A/N: Been meaning to do this chapter forever. But then I got involved in some other projects, and this had been sitting on the back burner for a while. I got some of the idea from "A Christmas Story" so... yeah. Spaghetti is fight food apparently...

"Joshua I have asked you three times to clean up your room and there is still stuff all over your floor. Turn off the TV and get to work please."

"But mom, I don't want to."

"Too bad."

"Why does my bedroom have to be clean anyway?"

"Because I said so and I'm the mom. Now scoot."

"No."

She stopped in her tracks and looked back at him. He was sitting on the couch, his arms folded across his chest. He was almost looking at her out of the corner of his eye, but trying very hard to look aloof about the whole thing.

"Joshua Mulder."

"What?"

"Go clean your room, right now."

"I said no."

She blinked three times, wondering what to do. Never had he been so openly disobedient before. He rarely even copped an attitude. But this... this was certainly new, and she didn't like it, not one little bit.

"That's it," she said, shutting off the TV.

"Hey! I was watching that, mom!"

"I don't care! Go to your room."

"Why?"

"Because, you're in trouble, that's why."

"What if I don't want to go to my room?"

"Too bad."

"You can't make me!"

"Joshua, you're acting like a two year old. Go to your room right now. And clean it while you're in there so we don't have to have this fight again."

"No!"

"Now!"

"NO!"

Mulder entered the room, as their shouting had disturbed his cookie baking session with Hannah.

"Josh, do what your mom says."

"NO! I don't have to."

"Yes you most certainly do. Right now."

Joshua glared at them and stalked off to his room, slamming the door behind him.

"What in the world was that about?"

"I asked him to clean his room and he refused and it just kind of snowballed from there."

"You okay, honey?"

"I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? You look like someone just kicked your puppy."

He earned a small smile for that one.

"He's never talked to me like that before."

"First time for everything."

"I didn't know what to do."

"Me neither."

"He listened to you."

"Well, you wore him down pretty good to start with. Come on, let's let him cool off for a bit. You can help me and Hannah with the rest of the cookies."

"I don't know if I want to see what the kitchen looks like right now. It might depress me even more."

"We're being good. We even cleaned up the spilled flour."

"I thank you for that."

He slid his arm around her shoulders and steered her into the kitchen. Hannah was standing on a chair, an apron tied around her waist.

"Mommy! I put M&M's in the cookies. But daddy said no marshmallows."

"Daddy's right."

"Okay, but I still think it would be good."

"See, this is what an agreeable child looks like," Scully muttered. Mulder gave her a little squeeze, then went to the counter to help Hannah.

"Oh mommy, I got my report card yesterday! Wanna see it?"

"Go ahead and finish the cookies first and then you can get it for me."

"But I want to show you now! It's a good one!"

"Alright, wipe your hands and go get it."

She wiped her hands on her apron, then dashed off to her room.

"That means Joshua got his report card too."

"I'm sure he pulled his grades up."

"I know. It's just another thing I have to bring up today when he's not all that thrilled with me to begin with."

"We can wait until tonight, right? A few more hours won't hurt. And by then he might be back to normal."

"I hope so."

"Look mommy! All A's except for writing! My penmanship still needs work."

"Hannah, this is great! You must be working hard at school."

"I am. I only missed one question on our last math test. But it was the hardest one. Daddy helped me study for that one. And my history homework too. He taught me a poem to remember the story of Christopher Columbus."

"Daddy's a pretty good teacher isn't he?"

"Yep. Can we hang this on the fridge?"

"Sure."

Hannah found a magnet, hung the report card on the fridge and turned around with a smile.

"I'm going to be the balecterian someday."

"The what?" Mulder asked.

"The balecterian."

"You mean the valedictorian?" Scully clarified, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah. Just like you mommy."

"Daddy was a valedictorian too."

"Well that means I'm a shoo-in."

