Dana fumbled to set down her packages and pull out her keys.  She loved the little house her father had kept for them in case anything ever happened to the base but sometimes keys could be such a pain, the retnal scan's of the old Aquabase had just been so much easier.  She'd never had to worry if her arms were full about setting down her bags. 

Ohh well, everything changed, hadn't she learned that a long time ago? Somethings for the better, like getting her brother back, and defeating the demons and something for the worst, like Dad helping build the new base, and staying there instead of with them.  Sure she knew he wanted them to be close but that wasn't the way to go about it.THE THING WAS SHE MISSED HIM.  Sure When she had the time she went tosee him but lately with her classes that hadn't been often.  It was one of the reason's she was really looking forward to the holidays.  If they could get everyone together it would even be better, she mused sliding the key into the lock. 

Dana stepped in to the hallway and took

a deep breath. Spaghetti. It smelled heavenly.  They'd learned that during his upbringing he'd had to learn to cook for himself. The surprising thing was that he was a really good cook.

Setting down her packages and bags on the living room couch Dana followed her nose to find her brother stirring the sauce and humming along with the radio. Sometimes

it still surprised her that he was all grown up. All she remembered about him when they were children was how he'd play baseball and make her laugh by

being the voices of her dolls. He'd done that whenever she was upset. Now she smiled and snuck up behind him. Poking him in the ribs she jumped back as

he whirled.

"You know sis you shouldn't sneak around so much." He told her mock severity in his tone.  In truth he was glad she was home, dinner was almost ready and he'd been starting to worry.  If there was something Dana was it was a perfectionist.  It was one of the reasons he'd always thought she belonged with Ryan. 

"But I'm so good at it." She just smirked innocently. 

"That's the problem." He muttered going back to stirring his sauce.

"I ran into Kelsey Winslow this afternoon." She said taking down two plates.

"Really?  What's she doing back in town? I'd have thought she'd be off scaling a mountain in Tibet or something." Ryan commented placing the lid back on the

pot.

"She always comes home for the holidays, or that's what she said." Dana added silverware to the table settings.

"But you don't believe it." He surmised checking his noodles.

"Nope." She smiled to herself. It was funny how in such a short time Ryan had come to know her so well.

"So, want to fill me in on your theory?" He asked knowing very well she would. His little sister liked to have someone to use as a sounding board.

"Well, she's restless; she said she's thinking of going back to school." She informed him as she add glasses and napkins to the settings on the little kitchen

table. "And then there's the Chad thing. She said he hasn't answered any of her letters."

Ryan's head shot up and a frown marred his handsome features.

"I thought they were best friends." He commented pulling two salads from the refrigerator.

"They are but I always wondered if he felt more for her." She told him of the way Chad had always been over concerned for Kelsey and how she'd been likewise

when it came to him.

"So you want to play match maker." Ryan surmised.

"Ryan, I never said that." She said exasperated.

"You didn't have to." He shrugged and she stuck her tongue out at him. "Come on Dana, You've always tried to fix everything. When we were kids it was your dolls even

when they were not sick, and then me, when I came back." His tone took on the same far away look as his eyes.

"And that's a bad thing?" She asked A little too defensively.

"I didn't say that." He said looking back at her. She was definitely up to something. Whenever she was, her back went up like a cat's.

"So what's the problem with wanting to make people happy?" She asked.

"Nothing, but sis," he began knowing she'd not like this. "Why don't you try and make yourself happy." Her eyes narrowed and he turned back to get the salad

dressing.

"I am happy." She said quietly and he shook his head.

"You go to classes, come home and study. You don't go out unless it's with me or dad. You try and make things right for everyone around you but you should

try and be happy yourself." He said and took his seat at the table.

"I was just thinking it's been a while since we've all been together and a ranger reunion would be nice." She commented as she filled her plate.

"I think," Ryan began thoughtfully his mind going to the one person who could bring her out of whatever this funk was. "You might have a point."

"so you'll help me get it together?" 

"What do you need me to do?" 

"Well, there's the cooking, I don't even know what to serve, or oh heavens if the others can make it and then gifts...." 

"Ok, Dana, calm donw, I'll handle the food, why don't you call Kel and see about the rest, if she's as bored as she sounds maybe she'll be greatful for the chance to have something to do." 

"hey, your right.  I'll call her in the morning."  Dana smiled and dove into her food whole heartedly. 

Ryan realized it was the first time in ages she'd seemed happy, truly happy.  It brought a smile to his lips and so, he found, did the prospect of seeing his old friends again. 

TBC

*** 

Well?  What do you think?  PLZ R&R.