This is what happens when I get bored.

Spoilers for the Revival and My Struggle - oh and William too

"Why did you do it?"

Scully looked up, meeting the all-too-familiar face in front of her. She took in the pain lurking between the person's eyes and immediately lowered her gaze, the regret and guilt becoming too much for her. Feeling tears stinging her eyes she bit down hard on her lip, willing herself not to cry. She'd cried too much over the years and besides, this wasn't about her, not today. This was about the person sitting in front of her, a stranger but a stranger she'd recognize anywhere.

Taking a deep breath, Scully tried again, looking up at her son. William. She could hardly believe he was there – the past 48 hours had been such a blur that she could almost be convinced that she was hallucinating – but there he was, all five foot eight of him, her eyes, colouring and nose; Mulder's lips, ears and chin. The perfect combination of the two of them. William too looked as though he was having a hard time taking it all in, not that Scully could blame him. As Mulder lay close to death in the car on the bridge in DC Scully knew that there was only one way to save him, and that William was the key to his survival. It was a race against time – she had immediately called Skinner, urgently needing his help in locating her son, and he didn't let her down. Unbeknown to her, Skinner had been keeping tabs on William over the years, wanting to ensure that the youngster was indeed safe. Just a few hours later a bewildered William and his adoptive parents were on a plane heading to DC. Scully didn't have time to explain everything to William so she simply stuck to the essential facts – she and Mulder were his biological parents, a contagion was threatening to wipe out America's population and William – thanks to his real parents – was immune. His blood was needed to help produce a vaccine against the virus. But Scully knew this was a big ask for such a young boy, and so she'd stressed that somehow she would find a way to help Mulder, even if William or his parents didn't want to.

She'd left the family to mull it over as she rushed to Mulder's hospital bedside to check on her partner. He was barely lucid, but alive. Just. "He's here Mulder," she'd told her partner, tears falling as she kissed his cheek. "He's here and he looks just like you. He's beautiful." She knew that whatever happened, even if William decided not to help them, Mulder would be proud just to lay eyes on his son.

But William had agreed. His adoptive parents, Michael and Susan, had gone along with his decision, though they of course had a lot of questions, which Scully rushed to answer. So Scully had taken her son into the hospital laboratory, retrieved a vial of his blood and then worked through the night to produce the much-needed vaccine.

Twelve hours later and Mulder's situation had reversed. He was on the road to recovery, as was Special Agent Einstein. William and his adoptive parents had been taken to a nearby hotel to rest, but now he was back and wanted answers from Scully.

"It was the last thing I wanted to do," Scully replied softly.

William was Mulder's son through and through however, and was in a hurry for answers. "So then why did you do it? Why did you put me up for adoption? Didn't you want me?"

"Of course I did," Scully stressed. It hurt her to see William looking so distraught and so alone. She desperately wanted to reach out and take him into her arms but she knew it wouldn't be welcome. Baby steps. Right now she was just grateful he wanted to talk to her, even though it was gearing up to be a painful conversation. "I wanted you so much it hurt. A few years before you were born I was told that I couldn't have children. But your dad, Mulder, he told me not to give up. We tried in-vitro fertilisation but it didn't work, and then we ended up conceiving you the old fashioned way." Both she and William blushed. "You were our miracle," she continued. "And I will never forget the moment you were first placed into my arms…" Scully sniffed, wiping her eyes. Fifteen years may have passed but she could still recall the soft, warm weight of her baby boy being placed into her arms; the relief as Billy Miles and his friends left them alone; and the look of pure joy and wonderment on Mulder's face as he first laid eyes on their healthy son. "You were wanted, don't ever think otherwise."

"If you wanted me, then why did you get rid of me?" William asked, immediately regretting his choice of words when Scully flinched.

"There were men out there who wanted to hurt you and your father. Threats were made against you both and so your dad…we made the decision that it would be safer for everyone for him to leave and go into hiding. We thought that people would leave you alone but they didn't, and they tried to take you from me-"

"Why?"

"Because they thought you were something that you're not."

"What?"

"That you were their savour."

William laughed, shaking his head dismissively until he realized that Scully wasn't sharing the joke. "Oh come on!"

"You were a miracle to us William, but that was all. They didn't agree. You were in danger and I couldn't keep you safe anymore and so I…" The memories and guilt that she'd kept locked away became too much for Scully and she began to cry softly. It had been a long week for her – for all of them – and she finally had her son back, though William was looking at her with what looked like anger and disgust. Of course he would be angry with her, she knew he would be, but it still hurt.

"It was the hardest decision I have ever made, and it's haunted me ever since. I needed you to be safe and I did what I thought was best. But there hasn't been a day go by when I haven't thought of you or missed you or wished that things could have been different. Don't think for a second that your father and I didn't love you. We did this because we loved you."

