Author: Billy
Summary: This is my idea of behind the scenes of White Ballot, to give Amy's reason for leaving the team.
Ratings: PG-15
Warnings: Consented Het Sex, some swearing, maybe a little mushy in places. Mainly contains Face and Amy.
Notes: Prequel to Saving Amy
Disclaimer: I don't own the A Team and I've not made a penny from this, I just do it for the jazz!
…
Amy sat at her dining table in her apartment, staring into a freshly made cup of hot coffee. She was trying to think of how this could have happened. There had been no warnings, nothing. It had just happened.
There was only a couple of events in the past that had really stuck out for her, where maybe things had changed between them but otherwise she really hadn't seen it coming, not from him anyway.
Maybe it had started when they'd gone to Ray Brenner's funeral in Barlow Creek. Those two Watkins brothers, Harold and Deke, had showed up at Trish's house. She hadn't started to worry that something wasn't right until these slimeballs turned up. She knew Deke meant to do her harm. She and Trish were petrified. Even now she doesn't like to think what may have happened if the guys hadn't showed up and those two Watkins boys had got into the house. It made her shudder. But when Face was behind that door, Amy couldn't open it quick enough and flung herself into his arms with sheer relief she was safe. She never thought too much of it but from that day on, Face, and the rest of the team for that matter, had maybe become a little more protective over her.
Her mind then drifted to Daniel Running Bear. Had Face seemed jealous of Daniel's interests in Amy? She had picked up on his comment about "falling for the old bow and arrow" trick. Did he mean it out of brotherly affection in his usual teasing with her, or was his nose a little out of joint? Daniel and Amy's relationship was never going to last, she was a city girl with a city ambition, but she had to admit it was nice to be the one getting the attention, while it lasted. Even today she was still in touch with him, although they both mutually agreed that they should remain just friends.
But neither of these two events could explain what happened, could it?
Okay and so there was the occasional teasing and flirting between them, but that was how they were with one another. Amy didn't deny to herself that she was attracted to Face, but over the eighteen months she'd learnt to put a lid on it. It hadn't been worth risking losing the rest of the team. And besides, they'd become good friends, even close.
She looked at the sheet of paper in front of her. It was a promotion as International Correspondence to be based in Jakarta, in writing. But she needed to make a decision quickly. If she were to accept the job, Eldridge wanted her on a plane within the week. Eighteen months ago she would have snapped it up in a flash. But now it would mean that she would have to leave the A team if she took this job. The question was, did she really want to take it? Would it have the same jazz?
Amy pondered on what had happened in New Mexico, seven days ago, still staring blankly into her cup of coffee.
…
"Oh, that is just awful!" Amy screwed up her face as she looked at one of the dresses she'd pulled out of the closet.
Amy was frantically packing in her apartment to be Face's "wife", alias Mrs Joe Morgan. Hannibal had said "First Lady" material and so she was going through her closet, digging out some hand-me-downs from her mother, dresses she thought would never see the light of day! She hadn't thrown them out in fear she'd offend her mother, but she had never quite planned on wearing them. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how Amy looked at it, the outfits fitted perfectly for the role she had to play.
She packed also some casual clothes of her own and the usual bare essentials, but was trying to keep it light. The guys always commented on how heavy her bags were.
Hannibal had given her a wig to wear, he'd managed to get from the costume department of the latest set he was working on and so she had a "delightful" blonde permed wig ready and waiting for her on her dressing table.
As she packed she had in the back of her mind, a conversation going round her head with her boss, Eldridge. He'd just offered her a promotion. A chance of a lifetime and a great career break for her, something she'd dreamed about but she was unsure whether to take it. It meant leaving the team. To try and stop herself from worrying about the decision of it, she would talk it over with the guys maybe while in New Mexico, if she got the chance.
A couple of hours later, her apartment doorbell rang. Amy opened the door to Face and was a little taken back by what she saw.
"Wow, you look," Amy stared at him. "Handsome." Damn, he looked good enough to eat!
Face was in full military dress, it was similar to his own full dress suit that he usually wore, but instead of a green beret he wore a cap, as Joe Morgan had been of a different regiment.
