Screen Captures Courtesy of Swoopes For personal use and select distribution only © March 2002 by Amber Stockton Fearless Dotty - tagalogueWritten by Timothy Burns (excerpts from the episode belong to him)
"I wish I could ask you in for a piece of cake." She nodded towards the window as she referred to Philip's birthday party inside. He grinned. "Well, just save me a piece." She smiled. "I will." "Oh! I didn't mention it before, but you know that bit with the sprinkler and the hose?" Amanda shrugged and lowered her eyes, ready for his reprimand because she got involved again. "Yes." "That was all right." Her head snapped up and a look of surprise crossed her face. "It was?" She looked like she couldn't believe he was complimenting her without any encouragement from her part. "Yeah, your reaction time was pretty good, you thought right on your feet there." She nodded. "You were glad I was there." "Well, I..." he hedged, obviously not wanting to admit that if she hadn't done what she'd done, he may have ended up as an ornament on the hood of the van Karlo had been driving. "I was glad I was there. He grinned and appeared relieved that she didn't pursue the matter. "Yeah." The noise from inside increased and Amanda nodded towards the door. "Gotta go." "Yup." Before she reached the door, she stopped and paused, then turned back around and lifted the wrapped presents Lee had brought for Philip. "Thanks." He grinned and winked. "No problem." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Lee watched her smile and turn again to go inside. After the door closed, he sighed and looked at his watch, then heard Dotty's voice, so he moved closer to the window to watch and hear what was happening inside. "Amanda! Where did you go?" she asked as she came into the kitchen from the living room. "I thought you were just going to get some lemonade." "I did, Mother, but I also wanted to get these two very special gifts for Philip, and this was as good a time as any." She held out the wrapped gifts for her mother to see. "Oh, Amanda!" Dotty exclaimed and clapped her hands. "Are you trying to tell me that you managed to find another Captain Galaxy somewhere? And that you were the one who bought the last copy of Sky Chief Rides Again? How in the world did you manage it?" Amanda glanced over her shoulder towards the window and grinned. "I have my ways," she said mysteriously. "Well, that doesn't matter." Dotty placed her hands on Amanda's arms and began to usher her towards the living room. "Come on, come on. Oh! Philip's going to be so surprised!" Amanda stopped them both and turned to face Dotty. "Mother, why don't you bring the lemonade," she nodded towards the pitcher on the table, "and I'll go surprise Philip with his gifts." "That's a good idea!" There was a bounce to her step as she followed her daughter, and they both ducked beneath the party decorations and balloons to join the raucous in the other room. "Philip!" Amanda called as soon as she entered, then waited for all eyes to focus on her. "You're not quite done opening your presents yet. There's two more very special ones that we wanted to save for last." She held out the two gifts. "All right!" Philip jumped up from the table and came over to where Amanda stood. "I just know what this big one is!" He wasted no time in ripping off the wrapping to reveal a brand new Captain Galaxy in a box. Expressions of delight were heard from his friends, and he passed the box to his brother as he turned his attention to the smaller gift. "Now, what's this one?" "That one was a favorite of your mother's when she was a little girl," Dotty supplied. Philip tore the paper and pulled out the book. "Sky Chief Rides Again?" he read, a questioning note to his voice. "Yes, sweetheart. It's all about a horse, and it was my favorite book as a little girl. I had a hard time putting it down. Since you love horses, too, your grandmother thought you would like it." Dotty interrupted and continued. "I found it in a used book shop, and I just had to buy it, only I ended up getting the wrong book, so I had to go back to switch it, and I found out the last one had been purchased. Then, your mother surprised us all by being the one who bought the last copy, although she never told anyone, and well, here it is!" She threw her hands in the air with a flourish and smiled at Philip. Lee smiled and shook his head. Now, he knew exactly where Amanda got her penchant for rambling. Not knowing why he didn't head home, he shifted positions to continue watching the activity inside. "Gee, thanks, Grandma! Thanks, Mom!" Philip exclaimed and gave them both very big hugs. "All right, now go enjoy the cake and presents with your friends." Amanda dismissed him and gave him a little pat on the backside as he walked away. "He really is happy, Amanda," Dotty remarked, watching her grandson. "I can't believe how fast he's growing up." She sighed. Amanda sighed as well and watched her two boys with the rest of the kids at the party. "I know. Philip will be a preteen next year and Jamie will turn double-digits. I'm gonna lose my little baby." "I remember feeling the same way when you turned thirteen, and when you first started driving, then when you went away to college and after that, got married." Dotty placed her hands on Amanda's shoulders and smiled. "It's something every parent experiences, dear, but enough about that. Let's get involved and try to keep some semblance of order to this party!" She stepped towards the table. Lee watched Amanda look over her shoulder towards the alcove windows where he stood, then turn back to call to her mother. "You go ahead. I think I'm going to step outside for a few moments for some fresh air." "All right, dear." Dotty waved her hand in dismissal. Amanda took a step over to the table for a moment, then turned and came towards the back door again. Lee quickly ducked behind the latticework and waited for her to come out. "Lee?" she whispered. "Are you out here?" She quietly closed the door, balancing the plate she held in one hand, then stepped a little further into the yard. "Lee?" she called again. "Oh well." She sighed and walked toward the