Kelly's Journey Continues

Chapter 1

It was three years ago that Saturday that Kelly officially joined the King/Stetson household and the family was excited to spend the day with her celebrating.

But once again true to form, the Agency interrupted their plans!

As Lee and Amanda drove to the Agency that morning Lee grumbled, "C'mon! They still have single agents there, don't they? Why do they need us?"

Amanda tried soothing Lee's ruffled feathers by replying, "Sweetheart. Francine's still in Montreal, remember? Besides, they did give us two weeks off for our honeymoon finally after the Colonel had finished his rehab and recovery at the house two months later."

Lee smiled and nodded as he remembered the idyllic getaway to the Bahamas remarking, "Yeah, I know. It just seemed to take forever for the Colonel to be able to go back on his own to the base. What shocked me was the doctor actually talking the man into a recreational activity to lower his stress levels. And golf, no less. He actually took to it which amazed me because the man has no patience."

Amanda smiled responding, "And to think you two actually bonded over that first game."

Lee chuckled as he shook his head and commented, "Honey, I wouldn't call it bonding exactly. I was just doing it to humor the old man. It did help him, I guess."

Amanda asked, "Well, what about you? You needed something to unwind with, too. I mean, look. Here you were, a full-time agent. You had me as your partner and then new wife. Then you also had two new stepsons, a mother in-law, and your daughter who you at last had time to bond with. But I'd say golf helped you relax also, right?"

As they at last pulled into the Agency parking lot Lee parked and answered, "I had much better ways to relax if you know what I mean-"

Amanda blushed getting out of the car commenting, "Yes, I know what you mean. But it was important for the Colonel's recovery."

Lee getting out replied, "Oh, yeah. His stress levels were fine later but what about mine, Dear? You invite the man for dinner after he and I already spent twelve hours out on the course that first day!"

Amanda responded, "Oh, c'mon! It wasn't that bad. He did offer to babysit sometimes if we wanted to go out any evening, didn't he? It was very nice of him-"

Lee nodded replying, "Oh, yeah. It was. But just wait until he has Kelly go through room inspections-"

Amanda giggled stating, "Oh, no! I'm in charge of that. I already told him so. But he did give me tips on how to make the beds so you could bounce quarters off them."

Lee sighed as they walked to the Agency entrance. Holding the door open for his wife he responded, "Great. So you'll both be brainwashed. Can't wait."

Amanda went ahead of him as they entered laughing and she remarked, "Okay, so you needed a little break from him. I get it."

Lee answered drily, "Yeah. A beer break. Not a Barbie break with Kelly that night!"

Amanda smiled and replied, "Well, the boys had played with her all day and they had dinner plans with Joe that night. She just missed you, that's all."

They greeted Mrs. Marston and gave the password. Getting their badges and putting them on they headed for the elevator to go down to see Billy.

As they headed down Amanda stated, "Maybe we won't be here that long and we can go ahead with our plans for lunch and a movie with her after all. That'll be nice, right?"

Lee nodded and commented, "Sure. But on that note. I do not wish to go see "The Great Mouse Detective" after dealing with spies all day, you know?"

Amanda sighed as they exited the elevator and headed for Billy's office remarking testily, "Fine! Mother and I will rent "Cinderella" and you can go out and do whatever you want-"

Lee groaned and answered, "That's not what I meant-"

Billy saw them from inside his office and waved them in. As they entered he noticed the peturbed looks on both their faces and thought, Oh, no! I don't need any squabbling today! Hopefully, we can get this assignment over by lunch.

Billy cleared his throat and asked, "Everything all right?"

Lee and Amanda sat nodding and Billy remarked, "Fine. Well, we have to send you both to the Beacon. Scarecrow, you are to meet a Sam Young at the bar area who will slip you some vital information for the Pentagon that you will then hand off to Jeffreys and he will take it from there. Amanda, you will be a reviewer for the Times who is there to check out the brunch menu and recommend to the manager what works and what doesn't. Questions?"

Amanda shook her head and responded, "Francine would be better at this one but I'll do my best, Sir."

Billy nodded smiling and commented, "Fine. Lee?"

Lee shrugged answering, " As long as it doesn't interfere with our plans with Kelly today, I'm all for it."

Billy nodded and stated, "That's right. The anniversary."

Amanda smiled and nodded replied, "Yes, Sir. Three years ago today she was officially adopted. We're taking her to lunch and a movie and then having a family dinner later tonight."

Lee grinned at Billy remarking, "She's getting to be a big girl now. She has requested calamari and shrimp with linguini-"

Amanda answered quickly, "Oh no, Honey. That's changed."

Lee sighed and looked at her querying, "Oh? She changed her mind again? It's the third time this week. What does she want now?"

Amanda smirked and commented, "Subs and milkshakes. With the subs containing scrambled eggs and bacon-"

Lee screwed up his face and shook his head stating, "Ugh! Then she definitely is not my kid! Breakfast for dinner? She knows I don't eat-"

Amanda remarked quietly, "Then you order pizza because the rest of us are having subs! And when she asks why you aren't having them, you can be the party pooper and hurt her feelings!"

Getting up she asked Billy, "I'm Angela Keene for this?"

Billy nodded and Amanda headed for the door commenting to Lee, "I'm taking a cab to the Beacon. Don't be late getting there."

She left and Lee shook his head stating to Billy, "What is it with wives? Every little thing sets them off!"

Billy laughed and answered, "Get going, Scarecrow. And have fun."

Lee headed down alone in the elevator muttering, "Fun, he says. With my partner/wife not speaking to me? Oh, yeah. Should be a blast."

When Lee arrived he went to the bar and ordered a scotch. He noticed Amanda seated in the lounge area already in her cover mode so he began his mode and observed people coming and going from the place as he waited for this Sam Young person.

Looking at his watch he frowned as he noticed the patrons who hung around waiting for their drinks. It would've been nice if Billy had a description of the guy he was supposed to meet.

Suddenly a redheaded woman jostled him and he went to steady her as her purse went to the ground!

She apologized and as he bent down to help her she quietly queried, "Stetson? I'm Young. Here..."

She passed him the information and he nodded and helped her up asking, "You're sure you're okay?"

The woman nodded and as a guise kissed him on the cheek stating, "Thanks a lot."

She was instantly gone and Lee got to the hostess desk and managed to slip the information to Jeffreys who left immediately!

Lee sighed thinking, That was easy. Now to get Amanda so we can leave.

But as he went back to the bar area and looked around for her she was gone!

The bartender then asked, "Lee Stedman?"

Lee nodded and commented, "Yes?"

The bartender handed him an envelope stating softly, "There was a restaurant critic in here a few minutes ago who is highly recommending the food here and was sorry she missed you. The manager was giving free dinner for two vouchers and she didn't have a use for hers so she thought you'd care to have it for you and your date some evening."

Lee cleared his throat and nodded answering, "Yeah? Thank you. Oh, here..."

He gave him money for the drink as well as a tip and remarked, "Have a good afternoon. Bye now."

He left the Beacon and got into his car and opened the envelope. Inside was a voucher and a note. It said:

"I thought I knew about all your old girlfriends. Guess I was wrong. See you back at the office. Amanda."

Lee shook his head as he started the car. Great, he thought. Just great! She probably saw the woman giving me a kiss and of course, misunderstood!

Pulling away from the curb outside Beacon's he growled, " She wasn't an old girlfriend! Geez! Can this day get any better?!"