Chapter Nine
Amanda knocked at the door of room 515 at the Crescent City Plaza. She needed to talk to Lee. After the meeting she had with Agent Ross and Billy, she couldn't believe what they'd told her. Someone had taken Lee's key to the Q bureau, stolen his high security clearance files, and used those files to make contacts with Brousseau. Agent Ross and Billy hadn't suspected Lee, but according to Billy, Lee was taken aback with the news. He had left the meeting shaken, and Agent Ross and Billy were worried about him. Amanda hoped he didn't want to be alone as she knocked again. She heard Lee's voice call out from the other side, low and fierce.
"Whoever that is, leave me alone!" Lee said.
"Lee, it's Amanda. I need to talk to you." Amanda said.
Amanda heard footsteps, then heard the chain loosen off the door as Lee opened it. Amanda's heart jumped at the sight of him. His hair was disheveled, as if he'd raked his hands through it for hours. His eyes were shadowed and red. Lee gave her a half-smile as he moved away from the door to allow her inside.
"Lee, I came to see if you're all right." Amanda said, "Billy and Agent Ross told me what happened."
"What happened?!" Lee said, "What happened is I let my guard down. I let someone sneak past my defenses and they used me!" Lee exclaimed.
"Lee, I don't know the whole story, but...." Amanda started to say.
"You want to know the whole story, Amanda?" Lee said, "How's this for a story? I gave my trust and caring to someone, someone I thought loved me. Then I find out that all of it, everything I thought we had was a lie! I was just someone to amuse her until she got what she wanted, then I find out she's nothing but a manipulator!" Lee exploded.
"Wait a minute Lee, are you saying that Leslie." Amanda asked.
Lee sighed. "Leslie's the one. She's Brousseau's contact. They found her prints all over my key, the Q bureau, and on the letter itself." Lee finished.
"Oh, Lee, I'm so sorry." Amanda said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry too." Lee said, "Sorry I ever let anyone get to me like that. I was better off as a loner."
Amanda walked over to Lee. She took him by his arms and looked at him. She had never seen Lee look so vulnerable, so hurt. She could feel his muscles tighten in his arms as she spoke to him.
"Lee Stetson, you are a wonderful person. Don't let what Leslie did to you change the caring man I've seen before. Don't give her the satisfaction of letting her get to you that way." Amanda said.
"Don't say that!" Lee said, "Don't say things like that to me. I can take what Leslie did to me, but I can't take that from you." Lee said harshly.
"Can't take what from me, the truth?" Amanda questioned, looking into Lee's eyes.
Lee looked into Amanda's deep brown eyes. They were full of compassion, and something more. Lee felt as if he could almost see into Amanda's soul, into her heart, and it tore at him. He could feel the adoration coming from her, almost like an invisible blanket had been thrown over him, to salve his wounded heart. Lee realized he'd let too many things go unsaid between he and Amanda. He sat down on the bed and motioned for Amanda to sit beside him. Lee took her hands in his and looked at her for a long moment. As Lee stared at her, Amanda saw a change come over him. He looked more like the Lee she had come to love. His face took on a soft, caring look. His beautiful hazel eyes sparkled as they stared into hers. His lips softened as Lee spoke.
"Amanda, I've realized over the past few months how much I've taken you for granted. I always believed you would be there for me, no matter what. But when I married Leslie, I didn't understand why you couldn't be there for me." Lee said quietly.
"Lee, that's in the past. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, it's just that.." Amanda started.
"That what, Amanda?" Lee asked.
Amanda looked into Lee's eyes, unsure of what to say. Lee's expression was one of anticipation, gazing into her deep brown eyes. Amanda took a shaky breath and stood, walking to the open window. She stood there, staring into the starry sky overhead. Lee stood up and walked behind her. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her around. When Amanda was facing him again, he tilted her chin up with a finger to look at him. Amanda's eyes were misty with tears as she stood looking at him nervously. Lee smiled his dimpled smile at her. Amanda's brows arched in surprise at Lee's smile.
