Written by Scooplet

Concept by Cheryl and Scooplet

Scarecrow and Mrs. King characters are the property of Shoot the Moon Productions and Warner Bros. Television. No copyright infringement intended. Not for commercial use. Sarah Stetson, Matt Granger, and the other characters not found in the television show are my creation, however, so please respect my right to claim ownership of them—I do not authorize permission to use them in stories not authored by me.

The Eyes of the Father

Chapter Four

Cooling down after their run through Rock Creek Park, Matt and Sarah walked toward his car. He stopped her for a moment as the path curved past a sheltered slope above the creek. Icicles still clung to the barren shrubs and a few dead leaves and berries were still encased in ice. He pulled out his phone and snapped a close-up photo of some of the branches.

Sarah leaned in to look at the photo as Matt sent it to his sisters and parents. Before she knew what he was doing, he put his arm around her and aimed the camera at their faces.

"Smile!"

Knowing it was useless to protest, Sarah smiled, hoping she did not look too bedraggled after her run. She smoothed her hair quickly before he snapped the photo. "I'm sure my hair is a mess."

Smiling to himself as he looked at the photo before sending it, Matt was quick to argue. "No. You look gorgeous. Your cheeks are pink from the cold. And I love the way your hair gets all wispy around your face when you run."

"You are biased, my love."

"No. I'm right."

After leaning in for a quick kiss, Matt flipped Sarah's braid playfully, and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He was still warm from the run, and smelled of aftershave and deodorant. Chilled slightly, Sarah leaned into his embrace, enjoying his closeness. Continuing back to his car, they stopped occasionally to take in the scenery around them before they reached the parking lot. They stretched for a few minutes before getting into the Charger.

He started the engine and then turned to her. "I've been thinking. Your dad told me you have your own ski equipment. I'm kind of partial to my own. I know it's a hassle, but I'd like to bring our skis with us to Colorado. Would you mind?" He looked over his shoulder and began backing the car out. "Your dad even offered to get your skis tuned when he took his in. I guess he's planning to take your mom skiing sometime soon."

"I don't mind. We can wear our jackets on the plane. But we'll still need a big suitcase to hold our other gear. We'll have extra baggage."

"Yeah, I thought of that. It's worth it to me. Still cheaper than renting, and less hassle in the long run." Watching for traffic, Matt waited, and then turned out of the parking lot.

"I should get a new ski bib soon. I tore my old one last year. I loved that bib, too."

Matt looked over at her. "You know, there's a sale at the sporting goods store near my apartment. I've been wracking my brain, trying to think of a Christmas present for you. I'd love to take you shopping today, if you're willing."

"Oh, that's sweet, Matt. But you didn't want to go to a store today."

"This will be different. You'll be modeling for me." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her and chuckled when she narrowed her eyes. "We'll go after lunch. I'm really looking forward to that soup and the homemade bread you have back at your apartment. I'm starved."

Sarah giggled. "You're always starved after we run. And you always like my mom's bread."

He grinned sheepishly over at her but did not say anything.

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Lee met them on the driveway as they were preparing to go to the store. Both Matt and Sarah were carrying boxes of books.

"Here, Matt. Let me help you with that while you unlock the car."

"Thanks, Lee. And thanks to you and Amanda for the Christmas tree. It's great."

While Matt busied himself unlocking the car and placing Sarah's box of books in the trunk, Lee took the opportunity to grin conspiratorially over at Sarah before Matt took the other box from him.

"It was our pleasure. I take it you have it all decorated, then?"

"Yeah. Sarah went all out."

"Looks like you're already moving things over. When do you get a key to the new place?"

"The week before Christmas. I have to see where I show up on the roster before we can plan the moving day, though."

"I hope you don't have to pull a Christmas shift. We'd sure miss you here." Lee glanced over at Sarah, whose eyes widened slightly at his remark.

Matt glanced at Sarah, too. "There's a good chance I will, since I'm still a rookie and I had all of Thanksgiving week off." He took Sarah's hand. "But I'm sure I would have part of the day to spend with y'all."

