THE AGENCY

CONFERENCE ROOM

WEDNESDAY 2:30PM

"You both did a bang-up job on this case," Billy beamed and congratulated us from the opposite side of the conference table.

"Thank you, sir," I acknowledged, as Agent Andrew Johns grunted.

Billy turned to stare the man down. "You have a different opinion, Agent Johns?"

"Your people were in Mexico purely as a courtesy to assist with any American citizens we might have found at Tres Caballo. Instead of taking a back seat, they disobeyed my direct orders and-"

Dr. Smyth swiveled in his chair and blew smoke directly in Andrew's face, causing the man to pause his tirade and cough.

"Tigress and Scarecrow don't work for you – they work for me," Dr. Smyth spoke slowly, as if he were speaking to a young child. "They had their orders from me, and they followed them to the letter. Good thing too – otherwise the girls as well as your nephew could very well be in Timbuctoo at the moment instead of down the hall in one of our briefing rooms."

Andrew's face flushed a dark red, but he remained silent.

"Don't you think we had a need to know about your nephew before we left for Mexico?" I pressed him.

"I thought the boy had died with his mother – my sister – in that plane crash – I told you and Stetson all this down there," Andrew muttered.

"Yeah, after the fact," Lee stated. "But if we had known going in about your sister and nephew – about your family connection to the Martinez cartel-"

"No one knew!" Andrew exploded, jumping to his feet as his fist crashed down on the table. "If the DEA found out that I had ties to a major drug cartel, my career would have been over!"

"So, you kept silent about your sister's marriage to Junior Martinez. But then you couldn't pass up the opportunity to lead the raid on the Tres Caballo ranch – after all, you've been waiting years for this – to get revenge on the man responsible for your sister's death, isn't that right?" Billy questioned.

I frowned and leaned over to whisper in Lee's ear. "I thought Amy died in a plane crash – surely that was an accident?"

Lee held a finger to his lips, telling me to hold my question as we both watched the drama unfold.

"It was an accident," Andrew said the words faintly, without conviction, and in that moment, I knew the truth.

"She was leaving Junior." Everyone's eyes landed on me as I spoke the words aloud. "Amy had finally found the courage to leave her husband, hadn't she?"

For nearly a minute, no one spoke. Dr. Smyth continued to puff on his cigarette and Andrew stared at me with wide, unfocused eyes. Finally, he gave himself a little shake and collapsed back into his vacant chair.

"Five years ago, Amy called and said she was coming home – that she was leaving Junior and bringing Luis with her. I asked what happened, but she wouldn't tell me, she just said that her marriage was over. Then I asked if she needed help with anything – like plane tickets – and she laughed. She said Junior had left two days ago on a week-long business trip but that he hadn't taken his private plane. She and Luis would borrow it to fly home and then send it back to Mexico. I was worried about her plan, and I urged her to take a commercial flight, but she told me not to worry, that everything was fine, and she would see me in a day or two." Andrew paused and swallowed, before whispering the final words. "That's the last time I spoke to her. Four days later, Junior called and told me that my sister and nephew had died in a plane crash."

Dr. Smyth exhaled more smoke into the room as he asked, "Did Luis know his mother was running away – that she was taking him back to the states without his father's knowledge?"

Andrew shrugged. "I don't know – we haven't talked about the crash in any detail. Luis is hesitant to speak about that day. His mother didn't die on impact. Amy lived for a few hours but apparently had severe internal bleeding and trauma – she was in tremendous pain – but she was conscious some of the time. I don't know what they spoke about. I don't know what reasons she gave him for their trip – why they were leaving Mexico – perhaps she just told him they were going on vacation."

I felt the tears prick my eyes and I forced them back. Now was not the time for emotion – I could cry later for Amy – in the privacy and shelter of my husband's arms – away from Dr. Smyth's prying eyes.

"He was still a minor then?"

"Yes, he would have been – around sixteen, I think," Andrew frowned. "Why?"

