A Christmas to Remember

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

Author's Note: I know Dr. Smyth didn't appear until season three but he was just perfect for this story so I brought him in a little early.

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(Set in Season 2 – December 17)

Lee woke up and looked over at the luscious creature in his bed, thinking about starting up where they left off the night before.

Only there wasn't a luscious creature in his bed, or even in the room.

Raising his head, he looked around. "Jillian?"

No answer.

Shrugging, Lee got out of bed, seeing, as he did, a note on his nightstand.

Lee Darling,

Last night was wonderful. Hope to do it again soon. What are your plans for Christmas? Call me.

Love, Jillian

Shaking his head, Lee crumpled the note up and threw it away. Jillian was a beautiful girl and what she could do in bed was amazing but… He shook his head again. But what, he wasn't sure. He only knew that he had no desire to spend Christmas with her, or anyone else for that matter.

Lee wasn't much on holidays. Especially not family holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Family holidays were just that, meant for family and he didn't have one. He hardly counted his uncle as family.

Grabbing a towel, he headed for the shower, his mind slipping back a year to last Christmas Eve. Shot and surrounded by Russians, he still counted it as the best Christmas he'd had since his parent's death. Musing on that, he wondered why. It wasn't anything like he'd always thought a joyous Christmas should be.

There were no Christmas carols, well not unless you count four drunken spies and an apprentice spy warbling Silent Night off-key. And there wasn't any feast of turkey or ham; instead they'd had beans and vodka. And there certainly weren't any presents, unless you count the gifts of peace and friendship for a few hours.

But despite all of that, it'd been a Christmas he'd not soon forget. Sighing he stepped into his shower and turned the water on, wishing he could wash his melancholy thoughts off as easily.

But there was no use in thinking about it. This year, things would be back to normal. He had a trip to take to Italy and would probably get back home on the twenty first or second. Guacamole dip and football were the only plans he had for Christmas day.

Looking at the clock, he saw he had just enough time to get to the airport to catch his plane. Shaking off all thoughts of Christmas, Lee grabbed his bag and left.

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(December 20)

"Amanda, darling." Dotty called from the kitchen. "I'm making some tea. Would you like some?"

"Uh… yes, Mother." Amanda answered as she struggled with the boxes in her hands. "That would be nice." Her mother, and she, had been pulling Christmas decorations down from the attic in preparation for decorating the tree and house.

Amanda had just pulled down the last box and sat it on the living room floor, knocking off a cobweb from the attic. As soon as she could, she determined, she would return to the attic and give it a thorough cleaning. She didn't like cobwebs to be anywhere near her house, not even in the attic.

Once she'd dusted herself off, Amanda headed into the kitchen, reaching it just as the phone rang. "I'll get it." She smiled at her mother.

The voice on the phone was not one she expected. She never got calls from the seldom seen Dr. Smyth. Ever. "Oh, hello, sir." She answered unconsciously standing up straight as though he were in the room with her and judging her on her posture.

"You want me to fly where?" Amanda's brows shot up. Glancing over at her mother, she could tell she was listening intently to Amanda's side of the conversation and would have questions when she hung up. She just hoped she had answers.

Dotty looked up sharply. Whoever Amanda was talking to, must be important. She knew her daughter well enough to recognize her posture and tone of voice.

"Uh… Well… Well, yes sir. Uh… okay…. Yes, sir. I can do that. … … … Oh, no, no Sir. No problem at all. … … … … Alright, then, I'll be at the airport in a couple of hours. … … … "Good bye, Sir."

As Amanda hung up the phone she looked over the questioning look on her mother's face. "Um, that… that was my boss, Mother, and he… well… he wants me to take a real short trip to New York to deliver something."

"Has he never heard of the mail?" Dotty asked. "Amanda, it's only a few days away from Christmas. We have a lot to do between now then. I mean not only the decorating, but the…"

"I know, Mother." Amanda interrupted her. "And I promise I'll be here to help you do it, but this is important and it's only a short trip. All I have to do is get on a plane to New York, go deliver the package and get right back on the plane and fly home. I should be back by late tonight, or tomorrow morning at the earliest."

Dotty shook her head in irritation. That company Amanda worked for took too much advantage of her daughter but Amanda refused to see that. All too often they had her flying out the door at all times of the day and night without so much as a by-your-leave. Sighing, she shook her head. Trying to talk her stubborn daughter out of something was impossible.

"Alright, Amanda." Dotty acquiesced. "Go on. But take your heavy coat. It's probably just as cold if not colder in New York."

Amanda kissed her mother on the cheek and headed for the door. "I will, Mother. I'll see you later."

As she headed for the door, she took a quick look around and grabbed her purse. Despite her promise to her mother, she pushed aside her heavy coat and grabbed her shorter jacket. She wouldn't be gone that long or need a big coat where she was going.

Of course, she didn't know at the time just exactly where she was going to end up.

TBC