3:36 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 1984

She sat watching the seemingly innocent apartment complex but couldn't help stealing glances at her now sleeping partner to her left. He had taken the first shift and now it was her turn. Sipping her coffee, she smiled at how much their relationship had changed over the past year. He was slowly beginning to trust and rely on her. It was only a few days ago that he had finally admitted they were partners. Sure, it was after the biggest fight they'd ever had, but he'd said it and she knew he meant it. She pulled the glove off her left hand with her teeth and lightly brushed the hair off his forehead as he snuggled into his seat and let out a sigh.

Just as she felt herself starting to doze off, she heard a whimpering next to her. She glanced over to Lee and noticed his once relaxed expression was now replaced with a furrowed brow and he seemed agitated.

Amanda moved closer to try to hear what he was mumbling. All she could make out was "Let her go!" And "No! Can't sell her!" He was clearly upset and likely reliving the events of earlier in the week. Lee had originally thought that they were after the microdot, but they were really after her, in an attempt to sell her into white slavery. Even now, she still couldn't understand how someone could ever think they had a right to sell someone else. She shivered at the thought of being some man's toy to play with as he saw fit.

At the sight of him tossing and turning in the small confines of the car, she laid a hand on his chest to calm him. He grabbed her hand and wouldn't let her go as if she were his lifeline. She smiled faintly at the action and squeezed gently.

The rate at which his heart was beating below her hand nearly took her breath away. She tried calling his name to wake him, worried he was upset, and he finally stirred.

She watched as his eyes fluttered open, wild with confusion. "Amanda? What's wrong?"

"I think you were having a nightmare, Lee. Are you okay?" She hadn't realized he was still holding her hand until he shifted to sit up and nearly pulled her on top of him. "Whoa, Lee!"

He looked down at their entwined hands in confusion and then glanced to her in question.

"Um, you were . . . uh, you were tossing and turning and I laid my hand on your chest to wake you up and you sort of . . . uh, grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go." She rushed nervously.

He smiled nervously. "Sorry about that." He extracted his hand from hers and placed it back in her lap. "I don't usually dream, especially when I'm . . . I guess I was more tired than I thought." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She queried.

"About what?"

She sighed. It seemed she wasn't the only one that answered a question with a question in order to avoid answering unwanted questions. "Your nightmare, Scarecrow." She stared at him pointedly.

"Nothing to talk about. I don't even remember what it was about." He pulled his seat back into the upright position and rubbed his eyes. "Look, why don't you try to get some sleep, I'll take the next shift."

Amanda knew there would be no arguing with him now, so she leaned back in her seat and silently watched him.

He then muttered to himself, "Not like I'll be able to go back to sleep now anyway."

She was sure that last statement wasn't meant for her ears, but she heard it nonetheless.

"I haven't had a good night's sleep since Sinclair and his men took me." She whispered. Perhaps she could get him to talk if she opened up to him first.

He nearly jumped as she spoke, as if he had forgotten she was there. "Yeah?"

"No, I keep thinking about what would have happened if you hadn't found me on the boat when you did. If he had made good on his promises . . ." Her voice trailed off not wanting to think about the possibilities.

"Hey, I got there in time." He squeezed her hand in reassurance.

"I know that, Lee. But I can't help thinking about what would have happened if you hadn't. You know he was going to . . . " She swallowed hard. "He said he was going to sell me but only after . . . he had me for himself." Her voice quivered.

"That would have never happened, Amanda!" He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. "I wouldn't have let it!" His voice left no room for argument.

She jumped at his actions. Feeling like a scolded child, she pulled her hand away when he attempted to grasp it, but he wouldn't be denied. Frustrated, she stared out her window.

"I didn't mean to scare you. I just . . . " He sighed. "I guess I haven't been sleeping all that well either. I think we both just need to stop thinking about the 'what ifs' and focus on the fact that Sinclair and his men are sitting in jail and you're safe and sound."

"Yeah." She agreed quietly.

He released her hand and then sat up straighter as he pulled the binoculars from the center console. After a quick look he called out to her. "There's our guy. It's show time, Partner."