Dr. Smyth shrugged. "Curious. He wasn't of legal age – a couple of more years and Junior would have brought him into the family business. Perhaps she was trying to get both of them out before that happened."

Andrew's eyes widened before his head bowed. "Dios Mio."

Dr. Smyth's right eyebrow arched. "Indeed."

Q BUREAU

3:15PM

"Lee?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that's what happened?"

"What?"

"That Amy was trying to save her son from her husband's legacy by getting them both out of the country – and Junior caught wind of her plan – and sabotaged the plane somehow?"

Lee sighed, his breath ruffling the hair on top of my head. "It's possible – even probable. But we'll never know for sure – unless Luis knows, and right now, I don't feel like interrogating a grieving twenty-one-year-old. Do you?"

"No." I snuggled deeper into his arms, burying my face in his chest, the tears starting to dry on my face.

We'd left the conference room without saying a word to anyone, without looking at each other for confirmation, and come straight up to our office. Lee had locked the door and I'd turned to find him holding out his arms for me. The tears were already flowing down my cheeks as he whispered my name and I flew into his embrace, and he cradled me against his chest. He continued to whisper softly in my ear as he led me in a sidestep dance over to the sofa and we sat down, still entwined. Lee held me for a long time, letting me soak the front of his shirt, before I pulled away slightly and began to talk about Amy and Luis, theorizing that perhaps Junior had somehow discovered her plan and sabotaged the plane. But Lee was right, there was no way to know for sure all these years later, unless Luis knew the answer and was willing to share.

I yawned. "Do you think the paperwork can wait until tomorrow or do we need to make a start?"

Before Lee could answer, the doorknob rattled and then a sharp knock sounded on the glass.

"Lee? Amanda? Open the door for a minute – it's Billy."

I sat up and reached for the box of tissues on the side table and blew my nose, while Lee stood and straightened his tie. He looked down at me with a question in his eyes as I dabbed my face with a second tissue. I motioned him towards the door, and he crossed the room to flip the lock.

"Hey Billy, what's up?"

"Sorry to bother you both, I know you're ready to head out but – Amanda, are you all right?"

I sniffed and smiled weakly. "Oh, yes sir, I'm just tired."

"Amanda, we've known each other for over four years – would you please call me Billy?"

I blinked in surprise. "I – ah – I'll try."

"Good. Now, Lee didn't say something insensitive and hurt your feelings, did he?"

Lee rolled his eyes behind our boss' back, and I tried not to giggle. "No, S-Billy. This case was just long and exhausting and full of surprises – not the good kind either – though we did get the girls back so that is something to celebrate. But Emily got hurt, and everything that happened to the girls, and Luis, and Amy-"

Billy crossed the room and squeezed my shoulder. "I know, Amanda. You have a good heart – and this case was emotionally draining –"

"I know, I need to work on that."

Billy frowned. "Work on what?"

"Distancing myself. Lee told me a long time ago that the hardest part of this job was the feelings and he is so good at putting them to one side and focusing on the job and I need to learn how to do that too-"

"NO!"

I jumped as both men shouted the word at me.

"I beg your pardon?" I frowned.

Lee came around Billy and sat beside me again, taking my hands in his. "Your feelings are part of what makes you so good at your job, Amanda. The way you read people, your intuition, the observations you make – the stuff they don't teach you at the Agency – all those things are what make you a damn good agent – and I've learned so much from you over the years. Don't ever change who you are-"

I gasped softly.

"What?" Lee queried.

"Nothing, I just – someone else gave me that same advice once."

"Oh yeah? Someone I know?"

I heard the hint of jealousy in his voice, and I swallowed my smile as I thought about the British accountant in pensions who so desperately wanted to be James Bond – but in the end learned that it was pretty cool to be James Pott.

I squeezed Lee's hands. "Yes, but no one you need to worry about."

Billy cleared his throat, and I turned my head to look at him. "Lee's right, Amanda. You've become one of my best agents – don't go changing things up on me now."

I laughed.

