Lee paced nervously in the ER waiting room, anxiously awaiting any news of his wife's condition. She'd regained consciousness in the ambulance for just a brief moment, but had slipped back under again soon after. "Damn it," he swore as attempted his normal move of running a hand through his hair, but was halted by the bandage on his head from the head blow he'd taken.

"You better watch that, Scarecrow," Billy said as he entered the room carrying two cups of coffee. "You don't want to break open your stitches."

"Yeah," Lee said grateful to Billy for arriving immediately. He'd gotten there just after Amanda had been brought in and had been waiting with him ever since, only leaving the room long enough to get coffee. Lee took a sip of the bitter brew his friend had just handed him. "Thanks."

"Any news yet," Billy inquired he face etched with concern.

"No, nothing yet," Lee replied with a frustrated sigh. "I just wish I knew what's taking so damn long." He flung himself into one of the hard chairs knocking it precariously back on two legs with the force he put into it. He righted himself, took another sip of the horrible vending machine coffee just to have something to do with his hands while he stared at the floor forlornly.

Billy sat next to his friend, laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. As Lee turned to face him, the older man said, "Amanda's strong. She'll come through this."

"I hope so," Lee said. Both men were silent for a moment as they glanced at each other tensely.

The silence was broken by both of them speaking at once, Lee saying, "Billy, I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole story," just as Billy was saying, "I'm sorry for coming down so hard on you."

They continued looking at each other and both chuckled. Lee stood and began pacing again. "God, this whole stupid mystery marriage has been a nightmare from the start. From Amanda being shot when we were on our honeymoon, to not being able to spend enough time together, to all the fighting because we were both too chicken to say what was really on our minds." Lee paused, turned back to his friend and said, "You weren't entirely wrong in what you said, Billy. If we'd had any damn sense, we should have come to you from the start."

"You were right in a way too, Lee," Billy replied. "It's hard to know who to trust in this business. While it bothers me as a friend that you didn't come to me first, as your boss, I can understand why you didn't, out of fear that I'd have to report it to Dr. Smyth."

"God, Dr. Smyth, he's going to be all over us about this, isn't it?"

"No, actually," Billy said. "He already knows everything and he seems to be pretty amused by it."

"Amused?" Lee questioned. "Dr. Smyth?"

"Well, the man does have a twisted sense of humor," Billy said.

"I can't argue with that," Lee replied with a soft chuckle.

"Listen, Lee, there's something else you should know," Billy said as he related the whole tale of Dr. Smyth's plan to change the direction of the rumor mill at the agency by putting the pieces of the puzzle together.

"So, everybody at the agency knows everything?"

"Afraid so," Billy said grimly.

"Humph," Lee said with a shrug.

Billy looked at him quizzically and said in surprise, "That's it? You're not mad?"

Lee paused a moment as he reflected on it, realizing that he really wasn't. "Nah, this is what I've wanted for a while, for everything between me and Amanda to be out in the open. I'd much rather have the gossips knowing that we're married than to have them think that we're just having a torrid love affair."

Billy smiled at Lee as he realized how much he'd really grown up over the past few years under Amanda's influence, however, Before he could voice his thoughts though they were interrupted by Dotty West flying in through the glass doors.

She rushed immediately to her son-in-law and threw her arms around him. "I got here as soon as I could," Dotty said. "How is she?"

Lee wrapped an arm around her, mindful of the hot coffee still in his hands and answered, "We don't really know anything yet."

"What happened?" Dotty said as she released him her eyes drawn to the bandage on his head.

"Dotty, I can't give you the details. I'm sorry."

"Well, I just don't accept that," Dotty said as she crossed her arms tightly over her bosom. "Don't you think the two of you have kept enough secrets?"

"It's the nature of the business, I'm afraid, Mrs. West," Billy interjected.

"Maybe you should consider changing businesses," Dotty replied with an icy glare at Billy. She had not forgotten the incident from last fall when he'd planted himself in her him and interrogated her as if she were a common criminal.

Billy bit back a retort, knowing that it would do no good to get into a verbal sparring match with Amanda's mother. Instead, he said, "I know that this must be confusing for you, but I want you to know that I am here for whatever Lee and Amanda need."

"Humph," was Dotty's disbelieving reply. "I don't believe that. It's because of you that they've felt the need to hide the fact that they're in love."

"No, Dotty, that's not true," Lee said. "It's our own fear and stupidity that's been keeping us apart, but like I said at the house the other day, that's all going to change. I'm tired of living without my wife."

"Mr. Stetson?" another voice said from behind the reception desk.

The group turned and Lee noticed that the man who'd spoken was the same doctor who'd treated Amanda on Monday night. He approached him and said worriedly, "How is she?"

"She's conscious, but still weak. We've done everything we can for her for the time being," the doctor answered. "She's asking for you." As Lee began to make his way past the doctor, the man stopped him with a hand on his chest. "I need to speak to you in private first."

"Wait a minute," Dotty said. "I'm her mother."

The doctor nodded. "You'll get your chance," he said, "But right now, I need to speak with her husband."

