See Part 1 for Disclaimers, Notes, etc.

Chapter 15

Lee awoke to the sounds of his alarm. He smiled as he realized Amanda still lay cuddled up in his arms. As he eased his arm away from Amanda, she stirred slightly.

"Mmm…what time is it?" she yawned, and rolled over to face her fiancé.

"It's time to get up sleepyhead." Lee placed a kiss on her lips. Amanda returned the kiss and wrapped her free arm around his neck, pulling him to her for a more passionate kiss.

Lee's mind told him that they needed to get up and ready for the big day ahead. But his heart and body told him there was no need for that. Returning the kiss he re-ignited the passion that had consumed them the night before.

Amanda broke their kiss, and as Lee was about to protest, she smiled shyly at him. He looked into her eyes and saw passion and love. He had never felt so complete with anyone, he knew beyond a doubt that the woman he held in his arms was his soul mate. He felt himself reacting to her as she placed a quick kiss on his lips and then moved to place small kisses on his neck. His eyes grew questioning when she suddenly stopped. He saw her eyes were focused on the scar on his shoulder, a somber reminder of how easily she could lose him. Lee watched her eyes cloud with sadness and pulled her face to look at him. No words were necessary, as he pulled her back to him and kissed her gently. His kiss told her that he had no plans on going anywhere. Their eyes locked and they once again let passion take over as they let the world around them disappear as they re-explored each other.

As their breathing evened out, Lee gently stroked her hair. He didn't want to leave the heat of her body, but he knew that they had to put the events of the next few days behind them, before they could move on with their life together.

"Wow," was all Amanda could utter as she slid into the curve of his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.

Lee turned to place a kiss on her forehead. "You are one amazing woman, Amanda King."

She smiled at the meaning behind his words. "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Stetson," she chuckled.

"Not so bad?" he replied with mock hurt in his voice.

She shrugged her shoulders and then rolled to her side, propping herself up with her elbow. "Actually, I've never felt more love for one man than I do for you. I mean that with all my heart, Lee." Amanda looked into his smiling eyes to see that he understood exactly what she meant.

Lee gently caressed the curve of her cheek. "And I have truly never made love to anyone before you. The feelings I feel with you are just so-- different. I don't know how to explain it, except that I feel so complete with you. I love you, Amanda."

"I love you, too, Lee." Placing a gentle kiss on his lips, Amanda began to rub the hard muscles of his shoulders. A wicked smile crossed his lips as he felt himself awaken with her slight touch. "Oh no, you don't," Amanda teased as she rolled over and climbed out of bed. "Come on. We have a long day ahead of us, and we can't afford to spend it in bed."

Lee's face saddened, as he looked up at the beautiful woman that was soon to be his wife. "Amanda."

Picking up her discarded clothes from the floor, Amanda turned her sparkling eyes towards him. "Mmm…"

His hazel eyes glistened as they locked with hers. "Promise me, if they find out anything about the injection that bastard gave you, that you'll come home to the Agency hospital immediately."

Amanda returned to sit beside of him, taking his left hand in hers. "Everything will be fine, Lee. Besides, I feel great."

Lee wound his fingers through hers and gently squeezed, never taking his eyes from hers. "Promise me."

Amanda nodded. "I promise."

"Thank you." His mood lightened as he moved to sit up in bed.

"Let's get ready to go, shall we?" Amanda released his hand and stood.

Lee sighed. "You're right. You can shower first while I go whip you up some breakfast."

Amanda was about to suggest that they shower together but realized that doing so would probably delay them, and they couldn't afford to be late. Nodding, she headed into the bathroom.

Kevin stood waiting by the ticket counter. He had stopped by the Agency to pick up Lee's fake I.D., and while he was there, Mr. Melrose had also given him the device from Leatherneck to allow them to track Mrs. King. Looking at his watch, he noticed that it was almost 10 a.m. Glancing nervously around, he sighed with relief when he saw Mrs. King exit the ladies restroom.

Kevin watched her approach the ticket counter to obtain her boarding pass. He scanned the crowd looking for any sign of Lee and nearly jumped out of his skin as a hand grasped his shoulder.

"Excuse me, young man, but I believe you have some papers for me."

