Chapter 37

Parlez Vous Francais?

Once back in the hotel, Amanda opened the doors to the balcony to step out and hear the sounds from the street below. A sense of peace came over her as she surveyed the architecture around them. French provincial had always been her favorite and now it surrounded her. Their hotel was a few stories taller than the other buildings around them so not only could she admire the buildings, but they had a spectacular view out onto the city. Lee came up behind her and held her from behind. "You did well, Stetson."

"Je t'aime, mon amour." He said kissing her neck. "Tu es si belle." Amanda melted back into his arms, as Lee could feel the gooseflesh upon her skin.

"Mr. Stetson, are you speaking French to me?" She turned, put her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. There they stood in each other's arms enjoying the closeness and intimacy. One of those rare moments in life when everything was as it should be.

"Oui." He pulled away long enough, before going back in for another firm kiss. He reached a hand into her blouse to caress her breast as she moaned contently.

"Take me to bed." She purred. She closed the balcony doors, leaving just a crack open for fresh air. She pulled him into her arms. She smiled up at him. Lee could see by her eyes she was tired and jet-lagged. Making love - maybe later, well, definitely later. For now, it would be cuddling up together and getting a good night's sleep. After readying themselves for bed, they were both asleep within moments.

- SMK -

Amanda woke early the next morning. She looked at her husband sleeping next to her. He looked so peaceful. She carefully slipped out of the bed to use the bathroom, treading lightly. After relieving herself, she washed her hands, quickly brushed her teeth, and made her way back out of the bathroom. They did not make love last night, so she removed the nighty and panties before heading back out. Lee rolled over and opened his eyes, he smiled at the sight of his naked wife walking toward him.

"Now that is a beautiful sight first thing in the morning." He said feeling aroused at just the sight of her nude form moving toward him. Amanda walked to him and sat down on the bed softly running her fingers through his hair.

"You're kind of easy on the eyes too," she said leaning forward to kiss him. Lee pulled back the covers.

"Get in her," he spoke softly, "I want to make love to my wife again before we start the day."

"I like the way you think.," Amanda purred and crawled into the bed.

- SMK -

As their bodies cooled after another glorious session of love making, Amanda laughed to herself.

"I could get used to this." Amanda smiled with eyes of woman who'd been very recently satisfied.

"It's fantastic." Lee leaned back into the bed.

Amanda noticed some sunlight creeping around the drapes that covered the balcony window "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day." She rose, picked up her robe and walked to the balcony doors. She opened them and walked out onto the balcony to find it truly was a sunny day. "Aaah, and we're in Paris." She felt the excitement of the day ahead of them.

Lee smiled and thought to himself, I really need to thank Kristen and Francine. He got up from the bed and picked his own robe to join his wife. He walked up and hugged her from behind. Amanda leaned back into him, and placed her hands over his. She felt his ring on his left hand.

"I love this," she said fingering the ring on his finger. 'Lets me know you're all mine."

"Yes, I am." He responded proudly pulling her in closer. He rested his hand on her belly. "How is this little one this morning?'

"Active," she said. "I think it's excited to be here too." She giggled.

"Are you hungry?" He asked.

"I'm pregnant, what do you think?" Amanda laughed

- SMK -

First stop, of course, was a boulangerie for a baguette and some coffee. They waited in line and once inside they were surrounded by the aroma of fresh baked bread, and sweet flavors in the air. Amanda chose a baguette as well as a chocolate croissant. They walked up the street to a park where they sat and enjoyed their breakfast.

"Yum," she said closing her eyes and savoring the flavors. "Everything tastes so good, and this one is clearly burning up lots of calories." She put her hand on her belly. Lee laughed, overjoyed with the fact she was clearly enjoying herself. Amanda was normally a rather light eater, but now she was ravenous. It was charming.

However, he then noticed a man across the small park. He thought he recognized him from outside the hotel. He was looking at them, and when Lee focused on him he turned and hurried away. Was he being paranoid or was this guy following them? At first he thought of keeping it to himself, but he remembered the argument with Amanda. "I don't know if I'm jumping at shadows or if we picked up a tail. The guy in the blue jacket walking back that way." Lee pointed it out. Amanda turned and looked. "Keep an eye out. It may be just the Scarecrow in me."

"Got it." She said. "We can both watch for him." She felt almost comforted that he had taken what she said to heart and he was sharing all his concerns with her. However, she was not about that let some thug ruin their honeymoon. Lee loved the fact that she did not panic but just took life as to came and worked through any crisis. The agent training had only sharpened these innate skills.

After their breakfast they walked to the Louvre where they strolled through the exhibits. Lee had seen the museum a few times but loved that his wife was enjoying herself so thoroughly and was dragging him along from one installation to another. When they finished, they walked the Jardin de Tuileries outside the Louvre enjoying the statues, fountains and gardens. It was a warmer day so more people were out picnicking which made it look so authentically Parisienne. Amanda, feeling a bit embarrassed, told Lee she was hungry again, so they walked back over the Seine and up to a cafe where they enjoyed lunch in the sunshine.

"Lee, Amanda," She mocked herself. "How did you enjoy Paris? Thanks for asking. It was delightful. I ate half the city." Lee burst out laughing.

