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A/n this is a filler between "Do you take this spy" and "Mission of Gold."
Warm water cascaded over Lee Stetson's shoulders and down to the shower floor as he scrubbed shampoo into his hair. After rinsing out the shampoo, he blinked, swiped at his eyes with one hand, and reached for the new bar of soap provided by the hotel. As he grabbed a washcloth, he noticed something felt but not yet seen in the light of day.
A ring, the circle of gold on his left hand, symbolized his commitment to Amanda.
Till death do us part.
Lee smiled and continued to bathe. The ring caught the light when he stepped out of the shower to dry off. He rather liked the addition to his daily wardrobe.
When he hooked the towel around his hips and turned to the mirror, he noticed that he wore a huge smile. He was married.
Lee Stetson, confirmed bachelor, spy, and ladies man extraordinaire.
He still couldn't figure out how Amanda had changed his life so completely. He was a married man, entirely in love with one woman, committed to her for the rest of his life. He'd burned his black books, for God's sake! How?
Lee shook his head and reached for the white robe provided by the hotel. It was his first day as a married man, and he meant to make the most of it.
When Lee entered their room, he noticed sunlight pouring in the window and that Amanda slept curled up on a ball with one bare, beautiful shoulder sticking out from the sheets. He tiptoed around the bed to a vase full of flowers, selected pink rosebud, and sat. He leaned over and lightly swept the rose down Amanda's visible shoulder.
"Hm," she said with her face in the pillow.
"Wake up, Mrs. Stetson."
"Lee," she turned and began to blink as wakefulness returned.
Lee kissed her softly on the nose, then captured her lips for a long, wet kiss that ended with her arms around him and her tongue sweeping the inside of his mouth.
"Hi," Lee said and showed her the rose.
Amanda gazed up at him and smiled as he studied her face. "Hello," she said. "Thanks for the rose. It's lovely."
"Not as beautiful as you," Lee said.
"Ah, come on, Lee. I'm a mess. I'm sure my hair is standing up and – "
Lee kissed her again and said, "I don't care. You're the most beautiful woman in the world."
"And you're a true flatterer, Lee Stetson."
"Am I?"
"Yes, but I'm not complaining," Amanda said and pulled him down for another kiss.
"Hm," he pulled away and grinned down at his new wife. "We need to get up. Our flight leaves in four hours."
Amanda sighed and sat up. "I suppose you're right."
"Shower's all yours," Lee said and went to his garment bag and began to extract the suit he'd chosen for their flight to California.
"Thanks, sweetheart."
Amanda's smile and the word, sweetheart, tempted him to return to their bed, but he decided he could wait until they arrived at their destination.
"Can't wait to see the pacific ocean again," Lee said.
"Me neither," Amanda responded as she drew on her robe and grabbed her toiletry bag from her suitcase.
Lee began to dress as he waited for his wife to emerge from the bathroom. He thought about California and introducing Amanda to Barney as he waited. He was sure that Amanda would love Barney.
SMKSMKSMK
Lee hated hospitals. Spending any time in one as a patient was intolerable, but – he stared at Amanda's left hand while she lay beneath the oxygen tent.
He shouldn't have let down his guard!
The sight of Amanda's bare finger forced a tear from one of Lee's eyes as he watched her face, nearly as pale as the blanket covering her body.
He knew they had to remove the rings for surgery, that she'd get them back, but it punched into his gut like a fist to see her hand without the symbol of love he'd given her only a day ago. Was it a sign?
He remembered their first morning as man and wife. He'd been so happy to wear the golden band that reminded him of his love and commitment.
He'd been scared when he realized what he'd promised, but then Amanda looked at him with such – love and trust in her eyes, it had been easy to say the words. He'd taken for granted that he'd spend a lifetime living up to his vows, and now – oh, god, please let me have that lifetime.
He looked down at his ring, and tears threatened as he waited for her eyes to open. Please, don't leave me here to survive in the world without you.
The nurse came into the room and adjusted the oxygen tent. "Five more minutes, Mr. Stetson. Mrs. King needs her rest."
Lee couldn't muster the energy to argue. He didn't realize Dotty entered the room until he heard her say, "Oh my God."
Lee listened to Mrs. West tell him that she would be fine and wouldn't give up. When he took Amanda's mom to the waiting room to explain the events of Amanda's shooting, he prayed Dotty was right.
SMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMK
It was over, and the man responsible for Amanda's shooting was under Barney's watch until the police responded. Amanda was awake! She was going to be alright. Lee swallowed hard against the tears and sobs in his throat. Amanda had made it, and soon they'd go home where he could take care of her.
For better or worse, in sickness and health. Lee thought as he waited for her beautiful brown eyes to open. Finally, they did open, and his heart began to beat as adrenaline and relief swept over him.
Of course, she noticed his face from his fight and made a joke. God, he thought he'd never heard the sound of her voice or smell the perfume of her hair next to his face.
"I love you, Mrs. Stetson," he whispered when her eyes closed. Soon they'd open again, he'd see her ring on her finger, and they'd walk through life together. In life, they were together. Death could wait!
THE END
