(Written Spring 1999-June 2000)
 
 

Set Nov/Dec. 1987 the year they were married.
 

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Production Company. It is meant for enjoyment purposes only. I retain the right to the plot and not the characters. Do not distribute or copy this story in part or full without the express written consent of the above author. All characters in this story are fictional.
 
 

Part One

"Amanda, you set it up already? I really don’t understand what the rush is," Dotty commented, as she looked at the new home computer sitting in the corner of the family room.

Amanda rolled her eyes; her mother didn’t understand why she wanted a home computer. But then Dotty was still using an old manual typewriter. "Mother, it’s going to be helpful for the boys for their school work. Not to mention, I could get some work done at home instead of being cooped up in the office until all hours of the night."

"Yes, dear, you explained all of that to me already. All this fuss over a silly looking box; but did we have to have it in the family room?"

"Mother, it needs to be near the phone outlet for the modem. Besides, you might find out you like computers," Amanda teased.

"Well, I still can’t believe you won the darn thing in the first place, first that trip to Germany and now a computer. You are just the luckiest person…" Dotty was saying just as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it. I wonder who it could be?"

"Hi, Dotty, I came over to help Amanda set up the computer," Lee smiled.

"Well, you're late, but then I'm not sure you two will ever get your timing right," she needled him as always. She liked Lee a lot, but he and Amanda had been dating for a while now and they still weren’t even engaged. She had almost given up all hope that the two of them would ever tie the knot.

Lee laughed. It had been a difficult year as they tried to keep their true relationship from Dotty and the boys. Although Lee and both boys now got along, things at the Agency hadn’t changed. So they had kept their secret life just that – secret. Their main concern was for their family’s safety. He walked into the family room like he always did.

"You already have it working," he commented to Amanda, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah, it was pretty easy. Got the modem line hooked up, too!" Amanda smiled, proud of her accomplishment.

He looked behind the computer and checked out her handiwork. "I’m impressed, but I feel like I’m not really needed around here."

"Well," Dotty interjected. "When you're a single mother of two growing boys, you have to learn to do a lot of things for yourself."

"Mother!" Amanda groaned. And Dotty conveniently headed upstairs, chuckling to herself.

"Don’t be silly," Amanda finally answered as she nuzzled up to Lee. She whispered, "I’ll always need you. So what did Billy want to see you about?"

Lee hoped she wouldn’t ask tonight, but he should have known better. He knew he’d have to tell her and he knew she’d be upset. But Billy didn’t send him out of the country often and when he did, he knew it was important.

"He was briefing me on a new assignment," he answered casually. He hoped she would be more interested in the new computer than his new assignment.

"Ugh! That’s all we need. We’re still pretty far behind on the paperwork for the last three. He does have other agents or has he forgotten? So what now?" Amanda asked with a sigh.

Lee hated to tell her, but he’d stalled for as long as he dared. "I’m headed over to Germany for a couple of weeks. Looks like we might have a problem brewing over there and Billy is hoping we can put a cork in it before it develops any further."

She looked at him closely. "You said I, and then we. So which is it? Are you going or are we going?"

He sighed noticeably and fidgeted on the couch; Amanda knew right away that he was going without her. She hated when he worked alone. She worried about him terribly. "It’s only for a couple of weeks. I’ll be back before you know it."

"Yeah, right. You’re just trying to get out of all the paperwork sitting on your desk."

Lee smiled; she was going to let him off easy this time. He wondered if it was because her mother was upstairs or if she was glad not to be going out of the country with the holidays coming.

"I’m going to miss you, but you already know that," he said as put his arm around her shoulders.

"So when are you leaving?"

"Not until Monday. We’ll have the weekend together."

"Better be a long weekend," she remarked as she cuddled closer.

*** *** ***

It was the second week of Lee's assignment in Germany. Amanda talked to him every night. "So how's it going over there?" she asked.

"Slow, but I'm hopeful. Maybe I'll have things wrapped up by the end of the week. I'd like to be home by Saturday morning."

"Saturday, really?" Amanda grinned in delight. "That would be great, the boys will be out of town. They’re going on a winter camping trip. They seem to be all excited about freezing their tails off in the middle of the woods. They won’t be back until Sunday night."

"I’m not making any promises, you know how things can turn into dead ends. How’s everything else at home?"

Amanda laughed. "Well I’m back to typing at the office. I can’t get Mother or the boys off the computer long enough to get on. Mother loves to play solitaire on it. I caught her up last night after midnight playing."

"And what were you doing up so late?" Lee asked with concern.

"Do I sense a bit of jealousy?" she laughed. "I was up because I saw the light on downstairs."

"I’m going to be out of the office for the next couple of days; so you probably won’t be able to get a hold of me. I’ll try to call you before Friday."

"Be careful," she warned.

"I always am," he replied, smiling. He loved the way she worried about him. "Love you."

"I love you, too."

*** *** ***

The next afternoon Amanda was actually working at home. The boys were down at the park and Dotty was watching television when the doorbell rang. Dotty went to the door and answered it.

There were two men in business suits at the front door. "Is Amanda King home?" they asked impatiently.

"Amanda, it’s for you," she called out as Amanda headed for the door. "She’ll be right here." Dotty advised them and went back to her television show.

Amanda went to the door, with a pen over her ear, and paperwork in hand, distracted by the interruption. "Can I help you?"

They flashed her their badges mechanically. "FBI, Mrs. King, you need to come with us. We have some questions to ask you."

"Questions? What’s going on?" she asked. What she really needed to do was get back to her reports. Billy wanted them yesterday.

"We’re not at liberty to say," they responded.

"Listen, I’ve really got to get these reports done." Amanda started to explain, annoyed by the intrusion. "Couldn’t you just call me at the office?"

"Mrs. King," the one agent said as he grabbed her arm.

"You’re hurting me," she said as she wriggled out of his grasp.

"Mrs. King, you’re under arrest," the agent snarled as he grabbed her arm again and put handcuffs on her.

"What are you doing? I work for the government. I’m not one of them; I’m one of you." She started to panic. What was going on? Was this a bad joke or was this really happening?

Dotty heard the sharpness in her voice and came back to the front door just as the agents were reading her the ‘Miranda’ rights. "Amanda, what’s going on here?" she shouted in fear.

"Mother, I don’t know." Was all she managed to say as they dragged her out the door roughly. Moments later they came back and confiscated her computer and left without giving Dotty any explanation.

Dotty spent the next few hours trying to find out where Amanda had been taken. Finally she called Joe and explained what little she knew.

Joe called the Agency, but Lee was out of town and Billy was out of the office. He left a message for Billy to call him. It was late in the evening when he finally returned his call.

"Hi, Joe. William Melrose, I'm Amanda's supervisor."

"I'm trying to find out where Amanda is. Amanda's mother called saying she was arrested earlier in the day…"

Billy cut him short. "She was picked up by the FBI. I didn't even know about it until after it happened. I still don't know all the details."

"What exactly do you know?" Joe asked, clearly annoyed.

