DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only and may not be redistributed or linked without permission from the author. I retain the rights to the plot, not the characters.

 

AUTHOR: Leah

DATE WRITTEN: July 2002

SYNOPSIS: Lee asks Amanda out on a date.

 

YOU’RE GOING ON A DATE WITH WHOM?

Amanda walked into the house, being careful not to make much noise. She had just finished a late meeting at the Q-Bureau with Billy and Francine and she was exhausted. She hoped she would be able to get through Friday. She walked into the kitchen, and was surprised to see her mother sitting at the table.

“Why are you still up?”

“It isn’t that late.”

Amanda sat down, knowing her mother wanted to talk to her about something. “What is it Mother?”

“I think it’s about time you got serious and thought about your future, security. Love?”

“Mother what brought this on?”

“Amanda, honey. How many of these business dinners are you going to have? Why don’t you go on a real date?

“Mother.”

“Lee is a very nice man.”

“Mother. He is, but we are just friends.”

“Posh. I see the way he looks at you.”

Amanda rolled her eyes and stood up. “Mother, you’re being ridiculous.”

There was a moment of silence. “Am I?” She stood up and kissed Amanda’s cheek. “Good night.” Then left Amanda in the kitchen alone.

~~~~~SMK~~~~~

Lee got out of his car and walked around the back of the house to the door, being careful not to step on any of Dotty’s flowers, It was 6:58, Friday night and it was already beginning to get dark. He had a ‘date’ with Amanda. They didn’t call it a date; they were just getting together to go over some files.

He tapped lightly on the window after noticing Amanda sitting at the table.

She looked up from her papers and smiled at him and then motioned for him to come him. He had been gone on a case for a week and she had missed him.

Lee opened the door and walked in. “Hello stranger.”

“Hi. How was the trip?” They embraced in a hug.

“Well, it was successful, but I missed my partner. It would have been much more fun with her there.”

She laughed. “I missed you too.”

“Hello Lee. Don’t you think it’s about time you started to use the front door?” Dotty teased when she walked into the room. As long as he didn’t ruin her flowers she didn’t mind. She gave Amanda a look, saying ‘think about it.’

“Are you ready?” Lee asked.

“Just a minute.” She walked over to the stairs. “Good night boys.”

“Good night Mom.” Jamie and Phillip called back.

“Behave, all right?”

“We will.”

Amanda piled the papers that had been working on and stacked them on the table.

Lee picked up her jacket that was on the chair and help her put it on, and then handed her, her purse.

“Good night Mother.” Amanda said.

“Have fun.” Dotty replied.

They headed out the back door and out to Lee’s car.

“He would probably still use the back door if they were married.” Dotty said to the glass she had picked up.

After getting in the car Amanda sighed.

“What was that for?”

Amanda chuckled. “My Mother likes you.”

“Is that a problem?” Lee backed out of the driveway and they were on their way.

She only smiled and shook her head.

“What did she say?”

“She jokes around about how you come in the back door; how we never go on ‘dates’, we go out to eat; and I heard her say something the other day about if she could rate you from 1 to 10, it would be 11.” Amanda said in awe.

Lee laughed. “Did she really?”

Amanda nodded.

“What does she say about the other men who take you out?”

“I don’t know, but I can tell she is comparing them to you.” She said with a smile.

Lee shook his head.

“So, what’s the schedule?”

“Well, I thought we would go to Moe’s Diner for dinner. I have all the files we need at my house, so we could head over there afterwards. Is that okay?”

“That sounds great.” Her stomach agreed with a growl.  “I just remembered, I forgot to eat lunch.”

Lee laughed outright at that. And Amanda laughed with him.

They pulled into the parking lot and walked into the diner. They ordered steak and salad. They discussed various things. Amanda talked about Jamie and Phillip and the new things that were up with them. They laughed and joked. Anyone watching would have thought that they were in love. They were, they just didn’t know it, yet.

They finished their meals and then headed to Lee’s apartment. They climbed the stairs and Amanda leaned against the wall beside the door, while Lee unlocked it. “They have good food there, why haven’t we been there before?” She asked.

“I don’t know, it’s kind of out of the way.” The door opened and Lee stepped aside so Amanda could go in.

Amanda walked through the door and then stopped in her tracks, Lee bumped right into her.

