Chapter 51

Crossroads

Lee and Amanda were making certain to stay "no contact" on the Caltech/Brody assignment and let Ryan, Kristen, Francine and the other agents take the lead. Instead, Lee tried to focused his attention on what was really important. They had their first birthing classes that week and they were decorating the nursery for the baby. While these were all things he wanted to do for his family, the considerable changes to his life and inability to take control of the Brody situation left him feeling a bit disconnected.

One evening after returning from a birthing class, they were getting ready for bed. Amanda could see he was lost in thought.

"Hey," Amanda said softly. "Are you okay? What's going on in that gorgeous head of yours?" She smiled at him and sat next to him on the bed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Just a lot on my mind."

"You want to have more of a part in this whole Brody mess, don't you?" Amanda asked, sensing what had him so distracted. "It's okay. Talk to me."

"I feel like I started this whole mess and I'm sending Ryan and Kristen into a dangerous situation to fix it for me." Lee confessed.

"I get it," Amanda said, "but there weren't many alternatives to try to get Brody out of hiding."

"Yeah," Lee said, "but something isn't right here. Suddenly he's being too quiet. I know you don't want to use me as bait, but I feel like he's waiting for me to be part of the scenario."

"Listen," Amanda said. "Why don't we see what happens over the next couple weeks. If Brody jumps before you're involved, the other agents and the CIA can handle it. If not, we will look for the next best option."

"It's more than that, I feel like I'm being pulled in two different directions." Lee said as he ran his hand lovingly over her belly as he spoke. "I want nothing more than to be at home with you. I want to be here when our daughter is born, I want to see Phillip and Jamie graduate, and I want to experience our daughter's first steps and all her other milestones. However, I've done Intelligence work my entire adult life. I don't know anything else."

"Crossroads." Amanda said.

"You're right," Lee said. "I'm at a crossroads."

"We both are." Amanda said. "I worked so hard to train to be an agent and just when I'm at the jumping off point, I'm back here again, having babies. I kind of feel like I'm being robbed in a way."

"You're right," Lee said. "This affects you too. At least I had my career."

"Don't get me wrong," Amanda said, "I want this baby, I feel her growing inside me and I can't wait to hold her and be her mother," she looked down, placing her hands over his on her belly, "but I want something for me too. I want to keep working, but is field work the right answer?"

"I don't know." Lee said.

"I don't either. But the one thing I do know is I love you and what we have together more than I could love any job. It took so long to actually get to this place in life. Whatever we do, we do it together?"

"Together. Agreed." Lee said, leaning into her for a long, slow kiss.

"I love you." She said leaning into him as sat on the bed simply holding each other without words.

- SMK -

The next couple weeks were just as quiet. Did Brody know the material was fake? How? Was there a leak? Or, was it true what Lee surmised, he only wanted the research if Scarecrow was part the equation. For now, home life took the front seat. Amanda was fully into her third trimester now and starting to find it more difficult to get in and to of the Vette, so they were taking the Jeep most everywhere now.

The nursery was nearly finished with a clear theme. "Amanda, I don't quite understand the whole Wizard of Oz theme in the bedroom. I thought you'd choose something a little more girly." Dotty said, surveying the room.

"We like the Wizard of Oz." She said. "It has a special meaning for us."

"What's with the giant stuffed scarecrow?" Dotty asked. "I mean it's cute, but odd." Amanda smiled.

"That's my favorite part."

"Hey, you ready?" Lee asked walking up behind her. "We have an appointment this morning. We get to take another peak on our little girl." Lee smiled. "We also need to nail down a few names too."

"I know," Amanda said. "I think we should have a few ready and then decide when we see her. You know, make certain it fits."

"I agree." Lee smiled.

"That's a wonderful idea." Dotty said touching Amanda's now very rounded belly. "I can't wait to meet my granddaughter."

"We're heading to the office after our visit." Amanda said. "We'll see you this evening." As their appointment was not until 9:30, Lee had dropped off the boys earlier this morning and then headed back to the house to pick up Amanda.

