In Limbo

Chapter 2

Lee, his thoughts still on Amanda, remembered the rest of Friday they had shared together...

Lee had decided he and Amanda would go to Milo's as it would be their last time together, and they'd be mostly alone.

The weather was still nice for their evening as Lee got their order and drinks, and they got a nearby table to sit at.

Lee then stated reassuredly to Amanda, handing her the chili dog with the works, "Go ahead and try it, but if you don't like it, I'll get you something else, okay?"

Amanda smiled, answering as she took the chili dog, "No, I trust you...After all, you said they're the best dogs this side of the Eastern seaboard...I had no reason to doubt you then, and I don't now, alright?"

She took a bite as Lee then smiled, watching her expression change to delight as she mumbled while chewing, "Mmm! This is heaven! What's the secret?"

Lee chuckled while shrugging, and replied, as he took a bite of his, "No secret, really...Just the right amount of spices and sauce to really bring out the flavor of an otherwise regular chili dog."

Amanda, taking a sip of her drink, swallowed and answered, "Well, in my opinion, Milo should think about getting a restaurant to go along with his stand here...You know, expand his business. Has he ever thought about it?"

Lee shrugged, commenting lightly, as he took a sip of his own drink,"Yeah, I mentioned that idea one time, and he said that he thought about it at one point, but decided a stand was enough for him. He likes things low key...Besides, he gets plenty of business when tourists come in the summer and holidays anyway."

As they finished their meal a while later, Lee, getting up, asked, looking at his watch, "Hey...It's still kinda early...Want to walk around the Reflecting Pool?"

Amanda answered, not hesitating, "Sure...Gotta walk off this meal...Whew."

Collecting their trays, Lee noticed Milo signaling to him, and remarked to Amanda, "I'll be right back..."

Amanda nodded replying, as she reached for the trays, "You go ahead. I'll put this stuff in the trash..."

As Lee went back to speak to Milo, Amanda, getting rid of the trash, put the trays back near the counter, and then with a deep sigh, looked around the area surrounding them, realizing she'd never see the place again...And it was one of a dozen memories she got to share with Lee, who she also wouldn't see again...

When Lee returned to her side, he queried, "Okay...Ready to go?"

But then he saw the sadness on her face and asked carefully, touching her arm, "Hey...Wh-What is it?"

Amanda gulped, and quickly wiping her eyes, responded with a shake of her head, "N-Nothing...I'm okay. Let's go, huh?"

Before Lee could ask anything more, he saw her heading to her car, hearing her call out, "I'll meet you there...See you soon."

Seeing her pull out of the parking lot and leave, Lee , heading to his own car, swallowed hard as he got in, and murmured as he started the car,and pulled out, "I know exactly how you feel, Amanda...Trust me...For the first time in my life, I'm discovering something real important here too, and I'm about to lose it, and boy, does it sting..."

-SMK-

The Reflecting Pool wasn't as crowded as Lee thought as he searched for Amanda.

Finally, weaving his way around, he found her on the opposite side, seated on one of the benches, and greeting her, took her hand, helping her up, and saying, "Let's walk, huh? I've got something for you..."

As they took their time with their walk, Amanda asked, "So, you sound mysterious...Kind of like the day we met-"

Lee queried, "How so? I told you I needed your help then-"

Amanda nodded, commenting, "Yeah, but you didn't say who you were, or why it was so urgent! All you said was you were in trouble and when I agreed to help you finally, you sent me to a man in a red hat, and-"

Lee sighed, and stopping their walk, brought her hand up to his lips to give it a quick kiss, stating, "Stop! I don't need a replay of our first meeting..."

Then reaching in his light jacket pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper, and handing it to her, answered, "Put this away for safe keeping..."

Amanda with a grin, asked as she took the paper from him, "A coded message, Lee? Aren't we a bit beyond that stage? Can I at least take a peek?"

Lee sighed at her attempt at humor, and nodded, replying, "Ha, ha! Okay, just a peek, though...I don't want you sharing that with anyone else, huh?"

Amanda shook her head, answering softly, "Okay..."

And as Amanda took a look at it, she smiled saying, "Oh! Milo's recipe-"

Lee put a hand on her mouth quickly, commenting, "Yes! Now, put a lid on it, huh? Because if he finds out you leaked it, he'll never trust anyone else with it, alright?"

Amanda nodded, and putting the paper in her purse, reached up to kiss Lee's cheek, responding softly, "Thank you...That was very sweet...Now, I have something for you as well..."

Reaching into one of her purse compartments, she pulled out a piece of note paper, and handing it to him, answered, "This I thought you might like...Enjoy..."

As Lee looked at it, he asked carefully, "A recipe for Lemon poppy seed cake? I-I don't-"

Amanda sighed, and replied, "Yes...Not to bring a bad subject to light, but when Eva and Angelo were in D.C. way back when, and you were guarding them, I made this for their breakfast then, and you tried a bit, saying how good it was, so I thought-"

She then stopped, thinking she had brought up a painful subject by the look on Lee's face as she responded carefully, "I was really just remembering you don't eat breakfast, and you usually have just stale doughnuts and coffee, so I-I thought that you might enjoy this once in a while for a change-"

Lee, feeling a bit overwhelmed, sighed, and pulling Amanda into his arms for a hug, stated softly, "Th-Thank you...Since I don't know where I'll be or whether I'll be having those regular staples any more, I'm sure it'll be great..."

Pulling back after a moment, Lee cleared his throat, remarking as he looked down at his partner and friend for the last three years,"Well, I guess it's time to go, huh?"

Amanda swallowed, and nodded, stating quietly, "Y-Yeah...Sure..."

As they walked to the parking area, Lee queried, "Alright, where's your car?"

Amanda answered, "I'll be fine-"

Lee shook his head, responding, "I know, but I'm going to make sure you get back home okay, so walk me to your car, and then you wait for me, and I'll follow you back, okay? Please humor me this one last time?"

Amanda, seeing the concern and sincerity in Lee's eyes, answered softly, "Alright...Follow me..."

She wasn't sure what Lee was up to, but it didn't seem to matter at the moment, for it appeared that he wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet...

TBC