The next several weeks passed in a flurry of activity. Francine had several trips to the hospital with false labor. Each time on the way home, she'd frown, still fixated on seeing her feet. Efraim was a wreck, edgy and cranky at work, hovering at home.

Billy kept Efraim busy at his computer most days tracking down the phantom hits his system was still receiving. Efraim had traced it to Eastern Europe using three of the U.S. government's largest computer systems. Dr. Smyth had been called on the carpet when a security check of the Department of Defense computers showed unauthorized access. Questioned by Smyth, Efraim had shrugged and told him he needed the untapped memory of the DOD computer system. Smyth accused Efraim of not hiding his trail in an effort to tweak the DOD. Efraim had smiled and shrugged at Smyth, going back to his tracing efforts.

Smyth had gone to the White House and gotten carte blanche for Efraim to use the computer systems he deemed necessary for his work. Efraim had been annoyed; he preferred to tweak the other government agencies.

Lee and Efraim had not spoken since that night in Efraim's office. They moved around each other at the Agency like wary contestants in a boxing ring. Francine and Amanda each tried repeatedly to repair the breach in their husband's relationship, only to be warned by their husbands to 'stay out of it'.

Dr. Smyth watched as Francine Beaman left Billy's office. Shaking his head, he followed her into her office, closing the door. "And how are we feeling today, Mrs. Mommy-To-Be?"

"Fat." Was her reply as she carefully lowered herself into her chair. "What can I help you with, Dr. Smyth?"

"You are hardly fat, my dear. I'm sure your husband would vigorously disagree with you. As to what you can help me with; I'm looking to mend fences between the Scarecrow and Boy Scout."

Francine gave a very un-ladylike snort. "Good luck! B tells me to stay out of it. And Amanda has told me that Lee tells her the same. These two are enjoying their battle."

"Interesting. I never envisioned that the Scarecrow would feel so threatened by your husband. Or that your husband would so zealously defend his territory."

Francine chuckled. "I don't think it comes as any surprise to us who really know those two men. Lee has always been an alpha and has shown it in every step of his career. Efraim may be quieter about it, but he is every bit as much an alpha personality as Lee. They were bound to clash when one didn't do what the other wanted. It was only a matter of time."

"So you believe it was an infringement of Beaman's territory that has upset him so much?"

"That and the fact that Lee compromised his security system. Efraim takes his security pertaining to his work very seriously."

"He takes his security here and that of his family very seriously." Smyth stated.

"That's correct. He does. I'm not sure an apology from Lee would right this situation between them. It will take a while for trust to be re-established. By breaking into his office and his computer, Efraim sees that as Lee snubbing his nose at Efraim's abilities and the importance of his work. Efraim thinks Lee was disloyal to him. That's the rub."

"Ah. Yes, I can see how that would be. Your husband prizes loyalty. How do we go about repairing this breach between them? Surely you and Mrs. Scarecrow have spoken about this."

"At length. We've tried. They won't listen to us."

"And if I bring them both into my office?"

Francine laughed. "Only if you don't mind the silence. You'll be the only one talking, Dr. Smyth."

Dr. Smyth sighed and rose from the chair. "I'll have to give this matter some thought. The two of them are putting a decided pallor over the Agency."

Francine nodded her agreement.

"And you, all is well? The baby is doing well?" Dr. Smyth hid his grin behind his cigarette holder as he watched the smile sparkle and brighten Francine's face.

"I'm very well. The baby is very active, and the doctor says everything is on schedule."

"I hear there have been a couple of runs to the hospital."

Francine pressed her lips together in a slight pout. "Is there anything you don't hear about, Dr. Smyth?"

Laughing, he twirled the empty cigarette holder and headed towards the office door. "Not much, my dear, not much. Stay well. Tootles!"

Francine shook her head as she watched Smyth leave the bullpen. After all the years of putting her foot in her mouth around Dr. Smyth, usually when she was talking about him, they seemed to have formed a bond of friendship. If one could be friends with Austin Smyth.