Once at their appointment, Dr. Marks conducted another ultrasound. Lee always looked like a kid enthralled in his Saturday morning cartoons when Dr. Marks was doing these scans.

"She looks good. Now, both of you are tall, but Amanda you have a thin frame. This little girl looks like she may be on the bigger side, depending on how much more she grows before the birth. So, you may want to consider having at least an epidural for this birth, and if she gets much bigger, we may need to consider a C-section. We can make that determination as we get closer but I want you to be thinking about it."

"Ok," Amanda said. "I really want to deliver her vaginally, so I'd like to consider the C-Secton only as a last resort."

"We'll keep measuring her to see how big she gets. At some point, it may become dangerous to deliver vaginally."

"Dangerous?" Lee said, a worried look taking the place of the one of wonder he had moments earlier.

"Only if she gets to be around or over 10 pounds," Dr. Marks explained, seeing his concern.

"Okay, I get it. No options off the table." Amanda wanted to put Lee's mind at ease.

The doctor gave them an updated photo to take with them. A proud dad grin crawling across Lee's face.

- SMK -

From the doctor's office they headed into the Agency. An internal meeting was planned to discuss the Brody situation as it had now become disturbingly quiet. When they arrived, everyone was gathering in the conference room including Billy, Lee, Amanda, Francine, Kristen, Duffy and Marquez. In the last couple of weeks, Lee had started instinctively resting his hand on Amanda's pregnant belly when he sat next to her.

"Marking your territory?" Francine teased Lee.

"I think it's sweet," Kristen said. "He's protecting his little girl."

"Yeah, from men like him." Francine snorted.

"He likes to feel her kick," Amanda said.

"It's true," Lee admitted. "I'm kind of obsessed with it. Plus it's true, I want to keep men like me away from her."

"Is she moving now?" Kristen looked excited.

"Actually, she is moving a little bit." Amanda told her.

"I want to feel her move." Kristen hopped up. "May I?"

"Yeah," Amanda said as Kristen gleefully bounced around to the other side of the table."It's right here." Kristen put her hand on Amanda's belly. Bump, bump

"Woah, that is so cool. Francine, come feel this."

"No, thank you."

Billy walked in, at which point Kristen walked back to her seat.

"What's going on in here?" Billy barked.

"Sorry," Lee said. "Our daughter has become the side show act." The room laughed.

"Well, let's get a handle on this Brody situation so you two can actually enjoy your daughter. Where are we?"

"The CIA indicates Ryan has had no contact from anyone associated with Brody. A couple of other groups have made some inquiries, so word is out there." Francine said, then looking at Kristen who simply looked sad having had no physical contact from Ryan. "We're not certain whether Brody is aware it's not genuine, or if they are waiting for Lee." Francine added looking across the table as Amanda dropped her head. .

"There has been no activity at the Alexandria house, so it appears he's moved to a new location." Duffy reported.

"It's been way too quiet, Billy." Lee said. "Could Ryan make contact with one of the other interested parties to see if that makes some noise?"

"I think that may be the way to start it. Lee, reach out to Ryan in the background as you've had experience with this so you can guide him.. Work with the CIA on this one and keep me updated."

They broke and Lee Amanda and Kristen moved up to the Q Bureau where Lee reached out to Ryan and the CIA contacts. This was the only time Kristen was able to talk with Ryan, as they could only have communication through secure lines. It was clearly not ideal, but it brought her some comfort to hear his voice. They agreed that Ryan would make contact with one of the interested parties to see if there seemed to be any connection to Brody. They waited for the call back.

"How long does this usually take?" Kristen asked Lee.

"It depends. If they are actively waiting, it could be just a few minutes. If they are relaying through a third party, it could take longer. It could also be that Brody is acting as this third party. Once we get a time and place we can move. I'm sorry it's taking so long."

"It's okay," Kristen said. "We agreed we would look at it like practice for when one or both of us is out on extended assignment."

"That's true," Lee said. "That can be hardest part of the job."

