Disclaimer: Scarecrow and Mrs. King and its characters are the property of Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Productions. The plot is mine; you may copy at any whim you so choose however please leave credit where credit is due.
"A Race Against Time and the KGB" for those that are interested is in progress. Assuming I can break through this writer's block I will post by Saturday. I only have two pages written for the continuation of that story. Thanks for the reviews I've gotten recently, I had given up on posting the rest of my stories. Here's the sequel to Vengeance and Valor, you need to read that story first or you'll be lost. I have one more story in the works as well. Anyway, I've made you wait long enough for this story, enjoy.
The Aftermath—Making Things Right
The swarm of agents were in full gear while Lee cradled Amanda waiting for another ambulance to arrive and transport them back to the hospital. She hadn't said a word since he removed her from the presence of Birol's body, which scared him more than he wanted to admit. Lee glanced up as Billy approached them.
Dropping to one knee concerned filled his face. "How is she doing?"
Lee shook his head indicating he didn't know.
"Amanda, we're going to get you out of here now. Lee can take my car and Francine should be able to ride with you."
Amanda shifted in Lee's arms, "Debriefing."
Billy thought it was a questioned and answered, "Don't worry about that right now."
"No, Sir I need to get it all over with. Please." She requested in a small voice.
"Alright, Lee take her to the Agency and I'll meet you there. I'll also make sure Doc McJohn knows you're on you're way." Billy stood and motioned to Francine. "Go with Lee and Amanda back to the Agency for her debriefing."
"Sir?" Francine obviously confused.
"Amanda would like to put this all behind her." Billy filled her in.
The blond nodded her understanding and helped Lee move her friend to the car.
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Amanda laid quietly while Doc McJohn and a nurse she wasn't familiar with helped change her bandages on her back. She had changed into scrubs back at the hospital, but the shirt was now stained with blood that seeped through the gauze. Having asked Lee to make sure everything was ready for the debriefing Francine offered to fill in for support. Amanda squeezed her friend's hand as the last strips were removed and her wounds were bare in the open air. "Thanks for staying here Francine." Amanda stated trying to keep her mind off the stinging pain.
"Amanda, you don't need to thank me. It's the least I could do." Francine comforted Amanda as she help to keep her in an upright postion on the exam table.
"I just didn't want Lee in here. Letting him listen to the debriefing is going to be bad enough." She continued.
Francine nodded knowingly, "He doesn't have to be there…" She trailed off as Amanda gave her an accusing stare, "You're right, there is no way he'll stay away. What was I thinking?"
Amanda smiled at the comment and closed her eyes trying to forget about the pain.
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It was close to midnight when they pulled into the hospital parking lot. "I'll go get a wheelchair," Lee started to get out.
"Can we just sit here a minute?" Amanda asked quietly.
Lee nodded taking her hand. He knew she would need to talk. During the debriefing she never wavered. He listened studying every aspect of his wife. Her voice never betrayed her, but her body did. Lee knew that he was the only one to notice. He noticed the slight trembles, the quick breaths, and the clenched fists, but she had retold the experience from the safe house to the fateful ambulance. Now she could begin her healing. It was time to put all behind her, them.
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I killed him." She stated softly.
Lee's heart ached. "I know, I know. Come here." He soothed grateful he still had Billy's car; the bucket seats would have made it impossible to hold her like he wanted to. He enveloped her in his arms gently.
Amanda despite the pain deepened the embrace. "I want to go home." She requested finally.
Lee looked down at her, "Amanda, I know you do, but I really don't think it's wise."
She met his gaze, "Just for a few hours. I want to see Phillip and Jamie. I owe them all an explanation. Please. If I feel like anything is wrong I'll-"
"Amanda, your back is still bleeding and you have broken ribs. There is something wrong with that." Lee interrupted feeling guilty immediately for reprimanding her.
"Lee, I need to see them. I need to know if I have a chance of life returning to normal. They need to know I'm alright. No one has called them and I told mother the whole thing would take a few hours. Doc McJohn looked me over and I've taken all my medication. Just a few hours." She pressed on.
"Okay. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you that's all." Lee whispered kissing her softly. He straightened and started the car.
