LEE

Lee Stetson walked into the Q Bureau hoping to see Amanda. She wasn't there. He sighed as he threw his keys down on his desk and walked around to sit down. Taped to the computer monitor was a note with his name scribbled in Amanda's handwriting. He opened the note and began to read it.

L - Beamon called a mandatory class meeting to go over our latest Birol operation. He wants me to go over our notes and teach the class! Have I thanked you for letting me be a part of the ATAC team? If not, can I interest you in dinner at your place tonight? I'll cook. Consider it a personal thank you. You can bring dessert. See you at 7? Love - A

Lee beamed as he read and reread Amanda's note. His thoughts drifted to the last time they had dinner at his apartment…complete with dessert. He knew he loved Amanda King more than he could ever describe. She was his entire world. He thought of the little black velvet box he had hidden in his nightstand drawer and smiled. He was going to ask Amanda to marry him. They were both due for some serious time off after this whole Birol mess was over. He would take Amanda somewhere…maybe ask Krum for the use of his cabin up in the mountains for a long weekend. Or maybe go somewhere tropical. Thoughts of Amanda lying on the beach in a black bikini made their way into Lee's thoughts. He shook his head. He needed to get to work. He wasn't getting anything done sitting there thinking about Amanda. He'd see her soon enough.

Suddenly the phone started ringing and Lee sat up. He answered it on the third ring with his deep baritone voice, barked out "Stetson"

A woman's voice with a thick accent answered "Scarecrow. Photo Booth. 1pm today" The line clicked and went dead. Lee stared at the receiver for a few moments and then set it down. He remembered the photo booth from a few drops made years ago … .by Magda Petrak. What would she possibly need from him now? She was free and safe from the Hungarians. She owned a women's boutique shop in Alexandria. He sat back in his chair deep in thought. Running his hands through his sandy brown hair he jumped out of his chair and took off towards the bullpen.

Lee made his way to Billy Melrose's office and knocked on the older gentlemen's door. Billy yelled for Lee to come in and Lee immediately started rambling.

"Billy! I think I may have a lead on Birol! I have a meet set up at one this afternoon!"

Billy Melrose smiled up at one of his favorite agents. Lee was beaming like a kid at a candy store as he went on about a phone call and meeting. Billy had a soft spot for Lee as well as Lee's lovely partner, Amanda. Billy knew that their relationship was more than what they lead on, but Billy kept quiet. He would let them know it was okay with him when the time was right. Billy knew that Lee needed to catch Adi Birol. It would solidify Lee in the intelligence community and he could finally move up to administration level. Billy thought about the job offer waiting for Lee sitting in the incoming box not even two feet from where Lee was sitting. Billy knew it was time for Lee to know about the job. He would tell him soon. After Lee had finished his "Amanda ramble" as Billy affectionately called them, Billy sighed and said to Lee "I told you before, Lee. You call the shots on this. It's your collar. You are in charge of the ATAC team. Do whatever you can. We need to catch Birol."

Lee nodded and said "I know Billy. I think I finally have the break I have been looking for! I will keep you posted. Amanda's in class with Beamon so could you tell her where I am if she asks." Billy nodded with a slight smirk on his face. Lee smiled brightly as he talked about his partner and it didn't go unnoticed. Lee opened the office door and took off. Billy shook his head thinking how funny it was seeing Lee so over the moon in love with Amanda. He was so obvious. He silently said to himself "Scarecrow needs to marry that girl!". He chuckled as he got back to his reports.

MARA

She pushed the curtain of the photo booth back and stepped in quickly. She brushed off the seat and sat down. She watched through the curtain. She was about fifteen minutes early. She was hoping she would beat Scarecrow to the meeting site. She watched as he pulled up in his silver sports car and parked. He watched the photo booth. She glanced down at her watch and it was almost one. She peeked between the curtains again and saw that Lee was now out of this car and walking towards the booth. She recognized him right away. Magda always said he was an attractive man. He looked very dashing in the dark navy blue suit he was wearing. He was over six feet tall with sandy brown hair. Magda mentioned that someone once said that he had beautiful eyes. She wouldn't be able to see them today but maybe someday. She watched as he looked around the street checking his surroundings. He stopped once he got to the booth and then she heard him step into the other side. He sat down and she could hear him putting money into the machine. His voice was deep and quite honestly in her opinion very sexy.

"Magda? Is that you?"

She took a deep breath and said "No Scarecrow, Its Mara…Mara Petrak"

"Mara? Is everything okay with you? With your sister? Why the meeting?" He said in an almost nervous and worried tone.

"Scarecrow. I need you to listen. There is no other way for me to say this so I'm just going to say it. I want to help you catch Adi Birol."

She could hear Lee sit up in the booth "BIROL!" He whispered loudly. "How can you help me?"

Mara closed her eyes as she explained to Lee everything. Being a part of Karbala…Adi's lover. All of it. He was very quiet as she told her story; only stopping once so Lee could put in more change into the machine. When she finished she could hear Lee take a deep breath and say "What's the danger for you? I don't want you to get hurt!"

She smiled at the concern Lee had in her safety. "I will be fine. I have taped an envelope under your seat. I think you will be pleased with the information. I'll let you decide what to do with it. We will meet in 3 days. Same time. Same place."

She started to grab her purse and stand up. She heard Lee ask her to wait.

"What should I call you?"

She thought for a moment and whispered "Call me Nightcrawler". She stepped out of the photo booth and took off down the street leaving Lee Stetson standing there.