About 2 hours later, the CIA contingency called back. While there had been some indications of interest from a party, there had been a strange withdrawal.

"Could Brody be aware it was the CIA calling, so standing back to see what happens?" Kristen asked.

"It's very likely. I just wish we knew where he was," Lee said. "It's like he's circling us but not striking."

"I don't like this," Amanda said. "Something's off here. He's toying with us."

"I don't think he knows the information is fake because Brody had someone there trying to get the research. I hate to say it, but I think he's waiting for me." Lee said. Amanda stood up and walked across the room nervously moving her hand over her belly. She was just a few weeks away from giving birth and that concerned her even more.

"He wants revenge," Amanda said. "Could he be waiting until after I have the baby? Does he want to do something to her?" She started tearing up. Both Lee and Kristen were trying to calm her.

"We won't let anyone get near her," Lee said. "If I have to lay down my own life, she won't be harmed."

"He knows you would protect your child with your life."

"We won't let it get that far." Lee said. "We need to think like Brody. He's going to stay in hiding, but hire middle men to do his work. He'll want to stay close, but just out of view. He'll be using the lowest common denominators to do his dirty work." Lee thought. "We need more intelligence."

"Not Augie again?" Kristen asked

"Yeah, but not taking you this time." Lee looked at Amanda. "Time to use guilt. Can you wear something that makes you look even more pregnant?"

"I suppose I have something at home," she answered. "Why?"

"I think we need to play unfair with Augie. He's always liked you, I think it's time to exploit it."'

Lee and Amanda went home for her to change. She found a maternity blouse given to her by Aunt Lillian. She never wore it as it made her look huge. She put it on for Lee.

"Wow, with that on it looks like you about ready to pop. I think that should do it." Lee said.

As they walked downstairs, Amanda passed by Dotty. "Amanda, I know you don't want to make Aunt Lillian feel bad, but that blouse makes you look like a circus tent." Chef's kiss.

- SMK -

Lee and Amanda pulled up by Augie's hot dog stand. Lee got out of the car first. Augie had been talking to a particularly unsavory looking person. When he saw Lee, he shooed the person away. Then he saw Amanda slowly getting out of the car, holding a prominent baby bump.

"Oh no," Augie said, looking particularly unsettled "Don't do this to me. Come on."

"Hello, Mr. Swann," Amanda said, doing her best to look worried and sad.

"Hello, Mrs. Ki… Mrs. Stetson." Augie looking increasingly uncomfortable. "Lee, you know Brody don't mess around."

"That's ok, Mr. Swann," Amanda said, holding her back to further accentuate her condition, "I understand. I can get by raising this baby alone, along with my other two children."

"Somehow, I like the little mean one better now." Shifting uncomfortably from where Kristen had kneed him.

"Augie," Lee said, peeling off a few bills. "Maybe this will help. Just a little something."

"Ok," Augie looked around, "but only for you, Mrs. Stetson, and you did NOT hear this from me. I understand he has some operation out of a warehouse in Greater Landover. There's a Hunt Manufacturing sign on the top of the building. That's it, that'a all I know."

"Thank you, Mr. Swann," Amanda smiled at him as she waddled back to the car.

"I think I need to change my business again," Augie said, looking paranoid.

- SMK -

They returned to the Agency with the new information and went directly to the Q Bureau where Kristen was on the phone.

"Hey, I'll talk to you later." She hung up. "Good grief, Amanda, well done on the poor pitiful pregnant woman act. You could fit six kids under that blouse."

"Well," Lee said, "it worked. We need to look up a Hunt Manufacturing. Brody may be working out of this warehouse." Kristen hopped over to Lee's desk and looked it up on the computer.

"Hunt Manufacturing out of Greater Landover?" She asked.

"That's the one," Lee replied.

"Looks like the building is owned by a couple shell corporations, Smith, LLC and BTN Enterprises, Inc."

"Both probably fronts," Lee said. "I don't want any of us heading over there to tip him off, but let's see if we can get someone to take a peak." He called Billy to authorize some surveillance.