Turning, Kevin came face to face with a bearded man whose hazel eyes were cleverly concealed behind a pair of glasses. "Lee, is that you?" he whispered.

Lee nodded, continuing to scan the area for suspicious persons. "Yes. Did you get the documents from Billy?"

"Yep. You're travelling as Matthew West." Kevin explained as he gave Lee his new I.D. "That's an interesting name." Kevin furrowed his blonde eyebrows at Lee's pleasant smile.

"Need to know, Kevin." Lee mused at the fact that Billy had cleverly used his father's name combined with Amanda's maiden name. "Did Leatherneck give you something for Amanda?"

"Yes." Kevin took a lady's black-banded Timex out of his pocket. "Mr. Melrose said its good for a five mile radius."

"Now we just need a way to get it to her." Lee looked at the young man. "I've got it. Give me the watch. Then I want you to bump into Amanda, causing her to drop her purse."

Kevin raised his eyebrows in confusion at his current partner request. Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "Okay, if you say so." He passed Lee the watch and then walked towards Amanda. As he got closer, he increased his speed and blindly ran into her. His original intent was to knock her off balance, a little, but he had gotten carried away and ended up causing her to fall on her rear.

Lee shook his head at the sight before him then proceeded to walk over to her. "Are you all right, ma'am?" Lee asked, leaning over to help her up.

Amanda looked into the hazel eyes that peered over the dark sunglasses and immediately felt a familiar warmth spread through her body. "Yes, thank you. Can't be too careful these days. I guess I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going," she replied, a small smile graced her lips.

While Amanda brushed herself off, Lee went to retrieve her purse. "Here you go," he said, handing it to her.

Taking it from him, she stated, "Thank you again, Mr…"

"Matthew West, and I believe this fell out of your purse," he replied as he passed her the watch.

Amanda's eyes widened at his cover name as she took the watch from him. She nodded, understanding that this was what Leatherneck had fitted with the listening and tracking devices. "Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I do have a flight to catch." She winked at him; then turned to head towards her gate.

Shaking his head again, he watched her saunter off to her boarding gate. Seeing her safely board the plane, he turned to go find Kevin and reprimand him for driving over Amanda like a freight train.

Amanda tried to relax in her seat as she waited for Kevin and Lee to board the plane. Taking off her own watch, she put on the one that Leatherneck had provided for her. She wanted nothing more than for Lee to be seated next to her, but she knew that they couldn't take any chances while there was the possibility that she was being followed.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, as she watched the hairy-faced man, who was her life pass by her, taking a seat towards the back of the plane. Lee had flashed her his famous Stetson smile, reminding her of their early morning activities. She always melted when he looked at her that way. She pulled out the chain from around her neck and glanced at the glistening diamond that now hung next the cross pendant. She knew she should have kept the ring at home, but she didn't want to be without it. She needed it with her, to give her the strength she would need to continue with her role. Smiling, she closed her eyes and decided to get some rest during the flight back to New York

Rupert gingerly entered the main foyer of the Agency. "Good morning, Mrs. Marston."

Mrs. Marston sat straight in her chair. "Good morning, Rupert."

"Lee asked me to pick up a few things from his office. Mind if I go on up?" Rupert smiled sweetly.

"You really should have a pass, Rupert. But since you were just up there with Mr. Melrose, I suppose a quick trip up and back would be all right." Mrs. Marston winked at him.

"Thanks, Mrs. Marston." Rupert started up the steps.

"Rupert, call me Gail." Mrs. Marston slightly blushed.

"Okay, Gail." Rupert nodded towards her; then quickened his pace a little up the stairs. He had promised Billy and everyone that he wouldn't go to New York and he planned on keeping his word. He hadn't, however, promised to stay at home, so he decided to snoop around in the Q-Bureau. Maybe he could come up with some clues of his own. Amanda had said that Andre might be related to someone from a past case, so he might as well see what he could come up with. He stopped outside the Bureau door when he heard a voice inside.

