*NEW* "Painted Moods" 1/2 retry

[R.McCormack]

*Hello all ! I am posting this story for my good friend Ali
Donovan . Comments can be e-mailed to this address or to
<lilgr...@aol.com>.

Disclaimer: Without permission!!! The charcters and story line from
The X-Files have been lovingly borrowed without permission from Ten
Thirteen Productions and Chris Carter. No copyright infringement is
intended . Please don't sue me ... I'll have to break my piggy bank open.

M&S romance ahead !! All relationshippers say " Ahhhhhh" . For now
this is mostly Scully angst but .... well ... you'll see. I have a feeling this
may be a bit lengthy so I'm splitting the story in to separate parts with
different titles for each part.

This is my first story so please, please send me your comments , ideas,
and thoughts ! Flames will be humbly accepted . Please send responses
to <bw...@direct.ca> or directly to me at : <lilgr...@aol.com>
Thanks! Here we go...

Painted Moods 1/2
by Alicia Donovan

A fiery redhead with intense blue eyes and red tulip lips stared
out the window observing the beauty of mother nature. The early
morning sun's radiant rays spread light and warmth to all the red, peach,
purple , and pink flowers of the summer garden. All the fruits were
ripe, fresh, and ready to be picked and savored . The woman smiled
and picked up her paint brush , canvas , and portable radio and headed
out the french doors. Painting was just a hobby, her real job was being
an FBI agent. However, she was on vacation , two weeks away from
all the wild cases involving aliens , mutants , or freaks. She reached a
spot where the elevation was slightly above the rest making the view
surrounding her romantic and picturesque. She placed her things out
and carefully set up her canvas.
<Life is good> she thought to herself.
Most of the cases ,especially the weird ones, had winded down
. Her partner had just broke up with his girl friend Cynthia, a tall
brunette who looked like a Cindy Crawford clone. Her partner's mind
was back in gear and was making some progress in his search for his
long lost sister. It had been six years they'd worked together , she had
gradually given up on revenge for the death of her sister and had eased
up on her desire to find out her physical condition due to her abduction.
<Life goes on> and she realized she had to enjoy it while it lasted.
What God had meant it to be , she had to accept it. Although she had
convinced herself of this , somehow she felt chained and did not seem
to mind it at all. She was thirty-four years old , had no husband , no
long relationships but somehow she felt content. She had her mom, her
brothers, and ... and her partner, her best friend.

She awoke from her reminiscing and turned the radio on for
some inspiration , some idea of what to paint. With the first song came
her inspiration and she began to paint forgetting all the world around
her , except the for song and her creation.

I'll paint my mood in shades of blue
paint my soul to be with you
I'll sketch your lips in shaded tones
draw your mouth to my own

I'll draw your arms around my waist
Then all doubt I shall erase
I'll paint the rain that softly lands on
your wind blown hair ....

An older woman looked out her french doors and smiled at the
image of her daughter busily working on her painting. She decided to
go out and talk to her . As she approached her daughter ,she stopped
midway to observe the creation and realized what she was busy
painting. She smiled and decided not to interrupt. She had always
known and always wanted it that way , but somehow her heart became
heavy at the thought. As she re-entered her summer house the doorbell
rang. She opened the door to see a tall , dark-haired man with a boyish
grin holding out a bouquet to her.

" Fox ! What are you doing here? " Margret Scully asked.
" I came to see Scully , Mrs. Scully . I have great news ,"
" Really ? Come in ,"
" Thanks. I'm here to give you an invitation ," he said.
" To what? " she asked quite curious. Fox was visibly excited .
He looked like he had just won a million dollars.
" My wedding ," he answered.
" Congratulations ! Dana never told me that you two ... "
" Oh, Dana doesn't know ,"
" She doesn't ? "
" No, it happened when she left for this vacation a week ago ....
Are you all right Mrs. Scully? You suddenly turned pale , " he asked
concerned, gently helping her to sit down.
" I... I just need to sit down ..." Margret was silent.
" Aren't you happy for me ? " he joked.
" No... no... Fox. I'm just shocked that's all ,"
" Well, I *am* hitting the big four zero soon . I think it's about
time. She's a great person and she can tolerate my mood swings... " he
chuckled.
" I'm glad for you. You don't seem to be the marrying type ..."
" I didn't think so either , but I guess if ghosts and aliens can
get attention from the FBI I can find myself a wife. Stranger things
have happened," he answered grinning.
" I see ,"
" Where's Scully ? I want to tell her the good news !"
" She's outside... but I don't think it's a good idea for you ..." but
he was gone before she finished her sentence.

