Part 5: Epilogue: the cop-out ending, to be read only by true romantics (Q Bureau, May, 1986)
WARNING: Do not read this ending if you require realism!
Lee grabbed the cup of coffee on his desk and took a big gulp, grimacing as he swallowed the cold, bitter liquid. No matter how many times he imagined a future with Amanda, it always turned out the same, with her dead, and this time the scenario had been perfected to a T. That was why he could never let Amanda know of his feelings for her, why he could never act on them, why he could never allow himself to get close to her. He thought back to his date with Leslie the night before. Now, this was a relationship that was progressing nicely. She was exactly what he needed, and he didn't have to worry about her safety constantly. She was a professional, and not overly emotional, as Amanda could be. (Nor was she as beautiful, loving, and warm, he couldn't help thinking.) If he could just keep his distance from Amanda, everything would work out wonderfully. That was it; all he had to do was keep from developing any more emotional attachments to his partner. Professionally speaking, a relationship with a colleague was a bad idea, anyway. He glanced at his watch. It was time for his meeting with Billy. He poured the rest of his coffee into the cactus behind his desk, and made his way down to the office in the bullpen.
As soon as he walked into the office he was aware of her, the soft scent that surrounded her and it stirred him. Keeping his eyes averted, he nodded in her general direction and focused his attention on Billy. He tried to concentrate on what Billy was saying, but Amanda's nearness shook him to his very core. Forcing himself to remember the future he had just envisioned, he attempted to push thoughts of her out of his mind. Think about anything but her, think about . . . damn, what was her name? All he could see in his mind was Amanda. He stared at Billy's lips; he was saying something, but what? The woman sitting next to him filled his thoughts; a woman he couldn't ignore, but had to. She laughed at something then, something Billy said, and the sound of her soft, sweet laughter pulled him in. He made his mistake then; he glanced over at her, got caught in her gaze and was lost.
Really The End