"Why, thank you." Face smiled at her and grabbed her bag as she locked up her apartment. As she watched him walk along the corridor, Amy thought to herself, just when you think Face can't get any better looking, he sticks a uniform on.
"How long do you think we are going for?" Face moaned as he carried the bag.
"What?" Amy was puzzled initially, with her thoughts elsewhere. "Oh I didn't know what I'd need. You know, I like to be prepared." Amy smiled back at him and then adjusted her wig. It was already starting to itch and she really wasn't confident that she looked good enough to be on the arm of Face, alias Joe Morgan.
"Mmm…nice hair, sweetheart," he teased as they walked down the corridor to the stairwell, watching her fidget with her wig.
"I know it's awful!" Amy replied. "Hannibal insisted."
"Actually, I think it kinda suits you," as he'd had time to get use to Amy's new look. "You look first lady material if I have to say so myself."
They hurried down to a taxi that was waiting for them. Hannibal, BA and Murdock had already gone ahead in the van as they were driving and it would take longer for them to reach New Mexico by road than by plane. They had to be on that runway waiting for Face and Amy's arrival, if Hannibal's plan was to work.
As they got in the taxi, Amy thought she'd repay her compliment. "You look pretty good yourself, you know?" She smiled at him, admiring the uniform again. "Very handsome."
Face didn't say anything, he just grinned and winked at her as he adjusted his collar in his usual way.
…
At the airport, where the small plane was waiting for them, Face picked up Amy's bag like the perfect gentleman he was, and struggled with it and his own. Amy insisted on helping and took her own bag off of him.
On the plane, Amy sat nervously. They were apparently waiting for another couple to board.
"Face, we'd better get our story straight." Amy panicked. "What if they start asking us questions?"
"What?" Face said with a puzzled expression.
"Well, we're suppose to be newly weds, what if they ask us where we met? How did you propose? That sort of thing."
"Just let me do the talking, kid," and Face flashed her his smile.
Face was right, thought Amy. He could charm the pants off of anyone. What was she worried about?
"Do I really look okay?" She asked.
"You look fine."
"But, well you just look so good. I'm worried that, well dressed like this we don't quite match."
"Amy, you really do look fine." Face tried to reassure her. She actually looked really pretty even in the suit she was wearing. "Anyway, what do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
"No I don't."
Amy rolled her eyes. "I don't think I look, well good enough for you. Are they going to believe I'm your wife?"
"Amy…" Face took her hand, he was about to say something else, but the couple they were waiting for boarded the plane and sat opposite them, smiling away.
"Hello." The woman said smiling nervously at Face and Amy, as people do when meeting for the first time. Face kept held of Amy's hand.
The short flight was pretty much uneventful. The couple sat opposite them did make light conversation. Face was his usual charming self and did most of the talking to Amy's relief. She wasn't so good at telling the fantastic tales Face could, but she would back him up when prompted. They pulled off the newly married couple very well.
Face kept himself close to his new wife and kept held of her hand, gently squeezing and stroking it occasionally as he talked to the other couple. Amy would respond by smiling and blushing sweetly, assuming that it was all for the show, but secretly taking pleasure in this affection Face was giving her.
When the plane landed, everything went as Hannibal planned. Amy could feel the Sheriff's annoyance as Face refused the key to the town. She was trying to note everything down mentally, so that she could get every detail covered in her story.
In the taxi to the hotel, they sat in silence, apart from the giving the hotel name to the taxi driver. Amy noticed how close Face was sitting to her. His cologne lingered making her slightly dizzy with the jazz, he smelt good. He had one arm around her shoulder and with it he stroked at her hair. She put her arm up to meet his and he took her hand into his and squeezed it affectionately and then started to gently stroke her hand. Amy assumed this was for show, for the taxi driver, as he could be one of the sheriff's supporters and reciprocated the affection. But she was enjoying the attention, even if it was pretend.
Once at the hotel, they checked in. Face had booked two rooms back in LA, one for Mr & Mrs Morgan and another to be close by, for friends, which was a large family room. Face was able to find out that the rest of the team had already checked into the other room.
