Post 29372 Bubba part 3

(Thanks to Alley for the idea to use Paul Barnes and Cheryl for the quick beta)

 

Part 4:

 

Amanda never heard Miranda's question as a group of body builders separated them
coming out of the room. She headed back towards the ballroom where the Agency
party was in full swing. She heard laughter and the clinking of glasses as she
neared the room. Just as she was about to enter an arm reached around her waist
and grabbed her from behind.

 

“Hey there, how ‘bout a drink with an old friend?”

 

Amanda turned to see none other than the Wizard, Paul Barnes. His arm remained on her hip as he led her into the Agency party and straight for the nearest bar.

 

“Paul, it’s nice to see you.  I didn’t know you were in town.”  She allowed him to lead her to the bar.

 

“I just got in this afternoon, dropped in at the Agency and heard about the party.”  Paul turned to the bartender and ordered two amaretto sours.

 

“I’m glad you could make it.”  Amanda looked around the bar. From the looks of many of her fellow agents, the alcohol was flowing freely.  Beaman was at the end of the bar, three empty shot glasses lined up in front of him, a fourth in his hand.  Ephraim barely made his mouth with the last shot; his eyes were focused not on what he was doing, but on what Francine was doing. Dancing.  “It can’t be . . .”

 

“What can’t be?”

 

“Oh, sorry.  I didn’t realize I spoke out loud.  Look,” She pointed to the middle of the dance floor.  “Francine is dancing with Dr. Smyth.”

 

“Holy sh-- Are they doing the Lambada?  There are a lot of things about Dr. Smyth that I don’t need to know, and his dancing ability is near the top of that list.”

 

As soon as Amanda set down her empty glass she felt herself being pulled to the dance floor.  “Let’s dance.”  Paul gave her a dazzeling smile. 

 

 

Amanda felt a slight buzz, that drink must have been stronger than she thought.  Paul led her to the middle of the floor and held her at a respectable distance for a slow dance.  Scanning the room for Lee she almost stepped on Paul’s toes.  He asked about her family, and shared some of his adventures since the last time they had seen each other.  Soon the conversation drifted from small talk to more personal questions.

 

“I saw you come in here on your partners arm.  You two don’t see enough of each other at work, have to spend your free time together too?”

 

“Lee and I are good friends, we enjoy each others company.”

 

“I must admit, he’s a lot more fun to be around since you popped up around the Agency.”  Paul smiled at her and pulled her closer.  “So, if you two are just ‘good friends’, what’s been keeping ol’ Scarecrow busy these days.  The word is he must be off the market, the steno pool hasn’t seen much of him for a while.”

 

“We’ve been really busy in the Q Bureau.”

 

“Umm, hummm.”

 

Amanda ignored his suspicious stare and was about to speak when a puff of smoke clouded her eyes.

 

“Well, it’s good to see the little housewife making the rounds.”  Dr. Smyth and an obviously drunk Francine had made their way right next to Paul and Amanda.  “Spends way to much time with Scarecrow in my opinion.”

 

“Yeah.” Slurred Francine.  “Ther t’gether all the time, an’ lockin’ ther office door const . . . constun . . . a lot.”

 

“Oh really?”  Dr. Smyth’s hand moved lower down Francine’s back as he glanced down her low cut dress.  “I hope theres no hanky panky going on at work.”

 

“Of course not, Dr. Smyth.  Lee and I are always professional.”  Amanda felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle.

 

“Professional?  Scarecrow?  The housewife is witty too.  Imagine that.”  Dr. Smyth drew Francine close to him and started to lead her away, his hands roaming closer and closer to her butt.  He looked back at Amanda.   “I don’t like wit.”

 

“Sorry about that, Amanda.  At least I think he’s drunk enough he won’t remember any of it.”

 

“That man is awful.”  Amanda realized that Paul had himself drawn her closer in an attempt to comfort her.  What kind of moves was he trying to pull on her?  She decided she needed to find a way out of his embrace.  “Let’s go have a seat.  I’m a little tired from dancing.  I wonder where Lee is?”  She scanned the room.

 

“Probably in a dark corner with some bimbo.  I can’t believe he’s only friends with you and dates all those bimbos.  I bet you could put all those girls to shame.”  His eyes roamed in places that made her uncomfortable. 

