Best Laid Plans…
Chapter 3
Lee was up and out of his seat in a flash, two long strides propelling him across the room
to where Rhodes stood near the window. He fisted his right hand in the open collar of
Ray's shirt, slamming the man up against the wall. "I'll smear your face all over the road
back to D.C. if you even try," he gritted out between his teeth, pushing him an inch
higher.
Ray struggled, grasping Lee's restraining hand desperately in both of his. "Hey, let me
down," he choked, his feet swinging inches above the floor.
Lee cocked his left fist back. "Better start talking or you're going to be seeing stars, and
they won't be on the American flag," he warned. Through the red haze fogging his brain,
he faintly heard Amanda cautioning him.
"Lee. Lee!" she said insistently, coming to his side and carefully placing a compelling
hand on his shoulder.
Lee visibly tried to shrug off the fury that had engulfed him. Still tense, he let Rhodes
slide down the wall until his feet touched the floor. Ray gasped for air, running a hand
around his throat gingerly.
"All right, Scarecrow. Look, I'll tell you what I know, if you can help me. Forget I ever
mentioned your relationship," he entreated. He shot a beleaguered look at Amanda. "Is
he always this hot under the collar?"
Amanda returned his look with a steady gaze. "Usually only when someone tries to
blackmail him. I wouldn't push it if I were you," she said gently.
Lee took the man's arm a little roughly, dragging him over to the couch. "Talk, Ray.
And it had better be good," he grumbled, shoving him down.
Rhodes sat up straighter, pulling at his collar indignantly. He opened his mouth to
complain at the rough handling, but subsided after a dark look from Lee.
Amanda seated herself in the easy chair, Lee perching on the arm. He crossed his arms in
front of his chest, left foot swinging idly. He raised one eyebrow at Rhodes, silently
commanding him to begin.
Ray tried to regain his self-assurance, but failed miserably. "Okay. While I was digging
around for information in some…business transactions, I found out that Senator Hartford
is doing a little dealing on the side. A country called Estoccia or something like that." A
look of alarm passed between Lee and Amanda. "Something to do with small arms," Ray
finished, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that had flooded the room. He sat
back, spreading his arms wide. "That's it. Now, can you protect me or what? Senators
have long reaches, you know." Ray fingered his tender throat again.
Lee sighed heavily. "If you're telling the truth, sure, we'll do what we can." He ran a tired
hand across the back of his neck. "Amanda, I need to call Billy, run this by him."
She smiled reassuringly up at him. "I'll stay here and keep Ray company."
Lee went into the bedroom, mulling over this new turn of events. He absently dialed the
familiar Agency number and asked for Billy. The bedside alarm clock's glowing LED
numbers informed him of the lateness of the hour moments before Billy's groggy voice
came on the line.
"Scarecrow?" he inquired, glancing over at his sleeping wife. "Don't you have anything
better to do on a Friday night in the Poconos than call me?" he quipped. "Don't tell me –
you've found Rhodes."
Lee grimaced into the receiver. "You could say that," he muttered, combing his fingers
agitatedly through his already mussed hair.
Billy grunted. "I'll send someone up there in the morning to haul him back to D.C. for
questioning. I wouldn't want to ruin your entire weekend, and the case load is light here
anyway," he remarked, containing a chuckle.
Lee paced to the door of the bedroom, staring glumly out at the living room where
Amanda and Ray sat quietly talking. "Yeah, well, it's too late. Billy, Rhodes has some
big pieces to that small arms puzzle that we've been monitoring. His information points a
finger at Senator Hartford," he announced, "but there's a wrinkle. It seems the Senator
has been passing the weapons to someone in Estoccia."
Billy frowned thoughtfully. "Amanda's ex-husband has been doing some work connected
with Estoccia for the EAO again. Find out if she knows if he's in D.C. It might be a
good idea to talk to him, find out if he's heard anything. He's pretty tight with the Prime
Minister there, after that debacle a while back. And, Lee," he murmured regretfully, "I
really am sorry about messing up your weekend. Once this is cleared up I'll take you
and…you off the duty roster for a long weekend, okay?"
