Making Memories

Making Memories

By

Melinda G. Light

Disclaimer: The lucky owners of Lee and Amanda are WB and Shoot the Moon Productions. I just asked if they would like to come and help with this tale. It's just for entertainment.

Author's notes: You might want to have tissue handy just in case. This will be off canon.

Rating: PG

Archive: Yes, if you would like, just let me know where.

Summary: Amanda and Lee make some memories. This is before they start dating. Before Amanda moves up to the Q-bureau.

Warning: The only warning needed is to have some tissues nearby.

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In the Q-Bureau, Friday morning:

Lee Stetson, AKA Scarecrow, was actually having a quiet morning for a change.

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door, and when Lee said to come in, Francine Desmond opened the door.

"Hi, Francine. What's up?"

"Well, this package just came for you. It's eyes only."

"Thanks, Francine. I recognize the name of who sent it. It's from a member of my family."

While Francine headed out the door, Lee started to open the package.

It was from Marie, one of the bartenders at Emilio's.

Inside was a gift certificate for the new place called Randy's. Lee read the note attached and smiled. It turned out to be for him and Amanda.

Lee picked up the telephone and called Mrs. Marsten.

"Mrs. Marsten, when Mrs. King comes in will you send her up to the Q-bureau? Thank you."

As he waited for Amanda, he remembered the case where he met Marie. Amanda had been a great help on that case. One of the memories he had, still brought a smile to his face.

Because very few people knew that Amanda worked for the agency, Billy had asked Amanda to go into Emilio's by herself, and see if the suspect would make a move to try to get some information out of her. He'd tried for more than information, and ended up on the wrong end of Amanda's temper. This was one of the first cases that they had worked on together.

The guy had ended up on the floor in a great deal of pain. Lee heard Amanda say to the guy, over the mike, that nobody laid a hand on her unless she wanted them to. Lee found out that the guy had grabbed her and refused to let her go.

Luckily, Marie, the bartender on duty, had the proof needed to arrest the guy for selling governmental secrets. But as soon as the guy's friends found that out, they went searching for her.

Amanda volunteered to have Marie stay at her house, because her family was going to her aunt's house for a week until the agency found them. She liked Marie, because she was very forward with her opinions.

The package was a thank you from Marie. Her cousin, John, was one of the bartenders at Randy's.

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Lee was deep in thought when he heard the knock on the door.

"Come in." He smiled when he saw Amanda. Then, he noticed that she seemed to be a little less cheerful than she usually was.

"Good morning, Lee. You wanted to see me." Amanda sat down and waited for Lee to answer.

"Amanda, what's wrong?" Lee got up and went around his desk. He noticed Amanda's eyes. "Okay, Amanda, what happened? What has gotten you not only upset but angry, too?" He kneeled down on one knee and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"It's Joe. Ever since he came back from Africa, he's gotten it into his head that we're going to start back where we left off. That we're going to start seeing each other. He's started to try to run my life. And today was the last straw."

"What? I thought that was what you wanted, too." Lee said.

"Is that why you've distanced yourself from me the last few weeks?" Amanda asked. Lee nodded. "Because if that's the case, I'll tell you what I told Joe when we were at Dooley's that night, I don't want to go back, I want to go forward. It's going to be a great future."

Amanda let this sink in as she watched Lee's eyes light up.

"That doesn't mean that I don't have some good memories, because I do, but good memories are just there to help us through the bad times, not to be relived." Amanda smiled.

"What did Joe want you to do?" Lee asked after he thought about what she said.

"He wants me to quit the agency, and he's given me until tomorrow to give him my answer." Amanda stated.

Lee took a deep breath, and nodded his head. "I thought that was coming."

"Lee, do you want to know what my answer is going to be?" Amanda asked.

He just nodded. Amanda noticed that she'd seen the usual transformation happen. Lee had become Scarecrow again. It was the way Lee protected himself.

Lee stood up and went to stare out the window. Amanda followed him.

"I'm not quitting. This place and people mean too much to me, especially my partner. I will not leave my best friend. Because of you and the agency, I've become the woman I am today. It's because of you that I have the knowledge that I can do whatever I set my mind on. You are the reason I've got the strength to stand up for what I want and need." She moved to stand right beside Lee.

Slowly she wrapped her arms around Lee, and stated, "It's because of you that I've got all these great memories collected from the last 2 and 1/2 years. There's also some great ones ahead to collect."

