Lee sat out in the Vette, his mind and body buzzing with pride and adoration. The drop couldn't have worked better, and Amanda's performance hadn't driven him insane. True to her word she'd seen only him. 'Still, I hope we never have to do this again,' he admitted to himself.
Amanda gathered her tips and saw the napkin on Lee's table with the heart on it. She only wanted the tips with the information but knew to keep her cover she needed to collect them all. Ten minutes later, she trotted up the back stairs to the apartment. Francine met her and she handed her the cap. "I hope the information is good, and Lee is out in his car," she sighed. "If I don't get a shower soon, I'll tear my face off."
Francine smiled. "I'll pass this then drive you home."
Amanda had taken half the costume off in seconds before pausing to object. "That's not necessary, Francine. Besides, how will you get home?"
Francine put her hand up. "Amanda, I am not letting you drive yourself on that foot, you've done enough today. I'll drive you to your street and call an UBER, and that's final. Now, I'll get these to Lee, you clean up and change."
A knock on his window brought Lee out of his thoughts and a look of surprise painted itself on his face. "Where's Amanda?"
Francine chuckled. "Our Gypsy Rose is in the shower. Here's the intel, get it back to the Agency, and call her when you get home. I'll drive her back to her place."
"She's my partner!" Lee objected, taking the cap.
"Not tonight, we did all the heavy lifting. You got to drink scotch, eat snacks and have fun. We had to deal with a red-neck prima donna, and high heels. Now beat it!" Francine ordered, strutting away like the cat who got the cream.
"We'll see about that," Lee muttered as he started the car. If he timed it very carefully and broke a few traffic laws, he could beat them to Arlington.
Amanda hurried through the shower and dressed in simple yoga pants, a tank, and a hoodie made her way to Jeanne's office. As she approached the door, Bobbi opened it and growled. "Beat it!"
"I'm saying goodbye to Jeanne and Sal, now, excuse me," Amanda sidestepped the irate blond and continued into the room.
"Little chick, you were luminous!" Jeanne hugged her, kissing her cheeks. "I couldn't even tell your foot weakened."
"Thank you, Ms. Collins, I had fun. But I don't think I want to repeat it any time soon. I like getting home early with my boys," Amanda murmured.
"I understand, dear. I hope you got enough money for the dentist," the older woman encouraged.
"Oh, more than enough!" Amanda gasped. "In fact, I'll put anything we don't use into our Saint Jude fund." She reached out to Sal and hugged them both. "Thank you, for all your help. I don't have the words to tell you how much it means. Unfortunately, I really must get home now. Francine and I have some very important meetings tomorrow."
"Of course, little chick," Sal replied. "But don't think we're letting you run away again!" he warned.
Amanda nodded. "How about you both come for dinner on Sunday? Mother would love it, and its past time Phillip and Jamie met you both. It won't make up for my mistakes, but I have to start somewhere."
"It's more than enough, Amanda, but you'll have to start calling me Jeanne."
"Yes, ma'am," Amanda chuckled.
"Get home now Cinderella," Sal laughed.
"See you Sunday."
Francine waited by the kitchen exit and rolled her shoulders back in weariness. "Its past midnight time for Cinderella and the wicked stepsister to get to bed," she said as Amanda approached.
"Which of us is the wicked stepsister?" Amanda yawned.
"Please, we both know I'm no Cinderella!" Francine smirked.
The drive to Maplewood was quiet. While the day hadn't been dangerous, or stressful, sometimes long days tired out more effectively. As Francine pulled up to the corner Amanda sighed and stretched out. "Thank you, so much," she smiled. "I like that the three of us are such a good team."
"We're certainly something," Francine smiled. "You enjoy your date with Mr. Hot Fudge, and I'll see you in the daylight," she said as the UBER pulled up beside them.
"Sleep well," Amanda waved as she slid into the driver's seat.
Sneaking into a silent house made it to the top of nearly impossible things Amanda did on a regular basis. At times she'd rather be held at gunpoint. Slipping off her sneakers, she crept to her kitchen from the freezer she grabbed a bag of frozen peas, and from her refrigerator a jar of homemade chocolate sauce. 'I'm too tired to heat it.'
Lee made his way to the back door equally ecstatic and irritated. Ecstatic because the intel they received would provide enough for dozens of missions to help both the Ukrainian and Russian civilians being consumed by a pointless war. Irritated because he hadn't beaten Amanda home. The dim light glowing from the den through the window pulled at him like a magnet. He carefully opened his door and tip-toed into the den. Amanda lay on the couch eyes closed the golden light bathing her delicate features. The jar in her hands upright despite her weariness.
Lee leaned over her tenderly kissing her lips. "I'm so proud of you, partner," he whispered.
Her dark eyes opened met by the glittering hazel green she loved so much. "You should've gone home, it's so late and we have to be in early tomorrow," she whispered back before returning his kiss.
Lee grinned. "Nope, Billy is so happy with what we got, he's letting the three of us come in after lunch," he assured her.