"Mr. Andre, it's Rag Mop. I thought I would call and tell you the good news." The custodian's voice held a hint of pride. "Melrose just informed Dr. Smyth that Lee Stetson was killed last night. They found him sometime after midnight in his bedroom but haven't been able to track down his killer. Yes, Mr. Melrose seemed extremely upset, like he just lost his best friend or something. No, I don't know where Jack Belimar is assigned. Scarecrow's death kind of took center stage. Yes, I realize he's the last one responsible for putting your father away. I know you are upset that your father's dead. I promise to call you, as I know anything more. Thank you, Sir. I know you have faith in my capabilities." Rag Mop waited for Andre to hang up before returning the receiver to its base.

He thought about looking around for some information on Belimar in the office, but he decided he had taken enough risks by using the late Scarecrow's phone. He'd show them that he could play the spy game just as well as anyone else. Mr. Andre had told him that he had just as much potential as the 'Almighty Scarecrow.' Mr. Andre had opened his eyes to the fact that he was being taken for granted here at the Agency. His new acquaintance had made him realize that his current employers were just making him do the dirty grunt work, and not allowing him to prove to them his true talent. Mr. Andre believed in him and soon others would too!

Rupert quickly hurried down the steps. He reached the elevators just as Rag Mop began descending the stairs. 'Phew that was close. Now, I just need to find Billy and fill him in.'

Francine looked out her hotel window at the long black limo Mark Dobson had just stepped out of. She nodded her head, understanding the details Kevin had just informed her of. "Is Lee in the lobby?"

"Yep. I think we'd better head that way. We'll have to follow Amanda wherever they're taking her." Kevin headed for the door.

"Hold on a second. I just have to grab my coat." Francine grabbed her belongings and followed Kevin out the door.

Amanda nervously played with the ring she always wore on her pinky as she watched for Mark to enter the lobby. Lee was only a few feet away, resting on the sofa in the lobby. She wanted to look at him for support, but she dared not; she didn't know who was watching her. She tried to concentrate on the Christmas decorations that filled the area. She sighed as she stepped in front of the enormous tree. It's shimmering gold bows and twinkling bright lights brought a smile to her face.

"Beautiful, isn't it," Mark whispered in her ear as he stepped behind her.

Amanda turned to look at him. "Yes."

Mark caressed her cheek with his hand. "Did you accomplish what you were sent to do?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes."

"Very good, Manda. Andre will be pleased." Mark took her hand and led her out of the lobby to the waiting limo.

Lee waited until they had exited the doors before following. Francine and Kevin exited the elevator just as Lee stepped out the front door.

"We'd better pick up our pace." Kevin pointed to the door as they hurried to catch up to Lee.

Francine touched the man's shoulder that Kevin indicated was Lee. "Attractive outfit," she remarked, wrinkling her nose.

Lee nodded towards the moving limo, ignoring his co-workers comment. "There they go now. Where's your car, Francine?" he asked, looking in their direction.

"I've got the tracking device, Lee." Kevin reached into his pocket and handed it over. "Can you hear them all right?"

"Yeah, so far so good." Lee turned to see Francine walking over to the car the parking attendant had just driven up to the front.

"Let's go." Lee jumped in the passenger side and Kevin climbed in the back.

Francine looked over to see Lee's jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

"Damn, Dobson. He's only got one thing on his mind. When I get my hands on him…" Lee stopped his ranting as he placed his hand over his ear to listen to the continued conversation.

Mark watched the beautiful brunette look out the window with a lost expression on her face. "Manda."

"Yes." Amanda looked at him blankly.

"If you do what he tells you, everything will turn out fine. I hope we have a chance to continue our relationship together." Mark placed his hand on her leg and slowly moved it up her thigh.

"Yes." Amanda nodded turning her eyes to meet his.

Mark placed his hand behind her head and pulled her to meet his lips. "Mmm...You taste delightful, my dear. I sure have missed you."

Amanda nodded and turned her attention back to the window.

"Did you have any difficulty killing Scarecrow?" Mark smiled at the thought of his nemesis out of the picture.

"No." Amanda coldly stated.

"Good. How did you do it?" Mark urged her to continue.

"Shot him." Amanda continued her stagnant speech.

Mark touched her chin with his hand and pulled her face to look at him. "What was his expression? Give me details, I want to know exactly how the man died?"

"I put a bullet through his heart while he was in the shower. He looked shocked." Amanda calmly stared into his eyes. "I did what I was ordered to do."

