Part 1

Washington, D.C., The Agency

One week earlier: October 3, 1998

The mood in the bullpen was jubilant. Twelve members of a terrorist cell had been arrested and their bombing plot foiled. Chief of Field Operations, Stetson, stood quietly surveying the team of agents assembled, before beginning, "First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your dedication and hard work in our latest enterprise. Well done, team. I also have a communique from the President, 'Your valiant effort on behalf of our great country does not go unrecognized. Because of your dedication and hard work, the ideal of freedom will never die.'" The team broke into applause. "Once again, I add my own congratulations, but as much as I hate to say it, we need to get back to work. We must remain vigilant to keep our country safe. If you need me, I'll be in my office."

The door to her office closed behind her and Amanda leaned against it sighing, her eyes shut as she tried to shake off the weariness of the last few days.

"Hi, beautiful."

Amanda's eyes snapped open as she recognized the familiar voice of her husband. She looked over to see Lee perched on the edge of her desk, his arms crossed easily across his chest. "Lee, when did you get back? You weren't supposed to get in until tomorrow, and how did you get into my office without my seeing you? You couldn't have snuck past me!"

He smiled, "I took an early flight from New York and got to the Agency a few minutes ago. And as for your office, Amanda, I have my ways." He winked at her and gave her a warm smile.

"Don't give me that, buster. After nearly 12 years of marriage, I don't think you have very many secrets left!" Amanda grinned back.

"Oh, I might have a few! By the way, what are you doing way over there by the door, Amanda? My arms seem mighty empty." He uncrossed his arms and held them out toward her.

"I thought you'd never ask," she replied with a smile as she made her way over to him. She slipped her arms under his and brought her hands up to his shoulders, then rested her head against his chest. He encircled her with his arms, clasped his hands behind her back, and pulled her close.

" Ah, that's much better," he murmured as he began to place a line of light kisses across her temple.

"Lee, I missed you so. I thought when you were made assistant director of the Agency that you wouldn't be traveling as much. You know, you're going to have to try extra hard to make it up to me." She looked up at him and smiled.

Lee looked deeply into her eyes, "Do you know you are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen?"

"Good start, Scarecrow," she murmured with a grin.

The teasing quickly turned to passion as Lee bent his head to possess Amanda's lips in a soul shattering kiss.

Amanda swayed when he finally released her, "Oh, wow! Maybe I should make you leave town more often!"

"No way, Amanda," Lee said intently before he kissed her again.

When they finally broke apart, Amanda happened to glance over at the office windows that looked out over the bullpen. She turned her head into his shirt and whispered, "Mmm, Lee, we seem to have an audience. Maybe we should save this until we get home."

Lee looked out the windows, grinned and waved at the agents who were staring into the office. "Maybe you should just keep the blinds shut, Amanda," he teased. "And anyway, they understand why I can't keep my lips and hands off of you. Well, at least the men do . . . "

"Lee!" Amanda exclaimed, trying to sound scandalized, but failing to keep the delight out of her voice.

Reluctantly, the pair broke apart, and sat down side by side in the chairs in front of the desk. Lee reached over and took one of her hands, absent mindedly rubbing his thumb over her fingers.

After a few quiet moments, Amanda asked, "Lee?"

"Uh huh?"

"Was there any reason in particular you decided to come home a day early?"

He turned to her and smiled, "Sure, I'm looking at her."

She blushed, but then in a voice that sounded slightly disappointed, she asked, "Oh, no other reason?"

"Ah, well I might have had one or two other reasons, like . . . the date."

"You remembered?" Amanda whispered.

"How could I forget?" Lee looked at her lovingly, "Fifteen years ago, I found my heart, and somehow convinced her to walk with me."

Amanda replied softly, "And I've been walking by your side ever since." She paused and then asked, "Lee, do you believe in fate?"

"Fate?"

"Yeah, you know, destiny. Do you believe in destiny?"

"I've never given it much thought."

"Well, I have. And, I think we were destined to be together. Fifteen years ago, when I looked into your eyes for the first time, I knew I was seeing my future. I think you knew it too."

"I would love to believe we were destined to meet, but if I knew it, why did I spend so long trying to push you away?"

"If you think about it, you didn't try that hard. I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Then why did it take me three years to admit that I loved you?"

"Lee, it might have taken you three years to put it into words, but you admitted it long before then," she replied.

Lee nodded and smiled, "So you noticed, huh?"

"Oh, yeah. But anyway Lee, I said you knew we were destined to be together, not that you understood it. I didn't understand it at first either. When I first met you, I thought you were a rude, arrogant, skirt-chaser."

Lee grimaced, "Ouch."

She continued with a gentle smile, "But something kept drawing me to you. It took time, but I finally saw the man beneath the surface, the man I glimpsed the first time I looked into your eyes."

