*DISCLAIMER** Scarecrow & Mrs. King is copyrighted to Warner Brothers and Shoot The Moon Production Company. The original portions of this story, however, are copyrighted to the author. This story is for entertainment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without the permission of the author. Situations and some dialogue have been used from the episode "Bad Timing", written by Robert W. Gilmer. No infringement of copyright is intended.
Summary: This is a slightly alternate version of the fourth season episode "Bad Timing". This story is set at the end of January, 1987.
Part Three
Lee kept a watchful eye on the bathroom door, waiting nervously for Amanda to appear. He'd spent the past few minutes going over his earlier behavior in his mind, trying to decide if he'd done anything wrong. He used to be so self-assured in matters of the heart. Or at least in matters of the bedroom, he quickly amended. There was a distinct difference, he thought dryly. And that was probably why Amanda always seemed to confuse him. Just when he thought he had things all figured out, she managed to throw him a curve ball.
He recalled the very beginnings of their relationship. Even then, she was always surprising him. He had certainly never expected her to appear out of nowhere that afternoon at Mrs. Welch's, let alone have the presence of mind to disable a car. From the very start of their working relationship, her instincts had amazed him. It had just taken him a little while to admit it.
Almost as long as it had taken to admit his feelings for her and begin to explore a personal relationship. He couldn't fault Amanda for wanting to take things one small step at a time. He was the one who had been dragging his feet for so long. She'd been ready to hear those three little words long before he finally said them. Actually, she had almost said them first – on a cold, damp night in the woods of Virginia.
They had talked about that on their first evening at Pine Top. In the intimate comfort of the mountain resort, that night in the swamp seemed light years away. Chained together, on the run from Peter Sacker and his followers, life had never seemed more precious or the future more precarious. Amanda admitted that she had indeed been on the verge of confessing her feelings that night. But something in his eyes had stopped her. They told her it was the wrong time - it was just too soon. She knew in her heart that he wasn't ready to hear how she really felt.
Lee had reluctantly agreed that her instincts had once again been right. During those days, he was still thoroughly frightened by the depth of his feelings for Amanda. He did wonder, though, what might have happened if they had actually kissed. He had the distinct impression that if he'd tried to make love to her that night, she wouldn't have said no.
Their relationship had come a long way since then. The days when he hid from his feelings from himself were long since past. Now he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with Amanda. Sometimes he was amazed that he could even concentrate at work with her sitting across the room from him, so near and yet still so far away.
If only he could figure out what she needed from him tonight. At least the ambiance in here seemed better now, he thought with a grin. After waiting so long for this moment, he wanted everything to be just right. He carefully inspected the room one more time. His dirty clothes were out of sight in the closet, the lights were dimmed, and the candles he had found buried in his dresser were lighted and ready. The only thing missing was Amanda.
As if on cue, the bathroom door opened and she slowly entered the room. Lee blinked a few times as if trying to make sure that she wasn't an apparition. The sight of her took his breath away.
"Amanda?" he muttered in surprise, almost choking on the word.
"Sorry I took so long," she replied with a shy smile. "Was the wait worth it?"
Lee nodded slowly, suddenly beyond the power of speech. She had discarded her blouse and slacks, emerging from the bathroom clad only in a pink camisole and panties. The soft light from the bathroom illuminated her slim form like a spotlight. She hesitated by the door, as if waiting for his approval. She certainly had it. Lee stood there almost rooted to the spot. He had never seen anything thing look as beautiful as Amanda did at that moment. And she had never surprised him more.
"Amanda," he repeated as he finally found his voice. "You look…"
"Thank you," she responded with a bashful smile, grateful that she'd remembered to change into her sexy lingerie before their dinner date.
"You're welcome," Lee said as he began to slowly move towards her. "Of course, if I'd had any idea that's what you had on under that blouse and slacks, we might never have finished our dinner."
She met him halfway, reassured by his obvious admiration. Glancing around the room, she took in the added touches with approval. Candles were burning warmly on the dresser and the desk and the bed was turned down invitingly. Lee had been busy while she was in the bathroom. But despite his efforts in here, she could tell he was still feeling a little unsure of her. He hadn't even taken off his tie.