Lee looked at Dotty, saw the pain and worry etched on her face, then turned back to the doctor and said, "Listen, Doc, whatever is going on with Amanda, her mother has a right to know." When the doctor still hesitated, Lee said, "Look, whatever it is, I'm just going to tell her anyway."

Seeing the determined look on the other man's face, the doctor nodded and said, "Alright." He indicated for the two of them to follow him as he walked away from the busy waiting room. Once they have moved away from prying eyes, he explained, "We did everything that we could, but I'm afraid that she miscarried." Dotty's hand flew to her mouth as Lee's facial expression changed from one of worry to one of grief combined with guilt. "I'm truly sorry for your loss, Mr. Stetson; there was just too much trauma caused by the explosion."

Lee nodded tensely while Dotty looked at him quizzically and said, "Explosion?"

"Yeah," Lee said barely audibly as a flurry of emotions crossed his features, loss, pain, grief, and a healthy dollop of guilt. "But she's going to be okay, right?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "She will be. She'll need some time to heal, but there's no reason that you can't try again if that's what you want."

"So, she'll still be able to have more children?"Dotty asked.

"Absolutely," he answered.

"Does she know?"Lee asked.

"Not yet. She's been in and out of consciousness and we have her on some pain medication, so she's not completely coherent. That's why I asked to speak to you. Given the situation, I thought you might want to be the one to break the news."

'Yeah," Lee said again. "So, can we see her now?"

"Of course," the doctor said leading the way.

Lee began to follow, but noticed that Dotty hand hung back. "Are you coming?"

Dotty shook her head. "No, Lee. This is something you and Amanda should deal with alone. I'll see her later." She placed quick kiss to his cheek and added, "You go take care of my girl." When Lee nodded and followed the doctor, she watched him go until he was out of sight, her heart breaking for him and the loss of his child. She'd seen the elation on his face at the news of Amanda's pregnancy and had seen how good he was with the boys. He deserved to have a chance at fatherhood himself.

Dotty walked back to the waiting area and sank wearily into one of the hard plastic chairs lost in thought, hoping against hope that the loss they'd suffered wouldn't cause a further rift in their already strained marriage. This was the last thing they needed. She only hoped that they would come through it together and come out stronger for it. Her reverie was interrupted by the voice of Billy Melrose.

"I thought you could use this," he said as he handed her a fresh cup of coffee, "Cream and sugar, right?" He'd remembered that from the Stemwinder debacle.

"Yes, thank you," Dotty said stunned that he'd remembered how she took her coffee. She took the offered cup from him gratefully.

"May I?" Billy said indicating the seat next to her.

Dotty nodded, but still eyed him suspiciously, as he sat beside her. She took a deep breath and said, "Now, I want some real answers."

Lee entered the curtained ER bay where his wife had been treated to see her lying with her eyes closed, "Amanda?" he whispered softly.

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice. "Hi," she said smiling weakly as she patted the bed.

Lee approached her and gingerly sat at the edge of her bed, "How you feeling?" he asked apprehensively.

"Like I got blown up," she answered as her eyes fell on his bandages head, "you?"

"The same," he replied as he reached for his hand and tried to figure out how to break the bad news to her that they'd lost their baby.

Amanda's free hand slid to her abdomen and she said softly, "I lost the baby, didn't I?"

Lee swallowed hard, a lump in his throat as he fought back tears. He shook his head slightly fighting off the pain that gesture had cause and said, "No, Amanda, we lost the baby."

"I'm sorry," she said hoarsely as tears began to slide down her cheeks.

"Don't apologize, Amanda," Lee said. "This isn't your fault."

"Yes, it is," Amanda argued. "It is my fault. I...I...I was so scared of the possibilities that I...I didn't want this baby enough. I put our baby at risk by being out there. You told me I should stay out of the line of fire and I...I..."

"Shhh...Don't. Don't you dare blame yourself, Amanda. If anyone's to blame, it's me. I should have told Billy the truth Monday night when I tried to get us out of this case. I should have told him the real reason that I wanted out. If I had..." he voice trailed off as the guilt and pain enveloped him.

"No, Lee. I should have listened to you, to Efraim."

"No, I should have made you listen to me. I should have dragged you out of there kicking and screaming."

Amanda couldn't help but smile a little at the imagery his words created in spite of the hurt. "Maybe...maybe neither of us is to blame. Maybe, it just wasn't meant to be," she suggested through her tears.

"What do you mean," her husband asked looking at her curiously.

"Think about it, about how much trouble our marriage has been in." She took a deep breath before continuing. It hurt a lot, but she was trying to look on the bright side as she always did. "We're just starting to get us in the right place, so maybe it's better that we're not bringing a baby into it. Maybe we're meant to wait until we're on more stable ground."

Lee sighed and said, "Maybe you're right." He squeezed her hand tightly and then added in a more optimistic tone, "The doctor did say that we can try again once you're healed." He smiled rakishly at her.

Amanda chuckled softly and answered, "I'll be looking forward to it."

Lee leaned in and kissed her softly. "Good."

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, too," he answered immediately.

Amanda and Lee sat quietly for a moment just holding each other's hands silently reflecting on their loss and their future before Amanda spoke again. "Are we gonna' be ok?"

