They drove away discussing Mia's predicament. Amy complimented Bruce for
having the patience to deal with Mia. Bruce explained how it had more to do
with his love for Rebecca. Amy also complimented him on that. They began to
talk about their daughters. After a 20 minute drive, they finally arrived
at the diner.
Same location, same old diner. Amy wondered in disbelief how a place could stay the same for 20 years. Actually, it had an older feel than that. They got out of the vehicle and went inside. Only three patrons inside. Five people total with the cook and waitress. The jukebox was still there. And the oversized booths. This place probably hadn't changed since the 50's.
"Quaint," Bruce said, remembering Amy's words about the cabin.
He could sense her hesitation and tried to put her mind at ease. He smiled at her and took her hand in his. They took a corner booth. The waitress came over with glasses of water and menus. She was a fair looking woman, about their age. Her name tag read 'Dot'. Amy thought they were in a time warp; she considered 'Dot' to be a typical 50's waitress name. Dot seemed pleasant. She looked to be around the same age as Bruce and Amy.
"I'll give you a minute to look those over," Dot said with a smile.
"Thanks" Bruce and Amy replied in unison.
Bruce was slightly self-conscience. He worried about encountering any prejudice. So far, no one seemed to harbor any. Besides Dot, no one else paid them any attention.
"Do you know what you want?" Amy asked, noticing Bruce wasn't looking at the menu.
"Besides you?" he shot back, making Amy smile.
"Don't toy with me in a public place. I have no shame" she replied with a very mischievous grin as she ran her foot up his leg.
"Down tiger. What are you having?"
"The pot roast sounds interesting but I'm going to go with a simple soup and sandwich."
"Cant go wrong with that... I'll try the pot roast."
They put their menus down and looked at each other. An awkward silence filled the air. Finally Bruce broke the silence.
"Plans for tonight? You still want to do that run?"
"Not now. Maybe in the morning. I didn't have any ideas for tonight. Maybe we'll get back in time to watch the sunset. It's beautiful by the lake."
"A beautiful sunset with a beautiful woman. How did I get so lucky?"
He grinned while gazing in her eyes. Amy beamed and lowered her eyes for a second in a bashful response. Dot returned.
"So what'll I get you two lovebirds?"
Dot's comment jolted the both of them. Bruce cleared his throat.
"A turkey club on rye with potato soup for the lady, and a pot roast special for me."
"And to drink?"
"Iced Tea."
"Ok... turkey club on rye, potato soup, pot roast special and two teas."
"With lemon," added Amy.
"Gotcha. Coming right up."
Dot collected the menus and hurried back behind the counter. Bruce watched her; he wondered if there was any malice behind Dot's comment. She put in the order and began to make their teas. Dot looked up and saw Bruce looking at her. She smiled warmly at him.
"So what's next for us Bruce?" Amy questioned.
Amy thought it was a good time as any to discuss how they would proceed in their new relationship. She also didn't like how Bruce was following their waitress with his eyes.
"I've got to find a job and give notice."
"Are we going back to work and pretend nothing happened until then?"
"We need to be careful. And it's not realistic to plan a weekend away each week."
"So we ARE going to act as if nothing is going on."
"Amy, in time, I can declare my love for you to the whole world, if that's what you want. I don't think we should do anything to jeopardize your career. You need a breather too, reputation wise. It isn't going to look good for you fraternizing with your CSO when you were just chasing a district attorney. You'll look desperate and you're above that."
His words hurt, but she hated to admit that he was right. Amy had found happiness, and now she had to wait on it. It didn't seem fair. She slumped back in her bench sulking. Bruce shared her disappointment but he knew it was for the best. Amy quickly responded.
"As if I haven't looked desperate all this time with David? The cleaning lady offered to set me up with her son for crying out loud! I just don't care Bruce. I'm tired of waiting on happiness. You can't just offer me something and then take it away."
Amy's eyes welled up with tears. Bruce didn't know what to say. He leaned over, trying to reach for her as Dot walked up with their meals.
"Soup and sandwich for the lady and pot roast for the gentleman. I'll be back with your teas. I had to brew some and put it on ice."
"Thank you," Bruce replied softly.
Dot stood for a second, looking back and forth between Bruce and Amy. There was a look of concern on her face.
"Ok, be back in a jiff."
They sat solemnly staring at their plates. Bruce started to speak.
"Amy, I'm not taking anything away. I told you how I feel about you and none of that is going to change. There's just no reason to put your career on the line. We'll be together soon. Besides, I'd rather you be with a promising child psychologist than your subordinate," Bruce jested, trying to make light of the situation.
