Scully sat down with Mulder and Doggett watched them both with deep concern. He couldn't distinguish between his concern for them and for Reyes; all he knew was they were not a happy group of people as they sat in the hospital waiting room. It had been almost a week since their attack on Gibson. And Doggett knew that Mulder and Scully had come up with some answers to their problem regarding the safety of their son. He just knew he wasn't sure if he'd like the answer or not.

"Any news John?" It was still special of Scully to enquire after Monica, knowing full well that there was no news, but it made John feel hopeful that some time soon there would be news.

"No. But from what I can gather its you two who have the news."

"You could say that."

"So what's the big story? I mean, apart from the obvious." Mulder looked at Scully and she took the lead with this one. She was the one with a deeper friendship with John, he didn't want to step on that or undermine it in any way. He had a working relationship with Doggett, and that suited him just fine. So as Scully sat forward in her seat and clasped her hands together in front of her he knew that she was ready to do this.

"John, Mulder and I have had a lot of thinking to do. About William, about our situation, and about being here."

"Here where?"

"In DC. Which is why we've made a decision that it would be best for all concerned if we left this part of our lives behind."

"What are you saying? That you're leaving Washington?"

"We have no choice John."

"So you're going to let them win, let them push you out of your home, the lives you've worked for."

"We don't have a life that we desire, you can see that. I see it in your eyes every time you see me with William and pity how hard it is to be a parent for us, you wish things could be easier for us just as badly as we do, and it means so much to me, you know that. I know that you will understand this, and that you will appreciate how hard a decision it was for us to make." John looked into Scully's eyes and saw what she had just described. Why did she have to be right? Why did they have to leave him? The only friends he had, and the boy he loved as a nephew. He did understand, of course he did, but if they left and if Reyes... well it didn't bare thinking about. But he couldn't stay here alone; this city would drive him to his own demise if he stayed in it alone.

"When?" Scully was taken a back by his sudden reaction to her news. But she was aching on the inside to have left DC years ago.

"When we've removed Gibson from any immediate danger."

"And what about Monica?" Scully couldn't answer this. She had no answer. And she could feel Mulder's breath catch beside her. His biggest heartache in leaving had been to leave his sister. Again. But he had agreed that this was their best move regardless. And he had to be the one to talk about the one connection he and Doggett shared.

"We can't risk it Agent Doggett. I can't tell you how badly I want to be here for when she wakes up. But I have to put my children first. As any parent would, and I know that you can understand that. From one father to another."

Playing the father card with Doggett had led to his complete understanding and support in Mulder and Scully's decision. He would have done anything for his son, how could he expect two people who were the most determined and strongest couple he had ever met to do any differently? So as they all sat together in Monica's room there was sadness in the air that was greater than normal. A sadness that was only going to grow in magnitude.

Doggett stepped outside for just a moment that was all he needed. One moment in time to be able to think about everything that was happening in his life right now. He was watching the woman he loved die in front of his very eyes, he watched her parents suffer with the knowledge their daughter was keeping secrets from them, he watched Mulder long for her to open her eyes and smile at him so he could experience the act of having a sibling again, and he watched Scully battle with her feelings for the only female friend she had ever gotten close to taking charge over her longing for a safe and protected family.

This was all so screwed up. He felt a small part of him just aching to walk away. The support he had been receiving from Mulder and Scully had stopped him from going crazy. But it had been weeks now, and still no change in Monica's condition, and still Mulder and Scully were determined to leave and put this entire event behind them.

Gibson had disappeared for all they could tell. But if he knew how ready they were to take him out he wasn't about to come and turn himself in. It made Doggett so mad to think of the boy he had protected walking around thinking he was the king of the world. Over his dead body. He was not letting him win this, no matter what happened with Monica he would not let Gibson ruin anybody else's life.

So much had happened to all of them, too much to sit and think about and try to rationalise, but there was a part of him now that wanted Mulder and Scully to go, and for Gibson to be dead, and for Monica's parents to leave him alone. He wanted Monica to himself. He had to have to her to himself. There was no other way he could possibly be expected to live. But John Doggett was a fighter, not a quitter. He would stick with the battle until it was over. He owed it to Monica; he owed it to Mulder and Scully.

As he stood lost in a pool of random thoughts Doggett didn't notice somebody appear next to him and gently place his hand on Doggett's arm. It was only when he heard his name being called that Doggett turned and saw the polite face of Monica's father.

"John, you shouldn't be out here alone."

"I just needed to think."

"I know. We all feel we should be doing something."

"There's nothin' anyone can do. It's up to her now."

"She's a strong one John, she won't give up this easily."

"You think this has been easy? It's been three weeks since she was shot, she just lies this, I don't know if she even knows I'm with her."

"She knows."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know my daughter. I know how much she loves you, and I know how much you mean to her. You're her whole world, she won't move onto the next one without you." Doggett looked at Mr Reyes and he was smiling at him.

"I just can't stand waiting around, I fight myself wanting to grab her and shake her awake."

"I know. But if we stick together, we'll beat this." He turned to leave and Doggett turned back to his observation of the car park, but Mr Reyes came back.

"One more thing John, I wanted to thank you for being honest about that Mulder individual, I know you felt bad at my wife's reaction, but it's given her something else to focus on. She's even more determined for Monica to wake up now so that she can tell her how disappointed she is in her dishonesty." It was meant as a joke and both men did manage to laugh.

"I haven't had a real conversation with my wife in days, she just sits praying, and God forbid I interrupt her. Pray for Monica, John. She can hear you. I'm sure of it."

Mr Reyes left Doggett alone after that and he tried to take in everything that the man had said to him. He appreciated his kind words and his offer of a way to release his frustration, but what answers had he provided? None, there were no answers. They were all stuck here until Monica either woke up, or died.