Amy and Face made their way to their own hotel room. The room was nothing special, a standard three star room. Clean and tidy but not particularly luxury. However on the dressing table sat an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two champagne glasses, with a note saying 'with compliments.' It wasn't anything expensive, but it was the thought that counted. Amy held it up to Face and smiled.
"I did happen to mention we were newly weds." Face smiled as he put their bags down and took off his cap, placing it on the bed and running his fingers through his hair. "You know me, I'll always try to get something for nothing." He continued to grin.
"I don't think you'll ever cease to amaze me," Amy chuckled. "I think I need a drink after today, and wearing this damn wig." Amy looked at it in the dressing table's mirror, in frustration. She wanted to take it off, but was concerned what her hair underneath may look like. "And these damn clothes."
She heard a pop of the champagne bottle and turned to see Face already pouring a couple of glasses of champagne.
"You don't look so bad." Face stood behind her and handed her a glass of the bubbly, then loosened his tie with his free hand. She looked at him unimpressed and then took a couple of sips before putting the glass down.
"You're kidding right?" Amy said trying to smile.
"Okay, so I've seen you wear better." He smiled. "I can always help you out of those clothes." He said winking at her.
Amy rolled her eyes and ignored Face's playful comment.
"Hannibal and this damn wig!" Amy said as she scratched at her head. "It's itching me like crazy. You couldn't help me could you? I had to put some pins in to keep it in place."
"Sure," Face put his glass down and stood behind her and he gently brushed the fake hair off of her neck. Amy saw him hesitate slightly because instead of taking the pins out of her hair, he bent in and kissed her neck. Amy shot around in surprise at him.
"Face! You can drop the act now." Amy said sarcastically, shocked and confused by his actions. She searched his eyes; she could see mischief in them and he was smiling at her. She couldn't help but smile at him back.
"I'm not acting, I've enjoyed being close to you today." Amy leaned against the dressing table as he moved a little closer to her and took her hand. "You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it too?" He gently pulled her into his arms.
She gave little resistance. She had enjoyed today.
"Face?" Amy said looking into his eyes as her heart was starting to beat a little faster. Could he feel it beating against his chest? Her heart was saying yes, her head was saying no.
"What?" He smiled and tried to kiss her, their lips were inches from each other, but she wouldn't let her lips touch his.
"Hannibal…"
"What about him? He doesn't have to know, not tonight." He moved his face closer to hers.
"No." Amy gave him a disapproving look, but she still couldn't quite pull herself away, she just kept her eyes fixed on his. "Just, Hannibal's going to be knocking on that door in a couple of minutes. That's what."
"Well, until he does, I'd like to seduce my wife," he said as he placed his lips firmly on hers and kissed her, pulling her close so she could feel the whole strength of his body against hers. Amy nearly succumbed to the kiss, his lips against hers, this was something she'd secretly dreamed about herself, but stopped herself and pulled away.
"Face, this isn't funny. Stop playing games with me," Amy whispered, her face remaining close to his. She couldn't quite pull herself away from him as if in a trance.
"I'm not playing games." He stroked her hair. "Look, I'm sorry but if you don't want this."
"I didn't say I didn't want… just…what are you doing?" She still remained in his arms, liking the feeling of his strength around her. "I've never seen you like this… with me" she added. It wasn't that she didn't want to; it was because she felt she shouldn't.
"For the last few weeks, this is all I've dreamed of doing with you." He flashed his smile and once again softly plied her with kisses. "I can't stop myself anymore," in between the kisses he whispered into her ear. "I just need to hold you."
There was a knock at their hotel room door. Face gently released Amy and went to open it, spying through the hole first. He seemed relaxed and himself in all of his actions as if he had nothing to hide. Amy was confused and worried that she may look flustered; she tried straightening her clothing and checked her makeup in the mirror.
"It's Hannibal." He said as he opened the door. Hannibal stood there, grinning with a lit cigar in his hand.
"Face, you should'a seen the look on Dawson's face, when you turned down that key." Hannibal said smugly striding into the hotel room, grinning from ear to ear. "You two kids OK? Good flight?"
