In Limbo

Chapter 3

As Amanda at last got to her neighborhood and parked her car in her driveway that Friday night, she got out of the car, but instead of seeing Lee give a signal that he'd be leaving, she saw him park his car in the usual hidden space down near the end of the street, and watched as he got out of his car, locking it, and to her surprise, signaled to her to head to her back yard!

Gulping, she realized he meant the gazebo...That he had more to say, which, at that moment, was fine with her, as she also realized she wasn't quite ready to say goodbye yet, either.

As she slowly headed towards the gazebo a few moments later, she thought sadly, What was the point of doing this, anyway? It would only lead to sadness and regret, emotions that Lee Stetson rarely showed, except when a case went south on them, or they'd lost an agent in the field. He rarely let his guard down in front of anyone, except for things that really seemed to matter.

But did Amanda matter to him? Shaking her head as she walked, she knew on some superficial level that she did, but the fact that relocation was imminent, changed everything for them...That whatever they could have explored here, was now out of the question!

She glanced toward the kitchen window, only seeing the outside patio light on, and looking above, saw bedroom lights out, which relieved her. The last thing she needed was her mother seeing anything right now. She would have to check to see if her moving instructions had arrived before heading upstairs to talk to her mother before turning in.

-SMK-

Coming to the gazebo, she had no sooner sat down, then Lee appeared, stating in a whisper, "Hi."

Swallowing hard, Amanda answered in kind, "Hi...So,was there something else you forgot to tell me?"

Clearing his throat, Lee whispered, "N-No, but I-I just wanted to know what you planned to tell your family about all this..."

Amanda scoffed, and getting up, stated in an angry whisper, "Hell if I know!"

She began pacing, and continued in a ramble by stating, "I've never done this before! There are rules for agents, but for agent auxillaries?! Look, I was born and raised in Virginia, got married and divorced, and still raising my two young boys! How am I supposed to tell my family that the only place they've ever known is going to be taken from them, and that the names we all have had our whole lives are no more, and I can't do a damn thing about it! How can I possibly make them understand that, when I don't understand it myself?"

When Amanda was finished her speech, and her back was then turned, she heard Lee chuckle, and with a deep sigh, turned around to face him, and commented angrily, "Look, Buster! I know you have everything figured out about this, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop laughing at my expense! My whole world is turning upside down, and you think it's a colossal joke...It hurts, Lee...It really hurts!"

Gently pulling her to his arms, Lee answered softly, "Hey, It's not gonna be easy for me either-I-I wasn't laughing at you...Really. And I'm sorry...I-I was just thinking how much I'm going to miss your rambles, and I seem to recall you swearing the first day we met, and not since that day...Until now."

Gulping, Amanda sighed once more, as Lee held her, and feeling tears come to her eyes, answered, "Well, it isn't exactly a "Gosh darn it" kind of problem we have now, is it?"

Shaking his head, Lee swallowed hard, answering, "No...No, it isn't, but I have faith in you, Amanda King...You're gonna be just fine."

Looking up at Lee, Amanda queried,"Really? How?"

Lee kissed her temple gently, and stated, "Well, look at all you've been through these past few years, huh? You got divorced with your kids still unscathed, found a job with a not too shabby looking partner to boot-"

Amanda giggled into his shoulder as she replied, "Oh, your ego knows no bounds, Lee Stetson..."

As they pulled back, Amanda commented, "So, what you're trying to tell me is that as long as I pull myself up by my bootstraps, like I've done before, I'll make it."

Lee nodded, and glancing at his watch, remarked somberly, "Yeah...I think I'd better go..."

Amanda taking his hand, remarked softly, "I'll walk you out-"

Lee, shaking his head, said, "But I was making sure you were back safe! You're defeating the purpose, Amanda-"

Amanda argued, "Look, it's my neighborhood! I can get back to my door just fine from where you parked, okay? Now move!"

Lee smirked answering as they went out the back gate, "Yes, Ma'am..."

-SMK-

A few moments later, they arrived at his car, and Lee stated to Amanda, "Okay, I'm here, I'm fine, you can go now-"

But Amanda, still holding his hand, asked, "What about the Colonel?"

Lee shrugged, querying, "What about him?"

Amanda asked, "You-You're going to tell him, right?"

Lee chuckled responding, "Amanda, you live with your family! It's totally different-"

Amanda argued back, "He's still your family, Lee! No matter what the relationship is like right now, he at least deserves that much! He's all you have, and-"

Lee, not being able to stand any more, pulled Amanda to him, and kissed her passionately, stopping any more words from her!

Coming up for air a few moments later, they pulled back, and clearly shaken, Amanda replied, "Not-Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but what on earth was that for?"

Lee sighed, and with a grin, replied, "How else was I going to shut you up, Lady?"

Amanda giggled as she shook her head, and as they still held one another, Lee commented, "And to answer your question, yes, I will call the Colonel on my way home, and since he's my only family, I'll go see him to put your mind at ease, okay?"

Amanda gulped and nodded, responding, "Thank you."

Lee, squeezing Amanda's hands gently, stated, "Now, you have to promise me something before I go."

Amanda nodded, replying softly,"Alright. What is it?"

Lee, letting go of Amanda's hands, cupped her face, and kissing her once, answered, "Stay safe", and again, with another kiss, answered, "Stay out of trouble."

With that, Lee let go, and got into his car, and left.

And as Lee's car headed out of her neighborhood for the last time, Amanda stood as tears went down her cheeks, and she whispered, "I'll never forget you, Lee Stetson..."

As Lee headed out, he glanced through his rear view mirror for a moment, and seeing Amanda, gulped stating,"I'll never forget you, Amanda King..."

And Amanda heading back to her home thought, Saying goodbye to you was hard, Lee...But now, I have to talk to my family...That will be just as hard...

How will she handle this part?

TBC