Challenge: To use the following exactly as written "Where did you learn to do that?"

Author's Note: This story decided to run longer than the author planned. Possible tissue warning

Timeframe: Season 3--during the "summer hiatus" before Season 4, may be slightly OT from canon.

Author: Lynda Mayfield

Title: Young Lee Stetson

It was a sunny summer morning, and that had Amanda smiling to herself, because, she never imagined she would be waking up in Lee's apartment on a day like this one. At least, not a year ago.

This weekend, the boys were off with Joe and Dotty, well, she didn't even ASK for a reason why Amanda wasn't coming home, anymore. She seemed to know 'a little something' was going on. With a weekend alone, it was easy to plan to be with Lee.

He loved having her there, and was making breakfast, omelets. She watched as he expertly flipped the eggs by flinging them into the air and catching them with the skillet. The first omelet he had completed was on a plate on the counter, awaiting its mate.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Amanda asked him as he manipulated the food with a spatula.

"My mother. When I was younger I used to watch her all the time. She was the prettiest woman in the world. Ever." Lee gave Amanda a wink over his shoulder.

"Ever?" Amanda teased.

"Till you came along, yes."

"You must have been something, the young Lee Stetson. I know Phillip and Jamie eat the food, but they aren't so crazy about watching me make it."

Lee shut the burner off and served the breakfast, which included orange juice, coffee and toast. "I think I knew something would happen to her."

Amanda quirked an eyebrow at him, "How could you have?"

"I don't know, Amanda. I can remember, though, to this day. I was only 4 or 5, and felt I should spend a lot of time with her. Sometimes I watched her in the kitchen, and she didn't know. Except cookies. I was right in the mix when she made chocolate chip cookies." Lee looked down, focusing on cutting up his omelet.

"Awww, sweetheart." Amanda sensed that the memory was both sweet and painful. She took his hand. "Thank you for sharing that memory with me. It must be precious to you."

"Aww, it's nothing." Lee shook his head but still let her hold his free hand. "I shouldn't get soft about it, it was a long time ago."

"Lee, don't ever hold back your memories from me, okay? I mean, if you want to share them, don't feel bad about remembering. She was your mother and you only get one. Promise?"

Lee looked up, smiling, now. "Yea. Yea, I promise. You know, I am kind of lucky because Dotty is like a mother to me, also. I wouldn't have our family any other way."

It was Amanda's turn to blush, "Lee, thank you. I didn't know you felt that way about the boys, and Mother. After all, we're still just engaged."

"Your family is my family, just the same, Amanda. I love them. I love you."

"I love you, too." Amanda leaned in to seal the statement with a kiss.

The end