She had made a few phone calls from her cell, but seemed to be chatting happily with old friends rather than making arrangements for a clandestine meeting with Mulder or Scully. They had not seen her drop anything off or pick anything up. She had not spent any time in any particular place or spoken to anyone who looked remotely like Mulder or Scully.

They were sitting across the street from her watching her have coffee with her sister, the police officer, at a small bistro. Mallory was not convinced it was the sister, because her frame and body type matched that of Dana Scully. She went over to the shop to order a cup of coffee and use the washroom. It afforded her a better view of the two women as well. Franz watched them both from his seat.

'What if she's already made contact?' he asked himself, knowing that if that were the case he would have to convince Mallory to leave the continent because they were all out of options.

Mallory walked past the two women having coffee and made straight for the washroom. Franz sat and watched Dinah and her sister chat until her sister got up to use the washroom as well.

'That'll give you a close up view, Mallory' Franz thought to himself.

He was convinced the woman was Dinah's sister as he had seen the photo that accompanied her commendation in the newspaper.

Suddenly the seat opposite him was occupied by none other than Walter Skinner, who was now glaring at Franz and obviously had a cocked gun in his coat pocket.

"Don't make any sudden moves," he said coolly.

Franz, startled, put both hands on the table for Skinner to see.

He watched at Skinner dropped a ten dollar bill onto the table and stood slowly.

"Walk with me," he said.

Franz stole a glance at the coffee shop and noted Dinah was no longer sitting at her table.

"Your partner is being detained by one of Boston's finest," he said through gritted teeth, "now get the hell up."

Franz had no choice but to follow his orders. If Skinner was in with Kite Pharmacudicals he and Mallory were already dead.

Skinner walked behind him to the back alley behind the coffee shop and slammed him against a walk.

"Why the hell are you following my wife?"

"I want to know that my partner's safe" Franz said.

"I don't give a shit about your partner" Skinner yelled as he slammed him against the wall again "why are you following my wife?"

"I'll tell you as soon as I know my partner's safe" Franz said as he was pressed against the wall.

Walter Skinner cuffed his hands and made him kneel facing the wall while he dialed a number on his cell.

"Put her on" he ordered.

He put the phone up to Franz's ear.

"Franz? The sister has me" Mallory said calmly through the phone line.

Skinner snapped the phone shut and kicked Franz in the back "Now talk" he yelled.

"We thought your wife was going to make contact with Mulder and Scully" Franz coughed, not wanting to give away too much information.

"Who are you working for?" Skinner snapped.

"The FBI" Franz answered almost laughing.

"No, who are you really working for, asshole?"

Franz realized in that moment, if Skinner was truly working for Kite he wouldn't need any of these answers.

"Where's your surveillance?" Franz asked attempting to look around.

"Answer the question" Skinner snapped.

"We are only working for the FBI but, up until they tried to kill me and my partner, I was working for Kite Pharmaceuticals' as well" Franz laid all his cards on the table, hoping he wouldn't live to regret it.

"What do you know about surveillance?" Skinner asked leaning toward him.

"I know that you and your wife left abruptly for Boston under the guise of a vacation. We really think you left to make contact with Mulder and Scully. Not you though, your wife. You were under tight surveillance. That's why we followed her.And where is your surveillance?"

"None of your god damned business" Skinner said "Why are you after Mulder and Scully?"

"Because I know why Kite wants their son, I know how this is all going to play out."

"Why don't you enlighten me?"

"Now, that wouldn't be very wise, given my current position."

"You can't make any demands in your current position." Skinner barked.

"If you turn me over to local PD or the FBI or any other branch of law enforcement I'll be dead before you know any of those answers. Either you work with me, or that kid, along with Mulder and Scully, are as good as dead."

The young agent used his kit to easily unbolt the lock to her back door. He slipped inside being careful to not touch anything or leave any noticeable footprints. He knew Margaret Scully wasn't home, her car was not in the driveway. He quickly found a broom closet near the staircase that would make an excellent hiding spot and opened the door for quick entry.

Agent Dylan Izzo took a quick look out the front window and went straight for the phone. Putting on gloves, he attached a digital box to it and a high pitched beep filled the air in the quiet house. He looked at the numbers listed and noted there were only four calls placed in the last 3 days. One to California, where her eldest son resided, one to her local church, one to a Muriel Sharp, and one to the residence of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who were not there to receive the call. All the incoming calls were from telemarketers, except for one from Australia, where son number two now resided, and one from Muriel Sharp. Agent Izzo noted he would have to look into Muriel Sharp.

He pulled out his cell and sent a text.

"I need intel on Muriel Sharp from Baltimore 4107953521 friend of Margaret Scully? All phone messages from Fox Mulder and Dana Scully's residence from the last 4 days."

He checked the front window again and noted that there was still not car. Agent Izzo sifted through the papers on the countertop and found nothing incriminating. He noted the pictures on the mantle of all the Scully children and grandchildren. He stopped on the picture of Margaret holding a small baby boy about 7 months old. The boy was laughing in the photo and his grandmother was smiling down at him. It was William.

Dylan Izzo made his way upstairs and found two bedrooms and a home office with a computer. Unfortunately, the office did not face the driveway and he would have to hack into it once he had her. In her bedroom was a Hermes box open on the bed. Margaret Scully's wardrobe, upon closer examination, did not seem conducive to Hermes. He parted the tissue paper and found a bold scarf with a card sitting on top. He opened the card to find a quickly scrolled note:.

"Merry Christmas mom. We love you, Dana and Fox."

It was too far away to be a Christmas present. Dana Scully had sent this with another purpose. Possibly to warn her mother she would not be seeing her anytime soon. He made note in his head to check for the delivery packaging so he could get a timeline on when and where it was sent.

Dylan caught headlights rounding into the driveway and quickly left the room and went downstairs to the closet.

Margaret Scully took quite a while to enter her house, Dylan hadn't a clue what was taking her so long until he heard the door open and her yell to a neighbor that she would return a recipe later that night. He heard something plunk down on the floor and her footfalls as she walked past him to hang up her coat. He listened to her pad back to the front door and upon her return trip he opened the closet door, pulled her against him and covered her mouth before she could yell.

Dana sat under the huge oak tree watching her son play with Monica's nephew Atticus. Although Atticus was quite a bit older than Patrick they seemed to be getting along quite well. Atticus was showing Patrick how to fly a kite and Monica was lying nervously next to her on a blanket.

"He's a nice boy Monica, you've done a good job with him" Dana said smiling down at her briefly before looking back at her son.

"He's a handful, and every night when I go to bed I list all the things I said and did wrong, and all the things I did right with him and, my lists always end up quite uneven" she laughed.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You were placed in a difficult situation and you stepped up."

"Truthfully," she said raising up to lean on her elbows "I was looking for a way out of the FBI and, as much as I would want Atticus' parents back in a heartbeat, it gave me an opportunity to leave without regret. Who would hold it against me? Say I was quitting?"

"You're talking about John."

"I feel like I'm always thinking about John, but talking very little about, or to him."

"I know that feeling" Dana smiled into the distance "what is going on with you two?"

"You ask like I should know." Monica said sitting up.

"If you don't want to..." Dana stammered looking over at Monica, she was always uncomfortable with these 'girl talks.'.

'Look at me mom!' the voice in her head yelled.

Dana's head snapped toward her son as she watched him run through the grass to give his kite more height. She smiled at the sheer joy her son was experiencing.

"It's not that I...what I mean to say, is John and I have not been together for almost a year now."

"I'm sorry" Dana said sincerely "I didn't sense...I mean, it didn't seem as though you two..."

"We didn't fight. He had been coming to visit me in Belle Meade for a while, staying the weekends when Atticus was at a friend's house, that sort of thing."

"Uh huh."

"Well, one morning John was in the kitchen eating breakfast by himself and Atticus came home early."

"Oh" Dana nodded.

"Let just say, fourteen year old boys aren't the most understanding of creatures," she said looking off into the distance "so I ended it. I have regretted that decision for a long time but, I don't know how to go back to..."

"You don't" Dana said.

"What?"

"You don't go back. You start fresh," she said looking Monica in the eyes "There were so many things I regretted, things I did or said to Mulder that, if I stayed in the past, I wouldn't have ever been with him. I would have missed out on that wonderful boy there," she said gesturing to Patrick.

"What if he doesn't want to start, again?"

"Then you find out, lick your wounds, and move on. It's better than not knowing."

Suddenly Atticus was panting next to them "I'm headed to the washroom" he told Monica.

"I'll go and play with Patrick" Monica said rising as Atticus left "Dana why don't you lay back and relax, enjoy the beautiful oak tree, I'll make sure he's safe."

Dana smiled as she watched Monica clamber over to Patrick and show him how to make his kite dive. She lay back on the blanket and willed herself to not remember the last time she lay under a big oak tree.

She and Mulder were in Vermont on a case. It turned out that the 'hauntings' as Mulder liked to call them, were merely a well-executed hoax designed to lower property values so a developer could move in and build. The case was wrapped at supper time and Mulder treated her to a burger and an ice cream cone. They had walked though a nearby park talking about mythology when Mulder stopped abruptly and walked over to a big oak tree.

"Have you ever seen an oak this big, Scully?"

"Not in a long time" she offered as she raised her eyes to look at the intricate branches "It's pretty big."

She watched as he lay down under the branches and peered up through the foliage as the sun was setting.

"This is beautiful," he said smiling and gesturing for her to join him "come here, you've gotta see this."

"I can see it just fine, Mulder," she said looking around at the park. There were a few people milling about with strollers, some joggers, and an elderly couple sitting on a bench.

"It's not the same," he said, obviously upset.

"Fine" she relinquished as she deposited herself next to him, laid down, and looked up.

"See the way the sun peaks though the leaves," he said pointing to a spot within the branches.

"It is very beautiful, Mulder" she admitted.

They lay in silence watching the colours change from muted yellows to deep oranges to dark purples until the sun had completely set.

She started to sit up when he lightly grabbed her arm. She knew he wanted her to stay but didn't want to force her to. She considered the offer and instead of lying back in her original spot she laid down sideways with her cheek pressed against his chest. He seemed quite startled and almost jumped when her face made contact with his chest in the dark. He loosely wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she listened to his heart beat so fast and loud within his chest she was considering saying something to him but, didn't want to embarrass him.

"What do we do about us, Scully?" he asked in the dark, his voice cracking.

"I don't know," she said as she rubbed her cheek against him.

He had said he loved her, they had kissed, they had gone to the ends of the earth for each other, but love was so much more complicated. They had taken to standing a little bit closer lately, brushing up against each other often, spending a lot of non-work hours together at each other's apartments, had been putting their arms around each other in a friendly fashion that meant so much more than friendship. They had a perfectly platonic romantic relationship.

"I can't live like this anymore," he said abruptly as he pulled at strands of her hair "everyday I look at you and I want more. More than...just this."

His honesty was startling in the dark. But, she was not surprised he waited until it was dark to be this honest. He wouldn't want to see her face drop, her eyes shield themselves, her mind sifting through all the possible responses, all the reasons not to become more than this.

"I know" she answered as she rested her chin on his chest and faced him in the dark.

They lay in silence for several minutes listening to the crickets emerge and the wind pick up. He shifted against her, obviously uncomfortable with her lack of an answer but unable to ask for further clarification.

He cleared his throat and put a hand behind his head and, in doing this, he didn't notice her body lift slightly, her weight shift onto his torso in that moment. He merely felt her lips press against his, forceful in the dark. He kissed her back with equal force and passion, both surprised and delighted by the turn of events. She pulled back after their kiss and rested a hand high on his chest.

"Mulder, I don't know when it'll happen, or how we got to be here, or...anything else" she smiled to herself "but I do know I want this...I want you," she said definitively.

"Thank you" he whispered into her hair "Thank you," he said again as he kissed her crown.

He helped her up from the grass and they walked back to their hotel rooms. It was weeks before she felt his lips on hers again.

"Dana!" Monica yelled and she sat up abruptly.

Dana Scully watched as Patrick and Monica made the kite do a loop around and back circling itself.

"That's amazing!" she yelled as she stood and walked towards them.

"Patrick," she said patting his head "you're a quick study."

"I learned from the best," he said, eyeing Monica "I'll have to show dad when we see him again."

Scully was startled back into reality. Mulder was en-route to a Kite facility not here watching his son perform death-defying acts with a kite.

'He's coming back' the voice in her head said.

"Now?" she asked, hopeful that Mulder had turned around.

'No' the voice replied sadly 'but he is coming back to talk with you under an oak tree again.'.

She smiled down at her son and he smiled back. She didn't have the luxury of secrets anymore.

Walter Skinner looked around the abandoned warehouse and wondered if this was what his life had come to. Franz Lutman and Mallory Suharta, two FBI agents, were tied to chairs and his sister-in- law was guarding the exit.

They had fed him a story about Franz's involvement with Kite Pharmaceuticals and Mallory's ignorance of the whole situation until a couple of days ago. About finding out Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were Patrick's biological parents. Franz explained how he had been instructed to write a false psych assessment of the child, pointing the finger at him for the killings, so they could track him down using regular law enforcement. They had told him about Agent Hanson's involvement and the mercenary who had been sent to kill Hanson and them.

He had placed a call to Kimberly asking her to look into the whereabouts of Agent Hanson and had been informed that he was on an unexplained extended leave. That raised a red flag with Walter. When he discovered that the Psychological assessment used for tracking and blaming Patrick had been written by Franz Lutman, that raised another red flag.

"Why did you think we were the connection?" he asked.

"We knew Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were on the run with their son" Franz began "and we knew they would need help. We figured they would contact you."

"Well they didn't," he said coldly.

"You don't expect us to believe that two of your old friends go missing and you suddenly take off for the first extended vacation in over a year at the same time?" Franz said smiling at him.

"I don't give a shit what you believe."

"We're wasting time here" Mallory interjected.

"If this is all you have to share, then you are wasting my time" Walter said harshly.

"If you're not the contact then it must be the mother" Mallory offered.

"What mother?"

"Dana Scully's mother," she said, raising her head to look at him more closely "we had two possibilities, you and her. We thought you were the more viable option."

"If you think that, then..." Walter stopped his speech abruptly and walked away from them.

He placed a call to a trusted friend on the DC police force asking him to swing by Maggie Scully's house. Howard happened to be on duty at the time and could get to Maggie's address easily. He agreed to call Walter as soon as he arrived there.

"So why don't you tell me more about Kite Pharmaceuticals?" he asked.

"Why don't you untie us?" Franz asked.

"I'm not doing anything until I know more about your involvement."

Franz told Walter about his history with the company, how he had been coerced into working with them and, how at first it didn't seem like such a big deal. He also told Walter how he had tried sever ties with the organization only to be reeled back in with a new threat.

"What threat?" Walter asked, now sitting across from them.

Franz paused and shook his head. He didn't want to go into details about Mallory's role in all of this.

"They threatened to kill me" Mallory said looking over at Franz "so he agreed to keep working with them."

"And you've known about this threat against yourself for how long?" Skinner asked her.

"Just a couple of days" she answered.

"I know partners are close, but forgive me for asking, why would this be more threatening than killing your mother?"

Franz had not raised his head to look at either of them throughout the entire conversation.

"We're involved" Mallory said succinctly.

"Oh" Walter replied, not expecting that response form the young agent.

Walter took a moment to look at the two agents in front of him. Franz was older, husky, and not what Walter would describe as a 'lady killer'. Mallory was young, very attractive, and in great shape. She was, by all accounts, too good for him.

"They know I'm in love with you" Franz mumbled under his breath.

Mallory's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Her head snapped towards Franz.

"Franz, I don't..." she started.

Walter Skinner's ringing phone interrupted her and she snapped her mouth shut as he picked up the call.

Howard was at the address. A car registered to her was in the driveway, the house looked still and there were not obvious signs of trouble.

"Can you go to the door and make sure she's fine?" Walter asked Howard.

"Sure" Howard said getting out of his car and walking toward the residence. He rang the doorbell and there was no answer.

"Thanks, Howard. I really appreciate this" Walter said pacing the room.

"No answer Walter," he said into the phone "she must be out, maybe she's gone for a walk."

"Okay" Walter said checking his watch "Can you swing back in an hour and see if she's back?"

"Will do" Howard answered as he hung up.

"There's no sign of her there" Walter told the two agents.

"I think that they'll assume you are the contact now that you've lost the agents tailing you" Mallory offered.

"Or" Franz said, straightening in his chair "they're covering their bases and have sent someone to check in with Dana Scully's mom as well."

Margaret Scully had given him no useful information. He'd bound and gagged her in the spare bedroom and right now was hacking into her computer files. Dylan hated this part of his job. The tedium of looking through each file, each e-mail, each saved and deleted document. Luckily, Margaret Scully was not much of a computer geek and there were few things of interest pertaining to the case he was working.

The latest e-mail from Dana Scully was dated one week ago:.

Hi Mom,.

I forgot how hard it can be arranging everything so I can be gone for a few days. My kids are taken care of but, right now I'm wading through about two weeks of correspondence that I've been neglecting. I've been invited to be a guest speaker at a symposium on rare childhood illnesses in Houston. Their original guest speaker has taken ill and they sought me out as a replacement. I would really like to go but it coincides with the end of Mulder's book tour and the last thing I want is to be out of town for a few days when he's been gone for 5 weeks. Maybe I'll see if he can meet me in Houston? Please tell Aunt Edna we will be unable to join everyone for Thanksgiving this year but thank her for the invitation. It was so nice to hear that Mattie won his Karate Tournament! Tell him I say congratulations next time you speak with him. I'll come up for a visit the last weekend of the month so I can help you put everything away for the season, if that's okay? I'll call when I get back from Chicago and I will tell Mulder that Mrs. Phipps next door wants an autographed copy of his book.

Love, Dana.

Dylan sifted through some more e-mails from Dana, each coming about one week apart and most containing little relevant information beyond some information about work, setting up a time to visit about once every month or so, and talk about what was going on with her estranged relatives. Dylan thought he hit pay dirt when he saw a series of e-mails sent between Margaret Scully and Fox Mulder back in the spring.

He looked at the last e-mail from Fox Mulder:.

Maggie,.

Thank you. She's doing much better and I think her last visit with you really helped. I appreciate you keeping this between us. We'll see you soon.

Fox.

The agent immediately opened the first e-mail in the series so he could understand better what Fox Mulder was thanking her for, and, what he didn't want Dana Scully to know about:.

Maggie,.

I know I haven't written to you before and I hope that you will be able to keep our correspondence private because Dana does not know I've contacted you. You put up with my place in your daughter's life and you are courteous whenever we are together and I thank you for that. I know that you would be much happier if Dana hadn't ever met me because her life would be so much easier than it has been, and frankly, sometimes I agree with you. But we cannot change the past and you, probably more than anyone, know how much the past haunts Dana. I'm writing to you because I love your daughter and I hate to see her so upset. I don't know what else to do.

Dana received a letter in the mail two weeks ago from Bill. She didn't tell me about it at first, but when I kept asking her about her sullen mood she finally relented. It took her another few days to bring it home from work and when she did, I got to read the letter that had upset her so much. I'm sure you are already aware that Bill and Tara have been separated for over a month. Dana did not know this and was shocked by his first revelation. Bill then took it upon himself air all of his pent up feelings and anger towards her, citing William's adoption and me as examples of her poor character. He didn't pull any punches, blaming Dana for your bout with Cancer to his inability to rise among the military ranks. He talked a great deal about how disappointed her father would be and how he's glad he didn't live to see her become the horrible person he doesn't want to have for a sister. His comments were both biting and unfair. In the last line he told her he had disowned her as his sister and never wanted to see or hear from her again.

I'm sure you can imagine the pain this letter has caused Dana who, although not close with her brother over the last few years, still holds him with a high regard. I don't want to make the situation worse by calling Bill or seeing him but I was wondering if you could help? If you agree with what he's said, I'll keep that secret between us because Dana doesn't need more heartache from anyone in her life. But, if you want to help her please do.

Fox.

Agent Izzo was just about to open Margaret Scully's reply when his phone rang.

"What?" he snapped.

"I have the message that Dana Scully's mom left on their machine."

"Play it to me" he ordered.

He waited a moment before he heard Margaret Scully's voice over the line:.

"Hi Fox, hi Dana, it's mom. I wanted to call and thank you for the beautiful scarf. I really don't need something this extravagant, but I do love it. Your note mentioned Christmas and I'm a bit confused, weren't you coming up at the end of the month to help out? Christmas is quite a ways off and... maybe you can give me a call when you get back from Chicago? I love you."

"Thanks" Dylan Izzo said quietly into the receiver and hung up his phone.

He turned his attention back towards the computer screen in front of him. On it was Margaret Scully's reply to the request:.

Fox,.

When I got your e-mail I was quite surprised. I had no idea Bill had taken it upon himself to unload on his sister like that. I kept the separation from Dana because it wasn't my news to share, and Bill and Tara were in therapy so I was hoping for the best. I don't want you to think that I share my son's views about Dana's chosen life or your part in it. Although I have not understood many decisions she has made, and those decisions have obviously had an effect on our relationship, I know she is a good person, a person I am proud to have as my daughter. I'll call her and arrange a visit. I hope you'll join her this time.

Maggie.

The last correspondence before Fox Mulder's thank you e-mail was dated over a month later:.

Fox,.

I have really enjoyed seeing you and Dana so much these past few weeks and although I couldn't tell you when you were at the house, I spoke with Bill. I'm in no way excusing his behavior because what he said in his letter to Dana was horrible but, he has been going through a very rough time personally and professionally. I suggested he seek out personal therapy (besides the couples therapy he's in with Tara) because I think he has a lot of anger that he has misplaced on his sister. He's an angry man, angry because he thinks he's losing his family and he thinks Dana sacrificed hers willingly. I hope for his sake things work out with Tara. I am very worried about him and will be going to California to visit him soon.

I hope some of the conversations we had this weekend helped Dana understand how much I love her, and how that will never change. She still didn't mention the letter and I am allowing her some privacy, I hope one day she'll talk with me about it.

I also wanted to thank you, Fox. I know it has been hard for you too--I know what lengths men will go to protect the woman they love, and I thank you for restraining yourself and not doing something that would upset Dana more. I'm really glad I've gotten to know you better over the last month and I hope to see the two of you more often. You are good for my daughter.

Love, Maggie.

Agent Izzo heard the doorbell ring again. He wondered if it was that some cop, back again. Time was running out, the police would think something was amiss within a matter of hours.

He looked out the front window and watched the police officer walk back to his vehicle. Dylan knew he needed to get out of the house before the cop came back again. He walked toward the room where Margaret Scully was tied up. He needed answers soon.

"Skinner," he said roughly into the phone.

"I've gone back and there's no sign of her and, no sign of a break in" Howard informed him over the phone.

"Can you..." Walter started.

"I don't have a good feeling about this though" Howard interrupted "I'm going to circle the block and double back."

"Howard, I don't think that's..."

"Trust me Walter, something's up," he said definitively.

"Maybe you should call for back-up" Walter suggested to his old friend, not wanting to put him in any danger.

"I will if I need it," he said quickly and Walter could tell he was walking now "I'll call you in a few minute when I know something more."

"Be careful" Walter cautioned as the line went dead.

"He thinks there's someone with the mom" Franz said brashly.

"I didn't ask for your opinion" Walter sneered at him.

"We really aren't the enemy" Mallory said softly "if we were you would have been killed by now. Really, all we are looking for are...answers."

"Answers to what?" Walter snapped.

"Why they are doing this to young boys, what they think they will gain from it, why Kite is really involved, what Fox Mulder and Dana Scully know...shall I go on?"

"I get your point," he said as he starred at the cell phone in his hand, almost willing it to ring.

"I think what Mallory is trying to say is that we can be assets to your...investigation. I can help profile the people involved and..."

"Send me on a wild goose chase. No thanks" Walter said quickly.

"So, what do you plan to do with us?" Franz asked "I know you're into this up to your neck but killing two federal agents in cold blood..."

"Why don't you let me worry about how far I'm willing to go" Walter said as she walked away from them.

He paced the room for twenty minutes before the phone rang in his hand. He had wanted to call Howard but he was afraid he would compromise his location.

"Howard?" he asked quickly.

"It's a mess Walter" Howard said out of breath.

"What's a mess?" Walter said as he held the bridge of his nose.

"There was someone here alright. He had her tied up and he broke a few of her fingers."

"Whose fingers? Mrs. Scully's?"

"Yeah. She's okay though. I've called an EMT and they are on their way."

"Where's the suspect, did he flee?"

"He's dead. I surprised him while he was breaking one of her fingers and I shot him in the chest."

"You're okay?"

"Yeah, but Walter, what the fuck is going on here?"

"Is the guy military?" Walter asked, ignoring his question.

"According to his FBI badge he's Dylan Izzo."

"Shit" Walter said glancing toward the agents tied up.

"What did Mrs. Scully have to offer."

"She's really upset,I don't know if she..."

"Put her on the line Howard" Walter said clearly.

He waited a bit before he heard a muffled phone being pressed to an ear.

"Mrs. Scully?" he asked softly "This is Walter Skinner from the FBI, I used to be..."

"Dana's boss," she said quietly.

"Yes." He smiled "I'm so sorry you were hurt, but I need you to tell me what the man was looking for."

"He...he...he kept asking me about Dana and Fox and William" she sighed heavily "do they have William?"

"What specifically did he want to know?" he asked, ignoring her question.

"He wanted to know if I'd seen or heard from them. I told him about the...the package but he thought I knew more. He just kept asking and when I didn't know..." she started to cry softly.

"I'm so sorry," he said quietly "Can you tell me what package you are talking about?"

