December 31st

2:03pm

"Oh, come on Dana."

"Anne, the party doesn't start until 9:30, that's well over 7 hours away. I am not getting ready 7 hours early."

"Well, I just want to see what the dress looks like on you."

"You'll see tonight."

She huffed, "you know, you're no fun."

I smiled at her, "that's not it. I just love to make you unhappy. It's fun for me." I sat my drink down on the kitchen table, "what are you wearing? I didn't think you brought anything nice."

"I did. Just in case. It's a black dress, a bit like the one I bought you, you'll see it tonight."

Charlie came in and sat down next to her at the table. He looked at me and smiled. "Did mom tell you who she invited to come to the party with her."

"No, she wouldn't tell me. Which I find odd, is it somebody that I know or something?"

He laughed, "oh, I'd say it's somebody that you know."

"Really? Who?"

"If she doesn't want you to know then I shouldn't tell you." He crossed his arms, "sorry."

This time I huffed. I got up from the table, "im going for a walk."

~**~**~**~

I went up to my room and changed into something that I could run into and a pair of sneakers. Then, without another word, I left the house. I was vaguely familiar with the surrounding area, I had never actually lived at mom's house, I had already gone off to Brown when they moved in, but I had gone for a run almost every time I came for a holiday or birthday. And I knew exactly where I was going too. There was a small park by mom's house, and it had a pond by it. Now I knew the pond would be frozen over, but it would still be peaceful.

I reached my destination about 10 minutes after I took off and sat down on the cold bench that was in front of the pond. I just sat and stared at the scenery. It had lightly snowed the night before, but it was in the early 50's today, so all the snow was melting. But it was still very beautiful, although I'd rather be at a warm beach. But I do love the snow.

I was sitting there for well over 20 minutes before somebody sat down next to me. Although I didn't need to look over to know who it was I still did. "Took you long enough."

He smiled, "I figured I'd give you some time. You seem a bit preoccupied lately. What's been bothering you?"

I sighed, "it's more than one thing."

"Ok, well. Then what's the biggest problem?"

I smiled, "oh. I don't know. I'd been thinking a lot lately."

"About?"

I sighed, "work. Family, particularly the one that I don't have, the one that I can't have."

"Dana…if you're not happy with what you're doing, why not just quit."

"That's just the thing, I am happy. I couldn't be happier. Well, there is one thing that would make me happier. But that's besides the point. I wouldn't change my life if I could. It's just, I can't help but wonder. What would I have become if I hadn't joined the FBI? Where would I be at this exact moment."

"You can't think like that. Fate is fate, and who are we to question it? You shouldn't doubt the way your life has turned out. You should embrace what God's given you."

I smiled at him, "you know. Bill would never give me this kind of advice."

"That's because Bill is an ass."

"Charlie!"

"What? It's true. You know it, I know it, Mulder sure knows it, hell, even mom knows it. The truth hurts big sister." He smiled, "and you can't disagree with me. Bill is the biggest prick of all. He thinks, that somehow, just because he's older than us it gives him some sort of claim on our lives. Now, he doesn't push as much with me, because im his brother, but you're his little sister Dana, he still has it in his head that he has to protect you from all the big bads of the world."

"Yeah, well I think that I've proven time and time again I don't need protection."

"You're right. You have. But whereas I see it he chooses not to." He looks at me and smiles, "so big sister. What is that irrelevant thing about your life that you would change."

I blushed, so he'd caught up on that. How was I going to get myself out of this? "Oh, nothing."

"Yeah, like I believe that. But, im not going to push the subject. You'll tell me when you're ready. And if you're never ready I can just find out from Anne." He chuckled. "Come on Dana, it's cold as a witches tit out here. Let's go back to the house."

I sighed and got off of the bench, "ok. But no running, let's just walk back."

"Ok." He said getting off the bench. "You know, I've got something to tell you."

"Oh yeah. What's that?"

"Anne's pregnant."

"Really?" I smiled and gave him a hug. "That's wonderful. How far along is she?"

"Just over three weeks I think."

"Why wasn't I told this sooner?"

"We were going to wait. But I couldn't keep the secret any longer."

I nodded, "I understand. Im going to have to get her for not telling me though." We walked back to the house in silence, but it was a welcomed silence, my brother and I had always been quirky that way. We could always just enjoy each others company in silence. Where as if I was with Missy we'd talk the whole time, and when I was with Bill, let's just say that really didn't happen to much. When we got back to the house I got on Anne for not telling me. She just laughed.

At around 6 we started to get ready.

~**~**~**~

A/N: I know this was shorter than all the other chapters. Sorry. Anyway, please review!