Part Six

Half an hour later (4:00)

Lee entered his apartment and collapsed moodily onto the couch. He looked visibly tired and depressed. He took a sip of wine from the glass left on the coffee table the night before and flipped on the television. He did not change the channel. Instead he stared blankly at the infomercials blaring from the set.

Just then, the phone rang.

"Stetson."

"Hi Lee."

"Francine?"

"Of course. Are you busy?"

"Are you still at the agency?

"No. Home."

"So what's up?"

"I just got this three way call thing, and I want to try it out. Hold on the line, okay?"

"Okaaay..." he was a little confused by the whole thing. Why did she call him? And whom else would she call? 'This is it,' He thought, 'Francine is finally losing her mind'.

'Click'

"ring, Ring! ring, Ring! ring--"

"Hello? King Residence."

"Could I speak with Amanda please?"

"Sure. Hold on. Mo--Om! Phone!"

"I'll answer it up here, Phillip. Thanks."

"Hello, this is Amanda King. Who may I ask is calling?"

"Francine Desmond. Hold on a second..."

'Click'

"Okay. Amanda, Lee, you are both on the line. So talk."

"Wha- - -But- - -I- - -We- - -"

Francine continued despite the couples' protests.

"Listen. I'm sick of this. You had a fight. Get over it. MARRIED couples have them all the time! No big deal. For goodness sakes, MY parents fought all the time!" ('Until Dad ran off with that stewardess who was younger than me,' she didn't say).

"Francine...you know?" Amanda asked.

"Everyone knows, Amanda," Lee explained, "Even Billy. Although I'm not sure how."

She cleared her throat, but didn't speak.

Now Lee was doing all of the talking.

"We have to fix this, Amanda."

"But--"

"Wait!" Francine cut in, "Amanda, do you love Lee?

"Well, yes, I do. but---"

"Wait. And Lee, do you---"

"Yes"

"And do you two really want to break it off? Amanda?"

"Francine, I--"

"Don't tell me, tell Lee."

"Alright." She sighed, "Lee, I love you. I do, but it just can't work anymore."

Lee spoke suddenly, "Why, Amanda? Why can't it?!"

"Because---"

"I've been crazy since our fight---" he began,

"You were crazy before."

"I was stressed. I was worried. Two weeks ago, I asked to work with Francine not because she's a good agent, but because after that close call I was so afraid to lose you, and I guess part of me felt there was no risk if I worked with Francine."

"Thanks a lot, Lee!" Francine rolled her eyes.

"No offence, Princess."

"When I saw that man there holding that gun to your head, I just can't explain how I felt. It was a fear like I had never known before. I never want to lose you"

Her eyes filled with tears.

"You never will."

"And after that I suppose I was bitter, you know, because I totally fell apart when I that happened, and then we were both nearly killed, and I guess I figured that although Francine is my friend, I'm not in love with her like I am you, and therefore I would have had more control over the situation." (Note to reader: That's why co-spies shouldn't date! Right? Wrong...)

He took a breath and continued. "I wasn't angry at you, just myself for letting emotions take over, like a professional agent never should."

Suddenly it all made since. The comments, the arguments, their fight, everything. Amanda was about ready to cry. Again.

Lee took a breath and continued.

"Amanda, this week without you has been terrible---"

"Four days is not a week," Francine couldn't help pointing out.

"Quiet Francine. Anyway. I miss you. A lot."

"Yeah, Amanda, he misses you so much it's pathetic! Really! And if I have to listen to one more "Amanda-Story", I'll be the one going into crazy agent burnout!"

"Francine..." He warned.

"This is my phone time too, Lee. I set this up, remember? Anyway, Amanda, dear. Not only has our Lee been PosiTively DEVastated, but the agency has lost that wonderful chipper feeling that lingers in the air, like burnt toast, whenever you're around."

Francine's tone of voice, as well as her mannerisms, were back to normal. (How everyone around IFF will be pleased that the usual Francine has returned. That sensitive blond in her place was a little too nice to be considered normal).

"Why is this so important to you, Francine?" Asked Amanda, curious.

"Well it's simple, Amanda," She said with a sigh as if her next words should be obvious. "As much as I hate to admit it, you guys belong together."

"So what do you say, Amanda? Back to normal?"

"Back to normal."

She smiled.

"Lee?"

"Yes?"

"Let's not keep secrets anymore. Let's always be honest."

"It's a deal."

"I told my mother."

"How'd she take it?"

"It hasn't really sunk in yet, I think. But it will soon."

He laughed.

"I know the feeling!"

"Oh, and Lee?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be right over."

"I'll be here"

"And I'm hanging up!" Francine exclaimed, realizing she was obviously no longer needed.

"Goodbye!"

'Click'