Disclaimer: See part one
Ok…I'm sorry this took so long. I won't keep you hanging for a year this time. It's a short part, look for more to come later…
Lee immediate tried to find cover. "Why, what's going on?" As he asked the question Amanda's watch beeped. Lee felt her sway and he swore under his breath. She should not have come, but he needed her.
"I'm okay." She assured them weakly. "We need to get out of here right now."
"I couldn't agree more." Francine answered
~~//~~
Having made their way back to the hotel uneventfully Lee and Francine helped Amanda to her room. Amanda sat heavily on her bed as Lee, kneeling in front of her, handed her and glass of water and her medication. After taking them she began, "Lee we can't stay here. He knows my room number. How could he, we didn't even check in using our real names. He must either work here, or had an inside source somewhere. The meet was only a few blocks from here. He had to have been watching us." She rambled.
Lee laid a comforting hand on her knee. "Well if someone is watching us, we're not really safe anywhere are we? My room has a pullout couch and a king size bed. I think we should all stay together for safety." He concluded.
Francine raised a questioning eyebrow. "Who gets the couch?"
"I'll take it." Lee answered.
"I was just giving you a hard time. Look, I'm not blind. I know there's more to your relationship then you admit. I'll take the couch." The blond proclaimed and left for her room to gather her things without another word.
Lee turned to Amanda who was shaking her head. Lee gave her sympathetic smile and drew her into a hug. "I shouldn't have come." Amanda proclaimed pulling away. "I mean what if that was a trap and I pass out. You could have been killed."
Lee took her chin, "Amanda, listen. You are here. I'm glad you're here. If it wasn't for you who knows what would have happened tonight? If the places were switched I'd be here too. Right?"
Amanda smiled and nodded. "I love you."
Lee kissed her softly, "I love you too Mrs. Stetson. Let's grab some things here and move to my room.
~~//~~
Once Amanda opened her eyes, she knew it was a bad idea. The light exploded in her head. If it wasn't for the overwhelm sense of nausea she would have allowed herself to succumb to the blackness that was threatening to over take her. She immediately bolted for the bathroom.
Lee felt her leave the bed and move to be with her, closing the bathroom door to give her some privacy, and to make sure Francine was not disturbed.
Amanda was spent. All her energy was used in an instant as she lean back into Lee's embrace. He steadied her and let her compose herself. Wrapping his arms around her he shifted her into a more comfortable position. He felt her stiff body suddenly go limp. He lifted her from the floor and brought her back to the bed. He sat next to her sleeping form and took her wrist in his hand to check her heart rate. While he silently counted he brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Is she okay?" He heard Francine's concerned voice as she came up behind him.
"Her heart rate is about 67. She just got sick and passed out. I need to check in at the Bureau, but I want to let her sleep as long as I can. I don't want to leave her alone…"
"I'll stay with her." She answered Lee's unasked question.
Lee stood and squeezed his friend's arm as he passed her to get ready.
~~//~~
It was 10:00 am when housekeeping knocked on the door. Amanda was still sleeping, as Francine stood to answer the door and tell them to come back later, the door open.
"Housekeeping" a heavy accent announced.
"Now's not a good time," the blond tried to explain while she tried to determine where the porter was from to explain in his native language. Suddenly a gun was produced from the house keeper's cart. Francine lifted her hands and glanced at the table. Her gun was in her purse across the room. The door soon opened again revealing Dimitri's smiling face.
"Ms. Desmond." He said politely.
"Dimitri, what—"
"Sit down." He ordered. When she hesitated he shouted "Now! And Shut up!"
The blonde obeyed once the gun was aimed at Amanda's still form. Dimitri pulled a cord out of a lamp and tied her hands behind her back and to the chair. Satisfied that the blonde was no longer a threat he moved to the bed. He brutally slapped Amanda's face, leaving a hand-shaped welt on her cheek.
Amanda was instantly awake, but had no time to clear the haze as she was pulled from the bed and forced from the room.
TBC…