Scully had tried to remain calm. She had complimented Joshua on his consistently good grades in English and Science, and told him she was very happy with the comments his teacher had made. But then she had tried to talk to him about his math grade. It had been steadily plummeting for the last few months, and right now he was sporting a 'D' in what used to be his favorite subject.

"Leave me alone, mom."

"Joshua, if you don't get this grade up, you're going to have to repeat the whole year. They don't make exceptions, bud."

"I don't care."

"Do you understand what I'm saying? Even your best subjects you're going to have to do again. Do you want to do that?"

He just shrugged.

"Okay. You are grounded from TV and video games until your grades come up and your attitude improves."

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry kid, that's the way it's got to be. You're smart enough to get this grade up in no time. You just have to do your work."

"I don't want to."

"That's too bad. You've got a lot of years of school ahead of you and you're just going to have to suck it up."

"I quit school."

"You can't do that."

"Why not? People quit stuff all the time."

"Josh-"

"Leave me alone mom. Just shut up."

"Hey! You will not talk to me like that. You're going to end up in your room for the rest of the weekend if you don't shape up right now."

"So do it! Send me to my room! I don't care! I hate it here anyway!"

"Okay, go to your room right now."

"I hate you," he spat.

"Joshua William Mulder!"

Scully's eyes got big, as did Joshua's. They had never heard Mulder roar like that before.

"Apologize to your mother right now."

"No. I'm not sorry."

"Oh, you're gonna be."

"I am not! And I hate you too!" he screamed before heading to his room and slamming the door for the second time that day.

A hush fell over the house and Hannah sniffled from her chair.

"Does Joshy hate me too?" she whispered, thumb heading for her mouth.

"No sweetheart. He's just mad right now."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Is he mad at me?"

"No, baby. He's mad at me and daddy. Everything will be just fine. He just needs a little time to cool off. Finish your dinner."

"I'm not so hungry anymore."

Mulder crouched down next to her and gathered her in his arms.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry I lost my temper. I didn't mean to."

"It's okay, daddy."

"Everything will be okay, I promise. Josh isn't mad at you honey."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Finish your dinner sweetheart and then we can play a game."

"Okay," she agreed, stabbing another meatball.

Scully left Joshua alone for an hour before she decided to try and talk to him. This behavior hadn't been building up at all. It had just reared it's ugly head suddenly. Maybe he was sick. Maybe something was going on at school that he hadn't mentioned. Or maybe it was just one of those things. Either way, she wanted to give her son the benefit of the doubt. She knocked gently on his door before entering.

"Joshua," she said, noticing that he still hadn't cleaned his room. There was no response and she opened the door wider, stepping inside. He wasn't on his bed, at his desk, or playing on the floor.

"Joshua," she repeated, wondering if he was under his bed. He used to crawl under there during thunderstorms. She lifted his comforter and looked under his bed. Save for a few stray legos and his math book (appropriately) there was nothing under there. She felt a twinge of panic in her chest, but quickly calmed herself. He was probably in the bathroom.

She stood up from the floor and left his room.

"What's the matter?" Mulder asked.

"He's not in his room. Maybe he went to the bathroom."

"I just came out of the bathroom."

"Well where else could he be?"

"Maybe he slipped out the back door and is hiding in his tree house. I'll go check."

She didn't realize she was wringing her hands until they started to tingle. She went back into his room and checked his window. Locked.

"He's not outside, honey. Do you think he would go to the park?"

"I don't think so. He knows that he's not allowed to leave the yard without telling us. Do you think he ran away?"

"I'm going to go look at the park. You stay here, okay? I'm sure he just took off and he's fine."

"It's going to be dark soon."

"I'll find him, honey."

She nodded and he kissed her forehead.

"I'll be back in a little bit. I've got my phone. Call if he comes home."

She nodded, never having felt more helpless in her life.

Joshua knocked on the door, trying to catch his breath. He had been running for a long time and his chest felt like it was going to rip open. He sucked in a deep breath and swiped at his eyes, not wanting to be caught crying.

The door opened and he looked up to find Monica.

