Chapter Ten - Rock Creek Park - afternoon of the last day

Francine Desmond couldn't believe her eyes. She was sitting on a park bench in Rock Creek Park. She witnessed Lee Stetson and Amanda King having a picnic under a big oak tree and they were kissing. This was no cover kiss as Francine knew that Lee was still under doctors orders to stay at home. This was real. They were really a couple. Before Francine could stop herself she scrambled to get her shoes back on and headed over towards their picnic blanket. They were too wrapped up in themselves to even notice her.

She cleared her throat and said "Well, I guess Amanda was right about your four black books. It certainly looks as if Lee Stetson is officially off the market. And by a housewife from Arlington."

Lee and Amanda looked up and saw Francine standing there with her arms crossed in front of her. Amanda put her head down and shook her head as Lee stood up. He brushed any grass and crumbs off his jeans and reached for Amanda. He pulled her up and immediately wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. He glared at Francine. "What in God's name are you doing here Francine? I mean nature doesn't suit you."

Francine returned the glare and spat out "I could say the same thing to you Scarecrow. I never pegged you for a picnic in the park kind of guy. You tend to like indoor picnics better, if you know what I mean"

Lee could hardly keep his anger in check. He usually tolerated Francine and her quips about his past and would brush them off. But lately he hated hearing about his past….especially when someone mentioned it around Amanda. He wanted a life…a future with her and he didn't want to tarnish it with stories of his sordid past to change her opinion of him.

"Francine, it's a nice day and I am feeling much better. The doctor didn't say I had to stay cooped up in my apartment the whole time. If it's any of your business, I was the one who suggested to my partner AND girlfriend that it was a nice day for a picnic!"

Francine raised her eyebrows at them "Girlfriend huh? Well there will be a dozen broken hearts in the Steno pool when they find out that you have a girlfriend." She pondered a minute and continued her assault on the couple " And the gossip hounds will have a hey day knowing that you and Amanda are some casual thing"

Lee stared at her and said "What Amanda and I have is no one's business. This isn't some casual affair. I am not that man anymore."

Francine laughed "Oh come on Lee! You will always be that man. Seriously….I should have seen this coming. But I didn't want to believe it."

This time Amanda piped up "Well believe it Francine. Lee and I are a couple. We are partners. Why can't you just be happy for us?"

Francine almost felt sorry for Amanda. She didn't know Lee like she did. "Oh Amanda. Don't get too comfortable being the girlfriend. It won't last, honey. Lee isn't the type to have relationships."

Lee's anger was boiling at this point and he could sense Amanda's wasn't too far behind him. He blurted out "Francine, I am in love with Amanda. Plain and simple. We love one another."

Francine's eyes got wide and her mouth opened in shock. Love? They were in love. Lee Stetson doesn't fall in love. This can't be happening. She thought to herself.

Amanda stepped away from Lee and looked at both of them. She was angry and needed to get away from both of them at that moment. Francine just couldn't stop bringing up Lee's past and the fact that Amanda was nothing more than a housewife. The entire Agency knew that Amanda King was so much more than that. She knew that it was just plain jealousy that flew through Francine and she didn't understand what was happening to Lee. He wasn't the same man she knew before Amanda came into his world of espionage.

"That's it! I am pulling rank right now. For one more day I am one level higher than both of you so that makes me the boss today! So right now you are going to listen to me for a change. Francine, Lee is right. Somehow along the way we fell in love with one another. I know that it's not normal in your world but in mine as you always seem to remind me where I belong it happens more than you think. I have loved Lee for a long time and he admitted the same. We were both afraid of what we feel for one another. But I am not going to stand here and let someone that doesn't understand or let alone care …ruin my perfect day! You are jealous of what you don't understand. I used to feel sorry for you…I don't anymore. I am not going to deny my feelings for Lee or worry about what the gossip patrol at the Agency thinks."

She turned towards Lee and said "Sweetheart…I am going to take a walk by myself. Don't follow me. I will meet you by the car." She then turned towards Francine "I will see you at work on Monday when you can continue to remind me that I am just a housewife from Arlington."

With that Amanda walked away from both of them. Lee stopped himself from running after her. He knew how she was when she was angry and upset. She needed some space. He turned to Francine and said "I guess you and I should talk, huh?"

