Time to Heal Chapter 1
Chapter 1
"Amanda what do you think about this as a honeymoon spot?" Dotty asked her daughter as she walked into the kitchen and handed her a brochure. "'Jamaica' - doesn't that just sound wonderful. I've always wanted to go to Jamaica. They have several all-inclusive resorts over there. We just have to decide which one we want to stay at. Captain Curt told me to choose the one I like best. Oh, Amanda, you have to help me decide."
Amanda smiled at her mother's rambling. She hadn't seen her mother this excited in a long time. "Mother, they all seem wonderful. I think you're going to be satisfied with whichever one you choose."
"I'm sure you're right. Oh, I am so glad you've been here these past few weeks to help with the wedding plans … well, despite the circumstances. I still don't understand what kind of assignment you could have been working on to nearly freeze to death?"
"Mother, you know I can't …"
"Yes, I know," Dotty said cutting off her daughter's words, "it's 'need to know' and something tells me I don't want to know" she sighed. She knew that there was more to the story than what she had been told. She had learned to accept that there were certain things about her daughter and son-in-law that occurred in the line of duty that she could not be told, but she constantly worried about their safety.
Dotty's thoughts were interrupted by the clicking sound of small feet. Both women turned towards the kitchen's entrance and gasped in horror at the sight of a little girl standing before them with pink lipstick, face powder and eye shadow spread across her face in a most untidy manner.
"Oh my gosh! Emily Dorthea Stetson, just what have you been doing?" Amanda raised both hands to her face in shock at her daughter's appearance.
"Getting pretty," the child answered excitedly.
"And what were you 'getting pretty' for?"
"Granma's wedding"
"Oh, I see. So this is how you want to look for Grandma's wedding?" Amanda asked trying desperately to contain her laughter.
"Yeah, pretty", Emily exclaimed with a wide smile.
Amanda set down on one of the stools in the kitchen. "Come here honey," she said as she picked the child up and placed her in her lap. "Didn't mommy tell you not to play with her makeup?" Her whispered voice was soft and motherly.
"Yes" the child responded quickly moving her head up and down, "… but this is Granma's make-up."
"I guess you can't argue with that logic." Dotty said as they both started to laugh.
Their laughter was cut short by the ringing of the telephone. "You get the phone Amanda and I'll clean up our little makeup artist." Dotty picked up Emily and left the room.
Lee Stetson pulled his silver corvette into the driveway and smiled as he glanced at the clock on his dashboard – 6:00. It was rare that he was able to get home at a decent hour especially since Amanda had been on leave.
He smiled again as he glanced at his house – his home – his and Amanda's home. After the initial shock of the announcement of their marriage and Amanda's pregnancy had worn off and he was comfortably settled with his new family, Lee decided to once again approach Amanda with the subject of a new house.
They had discussed buying a new house prior to their decision to have a 'secret marriage' and Amanda had been against it. She feared that so many changes at once may be too much for the family to deal with. But with a new baby on the way, Lee argued that they would need more room. Amanda felt that the house on Maplewood Drive was large enough to accommodate their family but in the end they decided on a compromise. If they could find a new home that required only a minimal amount of change for the family then she would agree to the move. Thus began 'Operation – New House'.
Lee embarked on his mission with great eagerness. He understood Amanda's concerns but he wanted this move … he needed this move. He was fond of the house on Maplewood Drive but that was Amanda's house – the one she had shared with Joe. There were too many of their memories there and he did not want to compete.
Despite Joe's pleasant demeanor whenever Lee was around, Lee was quite aware that Joe was not happy about his relationship with Amanda. Since his return to the states, Lee felt Joe regretted his decision to divorce Amanda and wished to reconcile. That he wanted her back was obvious from the way he looked at her. He expressed his concern to Amanda once but she only laughed at the idea. Lee even suspected that Joe's engagement to Carrie had been an attempt to make Amanda jealous – force her to choose between the two of them. His suspensions were escalated by Joe's reluctance to set a wedding date. Even Carrie had started to worry. When he and Amanda told the family of their secret marriage and Emily's upcoming birth, Joe had been unreasonably angry, but within six months he and Carrie set a date and were married.
