"I don't like this." Her voice was muffled because her forehead was leaning against his chest. His arms were around her waist, while her hands on his chest were filled with small bunches of his black jumpsuit. They had a few minutes alone in the utility van while Billy and Francine finished their preparations.

"My jumpsuit? I always thought you liked it. It keeps me safe. You know, blends in the shadows – attracts less attention." It was an odd moment for teasing, but there was really nothing important left to say. Her head lifted an inch and then thudded gently against his chest in retaliation.

"I don't like the idea of you breaking into the Soviet Embassy. They will be using real bullets while you're armed with a tranquilizer gun." She gave him another thud against his chest, this one a little harder.

"Hey," he said softly, "you promised no questions."

She lifted her head to look at him. "That wasn't a question." Two days without sleep had taken its toll on both of them. They were running on adrenaline now.

His heart ached for the pain he saw etched on her face. "I know it's a desperate gamble – an all-or-nothing risk. If I stay out here, we are guaranteed to lose everything." He paused slightly. "If I go in there, I may not get the antidote, but I'll die before they can do any further harm to me." His voice strengthened, "On the other hand, if I go in there, I might come out with the antidote and we win everything – not just for us, but we stop this biological weapon for good. I'm willing to risk it all for a chance to win big." He held optimism like a shield.

"Then, I should go with you. We work best as a team." This time her fists thudded twice against his chest punctuating her sentences. She looked intently into his eyes. Amanda understood the arguments against her going with him, but she couldn't prevent one last protest.

"You know that the risk for you is much too high. You'll go with me in my earpiece and you're always with me in my heart. When I need a little more speed or another ounce of stamina, your love gives me the extra motivation to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. We've done it before, and we'll do it again tonight, partner." His hands cupped her face, framing her delicate features between his strong fingers. He needed her confidence to make his complete. His eyes captured hers just as they had the first time at the train station. He was in trouble and she couldn't refuse him.

"You beat the odds so often. Nobody does it better. And I'd like to see somebody prove that they could. It's just so hard sending you off to do it again." Her voice was warm and steady as she affirmed her faith in him. Her hands slid up his chest and around his neck, pulling him down to meet her lips. The kiss held none of the desperate passion they had shared earlier. This one was filled with love and hope. His right arm circled her waist, while his left hand moved to cradle her head. His heart would break completely if he let it.

The van shifted as Billy stepped into the vehicle, interrupting the kiss. They broke their embrace and took a step apart. "Lee, it's time." Billy's deep voice was solemn.

"I'll be right with you, Billy," Lee replied. Turning back to Amanda, he put one finger on her lips. Quietly he said, "There's more where that came from. Hold that thought until I get back." She smiled and nodded once.

She handed him the gas mask and gloves. They ran a final sound check. With one lingering look, he was gone.

The End

Author's Note:

Robert Gilmer wrote this wonderful episode and presumably was the creative genius who invented the dead man's watch. A quick search on Google didn't uncover anything similar in real life.