"Amanda King, I don't think I've ever seen you this speechless before." Lee said softly.
"Lee, I..." Amanda said.
Lee gently cupped her face in his hands. His eyes gazed longingly into hers. Amanda felt a change in the air, almost an electric current passing between her and Lee. She could see the spark in Lee's eyes, feel the sensation of his hands absently stroking her arms. Amanda's tongue darted out to wet her lips, and she saw Lee's eyes darken as they followed her tongue's movement. Lee bent his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. Amanda's senses went into overdrive as she felt his lips pressing hers, seeking acceptance. Amanda felt her lips open to Lee and felt the gentle pressure of his tongue against hers. As she glided her tongue against his, Amanda felt Lee's arms around her, pulling her closer. She wrapped her arms around him as she felt his lips pull away from hers to gently caress her neck. She could hear Lee's shallow, rapid breathing against her ear as he worked from her earlobe down her neck, feathering the soft skin with kisses and words of love. Amanda gripped his back tightly, feeling the lean, hard muscles play under her hands.
"Amanda." Lee breathed against her throat, as his hands slid up her hips, his hands rhythmically stroking upwards. Amanda slid her hands around Lee, stroking his chest lightly. Lee moaned softly and gripped her hands firmly in his.
"Amanda, wait. There's something I need to say." Lee said hoarsely.
Amanda pulled away reluctantly. Lee pulled her over to a chair and sat her down. As he looked at her, his control was severely tested. Amanda's hair was tousled, her face was flushed, and the desire he saw in her eyes nearly drove every rational thought from his mind. Lee took a few deep breaths to steady himself, then pulled up a chair in front of hers. He took her hands in his and smiled at her. His Amanda. She deserved better, better than him, he thought. But the feelings she had awakened in his heart would not be silent anymore. He had to tell Amanda how he had been feeling for so long.
"Amanda King, you've been the best partner, best friend, and best person I've ever known. I've made a huge mess of things, but right here, right now, I'm going to start changing things. I'm sorry I said what I said earlier. I don't want to be a loner anymore. I need someone who I know will always be there for me. Someone who will love me for who I am, not what I have. Someone who's been right in front of my eyes all along. YOU, Amanda King. I love you. I've loved you for so long. I was just so scared of losing you, I was afraid to tell you. But I almost lost you anyway. Please tell me there's a chance for us. That my stupidity hasn't run you off forever." Lee said, his eyes pleading with hers.
Amanda's eyes filled with tears at Lee's heartfelt words, words she'd been hoping to hear for so long. The months of missing him, hearing his voice, seeing his face, spending time together with him finally brought them to this time. Amanda's voice choked as she looked into Lee's eyes.
"Lee, I love you too. I was so hurt after you married Leslie, I didn't know what to do. I've wanted this for so long, but I didn't know if you felt the same way. I don't want to imagine my life without you." Amanda said, "I've loved you for a long time now, and I want to give us another chance." She finished as her voice broke and her tears fell.
Lee gathered her in his arms, softly speaking words of tenderness. Amanda's tears slowly dried, replaced by a feeling of warmth and comfort. Lee loved her. Amanda smiled against Lee's chest as he stroked her hair. Lee closed his eyes, feeling Amanda's soft, warm body in his arms. He promised himself never again to take for granted this beautiful woman, so giving, so loving, and to never give her any reason to doubt his love for her ever again. After a few minutes, Amanda pulled herself away from Lee.
"So, what are we going to do about Leslie and Brousseau?" Amanda asked.
"We're going to make sure they go where they belong. In federal prison." Lee said, "Then you and I have an appointment." Lee said and smiled.
"An appointment?" Amanda asked, puzzled.
"Yes." Said Lee, "We've got some serious catching up to do." Lee said as he kissed the top of her forehead.
"I'm holding you to that, Stetson." Amanda said as she wrapped her arms around him.