"Not much. The FBI has a closed lid on this. They allege they have evidence that she's selling secrets to the Russians. Our Internal Affairs department is working on it, but for the most part, I'm out of the loop."

"That's great. I'm glad Amanda can count on you!" Joe snarled as he hung up the phone.

Joe headed downtown; it was late, but he wanted some answers. After being kept waiting an hour he finally was shown to an interrogation room. There were two worn wooden chairs and an old beat up table in the small, dimly lit room. It was painted a drab gray, or maybe it had faded over the years. The light overhead was ancient; it hung only by its cord, there was no window. It was some time later when Amanda was finally brought in. She looked tired and pale; she had a bruise on her arm from where she was grabbed earlier and on her wrists - Joe assumed they were probably from handcuffs.

"Are you all right?" he asked, observing her condition.

She shook her head, no. She looked around the room uncomfortably and finally plunked down onto the chair.

"What the hell is going on?" he questioned, still concerned about how she looked, let alone why she was there.

She finally found her voice, although it wavered terribly. "I don’t know. They’re charging me with treason; they think I’m selling secrets to the Russians. Joe, I need a lawyer; you must know somebody who can help me. I can’t afford much, you know what I make."

"But what’s going on?"

"I don’t know. I don’t know what they think they found. I’ve been working at home on the new computer, but I never take anything classified home. Mostly just expense reports and things like that. Like I said, I’d never take anything classified home. As it is, I password encrypt anything that’s Agency related."

"OK, relax. I’ve got a friend who owes me a favor; he’s a defense lawyer. We’ll be back tomorrow. In the mean time is there anything I can get you?"

Amanda was trying to hold back tears; now was the time to think clearly, not get emotional. She knew the system well, she knew how they could ‘play’ this terrible waiting game. Unfortunately now she was on the other side of the table. They would take their time making these charges stick.

"Out of here would be nice. But officially they can hold me until tomorrow afternoon before they make the charges official. I need you to get a hold of Lee."

Joe nodded, that would probably be a help, someone on the inside to find out what was going on. "OK, but I heard he’s out of town. Do you have a number?"

She put her hand to her head in frustration. "That’s one of the problems. He’s in Germany somewhere. He’s been staying in Frankfurt, but he wasn’t going to be there for a few days. He was trying to get the case resolved by the weekend."

"Do you know what it is he’s working on? Could it be related to this?"

She shrugged. "Joe, I don't know what this is about; I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m not sure what his assignment is about, it was ‘need to know’ and I didn’t need to know."

Joe put his hand over Amanda’s. "Hey, I know you haven’t done anything wrong; you don’t have to convince me. I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on." He tried to get her to relax, but he could tell from the look on her face that it wasn’t going to help.

She sighed deeply. She was tired and scared and wasn’t sure what was going on, but she needed help. She needed a lot of help. "I’m sorry, Joe, I’m really tired and….scared."

"I know. But it will be all right."

Just then a FBI agent barged in. Joe's temper flared at the intrusion.

"Hey, I’m with my client; haven’t you heard of knocking?" he barked at the agent.

"Mr. King, you’re a lawyer with the EAO and her ex-husband. You can hardly be defending her. May I suggest a very good defense attorney; she’s going to need one. In the mean time, your time is up," the agent said smugly.

"I’ll be back tomorrow with my co-counsel." Joe snarled at the agent and winked back at Amanda.

She smiled faintly, appreciating his attempt to protect her. She lifted her hand in a feeble attempt to wave goodbye. As the door closed she let her head fall onto the table in exhaustion.

End Part 1.
 
 

Treason   Part 2         By Robin

The next day Joe got in touch with a good friend of his, Arthur Strasburg, a well-known defense attorney in DC. They met late in the day at Amanda’s arraignment. Joe made the introductions; Amanda looked worn and haggard. The charge was treason - selling secrets to the Russians. She was still stunned; she couldn’t believe this was happening to her.

As the charges were read, Amanda stood with the help of Joe and Arthur. Each of them held her up by an elbow. Amanda pled not guilty – she was innocent. She looked behind her into the courtroom; it was filled mostly with strangers. In the back room with an equally worn face was Billy. He mutely smiled at her then looked away. She was glad that Joe had talked her mother into staying home with the boys. They would find out the details about this soon enough.

The prosecutor got up and started. "Your Honor, we request that the defendant, Mrs. Amanda King, should be held without bond. She is a possible flight risk out of the country, with obvious connections to the Soviet Union."

Would this nightmare ever end? Amanda began to shake; if she were stuck in jail, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name. She looked at Joe with terror filled eyes.

Joe placed a hand over hers and whispered, "Don’t worry. Arthur is the best."

Amanda took a deep breath; the room started to spin and her ears began to burn and ring loudly. Joe looked over and quickly poured her a glass of water. A quick sip seemed to calm her frazzled nerves ever so slightly. Arthur got up to speak.

"Your Honor, Mrs. King has worked for the government for almost five years now. During that time she has had an exemplary record with several citations for her superlative work performance. She resides in Arlington, Virginia with her two teenage sons and is quite active in the community. She is NOT a flight risk. We request bail be set at $100,000."

The prosecutor chuckled loud enough for Amanda to hear.

The judge was angered by his outburst. He cracked his gavel loudly on the bench to restore order. "Mr. Strasburg, these charges against Mrs. King are quite serious. The prosecutor's request is well within reason." Then he glared at the prosecutor and announced, almost defiantly, "However, the court will agree to bail. Bail is set at one million dollars."

There was a gasp in the courtroom. Amanda looked around the room before she realized that it had come from her. "A million dollars?" She looked at Joe in desperation and then Arthur. "I don’t have that kind of money."

"Relax, Amanda, I’ll petition to lower the bail as soon as we find out what’s going on," Arthur replied confidently.

Joe and Arthur had to help her get up, she was weak in the knees and felt like she was going to faint. The bailiff came and took her away. Joe smiled helplessly. He held her wilted hand as she walked out of his reach. He felt like he had let her down. He walked angrily to the back of the courtroom; he wanted to talk with William Melrose – her supervisor. Joe wanted answers, and he needed to find Lee.

Joe headed after William Melrose, he grabbed him in the hallway. "Mr. Melrose, we need to talk." Billy shook his head in agreement and they headed to a small room for privacy.

"I don’t know exactly what’s going on, and I’m not sure if you’re part of the problem or the solution." Joe asked heatedly.

"Joe, officially I can't help you. So you’re putting me in a difficult spot. However, I don’t believe for one minute that Amanda is guilty. I’ll do what I can to help, but you understand - unofficially."

Joe nodded in understanding; he too worked for the government and it had long arms, and its justice was not often swift or fair. But his main concern was for the mother of his children. She had been unfairly accused of something she couldn’t do, not Amanda.

"I understand. But I need some help. For starters, I need to find Lee. Amanda said he was in Germany, but didn’t know exactly where. Can you reach him for me; have him call me?"

"I’ve already left an urgent message for him at his hotel, but if he went undercover, it could be a few days before he responds. Listen, I need to get back to the office; if you need something I’ll see what I can do." He gave him his card, and wrote his home number down on it. "This is my personal phone number – if there’s an emergency…" He looked at Joe, he hoped he would understand what he was saying.

