Disclaimer: Scarecrow and Mrs. King and characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. The plot is mine but the credit is theirs. Enjoy!
Lee and Amanda's past resurfaces after Birol escapes from prison and seeks revenge. All secrets are revealed. Takes place after the series ends.
Vengeance and Valor
Chapter 4
"Lee, Amanda. It's time to move." Billy said as he woke the two. They hadn't moved from their embrace.
Lee woke first, "What time is it?"
"5:00 am. The cars are ready and the check points are set." Billy answered.
"Okay, we'll be out in a minute." Lee replied as Amanda began to stir. "Amanda?"
"Hmm?"
"Amanda we need to get up. We need to move before the sun rises."
"Okay," she answered as rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"We can take a shower and freshen up at the safe house." He continued as they straightened up Billy's office. "Ready?" He asked. She barely nodded. "We'll get through this." He promised hugging her once more before they opened the door.
Billy and Francine stood waiting with four other security guards. "Alright, listen up. We've got six cars running in the parking garage. Francine you and Lee are going with Amanda. The rest of us will go in separate cars. There are checkpoints along the way for all the cars to make sure no one is being followed. The target car has seven checks before they reach the safe house. There is a team already in place waiting for you to get to the house. Besides the guards already there I'm the only one that knows the location." Billy paused and looked at Amanda. "Are we ready?" Everyone nodded. "Let's move," he ordered.
************************************************************
They drove in silence for three hours, double backing and passing the checkpoints. Lee had grabbed Amanda's hand before they left the parking garage and hadn't let go. As they past the last check point they waited for Fred Connors to check in.
*************************************************************
Fred waited anxiously. The target car had just passed him. A few minutes later a black sedan drove past, flashed it's lights, and continued following Mrs. King. "All clear." He radioed back to all cars. He knew he was committing treason, but his cut of seven million eased his guilt.
*************************************************************
Amanda slowly walked into the cabin. All things considered the place was beautiful. Guards were explaining to Lee and Francine all the security features the cabin had. Amanda for her part was half listening. She couldn't help but think that no matter what precautions they took Birol would still win. It was just a matter of time. She couldn't hide forever.
"… there's a hiding place here in the closet." The agent explained.
"Only room for one." Amanda commented absently.
"He only wants you Amanda." Francine said while Lee remembered their earlier conversation last night. If it came down to using the closet Amanda wouldn't stay in their if she knew someone was interrogating one of them."
"Fred Connors is coming at 1:00 am to relieve me at point." The agent continued.
"Thanks Mike." Lee shook his hand and the agent left.
Amanda sat on the couch silently. "Should we make brunch?" Francine suggested.
"You two go ahead. I'm not really hungry." Amanda answered sounding very distant.
Amanda, you didn't eat all day yesterday. You're going to get sick." Lee reprimanded her.
"I just can't eat. This whole thing is so silly. I can't hide forever. If Birol is that determined he'll get me sooner or later. He has the luxury of time." Amanda reasoned.
"Amanda you need to stop thinking like that."
"Like what? Practically? Maybe we're doing the wrong thing, maybe you should use me as bait to capture him again."
"No way. That's too dangerous." Francine piped in.
"He won't come out of hiding on his own. He'll need a good reason. Right now I'm that reason."
"We don't know for sure that he'd come himself—" Lee started.
"He'd come. I know he would. This is too personal for him. I know how his mind works…" She trailed off lost in thought. She hadn't notice Lee walk up to her. He grabbed her arm startling her. "And please stop sneaking up on me like that!" She raised her voice.
"Okay Amanda. I'm sorry please, I just want to help." Lee looked into her eyes. He saw the pain there and it was killing him. He wanted to make this whole thing go away. He cursed himself, not for the first time, for not killing Addi when he had the chance.
She saw the pain and anger flash through his eyes and instantly she felt horrible for what she was doing to him. Addi Birol was already coming between them. "Oh Lee, I've been so awful to you." She told him and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay. I understand, I really do. I wish I had killed him when I had the chance."
"No, Lee this isn't your fault. He's the bad guy." She reminded him.
He smiled at her determination, in the midst of all her fear she was comforting him. "How about we make some brunch now?" He asked slightly pulling away.
"Okay, as long as you don't let Francine cook."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"I heard that!" She called from the kitchen.
"I knew you were listening." Amanda returned.
*************************************************************
Lee had kicked Francine out of the kitchen so he could cook, leaving her and Amanda together. She noticed her friend once again had a distant look. "Would you like some coffee? I do know how to do that." She offered.
"No thanks Francine." Amanda returned with a half smile.
"Well how about an understanding ear. I know we haven't been the best of friends, but we are friends. I also know what it's like to be a hostage to the bad guys."
"Honestly you really don't know what it was like with Addi." Amanda answered not meaning to sound so cold. Francine was only trying to be nice.
