Amanda found Lee back in Q with three files and another cup of coffee. "Sweetheart, don't drink so much coffee," she urged. "That's the fourth cup and it's not even 10:30 yet."
"Green tea detox starting tomorrow," he vowed with a wink. "Here, my contacts," he slid the folders to her. "First up, Bela Sobova."
Amanda studied the picture of a distinguished gentleman just entering the autumn of his life. "Oh, Lee, he's the head chef at the embassy!" she exclaimed. "I could have used him when Phillip had his geography project, mother and I tried to make an authentic Czeck meal, and I just know I messed it up somehow."
Lee smiled and brushed a glossy lock of dark hair behind her ear. "I'm sure you didn't. I prefer not to remember that particular project," he grimaced.
"Phillip did get an A+ on that assignment though," Amanda smiled. "From all of this, he doesn't seem the type to prefer dance clubs of any kind."
"He's a bit of a character like T.P." Lee replied. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they know each other from their numerous gourmet interests. His grandfather was head Chef at the embassy during the war, his father ran the garage, and Bela went back to the kitchen. It was his grandfather's obsession with Jazz and dance that started Bela's interest in burlesque. Before his wife died, they'd go to the clubs together."
"Promise me, mother and he will never meet! I'm still recovering from Harry," Amanda groaned.
"Don't worry, I think his heart is still married to Alix," Lee assured.
"He sounds like a nice man. How did he come to be one of your family?"
"Oh, about three years before we met, Eric and I were at a drop at the embassy Christmas party, and we were double-crossed. Our meet tried to poison our food. Bela got the guy and decided that his kitchen was not going to be used for assassinations. He was furious, almost chopped the guy to pieces with his cleaver. Eric had to drag the bad guy out while I held down Bela," Lee reminisced, a winsome look in his eye.
Amanda took his hand in hers. Even after all this time, Lee rarely mentioned Eric. She could feel the ache it caused him. "So, which of you got the most numbers for your books that night?" she winked.
"Amanda!"
"Well?" she insisted, waggling her eyebrows.
"Fine!" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands. "I got ten, but Eric got Maureen O'Dell's."
"Ah, he beat you for the redhead," Amanda laughed. "Should I wear a red wig tonight," she teased.
"Amanda, watch it," he warned in the same tone he told her to stay in the car.
"Okay, okay, killjoy!"
"I'll show you who's a killjoy when this drop is over," he growled. T.P.'s ringtone blared from his cell, and he picked it up with a grin. "Hey T.P. what's up."
"Lee, my boy! Rumor has it you'll be a very busy young man tonight and I know your eating habits. You need to keep up your strength. Meet me at Spencer's for lunch, I'll buy the steaks provided you eat your spinach," the genial academic chirped. "I'd ask you to bring your lovely Amanda, but I know she has a full day of work, and she knows how to care for herself properly."
"What! Of course, Amanda will come for lunch!" Lee objected as he saw Amanda shake her head no.
"Lee, you have escorted enough dancers of every conceivable verity to know that to choreograph and rehearse a routine like this should take at least a week not ten hours. Let Mrs. King do her part and come to lunch," the elder man reproached, ending the call.
Amanda opened her mouth to placate him, but his words cut her off. "Before you say anything answer me one question. Did I or did I not put a ring on your beautiful finger yesterday?"
Her loving smile glowed. "You did."
"Then why has the universe conspired to make our first full day, like this?" he snorted.
"We haven't been shot at or chained to each other in a swamp," she answered putting her hands on his shoulders."
"I'd give up the Vette to be chained to you right now!" he sighed.
"In ten minutes, you'll forget you said that. Listen, what's really bothering you, it can't still be my dancing. You're not that petty."
"I had a plan," he groaned. "Today was supposed to be a busywork, boring paper day. I was going to make you lunch, maybe have a picnic. We would talk about how to introduce me formally to Dotty and the boys. I was planning to get out early, maybe take us all to a movie."
"Oh, Lee," Amanda sighed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his temple from behind. Tonight, wouldn't have worked out. Phillip has basketball practice, and Jamie his drums lesson and tonight's a school night. Besides, mother has a date with Captain Curt. I just hope he knows he's not exclusive on her dance card."
Despite himself Lee laughed. "I'm glad she isn't twenty years younger. It would have been torture trying to figure out which of the West ladies was the one for me."
"I'd never be in the running," Amanda laughed. "Mother outclasses me, and I know it."
A frown etched itself on Lee's brow. "I was joking!"
"I know, but it's the truth," Amanda replied, taking the other two files to her own desk.
"Why would you think your mother outclasses you, Amanda? It's absurd!" Lee insisted.
"Oh, Lee, you really are too sweet at times," Amanda smiled. "But let's face facts, I'm thin and athletically built. If I didn't know how to place the gores in my skirt for good hip-spring and wear my hair longer I'd look like the boys from the back," she murmured. "You know all about those tricks."
"Amanda!"
"I know you think I'm beautiful, Lee, that's all that matters. Now, I'll finish reading these and listen to the song I chose to start choreographing. Tap me gently if I need to take the earphones out."
Knowing her dedication to the work he gazed at her with her notepad and the files on his contacts, feeling his chest swell, bursting with pride. When he first spotted her at the train station, desperation and instinct fueled his actions. Later cold facts told him Amanda King was not Agent material. Yet, instinct overwhelmed fact, in his world. She'd become an incredible operative in her own right and conquered his heart in the process. 'Tap you gently? I'm gonna kiss you senseless, my Amanda.'
