"Joe, I wasn't expecting…" Amanda began.
"No, I know…" Joe replied.
"Didn't we talk about you calling before you came, I only just got home."
"Well, Amanda, this is important…I took the chance that you would be home."
"Okay, Joe, what's so important?" Amanda asked, clearly annoyed. Amanda felt Lee step up behind her.
"Dotty, boys and Lee!" Joe acknowledged shortly before he asked, "What in the world were you doing on the train platform, wearing a sexy dress?"
"What?" Amanda asked incredulously.
"A few days ago, the cab I was in almost ran into your car near the train station. I had the cabbie follow you to see if you were okay."
"Oh my gosh, that was you. That cab driver nearly crashed my car!"
"Yes, he did! It was the cab ride from hell. I didn't even know it was your car, not at first, but when we made it to the train station, well I saw you run and get on the train…"
"And?" Lee asked this time.
"And you were wearing high heel shoes and a sexy dress," Joe said, his eyes upon Amanda. "Just where were you going? I phoned your mother to ask her about it and she said that Stetson was going to propose…" As he said this, his gaze fell down upon her ring finger, stopping any further conversation as his mouth flew open.
"Yes, that's right, Lee proposed and I said yes!" She looked over at Lee for a moment before her eyes flashed back at Joe. "Have you forgotten that you and I are no longer married? What I do is of no concern of yours."
"But Amanda," he began, his voice slightly raised.
"Joe you need to calm yourself down," Lee said as he stepped even closer to Amanda and draped his arm around her protectively.
"You stay out of it. If it wasn't for you, I might have a chance to get my wife and my family back."
"Give me a break! You left them years ago physically and you were checked out both physically and mentally even before that," Lee said.
"What would you know about my marriage?"
"I know enough!"
"It's your fault that she is in the line of work she's in now!"
"You mean mom's film work Dad?" Philip asked from behind them.
"Boys, go up to your room," Amanda said. "Get ready for us to go out."
"Augh Mom!" Jamie sighed.
"Do as your mother said, we'll go out soon, I promise," Lee lamented.
Still with some grumbling, Philip and Jamie sauntered up the stairs as the adults remained half in and half out of the doorway.
"And what kind of work is that Joe?" Dotty asked.
"He means our film documentaries…" Amanda said quickly.
"You know the spy business," Joe said "going away, leaving the boys, pretending you are married…for some case…well, I suppose you won't have to lie anymore when you go away... sneaking around." Joe choked out.
"Joe King that is enough!" Dotty protested. "I know all about IFF."
"You do?" Amanda and Lee asked simultaneously.
"I know enough and Amanda would never do anything to put either me or the boys in any danger."
"That's exactly it, Amanda, aren't some of the things you have to do dangerous?"
"Joe, we can talk about IFF later. Right now we are talking about my relationship with Lee and your disregard for the relationship." Amanda said.
"I think the two go hand in hand."
"Joe, if you have some concerns, I'm sure that our supervisor would be..." Lee trying to take a different approached, began but Joe cut him off.
"I don't need to talk to anyone. I know what I saw at the hotel."
"Joe, Amanda handled herself beautifully," Lee tried again, a hint of pride in his voice.
"That may be true, but I'm concerned about," Joe paused as he attempted to think of what exactly he was so upset about. "the boys."
"Right!" Lee spat out. "You didn't seem all that concerned months ago when you were here."
"Lee is right, why didn't you say something then?"
"I even asked you if you knew anything…" Dotty said.
"I didn't think about it, not until recently."
"Sure, seems convenient now that we are engaged," Lee said, fire in his eyes.
"I am concerned for the boys, whether you believe me or not. But right now, I've had enough of you!" Joe moved forward towards Lee, pulled Amanda from Lee's embrace, pushing her to the side; causing Amanda to fall on her butt before Lee could grab her. Joe balled his fist and aimed towards Lee, who grabbed Joe's fist and twisted it until he had his hand behind his back.
"Ouch!" Joe screamed out.
"Amanda, are you okay?" Lee asked.
"Yes, I'm okay."