Stormy Weather
by matahari2
Summary: AU - More troubles for the Stetson-King family--can't these people catch a break?
Timeframe: March, 2002
Disclaimer: These great characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions, they don't belong to me, nor will I get one dime for writing this story. The story, however, is mine. Please don't archive without my permission.
Rating: PG
Feedback: PLEASE! Read and Review!
Author's Notes: This story follows after the events of "An Anniversary to Remember," which was based on the assumption that Lee and Amanda's mystery marriage's cover was blown within six months, and that everyone knows about the secret wedding that took place on February 13, 1987.
Chapter One - Storm Clouds Stetson Residence, Early Morning
On her way up the stairs, Amanda heard the not-so-dulcet tones of her husband's voice.
"Amanda!" Lee barked from the recesses of their walk-in closet. Picking his way through the row of jackets and suits, he yelled, "What've you done with my dark blue suit?!? And why'd you go and move my watch again? You know I like to keep it on the countertop in the bathroom! I've got a meeting with the new director at 8:00 a.m., and you're not helping me here!"
Amanda could see the scowl on his face without even looking. She shook her head, took a few calming breaths and answered, "Keep your shirt on, would ya?" Reaching the entrance to the closet and holding up the hanger for his inspection, she said, "Your suit's right here. . .I picked it up at the cleaner's yesterday. I was just bringing it up for you." She dangled the second object of his search like a blue ribbon prize, and continued, "And here's your watch, which I found on the island in the kitchen. . .right where you left it."
He didn't say anything. He simply glared at her, grabbed the suit and wristwatch out of her hands and stalked back into the bedroom to get dressed.
When exactly had this started, she wondered. Only a little over a month ago when they'd celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary, he'd been so tender with her, so loving. What on earth had she done? What had happened to change his attitude so radically?
**********
Mid-morning at the Agency
Francine Desmond-Stone nearly had to sprint down the corridor to catch up with the whirlwind that was Lee Stetson this morning. She touched his sleeve to capture his attention and asked, "Lee, do you have a minute? I really need to talk with you."
"So talk," he said curtly, his long strides not missing a beat. When she didn't start talking immediately, he darted his eyes toward her and shouted, "What is it, Desmond? I don't have all day!"
"I need to borrow Amanda for a few days," she said as they entered the bullpen.
She could see he was clearly not in the mood for this discussion, as he frowned at her and shouted, "What?!?"
He pushed the door open and Francine followed him into his office. She picked up where she'd left off, explaining, "I know. . .her primary assignment is the Training division these days, but I could really use her help on one of the Q Bureau cases, since it ties into one that the two of you worked several years ago, and. . ."
He held up his hand like a stop-sign and interrupted. "Wait a minute. If you need Amanda's help on a case, why are you asking me? You know I don't have any authority over what she does here! Why don't you just ask her?" He didn't wait for an answer, but sat down and placed his reading glasses just below the bridge of his nose, flipped open the top file from the three-inch high stack on his desktop and gave it his full attention, before looking up at her and saying, "Now. . .do you mind? I have work to do here," effectively dismissing her with his barely civil tone.
Francine nodded silently and turned to leave, but her face must have registered the shock and disappointment she felt at her old friend's rebuff, because when she found herself back in the corridor outside the bullpen, she realized several of her fellow agents were staring at her as they passed by. The next thing she knew, she heard Amanda's voice.
"Francine! Are you all right?", she asked, her brows knitted in concern as she reached forward to touch Francine's forearm. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no, I'm fine," she lied. Averting her gaze for a moment, she started to recant her statement. "Well. . ."
"Well, what, Francine?" Amanda prompted.
"It's just. . .who stepped on his tail?", Francine asked, lifting her palms up in frustration. "I mean, good grief, Amanda! All I asked for was a minute of his time. I almost broke a heel running after him down the hallway, and then he practically threw me out of his office!"
When she'd finished the tirade, Francine looked down for a second, softened her tone and continued, "I'm sorry, Amanda. I know he's your husband and all, and I thought we were good friends, but lately he's been treating me like nothing more than an annoyance."
Amanda didn't say anything, but Francine caught the rolled eyes and the slight smirk that flitted across her face. 'So you're getting the same treatment?' Francine pondered. 'What could that mean?' She shook her head to clear it of these unwelcome thoughts and directed her attention to the matter at hand. "Anyway, Amanda, you're the one I really needed to talk to. I could use your help on one of our cases. . .", she began, as the two of them turned into the crosswise corridor and headed for the elevator.