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"When you see Amanda, tell her my thoughts are with her." Billy added as he left the room.

*** *** ***

Arthur and Joe dug deeply into the pile of evidence the FBI had amassed on Amanda. It was centered mostly around computer records, but what they had was very incriminating. Joe sighed as he sifted through it all.

"This doesn’t look good," Joe commented quietly. "There has got to be some mistake, Amanda could never do this, she wouldn’t."

Arthur calmly responded, "It’s too neat. Your ex-wife seems to be a rather intelligent woman. I don’t buy for one minute that she would be this stupid or this blatant. Besides, if she’s selling secrets to the Russians, where’s the money? She lives in a modest house, drives an older car and she’s still in jail. If she had the money, the FBI would have frozen it by now, or she’d be out."

Joe nodded. "You’re right. I’m just worried about her."

"Have you heard from her partner yet?" Arthur asked.

"No, but her boss said he might be out of town for a few days. I called him yesterday right after the arraignment. Maybe by tomorrow."

"You say he’s pretty loyal to your ex-wife?"

Joe nodded. "When he’s in town they’re joined at the hip."

Arthur looked over at Joe, curious at the way he said the last statement. It sounded a little like he was jealous, or was it longing? Whatever it was, he had already noticed the bond between Amanda and Joe. It was unique; most divorced couples didn’t talk to each other, but here Joe was helping him defend his ex-wife and picking up his rather expensive tab.

"Good, I like to have allies I can count on. Listen, why don’t we call it a night, I’ll have a computer expert here tomorrow to go over this with us."

* * *

Lee finally got back to his hotel on Sunday afternoon. So far he had little to show for his assignment. The lead he was following seemed to be a dead end. He picked up his messages and headed to his room. He sat down on his bed and glanced quickly at his many messages, only one stood out. There was one marked ‘urgent’ from Billy. He didn’t go through the pile diligently; if he had he would have found one from Joe King. Instead, he immediately picked up the phone and called Billy.

"Melrose," Billy answered his private line.

"Hi, Billy. I hope you have some information for me, because so far this trip has been a bust," Lee replied. He was tired and hungry, he missed Amanda, he missed being home.

"It’s about time you picked up your messages."

"Hey, I was undercover, you knew that. What’s going on?" Lee answered, slightly annoyed.

"I need you on the next plane home, we’ve got trouble here that makes the German situation look like a walk in the park," Billy explained in a hushed tone.

"What’s going on?" Lee asked again.

"Let’s just say that an interagency investigation found some irregularities with one of your close friends."

"Billy, I’m really tired, you mind translating that for me – in English this time?"

"Just get on the next plane back here. I’ll have someone meet you at the airport."

"Billy…"

"Lee, I want you to hang up this phone, pack your bag and be at the airport within the next half hour. There will be a ticket waiting for you – now move it!" Billy demanded and hung up the phone.

Lee clicked down on the receiver and then quickly dialed Amanda's number. The line was busy. "Damn!" He swore and hung up the phone.

Francine looked over at Billy. "I know, I know. You want me to book him on the next flight out. Don’t you think you should have told him Amanda’s in jail? He’s going to be irate with you when he finds out."

"You just get him a flight. I’ll worry about Scarecrow’s temper. I’ve got another call to make."
 
 

* * *

Joe King waited at the airport for Lee. He paced while the steady stream of passengers disembarked the plane. He looked up at the marquee; it was the right flight, so where the hell was Stetson? Finally, Lee trudged off the plane.

"Lee!" Joe shouted.

"Joe?" Lee answered in surprise. "What a coincidence meeting you here. You traveling abroad?"

Joe shook his head. "No, I’m your ride. I’ll fill you in on the way."

"It's Amanda isn't it? Is she all right?" Lee asked anxiously.

"I’ll explain in the car."

Lee turned to face Joe. He was now more than alarmed. First Billy tells him to drop everything and get to the airport ASAP, then Joe King, Amanda’s ex-husband, picks him up at the airport. "NO, what’s wrong? Is it Amanda?"

"She’s OK. But she’s in jail," Joe finally admitted.

"Jail? What the hell’s going on?" Lee demanded loudly.

"Not here," Joe whispered, looking around the airport uncomfortably. He still wasn’t sure what was going on; he wasn’t sure it was safe to talk in public.

Joe explained the situation while he drove Lee back to his apartment. "I need your help; Amanda needs your help. Mr. Melrose has been doing what he can, but he’s trying to stay neutral - out of the line of fire so to speak."

"You know you can count on me. But why isn’t she out on bail?" Lee asked curiously.

"The DA convinced the judge she could be a flight risk. He set the bail at $1 Million. I don’t have that kind of cash available. As it is, I’ve worked out a deal with her attorney, he’s good, but he’s expensive."

"Who’s her attorney?"

"Arthur Strasburg."
 

Lee looked over at Joe; both his eyebrows raised noticeably. He knew of Arthur’s reputation. "Amanda doesn’t make enough in a year to pay his legal bills."

"I’ve got that covered. I need your help investigating. I can’t do this alone; I still have to work at the EAO. I need a pair of eyes and ears out on the street. There's no way Amanda would or could have done this."

"Just tell me what you need. You’ll have it tomorrow."

"Thanks, Lee. I’ll tell her you’re back. She’ll be relieved about that."

"I want to see her."

Joe shook his head. "Not until Wednesday. No visiting hours on Monday or Tuesday."

"You’ve got to be kidding?"

"No, sorry. They’ve got the lid on tight. I’m only allowed in to see her because I’m co-counsel."

"I can’t just let her sit and rot in jail," Lee argued defensively.

"Lee, we’re doing the best we can at the moment. There will be another bail hearing mid week."
 
 

* * * * * *

"What do you mean he left Germany?" the man yelled loudly into the phone.

"He was recalled."

"You promised to keep him tied up there for at least another week."

"I never expected Melrose to recall Stetson."

"I needed more time. This may have ruined everything," he snarled as he slammed the phone down.

End Part 2
 
 
 
 
 

Treason   Part 3

"Amanda King?" the guard yelled.

Amanda stood up and came to the bars on her cell.

"I don’t have all day; let’s go," the matron snarled as she opened the door.

Amanda complied wearily. She had been in jail for almost a week, but she still wasn’t used to the way she was treated – with no respect or dignity. So much for innocent until proven guilty.

The guard pushed her forward; Amanda stumbled, but managed to keep her balance. They got to the door and she was cleared through. Another guard called to her.

"Sign here," he said pushing paperwork towards her.

"What's this?"

"Your personal effects."

Amanda was dumb struck. She just stood there silently. Was this nightmare finally over?

"Do you want out of here or not?" the matron barked.

"Yes, of course."

"Then sign the paperwork and you can go," she snapped.

Amanda quickly complied and the door slowly grinded its way open and she walked out. She headed down the hallway still somewhat unsure of herself. She finally made her way through another set of doors.

