Spoilers: The term spoilers only apply to revelations about unaired episodes. All aired episodes become part of the canon, and thus I allude to them without warning. This piece begins at the end of the final episode of the sixth—and unfortunately final—season.

Liaison de Congrès

Scene Five—Accounts Payable

Their walk to The Hotel George was relaxed and comfortable. While many questions had yet to be asked, much less answered, the laughter at lunch had cleared up much of the lingering tension, and they slipped easily into their familiar friendship. However, once inside the hotel lobby, Amy noticed Bruce looking perplexedly at the gleaming marble and sleek décor. "This just isn't the place I would've expected you to choose," he answered in reply to her question.

"Marty's choice."

"Ah. That explains it."

"Are you saying I can't be chic and hip?"

"I've seen your office."

"You helped me pick the lamp!"

"What can I say? I'm not chic or hip, either." Laughing, they made their way to the clerk at the front desk.

"Mr. Van Exel, yes, sir, we have a room reserved for you. Mr. Levine asked that it be placed on his account. Will that be acceptable, sir?"

Bruce blinked when he saw the nightly cost of the room, but for any number of reasons he felt it was inappropriate for his lodging to be included as part of Marty's attempt to seduce Amy into politics. Reaching for his wallet, Bruce said "I'd rather it be placed on my card."

"Bruce, no. If you won't let it be part of Marty's business expenses, let me pick it up," Amy whispered as the clerk reached for Bruce's card.

"That's not going to happen."

"You've got Rebecca to think about."

"And you've got Lauren."

"Yeah, but…" Amy's words trailed off. She knew their respective salaries—a salary which he had just lost when he'd left his position as her CSO. She knew that Mia didn't contribute and frequently needed financial support, that he was raising a daughter and putting himself through school. But she also knew Bruce. Though frustrated by his stubbornness, she knew this was one fight she wasn't going to win. Nevertheless, she could have kicked herself for her thoughtlessness. It hadn't occurred to her when she suggested that Marty find Bruce a room that Bruce would end up spending a week's salary just to be with her. She was going to have to make sure that this weekend didn't cost him anything more.

To be continued…

Acknowledgements: Thanks as usual to Soylent Gringa, who reads everything I write and lots of stuff I don't. Special thanks to my husband, who watches Judging Amy with me every Tuesday; his ear has helped me improve the dialogue and excise the clichés. His patience is especially commendable as he thinks fanfic is rather silly.

Disclaimer: Judging Amy and it characters are the property of Barbara Hall/Joseph Stern Productions, in association with CBS Productions and Twentieth Century Fox Television. I wrote this story to explore a few possibilities and intend no copywrite infringement.