Buried Feelings

Chapter One

Billy was on the phone when he saw Amanda at the door. He waved her in and motioned for her to sit down.

"Right... I understand perfectly sir. Well, I agree something has to be done. " He nodded and shrugged, "All right. Well, Mrs. King is here right now. No... Scarecrow isn't due in until later."

After a few more uh-huh's, Billy said, "Well, everything is arranged- she sent her family on ahead, so that won't be a problem, sir. Right. Well, I'll get to work then and call you back. "

Hanging up, he looked at Amanda. "You all ready to go. ? "

Amanda sighed, "Yes sir, but that bomb that went off last night at the store-how much danger could I be in ? Shouldn't we tell Lee at least ? "

Billy thought quickly saying to himself, "This will take a miracle. " Getting back to Amanda he said, " The President feels this should be under wraps for now. We don't want anyone getting suspicious. I'll let Lee in on it when you're safely on your way to your final destination. "

Amanda nodded, "Yes sir. It's just that this was so sudden. All I could tell my family was that they had to pack and that IFF was taking them to the airport and I would see them later. Will they be safe sir ? "

Billy said, " Of course, dear. Now, here is your relocation packet-you'll study it on the plane. "

As he handed it to her, Lee stormed in! "Billy! What the hell's going on here?! You're sending my partner out of town after what happened last night? ! "

Billy sighed, "Scarecrow, calm down! We had to do it this way! If Eagles finds her alive, you know they'll go after her again! "

Lee shook his head. "Karl Eagles? I thought he was in jail! "

Billy nodded. "He was- until he had a heart scare last week. Apparently, it was an angina attack. They gave him medication for it. Then the warden arranged for his release on the good behavior clause. "

Lee groaned, "I don't believe this is happening! "

Amanda put a hand on Lee's arm. " We didn't want you to worry. Everything's been taken care of. My family's been sent on ahead. I'll be fine, Lee. "

Lee shook his head trying to calm himself. He said, "I'm sorry, Amanda. It's just that... when that part of the building blew up, I thought-."

Amanda got up and went to his arms. "I know. But Francine got me out. I stayed at her place last night- she said they'd be watching my house. "

Lee held her gently. "I'm glad you were safe. "

Billy cleared his throat. He said getting up from his chair, "I'd better check on your transportation upst-uh, downstairs. I'll be back. "

When he left, Lee let go of Amanda and went to close the blinds. They didn't need an audience.

Amanda looked at Lee strangely. What was he doing ? Did he not want her to leave? She knew she didn't want that, but he never once let her think otherwise.

For almost two and a half years now, they'd been working alongside each other slowly becoming friends. But she knew it was purely a fantasy that she could ever be with someone like him- with this career!

She never thought she'd have to leave Arlington and her friends behind. Her relatives in Maine and Vermont still didn't know that they wouldn't see her or her family again, but Billy arranged for her to visit them before going to her final destination.

As Lee turned towards her again Amanda said, "What's wrong, Lee? Please tell me. "

Lee brushed off her concern by saying, " Did you get everything squared away here ? Anything else you need ? What about your house ? "

Amanda shook her head. Typical Lee. Not opening up. She said quietly, " My ex-husband Joe has the house now- he's gonna get someone to fix M-Mother's garden. "

Lee remembered all the times he'd trampled it and swallowed hard saying, " Gee, I'm sure sorry about that Amanda but with this job you know I couldn't use the front door. "

Amanda felt tears come to her eyes and turned away from him. He so hated tears! "W-Why not ? Billy did it when Magda came to the house. You remember when Mother had that terrible cold and she kept wanting to come downstairs? "

Lee swallowed hard, "Yeah and we all got the cold-even Magda! "

Just then, Billy came in and Lee and Amanda pretended things were normal between them. Billy looked at them and shook his head. this plan of his just had to work! There was so much more they had to say to one another!

Billy's plan was that they would pretend to relocate Amanda so that would shake them up enough to admit their true feelings for one another.

The arguments they'd had lately had been getting more frequent- especially the one last week when they were on a case at the Capitol.

Somehow the President got wind of it and ordered Billy to get his people under control and back to business!

Billy said to Amanda, "All right. There's a car waiting downstairs to take you to the airport. "

Looking at Lee he said, "You're free to go along, Scarecrow. "

Lee sarcastically said, "Gee thanks, Billy! Guess you'll let me say goodbye to her in the car, huh ? That's big of you! "

Billy glared at the younger agent. " I'd watch the attitude, or I'll make Fred your new partner..."

Lee blanched! "Okay, okay, sheesh! "

As they all walked to the elevator, Amanda giggled and said to Billy, "How do you do that ? "

Billy winked at her. "It's a gift. "

As they all made their way to the car, Billy said, "Well, this is where I leave you, dear. I have a meeting. Scarecrow will take you the rest of the way. "

Amanda swallowed hard. Saying goodbye to this man wasn't easy. William Melrose had been like a second father to her. She kissed his cheek and said, "Thank you for keeping me and my family safe all this time. I'll miss you all. "

Billy sighed and said, "Yes well, you'd better go now. Take care, dear. "

Lee helped Amanda into the back and then got in himself and they were off. Lee thought as they were enroute to the airport that there was something fishy about this relocation, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

He looked at Amanda who looked like she lost her best friend. She in a sense had. Her entire life had to begin again when she got to where they were sending her.

Damn, he thought. Why couldn't he have been the one to relocate? After all, he was used to moving to different places. It wouldn't have bothered him in the least. But she literally spent her entire life in Virginia. She had ties there. It wasn't fair.

Shaking his head, he said, "It doesn't make sense. "

Amanda said, "What doesn't, Lee ? "

Lee smiled and patted her hand. "Nothing. Don't worry about it. "

It would be a long car ride back alone if he couldn't figure this out.

TBC