Part 5 in the 'A Beautiful Lie' Series

Title: Between The Lies

Author: Billy

Summary: Part 5 in the 'A Beautiful Lie' Series - sequel to 'Living A Lie' - Amy's happily entertaining, and making the most of it. Set just after 'When You Coming Back Range Rider?'

Ratings: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own the A Team and I've not made a penny from this; I just do it for the jazz!

Copyright: September 2008

Chapter 1

Amy sighed as she parked her car. Home finally. It had been a longer day than intended. She took the keys out of the ignition but sat there for a moment, her mind mixed with thoughts.

She'd returned from Arizona three days ago, rejuvenated. Glad of her week in Arizona, Amy had picked up some background material for her story. It had also been a good idea to stay behind, separating her from the team. As she'd thought, Decker was on her case. Still was. But those weren't the only reasons why she'd stayed.

Daniel Running Bear had been her true reason. There had been an instant attraction. Just from his story, wanting to protect those mustangs, she could see he shared similar qualities to the team. Those qualities always interested her. Always appealed to her - probably why she found it hard to get a date. That kind of guy was hard to find. Daniel was someone who cared about things that maybe another man would have just ignored. He could have so easily turned a blind eye to Bus Carter's unlawful dealings. But he was compassionate, loyal and moral. He'd stood his ground, and when Bus Carter had played dirty, Daniel had searched for help. It meant he wasn't too proud to ask either. He was a good man.

But she didn't realise she'd get so… attached. He'd been the perfect host, almost making her forget the reality of her city life, her work. Riding across the range, camping out… making love under the stars.

She was pleased when he'd agreed to come back to LA with her but wondered if having him stay at her place was fuelling this anxiety she had. She couldn't expect him to stay in a hotel; she'd invited him as her guest, after all. And when he'd accepted, she knew neither one of them had been prepared to end the relationship just yet. But she also knew, like he did, it would have to end… one day soon.

So she needed to make the most of this time, and not dwell on it. She hastily grabbed her bags from the passenger seat and headed up to her apartment, knowing what was waiting for her.

As Amy closed her front door, put down her heavy bags and kicked off her shoes, Daniel got off the couch, coming to greet her. He held out a small bouquet of flowers. She smiled. This little ritual had started while out in Arizona. He'd picked a small posy of the wild flowers that grew in abundance, and each day the bouquet had gotten bigger. Now in LA, he was keeping his tender tradition, by buying the flowers and presenting them each day.

She smelled the flowers as he gently took her hand and led her towards the couch. This was what awaited her… Company, affection, warmth… no lonely nights.

"I'm sorry, I tried getting away earlier, but Grant wouldn't let me."

"It's okay. I know you've got to work. You're home now, that's all that matters." He tenderly cupped her head, leaned in and kissed her. Amy responded by affectionately playing with his red bandana that was tied around his neck. She wanted to tell him about her day, her story, but it could wait. Lost in his kisses, she really didn't want to distract Daniel's attention.

Daniel took her hand and sat down on the couch, pulling her flirtatiously towards him. Amy quickly slipped the bouquet onto the coffee table as she joined him.

Amy giggled as they got comfortable in one another's arms, but Daniel muttered something under his breath, more in annoyance with himself. She knew his arm in the cast was irritating him, and that he was conscious of being clumsy and awkward with it, so she tried very hard to not remind him of it. Pretended she didn't even know it was there.

"Oh, boy, this is a great way to get greeted when I come home from work," Amy said, as Daniel's arms tightened around her, his free hand soothingly stroking her back. They cuddled, entwined on the couch. He smiled, brushing her hair off her face and kissing her again. She reveled in his touch. Eventually she sighed, reluctantly pulling away from Daniel's embrace. Her stomach was rumbling, reminding her she was hungry after a long day in the office. "Daniel, we really need to think about having some dinner."

"We'll just get take-out or something." He kissed her again, trying to persuade her to stay on the couch.

"We can't keep eating out. Besides, a girl has got to watch her waistline."

"It's looking fine from where I'm sitting." He looked her up and down, smiling mischievously.

Amy rolled her eyes. "Besides, it's time I cooked you something." In the three days that they'd been back in LA, all they'd done was dine out. Daniel had cooked for her numerous times while she'd stayed with him the past week. It was her turn to return the favour. She sat up, trying to drag herself out of Daniel's playful grip. Giggling with the lighthearted tussle, she got off the couch, straightening her red skirt and blouse. Picking up the pretty bouquet of flowers, Amy headed towards the kitchen with Daniel quickly following.

After placing the flowers in a small vase with some water, Amy glanced in her cupboards and then in her refrigerator as Daniel watched patiently. "Okay, I probably have everything I need to make meatloaf." She edged towards Daniel, raising an eyebrow. "That way I can just put it in the oven and it can cook itself, while we relax back on the couch." She was back in his arms, gently kissing his lips, and he was reciprocating, groaning with pleasure. Would she ever get used to this feeling? She already dreaded that it would end.

"That sounds good to me."

"I might have to go out. I just need some Monterey Jack cheese for my recipe." Amy checked the cupboard where she stored the wine. It was empty. "And maybe we could do with a bottle of wine."

"Well, why don't I run to the store, while you start preparing the dinner?"

"Excellent plan! Have you still got your key?" Daniel nodded, pulling a small bundle of keys out of his pocket. "Great. You can just let yourself back in."

Daniel headed toward the front door, Amy following. He smiled, and then kissed her. "I'll be ten minutes," he said, closing the door behind him.

Amy returned to the kitchen. Glad now that she'd done some grocery shopping so that her cupboards weren't so bare, she got out all of the ingredients she needed for her meatloaf recipe. It was her Mom's and it felt good to be able to make it for someone. Usually she cooked for one, and this never seemed to be something to make just for herself.

Initially, Amy had worried their conversations would run dry once they'd left Arizona. Out there they could talk about the wilderness, the horses… the stars. But Daniel was wise, intelligent; he knew so much it kept Amy wanting more. Damn, she was enjoying Daniel being around. It made her apartment feel more appealing as she left the office – gave her a longing to get home. She felt guilty that she had to go into work, but that's why she had to leave Arizona in the end. She had her story to finish, and really couldn't afford much more time out of the office. Where she could, she'd managed to get away early or take a longer lunch break to meet Daniel, but he'd been so understanding, patient. He said he was fine wandering around LA sightseeing. He'd been visiting the various arts and cultures, exhibitions and museums. Daniel had reassured her it was a much different and pleasurable experience to the one when he'd had trying to hunt down the team.

He would be going back home to Arizona in a few days. As quickly as that thought entered her head, Amy's heart saddened. She had to make the most of this time with him. Was it realistic to hope this relationship would continue after that?

With her head full of thoughts about Daniel, trying hard not to think about the inevitable, Amy started mixing the ingredients in a large glass bowl. As she chopped the onion, her eyes started to sting and water, so she quickly discarded the remains, and wiped her eyes. As she washed her hands, to her surprise the doorbell rang. She quickly grabbed a towel to dry her hands as she hurried towards the door.

"I gave you a key, silly," she said as she opened the door. "I don't mind you letting yourself – oh, Face, hi."