Lee impatiently waited just outside those doors.

"Amanda!" he sighed with relief as he pulled her into his arms.

"Lee," Amanda cried with joy.

"I'm sorry it took so long. I just got back Sunday night. I came as soon as I could," Lee explained.

They clung to each other for a few moments before Lee started to guide her out of the building.

"Come on, let’s get you out of here."

"Did they finally drop the charges?" she asked, still confused.

"No, I bailed you out."

She stopped short. Her eyes opened wide. "You did what?"

"I bailed you out," Lee replied nonchalantly as his hand reached around the small of her back to guide her forward again.

"Lee, where did you get that kind of money?" she asked, bewildered.

"Amanda, don’t worry about it," he replied as he walked her over to a small, older model sedan and opened the door.

"Where’s your car?"

"It’s in the shop."

She looked over at him, but he wouldn't make eye contact with her. She immediately knew the answer. "Lee, you didn’t sell your car, did you?"

"No, I traded it in. Now will you please get in," Lee answered as he tried to change the subject.

She got into the car, her heart was racing, her mind mired with questions. "Lee, you didn’t have to do that."

"Amanda, I wasn’t about to let you rot away in a jail cell until the FBI finished this frame up. Besides, I need my partner's help to figure out how they managed this in the first place."

"But your car? You loved that car. Where did the rest of the money come from?"

"Amanda, it’s only temporary. I’ll get everything back once you’re exonerated, so don’t worry. You know I keep emergency money. I think this qualifies as an emergency. Unless of course, you can convince me you’re selling secrets to the Soviets?"

"Of course not," she protested.

Lee smiled at her and put his hand over hers. His tone of voice changed. It was now sympathetic. "OK then, enough about the money. Let’s take you home and clean you up. We’ll call Joe and set up a meeting with him."

"I’m so glad you’re back," Amanda said with tears in her eyes.

"I’m glad to see you too," Lee replied.

*** *** ***

When Lee arrived at the Agency the next day, he headed straight to Billy's office.

"Lee, nice of you to finally make it in here," Billy said in a huff.

Lee looked over at him in confusion. "Been kind of busy, Billy."

"Yes, so I've heard. We need to talk about that," Billy said in a low voice as he went over and closed the door.

Lee watched and waited. He wasn't sure what was up. Billy was certainly acting strangely. "OK, Billy. What do you have on this situation?"

Billy shrugged and sat back down behind his desk. "I don't have anything that Joe doesn't know already. But that's not what I need to talk to you about. You need to distance yourself from Amanda. At least until this whole mess is cleared up."

"What? You've got to be kidding!" Lee shouted. "Billy, she needs me now more than ever."

"Lee, you can do more good for her undercover than you can holding her hand. Joe needs a pair of eyes and ears in the system. I can't do that for him, but you can. But I don't want you hanging around Amanda's house or the two of you investigating this together."

"I don't believe you!" Lee argued adamantly. "Why did you recall me from Germany if you don't want me around Amanda? You could have assigned Francine to the case. Amanda's my partner, Billy…"

"Lee, you bailed her out of jail!"

"What did you think I was going to do?"

"Lee, think about it from Internal Affair's point of view. They are looking for where Amanda stashed the money. Her bank accounts are clean, no big purchases over the last year. Nothing is out of place."

"That's because she's innocent!" Lee argued.

"Lee, you came up with bail money. Internal Affairs is suspicious to say the least. Where did it come from?"

"You want the list?" Lee yelled. "I traded in my car for starters; then I took out a loan on my life insurance policy, borrowed from my retirement account and cleaned out my savings account. I'm not worth a red cent at the moment, but my innocent partner is out of jail."

Billy took a deep breath. "Lee, please keep your distance from Amanda. You know full well that Internal Affairs is going to keep an eye on you as well. Use Joe as your intermediary. Help out all you want, but stay away from Amanda."

"Is that a threat or a warning?"

"Scarecrow, it's a suggestion. Think with your head, not your heart. You know I'm right. Let Joe be her emotional support system right now. You can be more help to her investigating this mess," Billy said nervously, worried that Lee would end up suspended as well.

"Did you need anything else, Billy?" Lee asked, his temper still flaring. He was not about to allow Amanda's ex-husband be her emotional support system, not now or ever.

"No, you're dismissed." Billy said quietly as he watched Lee get up, fling the door open and stalk out of the bullpen.

***

Lee met Amanda at Joe's office late in the day. She was anxious and exhausted. Both Lee and Joe could clearly see she was near emotional collapse.

As their meeting wrapped up, Joe suggested. "Amanda, why don't you let the boys stay with me for the next couple of days. I think you could use the peace and quiet."

"No, I'm OK, Joe. I'm just tired."

"That's exactly what I mean, Amanda. You look exhausted. I can take the boys for the rest of the week. Give you a couple of days to relax."

She looked at Joe hesitantly.

"Amanda, I'll second that. You need to unwind," Lee concurred.

"Just for a couple of nights, or they can stay through the weekend," Joe suggested. His ex-wife looked like she was going to collapse.

"Well, maybe just for the night," Amanda wavered.

Joe reiterated, "Then it's settled, I'll pick them up tonight."

"I don't know, Joe. Being home, alone…" Amanda reconsidered nervously.

Lee broke in again. "Then let me take you out. A nice quiet relaxing dinner."

Joe looked at Lee for a second; jealousy crept into his posture. But he looked at his ex-wife again. As much as he hated to admit it, Lee would probably help her more than he could. He nodded his agreement. "Amanda, it will do you a world of good. Go…"

*** *** ***

Amanda woke up in Lee's apartment early the next morning. Lee had been awake for a while, but just watched as she slept peacefully.

"Good morning, Mrs. Stetson," Lee whispered softly as her eyes fluttered open.

Amanda smiled over at him. "Good morning to you, too."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I slept wonderfully. It's been a while since I've felt this relaxed. I wish this morning didn't have to end…" Amanda said, not wanting to face the troubles she was currently in.

Lee pulled her into his arms and began kissing her. She responded quickly, meeting his lips eagerly. "Who said it had to end?"

"I could get used to mornings like this."

"I didn't mind last night either," Lee teased as his hands began to roam freely on her soft delicate skin.

Moments later the doorbell rang. They both groaned and reluctantly pulled apart.

"Stay right here. I'll get rid of whomever it is," Lee said with a devilish grin. Amanda smiled back at him in agreement.

Lee got up, found his robe, and closed the bedroom door behind him. He headed to the door to find Billy waiting outside.

"Morning, Billy. Is there something wrong with my phone?" he asked, annoyed at the intrusion.

"I needed to talk to you in person."

"What now?"

"When we last met, what day was that?" Billy asked casually.

"Wednesday," Lee answered drolly.

"Oh, good. So you remember that meeting?" Billy asked and watched as Lee nodded. "I thought you might have forgotten."

"Billy, do you mind getting to the point here?"

Billy cleared his throat. "I told you to steer clear of Amanda."

"You made a suggestion, I took it under advisement," Lee replied quietly.

"You mean you totally disregarded it," Billy replied angrily.

