Chapter 28

Breakfast as a simple affair. Lee even ordered a lemon poppyseed muffin with his coffee but declared Amanda's much better after eating only a few bites. He held Charlie most of the meal, passing him over to Harry when asked. Once their meal was finished and paid for, Lee excused himself to call Billy before they headed over to the hospital. He stopped at the row of payphones near the doors.

"Melrose," Billy answered.

"Billy, it's Scarecrow. Were the local boys able to pick up Tsipkin?" Lee asked.

"Without a hitch. He's been talking non-stop since," Billy informed him.

"About what?" Lee was curious. He knew Max Tsipkin himself had no ties to Russian Intelligence so what could he possible know that would be worth anything.

"After picking him up, he brought the boys back to his house. He had inherited it from his mother and in the attic was a bevy of files all about the finances of the Embassy. Turns out, she was keeping two sets of books for them. That's where he learned about the Coreforce list. Oh, by the way, tell Amanda good work on that. Crypto has gone through everything and it was complete. They matched everything up to that diary as well. If only I had known about all of this before hand I never would have sent you two down there," Billy stated.

Lee nodded, "You know what though, it's been the best thing for us. Amanda and I have some… news… for you when we get back."

Billy's interest was completely peaked, "Oh really? Something you want to share with me now?" He sat up in his chair, leaning over his desk slightly.

"No, Amanda needs to tell you, not just me," Lee said firmly.

"How's your new little friend… what was his name, Charlie?" Billy teased as he relaxed back into his chair again.

Lee shook his head, knowing Billy was only trying to get to him, "Charlie is just fine. We're meeting Lauren at the hospital in a few minutes for her debriefing then he's going home where he belongs."

"Do you think Lauren is going to be okay after all this? I mean it's a lot to take in all at once," Billy's voice was thick with concern.

"I think so. She's probably going to need some therapy of some kind to get past it. Maybe Pfaff has some contacts here in Virginia Beach that could help her. And I'm sure Harry is going to in contact with her more," Lee admitted.

"That may go a long way with her. I'm still having a hard time wrapping my brain around Harry and Margaret Duncan and he never told anyone. I don't know how he stayed away all those years," Billy said, thinking of his own two daughters. He had been there almost everyday for their entire lives and he had a hard time thinking about all the things Harry missed out on.

"He wanted to keep her safe and thought if she didn't know, she would be. But if you could have seen his face yesterday, I'm sure he's regretting that decision. Listen, Billy, I gotta go. We're heading over to the hospital now. If anything else comes up, let me know, otherwise Amanda and I will see you first thing Monday morning," Lee said, as he hung up the phone.

Amanda walked up, carrying Charlie. "Ready?" she asked.

"Let's go bring Charlie back to his mom," Lee said, hugging both her and Charlie. "Harry, meet you over there?"

"Yeah, I just need to grab something from our luggage. We'll see you there," Harry replied as he and Christina continued to walk toward the elevators.

Lee drove the 'Vette and Amanda drove Lauren's car over to the hospital. Together they made their way to Lauren's room where she was already dressed and waiting for them.

"Lauren, you look so much better than you did yesterday, " Amanda said as she handed Charlie over to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a new person. Free. I don't know, I don't know how to explain it. I'm not afraid anymore," Lauren admitted, hugging Charlie, rubbing her cheek on his head as she did.

Lee could see the relief in her face to have Charlie back in her arms, for good this time. "The other agents will be here in a few minutes. They just need to ask you questions about what happened. Are you ok with that? Amanda can stay here with you if you want, if it would make you feel more comfortable."

Lauren looked from Lee to Amanda then back down at Charlie again, "I still don't know how to thank you for taking care of him the last few days. All I could think about was him …. "

Amanda reached out and patted her arm. "It's ok. Seeing you together is all the thanks we need. Besides, it's been a rather… enlightening…. Experience being with Charlie. For both of us," she said quietly.

"Oh really?" Harry commented as he entered the room. "Do that mean what I think it means, Scarecrow?"