Francine was in shock. Amanda never talked to her like that. She knew she was wrong for what she had said. She needed to understand and hear from Lee. Then talk to Amanda. She nodded and said "Lee. I am sorry. Man, she really laid into me didn't she?' Lee chuckled and said "I tried to tell you that she's something else. It's one of the many reasons I fell in love with her. She's my Amanda."

Francine stared at her oldest friend and sighed. He really loves her. He's changed right in front of me and I didnt see it. She smiled at Lee and said "Wow. You really do love her don't you? I guess Amanda was right. People can change. You're not the man you used to be, are you?"

Lee shook his head. "Francine, I haven't been that guy in a long time. When I realized that I was in love with Amanda I knew that I needed to be worthy of her. I hope you can accept us and be supportive. I don't know what Billy or Dr. Smyth will say about us dating. I mean she's still Civilian Auxiliary … .but I just don't want anything to screw this up for us."

Lee bent down and grabbed the blanket and started to fold it. Francine offered her help in folding it. They continued their chat. "Lee, I am sure Billy knows all about you and Amanda. I think he's been encouraging it from the start. Now that I think back on the past few years since she's been around he's been pushing the two of you into working together. Think about it."

Lee smiled as he realized Francine was right. Billy had thrown Amanda in with him. Maybe he saw something from the start. Lee knew that he would have to talk to Billy about it on Monday. He knew that he needed to do some serious damage control with Amanda once he got back to the Vette. Francine hugged the folded blanket and continued "As for Dr. Smyth I wouldn't worry about anything. You know that one word from me at the water cooler will stop any and all inquiries about the status of Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Any and all rumors will be put to bed ….so to speak" She grinned at him and they laughed. Lee took her hand. "You would do that for us? Keep the gossip hounds at bay?"

"Lee, it's the least I can do. I was just handed a new one by Amanda King. She certainly knows how to knock someone off a pedestal that's for sure. I have some serious groveling to do so I can get back on her good side."

Lee raised his eyebrows at her and she laughed "I know that I am petty and snarky to her. But she gives it right back to me. Today is proof of that. I see that she's more than just a housewife. She's a great partner for you. Really. I guess she is right that I may be a tad jealous."

Lee laughed "Oh really?"

Francine tossed the blanket back at Lee and said "Certainly not jealous of you Stetson! I have no idea what Amanda King sees in you!" Lee laughed as he picked up the picnic basket and they started walking. Francine continued " Amanda was right in the fact that I am jealous that you finally found it. Love. I think maybe there's hope for me too if the great Scarecrow can find it…maybe so can I."

" I am sure you will someday. Trust me I am still trying to get used to the idea. It's easy with Amanda so that helps. I can't help but love her. She's one in a million.``

Francine rolled her eyes at him and said "Ugh, are you going to be this nauseating from now on? I don't know if I can handle it."

Lee laughed and said "Can't help it if I am. Guess this is what happens when you fall in love."

Francine frowned at him and said " Then I take back what I said about falling in love. Maybe I don't want to!"

Lee walked Francine to her car and she offered to pay for dinner for Lee and Amanda. She said she would call Emilio's herself and set it up. She knew she had to make things up to Amanda. Lee thanked her and he headed back to the Vette. He thought about Amanda and what had happened before Francine interrupted them. She told him that she loved him. In the whole mess with Francine he didn't have time to process the fact that Amanda King loved him! Lee Stetson was in love and was loved back. He was right when he told Francine that he had to be worthy of Amanda's love. He had it and it made him the happiest man in the world. He stood a little taller as he made his way towards Amanda.

Amanda took off in a huff after blowing up at Francine. She knew she shouldn't have done that and was horrified that she even pulled her temporary status on both of them. Good grief Amanda! What were you thinking? Oh! Francine just makes me so angry sometimes. I knew that Lee was getting mad at her too but I just couldn't take it anymore. She's just jealous…is she jealous that I am with Lee? That Lee chose me over her. No…that can't be it. They were never a thing….it was over before it ever started. According to Lee anyway. I trust him to tell me the truth regarding that. He wouldn't lie to me about something like that. He loves me after all.

Amanda stopped in the middle of the walkway. Lee Stetson loves her. Oh My Gosh! Lee loves me! He really did say that before we were so rudely interrupted! And you told him that you loved him. Oh my gosh! This is happening. Now I feel awful. She shook her head and just continued to walk towards the car and forced herself to think about the fact that Lee actually said the words I love you to her.