**********
Stetson Residence, Evening
Jenny passed the bowl of green beans to her mother as she asked, "Mom, do you think Dad would mind too much to help me with my geography project on Paris, France?"
"Well, I don't know, Sweetie. You'll have to ask him," Amanda answered as she spooned a few green beans onto her plate. Picking up her fork, she gave Jenny a small smile and went on, "Of course, I don't know why he woudn't want to help you. He was always more than willing to help your brothers on things like this."
"Things like what?" Lee asked, after shutting the back door and dropping his coat and briefcase into one of the chairs in the kitchen.
"Oh, Hi, Dad. . ." Jenny began before her father rudely interrupted.
"Well?" he asked her impatiently, roughly pulling out the chair and sitting down at the head of the table.
"Well, see. . .I have this geography project to do on Paris, France, and. . ."
Not waiting for her to finish her request, he put in, "When's it due?"
"Not until a week from Friday," Jenny answered. Seeing the grim set of his face, she decided to drop the subject, holding her hand up and saying, "Oh. . .never mind, Dad. If you don't have time, maybe Mom can help me instead."
"No, no, I can help. . .just not tonight," he offered. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, then reached out to touch Jenny's hand before continuing, "Let's try for Saturday morning, okay?"
A mere split-second later, he gestured at the empty table space in front of him, asking Amanda roughly, "So what now. . .I don't get to eat?"
"I'm sorry. . ." she gritted out. "You told me you'd be working late tonight. You didn't say how late. . .there is such a thing as a telephone, you know," she said, grumbling her way back to the kitchen to pull out Lee's place setting and to bring him a glass of ice water.
Jenny didn't like what she was seeing. 'This is weird--Mom and Dad going at each other like this. And Dad's always real good to me, at least up 'til the last few weeks. What's up with him lately?' she wondered.
**********
Stetson Residence - Later that night
"Good night. . .remember now, lights out in thirty minutes, all right?"
"Okay. G'night, Mom," Jenny answered as she flipped on her bedside lamp and opened the book she'd been reading.
After closing Jenny's door, Amanda approached their bedroom with an unfamiliar feeling of apprehension. She hesitated outside the door, hardly knowing what to say or do. Lately, it seemed as though the least bit of provocation would set Lee off. Then again, she'd witnessed entirely enough of his bad mood today, so with a shake of the head and a firm grip on the doorknob, if not her emotions, she entered the lion's den.
"All right, Stetson. . ." she started, only to stop herself short, realizing he was nowhere to be seen. Just then, he opened the bathroom door, dropping a crumpled paper cup into the waste can before stepping over to the bed.
"All right, what?" he asked, in a quieter tone than he'd used at dinner.
As Amanda watched him perch on the edge of the bed and swing his legs in and under the covers, she asked, "Lee. . .what is it?" Shrugging her shoulders and thrusting her hands upward, she prodded, "What've I done, what's anybody done, to make you so. . .so angry?"
"I'm not angry with you, Amanda," he stated plainly.
"Oh really?" she asked, with a cynical tip of the head, not expecting an answer. With her hands fisted on her hips, she continued, "Then why is it that I can't do anything to please you? You've hardly spoken a civil word to me in the last three weeks. Shoot! You weren't exactly Prince Charming tonight, even with Jenny, for goodness' sake!"
"I know, and I'm sorry," he started, patting her side of the bed and inviting her to sit with him. At her still-disbelieving look, he searched out her eyes and went on, "Really. I guess it's just that I've been under a lot of pressure at work. . .you know. . .with the new director coming on, and the quarterly budget meetings and all."
"You're sure there's nothing else?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and tentatively taking hold of his outstretched hand.
"Nope. Not a thing," he answered, shaking his head slightly.
"All right, then, as long as you're sure," she said, picking up her nightgown and heading toward the bathroom. When she reached the doorway, she leaned a hand against the jamb and turned back to him, saying, "I was just so worried. . .I love you, you know?"
"Yeah. . .I know," he answered with a small smile. "I love you, too. And Amanda. . .I'll apologize to Jenny in the morning, okay?"
"Okay, Sweetheart. Good night," she said tenderly, as she went in and started filling the bathtub. 'Oh well, at least we have a little peace for tonight,' she thought. 'But I don't believe his explanation for a minute.'
