Epilogue

Amanda carried the small parcel to her desk and began to unwrap it. Lee had just handed it to her, telling her it had come from Zakir via diplomatic pouch. He'd followed along behind her and perched on the side of the desk, watching with interest.

She pulled out an envelope first, sealed with the Zakirian royal crest. With a quick glance at Lee, she opened it carefully and began to read. As he watched, her face lit up and she looked up with sparkling eyes.

"Oh, listen to this!" she began to read. "Dear Amanda, it would seem that there's nothing like a near miss to let all other worries fade away. Apparently we can expect an heir to the throne in a little over eight months. And who'd have guessed - no sexy nightgown required after all."

Lee grinned back at her. "That's great! They must be pretty happy, huh?" He paused in sudden confusion. "What did she mean about sexy nightgowns?"

"It's a long story. Maybe you can get that secret wife of yours to explain it to you," laughed Amanda before continuing to read. "Rheza says to tell you that you will always be our lucky charm and to please accept this token of friendship with our everlasting gratitude."

She looked doubtfully at the small box that had accompanied the letter.

"What's the matter?" asked Lee curiously. "You're not worried it's a bomb or something, are you?"

"No, of course not, but am I allowed to accept gifts like this? As a government employee, I mean?"

Lee laughed. "I won't tell anyone if you don't!" She still looked worried, so he picked up the box and handed it to her. "Amanda, it's fine – it's not an official gift, it's just a small gift from one friend to another."

"Okay," she replied in a relieved tone. He watched as she flipped up the lid and stared at the contents mesmerized. "Oooohhhh" she breathed out before lifting a dazzling heart-shaped diamond necklace. "It's so beautiful! Are you sure I can accept this?" she repeated.

"I'm sure, Sundance," said Lee, standing up and taking it from her and gesturing for her to move her hair so he could fasten it around her neck. He found himself gazing for just a moment too long at her neck and dragged his eyes away to glance at the box. "What's that still in the box?"

Amanda leaned forward to pluck it out a small piece of paper and read out loud. "Never forget that true friends are more valuable than diamonds."

"I couldn't agree more, Amanda." Lee walked back around the desk. "And you know, I was thinking about how you told Penny we never have any fun."

Amanda blushed furiously "Oh Lee, I was teasing, you know that!"

"Oh I know, but still – I was wondering if you wanted to come to a party tonight? I know it's kind of last minute, but I have to go to a reception for Quickie Chickie Snack Shack tonight to meet a contact and I thought maybe you'd like to come along? All you have to do is have fun."

"Doesn't Francine usually go with you to these things as backup?"

"Yeah, usually, but with the broken cheekbone and that gorgeous black eye, she's still off the party circuit. Besides this isn't a backup situation, it's just a party – so how about it? Come on, Cinderella – leave the housework and come to the ball. You never know, you might meet your own prince!"

Amanda wrinkled up her nose and shook her head. "I don't think I want a prince – it seems like it's even more dangerous than being a spy! Besides, with my luck, I'll meet nothing but frogs!"

"Well, just don't kiss anyone and you'll be fine," Lee pointed out, dimples deepening.

"I won't have to dance, will I?" she asked, pointing to the cast she was still wearing.

"Nope, you can just mingle and work on your interrogation skills, I promise. More Brenda Starr and less Belle Starr this time."

"You promise?"

"Scout's Honor."

"You were never a Scout."

Lee just kept grinning at her and inevitably, she gave in to the dimples.

"Okay," she smiled at last. "I'd love to go to a party with you. What time should I meet you back here? And what should I wear?"

Lee smiled at her capitulation. "Around six? And what about that dress you wore to the Embassy party – you looked really nice in that. And if I remember correctly, you went home with that outfit in one piece for once, didn't you?"

"Just that one time, yes. And all you're doing now is reminding me how much 'fun' it can be to go out with you," she teased him.

"Well, think of this as my opportunity to finally prove I can go somewhere together without someone trying to kill one of us."

She cocked her head to one side and studied him. It occurred to her, not for the first time, that Lee made jokes like that all the time but always with the slightest shadow in his eyes. Penny's words came back to her suddenly – "when you spend your life surrounded by men with machine guns, your sense of humor gets pretty dark pretty fast." Lee didn't seem like a dark person but his eyes sometimes told another story.

"Well, I'll look forward to that, Mr. Cassidy, if you think you can actually deliver," she answered lightly.

Lee's smile broadened and the shadow lifted. "Why Kid, such lack of faith! I always deliver even if Quickie Chickie doesn't." Pleased with his own joke, he winked with one last grin, and turned and sauntered away to his own desk.

Damn it, thought Amanda silently. He really is cute.