***SMK*****SMK *****SMK *****SMK*****SMK*****SMK*****SMK*****SMK***

The TAG Collection

#1– Moody Zulu Blues

Highlights from the Original Story

The challenge in this FFF was for a specific character in each post (scene) to portray a pre-determined emotion. The overly emotional scenes from the supporting cast included Emily delirious, Conrad deceptive, Mrs. Marsden enamored, Francine flustered, Dottie clueless, Blue Leader uproariously funny, Beaman haughty, arrogant, and insufferable, and Leslie desperate.

With the heightened emotional outbursts added to the normal, job-related stress of handling the bizarre twists in a case that took them to Europe to locate a lost Billy and rescue Emily, our two spies were completely bushed when we join them on their return trip.

***SMK*****SMK *****SMK *****SMK*****SMK*****SMK*****SMK*****SMK***

TAG

The Next Morning – Trans-Atlantic Flight Home

Amanda and Lee had raced through the airport and rushed through check-in to catch the plane home. Once aboard, they ambled down the aisle to their seats, fatigue and exhaustion apparent in each labored movement. Lee dropped into the window seat and Amanda sank into the seat next to him. Both took a deep breath and leaned their heads back against their seats, closing their eyes. As they talked, their voices were low and flat and their faces were expressionless. They seemed to lack the energy for simple animation.

"I'm exhausted," Amanda mumbled.

"I feel like the walking dead," Lee countered.

"I know Emily was pleased that we stayed with her overnight. I'm glad that she is feeling better, but.." Her voice trailed off wearily. Even her Amanda-ramble lacked substance.

"Tired. Need sleep." Lee finished for her.

As they talked they drooped together, shoulder to shoulder, forehead to forehead, eyes still closed, lips just centimeters apart. They were both too tired to notice the intimacy of their contact or to question or fight the 'rightness' and 'completeness' of their bodies subconsciously molding together.

"I remember the briefing last night and everyone leaving with Billy, but what actually happened to his memory?" Amanda reminisced.

"He didn't remember yet. He said he'd let us know when he did."

"Ohhhh…"

"This plane is cold." Lee shivered and snuggled closer to her.

Amanda opened one eye just in time to catch a stewardess' attention. "Excuse me, could we have a couple pillows and blankets?"

Neither was surprised when the stewardess' expression turned to one of utter exasperation. She thrust one blue bundle towards them and stormed away. "Thank you," Amanda muttered to her retreating figure.

"She's a little moody…" Lee commented.

Amanda unwrapped the bundle and handed the one pillow to Lee. "I guess we have to share." Without another word, they re-situated themselves by working in tandem. Lee used the pillow to lean against the window. He wrapped his arm around Amanda so she could rest against his shoulder. They tucked each other under the blue blanket they shared. Eyes closed, they relaxed again until…

"Get a room," hissed a little old lady, as she walked by them. All four eyes opened in surprise then shut again immediately. Oblivious to the reference, they returned to their relaxing, unanimated banter.

"Did she have blue hair?" Lee observed

"I think it was supposed to be gray."

"Moody zulu blue…"

"Where did that come from?"

"No idea," Lee mumbled.

"Is it me or does it seem like everyone has been extremely emotional this week?"

"Yes, very high strung."

"Full moon?"

"The twilight zone or an alternate universe," Lee suggested.

"Mmmm, My hands are still cold…" Amanda observed. She moved her arm around behind Lee and slipped her hand into his back pocket. Her other hand was resting on his chest; fingers interwoven between the buttons of his shirt, fingertips gently resting on his skin. Lee countered her slight movements by pulling her closer, so she was as close to being against his chest as the seat belt would allow, his one hand fanning the side of her ribs, the other wrapped around her back securely. Still neither of them noticed the intimacy of their contact; they were too tired to resist when being tangled together felt so right. "Was Harry really in charge of the agency again?"

"Yes."

"Did you really have a wreck with mother?'

"I think so."

"Conrad, missiles and blackmail…"

"Who could imagine."

"Conrad and Leslie?"

"Whatever works for them."

"Blue Leader and Mrs. Marsden?"

"Didn't see that one coming."

"Bizarre…"

"Do you think when we wake up things will be back to normal?"

"I don't want to wake up…"

Lee hugged her gently and she nestled further into him. "This reality is not so bad…"

"…without the Drama and Outbursts," Amanda continued, finishing his thought.

"Warm…" he whispered.

"Safe…" she countered.

"Perfect…" they both mouthed and contently smiled as they drifted off to sleep…