SOS Episode Fillers

Part 3 - Sleep Tight, My Friend

After a couple more dances, they agreed it was time to head back to the cabin. Lee gallantly put his jacket back over Amanda's shoulders and held her close to him as they strolled. Amanda ran her arm around his waist drinking in his scent from his jacket. Amanda could not help, but notice the moonlight and the stars shining brightly so far above them. Surrounded by the warmth of his jacket and the strength of his arm, Amanda had to admit that this was the best cover they have ever had. It seemed so natural to be in his arms tonight, he held her so tightly. She knew it all was not an act, but not sure what exactly it was or could be. She thought back to earlier at the pool, they had played volleyball like kids in the water. Naturally, her mind also slipped back to how it felt to be pressed so tightly against his body and the scene on his lap. She would have never guessed she could make him squirm like that. She almost let her mind to wonder how he would look if she ever did begin that massage he desperately wanted. She even knew where she would start – just to the left of the base of his neck. But it was way too soon for that; maybe someday she would get a chance to show him how she felt. Now it was not worth risking his friendship and well, him. It had never felt so right to be next to someone…

"Penny for your thoughts?" Lee whispered in her hair not wanting to disturb their comfortable silence that surrounded them.

"Nickel. Inflation." Amanda smiled as she spoke softly.

"Lee, thanks for taking me to the Captain's Ball," Amanda said softly.

"It was my pleasure," he said adapting the cute English accent again.

"You played your cover quite nicely. You're quite the dashing fiancé."

They arrived at the cabin to find the match undisturbed. Lee locked them in. Continuing their conversation, "and you make a very beautiful tease."

"Lee!" Amanda's cheeks turned bright red.

"A-man-da!" Lee pleaded with puppy dog eyes. "I need to know. How about just a backrub? Just a little taste. Please, Amanda…"

Amanda took both of his hands in hers and looked at his pleading eyes. She really was not that surprised that his mind was still on the massage – well, considering she had just been thinking about it also. Amanda desperately hoped he was feeling how right tonight had felt too. Her heart was screaming out for her to not pass up the opportunity. "Lee, a lot of things happened today..." Amanda glanced down as her cheeks flushed brighter as her thoughts flickered to being in his lap and so tight against him on the dance floor. "We probably ought to call it a night." Then with a smile "I don't think we're ready for jello just quite yet."

Lee cheeks turned a little red as he too replayed the lounge chair scene. He knew he had pushed things farther than just cover today, his emotions had gotten the best of him, and knew he should be ashamed of his actions – if only he could convince his body that this was the right thing to do. With a deep breath that he exhaled very slowly, he said very softly "You're right. I'm sorry. Goodnight, Mrs. King." With a kiss on her right hand, he walked to his room. Amanda had turned her back, but her whisper of "maybe someday, Stetson" caused him to catch his breath as he closed the door softly.

Exhausted. Amanda changed and fell into bed. She pushed all of the complicated and scary thoughts out of her mind and concentrated on how safe and warm she felt when he held her tightly on the dance floor. She imagined the heat of his hands gently caressing her back and the feel of his chest as he breathed in and out. She could not remember the music, only the feel of his body next to hers. She fell asleep quickly.

On the other hand, Lee lay awake for hours contemplating several things beginning with the frustration of not uncovering any solid leads to break this case and the guilt of not being able to help his friend. But he spent more time on the stark fear that he felt when he saw Amanda dangling over the water – if she had fallen she would have been lost forever. Then his mind turned to even scarier thoughts. Had he repeatively just begged for her to touch him? What were the implications of that? What the heck was he thinking of?

