Fallout Part 2
Lee drives to the hospital. He arrives at the Physical Training room and sits down next to Jamie and Dotty. Amanda is walking alongside Philip who is holding on to parallel bars. "That great Philip", the Physical Therapist says. "You are doing much better than yesterday. Why don't you take a break before heading to the speech pathologist? It looks like you have an audience", as he points to the rest of Philp's family.
Amanda hands Philip his cane and helps him out to see everyone. Lee is beaming. Philip has come so far since he woke up. He kisses Amanda on the cheek and hugs everyone else. He puts his hand on Philip's back and says, "I hear you are progressing nicely. Jamie, can you take Philip and your grandmother to the speech pathologist? I'd like to talk to your mother for a while?"
"What's up, sweetheart?" Amanda asks. "Did you see Billy? What did you tell him?"
"Yes", Lee responded. "I told him as much of the truth as I could".
"But you didn't tell me much of anything". Amanda says. "You told me it's best that I don't know and maybe I don't, but you at least need to tell me what you told Billy. We must be on the same page if he asks me any questions".
"You are right darling", Lee replies, "but can it wait until we get home tonight?"
"Of course,", Amanda says, I really hope you haven't done something you will regret".
They head to the Speech Pathologist office and the therapist is showing Philip pictures and asks him what the words are to each one she points to. Jamie and Dotty wait outside, but Lee and Amanda go into the room and sit in chairs at the end of the table. Lee holds Amanda's hand.
The therapist says, "Mr. Stetson, my name is Daphne, thank you for joining us today. Philip is progressing nicely. Philip, why don't you show off for your mom and dad?" She points to all the pictures and slowly Philip vocalizes each one.
"That's wonderful sweetheart", Amanda says. She gives him a hug.
"That's not all", Daphne says. "Philip, don't you have something else to say to your parents?"
Philip opens his mouth, falters for a moment and carefully enunciates his question. "Mom, dad; I want to come home".
Amanda's hands go to her mouth and laughs. "Of course, sweetheart, as long as your Doctor will release you".
Lee smiles and says, "that's great champ. I'll start the paperwork". He leaves to find the discharge nurse.
Jamie and Dotty have been standing at the door and overheard the conversations. Jamie says, "I've missed you and even missed our bantering".
Daphne says, "you have come a long way Philip, but I still want to see you twice a week as an outpatient."
Philp replies, "anything, as long as it gets me out of here".
Lee signs the paperwork and says, "I'll be home soon. I'm going to pick up some dinner. Dotty, please call Curt and have him join us". Privately he says to Amanda, "I need to go see Billy again and get an update and I promise I will tell you everything. Even if it makes you hate me, I don't want any secrets".
"Sweetheart, nothing you could say could ever make me hate you. Till death do us part", Amanda says.
Lee leaves and everyone heads to Amanda's Jeep. Jamie stays with his brother waiting by the wheelchair and Amanda pulls up the jeep by the hospital services exit. Jamie helps his brother out of the wheelchair and the nurse hands him the discharge papers. Amanda drives home and Jamie begins to help Philip into the house.
Philip says, "Jamie, you have to let me do things myself. I have my exercises and if all goes well, I can start school in the spring".
"Okay, okay", Jamie says, "at least let me take your bags to your room. Dad should be home soon with dinner and until then if you are up to it, I'll beat you at 'Call of Duty'".
Meanwhile, Lee goes back to The Agency. He knocks on Billy's office and is motioned in. Francine and Leatherneck are dressed in black. Billy says, "hypothetically everything is taken care of. Frank's body was found and taken to a black ops Agency site. His neighbors or family will report him as missing and based on his history, I don't think the police will investigate. Hypothetically speaking of course. Also, Officer Johnson has been taken care of by the LA office Agency".
"Why?", Lee asks. "Why would all of you go to these lengths?"
Billy replies, "while I don't condone your actions, I understand them. I'm not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes. We owe you, but I cannot call in any more favors."
"I understand", Lee replies; "and that is why I am asking to be taken out of the field. I believe there is an SDBIR position available at the agency. It will give me a bump in salary at a GG17. I know it will be an Admin 1, but I'll keep my insurance to cover my family and Philip's rehab. Amanda leaving has given me a lot of thought about my priorities".
"I understand", Billy says. I'm going to hate losing two of my best agents but considering what both of you have been through this past year, I won't fight you on this. You will make a fine XXX. Francine and Leatherneck can pick up the slack. You are both very fine agents and can train new agents".
Lee says, "we still have two weeks, so any low-level work, preferred, I'll be around; then you can acclimate me in my new position".
"Have you spoken to Amanda about this yet?" Billy asks.
"No", Lee responds, but I will when I get home tonight. I will tell her everything. Speaking of which, I need to leave. I promised to pick up dinner. Philip came home today. He is communicating. He will still need some therapy a couple of times a week, but we are very hopeful. Francine, Leatherneck thank you for everything you did. I owe you".
Francine says, "no, we owe you. You and Amanda have done so much for us. While it will be difficult, life will continue without you; but this time we will keep in touch".
Lee stops off and picks up some Mexican food and heads home. Dotty and Curt are waiting, and everyone has a nice dinner. Philip practices his conversational skills. Curt and Dotty offer to clean the dishes and let Philip get his rest. Jamie sees his grandmother and Curt out and sets the alarm. He goes upstairs to check on Philip.
Lee and Amanda go upstairs, and he tells her everything, about Frank and the whole story all the way down to Officer Johnson. "So, how do you feel about what I did?" Lee asks.
"Well", Amanda responds, "I'm not exactly thrilled at your actions, but I don't know what I would have if I were in your shoes. I can't fault you for what you did, but that doesn't make it right. We need to move forward. Are our family and Francine safe? Officer Johnson knows who we are".
Lee says, "last I heard, the California Agency has him in custody or he was KIA. I don't know, I didn't press Billy for more information. I also wanted you to know I've asked to be taken out of the field. I'm going into management, like Billy. It will be a higher pay grade and I get to come home to you in the evening. It will be safer and since we can't work together anymore, I'll have more time to spend with you".
Amanda kisses him and asks, "are you sure? I don't want you to be doing this just for me. I don't want you to regret not being out in the field anymore".
Lee kisses her back and says, "I have given this a lot of thought, this is what I want. For you and our family. I won't regret anything. We have been so focused on Philip and his recovery and I have been very focused on revenge, but there is something I have missed in weeks."
"Now that Philip is home, I think we can focus on what I have been missing too", Amanda says. "Come here, help me out of these clothes", she smiles.