Unfinished Business, Unresolved Feelings chapter 4
Billy and Lee stood looking at each other uncomfortably, both dreading the conversation that was about to begin. Lee decided that if he couldn't avoid this conversation he would prefer to get it over with as soon as possible.
"Usually when I have company I urge my guests to make themselves at home but in this case it looks as though you've already made yourself at home" Lee said while gesturing at the coffee and cookies Billy was putting out. "I've been late for work before but this is the first time you've ever broken into my apartment to provide a personal wake up. I would have thought that you'd have more important matters to deal with", Lee concluded and dropped down on his couch.
Billy decided that if their conversation was to be productive he couldn't afford to allow himself to be provoked by Lee's attitude. He sat down in the armchair that was opposite the sofa where Lee was sitting sullenly.
"This is the first time that you've failed to respond to very urgent phone messages that I left on your machine. I made it perfectly clear that I needed to speak to you immediately. When you didn't call me back and then you didn't show up for work this morning I got worried about you."
"Well, I ,ah…didn't sleep too well last night", Lee answered without looking at Billy.
"I'm not surprised. Passing out on the couch isn't usually conducive to a good nights sleep" Billy responded while pushing a cup of coffee across the table to Lee.
"Hey. I didn't plan on getting drunk. It just happened. I've had a lot to deal with lately in case you haven't noticed." Lee tentatively reached for the coffee cup that Billy had put in front of him.
"How could I possibly have not noticed your personal meltdown? You have defied numerous direct orders, abused your security clearance, killed a man and-"
"Now, wait a minute-", Lee interrupted.
"You wait; I'm not even close to being finished. You killed a man that I specifically ordered you to stay away from and in the process you almost got yourself and your partner killed. You are so lucky that you and Amanda walked away from that situation. That you don't care about your own future is nothing new but I really thought that Amanda's well being was important to you.
"Of course Amanda's well being is important to me. I would never intentionally put her in any danger. She shouldn't have followed me to Blackthorne's mansion yesterday…that was something I needed to handle on my own", Lee attempted to defend himself.
"Don't you dare try to blame Amanda for trying to keep you from self destructing. You knew she would follow you. She always does when she thinks you're in danger. If she hadn't you'd be dead…because she did she could have been killed also. We both know that Blackthorne wouldn't have thought twice about killing you both in order to protect his secrets. Instead of sitting here watching you feel sorry for yourself I'd be trying to explain Amanda's death to her family. I'd have to tell them everything. They'd have a right to know the truth about how she died."
"No! You can't do that. It would be as though they were losing her twice if you told them that she'd been lying to them for such a long time." Lee jumped up and strode towards the partially opened drapes across the room. " Amanda's been right all along. She shouldn't be lying to her family. All the lying has to stop now…before it's too late."
"Lee, calm down. Amanda is fine. I don't have to tell her family anything. Nothing has to change. Amanda is very happy with her new status as an agent candidate. She understands why you both have to be punished for your recent behavior. I'll make certain that her part in your recent escapades won't hurt her career."
"It's not her career I'm worried about. Her whole life is based on a lie. I have to convince her to stop living this way before it's too late. She has to leave the Agency", Lee exclaimed while raking his hand through his already unkempt hair.
Billy sat stunned by his favorite agent's outburst.