Lee laughed ruefully. "Yeah, sure. Thanks, Billy. Oh, and don't bother sending anyone
up here tomorrow. We'll be coming back to D.C., so we'll deliver our little package
ourselves. I'd rather not have to baby-sit Rhodes in this cabin all night." He dropped the
receiver into its cradle with a sharp click and ran his hand over the quilted bedspread.
'Bad timing again', he thought with a wry shake of his head. 'We're becoming pros at bad
timing.' He turned and made his way back into the living room.
Amanda looked up inquiringly as he entered. "What did Mr. Melrose have to say?" she
asked, crossing the room and taking his hand. Lee glanced over her shoulder at Ray, who
seemed absorbed in some old program blaring from the television set.
He looked down at her hand in his, absently running his thumb over the backs of her
fingers. "Amanda –"
"I know, I know. It's a good thing we haven't unpacked anything yet. I guess we'd better
load up the car," she groused good-naturedly, turning to gather up her things.
Lee didn't relinquish her hand. "That's not all, Amanda." She kept her eyes on their
joined hands. "Do you know where Joe is? We need to talk to him, find out if he knows
anything at all. He has contacts in Estoccia; he's friendly with the Prime Minister. He
may have information that could help us out." Lee tipped her chin up with a gentle
finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. He saw the worry in her beautiful brown eyes before
she shut them tightly. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm sorry about the weekend. Billy does want
us to go back tonight, and anyway, I'll feel better when he's in cold storage," he griped,
indicating Rhodes with a jerk of his head.
Amanda took a deep breath. "Joe has been back in town for a few weeks. He has the
boys this weekend. I think he and Carrie were going to take them to the movies. That
old dinosaur film they love is playing at the theater on Massachusetts Avenue. Should I
call him?" she asked, her unease evident in her subdued expression.
Lee shook his head, no. "It's late, and there's no reason to disturb them tonight.
Tomorrow will be soon enough." He enfolded her gently in his arms, resting his cheek
against her hair. "We'd better get going, it's going to be close to dawn by the time we get
home." Amanda hugged him back and nodded wordlessly.
Lee moved away from the embrace, touching his fingertip lightly to the end of her nose.
He turned and stalked over to Rhodes, who was sprawled half-dozing on the couch. He
clapped him on the shoulder and smirked. "Up and at 'em, Ray, we're going on a road
trip!"
End Chapter 3 …
Chapter 4
Amanda slowly opened her eyes and studied her reflection in the darkened passenger
window of the car. She rolled her head to look at Lee, admiring the strength evident in his
long fingers as they lay casually on the steering wheel. His face wore a mask of intense
concentration, eyes flicking occasionally to the rear view mirror. He seemed to feel her
eyes on him, and his dimple slowly appeared, the tiny laugh lines around his eyes
becoming visible in the faint gleam of the dashboard lights.
"Hey, sleepyhead," he murmured softly, finally glancing over at her. "What were you
dreaming about?" He reached out and touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers in
a tender caress.
Amanda peeked over her shoulder at the lone occupant of the backseat, who lay slumped
in one corner, apparently dead to the world. She roused herself enough to straighten up
slightly, capturing Lee's hand and turning it to plant a kiss in the palm.
"Oh, I don't know," she replied, her voice husky with sleep. "Bargain hunting at the
grocery store, that kind of thing," she teased.
Lee lowered his voice suggestively. "That's not what it sounded like from over here," he
murmured smoothly, casting a sideways glance at her. "Unless you have a thing for the
bag boy at the supermarket?"
Amanda stared at him open-mouthed, a blush spreading slowly up her face. Had her
dreams of him caused her to...she caught his impish grin and realized his ploy just in
time. "You mean Fred? Well, he doesn't know I've remarried, and he really is kinda
cute. He even takes my cart out to the car for me, and he doesn't have to, you know."
Lee took his attention off the road in surprise. "Fred? Who's Fred?" he asked sharply,
trying to discern her expression in the dim light. Amanda's face was turned away from
him, her hand over her mouth. "Amanda?" he queried, becoming concerned. Gradually
he became aware of a muffled sound, something like sobbing…or laughing. She was
LAUGHING at him!
