"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Monica, I'm fine – stop fussing," Doggett smiled at Reyes and she took a relaxing deep breath.

"I just wanted to make sure you'll be okay while I'm gone."

"I'll probably spend most of the day watching the news, it's weird that I have a months worth of news to catch up on."

"I know. Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?"

"Why? Did something terrible happen?"

"No, I just thought… you're handling this all so well."

"You're waiting for me to lose it and freak out?"

"Well, yeah."

"Monica, I'm fine," he stood up from the sofa where Reyes had lovingly placed blankets and pillows, and anything else that she thought would make him more comfortable and less likely to need to get up for anything.

Doggett took her into his arms and he hugged her tightly. He would never admit it to her but of course he was terrified about where he'd been and what had happened to him. All he wanted her to know what how much he loved her and how good it felt to have her in his arms again.

"Go to work Monica, and bring something good back for dinner," he grinned and then he kissed her softly.

"Call me if you need anything or if you don't feel so good…"

"Okay, now go," he kissed her again and with a big smile on her face Reyes finally managed to turn her back and leave Doggett's house. When he closed the door behind her Doggett took a deep steadying breath and went to get changed. He was going out, he had to go back to the house, and he had to figure out what happened to him.

Scully got home from work and was welcomed with big smiles from William and her mom. She picked up her son and hugged him close as her mom went to the kitchen and came back with Scully's mail.

"Anything interesting?"

"Mostly bills I think," Scully playfully bonded with her son while her mom stood in front of her and waited to be noticed. They went through this routine everyday, and everyday Scully refused to talk to her.

"Thanks mom, can I get you anything to eat before you go?"

"No thanks, I have some people coming over for dinner tonight, so I have to go and get ready."

"Okay, well I'll see you tomorrow," Scully carried William into bathroom and began to run a bath. William clapped enthusiastically, he liked bath time.

"Dana…"

"Oh mom, I'm tired of this, please – when will you stop?"

"When you realise what it is you have to do."

"I'm not running away. If he comes back, I have to be where he can find me."

"Do you have any idea how much danger you're keeping your son in by staying?"

"He's fine. We're fine."

"But this isn't what was supposed to happen."

"I'm aware of that mom, do you honestly think that everything that's happened to me over the last decade I haven't turned around and told myself that it wasn't supposed to happen this way? Nothing will ever happen the way it was supposed to mom, nothing. Not for me, and not for Mulder. If I run, I'm going to subject William to a life away from his family and away from people who love him. I'm not dragging him around the country or across the world to hide from people who have spent their lives being too cowardly to confront me face to face."

"Cowardly? Dana – these people are not cowards, they made you think you couldn't take care of your son, they took away the man you love and have caused you more pain and suffering than most people go through in a lifetime. You're being too careless."

"It's my decision, and I'm not going anywhere. John came back mom. He came back and he was fine. When Mulder's back, we have to be here. Where he can find us and where we can be contacted when he's taken to the hospital."

"And what if he doesn't turn up? What if he never comes back? And then they come and take William away, or you?"

"I'll deal with it. I always do," Scully began undressed her son and he observed the situation carefully. He knew that his grandmother cared for him and his mommy a great deal, but he couldn't let her talk his mommy into running away. Because his daddy would be home. They just had to be patient.