Disclaimer: Scarecrow and Mrs. King is the property of Shoot the Moon and Warner Bros. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you DeEtta for posting this challenge to write a story containing the phrase, "What else can happen?"

Amanda sat at her desk in the Q Bureau, unable to concentrate on the report that she was attempting to complete. She was determined to catch up with all the clerical work that had accumulated while she'd been out with the flu, but her eyes repeatedly wandered across the office to her husband's empty desk. He'd been sent on a zero contact mission six days earlier and she missed him more with each passing day. I should be with him, wherever he is, watching his back. If I hadn't gotten sick I would be with him; I could be certain that he's safe without depending on Mr. Melrose for reassurance that he's making his check-ins. Amanda twisted the chain around her neck, allowing her fingers to stray down to the wedding set that was hidden under her blouse. As she caressed the rings, her thoughts returned to the conversation that she'd had with her mother that morning.

"Amanda, Dear, are you sure that everything is okay between you and Lee," Dotty questioned as she cleared the boys' breakfast dishes from the table.

"Everything is fine," she replied, while secretly hoping that HE was indeed fine and safe.

"You know I don't mean to pry, but I'm concerned that things between you aren't …progressing as they should be. I'm your mother and when I'm worried about you, I feel the need to speak my mind."

"Trust me, Mother," Amanda inwardly cringed as she began to lie to her mother again, "if I wasn't happy with the state of my relationship with Lee, I'd certainly confide in you."

"I'd like to believe that, but you two have been dating seriously for a long time now and it's only natural for me to expect that you'd both be ready to take the next step yet you haven't. What am I to think?"

"Mother, I think you're making something out of nothing. Lee and I are fine, we're just taking things slowly. There is no reason for you to worry about us." Amanda scrubbed the plate in her hand more vigorously as she tried to reassure her mother.

"Lee hasn't visited the house in over a week, a week during which you were sick, he hasn't even phoned you, has he," Dotty challenged as her eyes bore into her daughter's back. Feeling her mother's gaze, she slowly turned to face her.

"I already told you, Lee is on a business trip, he didn't want to go without me but, he wasn't given a choice. He's traveling to some very remote locations; he'll phone me when he can. I miss him so much; I promise you that as soon as he gets home, you'll be seeing more of him around the house."

"I hope so, dear," an unconvinced Dotty responded as she started to wipe down the kitchen table.

The ringing of the phone brought Amanda back to the present; she sighed and reached for the receiver.

"Hello. Q Bureau, this is Amanda."

"Mrs. King, a courier just delivered an envelope that is addressed to you," Mrs. Marston informed her. "Please come down and get it, thank you." The often brusque Agency gate keeper hung up the phone before Amanda could reply. Still worn out from her bout with the flu, Amanda slowly rose and proceeded to go collect the envelope that she hadn't been expecting. As she took the parcel from Mrs. Marston, instinct told her that despite being curious to discover what it contained, it might be wiser to open it in private. She noted that the envelope, which had been typed, was addressed merely to 'Amanda King' and had no return address. After trudging back up to her desk, she carefully opened the envelope, and pulled out two pages. Mild trepidation turned to delight, as she recognized Lee's familiar scrawl, and began to read his message.

Amanda,
I miss you so much and I've been worried about you. I would have gone crazy if Billy hadn't told me that you were feeling better and had come back to work. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there to take care of you the way a good…hell; I can't even write what I want to say.

This business stinks sometimes…I can see you raising your eye brow as you consider the ruder words I might have used before you reformed me. But I digress, I need you to do me a favor, you're the only person I trust completely. I've arranged for you to meet with someone tonight, he's a little skittish, but he has something urgent to discuss with you. I can't say more now; you'll understand when you get there. Please follow the driving instructions that I've enclosed, ask for Mr. Stevens when you get to the destination, and then do what he tells you to.
Lee
Amanda read the brief note a second time, glanced at the driving directions, and stuffed them both back into the envelope. She grabbed her shoulder bag, locked up the office, and descended the staircase again. Handing her Agency ID back to Mrs. Marston, she explained that she had an appointment to keep, and quickly left the foyer before she could be questioned.

Several hours later, as the sun was setting, Amanda pulled into the parking lot of a quaint inn that was tucked into the Virginia countryside. It was a beautiful building, surrounded by endless well manicured grounds, yet there were few cars parked in the lot. The path that led to the lobby was lined by lanterns that began to glow as Amanda walked past them. She approached the front desk, where an elderly man was clearly waiting for her.

"Mrs. King?" She nodded affirmatively.

"I'm Mr. Stevens, I was asked to give you this as soon as you arrived." He reached behind the counter and withdrew a garment bag. "Mr. Stetson rented a room for you to change clothes in. He asks that you put on this dress and then return to the desk for the rest of your instructions. May I show you to your room now?"

"No, thank you; please give me the room key, I'll find my own way." Amanda took the key he proffered, and walked away briskly. I trust Lee completely but this is turning into one of those days when I can't help wondering WHAT ELSE CAN HAPPEN?