Disclaimer: I don't own TXF, just Layla.

Italics: Thought-speak

That afternoon when school let out, Layla and Kyle walked out of the school together. Kyle's grandmother was waiting for him and Scully was there with William, like always. Kyle ran to his grandmother and Layla hung back before heading over to her mother and brother. As soon as Layla reached them, Kyle came over.

"Hey, she said it's okay with her if it's okay with your mom."

Layla looked at Scully who raised her eyebrow in curiosity.

"Mama, Kyle needs help with his math and science work and he wants me to tutor him. Could he come over so that I can help him?"

"Sure, but his grandmother needs to be able to pick him up at 7:30, okay?"

"Can your grandma do that?"

"Sure, I'll go tell her, be right back."

Kyle ran over to his grandmother who followed him back to where Layla and Scully were.

"Miss Scully, this is my grandma, Lois. Grandma, this is Miss Scully, Layla's mom."

Lois stuck her hand out and Scully shook it.

"Nice to meet you," Lois said.

"Likewise, you can call me Dana."

"Well, Dana, your Layla has saved my grandson's life. He's such a good boy and had I known what was going on I would've put a stop to it a long time ago," Lois said and looked to Layla, "Thank you for saving him."

Layla blushed and grinned.

"Kyle tells me that you'll be able to pick him up tonight at 7:30?"

"Yes, ma'am. He better behave too. If he doesn't, let me know, okay?"

"I'm sure there won't be a problem."

Kyle and Layla smiled at each other.

"Kyle, you behave for Dana. You hear me? You don't want your TV privileges taken away for a month, do you?"

"No, ma'am. I'll be sure to behave."

"Good boy. I'll see you at 7:30, okay? I love you."

"Love you, Grandma."

Kyle hugged his grandmother and she left.

"Alright, what do you say we go home and get a snack and then you two can start on your homework?"

"Sounds good, Mama. Kyle?"

"Let's go!"

Layla giggled at him. She then looked over into the stroller where her brother was sleeping. She kissed his forehead gently. She knew he'd wake up the moment they walked into the apartment so she would introduce him to Kyle then. Scully turned the stroller around and they walked to their apartment.

At the apartment, Scully made chocolate chip cookies and set them on the table in front of the children along with glasses of milk.

"Thank you, Mama."

"Thank you, Miss Scully."

"You're welcome. Enjoy. Layla, I'm going to go change your brother, feed him, and put him down. Make sure your homework gets done, okay?"

"Yes ma'am."

Scully walked into the nursery and began to change William.

Layla looked at Kyle as she munched on her cookie. She never thought that he'd be the good friend he is now. Kyle stared back at her as he felt so grateful for what Layla did for him and very guilty for the way he treated her all the time he'd known her. He frowned at the cookie he had been eating.

"Kyle, what's wrong?"

"I don't deserve your help."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've been mean to you for as long as I've known you and I don't deserve to be your friend."

"Kyle, look at me."

He looked at Layla and saw understanding and forgiveness in her eyes.

"I forgave you for everything. I understand why you did what you did. I'm glad you're my friend now instead of someone I used to hate. Let it go."

"It's hard with knowing how I used to hurt you and I don't ever want to hurt anyone like that ever again."

"You're not going to. Now that I know the real you and not the person you tried to be."

"I still don't deserve this."

"Yes, you do. You deserved a Mom who loves you and cares for you, but didn't get one. You deserved a happy life as a kid and didn't get it. If it weren't for me, you'd never be getting what you deserved. Now, you have someone who loves and cares for you and a happier life as a kid. You deserve it because you didn't ask for any of that and didn't do anything to deserve that other life. You deserve friends and love and don't ever think any different."

Kyle smiled at Layla with tears in his eyes.

"Thank you for saving me. I won't ever be able to repay what you've done for me."

"Yes, you will. Be you and not someone else."

"I can do that."

"Good. Now, Math or Science first?"

Kyle groans at the thought of his homework. He looks at the books and sighed.

"Science, I guess."

"Okay."

Layla pulled out her science book and Kyle followed suit. They both did their homework while munching on the cookies and sipping their milk. After their homework was done, Layla showed Kyle her room while Scully prepared dinner. While Scully was cooking, William woke up from his nap.

"Uh-oh, your brother is awake."

"Oh okay. Come on."

Layla led Kyle into the nursery. She went to his crib and got her step-stool. She lowered the railing and leaned over and picked him up. She then took him over to the changing table and changed him.

"Layla, are you supposed to be doing that?"

"Yeah, I do it all the time."

"Doesn't your mom get mad about that?"

"The first time she did, but now she knows I do it to help and she knows that I can do it. She trusts me."

"Really?"

"Yep, my little brother and I have a system down."

"Wow, I would never be able to do what you do."

"L, why is the mean boy here?"

"He's not mean anymore. He's my friend now. Be nice to him, okay?"

"Okay, but I'll be watching him closely."