It was shortly after Joe and Carrie's wedding that Lee found it – their home. It was a bit larger than the house on Maplewood Drive and was less than a ten minutes' drive away. Although the boys had to change schools, they were still close enough that they could hang out with their old friends. The boys were happy, his new mother-in-law was happy, Amanda was happy and Lee was ecstatic.
They moved into their new home a few weeks after Emily's birth and within the year Joe announced that he had accepted a job in Estoccia and he and Carrie were moving. Although Lee was sad that the boys were once again losing their father's continued presence in their lives, Joe's absence relieved some of Lee's stress and allowed him the opportunity to build a relationship with Jamie such as he had always experienced with Phillip.
Despite Lee's comments about suburban life in the early years when he and Amanda met, he found he rather enjoyed the lifestyle tremendously – camping trips, baseball games in the park, and barbecues in the backyard with neighbors and friends – were all constant family activities. Of course, as he eventually learned, life in the suburbs did have its problems.
Stepping out of his car Lee spotted his neighbor, Mrs. Henley, and grimaced as he realized the woman was heading his way.
"Hello … Mr. Stetson," she said with a smile as she crossed the street in front of him.
"Good evening Mrs. Henley." He wondered if she recognized the irritation in his voice.
Mrs. Janet Henley was the wife of a successful investment banker. Having never had to work a day in her life, she raised her children in what she called 'the right way.' She prided herself on being aware of everything that took place in the neighborhood, watched everyone and was not shy about giving her opinion on matters that did not concern her.
The Stetsons received their first taste of Mrs. Henley several months after moving into the neighborhood when she politely informed them that it would be best that they kept the blinds to their upstairs bedroom closed at night. "We wouldn't want the impressionable minds of the young people in the neighborhood to witness your private intimate moments," she had told them. The woman was quite shocked by Lee's response. Amanda eventually succeeded in smoothing things over to ensure good neighborhood relations. Lee, however, decided that it was best that he keep his distance from the woman.
"I just wanted to return this to your wife." She handed him a glass casserole dish. "Please thank her for me." Lee took the dish from the woman and was about to walk away but she was not finished with their conversation.
"I've noticed your wife has been home quite a bit lately. I was hoping that she finally decided to give up that dreadful job and stay at home. I'm sure you make enough money to support your family and you have that beautiful little girl to consider. She really needs her …"
"Thank you Ms. Henley, I'll be sure to thank my wife for you," Lee interrupted her and quickly walked away. He couldn't endure any more of that insufferable woman's comments.
He was halfway to the door when he saw a young blond woman waving her hands to get his attention as she jogged across the lawn towards him. Debbie Stevens, the very busty 24 year old fitness trainer who had recently moved into the neighborhood was wearing a very short jogging shorts and a tight low cut top. She was exactly the type of woman Lee would have been drawn to years ago but now, compared to his wife, she was only a cheap substitute.
"Hello, Mr. Stetson," the woman said tossing her hair back seductively.
"Hello Debbie." He smiled uncomfortably as the young woman approached.
"I heard through the neighborhood grapevine that your wife hasn't been feeling well lately." 'Mrs. Henley no doubt' he thought. "Well I just wanted you to know that if there was anything I could do for you, like accompany you to one of those premiere parties in her place."
"Premiere parties?" Lee asked somewhat confused.
"Yes, for your documentaries. Your son told me you were a director and that occasionally you had to attend these parties for the release of one your documentaries. He said that some very influential people in the film business are usually there."
"My son told you this?"
"Yes, Phillip. We spent some time together before he went back to college."
