"I can't believe my mother," Amanda said as she walked down the corridor.
"Well, you gotta love her though, Amanda. She's just looking out for you."
"Was she looking out for me last night when she suggested we sleep in the same bed?"
"No, I think she was looking out for me," Lee said with a laugh but then grunted after Amanda jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow. "I'm just kidding."
"Well," Amanda stopped talking as she walked up towards Dr. Smythe's room and saw Joe just a few feet ahead of Smythe's room. "Joe, there you are, we were just looking for you, weren't we Lee."
"Yeah, that's right!" Lee chimed in at the sight of Joe as he approached them.
"So, Joe, how long have you been back in the states?"
"Just a few days."
"And, when exactly were you going to tell me and the boys that you were back?"
"I was going to call you…I swear…I just wanted to get my bearings first before I phoned you." Joe said rather hesitantly, as he looked from Amanda to Lee; unsure of just how he felt telling his personal business in front of Lee Stetson.
"Get your bearings? Joe, what exactly does that mean?" Amanda asked quickly catching the look on Lee's face.
"Amanda, I had hoped to talk to you later, more in private…" as he glanced at Lee.
"I can go in and see Dr. Smythe…" Lee started, but Amanda cut him off.
"No, Lee, you can stay."
"I've decided to move back to the United States, more specifically, to come back to Arlington."
Amanda and Lee were both rendered speechless.
"King, Stetson!" Dr. Smythe came out stood at his hospital room door. "This is a hospital." Amanda nearly froze in her tracks at Dr. Smythe's presence whereas Lee was still glaring at Joe, totally blown away by the fact, that he didn't hear him walk up. The fact that he would come back to Arlington and not only did he not tell Amanda, he didn't say anything to the boys either.
"Hello Dr. Smythe," Amanda said.
Lee realized now that Dr. Smythe was there at the door and turned his head towards him. "Dr. Smythe, we were just on our way in to see you."
"Well, it's about time. And who is this?" Dr. Smythe asked as he looked Joe up and down.
"Joe, Joe King, Sir."
"King, oh, the hubby, ex-hubby."
Joe offered out his hand. "Hello," but Dr. Smythe turned back to Amanda.
"There was quite a noise out here; any problems?"
"No, Sir." Amanda said quickly.
"Good; then kiddies, finish up, then come in and see me." Dr. Smythe said to Amanda and Lee and then nodded towards Joe. "King."
"Amanda, who is he?" Joe asked.
"He is head supervisor over IFF. You and I need to finish this conversation later."
"How about I come by later?" Joe asked hopefully, in spite of the fact that Lee was standing there.
"No, not tonight," Amanda looked over at Lee, trying to decide how much she wanted to tell Joe at this point. "I have plans this evening; besides, you and I need to talk before you come over. How about I call you later this evening?"
"Okay. Bye Amanda, Lee."
/
"So, that's the little hubby?" Dr. Smythe said as Lee and Amanda entered the room. "The night I was snatched I thought I saw Jack and Jill in the park taking a walk. Could it be true that it was you two?"
"Well, Dr. Smythe…" Amanda began.
"We have been seeing…." Lee tried to explain.
"Relax kiddos; usually I'd give you some flak about it; but I'm not going to, not this time. I understand that you were part of the team that came and rescued me.
"Yes, Sir!" Lee and Amanda said in unison.
"You and Mrs. King were in the warehouse at the end of the rescue and I understand that Mrs. King was grazed by a bullet while rescuing me. I didn't know you had it in you."
"Well, Sir…"
"That's correct Dr. Smythe," Lee finished for Amanda knowing that she would never take the credit herself.
"I take it things are serious between the two of you."
"Yes, Sir!" Again was said in unison.
"That ex of yours—I take it is not too thrilled…" Dr. Smythe said, but continued on. "Well, you let me know if you have any problems with him."
"We will Sir!" Amanda said.
Dr. Smythe gave them a nod and they knew that they had been dismissed.