As she turned to face him, he saw the twinkle in her eyes as she tried to control her
giggles. He rolled his eyes and sighed in disgust. "Okay, okay, you win! Guess I should
have known better, huh?"
Amanda laughed outright at that. "Uh-huh. You had me going there for a minute, so
we're even." She looked out at the passing scenery, noting that the sky seemed to have
lightened somewhat. "How long have I been asleep?"
Lee shrugged. "Both you and our friend back there went out like a light before we hit the
interstate." He took her hand and wove their fingers together. "You're beautiful when
you sleep, do you know that?'" he said solemnly. "Sometimes I can't believe that for the
rest of our lives, I have the right to watch you sleep." Suddenly embarrassed by his
words, he fixed his eyes on the road ahead and cleared his throat.
Amanda squeezed his fingers. "Oh, wow, that's better than old Fred could do," she said in
mock admiration, trying to lighten the atmosphere. She knew how uncomfortable Lee
got when he let his sensitive side show. "I love you too, Sweetheart," she asserted gently.
A loud snort from the back seat intruded on the intimate silence that followed. "Yeah,
yeah. Look, where the hell are we? What hotel are you going to hide me in, Scarecrow?
I'm an important informant, you have to make sure I'm safe. Maybe Mrs. Stetson here
can baby-sit me," he grinned cheekily, his self-confidence apparently rejuvenated.
Lee and Amanda exchanged knowing glances. "No problem, Ray. You'll have the best
accommodations the Agency has to offer. And some charming company to boot. I
guarantee it," Lee said with a droll smile.
The sky was brightening with pre-dawn light when they pulled into the Agency parking
lot. They had remained silent for the rest of the trip, each lapsing into their own private
thoughts.
As Lee parked the car, Ray stirred and looked around him. "Hey, what hotel is this? I
don't recognize this place," he questioned sharply, leaning forward between the seats.
Amanda patted the hand that was braced on her seat. "Don't worry, Ray. We have to stop
here to debrief you first. You'll be safe, no one will be able to get to you where you're
going," she said reassuringly. Her gaze connected with Lee's across the hood of the car
as they got out, and he dipped his head, hiding his amusement.
"Come on, Rhodes, let's get you taken care of." Lee took the other man's arm and led
him into the building.
Lee leaned in close to his wife. "Amanda, go find Billy and Francine and fill them in. I
know they're here, their cars are in the parking lot," Lee whispered. "Send Francine
down and I'll have her baby sit for our stool pigeon." He caught Amanda's startled glance
and smiled innocently. "What? You and I have other fish to fry. Besides, Francine's got
a history with this guy. Remind me to tell you later. I'll be waiting down in the holding
cell."
Amanda walked quickly through the deserted bullpen to Billy's office. She peeked
through the window as she knocked, and entered as he waved her in.
"Good morning, Sir, Francine," she said cheerfully, stepping inside and closing the door
gently behind her.
"Well, well, Amanda," Francine began snidely, "isn't it a coincidence how you just
happened to be available this weekend for the Poconos assignment?" She rested one hip
against Billy's desk and crossed her arms. "I can imagine what it was like: snug little
cottage, fire blazing...but then I guess Ray Rhodes turned up like a bad penny," she
sighed, feigning regret.
"Can it, Francine," Amanda said wearily.
"Good morning, Amanda," Billy returned, amused. "What's the status of our guest?" he
asked, placing his untouched doughnut on the napkin in front of him and folding his
hands.
"Well, Sir, he's down in one of the holding cells with Lee. I think Lee has an assignment
for you, Francine. He said something about it being top priority," she improvised
ingeniously. "He's waiting for you," Amanda prodded, biting the inside of her lip to keep
from smiling.
"Oh, well, Amanda, you can't win them all. There's still some jobs that only an
experienced operative can handle," she stated smugly, sailing out of the office.
Billy laughed as he stood up. "I get the feeling she isn't going to like this assignment
much," he said, holding open the door for Amanda to precede him.
