Utopia Now
Missing Scene

She lied on the hard soil moistened with dew. Her eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness, and she could see her partner across from her. She knew she should have been trying to sleep, but she could not get comfortable. After all, she was on the ground and handcuffed to another person. She would have given anything to be in her bed, at her home, with her mother and sons.

Amanda King had read many mystery novels full of spies, danger, intrigue, and romance. "If I had only taken the dangerous parts seriously," she thought to herself. Several times this night, she had been sure it was the end of her life. Amanda tried to take her mind off the negative. She tried to find a silver lining like Lee so often could. Lee Stetson, master spy. Amanda watched the steady pattern of his breathing as he slept.

Earlier he had tried to comfort her, tried to keep her warm. They had almost … well, they hadn't. That kiss could have ended a wonderful friendship. What was she thinking? She reminded herself with Lee's words. "There is nothing going on between us." She often wondered exactly who Lee was trying to convince. Oh, who was she kidding? She had fallen in love with Lee Stetson at first assignment.

A cold breeze swept between them. An eerie wind howled above them. Amanda quickly snuggled closer to Lee and closed her eyes tight. Although Lee was asleep, Amanda trusted he would protect her.

Lee was not sleeping, but he allowed her to think so. He deeply inhaled the faint scent of her shampoo. It took all his self-control to keep him from reaching up and stroking her hair. Amanda was scared, and this time, Lee wasn't so sure he could save her. Sure, he could always find a silver lining, but he was scared too. He did not fear for his life. He feared for Amanda's. How could he have done this to her? "It's all my fault that she's in this mess anyway!" he thought to himself.

He just wanted to go to sleep. "Why is this so difficult?" Lee had led a luxurious life as a spy, but he could rough it with the best of them.

Earlier, he could only hold her close. Try to protect her … somehow. And when they almost kissed he had felt like kicking himself. He could not let this relationship get personal. It was against all the rules – the Agency's rules, his rules! Amanda King was NOT his type.

Finally being honest with himself, he admitted that he wanted to kiss her. He could not help wondering about the future. That kiss could have ended a GREAT partnership, or worst of all, betrayed Amanda's trust in him.

Somehow, he was going to have to play it off. A light breeze blew several strands of Amanda's hair across Lee's lips. "Oh, a break like this would never happen in a safer circumstance." He looked down into Amanda's eyes and pulled her closer. She had finally found sleep. Lee rested his head on hers and gently kissed it. With Amanda in his arms he knew the meaning of Utopia. It was Utopia now.

Within seconds, he had finally fallen asleep.