Residue
Chapter 1
There was a change in Amanda that came shortly after the Stemwinder case wrapped up.
She and Lee had been debriefed about all that went on and were exonerated of any wrongdoing they'd been accused of and their records had been cleared accordingly to the satisfaction of all involved.
Dr. Smyth even seeing what Amanda accomplished during this situation let Lee know that he was putting her to full-time status, which Lee was only too happy to relay to her that night as he stopped by her house to tell her!
Amanda getting ready for dinner, made an excuse about a neighbor's dog in the yard to Dotty and went out to the gazebo to see Lee who appeared at the kitchen window blowing her a kiss!
But after only a few moments of happily getting reaquainted while discussing her new status they heard Dotty call out, "Did you get him?"
Amanda called back as Lee held her in his arms, "I'm working on it!"
When all was silent again Lee puzzledly asked as he gestured toward the house, "What was all that about?"
Amanda shook her head giggling and answered, "I told her that the Ferguson's dog had gotten in our yard again and I would try to shoo him home."
Lee chuckled replying, "Well, I could try to growl so you get a little more time out here with me?"
Amanda playfully poked his chest responding, "No way! Do you want her out here any minute? She would come out here and see you and then what?"
Lee shook his head realizing what that would mean and replied clearing his throat, "Uh, yeah. Bad idea..."
Giving Amanda another lingering kiss he pulled back and whispered, " Okay. On that note, I'll see ya tomorrow."
Amanda nodded whispering back as he headed out, "Right!"
Hurrying back into the house she went to the sink to wash her hands stating to Dotty with a shrug, "Whew! That dog is quick! I never saw anything run that fast in my life!"
Dotty nodded knowing that a few minutes before Amanda came in, Dotty herself had called the neighbors to let them know about the dog.
Only to learn that the dog was safely in his own home with them!
Amanda was telling one of her "tall tales" like she did when she was a child...But why?
She remembered at different times over the last few years when Amanda would make excuses for running errands or being in the back yard when she had no real reason for doing so.
Shaking her head she decided to let it go. When Amanda wanted to discuss something with her that was really important, she'd have to trust her to do so.
Like she did before the whole bruhaha started with the government people showing up!
It was like something out of a movie, with everyone firing questions at her and the boys!
And with no real answers, either. She didn't like that part of it! She was glad that Joe had come back to D.C. to try to handle things and look out for them while Amanda was gone.
Even after Amanda came home she told Dotty she wasn't allowed to discuss it any further. That the people that had set Lee up to take the fall being accused of being a traitor to the country causing she and Lee to run, had been sent to prison for good and that they were all safe.
It was a few days later when Amanda woke feeling out of sorts and had a headache.
Dotty noticed as Amanda was getting her coffee before going to work how quiet her daughter was and asked, "Just coffee? What about breakfast, Dear? Surely you have time-"
But Amanda cut her off stating distractedly as she rinsed out her cup after only a few sips of the steamy liquid, "I'm not really hungry, Mother. I've gotta get to work..."
Kissing Dotty she commented, "I'll see you tonight. I love you."
Grabbing her purse and keys she headed out the door and quickly got into her car and left the driveway.
As she was on the G.W. Parkway heading toward the Agency a while later she shook her head and muttered aloud, "Why am I rushing? So what if I'm late? I don't owe them anything! They owe me for the hell they put my family through!"
But as she pulled into her space next to Lee's car in the Agency parking lot she parked but then made no move to get out of her car.
Shaking her head she thought, Why am I so angry all of a sudden? Where is this coming from?
Suddenly she was startled as she noticed Francine at her open window querying, "Coming in sometime today? Billy and Lee are wondering where you are and-"
Amanda stated cooly, "Who cares?"
Francine swallowed realizing something was up and commented, "Let me in."
Amanda shook her head answering, "No. Just leave me alone right now, okay? I'm not in the mood for whatever-"
Francine remarked firmly, "C'mon! Sitting out here having a pity party is not your style. Now move it!"
Amanda heavily sighed and moved over to the passenger side as Francine slid in and shut the door commenting, "So...What's up?"
Amanda tersely responded, "Why does anything have to be up? Can't I even wake up on the wrong side of the bed sometimes?"
