You know it only breaks my heart

To see you standing in the dark

Oh, waiting there for me

To come back. . .

Months had passed since the filming of "Love, Actually" and things were still bright for the young assistant and her man. Alan had acquainted her with Jason Issacs, who was delightfully funny, and she had grown a bit more serious with Tom.

"I'm going to miss you." Alan said quietly, standing at the airport.

"Me, too." Amanda was going home for Christmas to keep up with her friends.

I'm too afraid to show. . .

Jason and Tom had left earlier, after much hugging and kissing. But as always Alan stayed by Amanda's side, like a faithful old dog. He loved her so much, and she him, even more than her Rickmanista sisters could fathom.

It's coming over you

Like it's coming over me

Crashing like a tidal wave

That drags me out to sea. . .

She felt tears welling up in her eyes. It's only a month, she reminded herself. And she'd call them every day; that's the very reason he'd bought her the blasted cell phone. She carried his picture in the silver locket she wore around her neck. It was pathetic.

And I wanna be with you

If you wanna be with me

Crashing like a tidal wave

Amanda threw her arms around Alan's neck and felt him pick her up gently. She giggled and could almost see a small smile caress his lined face. "Love you, sweetie." He whispered.

And I don't wanna be stranded. . .

But I can only take so much

These tears are turning me to rust

I know, you're waiting there for me

To come back

I'm too afraid to show

Three or four kisses goodbye later she was on the plane, trying to read a copy of the script for his next movie, but she couldn't keep her mind off him. She wondered where he was, while she sat here alone. A sweet-looking British girl and her Scottish boyfriend came up the aisle. "Do you mind if we-" "No, please, go right ahead!" Amanda exclaimed. "Hate sitting alone." She smiled warmly as the two squeezed in beside her. "My gosh." The girl looked at her. "I've seen you on TV-you're..." "A actor's assistant. Alan Rickman, right." "Rickman, of course. He's fabulous." "You have no idea." She whispered.

It's coming over you

Like it's coming over me

Crashing like a tidal wave

That drags me out to sea

And I wanna be with you

If you wanna be with me

Crashing like a tidal wave

But I don't wanna be. . .stranded

Alan looked at his wallet as he walked down the cobblestone back-alley in a corner of London, studying the picture tucked inside. It was Amanda's college photo, where she had her hair longer and straighter, but her hazel eyes sparkled like always, even when she was sad she couldn't hide it. She was fooling around with two of her Rickmaniac friends, who had taken a candid shot of her waving two silver-black-green pom-poms and wearing a Die Hard t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She was laughing as she pretended to be stuck-up and snobby, like Tom's character would be. Alan smiled at the photo, but inside he was crying.

I miss you

I need you

Without you

I'm stronger

I love you

So come back

I'm not afraid to show

He broke into a run and rushed home, picking up the phone as he opened the door. "Hey." Everyone on the plane craned their necks to see who had the cell phone with the Blink-182 ringtone.

It's coming over you

Like it's coming over me

Crashing like a tidal wave

That drags me out to sea

And I wanna be with you

If you wanna be with me

Crashing like a tidal wave. . .

And I don't wanna be stranded

~Plumb "Stranded"~