Disclaimer: The characters in this story are from Scarecrow and Mrs. King and do not belong to me. All material is fictional.
Explanation: This is my first attempt at fanfiction. I want to thank the authors on this site for their outstanding SMK stories. They have inspired me to start writing some fanfiction of my own. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
Amanda King could feel the excitement at the Agency. She curiously watched the employees at the agency scurry about, swiftly getting ready for the big meeting in Billy's office.
It wasn't just an ordinary meeting. A top ranking agent, Special Agent Jack Jerken, had arrived at the agency to discuss an important case. Agent Jerken was a top official, one of the highest ranking agents in the nation.
As Amanda was working on some expense reports, she noticed a silence descend upon the Agency. She looked up to see a very tall man stride into the bull pen. His face had a hardness to it, and he was wearing an impeccable suit. His eyes wandered around the room, and as he looked at his fellow agents, he caught sight of Amanda sitting at the desk. He focused on Amanda and smiled.
Amanda did not know why, but she felt uncomfortable immediately upon seeing the tall agent. His eyes were not only hard, but she found them to be cold. When he smiled at her, it looked to her like it was almost a snarl.
As Amanda stood up, she immediately sensed a warmth from behind her. She knew that Lee was there even before she saw him.
"Good morning, Amanda," Lee greeted her. He gave her a gentle smile and placed his hand in the small of her back. Lee had immediately noticed whom Agent Jerken was smiling at, and Lee spared no time in throwing a dark glare his way. The two agents gave each other fierce looks from across the bull pen.
Lee knew quite a bit about the visiting agent. Jerken was a top agent, the best in the business. However, he was callous and cold. He did whatever was needed to complete an assignment, even if innocent lives got hurt in the process. Lee didn't trust Jerken at all, and just seeing Jerken look at Amanda made Lee's jaw muscle spasm.
"Hi, Lee," Amanda gave him a beaming smile. Her previous feelings of discomfort began to fade as her body relaxed with Lee's hand on her back.
"Can you feel all of the excitement today, Lee?" she began eagerly. "An agent just arrived about some sort of big case. He's supposed to be a top agent," Amanda paused for a second before adding, "But I'm sure he's nowhere near a top agent like you." She gave Lee a smile.
"Thanks, Amanda," Lee grinned at her.
"I wonder what can be so important," she added, her curiosity shining through.
"Believe me, Amanda, I know a bit about this case, and you don't want any part of it," Lee gently said, his hazel eyes softening as they found their way to Amanda. Lee let out a sigh and shook his head.
"Is everything alright?" Amanda asked as she glanced at Jerken. The angry glare that she saw Lee give him made her feel like Jerken was on the most wanted list!
"Yes, Amanda," Lee answered, blocking Jerken's line of sight by placing himself in the way. "It's just that I know Jerken over there. I worked with him on a case years back. Some good agents lost their lives because of that guy." Lee ran his hand through his hair and gave Amanda's hand a gentle squeeze.
"The meeting is about to start," Lee stated. "I'll be back afterwards. Want to join me for lunch later today?" Lee found that he was looking for ways to spend more and more time with Amanda. When he was with her, he felt very comfortable and happy. Just being with her gave him a profound feeling of contentment, a feeling that he had never really experienced before. Lee gave Amanda one of his dashing smiles.
Amanda felt her heart beat a bit faster. "Sure, Lee," Amanda crooned. "I'd love that." She gently touched Lee's sleeve, and then she sat down and went back to her reports.
Lee strode into Billy's office just as the meeting started, but his mind was still on Amanda. His previous feelings of happiness and contentment were quickly replaced with annoyance at the sight of Agent Jerken.
Lee remembered how the hungry eyes of Agent Jerken watched Amanda from across the room. Who did that guy think he was? The baboon just arrived at the agency, and the first thing he did was stare at Amanda like she was a piece of meat. Lee's jaw muscle stuck out as he watched Agent Jerken in the room.