"Hey buddy. What are you doing here?"

The tears came full force then, and he walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in her shirt. She closed the door behind them, then crouched down to look at him.

"What's the matter?"

"I ran away."

"Oh bud."

He tried to catch his breath, but it only made him cry harder. She hugged him tightly, rubbing his back to try and calm him.

"It's going to be alright, honey."

He continued to cry and she led him into the bathroom.

"You need to calm down, okay?"

He nodded weakly and slowed his crying slightly. She ran the water in the sink until it was warm, then helped him wash his face. He looked up at her with bleary eyes and she couldn't help but tear up too.

"Why don't you come and lay down on the couch for a little bit."

He nodded and followed her back into the front room where he crawled up on the couch and pulled a throw pillow under his head.

"I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay," he whispered. She stood up and went into the kitchen, grabbing the phone on the way. She dialed a number and it only rang once before it was picked up.

"Hello?"

"It's me. Joshua is here."

She heard Scully take in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Is he alright?"

"He's fine. I think he ran all the way here though. He's kind of upset."

"We had a fight. Does he want us to come get him?"

"I don't know. I'm going to talk to him and see what's going on, unless you want to just come and get him now."

"I don't know if that will make him more mad. I just... I don't know what to do."

"Let me talk to him and see what he wants and I'll call you back in a little bit. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. I guess so."

"He's fine, Dana. He's safe."

"I know. Thank you."

"It's no problem. I'll talk to you in a bit."

She hung up the phone and went back out to the living room.

"Want to talk about it?" she asked, lifting his head up and placing it in her lap.

"Okay."

"What happened?"

"I yelled at mom. She made me mad."

"Was she punishing you for something?"

"Yeah."

"Did you deserve to be punished?"

"Yeah."

"Well what made you so mad?"

"I just hate it there. Mom never pays attention to me, and Hannah is dad's favorite. It's like I'm not there sometimes."

"Do you think that they don't love you?"

"Sometimes. Before dad came home everything was fine. But now he's back. And I just want him to leave. I want it to be like it was before. I used to be mom's best friend and I'm not anymore. Dad is. She doesn't even love me anymore."

"Hey. That's not true, bud. Your mom loves you like crazy."

"But she never talks to me. Whenever she was sad and stuff I used to make her feel better. Now she only talks to dad about that stuff. She doesn't even need me."

He sighed and sat up, leaning against her.

"Do you guys need me? I could live here. Please, Aunt Monica?"

She smiled and hugged him.

"Joshua, I love you so much. I would do anything for you. But you have a home. And your parents love you too, and they want you to be home with them."

"No they don't."

"Yes they do. I know things are hard right now, and I know everything is changing, but it will get better. I promise. You've just got to talk to them. Tell them how you feel before you get mad. And don't run away and freak them out."

He sniffled a little.

"Do you want them to come and get you?"

"No."

"Do you want to stay here for a little while?"

"Can I spend the night?"

"We can ask your mom if that's what you really want. But it might be best for you to go home."

"Okay."

She kissed the crown of his head, then stood up.

"I'm going to call your mom and we'll decide what to do. Deal?"

"Deal."

She returned to the kitchen and dialed Scully's cell again.

"Hey, Monica."

"Hi."

"How is he?"

"He's still kind of upset. He wants to stay here for a while. He asked to spend the night, but I really think you guys should come and get him."

"Did he tell you what happened?"

"He told me you fought. Dana, there's a lot more going on here. He's feeling really abandoned. He thinks you guys don't need him anymore."

"What?"

"That's what he said. He said that you used to talk to him all the time, but now that Mulder's back, I guess he feels like he has no function anymore."

There was a long pause.

"Did I ruin my kid, Monica?"

"Oh Dana, of course not. You just have a lot of stuff to talk about. He needs to know you love him and want him. He needs a little attention. Everything will be fine."

"He said he hates us."

"Kids say that all the time."

"It still hurts."

"I know. Look, give us a half hour and I'll bring him home. Okay?"

