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Trying to find the right way to approach their daughter about psychiatry sessions, Mulder and Scully talk about simply setting her down and talking to her or merely asking if she wants to go. Finally, after another week of nightmares, the adults sit their daughter down in the living room.
"Chloe, we think it would be a good idea for you to talk to someone about your nightmares," Mulder tells her. Unconvincingly, Chloe tells her parents she is fine. The looks they give her tell her she is not fooling anyone. Finally, Chloe relents.
The first couple sessions, Chloe has a hard time telling the therapist anything about her nightmares. She is still trying to understand them herself. Her psychiatrist never pushes her though which makes Chloe happy. All the teen can fully explain is how the nightmares make her feel, but always stops. She wants to talk, but she always keeps herself from saying anything for fear that something will happen.
"Do you want to talk about the nightmares?" The psychiatrist asks Chloe gently at their third session.
"Not really."
Silence ensues until Chloe finally mumbles, "My dad never finds me. Just the man who kidnapped me."
The psychiatrist nods letting Chloe continue.
"He never hurt me, physically. My kidnapper. Just emotionally. I never tried to run away. I should have. I should have fought harder when he kidnapped me in the first place. I'd been told to stay away from him for years. I'm sorry, I'm rambling."
The psychiatrist simply smiles encouragingly which calms Chloe just a little bit.
"When the nightmares start, it's always me on that stupid bench. Waiting."
The more she explains the nightmares the better she feels, but something stops Chloe from telling the psychiatrist the entire encounter from start to finish. Almost as if her kidnapping should be ignored since it is not nearly as bad as someone else's—her mom's. Chloe almost starts crying, but stops herself.
Noticing the teen's silence the psychiatrist asks, "Chloe, is everything okay?"
She nods before asking the woman not to tell her parents about the nightmares.
"This is completely confidential," The psychiatrist explains. Chloe nods, but does not fully believe her. After a moment, the psychiatrist remarks, "Chloe, it's okay to cry."
She does.
After that day Chloe feels better, but knows she has a long time before she gets better. Within a week though, she decides to go back to school. Slowly, their daughter is starting to return to her normal self and the family thinks things are getting better.
Going into work after a hectic morning, Mulder looks forward to at least a few minutes to collect his thoughts before starting work. Between his son peeing on him, a teenager who overslept, and a clinging toddler, Mulder is not having the best morning. Putting his head down for just a moment, he practically jumps when the door opens and Monica walks in. With a small, supportive smile, Monica asks, "Tough time at home?"
"Very," He answers before asking about the file in her hand. Taking the file, Mulder looks it over before beginning research on the potential case. In the middle of the day he gets an unknown call. Telling Scully about it that night, she tries to make him feel better reminding him of some of the unknown calls they had in the past. Mulder decides not to think anything of it until he receives three calls that week. Then, the agent worries. Every time the phone rings, Mulder is paranoide the caller will finally say something. When the caller actually speaks, he does not expect the anonymous caller to threaten him and scare him about going after Chloe. Immediately the agent calls the Gunmen. Coming home, Mulder explains to Scully that he is going to find the Cigarette Smoking Man before he can hurt anyone else. Following her partner as he throws clothes into a bag, Scully immdediately begins to try and talk him out of the idea. She wants to find CSM as much as Mulder, but they have other priorities now.
"Scully, he kidnapped you, he kidnapped our daughter. He has to be stopped!" Mulder states as he grabs toiletries.
"I know, but I need you here." She stresses having two babies under two to raise and an emotional teenager needing all the help they can get.
"Scully," Mulder pleads needing to fix the wrongs CSM causes. For a long moment, Scully is silent. Their youngest is two months old. Their oldest is seeing a counselor for her panic attacks and nightmares and has quit her job. Scully asks him to wait an hour before she gives him her decision.
Dinner that night is tense and Chloe immediately notices that something is off. Asking them about it after dinner, the couple ask her not to worry. Nodding slighly, Chloe tells them she is going to do her homework. With a sigh, Scully heads to the kitchen to clean up leaving Mulder alone in the living room. When Mulder walks in ten minutes later, Scully puts down the wash cloth in her hands and Mulder instantly notices the tears in her eyes. Stepping toward her, Mulder hugs her to him for a moment. Breaking away, Scully tells him she made her decision. Taking a breath, Scully allows him to go but not before adding, "You have until just before William's first birthday to get him."
"Deal." Mulder agrees kissing his partner before leaving the room. Calling after him, Scully waits until she has Mulder's attention before demanding seriously, "You have to tell Chloe before you leave."
Resolutely, Mulder nods. Making his way upstairs, Mulder tries to think over exactly how he will break the news to his daughter. Taking a deep breath, he knocks on his daughter's bedroom door.
"Chloe? Can I come in?" He asks. Letting her father in, Chloe can immediately tell something is off. Asking his daughter to sit down, Mulder tries to collect his words feeling sick about leaving, but knowing he needs to protect his family. After a few minutes, Mulder asks his daughter, "Do you remember the time I had to fake my death?"
"Yes," Chloe slowly states.
"Well," Mulder begins, "I'm going to have to leave again."
Noting his daughter's confusion, Mulder explains, "I've been getting some threatening calls at work."
Eyes wide, Chloe asks, "Are they about us?"
Knowing his daughter really means her, Mulder answers, "No. I just need to keep you all safe and the best way to do that is to leave for a while."
"Because of me."
"No. Because this is what I have to do to keep you, your mom, and your siblings safe," He begins before motioning his daughter to sit next to him. When she rests her head on his shoulder, Mulder wraps his arms around her stating, "I love you, Chlo."
"I love you too," She mumbles trying to process her father leaving them for a while. After a moment, Mulder reminds her of how long it was just them. Smiling, Chloe answers, "I remember. I'm glad we've got Mom, though."
"Me too," Mulder answers before asking if she has any questions on her homework. Knowing her father just wants to spend time with her, Chloe nods before letting him help her with her homework.
The next morning, Mulder treats the day like any other. Eating breakfast with his family, he tries to keep the morning light, but both Scully and Chloe are dreading the inevitable. Kissing Scully good-bye, Mulder offers to drive Chloe to school that morning.
Hugging her father once they pull up to the school, Chloe tells her father she loves him and tries not to cry on her way inside the building.
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