"No, Sir," she agreed. She paused uncomfortably. "I'll call Joe and see if I can go talk to
him this morning. I'd rather do this alone, if it's okay," she requested, glancing down at
her knotted hands. "Lee and Joe aren't particularly at ease with each other, and…"
Billy ushered her back through the bullpen. "Go right ahead, Amanda, this is one area
where you'll do better alone."
Amanda unlocked the door to the Q Bureau and surveyed her tidy desk, strangely
unwilling to pick up the phone. She couldn't believe that she had to involve Joe in this
part of her life again. She sighed heavily, seating herself and lifting the receiver.
Everyone had to do things that they didn't want to do, she reminded herself. She thought
of Francine's inevitable reaction when Lee told her the nature of her assignment and
grinned. Momentarily cheered, she punched in the number of Joe's apartment. Smiling
inwardly, she thought, 'Well, Francine, what goes around, comes around'.
End Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Francine's reaction was exactly what Amanda had expected: total outrage. She paced
outside Rhodes' holding cell in agitation, her blue eyes shooting daggers at Lee as he
leaned casually against the wall, his hands deep in his jacket pockets. "Why me? I don't
understand this! Amanda has met him, he's probably already comfortable with her…and
besides, I'm sure I have more important things to do-"
Lee raised both hands in the air. "Keep it down, Francine. Look, it's just the way things
worked out." He turned his palms upward and shrugged. "Amanda's job is to get in touch
with her ex, and you were here and available. Billy will clear your agenda for the next
few days, so there's nothing that needs your immediate attention." He cleared his throat
and looked away, fingering the collar of his open jacket. "Incidentally, um… he knows
you, too."
"What-" Francine began, stepping through the door as Lee pulled it open. The man
inside turned toward the door, grabbed his upper arm and backed away in defense as he
saw who had entered. "YOU!" they shouted simultaneously.
Francine threw a pleading glance over her shoulder at Lee as he quickly sidled out the
door, closing it with a snap. "Sorry," he mouthed through the thick glass of the window,
shaking his head at the mutinous set of her jaw. He ran a hand through his hair,
hightailing it down the hall to the relative safety of the elevator. He got out at the
Georgetown entrance, passing Mrs. Marsden's empty office, and took the steps to the
second floor two at a time. He grinned to himself, anticipating Amanda's enjoyment of
the predicament Francine had found herself in.
Lee entered the Q Bureau quietly, raising his eyebrows at Amanda as she sat talking on
the phone with Joe. She glanced up at him, her welcoming smile doing little to alleviate
the faint worry lines etched in her forehead. Lee took up his usual position on the edge of
her desk, waiting patiently for her to finish her call.
"Okay, Joe. I'll just run home and get cleaned up a bit, and I'll meet you at the apartment
at about ten. Oh, sure, I'd love to meet her. Yes, I'm sure I'll like her. The boys will
really enjoy that. Okay, bye," she concluded, placing the receiver carefully back in its
cradle. She folded her hands on her desk and caught Lee's concerned expression. "I
guess you heard, I'm meeting him at ten," she began, her fingers absently toying with the
heart-shaped necklace suspended around her throat.
"Ten o'clock is good. That gives me plenty of time to run over to my place and clean up
too, then pick you up at your house. I'll drive…" He paused at the look on her face.
"Lee, I need to do this alone," Amanda said regretfully. She stood up and placed her
hands comfortingly on his chest, lightly smoothing the material of his shirt. "I know that
you would rather be there with me, but both you and Joe get so uncomfortable when
you're together that he might not tell me everything."
Lee lowered his eyes, tacitly acknowledging the truth of her statement. He grasped her
elbows and ran his hands up her arms warily. "Amanda, I –"
Amanda gently placed a finger over his lips, stemming the flow of words. "I know. It's
okay. Why don't you go home and get a little rest? You didn't sleep at all last night. At
least I got to sleep in the car. I'll call you as soon as I've talked to Joe, all right? Hey,"
she chided, tipping his chin up with her finger, "How about dinner tonight at your place?
I'll stop by the grocery store and pick up some steaks."
Lee kissed her playfully. "Just as long as old Fred the bag boy doesn't follow you home!"
he laughed, taking her shoulders and turning her around. "Come on, I'll drive you home."