"Excellent." Mark's smile widened.

Amanda nodded and looked back to the passing cars.

"We're here, Sir," the driver told Mark, as he pulled into the deserted parking lot.

Kevin leaned over the front seat, trying to listen to what was being said. "They're pulling off up there, Francine."

Francine nodded and gave Lee a peeved look. "I can see that, Kevin."

Kevin shrugged his shoulders and leaned back in his seat. He decided to keep his mouth shut and see what the two senior agents had planned.

"Pull up that street, Francine. This parking lot looks overcrowded, and I don't want us to drive around all day looking for a damn parking space." Lee pointed to the alleyway across the street.

Francine maneuvered her car between the shadows of the building. "What's going on now?" She turned to look at Lee's flustered face.

"They are heading to the elevators. Come on, Amanda. Give me a clue as to which floor." Lee continued to press his listening device to his ear, as if to encourage her to speak.

Mark waved his hand in front of himself, encouraging her to enter the lift that would take them to meet Mr. Andre. "After you, Manda."

Amanda nodded and entered. "Mr. Andre will be expecting us."

Mark pulled out the special key needed to take them to the secured floor from his breast pocket. "Yes."

"We're not going to the same place?" Amanda tilted her head and watched Mark.

"Not today. We've got an exclusive room for our exceptional employees." Mark turned the key, and the elevator started.

"The number is not listed." Amanda coldly nodded.

"I've never really understood the superstition about the thirteenth floor not being listed on an elevator panel, but it has come in handy for Mr. Andre." Mark laughed as the elevator doors opened to a dimly lit hallway.

Amanda again nodded as she followed Mark to a room marked 'Out of the Ordinary.'

Amanda pointed to the door and watched Mark's face crinkle with a smile. "The title definitely describes Mr. Andre. Don't ya' think?"

"Out of the Ordinary." Amanda spoke and then smiled at him as they entered the room.

Lee stepped out of the car and into the darkness of the alleyway. "Let's go. Are you waiting for an invitation?" Francine shot him an annoyed look before pulling out her gun, checking to see that it was loaded. Returning it to her purse, she motioned for Kevin to follow.

"I've heard that before," Kevin mumbled, remembering how Scarecrow had said that same phrase to him on a number of occasions. Turning in the direction of the building Mrs. King had entered with Mark Dobson, he followed Francine and Lee across the street.

As soon as the reached the building, Lee rushed into the lobby and found it to be filled with just as much activity as the parking lot. Kevin and Francine followed Lee towards the elevators.

Pushing the up button, Lee prayed that they would be able to get an elevator by themselves. As soon as the doors opened, he quickly followed Kevin and Francine in. Unfortunately, two other building personnel entered as well. Lee cursed under his breath and then sighed as he watched them push the second and third floor buttons. Lee quickly pushed the eleventh and fourteenth buttons.

Francine shot Lee a questioning look, to which he just shrugged his shoulders. The minute the last passenger had gotten off the elevators, he pushed the emergency stop button and immediately went to work trying to gain access to the thirteenth floor.

"What's he doing?" Kevin watched Lee crouch to the floor with his half rake.

"Isn't it obvious." Francine rolled her eyes as she pulled her gun from her purse.

"No." Kevin shook his head and followed suit, pulling out his gun.

"Shh..." Lee pressed his ear to hear Amanda and Mark. "Damn it," he muttered as his pick broke in the lock.

"Here." Francine retrieved her half rake from her collar and handed it to Lee.

Kevin shook his head at the two senior agents, acknowledging, to himself, that he still had a lot to learn.

Lee continued his mastery over the stubborn lock until the elevator started its motion upward again. "Got it!" He smiled as he pulled his own gun in anticipation of the doors opening.

Amanda's face remained placid as she tried to control the nervousness she felt from showing. 'Mark was easy to fool into thinking that I'm still under Andre's spell, but will his superior be as easy to convince?' Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Mark call Andre's name.

"Andre, we're back," Mark called out when they had entered the 'Out of the Ordinary' room. Amanda glanced around at her plush surroundings. A shiver went up her spine as a door creaked open from the back of the room. Mark smiled at her and motioned for her to enter ahead of him.

