Chapter 1

Definitely an AU story that picks up after events of the previous FanFiction story: A Lovely Little Affair or Not!

God was Lee excited to be going back to work after being out for four weeks, that was except for one thing or person that is…..Amanda! The past few weeks with her at the apartment had been good and bad at the same time. After she came back from her would be time away with Alan, and she admitted that she was attracted to him; Lee hadn't been sure how exactly to proceed with her. And as much as he hated to admit it, the mere fact that Amanda and Alan went away, kind of bugged him—but how could he say anything considering he had been dating Leslie not so long ago himself? Things were awkward at his apartment, yet they'd managed to get through it; but now that they would be back at the office and out on some possible overnight assignments, Lee wasn't sure what he was going to do.

He'd declared his love to her, something he'd never done with any woman before—not Eva or Dorothy and all he got from Amanda was, "I honestly don't know. I do know that I'm attracted to you." And, this was after a few weeks of hearing her talk about Alan constantly. Did she know how many women would die to hear him say that he loved them?

"Is that really what is bothering you the most?" Billy had asked him during a phone conversation when they finally had a chance to talk.

"What else could be bothering me?"

Billy began slowly, "Perhaps, you are wondering about what really happened in New York?"

"She said nothing happened."

"But how close did things get?"

"Well, I'm not sure and I'm pretty damn sure I don't want to know!" Lee bellowed. "And besides it really isn't my business, it's not like we were dating then

or—" he paused, "that we are dating now. I guess that is part of the problem, I'm not sure what we are doing."

Billy had only smiled and then said, "Scarecrow, what exactly is it that you want to happen between you and Amanda?" To which Lee had become quiet.

Someone had knocked on Billy's office door, so Billy ended the call before Lee could answer. To be honest, Lee wasn't sure what he wanted; but he knew what he didn't want and that was to continue with this awkwardness between them; he guess he needed to know where they stood.

Today, he would go back into the office and he would just have to see how things went from there.

/

Amanda was rounding the corner at the Agency rather quickly, her mind a thousand miles away, when she ran smack dab into Francine. "Amanda King, don't you ever look where you are going?" Though her words were harsh, the smile she gave Amanda softened the words.

"I'm sorry Francine! I do seem to run into you a lot these days."

"Where's the fire? What's the matter?"

"Well, today, you see—"

Francine stared at Amanda in disbelief. It was indeed a rare occasion when Amanda King was speechless. Francine reached over and touched Amanda's forehead. "You sure you're okay, oh, no wait a minute-Lee comes back in the office today. Is that it?"

"Ssh!" Amanda said, and placed a finger up above her own lips. "Not so loud.

It's just that since I got back from New York, things have been kind of weird, different, and strange between me and Lee."

"Amanda, are you trying to say that you aren't in love with Lee?"

"Ugh, Francine, I gotta go! Lee is expecting me downstairs."

"Amanda King, you come right back here!"

Amanda stopped.

"You haven't told him how you feel!"

"Well, no, not exactly!"

I don't believe this! Lee Stetson pours out his heart, to a housewife from Arlington, to boot and she doesn't say it back! Well, well, well! In the past, she would've said this out loud, but things had changed between her and Amanda since the early days. "What are you going to do?"

"I, well—"

Just then Billy walked up. "What is going on around here?"

"Oh hi Billy," Francine said.

"Sir!" Amanda chimed in.

"Is anyone doing any work today? Or are you going to stand around in the hallway all day?"

"Of course, we are, Sir! I mean, do some work that is." Amanda acknowledged.

"Yes, we are, Billy, I was just about to talk to Beamon about a case I'm working on." Billy gave her a look, so Francine rushed on, "the one involving Senator Newfield."

"Good!" He turned to Amanda, "Can you ask Lee to join me in my office? I need to see the two of you, right away."

"Yes, Sir!"

/

Billy watched outside his window at his two favorite agents; they appeared rather awkward with one another as they headed towards his office. Their exchange with one another was cordial and polite but there was tension there, something that he hadn't seen in quite some time between them if ever.

Billy greeted them as they entered his office. "Good morning, Amanda! Welcome back Lee!"

"Sir!" Amanda returned.

"Thanks Billy!" Lee replied.

Billy watched them take sideline glances at each other. God, they really have it bad! If he thought they were funny before, it was almost laughable now, except for the fact he knew they weren't happy and that things weren't settled between them. Well, perhaps what he had planned would help move things along? Hmm!

"Billy, you wanted to see us?" Lee offered as Billy hadn't said anything else since they came in the room.

"Yes," he proceeded as he cleared his throat. "I have an all-day assignment for the two of you—that starts tomorrow." Lee's eyes widened. "Oh, Lee, don't worry, nothing that will compromise the doctor's orders."

"Oh, I wasn't worried about that. I was just surprised, and more concerned that Amanda wouldn't be able to do it—because of the kids. Don't they have school?"

Billy already knew that there wasn't school for the boys for a few days, he'd done his homework. 'Amanda, will this work for you?"

"Well actually the boys will be out of school for the next few days. I would have to ask mother to be sure it's okay."

"Billy," Lee began slowly. "What is the assignment?"

"I need you to do me a favor and make a simple run to pick up some information, a simple courier assignment."

"A courier assignment? Billy, that isn't an assignment for a top agent—"

"No, but sometimes, we all have to do work that we wouldn't normally do. You know how the budget is right now."

"Sir, we will do it! Just tell us what you need us to do," Amanda said.

Lee looked at Amanda but nodded.

"Thank you Amanda! Now, I will need you to leave tomorrow morning, it will take you several hours to get there. I've booked your room already."

"Room?" They both asked at the same time.

"Well, it is a suite with a bed and a let out sofa."

"Oh!" again they chimed in simultaneously. "Why would we need a room? Won't we be able to return tomorrow after we get the information?"

"I thought it would be easier this way, it is a long drive to Elizabeth City, NC."

"Elizabeth City, NC?!" They both asked incredulously.

"Isn't that a five hour drive?" Lee spoke up first.

"Yes, it is, five and a half to six hours if you make any stops," he replied back easily. "I'll give you all the details later." Billy turned to Amanda. "Will that give you enough time to get things squared with your mother?"

"I will call her now right now!"

"Amanda, I will see you in a few," Lee said. "Billy, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Billy already knew what was coming. "Yes, Lee?"

"Are you sure someone else can't handle this assignment?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Billy answered quickly then said more slowly,

"Look, Scarecrow, it's just that this assignment requires a delicate touch, and I think this is just perfect for you and Amanda. But if you really rather not do it, you can go back to doing some paperwork and I can get Fielder to go with Amanda. I'm sure he'd love to do it!"

"Oh, that won't be necessary," a nerve on the back of Lee's neck perked up. Courier assignment or no assignment, Lee wasn't about to let Amanda do an assignment with Fielder, he wouldn't wish that on his worst enemy, let alone the woman he loved. "Okay!" Lee said reluctantly. He should know by now that it was futile to argue with his supervisor and friend. If there was a job that Billy wanted him on, he had no choice but to take it.

"Good!"

But Lee couldn't help but get the feeling that Billy was up to something, but he couldn't put his finger on it and even if he could; although he and Billy were great friends, he was after all, his superior.

"I will go back down to the Q and finish up some paper work, so Amanda and I can get a good night's sleep."

Just as Lee stepped out of Billy's office, Amanda poked her head back in and said. "Sir, I'm all set—mother can watch the boys!"

Oh damn! Lee thought there goes my out. It was one thing for him to be alone with her in the Q bureau, at least there, they had other people constantly coming in and out of the office and they would have no choice but to work; albeit awkward or not; but now, seriously.

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