The phone rang and Dana Scully picked it up halfway through the first ring. "Scully."
"Scully, it's me."
She gasped, feeling as if someone had punched her in the stomach. It couldn't be him. He told her he would only be putting her in danger if he called her. This seemed too good to be true. She was choked up and she couldn't get a word out, no matter how desperately she wanted to.
"Scully, are you there? Are you okay?"
She finally managed to murmur, "Mulder?"
He chuckled darkly. "Yeah, it's me, Dana."
She bit her knuckles, trying and failing to stop the tears from falling.
"How are you calling me? I thought you said you couldn't."
"Technically, I still can't. I've got about a five minute window until someone figures out I'm using the phone and kicks me off. I just couldn't go another day without hearing your voice. I miss you so much, Dana. It's killing me to be out here, alone. I want to come home, to you and to William."
She let out a sob. "When are you coming home?"
He let out a sigh. "Not for a while, Dana. It's still not safe, you know that."
She nodded sadly. "Do you want to say hi to William?"
She could hear him smile through the phone. "More than anything."
He heard her shuffle around on the other end of the phone, then return. "William, say hi to Daddy."
"Hi, buddy. I hope you're doing well. Daddy misses you so much, you and your mommy. Are you taking good care of her for me? Mommy is the strongest person I know, but she needs your help right now. Can you do that for me, little guy?"
"Da-da." William reached for the phone in Scully's hands.
Scully heard a muffled sob from Mulder's end. "Scully, he said, 'da-da'." He sounded incredulous.
She laughed shakily. "Yeah, we've been working on talking lately, haven't we, Will?" She tickled him and he let out a giggle.
"It's so good just to hear your voice, Dana. And to hear Will's laugh. I only wish I could be there with you. I feel like I've missed out on everything. I wasn't there for your pregnancy and I'm too useless to be there with you two now."
"Mulder, you know that's not true. I'm not angry with you. But I do miss you, and I want you to come home to us as soon as you can."
"Believe me, I want nothing more. Soon, Dana. I promise. As soon as I can. Okay, my time's almost up. I've gotta go."
"Okay. Mulder?"
"Yeah?"
"I-I love you."
"I love you too, Dana. Give Will a kiss for me. I'll be home soon."