Act 4: Shall We Dance

Setting: Amanda's bedroom

Amanda looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. It was finally *the* Saturday of the ball and she had no idea what to wear. That was a slight problem since it was now 5 p.m. and Amanda told Lee she would meet him at the Armory at seven.

Amanda had convinced Lee that they should both arrive seperately to the ball since this was business, not a date. Despite the fact that Lee had come over to her house almost every night during the past week to discuss their plans over dinner, Amanda fooled herself into believing this was just business. She felt that this was a professional relationship and it would be best if Lee didn't assume they were on a date. This was *not* a date. Amanda wondered why she had butterflies in her stomach.

Baffled, Amanda walked to the other side of her bedroom and looked into her closet. Nothing, there was absolutely nothing to wear. She had shopped everywhere in DC and the surrounding area each day after work for the past week in an effort to find something decent and affordable to wear tonight. Amanda had concluded that today's styles were either too long, too short or too outrageous for her budget.

Reluctantly, Amanda reached into the back of her closet. She was hoping to get a better determination of her selection when she felt something soft. "Oh yeah!" Amanda said to herself. "I had forgotten all about that dress. I never wore it again after Dean told me he hated velvet."

Amanda pulled out the black velvet dress and was suprised to see that it was still in such good shape. Since she had only worn it once to a New Year's function with Dean, it looked brand new. The dress had a classic style with a timeless cut and length and Amanda knew black was always 'in'.

Amanda slipped into the elegant evening dress. She was amazed that it still fit after all these years. Even if Lee hated it, at least it still looked good for her cover. As Amanda looked at her reflection in the mirror, she realized it actually looked better now. "Those kick-boxing classes I've been taking have been paying off!", Amanda thought as she admired the way the dress showed off her sculpted arms and shoulders.

She smiled as she began to get ready for her "mission" tonight.

***

Lee stood in the entrance of the Armory, decked out in a tux and impatient for Amanda to arrive. He was nervous and anxious. What if she didn't show? They had gone over several different plans and scenerios almost every night this week at Amanda's. He didn't *want* to worry that she wouldn't show but, she still didn't seem to totally trust him. Lee knew Amanda was adamant, her every action indicated, this was not a date. This was just business.

The problem was, Lee knew he was smitten with the woman. He was truly disappointed when she wanted to drive in seperate vehicles. Lee would have loved to pick her up in his high performance Viper. He had never met anyone like Amanda and he knew he was hooked. He just hoped he could keep up the 'business' facade without Amanda finding out that he had really fallen hard for her. He didn't want scare off the only woman he actually wanted to marry.

Lee smiled as he thought of their dinners together. "She's such a great cook!" he thought to himself. He had actually noticed his clothes fit better this week. Eating real food definitely had it's benefits.

As Lee mused about the past week, a beautiful brunette entered the room. Lee perked up and smiled but soon realized it wasn't Amanda but Leslie, an old aquaintance of his. Lee had never dated Leslie, she was too conservative for his taste at the time, but they had mutual friends. Lee cordially made his way across the room to approach Leslie when...the most beautiful vision he had ever seen came into view. Lee stopped dead in his tracks, he was speechless.

Amanda gave Lee a brilliant smile and walked over to join him. Lee stood there in silence. She looked fantastic!

As he stood there dumbfounded, Amanda asked "Lee is everything okay?"

"Oh, yes Amanda. Everything is beautiful, I mean wonderful, I mean..wow! You look wonderful." Way to go Stetson, Lee thought to himself. That was so lame. I hope she didn't get offended and I hope I didn't give it away that I'm interested.

Lee finally collected himself and said, "Um, Amanda, I have something for you."

"What?" Amanda's heart was racing in her chest as she looked up into Lee's face. What was it with this guy that got her pulse up?

Lee looked down into Amanda's cautious almond eyes. He stuttered as he began, "Well, I figured, with your salary, you probably would not have a chance to really go all out in the jewelry department and, since your cover is that of a rich socialite, I wanted you to wear this."

Lee was relieved to break his gaze with Amanda as he pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. He loved the touch of velvet and thought of how beautiful Amanda's dress was. He knew his mother's necklace would look great around her delicate neck.