"You … and Phillip …?" Now he knew why Phillip decided to delay his trip back to school. 'Ok Stetson, looks like you need to talk to that boy about the dangers of older women - especially ones like Debbie.'
"Oh, no … it's not what you think. Phillip is a nice kid but …" She tossed her hair back over her shoulders again and stepped closer, "I like my men a little older … if you know what I mean."
Lee quickly took a step back to increase the distance between them, "Yes, well … uhm … My wife has been feeling much better lately so … uhm… thanks for the offer but I assure you it won't be necessary." He turned away from the woman and hurriedly walked away before she had a chance to respond.
Lee walked through the door just as Dotty was about to head upstairs with Emily. "Daddy, Daddy, look at me." The child exclaimed with excitement as she wrangled herself from her grandmother's arms and ran to her father.
Lee quickly put the dish he was carrying on the coffee table. "Wow, look at you," he exclaimed joyfully as he picked up his little girl.
"I look pretty." She smiled radiantly at him as she awaited confirmation of his approval. Her daddy, she knew, would never disappoint her.
He exchanged an amused look with Dotty. "You certainly do princess." The jubilant look on her face told him he'd delivered what she wanted to hear.
"Your little princess decided to show us how she wanted to look for my wedding." Dotty sighed walking over to them.
"But I didn't use mommy's make up," the child whispered to her father to explain that her actions were not one of disobedience. "I used granmas'."
"Very good honey but the next time you want to put on some makeup you need to ask mommy or grandma first, okay."
"Okay" she whispered.
"Where's Amanda." Lee handed the child back to her grandmother and picked up the casserole dish.
"She's in the kitchen. Now, let's go get you cleaned up." She took her granddaughter and headed up the stairs.
"Yes, I received them … thank you … they're beautiful." Lee heard his wife say into the phone when he entered the kitchen. As he placed the dish on the counter, his eyes caught sight of a very beautiful bouquet of flowers. From the look of the vase they were delivered in, it was obvious they were expensive.
Lee opened the refrigerator and took out the bottle of wine he and Amanda had opened the previous night. After pouring himself a glass he leaned against the counter and tried to appear nonchalant about Amanda's conversation.
Amanda had heard Lee enter the house shortly after answering the phone. She had tried her best to end the conversation before he entered the kitchen but his conversation with her mother and Emily had ended too soon. "Ok … thanks again … bye."
"Who was on the phone?" Lee asked taking another sip of his wine. She had barely placed the phone on the receiver.
"Oh, it was no one important." She answered a little too quickly. She walked over to her husband and put her arms around his neck. "I missed you today," she whispered as she reached up and kissed him. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer deepening the kiss.
They both sighed as their lips parted. She looked up at him and smiled. "You're home pretty early."
"Yeah … so who sent the flowers?" He enjoyed his welcome home kiss tremendously but he was not about to be sidetracked.
Amanda pulled herself from his embrace and walked over to the cabinet. "We're having chili for dinner … your recipe." She calmly removed the dishes and prepared to set the table. Glancing over her shoulders she saw him walk over to the flowers. She grimaced as he removed a card from the center of the bouquet.
Lee's eyes narrowed as he read the contents of the card through clinched teeth, "Happy to see you're feeling better – Dean."
Despite his occasional encounters with the likes of Mrs. Henley and Debbie Stevens, suburban life for Lee had been very pleasant until approximately eight months ago when someone new moved into the neighborhood – Dean – Amanda's ex-boyfriend. However, this was not the nerdy, weatherman Dean from years before. Since his breakup with Amanda, Dean's personal and professional life had changed considerably. With assistance from an Image Consultant, a personal trainer, a little professional networking and a few public encounters with some well-known socialites and Dean was now the 'leading anchorman' for Washington's top news station and was considered one of Washington's most eligible bachelors.
"He does realize you're married now," Lee fumed. He crumbled the card in his right hand and threw it in the trash.
