Many thanks to Animus et Anima for aiding me with the time line in this story.


Scully's Apartment, Late Evening.

The phone shrilled impatiently. Scully, lounging on the couch, bundle of blankets on her lap containing her son, chose to ignore the instrument at her elbow. They, Scully and her son where relaxing after a strenuous day. The effort required to lift the handset from its cradle proved too much so Scully let it go to the answering machine.

'Dana,' Bill's voice echoed through her empty apparent.

'Dam,' Scully pushed herself off the couch, careful not to wake her son. Getting into a better position to answer the phone before her brother hung up.

'Dana,' he said once again, 'please pick up if you're there.'

The pause gave Scully time to put the instrument to her ear. 'Hello, Bill,' she stated a little coolly, more so than she wanted too.

Bill and Dana Scully found they had little to talk about with Mulder's recent disappearance and conformation that her child had been fathered by her once FBI partner. Bill still resented Mulder for all that happened to his sister's. The final straw came in the form of Mulder's rapid exit from Scully's life, leaving her to become a single parent without a ring on her finger to legitimise his offspring. Bill called Mulder The Child. Even Scully had to admit Mulder could and did act like a child most of the time.

'How are you, Dana,' he ignored the tone.

'Fine, Bill, tired,' she sighed realising if any relationship were to be salvaged, she'd have to be the one to do it. Bill had made the offer of an olive branch by calling her. Now Scully needed to reciprocate. 'How are Tara and the kids?'

'Tara sends her love; the children have made some drawings for their cousin. The Child sends his love too,' Bill ended, his last words slightly aggressive.

'The Child,' Scully asked confused. Bill, speaking about Mulder in the current context as though he'd seen him recently astounded Scully. 'Bill,' her voice cracked.

'I sent the letters and drawings yesterday, Dana,' he paused, knowing his message had been received, 'you should get the package in the next day or two. When all the children make more presents for their cousin, I'll make sure they're sent.'

'Bill,' Scully couldn't keep the tears at bay any longer. 'Talk to me, we've both been so silent, so distant from each other over the years and especially since William's birth. I want that to change.'

'Dana, I'm not good at keeping my feeling about your current situation silent,' he returned with frustration. 'It's what got us into this mess in the first place.'

'I know,' Scully chewed her bottom lip, coming to a decision, 'and I'm too good at concealing my pain and disillusionment. I need my family now, Bill. You, Tara, Mom, Charlie, my nieces and nephews and The Child. I love you all so much and I feel so alone.'

Brother and sister, still feeling anger, resentment, fear and love opened themselves over the phone. The conversation took several hours and an incredible amount of emotional energy. At the end, Scully found herself even more drained but knew she'd made the right decision in letting Bill into her journey. Bill's understanding of Mulder current situation surprised Scully. What ever transpired between her lover and her brother had been intense and meaningful. It had been a private meting, one where she would never know what had been said or done. Private men's business.

Once Scully returned the handset to its cradle, she snuggled into the couch, cradling her baby boy. 'Mommy loves you William,' she muttered, kissing the silky strands of strawberry hair on his crown. She fell asleep, wondering how and where Bill and Mulder had met.

In the instant between consciousness and sleep, Scully could have sworn she herd her baby answer, 'I love you too, Mommy.'