"The intel was that good!" Amanda gasped her eyes wide.
"Almost as good as your performance Ms. Lee," he answered, waggling his eyebrows. "We'll be setting up missions for the rest of the year to help out."
"I'm so glad! But please tell your contacts not to triple book. My foot doesn't want to do that again, and I'm not that young thing anymore."
"Oh, you outclassed every 'young thing' in the club," he drawled softly in her ear. "The only person that came close to your talent was a tiny redhead."
Amanda raised her head to brush a kiss on his cheek. "CeeCee, she is very good. Sal's taken her on as his protégée, we'll probably be hearing a lot about her in a few years. Her real name is Cordelia."
"Poor thing," Lee chuckled. "How much did you make?"
"Enough for the dentist if Phillip's teeth are twisted," she blushed.
"Amanda," he prodded with a wink.
"Three thousand," she muttered.
"That's my girl!" he exclaimed.
"Shh!" she hushed. She dipped her spoon into the chocolate sauce and quickly stuck it into his mouth. "If we wake anyone up, we'll never sleep."
"Mmmmm," he moaned. "Sorry, I'll be quiet. This is the homemade stuff," he whispered.
"It's cheaper than buying," Amanda answered. "Francine's cake triggered the craving."
"You should have texted me, I'd have taken care of that craving," he teased.
"Oh you," Amanda grinned.
Suddenly Lee felt cold on his backside and jumped up. "What the—" he hissed.
"Sorry!" Amanda soothed. "It's a bag of frozen peas I put on my foot to bring the swelling down. A bag of them contours anywhere, and no leaks."
Lee looked at the offending bag and smiled. "I'll remember that the next time I get conked on the head. Now, let me take care of that foot."
"I only need ice, and you should really get home," Amanda sighed reluctance bleeding into her voice.
"This won't take long, and if you get to fuss over every bump I take, I get to fuss over your foot," Lee tenderly demanded.
"Alright, but I really want you to rest, Lee," Amanda conceded.
Lee reached into his pocket for a tiny jar of Tiger Balm. "I know you think I only deal with my injuries with scotch and aspirin, but this stuff works great. Now, you finish your treat and let's set the peas aside."
Lee sat and lifted her feet on his lap. His breath sped up every time the delicacy of her beauty hit him. Her right foot swelled at the ball and the thick short scar that crossed the base of her large toe made his heart ache. He rubbed the ointment in his hands to warm it, and gently began massaging it into the tired muscles.
Amanda had just taken her last spoonful of chocolate when she felt Lee's warm touch. The sensations made her dizzy and a soft sound she'd never made before burst straight from her chest. The tenderness and strength of his hands annihilated the slight sting of pain from the overworked bones and muscles as completely as those same hands inflicted pain on those who thrived on hurting others. Her body went boneless on the couch, and she fought to keep her eyes open. She didn't want to miss a single moment.
"Just relax, Amanda," Lee soothed. "You were so amazing tonight, you captivated everyone," he murmured. "You made Vik almost choke on his tongue, and I've never seen Kolya grin like that. I owe you a huge apology," he sighed.
"What on earth for!" Amanda asked, sitting up.
"For being a jealous fool. For always losing my head when it comes to other men and you. For never wanting to share you," he sighed.
Amanda leaned forward to touch his face. "I love that you don't want to share me, Lee. Nobody can ever make me feel safer," she whispered. "I told you I'm yours, my heart."
"Amanda," Lee breathed as he pulled her into his lap, holding her as tight as he could.
He kissed her like a man starved. His hands moved up and down her spine, not wanting to go too far, and not wanting to let go. He groaned as her mouth softened against his tongue and she invited him in. 'Safe and warm,' his heart sang.
Amanda buried her fingers in the sandy brown hair that felt better than silk under her fingers. Her heart pounded with joy against Lee's chest. His jealousy didn't hurt her anymore. Knowing where it came from, only made her want to conquer his fear and sadness. 'Yes, you're safe. I'll never leave.'
Lee gently pulled away. "I'm yours, Manda," he whispered.
"I know," Amanda smiled.
"I don't tell you enough," he admitted, kissing her cheek. "Words are your specialty. But T.P. said there was no law against having help."
"There isn't," Amanda agreed. "Did he give you any advice?"
"Yes."
"Well," Amanda giggled.
"Shh!" Lee smiled gently tapping her lips with a finger. "Okay." He knew he'd never get the words out facing her, so he turned her back to his chest sighing into her hair. "Now, don't laugh."
"Never," Amanda murmured.
He took a deep breath and prayed he remembered the words. Bending his head to her ear he began. "She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes; Thus mellowed to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!"
"Thank you, my heart," Amanda murmured. "I love you, and I wish you could stay, but you need sleep."
"So do you," Lee agreed. "Can you get up the stairs?"
"Yes, I feel so much better."
"Goodnight, Amanda."
"Goodnight."