I'm hoping you do, Lee thought as he held onto Amanda tightly, because that was one promise he had no intention of breaking. ________________________________________________________________________
Amanda knocked at the door of room 515 at the Crescent City Plaza. She needed to talk to Lee. After the meeting she had with Agent Ross and Billy, she couldn't believe what they'd told her. Someone had taken Lee's key to the Q bureau, stolen his high security clearance files, and used those files to make contacts with Brousseau. Agent Ross and Billy hadn't suspected Lee, but according to Billy, Lee was taken aback with the news. He had left the meeting shaken, and Agent Ross and Billy were worried about him. Amanda hoped he didn't want to be alone as she knocked again. She heard Lee's voice call out from the other side, low and fierce.
"Whoever that is, leave me alone!" Lee said.
"Lee, it's Amanda. I need to talk to you." Amanda said.
Amanda heard footsteps, then heard the chain loosen off the door as Lee opened it. Amanda's heart jumped at the sight of him. His hair was disheveled, as if he'd raked his hands through it for hours. His eyes were shadowed and red. Lee gave her a half-smile as he moved away from the door to allow her inside.
"Lee, I came to see if you're all right." Amanda said, "Billy and Agent Ross told me what happened."
"What happened?!" Lee said, "What happened is I let my guard down. I let someone sneak past my defenses and they used me!" Lee exclaimed.
"Lee, I don't know the whole story, but...." Amanda started to say.
"You want to know the whole story, Amanda?" Lee said, "How's this for a story? I gave my trust and caring to someone, someone I thought loved me. Then I find out that all of it, everything I thought we had was a lie! I was just someone to amuse her until she got what she wanted, then I find out she's nothing but a manipulator!" Lee exploded.
"Wait a minute Lee, are you saying that Leslie." Amanda asked.
Lee sighed. "Leslie's the one. She's Brousseau's contact. They found her prints all over my key, the Q bureau, and on the letter itself." Lee finished.
"Oh, Lee, I'm so sorry." Amanda said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry too." Lee said, "Sorry I ever let anyone get to me like that. I was better off as a loner."
Amanda walked over to Lee. She took him by his arms and looked at him. She had never seen Lee look so vulnerable, so hurt. She could feel his muscles tighten in his arms as she spoke to him.
"Lee Stetson, you are a wonderful person. Don't let what Leslie did to you change the caring man I've seen before. Don't give her the satisfaction of letting her get to you that way." Amanda said.
"Don't say that!" Lee said, "Don't say things like that to me. I can take what Leslie did to me, but I can't take that from you." Lee said harshly.
"Can't take what from me, the truth?" Amanda questioned, looking into Lee's eyes.
Lee looked into Amanda's deep brown eyes. They were full of compassion, and something more. Lee felt as if he could almost see into Amanda's soul, into her heart, and it tore at him. He could feel the adoration coming from her, almost like an invisible blanket had been thrown over him, to salve his wounded heart. Lee realized he'd let too many things go unsaid between he and Amanda. He sat down on the bed and motioned for Amanda to sit beside him. Lee took her hands in his and looked at her for a long moment. As Lee stared at her, Amanda saw a change come over him. He looked more like the Lee she had come to love. His face took on a soft, caring look. His beautiful hazel eyes sparkled as they stared into hers. His lips softened as Lee spoke.
"Amanda, I've realized over the past few months how much I've taken you for granted. I always believed you would be there for me, no matter what. But when I married Leslie, I didn't understand why you couldn't be there for me." Lee said quietly.
"Lee, that's in the past. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, it's just that.." Amanda started.
"That what, Amanda?" Lee asked.
Amanda looked into Lee's eyes, unsure of what to say. Lee's expression was one of anticipation, gazing into her deep brown eyes. Amanda took a shaky breath and stood, walking to the open window. She stood there, staring into the starry sky overhead. Lee stood up and walked behind her. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her around. When Amanda was facing him again, he tilted her chin up with a finger to look at him. Amanda's eyes were misty with tears as she stood looking at him nervously. Lee smiled his dimpled smile at her. Amanda's brows arched in surprise at Lee's smile.
