The entire trip to the Scully residence, Mulder had been silent. He still couldn't believe that he had agreed to such a thing. It was true that he had spent every Christmas alone for all those years. Did it bother him? Well, yes and no. It did because he didn't like being alone that much when he would witness people together and laughing on the street. It was especially hard on him when he saw all the couples snuggling against each other in the cold and exchanging romantic kisses. He had to admit that he wanted that. After all, it was human nature to want companionship right? But the one person he wanted that with was someone he worked with every day and in his mind THAT was wrong. He didn't mind spending his Christmas alone though and not having family because half the time you ended up disagreeing about something anyway. To him the terms Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays were the COMPLETE opposite of what really happened and what was really felt at that time of year. There was more stress during Christmas and not to mention that the suicide rate was always the highest during that time too.

So why had he agreed to go with her? Had he agreed subconsciously? Or was this something that he had wanted to consciously do for some time? She had just spent the night with him dealing with Lyda and Maurice so it was only fair that he return the favor, right? Although something secretly told him that she hadn't minded being out there with him either. She had not actually admitted it to him but he just somehow felt it from her. Maybe there would be time to talk to her about that later. And maybe deep down inside, he also wanted to see what it was like for other families to celebrate Christmas. Maybe it would help him to know that not all families were dysfunctional like his was. Whatever the reasons were it was too late to turn back now. Luckily Scully had not said anything to him about why he was being so quiet.

Scully of course had noticed Mulder's silence but she knew better than to say anything. She knew this was a big step for him. Going to another family's get together plus having to face someone that hated you. She just didn't want him to be alone. She wanted him to feel the love and warmth she always felt with family. She knew that was something he had not experienced for years even beyond the eight years he had mentioned. Of course, she didn't know the entire story behind the Mulder family but from what her partner had already told her, she knew it was anything but pleasant. And now she wanted to give him a nice memory to make up for all those bad ones. Was that too much to ask for? If she could, she would make everyone she knew happy. Perhaps it came from her doctor background of wanting to help others? It just bothered her when she was happy but others around her were not. This was especially true for her partner, Fox Mulder. He had said he was happy with being "married" to his work but something inside told her otherwise. And that was why she had invited him to come with her. She wanted him to know what family was like again, a REAL family. She just had to hope that they would be receptive to him. The only one she was really concerned about was Bill. If they could get past that everything would be fine.

Bill. Oh god, Bill PLEASE behave! Don't ruin this!

They finally pulled up to their destination and it was then that the silence was finally broken. Scully cleared her throat. "Well, here we are."

Mulder looked out toward the house, which was covered with tiny white Christmas white lights. "Yep, looks like it."

Scully turned to him. "When we walk in, it may seem awkward at first because…well I didn't exactly tell Mom that I was bringing a guest with me. So, just let me talk to her and I'm sure things will be fine ok?"

"No problem." Mulder replied with a half smile. "I always like to be the one to crash a party."

She pointed at him. "And remember, you promised me you would behave."

"Don't worry Scully, I won't embarrass you in front of your family." He then pulled away from her and stepped out of the car.

Scully turned off the car and then stepped out, closing the door. She then went to the back door and opened it where there sat a stack of presents. She watched as Mulder came from the other side and began to take some of the presents. "Thanks." She replied with a warm smile before picking up the other gifts and closing the door. After locking it, she started walking with Mulder. "Mulder, my Mom thinks the world of you. I know she won't mind you being here. And I'm sure my family would love to meet the infamous Fox Mulder, my FBI partner."

"Oh yeah, quality entertainment there." Mulder replied sarcastically. He slowly made his way up the steps to the porch. Lord knows what Bill may have already told the family about him.

Scully stepped up to the porch and stood next to him. "Just trust me ok?" She took his hand. "You've said that I am the one and only person you trust right? I need you to think of that now. Ok?"

Mulder turned and looked over at her. How could he say no? He knew she was doing this to help him not to hurt. And she couldn't control what her family felt either. He squeezed her hand. "Ok, Scully. Let's join the party."

Scully smiled back at him before knocking on the door. She took a deep breath. Please let Mom answer! Please! She then saw the door opened and her mother smiling at her. "Hi, Mom."

"Dana!" Margaret replied hugging her tightly. "Oh sweetie I'm so glad you made it! We were beginning to wonder if you were coming."

"I know I'm sorry, Mom. But I also brought someone else with me." She moved to the side so that her mom could see Mulder.

Margaret's eyes lit up. "Fox?"

