6:36 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 1986

Lee dragged himself off the elevator and stalked to his apartment door. "Thank God that assignment's over," he grumbled. The fact that he took the redeye back from California didn't help his disposition any. He was tired and he was hungry. He wanted nothing more than to crash on his bed and sleep the morning and afternoon away. As he placed the key into the lock, he noticed a small glow creeping under the door. Instincts kicking in, he grabbed his gun from its holster, stealthily turning the key and twisting the doorknob. Silently slipping in, his eyes darted around the room, looking for anything out of place. But found nothing.

He sniffed the air. There was something familiar about it . . . it was something pleasant . . . vanilla. A small smile formed on his lips. "Amanda," he whispered. He would know her scent anywhere. But, why would she have been at his place? Wasn't she supposed to be on vacation with her family? Did she come by to water his plants before she left? He continued searching the apartment for any clues, a note perhaps, but it wasn't until he returned from his search of the bedroom that he found her lying in the fetal position on his couch, cocooned in a thin blanket. How had he missed her during his first sweep through the apartment? He could barely see her face, but he knew it was his partner.

But why was she asleep on his couch? He hadn't even known he was coming back early. They weren't expected to finish up the case for a good week or so. When he carefully sat down next to her, he noticed a half-empty glass clutched in her hand. He eased it from her grasp, bringing it up to his nose. He couldn't believe it. "Scotch? Since when do you drink Scotch?" he whispered disbelievingly. Brushing a slightly damp strand of hair from her brow, he allowed his hand to lightly touch her shoulder blade before letting it slide down the smooth sleeve of her robe. He did a double take. 'Is she wearing my robe?'

"So, you came all the way over here to have a shower and a drink?" he whispered incredulously, shaking his head as he got up and turned on a second light, with the intent of waking her. That's when he saw it. Her eye, cheek and neck were several shades of angry red and purple. "What the hell -" the phone disrupted his state of panic and he rushed to pick it up before it woke her.

"Stetson!" he replied tersely, yet quietly, not wanting to wake his visitor.

"Scarecrow—"

"What the hell happened while I was gone, Billy?" He raked his hand through his hair, the way he found himself doing when he was upset.

Lee could hear his supervisor sigh into the phone. "I take it you've seen Amanda."

He snorted in distaste. "Yeah, I just came home to find her asleep," he swirled and sniffed the remaining contents in the glass and continued. "Or rather passed out on my couch. She looks like hell, Billy!" He watched her chest rise and fall, giving him small solace.

"I'm not surprised after the night she had."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I thought she was going on vacation with her family for a couple weeks for Spring Break?" He was certain that had been the plan. It was the only reason he'd agreed to go to California in the first place. Had he known his partner would be working without him, he would have turned the assignment down. "It looks like someone used her face for a punching bag, Billy." Lee's stomach knotted at his last comment. 'When I get a hold of the bastard that did this to her . . . I'll kill him!'

"You know I can't tell you anything over this line, Lee. It's been weeks since your last sweep. Why don't you get some rest and I'll fill you in later. I just called to make sure you stopped by her house to check on her."

"Yeah, well I want answers!" he whispered harshly.

"Later, Lee," his boss' voice left little room for argument.

Lee heard the soft click on the other end and slammed the phone down defiantly, but cringed when he saw Amanda stirring on the couch. He hadn't meant to wake her, but at least now maybe he'd get some answers.

Lee came back around the couch and crouched down beside her. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, lightly caressing her shoulder. She flinched at his touch and he regretfully and immediately removed his hand. What he wanted to do was grab her up in his arms and never let her go. The overwhelming sense of protectiveness when it came to this woman was always confusing to him, but he couldn't think about that right now. Instead, he watched her slowly become aware of her surroundings. The need to touch her was nearly overpowering. He wound an errant strand of her hair around his finger, careful not to touch the multiple bruises that marred her face.

"L-e-e?" Her eyes were barely open. Her speech was slurred and her voice had a child-like quality to it. Exactly how much had she had to drink before he'd arrived home?

"Yeah, it's me. Amanda, what happened? Who did this to you?" He quietly probed as he reluctantly let go of her strand of hair.

She sat up gingerly and looked a bit off balance. Lee held her forearms to steady her, but felt them tugged from him as she dashed from the room. He wasn't sure what had caused her to flee until he found her in his bathroom moments later. She was crumpled on the floor next to the commode, her bare feet gathered up beneath her, and her head hovering above the bowl as she heaved. He squatted down beside her, pulling her damp hair off her face and holding it behind her head. "Let it out," he soothed as he rubbed small circles up and down her back. "Uh, Amanda . . . just how much did you have to drink?"

"Just a glass," her voice sounded hollow and he could barely make out what she'd said. 'It sounds like more than just one to me,' he thought.

"When's the last time you ate?" He knew he was starting to sound like her as he peppered her with questions, but he was genuinely concerned. What could have caused her to drink herself into oblivion? Even more, who hurt her?

"Not hungry." She whimpered as she pulled the lid shut and flushed. "It wasn't so bad 'til . . ." She groaned and then swallowed hard, but continued. ". . . 'til the pain killers kicked in." Her head was resting on her arm as she lay against the toilet. "Then everything just got kinda fuzzy."

He reached up and retrieved a washcloth from the shelf. Running it under cold water, he squeezed out the excess and the placed it carefully across the back of her neck. "This should help. I remember Barney doing this for me whenever I got sick. Would you like some water?" She nodded. Getting up off the floor, he grabbed the glass off the corner of the sink and filled it.

"Can you tell me what happened? Who did this to you?" The questions swimming in his mind came tumbling out.

"Lee, not now . . . please . . . the room's spinnin'. I just want it to stop." He handed her the glass of water and sat back down next to her, placing his arm carefully around her waist to steady her.

After taking a few tentative sips she handed it back to him with trembling hands. She leaned into him before sliding down and gingerly placed her head onto his lap.

He rubbed small, light circles up and down her back, feeling the tension slowly leave her body-hoping it would help loosen her tongue as well. It was killing him not knowing what had happened to his partner and best friend.

Lee gave her a few minutes to calm down before once again attempting to ask her what had transpired while he was away.

"Amanda?" he whispered tentatively.

No answer.

"Amanda?" He spoke more loudly this time.

- Still nothing.

Looking down, he could see she had fallen back asleep. He sighed in frustration and then carefully lifted the two of them up off the floor and carried her into his bedroom. She let out a soft moan when he laid her down onto his bed – he hoped he hadn't caused her too much pain.

After covering her with his comforter, he silently exited the room. Answers. He wanted answers. But it appeared he'd have to wait a little while longer. For now, he'd have to settle for a sandwich and few hours of sleep.

Before closing the door behind him, Lee turned to watch the rise and fall of his partner's chest one more time. His left fist clenched in frustration and helplessness and he tried to swallow it down. On second thought, he'd settle for disturbing his supervisor's sleep. Billy had some explaining to do-and Lee was going to insist he do it now.