"Just what was I thinking?" Joe asked out loud half to himself, as he sat in the kitchen with his wrist wrapped in ice. "I've never hit anyone in my life; and I decide to try and hit a trained operative!"

"Yeah, Joe, count yourself lucky," Amanda said, as she walked back in the kitchen. She had gotten Lee to sit in the family room and to calm down; well, at least a little. "Lee could've really hurt you!"

"Yeah, he could have." Joe said. What had he been thinking when he and Amanda got divorced over four years ago? Or when he had taken the job in Eccostia in the first place; leaving his small boys and wife behind? And what did he expect was going to happen when he decided to come back for good?

"Amanda, can I speak to you for a moment...privately?" Joe asked, and looked towards the den where he could see Lee peering around the corner.

"You have just ten minutes," Lee hissed.

"Lee!" Amanda said. Joe and Amanda put their coats on and headed for the gazebo.

"Less, if I don't think things are going well," Lee shot back, his eyes never leaving Joe's direction.

/

"Lee," Dotty said, as she walked into the family room and patted Lee's back, "it's all going to be okay."

"Is it?" Lee asked.

"Of course, it is. Joe really isn't a bad guy….he is just a little misguided right now…but Amanda will set him straight on things."

Well, if she can't, I sure can. Lee thought to himself. "Hmm, if you say so…but what I really want to know is; how angry are you about finding out what Amanda does for a living?"

"Not that angry, a little bit angry but, I remember a few times that Amanda really did try to tell me that she was an intelligent….well, a spy but I didn't believe her. Something to do with needing us to get on a train because it was dangerous for us or something like that."

"Yes, I'm afraid that was true."

"Well, besides that incident…Amanda hasn't ever been in any danger, not any real danger….has she?"

"Ugh…"

"Lee, now, the lies have got to stop…I actually figured it out for myself, well that may not be completely true…I overheard you and Amanda talking about being spies one day…"

"Yes, it's true, we were talking about it."

"And Joe already knew, right?"

"Yes, but we never told him, he happened upon that information by chance because of a case we were on."

"I see! Was that the weekend the boys were at a church retreat?"

"Yes!"

"I can forgive you but in order for us to move on, move on as a family, me and the boys….we will need you to be completely honest from now on…is that understood Lee?"

"Yes it is."

"You and Amanda will have to tell the boys…about your jobs."

Lee nodded in agreement.

"And I can't say that I'm completely happy with the way Joe King acted this evening, but like it or not, you will need to work something out with him."

"I know this too Dotty."

"Okay, give them five more minutes and if they still look terse, you have my permission to go out there and help assist things along."

"Okay then!" I think I just might like having a mother-in-law.

/

"After the way you acted tonight, Lee is right, you have ten minutes buster!"

"Amanda, I am so sorry, for knocking you down. I didn't mean to..."

Amanda said once they were outside. "I don't understand you. What in the world is really going on with you?" Amanda asked Joe.

"Amanda, I-I can't exactly explain it. First, when I came back last time; I really did want you back. I had begun to miss you and well, the boys while I was away and I thought that well, we could be a family again."

"But Joe, you and I have been divorced for some time now and I have dated in the past; it wasn't like I suddenly joined the nunnery since our divorce," Amanda said, in a strained voice as she attempted to keep her temper at bay.

Joe ran his fingers through his hair. "I guess I just hadn't figured that you were seeing anyone...not seriously, that is. "

"Joseph King, do you know what I think...I think you were just lonely."

"Amanda, I—"

"Joe, come off it!"

"Okay perhaps the first time I came back that was the case but then while I was away again, and I remembered just how strong you were and how well you handled yourself at the hotel, that made me want you even more."

"But Joe, once you saw that I was dating Lee, seriously; what exactly did you think I was going to do with him? Put him in my back pocket, break up with him? And what did you suppose you were going to do with me; keep me back here in Arlington still, a lonely housewife with two kids; no job, no prospects, no life….well, I'm sorry you thought that was going to be the case…that you moved back here thinking that we were going to get back together. "

Joe stood there and listened to Amanda and when she was done, all he could do was shrug his shoulders.

Amanda opened her mouth to say something; she heard the screen door open and Lee walked out and stood by her.

"Everything okay?" Lee asked.

"Joe?" Amanda asked as she glanced over at him.

"Yes, everything is okay," Joe said quietly.

Amanda glanced at Lee and made eye contact; after Lee nodded back; Amanda turned to Joe. "We were just going to have a small celebration; go out for some pizza, did you want to join us?"

"No, but thanks…can you tell the boys I'll call them later."

"Sure." Amanda said and watched Joe as he walked towards the back gate, his head held down.

Story now complete

Excerpt from Chances/Challenges and Taking Risks

Joe got out of the cab several blocks from his hotel; his mind still in a daze; after the events of the evening. He thought that a walk would help to clear his mind. Damn, what a blow to his ego! Joe thought as he moved slowly along the streets. He just couldn't believe it; Stetson had actually proposed to Amanda and to make matters even worse, she had said yes! You were such a fool! What did you think, That no one else would want Amanda unless they weren't in their right mind? Well, that was that! Now, he was resigned to staying here; he'd quit his job and accepted a new one! It would give you a chance to get to know your boys now! Selfish, you hadn't thought about them, not really like that until now!

Joe was just about at his hotel, was crossing the alley, when suddenly he felt a blow to the back of his head.

"I think I hear someone coming!" Joe vaguely heard a raspy voice say just as he fell to the ground, before passing out.

To be continued