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A/n this one-shot happens about six months after "Do you take this Spy?" Please enjoy.
Lee glanced at his watch for the tenth time in ten minutes. Time crawled by like a snail navigating its garden home. The urge to doodle on his notepad felt overwhelming. If only Amanda were there, he wouldn't have to wonder why she hadn't answered the phone that morning.
"Scarecrow," Billy barked. "Are we keeping you from something important?"
Lee glanced around at the conference room. Francine smirked as Billy glared at him. "No, sir."
"Glad to hear it," Billy said. "May I continue with the briefing?"
Lee nodded and picked up his pen. He forced himself to take notes for Amanda until Billy finally said. "Everyone get to work."
After looking at Lee and then Billy, the agents left quickly. Lee wanted to tell them all to mind their business.
"Lee, in my office. Now." Billy insisted after Francine exited the room.
"Billy, I'm – "
"I don't want to hear it. Let's go."
Lee followed Billy across the bullpen to his office and winced a little when Billy shut the door – hard. "What's going on, Stetson? Amanda called out sick today, and you're acting like a distracted first-year agent."
"It's nothing, Billy. I'm sure Amanda's fine."
"Then why were you looking at your watch every five minutes."
"You know I hate Monday morning briefings, Billy."
Billy sighed, and after a minute of silence, he said, "Scarecrow, how stupid do you think I am?"
Lee shrugged and pulled on the sleeve of the grey suit jacket. "I don't know what you mean."
"I know that you and Amanda have a relationship. I've seen how you look at each other. I've found her at your place more than once, and I saw you steal a kiss in the copy room."
"Billy!"
"Lee, sit down."
Lee did sit as Billy went around to his desk chair. "I'm not going to tell you that you have to break up. You and Amanda are my best team. However, Dr. Smyth may not take the same view as I do."
Lee blew out a breath and cleared his throat. "Billy, Amanda, and I married six months ago," he blurted out. "God, I hadn't intended to tell you without Amanda, but – damn it," Lee shot back to his feet. "Billy, I love her, and I think that we deserve – "
"Scarecrow," Billy shouted. "Keep your voice down."
Lee stopped pacing and looked out into the bullpen. The only person that appeared curious was Francine, who stared at him through the window. Billy went to the blinds and shut them with a snap.
"I'll deal with Dr. Smyth, but you'd better be ready to face him. He'll want to know everything."
"Do you think he'll split us up or make us quit?"
"You better be ready for anything, Lee."
"I tell him what he needs to know, and that's it. Amanda and I deserve privacy, even from Dr. Smyth."
"As I said, I will deal with him because I need my best team working and happy."
"Thanks, Billy."
Billy shook his hand. "Congratulations, Scarecrow. I'm glad you found someone like Amanda. You're a lucky man."
"I know it," Lee said and relaxed a little. He went and sat on the arm of the sofa and frowned. "Ah, now that you know, may I ask your advice, Billy."
"Trouble in paradise already, Lee."
"No, it's just that she's been tired and under the weather for a few days. We've been so busy with the new task force, and I guess she finally decided to get some rest. I wish she'd stayed with me last night instead of staying home so I could take care of her."
"What about Mrs. West? Have you spoken to her?"
"No, Dotty's out of town visiting family. She's supposed to be home tonight."
Billy studied Lee for a moment. "I take you haven't told Mrs. West anything?"
"No. We decided to elope because of what happened with Kai and his family. Now the reasons for it seem so – selfish. I want to tell everyone, but how do we explain to her family without telling them about our jobs?"
"Lee, I'm sure Amanda knows how to approach her sons and mother."
"I hope you're right. Now I have to figure out how to help Amanda."
SMKSMKSMKSMK
Lee nervously moved around his kitchen as he put together his famous frittata. It was after eight pm, and Dotty had finally returned home. Amanda had called him to say she'd made another excuse to her family about another night in the editing room. Lee sighed because he knew Dotty wouldn't be happy Amanda needed to leave.
This entire -situation was getting out of control, and they needed something, a way to break the news to Dotty and the boys. He wanted to live with Amanda and her family – damn it. He needed to avoid sneaking around and be upfront and honest.
Lee stared down at the band of gold on his finger and sighed in frustration. He'd denied the voice inside him for so long that he wanted a family, someone to love, who would accept him for all of his faults and moods. He'd finally found her, and they'd agreed to this absurdity.
Damn it!
A soft knock on his door brought him back to reality, and he smiled for the first time all day. He hurried to the door and pulled Amanda inside. He kissed her until she pushed him away and said. "Lee. What is it!"
"I wanted to kiss my wife," he said and led her to the sofa.
"You said you needed to talk, and well – I missed you."
Lee grinned at her shy admission and the flush that rose to her cheeks. He loved that she could still feel nervous around him.
"I wanted to have a romantic evening with my wife. I've missed her. Do you know where I might find her?"
Amanda slid over and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh sweetheart, I'm right here. I'm sorry I left you hanging today. I didn't feel well this morning, and well – I have something that I want to tell you."