"Lee, he only sent them out of courtesy. He found out I had been in the hospital a few weeks ago and simply wanted to wish me well." She calmly proceeded with her task of setting the table not wanting to engage in an argument over this Dean subject.
"And he couldn't have done that the other day when he made his surprise visit here to see you. He had to send an expensive bouquet of flowers," he stated heatedly pacing back and forth across the kitchen floor.
"He didn't know I had been in the hospital until he came by the other day and you know the only reason he was here was to see Jamie, not me."
His eyes narrowed again as he stopped pacing and looked at her. "No, I only know what he said."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She sudden stopped her task and stared back at him.
"He's using his 'so called' interest in Jamie as a way of getting close to you again."
"You can't be serious..." she began incredulously.
"I think Jamie's spending way too much time with this guy anyway." He anxiously ran his left hand through his hair and resumed his pacing routine. "He's an arrogant, self-centered, playboy and not the type of person I want influencing our son."
"What?" Amanda laughed in amazement at his description of Dean's character. She remembered a time when that description could have been applied to him. 'Talk about the pot calling the cattle black,' she thought.
Although Lee hated to admit it, Amanda knew that Jaime's relationship with Dean bothered him almost as much as her past relationship with him. It was partly because of Dean's connections and influence that Jamie was able to get the part-time job with the newspaper. Lee had worked hard to build a relationship with his youngest stepson. He had given Jamie his first camera as a gift and had encouraged his growing interest in photography for which he had a natural talent. It was Lee's suggestion that Jaime apply for the part-time job with the newspaper but Dean made it happen. And now it seemed, to Lee, that Jamie was spending more time with Dean than with him. Lee hated the man's intrusion on his family. In some ways, it gave him a new perspective and sympathy for Joe's feelings toward him.
Taking a deep breath he turned to her in a more subdued manner, "Amanda, I know we've talked about this before and …"
"No, Lee…" she said cutting off his ranting. "We are not selling this house and moving again. You're being ridiculous!"
"I'm being ridiculous … I'm being ridiculous!" He bellowed as she turned away from him in frustration. "Just how would you like it if one of my ex-girlfriends moved in down the street and you had to deal with seeing her on a regular basis?"
Amanda turned towards him with a wicked smirk on her face. "You mean instead of the half-dozen or so ex-girlfriends I have to see at work on a daily basis?"
Lee glared at her for a moment in silence before turning away. He hated to be reminded of his extensive list of past relationships or should he say 'meaningless sexual encounters.' How was he supposed to respond to that? He knew he had backed himself into a corner. Anything he said at this point would be the wrong thing. Running his hand through his hair he contemplated his next move. Suddenly his eyes fell on the casserole dish. "Mrs. Henley said to tell you thanks for loaning her the casserole dish," he finally said somberly deciding it was best to end the conversation.
"Thank you". She picked up the dish and went to put it away grateful that their Dean discussion was finally over.
"So how was your day?" He walked over to her and leaned against the counter.
"It was pretty nice. Mother took Emily and me out for breakfast this morning, and then we went to the mall for a little shopping; then when mother went to meet Captain Curt, I took Emily to the park to play with some of her friends; then we came back here. It was a great way to spend my last day at home since I'll be returning to work on Monday."
Lee was smiling as she rambled on but grimaced at her last statement. He suddenly remembered the sight of her near frozen body when he rescued her from the freezer. They were nearly too late, the NSI doctor had said at the hospital. She had to stay in the hospital a couple of days longer than expected when her fever suddenly returned. Lee stayed calm when he was with her and the family but when he was alone he was a wreck.
"You know … if you want I could talk to Billy about giving you another week," he added hesitantly.
"No" she said quickly. "I've enjoyed being at home with mother and Emily but I'm ready to get back to work.
"Amanda, I just feel …"
"Lee!" She turned towards him, "we had this discussion last week. And to appease you, I requested another week but that's it. It's time to go back." She took her left hand and touched his chest. "I'm okay," she whispered.
