Later that summer…
 

 
“…the levels of radiation crossed not only town and cities, but national boundaries. Within weeks of the accident, the radiation cloud travelled across Europe and Asia.  Radiation doesn’t care what nationality you are, the effects are long lasting, can be severe, and often deadly,” Doctor Popova described emphatically to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
 

One of the members asked, “Can you explain how much the radiation levels diminish in the soil at the 10 km, 25 km, and 50 km range?”
 

“Certainly,” she responded, as she pointed to the map illuminated against the wall.

“Amanda, you were right.  Galina Popova really is a brilliant scientist,” Lee Stetson remarked to his wife as they sat in the back of the meeting room while Dr. Popova testified in front of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “Yet, her methods are void of scruples.”
 

“True, but despite everything, it was vital for her research and knowledge be shared with scientists worldwide.  If the Soviets had managed to suppress the evidence, think of the repercussions.  So much information that the world wouldn’t be aware of, at least now we can learn from it,” Amanda sighed and shook her head.
 

“As much as I admire her as a scientist, I don’t think very much of her as a person.  It doesn’t change what she did to you.  It was wrong.  You could have pressed charges against her.”
 

“I had to put my personal feelings aside.  I took this job because I want to make a difference.  I believe in this case, I did,” Amanda expressed logically.  “Trust me when I say, we will never again be friends.  There’s no way I will be a character reference for her citizenship petition.”
 

“Although your mission is classified, she will have to be living here in the USA a long time before the Naturalization board will ever see her name,” Lee Stetson admitted to his wife.  “Billy flagged the paperwork for her citizenship petition.”
 

“Yeah I know; Mr. Melrose mentioned it to me.  It will give her time to think about what she has done.  Basically, she’s a woman without a country.”
 

“Or a conscience.” Lee added.
 

“There was one other positive aspect about the whole assignment,” Amanda commented, her face now beaming brightly.
 

Leaning his head towards her he questioned intrigued, “And what would that be?”
 

“Since I came home as Amanda Stetson, it was the catalyst to drop the charade that we weren’t married,” she boasted proudly.
 

Lee reached down for her hand which now proudly displayed her engagement and wedding ring and kissed it.  “You got that right.  Billy went to bat for us and Smyth actually consented for us to remain partners.”
 

“I think having Galina in the USA helped smooth over that discussion,” Amanda surmised.  “Smyth looked like the hero to the State Department and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.”
 

“They will never know the half of it,” Lee gritted out, nodding towards the Commision in the front of the conference room.  “But like you said, now everyone at the Agency knows we’re married, and we are actually living in the same household.”
 

“Although my mother would have preferred a big fancy wedding,” Amanda reminded him jovially.
 

“She was just happy that she was there for the wedding,” Lee replied. “I think she would have been upset if we told her the truth that we eloped months ago.”
 

“Yeah, she still got to plan the backyard nuptials.  All those new rose bushes looked beautiful, and the gazebo never looked lovelier with all the colorful flowers,” Amanda chuckled knowing Lee’s old visits to the kitchen window were tough on her mother’s flower beds.
 

“I agree; it was a beautiful wedding.”
 

“I’m really pleased about how Philip and Jamie have adjusted to having you around,” Amanda smiled lovingly at her husband.
 

“Except for the morning line up in the bathroom,” he chuckled.
 

“That will change soon enough,” she reminded her husband.
 

“Oh, listen, I think they’re about done,” Lee stated, as he turned his attention back to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
 

“Thank heavens.  I still don’t know why you thought it was necessary to listen to her testimony,” Amanda complained.
 
 
 

“Doctor Popova, we are extremely thankful to have you safely out of the Soviet Union to share your research and knowledge with the world,” the Chairman remarked.
 

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Chairman, but the recognition needs to be given to a friend of mine, Agent Amanda Stetson,” Galina Popova replied, turning and pointing to Amanda, sitting in the back of the room.  “Without her, I would have never been able to exit Kiev and share this valuable material with the scientific world.”
 

“Agent Stetson, would you please come forward,” the Chairman called out on the microphone.
 

Glaring at Lee, Amanda Stetson rose hesitantly. Slowly, she walked to the front of room and stood before the Commission.
 

 
“Amanda Stetson, unlike our military, Agents like yourself serve with little or no recognition of their valor, sacrifice, and patriotism.  Because of your efforts, vital data, statistics and research regarding nuclear safety will be shared throughout the world.  This Commission would like to personally thank you for your efforts,” the Chairman stated.
 

The Commission then stood up and clapped in her honor.
 

Amanda’s face was blushing brightly and nearly speechless croaked out an embarrassed, “Your welcome, Sir.”
 

Then, the Commission sat back down and Amanda hastily retreated to the rear of the room next to Lee.
 

“Now I know why you insisted on coming to listen to Doctor Popova’s testimony.  You knew they were going to do that,” Amanda whispered harshly towards her husband.
 

“The Commission was advised by Billy that there were extenuating circumstances regarding Popova’s extraction.  Amanda, you deserve a lot more than a round of applause from the Commission for risking your neck for that…that… woman,” Lee admitted honestly.
 

“I wonder who put Billy up to that?” Amanda queried with a raised eyebrow.
 

“Hey, I’m your partner.  It’s my job to watch your back, Mrs. Stetson,” Lee answered with a dimpled grin.
 

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.  “Thank you, Mr. Stetson.”
 

“You’re more than welcome, Mrs. Stetson,” then glancing down at his watch, Lee nodded towards the exit.  “Soccer practice should be over soon, let’s get out of here so we can pick up the boys and show them their new home today.”
 

“They’re going to love it,” Amanda answered knowingly.  “They each get their own bedroom and even my mother has a suite of her own.”
 

“And our master suite is on the other side of the house,” Lee mentioned as he reached for Amanda’s hand and led her out of the meeting room.
 

“I’m glad that they don’t have to change school districts either,” Amanda sighed, glancing up at her husband with loving eyes.  “I was a little concerned about that.”
 

“There’s nothing to be concerned about.  This house is perfect. Leatherneck and I are going to install the security system and the boys will help me fence in the backyard so they can get the dog they want so desperately,” he reminded his wife.
 

Amanda smiled contently, “We’re finally going to be a family, Mr. Stetson.”
 

“It’s about time, Mrs. Stetson,” Lee replied kissing her cheek tenderly.  “It’s about time…”
 

The end. :-)
 
 
 
 

Hope you enjoyed the happy ending.   I'd enjoy hearing from you...  Robin -  ohmygosh4@yahoo.com

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