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Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Come Spy with Me
Chapter 1
It was 10 am when Amanda pulled into the Texaco gas station, like she did on most Tuesdays, her once-a-week fill-up.
Ding!Ding!
The bell signaled that her station wagon had parked at the two-pump full-service island. She knew she should really learn how to self-pump her gas because nowadays, some people were already learning how to do that, but she was used to the idea that the attendant would come out to not only fill her gas tank, but clean her car windows, and check her oil and tires as well.
Automatically she rolled down her window as she heard footsteps approaching. Expecting to hear a Texaco employee greeting her, she started getting her wallet out of her purse just as she heard a familiar male voice greeting her.
"Hi!"
Amanda froze as her eyes became as large as saucers.
That voice sounded strangely like Lee!
She almost didn't want to turn around. Today was her day off and she didn't want to be reminded of work. After all, she had chores to do today, like cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping! But then, she wistfully hoped, maybe it wasn't Lee and the explanation was that every male was beginning to sound like him.
Wait. That was a worse explanation. Amanda made the decision that no matter what, she would try to put on good manners. Slowly she turned her head left towards the rolled-down window, and sure enough, Lee Stetson was smiling down on her, dressed as a gas station employee.
Must keep in control. This time she would not give him the pleasure of seeing her confused. She swallowed hard.
"Lee, hello, Lee."
She said it as if it were an everyday occurrence. Lee had a huge smirk on his face as he pointed to the emblem on his shirt.
"Name's Hector, Miss," he grinned, obviously enjoying all of this.
Another one of his surprise disguises. She wanted to roll her eyes.
"Well, Hector," she emphasized, letting him know it was a ridiculous-sounding name for him, "what is it that you want?"
"Isn't it the other way around?" he asked lightly, "shouldn't I be the one asking you what you want?"
"Excuse me?" Amanda was momentarily confused.
To Lee, the spy business was usually considered very serious, so something as silly as catching Amanda off guard always made his day.
"Fill 'er up, unleaded regular, Miss?" he asked, looking and sounding very much like a gas station employee.
Amanda then realized she wasn't talking to Lee, the spy; she was talking Hector, the gas station attendant.
"Um, yes, unleaded will be fine, Hector."
With a smirk, Lee left to fill up her car. When he went to put the pump nozzle in her tank, she stuck her head out the window and looking towards the back of her station wagon, she yelled at Lee, "and also...don't forget to clean my window!" Then thinking that she sounded rather harsh, she added, "-please!"
Standing at her gas tank area, Lee's expression didn't change, "Yes, Miss, I'll check under your vehicle's hood, right away!"
What? Didn't she say she wanted her window cleaned?
She protested, "No, I didn't say-"
But he had casually passed by her car window was already heading towards the front of her car.
Popping open the hood of her car, she could tell from the noise that he was checking her oil. It was a mere seconds later when he leaned his head sideways, away from the hood, so he could see and talk to her.
"Miss, you might want to come out here," he yelled out, "I'd like to show you the dipstick."
"I bet you do!" Amanda responded irritably as she opened her car door to join him. It was hard, however, to remain upset with him for too long, even with that playful smug expression plastered on his face. There was just something so earnest about him. And if she were to be honest with herself, this was rather fun, in an irritating kind of way; just like the times he popped up unexpectedly in her backyard.
As she stood next to him, he swung around her way in order to present her dipstick, which he had laid out on a oiled-stained rag.
"So what do you think?" he quizzed her, "shall I put a quart in?"
She peered at the oil measuring stick, "I don't think it's necessary. It shows I have more than enough oil!" she insisted.
His smile told her that he approved of her answer, "Seems to me that no one will ever be able to con you into the purchase of oil when you don't need it, will they, Amanda?"
He's not the only one who can be clever, she thought, as she folded her arms.
She corrected him, "The name is Miss...remember?"
He gave a half-bow, and it was rather endearing. She hated that she thought that.
"I stand corrected, Miss, "he graciously conceded.
He then shoved the dipstick back where it belonged.
"So why did you call me out here if I had enough oil?" she wanted to know, "I hope you're not going to tell me that because I didn't buy any oil, I won't be getting a free glass with my fill up," she warned him.
That made the corners of his mouth playfully turn up.
"I wasn't aware that you collected the glasses, Miss, but I can arrange for you to actually have a set of four if you'd like," Lee said, which made Amanda brighten up. She knew Mother would be so pleased if she could bring home an entire set of free glassware.
She unfolded her arms, "Can you really do that, Le-...Sir? Arrange for me to have an entire set?"
"You'd be amazed at what the government is capable of doing, Amanda," Lee told her, "in fact, I've always thought the government is like a gas station: You think you're getting full service, but not only does it end up being self-serve, but you also end up getting some very bad gas!"
Despite herself, Amanda laughed.
"You know, Lee, I'm beginning to think you being a grease monkey suits you perfectly!" she declared, now feeling relaxed. Although she said it in a teasing way, she found the little oil smudge on his cheek rather appealing. Then she blushed for even thinking that.
"Yeah, well, I don't plan on quitting my day job," he admitted, wiping his dirtied hands on the oil stained rag and putting it in his back pocket.