stone bench by the lattice. "I guess I'll just have to eat this cake all by myself." She sat down and picked up the fork. He stepped around into view, one hand in his pocket and one on the edge of fence. "Hi!" She nearly dropped the plate and jumped from the bench when she heard him. "Oh my gosh! I wish you wouldn't do that!" she exclaimed as she turned to face him. "Do what?" "Sneak up on me like that." "Oh, come on, Amanda. It's not like you didn't know I was here. Why else would you have brought out the cake?" "To enjoy a little piece and quiet for a change." "With two pieces of cake?" He gave her a knowing grin that widened when she blushed. "Well..." "So, are you gonna share that other piece?" He gestured towards the plate in her hand and moved to sit next to her on the bench. "Oh, of course! Here, sit." She scooted a little towards the edge of the bench to make room and held the cake up for him to eat. He placed his hand beneath the plate she held and picked up the fork, then cut a piece and lifted it to his mouth. He watched Amanda do the same, and for a few moments, they sat and ate their respective pieces. He finished the piece he was chewing, then watched her again and quickly glanced down at the plate when she raised her eyes to his. A moment later, he risked another glance at her as he took another piece of cake, but looked back down at the plate again when she looked at him. The third time, though, he didn't shift his gaze fast enough, and their gazes locked. He quickly grew uncomfortable, so he shifted his position and willed himself to look away. "This uh, this cake is really good. Did you make it?" "Thank you. Yes." "What's your secret?" She laughed. "Box recipe." He chuckled. "So, did Philip like the presents?" "Oh, yes! He loved them. Thank you so much for doing that. You and Mr. Melrose didn't have to do it, but I really do appreciate it. I couldn't help thinking about how upset Philip was going to be when I told him, but he wasn't, and he actually took it all very well. Then, when I had brought the gifts to him after he had already blown out the candles on the cake, he was so excited, and I couldn't help but be happy for him, too. I know it was one of your agents that sat on Captain Galaxy, but I don't really hold it against them, and it was really nice of you to go through all of that trouble to..." "Amanda," he interrupted. "You're welcome." She lowered her eyes in embarrassment, then glanced back up at him, an apologetic look in her eyes. "I'm doing it again." She sighed. "Yes, you are, but don't worry about it." He speared the last piece of cake and took a moment to chew it, then swallow. "It really wasn't all that much trouble. What are connections for, if you don't use them, huh?" "You're right, I guess." Her eyes glanced down at his burgundy sweater and she reached out to remove a piece of cake that was stuck on the threads. Lee watched her movements, then got a little embarrassed when she set down the plate they had held a moment ago and withdrew a napkin from underneath. He didn't move away, though, as she placed her left hand against his chest and took the napkin in her right to dab at the little bit of icing on his sweater. A little surprised at how he felt when she touched him, he almost instinctively recoiled but caught himself before he did. "Amanda, uh..." He paused and reached his hand up to remove hers from his sweater and stop her actions, but he ended up just covering her hand with his. She stopped and looked up at him, and he found himself at a loss for words as he gazed into her chocolate eyes, eyes that matched the color of the frosting on the cake they had just eaten. They had a very unique catlike shape, although the only resemblance Amanda bore to a cat would be the ability to sneak around, especially when she was meeting him. At that thought, his heartbeat increased, and he knew if he didn't say something, he may do something he'd later regret. "Umm, this isn't necessary, you cleaning my sweater, but thank you," he managed to rasp out. She recovered as well and shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Instinct, I guess." She stood and gathered the plate in her hands. "I'd better get back inside." He stood as well and placed one hand in his pocket, gesturing towards the plate in her hands. "Yeah, uh, thank you for the cake. It really was delicious." "You're welcome. I'm glad you stuck around to enjoy it." She paused and grinned. "Next time, maybe I should bring a bib out with me," she teased. He looked down at his sweater then back up at her and smiled. Without a word, she turned and went back into the house. He watched the door close behind her, then ran his hand through his hair in a very distracted manner and began to pace. What had just happened a moment ago? He didn't even know why he had stuck around as long as he had. Telling himself he was only there to make certain she was safe, that they were all safe, was a lot easier to believe that than any other excuses his mind could create. Anything else was stepping into dangerous waters. He knew they were just business partners, but there were times when she would look at him a certain way, or her fingers would graze his, and he would lose all sense of time and space. In some ways, having her for a partner was the safest thing for him. It allowed them to work together and spend time together while also providing the buffer of work that helped him keep things straight in his own mind. In other ways, the temptation was there, but he constantly told himself that it really wasn't. That was his only protection, at least in his mind. Finally, he stopped his pacing and cast another glance at the door. He almost wished he could feel free to attend a birthday party as Amanda's friend and be introduced to her mother, but they both know that wasn't possible. There was nothing he could do about it, so there was no reason for him to hang around her house any longer than he already had just to ruminate on why he was there. With another sigh and another sweep of his hand through his hair, he turned towards the gate and left. At least he knew he'd see her again tomorrow. (THE END) |