Not failing to notice that Matt had slipped into his Texas mannerisms, Sarah guessed that he was longing for his family again. "If you have to pull a shift, I'll come and sit with you." She squeezed his hand.

"But Sarah, what if I have to go out in the field to back someone up?"

"I'll go home. You aren't sitting around the bullpen all by yourself on a holiday."

Lee looked from one face to the other, and then directed his comment to Sarah. "I know everyone would understand if you want to be with Matt. But I'm not sure if Francine will approve. Let's not worry about it until the roster is posted." He shifted his feet. "Listen, I wanted to ask you two about the skis. I'm taking mine and Amanda's to be tuned. Sarah's need a good tuning, too. Were you planning to bring them to Winter Park?"

"Yes, thanks, Daddy. That's sweet."

"If you want, I can get yours tuned, too, Matt."

"Thanks, Lee. I had them tuned last winter, but never got to the slopes. The wax is still in good shape."

"Okay. I'll let you know when Sarah's are ready. Shall I get the poles and other gear out for you? You might want to check your goggles and the helmet."

She made an embarrassed face and shot a look at Matt, whose gaze was directed at Lee. "Aw, gee, Daddy. I don't know about the helmet. I haven't worn it since high school, when I tried snowboarding."

Matt cleared his throat. "Maybe you wouldn't mind wearing it for my peace of mind, sweetie. You had two head injuries this fall." At her expression, he quickly amended his request. "I'll wear one, too."

"You two are acting like I'm a befuddled old lady."

"Of course not. I know you're a capable skier. I'm sure Matt doesn't doubt your ability. You might not remember how bad it was at the beginning, after the second time you were hurt."

Glancing from one man to the other, Sarah knew there was no point in fighting. At least she knew the men in her life cared about her.

After sighing heavily, she walked back to the garage, talking as went. "I'll get the helmet and goggles, Daddy, if you don't mind getting the poles. I'm not sure where they are, anyway." She knew Matt and her father would be sharing triumphant grins over winning the argument with her, and she did not care to watch.

Soon the gear had joined the boxes of books.

Lee stepped back from Matt's trunk, where he had just deposited Sarah's poles. "Where are you two headed now?"

"I'm taking Sarah to get a new ski bib."

"It's a Christmas present, Daddy."

"Ah, great. Well, have fun." He eyed Matt's athletic bag, slung over his shoulder when they had come from the apartment, now stowed in the open trunk of his car, underneath the poles. He knew that Matt had not stayed over—he had merely showered after their run. But he was not planning to come back to Sarah's that day. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. I imagine you'll be busy for the rest of the day."

"Probably, Daddy. We're stopping at a friend's for a Christmas party this evening—then we'll probably catch a movie." Sarah gave her father a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Give Mom a kiss for me."

"I will, Pumpkin."

On the way to the sporting goods store, Sarah stared out the window.

"A penny for your thoughts."

She laughed softly and turned to Matt. "You haven't said that in a while."

"You're pretty quiet."

"I was just thinking that Daddy seemed kind of… I don't know how to say it. It wasn't overprotective. Clingy doesn't sound right, either."

"I was wondering if it's starting to hit him—his little girl is really leaving home for good this time."

"I was kind of hoping it wasn't that. I want him to be happy for me."

"But it's natural for parents to feel that way. I think all that stuff with my dad was a form of it. It was really hitting him that I'm not going back to Texas."

"You think that's why he was so on edge with us?"

"On edge is a nice way to put it. But at least he's better now. And it seems like your dad's trying to deal with it, too."

"Yes. He just seemed kind of sad, almost."

"Well, we'll see him tomorrow. And at least you aren't moving away. It's not even twenty minutes in traffic. I've made it to your place in less than fifteen minutes many times."

"You're right." She sighed.

After taking her hand and bringing it to his lips briefly, he held it the rest of the way to the store.

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Amanda watched her husband as he loaded the skis in the back of their Volvo SUV. After closing the back hatch, he turned and seeing her there, startled.

"Sorry."

"Used to be me who would sneak up on you." He wore an embarrassed smile on his face.

"As I always say, I learned from the best. I just was wondering if you wanted me to come along. I could help you carry the skis."