"I love seeing you like this. I'm actually impressed. Besides, didn't Dr. Marks tell you that your appetite would increase and you should eat when you're hungry?"

"She did," Amanda replied. "But at this point, I feel like I need to walk around with a feed bag."

"Well," Lee told her. "We are walking a lot, so you need more calories. Personally, I love that you're enjoying the food."

"It's amazing," she said, taking another bite. "Are you going to finish that?"

Lee chuckled again. "It's all yours." He looked up to see the same man again, only this time he had a camera. "Stay here," Lee said. "I'll be right back." Amanda recognized the tone. She turned to see Lee run across the street and a man carrying a camera running away, then jumping on a bus. Lee took the bus number and came back to the table.

"That was him again, wasn't it?" She asked.

"Yep, he had a camera this time." He replied.

"Okay, now I'm angry. No one is going ruin my trip to Paris."

"Agreed. Let's head back to the hotel. I'm going to call Billy and get someone from Paris station to keep an eye on things."

- SMK -

When they returned to the hotel, the man was nowhere to be found. Likely scared off now that Lee had noticed him. When they got to the room, Lee made a call to Billy. With the time difference it should be morning in D.C.

"Melrose here," Billy answered.

"Hey Billy, it's Lee."

"Lee? Why are you calling me? You are supposed to be on your honeymoon."

"Well, we are, but it seems we have a tail following us. A man, early 30's, about 6 feet, dark hair, thin and a light facial hair. He was outside our hotel, then I saw him in a park this morning and a cafe this afternoon. He had a camera this afternoon and was taking pictures. Can we get someone from Paris station to check things out? I know it's not much to go on, but I'm unarmed here and it would make us feel better."

"I'll get a call in right away. Can you stay put while I get someone to call you?"

"Sure thing." Lee said.

"Other than being followed, how is the trip so far?"

"Amazing." Lee said. "Amanda is having the time her life, which, in turn, makes me pretty darn happy."

"That's great. Tell Amanda hello."

"Will do," Lee said. "Thanks, Billy." He hung up and turned to Amanda "Billy sends his greetings and he's going to get someone from Paris station to call us. If this guy shows up again, they can tail him."

- SMK -

Nathaniel Brody was hiding out in a vacation house in Alexandria courtesy of a blackmail scheme in which he caught the owner of the home in the company of a woman other than his wife. He made certain to stay inside, but remained available by phone. It was late morning when the phone rang.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Brody? It's Jake." The man said. "Sure enough, Scarecrow is honeymooning in Paris with his pretty little wifey. Based on the photos you had, looks like he married his partner."

"Did he see you?"

"Well, he did run after me, but I was able to hop on a bus before he could get a close look at me."

Brody shook his head. Amateurs. "He's likely got Paris Station agents protecting him now. Discontinue, but drop your film off with Duke at the Rue de Bac metro station at 9:15 local time tonight. Thank you for your work." Brody hung up and made another call.

"Duke. 9:15 pm Rue de Bac. Jake. You know what to do. Let me know when it's done. Send me the photos."

- SMK -

After speaking with the local agent, they agreed he would likely not follow them again as he had been seen. However, they would keep someone posted near the hotel to make certain.

"Now I know why you travel abroad with your sidearm," Amanda said. This was one of the very few times that Lee was ever unarmed. However, they agreed this was a vacation, not an assignment so no weapons. Amanda realized his discomfort making this gesture even more meaningful.

"Don't worry," Lee said. "The agency is aware of the threat. We'll be okay. Besides, you're carrying my child so I'm not going to will let anything happen to us.." He sat down on the bed in front of her and kissed her softly rounded belly and looked up into her eyes. "I love you both too much. Plus that child happens to be inside my very resourceful partner." Amanda caressed the side of his face and leaned forward to kiss him.

"Okay." Amanda said. "Now, what's next? I really want to go to the Luxembourgh Gardens." She said already heading for the hotel room door.

"You got it. Whatever my wife wants, she gets." Lee said, getting to his feet, loving his wife's exuberance.

"Very good. You're learning well." She teased.

- SMK -

Several hours later after visiting several sites around Paris, they returned exhausted but happy.

"You sure know how to show a girl a good time. I need a shower," Amanda said, putting down shopping bags. "Care to join me?" She grinned back at Lee.

"What do you think?" Lee said pulling off his shirt.

After a long, very pleasurable shower, the two emerged from the bathroom, naked and glowing. Amanda was walking to the drawer to pull out a nightgown. Lee stopped her and whispered in her ear.

"You're not going to need that."

"Really, Mr. Stetson?" She turned, teasing him. "Married life really does give you some stamina, doesn't it." Leaning for a kiss.

"I just love having this fine naked woman next to me in bed." Lee said trailing kisses down her neck, sending chills up her spine. "You are just too damn sexy."

"You're not bad yourself," she grinned pulling him toward the bed. The lovers crawled into the bed where they made love again completely unaware of the sirens just a few blocks away outside a metro station. The next day, the news broke at the Agency: An American tourist, Jacob Tawley, age 33, had been found stabbed to death in a metro station, the victim of an apparent robbery.