John sat down with his beer and switched on the game. He needed this, the chance to sit down and relax, to not have to worry about anyone but himself. He wasn't a selfish guy, he liked to do whatever he could to help anyone he cared about, but this day had pushed him a little further than he'd have liked. He'd not gone back to work, he'd taken the whole day to sit and do nothing. It was so out of character for him, but something had pushed his buttons.

So now that he was enjoying a beer, he didn't like the idea of someone knocking on his door to be let in. He wanted to ignore the pounding on his door but something about the persistent knocks that told him this wasn't somebody who'd go away.

"Alright! I'm comin'," he walked over and opened the door to find a very angry face staring back at him. "Monica."

"Where the hell have you been?" she pushed past him and walked into the living room.

"I just needed a minute."

"A minute?"

"Yeah."

"John you've been gone all day, Scully came by this morning to ask where you were, I thought you'd be back, but you weren't answering your cell, there was no answer here …"

"I just got in."

"So where have you been?"

"I just needed some time ok?"

"For what?" John didn't like all the questions, he'd just needed to calm down and collect his thoughts.

"To think, to get my thoughts together?"

"Why? Has something happened?"

"No."

"Then I don't understand, why wont you talk to me? This isn't like you, blowing off work for no reason …"

"I had my reasons."

"But you wont tell me."

"There's nothing to tell!"

"John…"

"Jesus Monica! Let it go! I lost it ok! I lost my cool and couldn't distance myself from what's going on."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't understand why she gave him up ok? I just don't get it, and I told her as much, and I shouldn't have because she's my friend and I've done everything I can for her and Mulder, and I just felt as if it was all a waste of my time," Monica walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. He let her hold him and wrapped his arms around her. It was actually good to be with someone.

"I know it's hard for you John, and I know you don't understand any of this, I don't think any of us understand it. Not even Scully. Especially not now," John pulled out of the hug and looked at her. She kissed him and he smiled.

"What was that for?"

"Just felt like it," he kissed her back and then pulled back and frowned.

"What did you mean before? When you said especially now?"

"I just got a call from Scully, we have to get to her mom's place."

"Why?"

"Mulder's back. He has something to tell us, she asked for us to get there as soon as possible."

Scully's mom had gone to make tea. It seemed like the best option to allow her daughter and Mulder to talk in private for a few minutes. But now that she'd gone and had stopped asking questions, Scully stared at Mulder through misty eyes and he tried to think of something to say to make what he'd told her seem less like the worst news ever and more hopeful for William's safe return. The look on her face told him that nothing short of holding her son in her arms would allay her fears.

"Dana …"

"Mulder I don't understand, why are they doing this, Spender – he said…"

"I don't know if what he told you is true. I think whatever he injected him with was something to make William's abilities dormant for a while. Long enough for you to let him go thinking it would give him a normal life."

"So this is my fault? I mean – I just wasn't strong enough, I couldn't…" Mulder walked over to her and held her close. He pulled her to him tight and she felt safe for the first time in months. Mulder loosened his grip enough so that her face could look up at him. He kissed her softly and then with more force, he'd missed her.

Mrs Scully walked back into the living room and cleared her throat to announce her return. She apologised and Mulder smiled, but didn't let go of Scully.

"I think Agents Doggett and Reyes are here."

"Ok mom, thanks."

"I'll go let them in," Mrs Scully left again and Mulder took the opportunity to place another kiss on Scully's lips.

"You ready for this?"

"I'm ready to get our son back, so that I can protect both of you."

"Who's going to protect you Mulder?"

"All I need is you and our son safe and together. We can worry about me later."