In Limbo

Chapter 37

When Amanda got downstairs the next morning, ready for work, she found the boys dressed, and eating their cereal, and her mother with Joe at the kitchen table exchanging stories about past events.

Looking on as she made her way to get her coffee, she stated, "Boys, finish eating, please. And are your lunches made?"

Dotty answered, "Yes, Dear. I made them when Joe arrived-"

Amanda shook her head replying as she put her coffee cup down on the counter, "Now, Mother...We agreed that it was their job to get themselves ready for school so they wouldn't get distracted before the bus-"

Suddenly, there was the sound of a horn, and scrambling, the boys got up to grab their school gear and lunches, and they both hugged Joe, and ignoring Amanda, flew out the door, yelling, "Bye!", slamming it, with Amanda calling out, "Have a nice day! I love you, too!"

Turning back towards the counter, Amanda, shaking her head, took her cup of coffee, and bringing it to the table, sat down.

Noticing a smirk pass between Joe and Dotty, Amanda queried, "What?

Joe shrugged answering, "They're kids, Amanda. They weren't trying to ignore you. They were just excited to see me, that's all."

Dotty then added, "And I don't mind making lunch once in a while...Honey, Joe explained why he's in town, and I'm concerned. Have they said anything to you?"

Amanda commented, "No, but they always need our permission before calling Joe because of the time difference and the expense, Mother."

Then. looking at her watch, Amanda got up remarking, "I'm late...Joe, why don't you come over tonight and we can talk to the boys together, alright?"

Joe replied slowly, "Okay."

Grabbing her purse and keys, Amanda then said to both, "See you later..."

-SMK-

And as Amanda went out the front door, Dotty sighed stating, "Well...This must be bothering her more than she's letting on because she usually finishes her coffee before she leaves in the morning."

Joe asked, "Meaning she purposely left earlier to avoid talking about it?"

Dotty nodding, replied, "Yes...I usually can tell when something is troubling my daughter. She doesn't eat, doesn't sleep, and chews at her nails."

Joe thought a moment, then commented, "She looked okay to me...A little tired, maybe, but it just may have to do with the fact that I met her friend, Lee Stetson, last night."

Dotty shrugged answering, "Oh, well...It's bound to be a bit awkward when divorced couples form new relationships and then have to meet the other person that their ex is dating...Was it bad?"

Joe sighed remarking, "Stetson and I were polite, and although my arrival was of course unexpected, it could've been better."

Dotty stated as she got up from the table, "Give it time. I'm sure everything will work out soon...More coffee?"

Joe shaking his head as he got up from the table, responded, "No, thank you, Dotty. I've gotta get going, but I''ll be back tonight to have dinner."

They shared a hug and Joe left with Dotty thinking, Why does anything have to be awkward here? Hmm...Wonder if Lee is joining us as well tonight?

-SMK-

Amanda entered the lobby of the Agency, and greeting Mrs. Marston, she stated, "See Saw."

Getting her I.D., she thanked Mrs. Marston and headed to the elevator and getting inside, pushed the button for the Bullpen Floor.

Reaching it a few moments later, she got off, and Francine greeting her, said looking at her watch with surprise, "Wow...You're early. What's up?"

Amanda shrugged commenting, "I just thought I'd get a jump on things. So, if you'll just give me the transcripts for that London summit from last week, I'll get started."

Francine then giving her a folder, answered, "Here. Knock yourself out, but take your time. No rush on these, okay?"

Amanda nodded remarking, "Thank you, Francine."

She sat at her desk and had begun her work when Billy came out of his office, and seeing Amanda, queried, "Good morning, Amanda...Is Scarecrow in yet?"

Amanda shook her head, stating, "No, Sir, I didn't see his car anywhere."

Francine chuckling, replied, "C'mon, Billy...You know Lee...If he's had a hot date, who knows if his alarm went off or not."

Billy sighing, remarked, "I don't recall asking for your input, Desmond. Get back to what you were doing, please."

Then looking at Amanda once more, he answered, "When he arrives, I need to see him in my office."

Amanda nodded commenting, "Of course, Sir."

And as Billy went back into his office and closed the door, Francine shook her head and quipped, "My, my...Lee's in trouble with the principal already today? Wonder if it had anything to do with his date last night?"

Amanda, clearing her throat, responded lightly, "Oh, you can't believe rumors, Francine...Anyway, he was at my home having dinner with my family and I last night."

Francine blankly stared in Amanda's direction answering, "Come again?"

Amanda nonchalantly stated, "Well, um, you weren't here when Lee and I got back to town, but he and I informed Billy that we're dating now-"

Francine scoffed, looking at a file from her own desk, saying, "Yeah, right...Efraim heard something to that effect, but like you just said, you can't believe everything you hear-"

Amanda shrugged stating, "Well, you just did, and if I may quote, "Straight from the horse's mouth", too."

-SMK-

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Francine spotted none other than Lee getting off the elevator, and as he approached the Bullpen area, she queried urgently, "Tell me it isn't true?"