"Dana and Fox sent me a very expensive scarf with a note that said 'Merry Christmas'," she said sniffling "and I thought it was strange because Christmas was so far away and we'd already made arrangements for them to come for a visit at the end of the month."

"Is that the only contact you've had with them recently?"

"I get e-mails from Dana every week. The last one was before she left for Chicago to meet up with Fox."

"Was there anything strange about that e-mail?"

"No," she said quietly "it was the same as all the rest. Is she in trouble? Are people trying to hurt them?"

"I'm trying to figure that out," he said flatly "Do you have somewhere to stay for a few days? Or should we put you in protective custody?"

"I'll fly out to see Bill."

"I'm going to get Howard to give you my cell number. If you think of anything or hear from them I need you to contact me."

"Mr. Skinner," she said softly "Please don't let them get hurt."

"I'll do my best," he said quietly as the phone was transferred to Howard.

"Walter?"

"I'm here" Skinner said quickly "Is she okay?"

"She's quite shaken up but the fingers will heal."

Walter took in a deep breath. He already didn't like the direction this was taking.

"Howard, I need Baltimore PD to run a full check on the suspect. I want to know that he is FBI not just pretending to be FBI before I make my next move. I need the results ASAP."

"Gotcha."

"Can you also give Mrs. Scully my number? She's going to stay with family in California for a bit."

"That's a good idea" he agreed "Anything else?"

"Yeah, thanks a lot" Walter said sincerely.

"What are friends for?" Howard chirped back as he ended the call.

Fox Mulder sat in a quiet corner of the Amtrak station in St Louis. His journey from Colt Arkansas to Peabody Kansas, where the Kite facility was located, was going to take him over one day in travel time. He had already been travelling for 16 hours and the second last leg of his journey was departing in 49 minutes. The plan was that Doggett would get there first, do some surveillance on the place and have some more information for Mulder when he arrived. Doggett had wanted them to travel together but Mulder knew that Doggett needed to keep his distance as much as possible so he could deny involvement and Mulder wouldn't be as easy a target if they didn't travel together.

An old man dressed in a suit that no longer fit him properly was sitting across from him. He shook his head as he read the paper and strained to read some fine print on the page. Mulder looked up at him curiously and the old man caught his eye.

"Says here," he said gesturing towards the paper "they've found some scrolls in Africa that people are claiming are magical."

"Really?" Mulder asked.

"If you ask me, they're made up" the old man said folding his paper.

"Why do you think that?" Mulder asked, happy for the conversation.

"Everyone has been everywhere on this earth, for someone to just trip over these old scrolls, well...that's quite the discovery, don't you think?"

"I'd have to agree" Mulder smiled at him.

"Even the picture doesn't look real" the old man said, turning the paper for Mulder to see.

Mulder had to agree, the photo seemed blurry in just the right places. "It does look fake."

"Anyone can see that, but the US is sending a team of scientists to investigate this, investigate what? A hoax, I say."

"Well, you know scientists, they love to go and investigate things."

"I think scientists just like to go to Africa," he said as he got up from his seat.

"Yeah" Mulder smiled, "scientists do like to go to Africa."

"You want this paper son? I'm done with it," he said as he grabbed his bag.

"Thanks," Mulder said as he took it "Have a safe journey."

"You too" the old man smiled as he walked toward the train platform.

"Scientists like to go to Africa" Mulder mumbled to himself as he thought back to the time Scully returned from Africa to save him.

He had been recovering for a week since the hospital had cleared him. Apparently some type of brain surgery had been performed on him, but he had no recollection of that event. In some ways he was quite happy he didn't remember much. The things he did remember scared him.

Cancerman was his father. His mother wished he would just give up his quest and settle down before he got killed. Diana loved him, but she also hated him for reasons he couldn't remember. Skinner wanted to help but was compromised, he owed people. Scully's heart was bursting with love for him but she was as scared of him as she was in love with him.

Mulder didn't know how to make sense of any of it. It was like being given a few choice details about a story without any explanation. He didn't know if Cancerman just believed he was his father or he knew he was his father. He didn't know why Diana hated him, or what he had done to deserve that hate. He didn't know if Scully's fear of him was greater than her love of him. In the end, reading people's thoughts wasn't all that it's cracked up to be.

After one week of discussing safe topics like his health, what she found in Africa, the people she worked with there, and everything in-between he had decided to take a risk and tell Scully that she was the only thing that was true in his life. That she was his person, that there wasn't anyone else for him. She took the news rather well he thought. She kissed him on the forehead, hugged him, and stayed with him through the day watching stupid comedies on the Classic Movie Channel. But, she didn't mention one thing about 'them' nor did she kiss him goodbye when she left.

He returned to work a few days later and things went back to normal. He found odd cases and she stopped them from travelling to parts unknown while he was still recuperating. The conversation they had had under an oak tree in the summer seemed like a distant memory and he was starting to get the distinct impression she wanted to forget the whole thing. That his latest brush with death had solidified in her the final reason why they should not get involved.

Then, out of nowhere, she invited him to her bed. There was more to it than that of course, but essentially that was the story.

They had went on their first case out of town investigating a Southern Baptist Minister that had suddenly started to speak Arabic and talk about aliens. He knew that Scully was patronizing his need to escape DC and he didn't care. As it turned out, the Minister had stopped taking his meds and, the symptoms of his mental disorder that no one in his parish knew about, had cropped up. It was a 2 day trip out of town and it made Mulder feel alive again, which, he suspected, was why Scully gave in so quickly and filled out the travel proposal herself.

He had pulled up in front of her apartment with the intention of dropping her off and then swinging by the Lone Gunman's place for the latest conspiracy theory when she told him she wanted him to come upstairs, that she had something for him. When they got into her apartment she had taken his coat and told him to have a seat. He heard glassware being gathered in the kitchen and was surprised to find Scully walking toward him with a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

"You can drink now that you're off your medication," she said as if that explained what she was doing.

He just smiled at her and wondered what was really going on. Was she going to give him a copy of her letter of resignation? Was she going to tell him that she was going to adopt a child since their failed IVF attempt? Was the glass of wine what she had to give him in celebration of his not being dead? The longer it took her to open the bottle and pour the wine the more nervous Mulder found himself.

"You and me, Mulder," she said as she handed him the glass of wine.

"You and me, what?." He smiled back at her.

"It will always be you and me," she said simply, looking him in the eyes the entire time "and I wouldn't want it any other way."

It took him a second to realize what she was alluding to. What he thought was a distant memory, suddenly came to life before his eyes. She was quietly sitting on the couch next to him sipping her wine when he put his glass down and turned toward her. He noticed in that moment there was no uneasiness in her posture, no unknown element in her eyes, no tension in her forehead. She had made a decision to be with him and was both happy and comfortable with her choice. She was calmly waiting for him to get up to speed.

He removed the glass from her hand, took a drink from it, and placed it on the table next to his. Without a word exchanged he moved in to kiss her full lips and she accepted him with equal force. They explored each other's mouths and bodies on the couch for quite a long time. He ran his hands up and down her back, marveling in the soft skin that housed gorgeous muscles. She nipped along his neck and shoulders finding the most perfect spot to plant a kiss and make his toes curl. He pushed her body into the billowy cushions and heard her breath hitch as he ran his hand slowly up her thigh. Her kisses were long and slow and filled with purpose. He discovered that, even in her love life, Scully attacked all new endeavors with commitment.

"Come to bed" she whispered into his ear as she started to pull herself out from underneath him.

Mulder allowed her to remove herself from below him only to catch her by the waist as soon as she stood and plant a solid kiss on her lips that caused his own knees to buckle. She turned in his embrace and walked toward her bedroom while holding his hand behind her. He admired the view of her un-tucked shirt, her wrinkled pants and her tousled hair. When they got to her bed she immediately started to undress him, taking her time to undo each button on his shirt when all he wanted to do was rip it off. He forced himself to be patient as he took off her clothes but he once he got her shirt open, her bra was unceremoniously pulled from her body and her pants were quickly tossed aside.

In bed that night, Mulder would like to remember himself as the perfect lover but in reality they had both been a little awkward. Neither had not been sexually active for a long time, and although it is like riding a bike, when there are so many emotions and expectations tied to your experience one cannot help but feel a little overwhelmed.

It had been beautiful though. He remembered distinctly the feeling of Scully reaching orgasm in his arms as he cradled her close to his body. He remembered the feel of her hair tickling his chest as they lay tired and tangled in sheets. He remembered waking up to her staring down at his face as he slept and smiling at him the moment his eyes opened. He remembered making slow love to her after waking that morning and feeling like that was the way he would want to wake up for the rest of his life.

And, he had spent more nights with her than without her since then. They made love some mornings but not like in those early days of their budding relationship. In those days he and Scully had spent a lot of time in bed, and in the shower, and on the couch. He had a theory at one point that they were making up for the years they had not been having sex.

"Train 313 The Missouri River Runner to Kansas City boarding on track 14" an overhead voice chirped.

Mulder was pulled from his walk down memory lane back to the reality of his situation. He needed to find out who was hunting Patrick but do it in such a way that he was not caught. As he thought about all the mornings these past 7 years he should have woken Scully up and made slow love to her, he wanted the opportunity to correct those past wrongs. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with his family, and not in some lonely existence without them. Those thoughts almost caused Mulder to turn back, to return to the comfort and safety of her arms, to say 'the hell with it' and take off with his family to another country and never look back. But he couldn't do it. He needed to assure Patrick's safety and he couldn't do that if he turned around now.

"Train 313, The Missouri River Runner to Kansas City boarding on track 14" the overhead voice called to him again.

Mulder reached down and grabbed his NASCAR duffle bag and walked toward track 14.

"So then Fanshawe disappeared from the locked interrogation room and when Shepherd walked into the room all he found was the one used match laying across the table" Dana said as she closed the book she was holding.

"Wow" Patrick looked at her wide-eyed "how did he escape?"

"No one knows, except for the fact that he had connections in high places" Dana said as she pulled up his covers.

"Thanks for picking up where dad left off."

"A promise, is a promise," she said putting the book down beside her.

"So, you really knew this man?" Patrick asked yawning.

"Unfortunately," she said looking at her hands.

"Dad didn't make him as bad in his book as he was in real life, did he?" Patrick asked, knowing the answer.

"No, but there is still a whole series..." she smiled down at him.

"You and he relied on each other a lot."

"We did," she said looking past him "we trusted each other, like no one else."

"Was it always like that?"

"No" she smiled and flattened the covers across his chest "I think at first it was like in the book, he was annoyed with me always trying to explain things with science, and I was floored by his ability to make serious leaps in logic. But... eventually I started to see the value in having someone who would test me, I think he felt the same."

"You two don't talk a lot about the past, do you?"

"How do you mean?" she asked confused.

"Well, right now, you just said you 'thought' dad felt the same way, but you don't know."

Patrick was greeted by a long silence followed by a weak smile.

"You should go to sleep, son," she said as she started to rise.

'I know you have always been scared' the voice in her head said quietly 'but it's good to know the truth.'.

She turned to him and smiled as she shut the bedroom door.

Dana knew her son was right. Since they had gone on the run 7 years ago she had preferred to live in the present, in what she knew for sure. She had always been hesitant to re-visit the past, whether it was in the investigation last year, or the cases that have long been closed, or their relationship and how it evolved or didn't evolve at certain points. She and Mulder were good, they were happy, that's all she wanted to know, but in her heart she needed to know so much more.

She wanted to know when he really started to trust her, she wanted to know if he felt like only half-himself in this role of writer and not investigator, she wanted to know what he really thought of her all those years ago, she wanted to know what happened with Diana, she wanted to know why he chose to go on that ship and leave her. She wanted to know a whole lot and for many years she had grown accustomed to never asking, scared she wouldn't like the answers, scared those answers would change her life today.

They had already treaded on thin ice with their discussions about William and his adoption; it obviously hadn't changed how he felt about her or, she him. Maybe William was right, that she needed to be less scared and have more faith that, whatever the answer to her questions they would be just fine. Dana chuckled to herself at the ridiculousness of her one -sided conversation in her head. She wasn't sure if she would ever get the answers to those questions if Mulder didn't return to them.

'He will' a voice in her head said sleepily.

"Patrick," she said as she opened the door "go to..." she paused as she watched the steady rise and fall of his chest. He was off to sleep; his thought to her must have been his last waking one.

She walked over to the bed and looked down at her son's beautiful face, the youthful face of his father lit up by the street lamp glowing through the curtains.

"Good night, my love," she said to the two men in her life, hoping her words would be carried across sleep and miles to their ears.

John Doggett sat outside the Kite Pharmaceuticals Research Facility and watched the security guards do their hourly patrol around the building. His spot in the large hedge kept him from their view and afforded him the best vantage point of exits and entries. He watched as a group of young lab technicians passed through security and waved at one another.

"See you at The Saloon?" one yelled to another.

"Yeah" he answered back "I've just got to hit the bank first."

"Who's comin' with me?" a young female technician called from her car.

The two young men smiled at each other and the first one ran for her car.

John Doggett got up and walked quickly to his car that was parked at an abandoned warehouse 2 blocks over.

When he started his car he noted that it would be another 5 hours before Mulder was in town, just enough time to check out this Saloon place and see if he could get any information out of these techs. He picked up his pre-paid cell and called Monica.

It rang four times before she answered.

"I'm up," she said into the phone.

"I am too," he said back, knowing her calls may be monitored.

"John, you don't speak to me in how long and now you call me at 11:12 at night?" she asked into the phone.

"I was just thinking about you and...I thought I'd call and see how everything is," he said casually.

"I'm good. Everyone is good." She smiled into the phone. "That's good," he said back.

"Where are you?" she asked, knowing he wouldn't give her details.

"I'm about to get a bite to eat and a drink," he said cautiously "I've a got some time on my hands."

"Too bad you're not closer," she said slyly.

John found himself unable to speak for a moment. His mouth was dry and his brain was mush.

"I...I...shouldn't have called at this hour" he stumbled as he reached to disconnect the call.

"I'm glad you..." the call was disconnected before she could finish her sentence.

John flung the phone onto the passenger seat and starred out the windshield at the old abandoned warehouse. He watched a rat scurry across a ledge and duck into a hole in the wall. John closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He reached for his phone and started to dial.

"Yes, I need an address for The Saloon in Peabody, Kansas?" he asked.

He listened to some classical music while they searched for the listing. John found himself rubbing his hands over his face, waiting for the details.

Skinner jumped from his position leaning against the wall when his phone trilled inside his pocket.

"Skinner," he said.

"You were right." Howard said from the other side of the phone "he's not FBI, but he was."

"What do you mean 'was'?" he asked.

"Dylan Izzo is former FBI but we don't have access to the records that indicate what he's been up to since.

"I can get those" Skinner muttered.

"He was also a match for a man who was last seen at a small motel outside of Chicago where an Agent Hanson was found dead."

Skinner pivoted to look at Franz and Mallory who were still tied to their chairs. They had given him this bit of information earlier and now it was confirmed.

"Thanks, Howard," he said softly "Anything else I should know about?"

"Nothing right now, but I'll let you know if we find out more."

"Thanks, again."

"You might want to look into his FBI file, we couldn't get access to it, but a man in your position..."

"I know, I know" Skinner said as he disconnected the call.

He dialed the home phone number of his personal assistant.

"Hello?" she asked groggily. "Kimberly, it's me," he said into the phone.

"Oh, sir?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm really sorry to disturb you at this hour" he apologized.

"It's no problem. Is something wrong?"

"I'm sorry Kimberly but I'm going to need you to go into the office and get some information for me."

"I thought you were on vacation, sir," she said, slightly confused.

"I am, but...something has come up with a case I'm over- seeing and I need to check into it" he lied.

"No problem," she said as he heard her moving around "I can be at the office in twenty minutes."

"I really appreciate this," he said "call me back at this phone number."

He walked over to the two agents and informed them that Hanson had been found and that the man matching the description they had given him was the same man the motel manger had spoken with, and the same man who had tortured Margaret Scully.

"So, you believe us?" Mallory asked, happy.

"I believe that these things are true," he said back to her grimly.

"We're wasting precious time on this" Franz said angrily.

"Agent, why don't you let me worry about that" Skinner said through gritting teeth.

He paced the floor for the next 25 minutes as he waited for Kimberly to call him back. The phone rang to life.

"Yes?," he said cautiously.

"Sir?" she asked.

"Is this Dinah's phone?" she asked confused.

"Yes" he lied, wanting to simplify the situation "Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm just booting up my computer."

"Thanks, Kimberly, I hope I didn't wake the little one."

"No, he sleeps through everything" she laughed.

"Good." He smiled.

"Okay, what do you need, sir?"

"I need you to look at a former agent's file. His name is Dylan Izzo."

"I'm checking," she said as she read the screen.

"He was discharged 3 years ago form the Bureau. It doesn't cite the reason, I'm just going to open up..."

"Does it list the reason for his discharge?"

"Uh, yeah. That's strange...he was discharged to the Secret Service. I didn't know we did inter-agency transfers," she said as she read.

"We don't," he said.

"He had an exemplary record," she said continuing to read "His supervisor was Assistant Director Strickland while he was at the Bureau, and...this is odd."

"What?"

"For some reason Assistant Director Strickland remained his supervisor even when he was transferred to the Secret Service. It must be a typo."

"No" Skinner said as he turned to Franz and Mallory "I think it's exactly right."

"But the Bureau doesn't supervise..."

"Can you do a quick search into Agents Franz Lutman and Mallory Suharta?" he interrupted.

"Lutman and Suharta..."

Skinner waited while she accessed their files.

"Sir, it looks like something is being drawn up right now to list them as terrorists with all agencies."

"Has it reached the certification stage yet?" he asked quickly.

"No" she read the screen "it lists them as enemy combatants that need to be taken dead or alive."

"Who is behind the order Kimberly?" he asked as he walked toward the two tied up agents.

"Assistant Director Strickland," she said.

"I have to go," he said as he took our a knife from his pocket "go home to Simon and Wesley. Thanks for all your help."

He disconnected the phone and looked at Mallory's eyes grow wider as she caught the gleam of the knife. He walked behind her and she started to squirm.

"Sir, what are you doing?" she yelled.

Skinner reached her hands and cut the cord keeping them tied "Letting you run for your life."

He reached over behind Franz and cut his tie as well.

"Why are you letting us go?" Franz asked as he shuffled to his feet.

"You have been declared enemy combatants and a warrant will be issued for your arrest, in..." he glanced at his watch "...about 5 hours."

"How do you know?" Mallory asked.

"My assistant found it on your files," he said taking a step back from them "it'll take that long to get certification at this time of night. You are lucky it's not during regular office hours."

"Yeah, we're so lucky" Franz said rubbing his wrists.

"I suggest you get out of this country while you still can" he looked between the two of them "you were right about Strickland, he's as dirty as they come."

"Mallory, I can get us onto a cargo ship we can..." Franz said looking toward her.

"No," she said definitively.

"No?" he asked unsure as to whether she didn't want o go, or she didn't want to go with him.

"I said no" she replied as she turned from him.

"Look Mallory, once we get to Europe, we can go our separate ways and you don't ever have to see me again," he said sadly.

"No, Franz. We were a part of this mess and we need to help clean it up, not just take off and let what happens happen," she said as she turned to Skinner "Where's my gun?"

"I'll get it," he said as he turned to walk to the other side of the warehouse.

"Mallory, we can't stay" Franz pleaded.

"And we can't go, either" she smiled at him "Franz, don't you feel you owe this much to those kids?"

She had him there and she knew it. He couldn't live the rest of his life knowing he had just walked away.

"Then let me go to Kansas, alone," he said grabbing her by the shoulders "you leave for Europe, I can make all the arrangements, you'll be..."

"I'm not leaving you," she said dismissively.

"Mallory, you need to, you can't..." he lost his words.

"I can't walk away," she said lowering her head.

"You can, and you will. If you get killed because of me..."

"I won't," she said looking him in the eyes.

"Mallory..." he started.

"Here are your guns" Skinner interrupted.

Franz dropped his hands from her shoulders and secured his weapon as she did the same.

"You two need to decide what you are doing and do it" Skinner said as he started to walk away.

"What are you going to do?" they asked together.

"I'm going to make sure there isn't another kid brought to that facility," he said as he walked out the door and it clanged shut behind him.

"If we get on a train now, we can be in Kansas by tomorrow," she said grabbing her coat.

"You're not going to give in are you?" he asked as he started for the door.

"And that's why you love me," she said as she walked ahead of him.

Fox Mulder was glad to have four seats to himself for most of the ride into Kansas City; he could stretch out and even nod off for short stints without anyone sitting next to him or across from him. He was lucky enough to have that until the train rolled into Jefferson City and a woman in her forties asked to sit across from him. She had a pleasant smile and seemed lonely as she struck up a conversation with him almost immediately.

"Hi, my name's Coleen," she said extending a hand to him.

"Jack," Mulder said back to her as he shook her hand.

"I'm surprised the train is this busy at this time of night" she smiled and looked around.

"I guess everyone has to get somewhere," Mulder said as he shifted in his seat to stretch his legs.

"You on your way to Kansas City?" she asked as she rummaged through her bag.

"Uh, yeah," he said as he took a drink of water "I'm there to visit my mom."

"So you're from Kansas City too?" she asked suddenly stopping her movements.

"No," Mulder corrected her "my mom moved there about 10 years ago with her new husband."

"Oh" she smiled at him "I'm born and bread here. I'm on my way home from visiting my aunt."

"That's nice" Mulder smiled while he took another drink.

"She's not doing so well, so everyone in my family takes turns checking in on her. Because I am single they rely on me a lot for that."

"Isn't that what always happens?" Mulder asked nicely.

"No that I mind" she corrected "everyone else is so busy with their families...kids take up a lot of time."

"They do."

"You say that like a man who knows from experience. You have kids?"

"A daughter who just started college," Mulder said looking at his hands.

"Married?"

"To my high school sweetheart," he said smiling up at her.

"Well, she's a very lucky woman" she smiled at him as she pulled out something she had been searching for.

"Thank you," Mulder said as he turned to look out the window.

"Got it!," she said triumphantly as she held up a book.

Mulder turned to see her proudly holding up a worn version of his book Deceive, Inveigle
Obfuscate . His face froze; he wondered if she had looked at his picture in the back and knew he wasn't who he said he was.

"You know it?" she asked looking at him concerned.

Mulder nodded his head slowly.

"My cousin leant it to me" she smiled looking at the cover "she just couldn't stop talking about it."

"Really?" Mulder gulped.

"Yeah," she said flipping through the pages "it's about these two FBI agents who are tracking a government conspiracy and falling in love along the way."

"Sounds interesting" he relaxed, knowing she had not connected him to the book.

"I'm on chapter three right now and things are getting very... heated" she smiled at him "it's getting hard to put down."

"Then, I won't keep you from your book," Mulder said casually as he turned to face the window.

Coleen opened up her book and was quickly engrossed in her chapter. Mulder thought about his son and whether Scully had kept his promise of providing Patrick with a kid-friendly version of the novel. He glanced over at Coleen as she ducked her head closer to the book. She was not far into the book and by the page count Mulder was fairly certain he knew which part of the book she was reading. She was on chapter three alright. Mulder thought back to the real-life events that inspired that steamy chapter.

He and Scully had been maneuvering around their newly blossoming relationship. After his head had healed from brain surgery Scully had made her intention to become romantically involved clear and their first time making love had been a monumental occasion for both of them and despite the slow passionate love they made the following morning he and Scully had both needed their distance from each other for a while. They still shared innuendoes and glances, and he still found himself standing vey close to her at all times but he didn't want to push things. The first time after that, she made a move when they got back to their motel while on a murder case. She asked him about a proboscis as she slid off his tie. They had made love with great fervor that night and the one following but when they got back to DC things had died down again. He knew that Scully was sorting out the intricacies of their relationship, cataloging and filing for future reference, the things she would come to know as second nature one day.

While in DC they had gone out for dinner between cases and she had helped him baptize his leather couch one very memorable afternoon. He had enjoyed her against a hotel door while on the Henry Weems case, and caused her to whimper in sheer ecstasy as she tried to keep quiet so people in the hall wouldn't hear. He loved that with each sexual encounter she was slowly giving herself over to him more and more, holding back less, and enjoying herself further. Nothing prepared him for New Year's Eve.

In retrospect, he had not thought through his plan to kiss her at New Year's. They were in a public place, which he knew she would not be happy about. He smelled like sweat and zombie, which he also knew was not appealing in the slightest. It was also Y2K which meant that they could get placed back on duty at any moment if the shit hit the fan. Finally, she had had a long tiring day attempting to track him down and save his ass from the zombies. So the kiss was a bad idea that got worse when she chastely responded to his overture and seemed slightly upset with the result.

They had talked about the case as he drifted in and out of consciousness all the way home and she diligently drove home avoiding any new millennium party-goers. When they arrived at his place he didn't question that she was going to come upstairs to ensure he went to bed and took his meds. When she took off her shoes and coat he started to hope she would be staying the night, or, what was left of it. She hadn't stayed with him the whole night since their first time; they had yet to share a bed and just sleep. When she pulled a toothbrush from her purse and walked to the washroom he let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding and walked toward the bathroom.

"I need to have a shower," he said to her reflection as she brushed with a pink toothbrush.

"Go ahead" she slurred as she battled the foam building in her mouth.

He stripped down and she helped him remove the sling that was holding his arm in place.

"Ouch!" he flinched as his arm was released.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just the sling..."

"...helps keep it immobile" she interrupted.

He smiled down at her and kissed her on the forehead. "About earlier..."

"Forget about it," she said dismissing him and turning to leave.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't the right time, was it?" he asked as he reached for her arm with his good hand.

"I'm just not ready for..."