Layla giggled in her head at her brother's protectiveness. She finished dressing him and picked him up. She turned and faced Kyle who was still amazed that she was allowed to take care of her brother that way.

"You want to hold him?"

"No, I don't want to break him."

"You won't."

"Um, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to let Kyle hold you. Be nice about it."

"I don't want him holding me."

"Will, come on, please? For me?"

William sighed. He knew she was going to throw that card out there.

"Fine, but any funny business and I'll spit up on him."

"Deal."

"Come on, Kyle, it's easy. Grab him under his arms. Put him on your hip and then keep an arm under his bottom and the other arm at his back."

"I don't know."

"Just try."

Kyle followed Layla's instructions and soon was holding William like a pro.

"See? It's not that hard."

"No, it's kinda cool. Nice to meet you, little man. My name is Kyle."

"This is William. He's my baby brother."

"Nice to meet you, William."

"Layla, bring your brother and Kyle, it's time for dinner."

"Okay, Mama."

Layla reached for William.

"Can I carry him out there?"

"I don't want my mom to freak out. She's very protective about him."

"Oh, okay, I understand that."

Kyle handed William back to Layla and they made their way into the dining room. After dinner, there came a knock on the door. Scully opened the door to find Lois standing there.

"Come on in. They're finishing dinner."

"Thank you. You didn't have to feed him. I was going to get him something on the way home."

"Oh, it's okay."

"Was he good?"

"Yes, ma'am. He's a very good boy."

"Yes, he is. I don't understand why his mother did what she did, but I'm glad that he's safe with me."

"What happened with his mom?"

"She took out her anger towards his father on him. After your daughter reported his abuse, DFACS called me and they asked if I would take him. To be honest, I was nervous about it, but he's my grandson and I just couldn't turn him away."

"I understand that. I'm glad things turned out for the better. He and Layla seemed to have made up and become great friends."

"He's told me about her. He's very grateful towards your daughter."

"I overheard a conversation between them this afternoon. He said he didn't deserve her friendship and kindness after all he had put her through. She told him that she had already forgiven and forgotten about it. She also he deserved the life you're giving him. It was very sweet and touching."

Lois wiped the tears forming in her eyes away.

"She's the best thing that has ever happened to him. Thank you for letting them continue to be friends."

"You're welcome. He's been great for her too. She doesn't seem as burdened when he's around."

"Why would she be burdened?"

"Um, her father had to leave. He was being targeted by some bad people and to protect us all, he left and we've been on our own for a couple of months now."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know it can't be easy raising two kids by yourself."

"It's not easy, but she's a great help when it comes to her brother. They're incredibly close and it's amazing to watch them together."

Scully pointed to Layla as she had picked her brother up out of his high chair and took him to the sink to begin washing him off.

"How does she know how to do that?"

"I think it's because she's watched me do it. I woke up one morning and she had taken him to his room and changed him and everything. She's amazing with him."

"I'm glad you have her."

Lois looked at her watch.

"Oh my, we need to go. Thanks again for letting Kyle come over and for letting Layla tutor him. I told him he'd have to go to Summer school if he didn't bring up his grades."

"It's no problem. Layla loves school and loves to help others."

Lois smiled.

"Kyle, come on, buddy. It's time to go home. Get your things."

"Okay, Grandma."

Kyle grabbed his book bag and gave Layla a hug and kissed William's forehead. He stopped in front of Scully.

"Thank you, Miss Scully, for dinner and for letting me come over."

"You're very welcome, Kyle."

"Could we do this again another time?"

"Sure. I'll talk with your grandmother about you coming over sometime again."

"Great!"

Lois and Scully laughed.

"Bye, Layla, William, and Miss Scully."

"Bye Kyle."

Scully shut the door behind them. Layla walked over to the couch with William. She laid him on his mat and sat down on the couch.

"Did you have a good time, baby?"

"Yes, ma'am. It was nice to have a distraction from everything."

"Maybe he could come over again?"

"Really?"

"Really. He's changed a lot. I've noticed it."

"Thank you, Mama, for letting him come."

"You're very welcome, sweetheart."

Layla leaned against her mother.

"Layla, I'm going to have your grandmother come over later to watch you and your brother. I've got somewhere to go and it'll be late before I get back."

"Where are you going, Mama?"

Scully battled the decision of telling her daughter the truth. She knew that Layla would want to go and she'd have to tell her no because it is too dangerous. She sighed.

"Daddy's coming back?"

"What?"

"Is daddy coming back?"

"He's supposed to be. I'm supposed to meet him at the train station along with John and Monica and those people who were here."

"I want to go."

"No, absolutely not, it's too dangerous for you to go."

Scully so wanted to avoid this argument. She knew that there was no way around this. She hated to tell her daughter that she couldn't see her father. She felt horrible.

"Mama, please, I want to see Daddy. I miss him so much."

"Baby, I'm meeting him because a man said that he'd only speak to your father about some important stuff. If it means that he can come home, you can see him then, but not before."

"No, I don't care how dangerous it is, Mama, I want to see Daddy!"