Her disposition wasn't changing. She sat quietly, stirring her soup with her spoon. She raised her eyes to look out the diner window. Dot returned with the teas and lemon.
"Are your meals ok?" she asked noticing that neither of them had touched their plates.
"They're fine. Thank you," Bruce quickly responded.
Amy meekly faced Dot and gave her a feeble smile.
"Ok. Holler if you need me. I'll leave you two alone." And she dashed off to the counter.
Amy looked at Bruce. She brushed the wetness on the corner of her eyes as she began to speak.
"I'm sorry. You're right. I'm being irrational. What's another couple of lonely weeks? I've had a lifetime of it. I should be used to it."
She turned her attention to her sandwich and began to eat. Bruce felt responsible; the reality was that he HAD offered love but was asking her to wait. Just as David McClaren had been doing to her.
"Amy–"
"No Bruce. You made it clear," Amy cut him off, choking down her sandwich. "My job is important. And it's important what other's think of me. And it's important that I don't lower my standards. My happiness must come after all that."
"No Amy, your happiness IS priority... I'll request to be transferred Monday. You're right: Who knows how long it'll take me to find another job. I'm so used to keeping my feelings hid and just enjoying my time with you at work that its simple for me to stay in that mind frame. You don't deserve that. And after all the hugs and kisses we've shared, it's not realistic for me to think that we can continue to work with each other as if nothing's happened."
Amy's eyes finally lit up. She was touched that Bruce was trying to accommodate her. Men had always tried to commandeer her. Bruce really understood her. She was falling for him harder by the second. Bruce was relieved to finally see her mood perk up.
"You're a wonderful, wonderful man. If only you knew."
"Behind every wonderful man is a phenomenal woman... Now come on, let's eat. We have a sunset to catch."
They discussed what work was going to be like when they returned: who would Bruce end up working for, Donna's reaction to being Amy's CSO, Donna's reaction to why Bruce was transferring. They agreed that they wouldn't go broadcasting their relationship because it really wasn't anyone's business. But if they were no longer working together, they wouldn't have to worry about being seen together outside of work. They did briefly consider finding Ian and kissing in front of him, but they would save that until Bruce gave notice. Finally the subject of David McClaren came up.
"Are you going to tell McClaren about us?"
"He's going to be busy with his wife's killer. One of my messages was from him. He expects me to wait for him and patch things up when he's through with the case. I didn't get through to him last night. God that feels like so long ago. I can't believe just yesterday I was so alone and miserable. I'll call him and reiterate that things are over."
"But are you going to tell him you're with me?" Bruce asked in a very interested manner.
"I thought it wasn't anyone's business? Weren't we just telling Donna because she's our friend? I'm sure once we tell her, everyone will know. –Let's not tell Donna either. Let everyone guess. They'll already wonder why you asked for a transfer."
Amy evaded the question again. Bruce was let down. He gave his heart to Amy, but was hers not completely his?
"It isn't anyone's business, especially McClaren's, but is that the real reason you won't tell him? Are you afraid to tell him? Do you still have feelings for David McClaren?"
Amy had told McClaren yesterday that their relationship was, but it worried Bruce that Amy seemed to avoid the question. She now saw the alarm in Bruce's eyes and decided to set his mind at ease.
"I thought I was really falling for David. I think in the back of my mind, I felt sorry for him: I learned while I was in criminal about his wife's death. I figured he was in need as much as I was. –I think that's what kept me pursuing him. It started out as a challenge at first; here was this guy who said he wasn't interested but acted like he was, I'd see if he really could resist me. He seemed like someone who could need me as much as I needed him. But David isn't over his wife and I'm tired of chasing him..."
Dot returned to their table to clear their plates.
"Can I offer you guys any coffee or dessert? We have ice cream, apple pie –can make that alamode, the same goes for the cherry cobbler."
Amy and Bruce motioned each other that they weren't interested. Bruce answered.
"No thank you. Just the check please."
"Glad to see you've patched things up. I was getting worried. You two are such a cute couple. Well here's the tab. Come back and see us–"
"–Does the jukebox work?" interjected Amy out of the blue.
"It sure does. Seventy five cents for a song."
"Thank you. Thanks for everything," Amy replied as she dug in her purse.
"My pleasure. You take care."
