The Gift

Summary: How did Amanda finally get to start agent classes?

Timeframe: Just before season 3.

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions.

This story, however, is mine. Please don't archive it without my permission.

Rating: G

Feedback: All is welcome.

Glancing out over the bullpen, he saw them enter, Lee's hand on the small of her back. They parted ways, Amanda going to her desk and Lee to the coffee pot. He took this as his cue, "Stetson! My office," he called.

Lee finished putting cream in his coffee and then came in, shutting the door behind him, and sitting down. "What's up, Billy?" he asked.

"Beaman has a new set of recruits ready to start freshman training next month," Billy opened.

"Oh no, Billy – I am not going to Dodge City with this batch. I'm low on the rotation schedule," Lee replied immediately.

Billy smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it. That's not why I mentioned it."

"Then why?" Lee wondered out loud.

"Lee," Billy started, his voice softening, "Amanda has been asking for more formal training for years, and I've been putting it off for a reason" Lee didn't say anything, just looked at him quizzically, so Billy continued. "I think Amanda has been great for you. Both personally and professionally. You've really opened up, stopped being such a loner. And you're a more careful agent. Between agency classes, assignments on her own for class, and her family, I'm not sure Amanda will have time to help you as much as she normally does. I was hesitant to take away that help too soon, not sure the impact she had on you would stick."

Lee nodded quietly, already thinking about the fact that Billy was right – Amanda wouldn't have as much time to help him once she started training classes. "So, what's different now, Billy?" he asked.

Billy sighed, "She's perfect for this business and she's been here for a long time. I thought it was okay to focus on you for awhile, but the truth is I'd be a poor excuse for a section chief if I didn't consider what Amanda needs as well. She deserves this, Lee."

"Hey, I'm not arguing," Lee replied.

"You have the right to. You know to get Smyth to agree to training classes for Amanda, we need to fill out the paperwork and that paperwork requires the signature of the recruiting agent. I can't make you sign."

Now it was Lee's turn to sigh. He glanced out at the bullpen, watching Amanda as she worked on writing one of his reports. If he signed the form, she would be busy – likely too busy to help him with work or even for the purely personal dinners that were becoming more common between them.

On the other hand, she wanted training and Billy was right - she had more than earned the right to get it.

He weighed these issues in his mind, unable to come to any resolution – keep her schedule free to work with him or let her have the training she deserved?

At that moment, while Billy watched Lee quietly, waiting for an answer, Amanda looked up and caught Lee's eye smiling at him through the window of Billy's office. Almost without thought, Lee felt himself smile in return.

With that smile, the dilemma was gone – the issues he was deciding with unimportant. Amanda was many things to him – more than he was willing to deal with right now, but most clearly she was his best friend. In the face of her smile, he had no more questions. He could only do what he knew would make her happy. He'd deal with having to see her less later.

Turning to Billy, he asked, "Where's the form?"

He was whistling as he exited Billy's office.