"I know" he finished before she continued.

She gave him a tight-lipped smile and left the bathroom.

He slipped into his shower and felt like a human being again as the warm water sluiced over his cold body. He was happy she was staying the night with him and he hoped she wouldn't be stupid and try and sleep on the couch. When he emerged from the steamy washroom 10 minutes later he was happy to see her wearing one of his blue t-shirts and riffling through the stack of books he had sitting on his bedside table.

"Find anything interesting?" he asked as he pulled on some pajama bottoms.

"This one about interview statistics," she said softly as she read the pages before her.

"I haven't had a chance to read much of it but the instance of people admitting to involvement in a crime when questions are worded a particular way..."

"...is fascinating" she mumbled as she turned another page.

"Hey, if you like that Scully, you'll love this other book on admissions of past crimes when cued by an interviewer."

"Um hum" she mumbled as she read.

He climbed into bed next to her and wrapped his body around her legs. "Thanks for the sleepover."

"No problem," she said closing her book and looking upset with herself.

His distressed look must have caused her to second guess her choice of words.

"What I mean to say..." she started as she placed the book back on his bedside table and turned off the lamp and snuggled down next to him "...is it's my pleasure."

He smiled at her in the dark as their faces lay on a pillow inches from each other, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

"You're beautiful" he admitted as she smiled back at him.

They both closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep. He was surprised at how tired he truly was and heavy he slept. He was having the most wonderful dream about Scully laying on top of him like a blanket on a beach as a nice ocean breeze wafted over them. Then in his dream Scully had snaked her hand down his swim trunks and was massaging his member. When he realized that he wasn't dreaming and that he was indeed being caressed and licked as his cock got harder and harder he opened his eyes to the bright sunlight of morning and a head of red hair focused on his lower half.

"Scully?" he asked groggily.

He felt her mouth slide up his shaft and heard the 'pop' of his cock being released.

"Is this okay Mulder?" she asked a little unsure.

"Is it okay?" he chuckled.

"I was once told that every man's fantasy was to wake up having this being done to him," she said as she caressed his balls. "Is it?"

"It's definitely one of them." He smiled down at her and touched her cheek.

She was beautiful in the morning light. His blue t-shirt was loose around her small frame, her hair was tousled, she was blushing, and her lips were red and puckered.

"Then relax," she said and she took him in her mouth again.

Mulder felt her wet mouth around him and her tongue sliding along him. Although he had enjoyed orally satisfying her on the Weems case she had not even shown an inclination that she enjoyed this. The woman he saw focused on the lower half of his body was definitely enjoying herself.

As she moved her mouth up and down his hard cock she lightly toyed with his balls and ran a hand over his chest to flick his nipples. She seemed like an octopus with her hands and her mouth everywhere, stimulating him all at once. Her warm breath bringing him to the verge of orgasm and then backing away to make him hold on a little longer.

He glanced down at her again and noticed that with all the action his t-shirt had ridden up on her and some lacy white panties were peeking out from underneath. He reached with his one good arm to caress the back of her thigh where the panties met her skin. She was soft and warm all at once. As he did that, she started to pump her mouth up and down his shaft. The feeling of her deep-throating him as his hand touched her quivering thigh sent him over the edge. The room started to spin, his breathing became erratic and Mulder found himself losing consciousness.

When he came to moments later Mulder looked up at her as she lay partially on top of him.

"Did you leave me for a minute?" she asked while chuckling to herself.

"Uh, I think only for a moment." He smiled up at her.

Mulder noticed that she was still caressing his shaft as they talked and that he was harder than ever.

"You were only out for about 30 seconds," she said softly as she moved off of him to lie facing him on the mattress.

"Where are you going?" he asked as he attempted to move his bad arm "ouch!"

"I don't know if this is a good idea with your pain medication," she said truthfully.

"I think this is a great idea." He smiled as he rolled towards her.

He noted that she had still not taken her hands off him. He found his hips gyrating towards her with each pump of her fist.

"In fact" he began between pants "I think this is the best idea so far this morning."

"You think so, do you?" she smiled back at him.

"I do" he whispered as she started to play with his nipple as well.

"Maybe I should take it a little easy. We don't want you passing out again."

"Scully, if you keep doing whatever you are doing I will gladly move in and out of consciousness."

"I don't want that," she said honestly.

"Anything you want" he acquiesced as she pumped him harder and his gyrations grew more erratic.

She rolled him onto his back and kneeled next to his form. Mulder enjoyed the view that this afforded because he could not only see her wet hot little mouth working him but he could see her cute little ass wiggling next to him as well. He placed his hand on her ass and rubbed her cheek under the material. At this rate he wasn't sure if he wouldn't have a heart attack next.

She grasped him tightly with her hand and pumped up and down with her fist as her tongue licked his balls and she slowly and carefully sucked each testicle into her wet mouth.

"Oh god!" Mulder gasped at he felt his testicle residing in the wet warm that was Scully.

She rolled his testicle gingerly in her mouth and he could feel her tongue working him from the inside. The feeling was overwhelming and his hand kneaded her ass as she released his one ball and moved onto the other one. Mulder felt his breath getting rapid again and the dizzy sensation coming back.

"Scully!" he cried as he felt her release him and move up to look at his face closer.

"Take deep breaths, in through your nose, and out through your mouth," she said in a soothing voice as she ran a hand down his cheek.

"Thank you" he gasped as his heart rate calmed.

"I don't think you can take much more," she said as she rubbed his stubbled chin.

"Please" he begged for release.

She smiled softly and moved down his body again. This time her movements were more precise and less seductive. She lightly grasped his shaft and began to methodically pump him. It was when her mouth seized him, when he felt her hot breath surround him, and her wet tongue urge him that he found himself exploding in her mouth. He saw a whirlwind of stars and felt his body suddenly heat up as his cum jettisoned from his body and into hers. He barely held onto his tenuous grip on consciousness as she swallowed hard and sucked him further into her mouth with the action.

He lay panting on the bed feeling as though he was floating above it when he felt her release him from her mouth and slide up the bed towards him. They were both covered in a thin film of sweat as she snuggled in next to him and pulled the blanket over them.

"You look very happy" she observed smiling up at him.

"Do I?" he asked softly.

She planted her head on his chest and he knew she was listening for his heart rate to slow. When she was satisfied with the tempo she moved her head to a pillow. He planted a kiss on her nose and fell asleep before he had the opportunity to say all the things he wanted to say. His head was still spinning when he woke up 3 hours later and she was gone.

"Ahhh" Coleen sighed across from him.

Mulder was pulled from his thoughts by the sight of a smitten woman across from him.

"You like the book?" he asked her as he straightened in his seat.

"Honey, it's always good on paper" she smiled "its real life that's never as good."

"I guess so,." He smiled back at her "but there must be some real life that's as good as books or else where would all the ideas come from?"

"I just read" she paused to decide how much to say and then continued in a half whisper "the most amazing love scene and, maybe I'm inexperienced, but I've never had an encounter like that."

"Maybe that's the idea," he said coolly.

"What do you mean?" she asked unsure of what he was saying.

"What I mean is this--maybe once you read it you remember it and then you eventually act upon it."

"Oh," she said as realization hit "I guess."

"I've uh...gotta stretch my legs. I'll see you in a bit" Mulder said as he stood with his bag.

"Have a good visit with your mom if I don't see you before we get there" she smiled at him.

"Thanks." He smiled back "it was nice meeting you Coleen."

Mulder walked toward the front of the train. He had just under one hour until he was in Kansas City.

The Saloon was a dingy bar that only locals could love. They loved it probably because it was the only bar open past midnight in this little town. The casual jeans and shirt John Doggett was wearing served him well to blend better as he walked in, but he still garnered looks of interest from everyone.

He walked casually up to the bar and waited for the bartender to approach.

"You're new" a young man to his right observed.

"Yeah" John said non-committal "and I had no idea this town was so small."

The young lab tech laughed "there's small and then there's Peabody."

John took the laughter as a good entry point into conversation "I'm David Martin," he said reaching out his hand.

"Harvey Edgemont" the young man said as he pumped his hand.

"So, I know why I'm in Peabody Harvey, but why the hell are you here?" Doggett laughed.

"I work for Kite," he said as he took a swig of his beer.

"That's who I start working for tomorrow" smiled Doggett as he gestured for two beers.

"Are you a tech?" Harvey asked doubtfully.

"Nah, I'm not smart enough for that shit" Doggett said as he drank some beer "I'm going to be working some special security for them."

"You're former military, aren't you?" Harvey asked intrigued.

"How'd you know?" Doggett asked. "They all practically are" he sighed "it's like a base over there."

Doggett laughed "Yeah, I guess it is...but it has to be."

"I don't know why though" Harvey muttered.

"I guess I'll find out why tomorrow" Doggett said casually.

"Do you know what area you're working in?" the young man asked as he reached for the beer Doggett bought him.

"That's classified" Doggett smiled over at him.

"Yeah, you're military alright" Harvey groaned.

"I'm just fucking with you kid" Doggett said as he punched him in the arm "the truth is, all I know is that my assignment is some special security detail for patients."

"You'll get to work with them?" the kid asked intrigued.

"You don't?" Doggett asked wanting every morsel of information he could get.

"Nah, they're in C-Wing and only Level 6 people can get in there."

"So, I guess I'm Level 6" Doggett smiled "What Level are you Harvey?"

"I'm just a 3," he said as he starred at his beer.

"I'm sure you'll be a 6 one day" Doggett said as he nudged him with his shoulder.

"Yeah, about 40-50 years from now and a PhD or two."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Doggett asked as he took another gulp of beer.

"All the Level 6 scientists are these ancient people that have 3 doctorates each and have published thousands of journal articles."

"You've got the doctor's coat" Doggett said gesturing to his attire.

"Yeah, but I've only got a master's degree in bio-chemistry... those guys in Level 6 are my idols."

"So why don't you hang out with them and pick their brains?" Doggett suggested.

"The only time I see them is in the cafeteria and, even then, they stick to themselves."

"So they're all high and mighty" Doggett said ordered two more beers.

"Nah, they are the experts and I'm just the lab tech who tests the chemical reactions they send to me."

"What the fuck do you do?" Doggett asked.

"I test the reaction of human tissue to various chemical environments."

"So what makes their work so different from yours?" Doggett asked.

"They are the ones that get to work with the patients." "And you don't?"

"No, I only get to work with their skin samples."

"What's so special about these patients that they hired me?"

Harvey leaned forward conspiratorially "No one knows. My theory is they are people with a highly contagious disease that Kite is trying to find a cure for."

"Why would you think that?"

"All the security and the clearances...and the way the skin samples react."

"I'm not following you there with the skin shit."

"In simple terms" Harvey paused to look at Doggett and see if he was offended, realizing he was not, Harvey continued "their skin can withstand all kinds of chemical environments that skin like yours or mine would disintegrate in."

"Wow" Doggett said amazed "why the fuck is their skin so different?"

"I think it has to do with a contagion in their body that allows them to..."Harvey abruptly stopped talking.

Doggett knitted his brows and looked at him, inquisitive of the abrupt stop.

"My boss" Harvey whispered "I better go."

"It was nice meeting you Harvey" Doggett said quietly "I'll see you around."

John Doggett watched in the bar mirror as Harvey got up and walked toward the door stopping to stiffly shake a man's hand before he exited.

John watched as the 'boss', a man in his late 40's walked over to a table near the far side of the bar and sat with another older man. He ordered a scotch and the two men seemed to be engrossed in the sports report on the TV. John waited another 20 minutes before he got up to use the washroom and snuck out the back door. Harvey had proven to be a wealth of information.

He was walking down a long corridor, listening to his heels hit the cement floor beneath him. The walls were all grey and the lighting harsh. He couldn't help but let a shudder run up his spine.

'The quicker I get out of this place, the better' he thought as he footfalls picked up.

He rounded the corner of the last hallway and caught sight of the young boy lying impassively on the gurney. Two guards stood at attention on either side of the gurney. Franz wasn't sure why, because he knew the boy would be sedated. It wasn't as if he was going to leap up and make a run for it.

"Gentlemen," he said as he approached them and pulled out his clearance card swiping it on the wall panel.

The door buzzed open and Franz walked confidently past them, not even glancing at the young boy asleep on the gurney. The lab was in full prep mode. He had arrived with the merchandise two days earlier than expected and had caught them off-guard. They were scrambling to get everything set-up for the new test subject.

"Adria" Franz called out as he approached the older woman at the centre of the confusion.

"Thanks to you," she said gesturing around herself.

"Oh, don't thank me now" Franz said grinning at her, knowing full well she was pissed.

"You couldn't have followed the timelines could you?" she asked him exasperated as she unpacked a set of test tubes.

"His dad was about to surprise him with a fishing trip" Franz said leaning on the table as she unpacked "if I didn't take him right away I'd either have to move the whole operation to the Keys or wait another two weeks. And...you know how the old man is about wasted money."

"Who the fuck takes their kid on a surprise fishing trip for two weeks in the middle of the school year?" Adria asked as she lined up the test tubes.

"Tony Faulkner, that's who" Franz said as he reached for a tube which Adria quickly pushed out of his reach.

"Ah, come on Adria," he said as he pulled into a standing position "the kid's out cold and you can get this place set up in no time, so stop being nasty."

She stilled her hands for a moment and then looked at him in the eye "you know we can't keep him sedated for much longer, the drugs..."

"...don't have the same effect on him as us regular folk" he interrupted "I know, I know."

"So you can see why I don't have time to chat," she said lifting the empty box to walk away.

"It was my pleasure" Franz said in a snarky voice to her back as she walked away.

He turned on his heel and walked from the lab, swiping his card as he exited.

"Bitch" he muttered under his breath as he passed through the door.

He was walking past the boy on the gurney when he chanced a look down at him. He looked so innocent and so peaceful.

He then felt a small hand grasp onto his wrist.

Startled, Franz pulled back and the hand fell to the side of the gurney. He looked closely at the boy. He was still sedated but his eyes were fluttering under his lids. He was dreaming and had reached out for his mother probably.

Both guards had instantly moved forward to see what had happened.

"He's just dreaming" Franz offered as an explanation.

Understanding his answer they both fell back into their respective positions.

Franz rubbed his wrist as if the action itself would erase the boy's touch. He bit his lip and turned to walk down the hall quickly. He wanted to get away from the boy as fast as he could so he could forget his role in the horrible crime.

Walking quickly toward the exit and swiping his keycard in one fluid motion, he pushed through the doors to the outside of the building and vomited into the nearest trash can. As he wiped his mouth he considered going back, getting the boy, killing the guards and...

"Franz!"

He jumped at the sound of his name and startled, looked around the train cabin until he spotted Mallory.

"You're sweating," she said as she placed a hand on his forehead "you were making this retching noise...are you going to be sick?"

"No" he gasped as he feverishly looked around them "I...I must've fallen asleep."

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked pulling her hand away.

"Fine...I'm fine," he said as he adjusted his shirt and sat up straighter.

She pursed her lips and waited for a better answer.

"I...I just had a bad dream" he offered to get her to calm down "no big deal."

"Anything you care to share?," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Humph" Franz said as he tried to look like he was remembering something "I can't remember it."

"You sure?" she asked, unconvinced.

"Why don't you get some shut eye Mallory, we have another few hours until we transfer trains" he offered, trying to change the subject.

"I'm going to run to the washroom ," she said rising from her seat "I need to stretch my legs now that you're awake."

He watched her walk down the car and open up the sliding door to enter the next one. When she was out of sight Franz grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from the back of his neck. He needed to be held accountable for his actions and he needed to find that boy.

Walter Skinner negotiated his way through Memphis traffic making his way south to the person he knew would get him in contact with Mulder, Scully and William. He had not been a big fan of Monica Reye's while she was at the Bureau but knew that she and Scully had become quite close. It was Monica who was there when William was born and Monica was the person waiting in the car for Scully when she handed William over for adoption. In these circumstances he trusted his gut and his gut told him Monica was the key to finding them. He knew he needed to do more than deflect attention from them at this point, Walter knew they needed his protection.

Dinah had, of course, been understanding. Although he had taken off very little in the middle of the night since they were together, she understood that sometimes he just had to leave. He felt safe with her in her sister's house with two cops protecting her and knew it was okay to leave.

He made his way down the dark roads next to the Mississippi River to the area of Horseshoe Lake and it's small village of Belle Meade. He knew that years ago Monica had left the Bureau to help her aunt run her Plantation and Walter had also heard about her successful Organic Farm. It wasn't every day that a Fed turned into a farmer so Monica was an oddity worth mention.

He slowly pulled up the long driveway toward the old mansion. It was 3 am and he wasn't sure how he was going to wake up Monica without scaring everyone in the house. As he exited his car he didn't have to worry about that problem anymore.

"Don't you move an inch" Monica's authoritative voice called from somewhere near the house "I have a 12 gauge shotgun aimed at your head."

"Monica," he said cautiously "it's Walter Skinner from the Bureau."

A huge light shone directly in his face from the top balcony of the house. He turned his head slightly to protect his eyes.

"Can you turn that thing down?" he muttered.

"Walter?" she asked, "what the hell are you doing here?"

"Can we talk about this without waking up everyone in the house?"

"Who the hell are you?" a young voice asked.

"Who the hell are you?" Walter snapped back.

"Atticus, go inside" Monica said sharply.

"Who the hell is this guy showing up at our house at this time?" the young voice snapped back "are you dating him too?"

"Get in the god damned house" Monica ordered.

Walter heard a door slam.

"Monica, can you come down?" he asked.

"Just a second" she answered.

He waited a couple of minutes before he saw lights go on at the front of the house and a figure wrapping a long sweater around herself appear.

"Walter," she said as she approached him.

He put out his hand to shake hers and as she reached for his palm he felt a knife slice his skin open. She grabbed his hand and shone a flashlight on it.

"What the hell!" Walter barked as he started to pull his hand back.

"Sorry," she said handing him a towel, "I had to be sure."

"Be sure you could piss me off?" he asked as he held his bleeding hand.

"I had to be sure you were...you," she said gesturing to a wicker chair on the porch.

"God damn it, you're just like him" he winced as he wrapped up his hand.

"Who?" Monica asked as she pulled a band aid and Bactine from her pocket.

"Mulder" Skinner winced as he examined the cut with the flashlight.

"Really?" she laughed.

"You don't trust anyone either," he said as he put pressure on the cut.

"Not with everything that's going on" Monica said as she reached for a cigarette.

"So you know," he said candidly.

Monica just inhaled and looked out over the front garden.

"I just flew in from Boston" he volunteered "I need to make sure they are okay. The boy is in a lot of danger."

Monica glanced at him but said nothing.

"You do know that Agent Doggett and I..."

"I know that was the whole reason for your 'vacation'," she said with emphasis.

"Well my 'vacation', as you put it, has turned up some very sensitive information that I need to get to Mulder and Scully," he said as he studied her.

"And you think I know where they are?" she asked as he blew out smoke.

"Yes, we both know you have that information, so can you just tell me where the hell they are."

"You must be tired," she said as she stamped out her cigarette.

"Monica, I need to get to Mulder and Scully as quickly as possible," he said, obviously pissed off.

"I'll set you up in a guest room. Set the alarm for 5am and I'll take you to them then."

"Monica, I..."

"Take it or leave it, but good luck finding them without me," she said as she rose to go inside.

Walter looked at her as she walked inside the vestibule. He knew that he had to take her deal because she was not going to change her mind. He did need the sleep and two hours was not going to make much difference. He also knew she would be contacting then to see if he was allowed contact. He was sure the answer would be 'yes' but Monica was not going to take him to them without their permission; there was too much at stake. Walter Skinner wearily rose from his chair and walked inside the house.

Fox Mulder made his way to the Peaceful Rest Motor Court in Peabody Kansas and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible as he searched the parking lot for Doggett's car and retrieved the key hidden from under the wheel well.

He walked toward Room 6 and thought about all the crappy motels he'd dragged Scully to while on cases. He hoped she and William were fine and that he would see them soon. His desire to find answers was great, as was his need to return to them.

He turned the key slowly in the lock and called out into the room.

"John?"

"I'm over here Mulder" a groggy voice said from across the room "I was just catching a few minutes."

Mulder walked into the darkened room and dropped his bag on the floor. "Go back to sleep, if you're that tired."

"No" John said swinging his legs over the edge of the bed "I'm better now."

John Doggett reached for a bedside lamp and snapped it on, shielding his eyes from the bright light.

"You look like shit," Mulder said taking a heavy seat in the chair.

Doggett glanced up at him. He took in Mulder's unshaven face, his crumpled appearance and the bags under his eyes, "You look worse."

Mulder snickered at his comment "So what have we got?"

"Their patrols are spaced at 24 minute intervals at night. They are heavily armed and all guards seem to have military training. They are definitely not rent-a-cops."

"I was kind of hoping for rent-a-cops" Mulder sighed.

"No such luck."

Mulder leaned back on the chair and looked toward the ceiling.

"C-Wing is where we are likely to find the kids but that is, of course, the highest level of security and only the top dogs get in and out of there."

"Of course."

"Apparently they work on a keycard security system so I'm thinking if we attach a small explosive device to it, we can over-ride the system and gain entry."

"Along with alerting everyone that we are there" Mulder groaned.

"Mulder, I can't think of any other way we'll gain access."

"What else do you have?"

"The lower level scientists perform tests with samples of skin and tissue but they don't have access to the kids. They seem to think the kids have a contagion that allows them to remain immune to several viruses and a broad spectrum of diseases."

"So they are testing the kids for infection control?"

"They are testing the tissue for infection control; those kids could be long dead Mulder."

Mulder stood up abruptly from the chair and paced back and forth. Doggett could see the agitation in his motions and wondered what was going on in his head.

"No, the kids would have to be alive because tissue starts to break down immediately after death."

"And you know this...?"

"Scully," Mulder said authoritatively.

"So the kids are alive and being used as lab rats."

"We need to get them out of there," Mulder said as he paced some more.

"Mulder, we are not going to act impulsively. I promised Dana we wouldn't take any more risks than necessary. We're going to watch the day patrol before we hatch any plot. Deal?"

"Fine" Mulder agreed as he stopped pacing.

Doggett was impressed that one word about Dana managed to cause Mulder to stand down and act sensibly. He hoped this would continue throughout the days to come.

The two men sat in silence for several minutes. Each immersed in his own thoughts about what needed to be done.

"Mind if I use the shower?"

"Help yourself" Doggett said as he rubbed his face "I hope you enjoy the centipede companions that are all over the place."

"Centipedes?" Mulder winced.

"It is the motel where we were least likely to draw attention" Doggett noted as he reached for bottled water "what did you want, turn down service?"

"Hardy har," Mulder said as he walked toward the washroom.

"I'll pull up some more Intel once you're out of there" John called after him.

The door shut and John sat drinking his water and thinking. He had promised Dana that he would take care of Mulder, that he would get this man she loved, back in one piece. It was a promise both she and he knew would be hard to keep but he would try his best.

He understood that a leopard doesn't change his spots but...John didn't understand Mulder anymore now then he did when he first met him. He knew that Mulder needed answers, and part of him understood the need to secure a future free from further interference but...if that was his son, and he was with Dana... he would take off and never look back. It would probably take them years to track the trio down, if they even did, and by then, who knows?.

John rose from his bed and walked over to his laptop, booting it up and watching the screen come to life before his eyes.

Another thing he didn't understand was Dana. She didn't seem upset by his choice to risk life and limb to track down the truth about their son and his pursuers. For all that she loved the man; she never stood in the way of his independence, of his ability to make his own choices regardless of her own set of beliefs. He always knew her as a fiercely independent woman but the decisions she had made in recent days brought that independence to a whole new level.

John thought of his own ex-wife and how she would have threatened him, given him an ultimatum, told him she wouldn't want him back even if he did manage to return...they had a very different relationship compared to Dana and Mulder. At that moment John wasn't sure which one was better. Sure he would have been pissed off at his wife, but he would have stayed, taken off with her and the boy, and lived a long safe life together. Mulder's choice could lead to a life he spends alone while Dana and Patrick live in hiding.

"Penny for your thoughts," Mulder said from the door to the washroom.

John hadn't realized how long he had been standing there deep in thought. He turned to find Mulder in the doorway of the washroom wet and clad in a cheap towel holding a pile of dirty clothes under his arm. Either his shower was very short or John had really lost track of time. He glanced at the computer screen. Twenty minutes. He'd been starring at that same screen all that time.

"I just zoned out there for a second" he apologized and leaned toward the computer screen.

"You look like you were trying to figure out a puzzle" Mulder commented as he crossed the room to his bag and began to pull out clean clothes.

"Maybe I was" John murmured.

"Can I help?" Mulder asked as he pulled on somewhat fresh jeans and a long-sleeved jersey.

John paused for a few moments and then, feeling suddenly brave, turned to face him "maybe you can."

"Hit me" said Mulder as he sat on the edge of his bed to pull on a pair of socks.

"Why doesn't Dana ever threaten you?" John asked sincerely.

"She did shoot me" Mulder responded amicably.

"No, really." John struggled with how to put the next words "if that was my wife, she'd be all over me telling me I wouldn't have a family to return to, that she could care less about the truth, as long as we were all safe."

Mulder continued to silently pull on his socks as John Doggett stood awkwardly across the room.

"Mulder?" Doggett asked after some time had passed.

"I guess the simple answer is, she's not your wife," Mulder said as he set his feet down and looked up at John.

"That's not much of an answer" John commented.

"John" Mulder began as he looked up at him "there is no one in the world like Scully."

"I am starting to see that" John commented.

Mulder sighed and rubbed his forehead, "To remain as independent as she has all these years, has taken a lot of work. She respects my ability to make my own decisions as an extension of her autonomy--without that she would lose her liberty as well."

