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Disclaimer: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. Some references and phrases are taken from various episodes. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only and cannot be redistributed without permission from the author. I retain the rights to the plot, not the characters. No infringement is intended.

Date Written: February-May 2001

Author's Note: We've seen Lee check up on Amanda many times by peeking through her back window. I'll bet there were a few times when he didn't get to talk to her for one reason or another: someone else might have been there and she couldn't get away, or she might have been busy and not seen him. These little stories are about some of those times. They are chaptered, but each is complete by itself. Thank you, Andrea, for always providing a boost to my self-confidence.

Timeframe: The first story takes place in first season just prior to "I Am Not Now Nor Have I Ever Been a Spy," second story is from second season, and third story is from third season.

Spying Eyes

by Linda

smkfanforever@hotmail.com

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Chapter 1: It's in His Kiss

Lee parked about a half-block away from 4247 Maplewood Drive. He was on his way home from a late assignment, but thought he would stop by Amanda's house to…uh, to talk with her about…to see if…well, actually he forgot exactly why he was here, but he knew he'd remember by the time he reached her backyard.

It was nearly 10 o'clock. Lee had noticed Dean's car parked in front of Amanda's house, so was not surprised to see Amanda and Dean sitting on the couch watching a movie. The boys were probably in bed and her mother must have "made herself scarce" upstairs so the two could be alone. Dean had his arm around Amanda's shoulders, although she was sitting upright next to him, not leaning against his shoulder as might be expected. Lee frowned and ran his fingers through his hair. He'd seen Dean several times before. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why Amanda kept seeing the man. Dean didn't seem like her type. Lee wasn't sure what her type was exactly, but Dean was not it. He just couldn't see the two of them in a relationship together.

The movie ended. Dean removed his arm from Amanda's shoulders and stretched leisurely. Both rose to their feet. Lee ducked to the side of the window so he wouldn't be seen. He felt slightly embarrassed at observing the pair and knew he should leave. Amanda would not be pleased if she knew he had spied on them. But just then Dean pulled Amanda toward him and Lee's embarrassment disappeared as his irritation got the better of him. Dean kissed her, but Lee thought Amanda looked uncomfortable. She gently pushed him away, pointed to her watch and laughed nervously as she spoke. Dean smiled, oblivious to her mood, and nodded his head in agreement, grabbing his jacket from the edge of the couch. They disappeared from the den and from Lee's line of sight. Lee knew he should stay put to wait for Amanda's return to the kitchen, but he stealthily made his way to the corner of the house so he could see what was going on at the front door through the cover of the bushes. He couldn't help his curiosity about the two.

Lee got to his listening post in time to hear Dean comment, "Do you remember that next weekend is the annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Meteorologist Convention? Did you think any more about coming with me? We sure would have fun. There'll be lots of terrific exhibits and presentations to attend. I can't wait to hear Dr. Foxworth's new theory on tornado formation. He's the foremost expert on this topic." Dean's enthusiasm for all facets of weather and weather forecasting was evident. Lee shook his head and chuckled to himself as Amanda tried to muster a properly interested response.

"You know, Dean, it sure does sound like fun. But unfortunately Mother will be out of town that weekend, so I need to stay here with the boys."

"Oh, that's a shame. I know you'd have loved it. Well there's always next year. And who knows," he leaned toward her and whispered conspiratorially, so that Lee had to strain to hear him, "by then we could be attending as Mr. and Mrs. Dean McGuire."

He grinned at Amanda who smiled weakly and replied noncommittally that only time would tell. He leaned in for another kiss as she turned her head so that it landed squarely on her cheek. Dean didn't seem to notice and sauntered to his car, whistling softly. Amanda watched him leave, sighed heavily with a concerned look on her face, and turned to re-enter the house.

Lee shook his head in disbelief. That poor guy! Amanda was sending him signals loud and clear and he was completely clueless. Lee actually felt sorry for the fellow. He seemed like a nice enough man. Dull as a stick, but nice enough. But he sure needed some lessons in the romance department. Kissing Techniques 101 should be the first course he signed up for. Those brotherly kisses he sent Amanda's way were never going to cut it. Amanda was a beautiful woman. Any man intent on kissing her should let his feelings for her come through his kiss. If he were Dean, he would caress her face as he gazed into those gorgeous brown eyes, entwine his fingers into her dark silken curls, then lean in to touch those inviting lips with his own as he pulled her body close to his. Then as the kiss deepened he would---he shook his head. But he wasn't Dean. Amanda was his friend and sometimes coworker. Not someone he would be likely to kiss. This was all just hypothetical.

However, Dean's lack of kissing technique was just as well. Let Dean practice on the next woman who entered his life. For Lee felt sure that Dean's days with Amanda were numbered. For some reason, this gave him an immense sense of satisfaction.

Lee was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the kitchen light being clicked off as Amanda headed up the stairs for bed. He wouldn't be talking to her tonight after all. He headed out for his car, secure in the knowledge that everyone in the King household was tucked in safely for the night.

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