Residue Part 2

Chapter 1

Things had gotten close to normal again for Lee and Amanda and by the end of the month, a lot busier.

Lee had been called away early one morning on a zero contact mission Amanda learned in the last week.

Billy assured Amanda Lee would be fine but felt that with the time away from her family because of Stemwinder, she should stick close to home this time.

So having no choice she was kept busy with files, her training classes, and of course her target practice with Leatherneck which was whenever she had a free spot in her schedule.

It was only a few days later however when she got a call at her desk from one of Lee's contacts requesting that she meet with him at the Library Of Congress and that it was urgent.

She went on her lunch hour telling no one in case it was a hoax.

She also against her better judgement took her Agency issued gun she kept in her desk drawer even though she never once used it and put it away in her purse, along with her Federal I.D.

The contact instructed her to be at the Sixth Floor Dining Room C near the Montpelier Room at one o'clock.

Arriving at the exact time, she was astonished that the room was empty except for an older man with a medium build and graying hair who wore glasses and had a briefcase with him.

She tapped at the doorframe and nervously asked, "Hello? Are you the one who summoned me? And if not, what kind of game are you playing? I should warn you that I'm armed and can get someone within minutes up here. Start talking..."

The man smiled and chuckled getting up from his seat to greet her stating, "Ohh , Lee warned me I should be prepared for anything with you."

Taking her hand gently he answered, "How are you, Mrs. King?"

Surprised Amanda then suddenly remembering the man and her manners commented shaking his hand finally, "Oh my gosh. Mr. Aquinas, how are you?"

The man nodded and responded, "I'm very well, thank you. So, you are alone, correct? No one from there followed you?"

Amanda knew he meant the Agency and she shook her head quickly remarking, "No. But then I didn't know they weren't supposed to since I didn't know what this was about to begin with and-"

T.P. nodded and patted her hand commenting, "It's-It's all right. Now, there's someone who needs to see you in the Montpelier Room right now."

Amanda looked in the direction of the next room and then back at T.P. asking slowly, "What about the staff and the group tours?"

T. P. shook his head replying, "It's fine. We have friends in high places who made sure we'd have the space to ourselves for a full hour. Now you'd better run along before time runs out and we have a lot of explaining to do."

Amanda nodded and remarked, "It was nice to see you and I hope I see you again under better circumstances, Mr-"

The man smiled and commented, "T. P."

Amanda smiled and nodded acknowledging him, "Right. T.P."

Going next to the Montpelier Room she walked in and nervously announced, "All right. I'm here and I'm armed so you better come out slowly from wherever you are and state your business."

The room appeared empty and lights were on with the curtains drawn but the tables were already set up as there was a dinner event scheduled for later that night.

Then from behind a corner at the far end of the room Amanda saw that it was Lee coming out and going to him querying, "Lee?! I thought you were-"

He put up a hand and nodded responding quietly, "I-I know. And I'm sorry I got you over here but it's real important."

Lee gestured to a chair and going over to a table pulled it out for her saying, "Let's sit down, huh?"

As Amanda sat and he sat next to her she commented, "You know, we could've met at your place after work. I mean, I don't know what all this cloak and dagger stuff is. I thought we wouldn't have to do this any more. I mean, since we're together and all. Unless...we're not?"

Lee shook his head profusedly answering firmly, "No! Of course we're together, and we're staying together! No matter what that jackass tells us! He doesn't own us, Sweetheart. We are in charge of our own lives, you got it?"

Amanda nodded and putting a hand over Lee's asked, "Yeah, Honey. Of course we are. But I just don't understand. Now, what are you talking about?"

Lee sighed and rubbing his thumb over her knuckles in a circular motion gently stated, "I think it's time I see how it is in your world. You know, see how the other half lives?"

Amanda bewilderedly remarked getting up, "Okay. If you're gonna sit there and talk in riddles, I think I'd better go-"

As she reached the room entrance Lee answered quickly, "I quit the Agency today..."

Amanda whirled around and stunned replied, "You did what?"

Lee nodded and commented, "I quit. Told Smyth what he could do with his orders-"

Amanda was flabbergasted and queried,"How could you...When did you...What about us as a team, Pal? We're partners, remember? You could've given me a heads up...And what about Billy? And Francine?"

Going to her Lee gently took her in his arms and nodding responded gently, "I know. But I can tell you now about this so-called "mission" I was sent on. It was in New Zealand. And it wasn't a case, anyway. Smyth wanted me to relocate there...To begin my new security post...Indefinitely."

Amanda murmured, "Oh, my gosh! I can't believe he would just...Well... Who was supposed to be working with me from now on, then?"

Lee derisively chuckled and shook his head remarking, "Good ol' Fred Fielder-"

Amanda did a double take and retorted, "What?! Oh, no! He's nice enough but he doesn't have half the experience you have and I don't want another partner if I can't have you! What did Billy say about it?"

Lee shrugged answering, "I don't know. Smyth told me he'd tell Billy himself but just to make damn sure he did know, I left my resignation and a carefully worded note along with it on his desk."

Looking at his watch he replied, "He should be looking at it right about now."

Amanda nodded commenting, "Good. Then that gives us time to-"

Lee asked, "Time to do what, Amanda? You know what? It doesn't matter. All I care about from now on is you and me, all right?"

Kissing her he answered softly, "Hey, why don't you head back to work and I'll call you later, huh? I've got some loose ends to tie up."

Sighing as he let her go he stated, "You know, ever since we got done with the Stemwinder case I've been thinking more and more about how that changed things for both of us."

Amanda shrugged and commented, "Yeah. I'm real sorry I reacted the way I did about it, but I'm working through it-"

Lee shook his head firmly replying, "No, don't be sorry! You had every right to state your case. It hit me on the way back from New Zealand, Honey. We're puppets to them. With them controlling the strings, we have to do what they want-"

Amanda gripped Lee's arm asking, "Now hold on! What if Billy's got no idea what this is about? You still have time to talk to him-"

Lee scoffed stating, "A-man-da! Stop! I won't go begging for my job. If Smyth wants me out, I'm gone."

Guiding her out of the room he kissed her cheek and commented, "You'd better go. I love you and I'll talk to you later, huh?"

But as Amanda made her way down to her car to leave she thought, Oh, Lee. I think you're wrong about this...

TBC