AN: This is just a short filler chapter with the scene between Mulder and Scully. I hope you guys enjoy! Next chapter begins the trial.
The next morning, Layla woke up as she felt better knowing that her dad was back, but she was extremely worried that the military people were going to hurt her daddy. She got up and dressed as she thought about what had been said the previous day. She went into the living room to find grandmother fixing breakfast.
"Grandma, where's Mama?"
"She went to see your father this morning."
"How come she didn't take me and Will?"
"She wanted to talk to him about some things."
"Grown-up talk huh?"
"Yes. Now, get over here and eat your breakfast. I made your favorite."
"Oooh, French toast and eggs?"
Maggie nodded. Layla sat in her chair and dug into her breakfast. William made his presence known and Maggie went to retrieve her grandson.
Across town, Scully walked into the cell where Mulder was being kept. She saw him lying on the floor away from the door. She walked over and gently touched his shoulder.
"Mulder, it's me."
"Is it time to go?"
"No. That's why I'm here," Mulder sat up and yawned, "Mulder, I need you to talk to me. Confide in me…or we'll lose."
"We can't win, Scully. We can only hope to go down fighting."
"You're scaring me. Mulder, I'm so scared that I've just got you back now I'm going to lose you again."
"I know what I'm doing."
"Well, whatever you're doing…you have no idea of how much has already been lost…what I almost had to do."
"I do know. Skinner told me."
Scully began to cry.
"I was at my breaking point and felt I couldn't protect him, protect them. I almost did it."
Mulder pulled Scully into his arms and held her, comforting her as best he could.
"I was so afraid you wouldn't forgive me for almost doing that."
"I know you would've had no choice. I just missed all of you so much."
"God, where have you been? Where have you been hiding?"
"In New Mexico."
"Doing what?"
"Looking for the truth."
Mulder laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. Scully chuckled as well and then pressed her lips to his head.
"You found something, didn't you? Huh?" Scully pulled away from him and looked him in the eyes, "What did you find?"
"I can't tell you."
"You found something in that facility? That's what you were doing, right? Mulder, what did you find out there?"
"Scully, I can't tell you."
"That doesn't make sense."
"You've got to trust me, Scully. I know things. It's better if you don't."
"Mulder, I trust you with my life and the life of our children. I love you so much."
"I love you too. Scully, how did you find out that Layla was my daughter?"
She recounted everything that happened with Spender and everything else earlier that year. When she got done, Mulder was shocked at what all that happened.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. I wanted nothing more to see you and the kids."
"Who do you think is Layla's biological mom?"
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't, but looking at her I would have to say Diana."
Scully frowned at him.
"I know you didn't like her, but I did have a relationship with her early on. Layla looks a little like Diana, but that doesn't change the fact that you're her mother."
"I know. She's my child and I love her so much. How do you feel about William and his powers?"
"I don't know about that yet. I worry that they'll come after him again. Spender said they wouldn't accept him for what he is now. I hope that isn't true."
"I do too. We can't lose him, Mulder, he's special and it would kill Layla."
"How did Layla handle my leaving?"
"For the longest time, she wouldn't say anything to anyone. She then began talking to my mother who told me that she didn't really remember all the bad stuff that happened in her life and that she just missed you and wanted you home again."
"I'm home now."
"Not exactly the way we wanted it though."
"No, but I have faith that everything is going to be okay."
"You have faith?"
Mulder nodded.
"It's amazing that you gain faith after running for so long in order to find the truth you've looked so hard for."
"Yes, it is."
"Scully, are you testifying?"
"Of course I am. I'll do whatever I can to help you."
"Please don't let the kids testify. I can't expose them to that."
"I won't let them, but you know your daughter. She's strong-willed and will do whatever it takes to protect her family."
"I know. She needs to know that there are limits and that if she pushes those limits that she could get hurt."
"I think she's aware, but she just doesn't care. She wants so bad to help."
"She is our daughter."
"That is so true."
"Is William talking any? Aside from the telepathy?"
"Not really. He babbles and coos, but no words yet."
"Walking any?"
"He can when he's holding our fingers. Layla rarely leaves his side."
"I can understand that after all they've been through together."
"She's fiercely protective of him too. She wouldn't let Monica care for him, insisted on doing everything herself."
"That she gets from you."
Mulder smiled at Scully. Scully smacked his shoulder.
"Tell me again that it's going to be okay."
"It's going to be okay, Scully. I'll be home before you know it."
"I sure hope so."
The guard opened the cell and Scully sighed.
"I guess that time is up. I love you, Mulder."
"I love you."
She kissed him chastely and then left the cell. Mulder laid back on the floor, thinking about his children and Scully and hopeful about their future.