Mulder watched as the candles were lit around the table as everyone took their seats. Margaret then led everyone in the saying of grace with mentions of William Scully Sr. and Melissa. He glanced over at Scully with one eye open as he folded his hands but found no tears trickling down her face. Maybe this Christmas get together had been good for her as well? The chorus of amens then went around the table and he opened his eyes completely.

Margaret looked at Mulder. "Fox, would you please do the honor of carving the turkey?"

Mulder nearly fell out of his chair at the request. "Me?"

"Yes, I think as our special guest you should get the honors." Margaret answered.

"Nothing against it, Mrs. Scully but…do you know how I am around sharp utensils?"

"Santa, cut turkey!" Matthew yelled from the end of the table.

Mulder looked toward Matthew. "Well, how could I possibly say no after that?" He cleared his throat and moved out of this chair and over to the turkey. He picked up the large knife. "Well, before I do this I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone here for making me feel so welcome. Its..been a long time since I've spent Christmas with others and this really means a lot to me. Mrs. Scully, thank you for taking me in at such short notice." He glanced over at Scully. "And especially to my partner and best friend, Scully for bringing me here in the first place. Thank you, Scully."

Bill moaned from his seat. "Just cut the turkey already."

Mulder looked toward Bill for a minute but instead of saying anything, he just cut into the turkey. He had vowed to Scully that he wasn't going to start any trouble and he was determined to keep that promise. "This really looks good, Mrs. Scully." He went about carving slices on the turkey and placing them on plates as they were handed to him. First, he had helped Matthew pass out gifts and now he was helping with the carving of the turkey. After finishing his task, he went back to his seat and went about helping himself to the other food items. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen so much food before.

Charles looked over at Mulder. "So, the FBI gave you and Dana the day off this year?"

"Yeah, apparently criminals decided to cut law enforcement officials a break. Guess they figured it was the Christmas present they could provide." He took a bite of his food. His answer received a chuckle from the table.

"So apparently aliens also celebrate, Christmas, Agent Mulder?" Bill quipped from the other side of the table.

"Bill!" Margaret replied with a glare.

"Well, to be honest I'm not really sure, Bill. Then of course there is that rumor that the star that shone over Bethlehem was a flying saucer so…" Mulder smirked before taking another bite of his food.

Bill answered with a grumble before taking a bite of his food. He was not about to be undone by Fox Mulder. No way, no how. "So, you came here today with Dana cause you had no other place to be huh?"

"He came because I ASKED him, Bill." Scully replied back trying to keep her temper down.

"Oh really? And there was no hidden agenda around that?"

"What are you talking about, Bill?" Scully asked.

"Well, come on, Dana how many years have you known Agent Mulder? And just this year you've decided to invite him?"

"Bill, what exactly are you trying to get at?" Scully asked as she put her fork down.

"It's ok, Scully." Mulder replied patting her hand gently. "You're right, Bill. This is the first year that Scully has invited me here for Christmas. She didn't before that because…well our friendship has changed since then. We've…been through a lot these past few years and last night something happened that just…"

Bill let out a laugh.

"You find that amusing, Bill?" Mulder asked.

"Yeah, actually, I do." Bill asked before folding his hands.

"Bill." Tara whispered nudging him. "You promised to behave."

"No, I think this family deserves to know the truth about Special Agent Fox Mulder." Bill pushed away his wife's hand. "He's been introduced as this…happy, free-spirited individual who has done nothing but be a good partner to Dana. When in fact he is the opposite."

"Bill, please don't do this." Scully answered as she took a breath.

"You want to know who Fox Mulder is?" Bill motioned to Mulder. "He is a man who goes on self-propelled quests and drags whoever he can with him! And he cares about Dana SO much that he nearly had her as a casualty!"

"Bill!" Scully answered standing up from her chair.

Mulder pushed her back down gently. "Just take it easy, Scully."

"This man was responsible for giving Dana her cancer! She almost died because of him! And now you are welcoming him into this family with open arms?!"

"That's enough, Bill!" Margaret snapped.

"Why do you think he came here, Mom? He came here to try and suck up to all the pain he's caused this family!"

"Stop it, Bill." Scully whispered.

"And not only that but to show his intent he kissed Dana right in front of this family! It's clear what his intentions are!"

Scully rose from her chair. "Stop it!" She yelled placing her hands on the table.

Mulder cleared his throat and then put down his napkin and silverware. "You know, Scully maybe I should go."

"What? No, Mulder, please stay."

"Well, it's obvious that I've upset, Bill and the last thing I want to do is spoil your family Christmas." Mulder slowly rose from his chair. "And I've actually got some notes I need to go over for tomorrow." He looked at the table. "Everyone, it's been a pleasure and have a Merry Christmas." He then headed toward the closet to get his coat.

"No!" Matthew yelled before climbing off his chair. "Santa, no go!"

Mulder turned to see Matthew running toward him. "Oh come on, buddy don't make this any harder for me."

"No want Santa to go!" Matthew replied with a pouty look.

"Actually buddy, Santa needs to…spread some more holiday cheer to others. You can understand that, right?"

Matthew nodded. "Guess so. But Santa already give presents today."

Mulder shook his head. This kid was anything but stupid. "Ah but see I'm one of Santa's helpers and I go making people like you happy. And then when I'm done, I move on to make other people happy."

