Part V
See Part I for disclaimers, etc. Thanks to Sarah for beta-ing this last minute.
The following day brought clouds and drizzle to a dark Paris sky. Elizabeth slept well into the afternoon, though she woke every few hours, sometimes shaking with fear and close to tears.
Amanda was up by noon and Lee woke soon after. The ominous morning sky and dreary weather made it easy to sleep in.
Lee showered, then went with Amanda to check on Liz. Upon entering, they found Liz sleeping soundly. Not wanting to wake her, they left a note that they would be back shortly in case she was to get up before they returned.
Amanda and Lee slipped out to a cafe, not far from the hotel, for coffee. Neither had much of an appetite.
As they left the little shop, Lee took Amanda's hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers. "Let's walk a little," he said smiling at her. Amanda nodded, quickly noting the pensive look on his face.
Walking in silence, Amanda waited for Lee to say something, to tell her what was on his mind, but the words never came. They stopped at one of the many bridges along the Seine and just listened to the flow of the river.
Finally, Amanda spoke up, "Is there something you want to talk about, Lee?"
"Ahh, Amanda...," he said loudly, abruptly turning towards her. His reaction startled her, but he barely seemed to notice. "This whole thing has got me thinking."
"I know, me too," Amanda leaned against the low concrete wall, her elbow resting on top of it. The wind whipped her hair around her face and she moved to keep it back.
"I've spent most my life searching for a family, something to be a part of, and now I've found it with you," he gently took hold of her forearms, "But I'm still living by myself in an apartment across town. I want to be with you. I want to be with my family."
Amanda's deep brown eyes were locked on Lee's hazel ones. "What about their safety?" she asked softly. She wanted to be a family, too, but there were so many things to think about first.
"Amanda," he said as he let go of her and ran his hand through his hair, "You've been in this business long enough to have made a few enemies of your own and any fool could see we're involved." He paused, "I don't want to die like Brian did, regretting that I didn't spend more time with the people I love. I don't want to leave every night. If I'm there, I can protect you and the boys."
Lee's eyes and face softened as he pulled Amanda close to him, whispering in her ear, "I want to make love to you at night, in *our* bed, and wake up with you in my arms every morning."
Amanda sighed deeply against his broad chest, thinking this was the best idea he'd ever had. "I'd like that, too."
Inspired, he took her by her shoulders and pulled her away from his body to look at her. "Then let's come clean."
Amanda paused, lost in his eyes. The way he looked at her...there was just something about it and she couldn't say 'no'. "Okay...what about our jobs?"
"I honestly don't know." At her worried look, he continued trying to assure her, "We're the best team the Agency has. They're not going to just split us up. I'll talk to Billy when we get back. Don't worry. I've broken the rules before," he joked trying to lighten her mood.
Amanda smiled and nodded, "One day at a time."
"Yeah," Lee clasped Amanda's hand tightly in both of his. "We should head back. Lizzie will probably be up soon."
And as they headed back toward the hotel, Amanda muttered, "What are we going to tell my mother?"
"What do you think we should tell her?"
Amanda looked up at Lee, not realizing she'd said that out loud. "I hate lying to her."
"I know you do. So...let's just tell her the truth."
"Everything?"
"Well, not everything. Even normal people have a few secrets, right?" He smiled mischievously.
Amanda smiled warmly, "Sure." Her eyes twinkled and she shrugged. They started walking again.
"We'll tell her we eloped because our jobs can be dangerous sometimes, and we were worried about the boys. And besides that, they barely knew me."
Amanda still looked skeptical. "Then we'll just take it from there, okay? Hey, don't worry," he grinned.
Amanda shook her head, but smiled. Something he'd said one cold night came back to her in this moment, something that reminded her just how much she loved him and that she'd do anything for him.
'It's no business for a pessimist.'
***
Liz woke to the shrill ring of the telephone from the bedside stand. Rolling over, she sleepily reached for the phone and put it to her ear, her face still in the pillows.
"Hello..."she managed, her voice was terribly muffled.
"Elizabeth?" asked a stern voice across the line.