"Billy, is there a point to this conversation?" Lee asked, he had no intentions of discussing this issue any further.

Billy took out an envelope from his pocket. He handed it to Lee, who opened it and took out a half dozen pictures. He thumbed through them quickly. They were pictures of Amanda and Lee out to dinner the night before.

"So you're having me followed now too?"

"No, Internal Affairs is following Amanda; the FBI is following Amanda. God knows who else is following her. You knew that, for god's sakes a rookie agent would know that much. You're only giving Internal Affairs more ammunition to suspend you too," Billy warned.

"All right, all right. I'll be a little more discreet. I'm just worried about her. This whole thing has her on edge."

"I don't want discreet, Scarecrow, I want distance! I mean it. I can make that an order if I have to," Billy yelled loudly.

"Don't you even try," Lee snapped heatedly.

Billy gave Lee a sharp stare. "Lee, use your head. Think about this. If you get suspended, you won't have access to the very information that could clear Amanda. It won't take a whole lot more for Internal Affairs to give you a letter, or even worse, just plain suspend you."

"I haven't done anything wrong and neither has Amanda," Lee reiterated.

The two men stood staring at each other in an awkward silence. "I'll see you at the office," Billy finally said as he turned and headed out the door.

Lee headed back into the bedroom. When he opened the door Amanda was out of bed and almost fully dressed. Lee walked over to her.

"I thought I asked you to wait for me in bed," he whispered softly and then kissed the nape of her neck.

Amanda pulled away and shook her head. "Lee, with everything that has happened the last few days, I never gave any thought about how all this would affect you. Billy is right. You need to stay away from me. We shouldn't have gone out last night; I shouldn't have spent the night and you can't come to the house. At least not until this is over…"

"Amanda, we just need to be a little more careful."

"No, Lee, Billy's right. I'm sure my house has been bugged, the phones are undoubtedly tapped. For all we know your apartment is bugged too."

"Amanda, stop. You're probably right about your house and phone, but I swept my place yesterday - it's clean. I'll come by first chance I get and…"

"NO!" Amanda replied sharply. "I've got nothing to hide."

"Nothing?" Lee asked, hoping to break the strain.

She smiled, her tension dissipating slightly. "Nothing illegal anyway. Lee, you need to stay away from me. If you need me, call Joe or Arthur. They'll get a message to me."

"Amanda, don't do this," Lee pleaded.

"It's only until we sort out this mess," she reasoned with him, trying desperately to hold back the tears that were starting to form in her eyes.

Lee looked at her, pain clearly etched into his face. "Amanda, I don't like this idea."

"I don't either, I hate it. I feel like a puppet on a string," she complained.

Lee sighed. He hated to admit it, but she and Billy were right. The more he was around Amanda, the closer scrutiny he would be under, not just by Internal Affairs, but also the FBI. If he was suspended, even temporarily the consequences could weigh heavily on Amanda's freedom. Innocent as they both were, he had to put some distance between them.

"I'm going to find the answers to this. I promise you that," Lee answered as he folded her into his arms.

"I know you will. I can always count on you. Now you better get dressed. You've got your work cut out for you this time," Amanda said as she put on a brave smile.

End Part 3
 
 
 
 
 

Treason Part 4

The phone rang sharply, waking Lee from a deep sleep. He searched groggily for the phone in the dark. It took him three rings before he could stop its incessant ringing. "Stetson," he mumbled into the receiver.

"Lee, we need to meet - now. It's urgent! I'll be at the old 7^th Street drop in 30 minutes."

The line went 'click' before Lee could respond. For a few moments he wasn't sure if it wasn't part of his dream. He knew the voice; he knew the drop. But why there, why now? It was - he looked over at his alarm clock in his darkened room, not even 5AM in the morning. He got out of bed, trying to bring himself to some sort of consciousness. Whatever was happening he'd need his wits about him.

He drove up to the old drop, and turned the lights off on his sedan as he rounded the corner. His eyes scanned for movement or something out of place. But at this hour all was still pretty quiet. Nothing seemed odd. He wasn't sure if that was a good sign or bad. He checked his watch; it was almost five thirty. Moments later he saw her car. He double checked his gun in its holster and got out of his car to meet her. She was alone.

"Lee, thanks for meeting me here so quickly," she said as she too scanned the area for any unwelcome company.

"Francine, what's going on that you woke me up out of a sound sleep at this hour? Do you have something to help Amanda?" Lee asked, somewhat annoyed.

"It's related to Amanda's case, but I don't think it's going to help any," Francine answered cryptically. "Just more fuel for the fire."

Lee wasn't following. He was getting very aggravated. "Cut to the chase, Francine, what do you have?"

"Billy was arrested about three hours ago. Jeannie called me; she would have called you I'm sure but she didn't know you were back in the country."

"Billy, arrested? What for?" Lee asked, concerned, but wary.

"Apparently they found some irregularities in his bank accounts. They think he's involved with Amanda. The FBI thinks he's the one funneling the money for her," Francine started to explain.

"WHAT?" Lee yelled and then looked around the cold darkened street. He didn't want to draw attention to them so he lowered his voice. "Francine, this doesn't make any sense. Amanda's innocent."

"So's Billy!" Francine added staunchly.

Lee looked over at Francine with a skeptical look on his face. Billy had been acting odd since he recalled him from Germany. Could Billy possibly be involved? Was he the one behind this whole thing in the first place?

"Come on, Lee, you can't possibly believe Billy would sell out now, after all these years?" Francine urged him.

"I don't want to believe it, Francine. But I don't know what to think anymore," Lee replied with uncertainty.

Francine looked at Lee in utter disbelief. Billy had gone to the wall with, and for Lee too many times to count. And now when Billy needed Lee desperately Francine wasn't sure if he was going to help.

"Lee Stetson," she lectured him. "William Melrose is more than a boss to you. He is a good friend and mentor. He's covered your butt more times than you can even count and you're going to walk away from him now? I thought I knew you better than that. I don't know how he's tied into this mess with Amanda. But there is no doubt in my mind that he is every bit as innocent as she is. So go home. Go back to your nice warm bed. I'm sorry I woke you. It's obvious I'll have to go this one alone."

Francine shook her head, turned and headed back to her car. She reached for the door of her car just as Lee grabbed it. She turned around and faced him.

"Francine, you don't understand. At the moment, I'm not sure who I can trust…"

*****

Lee waited in the Visitors Room for Billy to be brought in. When he entered the room he was wearing the standard drab beige jumpsuits all prisoners wore. In large black letters across his back the word PRISONER was spelled out. Billy looked through the dozen or so visitors and prisoners who shared the room and smiled with relief when he saw Lee waiting for him.

"Lee, thanks for coming."

"I'm only here because Jeannie asked me to come down, " Lee answered dryly as he surveyed the room.

"How's Jeannie coming with the bail money?" Billy asked hopefully.

"Let me just say, I hope you like your present accommodations. You're going to be here a while," Lee answered in a scornful tone. "Obviously you're not sharing your newfound wealth with your wife of how many years? Found yourself someone younger, Billy? Maybe with no strings attached? Maybe you should have called her to bail you out instead."