Bruce was taken a little off guard by Dot's compliment. He had been on guard against for all the ugliness involved with interracial dating, but in the last 24 hours they had received the opposite. –From both races. He relaxed a little more, and then Bruce remembered Amy had been talking about David McClaren.
"You were saying about McClaren," prompted Bruce.
"Oh yeah. Where was I?"
"You were falling for him. It was a challenge to you at first. He seemed needy, but he isn't over his wife and you're tired of chasing him."
"You 'were' listening," Amy said coyly. "The bottom line is: it's over. He can't love me like I need. Like you can. David isn't the one for me. You are."
"But do you still have feelings for him?"
"I've spent the last seven months with the man. He isn't a bad person, just not the right man for me. It would be a lie if I told you I had no feelings for him. We have history, just as I did with Stu. The important thing is that I'm not in love with him. But I've always been in love with you and I'm here with you now."
A smile appeared back on Bruce's face. Amy finally said what he was waiting to hear: she wasn't in love with anyone but him. His eyes lit up and he nodded a silent thank you. Amy smiled back as she got out three quarters from her purse and dashed for the jukebox. Bruce just sat and watched Amy. She stared at the machine for a minute.
"Perfect," she said under her breath.
She put the coins in and made a selection. A soft melody began. Amy strut back toward Bruce with a big smile.
"I dedicate this song to you. Care to dance?"
Bruce chuckled as he got up. Amy held his hand and led Bruce in front of the jukebox. Patti LaBelle was singing "If Only You Knew." Bruce held Amy across her waist as she laid her head against his chest and her hands on his shoulders. They held each other close as they danced slowly.
I must of rehearsed my lines
A thousand times
Until I had them memorized
But when I get up the nerve
To tell you the words
They never seem to come out right
If only you knew
How much I do
To love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you...
They moved in silence. Words were no longer necessary. Though they had known each other for 6 years and had gone through many trials and tribulations together; Bruce and Amy were never closer than they were as they danced.
...If, If, If only
you don't know how much
you don't know
I said you don't know how much I need you
The song ended and Amy slowly parted from Bruce. New patrons entering, put off an impending kiss. Bruce reached for Amy's hand instead.
"Still want to catch the sunset Beautiful?"
"Yeah."
They strolled hand in hand to their vehicle without a care in the world. A simple meal at the diner resolved so many issues they had to discuss. Now Bruce and Amy hurried back to the cabin to catch the sunset. The day had shaped up nicely, the evening held much promise yet.
Same location, same old diner. Amy wondered in disbelief how a place could stay the same for 20 years. Actually, it had an older feel than that. They got out of the vehicle and went inside. Only three patrons inside. Five people total with the cook and waitress. The jukebox was still there. And the oversized booths. This place probably hadn't changed since the 50's.
"Quaint," Bruce said, remembering Amy's words about the cabin.
He could sense her hesitation and tried to put her mind at ease. He smiled at her and took her hand in his. They took a corner booth. The waitress came over with glasses of water and menus. She was a fair looking woman, about their age. Her name tag read 'Dot'. Amy thought they were in a time warp; she considered 'Dot' to be a typical 50's waitress name. Dot seemed pleasant. She looked to be around the same age as Bruce and Amy.
"I'll give you a minute to look those over," Dot said with a smile.
"Thanks" Bruce and Amy replied in unison.
Bruce was slightly self-conscience. He worried about encountering any prejudice. So far, no one seemed to harbor any. Besides Dot, no one else paid them any attention.
"Do you know what you want?" Amy asked, noticing Bruce wasn't looking at the menu.
"Besides you?" he shot back, making Amy smile.
"Don't toy with me in a public place. I have no shame" she replied with a very mischievous grin as she ran her foot up his leg.
"Down tiger. What are you having?"
"The pot roast sounds interesting but I'm going to go with a simple soup and sandwich."
"Cant go wrong with that... I'll try the pot roast."
They put their menus down and looked at each other. An awkward silence filled the air. Finally Bruce broke the silence.
"Plans for tonight? You still want to do that run?"
"Not now. Maybe in the morning. I didn't have any ideas for tonight. Maybe we'll get back in time to watch the sunset. It's beautiful by the lake."
"A beautiful sunset with a beautiful woman. How did I get so lucky?"
He grinned while gazing in her eyes. Amy beamed and lowered her eyes for a second in a bashful response. Dot returned.
"So what'll I get you two lovebirds?"
Dot's comment jolted the both of them. Bruce cleared his throat.
"A turkey club on rye with potato soup for the lady, and a pot roast special for me."
"And to drink?"
