Life at the new IFF
This also includes interactions with Lee taking the boys to the race track.
Philip and Jamie are clamoring to be first in line at the race track, but their father is still sleeping. They tap on the door and there is no answer. They know their parents don't like to be interrupted on Sunday mornings if they are still asleep. They knock a little louder.
"Lee", Amanda groggily says, "I think our sons are antsy about the race track today. You should get dressed and take them out for the day".
"Philip, Jamie, come on in. I know you want to go to the track; I'm going to take a shower and I will be down shortly", Lee says.
The boys leave and Lee takes a quick shower and gets dressed. "Amanda, I'll probably be gone most of the day. When we get home, we can discuss your new role at IFF. What are your plans for the day?"
Amanda replies and says "I plan on putting my photography background to good use. I've been a little rusty with my other cover. I thought I'd go to Georgetown and revisit the old campus and maybe do some window shopping for a new car for you. Sure, we'd take mine to IFF, but that motorcycle, no matter how vintage it is, it's not safe".
"I do not want you to buy anything until I've had a chance to look at it or test drive it", Lee says.
"That's why I said, 'window shopping'. I'd never make a decision without you. It will be your car. Now get your but out of bed and take our sons to the track", Amanda replies as she nudges him out of bed.
After Lee showers and heads downstairs for his coffee, he takes the Jeep and drives to the track.
"Great!", Amanda exclaims. "What am I going to do now? Lee won't let me drive the roadster and there is no way I'm getting on that motorcycle. Maybe Francine will want to go out". She places a call and Francine is interested and will be by in an hour. Amanda writes a note to Lee and makes a list of things to do.
Francine picks up Amanda and says, "It seem like you need another car. Maybe you can convince Lee to get rid of that motorcycle."
"That is number two on my list. Lee gets the final say, but if he takes the Jeep when I need it, I'm out of luck if I want to do errands. It's either that or stay home, Amanda says exasperatedly.
"What's number one", Francine asks.
"I thought it might be fun to explore Georgetown and take some pictures. I'm a little behind in using my photography as a cover; plus, we could stop by Dooley's, have a drink and listen to some old records; also, take more pictures around the University. Number two is car shopping or car visiting", Amanda explains, and anything you want to do today".
Amanda finds several cars that Lee might like including a few Hybrid cars. Francine takes Amanda home and says, "see you tomorrow. It's like the first day at work starting all over again".
"Oh, it can't be that bad", Amanda says. "Lee will help with the transition. Emily will be there for the next week for the hand-off. Thanks again for the ride."
Lee arrives home with the boys and they have all kinds of goodies and talking over each other and Amanda can't hear them and says, "one at a time. Philip, you go first. Tell me about your day".
Philip talks about all cars at the track and how fast they were going and having hot dogs and sodas. Then he says, "but they weren't as cool as dad's roadster".
Jamie pipes in and he says, "and I got to take lots of pictures. I'm going to put them in my scrapbook after I print them out", he says excitedly.
"Well if you are full, then get cleaned up and do your homework. You can print out your pictures tomorrow," Amanda says as she scoots the boys upstairs.
"Ok, it's your turn sweetheart", Amanda says as she leans in for a kiss. "Did you have a good time? Anything you want to add about today?"
"Only that I missed you and wished you were there with us", Lee says as he kisses her back. How did you get around today? It wasn't until we reached the track, I realized you didn't have a car".
"Well", Amanda replies, "I called Francine and after the pictures and drinks at Dooley's, we went car shopping. I found a few cars you may be interested in, some hybrids for example. Next week you can test drive some of them. Sell that motorcycle and get another car".
"You are right", Lee says. "Have you eaten yet? If not, I'll find a bottle of wine and we can go to bed and get ready for tomorrow".
"Yes, I have eaten, but you need to take a shower. You smell of gasoline and junk food and I want you clean and sexy in our bed", Amanda says.
Lee finds a bottle of wine, hands it to Amanda along with a corkscrew and races upstairs and jumps into the shower before Amanda can get the glasses and makes it to bed with the wine. They talk about tomorrow and what to expect.
IFF
Lee and Amanda get up early and Amanda dresses conservatively and Lee in a jacket and tie. Amanda makes a quick breakfast and Lee makes the coffee. Amanda leaves a note for the boys to take care of dinner for themselves. They take Amanda's jeep and heads toward IFF. Lee explains the security protocol and codes to get into the office where the bull pen is. The Q Bureau is upstairs and protected by a key card.
