We stop off at a diner, which is halfway between the hospital and our house, it is the last mark of civilisation before the country roads begin. Will is excited about having a proper cheese burger, apparently he was never allowed to eat such things where he was before. Mulder and I are not about to deny him something as simple as this at this stage, and he hoovers it up in record time while we pick away at club sandwiches.
He thinks the gates to our house are "cool" though electric ones would have been "cooler". I worry briefly that he may think we have a gated property because we are rich, and don't want him to be disappointed that we aren't and that the gates are an attempt at a security device, one more hurdle for any would be attackers to overcome. Fortunately common sense kicks in and I realise that Will is yet to turn 7, and doesn't generally analyse reasons why people have gates to their houses.
We put him to bed in our room. Obstinates choice really, there are 3 bedrooms in the house, one is my office, one is full of junk that we have yet to sort out, and the last one is ours. Mulder and I grab blankets and sleeping bags and make a nest on the sofa.
"Pinch me" he says, when we have settled in, "I think I may have just dreamt the last 48 hours".
I pinch him, a little harder than necessary, "That's for ditching me" I tell him, then I lean over and give him a peck on the lips "and that's for bringing William back".
"hmmm Dr Scully, did these sleeping bags come down in the last storm?" he wiggles his eyebrows.
"Mulder" I say firmly "you still owe me an explanation"
He sighs, and raises himself up on one arm and begins to speak. " The informant worked for a group who were fighting against the consortium. They weren't surprised that there had been an attempt on William's life, but they were shocked that there had been so many in such a short period of time, especially given that I was not with you. When they learnt that you had given him up for adoption for his protection, they became concerned. Concerned for you and how you would cope, concerned for me, and what kind of actions I might take once I learnt the news, and most of all, concerned that William would be no safer with adopted parents than with you or I. Adoption records are sealed to the public, but you and I both know what kind of technology these people have access to, it would take hardly anytime for the consortium and other "enemy" groups to locate him. Which is exactly what this group did, they waited until the initial "fuss" had died down, and snatched William, with the aim of returning him to us, as soon as the danger had died down and we were all able to be together. This was to be our reward for our years spent fighting against the consortium. Of course when they initially made the plan they had no idea that we would end up on the run. However they continued, as they figured it would be much easier to remove William from his adopted parents while he was still a baby, and not likely to remember them, than waiting until he was older. I don't think they realised that we would be "fugitives" as long as we were. Of course when we went to help on the case, and I came back under the radar again, they decided that the time was right to return him."
"So where has he been all this time?"
"In the safe house where I found him, living with 3 members of this resistance group. He had a nanny when he was younger, has been home schooled, and evidently taught all about us. He told me he always wanted parents, which is why he couldn't wait to meet us."
"Was he happy?" I ask, though I am afraid of the answer.
"You'll have to ask him, but he seemed content enough, physically he was well looked after, there were plenty of books and toys in his room, and clothes"
"which I don't suppose you brought with you?"
"No, I didn't think, the guy handed William over to me, and all I could think about was getting the hell out of there as fast as I could."
"and that's it? They aren't going to come after him or anything? Everyone is going to leave us alone?"
" I believe so."
"I want to do some blood tests tomorrow"
"Scully, it's William, why can't you believe that?"
"I do believe it's William, I just want to make sure he is healthy, that nothing has been done to him."
"Fine, okay, if it will make you feel better"
"good"
"So, do you fancy snuggling?"
"I don't know, I don't think this sofa can take it……"
The following morning we take William back to the hospital. It means I can run the blood tests, speak briefly to Christians parents, and put plans into place for taking some time off.
He doesn't complain about the blood being drawn, mainly because Mulder has bribed him by saying that we will go for milkshakes later. I remind myself to have words with Mulder about how often bribery should be used.
While we wait for the results Mulder takes him outside to shoot some hoops, and I go speak to Christains parents.
I apologise for leaving them in the lurch yesterday. Christian's mother assures me it is fine.
"We didn't know you had a child" she says, "I'm sorry I made that comment about if you were a mother you'd understand."
"It's fine" I tell her "I prefer to keep things private. However, there is one thing I would like to share."
They look at me expectantly. "My daughter died when she was 3 years old.". They look dumbfounded, I can't blame them, as in their eyes I have suddenly gone from no family to having 2 children.