"Shh…" Lee put a finger to her lips. "We'll talk about it later. I'm putting the finishing touches on –
"You're specialty," Amanda finished for him. She drew in a long breath and smiled. "It smells delicious."
Lee led her into his small dining area, and Amanda's eyes widened. "Wow, this is beautiful, Lee."
"I'm glad you like it."
Amanda surveyed the lit candles, the china, and crystal, and a single scarlet rose at the top of her plate. She picked up the flower and turned to smile at Lee.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"I love you, Amanda. I'm concerned for you. I want you to relax for the evening.
"Lee I –"
"Now," Lee said a little sternly but with a smile. "What did I say?"
"We'll talk about it later."
Lee nodded, and Amanda said. "Well, I am hungry."
"I knew it. Let's eat."
SMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMKSMK
Hours later, Lee turned over to find Amanda's side of the bed empty. He pulled on a robe and went to the living room. Amanda stood staring out one of his windows.
"Hey," he said and frowned when she jumped. "Amanda, what's wrong?"
"I couldn't sleep."
Lee turned her to face him in the low glow of the street lights. "Talk to me."
"I'm pregnant," she said.
"What?"
"Oh, Lee, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I've suspected for a week, and we were so busy with the task force and taking care of the boys while Mother was gone. And then I couldn't get an appointment with my OBGYN until this morning, and I wanted to tell you, but then I thought I'd surprise you. Then you came up with this romantic evening, and we had a lovely dinner and – well, great sex. You're so sweet and patient and –"
"Amanda," Lee broke in. "Calm down. Let's go sit."
They sat on the sofa, and Lee wrapped her in his arms. He wondered if she could feel the thumping of his heart. It beat so fast that he felt a little lightheaded but exuberant.
"Now," Lee continued. "I've known that something was bothering you this week, but I had no idea – damn- I'm stupid. I should have known better. What man see's his wife sick in the morning and better in the evenings for days and doesn't figure it out. Some spy am I."
Amanda laughed. "Oh, Lee, don't. We've been so busy."
"Yes, but I swore when we got married that I would do my best to always be there for you as you've always been here for me."
"You have," Amanda said. "I'm sorry I didn't make time to sit down and discuss it with you. So." Amanda said with a massive intake of breath. "How do you feel?"
Lee took a minute to realize that his heartbeat had returned to normal. How did he feel? "I feel – great," he decided. "Nervous because I've never been a dad, but not as nervous as I would've been before I met you. Spending time with Jamie and Philip has helped."
"Well, sweetheart, a baby is not a teenage boy."
Lee laughed and kissed her. "Yes, I know, but I have an advantage over many other fathers-to-be."
"Oh."
"I have you."
He loved to see Amanda smile and the worry leave her eyes. She appeared tired, though, so he said. "Come on, Mrs. Stetson. You need your rest."
Lee put one hand on her abdomen. "I can't wait," he said and heard a choke in his voice. Tears welled up in his eyes. "Thank you."
"Why are you thanking me? It takes two to make a baby, or did you forget."
"No, how could I," he teased.
"Very funny, Scarecrow."
Lee laughed. "Oh boy, you must be put out if you're calling me by my code name."
Amanda shook her head and laughed. "Come on. Let's get some rest. When this little one arrives, you're in for some sleepless night, buster."
"I know, and I'm prepared," Lee said.
Amanda giggled. "Are you sure?"
"Amanda, I've spent many years as a spy, which entails nights of surveillance duty. I can handle it."
Taking his hand, Amanda said. "Come on, husband. We'll leave this discussion for another time."
After they climbed back into bed, Lee pulled her into his arms. "Feel better."
"Yes, thank you."
Then Amanda surprised him by pulling away and sitting up. In the lamplight, he could see something come together in her eyes. "Wait a minute! You did all of this to get me to talk."
Lee shrugged. Despite the butterflies in his stomach at her realization, he kept eye contact. "I was concerned about you and –"
"You decided a 'Class C Interrogation' was the best way to go. You could've asked."
"Yes, but it was fun, and I wanted a night with my wife," he wiggled his eyebrows.
"You are in so much trouble, Lee Stetson."
"I know," he said and smiled.
"Stop flashing your dimples. They won't get you out of trouble."
"Why not? They've never failed in the past."
"I will kill you, and no one will ever know what happened to you," Amanda said, but she couldn't stop the laughter that welled up in her chest."
"No, you won't. You love me too much," Lee said.
"Hm, I'm not sure about that."
Lee pulled her down for a long kiss. "What do you require for my punishment, Mrs. Stetson?"
"That's easy. You get to tell Mother and the boys about the baby and our marriage and why we kept it a secret."
Lee felt his stomach turn over, and he said as casually as possible. "I can handle it."
"I can't wait," Amanda said. "Let's get some sleep."
After Amanda turned off the lamp, Lee said. "You were joking, right?"
"Try me."