"Sure. Maybe we could wait an hour or two before we go and we could have dinner afterwards. I'm just dropping these off."

"That would be nice. Better than leftovers."

Following Lee to the garage, Amanda stood by as he locked up the storage cabinets and started rearranging items on the shelves nearby.

"We're not going skiing until after the wedding. It was nice of you to do this so far ahead of our trip—it's one less thing for Matt and Sarah to worry about."

"Sure." He stood back and looked at the shelves. "Seems like this garage is emptying out. We have a lot more space already with Sarah's ski equipment and the other Christmas tree gone. I noticed she took a couple of boxes of keepsakes off the shelves in the guest room closet, too."

"This is more than just going off to college, isn't it? Our little girl is going to make her own home."

"Well, she doesn't have to clean out all traces of herself."

Amanda smiled indulgently as she walked with Lee back into the house. "Cup of coffee?"

"Sure. There's still a bit of a nip in the air out there."

Amanda waited until they were seated at the kitchen table before she spoke again.

"You know, Lee, it's natural for a young woman to bring all of her things to her new home when she gets married. The boys didn't do it because…well, they're guys. It seemed like Amy and Jennifer were more interested in all of their old keepsakes than the boys were at first. It took Phillip and Jamie a few years before they wanted to have things like old photo albums and yearbooks around their houses. Besides, they were still getting over Joe's death."

"She could store things here. We have a lot of room."

"Sweetheart. She and Matt have plenty of storage space. It's just a few boxes of keepsakes, ski equipment, and books. She wants to have them on hand."

"But she could come here to look at them. Save the trouble of moving them from place to place. They're probably going to buy a house in a couple of years."

Amanda hid her smile. "We don't know that. But what I do know is that when I was young and newly married, having my things around was a comfort to me as I got used to living in a new home."

Lee looked up from his coffee, considering her words.

"As much as a new bride is excited about being married and being with her new husband, she can be homesick, too. I remember being sad about moving away from my parents for the last time."

Lee snorted softly. "She wasn't sad to go up to NYU every year. Especially when Jeff was in the picture. And sometimes we hardly saw Sarah when she was at Georgetown. I had to make lunch dates in order to get a chance to talk with her."

"This is different. It's for good. She's not coming back for the next school holiday."

Looking out the window next to his seat, Lee hid his face from his wife. Her words had struck a nerve. "I was always so busy whenever she was home. Then we stopped going on vacation together. I never gave her the time I should have given her."

"Of course you did. You planned your days off around Sarah and me."

"Still, I wasn't home a lot of evenings." Lee stared into his mug.

"Neither was she. But you wouldn't be this close if you had neglected her the way you say you did. How many fathers and daughters have almost weekly lunch dates?"

"True. I guess I'm just sorry you and I didn't retire a little sooner, or ask her to move into the apartment above the garage sooner."

"The timing couldn't have worked out more perfectly, Lee. Sarah was busy with her Master's work until May, and we weren't mentally ready to retire until then. We've been available to support her through some tough times, and we've been here to enjoy seeing her fall in love with the man of your dreams."

"Very funny. Her dreams, not mine." He took a swig of his coffee.

"You know exactly what I mean, Stetson. You love Matt just as much as I do."

Smiling sheepishly, Lee reached for Amanda's hand. "Yeah, but it wasn't very hard. He's a great kid. We're pretty lucky."

She took another sip from her mug. "You know, you could still have father-daughter lunch dates."

"Hey, that's a great idea."

"Of course you'll have to be flexible, with her training starting. If anyone should understand that, it would be you."

"Sure. I could bring her lunch on rough days. Might cheer her up. I hear Richard Wong is just as tough as Mrs. Stetson."

"Oh, now. I wasn't that bad."

"No, you weren't. You were a regular mother hen."

"Wong is only tough because he wants his rookies to be safe and keep others that way. He's not unnecessarily unkind. That's why Francine chose him."

"Let's hope he isn't too hard on the next Stetson. Phillip and Jamie both developed a bad taste for field work. No one would cut them any slack; they were afraid of being accused of babying the boss's kid."

