Chapter 10

"Amanda! I didn't expect to see you this morning!" Billy exclaimed as Lee and Amanda entered his office.

"Hello, Sir," Amanda stated softly. "We were just downstairs with Dr. Kelford-"

Billy nodded and interrupted her, "What did Kelford have to say?"

Lee shook his head, "Nothing really. Well, nothing new anyway. I've got to be honest. I figured he'd have us down there all day, rediscovering the human anatomy."

Amanda put her hand up, "No, that's not true. He did discover something new. He found a second bruise."

Billy gestured toward the chairs for them to sit down. He reclined into his oversized leather chair and leaned back. "What? A second bruise? Where?"

Before Amanda or Lee could answer, Francine rapped on the door and opened it quickly, "Billy, I have that report back from Crypto you asked for." She stopped when she noticed Amanda and Lee sitting across from Billy. "Amanda! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be home resting?" she asked.

"Hello, Francine. Lee was worried so he dragged me in to see Dr. Kelford," Amanda teased.

"I didn't drag you in," Lee replied defensively. He turned to look at her, a shocked look on his face.

"Yes, you did," Amanda insisted. She stared into his hazel eyes, her dark brown ones flashing.

"No, I didn't," Lee replied. They sat, eyeing one another.

Without missing a beat, Francine jumped in with a laugh, "I'm sure he did."

Lee looked up and glared at his old friend, "No, I didn't. I brought her down as a follow-up in case the ER doc missed something. I didn't drag her down here."

"Tomato, tomah-to," Francine rolled her eyes. "I'm pretty sure Amanda did not want to come down here, feeling lousy, just to feed your male ego to always be right."

Lee stood and stepped closer to Francine, "I don't always have to be right. And I'm sorry I was worried about my wife being sick all week from a head injury that we all know could-". He stopped when he saw Francine trying to hold back her laughter. Her shoulders were shaking and she was pursing her lips together, trying not to smile. "What?" he demanded.

Francine couldn't restrain herself anymore and immediately started chuckling loudly. "You!"

Lee looked around the room, confused. Amanda was now giggling, drawing a smile from Billy as well. "I don't get it," he declared, throwing his hands in the air and sinking back down onto the chair.

"I'm just teasing you. Actually, Amanda called me yesterday to say how worried you've been," Francine explained with a laugh. "She knew you would want Doc Kelford to see her because he's more thorough than any other doc we've ever dealt with."

"Amanda? Is that true?" Lee looked at her, stunned.

Amanda nodded, "Yes, I did call Francine yesterday. And yes, I knew you wouldn't have anyone but Dr. Kelford to go over my medical records from Dr. Sierra. And, no, I still didn't want to go but I knew you were going to make me go anyway."

Lee looked at her, his mouth gaping open in surprise. "So, all that complaining this morning…" he trailed off.

Billy covered his mouth, trying to hide the laugh that threatened to burst out. "I find it hard to believe Amanda would complain about doing anything," he teased. Lee simply glared at him, silencing him effectively.

"I really don't feel well and I really didn't want to come this morning because I honestly didn't think Dr. Kelford was going to tell us anything new, but he did, so now I'm glad you made me come," Amanda admitted.

Lee folded his arms and shook his head, "Maybe next time you'll do as I say and we could have avoided the frustration."

Amanda narrowed her eyes and stabbed, "What do you mean by that?"

"How are you feeling, Amanda?" Billy asked, trying to stop the fight he could sense coming.

"Well, sir, the headache comes and goes. Nausea comes and goes too. Mother's soup seems to help," Amanda explained, refocusing her attention on her boss.

Francine couldn't help notice Amanda kept touching the edge of her hat, "How's that bruise healing?" Francine asked.

Amanda smiled weakly and tugged her hat off, revealing the colorful contusion. She brushed her hair off her face and stopped her hand at the base of her neck, "This is where Doctor Kelford found the other bruise. Lee said the table hit me a second time, here on the back on my head."

"That must of been pretty painful," Billy nodded.

"Yes, well, I don't remember that part of it and the bump on the front has had all my attention I didn't even know about the one on the back," Amanda admitted. "Dr. Kelford seems to think that's why the symptoms have been pretty severe, but he said to follow his suggestions and I'll get better soon."

"And what were Dr. Kelford's suggestions?" Billy asked politely.

"Time. That and rest," Lee stated. "He did say he wants to be sure she's keeping something in her stomach to fight off the nausea. He seems to think that's making it worse."

Billy nodded sympathetically, "Well, we can certainly make sure you get the time, Amanda. And don't worry, you'll still get paid while you're out."

Amanda sighed softly, "Thank you, sir. That's very kind of you."

Billy leaned forward, "No need to thank me. After all, you did get hurt working on a case."

Lee reached out and took Amanda's hand and said, "Thanks, Billy."

Amanda squeezed Lee's hand gently before she lifted her hat and placed it back on her head. "Lee, I'd like to go home now, if you don't mind. I'm getting a little tired and my head's starting to hurt again," she stated quietly.

Lee stood quickly, "Mind? Amanda, did you just ask if I mind? Why would I mind? Let's get you home and back in bed where you belong."

Francine laughed loudly, "Scarecrow, I never thought I'd hear the day you would be telling Amanda King she belonged home in bed."

"Can it, Francine! Can't you see Amanda's not feeling well? This really isn't the time for jokes," Billy snapped.

Amanda shook her head gently and smiled, "It's okay, Francine. Sometimes I still have a hard time believing it myself. Not that I belong home in bed, just that it's now Lee's bed, too."

Francine touched Amanda's arm, "And when you're feeling better, you'll have to give me all the dirt on-"

Lee bit his lip then interrupted, "Ladies, if you don't mind, I'd like to get Amanda home now so she can rest." Lee put his hand on Amanda's lower back to guide her toward the door.

Amanda smiled and said softly, "Don't worry, Francine. I'll have you over for chocolate chip cookies and ice cream again and we'll talk."

"Great, now I have my wife and one of my oldest friends ready to swap stories. What is this, the Twilight Zone?" Lee groaned.

Billy chuckled once more, "Some days, I have to agree, Scarecrow. Now go, before you get stuck here." Lee opened the door but was startled when the phone jangled loudly on Billy's desk. "Melrose. Yes, Leatherneck, Scarecrow is standing right here. Really, that's great news! I'll let him know." Billy replaced the phone on the receiver and looked up at Lee. "Leatherneck is happy to report your car is officially finished. He said you can pick it up tomorrow morning."

"Really? Wow, that is great news," Lee exclaimed.

"Then you can return the one you've been using back to the motor pool," Billy reminded him.

"Honestly, the car's been sitting in the driveway most of the week since Amanda hasn't been using hers," Lee admitted. "Let me get Amanda home and I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning."

Billy nodded then teased, "You mean you're actually going to do some work around here?"

"Ha ha, very funny. Yes, I have a few things I need to wrap up. There's the review on the Hillard case you asked for and I need to turn in my expense reports for last month. With the wedding and everything, I'm sort of behind," Lee grumbled.

"Behind? You mean you've even started? Lee, that's so unlike you," Francine teased once more.

Lee didn't reply, he glared at Francine as he guided Amanda through the door, out into the bullpen to take her home.