"Mrs. Scully." Mulder replied smiling. He was then surprised as Margaret approached him and also gave him a hug. He truly didn't know how to react.

"Welcome to our home, Fox. I'm glad you could come." Margaret then pulled back and looked at the gifts in his hands. "It appears that Dana has put you to work already."

"Yep, even on Christmas she makes me work." Mulder replied with a grin.

"Well, why don't I take those from you and you can take off your coat." Margaret took the packages from Mulder and Scully before heading back to the living room. "Everyone, Dana's here!"

Scully looked back at Mulder as they stepped inside. "See, I told you that she would accept you being here."

"It's not your mother I'm worried about, Scully." Mulder answered as he slipped off his coat and hung it in a closet. He then helped Scully with hers and hung it next to his.

"Just smile for me ok?" Scully asked before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. She then led him to the living room. Lit candles could be seen all over the room followed by a large Christmas tree in the center surrounded by presents. Laughter could be heard as people stood in the room or sat on chairs and couches. Scully cleared her throat. "Hello everyone." The room instantly became quiet as all attention turned to her and the strange man standing next to her. "Everyone, I want you to meet Fox Mulder."

The room continued to be silent and Mulder could sense the tension. He glanced over at the bottom of the tree and wished he could drown his face in the water contained in the stand. Ok so maybe this was a bad idea after all. Apparently all families ARE like mine.

"He's my FBI partner." Scully added after noticing the silence.

As soon as she said that, the attitude in the room changed and went from silence to mutters. Then people began walking up to Scully and Mulder. Scully smiled as proud as she could be as she introduced her family members to Mulder. They all smiled and shook his hand as they made their way down like an assembly line. They were all treating him as if they had known him their entire lives. And Scully was relieved as she had hoped this would be their reaction. She was glad that her family had not let her down. And the smile she saw on Mulder's face was all she needed to know that he was pleased too.

"Dana!" Tara replied coming up to her and embracing her. "Mmm…it's so good to see you again!"

Scully hugged her and then pulled back. "I know it's been what….two years?"

"Bill finally got a chance to take some time away for once. Sometimes I think his naval job is too much but…"

"Well, the important thing is that you made it this year, right?" Scully knew exactly what Tara was getting at. When someone worked for the military, it was like they owned them. And if the military wanted you to be somewhere you had to do it without question, family issues or not. She then felt a tugging at her pant leg and looked down. "And you must be Matthew I presume?" She bent down to him. "Look how much you've grown! Why, the last time I saw you, you were just a baby in your mother's arms! How old are you now?"

"Two!" Matthew replied proudly as he held up two fingers.

"Wow! Two years old! You're practically a young man! Do you know who I am, Matthew?"

"Yep, you're my auntie Dana." Matthew replied back with a smile. "I know cause you got red hair. And…mommy told me that auntie Dana has red hair."

Scully smiled at Matthew. "Well, you certainly are smart aren't you?"

"Yep." Matthew replied back. "Daddy says I'm smart for only being two!"

Tara smiled. "Oh, Matthew sweetie I think you'd better get over by the tree. It looks like we're going to start opening presents."

"Oh boy!" Matthew replied excitedly before running over to the tree.

"He's adorable, Tara. You've done a great job with him. He looks just like Bill."

"That's what everyone says." Tara replied smiling. "I'm really glad he got to see the family this year. They grow up so fast, you know?"

Scully looked over at Mulder but could see that he was still doing fine with talking to various family members. If she knew her family, they were probably questioning him all about his job at the FBI. And she knew that Mulder would just love sharing some of his stories, minus the aliens and government conspiracies of course. "Yes, I'm sure they do."

"I see you brought your partner with you?"

"Yeah, he uh didn't have any place to be this Christmas so I thought it might be nice for him to spend it here."

Tara looked over at Mulder who was being accosted by some male family members who were also offering him eggnog. "Well, it certainly looks like he's being accepted. I'm told once a family member offers you eggnog you're in."

"Good ole Scully family tradition. You're officially accepted into the family once you've tasted the ole recipe eggnog." Scully then felt uneasiness overcome her somewhat as a familiar person approached her. It was the person that could change the entire mood of this friendly get together with just a look or word. "Hello, Bill."

"Dana." Bill replied taking a step toward her and hugging her quickly. "Nice to see you finally made it." He pulled back from her. "Was beginning to wonder if that partner of yours got you talked into working some kind of case or something."

"Bill, can't you just lay off that for one day?" Scully asked looking back at him.

"It's true, isn't it?" Bill asked taking a sip of his eggnog.