End Chapter 5
Chapter 3
Lee was up and out of his seat in a flash, two long strides propelling him across the room
to where Rhodes stood near the window. He fisted his right hand in the open collar of
Ray's shirt, slamming the man up against the wall. "I'll smear your face all over the road
back to D.C. if you even try," he gritted out between his teeth, pushing him an inch
higher.
Ray struggled, grasping Lee's restraining hand desperately in both of his. "Hey, let me
down," he choked, his feet swinging inches above the floor.
Lee cocked his left fist back. "Better start talking or you're going to be seeing stars, and
they won't be on the American flag," he warned. Through the red haze fogging his brain,
he faintly heard Amanda cautioning him.
"Lee. Lee!" she said insistently, coming to his side and carefully placing a compelling
hand on his shoulder.
Lee visibly tried to shrug off the fury that had engulfed him. Still tense, he let Rhodes
slide down the wall until his feet touched the floor. Ray gasped for air, running a hand
around his throat gingerly.
"All right, Scarecrow. Look, I'll tell you what I know, if you can help me. Forget I ever
mentioned your relationship," he entreated. He shot a beleaguered look at Amanda. "Is
he always this hot under the collar?"
Amanda returned his look with a steady gaze. "Usually only when someone tries to
blackmail him. I wouldn't push it if I were you," she said gently.
Lee took the man's arm a little roughly, dragging him over to the couch. "Talk, Ray.
And it had better be good," he grumbled, shoving him down.
Rhodes sat up straighter, pulling at his collar indignantly. He opened his mouth to
complain at the rough handling, but subsided after a dark look from Lee.
Amanda seated herself in the easy chair, Lee perching on the arm. He crossed his arms in
front of his chest, left foot swinging idly. He raised one eyebrow at Rhodes, silently
commanding him to begin.
Ray tried to regain his self-assurance, but failed miserably. "Okay. While I was digging
around for information in some…business transactions, I found out that Senator Hartford
is doing a little dealing on the side. A country called Estoccia or something like that." A
look of alarm passed between Lee and Amanda. "Something to do with small arms," Ray
finished, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension that had flooded the room. He sat
back, spreading his arms wide. "That's it. Now, can you protect me or what? Senators
have long reaches, you know." Ray fingered his tender throat again.
Lee sighed heavily. "If you're telling the truth, sure, we'll do what we can." He ran a tired
hand across the back of his neck. "Amanda, I need to call Billy, run this by him."
She smiled reassuringly up at him. "I'll stay here and keep Ray company."
Lee went into the bedroom, mulling over this new turn of events. He absently dialed the
familiar Agency number and asked for Billy. The bedside alarm clock's glowing LED
numbers informed him of the lateness of the hour moments before Billy's groggy voice
came on the line.
"Scarecrow?" he inquired, glancing over at his sleeping wife. "Don't you have anything
better to do on a Friday night in the Poconos than call me?" he quipped. "Don't tell me –
you've found Rhodes."
Lee grimaced into the receiver. "You could say that," he muttered, combing his fingers
agitatedly through his already mussed hair.
Billy grunted. "I'll send someone up there in the morning to haul him back to D.C. for
questioning. I wouldn't want to ruin your entire weekend, and the case load is light here
anyway," he remarked, containing a chuckle.
Lee paced to the door of the bedroom, staring glumly out at the living room where
Amanda and Ray sat quietly talking. "Yeah, well, it's too late. Billy, Rhodes has some
big pieces to that small arms puzzle that we've been monitoring. His information points a
finger at Senator Hartford," he announced, "but there's a wrinkle. It seems the Senator
has been passing the weapons to someone in Estoccia."
Billy frowned thoughtfully. "Amanda's ex-husband has been doing some work connected
with Estoccia for the EAO again. Find out if she knows if he's in D.C. It might be a
good idea to talk to him, find out if he's heard anything. He's pretty tight with the Prime
Minister there, after that debacle a while back. And, Lee," he murmured regretfully, "I
really am sorry about messing up your weekend. Once this is cleared up I'll take you
and…you off the duty roster for a long weekend, okay?"