Chapter 16

Amanda walked cautiously into the room; her eyes grew wide as they fell upon all the video equipment that filled the room. Realization crept into her mind that, indeed, she had been watched in the confines of her hotel room. She had to fight hard to control the shudder that tried to wrack her body. Andre stood in the shadows of the room, watching his pawns with interest.

Andre stepped from the darkness and stood in silent observance as the smoke filtered from his mouth. He walked closer to his two subordinates, looking for remorse in the young woman's features. Cigarette smoke encircled Amanda's face as he studied her. "I take it then your task is complete, Mrs. King."

He stood so close to her body that she could feel his hot breath on her neck. She swallowed the fear that was rising within her and called upon the courage buried deep in her soul to remain calm before him. "Yes, I have."

"Then Lee Stetson is dead?" Andre moved in front of her, seeking confirmation from her eyes.

Mark nodded his reassurance, as Amanda responded. "Yes, I shot him with his own gun."

Andre rolled his cigarette between his thumb and forefinger. Amanda could see the doubt cross his face for an instant. A satisfied smile flickered across his lips as he continued to study her.

Placing his cigarette in the ashtray, he moved a little closer to Amanda, so that he was almost whispering in her ear. "Did he give you any problems?"

"No. I shot him in the shower." Amanda said a silent prayer that he hadn't noticed her cracking voice.

He stood behind her and pulled a few stray curls from her shoulder. "In the shower? Very interesting. Going for the element of surprise? Tell me, Amanda. Did he cry out in pain as he watched the woman he loved take his life?" Andre whispered against her shoulder. The custodian had told him that Scarecrow had been found in his bedroom, not in the shower.

"Yes." Amanda flinched at his closeness.

Andre moved from behind her to concentrate once more on her eyes. An evil glint crossed his features at the fact that she had flinched at his touch. 'So, she's playing me for a sucker once more. Well, I'll just let the little bitch play her game. I still have an ace in the hole.' Andre's eyes remained steely as his thoughts ran though his mind.

"I'm truly amazed that this little housewife was able to fell the Great Scarecrow with his own silver bullet." Andre drooled, continuing his intense study of her face.

"He never knew what happened." Amanda was aware of his change in posture. His voice was more sarcastic, and his eyes much more penetrating. She kept her eyes focused ahead of her and continued to pray that she hadn't given something away.

"Well, Mrs. King. I must thank you for dealing with Scarecrow for me. I had hoped to use your services, again, to rid one more of my father's adversaries, but I suddenly realize that I no longer have a need for you." A smirk ran across his features.

Amanda's mind confirmed the hint of humor in his voice. Trying to maintain her indifference to her fear, she stood silent. As laughter from the crazed man filled the room, however, her eyes grew wide at the knowledge that her game was up.

"Damn it! Open up!" Lee kicked the metal doors that confined him.

Francine placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him. "What is it, Lee?"

"He's on to her!" Lee turned his panicked eyes to the willowy blonde.

"We'll get her, Scarecrow." Francine gave his shoulder a tight squeeze as the elevator doors opened.

Lee nodded his understanding. He had to put his personal emotions on the back burner and concentrate on his professional training, if they were to have any hope of bringing her out this situation alive.

"My dear Mrs. King. You can stop play-acting. I'm not sure how you broke out of my spell, but it is of no consequence. You see, yesterday when you were in my office, I injected you with a drug. It immediately helped me to control your mind and convince you to kill Lee Stetson." Andre paused as he watched fear creep into his prize's eyes.

Not wanting to reveal that Lee was safe from his demented plan, Amanda remained quiet.

Noting her obvious refusal to bend to his taunting, Andre decided to add a little fuel to the fire. "Apparently, I need to do some work with that part of my 'experimental' drug; I should still have power over you. Hmmm…" A pleased smile crossed his lips, and, shrugging his shoulders, he continued, "Nevertheless, the drug also has the added benefit of taking your life."

Turning his attention to his silent protégé, he narrowed his eyes. "I just hate to get my hands dirty with a messy killing. Don't you, Mark?"

Mark nodded, refraining from doing or saying anything to upset his superior. Andre, once again, faced the quickly paling Mrs. King. "Thirty-six hours after injection, it renders you unconscious, while it then attacks your blood cells; within another twelve hours, it stops your heart." Andre watched as her eyes weakened at the new knowledge.