He tried to rationalize that it was not just sexual. Being an agent, he did enjoy overcoming torture, but was afraid that in this case, it was just her touch that he craved. He tried to think about other women and the feel of their hands on his body, but deep inside he knew there was not any comparison and this revelation was startling. His body and mind replayed the completely overwhelming desire and awareness that hit him when she had landed in his lap. He was surprised with the magnitude and swiftness of his response to her wondering how she so innocently could strip away his self-control. His feelings towards Amanda weren't something totally new, but this time the depth and fury of his reactions were so raw that it was downright scary. He smiled proudly as he remembered the flair with which he had played the 'dashing fiancé' as Amanda had called him contemplating why it seemed so incredibly easy and natural. He rationalized that he was lost in the cover, when he had his unwarranted display of jealousy. Julie was probably going to be the death of him; he was unnerved that she seemed to see right through him and his defense mechanisms. She had admonished him, embarrassed him, comforted him, reassured him, and scared him by reading him like a book – all in less then one day. Actually he liked her and her Amanda-like qualities. He knew he would have to be more careful around her in the future.

His mind returned again and again to the topic of the sensual massage. He knew he should be ashamed by his behavior. He just could not get past what it would feel like to have Amanda torture him with her touch. If it was anything like the sample he had today – when she ran her fingernails down his chest…

Suddenly he heard Amanda stirring in the next room. He had expected that she would have nightmares about falling; he knew that she had put on a brave front to be extra strong after seeing how it had affected him. He opened the connecting door and seeing her thrashing around in the sheets, moved quickly to her side. He sat on the edge of her bed and shook her gently to wake her up.

"'Manda, wake up. You're having a dream. Come on, wake up. You're OK," he reassured her over and over until she opened her eyes and looked at him blindly.

"Lee?" questioned a half-awake, visibly shaken Amanda.

"Yes, I'm here with you. Everything's going to be OK," he comforted her gently.

Instinctively she threw her arms around his waist and held on whispering, "Please don't let me fall."

Lee leaned back and pulled her up to hold her against his chest, comforting her, "Amanda, I've got you. It's OK. It's just a dream."

"Nightmare," she mumbled from his chest. Still whispering, "What would've happened to the boys?" A tremor rocked through her and she strengthened her hold on Lee. This was the same thought that had haunted him earlier. He focused on reassuring and holding her muttering the same comforting messages again and again. "It's over. You're OK. And I've got you. I won't let you fall, partner."

Placated by his tone, reassured by his words, and consoled by his touch, Amanda drifted back to sleep. In the past Lee had wondered if these near misses at death ever bothered her, she rarely let it show if she was scared. He was proud of the calm, rational, and original thinking she had always shown in the face of danger in the past. She did that again tonight. She had brushed it off as no big deal when the magnitude of the scare had blindsided him. He, the seasoned agent, was used to the mishaps and near death encounters, but it had to be much harder for her. He felt a stabbing pain when he wondered how many other nightmares she had had – alone, with no one to comfort her. And the pain cut deeper knowing that he himself had caused many, actually all of them. He was so glad that he could be here tonight to console her as a friend and support her as a partner whether she remembered it or not in the morning.

She was sleeping so peacefully against him, so beautiful and at ease. He took a moment to trace the features of her face and cherish the moment - her relaxed expression and the way she felt against him. He had a feeling this was a memory that he would cherish. Lee took a deep breath; he seemed to be having a serious problem finding oxygen today. He was leaning against her headboard with her head nestled against his bare chest. He was sure that she would be embarrassed if she woke up in this position and he was already uncomfortable. After his neck and back yelled in agony, he gently shifted her over in an attempt to return to his own bed. Amanda stirred during the transition and asked timidly "Lee, please stay; make sure I don't fall."

There was no way that he could say no to this request. It was about friendship and support. He answered her softly "Turn over, 'Manda, and I'll hold you." So he laid down on top of the covers with her under them and spooned her to him. Unconsciously she snuggled into him and kept a tight grip on the arm wrapped around her. Lee brought his leg over hers at knee level to hold her more firmly. Amanda relaxed and drifted back to sleep in his tight embrace.

Lee took a moment to reflect on his day again. No matter what else had happened today, he knew that this was the most important. The absolute trust and friendship that they had between them. Maybe the other things that happened between them today were a glimpse of the future, but Amanda was right neither of them was ready to chance what they had now.