Lee pulled Amanda close and hugged her tight. When he pulled back and smiled at her, she knew she was looking at Lee Stetson.

"Well, here's a memory to add to our collection." He handed her the letter from Marie.

Amanda pulled away and sat on the edge of the desk. A smile spread across her face as she read the letter.

"So when do we go and create this great memory?" Amanda asked.

"Tomorrow night? 7:00p.m.?" Lee asked.

"Okay, sounds great. Joe will have the boys and Mother has an excursion planned with Kurt, so that will be great." Amanda agreed.

"When are you going to talk to Joe?" Lee asked.

"This afternoon, I called Billy and got permission to leave at 1:00, we're meeting at Dooley's. Actually, we're just going to meet to talk." Amanda answered. "I've got permission, also, to tell him everything, as long as it does not effect National Security. Billy also requested that either you or him should be there during the conversation."

"Would you like for me to go? I don't want to cause more problems between you and Joe."

"Lee, I meant what I said earlier, you are my best friend. Joe is going to have to realize that is the way it is. So, yes, I would like for you to be there." Amanda took his hand and they walked out the door.

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Part two:

Dooley's, at 12:55 p.m.:

Joe King walked into the restaurant and started looking for Amanda. When he found her, he started to frown. "What's he doing here?" Amanda and Lee were at a booth, sitting beside each other, talking. Joe noticed Lee moved to wipe some cheese off Amanda's chin and wondered what was going on.

"Lee, Joe's here." Amanda smiled up at Lee.

"I know. I've felt daggers being shot at me for the last five minutes." Lee whispered as he turned and watched Joe head over to their table.

"Hi, Amanda. Lee." Joe stated. "What are you doing here?"

"He's here because I asked him to come." Amanda answered.

"Oh." Joe was starting to get mad.

Amanda quietly said, "Joe, sit down. Before you say anything, I should warn you that you said enough this morning. Now it's my turn."

Joe looked at Amanda and realized that she was furious with him. So, he just sat down and tried to keep calm. He knew that when she was this way, it was best to listen first, then speak later.

Amanda spoke to Joe about everything. She told him of how she started working with Lee and the agency.

"Now, Joe, you ordered me this morning to quit my job. I'm here to tell you that you have no right to tell me to do that. Do you remember when we were here the last time? You stated that whatever the changes were that they seemed to agree with me? Well, those changes are my job and Lee. I'm not about to give up either one. I love my job and I'm good at it. Lee has become my best friend and partner. True, the job gets dangerous, but Lee and I watch each other's back."

She quietly took Joe's hand and asked him. "You said, when you took that assignment in Africa, that you wanted to make a difference. Well, that's what I'm doing. I'm helping to make this country a little bit safer."

Joe quietly sat there thinking for just a minute. "Amanda, I see what your saying. You're right. I'm not happy about it, but it's your choice. If you're happy, then I guess that a part of me is happy for you. I remember the conversation we had in college, when we found out that was one of the things we had in common. That we both, wanted to make a difference. Lee promise me that you will look out for her."

"Always. Joe, can I talk to you alone for just a second?" He stood up and went to the bar. Looking back, he noticed the puzzled look on Amanda's face.

Joe followed him and they both ordered a beer.

"Now, Joe. Listen, just as I'm Amanda's best friend, she has become mine. The only thing I can promise is that I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. No matter who or what it is, I will do what I have to, not only to keep her safe, but happy. Do you understand?" Lee stated.

Joe watched Lee as he listened to what he'd said. Then he realized what it was he'd seen when he first saw the two together earlier. There was a connection, between the two, that was beyond physical. The vibes coming from this man, and Amanda, who was sitting watching them, were so strong that you could actually feel them, if you were paying attention.

Slowly, Joe answered, "I understand, Lee. The same goes for me, too." He reached out to shake Lee's hand.

"Well, listen, I've got to go. Tell Amanda I'll pick up the boys at 6:30 tonight."

Joe left and Lee headed back to Amanda.

"What was that all about, Lee?" Amanda asked as Lee sat down.

"Nothing. You ready to go. Joe said he'd be by to pick up the boys at 6:30." Lee told her.

"Then I'd better get home." Amanda smiled. "Are we still on for tomorrow night?"

"You bet. I'm looking forward to creating some good memories." Lee teased.

Amanda whispered, "It won't be a good memory. It will be a great memory."

Lee grinned as he heard Amanda speak. It flashed through his mind as they were leaving, "Every minute with you becomes a great memory."

TBC