"Now, I came up here to tell both of you that I've taken you off the duty roster for the rest of the week-"

"Thanks, Billy!" Lee exclaimed but I frowned.

"What about our reports – and the debriefs – and the interviews with the girls-"

"All of that can wait until Monday. I thought the two of you would appreciate some time with your family-"

Lee held my hand as he pulled me to my feet. "We would."

"Sir – Billy," I corrected myself. "There is something I – we think you should know."

"Amanda-" Lee hissed in my ear. "Do you really want to do this now?"

I nodded furiously. "With the extra time off, it's the perfect time to tell them – I don't want to wait – do you?"

Lee shook his head.

"Spit it out you two, I have places to be."

"We wanted to let you know that we intend to tell the boys the truth about our jobs."

Billy took a deep breath and rocked back and forth on his heels. "You're sure they're old enough to keep this secret?"

I nodded. "The boys are twelve and fourteen-"

"What – already?" Billy shook his head. "Where does the time go?"

"I know. They were eight and ten when I met Lee and started as civilian auxiliary and look where we are now." I grinned up at Lee. "I think the boys can handle the truth, and besides, Mother already knows. They won't be able to talk about it outside the family, but it will be a family secret and we can all talk about it together."

Billy nodded. "It's a good idea. Let me know if you need anything – safety training classes or extra security installed in your home."

"Thank you."

Billy turned to leave but Lee called his name and he paused, his face a mask of puzzlement. "Was there something else, Scarecrow?"

"I know that you've been in our corner for years – that you've supported a personal relationship between us – and so, I just thought you should know – I mean it's going to come up in my security review in six months-"

Billy looked at me with a smirk. "Are your rambles contagious?"

"He's trying to tell you we're married."

Billy's mouth dropped open. "You eloped in Mexico?"

"No, no, no," I shook my head. "Not in Mexico – in Marion County – in February."

Realization dawned on Billy's face. "Your vacation! I should have known by how desperate you both were not to get tangled up in that case!" He laughed, but then sobered quickly as he took a step towards me. "Then, when you got shot in California, you were – oh God, Amanda."

I reached out and clasped one of his hands in mine. "I'm okay, Billy. I lived."

Billy clasped Lee on the shoulder with his free hand. "She's the best thing that's ever happened to you, Scarecrow. Never let her go."

Lee's eyes met mine and I smiled at the love shining in his eyes.

"You can count on it."

KING RESIDENCE

4247 MAPLEWOOD DRIVE

4:45PM

"Billy was happy for us."

"You thought he wouldn't be?"

"No, I knew he would be. I'm more worried about Francine and, God help us, Dr. Smyth."

"Well, I don't think you need to worry about Dr. Smyth – not after you rescued his great-niece and brought her back safe and sound. As for Francine – she's going to be too busy in the shooting range trying to beat your new high score-"

I groaned. "You heard about that?"

Lee laughed as he parked the 'Vette down the block from the house. "Fielding met us at the bullpen door and told us all about how you had gone toe-to-toe with Dr. Smyth and come out unscathed, with a new code name to boot! And while we were still reeling from that information, he crowed that you now held the second highest score in the agency on the shooting range. I didn't know Francine's face could turn that color!" Lee gave another chortle as he opened his car door and got out and I sank into my seat.

He opened my door, and I looked up at him, shaking my head. "Haven't you learned yet that Francine always finds a way to get me back? I honestly don't know what I've ever done to that woman, but she's never liked me, and I don't know why!"

"You don't know why?" He repeated as he drew me out of the car and into his arms. "Okay, first of all, you captivated me from day one – and that frustrated Francine no end because she once upon a time was one in a long line of women who tried to turn my head and hold my attention – and you somehow did it without even trying and have kept it all these years."

I smiled. "I did?"

His arms tightened around my waist. "Yes, you did, you little minx, and you know you did."

I dropped a quick kiss on his lips. "Are there more reasons?"

"Uh-huh. People like you as soon as they meet you – Billy, our co-workers at IFF – but Francine has a prickly exterior which turns a lot of people off."