"Amanda, really! I've been in bad situations. I've had ogars beat me-"
"Yeah well I'm sure they never threatened to rape you in front of your partner." She blurted out quietly.
"Amanda, I'm sorry. I… I had no idea."
"Francine it's alright. You couldn't have known. Only Billy, Dr. Pfaf and Lee know."
"He didn't…" She paused trying to determine how to phrase the unthinkable.
"No, but there was one time I thought for sure he was going to. No one knows that, especially not Lee. He came into my cell with Nightcrawler very proud of himself for figuring it out. He told me he had no other use for me, but he'd let me live if I just gave into him. I refused. I told him he'd have to kill me first before I'd go to bed with an arrogant pig like him." Amanda was stiff as she told the story.
"Amanda you didn't." Francine said in shock.
"I did. That's when I got a lot of the bruises and three cracked ribs. He never did it though. Even after he got Lee. I'm not sure what he was waiting for…" She trailed off tears welling up in her eyes and before she knew it Francine had an arm around her. This time Amanda didn't hold back, she was sick of being strong.
"The food's rea—" Lee trailed off as he surveyed the scene. Francine jerked her head, motioning him to take over. He asked no questions, he just knew he was needed and let her cling to him.
Chapter 5
Amanda had seemed like a different person after that. Like she had gotten a huge weight off her chest. He questioned Francine but she was vague and danced around the questions. Whatever happened Amanda felt better and for that he was grateful. It was now about 1:30 in the morning and it was his watch while Francine and Amanda slept. Amanda had tried to stay awake to keep him company but couldn't. With the nightmares the night before and the early morning flight she had gotten no sleep coupled with the fact that she was emotionally drained. She had also called her mother later that afternoon to let them know she was safe, but wasn't sure when she'd see them. The phone call had gone considerably better than the previous one she had told him about. Dotty seemed to have calmed down and had now realized how serious the situation was. She was more than understanding this time. He glanced down at his sleeping wife. Life had always been complicated, but now it was just plain difficult. The sound of machine gun fire broke his reverie. Francine and Amanda were immediately awake. "Amanda get in the closet." He ordered.
"Lee…"
"Just get in the closet and put that bug on that's in there." He said, his voice confirming that he wasn't taking no for an answer. Silently she obeyed and for that he was grateful. It had all happen so fast, before he knew it he and Francine were surrounded by broken glass and guns.
"Search the house." One of the masked men shouted as Lee and Francine's guns were taken. The men came back empty handed. "Tell Birol it's secure."
Amanda was right. Birol did come himself. Lee thought to himself. Just then Birol strolled in. Two of the men shoved Lee and Francine roughly to their knees.
Birol sunk down to look at Francine. "You are an amazing match, except for the hair and eyes. Where's Amanda?" Francine said nothing. He punched her hard in the stomach. Stars exploded before her eyes. "Tell me where she is or I'll shoot you." He said calmly as he leveled his gun.
Amanda true to her word would not let Francine die in her place. "Addi stop. I'm here." She said quietly.
"Amanda…" Lee didn't know what else to say. He saw Birol smirk and look her up and down making him feel dirty. Birol closed the distance and pushed Amanda against the wall.
Amanda could feel his breath on her cheek as he leaned in and touch her. She froze. She remembered that touch too well. "Tie those two up. I'll search her for a homing device." He silently ran his hand down her arm. Amanda tried to back away but she was cornered. His hand slipped in her blouse as he did a thorough search for the bug. Lee tried to protest and he got the butt of a rifle in his gut. She silenced him with a look unable to find her voice. Birol stopped when he saw the necklace she was wearing on a chain under her shirt. "Well, well Amanda we are full of surprises." He fingered the engagement ring and wedding band. "You know I'm hurt. I was there for the engagement you could have at least invited me to the wedding." Francine looked up in surprise. "These should be on you finger don't you think?" He roughly spun her around pinning her right arm in front her and her left awkwardly bent behind her. She tried not to make a sound but a grunt came escaped as he wrenched her shoulder and elbow. "Here you Americans put it on this finger." He grabbed her ring finger and snapped it. She cried out as everyone heard the bone break.
"You creep!" Lee exclaimed as he tried to stand but was shoved back down.
Addi seemed unphased by the outburst. He was focused solely on Amanda. He put pressure on her arm forcing to either kneel or let her elbow brake. "That pretty little finger of yours was just the beginning. We have some unfinished business don't we?" He emphasized the question with a sharp jerk of her arm. Amanda bit her lip not wanting Lee to hear her cry again. "Now about that bug I'm sure you're wearing…" He continued his almost too thorough search, making Lee squirm, until he found the device under her watch. "Well that wasn't so hard was it? I kind of enjoyed it." Birol released his grasp quickly catching Amanda off guard; she fell to the floor with a thud. Birol calmly stood and kicked her in the chest. The pain jolted throughout her body and she was sure she'd pass out. She focused on Lee and time seemed to slow. She saw him mouth the words 'I love you'. She squeezed her eyes tight holding back the tears. She felt Birol on top of her tying her arms and then he did something very unexpected. He picked her up in one motion and sat her next to Lee. "You have three minutes to say good bye while we get the van ready."
