It began as a light tap, but as Amanda struggled to wake, it rapidly escalated into forceful knocking. For one brief blissful second as she opened her eyes, she didn't remember anything about the events of the previous day, but then her gaze settled on the empty pillow beside her and it all came rushing back.

"Amanda! Are you alright? Open up!" The knocking was now accompanied by a familiar demanding voice.

She dragged herself upright and staggered over to the hotel room door, blinking as the bright winter sun hit her face.

"Oh my God. You look terrible."

Francine sounded horrified and Amanda automatically glanced down. She was still wearing the previous day's clothes, complete with blood stains and she was also still clutching Lee's shirt in one hand. "Well thank you so much," she replied reflexively and Francine gave a gasping laugh.

"I'm sorry," she said, stepping forward to hug Amanda. "I'm so sorry." They clung to each other for a moment, both of them drawing comfort from the unusual embrace before Amanda stepped back and wiped her eyes. She moved to the side and ushered Francine inside.

Francine paused, her gaze automatically sweeping the room the way Lee's always did when he entered a new space. Amanda could almost see her making the mental notes about the suitcases, the way her and Lee's clothes were mixed in the closet, the king-sized bed, but when she turned to Amanda, her face was impassive and the first thing she said was "How is he?"

"Fine, as far as I know," she said. "I called the hospital at 3 a.m. when I woke up and couldn't sleep – he was stable but sedated. Then I fell back asleep. What time is it now? I should get back there."

"Six. I just got off the red eye to San Diego and came straight here to drop my stuff. The desk clerk told me she thought you were here and not at the hospital yet."

"The desk clerk is spying on me?"

"You know I can get anything out of anybody with a badge and a thumbscrew," quipped Francine. "Actually, I'm kidding. I told her I was Lee's sister and she gave me the room next door."

"Lee's sister?"

"Well, you and I couldn't pass for siblings and Billy didn't want me announcing myself as an agent." Francine shrugged. "Seemed like the obvious choice."

"Well, it'll certainly surprise the Colonel and Barney if you show up with that story," said Amanda tiredly, sinking back on to the bed.

"Well, they can be in on it, I'm just trying to lay low for now," said Francine. "Now, back on your feet. You're going to get out of those clothes, get in the shower and we're going to the hospital, Mrs. Stetson."

Amanda shot to her feet, startled. "What? How did you know?"

Francine wasn't even paying attention, she was too busy digging through her purse. "The desk clerk again. She talked about you as Mr. and Mrs." She looked up with a smirk. "Of course, regular people usually go with Smith for their little romantic getaways, but I guess you two got tired of doing that all the time. Must be a change of pace to use Lee's real name. And as it turns out - handy for the cover, so that was good thinking on your part."

"We weren't thinking about a cover!" said Amanda in sharp tones, "We were –

"I'm sure we all know what you were thinking. Now, does the hospital staff think you're married? Or his uncle?"

"Hospital, yes. Uncle, no," replied Amanda tiredly. "But Francine, we- "

"Okay, we can work with that. You eloped, wanted to surprise his uncle, it all went wrong…" Francine pulled out her field book from the depths of her bag, then looked at her with a shooing motion. "Now go shower. You can't possibly want Lee to wake up and see you looking like death warmed over. I'll call the hospital and get the latest on Lee, then call Billy."

Amanda swayed slightly where she stood, then realized that Francine was right. The entire thing was workable as a cover for now – she could convince Lee to come out with the truth when he was better, when they could tell everyone together.

Together, she repeated to herself. We can tell everyone when we're back together.