"I was going to give you the antidote this afternoon, if you'd been a good girl, but since you haven't, I'll just let you suffer and meet your own end." Andre let out an evil laugh. "This is all too good. In just a few short hours, my dear, you'll be a mass of dead weight. And the beauty of it all, is that the only thing the doctors will find, if they test your blood stream, is what appears to be a form of truth serum."

A foreign feeling rushed through Amanda's veins. Never in her life had she held such hate towards another human being. Every ounce of her body and soul was not going to surrender to the man before her without a fight. "You're a madman. First, you play God with the lives of innocent United States Agents, deciding who lives and who dies. Then you use me as a pawn in your sick game to kill my partner. Then you stand before me with a smug look, taunting me with the fact that you hold my life in your hands. All of this in the name of some personal vendetta, which I'm sure in that sick mind of yours is what has caused you to do the demonic things you've done." Her voice grew louder with each word and her fists clinched at her side. Andre remained firmly planted before her with amusement in his eyes and a smug expression on his face.

Mark's eyes widened as her words filtered through his mind. 'She played me for a fool. She never left the Agency to be my aide. She's still loyal to that son of a bitch Stetson. I led her straight into my own lair of lies and deceit. She's going to destroy all I have worked for with her deceitful lies.' As his thoughts turned in his head, his anger grew.

"You lying bitch!" Mark spat the words from his mouth as he slowly closed the distance between them. "To think that I was concerned for you because of the injection Andre introduced to your body, but now I see that you're getting just what you deserve."

Amanda had been so busy concentrating her rage towards Andre that she had forgotten that Mark was even in the room. As she turned to face him, she was met with a hard slap to the face. Between the surprise of his attack and the force of the blow, Amanda staggered, as her head snapped back. As stars danced before her eyes, she lost her balance and fell against the back of a chair. Mark didn't stop he came at her one more time.

"Mark, please. You don't want to do me harm, do you?" Amanda pleaded, as she looked into the angry eyes of the man who had just realized he'd been toyed with.

The three spies reached the office marked 'Out of the Ordinary' just as Andre had begun to inform Amanda of her impending doom. Lee's teeth clenched when he heard that Amanda's life depended on an antidote that the bastard held in his possession. He held up his hand for his colleagues to wait outside the door until he could confirm where Andre kept the antidote.

Kevin took up position to the left of the door and Francine to the right. Lee stood directly before it, prepared to knock it down with force once he had obtained the information he needed. His emotions took over the second he heard Mark's hand cross Amanda's skin. Lee's features remained hard as he nodded to Francine and then to Kevin. Guns drawn and bodies rigid, both agents acknowledged that they were going in.

Mark raised his hand to strike her once again, and Amanda shielded her face with her arms as the blow came. The force of his anger sent her stumbling, causing her to fall against the sharp edge of the coffee table which stood beside the chair. Amanda shook her head, trying to remain focused as the blood trickled down her face from the cut caused by the impact.

Just as Amanda fell to the ground, a large crash came from the other room. Andre grabbed the dazed woman and headed out a side door leading them back out into the hallway.

Lee quickly surveyed the empty room, his eyes coming to rest on the door in the back. Francine nodded, and Kevin followed as they assumed their positions. Lee kicked the door in, and his partners followed him through.

Mark was so startled by the sound of the door crashing in the other room and the door to Andre's office slamming open that he paid no attention to the fact that Andre had abandoned him to face the intruders, alone.

Lee's eyes sought out the woman he loved, but instead, they fell upon the shocked features of Mark. Lee was on Mark with lightning speed. Allowing his anger to peak, his fist made contact with Mark's jaw, sending the staggering man against the wall. Lee quickly replaced his gun in its holster to use both hands on the worthless man. Grabbing Mark by the collar he jerked the fallen man to his feet. "Come on Dobson, how about picking on someone your own size."

"Stetson!" Mark sputtered. "But...but...you're supposed to be dead."

As Lee planted another punch to Mark's face, he stated, "Surprise."

"Lee! Lee! Amanda's not here." Francine shouted as she pulled at Lee's shoulder.

