Chapter Two

Amanda sat down across from Dieter on one of Milo's Daffy Dogs' tiny seats. He took a bite out of the chili dog, letting out a groan of pleasure at the delicious accumulation of chili, hot peppers and cheese as it melted in his mouth. Dieter smiled at Amanda as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and watched as she took another bite of her chili dog.

It hadn't been easy, but once Amanda King and Lee Stetson left and returned to the states, he'd been determined to find out more about the beautifully amazing woman. She was the most exciting tourist he'd ever seen before. He knew that her being in jail and connected to the government agency was more than a coincidence. Mr. Stetson had tried to make it appear as though Amanda King was just an ordinary housewife on vacation and, being a good friend of hers, he had come to Germany to help her out. It didn't take a brain surgeon to know there was more to the story than that. Dieter wondered that of all Amanda King's closest friends and relatives she'd called Stetson when she was arrested.

Stetson had admitted with reluctance that he was with the federal government. Dieter had to admit that he'd become quite enamored with her during her stay in Munich and after she turned him down for a Bavarian dinner, he hadn't been able to get her off of his mind.

Dieter hadn't missed the look on Stetson's face when he walked up or the little grunt he'd made even though Dieter didn't think the two of them were particularly intimate, yet, they did seem relatively close. Dieter knew a few people in Washington, so he'd done some digging and after finding out some particulars, he'd phoned her.

Milo's Daffy Dog's brought back some bad memories for Amanda, but she liked the place so much she'd been able to get past the time she was kidnapped here. One of the best parts was that right after her kidnapping she finally broke it off with Dean. Besides the fact that his mother had been furious at having been kept so long at her house waiting on her and eating a ton of streusel, Amanda wasn't able to tell Dean the absolute truth about what happened that day. So, she thought it was best if they called things quits. If she was honest with herself, she was a little embarrassed that she had been relieved when he left that day.

Now, here she sat with Dieter from Germany and although he was there on a case, she was smart enough to know that there was more to his visit than following up on Harry's situation. She was pretty sure most of what he needed could have easily been handled over the phone. When he called her up several months ago, initially she'd been surprised; then, reluctant to talk with him, she was reminded of how persistent he was. She'd kept up her pretense at being an ordinary housewife up, but he'd seen right through her.

"So, do you want to tell me the real reason you showed up in Washington, DC? And how it is you found me at the agency?"

"I rather thought that was obvious," Dieter replied, taking another bite of his 'dog'.

Amanda returned his smile.

"I told you I had some connections in DC and that I never for a moment believed that you were an ordinary housewife, but even if you were, I wouldn't care. While I'm here, I hope you'll allow me a chance to get to know you."

"I don't—"

"You can show me the sites and make sure I have all the right food though I don't think you'll be able to top this chili dog."

Amanda's eyes lit up as she said, "Oh, no! You haven't had anything until you have a burger from Marvin's Marvelous burger."

"Marvin's?"

"Yes!"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Two questions."

"Two questions?" Amanda asked with a raised eyebrow and a smile

"Just exactly how did you become involved with the agency and is there anything serious between you and Lee Stetson?"

Amanda took her last bite of her chili dog and swallowed down some soda with a loud gulp. "Excuse me."

***SMK SMK SMK***

The past several days had kept Lee very busy, and if Lee didn't know already that he looked like what the cat had dragged in, Mrs. Martsen's face, as he entered the foyer of the agency, said it all. She recovered quickly with an encouraging smile as she handed him a badge and said, "Good morning, Mr. Stetson."

Lee returned the greeting as he stifled yet another yawn, then he headed towards the elevator. Several minutes later and he was seated at his desk. As he had grown accustomed to doing nowadays, he scanned the bullpen to see if a certain brunette had arrived yet. Seeing that she hadn't, Lee let out a grunt, then, after setting down his coffee and newspaper, glanced towards Billy's office. Seeing that no one was inside, Lee promptly headed that way and knocked on the door.

"Good morning, Lee! What brings you in so early?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would get an early start on some paperwork."

"Oh, that's a first."

Lee acknowledged the truth of the friendly jab with a sheepish grin. "Have you seen Amanda? I was hoping she could help me with some of it."

"She should be here shortly, she had an appointment and asked if she could come in a little late and not that it is your business; she is going to stay late to make up for the time she will be taking off tomorrow."

"What? Is Amanda taking time off tomorrow?"

"Yes, Lee, I believe that is what I just said."

"But Billy, we need Amanda to help finish up on our case, you know the one that she is working on with Francine."

"Well, I thought we all agreed that now things had heated up, that Amanda's part is over and we are close to an arrest. She did a bang-up job, as usual; it was after all Amanda that realized that was the jealous neighbor, Felicity Prisim, that was upset because she wasn't invited to one of the most recent social engagements."

"Yes, it was Amanda that noticed the shade of lipstick that Mrs. Prisim marked at each burglary," Lee agreed.

"Guess that will teach Prism for cheating with one of the senators and not being discreet. She blacklisted herself when the senator's wife found out."

Lee rolled his eyes. "What did she expect would happen when she was cheating with one of the husbands and not being discreet? She blacklisted herself when the affair was uncovered."

"But if it weren't for Amanda noticing that particular discontinued shade of lipstick that she marked at each robbery, we might not have suspected her."

Lee reluctantly let out a laugh.

Billy continued, "But back to Amanda, yes, she asked for the day off, seems like she has some plans."

"What kind of plans?"

Billy shrugged his shoulders, though he was pretty sure it involved a particular German who was in town and that Amanda had been spending time with him outside the office, besides working with him on the follow-up. Dieter had been in DC for a week, and a few days ago, with the help of The Agency, he was able to wrap up all the loose ends with the Harry case. Not only did they discover that Harry had an accomplice in Washington, but it was someone they would least expect, Fred Fielder. Lee shook his head slightly at the thought.

"Lee, you do know that Amanda has a personal life, don't you?"

Lee grunted and was about to say something but stopped when he saw Amanda walk into the bullpen. "I'll see you later, Billy."

Lee darted out of the office and headed straight towards Amanda.

"Amanda, why are you taking off tomorrow?"

"Lee, good morning to you too!"

"I'm sorry, good morning. Is everything alright, something wrong with your mother, the boys?"

"No, Amanda has agreed to take me on an all-day tour of your beautiful city." Unbeknownst to Lee, Dieter was right behind Amanda.

"Urgh!" Lee growled at the sight of Dieter. "What, you two coming to IFF together now? I thought your time here was done."

"Lee!" Amanda admonished him.

"No, it's actually just begun; I've decided to stay on a little longer," Dieter replied, his smile even more prominent as he turned towards Amanda, who was blushing slightly.

"What, I-" Lee, who really didn't know what he'd been about to say, stopped the sound of Billy's bellow, reluctantly glad for the interruption.

"Stetson!"

Lee's face grew into a scowl as he excused himself, turned away and headed towards Billy's office.

As he reached Billy's office, Lee heard Dieter say, "I thought we might go to the zoo or the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. And what about the Memorial Jefferson, is how you say it, ya?"

"No, it's The Jefferson Memorial," Lee muttered just under his breath shaking his head. No, they can't go there! This day really hasn't gotten off to a good start.

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Thank you for reading.

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