Disclaimer - "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" are copyrighted to Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. This story is for entertainment only. I will not make any money off it but do hope that at least some people will enjoy it. The Characters are not mine, I only took them out to play with them for a while so they could help me tell the story. All the credit goes to Bruce and Kate and their wonderful supporting staff for portraying these wonderful characters so well that so many of us still love them so much today. The additional characters and this story are mine.

A/N - So if you follow the aired order, the next episode is "Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth" Since they are showing a Thanksgiving Play, it means that Halloween has already passed by the time we get to that episode. I thought about making the last "In Between" story include Halloween but it was just too hard since there was still a story to tell about the Bus and destroying the town so I have decided to include it in this one. I realize that it is likely taking a few time liberties but we all know that the writers didn't exactly make sense with timing anyway since it doesn't look much like fall outside. I always thought it silly that SMK never included Halloween in any part of its episodes so of course my "In Between" Series has to make up for that. Enjoy!

Sorry it took so long but story is now complete! Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1 - A New Assignment

Setting: Lee is still in Arizona after delivering the Bus to the Proving Grounds and destroying the town. Amanda has left to fly back home.

After Amanda left, Lee was still trying to figure out what happened. He had felt the need to talk to Amanda about their final night together when things had become a little more intense between the two of them but the conversation hadn't gone as he had planned. Amanda seemed to make fun of him as he was trying to have a serious talk about what had happened. The woman totally confused him. How did a housewife from Arlington get under his skin so well. When he had suggested that they go out dancing on that final night, he hadn't expected his body to react to being so close to her. Lee had been with many women over the years and he very much enjoyed the time he spent with each of them but there was something different about Amanda. He had done his best the rest of the night to keep the mood light and carefree but then when they got back to their room, they had to face sleeping in the same bed together. Lee had slept in the same bed with other female agents before and there had been no real issue. He knew that Amanda was not one to have a one night fling so he had done everything he could to make her feel secure including putting a blanket barrier between the two of them. She reluctantly agreed to this and they both had gone to bed on their own sides. Lee woke up the next morning to find that his side had been invaded. Not only was Amanda's leg snugly over his legs but her head was on his chest and it felt right for it to be there. Lee definitely did not expect any of that and he knew Amanda would be embarrassed if she realized how close she had gotten during the night. He wasn't sure if he had woke her as he slowly got out of bed and lifted her back to her side. All of this needed to be discussed though. He didn't want this to be something that came between them just in case Billy insisted that she keep working with him. He was actually beginning to enjoy having her around, well at least sometimes. The long trip to Arizona had allowed them both some time to get to know each other and he was starting to understand why other men were drawn to her.

Lee realized it was getting late and Billy would be expecting him so he could brief him on his next assignment. Lee went to the front gate and asked to be driven to the hotel. When he arrived there, he found Billy in the lobby reading a magazine and waiting for him. "I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost. Where have you been Scarecrow?"

"Oh you know, I had to see Amanda off and then do some final things at the Proving Ground. So can we talk about my next assignment so I can head for home?"

"Sure, let's go to my room and we can order some room service and talk."

Billy led Lee to his room and they ordered sandwiches and then sat down to talk.

"Lee, I just want you to know that I think you and Amanda did a bang up job with the Bus. I heard nothing but praise for the incredible demonstration that you put on too. I know it made the agency look very good. How was the trip out with Amanda? Did you two get along okay?"

"Awww, Billy, you know how it is?"

"No, how is it Lee?"

"Well Amanda is Amanda. She can be so frustrating one moment and yet she is the kindest person I have ever met so you can't even stay mad at her. She really loves those sons of hers too. She talked about them a lot. I think she is just good with kids' period."

"Well I'm glad it is all working out. Have you forgiven me yet for making you work with her?"

Lee laughed and said "She has her moments but she keeps my reports all caught up, so that's a plus."

"Good. Well let's get down to business. Just as we were preparing to come to Arizona, we got a call from an employee at the ACM Plant. They are in the process of launching a new Surveillance Satellite that will be a huge benefit to our country. It seems though that there might already be some trouble as she found out that one of her co-workers was recently caught in the Project's room where he didn't have security to go and there is some concern that he has stolen information to sell to the KGB. I need you to go back to DC and head up an investigation to see how much he knows and what he intends to do with it. Our flight leaves at 4am so I would suggest you go to bed early and get some sleep and then we'll head over to the airport together around 2am. Okay?"

"Sounds okay to me Billy."

Lee went to his room next door and attempted to sleep but found his mind still playing over and over the exchange that he and Amanda had just before she left. It was like she was mocking him and calling him out on his explanation of the closeness they had shared that last night. Was she really mocking him? After laying on his back, looking at the ceiling for a second hour, Lee finally got up, packed his bags and spent the next 3 hours flipping through magazines. When it was time to meet Billy and check out, he opened his door and stepped out into the hallway at the same time Billy did. Billy's first words were "Scarecrow, you look like hell, didn't you sleep at all?"

"No, not too much. I'll sleep on the plane."

They checked out of the hotel and made their way to the airport. After boarding the plane, Lee took the window seat and Billy sat beside him. Lee spent most of the trip staring out the window lost in his thoughts. Billy couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head. He didn't think he had ever seen Lee so quiet before. In fact, they had walked by some pretty nice looking stewardesses and Billy couldn't help but notice that Lee didn't even give them a second glance. He hoped that Lee was okay and not too exhausted from this drive. Maybe he should have given him some time off before setting him up on this new assignment but this was a very important assignment and Lee was his best so he needed him. He hoped that he hadn't made a mistake asking Amanda to go with Lee to Arizona. He would have to find some time alone with Amanda to make sure everything was okay between the two of them. This little team he had created seem to be working perfectly and he didn't want anything to mess it up. Yes, he was definitely going to have to have a chat with Amanda next week.

TBC