Chapter 13

Forgetting her facade of depression, Amanda was practically skipping through the hallways of IFF. She was taking the afternoon off to help chaperone Jamie's school field trip, and found she was looking forward to it. She'd been such a presence in her sons' lives before beginning her work at the Agency. Lately, she'd felt like the neglectful mothers she frowned upon. One last task and she was free to enjoy the National Cathedral with her youngest child.

Amanda dropped off her expense reports with Janet, a mousy woman who kept her hair in a tight bun. Amanda thought she might be pretty if she tried a little, but she supposed everyone had their reasons. Janet took the receipts without looking up, but her face rose when she saw the name on the sheet before her.

"Amanda, hi!" Amanda King was the only employee who treated her like a person, who spoke to her and knew her name and asked about her ailing father, whose picture she kept on her desk. It was a picture of the two of them when she was 9, back when he was a healthy robust man who always swung her high in the air and called her Sugar.

The picture could almost make her forget the frail man who now lay in a nursing home, dying of cancer. She had taken care of him until his doctor had convinced her it wasn't feasible any longer. It had nearly killed her, the feeling that she'd disappointed him.

"I heard you and Scarecrow called it quits," she nearly whispered. "I'm sorry".

"Thank you, Janet."

"You know, I would love to have you over for dinner sometime. We could drink some wine, talk. You could come and see my garden. I've got some beautiful roses this year."

"Really? I don't know." Amanda didn't really have any female friends at the Agency. She was always so busy with Lee. In the beginning, most of the women were rude to her, and later some were downright mean. Francine's behavior was by no means unique.

Janet, though, had always been sweet to her. Amanda hesitated, but was drawn in by the hopeful anticipation on Janet's face. She didn't see her with the other women in the office, and knew that taking care of her elderly father left her little time for a social life.

"Sure. I'd like that. When?"

"Well, tonight I have to pick up my car from the shop. How about tomorrow?"

Amanda flipped open the date book she kept in her purse. "Deal. What's the address?"

"1919 38th Street, in Arlington."

"6 too early?"

"No. I'll see you then."

Amanda smiled, heading for her car. She'd stop and grab a nice bottle of merlot after the field trip. After all, you could never have too many friends.

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He couldn't believe he hadn't always seen how beautiful she was. Hadn't always wanted to touch that face, taste those lips, feel those fingers on his skin, hear her voice say his name....

"Lee?"

"Mmm?"

"Lee!" A folder slapped onto his desk, rudely dragging him from his latest fantasy.

"What are you doing in here? I thought it was off-limits."

"I had some work to do in here. Besides, *she's* not here."

Shrugging, Francine crossed her legs as she sat on the desk. "Ooh, someone had a hot date last night, I hear." Francine practically purred.

"What are you talking about Desmond?"

"Oh, come on. It's all over the office that you couldn't keep your hands to yourself last night, you devil!" She tapped his chest with a perfect nail for emphasis.

Lee stared, his heart in his throat. Who could have seen him at Amanda's? Had he made a mistake, destroyed their case by going over there?

"Susie said you were a wild man last night. That you could barely make it to her house before you tore her clothes off." Francine's laugh was deep and full, echoing off the walls of the Q-Bureau. "I guess someone was a little frustrated! What's the matter, Amanda all talk and no..."

Francine nearly fell off the desk as Lee flew out of his chair. "Don't you EVER...ever...." His temper subsided at the look of genuine fear on his friend's face. "I mean, I..." Lee sat down again, remembering he wasn't supposed to defend Amanda. Of course he'd had no idea that Susie would lie about the peck on the cheek he'd been loathe to give her.

"Look, just because I couldn't keep my hands off a beautiful woman doesn't mean you need to talk about Amanda that way," Lee smirked. "She just couldn't give me what other women could, it was nothing personal."

Francine, now recovered, made a move for the door. "It never is with you, Scarecrow. It never is."

Lee rested his head in the cradle of his large hands for only a moment before it occurred to him.

If it was "all over the agency".....had Amanda heard too?