A month earlier…
She had just walked through the door when the phone rang, Amanda looking at her phone… and her eyes widening before she answered it.
"I haven't heard from you in years…" Amanda said.
"This ain't time for catching up, babydoll, I need your help!" AJ whispered once he was sure no one else could hear him.
"Where are you?" Amanda asked.
"Where else would I be… remember that old tree I used to find you under after a bad day?" AJ questioned.
"Still there too…" Amanda answered as she grabbed her keys. "You need to tell me what the hell you've done." She said.
"I will…" AJ said before they hung up and he walked over to Eva as well as the agents.
He said a tearful goodbye to her, pretended to go peacefully… and then ran for it.
In the park once he had reached it, AJ saw a black Chevy Equinox and the petite brunette in it before he ran over, jumping into the passenger seat.
Amanda sped off as AJ buckled up, AJ hanging onto the seat.
"Your driving hasn't changed, Mandy!" AJ quipped, emphasising his Southern accent.
"Don't be a smartass right now, AJ!" Amanda said.
Outside the city limits and into Southampton, Amanda led AJ to a villa style house and the two walked into it after Amanda had shut the car off and locked it.
"It's beautiful here…" AJ said after the door was locked and the lights were flipped on.
"One can only take the loudness of the city for too long…" Amanda said quietly before pulling the curtains closed and turning to AJ. "Start talking. Why are you being hunted by the feds?" She questioned, her arms folded in front of her.
So AJ got her to sit down before he sat down next to her… and started explaining everything. By the time he got to the part of Brock going and murdering Alberto as well as Alberto's mother, Amanda felt sick to her stomach and turned away.
"I swear I had no way of knowing he would do that… Mandy, please tell me you-" AJ said.
"Believe you?" Amanda finished, looking at him. "You better sort this out, AJ… cause if you don't and he shows up here, I can't guarantee he won't kill both of us." She said before she stood up, AJ standing up and lightly rubbing her right shoulder.
"I will… I promise." AJ responded before carefully taking Amanda into his arms, the two hugging.
After they let go, AJ found one of the guest rooms while Amanda had gone to her own room. Amanda got ready for bed after a shower and pulled the covers back and sat down… but she couldn't sleep.
Her phone rang and she saw that it was Finn… the two hadn't lost touch but lately he had been hard to get a hold of and that wasn't like him.
"Hey…" Amanda said after answering the phone.
"You sound terrible, lass." Finn said, easily able to tell that Amanda had been crying.
"He's here, Finn… I know what's happened." Amanda responded quietly.
"Damn it! I am so sorry he dragged you into this, Mandy. You need anything else, you let me know." Finn said.
"Wait, what about your son?" Amanda asked.
"I think he'd love to meet you… don't worry and just try to keep AJ calmed." Finn answered.
"I'll try… you all be careful over there." Amanda said before the two hung up.
Amanda settled into the bed and pulled the covers over her, closing her tired eyes and drifting off into a much needed sleep…
Present time…
Early chilly mornings were something that she was used to, she liked the way the snow fell onto the deck outside… but something about today just felt off.
Amanda sat up and swung her legs over the bed, standing up… her phone wasn't on the bedside table like it usually was.
She readjusted her long sleeved henley style shirt and headed out into the living room, AJ abruptly standing up and blue eyes narrowed in rage.
"Lot of calls… can't keep your mouth shut, huh?!" AJ growled.
"AJ, it's not-" Amanda started to say.
"Not what I think, huh?! We haven't seen each other in years, I have no idea who you've kept in touch with! You really should've-" AJ shouts.
"Should've what?! I can't keep in contact with old friends?! What I should've done is hung up that damn phone the night you called!" Amanda snapped, AJ backing up and Amanda pinching the bridge of her nose. "I can't do this anymore… you need to leave." She said before she turned to go get ready for her day.
AJ grabbed her by her left arm and Amanda turned and punched him, forcing him to let her go… but it was only for seconds as AJ grabbed her again and shoved her into the wall.
Amanda's head hit it hard and she fell to the floor… horrified at his actions and thinking she was already dead, AJ took the keys and fled the house.
Stopping the car, Finn was about to call Becky and tell her he would be back soon but he saw AJ get into Amanda's Equinox and drive off… and that horrible feeling hit him.
He got out and ran up the cobblestone path, running into the house and over to the small brunette on the floor before pressing a towel to the wound on the back of her head and dialing 911.
Memories of losing Paige were hitting him hard… he didn't want to lose anyone else.