“Wow.” She whispered in shock. She looked around at the room. “What did you do? I can actually see the furniture.”

”Oh, um. I was bored yesterday.” Lee stammered.

The normally disastrous apartment was now rather clean. She laughed.

“What is so funny?”

“I just can’t imagine you cleaning.”

“I’m glad you find it funny. Have a seat.” He walked over to the desk and picked up the folders and brought them over to the couch.

For the first time, since she knew Lee, she didn’t have to push aside books and clothes just to sit down.  She was very impressed. “Are you sure you didn’t hire a cleaner?” She teased.

“I wouldn’t let anyone in my apartment to do any cleaning. You should know that.” Lee replied. “I need you to spell-check these.” He said handing her a folder.

She took the folders and the red pen her offered her. “What did you do before you had me?” She asked referring to the reports she always checked for him before they were sent in.

He laughed and sat down beside her. “You don’t want to know. I am sure that Billy praises God for you every day.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” She didn’t know whether he didn’t know, or whether he just didn’t care or take the time. Either way, she didn’t mind correcting them.

After the two reports were done she threw the folder on the coffee table and sighed.

“That bad heh?” He asked. “Do you want some coffee?”

“That would be great.” She leaned back against the couch.

Lee stood up and walked into the little kitchen, where he turned on the coffee maker.

“Do you want milk and sugar?”

“Both.”

“How much sugar?”

“Two spoons.”

Lee brought two mugs into the living room and sat down on the couch, closer to Amanda that before.

Amanda felt the closeness, but said nothing.

“Why do we waste so many beautiful evenings like this going over reports and files?”

She sipped her coffee. “Maybe because it is our job, and that means we have responsibilities.”

“Yeah, I know. But can’t we just forget about responsibilities?” Lee asked with a grin.

“We can’t do that tonight. We have these reports that are due tomorrow, and we need to go through those files.” Amanda replied sensibly.

“You’re no fun.” He grabbed the two reports she had corrected and went over to his desk to re-type them.

Amanda finished her coffee and picked up a folder. She went through it putting the files they wanted into a box to go to the archives and the ones they didn’t into a box for the incinerator.

2 hours later

They finished all the files and reports and they hoped that Billy would be pleased and find them a case. They didn’t know  how much more ‘spring cleaning’ they could take.

“Well, I better get you home before you fall asleep on my couch.” I wouldn’t mind that. He thought to himself.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Amanda replied with a yawn. She stood up and stretched her back. “Don’t forget to take this stuff with you in the morning.”  She reminded.

“Don’t worry, they will make it to the office safe and sound.” He grinned. He had been thinking why hadn’t he asked her out on a date…a real date. She looked beautiful, even though she was tired. She had on a pink sweater and jeans with her hair piled on top of her head, and her eyes were sparkling.

Amanda turned, distracting Lee from his thoughts, and picked up her purse. Lee grabbed their jackets and they headed out the door.

The vette pulled into 4247 Maplewood and stopped.  Amanda unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.  “Good night Lee. See you tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek and then got out of the car.

“Good night Amanda.” He called back. He waved at her through the window as she walked up the walkway.

Lee pulled out of the driveway and drove to his apartment. Even though she did it often his cheek still tingled from the kiss.

~~~~SMK~~~~

Amanda arrived at the office the next morning at 8:30 and was directed to Billy’s office. She entered his office to find Billy and Lee talking. She looked at the files. “I’m glad to see that the files made it here safe. And the reports?”

Billy held up the folder. “Good work you two. But I am afraid we still don’t have a case for you.”

“Does the mean more ‘spring cleaning’?” Amanda asked.

Billy nodded his head.

Lee exhaled loudly and Amanda rolled her eyes.

“I know it isn’t the most fun thing to do, but it needs to be done.”

Lee and Amanda nodded their heads and headed back to their office.

“I really hate this.” Amanda said.

“No use complaining about it. It isn’t going to make it any better.”

Amanda looked at Lee. “And you weren’t complaining?”

Lee looked at her and his eyes were shining.

“You’re mean.” She said slapping his arm.

“Well you doubted that I could get those files here safe and sound. I wouldn’t call that very nice.”