Amanda stilled leaned on him, "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me; I think you'd hot wire a car at this point, and I'm trying to keep you from committing a felony." He explained placing his arm around her.
"Well, who taught me how to do it?" She returned with a smile.
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"The lights are still on." Amanda commented as Lee moved around to the passenger side to help Amanda out. He lifted her with ease, but Amanda still moaned. "I'm sorry." He said as he tried to shift her into a more comfortable position.
She closed her eyes and took a small breath. "This isn't your fault." She reminded him again.
He walked as quickly as he could to the backdoor and tapped it with his foot. Dotty opened it hesitantly fearing the worst. "Oh my gosh! Amanda are you alright?"
"I'm fine mom really." She tried to convince her as Lee gently set her down on the couch. As he did the thunder of footsteps down the stairs announced Phillip and Jamie's arrival.
They stopped in their tracks as they realized their Mom was home.
Amanda's eyes filled with tears. She thought she would never see them again. "Boy's-" her voice crack as she held out her arms.
They immediately rush to her side, but stopped not wanting to hurt her.
"It's okay. I need to hug you." She told them as she gently hugged each of her boys.
"Are you okay mom?" Jamie asked.
"What did he do to you? Grandma hasn't told us anything." Phillip questioned.
Amanda looked up to Lee for direction. He shrugged not knowing how much the boys needed to know. She took a deep breath, "I have a few broken ribs, and a lot of bruises and cuts." She told them.
Lee grimaced, "a few" and "cuts", were words that she chose to detail the worst treatment he had ever seen anyone walk away from. He shared a glance with Dotty who also knew the scope of Amanda's understatement.
"What happened to him mom?" Phillip asked.
Amanda grew quiet, and Dotty looked on wanting to know, but not sure if she really wanted to know. Her daughter's silence was not encouraging.
Lee spoke up for his wife, "He's dead. He was shot." He stated cooly.
"Good," Jamie answered.
"No Jamie. Someone getting shot is not good, no matter what they did." Amanda corrected. She hugged her son tightly. What had her secret life done to her family? What had it done to her, deep down she was glad Birol was dead.
"Who shot him? Was it you Lee?" Phillip asked sensing there was more to the story than he was being told.
Lee was about to answer when Amanda interrupted, "Lee didn't shoot him," she took a deep breath despite the pain it caused, they needed to know, she had kept enough from them, and they deserved to know who there mother was, "I did."
Dotty quietly moved to sit next to her daughter putting an arm around her. "That's enough boys. It's definitely past your bed time, and I think your mom needs to go back to the hospital." She said knowingly.
The boys started to protest, but Dotty would have none of it. "To bed. I'll bring you guys to the hospital first thing in the morning. Say good night to Lee and your mom."
They knew she meant business, gave their hugs, much to Lee's surprise he was included, and headed to bed whispering the whole way. Amanda watched them go, "What have I done?" She breathed out loud.
"You did what you had to." Dotty told her hugging her gently.
Lee shifted uncomfortably, and was grateful for the distraction when the phone rang. "I'll get it." He announced picking up the phone, "Hello?"
Billy's relieved voice greeted him, "Lee, is Amanda with you?"
"Yeah she's here Billy. She wanted to see the boys before I brought her back to the hospital."
"I understand, but next time you plan a detour can you inform me? We're all still a little jumpy." Billy commented.
"We will, I'm sorry. We're about to leave here and should be back at the hospital within the hour.
"Is she doing any better?" Billy concerned about the lack of reaction from Amanda. He didn't know what he expected, but he expected something.
Lee glanced at his wife, who was deep in conversation with her mother, "I don't know Billy."
Lee could almost see Billy popping a Tums, "All right, take care of her."
"Always, I'll see you tomorrow." Lee hung up and made his way to Amanda. Placing a hand on her shoulder he looked at his mother-in-law, "We need to go."
Dotty nodded, "Are you really okay?"
"I'll survive," Amanda smiled. "Are we okay?"
"We will be. I love you Amanda." Dotty answered.
Lee leaned in, picked his wife up, and headed for the car. Amanda was asleep before they even left the driveway.
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TBC…