Murdock and BA followed him in.
"Yeah, fine," Amy replied readjusting her wig. As it still hadn't been removed she decided it would be easier for it to stay on where it was currently. She hoped that Hannibal couldn't tell what had just gone on between them.
"Right, well we are just across the hall, Amy, you'll be alright here on ya own, kid?" Hannibal asked her but before she could answer, Face spoke.
"Actually, Hannibal, I don't think it's a good idea to leave Amy in here on her own." Face said. "I mean, this guy has conveniently got rid of his competition before. I don't think it's safe for her to stay here alone."
"You're right, Face," Hannibal agreed. Dawson had been ruthless before and it was what they were expecting him to be with Face.
"I don't mind staying here and keeping her company, if that's okay with Amy?" Face turned to her and smiled. He was giving a mischievous look in her direction, that none of the others could see. Amy shrugged as if to say okay. "And it probably makes sense, just in case anyone does come sniffing around. They'd get a bit suspicious if Mr and Mrs Morgan weren't in the same room."
"I agree with Faceman," Murdock added. "That is if Amy's okay with it. But Dawson did look mightily peeved earlier."
"I'll expect you to be the perfect gentleman, Lieutenant!" Hannibal looked at Face sternly.
"Of course!" Face lied. His intentions were a little more than protecting Amy, and Amy knew it.
"Amy, you alright with this? If Face or Murdock keep you company?"
She looked up and across at Hannibal. She'd been deep in her own thoughts. "Yeah, sure. I am sure Face will be the perfect gentleman he always is." Amy replied. Maybe they did need this time alone together?
"Right, well you two kids get an early night, we gotta be out early tomorrow, campaigning." Hannibal grinned as the jazz twinkled in his eyes and then he walked out with BA and Murdock following, bickering in their usual way.
Once the door was closed, Amy turned to Face.
"So, you'll be on the sofa then tonight?" She teased, smiling at him.
Face walked over to her. "Well if that's what you'd prefer?" He brushed the fake hair off of her face and gently stroked her cheek.
No, that's not what I'd prefer, Amy thought, frozen on the spot as her heart raced. Did she want this? What had got into Face? He smiled at her, his smile. The smile that usually got him anything he wanted. It didn't help he had a uniform on either. She was starting to weaken as she stared into his blue eyes that she could see were searching into hers.
"Face, what's got into you?"
"Amy, I can't put it into words, please, just let me show you," and he started to kiss her again. "I just want to, need to hold you." She was about to give in to him once again.
"Stop!" Amy put her hands up onto his chest. She went to run her hands through her hair in frustration, as she couldn't understand what was going on, but remembered the wig. She let out a frustrated cry of anger. It was more about the wig rather than Face, but what was happening? She hadn't seen this coming.
"This damn wig!" Amy stood in front of the dressing table mirror once again and started to remove the wig.
Face came back to her aid. "Here, let me help you." He stood behind her and together they removed the pins that were holding her blonde wig in place. She ran her hands through her hair, shaking her head upside down, hoping it would give her hair back some body.
"Feel better?"
"Much, thanks."
"You know, I said it this morning, blonde suits you."
"Please!" Amy responded negatively, still keeping her back to him, trying to fix her hair in the mirror.
"Okay, so maybe you could have a better blonde wig." He smiled at her through the mirror.
Always the charmer, Amy thought as she giggled back at him through the mirror and started to relax again.
Face picked up the glass of champagne from the dressing table and handed it to her, and she took a sip. Once again he tried to gently kiss her neck, sweeping her hair softly back. She watched him do it looking into the mirror and didn't reject him. So he pulled her around to face him and started kissing her on the lips. She closed her eyes and let him kiss her. His touch felt so good and so right. Her mind raced, of all the options and decisions running through her head, one of which Face certainly didn't know about. How was this going to affect her life? If she did leave for Jakarta maybe this would be a good way to say goodbye to him. Or maybe he'd make her stay?
Okay, what the hell, she thought as he kissed her, succumbing to his touch. If this is what you want, this is what you are going to get. She put the glass back down on the dressing table and responded to his kiss. Relaxing into his arms, she kissed him passionately, letting her tongue meet his.
