Chapter 27

Meet the Parents

Back at Lee's temporary apartment, he and Kristen listened to the tape. "Now that we've confirmed Brody acquired the research through the doctoral assistants, I'm calling Billy and Amanda to let them know we're removing the bugs from the doctor's offices once we've talked to Bloomfield. I don't want to use them as bait," Lee said.

"He's gotten what he needs from Sadler and Nadu. You don't think he'd execute them, do you?." Kristen asked, genuinely concerned for the professors.

"No," Lee said thoughtfully. "I think killing any of the professors would attract too much attention and scare off buyers. He seems to only be discarding the low level thugs that no one will really miss. Meet with Dr. Bloomfield tomorrow, we need to know what he was working on and if Brody has actually secured his research yet. I don't think he has, as he's not actively looking for a buyer yet, just fishing for prospects. The tough part is going to be finding out where Brody's hiding and the location of the stolen research."

"I'll start with Bloomfield tomorrow and see what we can find out.." Kristen said. "Is there anything else we need to do tonight?"

"I don't think so. You hungry?"

"Yeah, actually." Kristen said thoughtfully. "Do you think Brody has us under surveillance?"

"It doesn't seem so yet." Lee said. "We took the Agency jet to get here and that's pretty secure. He hasn't been following you. Why?"

"Well, I was thinking there's a place we can go to hear an amazing musician."

"Who's the musician?" Lee asked.

"Kat Reynolds?" Kristen smiled.

"Am I supposed to know who that is?" Lee said wondering if he'd become terribly out of touch with the current music scene.

"I am so offended, Lee Stetson!" Kristen mocked insult. "She's only an incredible music teacher, singer, pianist and her biggest claim to fame? Giving birth to me."

"Oh!" Sudden realization came over him. "I didn't realize your family was so close," Lee had been so wrapped up as Scarecrow, he's forgotten that this was where Kristen grew up.

"She plays at my stepdad Hank's piano bar tonight. It's down by the beach in Orange County. It's a little over an hour away. I'd love for you to meet them."

Lee smiled. After getting to know Kristen, he was genuinely curious to meet her family. It was odd, as his strength as an agent had come from his detachment from family, Kristen's seemed to stem from the unequivocal support of hers, even if they did not know the actual scope of her employment. "Yeah, Let's go." Lee said. "I don't think Brody's watching us, but let's be safe. This will be an excellent opportunity for some field training on evading or losing a tail."

- SMK -

Under Lee's guidance, Kristen swerved through several back streets and around corners to get to the freeway. If there was someone following them, they weren't now. She then drove them a little over an hour away to a bar near a marina. On the way she told him that her mother was a music teacher and now the head of the Music Department for the Orange Unified School District. However, eleven years ago, after the divorce from her father, her mother was having a hard time making ends meet as a single parent, so she decided to get a second job. That's when she auditioned to play the piano and sing at Hank's bar. When drunk patrons made lewd comments during her audition, Hank threatened to kick their asses, then hired her on the spot. They were totally smitten with each other and married about a year later. Her mother continued to play at the bar a few nights a week including weekends when it featured dueling pianos with interactive participation from the patrons. She explained how much fun it was and how the bar had weirdly become a focal point for the family. Some families have a boat, an RV, pets or even a farm. Her family had a bar. Hank was happy to close it down from time to time for their own birthday parties, gatherings or celebrations. These days her mother didn't need the second job, but continued to work there simply because she enjoyed it.. Tonight, a weeknight, it would be a more relaxed atmosphere featuring her mother singing at the piano.

It was still relatively early in the evening, so she knew the crowd would still be light. Once they arrived, Lee noticed all the bars and restaurants in the area with the harbor nearby. This place must do really well given the lovely location. He wished that Amanda could have joined them as this would make for a very romantic date night. For now, Lee could sense Kristen bubbling over with anticipation as they walked up to the bar. The doorman immediately recognized her.

"Kristen! What are you doing here?!" He gave her a big hug.

