From: leebeedo@lycosmail.com Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 17:03:17 -0500 (EST) Subject: x-files fan fic THE BRIDESMAID WORE BLACK Author: Lee Beaton (leebeedo@lycosmail.com) Rating: Adult Classification: Scully/Krycek friendship/angst Prequel to "The Ghosts of Love" Alex Krycek gazed at the two women standing at the church altar, unable to decide which was more beautiful: the bride, blonde Marita Covarrubias, whose alabaster complexion and pale blue eyes complimented the simple knee length satin gown of pale green, or her attendant, red-haired Dana Scully, creamy-skinned and voluptuously petite in an exquisite 2-piece black dress. Both women loved the groom, Fox Mulder who held the hand of his blonde wife to be. Krycek hated the groom for many reasons, but mostly he hated him for winning the hand of Marita. Dana Scully stood holding the bride's bouquet fighting back tears. This was the worst day of her life. Marita was marrying the man she loved, her partner of 5 years. Fox Mulder had quite simply fallen deeply in love Marita. Settling down with her became his optimum concern and they were marrying after only a few months as a couple. Marita had been tremendously kind to Dana and asked her to be an attendant as a favor. "I've no family, Dana" she had said, "but I'll understand if you refuse". Scully had said "yes" for Mulder's sake. Krycek could not only read the pain on the radiant redhead's face, but he could feel it. Why were they, the rejected lovers witnessing this most painful act. Mercifully the ceremony was almost over. He stood at the door at the church and was surprised with Dana Scully approached him on her way out the door. "Shouldn't we wait and congratulate them?" he asked her as he gently took her arm. "I think we've both been through enough, don't you, Krycek?" she asked as the tears began to flow down her cheeks. Alex Krycek couldn't stand to see a woman cry. "Let's go" he said with concern as he led her outside the church and handed her the handkerchief from his suit pocket. It was then that Dana noticed how nice he looked. A simple black suit and maroon tie. He really was a good looking guy. He had dark, long lashes, shapely mouth. He didn't seem at all like the violent man she had once suspected of killing her sister and Mulder's father. "Thank you" she blurbled as she wiped her eyes. "I see you wore black too!" she joked through her tears. "I couldn't resist" he replied. "This is not a good day for me but I guess they really love each other." "I guess?" she admitted tearfully. "Agent Scully?Dana?" he asked. "I know we've always been at odds to say the least, but I've nowhere else to go and I'd really like to have a cup of coffee with you." "I don't want coffee?" she said stubbornly. "Oh?". He suddenly looked crestfallen. His velvet lashes brushed his cheeks. "Some other time?" he muttered. "No?no?." she protested?"I don't want coffee, I want a drink!" Hours later they still lingered in a cozy corner of an Italian caf. Lunch had been wonderful linquini primavera, caesar salad, Italian ice cream and red wine lots of it. "You know, Dana" Krycek said to her nicely, "I was trying to keep my mind off things in that church and it suddenly struck me how beautiful you are. I never really looked at you that way before, I mean, just as a federal agent, but not as a woman" he said apologetically. "That's ok Alex?" she said softly as she stared at him. "Thank you for the compliment you know, you're not so bad yourself". "He's a fool!" Krycek suddenly said fervently. "Giving up a woman like you?" Dana blushed. "I think so too!" she joked to ease the uncomfortable moment. "Alex, what will you do now that your days with the Consortium are over?" "Concentrate on my personal life, I guess." He shrugged. "They made me a rich man, Dana. I've bought a place here, but I always thought Marita and I?.." his voice trailed off. "I know what you mean.." she said sympathetically as she took his hand. "I waited too long to tell Mulder how I felt." "I want a wife and children!" he exclaimed. "I've dreamed of having children". she agreed. "Dana, does the thought of starting over scare the hell out of you? I'm scared shitless!" he declared. Dana Scully's eyes filled with tears. "I?I don't think I can start again..I love him too much. I don't think I can ever love anyone else." "I've upset you!" he cursed himself for swearing. he thought. "Dana?would you?I mean?.I'd like to see you again sometime. Maybe for dinner? Or a movie. Whatever you like? he asked. she observed to herself. She blushed. "Okay, but on one condition.." she replied. he admonished to himself. "What?" he asked nervously. "That neither one of us mention Fox Mulder or Marita Covarrubias, or the state of our love lives. That we just talk about?.things!" she finished determinedly. He nodded slowly. "Things?" he agreed. "ok, agreed, no Mulder and Marita?just things.. A shortwhile later, Scully and Krycek went their separate ways, with Krycek promising to call her soon. As she opened her apartment door, she remembered how the day started, what she had thought was the worst day of her life. But a kindness offered by a man she once considered her enemy had changed all that. She believed Krycek would call her again. At the very least, she had a new friend. She fumbled with her crucifix as she closed her door and once again retreated to her solitary world. "I guess there is a God?." She muttered as she managed a smile? feedback: leebeedo@lycosmail.com