Chapter Four

"She's the director of laser research for the strategic defense initiative!"

Amanda blurted out "Star Wars!"

Ernie looked at her and said "Star Wars….we haven't got it."

Amanda smiled at Ernie and rolled her eyes. Lee grabbed her hand and they made their way towards Billy's office. He held her hand all the way through the bullpen and she smiled to herself. She noticed the other agents in the bullpen all watching Scarecrow holding hands with his partner. She knew that they would be whispering about her and Lee. She really didn't care. She loved it when Lee would hold her hand. He acted like he was the luckiest man in the world when he did. And she felt like she mattered. They walked into Billy's office and Lee said "Billy We ID'd the woman! It's Maria Von Clausen!"

Billy stood up and said "She's the director of the strategic defense initiative! Bring her in Scarecrow. We need to find out what happened and stop Krutiov before something else comes up!"

Amanda smiled at him and said "Yes Sir!"

Lee opened the door and they walked out and took Amanda's hand again. They walked towards the elevator. Once the doors opened they got in and Amanda turned towards Lee.

"Lee, this isn't going to be easy. Talking to Maria. The man she loves betrayed her….because of her job. It's going to break her heart."

Lee sighed and gave Amanda's hand a tight squeeze. "I know. Look, it's gonna be okay."

Amanda sighed and nodded. She hated this part of their job. Having to tell Maria Von Clausen about Tony's betrayal wasn't going to be easy.

They stepped out of elevator and handed Mrs. Marsden their badges. Lee took Amanda's hand and they headed to Lee's car. Amanda didn't feel like talking on the ride to the Watergate. Lee was being sweet and let her stew about what they were going to do. At one point he reached over and took her hand and held it until he stopped the car. Amanda relaxed once he took her hand. He had such an effect on her. I think it even helps him when we touch. It's like a connection we have. I can't explain it but I am just glad he's here. Amanda thought as Lee jumped out of the car and opened the door for her. They walked up to the apartment and Lee knocked on the door. Maria Von Clausen opened the door and Lee flashed his badge.

"Dr. Von Clausen, I am Lee Stetson and this is Amanda King. We are from the Agency. Um…we need to talk to you about Tony Martinet. We need you to come with us."

Maria looked at them and tears started forming in her eyes. Amanda sensed Maria's fear and heartache. She smiled at the other woman and said "Maria, we need to know if anything happened yesterday when you were at the hotel with Tony. I know this isn't something you want to hear….but it would really be a big help if you would come with us."

Maria nodded and said "Of course. Let me get Walter. He's in charge of my security."

Lee handed her a card. "This is the Agency's address but we will have to follow you there. Is Walter around? I need to talk to him as well."

Maria let them into the apartment and offered them a seat. She went to get Walter. Amanda took a deep breath and sighed. Lee put his arm around her and just held onto her. She smiled at him as he held onto her.

"I'm okay Lee. I have to remember to keep things separate. Thank you for making me feel better. It means a lot."

Lee whispered "You know that I would do anything for you Amanda." He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed "Okay Partner…lets do this. Ready?"

She smiled her best smile at him and he beamed right back at her. "Ready…Partner." Amanda thought how perfect that word was. They were partners and she felt they would soon be in every aspect of their lives.

"You could have said anything Dr. Von Clausen. Blood analysis indicates he gave you a powerful new psychotropic…the Russians are calling it the Deja Vu drug."

They were all standing in Billy's office. Maria Von Clausen was pacing. She was trying to hold it together. Amanda stood closest to her just in case she needed someone to lean on. Walter and Francine were standing behind Lee as he talked. Billy leaned on the edge of his desk. "I'm afraid you have been compromised, Dr. Von Clausen."

Maria turned around and said "I cant believe Tony would do this!" She was fighting back tears. Amanda looked at her and said "He was probably pushed pretty hard."

"Which is Krutiov's forte," Lee added.

Walter piped up. "When I searched him…he was clean!"

Lee gruffly said cutting Walter off… "He could have hidden it anywhere…all you need is one thousandth of a grain of that stuff."

Billy stood up and looked at Francine "Let's presume we have a level nine security breach. Sound the alert, Francine. Lee, you and Amanda go out and round up Martinet and bring him back here. I'll work with Walter and get Dr. Von Clausen back under wraps."

Amanda said "Yes, sir!" She walked over to Maria and put her hand on Maria's arm. "He probably had no control over this Maria." Amanda smiled at her and Maria weakly smiled back. Amanda said goodbye and followed Lee out of the bullpen. Lee looked over at her and smiled. "You know…you were pretty great with Dr. Von Clausen."

She smiled at him. "Thank you very much. I appreciate you saying that to me."

Lee continued…. "Amanda, I mean it. You have something that I just can't explain….I mean…when you talk to people. They just gravitate to you and start spilling out their life stories! It's impressive….really. You are going to ace Class C interrogations! You have come a long way, Mrs. King and I couldn't be prouder."

Amanda blushed and smiled at him. She had tears starting to well up in her eyes but she batted her eyes so they wouldn't be seen. She was afraid that he had seen the tears. She knew he was more afraid of tears than bullets. She loved him so much and she wanted him to love her back. But she knew she had to wait on him…when Lee was ready. She could wait. She took his hand and whispered "Lee, hearing you say that you are proud of me means the world to me. Thank you for that." She took a big breath and said "Well, what do you say we go pick up Tony and then maybe have a late dinner?"

Lee smirked at her. "Why Mrs. King, dinner with you two nights in a row? How scandalous….whatever would the gossip hounds have to say about this!" She raised her eyebrow at him and he laughed. "Amanda, you know I would love to have dinner with you. After we take care of this Krutiov mess…we'll grab some take out and go to my place. What do you say?"

Alone with Lee Stetson in his apartment. Oh my gosh .I hope he kisses me…or should I kiss him. Oh! I am so confused!

Amanda took his hand and said "That sounds like a great plan Stetson. Let's go! The sooner we bring Tony back here the sooner we can head to your place!"

Lee laughed and said " You're so right! Let's get outta here!"

As they headed to the theater Amanda thought that her relationship with Lee was changing for the better and she was looking forward to telling him exactly how she felt about him.

The curtain fell to the ground and Lee jumped over the chairs and grabbed Krutiov. He handcuffed him and handed him off to the group of agents that had descended on the stage. They took Krutiov away along with Valentine and Martinet. Billy walked over to Lee and Amanda and smiled at them.

"Good job you two. You can knock off tonight and work on your reports tomorrow. I think you have done enough for one week."

Lee laughed as he handed the tape Martinet had made and said "Well, thanks Billy. You are sure you don't need us?"

Billy shook his head. "Get out of here Scarecrow…before I change my mind. I will see you both tomorrow."

Amanda smiled at their section chief and said "Thank you sir. See you tomorrow."

Billy walked away and Lee turned towards Amanda. He took her hands. "So you ready to have some dinner?"

Amanda smiled and her brown eyes were dancing. Lee beamed at her with his dimples showing out in full force. They walked out of the theater hand in hand. They reached Lee's Vette and he opened the door for her. Feeling it was right she turned to face him before getting into the car and reached up to kiss him on his cheek. She couldn't breathe and she felt Lee gasp. She smiled at him again and got in the car. He shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. She noticed he was beaming as they drove away. She realized that he seemed happy that things were changing between them. She sighed and decided to just let it happen. She was ready.