PARTS II and III -GHOST OF A CHANCE


DISCLAIMER: Found in Part I

RATING: PG

SUMMARY: Tensions run high between our favorite couple as they prepare to attend a Halloween
party at the American Embassy, but not with each other.

PART II

Amanda was scheduled a courier for information exchange 3:00 p.m. at Randy's Bar. She stayed at the
bar until four, but no messenger showed up. She contacted Billy, who told her to keep the computer
tapes with her , and hand them over to Lee at the Halloween party that night. These tapes contained
weapons configurations for a U. S. launch missile. Billy explained that she might as well go home for
the rest of the afternoon. She was grateful for the time as she needed to run some errands , and get
ready for the Embassy affair.

Francine came into the Bullpen at the Agency late Friday afternoon, and informed Billy that the courier
Amanda was supposed to meet had been murdered. Also rather disturbing was the fact that Steve Kramer
turned up as a KGB agent on a routine security check, real name, Stefano Karamov. His background also
showed he was very good posing as Americans in different walks of life, especially playing the part of
an operative. He showed no mercy in getting his objective accomplished. Murder and rape also played
a part in his charades.

The phone in the Q Bureau rang shrilly, and brought Lee out of his daydreaming, "Hello," Lee answered.
"Lee, get down here quickly, please," Billy sounded very concerned.

Once in Billy's office, Lee took a chair, and looked to his boss, "What's up, Billy?" he asked.
"Listen, we found out some alarming news about Steve Kramer. He is really a KGB agent. His record
is ominous, including murder and rape. The courier that Amanda was to meet today turned up dead.
We think Kramer did it."

Lee was beside himself, "He's taking Amanda to the Halloween party at the Embassy tonight. We've
got to warn her."

"Take it easy, Lee. Do what you can to look for her. She mentioned going shopping in the Arlington
area. Check back with me."

"I'll be there for her, Billy. I don't want to call her at home, in case the phone is bugged. I'll try her
car phone. Check back with you later." Amanda had turned the phone in the car off.

Before he searched the shopping area, Lee got in touch with Anne and explained the situation to her
concerning the danger to Amanda. Anne said that she would call Larry Lowry to take her to the Embassy
party. Larry was also an operative at the Agency who she definitely liked. Anne would meet Lee later
at the festivities.

Lee turned the Vette to the Arlington shopping area to see if he could spot Amanda's Wagoneer. No luck.
Meanwhile, Amanda, was running a list of errands---Halloween costume, candy, dinner for everyone, etc.
Lee was about to give up when he saw Amanda's Jeep in front of the costume shop. He found a parking
Space not far from her, and walked into the shop. He saw Amanda at the cashier's counter, so he took
her aside to speak to her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly, "some unfinished reports need completed?" She looked
straight at him, and saw his dejected demeanor, and was now sorry to have spoken so callously without
thinking.

"Look, we need to talk somewhere. It's urgent, your life may depend on it. Please, outside in your car."
Amanda knew this tone. She knew Lee was serious. Lee explained ,"Amanda, Steve Kramer is a KGB
agent. We found this out from a routine security check on him. He pretends to get involved with U. S.
agents as an ulterior motive for stealing information to sell to other countries. He murdered the courier
you were supposed to meet. Please, let's get over the tension between us for now," implored Lee.

"You know I didn't mean any of the comments I spoke. Where you're concerned, I loose all control
of my emotions frequently."

"You really hurt my feelings, Lee," Amanda was close to tears.

"Look, I promise I'll make this up to you later. Your safety is my first concern right now." He looked
straight into her eyes with all the caring he had in him. "What about Anne?" Amanda whispered.

"Anne's a part of my past , that's where she stays. We'll talk about all this later. Look, just act like
nothing's changed with Kramer tonight. I'll be following you at a safe distance. I won't be using
the Vette. Kramer knows my sports car, so I'll be driving a white Ferrari . I'll be dressed as a
ghost. White on white shouldn't be hard to detect."

"What's your costume look like?" Lee inquired , so he could readily identify her. Amanda retrieved
it from the plastic cover to show him, what there was of it. "It's gorgeous, and the young lady wearing
it is as beautiful as well," smiled Lee.

