Monica knew she had moved. She could feel it. But she had been asleep, and she didn't remember having done that in here before. Either way, something was different. And she actually felt that this was all going to be over soon. The park had gone and now she was in a deep forest with trees as far as the eye could see in all directions, including up to the sky. In fact she couldn't see the sky, but she could hear the birds, it was so peaceful here, much more calm than the chaos of people walking around the park. One thing she noticed was she was alone, and in a panic that her guide was gone she looked around to find Emily standing behind her.

"Hi."

"Where are we?"

"We had to move."

"'We' or me?"

"You I guess. Something in the physical world changed and we were unstable in the park. We'll be safe here, in fact I don't know why I didn't just arrange for us to meet here in the first place."

"So, nothing's changed? I'm not, dead, or anything?"

"No. Everything is the same. But there won't be much longer before your friends work is done, and you will have to continue the fight alone."

"What are you talking about?"

"I can feel that the physical plane is getting ready for some big changes. Changes that could work either way for the preservation or destruction of mankind."

"And what are you saying? That from wherever the hell I am I have to make sure that it goes the right way?"

"No. Your job is separate to that of Mulder, Scully, and Doggett." Doggett. Wow. Monica hadn't thought about him in a long while. It made her feel bad. Because she knew that wherever he was and whatever he was doing he would be doing it for her. She was stuck here with a mission she still didn't understand.

"I just want to go home."

"I know. But you can't. I have no fear that things won't work out for all concerned. In the world you're missing from your friends will take care of everything, in this world, you have to take care of them."

"There's something you're not telling me. You know what exactly I'm doing here, and you won't tell me. Why?"

"Because I can't."

"Don't give me that. You've been twisting words and giving me riddles instead of answers ever since I got here, I don't care whether you're a child or not, I want you to tell me why I'm here and what it is I'm supposed to be doing." Emily considered things for a moment. Then her eyes closed, it was almost as if she was having a conversation with someone that wasn't there. And finally she opened her eyes and nodded.

"Ok. Here it is in the simplest terms we have it in. You're being held here to protect Mulder and Scully's unborn child. Their daughter. If you were to be killed in the physical world, or you went back there prematurely there would be consequences that would have a greater effect than anything anyone else could possibly inflict on the world."

"How soon is prematurely?"

"You can't leave until the baby is born. Until she is safely in the arms of her mother, where she can be protected by all of you."

Flashback.

"John where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"I know, that's why I planned it this way." John smiled cheekily and Monica laughed at him. He had woken her up early and said that he had something for the two of them to do together, that was all the information he had given as he quickly loaded them both into the car and drove to his designation.

Monica watched his concentrating face as he drove them along the winding roads. They were way out of DC and she had no idea where they were headed but she didn't care. Having John wake her up in her apartment this morning was nothing short of perfection. They may have only been together for a few months but things were wonderful between the two of them. Letting each other into their homes with their own keys had become the most natural thing in the world. Well, it's what people did when they were in love.

When John finally stopped the car outside a big shopping mall he grinned from ear to ear. Monica looked at him and then the big building that would be full of people rushing around and acting as if this was the only day in the world they had left to shop.

"You bought me shopping?"

"No. You hate shopping, I know that."

"Well..." She pointed to the big building and he just smiled at her. He was being very secretive and it made Monica smile at his ability to completely surprise her and make the whole world seem like it was made for two. He took her hand and led her over the shopping mall, and rather than going inside he took her around the back of the big brick walls to where they were completely out of sight and she tried to let the thought he had something sexual planned pass her by, but she giggled effortlessly as they walked along together.

When they finally stopped they were outside a door with no indication of where it led or what was behind it.

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Come on Mon..."

"Where are we?"

"Close you eyes and all will be revealed." Monica raised an eyebrow before doing as she was told and having John take hold of both of her hands as she heard the door open and the sudden surge of voices. She kept her eyes closed and was careful as John led her into the building. She could hear children running around and parents yelling after them, she had no idea where John had taken her.

"Ok. Open your eyes." Monica opened one eye first and John laughed as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. She looked at the store they were in and she couldn't help laughing in complete confusion.

"A pet store John?"

"Yeah. I figured, a dog person should get a dog right?"

"Oh John..."

"Only, I thought maybe it could be our dog, I think we both make pretty good dog people. How about dog parents?"

"Dog parents?"

"Ok I know it's lame, help me out here Mon, what do you think?" Monica turned around so that she was facing John and she kissed him.

"I think it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Geez, you've lucked out on the dating thing then huh?" She jabbed him playfully in the ribs and they moved deeper into the store.

They walked around for a long time, but they both spotted the same adorable puppy from across that store that they would take home with them as Oliver. It was perfect. Oliver was theirs. They were in this for good, they were in love, and nothing would ever be able to change that.