From: Nynaeve Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 10:37:21 -0400 Subject: NEW: Only Me (1/1) I'm posting this for a friend. Please send feedback to given address. If you do want to simply hit the reply button, feedback will be gladly forwarded. TITLE: Only Me (Formal Wear Intoxication 2) by Lyndalynn E-MAIL: lyndalynn@hotmail.com CATEGORY: S SPOILERS: None KEYWORDS: impending MSR, itsy bit o' angst SUMMARY: The wedding. You'll need to read "Formal Wear Intoxication" first. It can be found at: http://www.members.tripod.com/NynaeveSedai.html DISTRIBUTION: Anywhere, just please let me know. Please keep all information attached. Also, please archive with Part 1 DISCLAIMER: The characters herein do not belong to me. They are the property of CC, 1013, and Fox. I bow humbly in their presence. NOTES: I have to dedicate this one to Kel and everyone who gave me positive vibes after reading the first one ! Without feedback there wouldn't be a sequel so... FEEDBACK: Yes please to lyndalynn@hotmail.com ******************************************************************** "Dana!" Molly squealed as she sprinted towards the couple just making their way through the garden entrance. "It's so good to see you! It's been too long!" Scully smiled and braced herself. Molly Portman had been a friend of the family since they had been kids together. Molly, Melissa, and Heather (the bride-to-be) were all the same age, and had been inseparable when they were in school together. They had kept close over the years and through numerous moves. A sudden feeling of sad nostalgia washed over Scully. Luckily, before it could take hold, it was quickly warmed over through a hug and Molly's contagious smile. "My goodness! Where did you find this good-looking man? And how come nobody has told me a thing about him yet!" Mulder smiled a knowing smile, not uncomfortable at all. He looked to Scully, the smile still in his eyes asked *Do you want to explain, or should I?* Scully gave him a nod signifying *I'll get this one.* "Molly Portman, this is my partner, Fox Mulder. Mulder, Molly." "Well, 'Agent Scully', bringin' your work home with you never seemed like such a good idea before!" Molly giggled and stepped in closer to Mulder, "So! Are y'all enjoyin' yourselves? This is some spread isn't it?" She grabbed Mulder's hand and squeezed. "Say, Fox,would you like a tour of the gardens? I'd be happy to show you around." The entire time she had been speaking, Molly was slowly turning Mulder towards the garden, and away from Scully. Her hand smoothed across his shoulder, down his back, and stopped snugly on his hip. Mulder's eyebrows raised and his mouth formed an "Oh" of surprise. He glanced over to Scully. She was watching closely with a mixed expression of amusement and aggravation playing on her face. Before any of them had a chance to say another word, a flower girl ran up, pulled Molly aside, and whispered in her ear. "Oh, darlin', I'll have to catch up with you at the reception. They just called for a few more pictures." With another giggle she turned and hurried off. Mulder was left speechless. Scully laughed softly, "Sorry about Molly. After all these years she hasn't lost her, shall we say, enthusiasm. Or her Southern accent." "She's a peach, alright." Mulder stepped closer to Scully, closing the gap that Molly had forced between them, "And more than a little forward. Did you see the way she was hitting on me?" Mulder crossed his arms and tapped his foot in mock distress. "Oh Mulder. She's always been a flirt. Besides, it's not like she was actually moving in on my date." The situation was making Scully slightly annoyed. Mulder, on the other hand, was on a roll. He was enjoying the good-natured teasing. He almost felt like he was back in high school. "But she didn't know that," He continued, making it a point to stress the 'Yous', "You didn't make it clear. You said we were partners. We could be more than that." Scully could hear her heart beating in the silent seconds that followed. Silence that wasn't awkward, but something else. Mulder cast his eyes down for a moment, realizing the weight of his words. Then, in an instant, his eyes met hers. He smiled his little-boy, Muldersmile, and all was right again. That was all it ever took. He placed his hand to the small of her back and guided her foreward into the garden. "Come on. Let's go find a seat for the show." Scully thought,as she and Mulder settled into seats toward the back of the family section. The wedding was being held at Scully's Aunt Olive's home. The back lawn, even without a formal wedding planned around it, was an extensive floral garden. The perfume in the air was nearly dizzying from bright hollyhocks, cosmos, zinnias, and dahlias in full bloom. Not to mention scores of flowers Scully couldn't name. The flowers made beautiful natural decorations. Adding to the formal charm were cascades and garlands of white roses and ivy. The natural stone paths and lily pond full of koi made the garden somewhat enchanting. From a well-hidden sound system, Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" was helping to set a wonderful mood. As Scully scanned the ample crowd, she realized that she would definitely have some catching-up to do at the reception. She spotted her cousin, Tommy,who seemed very cozy with a striking young lady that she had never met before. Her youngest cousins were chasing around the rose-covered trellises as if they were jungle gyms. In their pre-teen minds this wedding must bejust so much nonsense. Scully fondly remembered cradling each of them in her arms the last time she had seen them. They had been just babies then. Sylvia caught her eye and gave her a friendly wave as she continued to scan the crowd. Sylvia was a close friend from a few military bases ago. She was here with her husband Robert and--a new baby? When did that happen? Scully sighed. She wondered why she had to be one of those people who always cried at weddings. Maybe it was the music. Maybe it was because they always made her reflect on love and life in general. Why was success in life measured on a grand scale of certain events? Life certainly wasn't passing her by. In fact, she sometimes had more than a lesser woman could take. So why did she feel bothered by those looks that said "Poor Dana the Spinster". Maybe her parents had foreseen those looks. Perhaps that was a reason they disapproved of her joining the FBI. Her job was consuming, true enough. It did monopolize her time. And the part of her life that wasn't consumed by the Bureau, was taken by Mulder. He would never admit it, but he needed her. Why else would he call her so often at unheard-of hours in the night. She glanced over to him. A pleasant surprise,he was behaving rather well. Leaning back in his folding chair, watching everything intently. He was making notes, taking mental pictures. Scully secretly loved watching him think. The way he sorted through details and formed ideas.Whether they were leaps of logic or some way-out theory, it was fascinating to watch. After all, smart is sexy. Scully arched her eyebrow as she caught herself in that thought. She reminded herself, but then with a soft smile,she let herself ease into the thought. Perhaps he was thinking the same sort of thoughts that she was. Then again, he may be wondering if mini-cameras and wireless bugs were hidden in the greenery. There was no way to tell. At that thought, she stifled a laugh. Scully chuckling, seemingly at nothing, instantly caught Mulder's attention. "What is it?" Mulder coaxed. "Oh, it's nothing." Scully gave him her best innocent look. She pursed her lips and tried her very best to suppress it, but it bubbled out as a full-blown laugh. "Oh no. Those are few and far between. What gives?" Before she could explain, more to the point, before she could talk her way out of it, a hush fell over the crowd. The first notes of the Wedding March filled the air. "Saved by the Wedding bell," Mulder was letting her off easy. And she knew it. She would probably pay for it later. The wedding was such an elegant affair, very classy. The attendants led the march down the aisle. Bridesmaids and groomsmen paired together looking like vintage cake toppers. The bridesmaids wore silk sheath style dresses that were tea-length. The dresses had empire waists, box necklines, were sleeveless, pale blue and had shoes dyed to match.To accessorize they wore blue pill-box hats and short white gloves. A double strand pearl choker and pearl earrings completed the fashion. Their other halves wore a combination of pin-stripe pants and sharp-angled black jackets. The jackets were nicely accented with a pale blue handkerchief tucked neatly into the pocket. "Very Kennedy." Mulder whispered. "Only you, Mulder." At that moment the bride stepped into the spotlight. She was beautiful. Her gown simply stated, to ensure that it was the bride that shone, not the dress. It was an A-line gown, with a jewel neckline, natural waist, and cap sleeves. The lace-scalloped hem just skimmed the ground and there was no train. The only embellishments were a dusting of seed pearls on the skirt. She carried a nosegay bouquet of white roses tied with a pale blue ribbon. Simple. Elegant. The gown was one that Scully could see herself in--and for a moment she did. She saw herself in full bridal glory, standing at the alter of her church. She saw her family and friends gathered around,celebrating with her and her new husband. When she looked up to the new, one and only man in her life, she saw... Well, she didn't have an answer for that just yet. "Only me," Mulder had been contemplating Scully's last remark. He had a playful spark in his eyes as he leaned over and whispered, "What exactly does that mean?" Scully looked nonplussed. She knew what that meant. The tear that had been threatening since the beginning of the ceremony made a path down her cheek. "Don't worry, G-Woman," Mulder assured her. "I won't tell anyone at the office that you cry at weddings." He gently clasped her hand and squeezed, like it was the most natural thing to do. Simply because, it was.