Amanda saw the box and resisted, "Oh no, Lee I can't, I couldn't". Amanda had never had anyone really give her anything like this. She didn't know how to handle extravagance even if it was for just one evening. Her eyes widened as Lee opened the precious box. Lee carefully lifted out the exquisite platinum necklace. The brilliant metal shimmered in the dim lights of the Armory. Amanda admired the pendant. It was formed in the shape of a lovely heart and was studded with perfect diamonds.

Amanda gasped slightly as Lee reached his arms around her neck and leaned over to fasten the necklace. She couldn't breath. When Lee leaned in like that, it took her breath away. She wanted to protest but could only squeak out a weak "Thank you."

Lee looked down again into Amanda's stunned face. "It was my mother's and... I can't think of anyone more beautiful to wear it." Lee caught himself, "Uh, especially for business, I mean cover."

Lee was pleased with Amanda's reaction to his gift and gently put his arm around her slender waist as he led her toward the ballroom. When they arrived at the entrance, Lee and Amanda were greeted with the sight and sound of hundreds of well heeled socialites gracing the dance floor and meandering among the pomped up tables that surrounded it. Lee led Amadna toward their table as they heard the orchestra pipe up "As Time Goes By". They both looked at each other and smiled. Over the past week, they had found out they both were fans of "Casablanca". Rick and Ilsa were two of their favoite movie characters.



"Yohoo!"

Lee and Amanda turned to see Babs charging toward them in all her glory.

"Amanda! I'm so glad you brought that macho beau of yours, oh, what is his name?"

Amanda hoped Babs would not blow her cover. "Hi Babs, this is my friend Lee."

"Oh, so then he's just a friend! Well, Lee, there are many eligible women here including me..."Babs gushed as she latched unto Lee's arm.

Before Babs could steer Lee away from Amanda, a photographer came up to Lee and requested to take their picture.

Noticing the sudden peril Lee would experience from one of Babs match- making nightmares, Amanda interjected, "No, that's okay Babs, he is with me."

"Oh good then!", Babs continued, "Why don't you two kiss for the photgrapher! Everybody is getting their picture taken!"

Lee looked at Amanda and leaned over to land a brotherly smooch on her cheek.

Babs shouted "Oh that's horrible, that's all wrong! Don't you take care of this man Amanda!? Let's see some romance!"

Amanda braced herself. She could do this, she was a professional. She had performed with the drama club in school. This was just cover. She was a 'rich socialite' and Lee was her 'millionaire amour'. Amanda knew if Ishmael Laban were anywhere in that room, he would have to believe that they were lovers. Amanda looked over at Lee.

Lee smiled at Amanda and gave her his best Humphrey Bogart face. With Casablanca's theme music still in the background, Amanda winked at him. She could ham it up too. She gave Lee her best silent Ingrid Bergman imitation and grabbed his face and started kissing him, 'passionately'.

Lee stood there stunned but more than ready to oblige. Somewhere between 'time' and 'goes by', Lee and Amanda went from play acting to reality. They were no longer hamming it up for Babs or making cover if Laban was around. They were really ...kissing.

Lee loved the fullness and softness of Amanda's lips, the delicate touch of her fingers on his face, the fragrance of her hair, the taste of her mouth.

Amanda couldn't believe this was happening. She would have a hard time convincing herself this was 'just business'. She didn't want to admit that her body tingled as Lee squeezed his arms around her and held her tight to his chest. Her knees were getting weak. She began to wonder if it was legal for grandmas to feel like this.



"The world will always welcome lovers as time goes by".... The orchestra played the score's last note and moved into the jumpier tune of the jitterbug.

When Lee and Amanda finally noticed that 'their' song had ended, the photoghrapher was long gone and hassling some other couple. Amanda abruptly finished their kiss and pulled her face away from Lee's lips. Lee didn't know what to say. What could he say? She was still giving him her "this is just business" look.

As they stood there recovering, Amanda said, "Oh my gosh, there he is."

Lee's gaze followed to where Amanda nodded. Laban was schmoozing right on the dance floor with none other than Babs Babcock. Lee took Amanda's arm and said "Shall we dance?"

It wasn't really a question, Amanda nodded in agreement and took Lee's arm. As they made their way onto the dance floor, they both knew it was time to bait the hook for one nasty fish.

TBC