"Hi, Devin, just here for the night. It's good to see you. This is my friend, Lee"

"Hey, nice to meet you. You two go on in." As Kristen walked in her mother was playing, so she headed toward the bar. As they were walking, Lee noticed the woman at the piano appeared to be in her late forties or early fifties, blonde with a face much like Kristen's. She was clearly well accomplished as a pianist and her voice was clear and expressive, with some pretty impressive range. As they reached the bar, Kristen called out.

"Hey bartender!," Lee noticed a hulking man even taller than himself with jovial face, bright blue eyes, and long hair pulled back into a low ponytail look toward her and his face immediately lit up.

"Well, if it isn't the petite dictator!" He bellowed heartily. "Hey firecracker! What are you doing here?" The man ran out from the bar and pulled Kristen up off her feet in a bear hug. Pettit dictator? - ha ha. Lee would need to remember that one. Her mother was clearly aware she was there, as she seemed to speed up the song to take a break. .

"Krissy!" Her mother shouted once she was able to leave the piano. She ran over and hugged her daughter. "You didn't tell me you'd be here." Krissy was not nickname Lee imagined for her, but definitely one that her mother likely used since birth.

Kristen hugged them, then gestured over to Lee.

"This is Lee Stetson," she said. "You recall, we work together. We had to come out here at the spur of the moment to scout a location in L.A.. I had to make a stop to see you. Lee, this is my Mom, Katarina, or Kat, and my stepdad, Hank."

"It's nice to meet you," Lee shook their hands. Her mother was clearly overjoyed. Kristen had talked about both Lee and Amanda and it was evident her mother recognized Lee's name.

"This is Lee?!" Kat squealed. "Oh my, Krissy has told us all about you and Amanda. It's so wonderful to finally meet you." She hugged Lee warmly. Kat continued, "So, I understand you and Amanda are getting married and expecting a baby. Congratulations!,"

"Yes, we are. Thank you" Lee smiled, feeling a bit overwhelmed. It was easy to see where Kristen's exurberance came from.

"So who's driving tonight?" Hank asked.

"I am," Kristen said.

"Ok, soda for you. Lee, what are you drinking? It's on the house." Hank roared. "Hey, I'll call Alex. He'd kill us if he didn't get to see you."

"Anissa's working tonight, unfortunately," Kat explained. She turned to Lee. "That's Kristen's sister. She's a labor and delivery nurse, so long hours. Listen, I have to get back to the piano. Now, Krissy, you will sing with me, right?"

"Mooomm" Kristen protested.

"You have an amazing voice. I hope you're keeping up your exercises." Lee grinned at Kristen actually shrinking down a bit, her mother being one of the few people who could have some influence over her. Kristen and Lee sat down to enjoy her mother's playing. About 20 minutes later, Lee noticed a man in his early twenties with shoulder length, blonde wavy hair dressed like a member of Van Halen come striding into the bar.

"Kris!" He yelled running up to her. Kristen jumped up and rushed over to hug him.

"Alex!" She yelled. "I'm so happy you're here." She turned to Lee.

"Lee," she said. "This is my brother, Alex."

"Nice to meet you, Man." Alex said. He turned to Kristen, "This isn't the guy you're dating, right?"

"No!" Kristen grimaced. "That would be Ryan. Lee and I are here for work, Plus Lee's taken, and I mean seriously taken. He's engaged to my friend Amanda and they're having a baby."

"Oh, okay. Congratulations." Alex said. He turned to Lee. "You never know with this one." Lee had to laugh, acknowledging Kristen's spirited nature.

"So I have to ask," Lee said. "What is the petite dictator?" Alex burst out laughing while Kristen put her head down on the table, hiding her face.

"When Mom first introduced us to Hank, Kristen, who was only thirteen at the time, totally interrogated him. Then when he and Mom were getting married and he was moving in, she told him where he could put his things." Alex explained, through a constant string of giggles. "That's when he turned around and told Mom 'the petite dictator said I could move in but all my stuff has to go in your room,' That's been her nickname ever since." Lee sat back enjoying the description along with Kristen's abashed expression.

"You know that name is coming up at the office." Lee told Kristen, capitalizing on the situation.

"Oh God," Kristen said, red-faced. "And I thought it was a good idea for you to meet my family."

