Chapter Three

"Let's presume we have a level nine security breach. Sound the alert Francine." Billy didn't sound happy and he knew it. Damn these Russians….always muddling things. At least we figured out what's happening. Now to catch them. He looked over at his favorite agent and said "Lee, you and Amanda go round up Martinet and I will work with Walter here and get Dr. Von Clausen back under wraps."

He watched as Amanda walked over to Maria and reached over to give her a comforting pat on her arm.

"He probably had no control over this, Maria." They smiled at one another and then Amanda left with Lee.

Billy looked at Walter and said "Okay. I will have you and Dr. Von Clausen go into one of our interrogation rooms and Francine will go over everything. We'll get your statements then as well. I will get together with you afterwards to coordinate a new place for Maria to live as well."

He looked over at Dr. Von Clausen and sighed. She looked defeated. Billy knew she was trying to keep it together….she was fighting back tears. Billy smiled at her and said "Dr. Von Clausen….Maria. Why don't we get you all settled in one of our rooms. We will get this done quickly."

Maria smiled weakly at Billy and nodded. She walked out of the room and followed Billy to another room. Billy walked back to his office and saw Francine talking with Sarah and Jane at the coffee station. He rolled his eyes and went over to his desk. He saw them giggling. He shook his head and walked over towards the door. Sometimes I do have to be the bad guy. We have a level nine security breach….we need to get some work done. Office gossip can wait!

"Francine…we have a level nine breach right now. Can you please cut out the gossip about Lee and Amanda? I need your help with Walter and Dr. Von Clausen!"

Francine walked into Billy's office and sat down. The look she gave him was an apology for the gossip. He tried to hold in a grin. They had a lot of work to do.

"Okay. I need you to go debrief Dr. Von Clausen and get her statement. Once Lee and Amanda get back here with Martinet, I will have you debrief him as well. I will coordinate with Walter and see what we can do about getting Dr. Von Clausen taken care of."

Billy stood up and smiled at her. He could tell it unnerved her for a brief second and he wasn't sure how he was going to ask her about Lee and Amanda. He just went for it. He walked over to her chair.

"So, what were you gossiping about Lee and Amanda? What was seen or heard this time?"

Francine let out a small laugh. "Billy! I didn't know you were into idle office gossip!"

Billy scrunched up his nose and chuckled. "Oh come on, Francine. We are spies. We ALL see things. I try to keep myself up to date on the latest coffee talk. What happened this time around? We all have seen Lee and Amanda getting closer."

Francine looked at her boss and almost couldn't speak. Billy enjoyed it when someone left Francine speechless. This time around it was him. He thought back on how Lee was when they all first met Amanda King. Billy was worried about Lee. He was heading down a dangerous path after Eric's death. Amanda King was a breath of fresh air for all of them and especially Lee. She gave Lee a purpose. She gave Lee something to protect. He knew that it was a bit of matchmaking and Jeanie would roll her eyes at him but he didn't care. Lee and Amanda belonged together. Francine smiled at her boss and sighed.

"Okay Billy. I get the feeling you are matchmaking…just a little bit. Aren't you?"

Billy waved her off. "Francine, we both know that the two of them were meant to be together. They need one another. I…um…I may have pushed Amanda towards Lee on several occasions…"

"Several occasions? I think it's been three years of occasions….don't you?"

Billy chuckled. "I guess you are right. I think they are good for one another. They balance one another out. Not just as partners. I just wish Lee would say something to her already. It's written all over his face!"

This time it was Francine's turn to laugh. "Oh thank goodness! I am not the only one that sees that! It's almost nauseating watching him. He's like a little puppy. He has it bad!"

They both laughed and Francine continued. "Well, Billy, I did walk in on them while they were in the Q. I don't know if they had kissed or were about to. I am thinking I ruined a moment and they didn't because of me." Billy was laughing. His eyes were bright and almost dancing.

"But I did see him kiss her as he helped her into the car. So there's that as well." She paused for a moment and then asked " What do we do with this little bit of information?"

Billy turned serious. "I think for now we keep this between you and I. Understood? When Lee and Amanda are ready to tell us….they will."

"So we keep playing the innocent?"

Billy nodded. "And try to keep the gossip patrol on a tight leash. We don't want their rumors and ideas to mess anything up. Got it."

Francine nodded. She stood up, smiled at Billy and headed to debrief Dr. Von Clausen. Billy felt better knowing that Francine was keeping an eye on Lee and Amanda.