"Please be careful, Amanda, promise me," Lee squeezed her hand, "oh, and here are substitute computer
tapes to replace the ones that you gave me."

Steve arrived at 4247 Maplewood Dr. on time, in the middle of neighborhood trick or treating. Lee was
a short distance away. Kramer was dressed as Dracula, certainly befitting this pretend C. I. A. agent.

PART III

Amanda sated she was ready, kissed the boys goodnight, and was out the door. She noticed Lee out of the
corner of her eye. "You look stunning," remarked Kramer, ogling her up and down. Amanda was wearing
a revealing harem costume that emphasized every inch of her. "Thank you," she nodded appreciatively.

"How about a drink before we get to the Embassy?" suggested Kramer. "I don't think so," declined
Amanda, "it's a little early for alcohol" "Well, I'm sure this will change your mind," Kramer seethed
as he pushed a gun at her ribs.

"Now, we'll just see what we can do about losing the ghost in the matching Ferrari ," Steve stared
with a look Amanda had never seen.

Kramer darted in and out of side streets to a wooded area secluded from the lights of the city. "Get out,
Mrs. King," ordered Karamov. "O.K.,where are the computer tapes, Amanda?" Karamov moved closer
to her. Amanda stepped back toward the woods, with a pistol still pointed at her. "What are you talking
about, Steve?" She showed no fear. "Cut the crap," Kramer shouted .

"Why don't we have some fun first?" Kramer sneered , grabbing her arm tightly, and leading her deeper
into the woods. Amanda was scared stiff. Kramer turned her around and started to kiss her roughly,
Amanda resisting and squirming all the way.

"Where's your hero, now?" squealed Kramer, delighted to see an American agent defenseless against him.
"Right here, Karamov," Kramer turned and Lee quickly knocked the pistol out of his hand, hit him in the
gut, and caused the KBJ agent to hit the ground unconscious.

Amanda stood there shaking and sobbing. Lee cradled her in his arms, till she calmed down.

"You did great," Lee said proudly. "Do you feel like attending the Embassy party, since we're all
decked out? I would like to speak to Anne, with you there, of course."

"How did Anne get to the Embassy tonight, since she was originally supposed to be escorted by you?"
Amanda was curious.

"Larry Lowry took her. She really likes him, and I think the feeling's mutual. I'll start explaining
on the way. I'm going with the most luscious creature I've ever seen, by the way," Lee eyed her
exclusively.

After talking to Anne and her escort, Lee and Amanda danced to the slow, romantic music. The song
just happened to say, "I haven't the ghost of a chance with you," He held her as close as he could,
savoring every moment. Amanda closed her eyes and melted into his warmth.

"Amanda, we need to talk. How about my place?" asked Lee. She looked up into his eyes and nodded
yes.

Amanda sat on the couch at Lee's apartment, waiting for him to bring the drink he had offered.
"Cheers," he clinked glasses, "Happy Halloween."

Lee put his glass down , as did his partner. He took both her hands. "Anne and I discussed you at
dinner,Thursday night" Lee whispered , moving closer to her. "Me,"remarked Amanda, a little
puzzled. "She told me it was obvious I was in love, and why don't you tell her," Lee was only inches
away. "I said I was scared," continued Lee, caressing her face with his finger, moving down to her lips.
"What did you say?" Amanda managed quietly.

Lee leaned in to kiss her. "She said , life is short, be happy. Amanda is your happiness." 'What did
you say ?" Amanda closed her eyes, and waited for Lee's kiss.

"I agreed with her. Oh, Amanda, I love you so," Lee kissed her with all the love he had in him, crushing
her against him.

"Lee," Amanda was breathless, "I love you, too, more each day."

"I'm so sorry I hurt you, please forgive me," asked Lee between kisses.

"You're forgiven, Scarecrow," she said emotionally, taking his lips in another passionate kiss.

"Oh, God, Amanda, what you do to me," cried Lee, he pulled her to him, nibbling at her neck, then
kissing her possessively. "Amanda, stay the night, please," Lee asked huskily "What do I tell my
mother?"

"Tell her you were filming a Halloween party , and one of the ghosts got out of control."laughed Lee.

"And that's the truth for a change," mumbled Mrs. King, while being transported to the "ghost's"
bedroom.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN