In Limbo

Chapter 73

Amanda sighed, and sitting down next to Dotty at the table, stated softly, "Mother, it isn't a joke...Lee and I are serious here...He and I are Federal agents. He's of course a better one because of all the experience he's had, and he has better aim than I do-"

Dotty gasped, asking, "Wait, wh-what?! Y-You have shot at people?"

Amanda quickly put up a hand to try to calm her, replying, "N-No...If you want the truth, I'm still in training at the shooting range. I'm okay at maybe twenty five feet, but fifty? Forget it-"

Dotty shook her head and getting up from the table, gathered the tray with the coffee and other items, bringing it over to the counter commenting slowly, "I-I simply can't believe what I'm hearing from my only child! You not only travel all over the world to find and catch criminals, but now you're being flip about your shooting skills? And what about the boys? Are you simply going to lead them into a false sense of security with this insanity?"

Amanda came over to the counter where her mother stood, and putting her hand over Dotty's answered gently with a gulp, "Mother, we're going to take things slow here to figure it all out. I never imagined going through an Agency world years ago, but now? I can't imagine my life without it, and without Lee? I'd be lost without him at my side, and he feels the exact same way about me. I-I love him, and I know that he's moved heaven and earth to protect everyone he cares about all these years...And that includes you and the boys. So, I'm asking you to please give Lee a chance to prove that he's worthy of this family's love and acceptance, alright?"

And as Dotty looked at her daughter, she no longer saw the little girl with pigtails who promised to protect her parents from the dragons who were supposedly chasing them, but now, today, saw the strong confident woman she grew up to be, who would protect her family at any cost!

With a final nod, Dotty stated quietly, "Alright, I have to trust that the two of you know what you're doing, and that we'll be fine, hmm?"

And as she and Amanda hugged, Dotty queried, "You know I'm still afraid for all of us here, so you really have to promise that you and Lee will be safe when this all calms down, right?"

Amanda nodded as she pulled back from Dotty, and stated with a smile, "I promise, Mother..."

-SMK-

Billy was given notice that the hearing would be held mid morning that day instead of later in the week, due to the judge's docket.

Billy, Lee, Francine, and the Agency Security Review Board were all in attendance at the Agency hearing as they gave statements to the work ethic of Austin Smyth over the years, citing him as professional, but clearly unorthodox, even sometimes going over the line in getting things done.

When it came time for Dr. Smyth to speak, he asked the judge in attendance, "But what about Agent Stetson? He's proven time and again that the rules don't apply to him, and goes about willy nilly, without a care for whom the bell tolls-"

The judge shook his head bewilderedly querying, "Dr. Smyth? You received an Agency physical not too long ago...Was there a cognitive test done as well?"

There were titters and chuckles peppered around the room as Dr. Smyth shrugged lightly, answering, "All tests concluded that I was fit to command this Agency, and as I stand by their assessment, I will continue to run it to the best of my abilities."

The judge sighed commenting as he put up a hand to the room, stating, "All right, that will do, People..."

As the room grew quiet once more, the judge then asked, "Dr. Smyth, what was the reasoning for your trip with Agent West's family the other day? It's claimed that it was a clear case of kidnapping where you coerced them into accompanying you for a made up skateboard competition with Agent West's and her mother, Dotty West's forged signatures on a falsified permission slip! Care to explain your actions?"

Dr. Smyth sighed, and remarked, "As I explained to the review board already, it was simply a test for Agent West to see how she would handle a real scenario with her family being gone, and she behaved in an exemplary manner, befitting a rising agent of her caliber-"

Lee then stood up angrily, answering, "Oh, come off it! She basically buried her fear and anger because her family is unaware of her career at the moment! She was given no choice in that situation that he created, Your Honor!"

Billy and Francine both quickly got him to sit down once more as the judge responded tersely, "Agent Stetson! Not another word, or I'll have you removed from this hearing! Do you understand?"

Lee, clearing his throat, answered with a sigh, "Yes, Your Honor."

The judge, then looking at the papers in front of him, remarked tiredly,"All right...I will go over all statements and documents given here and make my final decision in a few days...Court is adjourned..."

-SMK-

So, as Billy, Lee, and Francine returned to Billy's office and sat down to discuss the hearing, Lee said, "Well, Billy, I'm glad Amanda wasn't needed there after all...Are you still going over to talk to Dotty and the kids later?"

Billy nodded responding, "Yes, and then we can close this case for good, and concentrate on more important matters, such as your wedding..."

When Lee then shrugged, commenting, "We'll see-", Francine put up a hand, answering quickly, "Ho-Hold on! You are getting married! I plan to get a terrific designer dress just for said occasion!"

Lee replied in kind, "Hold the credit card purchase, at least for now, huh?"

Billy looked at Lee asking, "What's wrong, Lee?"

Lee scoffed responding, "Well, Dotty is not exactly thrilled with me right now, and even less with her daughter...Truth, justice, and the American way, right? Well, when all this hits the proverbial fan, her grandsons will follow their grandmother's thinking...There's no coming back from this one."

Billy queried, "What do you mean?"

Lee, with a gesture, remarked, "On a scale of one to ten, I'm lucky I'm at even one, Billy."

Francine answered, "Hey, look, Amanda will get her to come around soon, you'll see."

Lee shrugged commenting, "Okay, but there's still Phillip and Jamie to consider...Phillip is already a teenager, and Jamie's almost there as well...Look, Joe and Amanda's divorce did quite a number on them as it is...I don't want to add to that."

Billy sighed stating, "Then do what you've been doing with Amanda all these years...Support her and love her, and the rest will fall into place with the family, alright?"

Lee nodded, and getting up from his chair, answered as he went to the door, "Okay...I'm going to go get my files straightened out...Let me know how it goes, huh?"

When he left, Francine shook her head replying, "I've never seen someone be so afraid of an almost mother in-law."

Billy said tiredly, "Francine...When the day comes that you can actually relate to this situation, then we'll consider your comments as helpful, but until then, butt out...Dismissed."

Francine nodded smartly, and left Billy's office thinking, Wow...People are way too sensitive here...

TBC