One Argument Too Many- Mind Blowing Night

Amanda told everyone to make themselves comfortable while she got things in the dining room set up. As she was getting the table set, and dishes out, Lee got her alone in the kitchen, saying,"There's something about those two that doesn't seem right- I can't put my finger on it, but it's definitely strange- where did you meet her anyway?"

Amanda sighed, and said,"As if you didn't know-you followed us, remember?" Lee shook his head,"And since you don't know when someone is following you to begin with-you really didn't know it was me until I came out of the bushes,did you?" Amanda huffed, and said,"If you're going to stand here, you might as well help..here.." She handed him napkins, and silverware and pushed him toward the dining room, saying in a hushed whisper,"Be nice!.."

Laura, in passing, glared at him, and joined Amanda, saying,"Can I be of any help, Amanda?" But Amanda said,"I just need to know what Mr. Steele wants to drink?" Laura muttered under her breath,"Bread and water would do fine." Realizing Amanda was waiting for a response, she said,"Oh..sorry, wine is ok for him.." Amanda nodded, and as Laura brought out the drinks, Amanda brought out the food.

Remington and Lee seated the ladies, and then all were soon enjoying the food. Remington said to Amanda,"Lovely home, Mrs. King- did you decorate this yourself? Very quaint, indeed.." Amanda said," You can call me Amanda, and thank you. It's small, but it's comfortable.."

Lee said, trying to defend Amanda,"Where do you live, the Ritz?" Laura chuckled, and kicked Remington under the table! "You'll have to excuse Mr. Steele's obvious naivete'-he's travelled in a great many number of places over the years.." Trying to change the subject, Laura said,"So, Mr. Stetson, do you live near Amanda, or near your office? when did you two meet?"

Lee felt Amanda's gaze on him, but went ahead." Call me Lee-uh, a few months ago at the Arlington train station-how about you and Remington?" Remington looked at Laura, and then said," She was with another agency working on a jewel theft case- I bumped into her at a dinner, we got to talking, and decided to join forces and Remington Steele Investigations was born- isn't that right, Laura?"

Laura felt the beginnings of a headache coming on. She couldn't take another word from this man! She said,"Amanda, I'm terribly sorry, but I think I need to lie down-would you mind awfully if I went up?" Amanda got up, saying,"No, it's to your right, at the top of the stairs-here, let me get your bag, and I'll get you an aspirin.."

Looking at Lee, she said,"I'll be right back- there's more lasagna in the oven if you'd like.." She and Laura went up, and Lee said,"Well, wonder what got Laura all uptight?" Remington shrugged,"Well, her stress levels are too high, to be sure-she really works too hard, poor dear..I'd better see if I can help her at all.."

But Amanda was coming down then, and said,"I'm afraid she's done for this evening, fellas-would you both grab what you can, and I'll soak these dishes for now, until we get everything cleared, please?"

Remington said,"Perhaps we should call a doctor?.." But Amanda shook her head,"No-she's just got an awful headache-my mother-she gets migraines-takes 24 hrs to leave usually- dark room, ice pack-horrible.." So Lee and Remington helped clear the table, and then Remington looked at his watch, and said,"Well, I must be off-back to my hotel-can I give you a lift, Stetson?"

Lee shook his head,"No, I'm gonna help with the cleanup-you go ahead..wouldn't want you to strain yourself with dish drying.." Amanda poked him in the ribs, and Lee shrugged."What? It's either drying, or getting his perfect manicure messed up, and we wouldn't want that, would we?"

Remington cleared his throat, saying,"Yes, well, thank you for a delicious dinner, Amanda- tell Laura I hope she feels better-tell her to please call me at the hotel when she's able.. goodnight.."

When Remington left, Amanda glared at Lee. Lee said,"What's your problem?" Amanda said,"Boy, I've seen you rude before, but you really topped yourself tonight-what is with you anyway?!" Lee said harshly,"Me?! You're so cautious with people, it's scary, but these two total strangers show up outta nowhere, and you're suddenly buddy-buddy with the woman.. I told you before, there's something funny going on!"

Amanda went back to washing the dishes, and shook her head."You're too suspicious- he's a little strange, but she's perfectly nice- let it go already!"

Lee said,"Ok, let's talk about the office-when you heard the comment about the "housewife stamina"? I was joking-trying to get a rise out of Francine, because she wondered how our marriage really was on that case about Betty Bodine- that's it, I swear.."

Amanda sighed, and set about putting the dishes on the rack. Lee stopped her,taking her hand gently."Hey..what is it?" Amanda broke free, and went to the family room, sitting down at the sofa, saying,"You don't repect me at all do you, Lee?"

Lee walked over slowly, shaking his head."Whatever gave you that idea, Amanda?" Amanda shrugged,"I'm not one of your fly-by-night"girls"-Lee- I have a pretty good brain, and mind- I work hard at the Agency, and I've raised my two boys in the best home I could possibly give them-is that so wrong? I care what other people think-what I do affects my family, so I'm sorry that you and Francine think that I'm a colossal joke- her with her "mother" barbs, and you-.."

Lee said,"All right-stop! It was wrong of me to make light of your feelings, and I'm sorry I offended you in any way, and I'll talk to Francine, ok?" Amanda said, getting up to wipe the kitchen counter down,"No- I can handle Francine, but I think you should go home now- thanks for your help.."

Lee sighed,"Ok, I'm going.. talk to you later.." He left, and Amanda finished up in the kitchen, and locked all the doors, and turned off the lights and headed upstairs, where she found Laura coming out of the bedroom. Amanda said,"Are you feeling better?" Laura had a strange look on her face! She was holding one of Dotty's pictures, and said,"Amanda, this-this woman.. is your mother?"

Amanda looked at the picture that Laura was holding, and said smiling,"Yes, that's her- Dotty West, and the two boys are Phillip & Jamie- Phillip's 10, and Jamie's 8.." Laura said,"Just a minute.." Laura got a photo out of her wallet- it was a picture of Abigail and a much younger Laura Holt!

Amanda stared at the photo disbelievingly! "Wh-what?' Then she and Laura went into the room, and sat on the bed. Laura said,"May I see a picture of your father, please?" Amanda shook her head, saying,"Sure, but I don't think.. I mean, it's just not possible.."

Amanda found her mother's shoebox of photos, and said," My father died when I was away at school-what about your dad?" Amanda found a photo of Dotty and Carl West at a picnic, and showed Laura. Laura breathed a sigh of relief. It was not her father, but something strange was going on that neither she nor Amanda knew anything about!

Amanda chuckled,"They say everyone has a twin somewhere.." Laura wasn't laughing. She said,"Amanda, tell me everything you can about your mother, and I'll do the same- maybe we can figure this out before the night is over.." Amanda hoped so- it was just too bizarre to be real..

TBC