Suddenly Liz was wide awake. "Grandma?" she squeaked out.
"Elizabeth, you sound like you just woke up. Are you still in bed?"
Liz hesitated, "Um...yeah."
"It's past 3 o'clock," she said harshly, but her voice softened momentarily, "Are you all right, dear?"
"Uh, I guess, I didn't sleep very well." The truth was she still had that awful empty feeling in her chest, and she felt sick from lack of restful sleep.
"Well, that's to be expected. But you mustn't let this keep you down. You can't stay in bed all day. That won't help anything."
"Okay..."
"Good," she said softly as if it was just one more problem dealt with and solved. "Now, I flew in to Paris an hour or so ago and I'm at your father's office now. There's just so much that needs to be done," she muttered unable to hide the momentary sadness in her voice. "It should keep me busy for quite awhile, but I will meet you later at your hotel, around eight."
"Okay..."
"I'll call you when I get there."
After hanging up, she rolled out of bed and went to stand at the window. It was a dreary rainy day and it did nothing to help her mood. She had been in a daze, barely believing any of this was happening until she had seen her father, touched his cold hand.
Her sadness and her fear built up in her until it was too much. She was desperate to fill that hole inside of her and then she was angry, furious, wanting to do something. She would never forget that dark man or his cold, heartless stare. But she had faith in Lee and in the system, and if they didn't find him, well...she'd do it herself, someday...
A knock at the door startled her, breaking her from her thoughts. She crossed the room quickly.
"Who is it?" she asked cautiously her hand on the door knob.
"Room service," came the muffled and heavily accented reply.
"Room service?" she mumbled to herself. "I didn't order anything." Peering out the peephole, she noted the person did seem to be from the hotel and he had a large box with him, something that looked like a present.
She opened the door a crack, peering outside. "Yes?" she asked.
"Elizabeth Jones?"
"Yes?"
"This is for you," he set the box down inside her door.
She looked at the tag and whispered the words as she read, "To Elizabeth - I'm sorry I had to go. It's for the best. Je t'aime. - Dad." She sighed sadly.
"It was supposed to be delivered this morning, but we have been -- busy."
Liz nodded, "Merci," and shut the door behind the man.
She took the box over to her bed and sat down lifting the lid carefully. Inside was an oversized teddy bear, as big as her upper body. It was a light tan, almost a blonde-like color and it was the softest thing she had ever felt. She picked it up out of the box, hugging it in her arms and pressing her cheek against it. "Oh Daddy," she whispered and the anger was gone, replaced by sadness. Liz crawled back into bed curling herself around the last present she would ever get from her father, but she couldn't sleep anymore.
Lee and Amanda returned soon thereafter and checked on Liz. Amanda encouraged Liz to get up; convincing her it would make her feel better. Lee checked with the local police, but they were having no luck. They figured Casale was probably long gone by now, and it was too early to call Billy.
Lee decided to take Amanda and Liz sightseeing, wanting to do something normal, something to get Liz's mind off the situation if even for a few minutes.
At 8 o'clock that night, Lee, Amanda and Liz met Liz's grandmother in the hotel lobby. Liz was obviously uncomfortable there.
"Hello, Elizabeth." Her grandmother greeted her.
"Hi...you remember Lee Stetson."
"Of course," she said politely, holding out her hand, "Mr. Stetson."
"Hello, Mrs. Jones. This is my partner, Amanda King."
Nice to meet you," Amanda responded kindly.
"I'd like to thank you for watching Elizabeth for me. I've been in New York, and I had no idea she was planning such a stunt."
Elizabeth stood with her arms crossed defensively. She hated when her grandmother talked about her like she wasn't in the room.
"Dear, stand up straight."
Liz automatically uncrossed her arms and straightened her back.
Lee and Amanda exchanged a look, and Lee spoke up, trying to break the awkward tension in the room. "We haven't eaten. Would you like to get dinner, Mrs. Jones?"
"Yes, that would be just fine."
As they ate dinner, Liz became more and more disheartened. It seemed her grandmother had a criticism for everything she did. "When are we going home?" she finally asked.