He was genuinely concerned about her health and welfare since the her pregnancy had become common knowledge. He often chided Efraim to take care of her. Francine grinned, as though Efraim would not take care of her. He took very good care of her, and Francine made sure that everyone knew that.

"What did Smyth want?" Efraim asked from their shared doorway.

Francine jumped in her seat. "Good grief, B! You scared me half to death sneaking up on me that way!" She shot him a pointed look which caused him to laugh.

"I didn't sneak up on you, hon, you were lost in thought. Good thoughts? All about me?" Efraim sat on the corner of her desk, leaning over to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"All of my thoughts do not center on you, Efraim Beaman. There are other things in the world to think about beside you and your overblown ego." She replied, her voice haughty.

"Name them." He challenged her.

"The baby."

"My baby."

"Our baby."

"The baby we made."

She grinned at him. He had a point.

"World events."

"I can give you the spin on all world events."

"You really are arrogant, John Efraim Beaman, Jr. Really!"

"I know. You've made me this way." He told her, leaning over to tweak her nose.

Francine's jaw dropped open, her eyes wide and full of surprise at his statement. "I beg your pardon, John. But what do I have to do with your arrogance?"

He raised his eyebrow at her use of his first name. She usually reserved that for times when she was annoyed with him. Efraim pulled his wife up and into his arms. His lips, warmon herneck as he kissed her just under her ear lobe, smiling knowingly at the slight shiver she gave in his arms. "That's one reason, you respond so delightfully to me. You fell in love with me. You agreed to become my wife and you married me. You are carrying my child. So if I'm arrogant, my love, it's because of you. And you love me this way." He kissed her softly, a gentle kiss filled with love. At her sigh, he deepened his hold, searching her for the response he knew would be coming.

Laying her head on Efraim's shoulder, she chuckled. "You are arrogant, and you are right, I do love you this way!"

"So, what did Smyth want? Our firstborn child?"

Francine laughed. "No. He wanted to know what I thought of the situation between you and Lee."

He looked at her, knowing that she wanted him to repair the rift between Lee and himself . Amanda had even cornered him and asked him to approach Lee. He had heard Lee shouting at Francine one afternoon concerning the same subject. One look from Efraim to Lee had Lee giving Francine a quick apology for raising his voice.

"And what did you tell him?"

"What I thought."

Efraim sighed. "And that is?"

"That Lee was disloyal and condescending to your abilities and position when he trashed your computer."

"He didn't trash my computer, Francine. He crashed several system security walls, that's all. Give me some credit, will ya?"

"B, you know I don't know those terms that you use as well as you do. I'm not a reformed hacker. Well, actually, neither are you!"

He frowned at his wife. She was trying to distract him, and he wanted to rant about Lee. "I wouldn't dream of compromising a case that Lee was working. But Lee and his arrogance create havoc in mine, and especially one that I was under orders not to discuss from the President. Because Stetson didn't get his way he decided to do things the only way he knew how, by strong arming his way into the situation."

"I know, B. All I'm saying, and all that Dr. Smyth is saying is this has to come to a resolution. This isn't like you, Efraim. Not at all."

"This is me when the life of a college student is put in jeopardy because of one man's stupidity."

"B, you don't hold grudges. If you did, you wouldn't be married to me. Can we find away to bridge this rift? Please?"

Efraim sighed. He knew Francine was right, but it still ate at him. "Francine, it's not a simple matter of holding a grudge against Lee. It's a matter of who I am in this Agency. I'm no longer the dog that gets kicked around from job to job. I have professional pride in what I do and how I do it. I'm a capable agent, and I'm good at what I do. It's time Lee gave me the respect that I deserve for my abilities. I may not be Lee Stetson, but Lee Stetson is not me. My talent and abilities have to be recognized for what they are. I am a major contributor to the success of this division of the Agency."

Francine nodded and sighed. "You're right, Efraim. I'm sorry. I didn't understand how you viewed this. You are a valued member of this Agency, you know that. Dr. Smyth put his life in your hands, not Lee's. Regardless of the fact that Lee didn't speak the language, it could have been worked around. You know that. I know that, and Lee probably knows that."

"You think he did it on purpose?"

