Some of this is more background information of Amanda's life before Lee.

The Agency Files

Amanda heads back to her office and begins to study this Scarecrow file. As she browses through his file, she reads out loud to herself and makes comments about them. "Okay, driven, likes to work alone. Well, we have that in common. He's been at his department for about 15 years, that means he's experienced, probably puts him in his late thirties, he has about six, maybe seven more years' experience than me".

She recalls how she got started in this crazy business. Francine and she had been friends since their college days at Georgetown. Francine knew she had been out of work since having Jamie but was looking for something part time and since her mother was living with her, she would be able to watch Philip and Jamie if she found a job. Joe was a patent attorney and was almost always at home every night. Francine had been talking about her work at this travel agency and they could use a part-time editor and could use her expertise as photographer on location.

"Francine, I have two small children at home, I can't be galivanting around the country". Amanda remembers protesting.

Francine said, "you wouldn't be galivanting anywhere but DC and the Georgetown area for the first year. We publish a travel magazine and you got a degree in photojournalism and there are many people who don't live here that would want to visit. I've seen your photos Amanda, even if you don't want to work with me, anyone with half a brain would want to hire you. I do think it would be fun working together again, besides you have a great mother and Joe is a sweetheart, he knows you can't just sit at home doing diaper duty. You did say he comes home every night at six, like clockwork".

"Fine", Amanda says. She started off taking pictures around Georgetown and editing a small in-house magazine for the other employees to refer to. Little did she know what the Travel Agency was about. After a couple of months, it was revealed the true purpose of what Francine did. Francine always talked about how exciting her job was and Amanda loved being a mother but missed some of the excitement she and Francine had in college; however, she once again reiterated, "I have little boys at home".

"Okay", Francine says, "but think about it. Your eyes lit up when I told you what I really do, but if you agree no one can know, not even Joe".

A few months later Amanda agreed and started getting some field training, even getting to shoot a gun again. She grew up around guns, her father was an avid hunter and he would take her to target practice a few times and she and Francine took a course in college together, but when she married Joe, he did not approve, so she gave it up. Six months of training she began doing some travelling outside of the DC area and eventually other states and then foreign countries on her own, getting her feet wet.

In addition to Joe's work as a Patent Attorney, he was also a Civil Rights Attorney working on cases very close to both their hearts. He traveled maybe once a month for those cases and after winning the last case he worked, he caught an early flight from Colorado to DC. That is when his plane crashed. Pilot error they said. Family members filed a class action lawsuit and they won about three million dollars, but after attorney fees and splitting the money, her cut only came to about $30,000. That is when she asked to be put on full agent status knowing her mother would help with the boys.

Remembering how it all got started and then Joe dying a few tears ran down Amanda's face. She quickly wipes them away and smiles, after grieving, she met the love of her life and was blessed when he asked her to marry him. She shook her head saying, "back to work Den Mother".

Amanda continues reading this stranger's background, commenting along as she reads. "Hmm, it says he is married, that's an odd thing to put in a report, but at least I won't have to worry about some handsy agent trying to get fresh with me. He'll regret even touching me if that is the case. He's an expert marksman", she hopes it doesn't come to gunfire even though she herself is an expert, she never liked killing. Even when she was a child, that's why she only went target shooting with her father, she didn't want to kill any animals. Amanda keeps flipping through the pages. "This is a long and detailed report, but I guess 15 years is a long time to be an agent. Many agents burn-out long before 15", Amanda says out loud. She finally gets to the last page. This is where she wrinkles her nose. She reads to herself, "no-nonsense, gruff and doesn't take kindly to change. They really didn't leave anything out. I hope this is a quick assignment as I want to get home to my husband who is nothing like this man I just read about".

Amanda gets up from her desk and walks across the hall and asks Francine's assistant if she is available. The assistant punches a number and says, "Den Mother wants to know if you have a moment"

"Sure, send her in", Francine says. "So, Den Mother," Francine winks, "what did you learn?"

"Well we have a few things in common, but the last part of the report, let's just say, he's nothing like my husband", Amanda says. Francine has never met Lee, the only reason she knew Joe was they all went to college together and were friends before Amanda joined the Agency. She doesn't even know Amanda's husband's first name. Amanda thought it would be better that way, the less people knew about her family the better, that way her family would be safe.

"I wish I could meet him sometime. The way you describe him sounds like he is Superman. It was really sad I couldn't there when you got married". Francine says.

"No, he's far from perfect, he's not Superman, but he's pretty darn special", Amanda says with a smile. "I'm going to return these files to Emily and then ask if I can leave early. Date night tonight".

"Have fun", Francine says. "Just make sure to show up tomorrow. Emily wants me sitting in on this meeting too".

Amanda gets the go ahead to leave early and as soon as she reaches her Jeep, this Scarecrow character has left her mind and all she can think of is dinner with her husband and sharing those strawberries in bed.

Over at IFF

Despite having Dr. Smyth lording himself when he shows up unexpectantly, the atmosphere is more relaxed; while they may have never met Amanda, they know her name. Lee is in the Q Bureau looking through Den Mother's file. "A little thin", he thinks out loud. "How can Billy think she's a challenge based on this? Okay, lets review her status as an agent. Top of her class finishing in 2010. So, she's not green, that's good. Expert marksman, yeah right" Lee laughs. "Bet she can't beat my score". He suddenly stops laughing. Amanda would be angry at him for thinking he's better just because this person is a woman and not a man. He continues to scan the file, "nothing about a family or a husband, but why the mother name? Did they mean Mother Hen and not Den Mother?" Lee can't help himself, he tries to find something to joke about as he really does not want to work with this person. He mouths "sorry Amanda, I know I'm being rude". He keeps reading, "so I don't know if she is married or has a family. I really hope she's not one of those flirty types". Lee would never cheat on Amanda, he just hates it when women come on to him. He knows Amanda is secure enough not to get riled up when someone younger comes on to him. She usually leans back and smiles, watching him squirm. "So", Lee continues to read out loud. "It says here, unflappable, thinks outside the box and a good negotiator. Not so bad on the last part. If only I could tell Amanda what I do for a living, she might like this Den Mother".

Lee takes the file with him and heads down to Billy's office. He gives a quick knock and Billy waves him in from the window.

"Billy, this is it? That's all there is in her file? It doesn't give me much to go on. Why did you say she would be a challenge?" Lee asks.

Billy responds, "I know the file is a little thin, but they like to keep things close to the vest over there but reports about her are glowing and her thinking outside the box may help you. She may be the Yin to your Yang. You need someone to keep you from flying of the seat of your pants and getting yourself into hot water."

"I already have a wife Billy. Amanda grounds me, she keeps me calm. I don't think this Den Mother could ever match up to her", Lee retorts.

"Amanda will not be with you in the field", Billy says. "Maybe Den Mother will keep you from doing something stupid. You will meet her tomorrow and maybe, just maybe you might like her. You've had your say Scarecrow, go home, spend some time with your wife. Come up with an excuse why you have to go to Dubai in a few days or whatever place you tell her you are scouting".

Amanda arrives home before Lee. She shuts off the alarm and makes a dash to the shower, using that lavender shower gel Lee likes so much. She puts on the little black number Lee bought her. As she is putting on her make-up, she hears the motor of Lee's cycle shut off.

Lee's key opens the front door and he calls out, "Amanda, are you upstairs?"

"Yes, sweetheart, just finishing getting dressed", Amanda replies.

Lee with his long legs gets upstairs quickly, just in time to see Amanda dab some perfume behind her ears. "Gorgeous! You look gorgeous". He gives her a quick peck. I'll change quickly and then we can relax and have some dinner".