Tag
Monday afternoon, Amanda was sitting behind her desk in the Q bureau. She heard the door open and turned to see Francine coming in.
"Uh, Amanda? Is Lee here?"
"Do you see him, Francine? I thought after spending the weekend with him, you might be sick of him."
"Actually, Amanda, I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh?"
"It's about this weekend. Oh, Amanda, I am so sorry."
"What are you talking about?"
In a brusque tone, Francine demanded, "Are you still seeing Lee?"
Amanda did her best to keep from smiling. "You mean personally?"
"Of course, personally. Are the two of you still an item?"
"We see each other, yes."
"Exclusively?"
"As far as I know. Francine, what are you trying to get at?" Amanda replied, trying to sound nervous.
"I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Lee didn't concentrate solely on business this weekend. Sorry to be so blunt, but I don't know how else to say this. Lee cheated on you."
Amanda gasped, "Oh my gosh, you mean you and Lee?"
"Oh no, no, not me, another woman, a married woman," she hissed. "Amanda, he nearly blew the case."
"Really? I thought the two of you solved the case rather quickly."
"Amanda, he cared more about being with that woman than in helping find Opitz."
"Oh, really, Francine?" they heard Lee ask. The two women turned to see Lee standing by the open door to the Q bureau. Francine opened her mouth to retort but then closed it quickly. She stood there looking between the two of them.
Amanda winked at her husband before asking plaintively, "Is it true, Lee? Did you spend the weekend with another woman? Please tell me it isn't true."
He replied in a regretful tone, "I'm sorry, Amanda. I have to confess, I spent the weekend with the most beautiful woman I've ever known. Someone I would be happy to spend the rest of my life with."
Amanda turned her back to the two of them and put her hand up to her mouth so Francine couldn't see her smile. She wasn't sure if she could keep the pleasure out of her voice, so she whispered, "Oh, Lee, how could you, and with a married woman?"
"I couldn't help myself, Amanda. She was just so desirable."
Francine glared at Lee, berating him for his insensitivity, "I always thought you had more class than that, Lee. Can't you see how much you've hurt her?"
Amanda murmured, "Francine, would you please leave us? I need to talk to Lee, alone."
Francine answered her, saccharin dripping from her voice, "Are you sure, Amanda?"
"I'm sure. Don't worry, Francine, I'll be OK."
Francine looked at her with pity, before walking to the door and leaving the room. Once she was gone, Lee walked up behind Amanda and placed his arms around her waist. Leaning in, he placed a soft kiss on her neck. Turning in his embrace, she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked up into his eyes. "Really? The most beautiful woman you've ever seen?"
"Oh yeah, and smart and brave and loving and . . ."
"Don't forget desirable," Amanda added.
"Oh, yeah, and desirable," he replied with a devastating smile.
"She must be one lucky lady." Amanda wiggled closer to him and looked up at him lovingly.
"I didn't hear any complaints," he boasted.
"Kiss me, Lee."
"Anything you say, Amanda. I love you," he whispered as his lips hovered close to hers.
"I love you, too," she murmured.
Finally, their lips met, and as they kissed, all else was forgotten as they lost themselves in each other's arms while time stood still for Scarecrow and Mrs. King, er, Stetson.
THE END! (Finally!)
Author's notes:
I know some of you may be displeased with Amanda's actions in this little story. According to Tuvok of Vulcan, (Star Trek fans will know this,) a character's actions must flow inexorably from his or her nature, so in a purely logical world, you're right. Amanda would never jeopardize Lee's mission just to spend the weekend with him. (I would, in a heartbeat!) However, since nobody has ever accused me of being a Vulcan, (or even logical, for that matter,) I chose to follow the dictates of the great Scarecrow, who once said, "Most of the time we only think that we know; therefore, I can't know you too well." (Wrong Number, written by David Brown, season 3) As a result, since even Lee agreed we could never really know Amanda, I chose to spice up my little piece of fan fluff by adding in an element of danger, intrigue and excitement. Sorry if it interferes with your preconceived notions of Amanda, but as Tom Paris would say, it sure makes for a better story (at least in my opinion!) Besides, the only way Amanda could solve the case was to be there! Peace.