"She had a rare disease, and it was decided that she should not continue with the experimental treatment that she had been receiving. If I could have changed things, and found a cure, then I would have. What I want to say, is that although these procedures seem risky, please keep with it, the outcome may have a profound impact on his quality of life."
They are silent , trying to absorb everything I have just said. Finally, Christians mother exchanges a look with Christians father. He nods, and she turns back to me,
"We trust you Dr Scully, we'll abide by whatever procedures you decide are best."
I thank them, and hurry back to my office to wait for Mulder and William to finish their game. Williams test results are on my desk. To my immense relief everything seems normal. Whoever these people were, they did look after him. I hear the door click and call out "Well Mulder did he cream you?" only to find myself face to face with Fr Ybarra not Mulder.
"Dr Scully" he sit's down uninvited in the chair opposite. "News has reached me that you have requested yet more holiday time."
"I have" I reply through gritted teeth.
"Can I ask if this has anything to do with the sudden appearance of your husband and son?"
"You can ask, it doesn't mean I'll answer"
"Dr Scully"
"Firstly, not that it is any of your business, I am not married." I pause, allowing him time to digest that little nugget of information, challenging him to say anything.
"Secondly, yes, I would like to spend some time with my son, he has been….away…..and now he is back. You will be receiving my request for a part-time schedule shortly. Until then, I would like to take a 2-week leave of absence. I believe I have enough holiday time accrued."
"What about Christian's surgery?"
"I will of course conduct Christians surgery, but I will be unavailable for any other work".
"Will you indeed. I must say Dr Scully, this is highly irregular and very inconsiderate of you. I thought you were much more reliable than this. This is a small hospital, we could do with more staff not less "
"I think it is time you left Fr Ybarra." I put my pen down on the desk with a clunk before I am tempted to ram it into his neck.
" Sculleeeee" Mulder and Will chose that moment to barrel through the door. "Are you ready to leave………." Mulder stops when he sees Father Ybarra. "You must be Father Ybarra" Mulder extends a hand "I've heard a lot about you."
"Funny, as I have heard nothing about you. You are the boyfriend?" It's amazing how much distain can be fitted into one word.
Mulder's hackles rise "Actually I prefer the terms 'significant other' or 'live-in-lover'" he turns me, sensing that there is something not quite right. "Is there a problem here?"
Meanwhile, Will's eyes are following us all back and forth like a tennis match.
"Father Ybarra is not entirely in agreement over my proposal to cut back my hours"
"Dr Scully may wish to consider doing anything hasty if she wishes to retain her employment in this hospital….all I am asking is.."
"Excuse me" Mulder cut's in, his voice forceful, not shouting, but commanding the attention of the room. "Since this is the day for revelations and imparting new information, may I take the time to tell you something. Dr Scully and I, are former FBI agents. We were based in headquarters in Washington for many many years. Consequently we have some friends in very high places, who would not be afraid to step in, in the event that Dr Scully was unfairly treated."
Father Ybarra scans Mulders face for any sign that he may be joking. When he finds none he clears his throat and stands up. "Dr Scully, make sure the appropriate paperwork is filed on time." He leaves with a backwards glance.
"Mulder…" I drawl, coming round the desk to stand with him and Will "friends in high places?"
He shrugs, " I dunno Scully, Skinner can be scary when he wants to be."
I ruffle Will's hair. "come on, I tell them let's get out of here." I take my "boys" hands, and we walk out towards the car. Will runs ahead of us
"Scully" Mulder leans in close "Those tests…"
"Came back fine. He's a perfectly healthy little boy"
"hmmmm" he sighs "how about a rain check on those sleeping bags?".
This is the point where I want to say that we walked off into the sunset, got married, had twins, a dog, a pony and a white picket fence. We loved William and he loved us, but that's not to say it didn't take us all a while to adjust to our new roles, and living life as a family. There were tantrums and tears before bedtime, on everyone's part, but we got there in the end. Mulder and I decided long ago that we didn't need rings and an official peace of paper to justify our relationship, and after Queequeg I couldn't face another dog, so Will had to make do with a rabbit and a tortoise instead. Mulder began contributing to various scientific journals on the paranormal, and I cut my hours at the hospital down to 3 days a week, neither of us worked weekends, and the only travel we did was on holidays. As for the picket fence, well…let's just say I found much more mutually pleasurable things for Mulder to do with his spare time.
The End