Steps To Peace

Chapter 1

The Virginia police, bomb squad, and an ambulance with EMT's, were at the scene of the Arlington Grocery store where a bomb had just gone off one Saturday at midnight!

When Billy, Lee, and Francine had arrived, there were people milling around in confusion, some were being questioned by police officers, while others were being treated for minor injuries.

As Lee scanned the crowd, he couldn't believe his eyes as he suddenly saw Amanda, appearing to be shaken but unharmed, of all people talking to one of the police officers! She was supposed to be in Maine with her family!

What made her come back and what was she doing here? He mused, incredulously as he headed her way, followed by Billy and Francine.

As the Officer was writing things down on his notepad, Amanda glancing briefly at the three agents approaching, asked the Officer as she then looked at her watch, "Is that all you need, Officer? Because I really should be going now."

The Officer nodded and answered, "Yes, Ma'am. Thank you for your cooperation. If we need any more information, we'll call you."

Amanda nodded and turned as Billy said to Lee, "Francine and I will find out what happened while you make sure Amanda gets home."

Billy then looked at Amanda. "I'm glad you weren't hurt, Amanda. We'll debrief in the morning."

Amanda answered, "Yes, Sir."

Lee then took Amanda's arm, leading her to his car, but she stopped him. "Lee, I have my car. I can get home all right."

Lee swallowed, answering in a clipped tone, "Of course you can, but we have to talk. Just not here. Let's go."

Amanda felt tension coming from him but wasn't sure why. "Oh. Okay, sure."

As they reached Amanda's home a few minutes later, Lee parked at his usual spot at the curb away from her house while she parked her car outside the garage.

Lee had a million questions ready to fire at her, but when they met on the driveway, all he could think to ask her was, "What could you possibly have needed at the store this time of night? You never go out this late unless we do a stakeout or some Embassy thing-"

Amanda sighed, beginning a ramble as she shook her head. "I-I know it's late, but I was looking at a cake recipe that called for those mini marshmallows, so I went downstairs to see if I had enough, but I only had the big ones and-Omigosh!"

Lee asked bewilderedly, "What is it?"

Amanda remarked, "I forgot the bag! I not only had the mini marshmallows, but I had the boys cereal that they need next week. See, they were out of Crunchy Crawlers, so I had to get-"

Lee thundered finally, "WHO CARES, Amanda! Do you know you could've been killed tonight?!"

Amanda quickly shushed him and looking around, nervously answered gesturing toward the house, "L-Let's go inside, please? I don't want the neighbors' asking questions."

Lee shook his head as they walked. "Of course not. Here you are nearly killed, and all you can think about is the neighbors' reaction to my shouting a bit?"

When they got inside finally, Amanda turned on lights in the kitchen. "Would you like some coffee?"

Lee looked at her perplexedly. "Amanda! This isn't a social call! When I saw you there, I was relieved to see you were okay, but at the same time, I was wondering why you weren't away with your family this weekend. Why did you come back? Billy gave you time off after the whole Jepard mess."

Amanda shrugged. "Oh, I know. And my family's gonna be fine without me. I-I was feeling a bit restless, that's all. I told my mother to stay with the boys and enjoy herself but that I wanted to come home and take care of some things that I haven't had time to lately."

Looking at the time, she stifled a yawn and said, "Um, could we talk tomorrow? I'm just bushed right now."

Lee could sense something was off with her but felt she'd tell him when she was ready and nodded finally. "Okay, I'll go home."

As they got to the front door, he gave her hand a squeeze and half smiling remarked, "Glad you're all right. Goodnight."

Amanda smiled. "Night. And I'm sorry you were worried."

Lee sighed. "You're my partner. I'm supposed to worry about you, okay?"

Amanda nodded. "Yeah, but you make a fuss when I act that way about you."

Lee groaned. "That's different, Amanda."

Amanda gestured. "Oh, I know. Because you're this big tough agent that can handle anything. But I know it's only because you don't like anyone worrying about you, right?"

Lee headed for his car and chuckling with a slight wave, said, "Yeah, yeah. Get some rest."

But as Amanda got ready for bed later that night, she thought, I know it's supposed to be over, but I can't help being nervous, still.

Her phone rang just then and she picked up thinking it was Lee. "Hi. I'm really okay. Please stop worrying-"

But it was Francine. "Amanda, it's Francine. Look. I'm coming to get you. Just pack an overnight bag, because you're staying with me tonight."

Amanda was puzzled. "You? Really? Why?"

Francine sighed. "I'll explain on the way to my place. I'll be over soon."

Amanda was about to ask something else, but Francine had hung up.

Amanda shook her head as she hung up and went to get her overnight bag out of the closet and changed back into her jeans and her Georgetown sweatshirt to head out before packing and thought, Wonder if it had anything to do with the bomb tonight?

TBC