They enter together and Mrs. Marsden has a smile for Lee. He flirts with her every time he comes by. Her smile drops as Lee introduces Amanda as his wife. He gives her the code word; she pushes a button that opens an elevator. Lee takes Amanda's hand and they walk through, and the elevator closes. There are coats and shirts and after the elevator descends, it opens, and Lee shows her out as he rearranges the coats and the elevator closes behind him.
"That is one hell of security. More than we had at NTA, but then again it was an office and except for the firing range in the basement, it looked normal", Amanda comments.
They enter the bullpen and Lee introduces Amanda to everyone. Francine is already there and had been given the cooks tour. Billy invites them into his office where Emily is waiting.
"First off, in case you haven't heard, Agent Beaman has been transferred to one of our other departments. Francine, you will be here in the bullpen assisting me and help with Lee and Amanda on cases. You will share Brian for research and anything else you need. He also wants to take some Agent-in -training classes. Lee and Amanda, you will be spending your time in the Q Bureau, but it is labeled 'Film Library' to cement our cover. I am turning over the next part to Emily Farnsworth who Amanda and Francine already have a relationship with", Billy states.
"Good day everyone", Emily begins. "For those who don't know me, I was Amanda, Francine and Brian's boss over at NTA. For the next week, I will help with their transition, but then I am retiring. I have more than 25 years in and the Agency has a nice pension package. You don't need two bosses and Billy is an excellent boss; I'm sure you will learn a lot from him. Amanda, Francine, come see me after Billy gives you your new assignments".
"Lee, Amanda, tomorrow you will be attending a book auction". Billy begins as he explains the new assignment. "There is an important book we want. It has some vital microdots hidden in six of the pages. Your job is to bid and purchase this book. Francine, you will scope the room and look for others who keep increasing the bid. Those are the ones we want to keep our eyes on. If necessary, you will show your Agency badge and have security as back-up and take the person or persons in for questioning. Here are the documents you need to research and both your passes to get you into the auction. That's it for now. Back to work everyone".
Lee and Amanda leave and take the elevator to the Q Bureau. He gives her a quick tour as there is not much to see. Two desks and a large safe. He shows her to her desk, and she is happy to see her desk and chair from her old office. They review their files and think they have their cover memorized. Lee wants to talk to Billy before they head home. Amanda finds Francine and they have a quick visit with Emily. Amanda leaves and heads back to the entryway where Mrs. Marsden sits.
Lee knocks on Billy's open office door and Billy waves him in.
"Billy, I know we had a week off, but in a few months, Amanda and I want to take a family vacation with our kids and Amanda's mother and step-father. I'd like to put in a formal request for two weeks. I have a lot of time banked and so does Amanda from NTA".
Billy holds out his hand and Lee hands over the request. "Go home", Billy says. "Tomorrow will be a big day".
Lee leaves the office and sees Francine talking to Leatherneck. It appears they are flirting, and Francine laughs at something Leatherneck says. He thinks to himself, "I'll have to ask Amanda about that later".
He heads upstairs where Amanda is waiting uncomfortably. She tries making small talk with Mrs. Marsden, but Mrs. Marsden can be intimating. Lee winks at Mrs. Marsden and says, "we'll see you tomorrow".
Amanda and Lee leave IFF and he wants to take her to a local eatery called Nedlingers. She orders a burger and a beer and Lee orders ribs and a scotch. He tells her about the vacation request and then says, "that guy Leatherneck I told you about, I just saw Francine talking to him. It looked like they were flirting. Did you see them?"
Amanda replies, "I saw her talking to some guy. She has been single for a long time. There aren't that many men at NTA. Brian is married to Richard and the other guy works in the gun range and he weighs about 300 pounds, so sure, they could be flirting". Lee laughs. Before they leave, Amanda kisses off the sauce from the ribs on his lips.
They head home and the boys had their dinner, cleaned up after themselves. Lee and Amanda head to their room; Amanda sighs, "whew, big first day; care to join me in the shower?"
"Of course, you don't have to ask me more than once", as he grabs her and undresses her and carries her to the shower. Turning on the water he removes his clothes.
Amanda says, "I think we need to add a steam shower and some seats".
Lee responds, "quiet, no talking", as he and Amanda take a quick shower. He dries her off and takes the towel and quickly dries himself too. He picks her up and takes her to bed. He lays her on the bed and plays with her damp hair and says, "do you know how beautiful you are? I have a smart and beautiful wife".
Amanda doesn't respond since he told her no talking. She brushes his hair to the side of his face and leans up on her elbows and kisses him. She lies back down and pulls him to her and kisses him again and his neck and then he takes her in his arms, and he makes love to her. She gets up and puts on a nightshirt and he puts on his boxers. They crawl back into bed and she leans into him and he puts his arms around her.