"Lee, this had better be a really bad joke," Billy warned, mindful of Lee sarcastic tone.

"I guess the jokes on you, Billy," Lee snarled loudly. "I'm not sure how you got Amanda tangled in all this mess. My guess is that the FBI was getting too close. It's funny how I was conveniently sent out of town. How perfect to pin this all on a Freshman Candidate."

Billy was shaking his head. "No, Lee, you've got this all wrong. I've been framed; just like Amanda. You've got to see that. I would never sell out…"

"You make me sick," Lee spewed back at him. "You've got two beautiful kids and a wife who loves you, but you're going down for a long, long time. And I'm going to help them, just like you did in Stemwinder."

Billy reached out for Lee; he had to shake some sense into him. Billy knew he had been tough on Lee about keeping his distance from Amanda, but certainly Lee knew it was all for his own good. He needed Lee and his investigative skills as much as Amanda did.

Lee pulled away, but Billy persisted. Finally, Lee drew a fist with his left hand and launched a punch into Billy's jaw. He fell back to the ground, hitting his head on a chair. The second wound spurted blood quickly. "I hope you rot in hell." Lee snarled as he turned and left.

Billy sat on the floor contemplating what just happened between himself and his 'friend' as the other prisoners and visitors stood and stared at him.
 
 

*** *** ***
 
 

The phone rang; it was answered quickly.

"Stetson went to see him this morning? So what happened?… He decked him? His old boss and friend…. Wonderful, Stetson thinks that his boss set up his girlfriend. This is actually working better than my original plan…. Yes, yes, you'll get your money when the job is done. When I'm through, Perestroika will be finished and I will regain the power I so richly deserve…"

The man laughed loudly as he hung up the phone. He looked over at a picture of Lee Stetson and crumpled it up in his hand. "I'm not done toying with you yet!"

End Part 4
 
 
 
 
 

Treason           Part 5
 

Lee was at Joe's office updating him on the situation regarding Billy when Amanda came in. Lee's serious expression instantly melted into a smile as she entered the room.

"Amanda, what are you doing here?" Lee asked, not expecting to see her.

"I dropped Jamie off at the orthodontist and thought I'd stop in and see how things were going.  Now I'm glad I did.  I'm sure even Billy wouldn't mind us meeting at my attorney's office," Amanda said with a grin. She was happy to see her husband surreptitiously, even if Joe was with them. He still didn't know about their true relationship.

"Well, I think you need to stay away from Billy more than Lee at the moment," Joe answered.

Amanda looked at Joe with confusion. Billy had been supportive of her innocence up to now. She doubted that he would change his mind.

"What's going on? Billy knows I'm innocent," Amanda appealed.

"Amanda, I think you'd better sit down," Lee suggested as he walked over to her and led her to a chair in Joe's office.

"Lee, what's wrong?"

Lee swallowed hard. He knew Billy's arrest would be a hard blow on Amanda's psyche. He was one of the few allies that she knew she had. With Billy in jail as her accomplice it would only weaken their case for her innocence.

"Billy was arrested early this morning. The FBI found some irregularities in his bank accounts over the last few months. They think he's working with you, funneling the money for you."

Amanda looked over at Joe for corroboration. If the words had come from anyone else but Lee, she would have called them a liar. Her heart sank as Joe nodded his head. She knew that this new development wasn't going to help her case. She didn't believe for one instant that Billy could be guilty; she knew that somehow he was caught up in this masterful set up.

"Oh my gosh! Is he still locked up?" she asked with concern. Both Joe and Lee nodded. "Lee, you've got to get him out of jail."

"Amanda, he can't," Joe answered categorically.

"What?"

"Amanda, I talked with Joe and Arthur early this morning. They both agree that we need to use Billy's arrest in our favor at the moment. That he set you up."

"Lee, that's insane," Amanda shouted with confusion.

"Amanda, please," Joe interjected. "Hear Lee out."

"Amanda, we all know this is a set up. That's becoming clearer and clearer as the days go by. Our plan is to let whomever set you and Billy up think that we're going to let Billy take the fall for all this. Then maybe, with a little luck, he'll tip his hand."

"You're taking an awful large gamble on this. Billy is a good friend. He doesn't belong in jail any more than I do."
 
 

"Amanda, at the moment it's all we have. Francine's on our side, she's one of the few people we can trust at the Agency now that Billy's gone."

"So how are you going to get people to think that you don't trust Billy?" Amanda asked.

Lee sighed. He certainly didn't want to go into detail about his visit to Billy. He looked down at his left hand and answered quietly, "I've already taken care of that. The less you know about that the better."

Lee shot a look at Joe who nodded his understanding. "If you two could excuse me for a few minutes, I'm going to check on that fax about Billy's arrest."

Lee and Amanda nodded silently. They would be happy to have a moment alone, together. As Joe exited his office Lee pulled Amanda tightly into his arms…
 
 

***

Lee finally headed to the Agency and entered the Georgetown foyer. It had been an arduous day and it wasn't over quite yet. His usual contacts on the streets were empty-handed. Whoever was the mastermind behind this was keeping an unusually low profile.

Mrs. Marston gave him his badge and warned him. "Dr. Smyth has been looking for you all day. He's near the boiling point."
 
 

Lee swallowed hard. He never looked forward to a meeting with Dr. Smyth and certainly not now. With Amanda stripped of her Agency status and Billy arrested and on suspension, Lee was not sure if meeting with Dr. Smyth would be a good idea. Billy usually played intermediary for him. At the moment he didn't need to butt heads with Dr. Smyth and end up suspended himself. If he was to find answers for Amanda and Billy, he needed to be actively working at the Agency.

"Thanks for the warning," Lee answered and headed upstairs to the Q bureau, hoping to avoid a confrontation. He didn't have the time or the patience to go a round with Dr. Smyth today.

Lee opened the door to the Q Bureau, only to find Dr. Smyth waiting impatiently at his desk.

"Scarecrow, nice of you to come to work so late in the day. I was beginning to wonder if you thought you were on suspension too."

"Ah, no, actually…" Lee stammered uncomfortably.

"Scarecrow, I don't have time right now for excuses. Meet me at the O'Ryan Club tonight for dinner, seven PM sharp. And don't be late," Dr. Smyth stated forthright. Without another word, he got up and exited the room.

Lee sat down at his desk, confused and aggravated. He needed something tangible to go on. Who was behind this plot? So far his investigation had led him nowhere. There had to be something out there he was missing. He smiled to himself and got up. He needed to visit an old friend.

Lee exited the Agency quickly. He wouldn't have much time before his dinner engagement with Dr. Smyth. If his neck was next on the chopping block, it might help to have some information in his corner. Lee headed over to see T.P. Aquinas. He had a set of 'eyes and ears' equal to none in Lee's network. If anyone had heard anything, TP would be the one.

"Well hello, Lee, sorry to hear about Amanda. How's she holding up?

"As well as can be expected given the circumstances, TP," Lee answered. "What do you hear?"