Lee took hold of Dobson's shirt collar as he turned to look at Francine then to Kevin. Kevin nodded his head, confirming Francine's statement.

Lee turned his fire-filled eyes at the man. "Damn it! All right, Dobson. Where's Amanda?"

"I wouldn't tell you if my life depended on it!" Mark spit at Lee.

"It does, you son of a bitch! Tell me or you'll go to your grave a young man." Lee hissed, his face inches from Mark's.

Mark saw the hatred in Lee's eyes. "I don't know. Andre must have slipped out with her as soon as he heard the door bust in."

"Slipped out where? There isn't another door." Lee grasped Mark's throat with his hands, giving him a good squeeze.

Mark struggled for air as Lee's grasp continued to tighten. "Secret panel...button on...underside of desk."

Kevin rushed to the desk and pressed the button indicated. His eyes widened as the door opened behind him. "It leads to a hallway. There's an elevator. It's going up to the roof." Kevin shouted as he turned back to Lee and Francine.

"Kevin, I want you to watch him. Don't let him out of your sight for a minute, understand?" Lee dragged Mark over to the inner office door and handcuffed him to the doorknob. Turning his attention back to Mark, he seethed through clenched teeth, "Rest for now Dobson, I'm not through with you yet. You'll pay for having laid even one hand on Amanda." Retrieving his gun, he struck Mark's head with the butt of the gun, knocking him out cold. Lee then followed Francine out into the hallway.

Kevin glanced once at the man cuffed to the door before moving to the desk to call Stan in the New York office for backup.

Racing for the elevator, Lee changed course and opened the doors to the stairs. "This'll be our best bet," he looked to Francine. "Damn! It sounds like there's a helicopter approaching." With that he took the stairs two at a time. Francine shook her head and did her best to keep up.

Lee stopped behind the exit door as Francine reached his side. "On the count of three," he whispered, poising to take on what was waiting behind the door.

His fellow agent nodded her acceptance and watched him mouth, "One... Two...Three." Lee gasped as the dust from the rooftop filtered into his lungs. His eyes widened at the sight of the helicopter making its final preparations to land. Wiping the dust from his eyes, he sought out Amanda.

Francine quickly backed him up as she moved from behind him. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted the tall form approaching the helicopter. "Hold it right there, Andre!" she shouted.

Andre stopped and turned towards the two agents. Pulling out his own gun, he held it to Amanda's side. "I wouldn't be making any threats unless you want me to end her life right now!" Andre's voice boomed over the helicopter's whirl.

Amanda eyes snapped open with the feel of the cold December air amplified by the helicopter's force kicking up the dust around her. She focused on her surroundings, ignoring the pounding in her head. Seeing the helicopter doors open and Andre's intent, she struggled to break free from the man who was responsible for her impending doom.

Andre felt her sad attempt at a struggle and pulled her tighter to his body. Squinting his eyes to see the approaching blonde, he jammed the barrel of his gun into Amanda's throat. "Do you wish to die right now?"

Amanda stopped struggling. "Why do you need me? You've seen to it that I'll be no use to you in a few hours anyway," she pleaded.

Lee saw the blood on Amanda's face and the fear in her eyes as he approached them. Paying no attention to the risk his own life might be in, he continued to stalk down the madman before him.

Andre saw the other agent's movement. "Get that son of a bitch." Andre motioned to one of his men, riding shotgun in the helicopter. In a split second, two shots fired as Lee dove to the ground for cover.

Amanda heard the bullet whiz by her ears, and her eyes immediately fell upon the still form of her beloved. With her heart racing, she shouted, "Lee! NO!"

Francine responded as the shooter from the helicopter fell from his perch. "Scarecrow, watch out at one o'clock."

Lee looked in the direction Francine had indicated and rolled to his knees as the gunman fired off another round. Lee's quick reaction brought the man down with a single shot.

Andre watched with amusement, allowing a sadistic laugh to escape his lips. "So the great Scarecrow isn't dead after all. I may enjoy killing you myself." Keeping his tight grip on Amanda, he aimed his gun at Lee.

Amanda felt the gun leave her neck and the hammer release. Frantically looking for Francine, she realized that her friend wasn't able to get a clear shot at Andre due to her own body protecting him. Willing her body to function, Amanda struggled with all her strength. Her right hand came in contact with Andre's, sending the shot intended to end Lee's life into the air.