"Amanda King, I don't think I've ever seen you this speechless before." Lee said softly.
"Lee, I..." Amanda said.
Lee gently cupped her face in his hands. His eyes gazed longingly into hers. Amanda felt a change in the air, almost an electric current passing between her and Lee. She could see the spark in Lee's eyes, feel the sensation of his hands absently stroking her arms. Amanda's tongue darted out to wet her lips, and she saw Lee's eyes darken as they followed her tongue's movement. Lee bent his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. Amanda's senses went into overdrive as she felt his lips pressing hers, seeking acceptance. Amanda felt her lips open to Lee and felt the gentle pressure of his tongue against hers. As she glided her tongue against his, Amanda felt Lee's arms around her, pulling her closer. She wrapped her arms around him as she felt his lips pull away from hers to gently caress her neck. She could hear Lee's shallow, rapid breathing against her ear as he worked from her earlobe down her neck, feathering the soft skin with kisses and words of love. Amanda gripped his back tightly, feeling the lean, hard muscles play under her hands.
"Amanda." Lee breathed against her throat, as his hands slid up her hips, his hands rhythmically stroking upwards. Amanda slid her hands around Lee, stroking his chest lightly. Lee moaned softly and gripped her hands firmly in his.
"Amanda, wait. There's something I need to say." Lee said hoarsely.
Amanda pulled away reluctantly. Lee pulled her over to a chair and sat her down. As he looked at her, his control was severely tested. Amanda's hair was tousled, her face was flushed, and the desire he saw in her eyes nearly drove every rational thought from his mind. Lee took a few deep breaths to steady himself, then pulled up a chair in front of hers. He took her hands in his and smiled at her. His Amanda. She deserved better, better than him, he thought. But the feelings she had awakened in his heart would not be silent anymore. He had to tell Amanda how he had been feeling for so long.
"Amanda King, you've been the best partner, best friend, and best person I've ever known. I've made a huge mess of things, but right here, right now, I'm going to start changing things. I'm sorry I said what I said earlier. I don't want to be a loner anymore. I need someone who I know will always be there for me. Someone who will love me for who I am, not what I have. Someone who's been right in front of my eyes all along. YOU, Amanda King. I love you. I've loved you for so long. I was just so scared of losing you, I was afraid to tell you. But I almost lost you anyway. Please tell me there's a chance for us. That my stupidity hasn't run you off forever." Lee said, his eyes pleading with hers.
Amanda's eyes filled with tears at Lee's heartfelt words, words she'd been hoping to hear for so long. The months of missing him, hearing his voice, seeing his face, spending time together with him finally brought them to this time. Amanda's voice choked as she looked into Lee's eyes.
"Lee, I love you too. I was so hurt after you married Leslie, I didn't know what to do. I've wanted this for so long, but I didn't know if you felt the same way. I don't want to imagine my life without you." Amanda said, "I've loved you for a long time now, and I want to give us another chance." She finished as her voice broke and her tears fell.
Lee gathered her in his arms, softly speaking words of tenderness. Amanda's tears slowly dried, replaced by a feeling of warmth and comfort. Lee loved her. Amanda smiled against Lee's chest as he stroked her hair. Lee closed his eyes, feeling Amanda's soft, warm body in his arms. He promised himself never again to take for granted this beautiful woman, so giving, so loving, and to never give her any reason to doubt his love for her ever again. After a few minutes, Amanda pulled herself away from Lee.
"So, what are we going to do about Leslie and Brousseau?" Amanda asked.
"We're going to make sure they go where they belong. In federal prison." Lee said, "Then you and I have an appointment." Lee said and smiled.
"An appointment?" Amanda asked, puzzled.
"Yes." Said Lee, "We've got some serious catching up to do." Lee said as he kissed the top of her forehead.
"I'm holding you to that, Stetson." Amanda said as she wrapped her arms around him.
I'm hoping you do, Lee thought as he held onto Amanda tightly, because that was one promise he had no intention of breaking. ________________________________________________________________________
