DISCLAIMER: All the characters in this story belong to Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Enterprises.

RATING: PG13

SYNOPSIS: Story occurs the morning after Lee, Amanda, and Francine have captured the bad guys in "Over the Limit." References to Lee's apology on the trellis the night before are drawn from "Pushing the Limit," fanfiction by Gaylynn. I've checked with Gaylynn and have her written permission to write my own sequel. Tom Roplewski wrote "Over the Limit."

KALEIDOSCOPE

The next morning Amanda entered the Q-Bureau not really expecting her partner to be at work yet. Given his recent performances, she doubted she'd see him before she left since today was Friday and Mr. Melrose let her work half days on Fridays. She was surprised to see him sitting at his desk working on his report. As she walked in, Lee looked up and greeted her with A warm smile running from ear to ear.

"Good Morning. Running a little late this morning?"

"And good morning to you too. I'm surprised to see you this early and hard at work too," Amanda returned his smile. "Will wonders never cease?"

"Ouch," Lee pouted, pretending to be hurt. "Is that anyway to greet someone Who climbs your trellis in the middle of the night to beg forgiveness."

Several retorts reverberated in Amanda's head. She was sorely tempted to respond by reminding him exactly which actions or was it inactions on his Part led to his needing to be on that trellis begging forgiveness in the first place. But she had forgiven him last night. Amanda didn't really want to relive the last 24 hours and she certainly didn't want to poke any further into her emotions. She was still embarassed by the vehemence of her outburst in the hall outside of Lee's apartment yesterday. It was in both of their best interests for her not to start thinking too much.

Amanda smiled sweetly and sat down to begin chronicling recent reports and information. Lee watched her over the top of his paperwork. He was immensely relieved that she had forgiven him. He found himself smiling as he watched her push a loose strand of hair off her face. As she struggled with the computer keyboard, she inadvertently sighed. Frustrated, she stretched back from the desk and toyed with her hair, first running her fingers through it then piling it on top of her head and letting it fall to her shoulders. Lee was mesmerized. He studied her casual grace. He watched the way she Stretched her arms outward and then...

Finally, she stood and broke the silence. "I'm going for coffee. Do you want any?"

Lost in his own thoughts, Lee saw her lips move but his brain wasn't quite comprehending what she was saying. Something about wanting any? Any what? He quietly chuckled as his mind pondered....

"Sorry. Rhetorical question. Obviously, you need some desperately." And then she was gone. He still wasn't quite sure what she thought he needed so desperately, but for now he'd settle for the way her eyes twinkled and the slight lilt in her voice at the end of her sentence. Yes, he was feeling like one very lucky man today.

He was still smiling to himself when Amanda placed the hot coffee in front of him. Oh, that's what she was talking about. Lee laughed out loud.

"First time I've seen someone so overjoyed to have a cup of agency coffee," Amanda smiled.

"Actually, I was just thinking how grateful I am that my life is getting back on track." Lee watched Amanda to see if she caught his meaning. He was disappointed to see that she had turned her back to him and was busy sorting through the "in" basket. Lee thought he'd do a little fishing. "So, any plans for the weekend?"

"No, mother and the boys are going with some friends of hers to the mountains. I thought I'd use the time pamper myself. Things have been a little rough lately." Amanda unconciously stroked her bruised arm. Lee Winced at the memory of the pain he'd caused her.

"Amanda, I was thinking maybe we could have dinner together tonight. A good steak, nice bottle of red wine, and a baked potato. What do you think?"

"Isn't tonight your and Leslie's dinner at the Russian embassy?"

"Leslie has to go but she'll be working. I'm not really interested in going; I thought we could have a nice dinner instead."

"Thanks but I'll pass." The invitation had been a surprise. For a moment, Amanda thought...thought what? But before she could even consider her options, Lee had let her know that he was only asking because Leslie would be busy and he didn't want to hang around watching her work.

Lee was surprised that Amanda wasn't interested. Hadn't he let her know that he would rather be at dinner with her than at a party with Leslie? Hadn't she already forgiven him? Somehow this all seemed to make more sense last week.

Lost in their own thoughts, both pretended to focus on the work piled on their desk. A short while later, Amanda's voice cut into Lee's thoughts. "Lee, do you have anything else that you really need me to do before I leave today?"

Leave? Lee looked over at her. Why was she talking about leaving? It wasn't even 10 o'clock yet. He had at least two more hours to find a way to broach the subject again with her. "I thought you didn't have any plans."

"It's such a lovely day, I thought I'd go visit the Sullivans."

"That's a great idea. Why don't we both go?"

"All right," Amanda grabbed her car keys. "Why don't you follow me and I'll go home from there."

Lee sighed. Somehow this morning was turning all around on him. He thought that they would have the ride to talk. If he could stall her a little while, it would be close enough to lunch time to casually ask her to join him. They could visit the Sullivans and have a romantic little lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the marina. Romantic lunch? Where did that come from? Quiet lunch, yes, quiet lunch. That's what he'd meant.

Amanda was looking at him expectantly. "Do you mind waiting for me? I won't be long," Lee promised. "I just want to finish a couple of things before we go."

Amanda tossed her keys back onto her desk and picked up a stack of files. "Okay, I'll just put these back."

After Amanda finished the filing, she sorted the mail. She distributed the "in" basket. She returned several messages. She updated their case log. Every once in awhile, she would glance in Lee's direction. She couldn't tell if he was really engrossed in his report or if he was trying to back out. She decided she'd let him off the hook. "Lee, if you really don't want to go, you don't have to."

Lee checked his watch. Close enough. "Oh, sorry. No, I do want to go. I just got a little wrapped up. Let's go." Lee secretly hoped she'd changed her mind about driving separately. His hope faded as she scooped up her keys and headed for the door. He hurried to catch her as she headed toward the elevator. Once inside, he placed his hand on the small of her back, the same spot he had placed his hand a hundred times before. Was it his imagination or did she take a step forward? One moment he was touching her and the next she was walking away.