Seeing Andre momentarily distracted, Lee seized the opportunity and quickly moved to assist Amanda in her struggle. Andre saw Lee's approach and threw Amanda to the side, bracing himself for the impact of the angry man.

Francine, seeing the two men engaged in a struggle, went to relinquish the helicopter pilot of his now poised gun. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." She waved her gun in his face. The pilot dropped his gun and raised his hands.

"Turn this damn thing off." Francine ordered as she shoved the gun in his side. The pilot did as she requested and shut it down. She then motioned for him to walk over to the nearby railing and pulled her handcuffs out to confine him there.

Turning her attention back to the mounting battle between the two men, she spotted Amanda struggling to stand. "You all right?" Francine asked, as she helped Amanda to her feet.

"Yeah." Amanda's eyes remained focused on Lee and Andre. The two women agents watched as Lee placed a left cross to Andre's head. Andre retaliated with a punch to Lee's stomach. Lee stumbled slightly back, but regained his composure and lunged again at Andre. Andre met him full force with a fist to Lee's jaw.

Lee's head jerked with the blow, but he held his ground, turning determined eyes on the man who had caused his life to become a living hell. "That the best you got?"

Andre's face momentarily held a shocked expression before he, once again, attacked Lee. Lee ducked his intended punch and caught the older man by the arm. Swinging Andre to face him he gave him two quick blows to the head and grabbed the falling man by the collar. "Where is the antidote!"

Andre spit in Lee's face as he regained his balance. "Screw you!" Andre kicked his leg at Lee, who fell back against the edge of the roof. Andre's maniacal laughter filled the air as he rushed at Lee with all his might. Lee reacted with split second instincts and rolled to the side, causing Andre to slam into the edge of the railing.

A murderous scream left Andre's mouth as he turned to face his nemesis. Balling his hand into a fist, he lunged at Lee. Lee, having the advantage of a brief moment to steady himself, quickly blocked the intended punch with his right arm. With his left hand, he landed another blow to Andre's face. Andre fell backwards; loosing his footing he started to head over the ledge. Not wanting to die alone, he grabbed onto Lee. "Join me in Hell, Scarecrow!"

Lee, caught off guard, fell over the ledge with Andre. With luck on his side he managed to catch hold of the railing, and held on tight.

As soon as they saw the fight reach the edge of the roof, Amanda and Francine had closed the distance between them and the two men, who were hell-bent on destroying each other. They both reached the wall at the same instant that the men fell over the side. Amanda extended her arm to the man she loved. "Lee grab onto my hand." Amanda pulled at his fingers that were tightly gripped to the edge.

Lee looked up into her loved-filled eyes, and then looked down to see that Andre held onto his legs for dear life. "You can't pull us both," Lee shouted over the terrified pleas from Andre.

Francine leaned over the railing, grabbed Lee's belt, and pulled with all her might. Amanda grasped his hands, determined not to lose the man that had become her life. With a quick jerk, Lee was hoisted over the edge, causing Andre to lose his grip.

Francine watched as Andre began to fall the fifteen stories, to the street below. Lee clung to Amanda with all his strength. They stood silent as the screams escaped the man falling to his death. Lee pulled back slightly to examine the extent of harm Amanda had endured. "Oh, God! Amanda, you're bleeding." Lee gently pressed his left palm to the side of her head, never releasing her waist with his right hand.

"Lee, I'm fine. It's just a minor scratch. Are you okay?" She stroked his hair and looked into his eyes for reassurance.

"I am now that this is all over and you're in my arms again." He pulled her back into his strong embrace.

Francine turned her attention to the two, "Not that I want to put a damper on anything, but Lee, what was all that about an antidote?"

Lee and Amanda exchanged a horrified look, as realization came back to them that the nightmare hadn't ended with Andre's death.

"Amanda, without that antidote…you have less than twenty-four hours to live." Lee whispered into her soft hair.

Amanda pulled back from his strong arms and looked over the edge at the fallen man. Lee's eyes followed, his mind registering that Amanda's hope for life now lay crumpled in the street below.

To Be Continued….