TO BE CONTINUED
Summary: AU - More troubles for the Stetson-King family--can't these people catch a break?
Timeframe: March, 2002
Disclaimer: These great characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions, they don't belong to me, nor will I get one dime for writing this story. The story, however, is mine. Please don't archive without my permission.
Rating: PG
Feedback: PLEASE! Read and Review!
Author's Notes: This story follows after the events of "An Anniversary to Remember," which was based on the assumption that Lee and Amanda's mystery marriage's cover was blown within six months, and that everyone knows about the secret wedding that took place on February 13, 1987.
Chapter One - Storm Clouds Stetson Residence, Early Morning
On her way up the stairs, Amanda heard the not-so-dulcet tones of her husband's voice.
"Amanda!" Lee barked from the recesses of their walk-in closet. Picking his way through the row of jackets and suits, he yelled, "What've you done with my dark blue suit?!? And why'd you go and move my watch again? You know I like to keep it on the countertop in the bathroom! I've got a meeting with the new director at 8:00 a.m., and you're not helping me here!"
Amanda could see the scowl on his face without even looking. She shook her head, took a few calming breaths and answered, "Keep your shirt on, would ya?" Reaching the entrance to the closet and holding up the hanger for his inspection, she said, "Your suit's right here. . .I picked it up at the cleaner's yesterday. I was just bringing it up for you." She dangled the second object of his search like a blue ribbon prize, and continued, "And here's your watch, which I found on the island in the kitchen. . .right where you left it."
He didn't say anything. He simply glared at her, grabbed the suit and wristwatch out of her hands and stalked back into the bedroom to get dressed.
When exactly had this started, she wondered. Only a little over a month ago when they'd celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary, he'd been so tender with her, so loving. What on earth had she done? What had happened to change his attitude so radically?
**********
Mid-morning at the Agency
Francine Desmond-Stone nearly had to sprint down the corridor to catch up with the whirlwind that was Lee Stetson this morning. She touched his sleeve to capture his attention and asked, "Lee, do you have a minute? I really need to talk with you."
"So talk," he said curtly, his long strides not missing a beat. When she didn't start talking immediately, he darted his eyes toward her and shouted, "What is it, Desmond? I don't have all day!"
"I need to borrow Amanda for a few days," she said as they entered the bullpen.
She could see he was clearly not in the mood for this discussion, as he frowned at her and shouted, "What?!?"
He pushed the door open and Francine followed him into his office. She picked up where she'd left off, explaining, "I know. . .her primary assignment is the Training division these days, but I could really use her help on one of the Q Bureau cases, since it ties into one that the two of you worked several years ago, and. . ."
He held up his hand like a stop-sign and interrupted. "Wait a minute. If you need Amanda's help on a case, why are you asking me? You know I don't have any authority over what she does here! Why don't you just ask her?" He didn't wait for an answer, but sat down and placed his reading glasses just below the bridge of his nose, flipped open the top file from the three-inch high stack on his desktop and gave it his full attention, before looking up at her and saying, "Now. . .do you mind? I have work to do here," effectively dismissing her with his barely civil tone.
Francine nodded silently and turned to leave, but her face must have registered the shock and disappointment she felt at her old friend's rebuff, because when she found herself back in the corridor outside the bullpen, she realized several of her fellow agents were staring at her as they passed by. The next thing she knew, she heard Amanda's voice.
"Francine! Are you all right?", she asked, her brows knitted in concern as she reached forward to touch Francine's forearm. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no, I'm fine," she lied. Averting her gaze for a moment, she started to recant her statement. "Well. . ."
"Well, what, Francine?" Amanda prompted.
"It's just. . .who stepped on his tail?", Francine asked, lifting her palms up in frustration. "I mean, good grief, Amanda! All I asked for was a minute of his time. I almost broke a heel running after him down the hallway, and then he practically threw me out of his office!"
When she'd finished the tirade, Francine looked down for a second, softened her tone and continued, "I'm sorry, Amanda. I know he's your husband and all, and I thought we were good friends, but lately he's been treating me like nothing more than an annoyance."
Amanda didn't say anything, but Francine caught the rolled eyes and the slight smirk that flitted across her face. 'So you're getting the same treatment?' Francine pondered. 'What could that mean?' She shook her head to clear it of these unwelcome thoughts and directed her attention to the matter at hand. "Anyway, Amanda, you're the one I really needed to talk to. I could use your help on one of our cases. . .", she began, as the two of them turned into the crosswise corridor and headed for the elevator.
