LEE

Lee stood by the window of the Q Bureau watching people walking down the street. He thought about how simple their lives were and here he was planning the capture of one of the world's most notorious terrorists. What a life he thought to himself. He glanced at the empty desk across from him. Amanda. After the ATAC team's last official briefing of tomorrow's events, Lee had sent Amanda home. He told her to go be with her boys and mother. He promised he'd stop by after his dinner with Billy.

Billy. Lee knew Billy had something on his mind. He gave Lee the excuse to go over the plan once more but Lee knew better. Was it time to come clean and tell Billy how he felt about Amanda? Does he let Billy know that he can't live without her? That he wants to marry her. He shook his head and decided he would just wait and see. He didn't want to say anything without Amanda knowing. If they were going to announce their relationship…it had to be together. Lee learned from Amanda that Joe had made most if not all of the decisions in their marriage. Amanda standing firm on her refusal to move to Esstocia was the first time she really went against Joe. Lee and Amanda were partners...equals. He didn't ever want to mess that up. In their professional life or in their marriage. Lee chuckled to himself. Marriage. You have to stop being a chicken and ask her first! After tomorrow and once I know this mess with Birol is over. I will ask Amanda to be my wife!

Lee looked down at his watch and grabbed his jacket. He locked up the Q and headed down to Billy's office. Billy was waiting for him with take out from Randy's sitting on the coffee table. They sat down and started eating. Billy asked simple questions regarding the mission and Nightcrawlers intel. Lee went over the mission step by step.

Billy cleared his throat and took a sip of his coffee. "He wants morning drive time for the traffic. Easier to pick up a little blocking in a chase. What's the contact?"

Lee picked up his coffee "A CSN news van waits at Benning and U. He leads us by the nose."

"Fire team?" Billy asked.

Lee shook his head a little "Well, the news van has to be clean. He'll check. Then I send in Amanda."

Billy surprisingly looked up at Lee. Lee needed him to understand he had all the confidence in his partner. She could do this and Lee knew it. "She's part of the established cover, Billy. Don't worry. I'll have her stay way back with the van where she'll be safe and she can call in the strike."

Billy nodded and reached underneath his plate. It was an envelope and letter. Lee could see the name on the letterhead. State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research. Lee realized this was what Billy really wanted to talk about.

He listened as Billy said. "You know this was in my round file three times before I decided it wasn't my decision. State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research. It's a job offer. SDBIR isn't a bad shop…"

Lee laughed "Just like that, huh? Administrative one. Come on. What makes you think they'd hire me and what makes you think I'd take it?"

Billy sighed "Well, when I decided to marry Jeanie…"

"Wait a second, What makes you think I want to marry?" Lee knew at that moment. He and Amanda were not fooling anyone. Billy knew he wanted to marry Amanda. What does he do now? He had a lot of thinking to do….both of them. He had to tell Amanda about this.

Billy continued "You will. You should. Lee, you've been a lone wolf too long. Now that's not good for a man like you. The pay jumps to GG-17. It takes money to raise a family and for that you've got to be at management level."

Lee took a deep breath. "I hear you." Billy knew that Lee would be a stepfather to Amanda's two boys. They were getting older and college was in their future. Maybe getting out of the field was something to consider. What if Amanda wanted a baby? Once he fell in love with Amanda the idea of kids of his own started looming in his head. He would love to give Amanda that little girl she always wanted. He pushed those thoughts aside for the time being. It was a lot to consider. This was again something he needed to talk to Amanda about. Leaving the Agency would break up their partnership. And Amanda was still in her training to be a field agent. It was a lot to think about. Lee knew he needed to catch Birol. Then maybe everything would fall into place.

As he and Billy were wrapping up dinner and their briefing, Lee headed towards the office door. Billy called out. "Scarecrow, make sure you show Amanda the job offer. Don't exclude her."

Lee played it off like he didn't know what Billy was talking about. He couldn't come clean. Not yet. He felt a little stupid. If there was anyone that he could be honest with besides Amanda it was Billy. And yet he continued the charade. "What are you talking about?" Lee asked.

"Well, I assume that's where you are headed….to Arlington? Doesn't your fancy sports car drive by there more often than it used to? Checking in with your lovely partner?" Billy's eyes were dancing and he sported a big grin.

Lee rolled his eyes and snorted. "Knock it off, Billy. I don't always stop by Amanda's' ' He winked at his boss as he headed out of the bullpen "Just the times when I know Dotty and the boys aren't around! See you tomorrow!"

Lee could hear Billy's deep chuckle as he made his way out of the bullpen and towards the elevator.

It was after ten by the time Lee made his way to Amanda's house. He probably shouldn't have stopped by but he had to see her. Amanda's partner knew they both needed the sleep …but Amanda's boyfriend wanted to kiss her senseless and hold her in his arms. He hoped she was still awake and wanted to see him just as bad as he wanted to see her. He noticed that the kitchen lights were still on but the rest of 4247 Maplewood Dr. was dark and quiet. Lee knew that Dotty and the boys would be asleep. He made his way around back and found Amanda sitting in the gazebo. She had on her pajamas and her fluffy blue robe. She didn't have on any make up and her hair was in a loose bun on the top of her head. She looked positively gorgeous. Lee thought she never looked more beautiful. She literally took his breath away. He quietly snuck up to the side of the gazebo when he heard her whisper.

"You can't scare me anymore Lee. I do hope you realize that."

Lee ran his hands through his hair and stepped into the gazebo. He smiled at Amanda as he sat down next to her.

"Yeah, I know. Someone felt it was necessary to start taking freshman classes. She's got training now." He gently bumped her shoulder with his and grinned at her." But it sure is fun trying to scare you like old times."

Amanda smiled as she took his hand. "As long as I don't find you hiding in the milk section anymore…that was creepy." She took a deep breath and said "How was your dinner with Billy?"

Lee shrugged his shoulders. He then pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her forehead and just took in the moment. He wanted to tell her about the job offer but it wasn't the time. They both needed to focus on the mission in the morning with clear minds. For the brief time that they had before he had to go home, Lee just wanted to hold Amanda in his arms and focus on her.