"Let's not borrow trouble. Leatherneck had that very concern in mind when he offered to help Sarah. She's doing a great job, according to you." Amanda stood up. "Well, if we're going out soon, I should finish the laundry. You done with your coffee?"

"No. I think I'll nurse it for a bit longer. I'll take into the office with me."

Amanda watched her husband as he ambled up the steps to the foyer, mug in hand. He seemed less out of sorts, but she knew she had her work cut out for her.

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As he labeled the box of books he had just finished packing, Matt took a moment to observe Sarah. Perched on one of the seats for his weight machine, she had stopped to look at a biography before packing it in the box at her feet. Her progress had been much slower than his, but he had been pleased to see her fascination with his book collection. Maybe when things slow down, we can read together. He knew Sarah was always in the middle of a book—sometimes he would find one on her coffee table. Except for the time in the safe house when they had read together, he had had less time for them since their relationship had begun. Certainly she had a lot of books in her own collection. He eyed the growing stacks of boxes—some hers, some his—along his walls. They were going to need that set of bookshelves they had found.

The move had turned into another opportunity for getting to know Sarah even better. When they had brought the boxes of old trophies, dolls, and other treasures from her parents' house, he had insisted on going through them with her. Each item had offered a glimpse into her past—things that could not be seen by looking at her parents' photo albums. Matt realized that it would be good to look through his own boxes of keepsakes with Sarah. But that would have to be after the move, at the rate they were going. They would need all of their spare time during the next two or three weeks just to pack his apartment. Still, Sarah seemed to be using this opportunity to get to know him better as well.

He eyed the bag from the store. They had been successful finding a ski bib for her, and Matt had insisted on purchasing the matching jacket. He had to admit to himself that he had actually enjoyed shopping for a change. Maybe because I like having an excuse to take care of my girl. And maybe because it means our honeymoon is really going to be happening. He had already made plans for that trip. Rather than ski every day, he hoped they could sit and talk, or take a few hikes, maybe go for a drive here or there.

It was not as if they did not talk now, but sometimes they had to limit the amount of time they spent together. The temptation to become physical was just too great. And when it came right down to it, he was lonely at night. Soon they would not have to drive back and forth anymore just to see one another; they would be together every night.

His eyes went back to Sarah, who glanced up from the book and blushed. "I'm sorry. I keep getting distracted. You have some great titles here."

"I'm glad you like my books. Maybe we could read one together sometime and talk about it."

Her eyes shone in that appealing way. "I'd love that."

"Pick one out and we'll set it aside. We can start on the honeymoon."

She laughed.

"What?"

"It's just that—I kind of didn't see us reading on our honeymoon."

It was Matt's turn to blush. "Well, we might not read much, but…" He grew earnest. "No, seriously. Pastor Carlson told us to start traditions right away, pick some things we want to make habits. Reading together would be great. You and I both love the same kinds of books."

"That's true. It would be fun. And it might be a good way to unwind after a stressful day. Make it easier to sleep. I always read before bed."

Matt found himself imagining other ways they might unwind and forced himself to stop that train of thought. "Well, you pick the first book. We can read one of mine. I haven't looked at them in at least a year."

"You brought these from Europe?"

"Sure. They were an investment. I ordered hardcovers so I could keep them. Besides, I didn't bring furniture back with me—just some boxes and suitcases."

"Did you ever imagine that a year later you would be married?"

He laughed. "No. Not at all." Closing the distance between them, he took the book and laid it on the coffee table. Cupping Sarah's face in his hands, he spoke with certainty. "But I praise God all the time for you. I can't wait for us to be married." He kissed her. As he pulled away, his expression left Sarah with no doubt about his words.

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Turning his attention from the football game he was watching with the male members of the Stetson/King clan, Matt caught Sarah's eye. Seeming to understand his unspoken feelings of affection, she smiled at him, and then bent her head once again to the task in front of her. Amanda, Jennifer, Amy, and Jessica were helping her make favors—bags of potpourri—for the wedding. In truth, it seemed like frivolity to him, but he knew it meant something to Amanda to have something for the guests to take home. Sarah, wanting to please her mother, had not put up a fight. Besides, she had reasoned, it was a nice tradition that did not cost that much.