He leaned over and gave her a quick soft kiss on the lips. "I know...It's just that…I worry about you."
"I know. I worry about you too. That's why I need to be there to watch your back," she smiled.
He smiled back at her than turned serious again. "What about the nightmares?"
"Lee, nightmares are common after what I went through, you know that. We all have them. Then they go away and we move on." She was doing her best to put him at ease. "I haven't had one in days."
He brushed his hand across her left cheek, "Are you sure?"
The question took her by surprise. "Yes…of course..." She smiled reassuringly at his questioning gaze, "No more nightmares." But she knew it was only a half truth. The nightmares over the freezer incident had long subsided. It was the other ones that lingered - the ones that always seemed to creep up whenever she was faced with a frightening experience – the ones about Birol. Why those nightmares always returned, she didn't know. And this time, somehow, they seemed a little more intense. But she couldn't tell Lee. He already carried enough guilt over her kidnapping by Birol years ago. Besides, as always, those nightmares too would fade and she'll be okay again.
"Mom…Lee..." Her thoughts were interrupted by Jamie's excited yell as he rushed in the house. "Look" he handed them a copy of the Arlington Gazette. "They used one of my photos for their article on that warehouse fire yesterday. I just happened to be passing by when the fire started and since I had my camera I took some picture. They said I have potential."
"Jamie that's wonderful. I'm so proud of you." Amanda exclaimed as she hugged her son.
"Me too sport, I knew you could do it." Lee said with pride as he ruffled his son's hair.
Jamie was grinning from ear to ear. "I just came back from showing Dean. He said he's going to frame a copy and hang it in his office at the station. I can't thank him enough for getting me this job." Amanda looked into Lee's face and their eyes locked. She watched the change of expression on his face. "I have to go call Phillip," Jamie said running up the stairs.
"Make it fast, dinner is ready" she yelled, her eyes never leaving her husband. "Lee…" she began slowly watching his dejected stare.
"Uhm… Amanda I just remembered I have these files to look over for that case I'm working on and I'm not very hungry so…uhm…I think I'm just going to skip dinner." He walked away quickly wondering why, only fifteen minutes ago, he had been so happy to get home early.
"Alright, that concludes today's meeting," Billy Melrose stated addressing the room of agents. "But before we adjourn I would like to welcome back Amanda Stetson who has been home recuperating from her last assignment. I want to officially thank you for the fine job you did on that case and I'm sure I speak for all, Amanda, when I say you have been truly missed."
"Thank you, sir" she replied softly with pride and embarrassment as her fellow agents applauded.
As the agents started to leave the conference room, several came over to welcome her back and give their personal congratulations. "I have a meeting with Billy in his office so I'll see you upstairs later." Lee whispered walking past her to catch up with his superior who was already in the hall.
"Okay" she answered quickly and turned back to the other agents.
"Amanda's looking well." Billy commented to Lee as they entered the bullpen and headed towards his office.
"Well, she says she is." He closed the door to Billy office after they were both inside to give them more privacy.
Billy slowly sat behind his desk and watched his friend cross the room and lean against the file cabinet. "You sound skeptical."
"I think she's hiding something from me Billy." His words were low almost as if he were talking to himself.
"Something like what?" Billy leaned back in his chair
"I don't know" he said in frustration turning towards his boss. "I think she's still having nightmares. She says they've stopped but…" he ran his hands through his hair "…I don't think she's telling me the truth. I know she's not sleeping well at night."
Billy sighed and turned his chair to follow Lee's movements as he crossed to the other side of the room. "Are you sure you're not just being overly paranoid Scarecrow? You know you tend to do that when it comes to your …wife." He nearly chuckled at the word. Although he had helped push their relationship along, sometimes he still found it hard to believe that the great Scarecrow was a married man.
"Yeah, well if I hadn't been so 'overly paranoid' a few weeks ago" he flared, "she may have died."