**********
Stetson Residence, Evening
Jenny passed the bowl of green beans to her mother as she asked, "Mom, do you think Dad would mind too much to help me with my geography project on Paris, France?"
"Well, I don't know, Sweetie. You'll have to ask him," Amanda answered as she spooned a few green beans onto her plate. Picking up her fork, she gave Jenny a small smile and went on, "Of course, I don't know why he woudn't want to help you. He was always more than willing to help your brothers on things like this."
"Things like what?" Lee asked, after shutting the back door and dropping his coat and briefcase into one of the chairs in the kitchen.
"Oh, Hi, Dad. . ." Jenny began before her father rudely interrupted.
"Well?" he asked her impatiently, roughly pulling out the chair and sitting down at the head of the table.
"Well, see. . .I have this geography project to do on Paris, France, and. . ."
Not waiting for her to finish her request, he put in, "When's it due?"
"Not until a week from Friday," Jenny answered. Seeing the grim set of his face, she decided to drop the subject, holding her hand up and saying, "Oh. . .never mind, Dad. If you don't have time, maybe Mom can help me instead."
"No, no, I can help. . .just not tonight," he offered. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers, then reached out to touch Jenny's hand before continuing, "Let's try for Saturday morning, okay?"
A mere split-second later, he gestured at the empty table space in front of him, asking Amanda roughly, "So what now. . .I don't get to eat?"
"I'm sorry. . ." she gritted out. "You told me you'd be working late tonight. You didn't say how late. . .there is such a thing as a telephone, you know," she said, grumbling her way back to the kitchen to pull out Lee's place setting and to bring him a glass of ice water.
Jenny didn't like what she was seeing. 'This is weird--Mom and Dad going at each other like this. And Dad's always real good to me, at least up 'til the last few weeks. What's up with him lately?' she wondered.
**********
Stetson Residence - Later that night
"Good night. . .remember now, lights out in thirty minutes, all right?"
"Okay. G'night, Mom," Jenny answered as she flipped on her bedside lamp and opened the book she'd been reading.
After closing Jenny's door, Amanda approached their bedroom with an unfamiliar feeling of apprehension. She hesitated outside the door, hardly knowing what to say or do. Lately, it seemed as though the least bit of provocation would set Lee off. Then again, she'd witnessed entirely enough of his bad mood today, so with a shake of the head and a firm grip on the doorknob, if not her emotions, she entered the lion's den.
"All right, Stetson. . ." she started, only to stop herself short, realizing he was nowhere to be seen. Just then, he opened the bathroom door, dropping a crumpled paper cup into the waste can before stepping over to the bed.
"All right, what?" he asked, in a quieter tone than he'd used at dinner.
As Amanda watched him perch on the edge of the bed and swing his legs in and under the covers, she asked, "Lee. . .what is it?" Shrugging her shoulders and thrusting her hands upward, she prodded, "What've I done, what's anybody done, to make you so. . .so angry?"
"I'm not angry with you, Amanda," he stated plainly.
"Oh really?" she asked, with a cynical tip of the head, not expecting an answer. With her hands fisted on her hips, she continued, "Then why is it that I can't do anything to please you? You've hardly spoken a civil word to me in the last three weeks. Shoot! You weren't exactly Prince Charming tonight, even with Jenny, for goodness' sake!"
"I know, and I'm sorry," he started, patting her side of the bed and inviting her to sit with him. At her still-disbelieving look, he searched out her eyes and went on, "Really. I guess it's just that I've been under a lot of pressure at work. . .you know. . .with the new director coming on, and the quarterly budget meetings and all."
"You're sure there's nothing else?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed and tentatively taking hold of his outstretched hand.
"Nope. Not a thing," he answered, shaking his head slightly.
"All right, then, as long as you're sure," she said, picking up her nightgown and heading toward the bathroom. When she reached the doorway, she leaned a hand against the jamb and turned back to him, saying, "I was just so worried. . .I love you, you know?"
"Yeah. . .I know," he answered with a small smile. "I love you, too. And Amanda. . .I'll apologize to Jenny in the morning, okay?"
"Okay, Sweetheart. Good night," she said tenderly, as she went in and started filling the bathtub. 'Oh well, at least we have a little peace for tonight,' she thought. 'But I don't believe his explanation for a minute.'
TO BE CONTINUED