 

Amanda wished she knew where Lee had escaped too, but at the same time, hoped he wouldn’t see his old friend and mentor flirting with his wife.  His jealously where she was concerned was legendary.

 

Paul pulled his chair closer to Amanda and whispered in her ear.  “It’s getting pretty loud in here, hard to have a nice conversation.”

 

He was right; the noise level in the ball round was rising as the partygoers became   drunker by the minute.  Amanda felt his hand rub up and down her arm, making her skin tingle.  Not because she liked his touch, but because she knew she had to put a stop to this.

 

“Paul,” She leaned away from him.  “I think we need to talk—“

 

“There you are!”  Lee hurried to their table for two and squeezed in another chair.  “Paul, I’d heard you were here.  Great to see you.”  He slapped him on the back in greeting.

 

A petite redhead scurried up to the table, two martinis in hand.  “Leeeee, you forgot your drink.”  Her boobs bounced as she made her way to the table.  Amanda wondered if it was possible that she could give herself a black eye, those things were huge.

 

“Um, thanks, Crystal.”  Lee took the drink that she offered him.

 

Crystal turned to Paul and leaned over the table, directly in front of Lee’s face, holding out her hand.  “And who are you?  I don’t remember seeing you around.  I’m Crystal, Crystal Chambers.”

 

Amanda was surprised that her boobs didn’t pop out of her low cut, tight dress.  Oh my gosh, one just did! Almost hitting Lee in the eye.

 

“Oops. Sorry ‘bout that.”

 

Paul let go of her hand and looked down while she slowly pulled back and tucked her boob back into her slinky silver dress.

 

Amanda quickly turned away and saw that thankful, so had her husband.  His face was as read as Amanda’s dress.

 

Lee found his composure.  “Thank you, Crystal for the dance and the drink.  I bet there are a lot of guys on your dance card tonight.  You go right ahead.  I’ll sit this one out.” 

 

“Nope.”  She fingered his bow tie.  “I’ve saved all my dances for you.”

 

Amanda thought she almost saw the woman drool.

 

Lee looked at Paul pleadingly.  Amanda watched, as the two men seemed to be communicating without ever using any words.  The redhead seemed none the wiser, but Amanda got the jist of the conversation.  Lee wanted Paul to get the woman away from him, and Paul didn’t want to.  Paul glanced at Amanda, then back at Lee, then to the busty porn star wannabe.

 

With a sigh, Paul stood and reached for Crystal’s hand.  “Would you care to dance?”

 

Crystal looked longingly at Lee.

 

“You think he’s a good dancer?  I taught him everything he knows.”  He placed his hands around her waist.  “Come on, give me a chance.”

 

“Okay, Pauly.”  She turned back toward Lee.  “I’ll come find you around midnight, we can ring in the New Year together.”

 

Paul started to lead her away, then stepped back and downed his drink whispering to Lee.  “You owe me big this time, Scarecrow.  I want to know the truth about you two.”  He pointed with his index finger at him and Amanda.

 

“What is there to know?”  Lee shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Don’t even give me that, I know you too well.  I’ll distract her long enough for you to get the hell out of here, but in return I want the truth.”

 

Lee placed his arm around Amanda.  His eyes never leaving Amanda’s face he replied.  “We’ll see you tomorrow, Paul.”

 

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.  You two behave.”

 

“We always do, my friend, we always do.”

 

A sharp whine pierced their ears.  “Pauly, I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

 

“Urg.  Duty calls.”

 

Lee gave Amanda a quick kiss then sighed.  “I never thought I was going to get rid of her.”

 

“So, are you going to meet her back here at midnight?”

 

“No way.  The only person I want to ring in the New Year with is you.”

 

“Good answer.  Come on, let’s get out of here before the boob lady gets back.”

 

Lee lead her the long way around the room, trying to avoid Crystal and anyone else who would keep him away from his wife,

at all costs.  Finally out in the hallway he breathed a sigh of relief.  They walked down the hall, arm in arm. 

 

They both came to a stand still outside the Rebecca’s Fantasies party when they recognized a very familiar laugh.

 

 

 

Now on to Mel.