"It was an excellent idea," Lee kept laughing. As if it add injury, Kat called Kristen over through the mic to the piano. Kristen looked at Alex with a help me look on her face.

"You know how much it means to her, Kris. Go sing with her."Alex told her. Kristen sighed and got up like a child who'd been sent to detenton, walked over and sat on the bench next to her mother.

"My beautiful daughter, Kristen, is visiting from Washington D.C., everyone." Kristen looked mortified as the crowd applauded, while her mother looked exceedingly proud. "Our favorite song. We've been singing this together ever since she was a little girl. She's not warmed up, but that's okay." Lee recognized the chords to Tiny Dancer . He noticed Kristen's face transform as she sang with her Mom, as if she's been transported back to a little girl.

Kristen knew that while she scoffed at being pulled up to sing, there was always a comfort in sitting at the piano with her mom. As they were singing, Alex turned to Lee,

"Of course," Alex said. "Kristen and Mom love Elton John. They sang this all the time when we were kids."

"She's never mentioned singing, except maybe karaoke bars with friends," Lee said to Alex. It seemed odd as here it seemed it was an integral part of her young life.

"She used to sing all the time up through junior high. You always knew where she was at school because she would be singing in the halls. She was so self confident for a twelve year old." Alex explained.

"Like she is now," Lee said. Alex nodded.

"Then, in her freshman year of high school when she sang in the halls she started getting bullied. I mean, like really bad. Then her whole personality changed and she became really quiet and all that confidence just disappeared." Alex tried to maintain his composure. "I truly think Hank saved her life. He stood her in front of the mirror and make her yell things, 'I'm a bad ass! I don't care what you think!' He even had her use some choice swear words which Mom was not crazy about. But it started to work. It took until the middle her sophomore year, but the confidence came back." Alex tittered, obviously moved by a memory. "We knew she was back when she told a cheerleader, the head bully, to fuck off and punched her in the face."

"Ok," Lee said. "That I can believe. All the catty girls in the office are afraid of her."

"That's Kristen." Alex chuckled. "She was called into the principal's office and suspended for three days. Our dad was pissed, but Hank took her for ice cream." He smiled, but then darkened slightly. "But, the singing never returned. I really miss it. However, I did get her to sing on a track with my band back at Christmas."

"Kristen mentioned you were a lead guitarist. She's really proud of you." Lee told Alex who shifted himself a little taller knowing his sister was speaking so highly of him. "And thanks for telling me about this history," Lee said. This opened up why this young, snarky, self-confident woman could be so sweet to kids, but a total force of nature when it came to her job. While Lee had not personally looked at her background check, he was certain this high school incident would have popped up. For most employers, it would be considered a liability, however, as an agent, decking your high school bully actually increased your value. She was developing that duality similar to his Scarecrow/Lee Stetson double-persona. When hanging out with family and friends, she was Kristen, when there was a job to do, she was The Honey Badger. Alex turned to Lee again.

"How is she doing…really?" Lee was taken aback. Did Kristen tell her brother what she did? Alex read Lee's face. "She's never said what she's doing, but I know it's not working for a film company. She's wanted to be a spy, or intelligence operative, or whatever you call it, ever since she decked that cheerleader. I just want to make certain she's not in over her head." Lee was touched by her brother's concern.

"Well, I officially can't say much, but I can tell you she's built for what she's doing. She's very quickly making a name for herself. You and your family would be really proud of her."

"Good," Alex said, looking a little weepy, "I miss her all the time. But when I talk to her I can tell how happy she is. Just look out for her, okay?"

"I will." Lee said, putting a hand on Alex's shoulder. "I can't believe she can also sing. I think the only thing she's said she can't do is cook."

"Oh, God! Do NOT let her near the kitchen." Alex snorted. "I'm dead serious when I say she's nearly set the kitchen on fire more than once." The two men shared a laugh over the image.

Then they spent the next couple hours watching Kat sing and play the piano and even had Kristen sit and sing with her a couple more times. It was obvious how her whole family supported her, and each other, for that matter, much the way Amanda cherished her own family. Lee felt inspired to keep up the kind of relationship he was building with Phillip and Jamie. And that singing voice, where did that come from?

