(for PTAG46)

Act 8: We've Only Just Begun

Setting: Honeycutt PC

Amanda was just shutting down her terminal at Honeycutt when her mind finally wandered to the events of the past few days. For someone not accustomed to excitement, Amanda had not yet had her fill. A smile crossed her lips as she thought of Lee there at Jamie and Mandy's. The thought of knowing that Lee was safe and resting was very important to Amanda. He had no one to care for him, no one to help him.

Amanda was overwhelmed with the knowledge of how blessed she had been with her children and their wives and their kids. She didn't know how Lee had survived without anything resembling a real family. He had told her that his uncle Col. Clayton was cordial but distant and he was living in a retirement community in Green Valley, Arizona these days.



Amanda had last seen Lee this morning when Joey had given him that sweet token of friendship, a little matchbox car. Thinking about gifts, Amanda felt for the heart pendant around her neck. Several people at the office had commented about how beautiful it was. Amanda had told them it was on loan from a friend. She didn't yet understand that Lee had given it to her for keeps.

Yes, this had been a strange couple of weeks, Amanda thought to herself.

As Amanda made her way to Honeycutt's parking garage to take off in her white Jeep Wagoneer, she pondered these recent events. She had met Lee by a fluke, they had shared together, they had kissed, they had attempted to catch a world class evil-doer and they had been commissioned by the Agency as "on-call" operatives.

Amanda had to laugh. Operative. There was a switch! Her kids would die if they ever found out their mother was becoming a spy. She wondered how Lee had ever been able to do this.

***

Lee smiled as he nestled Marnie and Joey on his lap. He was having too much fun with these toddlers to notice the throbbing pain of his you-know- what. Lee breathed deeply. He noticed for the first time that he actually felt at peace. Peace. Lee laughed at himself! He had never felt more content than he did at this very moment. Well, almost. He was grinning because he knew Amanda would be coming back soon. Now there was a reason to smile!

Lee had to admit, he was a little disappointed earlier, since he had not yet had the chance to share his feelings with Amanda. He knew he was getting too old to wait. If she was the one...Lee didn't want to let her get away.

Just then a cool breeze filled the room. Amanda came sweeping into the house and gave Mandy a huge hug.

Mandy couldn't help but grin. She thought it was TERRIFIC that her mother- in-law was so obviously in love with Lee. Mandy had a hunch though that it wasn't yet obvious to Amanda.

"Joey! Marnie! Come say hi to Grandma!" Mandy hollered through the house. The two little ones came tearing over to greet Amanda and jumped into her arms for hugs and kisses.

From where Lee was seated, it was difficult for him to turn around and watch as Amanda generated giggles from her grandchildren. Lee was still attempting to stand up when heard a gentle voice behind him.

"Hey there big fella, don't hurt your back trying to get up out of that chair!" Amanda entered the den.

"Oh hi Amanda" Lee wanted to reach up and give her a kiss and it took everything in him to not leap up and grab her in his arms, tackle her to the couch and plant the biggest, wettest kiss on her lips!

"Lee?" Amanda noticed Lee seemed to be very distracted.

"Oh, yes?" Lee replied weakly. He felt like he had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Would it be okay if we stayed here for dinner before I take you home? I thought there would be less moving around and that would be better for your bu..I mean your back and there would be less traffic...and I could help you up to your apartment and..."

Lee stood there stunned. He had never heard anyone ramble like that. "Whoa" he accidently said out loud. "I mean yes, that would be fine."

Lee didn't yet know that Amanda only rambled like that when she was nervous, or...in love.

***

Lee and Amanda finished their dinners and thanked Jamie and Mandy for their hospitality as they made their way to Amadna's Jeep. Lee thought to himself "Now that's a perfect 'Grandma car'", Amanda even had car seats in the back!

Amanda came over to Lee's side of the car to gently assist him in getting in when she accidently touched his posterior. Lee pretended not to notice and Amanda was glad he couldn't turn around and see her red face!

Lee gave the directions to Amanda as she drove him back to his apartment in Georgetown. Once they arrived, Amanda insisted on helping Lee up the stairs and into his apartment. Lee knew there was NO WAY he would object.

Lee leaned on Amanda as they stood at his front door and he turned the key in the latch to open it. He sputtered "Hey!" when he noticed a silver bucket sitting prominantly on his coffee table. Amanda helped Lee hobble over to the table so he could read the card stuck to the side.

"To Lee: In memory of Billy. We all know if Billy was still here, he would have sent this to you! Happy Recovery! (p.s. The champagne is in the fridge)". Lee recognized Francine's handwriting and smiled a sad smile. Lee noticed the quizzical look on Amanda's face and invited her to sit down. He wanted to tell her all about Billy Melrose, his former boss and friend.

Amanda helped Lee sit down first then went to the kitchen to fetch the champagne and glasses as Lee told her about Billy. As he continued, Amanda filled the bucket with ice and returned to Lee's side.

"Billy sounds like a wonderful person Lee."

"Yes, he was." They both took sips of the champagne.

Then silence. Awkward silence.

Lee was trying to get up the nerve to tell Amanda how he really felt about her. Amanda could sense the tension but wasn't ready to let her guard down.

"Hey there Scarecrow, looks like I may need to invite you over for dinner on a regular basis! There's no food in your fridge!" Amanda blurted.

Lee reached over and gently carressed Amanda's face with his hand and said, "That would be a pleasure Mrs. King."

Amanda gulped as she felt her face begin to flush and she suddenly had an extreme interest in the fabric of Lee's couch. Lee knew he must be making progress. For once, Amanda didn't scoot away or tense when he approached.

Lee decided to be bold. "Amanda"

"Yes Lee" Amanda replied, afraid to look up for the fear of letting down her guard and trusting a man she could tell was falling in love with her.

"I, I've never felt this way about anyone..."

Amanda turned her face away from Lee and gently swept his hand from her face.

"Lee, I just don't think I'm ready for this. I've had four, count them, four marriages, I don't want to ruin another one, Yes, I was married to the same man three times but you don't know how stubborn I can be, I mean..."

"Amanda!" Lee interrupted softly.

"Yes" All Amanda could do was whisper as this time Lee firmly but gently turned her face toward his and delved into her tearful eyes with his own.

"I, I...I love you."

"Oh!" As Amanda opened her mouth in surprise Lee's lips came crashing down on hers. She backed away but Lee's strong arms encircled her. She slowly began to relax and let Lee gently guide her down to rest her head on the side of the couch as they contined to embrace.

They kissed deeply for quite some time. Lee had never felt better in his life. He felt like he could have been wounded a hundred times over but it wouldn't have mattered. He was here kissing his best friend, the woman he wanted for a wife. And she, was kissing him back.