Changed Roles, chapter 14
Lee and Amanda had been through so much in the years that they'd known each other that it took a lot to shock them but Francine's declaration that she was going to do what Michael had asked of her and her "career be damned" left them stunned. Amanda was uncharacteristically silent and Lee blurted out the first thought that came to his mind.
"Are you crazy? You barely know the man but you're willing to throw your career away for him," Lee yelled as he moved into Francine's personal space.
"Back off Scarecrow, how well did you know Amanda when you committed treason to get her back from the Soviets," Francine asked as she put her palms on Lee's chest and pushed him backwards.
"That was totally different," Lee defended as he allowed her to push him backwards.
"How was it different; we'd only known each other for two months when you did that," Amanda pointed out much to Lee's irritation.
"Whose side are you on," Lee demanded as he looked at Amanda angrily and walked up to her.
"Calm down," Amanda said as she rubbed Lee's upper arm," this isn't about taking sides; we're supposed to be helping Francine to figure out what will make her the happiest in the long run."
"Thank you Amanda, you've both helped me more than you know, I've made up my mind. I didn't say that I plan to throw away my career; I said that I was willing to risk my career so that I can be with Michael when he needs me. We have gotten to know each other and Michael accepts me as I am. He's gotten to know all of me and I think he loves me."
"Did he say the words," Lee asked in a more measured tone.
"No, not yet, how long did it take you to say those words to Amanda," Francine asked calmly.
"Francine has a good point there, Lee," Amanda interjected.
"A man da, you're doing it again," Lee said in frustration.
"I'm simply being honest with Francine; we'd known each other for three years before you said those three magic words to me. I wish it hadn't taken you so long but I don't regret giving you the time you needed to be ready to tell me; you were worth waiting for. Shouldn't Francine give Michael the time he may need?"
"I can't argue with that logic," Lee conceded turning from Amanda to Francine," I just don't want to see you hurt again."
"Lee, that means a lot to me and believe me I don't want to be hurt again but if I'm not willing to take some risks I'll spend the rest of my life alone. I'm so tired of being alone, I want a life with Michael and I'm going to fight for it, I hope you'll stand by me," Francine concluded and looked at Lee hopefully.
"I'll," Lee began to say to Francine before being nudged by Amanda, "we'll always stand by you but I intend to check this guy out personally. I'll be discreet."
"Lee," Amanda began to scold before being stopped by a shake of Francine's head.
"I think it's kind of sweet, he wouldn't be Lee if he wasn't planning to check Michael out, and Billy will be thrilled that the great Scarecrow is checking Michael out even if it is unofficially," Francine said with a smile.
"What are you planning to do about the assignment that Mr. Melrose gave you," Amanda asked.
"I'm going to tell Billy that Michael invited me to spend a few days in New York with him. He'll see it as the perfect opportunity for me to get information from Michael so he'll happily let me go," Francine explained. "Michael wants me to go to New York with him for moral support. He needs to have more medical tests done and he is going to try again to see his daughter alone. Maybe if I'm with Michael it'll be harder for his ex to get to him. He told me that being around her made him feel like he was twenty-three again."
"If his ex can still get to him after all these years are you sure," Lee began before Amanda silenced him with one word.
"Eva"
"You're right, Francine, having you with him will make a huge difference to Michael and he'll never forget that you cared enough about him to go with him," Lee offered.
"I hate to break up this conversation when we all finally agree on something but if we don't get to work soon Mr. Melrose is going to be really angry," Amanda cautioned.
"It's much later then I realized; I have to go home right now and change clothes. Thanks for being such good friends. I've never had friends that I trusted completely before," Francine said as she grabbed her coat and rushed from the apartment.
"I can't stand this; how long are we going to keep lying to Francine and everyone else that we love," Amanda asked Lee.