CONFERENCE WITH BILLY- PART II


Amanda thought that the best time to accomplish her goal to return the favor to Lee of being used once
too often on a case for his convenience was when he had plans with one of his "honeys", which was this
coming weekend.

She had conferred with Billy Melrose and received definite approval for her little adventure. Billy had
some justification as there was a possible movement planned at the Smokey Blue Inn in connection
with an old unsolved case. This was the case that Amanda had selected to fool Lee. The plan called for
Billy to request both agents in his office to explain the details for this assignment to start over the coming weekend.

Amanda had a twofold purpose with her plan. The most important point was to teach Lee a measure of
flexibility emphasizing unselfishness and concession in his life. The other goal was to perhaps spend
some time alone with her Scarecrow, and hopefully he would see the light along the romance lines.

She didn't need to worry about her family. Phillip and Jamie were on a school fact finding trip for their
science classes. Dotty was touring with her Senior group on a Fall Foliage sight seeing trip.

The Smokey Blue Inn was a picturesque establishment in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The leaves at this time of year displayed shades of gold, rust, and garnet hues. The scenery in early October seemed out of a painting. Activities for the guests abounded.

Amanda set up a pretend carrier drop trade (or so she thought) for Saturday night in the Commonwealth
Room, a formal ball room at the Inn. She needed Lee to pose as her husband for the weekend. Billy
"selected" the case for her to use, making sure that it was the unsolved Koslow case.

Lee was still in denial concerning his feelings for his partner, but weakening steadily. His last ditch efforts
to remain in renunciation land were not succeeding. He had made plans with Debbie, another Amanda
substitute, for the weekend.

Amanda filled his thoughts and dreams constantly. Some of these episodes made even the Scarecrow blush.


Friday Morning- Q Bureau

Lee was trying to work on some closing reports in the Nelson case when his thoughts and eyes wandered
to his partner again.

'She is so beautiful,' he thought, his eyes taking in her loveliness. 'What am I so scared of?'

Amanda sensed his eyes on her and started to look up from her work.

Lee quickly ducked his head down to work mode. The shrillness of the telephone made both agents jump
from their tasks.

"Stetson here," Lee offered.

"Yeah, Billy, we'll be right down," promised Lee, regaining his composure.

"Amanda, Billy wants us in his office pronto," he smiled.

"O.k., Scarecrow, coming," Amanda grabbed her purse and followed him.

"Have a seat, both of you," replied Billy.

"I have an assignment for both of you for this weekend at the Smoky Blue Inn in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You will cover as man and wife. Your assignment is to trade a computer disc for information we will use on an important case."

"Billy, I have plans for the weekend, can't you get someone else?" Lee was getting irritated.

"No, Scarecrow, I can't, not at this late date. Your plans can wait. This is a matter of national security.

"Amanda, what about you, can you complete this assignment?"

"Yes sir. Mother and the boys are out of town. I'll cancel my date, he'll understand," gloated Amanda,
lying through her teeth.

Lee glanced at his partner. She presented herself with self-assured countenance, and met his stare with
attitude.

Lee held her gaze, his anger kept in check, but revealed in the tightness of his jaw and clenched fists.

'God, can she push my buttons,' he thought. 'There seems to be no choice left but to cancel Debbie.'

It wasn't the fact that Scarecrow was overly angry at having to cancel the weekend with Debbie. The
situation angered him because Amanda had the upper hand for once.

"All right, cool it, you two," replied Billy, noticing the tension between the two.

"Lee, you get started this afternoon. You have accommodations confirmed starting tonight. I suggest
you get going. You two can finalize your plans together." Billy tried to keep from chuckling.

"Yes sir," Lee relented, throwing daggers at Amanda with his eyes.

"Amanda, could you stay, I would like to talk to you alone for a minute."

"Yes sir, Mr. Melrose," she remained seated.

Billy shut the door to his office.

"Amanda, look, the case you picked never really got solved. We suspected a mole, but never did capture
the perpetrator. So, if he is still around here, that could be cause for trouble, once he gets wind of it.
I just want you to be aware of all the facts and the possible danger. Usually, we keep Lee informed and
up to date. If you notice anyone or anything unusual up there, you tell Lee immediately, and call for
backup, understood."

"Yes sir," she affirmed.

Across from Billy's office, Elena Pochenko was able to pick up the entire conversation. She knew the
location where Lee and Amanda would be, and how to retrieve a copy of the file in question.

'This couldn't be better if we planned it,' she thought. That very night she intended to contact Ivan
Sergian, who worked at the nearby Department of Justice in security as alias Ian Smith.

Therefore, what started out as a fake drop would turn into a real life drama. A drama, when played out,
could mean agents' lives at stake.

TBC