Scully placed her brush down and looked at the painting. Her
heart filled with joy as she memorized every detail.
Out of nowhere , she heard her last name being called and the
only one person called her that , her partner. She quickly turned her
canvas the other way so he would not see the picture.

" Mulder ,what are you doing here? Not another case ! I'm on
vacation ! " she complained.
" No !" he beamed and handed her a white envelope . Only once
in a blue moon had Scully seen her partner beam like that. She gave
him her <what's this ? Is it going to bite ?> look.
" You're a bit early for my birthday, Mulder ."
" It's an invitation ," Mulder answered.
" To what ?"
" My wedding !"
" Your what ? " she yelled making Mulder jump.
" My wedding with Cynthia ," he answered . "Are you OK
Scully ? "
" I'm fine... Congratulations . I'll be there for your wedding ,"
she said in her calmest, coolest professional manner.

" I didn't know you liked to paint , Scully " he said.
" There's a lot you don't know about me I guess ," she
answered without looking at him.
" What did you just paint ? Turn the thing over so I can see it, "
he said reaching out for it . Scully grabbed his hand away and nearly
pushed him down.
" I'm ... I'm so sorry Mulder. It's private . I think it's time for
you to leave. Thank you for the invitation, " she said pointing her hand
to the house.
" Since when have you been keeping secrets from me, Scully?
" he teased
" I should be the one asking that question . However , I am not
in the mood to argue , " she answered.
" You *are* coming to the wedding , right? My pal , my buddy
, my best friend ." he said with his best pretty-please-with-sugar-on-it
smile.
" Ye... yes ," she replied folding her arms as if to hold her
breath.
" Well, I'll see you around. Happy vacation at least we don't
have any new cases yet ," and he left almost skipping like a school boy
down the lane.

When Mulder was out of sight, Scully collapsed on the mossy
ground. Supporting herself with one hand on the easel , she started to
shake as the tears of realization began to flow uncontrollably .
" Good bye Mrs. Scully ," Mulder said as he let himself out .
All Margret could do was watch the door close behind him.

Margret went out of the house to see her daughter leaning
against the easel trembling. She knew her daughter's pain and her heart
ached for her.
<Men are so stupid sometimes ,especially men like Mulder,
who is probably the smartest man she has ever met. But, when it comes
to these things , he is probably the one who will take the prize for being
blind and stupid. >
She went to her daughter's side and held her while she cried her
heart out.

" It hurts so much . So much mom. I'm such a fool.... Wait ...
wait for what ? " Dana cried between her sobs.
" Why didn't you tell him how you felt , honey ?" Margret
asked.
" Why? ...Why ? .... Because he doesn't love me ... not.... not
that way .... I should have known . I can't compare to that girl ."
" Sweetheart don't say that, you are a beautiful , intelligent
,and caring person. Fox is a fool to let you slip through his fingers."

Scully didn't respond. Margret Scully knew that no words could
soothe her daughter's pain. She sat quietly with her until the sun began
to set. Finally Scully stood , her back straight as a pole. She composed
herself and said ," Mom, I have always learnt from my mistakes , have
I not ?"
" Yes dear, you've always learned. You never make the same
mistakes twice,"
" I won't again , not this time. Nothing is going to stop me ,"
Scully said with a determinate gleam in her eyes , one that frightened
her mother.
" Dana , do not stop living . Don't shut the world out, " her
mother pleaded.
" Mom ! Shut out the world ? No, my chains are broken mom ,
I've just begun to live ." Dana said and laughed , a harsh cynical laugh .
With that she headed towards the house not even looking back at the
picture she had so dearly painted straight from her heart .

End part 1/2 ( the plot thickens...)
eep! I'm afraid to ask . Thoughts ? Constructive criticism? Is it worth
finishing?
All responses will be answered. I love e-mail !

Another disclaimer: " The Color of my Love" by Celine Dion was used without
permission. No infringements intended.