Shaking her head, Francine continued. "No. Lee is used to getting his own way. Period. And he'll run roughshod over anyone who gets in his way. That's the way he operates."

"Then this is not my problem." Efraim stated, glad to reach a consensus with his wife in this matter.

Francine sighed. "I disagree, Efraim. It is very much your problem. We need to come to a resolution. You yourself said that you aren't Lee and that Lee isn't you. We somehow have to make Lee see that."

"Again, I don't see why it is my problem." Efraim restated, his jaw stubbornly set.

"Because he is our friend, my friend. One of my oldest and dearest friends, B. Because Amanda is our friend. Because you have been unhappy with this between you and Lee. And because our baby will be born any day now, and I want all of us to be happy."

"Speaking of our baby, you have a doctor's appointment." Efraim kissed her cheek as he reminded her about the appointment.

"Oh! I completely forgot! What time is it?"

"It's 2 o'clock, hon. Your appointment is at 3 this afternoon. You have plenty of time. I, however, have an appointment with Dr. Smyth, whom I suspect will give me an earful. I'll cancel and come with you." He quickly told her as he saw her face fall.

"No, it's alright, B. It's just my weekly check-up. Nothing has been happening, and I suspect I shall remain this way for the rest of my life! Go see Dr. Smyth, I'll be fine. And by the way, don't think I didn't notice the way you changed the subject from this problem with Lee to the baby. We'll finish this discussion later."

"I had hoped you would be so excited about the doctor's appointment that you would let it drop. Alright hon," he told her as she gave him a nasty look. "I'll think about it. That's all I can promise you, and that's because I want you to be happy. Okay?"

"Thank you B. I knew you would do this for me." Francine kissed his cheek, wiping the lipstick she had left there with a caress of her thumb.

"Yeah, right. Oh, do me a favor will you? Give me your glasses, I want to put one of those listening devices on them, that way I can hear what the doctor has to say."

"Then I can't talk about you!"

"You talk about me?" He asked her, a big grin on his face.

"Not that way, B! I tell him what a cad you are!"

"HA! You want to tell him what a wonderfully inventive husband you have, a husband who keeps you happy and smiling!"

Francine swatted him on the chest. "You are full of yourself, Efraim Beaman! How I put up with you, I'll never know!"

Efraim laughed and pulled his wife against his chest. "Yeah, you know how you put up with me, hon. Because I love you to distraction, because I think you are the most beautiful, wonderful, witty woman in the world. And because you can keep up with me in the bedroom . . . Ouch! Francine! That hurts! Stop!" He tried to grab her hands as she swatted at him, finally capturing them and holding them against his chest. He looked in her eyes and his laughter stopped. "I do love you, Francine."

"I know."

He tweaked her nose and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Look. I'll walk you to the car, okay? Don't worry about coming back, I'll leave through the Georgetown entrance and walk home, it's only a couple of blocks. Just go home and get comfortable, alright?"

Francine nodded. "I will. I'll be fine, don't worry. Walk me to the car?"

"Of course, my love. This way we can stop by Leathernecks office and gas up your glasses."

"Hmmmm. You forget nothing!"

"Nothing that concerns you, Franny!"

Francine laughed and Efraim smiled to hear her. Taking her elbow, he walked with her to the elevators, pushing the button. He rubbed her lower back while they waited.

"That feels wonderful, B. How did you know?"

"Because I know everything about you. Besides, you're leaning and I know that posture is much too an important aspect of my wife's character for her to slouch without reason."

"You do like to try and get a rise out of me, Efraim. Keep trying." She laughed at him.

"Damn! It used to be so much easier!"

"Ah yes, those were the days. Getting your tie stuck in the elevator, locking you in the copier room, scaring you out of your wits by propositioning you in the Q-Bureau! Sometimes I miss them."

"Yeah, well, I like these days much better." He hit the elevator button to close the doors and pushed Leatherneck's level.

"Me too, B. Do you really want to buzz up my glasses? Don't you trust me to tell you what's happening?"

"Yes, of course I do. It's silly."

"What's silly?"

