Part 7: Answers
Lee
was surprised at the directness of his boss, for a moment he just stood there,
but the look in Billy's eyes was giving him an eerie feeling in his stomach. He
quickly thought about the consequences of several different answers and came to
the conclusion that he couldn't win no matter what he did, if he said no Billy
wouldn't believe him and if he said yes, well, who knows what could happen.
Since Lee was in a no win situation he swallowed the inevitable and admitted
the truth. " Yes."
Billy
had seen Lee evaluating the question in his brain and was glad that his answer
was the one he wanted. He wasn't angry, he was happy that Lee had gotten over
himself and accepted his feelings for Amanda, maybe it would make him a better
agent. He knew Lee was uncomfortable with telling him, almost as if he was a
teenager that got caught in the 'supply room' making-out with his girl. Billy
decided to keep details to later since he knew that Lee would probably want to
tell Amanda that the word was out, so he kept his answer short. " Okay that's
all I want to know…for now." He then picked up his file from off the table and
walked out of the room.
Lee
let out the breath he had been holding, he was very relieved that Billy hadn't
asked any questions, that one question was enough to rattle his nerves for a
week. Just then Billy turned around.
"
Oh Lee, your secret's safe with me." Both men smiled in understanding.
Meanwhile,
as Billy was conversing with Lee…
Francine
had made Amanda her prey. She had noticed Lee and Amanda's hands part when they
walked in and then discreetly reconnect under the table when they thought no
one was paying attention. Once Amanda was out of the bullpen and on her way to
the elevator, Francine caught up with her.
"
Amanda, wait, I have to ask you something."
Amanda
turned around to look at Francine. " What?"
"
Is it true."
"
Is what true?"
Keeping
her innocent tone. " The latest water cooler comment."
"
And what would that be?"
"
Well, they say that you and Lee are together." Francine blurted it out, she
just really wanted to know.
Amanda
rolled her eyes, 'Big news travels fast.' "What is your definition of
together?"
"
Like, I don't know, something more than just working together, dating, sleeping
together…what do you think it means?"
Amanda
thought to herself, 'She sure does get to the point, maybe I can have some fun
with her.' " Well, I suppose we do see each other out of work…all those late
night visits and he did break his date with Leslie that time to ask me out
(Amanda gestures with her hands as if she was counting) and then there was last
night, oh and the night before that, well wait a minute, I don't know if that
counts, what exactly do you mean by sleeping together…do you mean sharing the
same bed, couch, etc., or do you mean sex, sleeping together? Other than that,
well then, no we're not together."
Francine
was open mouthed, she couldn't believe it! The Scarecrow and Amanda King, she
didn't think it was possible, who would have thought! Not only was she amazed
that Amanda could say that many words and not topple over, it was just
incomprehensible, how could Lee and Amanda be together. The water cooler gossip
was usually accurate, but come on.
Amanda
was amused by Francine's humorous expressions, but wanted to get upstairs. "
Francine…hello? What make's you believe the water cooler gossip any way?"
"
Oh please! Don't try and ramble your way out of this one Amanda King, I saw you
making googly eyes at each other during the meeting."
"
So what if we are 'together,' don't act so 'happy' besides you're the one who
put us together…in a way."
"
What are you talking about! I would never do that!"
"
Well I guess it couldn't really be helped because we were already in love, but
you put us together…made us admit it…you told us to let my mother catch us and
you could say we got carried away in the moment…you should be proud of
yourself, it's a big accomplishment for you." With that said Amanda turned
around got into the elevator and disappeared behind the closing doors, while
Francine just stood there, once again overcome with shock.
In
the Q-Bureau, after their 'chats'…
Amanda
was sitting at her desk proofing Lee's case report, but she couldn't
concentrate. The pen she was chewing was about to fall apart and her eyes never
seemed to get past the third word, Lee would pop into her head along with
everything that came with him and then she would have to start over again. Lee
was having the same problem, his eyes kept drifting over to Amanda's neckline
and then those sparkling eyes. Before he knew it, he was lost in thought and
had completely forgot about what he was supposed to be doing. Amanda could feel
Lee's eyes on her, she met his gaze, they stared at each other reading the
thoughts going through the other person's head. Amanda hated to ruin the
moment, but there were matters that needed to be discussed.
"
Lee, what did Billy talk to you about?"
Lee
took a deep breath. " He asked me if I spent the night at your house."
"
Oh. (Amanda had a feeling that Billy was going to ask him about it) What did
you say?"
Lee
answered the question very slowly. " I said…yes." He desperately awaited her
response.
"
I'm glad you told him."
"
You are?" Lee was confused, he figured that Amanda would want to keep their
relationship a secret.
"
Yes, I am because Francine knows and I think it would be better if they both
knew and not just Francine, because if the entire agency knows before Billy
does, then he wouldn't be to happy when he did find out." Amanda knew she was
rambling, as soon as she had said the word Francine, Lee's eyes almost sprang
out of his head.
"
How, does Francine know?"
"
I had to tell her, it doesn't really matter any ways, she was going to find out
sooner or later."
"
I guess." Lee was beginning to get scared about what the rest of the day would
bring, if this was only morning. Every time he turned a corner some obstacle
appeared from outer space. He should of known being in love with Amanda would
be 'interesting' being her best friend was only a sample of her capabilities.
Lee felt like he was getting to know her all over again, he loved every bit of
what he was finding out. Just then something occurred to him, a smile came to
his lips, and he had to hold in a laugh.
Amanda
saw this sudden change. " What?"
Lee
couldn't hold in his laugh anymore and he could barely answer her. " What are
going to do about your mother now?"
Amanda
paused, she didn't think this was nearly as funny as he did. " Only one thing
to do."
Lee
was caught off guard by her seriousness. " What do you mean?" His laughter was
settling.
"
She's going to meet you, she has to, I'm not going to keep you a secret, I
don't care if she's not supposed to see you, she already has, besides, I know
she will love you." Amanda smiled.
Lee
wasn't sure what to say, she did have a point. He didn't want an argument and
he did want to meet Dotty, so he answered. " Okay, when?"
Amanda
loved this non-argumentative side of Lee. " Tonight."
Lee
ran into another corner, why was everything happening so fast? All he could do
was go with the flow. "Whatever works for you." He ran his fingers through his hair
and started to plan his night, he wanted to make a good impression on Dotty.
TBC
soon…