"I scheduled Lee and Amanda's flight for first thing tomorrow morning. We'll leave in a week. I have a lot to take care of here."
"A week?! I don't want to stay here. I just want to go home."
"Well, you've already proven to me that I can't leave you at home alone, so you'll have to stay here with me."
"Can't I just go with Lee and Amanda? Please?"
"No, you've already been too much of a burden on them."
"She's not a burden at all," Amanda spoke up. "There's no reason for her to stay here. We'd be happy to take her with us." Amanda looked at Lee.
"Sure," he agreed. "She can stay with me or with Amanda until you get back."
"Then you won't have to worry about me. I won't be able to get in your way."
"Okay, if that's what you want. I'll arrange for you to go with Lee and Amanda, and I'll call you when I get home."
Liz went to her room early. Being around her grandmother just made her tense and depressed. She sat in a chair in front of her window. It was still cloudy, but the sun hadn't disappeared yet. She hated that her grandmother could get to her and she hated feeling helpless. She couldn't passively sit and just let bad things happen to herself.
Her thoughts drifted to her mother and those last few weeks in the hospital. She was reminded of how much she missed her mom and a few tears began to softly trickle down her cheek. If only her mom was here right now, she would know exactly what to do, what to say. Angrily, she wiped at her face with the back of her hand. She didn't want to feel this way; no, she wasn't going to feel this way.
Suddenly, the sun finally broke free in its decent into the horizon with beams of light bursting from the clouds and shooting through the sky. It was so bright she had to blink, and she decided then, that she wasn't going to let this rule her life. She was going to be strong, she wasn't going to let her grandmother get to her and she wasn't going to lose any sleep tonight.
***
It was early Wednesday evening when Lee, Amanda and Liz pulled up to the white house at 4247 Maplewood Drive. Philip was bouncing a basketball in the driveway looking very bored. "Where did you guys go?" he asked as they climbed out of the Wagoneer, eyeing Elizabeth curiously.
"It's a long story, sweetheart. Did you have a good vacation?"
"Yeah, but I've been sooo bored since we got back."
"Don't you have anyone to play with?"
"All the guys are busy and all Jamie wants to do is mess with his camera. Dad bought him a new lens for it. You wanna play, Lee?"
"Uh," Lee grinned, "not tonight, Chief. Your mother and I have some things to take care of."
Philip's face fell immediately.
"I'll play," Liz said coming up to them from around the Wagoneer.
"You...wanna play basketball?" Philip gave her a funny look. None of his girlfriends ever wanted to play basketball. They always did girl things.
Liz knew that look on his face as soon as she saw it, and she smiled for the first time in days. "What?" she said putting her hands on her hips and raising her eyebrows, "Are you saying I can't play 'cuz I'm a girl?"
"Well, I play kinda rough."
Liz rolled her eyes. "I can play," she nodded, "and I'll betcha ten bucks that I beat you."
"You're on!" Girl or not, Philip wouldn't back down from a challenge.
"We're going to go to the park, Mom."
"Okay, for ONE hour. I want you back before it gets dark."
"Okay," Philip and Liz headed down the sidewalk with Lee and Amanda watching after them.
"I think they're going to be good friends," Amanda said, watching Philip bounce the ball down the sidewalk. It was obvious he was trying to show off. The next time he bounced the ball Liz reached out and stole it from him in a smooth manuever, then took off down the sidewalk.
"Hey!" Philip called after her. "You don't know where we're going." Liz laughed, but didn't slow down and Philip ran after her.
"I think Philip is gonna lose ten bucks," Lee chuckled, but it sure was good to see Liz laughing again.
Amanda laughed with Lee then they turned towards the house. "Well," she looked up at Lee, barely turning her head, "We should talk to Mother now while the kids are busy."
"Yeah," Lee grimaced slightly. He really didn't know what to expect, but, nevertheless, he was happy to finally be home.
"Hey," Amanda said noticing the worried look on his face and smiled, "I've got you."
"And I've got you."