His mind wandered to thoughts of the evening before. After making a video call to his parents together, Matt and Sarah had gone to their dance class's Christmas get-together. The party had been pleasant enough—Christina was a good cook who with their friends had offered a generous spread. He and Sarah had even brought their own contribution. Matt had not been hungry when he and Sarah said their goodbyes and went to the movie alone together. He never tired of taking her to movies with plenty of suspense and action—she was sure to reach for his hand, and pushing the armrest up, would snuggle up against him. And it had probably been good that the movie had gone late, if the goodnight kiss they had shared at her door was any indication of how things might have transpired had he gone inside.

Phillip elbowed him hard. "Hey Granger, get your eyes back on the game. You just missed the touchdown."

Lee glanced over at Matt, who had put on his "agent face," despite his ears turning a pale shade of pink. He was not a betting man any longer, but if he was, he would wager money that Matt had been watching Sarah and not the game. Amused that Matt was having difficulty hiding his embarrassment, he made a mental note to tease him about it later. His eyes fell on Sarah.

She was talking with Phillip and Amy's daughter, Jessica. Ever since she was a baby, Amanda and Lee's granddaughter had been close to her aunt. Now she was making plans for Christmas—she was eager to watch some animated film her parents had just purchased. "…we can watch it after we open presents. David and Seth always want to play basketball or get on the Wii. They'll probably have another Wii game, anyway."

Lee hid a wry smile. Jessica knew her cousins well. And he knew that very morning Amanda had been wrapping gifts—including a Wii game for their grandsons.

"I will watch it with you, Jessica, but I'm not sure if it will be on Christmas Eve or Christmas. It depends on Matt's schedule. I'm going to keep him company at work."

"Really? That's so boring. You should stay at Grandma and Grandpa's and watch the movie with me."

Sarah started to say something, but Amy stopped her. "If you had to go to work on Christmas, you'd be lonely, too. Sarah needs to be with Matt. You two will find a time to watch the movie."

"I guess some day when I'm in love, I'll understand."

Amy colored in embarrassment and mouthed her apology to Sarah.

Lee tried hard not to chuckle out loud. Jessica was beginning to sound more and more like her father Phillip every day. Soon she'll be calling her cousins dorkface or something. God, it was a battle trying to get the boys to stop that habit.

Lee's attention turned to the movement on the floor before him. Seth was busy planting his elbow repeatedly in David's ribs, and Lee could tell David was preparing to give him a solid punch in the arm. He got up and stretched. "Who wants to shoot some hoops with me?"

David and Seth tripped over each other as they ran for the door, barely stopping to grab their jackets as they went out to the backyard. Matt got up, too. "I'll get my jacket and join you out there."

Sarah watched them, wishing she could go out and shoot hoops, too. She bent her head once again to the task of making wedding favors.

Later that night as they spoke on the phone, Matt laughed with Sarah over the incident. "Jessica is growing up, isn't she?"

She laughed softly before replying. "Yes. I'm afraid she's starting to sound like her father and Seth. Maybe they're influencing her. Just six months ago she would have died before saying something like that."

"Lauren is like that, too. She started noticing things when she was about that age—twelve, I guess. At least Jessica still looks up to you. And you'll find time to watch the movie with her. It's nice that she helps you with the wedding preparations."

"I have my own theory on that one. She has a crush on you. I think she wants to impress you."

Matt was glad Sarah could not see his reddening face. He knew about Jessica's crush, and he tried hard not to encourage it without hurting her feelings at the same time.

He lay back on his bed, crooking one arm under his head. It was time to change the subject. "Hey, do you realize that four weeks from tonight we'll be in Winter Park, as Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Granger?" A soft laugh escaped his lips and his voice seemed to lower in tone. "And when we're in bed, we won't have to use the phone to talk with one another." He could hear her sharp intake of air and smiled in response.

"I'm not sure you're going to make it through the next four weeks, at the rate you're going." Sarah touched her fingers to her lips, remembering. They had eaten dinner at their favorite Italian restaurant that night—a little "mom and pop" kind of place named Martini's. The waitress who usually served them knew them well, and they always sat next to each other in a booth. Sometimes Matt stole a kiss or two, and tonight had been no different. It was a good thing that he said good night again at her door, although like the evening before, he had not been shy about the kiss.