Lee laughed ruefully. "Yeah, sure. Thanks, Billy. Oh, and don't bother sending anyone
up here tomorrow. We'll be coming back to D.C., so we'll deliver our little package
ourselves. I'd rather not have to baby-sit Rhodes in this cabin all night." He dropped the
receiver into its cradle with a sharp click and ran his hand over the quilted bedspread.
'Bad timing again', he thought with a wry shake of his head. 'We're becoming pros at bad
timing.' He turned and made his way back into the living room.
Amanda looked up inquiringly as he entered. "What did Mr. Melrose have to say?" she
asked, crossing the room and taking his hand. Lee glanced over her shoulder at Ray, who
seemed absorbed in some old program blaring from the television set.
He looked down at her hand in his, absently running his thumb over the backs of her
fingers. "Amanda –"
"I know, I know. It's a good thing we haven't unpacked anything yet. I guess we'd better
load up the car," she groused good-naturedly, turning to gather up her things.
Lee didn't relinquish her hand. "That's not all, Amanda." She kept her eyes on their
joined hands. "Do you know where Joe is? We need to talk to him, find out if he knows
anything at all. He has contacts in Estoccia; he's friendly with the Prime Minister. He
may have information that could help us out." Lee tipped her chin up with a gentle
finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. He saw the worry in her beautiful brown eyes before
she shut them tightly. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm sorry about the weekend. Billy does want
us to go back tonight, and anyway, I'll feel better when he's in cold storage," he griped,
indicating Rhodes with a jerk of his head.
Amanda took a deep breath. "Joe has been back in town for a few weeks. He has the
boys this weekend. I think he and Carrie were going to take them to the movies. That
old dinosaur film they love is playing at the theater on Massachusetts Avenue. Should I
call him?" she asked, her unease evident in her subdued expression.
Lee shook his head, no. "It's late, and there's no reason to disturb them tonight.
Tomorrow will be soon enough." He enfolded her gently in his arms, resting his cheek
against her hair. "We'd better get going, it's going to be close to dawn by the time we get
home." Amanda hugged him back and nodded wordlessly.
Lee moved away from the embrace, touching his fingertip lightly to the end of her nose.
He turned and stalked over to Rhodes, who was sprawled half-dozing on the couch. He
clapped him on the shoulder and smirked. "Up and at 'em, Ray, we're going on a road
trip!"
End Chapter 3 …
Chapter 4
Amanda slowly opened her eyes and studied her reflection in the darkened passenger
window of the car. She rolled her head to look at Lee, admiring the strength evident in his
long fingers as they lay casually on the steering wheel. His face wore a mask of intense
concentration, eyes flicking occasionally to the rear view mirror. He seemed to feel her
eyes on him, and his dimple slowly appeared, the tiny laugh lines around his eyes
becoming visible in the faint gleam of the dashboard lights.
"Hey, sleepyhead," he murmured softly, finally glancing over at her. "What were you
dreaming about?" He reached out and touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers in
a tender caress.
Amanda peeked over her shoulder at the lone occupant of the backseat, who lay slumped
in one corner, apparently dead to the world. She roused herself enough to straighten up
slightly, capturing Lee's hand and turning it to plant a kiss in the palm.
"Oh, I don't know," she replied, her voice husky with sleep. "Bargain hunting at the
grocery store, that kind of thing," she teased.
Lee lowered his voice suggestively. "That's not what it sounded like from over here," he
murmured smoothly, casting a sideways glance at her. "Unless you have a thing for the
bag boy at the supermarket?"
Amanda stared at him open-mouthed, a blush spreading slowly up her face. Had her
dreams of him caused her to...she caught his impish grin and realized his ploy just in
time. "You mean Fred? Well, he doesn't know I've remarried, and he really is kinda
cute. He even takes my cart out to the car for me, and he doesn't have to, you know."
Lee took his attention off the road in surprise. "Fred? Who's Fred?" he asked sharply,
trying to discern her expression in the dim light. Amanda's face was turned away from
him, her hand over her mouth. "Amanda?" he queried, becoming concerned. Gradually
he became aware of a muffled sound, something like sobbing…or laughing. She was
LAUGHING at him!