The End :)
See Part I for disclaimers, etc. Thanks to Sarah for beta-ing this last minute.
The following day brought clouds and drizzle to a dark Paris sky. Elizabeth slept well into the afternoon, though she woke every few hours, sometimes shaking with fear and close to tears.
Amanda was up by noon and Lee woke soon after. The ominous morning sky and dreary weather made it easy to sleep in.
Lee showered, then went with Amanda to check on Liz. Upon entering, they found Liz sleeping soundly. Not wanting to wake her, they left a note that they would be back shortly in case she was to get up before they returned.
Amanda and Lee slipped out to a cafe, not far from the hotel, for coffee. Neither had much of an appetite.
As they left the little shop, Lee took Amanda's hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers. "Let's walk a little," he said smiling at her. Amanda nodded, quickly noting the pensive look on his face.
Walking in silence, Amanda waited for Lee to say something, to tell her what was on his mind, but the words never came. They stopped at one of the many bridges along the Seine and just listened to the flow of the river.
Finally, Amanda spoke up, "Is there something you want to talk about, Lee?"
"Ahh, Amanda...," he said loudly, abruptly turning towards her. His reaction startled her, but he barely seemed to notice. "This whole thing has got me thinking."
"I know, me too," Amanda leaned against the low concrete wall, her elbow resting on top of it. The wind whipped her hair around her face and she moved to keep it back.
"I've spent most my life searching for a family, something to be a part of, and now I've found it with you," he gently took hold of her forearms, "But I'm still living by myself in an apartment across town. I want to be with you. I want to be with my family."
Amanda's deep brown eyes were locked on Lee's hazel ones. "What about their safety?" she asked softly. She wanted to be a family, too, but there were so many things to think about first.
"Amanda," he said as he let go of her and ran his hand through his hair, "You've been in this business long enough to have made a few enemies of your own and any fool could see we're involved." He paused, "I don't want to die like Brian did, regretting that I didn't spend more time with the people I love. I don't want to leave every night. If I'm there, I can protect you and the boys."
Lee's eyes and face softened as he pulled Amanda close to him, whispering in her ear, "I want to make love to you at night, in *our* bed, and wake up with you in my arms every morning."
Amanda sighed deeply against his broad chest, thinking this was the best idea he'd ever had. "I'd like that, too."
Inspired, he took her by her shoulders and pulled her away from his body to look at her. "Then let's come clean."
Amanda paused, lost in his eyes. The way he looked at her...there was just something about it and she couldn't say 'no'. "Okay...what about our jobs?"
"I honestly don't know." At her worried look, he continued trying to assure her, "We're the best team the Agency has. They're not going to just split us up. I'll talk to Billy when we get back. Don't worry. I've broken the rules before," he joked trying to lighten her mood.
Amanda smiled and nodded, "One day at a time."
"Yeah," Lee clasped Amanda's hand tightly in both of his. "We should head back. Lizzie will probably be up soon."
And as they headed back toward the hotel, Amanda muttered, "What are we going to tell my mother?"
"What do you think we should tell her?"
Amanda looked up at Lee, not realizing she'd said that out loud. "I hate lying to her."
"I know you do. So...let's just tell her the truth."
"Everything?"
"Well, not everything. Even normal people have a few secrets, right?" He smiled mischievously.
Amanda smiled warmly, "Sure." Her eyes twinkled and she shrugged. They started walking again.
"We'll tell her we eloped because our jobs can be dangerous sometimes, and we were worried about the boys. And besides that, they barely knew me."
Amanda still looked skeptical. "Then we'll just take it from there, okay? Hey, don't worry," he grinned.
Amanda shook her head, but smiled. Something he'd said one cold night came back to her in this moment, something that reminded her just how much she loved him and that she'd do anything for him.
'It's no business for a pessimist.'
***
Liz woke to the shrill ring of the telephone from the bedside stand. Rolling over, she sleepily reached for the phone and put it to her ear, her face still in the pillows.
"Hello..."she managed, her voice was terribly muffled.
"Elizabeth?" asked a stern voice across the line.