She placed her hands lightly on his chest, endeavoring to dispel any doubts her earlier actions had created. Her eyes never leaving his, she slowly and deliberately undid his tie. She pulled it from his neck and dropped it to the floor.
"Actually," she said, her eyes bright, "I'm kind of curious myself about what you might be wearing under that shirt."
"Well, we can't have that," he smiled. "I'm a firm believer in curiosity being satisfied."
"Good," she breathed as she began to unbutton his shirt.
Lee stood quietly in front of her, watching as her fingers moved confidently down his chest. They paused in their journey occasionally to allow her lips to plant a small kiss on his newly exposed skin. He closed his eyes, letting her do whatever she wanted. She had evidently come to terms with whatever was bothering her before. If she didn't feel the need to discuss it at the moment, then he was more than happy to oblige her. He would take his cue from her, this time allowing her to set the pace.
She slowly removed his shirt, her fingertips barely grazing his skin as she pulled it down over his arms. She let it fall unheeded to the ground. Without missing a beat, Amanda let her hands move back up the outside of his arms, then tenderly down and across his chest. His smooth skin felt wonderful under her fingertips.
She looked up to see him watching her intently. She smiled again as she met his eye, almost as if seeking his permission to continue. He returned her look, the warmth of his gaze silently encouraging her. Still holding eye contact, she unbuckled his belt, pulling it slowly through the loops.
Her last movements galvanized him into action. Kicking off his shoes, he quickly removed his slacks. "Well?" he asked, one eyebrow raised as he stood before her in his boxers.
"Not bad," she grinned as she ran her eyes appreciatively over him, her tongue lightly tracing her upper lip. She nodded favorably as her gaze rested on his lower body. "Blue is a great color on you."
"Glad you approve," he laughed, taking a step forward. "I wore them just for you."
"I'll bet." She, too, moved closer, letting her hands rest lightly on his shoulders. "I do have one tiny little suggestion, though."
"Yeah?" he asked, exhaling softly as her hands moved lower.
"Yeah," she continued, her fingers now making in tiny circles across his chest. "I'd lose the socks if I were you. They totally clash with the rest of your ensemble."
Grinning, he sat down on the bed, bending over to remove them. Looking up, his eyes met hers once again and he held out his hand. Without hesitation, Amanda reached out and grasped it, allowing him to pull her down into his waiting arms.
Their lips met in a tender kiss as they stretched out side by side on the bed. Amanda looked at Lee's face in the flickering candlelight. His eyes looked so dark, filled with a desire that she had only let herself imagine before. Unconsciously, she shuddered.
"Lee…"
"I love you, Amanda," he said simply, pulling her closer. His fingers caressed her back with feather-light strokes and he felt the tension leave her body as she relaxed against him.
He held her that way for a few minutes, time suspended as she rested in the warmth of his embrace. Lee marveled at how amazing it felt to simply hold her in his arms. With Amanda, every sensation, no matter how ordinary, was one to be treasured. It occurred to him suddenly that this was the real difference between sex and making love. The emotional connection intensified everything tenfold.
Stirring slightly, he brushed away the hair that had fallen in her eyes, leaning in to kiss her. Their lips met, lightly at first, then more passionately. Lee kissed her repeatedly, softly murmuring her name as he worked his way from her lips to her neck and throat. Slowly, he reached for her camisole. As he began to lift it, he felt her fingers close on his and saw her shake her head. Her lips parted in an enigmatic smile.
"Let me," she said in a quiet voice, her hands assertively pushing him back down on the bed. She wanted – no, she needed - to do this herself, as if the simple act of undressing herself proved that in this, too, they were equal partners. She pulled the silken garment up over her head in a slow, tantalizing motion. Tossing it aside, she sat very still as Lee's eyes examined her hungrily. She shivered a little as she observed him watching her. His gaze was so intense that she could almost feel it on her skin.
Illuminated by the soft candlelight, Lee thought she had never looked more beautiful. It was so wonderful to be here with her like this, not as an agent or her friend, but as the man who loved her. He opened his mouth to tell her that, but he felt so much at that moment that he couldn't translate it into words. He tried to show her instead, more comfortable with this means of communication. Sitting up suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her feverishly as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
She returned his kisses with equal passion, pushing him back down on the bed. For the first time, she allowed herself to respond to him the way she had dreamed of doing for so long. She glanced at his face, to gauge the look in his eyes, but he had closed them. Denied that familiar contact, Amanda could only guess at what he was feeling. She began to kiss him again, her hands traveling hurriedly across his body.