"Iced Tea."
"Ok... turkey club on rye, potato soup, pot roast special and two teas."
"With lemon," added Amy.
"Gotcha. Coming right up."
Dot collected the menus and hurried back behind the counter. Bruce watched her; he wondered if there was any malice behind Dot's comment. She put in the order and began to make their teas. Dot looked up and saw Bruce looking at her. She smiled warmly at him.
"So what's next for us Bruce?" Amy questioned.
Amy thought it was a good time as any to discuss how they would proceed in their new relationship. She also didn't like how Bruce was following their waitress with his eyes.
"I've got to find a job and give notice."
"Are we going back to work and pretend nothing happened until then?"
"We need to be careful. And it's not realistic to plan a weekend away each week."
"So we ARE going to act as if nothing is going on."
"Amy, in time, I can declare my love for you to the whole world, if that's what you want. I don't think we should do anything to jeopardize your career. You need a breather too, reputation wise. It isn't going to look good for you fraternizing with your CSO when you were just chasing a district attorney. You'll look desperate and you're above that."
His words hurt, but she hated to admit that he was right. Amy had found happiness, and now she had to wait on it. It didn't seem fair. She slumped back in her bench sulking. Bruce shared her disappointment but he knew it was for the best. Amy quickly responded.
"As if I haven't looked desperate all this time with David? The cleaning lady offered to set me up with her son for crying out loud! I just don't care Bruce. I'm tired of waiting on happiness. You can't just offer me something and then take it away."
Amy's eyes welled up with tears. Bruce didn't know what to say. He leaned over, trying to reach for her as Dot walked up with their meals.
"Soup and sandwich for the lady and pot roast for the gentleman. I'll be back with your teas. I had to brew some and put it on ice."
"Thank you," Bruce replied softly.
Dot stood for a second, looking back and forth between Bruce and Amy. There was a look of concern on her face.
"Ok, be back in a jiff."
They sat solemnly staring at their plates. Bruce started to speak.
"Amy, I'm not taking anything away. I told you how I feel about you and none of that is going to change. There's just no reason to put your career on the line. We'll be together soon. Besides, I'd rather you be with a promising child psychologist than your subordinate," Bruce jested, trying to make light of the situation.
Her disposition wasn't changing. She sat quietly, stirring her soup with her spoon. She raised her eyes to look out the diner window. Dot returned with the teas and lemon.
"Are your meals ok?" she asked noticing that neither of them had touched their plates.
"They're fine. Thank you," Bruce quickly responded.
Amy meekly faced Dot and gave her a feeble smile.
"Ok. Holler if you need me. I'll leave you two alone." And she dashed off to the counter.
Amy looked at Bruce. She brushed the wetness on the corner of her eyes as she began to speak.
"I'm sorry. You're right. I'm being irrational. What's another couple of lonely weeks? I've had a lifetime of it. I should be used to it."
She turned her attention to her sandwich and began to eat. Bruce felt responsible; the reality was that he HAD offered love but was asking her to wait. Just as David McClaren had been doing to her.
"Amy–"
"No Bruce. You made it clear," Amy cut him off, choking down her sandwich. "My job is important. And it's important what other's think of me. And it's important that I don't lower my standards. My happiness must come after all that."
"No Amy, your happiness IS priority... I'll request to be transferred Monday. You're right: Who knows how long it'll take me to find another job. I'm so used to keeping my feelings hid and just enjoying my time with you at work that its simple for me to stay in that mind frame. You don't deserve that. And after all the hugs and kisses we've shared, it's not realistic for me to think that we can continue to work with each other as if nothing's happened."
Amy's eyes finally lit up. She was touched that Bruce was trying to accommodate her. Men had always tried to commandeer her. Bruce really understood her. She was falling for him harder by the second. Bruce was relieved to finally see her mood perk up.
"You're a wonderful, wonderful man. If only you knew."
"Behind every wonderful man is a phenomenal woman... Now come on, let's eat. We have a sunset to catch."
They discussed what work was going to be like when they returned: who would Bruce end up working for, Donna's reaction to being Amy's CSO, Donna's reaction to why Bruce was transferring. They agreed that they wouldn't go broadcasting their relationship because it really wasn't anyone's business. But if they were no longer working together, they wouldn't have to worry about being seen together outside of work. They did briefly consider finding Ian and kissing in front of him, but they would save that until Bruce gave notice. Finally the subject of David McClaren came up.
"Are you going to tell McClaren about us?"