“I was just making sure.”

Lee nodded his head. They entered the office and frowned at the filing cabinets.

“I don’t feel like going through those, so how about we clean our desks out. That is a little better than files.”

“I agree.”

They both sat at their desks and began going through the drawers.

An hour later, 10:00, Billy walked into the room.  “Good work guys, but the files. Files.” He said. “If you finish those today, you can have tomorrow off.  Unless there is a case.” He then left.

“Files.” They both repeated. They worked hard for a couple of hours and then spent two hours getting some fresh air and getting a bite to eat.

They had one drawer left at the end of the day, 5:00, so they decided to take them to Lee’s apartment and finish them. They needed some new scenery anyway.  Amanda called her mother and told her she would be ome around 7:00, and told her she had to stay late and go over some files. “Files.” Dotty had repeated and then said good-bye.

~~~~~SMK~~~~~

They finished the files at 6:00 and relaxed on Lee’s still clean couch. She hadn’t expected it to stay clean that long.

Lee read her thoughts. “It has only been 24 hours Amanda. I haven’t been here long enough to make a mess.” He stood up. “How about a walk?”

“Why not?”

They grabbed their jackets and headed outside. They stood in front of the building for a minute. Lee looked up at the sky and then took Amanda’s hand.  “Come on, I want to show you something.”

Amanda squeezed his hand and followed him.

They ended up in a clearing where you could see the sky and the stars very clearly.

“Wow.” She leaned into Lee and looked up at the rare sight. There were so many lights around most of the time that you couldn’t see the stars.

Lee looked down into Amanda’s face.

She looked up at him. “It’s wonderful.”

“I’m glad you like it. Amanda, I…”

“Lee…”

Neither one of them finished what they wanted to say, because all of a sudden there was the sound of dogs barking and someone screaming. They both turned to see what the commotion was. It turned out to be just a man chasing his dogs, which were chasing a cat. But it had ruined the moment.

Amanda looked at her watch. “I better get going.” She turned o leave and Lee followed her.

They arrived at the apartment building and Amanda got into her car. “Good night Lee.”

“Good night.”

She drove away.

“I hate dogs.”

~~~~~SMK~~~~~

Lee and Amanda were a little uncomfortable around each other the next morning. Neither one happy about what they had almost let slip.

Billy called them into his office later that morning.

Good work. I’m glad that you got all the files done. And to reward your hard work, I have a case for you.”

“Good.”

“Great.” They both said in unison, the uncomfortable feelings gone.

“It should be an easy case.”

Lee and Amanda were anxious to get started so they followed Billy into the briefing room.

They all sat down and Billy went on to tell them the details of the case.

~~~~~SMK~~~~~

Amanda and Lee walked out of the office. They had found the culprit and the case was solved. They had just finished with the debriefing and were ready to go home and go to bed. The elevator opened and Lee pushed aside the clothes and they stepped in. Lee leaned against the wall and sighed a sigh of relief. It had been tough. They had survived the past few days on minimum sleep.

“Sometimes I wonder why I do this.” Lee commented.

“Because you love it.”

He nodded. I love you too. “Tomorrow is Friday. How about we go out to Tom Sarrius Orleans House and celebrate?”

“Go on a date?”

“A real one, your mother won’t be able to complain anymore.”

She laughed. “I’d love to.

“All right. I’ll pick you up at 6:30.” The doors opened.

“All right.” They both stepped out of the elevator and out of the building to their cars.

~~~~~SMK~~~~~

Amanda walked gracefully down the stairs, fixing her earring.

Dotty sat on the couch and looked up at the sound of Amanda humming. She dropped the magazine she had been reading when she saw Amanda. She was wearing a knee-length, low-cut, black dress, and her hair was up with a few stray curls around her face.

“Does it look all right?” Amanda asked as she spun around.

“You look beautiful darling. Where are you going?”

“I told you, I’m going on a date.” She replied

“Yes, but you didn’t tell me who with.” She looked at her daughter. “I know it isn’t Dean, because he wouldn’t take you anywhere that fancy.” She said looking at her dress.

“You’re right. I’m not going out with Dean.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going out with Lee.”

“Lee?” She smiled at her daughter. “Well it is certainly about time. I always did like that man. Is it a real date, or a business deal?”