During a break, Lee and Kristen realized they needed to drive the hour plus back to Pasadena.

"It was so nice to meet you, Lee." Kat told him. "She's told us you've been a great mentor and she's learned a great deal from you. Also, thank you for taking her into your family, it's good to know she has such wonderful support around her, so far from home."

"Yes," Lee said. "Kristen is an amazing young woman. Our boys, Phillip and Jamie, adore her." Kat smiled with pride at her daughter. "Thanks to Kristen, Spanish has changed from Phillip's worst subject to his best. You'd be really proud of her."

"Thank you for saying that," Kat said as Hank nodded, clearly a bit choked up. The strong bond she'd mentioned with Hank was obvious.

"Oh, I'm going to miss you so much." Kat said as she and Kristen hugged.

"Me too, Mom. Please see hi to Anissa." Kristen lovingly responded back to her mother.

"Alex." Kristen said. "I'm so happy you came here tonight. I miss you like crazy. Get your band some gigs in Virginia and Maryland."

"I know." Alex said. "If we get some traction with the band, I would love to come out there to play."

"Please keep an eye on her," Hank said quietly to Lee with a knowing glint in his eye. "I know she's a handful and extremely headstrong."

"I've noticed that," Lee laughed. "But it serves her well. The petite dictator - I'm using that one." Hank let out a huge laugh.

- SMK -

On their way back to Pasadena, Lee asked about her family. Kristen explained that she was less than a year older than Alex, so they'd always been close and that her sister, Annisa, was three years older. Her relationship was not great with her father after he cheated on her mother, but they were on the mend after he divorced "the home wrecker" as she put it.

"As it turns out, my mom was meant to be with someone else. She and Hank are incredibly happy together. I was too close to see it when I was a kid. However, seeing you and Amanda, it's much the same thing. Amanda with Joe, I just don't see the spark, it was clearly a college thing. You and Amanda though, serious chemistry there."

"I think you're right." Lee said. "Amanda changed me for the better. I was pompous ass when we first met. I thought I had this great life jet setting all over the world. It's turns out I was just distancing myself from everyone. As we got to know each other I realized my life was empty and with her I feel whole. It has not been easy, but we're making it work."

"That brings us to a good point," Kristen said. "Tell me about how you two met. I've heard little pieces about you dropping a package with her, or something. I want to hear the whole story."

"It is quite a story," Lee said. "Well, it started with an assignment where I was posing as a waiter at a toga party and was passed a package from a contact. After I retrieved the package, the contact was killed so I ran. I managed to lose them at first and arranged to pass it to another contact who was on a train leaving Union Station. He was to serve as a courier, however, somehow they picked up on me again. I knew they were going to catch up to me before I could pass off the package, so I had to find someone else as a go between courier. I was running through Union Station and I see this beautiful woman with kind eyes walking toward me wearing a nightgown with an overcoat."

"Ok," Kristen laughed. "You have to be exaggerating."

"No, ask Amanda. I grabbed her and pulled her along with me and said 'Just walk with me' and asked her to deliver the package to someone on the train wearing a red hat. For whatever reason, she agreed and got on the train. Turns out there were a bunch of Shriner members on the train all wearing red hats so she kept the package." As Lee continued over the next 30 minutes, Kristen happily enjoyed the tale.

"You two have quite a legacy." She said.

"Yeah, we do. Damn, I was so terrible to her in the beginning," Lee said thoughtfully. "Why she stuck with me I don't know, but I'm grateful she did. Over the last three and a half years we became best friends, and then I realized I was in love with her. Thank God she felt the same way. It was only last May that we became a couple."

"Ah, man," Kristen said. "Now you're going to make me cry."

"I suppose I changed her a little too as she's so much more self-confident, and damn she's so smart. I guess she's always been smart, but now I appreciate it more. She makes me happier than I've ever been. Hell, I'm moving to suburbia and I'm actually enjoying it. I never had a normal childhood, so I feel like I'm getting it now."

"Thanks for sharing your history." Kristen told him. "Francine was right. You two DO make each other better - not be mention happier."