"The doctor always uses the microphone so you can hear the baby's heart beat. I like listening to that and I don't want to miss it." He told her, a flush creeping up his neck.

"Oh Efraim! Why didn't you just tell me that? Of course we'll zoom up my glasses so you can hear the baby! Oh sweetie!" She hugged him.

"Thanks hon." Efraim said, hugging her back, glad she hadn't laughed at him. Holding the door open for Francine, they walked into Leatherneck's office together.

Leaning over the counter, Efraim yelled for Leatherneck. Turning back to Francine, he watched as she managed to sit in one of the chairs Leatherneck had. Efraim smiled as she tried to get comfortable, knowing she would complain bitterly if she got stuck in the chair.

"What's all this yellin' going' on in here? Hey, Boy Scout! How's it going? Well hello there, Mrs. Beaman, I didn't see you sitting there. How are you feelin' today?"

"Fat, Leatherneck, very fat," she sighed as she gave her standard answer.

"Ah now Mrs. Beaman, a woman expecting is never fat. She is lovely at all times, as you are. Now, what can I do for you?"

"Can you put one of those little listening devices on Francine's glasses? She has a doctor's appointment and I can't go, I just want to hear what's going on."

Leatherneck grinned at the couple standing before him. "Wanna hear the heartbeat, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Pretty great, huh?"

"It is." Efraim answered warily, not sure if Leatherneck was going to zing him one.

"Well then, Mrs. B. Let's see what we can do to help the Boy Scout out, good Daddy that he is." When Francine tried to stand up, Leatherneck held up his hand. "Hang on there, I'm coming to you."

Efraim watched as Leatherneck grabbed his small case of listening devices and miniature tool kit and walked over to Francine. Leatherneck looked at Francine's glasses and shook his head.

"Ain't gonna work, Beaman. No place to secure the transmitter. However, I do have one of the dual function gizmos I worked up before you headed over to Romania. Listening, tracking? Remember? I could affix one of those to the Missus' bracelet here. Whatdaya say?"

Efraim raised an eyebrow at Francine who nodded. "Go for it. Thanks Leatherneck, I appreciate this."

"Not a problem. At least you haven't asked for a surveillance camera over your wife's desk like Scarecrow did when Amanda was due. I thought Lee was going to loose his stuffing for sure."

Efraim scowled, not caring what Lee had done, but he tucked the information away for later use, if necessary.

"There you go, Mrs. B. I'll give your husband the receiver and he can listen in on the baby's heartbeat. And then on the way home, you can complain to him, I'll make sure he listens."

"Thank you, Leatherneck. We both appreciate this, don't we, Efraim?"

"We do. Thanks again, buddy. I'll bring this stuff back tomorrow, alright?" Efraim helped Francine out of the chair and picked up the listening gear for the transmitter.

Walking Francine to the car, he opened the door of the Explorer, helping her to get up in the seat. "I guess we should have gotten a new car, one that was easier for you to get in and out of, huh?"

"This is fine, B. I rarely drive anymore as it is. And you like this car. Don't worry so." She told him as she patted him on the cheek.

"Okay, I won't worry. Not a bit while you're out there alone."

Francine laughed. "Efraim, I was alone for a good many years before we got married."

"I know. That's why I don't like you to be alone now." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "Look, be careful, just to humor me. This being pregnant is hard work!" Efraim said, trying to tweak her temper.

"Ha! Between you and the doctor, I'd like the two of you to be this pregnant for a week. Just a week! Then tell me how hard it is! Although knowing you, if you could, you would."

"I would. I love you, hon. See you later?"

"You will. Salad for dinner? It's too hot to eat." Francine started the engine and turned the air conditioning to full blast, angling the vents to hit her directly.

Efraim smiled. Since becoming pregnant, Francine's internal thermometer had been out of whack. He was usually freezing, while she was turning on fans and lowering the thermostat on the central air conditioner at home.

"Salad sounds great. I'll see you later, okay? Bye!" He stepped back as Francine blew him a kiss and backed the Explorer out of the space. Efraim watched her pull out of the parking lot and he headed back inside.

He'd think about this thing with Lee later.