AN: I usually write Tron fic and post exclusively to AO3, but since a lot of the SMK fandom is still active on this ol' site, I figured I'd make a new account just for this. Chapters will always be posted to AO3 as well under the penname Vince_ible. This fic is pure, shameless, soap opera drama.

Summary: (Season 1. Severely AU, starts around the end of the first episode.)

Lee and Amanda have a short, one-off encounter after "The First Time". The consequences will affect them for the rest of their lives.

(Or, in other words, what if Scarecrow did his Scarecrow thing instead of ignoring the gorgeous woman right in front of him. Somewhat OOC on Amanda's part, but not by much.)

Rating: M (for strongly implied adult content)

Genres: Angst, Drama, Romance

Mandatory Disclaimer: I am Canadian so some of my spellings are British and some are more American. Please don't hassle me about it shsdsdgsgsd

/

Somehow, without a conscious thought, Lee Stetson found himself in front of 4247 Maplewood Drive. He parked the Porsche and pried clammy palms from the steering wheel. The quaint cottage loomed above him like a monolith. Windows gaped like open maws, mocking him. Taunting him.

Deep down Lee knew that he was here for less-than-honourable reasons. The woman had saved his life today. More than once, in fact. The least he could do was thank her in person. There hadn't been a proper moment back at HQ, what with Billy, Francine, and Dirk lurking about.

It's not like you'll ever see her again, he reminded himself. Except, perhaps, at another train station or memorial, but that seemed unlikely. Washington D.C. was a big place.

It was a simple thank you, nothing more. Never mind that it was well past dark.

Swallowing his pride, he strode towards the house. He crossed the street with long steps, drawing his coat closer around him. He darted around the garage, past the white picket fence, and trudged up to the familiar flower bushes. Sweet scents permeated his nose as he peered into the darkened window. Inside the kitchen was unlit. A mix of relief and disappointment swelled inside him, until he saw a woman descend the adjoining step.

He knocked twice.

A head of brown hair swung in his direction and a pair of honey-sweet eyes snapped to the window. For a moment they just stared at each other, transfixed and unguarded.

The mousy woman bustled to the backdoor and swung it open. Lee pushed past before she could protest, sliding through like a shadow. The French doors closed with a click behind him.

Amanda hissed, "Lee! What are you doing here? It's half-past nine!"

"I had to see you. May I come in?"

"You just did."

"Oh." He rubbed the back of his neck. This was not going well.

Her arms crossed over her chest but there was a softening along her lips. "Lee, what is it."

Lee wasn't so sure of the answer anymore. His gaze was drawn to the open slit of her housecoat. There was a scent of apple in the air and his nostrils flared. For the first time, he noticed that her hair was still damp from a shower.

Since when was Amanda King so…

He shook himself like a dog drenched in water, eyes snapping up in an instant. If Francine knew, she'd never let him live it down.

"I just wanted to say- y'know, that you did some good work today. For a civilian." He gave a brusque jerk of his head. Already he was stumbling over his words. "Even if you nearly killed us with the helicopter."

Didn't she have a boyfriend? Dan or Dylan or whatever his name was. Lee scattered these runaway thoughts, to little avail. He hastily ran a hand through his hair.

"Lee, is there something wrong?"

His head tilted slightly. Now that the case was wrapped up, and the danger was over, he felt like he was looking at her with entirely new eyes. There was a faint fluttering under his sternum and stomach.

"No." Not at all.

Amanda King was not his usual type—not by a long shot. But a little experimenting never hurt anyone, right? Besides, she really was quite beautiful, in a domestic sort of way. Plain, but pleasant.

Mind made up, Lee began a tactical and calculated advance. He stepped closer while Amanda stood steadfast in his path. Encouraged by her lack of retreat, he brushed a lock of hair from her face, tucking it languidly behind an ear.

"I never did thank you for saving my life."

Her breath caught in her throat and Lee saw her chest heave and buck. For a moment he was mesmerized by the motion. He moved closer still, fingers sliding through curls to grip her hair by its roots.

The world moved in slow motion as he backed her up against the countertop. There was a slight jolt to her shoulders when her bum hit the laminate. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open, whether in invitation, shock, or both, Lee couldn't tell. He began to close the distance between their parted lips but balked at the last moment.

Amanda took it upon herself to meet him halfway.

The kiss was more to test the waters than anything. He sidled closer, delighted when she reciprocated. Amanda King tasted faintly like sweet tea and mint toothpaste. Somehow, the two flavours mixed and mingled into something intoxicating. Their mouths separated with a wet sound and Lee was further roused by her nails scrabbling at his neck. He backed away with a scalded expression.

"What are we doing?" asked Amanda in a gasp.

"What do you think?"

"Well then why did you stop?" She flushed at her own boldness while Lee blinked, smirked, and dipped a hand around her waist.

Whoever that boyfriend was, he certainly wasn't getting the job done. Poor woman… He'd take good care of her.

Lee pulled her atop the overhang so that her legs dangled above the floor and her heels knocked impatiently into the cupboards. One hand travelled up, supporting her shoulders while the other ran up her front. He caressed the curve of her chest with uncommon caution. For a mother of two, her bust was surprisingly tiny and pert. Lee kinda liked that. A sudden shudder gave him pause and he pulled back to regard her.

"Is this OK?"

She managed a wordless nod. Emboldened, he allowed his hand to drift down her navel.

"And this?"

"Y-yeah."

Almost unnoticed, her own hands started to slither under his shirt. Lee hummed his excitement when the back came untucked from his belt line.

Too late, he remembered the wallet he'd left in his car's glovebox, and the prophylactic nestled inside. The other side of the street seemed like a million miles away. Perhaps they could reach a compromise, he reasoned. One step at a time...

Amanda licked her lips with eyes riveted on his. Overwhelmed by the openness of her gaze, he burrowed his head into her neck, searching for soft skin to nip and nuzzle. Her harsh breath whistled past his ear.

"Mother and the boys are upstairs..."

Lee drew back one last time, searching her face for any misgivings. He found none. The words were a warning, not an objection. All hesitation left him as he allowed himself to be taken in by her eyes.

"I'll be quiet," he promised, before leaning in for another, longer kiss.