Tara looked back at Scully uneasily. "I'd…I'd better go help with the presents." She then walked toward the tree.

"Bill, I would appreciate it if you would not cause any trouble for him."

"Cause any trouble for him?" Bill asked as he let out a chuckle. "It's not like he's here or anything."

Scully remained silent a moment before speaking again. This was what she had been hoping to avoid but there was no way out of it now. "Bill, he's not here to cause any trouble so…"

"He's here?" Bill asked before looking around the room. His eyes then came to rest on Mulder who now had a cigar being pushed into his mouth by an overenthusiastic male family member. "What the hell is that son-of-a-bitch doing here?! This is a FAMILY Christmas get together!"

"Bill, please I invited him because he had no other place to go."

"So, you brought the man who was responsible for almost taking away a Scully family member?! Oh that's good, Dana! REAL good! Nothing like spreading good ole family Christmas cheer! Oh hey everyone this is my partner Fox Mulder who almost got me killed and sent me out on wild crusades!"

Scully looked back at Bill with fire in her eyes. He was really pushing her this time. She was having a hard time not reaching up and slapping him. But this was a family gathering and the last thing she wanted to do was that. So, to prevent herself from doing that, she quickly walked away and toward the kitchen.

Margaret had observed the body language between Scully and Bill. And when she saw Dana walking away, she knew that couldn't be good. She made her way up to her. "Dana, what's wrong?"

Scully stood with her back to her mother. "It's, Bill Mom. He's…he's going on about Mulder being here. He's….he's going to start something, I just know it! I…I shouldn't have brought Mulder here."

Margaret walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder before turning her around gently. "Dana, listen to me. Nothing is going to happen ok? Bill won't say anything to him, I promise."

Scully felt a tear trickle down her cheek. "All…all I wanted to do was give him a nice Christmas for once."

"And Fox will get that Christmas." Margaret answered back. "I don't want you to worry ok? Now, why don't you get back in there and I'll talk to Bill."

"Thank…thank you, Mom." Scully replied tearfully before hugging her.

"You're welcome, Dana." Margaret then pulled back. "Now go. I'll take care of Bill." She watched as Scully nodded and then headed back out to the living room. Margaret took a deep breath before walking back into the living room. She spied Bill standing drinking his egg nog and glaring at Mulder. "Bill? May I speak to you in the kitchen for a moment please?"

"Sure, Mom." Bill answered before taking another sip of his eggnog and heading into the kitchen. "What's up?"

"I want you to lay off of Fox."

"What? Mom, he isn't even supposed to be here! This is family only!"

"Well, regardless of that, he's here now and I want you to leave him alone for Dana's sake!"

"Mom, you know what harm he's caused this family! He…"

"That is your own personal opinion, Bill. And because of that I want you to keep it to yourself. Do you hear me?" Margaret paused. "Your sister brought him here because she wanted to show him what a real family Christmas was like because he doesn't have a family to share it with. She has asked you for one simple request and I want you to grant it for this one day."

"What?!"

"That's right, Bill. This day is all about peace on earth and good will toward men. That is precisely what I want you to show Fox. It's Christmas, Bill or have you forgotten already? I want you to put aside your differences until this day is over. After that, you can choose to go back to the way things were if you wish. But as long as you are celebrating in MY home you will abide by my request. Are we clear?"

"Mom, I can't believe you're saying this!"

"I said are we clear?!" Margaret asked raising her voice slightly.

"Yes, Mom." Bill replied reluctantly.

"Good. Then get out there and show your good will toward Fox."

Bill glanced at Margaret for a minute before heading back into the living room. He was absolutely disgusted on what he had to do. Having to be hospitable toward Mulder? He hated this man with a passion! But he also knew if he didn't comply with his mother that she would make his stay here a living hell. He swallowed his pride as he made his way up to Mulder. "Merry Christmas, Agent Mulder."

Mulder turned with a wrapped cigar hanging out of his mouth. Standing in front of him was the one person he had hoped to avoid this whole time he was here. He had been enjoying himself intermingling with the male members of the Scully clan but now felt that his mood was about to change. He watched as Bill held out his hand to him. Was this some kind of trick? Was he going to take his hand and then try and flip him over or something? Well, he had promised Scully that he would behave. He reached out, shaking Bill's hand firmly. "Merry Christmas, Bill."

From the back, Scully watched in anticipation. She could see the tension between Mulder and Bill and wondered who would be able to hold their ground the longest. It was like watching two warriors shaking hands before the battle was to commence. The question was, who would win?