Until You Meet for the First Time

Mulder, Rose and the Doctor enter the house, they see Scully talking to Charlotte. Over by the radio they see Stephen standing nervously. The Doctor whispers, "Rose, go distract Charlotte so she doesn't see what I'm about to do. Mulder you do the same with Scully." They both nod and walk over to Scully and Charlotte. The Doctor walks over to Stephen.

As soon as he walks up the man says in a low voice, "I don't know what kind of doctor you are sir, but what I saw out there was not normal. That creature, that thing, it looked like something from a science fiction film. I cannot imagine raising my son here knowing that thing could come back."

The Doctor glances over to the others to see they are not looking. He says in a low voice, "Did you mention any of this to Charlotte?"

Stephen says, "Of course not, I'd not worry her like that."

The Doctor smiles and puts a hand on Stephen's shoulder, "It will be ok, that thing is gone now."

Stephen says, "Doesn't mean it won't come back." In a quick move the Doctor puts both hands to Stephen's temples. After a moment Stephen blinks and the Doctor puts his hands down quickly. "Sorry about that Doctor, must have been lost in thought there. What did you ask me?"

The Doctor says, "Overcome with fatherhood, eh? Was just asking what name you've chosen for the little guy."

Stephen smiles, "We've decided to call him Simon."

The Doctor says, "Oh, that's a great name." They walk over to the others.

Scully says, "You'll want to call your midwife or a doctor soon to make sure everything is healing properly."

Stephen says "I'll ring her again." Stephen walks over to the phone and picks it up. Mulder and Scully help Charlotte up and to bed and Rose follows them holding baby Simon. The Doctor goes into the bedroom as well. After a few moments Stephen enters the bedroom. "Her mum answered, she's due back around six and she said she'll send her right over."

Charlotte gets settled in the bed and Rose gives the baby back to her. "That's good."

The Doctor says, "We really must be going." The other three nod in agreement.

Charlotte says, "Thank you all so much for helping us."

Stephen says, "Yes, thank you. We don't have much but I'd like to pay you something for helping us."

The Doctor says, "Don't worry about it. We were happy to assist."

Stephen protests, "Surely there is some way to pay you."

Rose says, "No. This one's on us mate. You two just take care of that baby."

Stephen smiles, "I'll see you out." Stephen walks them to the door and thanks them again for their help. They leave the residence and make their way through town and back to the TARDIS not saying a word along the way.

Back to the Present

June 25, 1999 7:30pm

Northern California

The whirring of the TARDIS stops. The Doctor says, "Here we go, June 25, 1999 730pm, only about 15 minutes since you left."

Scully says, "This whole thing has been insane."

The Doctor says, "All of this and you're still skeptical?" The Doctor leans against the console of his time ship. Rose stands next to him.

Mulder laughs, "She wouldn't be Scully if not."

Scully says, "It's a lot to process."

Mulder suddenly gets a look on his face, "So is this the part where you wipe our minds of you and this whole journey so we won't tell the world about you and your time ship?"

The Doctor looks at them confused and says, "Why would I do that?"

Mulder says, "Just seems like what would happen next."

The Doctor says, "You must have enjoyed science fiction as a child."

Mulder says, "Still do."

The Doctor says, "Your minds are safe. However, if you decide to write a novel based on your travels, when you describe me, say I was ginger."

Rose laughs, "Are you still on about not being ginger when you regenerated?"

The Doctor whines, "I've never been ginger Rose! In 901 years." Rose's phone rings. She steps away from them to answer it and comes back after a few moments. "Everything alright?"

Rose says, "Yeah, it was mum, she said she wants us to come round soon."

The Doctor says, "You can take her that Bazooleum Weather Device from the asteroid bazaar."

Scully says, "We should get going, Mulder." She looks at the Doctor and Rose, "You guys be careful out there, wherever or whenever you go. Although I get the feeling you enjoy the danger of it all."

The Doctor smiles, "The danger is just the bits in between." Scully smiles and then leaves the TARDIS.

Mulder looks to the Doctor and Rose. "I had a friend do a search for Simon about five years ago and the search came back as high level classified. If you guys happen to run into him somewhere, tell him I said hello."

The Doctor says, "Will do."

Mulder says, "It was great to meet you, both of you." Rose and the Doctor both smile and Mulder leaves the TARDIS."

As the door of the time ship shuts the loud whirring and groaning starts up and a moment later the phone box is gone. Mulder turns around to see Scully leaning up against their rental car, thankfully the Doctor managed to leave them there rather than in the middle of the woods where he first found them. Mulder walks over to Scully. He unlocks the car and they both get in. Neither of them say a word until Mulder pulls the car into the motel parking lot.

Scully says, "Did all of that actually happen Mulder?"

Mulder says, "If it didn't, there's definitely something hallucinogenic in those woods."

Scully says, "I don't even know how to begin the report on this case. If I put anything about Daleks or blue phone box time ships, they'll have me committed."

Mulder says, "I've got a confession to make Scully." He pauses and sees that she is waiting for him to continue. "I didn't actually put in the request to investigate the case, so there will be no report on it."

Scully sits in silence for a moment trying to process what Mulder said. She looks at him, "What exactly does Kersh think we are doing in California then Mulder?"

Mulder says, "I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know we left." He waits for anger but then Scully starts laughing. "What's funny?"

Scully takes a deep breath then says, "We came all the way to California, there's no actual investigation, but you actually found proof of not only aliens, but also time travel. We can't close the case, and we can't submit a report because then Kersh will start yelling about protocol."

Mulder says, "Maybe I will write that book then."

Scully says, "You better make him ginger. Wait, did he say he was 901?" They both start laughing this time. After a moment they get out of the rental car and walk up to their respective doors.

As Mulder opens his door says, "You want to order a pizza and watch some low budget movie on cable?"

Scully smiles, "Yeah Mulder. No mushrooms though." He closes his door back and walks over to Scully's, she opens the door and they both walk inside the room, closing the door behind them.