"You make it sound so easy" Doggett chuckled.

"Far from it" Mulder grinned "Do you know how many times I've wanted to just tell her what to do? Times I've wanted to threaten her so she would bend to my will? The times I haven't been pleased with her decisions but I have to live with them anyways?"

"So...independence isn't all it's cracked up to be" John chuckled.

"Something like that" Mulder snickered with him "but I respect her too much to force her into anything that is against her nature."

"And she respects you...got it" John nodded.

"That being said..." Mulder smiled "there is a thing called bribery...I haven't been with her all these years and not learned a thing or two about what makes her tick."

"So you bribe her?"

"Maybe bribery was too harsh a term...how about, influence her decisions passively?"

"You mind explaining that to me?"

"All those years we were in hiding."

"Yes."

"I had various news magazines and underground zines shipped to a PO Box in Richmond and Scully hated picking them up for me."

"I can see that."

"So I ordered her a few decorating and women's magazines and got them shipped to the same PO Box."

"So, she wouldn't mind picking up your stuff while she was there?" John said as a smile crept across his face.

"Bingo" Mulder grinned.

"And has she done things to passively influence you as well?"

Mulder smirked and shook his head "I'm sure she has, but she's so good at it, I don't know what she's done."

"You two are definitely a pair" Doggett smiled at the man.

He handed Mulder a print out that he read quickly and handed back.

"Looks like they aren't expecting us," Mulder said definitively.

"Nope, no sign of any increased security. But, we still have to check out the day shift."

Mulder stood up and walked toward the head of his bed.

"Well, seeing as we have a few hours before we need to start patrolling Kite again...I'm going to get some shut eye" Mulder said as he turned down his bed.

"I'm just going to do a little more research" John said as he took a seat in front of the laptop.

"Wake me up when it's time," Mulder said as he turned onto his side.

"No problem" Doggett responded as he started to look at the Kite subsidiary directory.

Dana Scully sat in the parking lot of the Kentucky Fried Chicken and thought about what her life had come to--always on the run, Mulder miles away risking his life, it seemed so wrong somehow. Patrick sat in the back seat of her Corolla amicably playing video games while she scanned oncoming traffic for Monica's truck. Monica's aunt had a specialist appointment this morning that Monica needed to take her to and they had decided to meet at I-40 to save her the travel time.

'He'll be fine' a voice in her head said nicely.

"Let's hope so" she huffed.

Monica's middle-of-the-night call had unnerved her and she wanted to see Skinner as soon as possible. He had travelled through the night to get to Monica in hopes she would know where they were. It was not like Skinner, and that was what bothered her most; his desperation. She hoped that he was not bringing her news about Mulder walking into a trap because that would fill her with regret. Regret that she had not fought to get him to stay with them, that she had not pulled out all the stops to get him to take off with them to live the rest of their lives in relative obscurity.

'You couldn't have convinced him, anyways' Patrick's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I can be pretty convincing," Scully said as she turned to face him.

"Yeah, but he needs to do this," Patrick said as he glanced up from his video game.

When she turned to face forward again, she spotted Monica's truck pulling into the parking lot. Skinner sat in the passenger seat and looked uncomfortable. The truck came to a stop. Dana watched as Monica and Skinner hopped from the vehicle and walked toward her car. Skinner walked toward the passenger side and Monica leaned down to look in her window.

"Hi Patrick!" Monica said to the young boy.

"Hi Monica," he said back, although distracted by his game.

Skinner opened the passenger door and folded himself into the car.

"How are you holding up?" Monica asked.

Dana just arched an eyebrow upwards and turned to look at her former boss.

"Walter," she said looking at him.

"Dana," he said back as he turned to look in the back seat "Patrick, I presume."

"Hey" called Patrick as he glanced up at the man "I know you."

"Walter was around when you were younger" Dana answered the question she knew was coming.

'You called him Skinner' the voice in her head said.

Dana nodded to let him know he was right.

"I gotta go" Monica said as she stood up "Doctor's and old aunts aren't the most appreciative of tardiness."

"Thanks for bringing me Monica" Skinner offered.

"You're welcome" she smiled back "and I hope you can help them."

She turned and walked toward her truck.

"Are we going somewhere?" Skinner asked "Someplace where we can talk?"

"We have a motel room about 40 minutes from here" Dana offered as she pulled from the parking lot.

Monica waved to them from her truck and then they were off down the Inter-state.

The car was silent most of the journey, broken only by questions about Dinah, Mulder's books, and Dana's work at the hospital. Somehow Dana knew that Walter wanted to wait until she was no longer driving a vehicle to tell her what he had come to say. That scared her the most.

When they arrived at her room Dana couldn't wait one second more. As soon as she shut the door she turned to face him.

"Tell me," she said authoritatively.

"Dana, it's a long story...I don't even know where to begin..."

"Tell me what will upset me the most," she said, not wavering from her path.

Walter looked at the young boy standing by her side holding her hand and then looked up at Dana.

"He can hear everything I think. So, you might as well just say it in front of him because he'll know it as soon as I do anyways," she said standing her ground.

"Your mother was kidnapped" he blurted.

"Oh, god," she said as her knees buckled slightly.

"Mom!" Patrick called as he held her elbow.

"I'm fine," she said shaking it off "has she been found?"

"Yes, she's alive," he said answering the next question before she could ask it "but...she's been injured."

"Injured how?" Patrick asked.

"Uh, the man who kidnapped her was former FBI and he was looked for you, Mulder and Wil...I mean Patrick" Skinner started "Why don't you take a seat?"

He gestured toward the bed and went to sit on a nearby chair. Dana sat next to Patrick and the young boy held her hand.

"He asked her questions, questions about her contact with you and Mulder."

"We didn't tell her anything" Scully jumped to say "Nothing about Patrick, or leaving, or..."

"He figured that out but..."

"But, what?"

"But not after breaking a few of her fingers."

"He what?!"

"He tied her up, questioned her, frightened the crap out of her, and broke some fingers" Skinner summarized "She's shaken up but fine, I've spoken with her."

"Where is she now?" Scully asked.

"She's gone to stay with your brother Bill for a bit."

"Was she treated for any other injuries, examined by..."

"She was treated at Baltimore Memorial and released" he interrupted "I had Baltimore PD escort her to a plane and she arrived safely on the other end. I got confirmation from Bill."

"You spoke with my brother?"

"I, uh...did."

"I'm sure that conversation was insightful" she murmured "but she's fine?"

"She is" he assured her.

"Thank you," she said as she gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"You're welcome." He returned the smile "But that's not everything."

"What else?" Scully asked as her eyes widened.

"Two FBI agents were following Dinah around Boston; convinced that she was your contact person."

"Oh god, tell me she's okay" Dana said as she leaned toward Skinner.

"She's fine." He reassured her "in fact, she's being guarded by Boston's finest as we speak."

"That gives me some comfort" Dana said relaxing a bit.

"I caught and questioned the two agents, Dana."

"Yes."

"And one of them, a Franz Lutman, has been involved with Kite for years. He has been tracking Patrick since he was a baby."

"I know that name. It came up in some files on the flash drive. He was following Dinah?"

"Yeah, but he's gone rogue. Him and his partner are now working against Kite."

"How can you be sure?"

"The FBI was drawing up orders to list them as terrorists to be taken dead or alive just before I left Boston."

"Who is issuing these orders?"

"AD Strickland" he offered.

"Who's that?" Patrick asked.

"He's Kite's high-ranking person inside the agency."

"How do you...?"

"He was this Dylan Izzo's supervisor when he was with the Bureau and continued to be his supervisor when he was transferred to Secret Service."

"An inter-agency transfer?"

"I know" Skinner said "that was what sealed the deal for me."

"What do you know about Strickland?"

"I know he's an SOB who likes to drink and play golf. He rose among the ranks by taking credit for everyone else's hard work and he'll rat you out the first chance he gets."

"Sounds peachy," she sighed."Where are these two rogue agents now?"

"My bet is they are on their way to Kite's plant in Kansas."

"Where Mulder and Agent Doggett are" Dana murmured.

"I think they are going to try and help shed some light on what's going on at this facility," he offered. "At this point they've got nothing to lose."

"But not much to gain, either" she added.

"I'm going to call Agent Doggett. He and Mulder need to know what to expect."

Dana walked across the room to a cell phone and placed a call. She was quite engrossed in the conversation and Walter took the opportunity to talk with Patrick.

"How are you doing?" he asked the young man.

"Okay, I guess" he shrugged.

"You taking good care of your mom?"

"She's taking care of me" he offered.

"I guess you're taking care of each other, with Mulder gone."

"He'll be back," Patrick said quickly.

"I'm sure he will, son" Skinner said to reassure the boy.

"How do you uh, like your parents?"

"They're pretty good," Patrick said "Dad likes Transformers and video games and Mom, she likes to read to me."

"Sounds like things are going quite well." Skinner smiled "I haven't seen you since you were spitting up all over yourself."

"I don't do that anymore" Patrick smiled.

"I should hope not" Skinner chuckled.

"Do you have any kids?"

"Uh, no."

"Yours die like John's son?"

"No," Skinner said looking at his hands "I've never been lucky enough to have a son, or daughter."

"But now you're too old" Patrick commented.

"Yeah, something like that" Skinner smiled at him.

"Too bad," Patrick said back "I remember you were really nervous with me at first, but then you were fine."

"Thanks, Patrick" Skinner smiled. "You feel like doing something while she's on the phone?"

"Wanna throw the ball around? I have two gloves" he offered.

"Let's go" Skinner said rising from his chair.

The two of them wet outside and had some fun tossing the ball around until Dana appeared several minutes later. She smiled at the scene in front of her and gestured for them to come inside.

"How's dad?" Patrick asked.

"Getting some well-deserved sleep" she smiled at him "I talked with John."

"And?" Skinner asked.

"There have been some interesting developments," she said grabbing a seat "They are testing human tissue from live specimens at the facility. Apparently lower level scientists have been told a contagion is involved but..."

"But they've been lied to" Skinner interrupted.

"Yeah" she nodded.

"They've been keeping the children alive and gathering samples for months, possibly years," she said softly.

"Holy shit" Skinner said under his breath.

"I can't let them get Patrick," she said as she looked toward her son "but I need to go there...they need my expertise to figure this out."

'Send me away with Walter' the voice inside her head said softly 'he seems like a good guy and I know he'd keep me safe.'.

Dana smiled at her son and patted him softly on the head.

"Walter, would you be willing..." her voice broke.

"Yes" he interrupted "but we'll need to leave the country so I can assure his safety."

"Thank you" she sighed.

"Can you put up with me for a bit while your parents work this out?" Skinner asked turning toward Patrick.

"I think I could manage" Patrick smiled up at him.

"I know where to go" Skinner said definitively.

"Maybe you shouldn't tell me" Dana cautioned him.

"I'll let you know when we get there mom, and when you're safe I'll tell you where to go."

"I'd like that" she smiled and touched her son's cheek.

"Uh, I need to call and make some arrangements" Skinner said as he cleared his throat.

"Patrick and I'll go for a short walk" Dana said rising to grab her son's jacket and her own.

She shut the door and placed an arm around her son's shoulder, "I hate this," she said quietly as she leaned into his ear.

Patrick looked up at her and saw the moisture in her eyes "I know you do, but it has to be this way."

"Why do I have to keep leaving you?" she asked herself as much as him.

"You won't have to leave me ever again."

"I'll make sure of that," she said as they walked along a dirt path "It's just that no one is safe as long as this facility is operational...you, Mulder, my mother, my brothers, Skinner, John, Monica...everyone is vulnerable."

"I know," he said kicking some dirt.

"I really want to leave with you," she said softly "but I can't."

"Then we would have to pack up everyone else and bring them along too."

"That would be some trip" she laughed.

"Your brother Bill?" Patrick asked, curious.

"Yeah" she answered tersely "I just thought about how much fun he'd be on the trip."

"You didn't think he'd be any fun," replied Patrick. , confused.

"He wouldn't be."

"So, why'd..."

"He and I aren't really speaking. He...he never forgave me for giving you up."

"Oh" Patrick looked at her thoughtfully, "but you have me now."

"And...and I might be giving you up again" she gasped as she reached for her son and held him tightly. "Patrick, I just can't risk you becoming part of an experiment."

"I know," he said as he grabbed her harder and started to cry "you beat yourself up all the time, but, you have always made the best decisions for me and, you have to believe that. I love you mom."

"I love you too, William," she said as tears streamed down her face and she fiercely gripped her son.

She held him for several long minutes not saying a word as she cried her eyes out and thought of all the wonderful memories she would always carry with her, all the thoughts she wanted her son to know. She thought of the feel of Mulder's strong arms around her as he kissed her for the first time, she thought of the fluttery feeling of excitement and disbelief when the doctor first told her she was pregnant, she thought of her beautiful son suckling from her breast when he was one day old, she thought of his giggles and gurgles as she shoveled baby cereal into his awaiting mouth, and finally she thought of the three of them--her family--standing under a tree hugging and crying just a few days ago.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and walked her son back towards the motel. Skinner was waiting with Patrick's bag packed.

"I'll transfer access to our accounts over to you as soon as you leave," she said handing him a slip of paper.

"Dana, I don't need..."

"Just in case you end up taking care of my son for much longer" she added.

"That won't be the case, you and Mulder..."

"I need to know that you and Dinah will..." she started to cry and could not finish.

"Dana, that's not necess..."

"I need to know" she interrupted.

"We would raise him as our son, you know that," he said softly as he touched her face.

"Thank you" she sighed softly "Thank you for this, for everything."

"We'll see you soon" Skinner said as he got into the waiting cab with Patrick.

She watched as her son waved from the rear window until she couldn't see him anymore.

The phone in Mulder's pocket vibrated against his ass. It took him a moment to realize what was happening before he rolled onto his side, pulled it out and hit the talk button.

He said nothing.

"It's me," she said on the other end.

"Scully," he said relieved. Then the realization that she was calling him struck him and he sat up quickly "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said softly, "we're both fine."

Mulder let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding "You scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry" she replied "but, I need to talk to you."

Mulder looked around the room. It was 11:34 am according to the clock and it sounded like John was in the shower. He needed to get up and start watching the day shift guards. John had let him sleep too long.

"What's going on?"

There was a long pause at the other end of the phone.

"Scully, you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"So, you going to tell me why you are scaring the hell out of me, or what?," he said as he slid his legs over the side of his bed.

"I did something that you won't like but...it can't be undone," she said quietly.

"Scully, what did you do?" he asked as he stood and started to pace.

"I'm driving to meet you right now."

"You're what!" he yelled into the phone "You turn your little ass around and..."

"I can't and...I won't," she said with conviction.

"Scully, wherever you are, you need to take care of William, more than your need to get here!" he yelled again.

"Don't you tell me what I need to do!" she snapped back.

"Neither of you can come anywhere near this" he snapped "He's still with you, right?"

There was again, a long pause on the other end of the phone.

"Scully?" Mulder asked desperately.

"He's...he's with Skinner," she said quietly.

"Skinner!" Mulder yelled again "Why the fuck is he with him?"

"Mulder just calm down," she said "you need to hear me out first, before you start jumping to conclusions."

Mulder stopped and wiped his brow. He recalled the conversation he had with Doggett before taking his nap. "I'm listening," he said through gritted teeth.

"You don't know yet, but Skinner came to see Monica about the case. It's big Mulder, really big. I called John about 5 hours ago, and when I found out about the tissue testing I knew you needed me there."

"Scully, I..."

"So," she interrupted him "Skinner has Patrick, and they are safe. And, as of 5 minutes ago, they are no longer in the country."

"You sent Skinner to another country with William?" he asked, unsure of what he had heard.

"Yes, and you would have done the same thing if it assured his safety and the safety of the rest of your family."

"What are you talking about?" Mulder asked confused.

"My mother, Mulder."

"What about your mother?"

He heard her steel herself on the other side of the phone. He knew her too well, and could picture the lone tear running down her cheek as she tried to sound brave.

"They kidnapped my mother and..."

"Whose working on finding her?" Mulder interrupted her, exasperated.

"She's been found and she's okay...in a matter of speaking."

"What do you mean?" he asked, as he leaned further into the phone.

"An ex-FBI agent held her and grilled her," she said as she took in a deep breath "Mulder...he broke some of her fingers when he didn't like the answers she gave him."

"Oh god, Scully," he said as he cradled the phone closer to his ear and shook his head.

"So, you can see...you can see why I need to be there. No one around me is safe as long as..."

"Oh, Scully," he said softly.

"I need to do this," she said quietly.

"I know you do. I...I just wish you wouldn't. I can take care of things, you can join..."

"You won't change my mind," she said definitely "we need to end this, now."

He licked his lips and rubbed his brow "How far are you?"

"I'm just coming up on Muskogee, Oklahoma." she sighed with his acquiescence "I'll be there by dinner time."

"I'll be here," he said softly.

"Thank you, Mulder" she breathed out "I love you."

"I know you do," he said back softly "Why did it take you so long to call me?"

"I wanted him out of the country before..."

There was a long silence as neither wanted to hang up, and both had more to say.

"He's safe?" Mulder asked quietly.

"He is" Scully answered.

Silence again invaded their phone space. She holding her breath and he, trying to come to terms with another decision that she had made for them.

"You and me, Scully," he said softly.

"You and me," she said back to him, a smile creeping over her face.

"You are one determined little shit, Scully."

She snickered with his comment. "Mulder, let's end this so we can be with our son."

She hung up the phone and he heard a dial tone on the other end. He found himself standing for several minutes wondering how his life had become so fucked up, how he and Scully just can't be with their son under normal circumstance, how...

"Mulder?" a voice from behind him called.

"Yeah?" Mulder snapped.

"She's coming, isn't she?" John asked.

"Yeah, she's coming," he said.

Then he threw his phone across the room and watched it smash against the wall.

Dr. Ervin paced back and forth in his bedroom. Sleep was a mystery to him last night and, although he had attempted a nap today, it still evaded him. The kid was gone with Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, he was sure of it. Franz Lutman and Mallory Suharta had disappeared from the investigation and he wasn't sure if it was because they had switched sides or been captured by Mulder and Scully. There were too many unaccounted for balls in the air and he didn't like it one bit.

He pressed the Com button next to his bed "Get me Strickland" he barked into the device.

He went to a nearby table and poured himself a scotch, neat. He knew that if he couldn't get to sleep on his own, for a few hours the scotch would do the trick.

The Com device beeped three times and Dr. Ervin walked slowly to the side table and hit the button.

"That you?" he asked.

"Dr. Ervin, it's me. I must caution you this is not a secure..."

"I don't give a damn about secure lines, son!" he snapped.

"Uh...yes" A.D. Strickland replied, obviously uncomfortable with the old man's tone.

"I think it's time to re-locate the facility and I need the FBI's assistance," he said with conviction.

"Now, come on Dr. Ervin...don't you think this is a little hasty?" A.D. Strickland said in his southern drawl.

"There are too many unaccounted for people" the old man muttered as he took another swig of his drink.

"We'll get them" Strickland said as he moved closer to the phone "we have put orders out to..."

"I know!" the old man snapped again "I get the god-damned information before you do, sometimes."

"So you know that every agent in the field..."

"That doesn't mean shit to me" the old man's voice got louder "so stop trying to placate me!"

Silence on the other end of the phone was his only response.

"If you don't get me some of these people rounded up in the next 8 hours I'm closing the facility and moving it to a new location and the FBI is going to see that the move is secure."

"Dr. Ervin, I can't prom..."

The old man hit the Com button and ended the call. He drained the last of the scotch from his glass and slammed it down on the table with great ferocity.

"God damn you!" he yelled.

Dana Scully sat in a diner and starred at her coffee. She had ordered the fastest meal possible so she could get back on the road quickly. Unfortunately, the term 'fast' didn't necessarily apply to the diner, the only place to eat in 50 miles. She found herself tearing at the napkin and thinking of investing in a Subway along this route--it would make a killing.

She had heard from Patrick as soon as he and Skinner had left the country. As she was driving along she could hear his faint voice saying he was really excited to be where he was. He was wise to not give her any details but she could hear the joy in his voice. If there was a Disneyland in Mexico she was sure that was where Skinner had taken him. That was hours ago. She had called out to him just a half hour ago and she could barely hear his voice that time. He said he was not able to 'pick up' on her very well and that she and Mulder should head back to Colt when this was all done so he could contact her better. He assured her he was fine, 'great' was actually the word she heard, and told her he loved her. Dana knew wherever he was, he was safe. She also knew it must be far away.

"You're Western, ma'am" the lady said as she slid the plate in front of Dana.

"Thanks" Dana said as she reached for the sandwich.

"You need anything else?"

"Just the bill" Dana said as she took a bite.

Two teen girls walked in the front door and shuffled into the booth in front of her.

The waitress brought them two Cokes right away.

'Must be regulars' Dana thought as she glanced around the diner.

She took another bite of her delicious sandwich and reconsidered the Subway franchise investment.

"Check and see if there's a text" the girl with short hair said.

"There isn't. I just checked like, two minutes ago" the blonde girl replied.

"Maybe he..."

"I'm such a fucking idiot" the blonde girl interrupted as she put her head down to rest on the table.

"You're not an idiot" the short-haired girl told her gently as she patted her head "he's the fucking idiot."

"Well, he's the fucking idiot that got me to screw him and then hasn't bothered to text me since."

'Ouch' Dana thought.

"I can't believe I waited so long, and then I gave it up for him" the girl cried against the table.

'Oh, shit' thought Dana as memories flooded back into her mind of a conversation many years ago.

"You sure you don't want to come?" Mulder asked as he stretched his legs on her dining room floor.

"Mulder, you go. Enjoy your run and, when you come back, I should be done this and we can go catch a movie," she said from her place on the couch.

She turned and smiled at him across the room and he returned it. They had been together for over a month and things were starting to not feel so awkward all the time. He was staying the weekend with her and, as much as she wanted to go for a run with him, she had some work to do first.

"What's so compelling?" he asked as he leaned over the arm of the couch and read over her shoulder.

"I promised Allie at the lab I would take a second look at her findings on this autopsy."

"What's the case?"

"Girl, 17 found dead in her bed in the morning. No evidence of foul play..."

"Why's she need a second look?"

"This is the third case in 6 months of a girl being found dead in her bed in the morning, after the first time she had sex."

"Sounds like an X-File," Mulder said as he reached for the file.

She pulled it away from him and turned her head to catch his eye. "If it is an X-File, which Mulder I'm not saying it is, I could be much more informed about the case if you would go for your run and let me read the report."

"So I'm being dismissed?" he asked aghast.

"In a matter of speaking, yes." She turned to read the file again.

He stood for a moment unsure as to whether he should argue with her, snatch the file and run, or just do as he was asked. All possibilities were good choices, but only one would allow him to come back here after his run.

"Fine, I'll go for my run, but you better..."

"I'll have my findings when you get back." She interrupted him without lifting her eyes from what she was reading.

He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek when a question popped into his mind "Hey Scully?"

"Um hum" she murmured.

"When was your first time?"

"What?"

"You know, when was the first time you..."

"I know what you're asking," she interrupted "I'm just not sure why you are asking it."

"Well," he said walking over to sit on a chair "seeing as we are sleeping together, don't you think we should share sexual histories?"

"Mulder, neither of us have anything to worry about as far as STD's or pregnancy is concerned," she said turning to face him more fully.

"I know, I guess I'm just curious to know."

She shifted in her seat and finally resigned herself to answering the question by putting her pen down.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

He grinned from his place on the chair.

"I was 18" she sighed and looked him in the eye "I was just in college when this TA in one of my classes started to show an interest in me. He paid a lot of attention to me during tutorials."

"You were probably a pretty cute college kid." He smiled.

"Anyways, he and I started to date and then he started to express and interest in...sex."

"Uh, huh."

"So one night we had sex in his dorm room and then the next week he wasn't paying much attention to me in tutorials anymore. But he was paying attention to another girl, Wendy I think, and then..."

"He moved on to Wendy." he interrupted.

"Pretty much." She swallowed.

"That sucks, Scully."

"Tell me about it."

"Should we track this guy down? I do have a gun.." He smiled at her.

"No, I got over him. And, in the end it was probably better that way."

"Why?"

"Then I knew to wait longer whenever I met someone after that."

"So how many people have you 'waited' for?" he asked.

"Including you? Because Mulder, you were the longest wait."

"Including me," he said.

"Eleven," she said as she met his eyes, almost defying him.

"Eleven." He repeated softly.

"There were a couple of guys in college, and then Daniel in Med School, one guy at the academy, one guyright after I graduated, and a few since then."

"When was the last one before me?" he asked.

Her face fell and he knew he had asked the wrong question. "Jerse, right?"

"Uh, no" she answered and tried to look anywhere but at him.

"He wasn't your last? Your last, before me?"

"No, I uh, met up with an old boyfriend a few months ago while visiting my mom."

"Oh," he said.

"Mulder, it wasn't long after the failed in-vitro and...I don't know. Marcus was funny and recently divorced and I was a little needy, I guess."

"No, that's fine Scully," he said obviously shocked "it was before me."

"Well, it was sort of during you."

"I don't under..."

"Mulder, my heart was yours, it had been for a while." She smiled at him and brought her legs to rest on the ground "but, we weren't...and I guess I just needed to feel, wanted."

"I get that," he said grabbing her hand.

"We e-mailed a few times but that was it." She sighed "that's all I wanted it to be."

"I guess you don't ask questions unless you are prepared for the answers.." He smiled.

"Are you okay with this? You seem..."

"No, I'm fine. I guess I just expected it to be far into the past, but we weren't going out..."

