Chapter 11

With the sunlight streaming through her drapes, Amy woke early the next morning. Last night had ended with Face dropping her and Courtney home, using the excuse not to come in because he had to drop Murdock off. Courtney had innocently suggested that Murdock crash at Amy's, too. Luckily Murdock had jumped in at that point, to Amy's relief, saying that he had plans for Sunday, and really couldn't get out of them. Face had said that as Murdock lived further out of town, he'd be getting back too late so would probably stay at Murdock's and join them some time the next day. To Amy's relief, Courtney had seemed to buy all that, not asking too many questions. Amy really hadn't wanted Face to stay at her apartment, in her bed – that would've been taking the lie too far.

Her thoughts drifted to the movie. Even though it hadn't been necessary for the 'act', Face had allowed her to hold his hand, and then, later put his arm around her. His touch. She knew this was futile. But why was she feeling like this? This need for Face. Was it curiosity? Of course she was curious. Who wouldn't be, watching him, the way he was with the women? And she'd had a small taste of what it felt like, to be his girl. Especially at the wedding. She thought back to the wedding and how they'd been together. Had it made them closer? Face had been much more attentive then. Murdock's presence this weekend was certainly making Face act somewhat differently, although still convincing enough for Courtney.

But if she made that choice, letting her curiosity win, she'd be making another, leaving the team. She understood Hannibal's reasons.

And that's if Face would have her. She wasn't exactly his type.

Realising that her thoughts were frustrating her to the point she didn't feel comfortable in her empty, lonely bed any longer, she got up. She might as well make use of the quiet time. She slipped on a robe and headed for the kitchen. First priority was to get the coffee on.

As she watched to coffee slowly drip into the glass pot, the machine gurgling and bubbling, Amy's thoughts rested on Courtney wanting to stay in LA longer. She was already starting to dread the possibility that she and Face would have to continue this lie for even longer. Could she pretend Face – Sam – had to go out of town for a few days on business? More lies. She'd prefer to convince Courtney  that she should go back to New York and face Robert. But what if she couldn't persuade her?

She poured her coffee, and sat at the table, flicking through the pages of yesterday's paper. But she wasn't really focussing on anything, still sleepy, just her thoughts rattling around inside her head.

Face. She understood why he was like he was with the women. Leslie – she'd started it and now maybe it was just habit for Face, being on the run fuelling it. Realistically, he wasn't in a situation where he could settle down. All four of the guys were like it really, if you looked closely, feared commitment, getting attached. Face just made it more obvious with his continuous line of girlfriends. So why did she feel this way about Face, wanting to love him?

Amy coughed as she sipped her coffee. Shit, where the hell did that come from? Christ, she can't think like this.

The telephone started to ring, startling Amy. As she quickly went to answer it, not wanting it to wake Courtney, she glanced at her clock in the living room. Eight-thirty. Not that early then, although early enough for a Sunday. She frowned, concentrating, wondering whom it would be at this hour in the morning.

"Hello," Amy answered the phone, speaking softly.

"Er... is that Amy? Amy Allen?" The caller sounded uncertain, hesitant.

"Who's calling?" she asked cautiously, worried it might be some phoney caller, linking her with the A-Team.

"Er, damn, I hope I haven't got the wrong number. My name's Robert. I'm trying to find Courtney Gray. Are you Amy Allen?"

"Yes. Yes." Amy sighed with relief. "Robert, yes, I'm Amy."

"Is Courtney there?"

"Yes, she is." He sounded worried and Amy hastened to reassure him. "She's fine. Safe and well."

"Please - can I speak with her? I think I need to straighten some things out."

"Of course, just hold on for a minute." Amy put the phone down and quickly walked towards the spare room, filled with hope and happiness for Courtney. She had a good feeling about this. Amy turned the light on as she entered the room. Courtney sleepily groaned.

"Courtney," Amy softly called, walking towards the bed.

Courtney mumbled and rubbed her eyes.

"What is it?"

"There's someone on the telephone who wants to speak to you," Amy said excitedly.

"Who?" Courtney replied, groggily, stretching her arms up.

"Robert!" Amy said, grabbing one of Courtney's arms, pulling at her friend, trying to drag her out of bed. "Now go talk to him."

"Oh, Amy, I don't know -"

"Courtney, he really wants to talk to you. He sounded worried. Now go!"

Watching Courtney pick up the telephone, Amy decided she'd leave her friend in peace. She might need some privacy to talk things through with Robert, so Amy decided to take a shower, with hope that her prayers may have been answered. When Amy emerged from the bathroom, Courtney was just putting the phone down. As soon as she spotted Amy, she approached her excitedly.