"I heard about you and your boss' altercation earlier today," TP answered, looking up at Lee with surprise.

"Bad news travels fast," Lee acknowledged uncomfortably. "But everything isn't what it seems." Lee smiled; he knew that TP would understand what he meant.

TP nodded. "I was hoping that might be the case."

"TP, I need your help. Somebody has an agenda out there and is orchestrating this whole debacle. You must have heard something."

TP looked around cautiously before answering. "Nothing at the moment."

"I need to find out who that person or organization is before I'm the next one caught in this loop. I need you to do some very quiet, unofficial digging. See what you can turn up," Lee said and then looked over at his friend. "And, TP, I needed it yesterday."

"I'll see what stones I can turn over. I'll be in touch."

"TP, I don't know who I can trust right now. This information is going to be sensitive to say the least. Be careful. At this point I don't know if we're dealing with a domestic leak or an international one."

"Lee, send my best to Amanda, would you? And be careful, too. Remember you don't have her watching your back at the moment."

"Thanks, TP. Hope to hear from you soon," Lee said with an appreciative smile as he left. After a quick glance at his watch he knew he needed to put a move on it. He had just enough time to go home, get dressed, and make it to dinner with Dr. Smyth. As much as he didn't want to go, Dr. Smyth didn't invite him to the O'Ryan club for a social visit. It was strictly business. Lee was interested to find out if Dr. Smyth was an ally or an adversary.

***

Lee arrived at the O'Ryan Club with only a few minutes to spare. He gave his name to the Maitre'd and was quickly escorted to an empty table. Lee sat down and carefully surveyed the room. He had been to the O'Ryan Club before, and very little had changed, the dark wood, the subdued lighting, the wallpaper all reflected its dignified personality. It was a very refined club, quietly austere. The atmosphere spoke for itself, not quite Lee's choice of dining establishments. He waited a few more minutes before Dr. Smyth finally entered and crossed the room.

"Stetson," Dr. Smyth crowed. "Glad to see you can tell time."

"Dr. Smyth," Lee nodded, allowing the barb to go untraded.

Dr. Smyth sat down, snapped his fingers and a waiter immediately appeared. Without asking Lee, he ordered. "Two glasses of Scotch, straight up."

Lee sat uncomfortably after the waiter left. He and Dr. Smyth had never gotten along well. Lee almost laughed out loud with that thought. They never got along - period. Usually he had either Amanda or Billy to play moderator. Tonight he would have to go it alone.

"Been quite a week hasn't it, Stetson?"

"I've certainly had better," Lee agreed whole-heartedly.

"Your trip to Germany didn't go well I assume," Dr. Smyth asked.

"It was a bust," Lee answered dismally. He wasn't sure if this was the beginning of an inquisition. "Every lead I had wound its way into a dead end."

"Suspicious?" Dr. Smyth queried in his usual caustic manner.

Lee surveyed Dr. Smyth cautiously before answering. At that moment, Lee wasn't sure whose side Dr. Smyth was on. Certainly Dr. Smyth was feeling the heat with one of his agents arrested and charged with treason and his section chief for counter intelligence also in jail, arrested as an accomplice to the crime. But was Dr. Smyth looking to find an answer or another scapegoat?

"Is there something you know that I don't?" Lee asked with growing mistrust.

"Relax, Scarecrow," Dr. Smyth chided. "Despite what you may think, I don't believe that your girlfriend, Mrs. King, is guilty of treason anymore than Melrose is. You're here tonight because I intend to get to the bottom of this matter - and quickly."

Lee was surprised by Dr. Smyth's last statement. It wasn't the statement that Amanda was his 'girlfriend' that caught his attention. It was the tone he used in the proclamation that he believed that both Amanda and Billy were innocent.

"I am assuming that the scene that went down this morning at the jail was a rather poorly executed acting lesson," Dr. Smyth harangued. "Or do you really think that your old friend and boss is in cahoots with Mrs. King?"

Lee cleared his throat. "No, I don't think that Billy is guilty and I know for a fact that Amanda is innocent. But I'm getting tired of this game and thought it was about time I turned the table on whoever is behind this mess."

The waiter returned with their drinks and looked at Dr. Smyth for their dinner order. Dr. Smyth waved him off.

"Good, my boy. I'm getting tired of looking rather silly when I take my walk down Pennsylvania Avenue. We have Gorbachev visiting in a few days and I don't need Billy behind bars. So until Gorbachev is safely out of this country and back on Aeroflot heading home, I expect that you'll be working double time." Dr. Smyth grinned, as he gulped his Scotch, then put it down and puffed on his cigarette.

"With all due respect, Sir, I already have a rather full plate. I'm trying to help Amanda's counsel prove her innocence as well as handle the cases we had been working on before I was sent to Germany," Lee protested loudly. All he needed was an additional assignment.

Dr. Smyth dismissed his objection. "I'm assigning you to head the team to protect Gorbachev. Billy was heading that team; you will replace him. Until I know whose behind all this, I'm only using people I can trust."

Lee was surprised by his last admission, startled for sure, but equally pleased that the formidable Dr. Smyth was on his and Amanda's side. Any trouble with the Gorbachev visit would be disastrous to Dr. Smyth's career. And one thing was for sure, Dr. Smyth always thought of himself first.

"We can trust Francine, and I'll hand pick a few others," Lee replied in a businesslike tone. "The less exposed we are the better."

"For once, Scarecrow, we seem to agree," Dr. Smyth shook his head at the irony of the situation. "You keep your ears open, my boy. If the Gorbachev's visit gets messy, you'll be the next one on the chopping block, not me… capeche?"

Lee nodded silently.

"Now, I'm rather hungry. May I suggest the salmon." Dr. Smyth raised his hand briefly, snapping his finger and the waiter appeared almost instantaneously.

End Part 5
 
 
 
 

Treason Part 6

Lee arrived home to his apartment late in the evening. He was exhausted, physically and emotionally. His meeting with Dr. Smyth had proven to be enlightening, but long. He sighed as he flicked the light on and was very surprised to see T.P. comfortably waiting for him in his living room.

"Funny," Lee started. "I still don't remember giving you a key."

"Ah, but your doorman remembered me from the last time and was more than cordial in letting me in again," T.P. explained with a grin.

"Well, I guess if you're here at this hour it must be important. What do you hear?" Lee asked, intrigued.

"Plenty," T.P. answered quickly. "But all rumor and innuendo. Nothing substantiated yet."

"That's more than I've got now…" Lee suggested as he plopped down on the sofa across from TP. His face showed the signs of exhaustion and strain, but he leaned forward, towards T.P., eager to find some answers.

"I've got a bite from one of my West Coast 'affiliates' so to speak. Rumor has it, and again, this has not been confirmed, but Dr. Serge Krutiov seems to have surface in Western Canada over a month ago and has since disappeared to places unknown."

Lee's jaw dropped open. His tired eyes now fully awake. "Krutiov!" he yelled. "Of course, I should have suspected: the puppet master."

"I'm working on confirming that he's actually here in DC," T.P. added.