"Going out?!" she laughed.

"What else would you call it?" he snickered at her outburst.

"I don't know Mulder, but unless you plan on giving me your high school pin..."

"You just love making fun of me" he swatted at her leg.

"Okay, belly up, what are your stats?" she smiled at him, glad the conversation had got lighter.

"My stats?" he asked as he stretched his back.

"And not the number you would say to impress other guys, the real number."

"Eighteen," he said looking like he had witnessed an accident.

"Okay, who was your first?" she asked smiling at him.

"Carmen Silva," he said with reverence "we were 15, and she had the body of a 21 year old."

"And she let you get into her pants?"

"She let me go everywhere." He smiled.

"So your first time was much better than mine?"

"No, my first time was horrible. I was all sweaty and nervous and I came within 30 seconds of being inside of her."

"But she didn't ditch you?"

"No, we practiced all summer long so we could both be good by the time school started."

"What?!"

"She was my summer neighbor on the Vineyard. We had been friends forever and we decided that practicing sex on each other was what good friends did. That way, when we both got back to our respective schools we would have mastered the art of sex."

"You're joking, right?"

"No," he said shaking his head.

"But there was no heart break, you didn't develop any feelings for this girl?"

"She was my friend and I was hers. There wasn't any drama."

"So did you ever see her again?"

"Sure, every summer."

"And?"

"And, what?"

"Did you continue to have sex with each other?"

"Sort of, on and off," he said remembering back "there was one summer where we went at it like rabbits right after I spent a year at Oxford, but most of the time, it was very casual. Then, she brought a boyfriend with her one summer and they were married a few years later. She's a really nice girl, works as a lawyer in New York."

"You amaze me, Mulder," she said smiling at him.

"That I had an on-going sexual relationship with someone that spanned years and there was no drama?"

"Well, yes." She smiled at him "After Phoebe and Diana..."

"Ah, so here's where the sexual partners questions come..."

"You started it" she advised him.

"That I did." He smiled to himself.

"Well, you know about Carmen, and Phoebe, and Diana."

"Yes."

"There were only a few girls in high school. All that practicing with Carmen, didn't make me the chick magnet I thought it would."

They both chuckled at the comment.

"Then there were a couple of girls, besides Phoebe, at Oxford, two at the Academy, and a few since then."

"When was your last?" she asked, wincing as she said it.

"This morning." He smiled at her.

"Mulder" she chastised him.

"A year ago," he said honestly "It was Callie from Transportation."

"And?"

"We dated for a couple of months."

"I had no idea."

"That was the point."

"Why didn't it work out?"

"She wanted more than I could give. I wanted casual and she wanted love. I was already in love, but not with her."

"Is that why we started to get the crappy cars?"

"Probably."

"Here's your bill ma'am" the waitress said placing it in front of her, "You have a nice day."

"I, uh...will" Dana muttered as she snapped from her reverie.

She glanced a the booth in front of her and saw a smiling blonde girl madly texting someone on the phone.

"What did he say?" the one with short hair asked.

"He said he was away with his dad fishing and he thought about me the whole time. He said he couldn't wait to see me again" she beamed from her seat.

Scully reached into her purse and pulled out a few crumpled bills. She placed them on the table, took the last bite of her sandwich and walked out the door. She needed to get on the road if she wanted to see Mulder by dinner time.

Their train was pulling up to the station in Kansas City and as people jostled for the exit door Franz waited patiently for Mallory to exit the washroom before disembarking. It had been a long journey, and he was already tired. Their work hadn't even begun, and all he wanted was a bed and about 8 hours of sleep.

"Ready?" she asked as she walked past him and grabbed her bag.

"Ready to go to bed," he grumbled.

"We'll get some coffee into you, and you'll be good as new" she smiled.

Franz resented her wakefulness and youthful vigor but admired her positive outlook. He knew that the next few hours would reveal more secrets about his past, about his involvement in the 'project' and, as much as he wanted this nightmare over with, part of him wanted to keep her in the dark a little longer. Until today, she had been his best friend, lover, and partner. After today, she would want nothing more to do with him. That was a loss he wasn't quite ready to shoulder.

"Franz?" she looked at him questioningly. "Are you in there?"

"Let's go" he huffed as he pointed to the door.

"We can't rent a car," she said as they walked down the stairs and onto the platform.

"I know we said a cab," he said quietly "but Mallory, that will take every last dime we have to get to Peabody and our accounts..."

"And your idea?"

"You are very good at what you do" he smirked at her.

"Yeah, but my genius with car locks could land our asses in jail if we get caught." She whispered as they walked along the platform.

"So, we won't get caught.." He smiled and walked purposefully toward a side lot.

She chose 2001 Neon because it was easy to get into, and not something that would stand out on the road. Franz stood next to her pretending to be searching for his keys as she popped the lock and opened the door.

"Voila!," he said as he handed her his set of house keys "you drive, my dear."

She popped the trunk open and he pretended to be looking through his baggage while she hotwired the car. Mallory had said earlier that, in her experience, people are usually much more apt to look at those standing outside their car then those sitting inside their car. Franz proved to be quite the distraction and he pulled out a cooler and snapped open a Coke.

The car started with a jolt and Franz re-loaded the cooler and hopped in the passenger seat.

"I knew you could do it." He smiled at her.

"You didn't bring me a Coke?" she asked.

"All that was left was Iced Tea, and I know how much you hate that crap."

"And you took the Coke?" she asked him, obviously pissed.

"I hate that crap too," he snickered as he handed her the can.

"So I get a half-drank Coke for all my hard work?" she asked while she held the can.

"No one said life was fair," he pontificated as he did up his seat belt.

When he turned he saw her with neck outstretched chugging from the can. A bead of sweat rolled down her neck as her throat swallowed loudly again and again. Franz found himself gulping back air in the very confining car, unable to take his eyes off her. He couldn't get over how beautiful she was, how honest and loyal she was...

"What are you staring at?" she asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"You" he answered truthfully.

"Franz, your making me nervous," she said eyeing him.

"Mallory," he said grasping her hand, cold and wet from the can, "whatever happens...I want you to know that I never planned to love you, but I do, and...I always will."

"Franz, I..."

"Mallory" he interrupted, "Whatever you may think of me after today, know that my feelings are not fake and they never were."

He was greeted by silence and her penetrating eyes. Her brow furrowed and she seemed to be thinking.

"Now...you're really starting to make me nervous," she stammered after a few moments. "Franz I..."

A car door slammed nearby as a family was loading into a mini- van. The two agents quickly remembered that they were currently sitting in a stolen vehicle. She threw the car into reverse and without another word backed out of the spot. Driving through the parking lot he knew, they wouldn't ever speak of this again.

Fox Mulder sat in a chair studying the files on the laptop as he waited for John Doggett to come back to their room. They had watched the security throughout the afternoon and determined it was more lax during the day than at night. The perimeter walks were spaced out every 42 minutes during the day giving them much more time to work with, but, no darkness to work under. He had roughly mapped out a floor plan of the facility and determined where C-Wing was based on level of security present and age of people permitted into the site. They had used the information John had obtained from the lab kid he'd met at the bar and it had proven quite handy.

Mulder heard a car pull up out front and his stomach immediately started to growl. John had gone to pick up some supper for them and Mulder had been distracted by a grumbling stomach for the last 20 minutes. He got up and walked toward the door opening it in the bright sunlight to be greeted by not John, but Scully standing on the other side.

"Scully," he gasped as he reached to pull her inside.

"Hi," she said as she settled into his embrace and heard to door close behind her "miss me much?"

"Just a little" he murmured into her hair as he gripped her body against his.

"Mulder?" she asked as she struggled to free herself.

"Just a bit longer," he said as he breathed in her hair and then released her.

She smiled up at him and tucked a brown strand of hair behind her ear "Where's John?"

He noticed her peering around and her uncomfortable stance, "Gone to get food" he reassured her "We're alone."

She sighed and walked farther into the room. "How are you with me being here, really?"

"Scully, I'd rather you were somewhere safe with William but... after what happened to your mom I can see why you came," he said taking her hand. "Any word on her condition?"

"Last Skinner spoke with Bill, she had arrived safely in California," she said lowering her head.

"Bill?"

"He decided to tell Skinner, in no uncertain terms, what he thought of me, you, and the FBI."

"I bet he did," Mulder said as he put a hand on her shoulder and looked down at her, "how are you doing?"

"Mulder..." he voice broke and he saw her steel herself and try again "Mulder, I hate sending Patrick away, but I needed to know he was safe and so was everyone else. What good would running away with him do if every other member of my family was at risk? I couldn't live the rest of my life like that."

"You're right."

"I am?" she asked unsure she had heard him correctly.

"You are," he said gesturing toward a bed.

They walked over and both sat on the corner. "At the time, when you called I was...really mad."

"I got that," Scully said truthfully.

"But all afternoon, I've been running this through my head again and again and I realized that I shouldn't expect anything less of you."

She shook her head, not knowing what exactly he was saying.

"You have secured William's safety, and if we don't come out of this, Skinner and Dinah will be good parents to him and they will make sure he's safe. But, you would never choose your own security over that of anyone you loved,." He smiled at her. "Once I thought about that, your decision made perfect sense. You chose your family Scully, and that is what you do."

"But I want to choose this family, you, me, and William," she said as she met his eyes.

"I want to choose it too, but...not when other people, other kids, can get brought into this. Innocent people, like your mother."

She leaned toward him and kissed his lips softly "You're amazing, you know?"

"You're pretty amazing yourself." He smiled back "How's William?"

"He's far away" she smiled at him "he can't really pick me up...I heard from him very faintly hours ago and he was having a great time with whatever Skinner had him doing. I called to him just as I hit town and there was no response. He said to go back to Colt when this was all done so we could get directions from him. He's happy and safe."

Mulder smiled at her and gently rubbed her back, "we'll get back to him, Scully."

"I hope so," she said as she leaned forward to rest her head on his shoulder.

Just then the door opened and John Doggett walked inside with a couple of Wendy's bags. He was so intent on shutting the door he didn't notice the other occupant sitting on the bed.

"I got Dana one of those salads, I figure it'll keep unt..." he stopped mid sentence.

"Hi, John, "she smiled as she rose from her spot, "let me get those."

"Uh, thanks," he said as she grabbed a bag "Am I interrupting something?"

"We're both fully clothed" Mulder quipped as he opened a bag and snagged a fry.

"I didn't mean..." John started, obviously uncomfortable.

"We were just talking about Patrick" Scully offered as she gestured for him to have a seat "he's safe."

"Good" John smiled. "You still in contact with him?"

"He's out of range," Mulder said as he opened up his burger "But the last time he communicated with her he said all was good."

Scully handed John his burger and walked over to sit cross-legged on one of the beds with her salad. "He seems really happy."

"Skinner knows what to do with kids?"

"He was one himself," Mulder said as he chomped down on his burger.

"True." John said looking at the pair of them sitting on each bed. "And you, how are you doing Dana?"

She looked at him squarely and bit her lower lip. "I want to know if we do this tonight."

Adria Eppinger walked slowly to her car in the parking lot. The sun had set long ago and she needed to get home. It had been a long day, and she was happy she had tomorrow off. She thought of the travel magazine that came in the mail yesterday and the trip she could live out in her imagination tomorrow. She had subscribed to travel magazines for years and had not once been on a trip. Her research was very demanding and it was hard to book anything when you didn't know from one day to the next what would be needed in the lab. Research didn't care about vacations.

She got out her keys and untangled her identification pass from around her neck, depositing it in her purse. She needed to get some milk, hers had spoiled.

As she collapsed into her car, she decided that the milk could wait until tomorrow. She'd go to the local coffee shop for breakfast if she needed to. Sleep was more important than milk.

She started her car and drove the 10 minutes to her home. She thought of their findings for the day, and the electrical impulses in the patients that seemed to have doubled over the course of the day, skyrocketing at suppertime tonight. She had wanted to stay and collect some more readings but, had been assured by Terrence that the findings would be there when she got back. Still, she could go in and check on them tomorrow...

She pulled into her driveway and walked up her meandering staircase. Kite had bought half the houses in town for their top scientists to use for housing. Adria had to admit, this was a nice perk that came with the job. Her house was pre-WWII with all the classic characteristics of an aging but well-maintained house. It had large windows, ample hallways, high ceiling and a beautiful covered porch on the back. When she was home, which was rare, that was Adria's favorite place to spend her time? It served as breakfast area, reading nook, and nap spot.

Her keys jingled in the lock and the heavy door swung open. She absently hung her bag on the hall tree, locked the door behind her, kicked off her shoes and padded up the stairs. When she got to her room, she suddenly sensed a presence in her home. Before she could turn to run, a woman was behind her in the hall.

"Oh, god!" she yelled and then the light flicked on.

"Hello, Adria" Franz said as he stood before her.

It was 11:47 when Fox Mulder stood from his spot at the table and chairs and stretched out the length of his body one last time.

"I'm going to bed Scully, are you coming?"

"Coming? I thought we were all staying here?" she asked, her face rising to look at him.

"Uh, no," Doggett interrupted "Mulder's room is down the hall."

The two men eyed each other and hoped she wouldn't ask any more questions. Mulder had been staying with John but, when they found out Scully would be joining them, he discreetly recommended they book another room. Mulder, knowing her quite well, suggested they pretend he'd always had the room so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable about it.

Scully looked at the two men's faces and knew she wasn't getting the whole story but, at almost midnight, and with the mission ahead of them, she didn't really care what they were hiding. She resolved to find out what was going on in the morning.

"Sorry, John," she apologized "I didn't mean to keep you awake."

She gathered her notes and the rough floor plan of the facility and walked toward the door.

"I'll run out and get some coffee and bagels in the morning.." He smiled at her "We don't want you two walking around and getting noticed."

"Thanks, John." Mulder smiled "We'll see you at 5 am."

"Have a good sleep, John," Scully said as Mulder loped his arm over her shoulder and opened the door.

They began to walk quietly through the parking lot. Scully was letting Mulder direct them towards his room when he stopped at the edge of the grass.

"Unless we are going some kind of wilderness camping Mulder, I know this isn't your room."

"We'll get there in a second Scully," he chuckled "look up."

Her head rose to look at the beautiful and clear night sky. They were far enough away from any city lights to see the stars in all their glory.

"It's beautiful, Mulder," she commented.

"It's all connected," he answered "just like we are all connected, Scully."

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

"Scully, even when William was with his adoptive parents, he was still with you. When he had the largest crisis of his life, instead of turning to an aunt or a friend, he travelled cross-country to find you. He knew then, just like he knows now, you love him."

A single tear dropped from the corner of her eye as she continued to stare at the stars.

"What we are doing tomorrow...it's for him, for us, for your family, for our friends, for those kids that are being held, and the future ones they want to hold. It's all connected."

Another tear carved a pattern down her porcelain skin and he caught it with a finger and wiped it across his lips.

He pulled her body in closer to his and she gasped. "We will always be connected to him, and he with us. He's our son, and nothing changes that fact. We created that beautiful boy Scully, and we are about to make sure he'll be safe for the rest of his life. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is."

She folded into his embrace, burying her head in his chest and breathed in the scent that was only Mulder. They stood in the empty parking lot, at the edge of the grass for another minute just swaying and holding each other as the stars twinkled overhead.

"We need to get some sleep," he said as he kissed the top of her head.

He released her from his embrace, loped his arm over her shoulders again and guided her towards their room. He liked the feel of her hip rubbing against his leg as they walked together, the smell of her shampoo as it wafted into his nostrils, the feel of her little arm as it snaked around his waist. Although they had only been apart for a short while, he had grown so accustomed to her presence in his life and his space, that it was weird when she wasn't there.

"I need to grab a quick shower," she said as they walked in the door.

"No problem," he said quietly as he watched her disappear into the bathroom.

He heard the shower start up as he changed out his pants and hauled his shirt over his head. He clicked on the TV in the corner and watched some sports highlights as he crawled into bed in his boxers. His mind was grateful for the reprieve from all the planning they had been doing throughout the evening.

When he heard the shower shut off he snapped off the television and lay back, waiting for her. Several minutes later she walked into the room in a t-shirt and underpants with her brown hair dripping down her back.

"Mulder, I've been thinking about the timeline, and I think it'll take 4 minutes not 3 to get to the..."

"Please stop" he interrupted with a moan as he rubbed his hands over his eyes. "What?" she asked surprised as she towel-dried her hair.

"Scully, my brain is frazzled," he admitted. "Can we talk about this in the morning? I swear I can't process one more thought about tomorrow, right now."

"Fine," she said quietly as she walked back into the bathroom to hang up her wet towel.

She crawled into bed and reached over to shut off the one light that was on in their room. When she lay down in the darkness she distanced herself from him in the bed. They were both tired and needed their sleep. If Mulder got too close to her, neither of them would sleep much.

"I'm not going to try anything" he grumbled from his side of the bed.

"I know it's just that..." she started.

"You thought you'd hang on for dear life on that right edge over there," he chuckled.

She let out a sigh and maneuvered herself away from the edge.

"That's better." He smiled to himself, without looking over at her.

"Mulder, I know you didn't have this room until tonight," she said in the darkness.

He stayed quiet, choosing to neither confirm nor deny the truth.

"I know exactly why you booked this room, and so does John down the hall."

"Scully, it wasn't..." he started.

"Oh, I know exactly what it was." She grumbled. "Now I look like some sort of...booty call."

He laughed out loud at her comment "Booty call?"

"You know what I mean." She retorted.

"Scully, never would I think of you as a 'booty call'" he laughed harder.

"I'm sure you think it's quite funny," she said as she faced away from him.

"Scully," he started, as he rolled to face her back "if John's wife or girlfriend had shown up I would have suggested they book a separate room, just like he did."

"He did?" she asked rolling to face him slightly.

"Yeah, it wasn't my 'booty call' idea, if that's what you're thinking. John suggested you'd be more comfortable in a separate room."

"Oh," she said softly.

"So, yes, we booked another room so you wouldn't have to listen to two men snore tonight."

"Oh," she said as she rolled away from him again "I'm sorry Mulder."

They lay in silence for several moments before he couldn't stand it anymore. "What gave it away?"

She didn't answer, and for a moment, he thought she may have fallen asleep. "It was too neat, you hadn't unwrapped a soap bar, and there weren't any food containers."

"I'll do better next time" he quipped.

He felt a foot snake its way across the bed and touch his calf. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her.

"Good night, Scully," he said as he kissed the side of her face and nuzzled her hair.

"Good night, Mulder," she said as she turned to face him better and plant a kiss on his lips.

He settled into the bed behind her with her one cold foot pressed against his leg. Sleep quickly captured them both.

Dr. Ervin settled into his feathery mattress. He had called for the closure and movement of the facility in Kansas just over 40 minutes ago and he was feeling quite good about it. They would re-locate the lab to Alabama and continue the work there. It would delay the operation slightly, but they had already been delayed by the Mulder child.

"Bill," he mumbled to himself "your heirs certainly have your gonads."

He rolled to the side and looked at the clock. It was almost 4am. The FBI would be arriving by 6am to supervise the movement of the merchandise across the country. Strickland was not pleased but frankly, he didn't give a shit. It was Strickland's job to take orders and not question them; he was well paid for that. At one time Dr. Ervin had been in his same shoes.

"Duke, come and take a look at this" Bill Mulder called to him from across the lab.

"I'm trying to eat over here" he replied as he shoved another pickle into his mouth.

"Food can wait, but this..." Bill stopped talking and focused on his microscope.

Duke decided that whatever Bill had found would be worth the walk across the lab, if only to get him to stop bothering him while he ate.

"Wahtcha got?" he asked strolling up beside him.

"You know that sample Dr. Moore asked us to look at?" he looked up expectantly.

"Yeah, the one that was manufactured from human cells," Duke clarified.

"It is a cell."

"What?"

"It's not manufactured," he said with emphasis "it is a cell."

"Let me see" Duke pushed his way toward the microscope.

"Look at the chains and the wall" Bill said excitedly from beside him.

"But it's not human," Duke said looking up at him.

"The question is: what the fuck is it?" Bill smiled at him.

Just then the door to the lab creaked open.

"Gentlemen" Dr. Moore said as he walked toward them.

"Dr. Moore," Bill said excitedly "I was just showing Duk...I mean Mr. Ervin something quite interesting about the cells you asked us to study, they are..."

"I know exactly what they are." Dr. Moore said with a hint of caution.

"No, sir, I don't think you understand..." Bill began again.

"I understand perfectly" Dr. Moore said as he took the cell from the microscope.

"Sir?" Duke asked.

"Can you work with these cells?" Dr. Moore asked "Can you learn more about them, about their structure, their purpose, and what destroys them?"

"Dr. Moore, what we have come across will change history, where did these cells come from?" Bill asked.

"We are not going to change history son, we are going to work with the future." Dr. Moore said as he put a hand on his shoulder.

Duke swallowed hard and made a decision that would affect the rest of his life "What do you want us to do?"

Dr. Ervin rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. That memory was very old, as was he. He had gone on to get his Doctorate and study some of the greatest secrets of his lifetime. Bill had decided to go with the Defense Department and all the cloak and dagger shit. Bill knew in his heart, had he stayed with science Bill may still be alive today. It was getting mixed up in all the MIB shit that got him questioning things more, and, eventually working against the system. Things were simpler in a lab...cleaner, maybe. His friend would hate what he had done to his son, what he would do to his grandson, but it was all for the sake of the project. And, if nothing else, Bill knew Duke would never go against that.

The old man sighed and drifted off to a peaceful rest.

"That's the third time..." Adria reminded the agents as her cell phone rang.

"I understand" said Franz as he looked again at the caller- ID on the phone.

"If I don't answer..."

"I know" Franz calmly interrupted. "Have you ever thought maybe that's exactly what I want?"

"Why would you want that?" Adria asked, indignant.

"I don't think you get to ask the questions seeing as you are the one tied to the chair and I am the one with the gun" Franz responded and walked away.

Mallory was rifling though Adria's papers in her office and shaking her head.

"What is it?" Franz asked as he touched her shoulder.

"There are no names mentioned here," she said as she passed him a piece of paper "just merchandise ID numbers, daily information and delivery dates."

"That's for the kids," he said showing her on the paper "they are called merchandise, and they are identified by security number not name."

"How nice" Mallory said as she snatched the paper from his hand and walked toward Adria.

"Maybe you can talk some sense into him." Adria said as she saw the woman approach "Kite will be wondering..."

"Shut up" Mallory snapped at her.

Adria was taken aback and decided to follow Mallory's direction.

"Who is this child?" Mallory asked as she thrust a paper in front of Adria's face.

Adria looked at the page and shook her head 'no'.

"Who is this?!" Mallory yelled at her.

"It's confidential" Adria responded, coolly.

"Confidential, my ass" Mallory said as she raised her gun to Adria's temple "think hard about your next answer. Who is GO01161999103107 ?"

Adria took a deep breath and looked down at her hands.

"Who is GO01161999103107?!" Mallory yelled.

"You better answer her Adria, she is an accurate shot" Franz said from the doorway.

"Gilbert Oakes, born January 16th, 1999 and taken October 31st 2007."

"What have you been doing to him for three years?"

Adria just starred her straight in the eyes.

"What kinds of tests have you performed?" Mallory asked as her anger grew.

"Why don't you ask your boyfriend? He knows enough." Adria replied as Franz caught her eye "You did manage to get in her the sack didn't you? It was all part of the plan, you see."

"What?" Mallory asked as she turned to face Franz.

"Mallory, please, she's just trying to get to you, she's..."

"Just like he did, right?" Adria asked her "Let me think... it wasn't far into your partnership, he was uncomfortable and unsure of himself privately, but at work he was a tiger. He probably waited for you to make a move so you can trace it back to you starting it all and not..."

"That's enough!" Franz yelled from his spot at the doorway.

Mallory turned to see his eyes wet with moisture, his face flexed with hate, and his hand reaching out to her, "Mallory don't believe..."

"Go to hell, Franz," she said as she whacked the paper against his chest and brushed past him out of the room.

"You, bitch!" he yelled as he stalked toward her.

"A bitch for having the balls to tell the truth or a bitch for enjoying how much it hurt you?" she asked definitely.

"You've twisted..." Franz started but was interrupted by a phone ringing next to Adria.

"Franz , if I don't answer..."

"If you say anything suspicious, I'll kill you on the spot, you hear me?," he said as he went to hit the talk button.

"Adria," she said confidently into the phone.

Franz heard the man on the other side ask why she wasn't pickling up.

"I left my phone on the charger while I was out getting some groceries, you should see my frid..."

She was interrupted by the man telling her the facility was being re-located, that a call came in almost an hour ago and they needed her back at the lab.

Adria looked at Franz to see what he wanted her to do. He shook his head affirmative.

"I'll be there" Adria said as Franz hit the end button.

"Good," he said as he walked out of the room.

He needed to get things sorted with Mallory.

He found her sitting on the couch in the living room studying a folder but obviously not as focused on the task as she'd like to be.

"Mallory," he said cautiously from the other side of the room. "What Adria said is not entirely accurate."

"Franz, you need to get the fuck away from me" she warned.

"Not until we..."

"...have sex? Apparently that was part of the plan. Check that one off. Not until I care for you? Check that one off too. Not until I risk everything for you? Check. Not until I put my career and life on the line? You got those as well. Mission accomplished. Anything else you want from me?" she spat at him as she got up to leave.

"It's not like that," he said as he grabbed her arm.

She jerked it away and looked at him with such pain he couldn't meet her gaze.

"The only reason I'm staying is for those kids. Once this is done I never want to see your sorry ass again," she said as she walked outside.

Franz watched her walk away from him and he knew that she meant every word she said. He also knew that he deserved her hatred.