Lee, puzzled, looked at both Francine and Amanda, asking, "Morning, Ladies, and is what not true?"

Francine sighed deeply and said slowly, "That you have entered the throes of domesticity."

Lee, still confused, questioned Amanda, "What is she talking about?"

Amanda, waving it away, answered in a ramble, "I think she thinks we've moved in together, but I told her we're just dating, which I've already told her, and Billy needs to see you-"

Just then, Billy came out of his office, and greeting Lee, commented, "On time, and very professional, Scarecrow. I have some news for you...Care to join me in my office?"

Lee, taking his mug off of his desk, replied carefully, "Sure...Let me get my cup filled first..."

As Billy headed back to the office and left the door open, Francine asided to Lee as he was getting his coffee, "Look, I'm happy for you if this is what you want, but a suburbanite?"

Lee finished filling his cup, and adding cream, asiding back with a smirk, "Hey...If this is your way of wanting me back, you are way too late to this party, Francine-"

Francine groaned asiding further, "You wish! Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that although Amanda is a nice person, and a bit trying at times-"

Lee remarked, "Like you're being right now...Look, Francine, what is your point?"

Francine said, "She's not exactly equipped to-to be in your league, and-"

Lee sighed, having heard enough at this point, and replied with finality to Francine, "Look, just let sleeping dogs lie, okay?"

Francine asked, "Meaning what?"

Lee groaned answering, "Meaning when you and I ended years ago, it was a mutual decision, and we also decided then that we could go on working together...Did you or did you not agree to that?"

Francine answered, "Of course, but I'm just trying to protect you both from getting hurt. I mean, what if it doesn't work out?"

Amanda, coming towards them to refill her coffee, had overheard some of Francine's comment and stated, "Francine, we appreciate your concern, but we still have things to work out at this particular stage, and we'd like privacy to do that, alright?"

Francine, then glancing at the two, shook her head and went back to her desk without another word.

Lee gesturing, answered to Amanda, "Wow! You are amazing, and you'll have to show me how to shut other people down like that...See you in a bit..."

-SMK-

When Lee finally came into Billy's office and sat down in the chair across from the desk, he stated, "Sorry for the delay...It was Francine being Francine as you well know..."

Billy shook his head responding, "Only too well...Now, as for your news...You remember before the relocation went down and Larry Crawford disappeared?"

Lee sighed asked, "Yeah?"

Billy shrugged replied, "Well, we had proof finally that he was working with Gregory to take down the Agency-"

Lee, putting up a hand quickly stated, "H-Hold on! You told me it was Rackam from the San Angelo case-"

Billy, getting out of his chair and heading for the door commented with a gesture, "That's what we were led to believe. Anyway, the Agency has been underground since 1960, and we're running out of rooms, so we'll be moving back up...Follow me."

As Lee followed Billy out, Billy stopped at Amanda's desk and said, "Why don't you come with us, Amanda? I have an important job for you in Larry Crawford's old office. Are you ready?"

Amanda nodded saying, "Yes, Sir, I can do it."

As they made their way up the stairs a little while later, Amanda asked, "Who's Larry Crawford?"

Lee explained as they reached the top of the stairs, and went down a narrow hallway, "An agent that was dismissed...Go on, Billy."

Billy responded unlocking the door, "You see, Crawford's office has an IFF cover as a film library. It's really the "Q" Bureau."

Amanda, puzzled, queried, "Q Bureau?"

Billy remarked, "Meaning question mark. The real puzzler cases."

Amanda nodded, responding, "Oh."

-SMK-

And as Billy, Lee, and Amanda entered, they saw file boxes piled, and the desk as well disheveled, Billy smiling as he commented to Lee, "Good luck. It's all yours..."

Lee checking out the area, shrugged answering distractedly, "Well, it'll take a few days, but we'll keep a computer inventory-"

Then, seeing Billy continue to smile, Lee asked hastily, "Wait-What do you mean, all mine?"

Amanda seeing the anger on Lee's face questioned him, "What's the matter?"

Lee points stubbornly at Billy answering, "He thinks he's gonna give me this place for keeps! As in, my own office!"

Amanda said, "That's wonderful-"

Lee shook his head commenting disgustedly, "No, it's not! It's just more work!"

Billy, then reaching into his pocket, stated as he handed Lee the combination to the vault room, "Here's the combination to the vault, and we'll be changing the locks..."

Then Billy points to the button attached to the desk by the top drawer saying, "And that's the silent alarm...Good luck...Amanda, I'll need you to help him clean this room out."

Amanda stated, "Yes, Sir."

And as Billy left, Lee went after him shouting, "Billy, you come back here! Billy, you won't get away with this...BILLY!"

But an irritated Lee did come back, telling Amanda, "You'll have to keep this door locked at all times...The security is light up here. I'm gonna be a while...Start by alphabetizing the files, huh?"

He left again, and Amanda locked the door as instructed, and looking around the room, answered positively, "If I can spring clean my house, I can do the same for this place..."

TBC