December 21, 1987

Billy Melrose's Office

"I know I've said it already, but you really look great, Amanda", Francine said as she smiled ear to ear.

"Thank you, Francine. It's nice to be seen." Amanda replied.

"And what about me? No compliments for me?" Lee quipped.

Francine looked at Lee and rolled her eyes.

"No! No compliments for you until you shave that…thing off your face. You look like Grizzly Adams."

Lee smiled as he ran his fingers and thumb through his thick facial hair.

"You don't like it? I was thinking about leaving it. Gives me that rugged man look."

"Gives you that 'homeless man' look." Francine shot back.

Billy sat back in his chair and smiled. He thought these days of Lee and Francine arguing were over. Beside Lee sat Amanda trying not to laugh. Lee held her hand tightly as his thumb absently played with the engagement ring on her finger.

A chuckle emerged from Billy's throat causing everyone to turn and look at him.

"Man, I missed this. It's so good to have you both back."

"Thank you, Sir." Amanda replied.

"It's time to change you from red to green." He said flatly.

"Sir? Red to green?" Amanda asked.

Billy pulled out two red folders from his desk drawer-one labeled, STETSON, LEE and the other KING, AMANDA.

Amanda picked up the folder with her name on it and opened it. It simply said:

"As of November 3, 1986, the status of agent in training, Amanda West King, has been changed to AGENT LOST: UNRECOVERABLE. PRESUMED DECEASED."

"Oh…" Amanda said in a very hushed tone.

Lee squeezed her hand.

"It's ok. I've got one, too!" he said.

"Not funny." Billy remarked. He took back the folder from Amanda and handed them both to Francine. "Can you please bring these up to Dr. Smyth's office and get them changed from red to green?"

"I take it green means alive?"

"Yes, very much alive." Lee said as he kissed the back of her hand.

"Sure thing, Billy. I'll bring them right up." Francine said.

"Francine, wait a sec. I would like to bring them up myself if that's ok." Lee said.

Billy and Francine both gave Lee a puzzled look. It was no secret that Dr. Smyth was not one of Lee's favorites. Lee smiled at them both and picked up the folders.

"Be back in a few minutes." Lee said as he left the office.

"I've never known Lee to voluntarily go to Dr. Smyth for anything!" Francine said as she sat on the corner of Billy's desk.

SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK SMK

Lee stepped off the elevator and headed straight to Dr. Smyth's office. Usually, a visit to his office felt like getting sent to the principal, but not today. Lee walked into the reception area where he was warmly greeted by Dr. Smyth's secretary, Olivia.

"Oh! Mr. Stetson! It's so good to see you again! I couldn't believe it when I had to type up a red folder for you. I never thought I would see the day. But now you're back!"

Lee smiled somewhat uncomfortably.

"Funny you should mention that! I'm here to get Amanda and myself returned to the land of the living." He said as he gestured with the folders in his hand. "Is he in?"

"Yes. Go on in. Mr. Melrose called and said you were on your way up."

Lee nodded a thank you and proceeded into the office. He closed the heavy wooden door behind him.

"Good afternoon, Scarecrow" Dr. Smyth said as he stood in the middle of the room smoking a cigarette. "Good to have you back in the land of the living."

"Good to be back. I was pretty sure that when I got shot running out of Birol's camp that that was the end of me. But somehow, someone was there to scoop me up and get me medical attention. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

Dr. Smyth stared at Lee as he slowly took a drag on his cigarette.

"I see you come bearing gifts."

"Uh, yes. My red folder and.."

"Mrs. King's. How is she doing?"

Lee let a small smile escape his lips.

"She's doing very well. Getting her strength back. She should be ready to come back next we…"

"After the new year." Dr. Smyth said cutting Lee off. "No need to rush these things. Both of you are on leave until after the new year. Capeesh?"

Lee looked at him with a rather stunned look.

"Uh, yeah. Thank you."

Dr. Smyth gave a single nod as he took the red folders from Lee's hand.

"We will get these turned to green before you come back."

Dr. Smyth walked behind his desk and sat down. Lee stood silently for a moment pondering if he should ask the question that he came up here to ask.

"Something else, Scarecrow?"

Lee shifted uncomfortably for a moment.

"Sir….why did you help me? I know you went out on a limb for me after the president told you not to. And I also have a very strong suspicion that it was you that had someone watching me in case I got in trouble, which I did, and they saved my life. Forgive me for saying, but that doesn't seem like your style at all. You are usually a play by the rules kind of guy."

Dr. Smyth again stared at Lee as he took a long, long drag on his cigarette. Finally, after an eternity of silence, he spoke.

"I don't have any idea what you are talking about. Now, if that will be all…."

Lee stood there dumbfounded. He shouldn't have been surprised by the answer, but for some reason, he was.

"But…."

"Follow the yellow brick road on out of here and run along home, Scarecrow. We will see you after the new year."

Lee's nod was barely detectable. He could see he wasn't getting the answers that he had hoped to get. Whatever Dr. Smyth's reasons were for helping him, he only wanted to thank him. Lee opened the heavy door, exited the office and let it close behind him.

Dr. Smyth leaned back in his chair and finished his cigarette, placing the holder on the edge of the ashtray. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a red folder that was filed way in the back, behind all the other files. Flipping it open, he once again leaned back in his chair and read the contents.

June 23, 1971

As of June 23, 1971, the status of Agent Jessica Carson has been changed to AGENT LOST: UNRECOVERABLE- PRESUMED DECEASED.

In the file was a picture of a young woman with long dark hair. She was smiling as the man in the picture with her hugged her from behind. Dr. Smyth stared silently at the picture, holding it very gingerly as if it could shatter at any moment. He turned the picture over in his hands to reveal the inscription written.

"Austin-I thought you would like a copy of the picture that my sister took right after I said I would marry you! I know that smile will be on my face forever! I can't wait to start my life with you! Love always-The future Mrs. Smyth."

"I'm sorry I never found you, my darling."

He gently kissed the picture and placed it back in the folder.

"I will see you again soon, my darling. If only we had the same happy ending as Scarecrow and Mrs. King….What a wonderful life we could have had."