Disclaimer: All names, places, and characters contained herein are the property of Chris Carter and Ten Thirteen Productions. No profit is being made from the writing of this story; it was written for purely entertainment purposes.

Notes: Post "Release"

"Thank you." His words are quiet, his voice muffled against her neck. She can almost feel each letter against her skin, just as she can feel his grief in the tears that soak her jacket.

"I'm so sorry." She has said these words to him before, but never have they felt so inadequate. No words from her will bring back his son, just as no words will take away his anger and grief at the loss.

He doesn't reply in words but simply holds her tighter. She's sure her ribs will be sore later, but for right now, she doesn't want him to ever let go.

She sniffles once as her own tears, already so close to the surface, begin to overflow. She can feel his hands against her back like brands, one drifting up to her head, his fingers weaving into her hair. She turns her head to the side, burying her face in his neck, feels his hand move from her hair to the side of her face.

"John..." He shifts slightly and then she feels his lips against her temple. She rests a hand against the back of his neck, her thumb brushing against the short hair there. She can feel his goose bumps against her palm as she rubs her thumb back and forth.

"Let's go home, Monica." He pulls away from her, their eyes meeting for a long moment. His hands ghost down her arms until finally their palms meet, his larger hands wrapping around hers tightly.

She nods her head and reluctantly lets go of his hands. She doesn't think that either of them is really fit to drive right now, but she's probably the more capable of the two at the moment, so she walks around the front of his truck and climbs behind the wheel.

"Thank you." His repeated words have her taking her right hand off the steering wheel to grasp his left on the seat between them. The rest of their drive is made in silence, the only sound that of the truck's engine. And never once do they let go of each other.