"Alright. Thanks, Mon."

"Anytime."

"Mommy, when is Joshy coming home?"

"He'll be back in a little while."

"Why did he run away?"

"He was just mad, honey."

"He doesn't want to live here anymore?"

"Sometimes when people get mad they say things they don't mean."

"Yeah, one time mommy called me a lot of bad names when she was mad at me. But she still loves me," Mulder supplied.

Scully glared at him and he smiled.

"Mommy doesn't say bad names, daddy."

"She doesn't now, but let me tell you, she used to."

"Mulder, knock it off."

He chuckled and crossed the room to hug her.

"Honey, relax. He's fine and he'll be home soon."

"What are we supposed to do? Do we punish him for running away or do we deal with the bigger problem here?"

"We'll figure it out."

"We need a plan."

"We don't even know if he's going to be mad when he comes home. Let's just see what happens and go from there. Okay?"

"Your approach to parenting is not endorsed by Dr. Spock."

"Dr. Spock needed help."

"That's true."

"Mommy, he's here!" Hannah shouted from her spot by the front window. She ran to the front door and threw it open, then bounded down the front steps and attacked her brother with a hug.

"JOSHY!"

He hugged her without a reply and then let her go.

"Did you really run all the way to Auntie Monica's?"

"Yeah."

"Mommy said it's like 2 whole miles. I bet you could win the 'Lympics!"

He just smiled and followed her inside. Monica trailed behind and Scully met her at the door.

"Thanks for bringing him home."

"No problem. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. We just weren't really prepared for this."

"I know. He just needs to talk. It will be fine."

"Okay."

"Let me know if you guys need anything."

"We will."

She turned and started down the walk.

"Monica?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being there for him to run to."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Night."

Scully went back inside and found Joshua and Hannah on the couch. Mulder was sitting in the recliner, obviously waiting for her to make the first move.

"Joshua..."

He sprang off the couch and ran into her arms.

"I'm sorry mom! I didn't mean to scare you. I shouldn't have run away. I don't hate you, I never hated you. I'm sorry I yelled, I didn't mean it. Please don't be sad mom. Please."

She wrapped her arms around him and sat down on the couch, pulling him into her lap.

"It's okay, honey. It's over now."

Mulder sat down next to them.

"Josh, we still want you. We always will. Nothing will change that, no matter what."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. You're our son. You're what made us a family. We want you with us forever."

He nodded and Scully pressed a kiss to his temple.

"Joshua, I'm sorry too. I should have let you just be a kid. It wasn't your job to make be the man of the house. And just because dad's home that doesn't mean we don't need you. Your still Hannah's big brother and she needs you. And Dad and I still need you because it wouldn't be the same if you were gone. You're the only son we have after all."

"You really still need me?"

"Always."

"Yeah Joshy. What else would we do with your bedroom?" Hannah asked. Joshua smiled.

"I think," Mulder began, wiping the tears from his son's face. "We should all start over in the morning. Nobody will be in trouble and no one will be mad. But, if you ever feel left out or unwanted again, I want you to tell us. We don't ever want to make you feel like that again, so please tell us when we mess up okay?"

Joshua nodded.

"I'll go clean my room now," he said, smiling. Scully chuckled.

"Let's wait and do that tomorrow. Right now, I think it's bedtime."

The kids scampered off to their rooms and Scully collapsed against the couch.

"Are you okay, honey?"

She nodded and he reached for her hand.

"I took his childhood away from him."

"You did not."

"He was always worried about me. I should have just let him play and be a little boy."

"Honey, he needed that. He needed you to rely on him. He would have felt helpless otherwise, which is kind of what led to this whole episode today. Being open and honest with your kid is not a crime."

"I know."

"We'll work through it, just like we work through everything else. It will be okay. Josh and Hannah are not going to grow up and go on Oprah and blame everything on us, I promise."

She smiled and he leaned down and kissed her.

"Come on mom, we've got kids to tuck in."