Reyes had been scribbling away for the past ten minutes, then she had ripped off the piece of paper and started again. This was completely fustrating. She'd never been good at writing down what she was feeling and if the truth be told, she would have preferred to physically talk with Doggett. Reyes paused mid-word. John she thought. He'd have no idea where she was. Monica knew he could be a worrier at the best of times. She threw the pen and pad across the room and turned to glare at Vicar. "I can't do this!"

Vicar calmly reached down and retrieved the pen and pad then walked over to her, placing it on the floor beside Reyes. "You can't do what, Monica?"

"This," she said raising her voice and throwing her hands up. "You're asking me to write a letter to my partner, it isn't enough!" Vicar gave her an unregistered look, more sinister than he had before. "It will have to be enough, I am afraid that I cannot allow you to contact Agent Doggett."

"But why!" Reyes pleaded, she pleaded with her voice and her eyes. Hoping that he would see the desperation on her face. Vicar's face remained impassive as she carried on. "I don't understand. You say I'm here for my own protection, I don't care! My partner needs to know where I am. He needs to know I'm safe or he won't stop looking." Reyes forced herself not to cry as her eyes shined with unshed tears and she lowered her voice. "Please just let me talk to him."

Vicar's expression stayed the same and remained unchanged. This woman was appealing to him with everything she had. Instead of answering her, he simply said. "You have great faith in your partner." Reyes lowered her sorrowful gaze to the floor. "I trust him completely," she looked back up to him, tears running freely down her pale cheeks. "I trust him with my life."

Vicar stood up at her admission and strolled over to the window, hands deep in his pockets. He stared out at the overcast sky. "That, Monica," Vicar began apologetically. "May well be tested."

Reyes willed her body to move and got to her feet, crossing over to him as quickly as her legs would carry her. She took him by the shoulder forcefully, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Vicar regarded the young woman fondly and gave her something that looked like a smile. "If your partner doesn't discover who he is, it will be too late." Reyes waited a fraction of second for the statment to sink in but it still didn't make sense. "Too late for what?"

"I have to leave," Vicar said moving away from her. His tone unchanged and his manner exactly the same. All the while, he remained extremely polite. Reyes wasn't about to let this go so easily, "Too late for what," she repeated, an edge on her tone. Vicar turned to face her, "Please sit down Monica, I don't want to hurt you."

"Then just tell me," Reyes answered quietly, tugging on his arm gently. Vicar smiled and reached up to touch her face, pushing a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear, then stroked down her cheek. "All in due time." With that, he released himself from her grip and walked out the door. Locking it behind him.

Scully had just informed Skinner on what they thought was going to happen, about Doggett's talk with Jonathan Taylor, about Daniel Rider. Skinner looked a lot less tense now. "That's..." Skinner began then frowned and shook his head. "Do you think this new lead will help?" Scully yawned and gave him an honest answer, "I don't know but Agent Doggett seems to think it will."

"That's not what I asked." Skinner watched her, observing her behaviour as she remained quiet and seemed more interested in staring at her nails. He took this time to give her a once over, her hair was immaculate as was her general appearance. Except for her eyes as she looked up to him. There was something there, a tiredness, a silent plea. Whether she knew it or not, she needed help.

"Dana," he said in a more gentle tone. "Have you slept recently?" Scully pursed her lips together, and avoided his gaze. Automatically retreating into a defensive mode. Folding her arms and crossing one leg over the other, she answered a simple: "Yes." Scully looked back to him, he looked totally unconvinced. He had been there a lot for her during the past two years, when Mulder had been abducted, when they thought he was dead. He was her sort of father figure in a way. She owed it to him, not just as a superior but as a friend to tell him. She finally gave way under his scrutinizing look and looked away. "Not really. I haven't been sleeping well since," she clenched her teeth and unfolded her arms. "Well since..." It caught in her throat as if only realizing for the first time what she had done.

Tears shone in her bright blue eyes as she looked over to Skinner, threatening to fall. "Since I gave William away," she didn't get as far as William and the emotions overloaded her body, tears falling uncontrollably down her cheeks and she took a deep breath trying to remain in control. She ultimately failed. Skinner shot out his seat and pulled her up to him in a secure hug, she accepted the gesture gratefully and cried into his chest, sobbing more quietly. He held her tightly, rubbing her back. "It's okay, Dana."

"It's not okay," Scully answered furiously with herself, pulling back slightly and looking up to him. "It's not okay. I loved him and I just gave him up," she stood back and snapped her fingers. "Just like that."

"You had no other choice," Skinner said rationally. "It was hard one to make but you..." His heart broke for her. "Made the right one." Scully put a hand on her right hip while using the left to wipe away the tears. "Did I? Was it the right thing to do? I mean I gave up my only child."

"It wasn't easy for you I know..."

"You have no idea," Scully answered angryily then her look softened. She didn't want to get pissed at Skinner, he was only trying to be helpful and understanding. She appreciated it if the truth was told. "What would Mulder think?" Skinner approached her once more and put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "He would be proud of you for being strong this far."

Scully was silent then sobered up some. The old saying was right.

'No smile is more beautiful than the one that struggles through tears.'

---

Doggett drove in complete silence, one hand on the wheel while the other one was rested in his lap. He let out a sigh as he turned yet another corner, he'd been driving for less than an hour. The familar sights of D.C awaited him dead ahead but this time they brought him no comfort. He wouldn't rest until he found Monica. It had been the same when Luke had disapeared. He put both hands over the wheel, and glanced up at the darkening sky. It looked like there was another storm heading their way.

The thought of that was even more unsettling as the headquarters came into sight.