Dana Scully woke in a position she had become very familiar with over the years. Mulder's furnace of a body was pressed up against her back and his hand was cupping her beast. It always amazed her, that in his sleep, he could find her breast anywhere in the bed. As much as she didn't like going to sleep cuddled up next to him, it was comforting to wake up like this from time to time. She turned her head to look at the alarm clock: 4:03 am. Her bladder was screaming and she needed to extricate herself from his grasp. She carefully lifted his hand from her breast and slid out from beside him, almost falling to the floor in the process. She stood and watched as his body heaved forward and he lay on his stomach in the space she once occupied.

She softly padded to the bathroom and, without turning on the light, found the toilet and relieved the pressure that had woken her up. She shut the door over to muffle the flush of the toilet and sound of water running as she washed her hands. Holding onto the counter she sighed a heavy, exasperated, sigh that seemed to work its way from her toes to her scalp. They were too old for this. Breaking into labs and taking hostages, and...her mind stopped the tumble forward and she sighed again. They were too old for this. They should be swimming in a lake with their son, roasting weenies over a campfire, looking up at the night sky together.

She thought of Mulder's words to her earlier that night, about the universe and their connection to and within it. For better or for worse this was their life, their destiny. Maybe they were never meant to camp with their son and do homework with him; maybe they just got him for a little bit. The notion saddened her to no end. If she never saw him again...if something happened to Mulder today...those thoughts was just too painful. She glanced into the darkness that was their room and swallowed her pain. 'This could be it,' she thought.

The reality of that idea hit her like a wave crashing hard over her body. In all the years they had been together, she had only once thought that. Many times situations had seemed bleak, their futures uncertain, but until Mulder faced the death penalty and refused to fight, she had never felt that scared. Now that fear invaded her body like an unwanted visitor and took up space in every cell of her being. Her hair rose on end, her hands began to shake, and her knees felt weak.

"This could be it," she said quietly.

She slid to the floor and sat with her back pressed hard against the countertop. She needed to feel something solid behind her, something tangent in this world of unknowns. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing, as she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and placed her head between her knees.

Letting her thoughts turn to the plan for today, the details that she would need to know for everything to work, calmed her down. Somehow, reciting in her mind, the series of events that would happen in quick succession made her pulse slow, her breathing go back to normal, and the fine sweat disappear off her body. Dana Scully would be ready for this mission and she would do whatever it took to see it was a success.

She slowly rose to her feet and walked quietly into their room. She heard Mulder quietly snoring in bed and, the intimacy of that sound, brought a smile to her face. He had always been hers, through thick and thin, he loved her. Even when he didn't agree with her, even when she knew he wanted to scream and yell to the high heavens, he was with her. He always loved her and accepted her, faults and all. He would gladly give up his happiness for her and William, he had agreed to that when he came to Peabody. He had been everything to her for most of her adult life: friend, partner, confidant, hero, villain, lover, obstacle, husband...everything.

She walked over to their bed and, in a bold move she hadn't done in a while, stripped off her t-shirt and underpants and crawled into bed with him. She pressed her cold body up against his side, snaked an arm around his back and hitched a leg up and over his ass.

Has hand was the first to respond as it felt for her foot and glided up her leg to her knee, the farthest he could reach. He rubbed her knee with his hand for a moment before rolling slightly onto his side and pressing his back into her bare breasts. His arm had more mobility in this position, and he slid it up her thigh further. When he tangled his fingers in her pubic curls his head snapped to look over his shoulder at her.

"Scully?" he questioned her groggily.

"Shhh," she said as she rubbed her hands up and down his bare back.

He rolled onto his back and looked over at her, perplexed by the turn of events.

"Mulder, I want to..." she started.

His mouth closed over hers before she could finish the sentence. He knew her reasoning before the words escaped her mouth and he wanted to spare her the act of saying it. He kissed her softly and passionately as he began to wake up. She rolled on top of his chest and pressed her breasts forcefully against him, like she wanted to crawl inside his body.

He ran his hands up and down her bare back, stopping to take care to remember every nuance, every dip in her geography. He felt her soft skin, the way the tiny soft hairs down her spine, stood up at attention when he touched her this way. His hands roamed her landscape for a long time while his mouth tasted every crevice of her face, neck and shoulders.

She greedily arched her neck away from him giving him further access to the soft delicate parts he knew so well. He planted soft kisses over all her as she massaged his nipples and slid his boxers off him.

She pulled herself away from his kissing to move her head lower and suck a nipple into her mouth. The ease that she pulled it in and circled it with her tongue caused him to shudder underneath her and throw his head back into the pillow. His breathing became more rapid as she took her time rolling the erect nipple in her mouth and massaging the pectoral muscles that surrounded it.

She moved her free hand lower and softly grasped his balls as she rolled them in her hand to match the rhythm of her mouth. Mulder began to 'huff' from this position laying on their bed and his hands reached out to grab at the sheets on either side of him. She pulled her mouth from one nipple only to encompass the other one with new warmth. Pulling and sucking as her hand worked gentle magic on his balls and kept time with the movement of her tongue. He let go of the sheets and, with great effort, moved on top of her as her mouth and hand released him.

She parted her legs for him, as she had done countless times over the years, and he plunged inside her with great accuracy and familiarity. This was territory he was intimately acquainted with and he loved every inch of her soft, wet, walls. He moved himself slowly in and out of her, feeling the suction of her vagina as it implored him on each outstroke to stay a little longer. He pulled his shaft almost completely out on each caress and felt himself grind deeper into her each time he buried himself within her.

Her eyes twinkled below him and she matched his rhythm as she let her legs fall wide to the sides and her ass arch upwards to meet his entry each time. She felt the sheen of sweat form on his shoulders and back as her arms wrapped around him and her body pulled towards his like magnetic north. She lifted herself up into his chest and felt her damp breasts glide across his equally damp skin.

"Oh, god Scully" he groaned as she moved her hand to play with the soft hairs behind his ear. "I love you so much."

He used one arm to pull her further into his chest and she was caught by the beauty of the act. He wanted to hold her inside himself, just like she held him insider her. They were pressed together and engaged in an act of pure beauty and surrender. Each wanting to give more to the other then take for themselves.

A wave of passion and awe washed through her body as her lower half convulsed around him and her arms clawed at his flesh to bring him further inside her. The orgasm was strong and furious and she felt as if her body may break in half at any moment. He held her firmly against him and lowered his face to watch the look of pure elation sweep over her face and the flush run down her neck and over her breasts. The beauty he saw in her at that moment drove him over the edge and, as she went limp in his arms, his juices flowed into her body.

She looked up to see his eyes and mouth wide open as she felt him burst inside of her. Happiness was the truth that bathed him in the early morning light. His relaxed face was filled with both promise and hope as she moved her face towards him and kissed his mouth soundly. His lips moved against hers and hungrily tasted her as his body started to relax and his hands started to lose their grip.

She fell back onto the bed with his body on top and his mouth still joined to hers. They kissed quietly for a few moments, each feeling the aftershocks of their lovemaking. He made no attempt to heave his sweaty body from hers and she relished in the feel of his heavy weight holding her down.

"That was beautiful," he said quietly as he shifted his weight slightly to the side and his penis slid out from inside her "you" he paused "are beautiful."

"So are you, my love," she said quietly as she, in an unguarded moment, pressed her palm to his cheek and spoke words of endearment that rarely passed her lips "you have made my life, so wonderful."

He smiled at her and pressed his cheek more firmly into her palm, "I can't imagine what my life would have been like without you."

He lowered his head to her breast and closed his eyes. She stroked his hair and his arm as he held her loosely around the waist. Their bodies were covered with sweat, the sheets were tangled around their forms and smiles were on their faces. Mulder and Scully lay in silence, happy.

Franz Lutman walked Mallory to their 'borrowed' car.

"When you get in position..."

"I'll call" she interrupted him without meeting his eyes.

"Mallory, you were not part of the plan," he said softly as he reached for her hand.

She jerked her body away and reached for the door handle, "at this point Franz, I don't really care."

He sighed and took a step back.

She opened the door to the Neon and sat down heavily inside, "you think they won't notice you are a wanted criminal?"

"I think it's the only chance we've got. With the facility being packed up and everyone rushing about, they may not notice I'm wanted by the FBI."

"And if they do?"

"You take this," he said handing her a piece of paper, "and you get out of this country as quickly as possible."

She looked at the paper. It had an off-shore bank account number on it and the name of a man.

"What is it?" she asked, confused.

"There's $400 000 in that account, it should give you a fresh start. The guy's name is Toby Burns and he'll get you out of the country, fast."

"Franz, I don't..."

"Mallory, if they discover it's me I'm a dead man. At least this way you can live," he said without regret.

"Maybe we should re-think..."

Franz shut the car door for her and stepped back.

She unrolled her window and looked at him with sad eyes, "Franz, I don't want you to get killed, there must be another..."

"Call me when you're there," he said as he turned to leave.

She watched him walk up the steps to Adria's house and in through the front door.

Mallory wanted to go inside, to talk with him and find out what really had caused him to become involved with her, but she didn't. There was too much at stake and the answers she wanted may never be forthcoming. Franz knew what he had to do, and so did she.

Mallory started the car and drove towards the Kite facility.

Fox Mulder, Dana Scully sat in John Doggett's car as he maneuvered through the winding streets of Peabody. It was raining outside and the clouds hanging low in the sky threatened more to come. They were all dressed in black except for a lab coat with fake ID Scully was sporting.

"Thanks for the bagels and coffee, John," Scully said from the backseat.

"Can't run a black-ops mission on an empty stomach" he joked.

Mulder chuckled, "that's what my mother always used to say."

John swallowed the last of his coffee as they rounded a back corner of the Kite facility "what the fuck?!," he said loudly as they all took in the sight before them.

There were vans parked all around the facility, an ambulance at the side gate, and people were scurrying with boxes all over the place.

"What the hell's going on?" Scully asked as she leaned forward to get a better look.

"I don't know Scully, but I suspect our plan has just flown out the window" Mulder replied as he eyed the scene before him.

"I'm turning back and..." John started.

"No!" Scully yelled as the car slowed "Let me just take a look from the side."

She bolted from the car, shucked off her lab coat and tossed it in the backseat.

"Scully!," Mulder said, too loudly.

She was already off and running confidently through the bushes.

"Jesus Christ!," he said exasperated as he jumped from the car as well.

"Mulder, I'll circle back in 5 minutes" John said as he watched the man run off into the woods.

John drove off, leaving the two former agents to figure out what was happening.

"Scully!" Mulder hissed as he ran through the woods "Scully!"

"Stop saying my name" she snapped from a spot perched on a tree branch.

"Then stop taking off" he snapped back.

The rain started to fall a little harder but the tall trees above them protected them from the brunt of it.

"Mulder, look," she said as she extended her wet arm toward the facility.

He clambered up to the branch she was sitting on and followed her line of sight. He saw boxes filled with files being loaded onto trucks, and lab technicians scurrying around with equipment hastily packed into boxes.

"They're moving," he said quietly.

Mallory had just called Franz and told him she was in position. He was leaving with Adria and would be at the front doors of the facility in the next 15 minutes. She sat low in her car while the rain washed over the windshield watching the facility being packed up. She thought that maybe it would work, that Franz's plan was possible. With the chaos that was in front of her, Mallory thought that Franz had a fighting chance of gaining access.

"Who am I kidding?" she mumbled to herself.

Just then, she saw a flash of black skitter behind her car and drop off into the woods. It was followed by another, taller form.

Mallory slowly and quietly got out of her car and walked towards the woods where the two forms had entered. She saw them up ahead and drew her gun as she approached them from behind. They were sitting up on the branch of a tree pointing to the facility and talking quietly.

"Hands where I can see them!" Mallory said with authority.

"Shit" the taller figure muttered.

"Hands!" Mallory snapped.

The two figures reluctantly raised their hands and Mallory moved closer to them. When she got closer, she looked up to see two people she recognized from photos she had studied. The woman on the branch looked at her too, somehow knowing her face.

"Fox Mulder and Dana Scully" Mallory said as she holstered her weapon.

"Mallory Suharta" the woman said as her partner looked from woman to woman astonished.

"Maybe someone should fill me in," he said as he jumped from the branch and onto the ground.

"Mulder, this is Mallory Suharta, she is one of the two agents AD Strickland has issued 'Kill on Sight' warrants for" Scully said as she went to climb down the branch.

Mulder helped her ease herself to the ground and turned to face Mallory. "Why aren't you out of the country?"

"How do you know me?" Mallory asked Scully, ignoring his question.

"Skinner got me up to speed on you and your partner, Franz Lutman," Scully said as she wiped a wet strand of hair off her face.

"When did you see him?" Mallory asked.

"Just over a day ago" Scully answered honestly "Where's your partner?"

"Oh, shit" Mallory said as she reached for her phone.

She called Franz and, without telling him why, asked him to meet her at her car instead of going to the front entrance. He reluctantly agreed.

"Suppose you tell us what the fuck you're doing here" Mulder said as he eyed the agent.

"Franz and I have a hostage; she's a doctor who has been working at the facility since it opened. She works with the patients" Mallory said.

"Where is she?" Scully asked stepping closer to Mallory.

"With Franz in the car, on their way here." Mallory offered. "Why are you two here?"

"We have to stop the project," Scully said pointedly "for the sake of our son, and all the other kids they are doing this too."

"Your son is with you?" Mallory asked, looking around.

"No" Scully replied tersely.

"What do you know about the facility?" Mulder asked, trying to change the subject.

"Uh, we have a layout and the location of all four kids in the facility."

"Only four?" Scully asked to clarify.

"Two died recently as a result of test complications" Mallory explained.

Mulder winced at the thought "what was your plan?"

"Franz was going to enter the facility with Adria and gain access to the kids. He was going to take the kids that could walk with him to my car and any others...he was going to kill."

"He was going to kill them?" Scully asked, upset by the information.

"Ms. Scully if you knew what those kids have been through the last few years...death would be a gift."

Mulder and Scully fell silent as they looked at the agents wet eyes. They knew she had heard too much information about the tests to be innocent of the pain these kids had been in.

"What were you two going to do?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.

"John!," Scully said as she started to run towards the edge of the forest.

"There's someone else?" Mallory asked Mulder as they stood waiting.

"John Doggett is with us." He answered plainly.

"So, what was your plan?"

"Oh," he paused "Scully was going to go in as a lab technician and shut down some alarms for me and John to gain access to the facility. From there we were going to grab files, and extricate the kids. We thought there would be more, maybe ten."

"So pretty much the same thing" Mallory said.

"Except for the killing," Mulder said harshly.

Mallory shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

"So you're the bastard that led them right to my son?" Mulder asked pointedly as Franz entered the treed area.

John Doggett stepped in front of Mulder hoping to ward off any fist fight that they didn't have time for.

"Mulder, please..." Scully asked quietly.

"Scully, if it wasn't for him, William would be..."

"Picked up by another one of their associates" Franz interrupted as he walked toward the group, "don't kid yourself Mr. Mulder, it's much bigger than me."

"Where's Adria?" Mallory asked, changing the subject.

"Handcuffed to a tree," he said as he stepped over a large root.

"So maybe we need to figure out what the hell we're going to do...together" John said as he glanced between the two men.

"Will the scientist co-operate?" Mulder asked Mallory.

"If you have a gun pointed at her, she will" Franz answered the question for her.

"What's happening there?" Scully gestured toward the lab.

"They have been given the order to pack up and move the patients and facility, probably because they suspect we'll do something."

"So let's do something" John said anxiously as he watched time tick away.

"I think we need to take advantage of the chaos" Mulder said eyeing the moving trucks. "If Scully can go in as a lab tech and move with the patients..."

"We need to take the ambulance" Franz said authoritatively "if she can get the patients to the ambulance I'll wait with Adria in the vehicle for them to be passed off. They'll trust that she would travel with the patients so there will be no question..."

"And who'll be watching you?" Mulder asked, unsure of his intent.

"Mulder, do you honestly think that we would travel all this way with a fucking death warrant on our heads to continue the project?" Franz's voice started to shake. "You are more paranoid than your file says."

"Why don't we stop the name calling and get down to business" Scully suggested as she glared at Franz. "The way I see it, I can get into the facility under the guise of working in the labs, so I'll go right to the patients and stay with them. I can monitor them and go where they go."

"They'll be going to the ambulance" Mulder added.

"Which is why we need our people in the ambulance and... Franz is right, having Adria in the ambulance will lend a certain credibility to the operation. No one will question loading the patients into a vehicle she's waiting in."

"True" John agreed as he glanced sideways at Mulder.

"So what do the rest of us do?" Mallory asked.

"I think you and Mulder can get into the facility and pretend you are part of the moving crew. You can grab files that prove Kite was involved in this illegal experimentation. You load the files into the ambulance and we'll get away with patients and information in one load."

"Sounds a little too easy" Mallory commented.

"It won't be," Mulder said, "but she's right, it's the only way."

"John, you'll be in the ambulance with Franz and Adria," she said turning to Franz "I don't doubt you want to help, I just don't know you well enough to trust you."

"It sounds like you have this all figured out. Don't we get a say?" Franz said tersely.

"No, no you don't," Mulder said as he walked past the man and bumped him hard with his shoulder.

Dana Scully walked confidently from the parked car toward the Kite facility. She fingered the ID tag in her pocket and wondered how she was going to pass for Dr. Adria Eppinger. The security personal would surely notice she didn't match the picture of an older woman with graying hair and a severe face. She looked around wondering if she'd given Mulder and Mallory enough time to get into the facility. They needed to blend with the moving crew, and she had no doubt Mulder would be able to get some evidence to shut down this facility.

Even if she was caught and held, they would be so interested in interrogating her they may not notice the others in the facility. After as much time as she could bear, under, she was sure, torturous methods, she would profess that she was working alone and that Mulder had fled with William to Mexico. It would be believable and, she hoped, would give the others enough time to get evidence, if not the children.

She walked toward the doorway and, before she opened it, thought of Mulder. She hoped he would stick to the agreement amongst the group: there would be no rescue missions of each other. Whoever was caught, whoever has hurt; the ultimate goal was to get information and patients out, not the security of each other. All injured people or captured people were to be left, without question.

Dana Scully walked toward the security desk and noticed the guards occupied with something on the screen on the opposite desk. They were intently hitting buttons and looking through a manual.

"Why are these protocols not working?" one guard asked in frustration.

It was then that Scully heard a high pitched screech coming from a sound system within the building. An alarm was going off and they were trying to turn it off.

"Wilson usually works here, but he's with the merchandise today. He'd know how to do this in a second" the other taller guard muttered as he covered his ears.

Scully walked toward the far side of the desk and swiped her card. The faint beep barely registered over the high-pitched screech.

The tall man looked at his screen and then looked at the back of the figure walking into the facility. "Thanks Dr. Eppinger," he said barely audibly.

She walked swiftly through the hallway trying to distance herself from the front security desk as quickly as possible. If they would just stay focused on the alarm a little longer...

"Uh, Dr. Eppinger" a man said as he reached for her shoulder.

"Yes?" she asked confidently as she turned to face him.

She pivoted to look at a shorter man standing before her. He was not the one monitoring the pictures on the screen that came up with ID.

"I was told when you arrived, to instruct you the merchandise needs your immediate attention."

"That's where I was going," she said as she noticed another scientist walk through the security clearance. She wanted to get away from the guard as quickly as possible before he called her Dr. Eppinger again.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said as he retreated back to the desk.

She walked swiftly through the labyrinth of halls and thought of the blueprint she needed to quickly memorize in the forest. Two long halls, a quick left and then on the right the entrance to C-Wing. She passed several scientists scurrying through the halls and no one seemed to take exception to her presence. Everyone was too concerned with packing up their equipment to notice a brown-haired woman in a lab coat walking through the halls like she belonged.

At the entrance to C-Wing she swiped her ID card and the doors immediately opened for her. A guard posted outside doors didn't even give her a sideways glance. Dana Scully belonged to the medical establishment and it exuded from every pore in her body.

The lab was vast and dark for the most part. Four patients were set up in each corner with their monitoring equipment beeping at different rates. The children, 3 boys and a girl, looked emaciated and grey. She was not sure how long they had each been kept at the facility but she was sure they had probably been drugged for most of their stay. Lab technicians and medical staff were hurriedly packing up equipment and research while still monitoring the patients. There was a palpable energy in the room as people shifted about anxiously trying to meet a deadline Scully was unaware of.

She looked across to a side wall with an empty bed and found herself drawn to it. As she walked closer she saw a typed code attached to the bed and all the equipment set up to receive the new patient: WM0524200110222009.

This was meant to be William's bed. They were going to place her boy here, in this hell-whole they called a lab, and treat him like a rat for god knows how many years. Scully felt her stomach lurch and her head start to spin. The reality of this bed, this equipment was too much for her. She grabbed hold of a stand and tried to calm her breathing down.

Suddenly a machine across the room started to frantically beep, followed by another, then a third and a fourth. Doctor's ran to their patients and madly started to read the data and look for signs of shock.

"His electrical impulses are off the chart" one doctor yelled.

"So are his" another joined in.

"Hers too."

"What the fuck is going on?" the fourth doctor asked as the machines beeped in rapid fire.

'Go up to Wilson, he's next to me' a little girl's voice said in her head.

Scully's neck snapped around to look at the little girl lying unconscious in a bed.

'Yeah, me' it said again.

Scully walked to the little girl and watched as the beeping on all the machines started to go back to normal. She looked down at her shaved head, her pallid skin, the patches all over her body from skin grafts, the puncture wounds from tests and needles and cringed.

'He'll help you' she said softly.

Scully looked toward the soldier stationed next to the little girl and didn't know what to do.

"Dr. Peters?" he asked calmly.

She turned to look behind her and he indicated with his eyes that he was speaking to her.

"Dr. Peters, you dropped your ID badge," he said handing her a badge with her picture on it and the name Cordelia Peters underneath it.

"Uh, thank you Wilson," she said calmly as she placed the badge around her neck.

"Are we ready to move her?" he asked, not giving away his alliance.

"Yes," she said softly.

"Men, merchandise ready for transport" he barked.

Three military officers walked toward the bed and with great efficiency gathered up all the equipment and started to roll the little girl from the room. Scully followed at their side and watched as the doors to the lab opened and closed behind her. She eyed Wilson but he didn't glance in her direction.

Fox Mulder would have liked the view he had any other day, but today. Mallory Suharta crawled in front of him in the duct system of the Kite facility. Her ass swayed from side to side in a way that only a woman in her 20's could. He heard a loud screech coming from the sound system and wondered if they had set off the alarm or if the alarm was just going off despite them.

He hoped Scully had cleared security and was now with the children. She was in charge of moving the kids and he was responsible for getting the evidence to put people behind bars and shut down the operation. He had been directed by Franz Lutman to a room near the middle of the facility and he was hoping that they had not been set up.

Glancing at the ass that swayed in front of him he doubted Franz would put her in that position. It was easy to see the love the man had for this woman in the few minutes they spent together. It was also apparent she wanted nothing to do with him. She cared for him but, he also disgusted her at the same time.

"You trust your partner?" Mulder asked from behind her.

She paused and answered "I, uh do."

"I still got it" the inner psychologist muttered.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing" he snickered, "keep moving."

She stopped suddenly and put her hand back to tell him to be quiet. He paused in position and waited to find out why they had stopped. She motioned for him to crawl up and join her. He eased his way toward her trying to remain as quiet as possible and still squish next to her without really touching her in the small space. She motioned for him to listen below.

"They expect us ready to move at 6 am" the young man said as he packed a box.

"Why are we waiting for the FBI?" she asked as she loaded more files.

"Beats the fuck out of me," he replied back.

The two movers lifted their boxes and exited the room. When the door clicked shut with a heavy 'thud' Mulder reached for the grate in front of them and lifted it from its place. He looked below and jumped from the ceiling to the floor. Looking around the small filing room he realized that almost half the files had disappeared already.

"Shit," he said not so softly.

"What?" Mallory asked as she jumped to the ground beside him.

"They have already moved," he said as he gestured around the room.

"Let's see what's still here," she said walking toward a cabinet.

She opened a random drawer and started to look at the tags on the files. Mulder followed suit and attacked another filing cabinet.

"They are all serial number based, there are no names," he said as he pulled a file "I see medical data but no kid's names."

Mallory walked over to the file he was holding and pointed to the sequence, "It's the child's first and last initial, followed by date of birth and date of admission to the lab."

"GE0215200104012009 doesn't help me much," he said in a annoyed voice as he read the file.

"Just grab everything, pack a box, and we'll sort it out later," she said irritated.

"I want the information that'll close this facility not just any shit," he said frustrated as he reached for another file.

"How the fuck she's put up with you..." Mallory muttered under her breath.

"I don't think she'd see it that way" he muttered back.

Mulder and Mallory sorted through file after file until she got anxious.

"Those two may be back any minute and then how the hell are we going to explain..."

Mulder ignored her as he became engrossed in a file.

"Mulder, I'm taking a box and leaving before they get back," she said throwing the lid on the top of a box.

"Got it," he said with a smile as he threw the file he was reading into the empty box in front of him.

"Let's get out of here," she said as she reached for the handle.

"You know, Agent Suharta, you are a little too jumpy for field work," he said as he reached past her and swung open the door.

John Doggett crouched in the back of the ambulance as he changed into the driver's uniform.

"No peeking," he said to Adria as he undid his pants to tuck in the shirt.

"I wouldn't dream of it," she said snidely.

"You going to co-operate?" Doggett asked as he looked her in the eyes.

"I don't really have much choice," she said as she glanced around the ambulance interior "but, I do want to know what you intend to do with me."