"Oh Lee, that's sad. Everyone wants to be liked, even Francine. But I think that she's been hurt in the past by someone she let get too close – and now she's put up that prickly exterior as a defense mechanism- what?"

Lee's arms had dropped from my waist, and he was staring at me with wide eyes. "How do you know that? Has she talked to you about-"

I shook my head. "About whom? You mean I'm right? Lee, do you know something I don't?"

Lee ran a hand through his hair. "It was a long time ago - and I shouldn't tell you this – promise you won't tell her I told you?"

I nodded.

"She was engaged once – his name was Jonathan. He left her-"

"Oh Lee," I bit my lip, as understanding filled me.

"You promised," he lifted a finger and shook it in my face.

"Not a word," I vowed, capturing the digit, and kissing it. "Let's go home."

"Come on, it can be fun to sneak in the back."

I rolled my eyes but let Lee lead me around the back, past the French doors on the side, and we snuck up to the back door, crouching down as we saw the kitchen window was open and we could hear Dotty and the boys talking around the island.

"Grandma, when is mom going to be home?"

"She called from the office almost an hour ago, so depending on traffic, she should be walking through that door any minute now."

"Yeah, right," Philip scoffed. "I bet mom's still out of town on assignment with Lee."

My heart twisted at the bitterness I heard in his voice, and I looked up at Lee, feeling heartsick at the pain I saw in his eyes.

"Boys," Dotty soothed. "She told me she was back in town – she wouldn't lie to me."

"Mom's been lying to us about her work for years," Jamie stated.

My mouth fell open and I felt Lee's fingers tighten around mine.

"What are you talking about?"

"Grandma, you don't really believe she works for a film company, do you?"

"That's our cue," Lee whispered to me as he pulled me towards the back door.

"Mother? Boys? We're home!" I announced as I stepped inside, pulling Lee in with me.

"MOM!"

"LEE!"

Both of us were instantly engulfed in hugs and I looked over the boys' heads to see that Lee was overwhelmed by the greeting. He'd never been part of a homecoming like this, and I saw that he was temporarily speechless.

"Mom!" Philip chastised. "You didn't tell us that Lee was coming home with you!"

I grinned. "Surprise!"

Dotty laughed. "All right, fellas, back off and let your mom and Lee breathe for a minute. Welcome home, darlings!" She gave me and then Lee a quick hug. "Why don't you go on into the den and put your feet up. I'll bring you each a cup of coffee-" she gave us a questioning look and we nodded. "Good, and the boys can tell you what you've missed."

Jamie and Philip took our hands and dragged us to the sofa, chattering all the way about school and activities that they wanted to do with us now that we were home again. It wasn't until Mother brought in coffee on a tray that the subject of Joe's leaving was brought up.

"Did your dad say good-bye before he left?" I asked, looking at each of my boys for their reaction.

Philip and Jamie both dropped their eyes off mine.

"What's wrong?" I pushed the issue. "I thought he was going to take you out for pizza – I know I said I was going to call but the phone lines where we were sent for the location shoot was really lousy-"

"Where did you go, mom?" Jamie asked.

"Mexico – but don't change the subject, Jamie," Lee urged. "What aren't you telling us?"

"It was just kinda awkward," Philip explained. "Yeah, dad picked us up from school and took us out for pizza. But we had just gotten our food when Carrie showed up."

I frowned. "What was Carrie doing there?"

Jamie shrugged and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I don't know – but dad wasn't happy to see her. She tried to sit down with us, but dad grabbed her arm and the two of them went to another table to talk."

"Could you hear what they were saying?" Lee wanted to know.

"Nah," Philip shook his head. "They were too far away. But Carrie was crying, and Dad seemed mad, and then she left, and he came back to the table and told us he was going back to Africa."

"When I asked him why Carrie was sad, he said it was because he was going back to Africa without her," Jamie added. "I guess he broke her heart too."

