Mom, Secrets And More

Chapter 38

When Amanda got to Lee's he let her in asking, "Everything all right with the family?"

Amanda nodded and commented as she went to put her purse on the chair and sat on the couch, "Yes, thank you, even though you don't particularly care for one of the members."

Lee shrugged knowing who she meant answering slowly, "Ah, Joe's okay. But it's his "neanderthal" attitude I don't like."

Amanda bewilderedly queried, "Neanderthal? Clarify, please?"

Lee remarked lightly throwing up a hand as he joined her on the couch, "You know. The "I'm here now. There's no need for anyone else" attitude..."

Amanda smirked and replied, "Oh, you mean the way you act when we're at any Agency function? Give me a break!"

Lee retorted, "Oh, yeah? So, I'm not supposed to be concerned when I come back to your side after meeting with a contact and find some guy practically mauling you-"

Amanda was laughing now as she responded, "O-ho! It's called making conversation, Pal! One person speaks and the other answers. That's where it comes from. Besides... Aren't you the one who tells me to mingle, which you know I hate to do anyway? So don't blame me if men seem to "glom" onto me as it were-"

Lee put up a hand defensively answering quickly, "Hey! That's only to keep you out of the line of fire. It does get dangerous sometimes and-"

Cutting him off, Amanda replied, "Alright. That's not what I really came over to talk about although I appreciate the concern."

Lee asked carefully, "Okay. So, what's on your mind?"

Amanda hesitated and then commented, "Well, Mr. Melrose allowed me to discuss part of what I do for the Agency to Joe...Now it's time I told the family-"

Lee shook his head quickly answering, "No! You don't need to. Why?"

Amanda stated, "Because of this whole thing with Jamie. See, the fact that Hawkins had a son anyway made me think that it's right. We know now that Hawkins had a motive for what he did and it might help Jamie understand things a little better in order to heal."

Lee argued back, "Yeah, but it would endanger your family even more if we told them."

Then quietly he replied, "Besides, we'll be on your mother's hit list anyway once she learns the truth about me...And you."

Amanda taking his hand gently answered softly, "Yes, but I will be able to point out the obvious that we're all still here and will continue to be because of you... Not even Joe could argue that, huh?"

After mulling it over a few moments Lee commented, "All right. I'll talk to Billy. Now, how are you doing?"

Shrugging lightly Amanda responded, "Oh, like my world's out of control and I'm trying to make it right again. But I'll be okay, really. I think once Jamie's back on track I'll feel better, though."

Squeezing Amanda's hand Lee leaned over to her and kissing her temple stated gently, "Just remember that you're not alone, huh?"

Gulping, Amanda slowly got up from the couch and remarked, "Thanks. I know that and I appreciate it but like Jamie, I just want this over with, you know?"

As Lee nodded Amanda got her purse and looking at her watch commented, "I'd better be going. See you tomorrow for Pfaff's session-"

Lee stated concernedly, "Oh? I thought it was just you and Jamie that would start out first?"

Amanda nodded commenting in a mini ramble, "It is, but you and I need to go over later with each other what Jamie might ask you in your session together and how you should answer, since he doesn't yet know about me being an agent-"

Lee shook his head and putting up a hand stated, "Wai-Wait...This is getting out of control. If I talk to Billy, then we don't need to go over anything because you'll eventually be telling Jamie anyway-"

Amanda sighed. "Lee, there's a right way and a wrong way to handle this, and I just feel-"

Lee sighed as he got up from the couch and walked Amanda to the door and let out a chuckle as he squeezed her arm, "Hey...How many years have I been at this game? C'mon! I know what I'm doing, huh? Trust me on this...You do trust me, right?"

Amanda remarked slowly nodding as she eyed him carefully, "Of course I trust you, Lee...I trust you more than anyone in the world. You know that. But no matter how careful you may be at this, something's bound to go wrong-"

Lee, opening the door, walked her out to the elevator on his apartment floor, and pushing the Down button shook his head, answering, "It won't, all right? And even if something does fall through the cracks, we'll find a way to handle it."

As the elevator doors opened, Lee helped Amanda inside, and as she turned to face him, he stated, "Call me when you get home, huh?"

When Amanda gave Lee a strange look, he mimicked what she had said on one of their cases when the Colonel had been visiting, "If you don't call me, I'll know something's wrong, so promise you'll call-"

Amanda recalled the phrase and giggled remarking quickly, "Okay, okay. I'll call...Wow, you really do listen to me sometimes."

Lee winked at her replying,"See you tomorrow."

And as the doors closed, Amanda thought about her talk with Lee and reconsidered her initial idea shaking her head, This is Jamie we're talking about...He's already been through enough lately...Maybe I shouldn't say anything until I know how our therapy with Dr. Pfaff will go tomorrow...

Amanda drove home from Lee's with a lot on her mind that night...

TBC