"Harry… it means Amanda and I will be having a long talk with her boys and her mother when we get home. And Billy on Monday morning. Just keep your eye on your mail too… " Lee laughed.

"Well, sooner rather than later I hope. Lauren, are you feeling better today?" Harry asked, unsure how the conversation was going to go.

"Harry, thank you. Much. I did a lot of thinking last night, about my mom, you. I'm not angry with you if that's what you think. Confused yes, but not angry. It means a lot to me that you came to help with Charlie, too. I hope it wasn't too much trouble. DC is a long drive." Lauren admitted. She was feeling a little uncomfortable but she knew it wasn't going to be easy.

"Lauren, I have something for you, something I don't know if you know or knew about before. You don't have to take it now, but if you want to, it's yours," Harry said as he handed her the bank book for the account he had been making deposits into. He had written the numbers down and planned on getting a duplicate copy made when he returned to DC.

Lauren looked at the outside of the bank book, confused. Opening it, she saw the balance in the account, her eyes widened. "Harry, what… where did this come from?" she asked.

"Me. Since you were a little girl, I've put money in that account. Your mother used it to pay for things for you as she needed but the account hasn't been touched in a few years. That is all yours, if you want it," Harry explained.

"But Harry, I can't accept," Lauren shook her head no.

"Yes, you can. It's always been yours. If I were here with you it would have been yours everyday, right from my own wallet, my own pocket, not like this," Harry's voice was shaking, he was desperate for her to understand.

"Harry. I don't know what…" Lauren started but her voice trailed off. Things were tight with Charlie, his daycare. The money would help make things easier.

"Don't say anything, please. Just accept it. And I'm not going to stop making deposits. For Charlie. I lost so much time with you I don't want to do that with him. Please. Let me be a part of your lives. Please." Harry pleaded. He reached forward to touch Charlie's head still nestled against his mother's shoulder.

Quietly, Lauren replied, "Yes. I'd like that. I think Charlie would like that."

Harry leaned down, kneeling, to hug her. When he stood, there were tears in his eyes. He wiped them away as the two agents walked into the room.

Lee noticed them and extended his hand, "Agent Rockwood, Agent Miller. Nice to see you both again. Lauren, these are the two agents I told you about. Harry Thornton, agents…"

"THE Harry Thornton. From DC? It's an honor to meet you, sir." Agent Miller reached out to shake his hand.

Lauren looked at Harry then back at Agent Miller, "You're, um, well known I take it?"

Agent Miller looked at her, "He's a legend."

Amanda smiled, "Lauren, do you want me to stay in here with you? Everyone else is going to have to leave but if you want me to stay…"

Lauren shook her head, "No, but thank you. I think I'll be ok. Is this going to take long?"

Agent Rockwood responded, "No, we just have a few questions. It shouldn't take long at all. Look, Scarecrow, Mr. Thornton, if you want to go get a cup of coffee, we should be done in about 30 minutes."

Lee reached out for Amanda's hand as Harry reached for Christina's. Hand in hand the couples walked to the coffee shop downstairs. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Amanda commented, "Harry, that was awful nice of you to give Lauren that bank book. I'm sure it's gonna help a lot."

Christina put her hand over Amanda's, "And hopefully we can spend more time with her, helping. Maybe this is the start of a new relationship for them."

Amanda nodded, "I'm sure it will be."

Harry spoke up, "So what's going on with you two? Are you going to keep hiding?"

"No, no more hiding. A little deception but only for a short time. We are done with that nonsense," Lee said firmly.

Harry slapped him on the shoulder, "Good! It's about time, Lee. And I expect to hear even more good news from you both." Harry winked at him.

Amanda blushed, looking down, "Harry. We need to learn to be a family with my boys first. Then, maybe, you never know." She shrugged her shoulders.

Lee put his arm around her, smiling, "Yeah, Harry, you never know. I never thought I would find Amanda but look at us now." He leaned in and kissed Amanda's cheek lightly. Amanda reached up and ran her hand down his cheek lovingly.

