I wanted to start out by thanking everyone for all the nice feedback. It means a lot to me, and it's very motivating:) I always wondered what would have happened if 'Burnout' had occurred later in the run of the show, and that's what inspired this.

I also want to thank Ashley for her fantastic beta-work...she has gone above and beyond the call of duty, without making me want to smack her. Hey--being my beta is a tough job, and not for the weak:)

That said--on with the show:

Chapter 5

Hearing the click of the lock, Lee turned slowly to his partner, who seemed as shocked as he did. Momentarily speechless, he recovered quickly as he realized the opportunity they'd been given. Billy would do what he could, but they probably only had a few minutes at most.

He stepped toward Amanda, hesitant, questioning.

She stood, her hand reaching toward him of its own accord.

"C'mere."

Falling into his arms, she couldn't stop the tears, and didn't want to. "Lee," the beauty of the word coming from her lips was almost too much. "Oh, Lee. I love you. I've missed you so much."

"I love you." He held her tight for a long moment, unable to force another word over the lump in his throat.

Finally, he had to speak to her, needed to hear her voice. "Are you sorry we got into this?" he asked, knowing he'd quit right now if she wanted.

Her head rolled against his shoulder. "No, no. We discussed this. It's important. I don't want one more woman at this agency to be a target because she divorces her husband. I don't want anyone to stay in a loveless relationship out of fear."

"I know, " he murmured, holding her even more tightly against him. "You've been so amazing during all of this."

She allowed a smile to emerge, her eyes full of love and laughter. "You're doing a pretty good job yourself. You've got Lisa eating out of your hand."

He frowned. "I thought her name was Lynda."

She laughed. "I guess you can't help being irresistible, huh?"

He smirked. "Might want to do a security check on her. I think she'd hand us all to the Russians for a dozen roses." He ran his fingers through her hair, shaking his head. "All I think about is you. When she runs her nails over my hand, I think of your fingers running down my back when we make love." He kissed her so hard it was almost painful. "It's a good thing I moved out of the Q- bureau. I have to stay away from you, or I'd just throw you down in the middle of the floor."

She laughed, her fingers stroking up and down his chest. "I know. I feel the same way."

It had been too long since they'd touched, and their fingers eagerly explored every inch of forbidden territory.

"Manda, we have to stop," he murmured, as his glassy eyes met hers, "or I won't be able to."

She nodded reluctantly. "You're right."

He held her at arms' length, knowing this image would be the last thing in his mind when he fell asleep later.

Finally, he pulled her to stand beside him, where she belonged.

His hand wrapped tenderly around the back of her neck, and she wilted against him as he kissed her one last, long time.

"Ready?" she asked when she'd caught her breath.

"As I'll ever be."

Fixing his face into a surly grimace, he watched her features become sad, drawn, tired.


"Amanda, what do you think about? I mean, to look convincing?"

She smiled weakly at him.

"I just pretend this is all real."

He returned her sad smile.

"Really? Me, too."

With that he grabbed the doorknob, slamming it back into the wall.

"...do on my own damn time is no longer any of your business!" he screamed on his way out the door.

"Stay away from me," she quietly threatened from the doorway. "I can't believe I ever loved you."

He turned on his heel. "I never, ever loved you."

Even while he was proud of their stellar performance, it gave him no satisfaction to know that the tear rolling down her cheek was real.