It was Matt's turn to sigh. "I'm praying about that. I hope you don't mind me not coming in when it's late or we're tired. I had a really great time with you this weekend. So great that I just didn't trust myself inside your apartment."

"This waiting thing is so hard." She grew quiet, hesitating before she spoke again. "You know, the birth control pills are probably working by now."

"Oh, Sarah. If that was the only thing stopping me… You know, I had something with me the day I proposed to you."

"Oh." She digested his words. She already knew that it was more than the risks that had them waiting. He wanted it to be special as much as she did. She wondered, though, if when he had pledged to wait until marriage, he had realized how hard it would be. "But you're miserable."

"I'll survive. We would always regret it if we gave in now. I love you too much to make it all about the physical attraction we have. There are so many things I love about you. One of the best things about this weekend was watching you go through my books. And our run—it's great sharing things with you."

"The park can be beautiful this time of year. And it's pretty amazing that we can run together like that. I love it. Since high school, I haven't had any friends who ran with me."

"It is nice to have someone to work out with." He paused before continuing. "You know, I counted you as my best friend before we got together as a couple—I felt a camaraderie with you from the very start."

"I felt the same way. I just enjoy being with you. We're best friends first."

"Exactly. So, I guess we just keep praying, right? And plan to have a great honeymoon."

Hearing his quiet laugh made her want to laugh, too. She decided to lighten things up. "And if we just can't wait any longer, we have the license. A quick trip before a justice of the peace and…"

"…your mother will be crushed, which means your dad would never forgive me…"

"…or me. You'll be a great son-in-law. You already know my parents well." She chuckled softly. "Well, my love. It's time I went to bed. Leatherneck wants me to fire the .22 rifle at the range before we meet with the attorneys." She shuddered at the thought.

"It won't be too bad. It's easier than your Glock. It won't have as much kick. And hey, I'll see you at the meeting. You sure you're okay?" He waited for her response, trying to hear in her voice if she would be okay on her own.

"Of course." Her voice was cheerful. "They're just prepping us. Daddy said they wouldn't be asking questions tomorrow anyway."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

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Matt leaned back in his chair outside the conference room, early for the meeting. He had never been deposed by an attorney before, particularly not as an intelligence agent. To make sure they understood the process, a member of the Agency legal team was meeting with the newer agents who had worked with Brad Smith.

Matt brightened at Sarah's approach. "Oh good. We can talk for a minute before the others get here."

Smiling, Sarah gave him a quick peck on the cheek as she sat down next to Matt. "You texted, so I came."

"How was the rifle?"

"You were right. It's easier to fire. I was more accurate." She grinned self-consciously. "I kind of liked it for a change."

"Great. You can go hunting with Dad and me next fall."

Sarah's eyes widened. "Um…not that much."

"I'm kidding." He laughed at her look of relief.

"Oh, good." She grinned back at him. "You know, I should have gone along with you. You've been teasing me more and more lately. I need to get you back."

"Guys only tease the women they love."

"That's not entirely true. My brothers tease me."

Matt rolled his eyes. "Okay, the women they care about."

"Oh, no. We're not the only early ones." During their conversation, Sarah had worked her way towards Matt; their knees were now touching and she could see he was looking at her that way he often did before he kissed her. At her warning, they both sat up in their chairs.

"Aww, it's the lovebirds."

Johnson punched Gonzales playfully in the arm. "Leave 'em alone, idiot. It's not like Sarah smooched him on the cheek or anything when she sat down."

Eyes flashing, Matt started to say something, but Rene came over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Take it easy, bro. We stopped by Phillip's office to check some surveillance footage of UVa and we spotted you guys on one of the monitors. Just be glad you weren't making out."

Sarah reddened, but did not say anything. She put her hand on Matt's arm and leaned in to whisper, "Sorry."

He whispered back, "Don't be sorry. I guess we'll just have to get used to this." He stood, offering his hand to help her up before walking with her into the meeting.