Disclaimer see chapter 1

Chapter 7

Lee got Amanda inside his apartment, shut and locked the door, carefully took her in his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Hoping that he could make her realize just how just how he felt about her, just how important she was to him, just how somewhere along the time together she had become his world. Even though Amanda was enjoying this attention she needed to breath, even though she was quite sure she would regret that action. When they broke for air, Amanda gasped at the sharp pain that followed the deep breath as Lee noticed he scooped her into his arms and walked to the bedroom. When he laid her down, gently took off her shoes and tucked her into bed, Amanda started to protest but Lee lay a finger on her lips and said, "please Amanda, follow directions, the doctor said bedrest and I meant it I will handcuff you to this bed if you do not stay in here. Let me get you pain medication and I will let you rest awhile" he kissed her forehead and she nodded and he left the room. Lee brought the pills and some water and watched her take the pills, then made sure she actually took them (she really wanted them this time, she was really beginning to ache). Lee kissed her again and tucked her into his bed, as he sat on the edge of the bed holding her hand he couldn't believe how 'right' having her in his bed felt. He just wished he could join her, but it was too soon, words hadn't been said to her although he could now admit them to himself and even whisper it in the darkness, he loved Amanda King. Words would be said soon; he just wasn't ready to admit he needed her more than he could have ever though you could need someone. After all these years being alone, he knew he could never go back to being alone and he never would have to as long as Amanda was around. He leaned over, kissed her forehead and left the room, he still had some feelings to sort out.

"Damn her" he said, but he didn't know if he was really mad at her or relieved she showed up to save his tail (again). He poured himself a glass of scotch and sat on the couch to think and work out his feelings, she had risked her life for him, she was hurt and through her pain he was her main concern, he was going to spend a lot of time in the next few days making sure she knew how much he appreciated her, Amanda King should be treasured and he intended to do just that. "God, what would I have done if I had lost her?" he asked himself. He was fairly certain that he could not have went on if he had lost her, if he did go on he was going to look after Dottie and the boys, just then he realized he loved them too. I could have this family, NO! I will have this family one day and maybe even more. A smile crossed his face, the breath taking dimpled smile she loved when he thought about the possibilities of having a family with Amanda, something he couldn't remember having but desperately wanted.

"LEE" Amanda screamed, Lee ran into the room to find Amanda crying in his bed, although still asleep. He gently sat back down on the bed, took her face in his hands, she was fighting him but he held on and was softly talking to her, hoping he would get through in her frightened haze. "Amanda, shhhhh! It's OK, you're safe I won't let anyone hurt you. Shhhhh! I have you, I'm here. You are safe with me." Finally recognizing his voice, she fell into his chest, "it wasn't me I was afraid for, what if I had lost you? They were trapping you, I could have... I could have…... lost you," the last part was barely a whisper. "Amanda, you didn't lose me, I didn't lose you, we are here together, safe." As her tears subsided and sleep began to overtake her again, Lee laid her back down pulled the covers up around her and started to get up to leave when Amanda grabbed his hand, "no don't leave me just yet, hold me a little while longer, so I know you're here." Lee toed off his shoes, sat up against the headboard of his bed and pulled Amanda into his lap, there in his arms, his warm breath in her hair she was able to sleep peacefully knowing that he was there, safe. Knowing that while she was in his arms everything was fine, she realized that somewhere along the time they had spent together working, in the gazebo and just other times she had fallen in love with the tall handsome spy, and she was almost sure he felt the same.

Lee sat and held her long after his legs were numb from her weight on them, long after she was sound asleep and long after his arms were cramped from holding her. He wasn't mad anymore just thankful he had picked out this beautiful, loving and giving woman at a train station, and that there were 25 men in red hats on that train. He pulled her closer to him, kissed her head and laid his head back and fell asleep with a smile on his face, knowing that very soon he could tell her just how he felt. He woke a short time later when Amanda's moaning and whining, "No, No! Please don't leave me Lee, I love you, please!" Whispering softly in her ear, so as to calm her fears but not wake her, "I'm OK. I'm not going anywhere. I'm OK." She calmed and snuggled closer to him, causing him to smile. Lee kissed her head and whispered, "I love you too." Thinking,' soon I'll really tell you, just when the time is right, a nice romantic setting, just you and me, no interruptions.' He eased out from under her, made her comfortable on the bed and went to take a shower and call Billy about debriefing Amanda and himself in the morning.