I winced and opened my mouth to say something but shut it again because I didn't know what to say. Joe was gone now, and nothing I said would help the boys understand why – adult love was too complicated. Perhaps when they were adults and if they still had questions about their father leaving for the second time, I could sit them down and try to explain. But for now, this was one secret I was happy to keep.

"Boys, come and sit down. Lee and I have something we need to talk to all of you about."

Lee and I had been back from Mexico for two days. Lee had taken Jamie to the Smithsonian to see the history of photography exhibit, and then all three boys had gone to see 'Lethal Weapon'. Mother and I stayed home and had a girl's night, watching 'Casablanca' and eating popcorn. All of us had gone to the zoo together and had a picnic in the neighborhood park. We felt like a family, even though Lee left at night to return to his apartment across the bridge.

It was time to change that. Time to stop keeping secrets.

Lee barbequed burgers for supper and played catch in the backyard with the boys while Mother and I cleaned the kitchen. When we finished, we took out lemonade and cookies, calling the boys over to the picnic table.

"What's up, mom?"

I glanced nervously at Lee, who winked at me as he lifted a cool glass of lemonade to his lips. "I – ah, I suppose you all must be wondering when Lee and I are getting married-"

The boys groaned as Mother clapped her hands in glee. "Yes! Let's set a date – now, I don't think we should wait too long, but some of the family will need a bit of notice, so how about sometime in the fall-"

"Mother!" I interrupted. "There isn't going to be a wedding."

The boys' mouths dropped open as Mother stared at me. "No wedding? Amanda West King, what are you talking about? Don't you dare tell me that you've changed your mind? After these past few days-"

"MOTHER!"

Dotty's mouth snapped shut.

"There's not going to be a wedding because Lee and I are already married."

The silence was so deafening that if a pin had dropped, we all would have jumped.

Then Dotty squealed. "You eloped!"

"Yes."

"In Mexico! Oh Amanda-"

"No, not Mexico. Lee and I eloped in February-"

"In FEBRUARY!"

"Yes."

"Then, when you got shot in California-"

"We were on our honeymoon."

"I see. Excuse me." Dotty stood up and went inside the house, slamming the door behind her.

I took a deep breath and turned to focus on the boys who had remained uncharacteristically quiet during the entire conversation with their grandmother. Both boys were munching on cookies, staring at me and Lee with inscrutable looks on their faces.

"Well? What do you think, fellas?"

Philip shrugged and looked at Jamie, who pushed his glasses further up on his nose.

"So, you and Lee are already married?"

Both of us nodded.

"Does this mean we don't have to get dressed up in those extra fancy suits and walk you down an aisle in a church somewhere?" Philip wanted to know.

I fought to keep a smile off my face. "That's right."

"Lee is already our stepdad?" Jamie spoke in a whisper.

"I am," Lee replied, with a small smile, and he leaned over to ruffle Jamie's hair.

"Cool," Philip mumbled around a mouthful of cookies.

"Yeah, cool," Jamie echoed. "Can you move in with us now?"

Lee and I laughed as we sought each other's hand under the table and squeezed. The four of us continued to eat cookies and drink lemonade until the pitcher was empty and the plate held only crumbs.

"So, why didn't you tell us you were married when you got home from California?" Philip wanted to know.

"Yeah? Why the big secret?" Jamie questioned.

Lee cleared his throat. "Well, we intended to keep it a secret for awhile because of our jobs – no one at work knew we got married – they didn't even know we were dating."

Jamie nodded, but Philip looked at Lee in confusion.

"Why not?" Philip wondered. "Would your boss fire you for getting married?

"No, sweetheart," I reassured him. "I wouldn't get fired for marrying Lee."

"Then why keep it a secret?"

Jamie elbowed his brother in the ribs. "You really haven't figured it out yet, doofus? Mom and Lee are spies."

A/N: Oh snap! Even Jamie figured this one out? LOL We're almost at the end - but the muses are still having fun so there are a couple chapters left. Drop me a line in reviews! - it feeds the muses!