As she turned to face him, he saw the twinkle in her eyes as she tried to control her
giggles. He rolled his eyes and sighed in disgust. "Okay, okay, you win! Guess I should
have known better, huh?"
Amanda laughed outright at that. "Uh-huh. You had me going there for a minute, so
we're even." She looked out at the passing scenery, noting that the sky seemed to have
lightened somewhat. "How long have I been asleep?"
Lee shrugged. "Both you and our friend back there went out like a light before we hit the
interstate." He took her hand and wove their fingers together. "You're beautiful when
you sleep, do you know that?'" he said solemnly. "Sometimes I can't believe that for the
rest of our lives, I have the right to watch you sleep." Suddenly embarrassed by his
words, he fixed his eyes on the road ahead and cleared his throat.
Amanda squeezed his fingers. "Oh, wow, that's better than old Fred could do," she said in
mock admiration, trying to lighten the atmosphere. She knew how uncomfortable Lee
got when he let his sensitive side show. "I love you too, Sweetheart," she asserted gently.
A loud snort from the back seat intruded on the intimate silence that followed. "Yeah,
yeah. Look, where the hell are we? What hotel are you going to hide me in, Scarecrow?
I'm an important informant, you have to make sure I'm safe. Maybe Mrs. Stetson here
can baby-sit me," he grinned cheekily, his self-confidence apparently rejuvenated.
Lee and Amanda exchanged knowing glances. "No problem, Ray. You'll have the best
accommodations the Agency has to offer. And some charming company to boot. I
guarantee it," Lee said with a droll smile.
The sky was brightening with pre-dawn light when they pulled into the Agency parking
lot. They had remained silent for the rest of the trip, each lapsing into their own private
thoughts.
As Lee parked the car, Ray stirred and looked around him. "Hey, what hotel is this? I
don't recognize this place," he questioned sharply, leaning forward between the seats.
Amanda patted the hand that was braced on her seat. "Don't worry, Ray. We have to stop
here to debrief you first. You'll be safe, no one will be able to get to you where you're
going," she said reassuringly. Her gaze connected with Lee's across the hood of the car
as they got out, and he dipped his head, hiding his amusement.
"Come on, Rhodes, let's get you taken care of." Lee took the other man's arm and led
him into the building.
Lee leaned in close to his wife. "Amanda, go find Billy and Francine and fill them in. I
know they're here, their cars are in the parking lot," Lee whispered. "Send Francine
down and I'll have her baby sit for our stool pigeon." He caught Amanda's startled glance
and smiled innocently. "What? You and I have other fish to fry. Besides, Francine's got
a history with this guy. Remind me to tell you later. I'll be waiting down in the holding
cell."
Amanda walked quickly through the deserted bullpen to Billy's office. She peeked
through the window as she knocked, and entered as he waved her in.
"Good morning, Sir, Francine," she said cheerfully, stepping inside and closing the door
gently behind her.
"Well, well, Amanda," Francine began snidely, "isn't it a coincidence how you just
happened to be available this weekend for the Poconos assignment?" She rested one hip
against Billy's desk and crossed her arms. "I can imagine what it was like: snug little
cottage, fire blazing...but then I guess Ray Rhodes turned up like a bad penny," she
sighed, feigning regret.
"Can it, Francine," Amanda said wearily.
"Good morning, Amanda," Billy returned, amused. "What's the status of our guest?" he
asked, placing his untouched doughnut on the napkin in front of him and folding his
hands.
"Well, Sir, he's down in one of the holding cells with Lee. I think Lee has an assignment
for you, Francine. He said something about it being top priority," she improvised
ingeniously. "He's waiting for you," Amanda prodded, biting the inside of her lip to keep
from smiling.
"Oh, well, Amanda, you can't win them all. There's still some jobs that only an
experienced operative can handle," she stated smugly, sailing out of the office.
Billy laughed as he stood up. "I get the feeling she isn't going to like this assignment
much," he said, holding open the door for Amanda to precede him.