After everybody was seated, Billy stood up. "Listen up, people. Your complete attention will be given to Special Agent Jack Jerken. We have specific instructions from our superiors in D.C. We are to assist him in every way possible."
Jerken raised his tall frame and declared, "I am here to stop one of the biggest terrorist organizations in this country." Jerken's eyes penetrated every person in the room. "While I am at this agency, I will be the senior operative. All of you will be taking orders from me." His eyes were piercing, and his deep voice was unquestionable.
"I will assign different groups to get information and perform surveillance on Carlos Rondo," Jerken continued. He pointed at a picture of a hairy man on the wall. "Rondo is the suspected leader of the terrorist organization. I will assign an agent to accompany me as I go undercover into Rondo's operation." He gave a smug look at Lee. "That agent will be Amanda King."
Lee and Francine audibly gasped, and Lee instantly stood on his feet. "Excuse me!" Lee exclaimed angrily, "but Mrs. King is not an agent. She is a civilian. She is not equipped for this kind of assignment." Lee's voice was strong and loud. His eyes were blazing with fire, and he looked like he was going to leap over the desk at the senior agent.
"I have the highest rank in this agency," Jerken straightened up to his full height. He towered over Lee as he bit out, "This agency will follow my orders."
Lee balled his hands into fists and began walking towards Jerken. There was no way he was going to let Amanda partner up with this bozo. "No way," Lee ground out. "I don't care what your rank is. You are not bringing Amanda into this operation, you stinking..."
"Agent Jerken," Billy interrupted and stood up. He had developed a huge headache and was hoping to diffuse an obviously explosive situation. Billy knew how protective Lee was of Amanda, and even he agreed that this assignment would be too dangerous for Amanda. "May I ask why Mrs. King? Her role at the agency is that of a civilian. Her field experience is limited."
"My sources tell me that Amanda King is well organized and follows directions," Jerken answered while turning his attention toward the red-faced Scarecrow. "That is all that I need for her to be my... assistant."
"What?!" Lee shot out. "That's crazy! You want to bring Amanda inside Rondo's operation just because she is organized? I don't think so, buddy!" Lee barked out. Lee thrust out his hand and grabbed Jerken's suit. He twisted his suit and shoved Jerken against the wall.
All the agents in the room watched in horror and excitement as the barely-controlled Agent Scarecrow bared his teeth at Jerken. In response, Jerken grabbed Scarecrow's arm and twisted it violently. Lee was about to give Jerken a massive right hook when Billy appeared between the two, shoving them apart from one another.
"Stetson!" Billy roared. "Sit down! Now!"
"I have full authority to have you fired!" Jerken spat at Lee.
"I'd like to see you try, you..." Lee growled, the veins in his neck popping out.
"People!" Billy shouted. "Enough! Behave like professionals." Billy's voice was absolute. He was not to be argued with.
Francine cleared her throat, "Agent Jerken, I would be more than happy to replace Mrs. King in this assignment. Most of her experience is as a housewife, but as for me, I am very qualified..."
"My decision is final," Jerken declared. His cold, handsome eyes prompted Francine to sit back down.
Billy knew that Lee had mega-problems with Jerken, and he knew that Lee would never let Amanda partner up with him. Billy gave Jerken another suggestion. "Agent Jerken, since you have chosen Mrs. King to accompany you on this assignment, have Scarecrow come too. Scarecrow is knowledgeable about the case and can help."
"I do not need and will never need the help of..." Jerken started before he was interrupted by Billy.
"If I have to, I can involve your superiors about this. This can become very messy if I have to go over your head," Billy threatened with a voice full of authority. Jerken closed his eyes for a mere second before he made his decision. He did not want to have to explain himself to his supervisors in D.C.
"Very well, Melrose," Agent Jerken nodded slowly. "I can manage to find something useful for Scarecrow to do."
TBC