"Yes, Mrs. Stetson, you and I are going to be just perfect. We'll get through this and come hell or high water, we are going to start living a normal life." He lifted her hands to his and kissed them softly. "Listen, the doctor said you need your rest and I still have to go back to the office and get some stuff done, so I should go. Plus, your mom's out there and she wants to see you."

Amanda nodded, reluctant to let him go, but knowing that it had to be done. "I understand."

"But I will be back as soon as I can. The sooner we put the finishing touches on this case, the sooner we can get to really starting our life together."

Amanda smiled and said, "Go. I'm not going anywhere for a while."

"I love you," he said kissing her once more as he made his way to the door. He turned for a moment and said, "Don't let your mom stay in here too long. You need your rest." He then returned to the waiting area where he found Billy and Dotty embroiled in a heated debate and that Francine and Efraim had arrived since he'd left the room.

"Mrs. West, you're just going to have to understand, there are some things that we just can't tell you when matters of national security are involved."

"That is such a crock! You have no idea what I've..."

Dotty's tirade was interrupted by Lee saying, "Dotty." She turned toward him. "If you want to see Amanda, you should go now so she can get some sleep."

Dotty scrambled from her seat and ran off to find her daughter while Lee chuckled at her. Billy looked at him and said, "How's Amanda?"

"She's going to be fine, but..." Lee couldn't finish the thought.

The hurt on Lee's face was evident to his friend who replied simply, "The baby?"

Lee shook his head slowly as he sank wearily into the chair to Billy's right that Dotty had just vacated. "The baby's gone," he said sorrowfully.

Francine filled the empty seat to Lee's right and she and Billy each laid comforting hands on his shoulders while Lee buried his face in his hands.

Efraim blurted out, "You see? I was right. This is exactly what I was talking about!"

Lee's head snapped up at this, but before he could say a word, Francine leapt from her chair and launched a solid right hook to Efraim's jaw. "God, what the hell is the matter with you? Can't you see that he's hurting? This is why I could never go out with you! You are an insensitive horse's ass!"

"I'm a horse's ass just for stating the obvious? She should never have been involved in this case!"

Francine was about to hit him again when Billy grabbed her from behind and said, "Let it go, Francine. Efraim, take a walk." He glared at the training supervisor sternly.

Efraim scowled and began to argue, "But-"

"Now!" Billy bellowed.

Efraim seeing the ferocious look on his boss's face wasted no more time scurrying out of the ER.

Lee couldn't help but laugh at what had just transpired in spite of Efraim's callous comments. "He's going to have a hell of a bruise," he said to Francine.

"You should go home and get some rest," Billy said. "There's nothing you can do for Amanda tonight."

"I can't, Billy. I still have crap to do to close this case," he said.

"No, you don't," Francine said. "It's done. The buyers are debriefed and in holding cells. Efraim and I took care of it with some help from the newbies. David Chambers sang like a canary and Amelie Gertrude has won herself a fabulous trip back to West Germany to be dealt with by her own people along with the Kleins and the Murdochs and the Pattersons will soon be on their way to a federal prison."

"But I've still got a report to write," Lee protested.

"No, you don't, Lee," Billy said. "Dr. Smyth and I agreed to let you off the hook on this one. We have reports pending from four different agents and enough evidence to lock all these people up for years. You're done. Now, go home. That's an order."

"Yeah, ok, I just wanna' go look in on Amanda once more before I go." He made his way back through the doors to find his wife and saw that her mother was hugging her tightly. "Hi, sorry to interrupt," he said tentatively.

"No, it's good that you're here, Lee," Dotty said pilling back from her daughter's arms. "We were just talking about what to do with the boys."

"Oh?" he said.

"Yeah," Amanda said patting the bed again. Lee followed her cue and sat on the opposite side of the bed from his mother-in-law. "We were thinking that if they never knew about the baby."

"I agree," Lee said.

"But they still need to know that we're married," Amanda continued. "I don't want to hide anymore. I want us to live out in the open like a normal couple."

"I suggested that you use the same story you tried to sell me about wanting to give them time to get to know you before sharing that news," Dotty added.

"But you didn't buy that for a second," Lee protested.

"No, but I think they'll accept it. They already want you as their stepfather anyway, so we both agreed that you should be the one to tell them the truth."

"Yeah, you could, you know, have a man-to-man talk with them," Amanda interjected.

Lee looked at both of them in surprise, but at seeing the determined looks on both of their faces, he realized there was no use arguing. He simply nodded.

Thirty minutes later, instead of going home as Billy had ordered him to, he was pulling his corvette into Joe and Carrie King's driveway having called ahead to let them know he was on his way. He made his way to the door nervously, knocked firmly and found himself once again face to face with his wife's ex-husband.

"Hi," Joe said cordially. "Come on in. The boys are in the living room." He opened the door wider to allow Lee entrance then led the way.

At seeing him in the doorway, both boys flew toward him, their excitement at seeing him obvious as they hugged him tightly. As he hugged them back, he couldn't help but wonder how happy they would be once he broke the news. "It's great to see you guys," he said as he broke the hug. "Let's have a seat. There's something I need to talk to you guys about."