"He's going to be busy with his wife's killer. One of my messages was from him. He expects me to wait for him and patch things up when he's through with the case. I didn't get through to him last night. God that feels like so long ago. I can't believe just yesterday I was so alone and miserable. I'll call him and reiterate that things are over."
"But are you going to tell him you're with me?" Bruce asked in a very interested manner.
"I thought it wasn't anyone's business? Weren't we just telling Donna because she's our friend? I'm sure once we tell her, everyone will know. –Let's not tell Donna either. Let everyone guess. They'll already wonder why you asked for a transfer."
Amy evaded the question again. Bruce was let down. He gave his heart to Amy, but was hers not completely his?
"It isn't anyone's business, especially McClaren's, but is that the real reason you won't tell him? Are you afraid to tell him? Do you still have feelings for David McClaren?"
Amy had told McClaren yesterday that their relationship was, but it worried Bruce that Amy seemed to avoid the question. She now saw the alarm in Bruce's eyes and decided to set his mind at ease.
"I thought I was really falling for David. I think in the back of my mind, I felt sorry for him: I learned while I was in criminal about his wife's death. I figured he was in need as much as I was. –I think that's what kept me pursuing him. It started out as a challenge at first; here was this guy who said he wasn't interested but acted like he was, I'd see if he really could resist me. He seemed like someone who could need me as much as I needed him. But David isn't over his wife and I'm tired of chasing him..."
Dot returned to their table to clear their plates.
"Can I offer you guys any coffee or dessert? We have ice cream, apple pie –can make that alamode, the same goes for the cherry cobbler."
Amy and Bruce motioned each other that they weren't interested. Bruce answered.
"No thank you. Just the check please."
"Glad to see you've patched things up. I was getting worried. You two are such a cute couple. Well here's the tab. Come back and see us–"
"–Does the jukebox work?" interjected Amy out of the blue.
"It sure does. Seventy five cents for a song."
"Thank you. Thanks for everything," Amy replied as she dug in her purse.
"My pleasure. You take care."
Bruce was taken a little off guard by Dot's compliment. He had been on guard against for all the ugliness involved with interracial dating, but in the last 24 hours they had received the opposite. –From both races. He relaxed a little more, and then Bruce remembered Amy had been talking about David McClaren.
"You were saying about McClaren," prompted Bruce.
"Oh yeah. Where was I?"
"You were falling for him. It was a challenge to you at first. He seemed needy, but he isn't over his wife and you're tired of chasing him."
"You 'were' listening," Amy said coyly. "The bottom line is: it's over. He can't love me like I need. Like you can. David isn't the one for me. You are."
"But do you still have feelings for him?"
"I've spent the last seven months with the man. He isn't a bad person, just not the right man for me. It would be a lie if I told you I had no feelings for him. We have history, just as I did with Stu. The important thing is that I'm not in love with him. But I've always been in love with you and I'm here with you now."
A smile appeared back on Bruce's face. Amy finally said what he was waiting to hear: she wasn't in love with anyone but him. His eyes lit up and he nodded a silent thank you. Amy smiled back as she got out three quarters from her purse and dashed for the jukebox. Bruce just sat and watched Amy. She stared at the machine for a minute.
"Perfect," she said under her breath.
She put the coins in and made a selection. A soft melody began. Amy strut back toward Bruce with a big smile.
"I dedicate this song to you. Care to dance?"
Bruce chuckled as he got up. Amy held his hand and led Bruce in front of the jukebox. Patti LaBelle was singing "If Only You Knew." Bruce held Amy across her waist as she laid her head against his chest and her hands on his shoulders. They held each other close as they danced slowly.
I must of rehearsed my lines
A thousand times
Until I had them memorized
But when I get up the nerve
To tell you the words
They never seem to come out right
If only you knew
How much I do
To love you
If only you knew
How much I do
Do need you...
They moved in silence. Words were no longer necessary. Though they had known each other for 6 years and had gone through many trials and tribulations together; Bruce and Amy were never closer than they were as they danced.
...If, If, If only
you don't know how much
you don't know
I said you don't know how much I need you
The song ended and Amy slowly parted from Bruce. New patrons entering, put off an impending kiss. Bruce reached for Amy's hand instead.
"Still want to catch the sunset Beautiful?"
"Yeah."
They strolled hand in hand to their vehicle without a care in the world. A simple meal at the diner resolved so many issues they had to discuss. Now Bruce and Amy hurried back to the cabin to catch the sunset. The day had shaped up nicely, the evening held much promise yet.