"Amy," Face looked at her slyly. "A nice girl like you." He mumbled as he kissed her keeping his arms firmly wrapped around her, trailing his fingers down her back.
"Sounds like you've never kissed a nice girl before, Face," she teased and ran her fingers through his hair. She then trailed her hands down his arms assisting with taking off his uniform jacket. Face let out a groan as he did the same to her and removed her jacket.
"God, I've wanted to get this suit off since we landed." Amy joked.
"I've wanted to get that suit off you since we took off!"
"Face!" Amy playfully slapped him on the arm.
In amidst kissing her passionately and hungrily he started to unbutton her blouse and un-tucked it from her skirt. His hands gently caressed her naked back.
Before she knew it, Amy was standing in just her underwear, the clothes she had been wearing at her feet in messy piles. Face on the other hand was still wearing his shirt, albeit undone and his pants; all she'd managed was to remove his tie.
Amy chuckled. "Damn, you are good."
He smiled back at her cunningly and picked her up and walked her over to the bed where he gently placed her on it. Face then tugged at his socks and took off his own shirt and pants, so that he was just in his boxers. He laid himself next to her, not taking his eyes off of her. He stroked her skin along her arms and kissed her.
Amy had a momentarily glitch in her thoughts. Was she doing the right thing? It all seemed to be happening so fast.
"You know, we don't have to do anything you don't want to." Face gently spoke to her as he saw the nervousness return in her face.
"I know." She whispered back. "I just…" she shook her head. "…nothing."
"You know, you truly are beautiful?" Face whispered to her and with on hand gently sliding down her back, he undid her bra. He gently brushed it off her and placed himself on top of her. As he playfully pulled at her panties, she pushed off his boxers both passionately kissing and eagerly stroking one another. Their naked bodies tightly pressed against one another. She could feel his erection, and then him enter her.
They kissed passionately as they made love biting and nibbling at each other with a hungry passion. It was intense and rough, eighteen months of built up sexual tension between them was being unleashed.
It wasn't long before she came; they'd both been so eager in their lovemaking they hadn't thought about taking their time. As she felt the orgasm spread through her, she felt the pulse of his penis as he too came. They both lay there, saying nothing just staring into one another's eyes, catching back their breath. Face pulled the sheets over them, so that they wouldn't get cold. As his penis softened he withdrew but kept his body firmly next to hers.
As they lay there in each other's arms, Face stroked Amy's face, sweeping her hair off of her face and kissed her hands that he held. They lay silently in each other's arms. Neither daring to say a word.
Amy's thoughts raced. Was that just a fuck, or did we make love? She searched his eyes as if they would give her answers but as usual they weren't giving anything away. Amy was desperate to ask him questions but didn't want to ruin this closeness. A closeness she had only ever dare dream of. If she mentioned anything with regards to feelings or relationship, she knew Face well enough he'd run. She needed him to come forward first with his thoughts before she could confess hers. In some ways she didn't want to scare Face with any intimate thoughts unsure how he would react and ruin their moment together. This seemed so perfect that she just laid there next to him in his arms, looking into his blue eyes.
She was starting to feel tired, sleep was close and she could feel her eyes getting heavier. It had been a long and exhausting day.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," Face whispered softly to her.
"Really?" She whispered back, relieved to hear him speak. Maybe he'd give her the answers she wanted to hear.
Face groaned. "For a while now, I've just wanted to get so close to you."
"You can't get much closer than this," Amy said as she kissed him gently on his lips and their embrace got tighter. Her tiredness lifted.
Face rolled himself back on top of her staring back into her eyes. There was more mischief in his.
"Again?" She smiled.
Face looked at her and flashed his smile before kissing her passionately. This time we are going to make love, she thought.
Eventually, the pair of them fell asleep in each other's arms. Face watched Amy sleep as he eventually drifted off himself. In the morning, Face felt like he'd had the best nights sleep he'd ever had, or at least he could remember. With Amy wrapped in his arms he'd slept peacefully.
…