Amanda smiled. “It’s a real date.”

“Where are you going?”

“Tom Sarrius Orleans House.”

“Ahhhh.” She said and raised her eyebrow.”

At that moment the phone rang and Amanda went to pick it up. “Hello…”

A moment later there was a knock on the front door.  “Amanda, do you want me to get that?”

“Why not?”

“It might be Lee.”

“Mother, it’s the front door.”

Dotty got up to get it.

“Lee.” Dotty greeted. “We didn’t think it was you. You are so adamant about using the back door.” She joked.  “Amanda, it’s Lee.”

Amanda was surprised to hear her mother say it was Lee. She quickly said good-bye and hung up. She checked her appearance in the mirror and then walked into the entry.

“Have fun.” She leaned over and kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Don’t let him get away.” She whispered in her ear and then hurried out of the room.

Amanda turned and glared at her mother. She turned back to Lee. “Hi.”

“Hi. You look stunning.”

“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He held out the roses.

“Oh, Lee they’re lovely. Let me just put them in some water.” She turned and went into the kitchen.

“I’ll take care of them. You just go have some fun.”

“Thanks.” She returned to the entry with a smile on her face.

Lee was thinking that he had never seen her look more beautiful. He helped her with her jacket and they headed for the car.

They had little conversation in the car and soon arrived at the resaurant, where Lee had made reservations. Lee held the door open for Amanda as she stepped out of the car. He offered his arm and she took it and they walked into the restaurant. A waiter directed them to their table. They ordered some wine and then looked over the menu.

“The prime rib sounds good.” Lee said.

“Where is that?”

“At the bottom of page two.”

Amanda read over the description. “Yes, it does.” She agreed and then laid down her menu.

The waiter came over to the table. “Are you ready to order?”

“I believe we are. We’ll have two number 6 and two Caesar salads.” Lee requested.

“Is that all?”

Lee looked at Amanda. At her nod Lee nodded his head.  “Yes, for now.”

The waiter walked away.

“This place is so elegant.” Amanda said as she looked around.

“How about a dance while we wait?”

“I’d love to.” She held out her hand for Lee to help her up and they walked onto the dance floor. At first they stayed apart, but as the song, which was slow and romantic, went on they found themselves holding each other very close.

Amanda laid her head on Lee’s shoulder and moved her left hand to his back.

Lee moved her right hand up to his shoulder where he held it.

The song ended and the waiter brought their food out.  They reluctantly walked back to their table.

They talked while they ate and commented about how good the food was.

The waiter came around when their plates were clean and cleared them away. He came back a few minutes later. “Would you like dessert?”

Lee glanced at Amanda. “I’m full.”

“So am I.”

“All right. Here is your check.” The waiter laid down the piece of paper and then left.
Lee and Amanda got up and headed over to the counter.  He paid for the meal and then they walked out to the car.

As they drove down the road, Amanda noticed a sign up ahead. “Why don’t we stop and get ice cream?”

Lee chuckled. “I thought you were full.” He pulled into the parking lot.

“I just had to let it all settle.”

They got out of the car and headed over to the window.

“What do you want?” Lee asked her.

“I think I will have a medium mint chocolate chip.”

Lee walked up to the window.

“Can I help you?” The blonde at the window asked.

“Can I have a medium Mint Chocolate Chip and a large Maple Walnut?”

“That will be $5.75.”

Lee paid the bill and took the two cones that she handed him.

He walked over to Amanda and handed her the green one.”

“Thank you.”

They walked over to the picnic tables that were set up and sat down. There was a slight breeze and it blew away one of the napkins. Lee jumped up to grab it, making the table tip a little.

As he grabbed the napkins and heard a squeal come from Amanda. He looked up at her and laughed. The table tipping had caused her arm to jump, causing her cone to make contact with her face. She now had green ice cream on her nose.

“Lee, it’s not funny. Give me a napkin.” She ordered.

Instead of handing her one he wiped off her nose with his handkerchief. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.” She smiled.

Staring at her smile, he couldn’t help it. He leaned over and kissed her gently.

Amanda was shocked at first but recovered and kissed him back.

“Amanda, I love you.” He whispered.

“Oh, Lee I love you too.”

THE END