Chapter 15: In Which Billy Checks In on the Situation

When Lee and Amanda walked into the office, Mrs. Martsen sent them downstairs to Billy's office. They exchanged glances as they went in the elevator.

"I wonder what Billy wants," Lee commented.

"I don't know, I left him a message saying we'd be in a little late, but we are actually early," Amanda said with a shrug.

Once they stepped out of the elevator, they headed right towards Billy's office and after knocking on the door, they walked right on in.

"Good morning, Amanda, Lee!"

"Good morning, Sir!"

"Good morning, Billy!"

"Lee, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Lee responded immediately.

"Amanda, I'm sorry, I didn't get your message til this morning. I tried to call your house and let you know to stay home."

"Billy, I'm fine really."

"Amanda how about you? I understand it was late when the fire broke out and then you went by Lee's."

"I'm fine too, Sir."

"Well, I want you two to take it easy today and you both were already off the roster for tomorrow anyway..."

"Yes, Sir!" Lee and Amanda responded in unison.

"That's it for now," Billy said, "but Lee, can you stay for a minute?"

"Sure, Billy!" Lee responded.

"I'll meet you back in the office, Lee. I have some phone calls to make."

"Okay, Amanda," Lee responded.

Amanda closed the door as she left the office.

Lee sat down and waited for Billy to speak.

"Hey, so how are things proceeding with Amanda? I wanted to check in, haven't had a chance to see how things were going."

"They are going well. I think that anytime now, I should be able to ask her to marry me."

"Okay, I'm glad to hear it….." Billy said but paused. "I've been thinking, that well, besides me and Francine, no one else really knows about your and Amanda's relationship do they?"

"No, they don't. Why, what are you getting at?" Lee asked and stood up.

"Well, when she says yes, and she will say yes, it's Dr. Smyth that you two may have to deal with."

"Deal with how, Billy? It's not as though we have been hiding anything now, we just haven't been public-you know we try to remain professional at work."

"Well, you know how Dr. Smyth is, just keep doing that, being professional and then there shouldn't be a problem."

"Better not be a problem!"

"Lee, now, don't blow up; I'm just thinking ahead. You know that I'm for you and Amanda…I've always thought you two were a great team and as marriage partners, you two will be amazing."

Lee smiled at the thought.

"So, what happened with the fire? I know someone was cooking or something and there was minimal damage…."

"Yeah, but because the tenant whose apartment the fire was in is on my floor, my apartment suffered significant smoke and though there is little to no physical damage, my apartment will need repainting. I'll need some new clothes, dry clean some things and get some new furnishings-or not, if everything turns out right…"

"So, you staying at your club?"

"Oh umm, I'm staying at Amanda's, for now, should only be a few days."

"I see! Well, that's good on so many levels—gives you the perfect opportunity to show Amanda what a great helper you are, how good you are with the boys…."

"Yeah, the boys were elated when I fixed breakfast this morning and they couldn't be any happier when I dropped them off at school with Amanda." Lee said with his chest puffed up at the thought of the morning events.

"Well, things seem to be progressing rather nicely. I started things rolling for the train and for the hats; I should have everything sewn up soon."

"Perfect."

"Now, if we can only get Amanda on board—no pun intended—we'll be ready."

"Well, I'm working on it."

"Keep me posted."

"I will."

/

Lee returned to the Q-Bureau several minutes later and was at his desk looking through some paperwork and Amanda was making some calls when Francine walked in. Francine nodded towards Amanda as a form of greeting but practically ran to Lee's desk. "Oh, I was so scared when I heard about that fire, I tried to reach you..."

"It was nothing, just a little fire. Damn neighbor left something on the stove, again!"

"Whoa! Well I'm glad to see that you are ok." Francine wiped her brow. "Don't go scaring me like that again," she said as she punched him in the arm.

"I won't Francine!" Lee replied sarcastically.

By this time, Amanda had hung up the phone and had caught the last of the exchange with Lee and Francine.

Amanda greeted Francine but then fell silent as she listened to the two talk for a few minutes. As she had already admitted to Lee, she had been more than a little afraid herself. What if he had been seriously hurt in the fire or even something worse and what would she have-nothing, but a few months of memories. If she really loved Lee, and she did, then didn't she want to make it permanent and take the bitter with the sweet?

"Amanda?" Francine cut into Amanda's thoughts. "I was asking you if you were okay. You were looking rather pale, even for you…"

"Francine!" Amanda said.

"I'm just kidding. A girl still gotta have fun. But seriously, are you okay, it did look as though you'd lost your color there for a moment."

"No, I'm fine."

"Well, Scarecrow, I'm glad you're okay. I better get out of here before Billy calls looking for me."

"See you later Francine!" Amanda said.

"Bye Amanda, see you Scarecrow!" With that said, Francine left.

Lee came closer to Amanda and sat on the edge of her desk. "Amanda, are you sure you're okay?" Lee asked, forever concerned about Amanda, as he touched her hand gently.

"I'm fine; just thinking."

"About what?"

"Oh, this and that."

"You're not gonna tell me?" Lee asked as he ran his fingertips along her arm.

"Was just thinking about how much I love you and about how I wouldn't want to lose you."

"I told you before, 'I ain't going anywhere, Amanda King.'"

"I'm sure glad."