A/N - This is strictly an AU story. It is meant to be a humorous look at our heroes as if they were part of a Soap Opera. The characters are definitely doing things that I wouldn't expect them to do. I meant it that way. I have not lost my mind just temporarily misplaced it. Thank you for Taya for suggesting the concept so many months ago. Also thank you to my partners in crime that keep me honest and grammatically correct. Don't know where I would be without you! All feedback is appreciated and welcomed.
Disclaimer: "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" is copyrighted to Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. The plot is mine, but not the characters. This story is meant for enjoyment purposes only. No infringement is intended.
Lee Stetson, suave, sophisticated and smooth, sauntered into the bullpen casually searching the room, not quite sure what he was looking for, but felt he would know it once he saw it. As he looked towards his boss' office, he noted that Billy was already engrossed in paperwork. lEE felt that whatever had his superior's rapt attention was soon going to be his problem. He didn't want that. He was hoping for some downtime this weekend, to do what, he wasn't sure but wasn't that what being young, good-looking and single was all about? Turning abruptly in hopes of avoiding Billy's attention, he did not notice the beautiful Mrs. King standing so close behind him. How could he have missed her intoxicating scent? The same scent had invaded his dreams nightly.
Reaching out a hand to steady her, he apologized. "Amanda, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." The moment his fingers wrapped around her forearm, he felt an electric shock radiate through his whole being. Seeing the look in her eyes and the sudden blush rising across her sun kissed face, he knew the simple touch had had an effect on her also.
"Lee, I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have been standing so close." She hoped the tremble in her voice didn't betray her true feelings for the man that had become her heart over the past two years. I couldn't help getting close to you, my love. She thought. It's like a magnetic force that pulls me toward you. My loins ache for your touch.
Not wanting to break contact, Lee ran his hand up and down her arm, acting as if his very touch would magically heal the redness that he had caused when he had grabbed her. "Amanda, I would really like to avoid Billy for the next few hours. I have a three-day weekend planned and don't want to get pulled into a case on a Friday afternoon, so would you have lunch with me? I can tell Billy that we're running down a tip from one of my sources on something big that's possibly going to happen. When we get back this afternoon, I can say it had no merit and leave for my weekend." Lee looked deeply into Amanda's eyes. Would she accept his tale on face value or would she see right through him? How could she not see the longing in his eyes? He thought that everyone could.
"A long weekend planned, huh? Who is it this time, Stephanie from Accounting or Taffi, the cute young blonde from Requisition?" she asked, as she stepped back to break his hold on her. Not only the physical hold that he had, but the metaphysical one that she hoped he never realized. Amanda despised the jealousy that raged inside her at the thought of Lee spending a weekend in some hussy's arms, well, not just her arms but her being.
"Actually, Amanda..." Lee stepped forward, now only a hair's breadth away from his desire, "I have no actual plans, just a relaxing weekend. Maybe sit by the fire and read."
"Hhhhmmmphf," she scowled, "Like I believe that. The amazing Scarecrow, alone for a long weekend reading, as if."
Hurt evident on his face, Lee took a step back ready to defend himself when Billy's large voice echoed through the hallways across most of the floor. "Scarecrow, my office! This instant!" He stood staring Lee down until he had the younger man's full attention, "and you should join us too, Mrs. King, as this most definitely pertains to you."
All eyes were suddenly cast on the pair, who slowly turned away from each other and towards Billy's office. Lee reached out his hand to lay it on the small of her back and usher her to their doom, but pulled back before he made contact, as he remembered her stinging words uttered mere moments before.
Amanda took her usual seat while Lee immediately started to pace. He was not sure why he was so agitated but just had a feeling that whatever Billy was going to tell them next was going to affect both their lives.
"Lee settle down, Man, you're acting as bad as Francine did when I sent her into that convent for a month to track down those gun runners."
"Sorry, Billy." Lee flopped into the empty chair and continued. "What's going on that will take me away from my long weekend of relaxation?"
"You mean your weekend of debauchery," Amanda mumbled.
Lee shot her a dirty look and was about to reply when Billy interrupted. "Now children, I need your attention." Once both sets of eyes were focused on him, he continued. "There was a credible threat to Senator Matthew Jackson from Tennessee. He is afraid for his wife so he has asked the President for protection. He and his wife, Ruth are hosting a charity event for the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital tomorrow night in Nashville. I want you on a plane in three hours."
"But Billy, can't someone else go? I have plans." Lee begged while his mind wandered to thoughts of being with Amanda for the whole weekend. Hhhhhmmm, I wonder if we'll be playing husband and wife. I would love some playtime with my 'wife'.
"Can it, Scarecrow, the President asked for you personally."
"The President knows my name?" Lee straightened in his chair at the thought of being so important that the President knew who he was.
"Not your name but your reputation, your professional reputation." Billy gave Lee a knowing stare. "He has also heard of your reputation Amanda for thinking outside of the box and thought you would be perfect for this assignment." Billy smiled at the housewife-turned-spy.
"Thank you, Sir. I will try my best." Amanda couldn't help the huge smile that crossed her face. The President of the United States had heard of her unorthodox methods and asked for her assistance.
"I know you will, Amanda." Billy watched as Amanda seemed to glow.
"Okay, Billy, if you are determined to ruin my LONG weekend, what are the details of the assignment and our covers?" Lee acted agitated hoping to cover his excitement of spending the weekend with Amanda.
"Well, Lee," Billy gave him the look that said 'shut up and let me continue'. "You and Amanda will fly to Nashville and stay with Senator and Mrs. Jackson in their mansion. Your cover will be as Rick and Ashley Middleton, an environmental attorney and museum curator and Ruth's cousin and cousin-in-law. The only ones who will know that you are not Rick and Ashley are the Jacksons."
"Sir, won't their friends and acquaintances know the Middletons already? I mean, if they're related, they must have been around."
"Good question, Amanda. Ashley has been living in Australia since she went there her junior year in college and fell in love with Rick who was born there. Nobody has seen Ashley since then and Rick has never been to the States though he spent most of his years travelling and in boarding schools."
Amanda started to laugh. "Lee, how's your Australian accent, Mate?"
"Better than yours." Lee stuck his tongue out.
"Child," Amanda mumbled just loud enough for Lee to hear.
"Okay, both of you, here is the file with all the information on the threats. Head to Fabrications and get your ID packages. They should be all ready for you. Oh, and play nice, the President wants daily reports." Billy handed Lee the file and returned his attention to the morning briefing reports indicating that this meeting was over.