Chapter 9

Lee woke to the alarm blaring in his ear. Reaching over to slap it off, he smiled, realizing Amanda was still curled up beside him. He shook her gently, "Hey, sleepy head, time to get up. We need to try to get out of here in the next hour if we are going to avoid the traffic."

Amanda groaned. She was completely comfortable curled up against her husband's warm body. She had absolutely no desire to move just yet. She just wanted to stay in his arms a little longer. Lee must have known what she was thinking because he shook her again, "Hey, we have the rest of the week and the weekend to wake up like this. We need to get a move on."

Smiling, Amanda opened her eyes just as Lee was trying to extricate himself from both her and the blankets but lost his balance where he managed to pull everything off the bed, catching her before she hit the floor with him. Laughing she looked at him and said, "Really, Scarecrow, there are easier ways to get your wife out of bed."

Lee just laughed along with her. Amanda finally got herself separated from the blankets and upon standing, held out her hand to help Lee up. He stood, then pulled her close, kissing her soundly on the lips. "Good morning, Mrs. Stetson," he said with a smile.

"Well good morning to you, Mr. Stetson," she replied. Amanda couldn't help but think every morning should be like this. "Coffee is ready to go, someone needs to go push the button."

Lee looked at her, "Why don't you get in the shower and I'll push the button. I have to shave too so I'll do that while your showering then jump in after. I have a few more things that need to be packed too."

Amanda shook her head, "Sounds like a plan then." She walked into the bathroom, not bothering to close the door behind her. Lee heard the water turn on and headed into the kitchen to turn the coffee machine on. Heading beck toward the bedroom, Lee scanned the room to be sure everything had been packed. He still needed to pack his shaving kit so he headed toward the bathroom to use his time wisely. By the time he finished shaving, Amanda was finished with her shower. She kissed him on the cheek as she headed for the bedroom to get dressed.

Lee stepped into the steaming hot shower. As he stood in the running water, his mind started analyzing the information Harry had given them. Methodically he went through the facts as they knew them, coming up with more questions. Finishing his shower, he stepped out, wrapping a towel around his hips. He opened his medicine cabinet to retrieve his aftershave when his eyes fell upon a contact case long forgotten. An idea came to him. Calling to Amanda he said, "Amanda, I need to stop by the Agency on our way. We should be able to get in and out of Requisitions without anyone even knowing we are there."

Amanda, now fully dressed, stood in the open doorway. "What could we possibly need from Requisitions?" she asked.

Smiling, Lee said, "Remember Francine's Magda Petra?"

Amanda's eyes narrowed, "Yes, her dark wig and brown contact…."

Lee finished her sentence, "lenses. I think we need a pair of blue ones. No one is going to question a family member looking for their cousin." Lee smiled, his dimples deep.

Amanda smiled back. Lee was right. They had not discussed how their cover story for looking for Lauren but with the use of a simple blue contact lens, Amanda could easily pass for a relative. "I like the way you think, Scarecrow."

"Then let's get moving. I just need to put my kit in my bag. There should be a few travel mugs in the cabinet," Lee said he picked up his shaving kit and headed into the bedroom, dropping it on his bag.

Amanda went into the kitchen, pouring coffee for both of them. "Can we stop at that pastry shop around the corner too? We can get a few things for the ride and something for breakfast. They may still have some stale donuts just for you," she teased.

Carrying their bags to the living room, Lee just laughed. "Well I'm glad you didn't decide to make a full course meal this morning."

Amanda just shook her head at him. Not long ago they had gotten into a fight over just that, which had lead to a larger argument they would rather not repeat. "As much as I don't like it, I know how you feel about breakfast. So, no more big breakfasts for you, but maybe you could eat something small, just for me?" she asked.

Lee took her hand and brought it to his lips, "For you, yes, something small. It's going to be a long ride and the fewer stops we have to make, the better."

Surveying the room one last time, Lee announced it was time to go. Amanda carried their coffees and her purse, Lee got their bags. Laughing he commented, "I think this is the lightest packing you've ever done, Mrs. Stetson."

Amanda laughed then teased, "That's because I didn't pack any nightgowns."

Lee tilted his head, an eyebrow raised. "Really?" he asked suggestively.

Amanda opened the front door and gently pushed him out, "Hold that thought for later."

They made their way down to the car and to the Agency without incident. They decide divide and conquer would help with time management so after parking the 'Vette out front, Amanda walked the short distance to the pastry shop as Lee went to Requisitions to secure a pair of blue contact lenses. Luckily enough, the agent at the desk was relatively new and didn't question Scarecrow what case he was on. Lee and Amanda met back at the car at almost the same time. She was carrying two cake sized boxes.

"Amanda, what did you buy? The whole shop?" he teased as they climbed into the car.

"Well, they had some freshly made lemon poppyseed muffins so I got you a few of those for the ride as well as a blueberry one for me. Then I also got a few pastries for later in case we get stuff in traffic," Amanda explained.

Lee just shook his head as they pulled away from the curb, heading toward Interstate 95 South.