Taking a deep breath, Lee reached out to stop her. "Hey," he said, his tone half-teasing, half-serious. "Slow down a little."
Amanda tensed suddenly, confused by his words. Feeling uncertain and vulnerable, she rolled away, wrapping her arms around herself like an imaginary shield.
"Amanda, honey…" Lee whispered her name softly, closing his arms around her from behind in an attempt to bridge the distance between them.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. She took a deep breath, silently willing away the tears that sprang unbidden to her eyes.
Lee looked at her with a puzzled expression as he tried to decipher what she was trying to tell him. As he watched her lying there, unable to meet his gaze, understanding suddenly dawned on him. He kissed her briefly on the shoulder, gently turning her to face him. "Amanda," he repeated tenderly, his voice filled with love, "it wasn't a complaint, believe me."
She nodded quickly, starting to turn away again, but Lee wouldn't let her, tilting her chin up so that she had to look him in the eye. "Hey, you did everything right, trust me. " He smiled in reassurance, his finger brushing away the solitary tear that escaped down her cheek.
She smiled back at him weakly, slowly nodding her head. "I guess… I'm just feeling… a little insecure," she said at last. "You've had so much more…I mean, there's been…and for me, there's only been one other…" She drew a shaky breath, trying to get her emotional bearings. "And for us…we've waited so long, it kind of seems like it's taken forever to get here. I guess I'm just afraid you'll be disappointed."
"Oh, Amanda." He tightened his embrace, trying somehow to protect her from her own anxieties. He hated that his past made her feel that way. He should have guessed that this was part of the reason she'd waited so long to make love with him. Amanda had always been his emotional rock, instinctively knowing exactly what he needed to hear. He wished he'd been able to do the same for her.
"Amanda," he said seriously, trying to make her understand. "No one in my past…" he paused for a minute, looking up at the ceiling, as if he could find the words he was searching for written there. "You're the only…what I'm trying to say is…oh, damn," he said softly as he once again found himself tripping over his emotions.
"Go on," she prodded gently, laying her head on his chest.
"This is so hard for me to…" he broke off, staring up at the ceiling again in frustration. "I guess you don't have a monopoly on feeling insecure."
"Lee, you don't have to say anything," she whispered quietly, their roles reversing as she in turn tried to relieve his anxiety.
"Yes, I do," he insisted, turning them over so they were facing each other. "I want you to understand…okay?"
"Okay," she echoed, running a soothing hand across his forehead.
"All this…you and me…it's a totally new experience for me." He paused a minute before continuing, letting the words take shape in his mind. "No one in my past ever touched my heart this way, Amanda…not like you have." He brushed his lips lightly against hers, wrapping her solidly in his arms. "It's a crazy business we're in," he continued, his words almost indistinct against her cheek. "You get in a habit of not letting yourself feel too much…it's just easier that way. But you came into my life and changed all that. The man I used to be, before I knew you…he doesn't exist anymore. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
"Yes, perfectly, " she replied softly. "Because I'm not the same person I was before I met you, either." She closed her arms around him, trying to pull him nearer. For so long she had been paralyzed by the irrational fear that she wouldn't measure up to his past. But the truth was, the past no longer mattered - for either of them. The only thing that counted was what they were building now, together.
"I love you," she whispered, her mouth against his ear. "You don't have to say any more." Her hands trailed lightly down his back as she added softly, "I think we've done enough talking for the moment, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do," he answered happily. He pulled away slightly to look at her, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of anticipation and desire. Reassured by what he saw there, his mouth closed demandingly over hers.
As she returned his kiss, Amanda's heart was filled with an emotion that was impossible to describe. She knew without a doubt that here and now, in this moment, their feelings forged a bond between them that was so powerful it could never be broken. Nothing had ever felt so right.
Lee felt it, too. He stared down at her as she confidently met his gaze in a look as intimate as the act they were sharing. As his arms tightened around her, he knew in a moment of total clarity that they belonged to each other. And that he would never let her go.
To be continued…