Amanda was just finishing breakfast when Lee came out of the bedroom. "Well, good morning," she smiled. She'd given up trying to get him to eat breakfast on a work day.

"Hi," he yawned, giving her a quick peck on the lips and then sitting down and pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"You know, this is your first birthday we're celebrating as a couple," she observed thoughtfully.

"My birthday's not until tomorrow," he reminded her, taking a deep sip and sighing gratefully. He was never what you'd call a morning person.

"You know what I mean," she chided. "How about going to Mystic, Connecticut? I've heard it's beautiful. Joe and Carrie are taking the boys for a few days and Mother's off to some plane expo with Captain Curt. The timing's perfect."

"Just the two of us...alone, for the entire week-end?" he asked in surprise.

"I already checked your schedule and you're free from Friday afternoon on," she continued.

"Oh, I am, am I?" he repeated skeptically. "Isn't that a coincidence?"

"Isn't it?" she deadpanned, looking forward to this week-end as much as he was. "What do you think?"

"It sounds great," he admitted, reaching over and taking her hand. "Hopefully we won't get stuck with something at the last minute. You know what they always say -- the best laid plans..."

"Bite your tongue, Stetson."

"You almost finished with breakfast?" he chuckled.

She nodded. "Just let me just rinse these and I'm all set." She picked up the dirty dishes and put them into the sink. "You still have that 5:00 with Billy this afternoon, right?"

"Yeah, so far anyway," he muttered in resignation. "Why?"

"Well, if you won't need me I'll run a few errands. I have a lot of things to do before the boys go off with Joe."

"No problem." He walked into the kitchen beside her.

* * * * *

Lee wearily opened the door to his apartment while looking at his watch. 9pm! No wonder he was so tired. He took two steps into the living room and froze. "What the..."

Several candles were lit, soft music was playing and there was a cake in the middle of the table.

"Lee? Close your eyes," Amanda called out anxiously.

"Oh, Amanda, please. It's been a long day," he pleaded, rubbing his eyes.

"Come on. I have your present."

"Is it that wine rack we saw at the antique store last week?" he asked, perking up a bit.

"You won't find out until you close your eyes."

He shut them grudgingly. "Okay, okay, they're closed."

"Are you sure?"

"Amanda!"

She came out of the bedroom self-consciously, clad in a black teddy with spaghetti straps. It had lace around the bodice as well as on the sides. There were nine tiny red bows that started from between the breasts and continued their way downwards to the bottom. She’d affixed a red bow in her hair to complete the effect. This was pretty daring for her, and she’d changed her mind about a dozen times in the past hour whether she could go through with it or not. "Happy birthday," she greeted shyly, blushing and unable to look him in eyes.

He opened his eyes and stared at her in amazement.

"This was a bad idea, wasn't it?" she whispered shakily after a few seconds, mistaking his silence for something else. After all, he’d been with quite a number of beautiful women. What made her think she could compete? "Let me go change.." She took a step away from him.

"No!" He exclaimed hoarsely, catching her arm. "It's just that you're so beautiful. But I thought we were celebrating this week-end."

"Oh, we are. I just wanted to surprise you," she grinned.

"Well, you did that," he chuckled, pulling her close and nibbling on her ear.

"Don't you want any dessert?" she asked.

"Mmmm hmmm," he agreed contentedly.

"I meant the cake," she pointed to the table.

He shook his head as he started working his way downwards. "Where'd you get that, anyway?" he asked as he started nuzzling her neck.

"Um, Rebecca's Fantasies," she struggled to think as her heart started beating faster. "Do you like it?"

"You know the best thing about this?" He whispered as he slowly opened the top bow.

She shook her head mutely, unable to speak as her body started responding to his overtures.

"I can keep unwrapping it over and over." He pulled her down on the couch and fell on top of her. "And over."

A few hours later they were sitting side by side on the couch, nestled in each other's arms.

"Are you bringing that with you this week-end?" he whispered, fingering the bows absently.

"Uh uh."

His face fell.

"I have something else packed," she continued innocently.

"Oh, yeah?"

She nodded and kissed the palm of his hand.

"Aren't you going to tell me what it is?" He prompted curiously.

"Nope. That's on a need to know basis."

"Amanda, I need to know."

"You'll have to wait until Saturday. You don't want to spoil the surprise, do you?"

"I've been trained to make people talk, you know," he tried a different tact.

"I'll have you know I got a B in my hand to hand combat class last month," she pointed out.

"Oh? I'll have you know I got an A," he reminded her.

She pulled away from him slightly and folded her arms across her chest. "Prove it, buster."

"Are you challenging me?" He sat up and looked her straight in the eye.

She nodded, eyes twinkling.

In a split second he had grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the couch, smothering her in kisses.

"This isn't hand to hand," she pretended to complain, snuggling closer to him. "I think I missed this class."

"Seduction 101," he replied breathlessly, "and you'd better not practice on anyone but me. You got that, Mrs. Stetson?"

"Got it." She wrapped her arms tightly around him and started trailing kisses along his face and shoulders. "But I think I'll need some special tutoring to get me up to speed."

"I think I know the perfect guy." He cupped her face and looked deep into her eyes. "He's handsome, charming..."

"Modest," Amanda couldn't resist adding.

"That too," he grinned as he started caressing her.

"Do I know him?" she whispered, closing her eyes and sighing.

"I'm not sure," he answered innocently as his hands began traveling along her body.

"Lee?" She moaned, closing her eyes.

"Hmmm?" He asked distractedly, becoming preoccupied with what he’d been doing.

"Did anyone ever tell you that...actions speak louder than words?" She whispered breathlessly, not sure how much longer she could take this torture.

"You know, I have heard that," he admitted huskily.