"I got it totally wrong! He didn't want to break up with me," Courtney said, excitedly. Amy giggled in amazement, watching her friend like she was some lovesick teenager. "He was plucking up the courage to ask me to move in."

"Oh, Courtney, that's wonderful news." Amy hugged her friend. "I'm so happy for you." Then Amy realised - what if Courtney hadn't changed her mind? "I assume  you're going to -"

"Of course, silly! My God, I'm not letting a guy like Robert slip through my fingers. Oh, and when we're all settled in our new home," Courtney's voice rose higher with excitement, "he wants us to get a place together - you'll have to fly over one weekend and see us - in our new home! You and Sam, that is, of course! I want Sam to meet Robert properly," Courtney continued excitedly, hardly stopping for air, seeming oblivious to Amy's anxious reaction with the mention of visiting her.

"Er..." Amy hesitated. Did she try to set up Sam and Amy's break up now?

"You will won't you? You and Sam have to come out and visit us. It's only fair we put you up." Courtney was grinning, sheer happiness surrounding her. A completely different Courtney to the one who arrived Friday.

"Of course! Of course," Amy confirmed, shaking her head. "Sorry, I'm just so pleased for you; I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. Oh, Courtney, you deserve this happiness." And she didn't need Amy ruining it trying to set up her inevitable breakup with Sam, her fake boyfriend. It could wait.

"I've just changed my flight to an earlier one." Courtney glanced at the clock, her eyes widened. "Shit, I haven't got that long. I better get packed." Courtney dashed off to the bedroom but her head re-emerged from around the door. "Oh, sorry, Amy. You don't mind if I rush off like this? I know I said I was going to stay a few more days..."

"Of course I don't!" Amy shook her head, then waved her hand, to usher Courtney away. "Now go and get ready. The man of your dreams is waiting!"

XXXXXXX

As Amy drove Courtney to the airport, amid Courtney's constant chattering, she tried Face's apartment number. There was no answer. She tried his car phone. No answer. Was he avoiding her? Had he gotten back with Cherise?

"What are you doing?" Courtney looked at her with a puzzled expression, possibly  reading Amy's frustration, which she obviously hadn't been hiding all that successfully.

"I'm trying to get hold of Sam."

"Why?"

"Well, to tell him he doesn't need to rush over today, now that you're going home."

"But surely he'd want to see you all the same?"

"Oh, er, yeah, sure. But I don't want him breaking his neck to get here. He's been pretty busy lately." Amy put her phone down and concentrated on the road.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, why?"

"I don't know. You two just seemed on edge this weekend, mainly around Murdock. You and Sam are okay, aren't you?"

Amy was busily checking her mirrors, and getting her car into the right traffic lane. She realised what Courtney's question was asking.

"Yes, yes, we're fine." Amy laughed it off, still keeping her eyes fixed upon the road. "We were probably just nervous you and Murdock wouldn't get on. You know how it is."

Courtney chuckled. "Hey, Murdock's a great guy. If Robert hadn't called I might have been asking for his number..."

Amy swerved the car, quickly recovering. She glanced at Courtney, blushing. "Sorry."



XXXXXXX

After waving Courtney off through to departures, Amy sat in her car trying to call Face again, first on his car phone and then at his apartment. Still no answer.
Maybe he had made up with Cherise?

That was good, right?

Would that explain why he wasn't picking up his phone? Although there could be a hundred and one reasons why he wasn't picking up his phone. But those worried her more.

The telephone at the apartment had switched to the answering machine. But she'd decided leaving a message would be a bad idea. If he had got back with Cherise, whatever he may have told her, it wouldn't look so good with a message from Amy.

Maybe he was lying low. She swallowed. Was he avoiding her, no longer wanting to play along with this lie?

She turned the key in the ignition and strapped her seatbelt on. She would drive back to her apartment and then try him again. Although now she wondered if she was just seeming needy and well, like one of those 'girlfriends' she saw - the annoying types in the office that had to call their lovers regularly. Oh, please, she thought, rolling her eyes. She's trying to call to tell him it's over. That Face didn't need to come over and act any more. Not to hear the sound of his voice, but to tell him he can go back to doing his usual thing. And that she'd see him again - when the team got a new case. That's when their paths are supposed to cross, when it regarded the A-Team.

She drove out of the airport and headed home with a feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Courtney was on her way home. No more lying - well, not until she had to end this, once and for all. No more Sam and Amy.

So why did she dislike that feeling?