William was quiet as he processed her words. "Where are those people now?" he asked quietly, leaning forward in his chair. "Are they responsible for what's happening now with the virus?"

Scully didn't say anything, she didn't have to.

"Wow."

"It's a lot to take in."

The teenager huffed out a laugh. "You're telling me."

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head, dismissing her apology. "I've always known I was adopted," he explained. "My parents, they were always…sorry…"

"Don't be. They're your parents too. They've loved you and cared for you over the years. I owe them a lot." And Scully meant it too. She felt nothing but love and appreciation for Michael and Susan, for bringing up her son to be a polite, inquisitive and intelligent young man.

"They've always been honest with me, so I knew I wasn't really their son. Well this gave it away too," he added with a small grin, pointing to his dark auburn hair.

Scully allowed herself to smile too. Yes he was Mulder's son through and through, but she could also see herself in the teenager. "I'm sorry about that," she said, gesturing to her own hair. "I was hoping you'd be dark like Mulder but my genes won out."

"How's he doing?" William asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Much better thanks to you. I know it was a lot to ask of you, especially considering everything we've put you through."

"I've been happy," the teenager insisted. "They've been good to me."

"I'm glad."

"They've kept me safe and loved."

"That's all I ever wanted for you."

"But I always wondered about my real parents. I wanted to know more about them, whether I looked like them or behaved like them. Whether they got into trouble at school like I did."

Scully grinned. "Your dad certainly did."

"And I wanted to know why…why they didn't want me." Suddenly William's face crumpled in pain. He reached up, quickly rubbing his eyes before the tears could fall. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "It's been a long few days."

Scully nodded in understanding, then before she could stop herself, she got to her feet and closed the gap between the two of them, wrapping her arms around her son. Rising from his own chair, William went willingly into his mom's arms. For the first time in over 14 years Scully was holding her little boy – who wasn't so little anymore. "Don't ever think you weren't wanted William, because you were, more than anything. And your father and I loved you – and still love you – so so much. I wish we could have all been together as a family, I really do. I'm so proud of you and you should be too after everything you've been through. You're a fine young man, and I know that I have a lot to thank your parents for." And she would too. Before William and his parents left to return to Wyoming, Scully would ensure that she spoke with them properly, and to thank them for loving her baby. "I'm sorry for upsetting you and for dragging you into all of this."

William pulled back and his mom took the opportunity to brush his tears away. "I'm glad I got to meet you."

His words meant more to Scully than she could ever explain. "Me too baby, me too."

"Dana? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"If this hadn't happened…if you hadn't needed my blood…would you have tried to find me?"

After everything she'd put him through, Scully knew that William deserved to hear the truth. "I thought about it every single day, trying to find you and get you back, or just checking in on you from time to time," she admitted. "But it wouldn't have been fair on you or your parents. But you're your father's son William. Mulder never gave up on his family too, and I think curiosity would have gotten the better of you. You would have found us, I'm sure of it."

After a moment William nodded in agreement. "I was thinking about it. Mom and dad said they would support me if I decided to but…" he paused.

"But?"

"I was too scared. I didn't want to turn up on your doorstep to find that you didn't want to have anything to do with me."

"We would have been delighted to see you."

"I know that now," William replied, his expression suggesting otherwise and that Scully's words were news to him. "Dana?"

"Hmm?"

"When this is over…when I go home?"

"Yes?" Scully didn't want to think about that, but she knew it would happen sooner rather than later. The vaccine had worked and was being duplicated. William's job was essentially done, and she was sure that Michael and Susan would be wanting to go home soon. They had been patient and accommodating so far, allowing William some time with his birth mother, and Scully was grateful to them for giving them some space.

"Can I call you or something? Maybe? I mean maybe not every day, but from time to time?"

Scully let out the breath she'd been holding. Until that moment she hadn't realized that was exactly what she was hoping he'd say. "Of course you can. I'd like that."

"Or you guys could come to Wyoming. I mean there isn't much there so I'd understand if you don't want to but…I'd like to get to know you both, if that's ok?"

"It's more than ok, if it's ok with your parents."

"I'm sure they'd be fine. I'll ask though," he added, relenting.

"William, the fact that you're still here after everything I've put you through means so much to me. Anything else is a bonus."

William shrugged, clearly embarrassed. "You're my mom," he explained casually, and Scully's eyes filled with tears once more. "I'd like to find out more about you and your family. And Mulder, I'd like to meet him when he's feeling better.

"He's itching to meet you too, when you're ready."

"I'm ready as soon as he's up for visitors."

Smiling to herself, Scully nodded. "Well then, there's no time like the present. Are you ready?"

"Let's go." As they moved to exit the family room, William reached out and took hold of Scully's hand, preparing to meet his father for the first time in fifteen years.