"I know you want to see him, but I'm not going to risk your safety to see him."

"You won't risk my safety. I'll risk my safety to see Daddy. I'm not going to stay here."

"You are staying here whether you like it or not."

"No, I'm not! I'll find a way to get there on my own then!"

"You will not! You're not leaving this apartment and if you keep on, you'll be grounded for two weeks!"

Layla shut up about it, but glared at her mother. She got up and went to her room, slamming her door. Scully sighed and looked at William.

"Be glad you don't have children of your own. Especially little girls."

William seemed to gurgle laughter. Scully walked over and picked him up and laughed at him.

"Are you laughing at Mommy?"

William smiled and squealed.

Scully went to bathe him and got him ready for bed before going to Layla's door. She opened it and saw Layla had her face buried into a pillow. Her shoulders shook and she knew her daughter was crying.

"Layla? I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous. I prefer you to stay here with your grandmother. You can be mad about it, but it won't change my decision."

Layla looked at her mother. Her eyes were red and swollen. She sniffled and wiped her face on her sleeve.

"It won't change mine either. I want to see him and there's nothing I wouldn't do to see him."

"If you leave this apartment on your own, without anyone who we trust, then you're going to be in big trouble. Don't even try to con your grandmother into taking you because I'll make sure she won't."

"I'll find a way."

Scully shook her head and looked at her stubborn daughter. She was definitely like her father in the manners she's displaying. In some ways, she resented Mulder for that.

"In the meantime, go take a shower and get ready for bed. You have school in the morning."

Layla got up and began putting her sleep clothes together to take a shower. She would wait until her mother left before she would figure out how to get to the station to see her father.

Scully went and laid William down. She turned his mobile on and put the railing up. She watched him a moment before turning and leaving the room. She went and called her mother to come over to watch the children. It wasn't long before Maggie showed up.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hi, where are Layla and William?"

"William is asleep already and Layla is getting ready for bed. She's angry with me."

"Why?"

"I told her she couldn't go with me to meet Mulder on the train."

"Why can't she?"

"Because it's too dangerous, Mom. I'm not going to risk her and I'm not going to let her risk her own life either. She's determined to find a way there. Make sure to keep a close eye on her. I just hope I'm doing the right thing."

"Oh, honey, it's for the best. If you say it's too dangerous, then she doesn't need to be there. You're protecting her by not letting her come."

"Yeah, but am I scarring her more by not letting her see her father?"

"I don't think so. She's got to understand the circumstances in this situation and how much danger she'll be in if she's there."

"She's seven going on thirty most of the time, but when it comes to her father she is a seven year old scared little girl. I don't know what to do."

"You're doing what you have to in order to keep her safe. You're doing the right thing."

"Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome, honey."

Layla came out of the bathroom. She went to Maggie and hugged her grandmother tightly.

"I heard that you've been giving your mother trouble tonight. Want to talk about it?"

Layla looked to her grandmother and then to her mother and glared.

"Hey."

Layla looked at Maggie.

"She is trying to protect you. You could get hurt or worse if you went with her. It's best for you to stay here with me and your brother."

"I want to see my Daddy."

"I understand that you miss him and that you want to see him, but it's not worth you getting hurt to see him. Your dad wouldn't want that, would he?"

"No, but it doesn't matter. I want to see him. I need to."

Maggie looked at Scully. Scully remembered saying those exact words when she found out he was alive, three months after burying him. Tears sprung to her eyes.

"Honey, I know how much it hurts. It hurts me too. I just don't want to lose you if anything should happen."

Layla looked at her mother as she spoke to her.

"It would kill me if anything happened to you, baby. I can't lose you too. I just can't. That's why you can't go. That's why you need to stay here."

Layla looked down as tears fell down her cheeks and nodded. She hugged her grandmother again and then went over and hugged her mother.

"I love you so much, baby."

"I love you too, Mama."

Layla went to her room and climbed in her bed. She laid down, but didn't fall asleep. She knew her mother's concerns and she knew that it was dangerous, but she was going to see her Daddy and no one was going to stop her. She laid there and figured out how to get to the station.

Scully sighed as she knew that her daughter hadn't given up. She'd seen the look in Layla's eyes as she headed to bed. Scully turned to her mother.

"She's not going to give up about it. She's too determined. She's so much like him that way."

"You're the same way too. She's like both of you."

"There's more him than me there. It's like we are biologically related and yet we share no blood."

"You may a long way down the line."

"Maybe. I need to go. Thanks for watching them, Mom."

"It's not a problem. Be careful, Dana. You're children need you as much as they need him."

"I know."

Scully walked out the door. Maggie went and checked on William. He was sleeping soundly. She then went to check on Layla. She saw her sleeping. Maggie smiled and left to go into the living room.

AN: Well, this is the longest chapter I've ever written. The next chapter should be the last one for this episode then we'll skip one and move on to Provenance. I hope you enjoyed this one! Thanks to those who are still reading this! Thanks for the reviews and favorites as well! Until next time!