"Amanda say something. Are you okay?" Lee pleaded wishing he could hold her.
"I'm okay." She said still winded from the kick.
"Amanda, why?" Francine asked.
"I wasn't going to let you take a bullet for me." She got out with effort.
"I've done it before!"
"This ones… different" she answered. "Addi's my demon I have to face."
"Amanda…"
"No Lee don't say anything. You promised you wouldn't come and get me. Francine hold him to it. If he gets both of us…"
"I know Amanda but he might anyway."
"No, not without you there." She tried to change positions to get more comfortable, but movement only made it worse. "Please talk to mother and the boys. Tell them I love them and I hope they can understand…" She stopped tearing up.
He needed to hug her. She had shown Birol no weakness, but it was threatening to come to a head. He struggled to slip his arms under his legs. He was in shape but not extremely flexible. Nothing, however, was going to stop him from hugging his wife. He grunted as his tied hands slipped past his feet. Instantly his arms were around Amanda. She leaned heavily against him; she looked up at him as he leaned in to give her a passionate kiss. "I love you Mrs. Stetson." He whispered.
"The rings! Lee he still has the rings." Amanda exclaimed remembering what Addi had said about their engagement. Now she'd have to endure this without a physical reminder of Lee. She was depending on those rings to give her strength.
"Shh, Amanda it's okay. We will get them back." He promised unaware of her dependence on them.
"You don't understand. Last time I had the necklace to remind me why I should fight. This time I knew I could do it because I had our rings." She explained.
He saw the panic on her face. "Here take mine." He answered slipping his chain off.
"No, he'll take this too." She started to refuse.
"Look we'll tie it to your shoe string and hide in your shoe." He answered as he fumbled with her shoe. Cursing himself for not having a bug with him to give her as well. He hadn't counted in Addi allowing this time together. Lee knew what Birol was doing though, he wanted to break their spirits by making them think now was a time for good byes; that they'd never see each other again. He finished concealing the ring as Birol stepped in the door. "We will find you Amanda." He promised.
"You promised to stay away." She reminded him.
"I didn't." Francine answered until then she had been a silent observer. She was in shock over the news of their marriage, but she had a new respect for the woman that had won the heart of Lee Stetson so completely.
"Tell Billy that I'm sorry." Amanda told them.
"For what?" Lee asked.
"For blowing it. For giving up." She answered.
"Amanda you saved my life." Francine reminded her.
"This is not your fault," Lee started remembering what she had said a lifetime ago. "He's the bad guy remember." At that she smiled.
"You do listen to me." She teased. Then she tensed as she saw Birol coming toward her. She kissed him again. "I love you too." Before Lee could respond Amanda was jerked away for him by her left arm. She grimaced at the soreness that was still present.
"Come on Amanda, I've been dreaming about this for a year while I sat in that hellhole. Did you say good bye?"
"We don't need to. You won't have her for long." Lee answered never taking his eyes off Amanda's.
And with that he dragged her out the door. Birol left two men behind to make sure Lee didn't try anything. "How long until someone from the agency could get here?" One asked the other.
"We were told we'd have 45 minutes from the time we set off the first alarm." The other answered. "Come on, he's safe. Let's get out of here before Melrose gets here." They took off and left Francine and Lee in silence.
"Come here, let me untie you." Lee told Francine quietly.
"Lee I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"You couldn't have. It all happened so fast. We were only engaged for a couple of months and we told no one about the marriage." He paused thinking. "Billy must know though. The only way Birol could have known I asked her to marry me is if he had the room bugged. Billy would have listened to the tapes he made." Once Francine's hands were free she started working on his bindings. He was staring at the door where his wife moments ago had been dragged through by a brutal terrorist. "Did you hear what the guards said?" He finally broke the silence.
"They seemed to know a little too much for my taste." Francine answered as Lee helped her up. She rubbed her stomach where a dull ache had started.
"An inside job?" Lee asked angrily.
"Unfortunately that's what it looks like." Francine conceded.
"Are you okay?" Lee asked.
"I was about to ask you the same question." She answered.
"Why don't you go check on the others? I'll call Billy. I'm sure he's on his way, but they were right 45 minutes is the fastest anyone could get here after the alarms go off." Lee moved to leave but Francine grabbed his arm. He looked into her watery eyes. She had meant to console him but everything hit them both at once and he began to cry also. He hugged her. "We're going to get her back. This was an inside job and I intend to find out who was behind this." He vowed.
To be continued…