"Then what your name?"

"My name is Mulder."

Matthew furrowed his brow. "What kind of name is Muldy?"

Mulder let out a laugh. "It's a special name." He then saw Scully standing a few feet away. "Can you let me say goodbye to your Auntie Dana?"

"Muldy give me hug."

Mulder reached forward and hugged Matthew. "Be good and I'll see you next year ok? And until then…" He took his Santa hat and placed it on Matthew's head. "I'm going to leave you in charge of spreading Christmas cheer for me."

"You no need hat?"

Mulder leaned in to his ear. "I've got another one hidden in my magic bag." He whispered with a grin.

"Ok, bye Muldy." Matthew answered before walking away.

Scully walked to him. "Mulder, please don't go. You know how Bill is he…"

"It's obvious he doesn't want me here, Scully. He won't stop until he's tarnished my reputation with your family. And I promised you that I wouldn't lose my temper, right?" He pulled out his coat from the closet and put it on.

Scully looked out the window. "Mulder, it's a blizzard out there. You can't drive back to Arlington by yourself!"

"Then I'll stay at a Holiday Inn." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look, Scully don't worry about me ok? Thanks for inviting me here and have a Merry Christmas. I'll pick you up in the morning to take you back ok?"

She looked back at him with tears in her eyes. "Mulder…"

"Goodbye, Scully." Without another word, he opened the door and stepped out into the frigid cold.

As the door closed, Scully felt her insides shaking. Everything had started out so wonderful and now she felt nothing but misery. It was true that Mulder had promised that he would keep his temper and he had done so. But now she was about to lose her own. She took a deep breath and then stepped back into the dining room. "Bill, I would like to speak to you in private, please."

"Can't you see, I'm eating, Dana?"

"Bill, under the circumstances, I think you should heed your sister's request." Margaret answered.

Bill wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Fine." He then stood up from his chair and followed Scully back into the living room. "What's up, Sis?"

"Don't you what's up, Sis me!" Scully motioned to the door. "He left. He left because of you, Bill!"

Bill sighed. "Oh, I get it you're upset because I talked about the truth of who Fox Mulder really is and he couldn't handle it?"

"It's not the truth and you know it, Bill!"

"How was I supposed to react, Dana? You bring him to our Christmas get together and introduce him as a saint! And not only that but now he's corrupted my son!"

"You just couldn't let it go for ONE day could you? Just one lousy day!"

"Dana, I didn't come here to be yelled at for expressing myself." Bill started to walk away.

"No, Bill!" Scully grabbed Bill and tossed him into a chair. "Now you are going to sit there and listen to what I have to say!"

Bill looked back at Scully. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Just remember that you forced me to this, Bill. You have no one to blame but yourself!" She paced around the chair and then stopped. "For two years I have listened to you badger Mulder. I've heard you put him down and blame him for everything that's happened to me. But that's over now, Bill. I've been afraid up to now, to tell you how I feel. But I'm not anymore." She took a deep breath. "I'm ashamed to call you my brother, Bill. You…were cruel to me when we were kids but what you have expressed here goes beyond that. You have become this person….that I despise."

"Oh, please Dana." Bill huffed.

"The man that you forced away from this house is more than just my partner, Bill. He's my best friend and confidant. He has risked his life for me. And he has taught me."

"Oh he's taught you all right. He's taught you to isolate yourself from your family!"

"You're the only one who thinks that, Bill. No one else in the family not even Mom has ever told me that. Are you that jealous of him, Bill?"

"What the hell are you talking about? Why would I be jealous of that loser?"

"That's what it is, isn't it, Bill? You can't stand the fact that he is responsible from changing me from the subservient sister you knew into the kind that stands up for herself and doesn't take crap. He's made me a stronger person and it just kills you."

"Don't be ridiculous! That man has dragged you with him on these quests not caring about what happens to you!"

"I went on those quests of my own free will, Bill. He didn't force me to do anything! I did it because I felt it was right and I believed in what he stood for." She paused. "And as for what he taught me? He's taught me that there are other things in this world besides scientific ones. He's shown me there are more things to life than what society teaches us. That's right, Bill. The society that you serve as a military officer. You have been programmed like some kind of robot and Mulder stands for everything that you've lost."

"And just what have I lost, Dana?"

"Your freedom to say and do what you want."

"You're crazy like he is!"

"Am I? He's gained respect with Mom and it just kills you." She leaned toward him. "And now the family and even your son have come to like him and it just eats you away."

Bill raised his hand to her. "Don't you EVER say that again!"

"Sometimes the truth can hurt, can't it, Bill?" Scully asked with a smile as she challenged him.

Bill brought his hand down knowing he couldn't strike his own sister.

"Now, I want you to go in there and tell the family that your sister had to leave because of you." She moved away from the chair. "Oh and one more thing, Bill. Mulder and I are not in a romantic relationship. That kiss between us was only because of the mistletoe. And as for what happened to us last night, it only had to do with bonding our friendship. Something that you will NEVER understand because of your cold heart!" She walked to the closet and grabbed her coat. She then picked up the phone and handed it to Bill. "And now, you are going to call me a taxi."

NOTE: This is just my personal interpretation of Bill, mind you! But I personally believe this is what Scully would have told him.