Francine answered, "No, because that's Lee's style. Not yours. So spill. What's eating you today?"
Amanda rubbing her forehead with a hand remarked quietly, "Sorry. Just a headache, that's all..."
Francine narrowed her eyes at her commenting, "Try again."
Amanda avoided her gaze and looking out the passenger window shrugged remarking, "I woke up late. So sue me."
Francine groaned and making a buzzer sound replied, "Nope. Not gonna fly. You're angry about Stemwinder, right? Or you're mad at Lee...Or Billy and me-"
Amanda rolling her eyes sighed stating, "All right. Well, some people check their facts before accusing their coworkers of treason-"
Francine cut her off bellowing suddenly, "We had all the facts! Or so we thought! Even the time and your signatures in that ledger we checked out! And don't forget that tape of Lee and Sonja-"
Amanda glared at Francine answering, "He was play acting, Francine! You know how much Lee and I love this country and would do anything to protect it just as you and Billy do!"
She noticed Francine staring at her and shrugged commenting, "What? I don't have a bible to swear on, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if it would make you all happy! What's the problem?"
Francine gulped and remarked, "Well...Nothing except while you and I were talking just now, you managed to tear up a tissue like confetti."
Amanda looked down at her lap and the floor of her car which was covered in white! Shaking her head she thought, Where did I get the tissue from?
She swallowed and answered then, "In that case, maybe I am a little angry. Although I'm really not sure why. Maybe not just at you or Billy or Lee, even. What do I do?"
Francine shrugged and replied gently, "Up to you. You can talk to Billy like you just did with me, or maybe... You might want to talk to Dr. Pfaff?"
Amanda was surprised and queried, "Am I that far gone?"
Francine chuckled answering truthfully, "Of course not. But in some cases that we do, this feeling just kind of sneaks up on you. Trust me, I've been there. Lee and Billy have as well. So don't worry. With time it'll pass and soon you'll be your sickeningly positive self again."
Amanda sarcastically smiled at her commenting, "Ha, ha! C'mon. Let's go fix me, Genius!"
They both got out of the car and Amanda shut the window and locked up the car and they headed in going through a hallway leading to the foyer where she and Francine gave the password for that day.
Amanda responded, "Tutti Fruitti."
Both getting their badges they got in the elevator and Amanda remarked, "Okay. I'll try talking to Dr. Pfaff while you try explaining where I've been."
Francine pressing the floor for Pfaff's office shook her head answering, "No. Not necessary. As far as you and I go, it was just girl talk."
Amanda laughed heartily knowing they weren't bosom buddies and replied, "Uh-huh! All right. Lie to Billy, then. I don't care."
She got off at Pfaff's floor as Francine headed up to the bullpen.
As Francine exited the elevator Billy approached her asking, "Where's Amanda? Lee called her house and was told she left some time ago."
Francine looking toward the steno pool and then at him stated quietly, "Your office. Now."
They went toward Billy's office as Lee came off the opposite elevator meeting them halfway querying, "Did you find her?"
Billy gestured toward the office commenting to him, "About to find out."
As the three entered Billy's office and sat down Billy stated, "Okay, Francine. So what about Amanda?"
Francine took a deep breath and letting it out responded, "She's here, but somewhere where she thought she'd never have to go..."
Lee and Billy looked at one another quizzically and then back at Francine.
Billy clearing his throat asked her, "Oh? Care to enlighten us?"
Francine said evenly, "Sorry, Guys. It's a need-to-know thing."
Lee sighed and answered, "Well, I'm her partner. So I need to know."
Billy added firmly, "And I am her boss, so I need to know. Start spilling!"
Francine thinking quickly remarked, "It's...It's a woman thing, all right?"
Getting up from the chair near Billy's desk she commented, "Now, excuse me while I get to the crap on my desk..."
As she left the office Billy queried to Lee, "You saw Amanda last night, didn't you? How was she then?"
Lee shrugged and stated, "Fine. In fact she was happy that Smyth was putting her on full-time, considering all that went on with Stemwinder. So, I don't buy what Francine was telling us. Do you?"
Billy shook his head commenting, "Not by a long shot. But I guess we just have to wait for Amanda to find out what's really going on..."
TBC