Billy entered wardrobe just as Francine put the finishing touches on Amanda's costume. "Not what I expected," he remarked.
"I know. I thought she'd go naughty bedside bluebell or maid," Francine remarked. "Still, since this club isn't too exclusive a lot of noncom's and enlisted men will go. It's not a bad choice."
"Add four stars and Lee to the nameplate," Billy instructed.
Francine's mouth fell open. "Are you kidding?"
"Certainly not. You of all people should understand how some men respond to a woman in power, Francine," Billy smiled. Besides, Lee's contacts don't know Amanda, the other people in the club will probably not notice."
"Lee will go ballistic," Francine sighed.
"Maybe, but then again, you never know how a man will respond to a woman wearing his name," Billy chuckled.
"Spare me the sexism, Boss, it doesn't suit you and it makes me break out in a rash," Francine moaned.
"Biology isn't sexist, Francine, it simply is. How people choose to act because of it that is sexist."
"And just what is it about a woman wearing a man's name that is based in biology?" Francine snapped.
"Simple. The brain releases dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, we men have the assurance that she'll stay that we are enough, and she trusts us to stay with her, that she is enough," the older man gently explained. "Francine, it's how we're supposed to work."
"It's all a chemical trick!" Francine snarled. "I'll get this to Amanda."
"You've done good work, Francine," Billy encouraged. 'My poor girl,' he thought, making his way to the next meeting.
Francine entered the Q in a fury to face the sight of Lee and Amanda working in a peaceful silence. "Amanda," she barked.
"Tap her gently, Francine," Lee ordered not looking up from is work. "She has the earphones in, she can't hear anything but music."
Francine tossed the garment bag on Amanda's desk and walked out.
Amanda took out the earphones and sighed. "I didn't hear her come in. Poor thing, she must be having a bad day. But she seemed fine earlier, I hope her mother is okay."
Lee looked up. "Crap!" he snarled.
"What is it?"
"I forgot the date! Look, I don't want to keep things from you, Amanda, but I can't tell you anything Francine hasn't told you," he sighed.
"Of course, not! Lee, I'd never expect you to do that."
"I know," he smiled. "I'll leave a bit early for lunch and get her a treat. Although killing the source is more tempting and permanent."
"Not another word," Amanda demanded. "If Francine ever feels I need to know she'll tell me. But I am so glad she has you and Billy."
"Thanks. How's the choreography coming?"
"Just finished, I'll snap a picture and text it to Ms. Collins. She and her stage manager will design the lighting. I have to say I'm not looking forward to meeting this Viktor Solanski, he's only in college and everything I don't want Phillip and Jamie to become," she admitted.
"They won't, you'll see to that, and I'll have your back. Vik is the neglected son of a Polish billionaire currently on his eighth wife and determined that his only boy will live the American dream. He's got a bodyguard that will break his fingers off if he even tries to touch a woman before he gets his trust from his mother, and finish his fights, but other than that, the kid can do whatever, however. His dad just doesn't want to pay for any unwanted pregnancies. I had to babysit him for two weeks when he came over as a freshman. At least I put the fear of God into him about drugs, and he's a great source."
"But, Lee, three DUI's in one year, more disturbing the peace complaints than I have dollars in the bank, traffic tickets amounting into more than one hundred twenty thousand dollars! He'll never make it to twenty-five at this rate," Amanda cried. "How can a father do this? This kid is just rotting away when he has so much potential."
"I know," he sighed. "I just never thought I had any credibility to rein him in. After all, I have no place to lecture. I raised so much hell at his age that the kid is an amateur. Besides, he doesn't want to listen to anyone but his father."
"And his father doesn't see the problem," Amanda groaned. "I swear if I get my hands on this kid, I'll give him a hiding he'll never forget," she vowed.
"I'll sell tickets," Lee winked. "Now, how about a private showing of the costume?"
"No."
"Excuse me!"
"No, it's a surprise, so is the song," Amanda snapped. "Get to lunch, and don't forget Francine's treats. I'll be practicing up here. When you're back Francine and I are going to the club to set up."
"I'll back you," Lee begged.
"Nope, Francine and I will deal with Ms. Collins. She's been good to me, if I can keep her out of this I will. She'll make you the minute you come through the door."
"Okay, partner, this is your plan," Lee conceded. "I have to talk to Leatherneck about jamming the club, and then I'll meet T.P. see you later."
"Be safe, I love you."
"I love you."
Amanda smiled to herself as the door closed. She reached for the shoes she'd be dancing in and slid them on. Sighing in relief, Francine had made sure the arch and ball on the right shoe had extra support. 'I should be nicer to her,' she thought to herself. While early on they'd never been friendly, Francine had always been someone she respected, even admired. It wasn't until they'd been stuck in the freezer that she'd truly understood that Francine guarded her heart with a ferocity equal to Lee's. If Francine gone through even half the pain Lee had, she would do her best to be a safe person for her.
She stood and raised herself on the balls of her feet several times to start loosening her joints. The extra care put into the pumps cut the tension in her right foot down to nearly unnoticeable. She quickly sent a text to Billy informing him that she'd be rehearsing her dance and might not hear the phone ring. Replacing her earphones, she turned on her song and began walking to find her rhythm. 'Let's see if I can turn it on for one night.'