She shook her head in amazement, "First I see you in disguise at a train station, then it's a fast food place, then a grocery store and now a gas station. I think you've covered all the professions by now!"
"You know what they say about me; Jack of all trades, master of all!" he teased.
"Hmmph!" Amanda grunted and now was curious as to why he was here, "For such an elaborate ruse, Lee, you must really need my help."
All playfulness on his face was suddenly wiped away.
"Actually you're right about that, Amanda." he stated in all seriousness, "I do need your help."
Amanda stood taller and her demeanor became solemn, too.
"O-kaay," she nodded, "I'm listening."
"Amanda, I need you to help me get into the Smithsonian," he quickly blurted out.
That didn't sound so hard to her.
"The Smithsonian?" she furrowed her forehead, "You mean, the museum, don't you?"
"Yesss, the museum," he agreed sardonically, "Do you know of any other Smithsonian? Smithsonian Gas Station, perhaps?"
She thinned her lips.
"Being sarcastic will not win points with me, Lee!"
She was right, he thought to himself.
Lee knew at times he should treat Amanda better, but he hated the thought that although he was a world-class spy, he needed the help of a housewife from Arlington. But she was perfect for the job because she had great common sense, and most of all, he could trust her with his discretion.
"Okay, I'm sorry, Amanda," he paused, and then looked very sincere, "Yes, it is the Smithsonian museum we are discussing and I would like your assistance...so will you do it? Help me?"
It was rare that Lee is so nice to her, but still she was cautious. There had to be more to this.
"Let's say I do decide to help you," Amanda cautiously proposed, "in what capacity do I help you get into the Smithsonian? Do you need me to...oh, I don't know...buy you an admissions ticket for you?"
"Not quite," Lee told her, "I could certainly buy my own ticket if I wanted to."
Strange that he didn't go into details and expected her to guess.
"Oh, okay..." she said, thinking again, "then, do you need me to help you get in by posing as your d-" she paused, intending to say the word 'date', but the word got caught in her throat.
"...accomplice," he confirmed quickly, "yes, Amanda, you would be an accomplice in helping me to get me inside the Smithsonian."
"Accomplice," she repeated, feeling relieved, among other emotions, as her eyes glanced down before it met his again, "tell me more on how I will be an accomplice on your mission."
Lee was glad that at least she didn't shoot his idea down.
Suddenly they heard a voice yelling to Lee in the distance and they both turned in the direction of the station's garage area.
"Hey Hector!" the gas station boss yelled out, "Get back to work and leave the lady alone!"
Lee turned back to Amanda, "Maybe I should show my prowess with the ladies and kiss you in front of him."
She gave him a hard, threatening look, "Don't you dare!"
He chuckled and gave her a wink, "I'm teasing, Amanda!"
Turning back towards the garage, he gave a thumbs-up to the boss, "Come on, Lar, let me use my charm here! The ladies love a man in uniform!"
"Hmmph!" Larry grunted disgustedly and pretended to dismiss the comment as he turned and left for the repair garage, although his mouth was curved slightly into a smile.
Amanda now turned her attention back to Lee.
"But, Lee, why would you need my help getting into a museum anyway?"
Here comes the hard part, Lee thought, taking in a deep breath,he had to approach this very delicately.
"Amanda, I need your help because I need to enter the museum... at an unusual time."
Amanda tilted her head, "You mean before it opens?"
"Noooo...quite the opposite, in fact. I need to get in during the dead of the night, maybe around midnight."
Amanda looked puzzled as she pondered his words.
"Is the museum even opened that late?"
Lee shook his head, "Noooo..." and he didn't elaborate; instead, he waited for her to figure it out.
And it didn't take her long, for her face suddenly became expressive.
"Ohhhhh," Amanda's eyes were round with realization, "Lee, are you saying," she looked cautiously about and then leaned over and whispered...you'rebreakinginto the Smithsonian...illegally?"
In a gesture of 'maybe', his head tilted back and forth sideways.
"I wouldn't quite put it that way, Amanda," he stated calmly, "let's just say we'll be doing secret government work quietly at a location we weren't invited to."
She couldn't believe it. The Smithsonian. The largest museum complex in the world. The federal institution that housed such famous artifacts as Edison's light bulb, the Ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and the Hope Diamond. The place known as the "Nation's Attic." That's the place Lee expects to break into illegally? With her help?
Herlaw-abidinghelp?
She searched his face to see if perhaps he was joking, but there was only a questioning interest in her answer. She wanted to say no, but if Lee wanted her to do it, it must be for the good of the Agency; for the good of the United States.
"When?" she asked, trustingly.
Lee let out his breath;he hadn't even realized he had been holding it.
"Soon," he stated with certainty, "very soon."
"Alright," she agreeably said.
This was great; this was fantastic. Lee just knew he could rely on her. Always.
"Thank you, Amanda," he gratefully told her, and then added, "so...is there anything else you need to know from me right now?"
"Yes, there is," she acknowledged,"I just need to know... when will I get the set of free glassware you had promised me?"
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Hello everyone! I've been working on this story for awhile; hope you enjoy Lee and Amanda's lighthearted adventure. I'll try to keep as canon to the show as possible.
Please review