Harry cleared his throat to get their attention. "Do you want to start heading back? Lauren should be just about done," he said smiling at them.

The two couples made their way back to Lauren's room. Agent Rockwood was just thanking her as they were leaving. "Scarecrow, I think we are all set. If we have any other question, Miss Proctor has willingly given us her contact information. She was very helpful. Tsipkin might not see anything other than bars for a few years so I'm sure she feels safe knowing that. Mr. Thornton, it was a pleasure to meet you sir."

"Thanks. Will you send a copy of the report up to DC as well? I'd like to keep my own complete if you wouldn't mind," Lee asked.

Amanda looked at him, a half smile on her face. Usually she was the one completing his files for him. Stifling a laugh she replied, "Yes, he likes to be thorough with his reports. So much so he usually has me go over them to make sure he didn't miss anything."

Lee laughed at Amanda's comment. "She's right. I do. But that's what a good partner does, right?"

This time it was Harry's turn to laugh. "Well, if you need anything else, Mr. Melrose has our contact information as well. Thank you for your help," Agent Miller shook hands with everyone just before they left.

Entering the room, Lauren was smiling at Charlie who was laying on her bed, kicking his feet. "I missed this. Just watching him. I know it sounds crazy but I did," she said. "I can't wait to get him home."

Dr. Olufsen entered the room behind everyone, "How does now sound?" In his hands were her discharge papers. "The nurses said your vitals have been perfect all morning, your blood tests came back normal. I don't see why you need to be here any longer. I just need you to sign a few things and you can be on your way."

"Really, now? Oh, thank you doctor. You don't know what that means to me," Lauren gushed.

She took the papers he handed her, signing all the marked lines as necessary. When she got to the last page regarding the financial responsibility, Harry reached out to put his hand on hers.

"I'd like to take care of that for you. Please. If it wasn't for me, this never would have happened. If I had stepped up all those years ago…" Harry started.

"You don't need to, Harry. I have insurance, it should cover it. But thank you. And you don't know what could have happened," Lauren rubbed his hand with her other one.

"Ok. But if you need anything, you will tell me, won't you?" Harry asked, his eyes pleading.

Lauren smiled, "I do need something. Can you pick up Charlie? He's a little restless on the bed."

Harry smiled back at her, "It would be my pleasure." Turning he picked up the baby, kissing his cheek as he did.

Once all the paperwork was signed Dr. Olufsen announced she was free to go and departed the room. Lauren stood, walking over to Amanda. She wrapped her arms around her in a silent hug, words not necessary to convey her meaning. Lauren then reached out to Lee and ran her hand down his arm, also in a silent thanks. Turning to Harry and Christina she offered, "Do you want to come by my home? See where Charlie and I live now?"

Harry's eyes teared up instantly so Christina answered for him, "We would love that."

"Amanda and I should get going. Lauren, if you ever need anything, please, don't hesitate. We have a few more things to take care of before we head back to DC. Harry, Christina? Will we see you back at the hotel?" Lee turned to them.

"No, Christina and I already checked out. We're going to head back later to DC. I'll see you both back there," Harry answered.

"Alright then, well, Amanda and I will get going then. Lauren," Lee nodded at her. He stopped at Harry, touching Charlie's feet one last time.

Amanda followed him, stopping to rub Charlie's little back. Smiling at Lauren, she said, "Anything you need."

Lauren smiled at the two of them, "Thank you."

Lee and Amanda left the hospital room, Amanda reaching for Lee's hand as they walked down the hall. Outside they stopped at Lee's car, Lee took both of Amanda's hands in his. "What would you like to do now? We can pack up and head back home if you want."

"Or, we can spend one more night here just being Mr. and Mrs. Stetson. No interruptions, no work," she said bringing their hands up to her chest.

"Well then, if that's the case, I just have one thing to do when we get to the hotel," Lee said, grinning.

"What's that?" Amanda asked, raising her eyebrow in question.

"I need to call your mother," Lee stated as he grinned like the proverbial Cheshire Cat. Leaning forward he kissed her, slowly.

* To be continued in A New Normal *