July 30th, Present Day, X-Files Office...

Monica stretched and yawned as she prepared herself for going home. Her parents had been gone for three days now and she was surprised at how quickly she had gotten used to having them around to miss them so much now they were gone again. They had called her everyday since departing however, to check that she was ok, and to talk to Anna to make sure she looked forward to seeing them next time rather than feared it.

As Monica decided it was time to go home the phone rang and she quickly picked it up answering in a way that had suddenly become natural to her.

"Monica Doggett."

"Hi, this is a courtesy call from 'The Savannah' we'd just like to check the reservation under 'Doggett' is still required for tomorrow evening?"

"Excuse me?"

"Table for two, seven pm, the name 'Doggett'. Do I have the wrong number?" Oh God. She'd forgotten. She had actually forgotten the date. Tomorrow was the 31st. It would have been her and John's sixth wedding anniversary. He must have booked the table right after the weekend before he died... Monica could barely hear the woman on the other end of the phone let alone try and speak to her.

"Ma'am, do you still require the reservation?" Monica took a deep breath. She didn't want to say it. She couldn't say it. But it was wrong to waste the restaurants time.

"No. We no longer require the reservation. I'm sorry."

"Not a problem ma'am. Thanks for your time, have a nice day." Monica felt sick as she replaced the receiver and sank into the back of her chair. She looked at the photograph on her desk and found herself smiling at the image on John's face smiling back at her. She didn't know why she felt so surprised at him having done something romantic like this. But it just brought back the pain she had begun to learn how to keep buried when it was unsuitable for her to be thinking about him.

She had a funny feeling that she would never be able to keep him in the back of her mind for long, almost as if he was making things happen that made her think of him. He didn't want her to forget him. And it was silly because she knew that she never would. Surely he knew that to? Wherever he was.

When Phoebe walked in she smiled and picked up her jacket to leave.

"You're still here Monica?"

"Yeah, I'm just about to leave. Can I give you a ride anywhere?"

"Thanks but I have a date."

"Ah, well, have a great evening." Monica stood up and walked towards the door.

"Thanks... Monica!"

"Yes?"

"Umm, I feel kinda weird asking you this, but I'm going to anyway, it's my birthday tomorrow. The big 3-0. I was just wondering if you'd join me and a few friends for a drink after work?"

"Oh, I um, I'd love to, but I can't I have to get to Anna."

"Oh sure, I totally understand, I just wanted to ask. I know you've got more important things to worry about."

"No it's not that... It's just that, tomorrow is mine and John's wedding anniversary. And I'd feel a little weird out celebrating with someone instead of him for a completely different occasion."

"Oh God, I totally understand. Well, I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah. Goodnight." Monica walked out of the office and drove to Mulder's thinking about what she would actually do the following evening. The more she thought about it the more she didn't want to be alone, but she didn't want to go out either. She had to be near John, their home was the best way to do that.

When she got to the house she thought she had the perfect solution. She just hoped that they would agree...

July 2nd, Silver Spring, Maryland, Police Station...

The police stationed their officers at every location they thought they might find Mia Dukes. They were not going to take any more chances with this girl, fourteen or not. She was quite possibly the murderer they were looking for. Monica had stayed fairly quiet and when John had offered to go home alone so she could see this through she had denied his offer and made it clear that she wanted to come home too.

"They'll find her in time. I can't change that, I'm not sure that I want to."

"Well then lets get out of here. They have everything under control. There's nothing you can do for them, or for Mia Dukes."

Monica looked at John and slowly nodded her head. He put his arm around her and they waked out of the police station together and headed home. They were both incredibly relieved that this was almost over.

When they had collected Anna and gone home they all sat together to watch 'Finding Nemo', Anna was disappointed that William hadn't wanted to watch the movie again so they agreed they would watch it with her when they got home. It was nice to just sit and be together as a family.

After dinner they played one of Anna's many board games and finally tired her out so that she went to bed of her own insistence rather than the two of them trying to force her. They had become very wise to their daughter's mind and way of thinking. If they could make something seem like it was her own idea then they were onto a winner. As they all piled into Anna's room she smiled and Monica and John laughed at her.

"What are you grinning at?"

"Nothing..."

"Come on, you have to tell us now..." Anna giggled and was delighted when her parents both sat down on her bed with her.

"I like it when you're both here... I like it better when you both put me to bed." Monica smiled and John placed his hand on her back to show he felt the same way that she did.

"Well we like it better this way too baby, now you get some sleep ok?"

"Ok. Mommy, I love you."

"Love you too."

"Daddy, I love you."

"I love you too sweetheart." Monica and John both kissed Anna goodnight and watched as she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep. John wrapped his arms around Monica's waist and kissed her neck as they watched their daughter sleeping.

"We're not doing such a bad job with this parenting game don't you think?"

"Yeah. I don't think we've screwed her up just yet." Monica laughed and they walked out of the room and went back down the stairs. As they sat watching TV Monica was resting her head on John's lap as he played with her hair. It was relaxing for both of them. It was good for them to do this, to remember who they really were, and what the important things were in life.

The next morning was a little crazy. Both Monica and John had slept through the alarm and had only been woken on the change that Anna got up and bounced around on their bed telling them she was hungry. So John got up to make his infamous pancakes whilst Monica got ready for work.

"Anna! Pancakes are ready!" Anna's small feet could be heard racing down the stairs and Monica followed behind her.

"Ok, I'm ready, your turn to get ready." She kissed John and he went upstairs throwing the telephone at Monica as it rang when he walked past it.

"Hello?"

"Agent Reyes? I'm so sorry to call you at home, but we have a situation and we need you here right away."

"Detective Alan? What's going on?"

"Mia Dukes is holding all of the Gooding's children at gunpoint in the house. She's asking for you or she'll start shooting."