Suddenly Liz was wide awake. "Grandma?" she squeaked out.
"Elizabeth, you sound like you just woke up. Are you still in bed?"
Liz hesitated, "Um...yeah."
"It's past 3 o'clock," she said harshly, but her voice softened momentarily, "Are you all right, dear?"
"Uh, I guess, I didn't sleep very well." The truth was she still had that awful empty feeling in her chest, and she felt sick from lack of restful sleep.
"Well, that's to be expected. But you mustn't let this keep you down. You can't stay in bed all day. That won't help anything."
"Okay..."
"Good," she said softly as if it was just one more problem dealt with and solved. "Now, I flew in to Paris an hour or so ago and I'm at your father's office now. There's just so much that needs to be done," she muttered unable to hide the momentary sadness in her voice. "It should keep me busy for quite awhile, but I will meet you later at your hotel, around eight."
"Okay..."
"I'll call you when I get there."
After hanging up, she rolled out of bed and went to stand at the window. It was a dreary rainy day and it did nothing to help her mood. She had been in a daze, barely believing any of this was happening until she had seen her father, touched his cold hand.
Her sadness and her fear built up in her until it was too much. She was desperate to fill that hole inside of her and then she was angry, furious, wanting to do something. She would never forget that dark man or his cold, heartless stare. But she had faith in Lee and in the system, and if they didn't find him, well...she'd do it herself, someday...
A knock at the door startled her, breaking her from her thoughts. She crossed the room quickly.
"Who is it?" she asked cautiously her hand on the door knob.
"Room service," came the muffled and heavily accented reply.
"Room service?" she mumbled to herself. "I didn't order anything." Peering out the peephole, she noted the person did seem to be from the hotel and he had a large box with him, something that looked like a present.
She opened the door a crack, peering outside. "Yes?" she asked.
"Elizabeth Jones?"
"Yes?"
"This is for you," he set the box down inside her door.
She looked at the tag and whispered the words as she read, "To Elizabeth - I'm sorry I had to go. It's for the best. Je t'aime. - Dad." She sighed sadly.
"It was supposed to be delivered this morning, but we have been -- busy."
Liz nodded, "Merci," and shut the door behind the man.
She took the box over to her bed and sat down lifting the lid carefully. Inside was an oversized teddy bear, as big as her upper body. It was a light tan, almost a blonde-like color and it was the softest thing she had ever felt. She picked it up out of the box, hugging it in her arms and pressing her cheek against it. "Oh Daddy," she whispered and the anger was gone, replaced by sadness. Liz crawled back into bed curling herself around the last present she would ever get from her father, but she couldn't sleep anymore.
Lee and Amanda returned soon thereafter and checked on Liz. Amanda encouraged Liz to get up; convincing her it would make her feel better. Lee checked with the local police, but they were having no luck. They figured Casale was probably long gone by now, and it was too early to call Billy.
Lee decided to take Amanda and Liz sightseeing, wanting to do something normal, something to get Liz's mind off the situation if even for a few minutes.
At 8 o'clock that night, Lee, Amanda and Liz met Liz's grandmother in the hotel lobby. Liz was obviously uncomfortable there.
"Hello, Elizabeth." Her grandmother greeted her.
"Hi...you remember Lee Stetson."
"Of course," she said politely, holding out her hand, "Mr. Stetson."
"Hello, Mrs. Jones. This is my partner, Amanda King."
Nice to meet you," Amanda responded kindly.
"I'd like to thank you for watching Elizabeth for me. I've been in New York, and I had no idea she was planning such a stunt."
Elizabeth stood with her arms crossed defensively. She hated when her grandmother talked about her like she wasn't in the room.
"Dear, stand up straight."
Liz automatically uncrossed her arms and straightened her back.
Lee and Amanda exchanged a look, and Lee spoke up, trying to break the awkward tension in the room. "We haven't eaten. Would you like to get dinner, Mrs. Jones?"
"Yes, that would be just fine."
As they ate dinner, Liz became more and more disheartened. It seemed her grandmother had a criticism for everything she did. "When are we going home?" she finally asked.
