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TIMELINE: AU-Post Nightcrawler Episode Season 4
References and direct quotes are taken from Nightcrawler season 4
December 3, 1987, 9:37am
"So what you're telling me, Billy is that we have to start from scratch with this whole thing….again" Francine said with a moderate level of frustration in her voice.
Billy Melrose looked across his desk at his blonde assistant. Her expression said it all, what all of them had been feeling-exhaustion, frustration, and the fear of not knowing where he was.
"I don't like it any better than you do, Francine, but what can we do? The protocols need updating."
"Updating?" she said as she raised her eyebrows and flung up her hands. "I wouldn't mind UPDATING. What we've been doing for the past year is re-writing! Every single policy and procedure, every protocol! Hell, next we will have to fill out forms in triplicate just to go to the bathroom."
Billy sighed and slightly nodded his head.
"I know, Francine. Regan is wrapping up his presidency this year and making some last-minute changes. We went through this when he first took office. You remember."
"Vaguely…..I was still out in the field 95% of the time. Being shot at in Singapore is seeming more and more tempting these days. Perhaps you could send me on assignment? Like to someplace warm…..like Fiji?"
"Keep dreaming. And keep going through the list of things we've got to get to today."
Billy motioned to Francine to keep reading what was on her list. Francine looked up at Billy with her big blue eyes and sighed. Leaning back in the chair, she flipped over the top sheet of paper on her yellow legal pad and began.
"Ready?"
Billy nodded, pen at the ready.
"Have all agency employees…"
Francine was interrupted by a knock on the office door.
"Come!" Billy called out.
The door slowly opened and Maggie, one of the newest junior agents entered carrying a red folder. Billy and Francine both saw the folder in her hand and knew that it could only mean bad news. Francine's eyes became wider as she watched Maggie enter the room and walk to Billy's desk.
"Mr. Melrose? I was asked to bring this file to you."
She held out the folder for Billy to take from her hand. He looked at the folder for a moment and then to Francine. Forcing a smile to his lips, Billy reached for the file. Francine noticed a very slight tremble in his hand as he did so.
"Dr. Smyth send you?" he asked.
Maggie shook her head. "No, his secretary, Olivia."
Billy pressed his lips together and gave a slight nod as he took the folder and placed it on his desk. Francine felt as if she were watching a car crash happen before her eyes. She began bracing herself for whatever was in that folder.
"Thank you, Maggie. Was there anything else?"
"Um, yes. I was also supposed to tell you that Dr. Smyth said, 'you can stop looking now'. I'm not sure what that means" Maggie said with confusion in her brown eyes.
Billy looked down at his desk and swallowed hard. A big lump had begun to form there almost instantaneously.
"That's…mmhhhuumm" Billy tried desperately to clear his throat, but the tightness continued to expand. "That's ok, I know what it means" he managed to squeeze out before no more words could be formed.
Maggie looked at Billy and then at Francine. She could see that they were both very upset. Francine quickly wiped at her eyes. Billy sat in his chair, closed his eyes, and put his head back against the head rest.
"Any message for me to take back?" Maggie asked tentatively.
Billy didn't reply. Maggie looked back and forth between the two senior agents wondering what to do. Francine stood up from her chair and forced something that was supposed to be a smile onto her face.
"Not right now. Thanks, Maggie" she said in a whisper as she escorted the young agent out the door and locked it.
Before she sat down, Francine went to the office windows and lowered each of the navy-blue blinds to give them some privacy. As she looked over at Billy, she could see his bottom lip quivering. A pool of tears was forming just at the lash line of his still closed eyes. Francine crossed over to Billy and put her hand on his shoulder.
"It may not be him" she said.
"It's him" Billy replied coldly, his voice in a hushed whisper.
"Billy.."
"Read it" he interrupted her.
Francine opened the folder. Billy remained silent as he sat in his chair, eyes still closed, hands clasped together, pointer fingers pressed to his lips. As her eyes scanned the page, a sharp gasp escaped her lips.
"Oh….no" she said in a stifled whisper.
"Out loud" he insisted.
Tears were already falling down her cheeks. There was no holding them back. She tried to speak but instead of words, a sob escaped her lips. She swallowed hard and breathed in through her nose. Her trembling voice then began to read the big black letters that were on the memo.
"As of December 3, 1987, the status of Agent Lee…."
Another sob escaped her lips. She wiped her eyes and continued.
"Lee Stetson, code named SCARECROW, has been changed to AGENT LOST: DECEASED."
Francine broke down completely. Sobs wracked her body as she read and reread the memo. Surely there had to be some mistake.
Billy opened his eyes and stood up. Leaning over the desk, he picked up the folder as gingerly as he could, as if any sudden movement would make it detonate.
"He's finally done it. It's taken over a year, but he's finally done it. He's successfully completed one of these damn suicide missions".
Billy began pacing around the office becoming more and more angry with each step.
"Damn it, Lee! Damn, damn, damn! Why wouldn't you let me help you? I know you were hurting! We all were. If only…"
"Billy, this isn't your fault. There was nothing any of us could do to help him. He couldn't survive without her."
Francine took in a sharp, shuttering breath as she continued to try to talk though her tears.
"Lee had a death wish that started the moment Addi Birol killed Amanda."