"Lee," Billy began as he leaned forward and placed both elbows on his desk "Amanda is a good agent …"
"I know she is… it's just that…"
"Then stop looking for trouble where there is none." Billy spoke moving his hands expressively in frustration. "If she says she okay then just accept it."
"Maybe you're right. I guess I could be just a bit paranoid." He concluded finally planting himself in one of the chairs in front of Billy's desk. "Besides if it was anything serious, I'm sure Amanda would tell me."
Amanda leaned back in her chair and stretched. She had been working diligently at her computer all morning and needed a rest. Despite her husband's constant reassurance that their case files were all caught up she had her doubts. The look of his desk when she entered the Q-Bureau told her that her suspensions were correct.
After his meeting with Billy, Lee had phoned her from his car to say that he had to meet briefly with a member of the 'family' and would be back shortly. But that was almost three hours ago. Amanda sighed. This was not how she had wanted to spend her day but it was how she knew she would. His decision to go without her, she knew, was his way of keeping her out of the field just a little while longer. She didn't like it but she had learned not to fight him on it. He needed time to work through his overprotective fear of her safety in the field especially after what had happened. But as always, eventually he would settle down and everything would return to normal.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Francine enter the office. "Amanda…Amanda" She jumped and turned when Francine called her name for the second time. "Don't tell me they're working you too much already," she joked.
"I'm sorry," she smiled back "I guess my mind was elsewhere."
"Apparently" Francine said moving closer to Amanda. "Well, I didn't have a chance to speak to you after the meeting this morning so I just came by to welcome you back."
"Thanks Francine." Despite the less than cordial manner in which Francine regarded Amanda in her early years with the agency, the two women had become really good friends in recent years. Francine was with Lee when he rescued Amanda from the freezer; she had waited anxiously with him at the hospital for word on her condition and had visited her friend several times during the weeks of her leave of absence.
"So where is Scarecrow?" Francine inquired leaning against his desk.
Amanda picked up some files and headed for the vault. "Oh, he had to meet with a member of his 'family.' He should be back shortly."
"Well, since he isn't back yet why don't we go out for lunch? It will give us a chance to catch up on some girl talk and the latest agency gossip."
Amanda was about to answer when Lee walked through the door carrying a bag of food. "Francine, I think I'll take a range check" she said with a smile.
"Okay but later this week." Francine walked past Lee and out the door.
"Take a range check on what?" He asked curiously closing the door behind Francine.
"Lunch" she walked over and took the bag from him and placed it on his desk.
"I'm sorry Amanda." He stated slowly. "I guess I was gone longer than I expected so I decided to pick up lunch."
"So how'd it go? How was your meeting?"
"Unproductive." He sighed and took a seat behind his desk. "He had nothing that could help me with this case." Lee's expression turned serious.
Amanda sat on the edge of his desk. "Is this the case about the doctor that was found floating in the Potomac?" She questioned.
"Yeah, Craig Sorenson, he is one of the top plastic surgeons in the country. For some reason he tried to contact me at the agency last week and I have no idea what he wanted or who killed him."
"And you have no leads?"
"None…" he stood up and walked over to the window. "He apparently had a few extracurricular activities outside of his marriage that his wife was not aware of but I found nothing that would give him a reason to want to contact me or the agency."
Amanda smiled and walked over to him. "Don't worry, we'll find something."
He turned and smiled back at her. "Yes, I suppose so." Despite the fact that he was terrified for his wife's safety, it felt good having his partner back.
As Amanda predicted, her patience with her husband's overprotective attitude began to pay off. By the end of the week, Lee's resistance to her going out with him in the field began to lessen and within two weeks everything had basically returned to normal. However, normal in the Stetson household was always short lived. She was hit with the reality of just how short lived three weeks after her return when Billy walked into the Q Bureau and informed them that Adi Birol had escaped.
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