Title: Heaven Help the Lonely Ones

Chapter 1: Big Mistake

Disclosure: Warner Brothers Television Distribution and Shoot The Moon Productions owns these characters, as well as to the writers, and actors who created and portrayed them. I'll put them back when I'm done playing… the story and characters not owned by Shoot the Moon or WB are mine… all mine…

Lyrics are set off, centered, in italics, or otherwise marked.

Author: WhizGidget :D

Written: April 10 – 11, 2001

Rating: PG

Archive: At the smkfanfic list; at fanfiction.net, and I'd be honored to be elsewhere, just email me and let me know where (astolzman@yahoo.com)

Timing/Summary: A few nights in Lee's life. Before Arlington, before the train station, long before Amanda. Let's say very early 80s.

Author's Note: This is short, and fluffy, but it's no marshmallow. If you don't like the idea of Lee on the prowl (even if Amanda didn't exist in his life at that point) don't read this.

My ego loves praise. The realist in me needs truthful comments (good and bad). And flames will be used to torch old paperwork in my office…

Keeps them all waiting

They're standing in line

He never has to worry about being alone

He's taking his own sweet time

Cindi swept her eyes over the patrons of the bar, hoping to catch sight of someone who would be worth her trouble. As her eyes moved towards the door, she noticed that a few other women's attention had focused on a worthy target. He was tall, sandy haired, and drop dead gorgeous. He flashed a quick smile at the room in general, and she immediately fell for it. After hours in the smoky bar, this night was not going to be a waste after all.

The man's mighty hot

Believe it or not

Every woman's after what the big boy's got

They know it's all a lie, but they're taking their shot

She approached him slowly, knowing that she was drawing attention to herself – tall, blond in a low cut blue silk dress – how could she not? She'd turned away a decent number of men through the night hoping that she'd meet Mr. Right. No one even came close until this guy had walked through the door. And there were a couple of other women who she'd previously seen with this guy. They had walked by, trailing a hand along his shoulders, or sitting down next to him. But they didn't seem to catch his eye this night.

He was as much a regular in the place as she was. They had obviously seen each other before, but hadn't connected with each other any of the previous nights, making other choices for their nighttime company. She was sure that this night would be different.

He is such a smooth talking man,

They never want to let him go

He'll be gone when the morning comes,

Then they'll be the first to know

He took notice of the blond walking slowly past him, with a casual air about her, but with a definite message sent directly to him. He gracefully excused himself from the redhead he was sitting next to, without hurting her feelings but still making it clear that he was interested. Just not tonight – a long lost friend had just walked by.

He followed the blond casually out of the bar, wondering where his travels was going to take him tonight. Just outside, she turned around and asked if he wanted to buy her a drink. His deep voice sent shivers down her spine immediately as he asked "Your place, or mine?"

It's just a big mistake

Such a big mistake

Well, it won't be the first

It definitely won't be the last one you make

Just a big mistake

Cindi stretched out in the satin sheets – so slippery, but worth the time, trouble and luxury – especially when she had someone to share the experience with. And the man she picked up in the bar the previous night had been worth it. She didn't bother looking at the clock – from the sunlight pouring in, it was fairly obvious it was late morning, and they had spent most of the night tangling those sheets up. She turned over, hoping that the morning would be even half as much fun as the night, only to find the bed empty. After the night they had, she was sure that he was lurking somewhere in the apartment. And perhaps they could pick up in the kitchen where they left off in the bedroom.

In the morning when you find him gone

In the morning when you know you're wrong

She got up, wrapped her robe around her, and quickly figured out that he had left. None of his clothes were present, and the bathroom light he had insisted on keeping on had been turned off. She found a note, scribbled on a bar napkin, left for her to find by the bathroom sink – the only evidence that he'd even been there that night, and not a fantasy conjured up in the night – "Had a great time. Thanks, Lee".

Sooner or later they're gonna find out

He never cares about the hearts he's breaking tonight

He's letting it all hang out

The man's mighty tough

Better leave before it starts to get too rough

A week later, Lee found himself in the same bar, looking around. So many women, so many losers trying to score with them. There was Kimber, Candi, Sami… oh, and Cindi from a couple of nights ago – the song in the bar echoed his thoughts of Cindi: Oh, what a night… And there was that redhead he kept running into that he'd dropped for Cindi. She was gorgeous, funny, smart, wasn't impressed by his car, and waved her hand away dismissively when he tried to impress her with what he did for a living. He'd never gotten to tell any truths or lies – she didn't seem to care, or just wasn't hung up on the superficial things. He approached her quickly, flashing that million-watt smile when she turned his way.

Cindi watched from across the bar, as he made his way towards the redhead. She shook her head regretfully for a moment that she'd let him get away that night and leave nothing but a short note behind. She couldn't even let him walk away with a nice morning after memory. No matter. The very attractive dark haired man sitting next to her was definitely a keeper. The redhead could have Lee.

You might think you oughta call him Mr. Right

Baby you might get a big surprise tonight

Denise turned from the bar, ready to leave, when she spotted the lean man heading her way. That smile, the look in his eyes – she shivered imperceptibly as he said hello in that deep velvet voice of his. She'd hoped she'd see him again. They'd had drinks before at the bar, but she'd left when an old friend had shown up. Last week, he'd played payback by excusing himself to run after an opportunistic blond she saw here with a different guy every week. He'd left her with a very smooth excuse that she was an old friend. Perhaps she was, but that didn't really matter. Tonight was tonight, and maybe it would be different.

She'd be lying if she didn't admit to the electricity she felt every time he'd sat down next to her at the bar. He was handsome, almost too perfect; he had tried to impress her with facts about his suit, his car, and his job. She didn't care. He could have been a pauper who managed to get lucky at the Salvation Army store - he was intelligent, and didn't treat her like every other girl in the bar. Her mama always said she'd never meet the man of her dreams in a bar, but it looked like this time, mama might be wrong.

Lee sat down next to Denise, lightly placing a hand on her back, noting the small shiver that that movement had caused. He bought her a drink, they chatted about nothing for a while – politics, the weather, music - and then he asked if she wanted to get some air. She'd smiled, and they left together. Tonight wasn't going to be a waste of time, he thought to himself.

She didn't think so either. This was a guy she definitely wanted to spend some more time with and get to know. On a long-term basis. They walked around Washington, chatting more about little things they wanted from life. From what he was saying, Denise could tell he was lonely. He was looking for that little thing that was missing in his life, but he couldn't put a name to what exactly it was.

From what he was saying, Denise took this to be the first of many nights they would spend together searching for that something.

In the morning when you find him gone

It's a big mistake

You know you've been lied to

In the morning when you know you're wrong

Such a big mistake

There's no one to cry to

In the morning when you find him gone

In the morning you'll be so alone

The next morning, Denise turned over and reached out to find that her companion of the previous night was no longer there. "Lee?" she called out hopefully, knowing that she wouldn't get an answer. Deep down she knew that he'd leave at the first chance he got, but was still hoping that he'd be the man she'd been looking for.

A few tears threatened to roll down her cheeks, and she scolded herself for not knowing better, not listening to her mama, and feeling very alone.

He hadn't even left a note.