"I scheduled Lee and Amanda's flight for first thing tomorrow morning. We'll leave in a week. I have a lot to take care of here."
"A week?! I don't want to stay here. I just want to go home."
"Well, you've already proven to me that I can't leave you at home alone, so you'll have to stay here with me."
"Can't I just go with Lee and Amanda? Please?"
"No, you've already been too much of a burden on them."
"She's not a burden at all," Amanda spoke up. "There's no reason for her to stay here. We'd be happy to take her with us." Amanda looked at Lee.
"Sure," he agreed. "She can stay with me or with Amanda until you get back."
"Then you won't have to worry about me. I won't be able to get in your way."
"Okay, if that's what you want. I'll arrange for you to go with Lee and Amanda, and I'll call you when I get home."
Liz went to her room early. Being around her grandmother just made her tense and depressed. She sat in a chair in front of her window. It was still cloudy, but the sun hadn't disappeared yet. She hated that her grandmother could get to her and she hated feeling helpless. She couldn't passively sit and just let bad things happen to herself.
Her thoughts drifted to her mother and those last few weeks in the hospital. She was reminded of how much she missed her mom and a few tears began to softly trickle down her cheek. If only her mom was here right now, she would know exactly what to do, what to say. Angrily, she wiped at her face with the back of her hand. She didn't want to feel this way; no, she wasn't going to feel this way.
Suddenly, the sun finally broke free in its decent into the horizon with beams of light bursting from the clouds and shooting through the sky. It was so bright she had to blink, and she decided then, that she wasn't going to let this rule her life. She was going to be strong, she wasn't going to let her grandmother get to her and she wasn't going to lose any sleep tonight.
***
It was early Wednesday evening when Lee, Amanda and Liz pulled up to the white house at 4247 Maplewood Drive. Philip was bouncing a basketball in the driveway looking very bored. "Where did you guys go?" he asked as they climbed out of the Wagoneer, eyeing Elizabeth curiously.
"It's a long story, sweetheart. Did you have a good vacation?"
"Yeah, but I've been sooo bored since we got back."
"Don't you have anyone to play with?"
"All the guys are busy and all Jamie wants to do is mess with his camera. Dad bought him a new lens for it. You wanna play, Lee?"
"Uh," Lee grinned, "not tonight, Chief. Your mother and I have some things to take care of."
Philip's face fell immediately.
"I'll play," Liz said coming up to them from around the Wagoneer.
"You...wanna play basketball?" Philip gave her a funny look. None of his girlfriends ever wanted to play basketball. They always did girl things.
Liz knew that look on his face as soon as she saw it, and she smiled for the first time in days. "What?" she said putting her hands on her hips and raising her eyebrows, "Are you saying I can't play 'cuz I'm a girl?"
"Well, I play kinda rough."
Liz rolled her eyes. "I can play," she nodded, "and I'll betcha ten bucks that I beat you."
"You're on!" Girl or not, Philip wouldn't back down from a challenge.
"We're going to go to the park, Mom."
"Okay, for ONE hour. I want you back before it gets dark."
"Okay," Philip and Liz headed down the sidewalk with Lee and Amanda watching after them.
"I think they're going to be good friends," Amanda said, watching Philip bounce the ball down the sidewalk. It was obvious he was trying to show off. The next time he bounced the ball Liz reached out and stole it from him in a smooth manuever, then took off down the sidewalk.
"Hey!" Philip called after her. "You don't know where we're going." Liz laughed, but didn't slow down and Philip ran after her.
"I think Philip is gonna lose ten bucks," Lee chuckled, but it sure was good to see Liz laughing again.
Amanda laughed with Lee then they turned towards the house. "Well," she looked up at Lee, barely turning her head, "We should talk to Mother now while the kids are busy."
"Yeah," Lee grimaced slightly. He really didn't know what to expect, but, nevertheless, he was happy to finally be home.
"Hey," Amanda said noticing the worried look on his face and smiled, "I've got you."
"And I've got you."
The End :)