"Is it any wonder I love you?" he murmured.

Amanda glanced over at her husband. She loved him more today than she ever had; more than she ever thought possible. Lee looked over at his wife. He loved her more today than he ever had; more than he ever thought possible. When their eyes met, it was if an invisible cord pulled them closer to each other, their bodies drawn toward each other. They paused just before their lips met, and mindful of the agents just outside the office, they drew apart and sat instead, hand in hand.

Knowing she had to steer the conversation to safer grounds, Amanda broke the silence, "Lee, how was your trip? Did everything go OK?"

"Oh, you know, business is business."

"How's Francine? Does she like the New York office?"

"Francine? She's only been Chief of Field Operations there half a year, but she's got all the agents eating out of her hand."

"Sounds like Francine. She always did get anything she wanted." Amanda looked into Lee's eyes and winked, "Except you, of course! You know, I never thought I'd say this, but sometimes I miss having her around. Not often, mind you, but sometimes," she laughed, and then seriously, "Don't tell her I said that!"

"Don't worry. Your secrets have always been safe with me."

"Yeah, and we've had a few, haven't we?"

They both grinned as they thought back to the early days of their marriage when they had foolishly tried to keep their relationship secret from their friends and family. Lee smiled and shook his head, "Whatever gave me the idea that a 'mystery marriage' would work? Not one of my better ideas, huh, Amanda?"

"Well, it did give new meaning to the phrase 'covert operations'" she smirked.

"Speaking of 'covert operations,' I understand you've wrapped up the terrorist cell case. Congratulations, Amanda."

"The team did a good job, Lee."

"Your team, Amanda. Your team. You deserve the thanks and congratulations, and don't you forget it."

"Yes sir!" she replied, along with a snappy salute.

"Very funny, Amanda. I'll drop it for now, but you know I'll get all the details later." He paused and continued, "So, how are the kids doing?"

"Philip called this morning. He's not coming home for Thanksgiving."

"Oh, why?" Lee was disappointed. He thought of Amanda's two boys as his own sons, and liked to spend time with them. Since they had both left home, he missed having them around.

"He's going to Ohio to spend the holiday with Marissa's family."

"Ah, sounds serious."

"Yeah, I think we might be hearing wedding bells in the future. I just hope they wait until they finish law school."

"Philip graduates in May, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, but Marissa's a year behind him."

"Well, we'll see. I've got a feeling Philip might not be as patient as his mother."

"Ha! You should thank your lucky stars that I'm patient."

"I do, Amanda, I do. Every day."

Amanda leaned over and gave Lee a quick kiss.

Lee then asked, "How about Jamie?"

"Oh, he's enjoying college. Now that he's gone back to school and decided to major in photojournalism, he seems to take his studies more seriously. I am so glad he took up photography. Without that shot he took for his photo essay, we never would have known about the terrorists in D.C. It's funny how the security of our nation could hinge on something as simple as a college assignment."

"We're lucky that Jamie showed us his photos. I couldn't believe it when I looked at that shot and recognized three terrorists."

"I'm relieved we can keep his name out of the official record. I guess it helps that his parents are in charge!"

"So, both Philip and Jamie are OK. How's our little girl?" Lee's voice gentled as he thought of their 9-year-old daughter, Jenny.

"Jenny's fine. Lee, you just talked to her two nights ago."

"I know, but I miss my girls when I'm out of town."

"She's going to be in the school play."

"She is?"

Proudly, Amanda replied, "Yeah, she's going to play the lead."

"Well, of course she is," Lee said, as if there could be no doubt. "What's the part?"

"She's playing a princess," Amanda said, barely suppressing a giggle.

He raised his eyebrows, "A princess? How's she taking that?"

"Well, she wasn't happy at first, but we had a little chat and she's OK now."

"Really? Our little tomboy is OK with playing a princess?"

"Yeah, you know, you just have to understand how to talk to children and explain things to them. She took it very well. In fact, she even said she's looking forward to it."

"You are an amazing woman, Amanda Stetson. I'm glad I had sense enough to marry you." They both laughed and then Lee continued, "You know Amanda, it's been a long week for both of us. Do you think maybe I could take my wife home now?"

Amanda glanced over to her desk and indicated the paperwork stacked on it with a wave, "Lee, I didn't expect you home tonight. I still have a lot to do . . . "

Lee lowered his head. "OK. OK," he murmured in a resigned voice.

Amanda continued without missing a beat, ". . . to make sure my husband gets a proper welcome home."

Lee looked back up and smiled, a twinkle in his eyes, "Ah." Then he stood and extended a hand to Amanda, "Just walk with me?"

She put her hand in his, "Anywhere."