"I'm an FBI agent ma'am" Doggett said with pride "you will be dealt with in a court of law at the end of all this."

"I was just following orders" Adria said with no regret.

"Tell that to your judge and jury" Doggett said as the doors to the ambulance flew open and he saw several military men and Dana Scully beside a gurney.

"You can put, uh...her here" Doggett said as he gestured to the right side of the ambulance.

Without a word the soldiers loaded the young girl into the ambulance and exited just as swiftly.

"Adria you need to monitor her vitals there was...there was an electromagnetic spike just a few minutes ago" Scully said, unsure of what else to instruct "I'm not even sure they should be moved."

"I've got it" Adria said as she adjusted the equipment.

"John," Scully started as she looked behind her and noted there was no one close enough to hear "Have you seen or heard from him?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure he'll be here by the time you come back with the next one," he assured her.

"Dr. Peters?"

John Doggett looked over her head to see a soldier standing closer than before.

"I'm coming," Scully said as she turned to go with Wilson.

"I'll be waiting here" John said as he reached to close the door.

"Can you keep her alive?" John asked as he surveyed her tortured body.

"It's going to live" Adria said coolly.

"She, Dr. Eppinger," he said forcefully "she is going to live."

"Yes, she."

Franz Lutman carefully stuffed the body of the second ambulance driver into a cargo hold within the vehicle. It was obvious after the second patient was brought to the first ambulance they were going to need two vehicles. Between the files Mulder and Mallory had been carting back and forth, and the equipment that came along with each patient, Dana Scully's plan of a one ambulance clean escape was not going to fly.

He pulled the ambulance shirt tightly over his large frame and hoped it was not noticeable.

There was a knock on his side window. Franz turned to see Mulder standing outside his door with a box in hand. He went around to the back of the vehicle and opened the large doors for the man.

"Almost done?" he asked quietly.

"Have you seen Dr. Peters?" Mulder asked as he glanced around.

"She's getting the third patient right now." Franz said as he noticed some FBI fleet sedans pull up to the front gates of the facility. "We've got company."

Mulder turned to look at the line of cars clearing the entry gate and maneuvering up the long driveway to the facility.

"We have to get the hell out of dodge," Mulder said quietly.

"Is the other ambulance ready to roll?" Franz asked as he stepped back into the darkness of the ambulance's cabin.

"Yeah, but we need to get Dr. Peters on board first."

Franz eyed Mulder and realized that any deal their group had made about rescue missions did not apply to him. If Scully was shackled to a bomb inside the facility he would go back in to get her without a second thought. He knew the look in that man's eye because, he was sure he would have done the same thing for Mallory.

"Speak of the devil" Franz said as he saw Scully walk a third time from the facility with a patient on a gurney. The same set of soldiers flanked her each time, and each time she looked less and less nervous about their presence. He wasn't sure how a woman in her position could be so serene, but he was happy she was able to at least appear that way.

The soldiers hoisted the patient up into the ambulance and Scully climbed inside to set up all the equipment. As soon as the soldiers backed away Mulder jumped in the ambulance beside her.

"You need to get in the other ambulance and leave the facility," he said as he watched her monitor the equipment and hang bags "the FBI has just arrived, one ambulance is ready to leave, and you need to be on it."

"Mulder, I'm not going anywhere until that fourth boy is in this ambulance," she said ignoring the request he made, "besides these boys need a doctor with them during transport."

"Get in the god damned ambulance," he said quietly yet forcefully "I will personally walk out the last patient and, as soon as we are clear of the facility, you can switch ambulances and monitor them 'til your hearts content."

She glared at him and shook her head. "Mulder, I'll be fine."

He knew she wasn't going to budge.

"Then you stay here" he offered in compromise, "I'll walk the last patient out and, if there is any sign of problems, Franz leaves with you and the boy immediately," he said looking at the man who was listening to their conversation from the front seat.

Mulder saw John Doggett wave from his ambulance and, thinking the conversation was done, walked over to see what the issue was.

"Mulder, we need to leave now" John said from his seat.

"I wanted her to go with you but she won't," Mulder said looking at the FBI cars parking all around them.

"And, you are surprised?" John chuckled.

"John, you need to go. Cuff Adria to the front seat and get these kids out of here," Mulder said as he nervously eyed the growing number of agents.

"Already done" John said pointing to her hand, "Mulder are you sure...?"

"Yeah, one more patient and then we are out of here." Mulder stepped back and watched the ambulance turn on its lights and maneuver down the driveway. No one even looked sideways at the vehicle as it passed the gates.

He walked back to the second ambulance and found Franz still seated in the front seat and the young boy unconscious in the back.

"Where...where is she?" he asked looking around.

"You mean the woman you ordered to stay in the ambulance?" Franz snickered "she's in the facility getting the fourth patient."

"Shit" Mulder swore under his breath as he looked around to see no sign of her.

Dana Scully watched as the soldiers bundled up her last patient. She almost sighed with relief that they would get all the kids out, but then remembered they were far from 'out'. As they walked down a narrow hallway she eyed the soldier named Wilson. He was right next to her and they were out of the hearing range of all the other soldiers.

"Why are you helping?" she whispered.

He grabbed her harshly by the arm and stopped her. "Dr. Peters forgot something," he said to the other soldiers "you take the merchandise and I'll stay with her."

The other soldiers nodded in his direction and continued to move down the hallway.

Scully looked up at the soldier's stony face and shuddered. He pulled her by the arm down a hallway and shoved her unsympathetically into a small room.

The door slammed shut behind him and Scully immediately retreated to the other side of the room. He walked toward her, anger oozing from his every pore. Scully's head smacked against the back wall as he shoved her into it with all the force his 225 pound frame could afford.

"I don't have to answer any of your questions" he spit out into her face and he held her shoulders tightly, "you do what you need to do, and I'll do what I need to do."

"Okay, okay, fine," Scully said softly, trying to reduce his level of anger.

He shook her violently for several seconds while he methodically asked "You got that?"

"I got it," Scully said quietly as his hands fell from her shoulders.

"I got it" she repeated to him once again.

The soldier stepped back from her several paces, almost startled by his level of anger. He didn't turn his back to her but Scully sensed he needed a moment to compose himself.

"I need to get to the ambulance" she chanced to say.

"You're not going with those kids" he answered "you're coming with me."

'What?" Scully asked astonished.

Without explanation he grabbed her by the arm forcefully and started to pull her from the room.

"Where are you taking me?" she yelled.

"Dana," he said with a hint of sarcasm "we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

He reached to open the door and only got it open an inch before she flailed in his tight grip.

"Tell me where you're taking me!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.

He turned to punch her when the door swung open and smacked him from behind. Caught off guard and not wanting to release his captive, he tried to pivot and see who his attacker was.

Mulder took the opportunity to lunge at the soldier and disarm him of his weapon. He fired on his head at point blank range and watched as the man dropped to the floor with a heavy 'thud'. The bullet was silent and, except for the large man hitting the floor, the kill was soundless.

"Are you okay?" Mulder asked as he stepped over the man and the door shut behind him.

"I'm fine" she nodded as she looked at his face."How did you...?"

"Franz told me you came back inside" he offered "then I heard you yell as I was walking down the hallway..."

"Thank you," she said as she patted his chest."Is the last boy in the ambulance?"

"They were loading him just as I left," he said wiping some hair from her face "Why did he want to take you?"

"I don't know Mulder" she shook her head "it doesn't add up."

"What?"

"The little girl, Mulder...I heard her in my head. Just like William."

"You what?" he asked as he grabbed her shoulders.

She winced in pain.

"What did he do to you?" he asked concerned as he gently took his hands from her.

"He just roughed me up a little," she said dismissively, "but Mulder, she spoke to me. She said Wilson would help me, and he did."

"Up until he tried to abduct you," he said.

"Yeah, up until then." She agreed.

"We need to get out of here," he said as he grabbed her hand "there's obviously more at work here than we realize."

"You think?" she quipped.

"The FBI is here" he divulged "Mallory should be back with more files and we can leave. I have enough evidence to shut this whole thing down and put lots of people behind bars. We have the kids, and we can figure out their injuries and abilities once we are someplace else."

Mulder and Scully stepped over the body that lay on the ground and walked out of the room.

Franz tapped his fingers nervously on the steering wheel of the ambulance. By all rights he should have pulled away the second the last kid was loaded but, against his better judgment he waited for Mulder Scully and Mallory to emerge.

He saw Mallory first emerging from the building laden with two banker's boxes piled one atop another. She wobbled as she exited the door and he reached for his door handle about to jump to her aid. She righted herself and then suddenly stopped walking. He adjusted his mirror only to see a young FBI agent approaching her as he reached for his gun.

"Shit" Franz said as he popped open the door and drew his weapon.

He walked steadily and swiftly to the young agent and wrapped his hand around his throat as he pointed his weapon at his temple. He disarmed him before the agent knew what was happening.

"Don't you fucking move," he said as he jerked the man behind the ambulance.

"Franz!" Mallory gasped as she dropped the top box and two more agents looked over.

They immediately spotted her, recognizing who she was and pulled their weapons.

"FBI, Hands Up!" an agent screamed as he drew a weapon and pointed it at Mallory.

Mallory dropped the last box and raised her hands in the air. Just then, Franz emerged from side of the ambulance with the young FBI agent in tow.

"You drop your fucking weapons or he's dead" Franz said as he hustled the young agent around.

The agents lowered their weapons and brought them to the ground.

"Let's talk about this" one agent said as he glanced around at the people who had all stopped moving around them and stood frozen in place.

Mallory reached for her weapon and walked next to Franz and the ambulance.

"Get in the ambulance Mallory," he said quietly.

"Franz, you can't..."

"Get those kids out of here. I'll hold them off until you call me on my cell and tell me you are clear and at the meeting spot."

"Franz..."

"Mallory, get in the god damned ambulance" his eyes and voice pleaded.

She nodded 'yes' and walked quickly to the ambulance. Franz took the opportunity to haul the young agent toward Kite facility's main lobby.

"If you try to track her or intercept her I will kill him and everyone else I can get my gun on. He gets released when she calls me to tell me she's okay." He yelled to the stunned FBI agents.

Franz walked quickly into the lobby and killed the two security guards before they could raise their weapons. Their bodies slumped over the desk and people around him screamed. He turned to see the ambulance driving through the gates and onto the road.

People dove behind furniture and potted plants as he walked through the lobby and handcuffed the agent to a metal bar. He promptly whacked him over the side of his head with his gun and watched as the agent slumped unconscious onto the rail.

Franz walked to the two entryways and jammed the door's electrical systems so they couldn't be opened. He saw FBI agents scrambling outside the facility as they tried to chauffer civilians away from the facility and get their bearings.

"Everyone get up and sit with your backs against the glass" Franz ordered in a loud booming voice.

Thirteen people, some crying, slowly came out of their hiding places and walked carefully to the frosted glass wall.

"Empty your god damned pockets" Franz ordered as the civilians whimpered and loose change, wallets and cell phones hit the floor. "I want every pocket knife, cell phone, wallet, and piece of lint."

"You" Franz said pointing to a young woman, probably a secretary, "gather up all their shit and put it in here," he said as he dumped a potted plant to the floor.

She hesitantly rose from her seat and walked toward Franz. As soon as she was within range he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him with force.

"You make one wrong move and I'll not only kill you but another person as well. I don't need all thirteen hostages to get my point across." He whispered into her ear.

The woman started to cry and gasped when he released her from his tight grip. She scuttled over to the group with the empty pot and gathered up all their belongings. She quickly brought the belongings over to Franz, laid them at his feet and scurried back to her spot against the window.

"Everyone take off all your clothes except your underwear" he ordered the group.

No one moved.

"Now!" Franz bellowed as he walked toward them with his gun waving.

All thirteen people suddenly started to take off lab coats, unbutton blouses and shuck off belts. Franz walked over to the FBI agent and removed his belt and pants as well as the cell phone housed in his pocket and the tie around his neck. He undid his bulletproof vest and threw it on the floor.

When he saw they were all sitting on the ground in underpants, embarrassed and trying to cover themselves he smiled. Being a profiler had its perks. No one would try anything with him now.

"You," he said to a man in his fifties sitting in tighty whities and a stained undershirt "gather up their clothes and put them by the front door."

The man got up slowly and stared to gather all the pants, belts, lab coats and skirts. He made three trips back and forth until all the clothes were piled in front of the entrance. Then he sat down heavily groaning as his back pressed against the hard frosted glass wall.

Franz walked over to the security desk and turned off all cameras in the lobby. He took the phone off the hook and sat heavily in a chair. Now he just had to wait.

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully emerged from the side of the Kite facility walking quickly to get to the ambulance.

"It may be gone," she said as she walked in front of him.

"They weren't supposed to wait," he said coolly as he practically walked on her heels.

They got to the front corner of the facility and were startled by a woman running quickly around the corner panting.

"Not that way!" the woman huffed as she ran past them.

"What?" Mulder asked as he snuck a peek around the corner.

He saw FBI agents scrambling around the outside of the facility, no ambulance in sight and several agents standing outside the front doors with guns drawn. He looked toward the front door and saw a man in his underwear drop a pile of clothes by the front door and walk away.

"Scully, look" he instructed as he backed away from the corner and she moved into position.

"What the hell is going on?" she asked, confused.

"Maybe Wilson wasn't working alone" Mulder offered.

"You think Franz and Mallory got away?"

"Who else would move the ambulance?" he asked.

"True," she said quietly as she searched the front of the facility for any sign of the kids or the agents. "They must be gone."

"And hopefully they are going to the meeting point and not taking our evidence and destroying it," Mulder said softly.

"Mulder, let's get out of here," she said softly "while the Bureau is distracted by whatever is going on in the lobby."

"Deal," he said as he grabbed her hand. "let's take to the surrounding forest, we'll call Doggett when we get clear of this place and we'll find out if those two agents screwed us over."

"You really don't trust him?" she asked as they ran toward the trees.

"He was trying to hurt our son Scully," he said as he ran "he's done nothing so far to show me I should trust him."

"He joined this mission," she said from behind him.

"Yeah, but for what reason?" he asked cryptically.

"Mulder, I really think he's trying to make amends" she offered.

"We'll see," he said as he raised a tree branch for her to walk underneath.

He turned to look at the chaos of the facility behind him and shuddered. He was glad William would never see that house of horrors. All he wanted now was to get Scully to safety, bring these people to justice, and spend the rest of his life enjoying his family.

"Come on!" she yelled from up ahead.

He lowered the branch and followed her wherever she wanted to lead.

Franz Lutman sat and willed his phone to ring.

"Agent Lutman" a voice bellowed over a loud speaker "We want to work with you but we need some assurance from you that no one will be harmed."

Franz scoffed at the request and several hostages looked at him and wondered if he was going to start shooting to prove a point.

"How about you release a few of the hostages and we can start a conversation."

'Did these idiots not know he was a fucking profiler? They were trying to make him into a textbook hostage case.' He thought as he looked at his watch once again.

He had been sitting with these poor hostages for over 20 minutes waiting for his phone to ring. If Mallory had been intercepted...he didn't want to think of what he was capable of doing.

His phone chirped to life and he scrambled to answer it.

"Lutman," he said tersely, wondering if it was the hostage negotiators calling him.

"It's me," she said softly "Franz, you need to surrender yourself and let them take you in."

"Do they have you?" he asked, his voice cracking.

"No, I'm here with Agent Doggett."

"Tell me something that only I would know is a lie."

'What?"

"Tell me," he demanded.

"You think I should talk with my parents more."

"That's one good lie Mallory." He laughed. "They fuck with your head too much."

"They do" she laughed with him "Franz, please..."

"Put Doggett on the phone" he demanded.

"Franz I won't..."

"Mallory, put him on the phone," he said, punctuating each word.

These was a shuffle and the next thing he heard was Doggett's no nonsense voice. "I'm here."

"Are the kids okay?"

"Yes. You need to..."

"Are you and Mallory safe?" he interrupted.

"Yes. Now Franz..."

"Are Fox Mulder and Dana Scully with you?" He interrupted once again.

"Not yet, but you need to..."

"Tell her she was never part of the plan. Adria was making that shit up," Franz said as he took off his suit coat.

"What? Franz you just need to..."

"Tell her I really do love her and that I can't live with what I've done to the kids, to her, to everyone. That she deserves better."

"Franz, no!" Doggett yelled into the phone.

The line went dead. He chucked his phone across to the other wall and watched it smash in a million pieces.

"Everyone get up!" he barked.

The hostages started to cry and whimper as they cowered before him.

"Get behind the reception counter" he ordered.

They quickly scurried behind the counter and ducked low to the ground.

Franz wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked with gun drawn to the front door. He fired through the glass causing it to shatter as the hostages wailed behind him. Every FBI agent with guns drawn fired on him the second he was visible. He fell to the ground with a loud 'thud'.

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully walked briskly toward the warehouse in front of them. The ambulances were safely housed inside as were the kids that they had worked so hard to free.

"I hope they all made it," he said under his breath.

"Mulder?" she turned to look at him.

"The kids" he clarified "the kids."

She nodded her head and marched forward. They had contacted John Doggett and had heard about his phone call with Franz. They had also realized he was the 'distraction' that had allowed them to escape from the facility with no problems.

"Do you think he...?" Scully asked him as they approached the door.

"Yeah," Mulder said, sure of himself. "After that conversation, I'm sure I can see exactly what he did."

"Mulder" she sighed, unhappy that Franz had met his death "he sacrificed everything."

"He needed to," Mulder said looking into the dark recesses of his mind "if that was me, I would have done the same."

She stopped in her tracks and looked at him angrily. "Not if you had a son, you wouldn't have."

"No, Scully...I'm not saying that" he paused with hands on his hips "I'm saying that if I was Franz, in his circumstance, I would have made the same choice."

She eyed him for a moment, trying to search for some hidden meaning that he was trying to keep from her.

"But I'm not him" Mulder clarified as he walked up to her and placed both his hands on either side of her face.

He kissed her squarely on the lips and she melted somewhat under his passion. When he released her he looked softly into her eyes.

"I have you and William, and nothing will take me from the two of you again," he said truthfully.

She smiled a tight-lipped smile up at him and he brushed a wary strand of brown hair from her face.

"Let's see how everyone is," she said as she took a step away from him.

They opened the large warehouse door and were greeted by four machines going off in unison beeping loudly. They saw Adria scrambling from one child to the next administering sedatives while Doggett followed her from patient to patient. Mallory was following orders Adria was barking out, by raising the patient's feet and cooling their heads with cloths.

"What's going on?" Scully yelled as she walked towards Adria.

"I don't know...their electromagnetic levels have been skyrocketing for the last" she glanced at her watch "1 minute 20 seconds."

"How do you lower them?" Mulder asked as he walked toward the young girl.

"You sedate them," Scully said as she grabbed a syringe.

She administered a sedative to two patients while Adria managed to sedate the other two. The beeping gradually slowed over the next two minutes until it was at a steady rhythm.

"What the hell was all that?" John Doggett asked as he wiped sweat from his head.

Scully and Adria exchanged knowing glances.

"It's a sign we need to call in help," Scully said as she threw down a used syringe. "They will keep doing that until one of them, or all of them die, unless we get them to a proper facility."

"But Scully, we can't..." Mulder started.

"I know someone we can call." Mallory Suharta said quietly in the corner.

"My uncle" Mallory said as she walked toward them "he's Supreme Court Justice Rasheed Suharta and the most honest and honorable man I know. He'll help us."

John Doggett, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder all exchanged glances.

"Make the call" Doggett said as he walked to grab his cell phone for her.

True to her word, and despite her obvious grief, Mallory Suharta had contacted her uncle and started the process of exposing the truth. The Honorable Rasheed Suharta had enlisted the help of the most trustworthy individuals to help guard and supply medical help to the patients. After 36 hours in the warehouse the patients were about to be transferred by Secret Service to a private medical facility in Washington DC where they could receive treatment and, hopefully be re-united with their families.

Mulder sat at a makeshift table with John Doggett as they continued the slow process of cataloging the information that would put many behind bars.

"Mulder do you know the name Dr. Ervin?" Doggett asked as he held out a piece of paper.

"No" Mulder absentmindedly shook his head "should I?"

"He's the CEO of Kite Paramedical and according to these documents, one of the original scientists who started the experiments on the children."

"Not surprising, seeing as he is a doctor and it is his company."

"He's up to his eyeballs in this." Doggett said "and when NYPD went to arrest him he was gone."

"A man with that kind of money ad those connections probably was out of the country in a private jet before Mallory made it back here with the second van."

John nodded his head, "he also worked with your father."

"What?" Mulder asked, his head snapping up to greet Doggett's eyes.

"Here" Doggett said grimly as he passed a file to Mulder.

Mulder stood and starred at the file for several moments wondering if he wanted to open it and see what would make his dad even more of a monster. He shuffled his feet and muttered 'thanks' as he walked toward the outside door.

He nodded to a guard and walked past him out into the cool evening air. Mulder noted that the sun was setting and that, despite his internal clock, it had seemed as though time stood still in the cavernous warehouse. But out here, life was moving forward and they were going to have to move forward as well.

He sat heavily against the side of the warehouse and noted the Secret Service vehicles watching him and the facility as they circled the perimeter. Sighing he opened up the file.

He read document after document outlining his father and Dr. Ervin's original work with tissue samples, then the later involvement of someone named Henderson who took the project to a more advanced level suddenly and inexplicably. At that point, his dad's involvement with the experiments had waned and he was no longer mentioned in the files.

His father had been there, had done these experiments, just like Adria, he was a part of this house of horrors. The dreadful place they were going to bring William to. The lab where they would conduct painful experiments on his son for years until his body gave out. The repulsively sterile environment where these children had been kept barely alive and, Scully wasn't even sure what type of 'life' was left in them.

Mulder closed his eyes and let his head hang between his knees. He was incredibly tired and worn, his mind couldn't even begin to comprehend why Bill Mulder's grandson would be targeted for these experiments. Was it payback for leaving the experiments? A cruel joke? A terrible coincidence? A...

"Mulder?" her voice questioned softly from above.

"I'm coming back inside," he said through closed eyes and hung head.

He felt her slide down next to him and slip her hand across his back. He could feel her hip set next to his and her chin tucking into the back of his shoulder.

"It's nice here, in the evening," she said quietly.

Mulder chuckled to himself. Only Scully could say something like that, at a time like this and it still comes out as honest.

They sat for several minutes in silence while he contemplated his father and she studied him. They hadn't spoken much or spent any time together since he kissed her outside the warehouse a lifetime ago.

"I think I like the name Patrick," Mulder said with a cracked voice.

Scully's chin bobbed up and down on his shoulder as she spoke "So do I. It's a good Irish name."

Mulder snickered at her mention of her heritage. "It also doesn't have anything to do with my father."

"No, it doesn't," she said softly. "We can talk with him, see what he..."

"He likes Patrick," Mulder said quietly "and so do I."

She paused for a few moments contemplating what Mulder was trying to do. How he was trying to shed his past; his father's past, like a second skin. He had lived in the shadow of his father's work and the ramifications of that work, for his entire life and, although he hated his father at times, he had never wanted to forget him. After seeing how his father's work could have cost William his life, Mulder was now prepared to walk away. Detaching William from his name was the first step to freedom from his past.

"I can't wait to see him again" she sighed.

"After the transport and our testimonies..."

"It seems like a world away."

"I know," he said finally raising his head and turning to look her in the eyes.

"Apparently AD Strickland is singing like a canary," she said as she broke contact with his eyes and looked over toward a convoy headed their way.

He followed her line of sight and knew they needed to get moving.

"That's why the South lost, ma'am," he said in his best southern drawl, attempting to imitate AD Strickland.

She laughed as he stood and pulled her to her feet.

"You know if it wasn't for all these guards around, I would..." he started with a grin.

She leaned up and pulled him toward her kissing him softly and running her hands across his cheeks. Their bodies were melded to each other and he could feel her soft breasts pressed against him. She pulled away and looked at his soft eyes.

"I like an audience," she said with a devilish smile.

He smiled down at her and shook his head "you still keep me guessing" he whispered to her as he kissed her nose.

They pulled apart and walked hand in hand back through the doors and into the facility.

Mulder threw the file he was holding onto the table and asked Doggett to file it under History. Doggett met his knowing glance and took the file.

Scully dropped his hand and walked toward the young girl whose machine was beeping madly and gave her another sedative.

"How much more can you take?" Scully muttered to herself.

'We'll be fine now' the young girl's voice said to her.

Scully looked toward the young girl with her eyes shut and tubes sticking out from her and waited for more but got nothing. She stood next to the girl for several minutes studying her beautiful face. Her skin was so thin you could see almost every vein. Her head was shaven but you could tell she had strawberry blonde color. She was about William's age and should have her son's rosy cheeks and muscle tone. Instead she had limp limbs and delicate bones.

Just as Scully was about to turn away the voice came back to her.

'Stay with me' it said, frail and scared.

"I'm flying with the transport, sweetie," Scully said as she softly ran her hand over the girl's fuzzy head.

'I'm yours' the girl said quietly.

Scully's hand stopped its nurturing motion and her face froze.

'That's why you can hear me' the girl explained 'you're my mother.'.

Scully audibly gasped and leaned in closer to the young girl. She fought tears coming to her eyes as she traced the girl's delicate Roman nose with her soft touch, her fine cheek bones and her full lips.

"Oh, my god," Scully said softly.

She stood frozen for a moment unsure what to so or say. Adria was adjusting a dosage on the patient next to her.

"Adria..." Scully stammered "I, uh, need to see her DNA files."

Adria lifted her head from what she was doing and said nothing. She walked over to a box and pulled out a small file. She moved efficiently over to Scully and handed it to her.