"No, Sir," she agreed. She paused uncomfortably. "I'll call Joe and see if I can go talk to
him this morning. I'd rather do this alone, if it's okay," she requested, glancing down at
her knotted hands. "Lee and Joe aren't particularly at ease with each other, and…"
Billy ushered her back through the bullpen. "Go right ahead, Amanda, this is one area
where you'll do better alone."
Amanda unlocked the door to the Q Bureau and surveyed her tidy desk, strangely
unwilling to pick up the phone. She couldn't believe that she had to involve Joe in this
part of her life again. She sighed heavily, seating herself and lifting the receiver.
Everyone had to do things that they didn't want to do, she reminded herself. She thought
of Francine's inevitable reaction when Lee told her the nature of her assignment and
grinned. Momentarily cheered, she punched in the number of Joe's apartment. Smiling
inwardly, she thought, 'Well, Francine, what goes around, comes around'.
End Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Francine's reaction was exactly what Amanda had expected: total outrage. She paced
outside Rhodes' holding cell in agitation, her blue eyes shooting daggers at Lee as he
leaned casually against the wall, his hands deep in his jacket pockets. "Why me? I don't
understand this! Amanda has met him, he's probably already comfortable with her…and
besides, I'm sure I have more important things to do-"
Lee raised both hands in the air. "Keep it down, Francine. Look, it's just the way things
worked out." He turned his palms upward and shrugged. "Amanda's job is to get in touch
with her ex, and you were here and available. Billy will clear your agenda for the next
few days, so there's nothing that needs your immediate attention." He cleared his throat
and looked away, fingering the collar of his open jacket. "Incidentally, um… he knows
you, too."
"What-" Francine began, stepping through the door as Lee pulled it open. The man
inside turned toward the door, grabbed his upper arm and backed away in defense as he
saw who had entered. "YOU!" they shouted simultaneously.
Francine threw a pleading glance over her shoulder at Lee as he quickly sidled out the
door, closing it with a snap. "Sorry," he mouthed through the thick glass of the window,
shaking his head at the mutinous set of her jaw. He ran a hand through his hair,
hightailing it down the hall to the relative safety of the elevator. He got out at the
Georgetown entrance, passing Mrs. Marsden's empty office, and took the steps to the
second floor two at a time. He grinned to himself, anticipating Amanda's enjoyment of
the predicament Francine had found herself in.
Lee entered the Q Bureau quietly, raising his eyebrows at Amanda as she sat talking on
the phone with Joe. She glanced up at him, her welcoming smile doing little to alleviate
the faint worry lines etched in her forehead. Lee took up his usual position on the edge of
her desk, waiting patiently for her to finish her call.
"Okay, Joe. I'll just run home and get cleaned up a bit, and I'll meet you at the apartment
at about ten. Oh, sure, I'd love to meet her. Yes, I'm sure I'll like her. The boys will
really enjoy that. Okay, bye," she concluded, placing the receiver carefully back in its
cradle. She folded her hands on her desk and caught Lee's concerned expression. "I
guess you heard, I'm meeting him at ten," she began, her fingers absently toying with the
heart-shaped necklace suspended around her throat.
"Ten o'clock is good. That gives me plenty of time to run over to my place and clean up
too, then pick you up at your house. I'll drive…" He paused at the look on her face.
"Lee, I need to do this alone," Amanda said regretfully. She stood up and placed her
hands comfortingly on his chest, lightly smoothing the material of his shirt. "I know that
you would rather be there with me, but both you and Joe get so uncomfortable when
you're together that he might not tell me everything."
Lee lowered his eyes, tacitly acknowledging the truth of her statement. He grasped her
elbows and ran his hands up her arms warily. "Amanda, I –"
Amanda gently placed a finger over his lips, stemming the flow of words. "I know. It's
okay. Why don't you go home and get a little rest? You didn't sleep at all last night. At
least I got to sleep in the car. I'll call you as soon as I've talked to Joe, all right? Hey,"
she chided, tipping his chin up with her finger, "How about dinner tonight at your place?
I'll stop by the grocery store and pick up some steaks."
Lee kissed her playfully. "Just as long as old Fred the bag boy doesn't follow you home!"
he laughed, taking her shoulders and turning her around. "Come on, I'll drive you home."
End Chapter 5