"You already know," she said, perceptively "but here's the evidence."

Scully took the file from her and looked at the woman, trying to size her up. From the time they had arrived at the facility she had been sterling in her care of the patients. She was allowed to continue caring for them because no one shared her knowledge of their drug regimes. Scully also sensed that Adria was hoping for leniency when she was finally taken into custody.

"Are they all?" she stammered.

"The boys?" Adria asked looking around to the other beds "No, these boys are not yours. Just, her."

"Is she...?"

"Mulder's?" Adria asked, anticipating her question. "Yes."

Adria walked away allowing the information to sink in.

Scully turned to look at the little girl with the battered and bruised body in front of her. The girl who had spent years in pain and agony. The girl who was her daughter. Emotion overcame her and she started to openly sob as she held onto the side of the bed. Her cries were loud and filled with anguish. Everyone in the facility stopped what they were doing and looked toward the pained sound. Her knees gave out and she was about to hit the ground when two strong arms grabbed her from behind and held her tightly.

Mulder lowered himself to the ground with her between his legs and she instinctively turned toward his chest and cried into his shirt.

"Scully?" he asked as he tried to look at her face hidden under her brown hair.

Her sobs raked over her entire body as he held her and rocked her back and forth.

"Shhhh," he said softly "It's okay, you're tired and..."

"She's ours" Scully cried from somewhere deep inside "She's ours Mulder, and they did this to her!"

"What?" he asked, unsure of what he had heard.

"She's ours" Scully muttered softly "'Mulder, she's our daughter."

Dana Scully woke on a military transport plane laying on a gurney. Her throat felt dry and her mouth felt fuzzy and her limbs were heavy. She looked to her left to see Mulder sitting next to her holding her hand. She followed his eyes to see her daughter laying on a gurney next to her on the other side of him. He was softly stroking her shaved head and reciting a story about Sir Lancelot in whispered tones to her.

"Mulder?" she asked faintly.

"Hey, Scully," he said dropping her hand and running it through her hair. "You're back."

"Where was I?" she asked trying to sit up.

He gently held her shoulder down preventing further movement and smiled at her "you were in a wonderful fuzzy place called sedative land." He smiled.

"You sedated me?" she asked still trying to gain her voice.

"You tried to kill Adria," he said without inflection, leaning toward her "and if it wasn't for all the secret service personnel I would have helped you and dumped the body."

"I don't remem..."

"After you found out about...her, you screamed and cried for a bit and then when you calmed down I left you to go and get a bed for you to lie in. You took the opportunity, and attacked her with a scalpel." He paused to note her astonishment "we're all calling it post-traumatic stress and..."

"Did I?" Scully asked, not sure she wanted to answer.

"You slit her throat" Mulder slit softly "but they stopped the bleeding and she's fine. Although it'll probably scar..."

"Oh my god!" Scully gasped "I don't remember...I can't believe I..."

"Tried to kill the woman who had been torturing your daughter for the last 6 months?" he interrupted. "Believe me Scully, we were hard pressed to actually save her, except for the fact that she could provide some good testimony..."

"She'd only been there 6 months?"

"She was the latest addition" Mulder turned to look at their little girl and smile; "she's had the fewest tests and should fair well. They were waiting for Patrick to arrive before they really started to work with her."

"Why Patrick? Why did they need...?"

"Scully, she's his twin," he said softly, letting the information he had absorbed hours ago, sink in.

"What?" she asked astonished as she raised herself up onto her elbows "Mulder I gave birth to one child, one boy, its impossible!"

"According to the records Doggett found, you were pregnant with twins, one girl and one boy. Our babies Scully.." He smiled down at her "The initial stay at the hospital sent alarm bells off all over the project. No one had ever had a twin set before, and they needed to secure them. When you were in the hospital because of a complication from your amniocentesis..."

"Yes."

"They removed one of the babies and placed it in an artificial womb. That baby was her. Apparently they were concerned you wouldn't be able to carry both, so they upped their chance of success by separating them."

"Mulder, I can't..."

"It'll take time Scully." He paused to stroke the top of her head. "I found this out hours ago and it's still making me shake inside."

She fell back onto the gurney and closed her eyes.

"What's her name? Where did she come from?"

"Her name is Gillian Edwards." He smiled and glanced at the girl "and she's from Corolla, North Carolina. She was adopted when she was a baby and, although she was born at 30 weeks and had a lot of care at birth, she's perfectly healthy."

"What about her adoptive parents? Are they?"

"Meeting us in DC," he said softly "they've been looking for her for months, they thought the worst..." his smile faded.

"What?" she asked concerned as she opened her eyes to look at him.

"She just disappeared from her bed one night Scully...just disappeared."

She reached and clasped his hand tightly and looked at her daughter.

"She's beautiful, Mulder" she choked.

"She is." He smiled down at their girl "she looks just like you."

The patients were carefully unloaded at the Dewhurst Medical Facility in Alexandria and whisked away by teams of doctors eager to help. Scully, still groggy from her sedative, leaned against Mulder's side as they walked in next to Gillian's gurney. Mulder held the little girl's hand as the doctor's checked her vitals and barked directions across her.

As they walked through the doors to the hospital, two sets of parents rose with eager faces.

"Gillian!" a mother gasped as she ran to the gurney Mulder and Scully were beside.

"You're her mother?" Mulder asked looking at the tall woman with dark brown hair.

"Oh baby!" the woman gasped again, covering her mouth and leaning in to talk to her daughter, "you're going to be just fine."

"Mommy and daddy are here, sweetie," a burley man said as he patted Gillian's head with his chubby hand.

The woman looked up at Scully and swallowed hard.

"I don't even know what to say." She choked.

The two women starred at each other for a moment, both on the brink of tears.

"Go be with Gillian, Mrs. Edwards," Mulder said quietly as he squeezed Scully's shoulder, "we can talk later."

Both Mulder and Scully stopped walking with the gurney. He let go of Gillian's hand and they watched as her adoptive parents took over the place next to their daughter. Scully turned into Mulder's shoulder and started to cry a soft, barely audible whimper. He stood rubbing her back as another set of happy parents ran next to a gurney speaking words of endearment and encouragement to their son. Mulder noted that he was the boy who had been at the facility the longest and that his vitals were weak.

Mulder took Scully's chin in his hand and raised it so she could look in his eyes. "We'll figure this out Scully, I promise."

She sniffled into his chest and tried to pull herself together.

'Don't cry mom' Patrick's voice urged her 'you need to come and get me, and then you'll feel better.'.

"I know" she sighed "I know."

"Mulder, Patrick..." she started to say.

"Mr. Mulder, Dr. Scully?" a tall thin man interrupted them.

"Yes" Scully answered as she wiped her tear-streaked face.

"Justice Rasheed Suharta would like to see you." The man said as he started to walk away.

"He's here?" Mulder asked.

"Yes, he's with his niece." The man clarified and led them down a hallway.

They took an elevator up to the top floor and were escorted to an elaborate conference room. Leaning against a solid glass wall was Supreme Court Justice Rasheed Suharta. He was a large, older man who commanded a presence and an audience in every room he entered. Mulder had seen him on TV a couple of times but it did not compare to this man's confidence in person.

"Sir" the thin man called to him.

Justice Suharta turned his attention towards the pair instead of the view.

"Mr. Mulder, Dr. Scully." He smiled and walked toward them "thank you for joining me. Have a seat." He gestured towards the seats at the table.

Mulder took a chair and looked around the room for Agent Suharta as Scully sat herself.

"Sir, we were told your niece was with you," Mulder said.

"She, uh...she needs some time to herself." He noted with sadness as he sat heavily in a chair.

Mulder and Scully realized that as much as Agent Suharta was an important part of their mission until now, she would no longer be part of the equation. Now, she was being given time to grieve the loss of her partner, friend, and lover.

"We're very sorry for her loss," Scully mumbled. "Agent Lutman was..."

"He was a lot of things to my niece" the Justice interrupted "and she's going to have to sort those things out. I think some of the information I was able to share with her, helped."

"You have more information, sir?" Scully asked, expectantly.

"From what you forwarded to us in data format, and what we can piece together from the files you stole as well as the computer files we were able to gain entry to at the facility... I'd say we're learned quite a lot.." He smiled. "Not to mention some information we have gained from interviews with some key players."

"And, if you don't mind me asking...what have you found out, sir?"

"The Kite Facility you rescued those poor children from has only been set up, in that place, for the last 6 years. Prior to that, there were facilities in Alabama, New York State, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma."

"The project was spear-headed by Dr. Ervin of Kite Pharmaceuticals in an attempt to build a race of humans that is immune to disease and illness with an uncanny ability to communicate non-verbally. There is a lot of crap about aliens in these files and some 2012 deadline, which I don't believe for a second..," he paused to catch his breath "...but I do believe they were doing illegal human experimentation that in no way, met the ethical, moral or legal guidelines of the international medical community."

"We have also uncovered the links between the Facility, the Military and the FBI. Apparently they don't pay FBI agents or soldiers much anymore, because a large number of them were hired on through contractual services to kidnap, detain and guard these children with orders coming from Associate Directors and Commanding Officers."

"Sir, if I may..." Mulder interrupted, "how many children were involved in the project?"

"Our best count is 31 our highest number is 48. The files are still being put together and we cannot say for sure what the end number is yet."

Scully sat shaking her head in disbelief. She wasn't prepared for the numbers to be that high.

"Your children, Mr. Mulder and Dr. Scully, were to be the only set of twins to ever take part in the project which made them invaluable and worth any sacrifice. The other children you rescued are in various states of distress dependant on the level of...I want to use the word torture, but that doesn't quite sum it up..."

"I think torture is a good word to start with" Mulder nodded his head as his hands lay flat and flexed on the table before him.

The Justice leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees "If you two hadn't of risked your lives..."

"Our son would have been there next," Scully said gently "it wasn't a choice, sir."

"Yes, I can see that.." He smiled at her.

"How did they choose the children?" Scully asked.

"It appears as though all the sets of couples have a great deal in common. Those that were married, experienced trouble with conceiving until one or both of them were either missing or hospitalized for an extended period of time. Then, upon returning home they magically got pregnant very quickly."

"What about the unmarried couples?"

"Those stories vary a bit more. Some of the women who were single found themselves pregnant after a 'one night stand' that they swore didn't happen. Others were in relationships with no intention of getting pregnant and suddenly found themselves pregnant although they report no change in their birth control regime. Finally there were a few couples like you, who were told they could not have children and suddenly found themselves inexplicably pregnant. All of these miraculous pregnancies occurred after both partners experienced some 'missing time' or long term hospitalization."

"They did whatever it took," Scully mumbled.

"Indeed, they did." He grimaced. "In all the cases we have found the parents report above average intelligence and ability with little or no history of childhood illness. It's remarkable, really."

"How did the others die?" Mulder asked.

"The human body, no matter how strong can only take so much." The older man sighed. "And, of course this information does not take into account the pregnancies that didn't make it to term either through miscarriage or abortion."

"Have you contacted all the parents?"

"Gilbert Oakes' social worker is coming out to stay with him, and Stephen Brier's parents are on a flight in from Japan." "Have you managed to apprehend all parties involved?"

"We are still in the process of arresting some people, but most of the key players are in custody."

"Dr. Ervin?"

"He managed to leave the country on his private jet but we'll be working with Switzerland on extradition."

"He made it all the way to Switzerland?"

"We'll get him back." The Justice said confidently.

"I'm sure we'll be talking a lot over the next few months and as more information becomes available I'll make sure you are privy to it. You two have been through a lot...I'm sure you want to check on your daughter and...it feels insufficient to ask this but, can I do anything for you?"

Scully looked at Mulder and nodded.

"Can you get us to our son?" he asked.

"Tell me where you want to go, and I'll get a private plane to take you there." The Justice smiled at them.

"Justice Suharta." Mulder stood and shook his hand. "Mallory said you were the most honorable and honest man she knew, and I've come to agree with her."

"Thank you Mr. Mulder but you did all the work.." He smiled as he pumped his hand.

"Justice Suharta," Scully said reaching for his hand "thank you for bringing these monsters to justice."

"Thank you Dr. Scully, for everything."

Scully gave the Justice the location of their son and they left to spend some time with their daughter.

The plane circled above the bright blue waters and the reefs below. Mulder and Scully saw the small landing strip in the island to the right and buckled their belts.

"When did you know he was here?" Mulder asked.

"At the hospital," she smiled "when I was upset about Gillian, he tried to comfort me, and then he told me where they were."

"So our son has been in an island paradise this whole time...nice work, Skinner."

Scully smiled at Mulder and grabbed his hand. "And we're almost there, he's waiting down below."

"You know Scully, either we figure out a way to turn off his ability to listen to your mind, or our son is going to need some serious therapy one day."

"Mulder!" she chastised him. "You think my mind is that troublesome?"

"No but I think some of your thoughts must be very unwholesome" he grinned at her "especially when I am doing certain things to you."

"Well," she conceded "we are going to have to figure something out."

'Definitely' said Patrick's voice inside her head.

"That's not polite," Scully said to him.

"What?" Mulder asked looking toward her.

"Nothing" she smiled and turned to look out the window.

The plane landed without incident and Scully looked out the window to see Patrick jumping up and down on the tarmac next to a casually dressed Walter Skinner and an older gentleman. Mulder grabbed their carry-on and they quickly exited the plane.

"Mom!" Patrick yelled as he ran into Scully's awaiting arms.

"Patrick," she said as she kissed the side of his face and held him up off the ground "I've missed you."

She dropped him slowly to the ground and he looked up at his father, suddenly shy.

"What? I get nothing?" Mulder asked with his arms outstretched.

"Hey, dad," Patrick said bashfully as he embraced his father and slyly gave him a kiss on the cheek, hoping no one would notice.

"I'm so happy to see you, son," Mulder said as he released him.

"Same here" Patrick smiled up at him.

"You've been having fun with Skinner?" Mulder asked as he looped his arm around his son's shoulder and walked toward the man.

"Yeah, Walter's taken me snorkeling and deep sea fishing and I caught a 26 pound grouper!"

"That's almost as big as you are" Scully noted.

"Yeah, Umprey's taken us out to see the sharks too!"

They approached Skinner and the older gentleman.

"This is Umprey" announced Patrick.

"Nice to meet you Umprey," Scully said shaking his hand.

"Lovely to meet you Dr. Scully" the old man said as he shook her hand.

"So you've been helping to entertain him?" Mulder smiled at the man "Thank you so much."

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Mulder," he said as he shook his hand. "He's a great young boy and so smart!"

"Umprey is an old family friend" Skinner said, trying to explain the situation.

"Friend? We are not friends." Umprey joked. "I have known Walter since he was in diapers. He's family!"

Everyone laughed as Skinner turned six shades of red.

"My mother was Bahamian." Skinner offered in explanation. "After she died, my father and I came here all the time for fishing trips. I could sidestep the passport situation, and I knew Umprey would put us up."

"You're family!" Umprey laughed. "And now Patrick is family. The more family the better, it keeps an old man's heart ticking."

"We've got lunch waiting for you," Skinner said as he took the small bag from Mulder. "I take it you're not staying long?"

"No, we need to get back, there's someone else we need to be with, as well."

"That's great news about the girl," Skinner offered quietly.

"Yeah, it's killing Scully to be away from her, but we needed to get to Patrick as well. And we know you'll want to get back..."

"Tomorrow," Skinner nodded "we'll be off tomorrow."

They loaded into the open air jeep and bumped their way down a narrow road to a small community called Port Royale. Umprey's house was a large pink stucco house with a wrap-around porch and cantilevered shutters opened to let the ocean breeze in. His house sat on the beach with a nearby dock. At the dock was an impressive set of fishing boats.

"Wow!," Mulder said as they got out of the car. "This is beautiful!"

"We get nice views here." Umprey noted, humbly.

"I bet you do, you can see for miles," Mulder said in awe of the house.

"The best fishing in the world is right here on the Biminis" Skinner interjected "And Umprey and his two sons own the largest sport fishing business on the island."

"That's wonderful, you must be so proud," Scully said to him.

"My wife is proud" Umprey smiled "I am just very busy."

They all laughed at his joke as Umprey's wife Martina appeared on the porch. She was an older woman with a dark tan and a slightly hunched back. She wore a brightly colored dress and her white hair was held back with a yellow scarf.

"Martina!" Patrick yelled when he saw her.

"Hello!" Martina called to her guests "Come and sit, everything is almost out."

"Can I help?" Scully asked as she went up the stairs.

"No, sit and relax. Patrick," she said turning to the young man. "Go and get some juice out of the fridge."

"Yes, ma'am," he said as he ran into the house.

"You have such a good boy," the older woman said kindly.

"We're lucky," Mulder said as he touched Scully's shoulder.

The group enjoyed a beautiful fish lunch that Patrick, Walter, and Umprey had caught earlier that day. Mulder and Scully were told stories about Skinner when he was a young man, and some of the trouble he got into on the island. Skinner, jovially allowed the stories to be shared, and corrected some tall tales Umprey and Martina were trying to pass off as truth.

After lunch Patrick and Scully went into the house to change into their swim suits while Mulder sat with Skinner and talked.

"They don't believe its part of the alien conspiracy," Mulder said.

"They can't or they won't?" Skinner asked.

"I'm not sure. Justice Suharta is just not open to that sort of thing, but if you..."

"Mulder, I'm not sure the FBI wants me involved in any of this, after taking off with Patrick..."

"We explained it all to them, you job is safe, and I think they are very interested in you leading the investigation because of your previous experience with the X-Files."

"What about you? What's your role in the investigation? Are you going to...?"

"I'm going to testify," Mulder said as he sat back in his chair, "I'm going to aid them in any way they need me but I'm not going back."

"So they've already proposed..."

"And we've turned them down. My life and Scully's life is with Patrick and, hopefully with Gillian in some capacity."

"Are they open to you seeing her?"

"They understand the circumstances under which she was taken from us, they feel sorry for us and know that we never actually gave her up but,...that doesn't mean they still aren't her parents too."

"You'll figure it out" Skinner said rising from his seat. "There's a hammock with my name on it, and it's time to call Dinah."

"Thank you," Mulder said rising to shake his hand, "you came through for us in the biggest way possible, and we'll be forever indebted to you."

"You're family Mulder," Skinner smiled at him. "There is no debt. Just take good care of them."

Mulder watched as Skinner ambled off into the sand toward a hammock under a thatched roof.

"Ready?" Scully asked as she and Patrick appeared on the porch.

"This is why it's easier being a guy" Mulder said as he stripped off his polo shirt and pointed to his long swimming shorts "One outfit, two purposes."

"Is he always this way?" Patrick asked his mother.

"Pretty much" Scully laughed.

"Are we going to see Gillian tomorrow?" Patrick asked.

"As soon as we get back," Scully said as she patted his hair.

"I can't wait to meet her," Patrick said expectantly. "I've never had a sister."

Mulder and Scully exchanged looks mixed with sadness and hope. They didn't want Patrick to see Gillian in the hospital, but they knew he was already aware of how bad her condition was, there was no protecting him now.

"Why don't you show us around, Patrick?" Mulder asked.

"First, you've got to check out the boats," Patrick said gleefully as he raced ahead in the sand. "They have glass windows on the bottoms."

Mulder took Scully's hand and walked with her through the sand, following their son wherever he went, and relishing in his every laugh.

Epilogue from XF3.

"Yes, I'll hold," she said unhappily as she closed the fridge door and walked around her brightly lit yellow kitchen.

She looked out her new kitchen window and watched the ocean softly roll in the distance as a sailing crew took advantage of the wind and their boat skittered along the shoreline.

A construction worker with a loud drill started to work right outside the window she was standing at, and she escaped to the upstairs, the whole time listening to Muzak.

She walked into Patrick's room to do one final inspection of his luggage. The last time they had gone to visit her mom for a few days, he had covertly taken out almost all of his clothes to make room for toys and, she had had to go shopping for him in Baltimore so he wouldn't be wearing the same underwear for 4 days.

The luggage was just as she had left it, so she zipped it up and plunked it down next to hers and Mulder's in the hallway.

"Dr. Scully, Chief Director Skinner is on the line." Kim's voice chirped in her ear.

"Thank you," she said to the woman.

"Dana?" she heard him ask.

"Yes, I'm here." She smiled "I got a message to call you..."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, but Dinah and I aren't going to be able to make it to the island until the weekend. Umprey has arranged a house for you that is right down the beach. Something has, uh..."

"What has happened with the investigation?" she asked expectantly.

"We've taken into custody a Mr. Etienne Guillemot who, it turns out, has been a henchman for the Consortium for many years. His agreement to work with us is going to bring a lot of the conspiracy information we've had a hard time confirming, to light."

"Wow," Scully sighed as she leaned against the rail.

"Yeah, this is big Dana, and I need to stay here and make sure this is handled properly."

A door opened and closed downstairs and she heard Mulder yelling "Come on Scully, we've got to get moving!" as he walked through the house.

"I understand," she said "Mulder and I will be interested to hear how this develops."

"I'll keep you posted," he said distractedly "I'll see you in a few days."

The phone disconnected and she stood holding it for a few moments. Mulder walked up the stairs with a paper in his hand, studying it.

"This latest bill from the contractor is crazy," he said as he walked up to her "are they using gold nails in those guns?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Skinner won't be coming until the weekend, there's been a development and he needs to stay on a little longer."

"A good development?" he asked, eyeing her.

"I think, a very good development," she said, suddenly remembering Patrick's dental floss and walking toward the washroom. "I'll bring you up to speed later."

Mulder followed her into the washroom and walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her and turning her in his embrace.

"Speaking of bringing me up to speed," he said as he kissed her neck and hoisted her onto the countertop between his legs.

"Mulder!" she admonished him "The kids!"

"Are in the backyard," he said as he worked his way over her collarbone "and they can't hear you when they're together, so..."

"Mulder" she admonished him, more softly this time.

"All I need is five minutes, Scully," he said as he reached to undo the buttons on her shirt.

"Mulder, we can't," she said trying to hold the pieces of her shirt together "we have to get to the airport."

"Okay, I'm not promising any romance, but if you'll help... I'll only need one minute," he said reaching to undo her pants.

"Oh, and you were going to give me five minutes of romance before?" she laughed.

He stopped undoing her pants and leaned his head against her shoulder.

"Mulder, we're going away for two weeks with the kids," she said as she nibbled at his ear "Two weeks with them constantly together."

He raised his head to smile at her. He did up the two buttons he had managed to undo on her shirt as she studied him.

"Besides, Patrick was just at the Paige and Henry's place this last weekend. And they'll be in school together in two weeks."

"I know" he sighed and then looked in her eyes and waggled his eyebrows. "Two whole weeks of naughty thoughts, huh?"

"Two whole weeks," she said kissing him soundly on his lips.

"You get the kids and I'll get the bags. I left Gillian's in the car," he said helping her off the counter.

Scully walked down the stairs and through her partially renovated beach house. It was big by their standards, but quite small by the standards of Corolla. But, it was beachfront and that was important to Mulder. The house had 4 bedrooms and was open concept with a big family room and kitchen, which was important to Scully. She was still working on the interior decoration, but it was coming along.

Paige and Henry Edwards lived up the shoreline a few miles in a lavish house with ocean side pool and yacht club membership. The four of them had been working together in an open co-parenting situation that everyone seemed to be happy with. They had accepted Mulder and her into Gillian's life as biological parents living down the beach and wanting to be part of their daughter's life. And, in return, they had accepted the Edwards' involvement as a type of foster parents to Patrick, who wanted to be actively involved in the life of their daughter's twin brother.

She exited the side door and looked up at the progress on the siding.

"It looks like you guys are on schedule," she said to George, the foreman.

"The railings arrived today and once the siding is up," he said gesturing to the new deep blue wood siding laying on a skid "we'll get your porches built."

"What about the shutters?" she asked as she eyed the piece of new white railing leaning against the house.

"They should be arriving in the next couple of days," he confirmed.

Scully smiled to herself. The house was going to be beautiful when all these renovations were done. Despite the high price tag of buying in Corolla, the house needed a lot of updating and these last few months had been spent in renovation hell. It would be done just in time for Patrick to start school and Mulder to begin his fall book tour. The second book 'A Lie Hidden Between Two Truths' had been as big a hit as the first, swooping in on the New York Times bestsellers list and staying there for a while. Now, with the third at the editors, it looked like fall book tours would be happening for a few years.

She walked into the yard and saw Gillian sitting quietly on a chair looking at the water. Her hair had grown into a wavy short bob and her skin had darkened a little with all the summer sun. She was glowing and healthy with freckles dotting her face.

"I thought Patrick was with you?" Scully asked as she walked up next to her and placed a hand on her hair.

"He's waiting for the horses to come by again," she said looking up at Scully.

"Where is he?" Scully asked, looking around.

"Just on the other side of the dune, and he says to come over, they'll be here any minute."

Gillian rose from her seat and took her mother's hand, guiding her toward the dune. Scully clambered over the edge and saw Patrick on the other side, expectantly waiting for the wild horses that lived on the island, to run past. They sat on the sand with the tall grass around them and waited.

Mulder walked around the dune and looked at Scully. Patrick was leaning into her one shoulder and Gillian sat with her hip rubbing up against her on the other side. Her two children were happy and the smile that spread across Scully's face spoke volumes. He walked toward the group and sat down heavily next to Gillian placing his arm around her shoulder.

"What are we doing?" he asked.

"Shhhhhh," Scully whispered as they sat quietly and waited.

Minutes later, a group of wild horses ran past them on the beach. Their beautiful manes danced in the sun and their hooves pounded into the sand. The family sat curled up against each other, hidden in the dunes and watched in awe.

Truly, the end.