"It's got to be him, T.P. This is just the kind of spider web he would create. But who is he actually after?"

"That I'll leave up to you. But you've tangled with him before. His webs are dangerous," T.P. warned his good friend.

"Yeah, that's an understatement to say the least. Last time he was after SDI," Lee murmured.
 
 

*****

The next morning Lee was in the office bright and early. He had 'Ernie the camera' hard at work trying to confirm Krutiov was in town. Lee knew with Krutiov, that searching the regular cameras at the airport and the Soviet Embassy wouldn't pan out. If Serge Krutiov was here, he was deep undercover. So Lee had Ernie viewing surveillance cameras from less conspicuous sights.

By ten in the morning, Ernie had blown through most of the tapes without even one potential ID. Francine had been calling all over town for surveillance tapes from public places that Serge Krutiov may have frequented. It was almost noon, and even Ernie was starting to tire when he finally hit the jackpot. Serge Krutiov's mug was seen leaving the First National Bank of Arlington. He was right under their very noses and none of the intelligence agencies had a clue.

Lee smiled over to Ernie.

"I owe you dinner," Lee grinned with pleasure. Finally having a major piece of the puzzle. Now at least they knew who they were looking for.

"I'd really prefer the Star Wars movie," Ernie replied with a childish grin.

"Consider it done!" Lee replied as he rushed out of the viewing room and headed back upstairs to the Q Bureau.

*** *** ***

"So we know that Krutiov is behind this mess," Francine replied without hesitation. "But what's he after? This does little to exonerate Amanda or Billy in a court of law."

"All I know is according to TP, Serge Krutiov was spotted in Vancouver almost a month ago then conveniently disappeared. Less than a week later, Amanda wins a home computer. All the problems she's in right now center on records inside that computer's hard drive," Lee argued fervently. "They have no other proof, they can't find a paper trail, can't find any of the money - except for what suddenly showed up in Billy's account at the First National Bank of Arlington."

"Does Amanda remember filling out any entry blanks for this home computer?" Francine asked.

"I don't know. I never thought to ask. But trust me, the next time I see her, I'll be asking her that very question."

"So that brings us back to my original question - what's he after?"

"You're not going to believe me," Lee insisted. He wasn't sure he believed this idea himself.

"Try me, after this last week, I'll believe just about anything," Francine retorted.

Lee sighed heavily and nervously tapped his fingers on his desk in the Q Bureau. If he couldn't convince Francine, he would have little chance in convincing Dr. Smyth. "I think he's after Gorbachev. Since the last time we tangled, Krutiov's fallen out of favor. With Gorbachev and 'Periostroika' now the Soviet theme, it puts Krutiov on the wrong side of the tracks."

"Of course, but if Gorbachev is out of the picture, the hard liners would reassert their power…"

"And Dr. Serge Krutiov would again be important and powerful," Lee finished Francine's sentence for her.

Francine agreed, "Billy was in charge of the team protecting him and Amanda was working on his accommodations while he was in DC. You take the two of them out of the picture, and we're scrambling to make new arrangements. He's trying to shake up the Agency."

Lee nodded in agreement. He was now standing and pacing the room with excited anticipation. "Except now that we know what he's trying to do, we go back to our original plan."

"But Krutiov will undoubtedly still have contacts within the Soviet system. He'll know our every move," Francine reminded him.

"I realize that. But he doesn't know we're onto him. It's the only edge we got."

"Slight edge. Gorbachev arrives tomorrow morning. If this spirals out of control, we'll both be on the unemployment line and Amanda and Billy will be going to jail," Francine reminded him.

"Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence, Francine," Lee scoffed. "So we better get this right. Too much is riding on this. We stick to Gorbachev like glue. No information to the press on where he's going to be unless we have to. Got it?"

"Got it," Francine sighed and headed out of the Q bureau.

***

Dotty was helping Amanda clean up the dinner dishes while the boys finished their homework.

"Amanda, I know you're under a lot of strain right now, but I'm a little concerned about you and Lee," Dotty started. She had held her tongue longer than she could stand.

"Mother, you worry too much," Amanda replied, certain that she didn't want to head down this path.

"Amanda, since he got back from Europe he hasn't been over here once, hasn't even called you. Don't you think that's strange? Even the boys have noticed. Face it, Amanda, he's avoiding you like the plague. He must know you're innocent of the charges. If he has any doubts, it's not saying very much for your relationship," Dotty explained with extreme concern.

Amanda sighed. How was she ever going to explain this to her mother without totally blowing her cover? Then again, if things didn't get straightened out, it was all certain to come out in a trial. "Mother, I know you're worried about me and I appreciate that. But remember it was Lee who put up the money to bail me out. He's been busy at work, specially since I'm not there and he's been trying to help Joe whenever he can."

"Certainly he could still pick up the phone and call you if he's too busy to stop by."

Amanda put down the dishtowel she was drying the dishes with. "Mother, sit down with me for a minute. I'll try to explain what I can."

"Amanda, you're not the one who needs to explain. However, I think Lee has some explaining to do…"

"Mother, Lee has been ordered to stay away from me by IFF. IFF's main business comes from government contracts. The government has charged me with treason. So it kind of puts Lee and IFF in a sticky situation if he doesn't sever his ties with me. Lee needs his job and he's good at it. When this is all over, things will get back to normal, you'll see." Amanda explained honestly, hoping this would put her mother's mind at ease and she would kindly drop the subject.

Dotty shook her head with some understanding. She had never looked at the situation from the business standpoint. It made logical sense. But then she added one last comment. "Amanda, half the problem is your normal relationship with Lee. What exactly is your relationship and where is it going? Are you afraid to get married again, or is Lee afraid of making that kind of commitment?"

"Mother, please. I've got enough on my mind right now. I need to go check on the boys and see how their homework is coming. Then I'm going to bed - I'm exhausted."

Dotty shook her head as she watched her daughter head up the stairs. "Amanda, some days I just don't think I know you…"

***

Amanda finally said goodnight to the boys and headed into her bedroom. She flipped on the light and closed the door and gasped instantaneously. She whispered harshly, "Lee, what are you doing here?"

"Fine way to greet your husband," Lee teased.

"Lee!" Amanda admonished, looking around the room she whispered again. " You're not supposed to be here. This place is probably bugged."

Lee held up a small container with a miniature bug sitting inside. "It was, but this bug here is suddenly experiencing technical difficulties. I'm sure it will start working shortly after I leave," he grinned insolently.

Amanda smiled back and then wasted no time crossing her room heading straight for his warm embrace. "I miss you so much. But how did you get in here? Half of Washington is watching me. Internal affairs is down the block and the FBI is on the other end."

"I came in through the front door," Lee stated nonchalantly.

"Did anyone see you?" she gasped.

"Amanda, I'm a well trained spy. If I didn't want to be seen, nobody saw me. Relax," he said as he kissed her. She returned his affection equally.

After several minutes of caressing each other, Lee reluctantly pulled away. "I can't stay long, but I had to see you."

"You could have called Joe or Arthur," Amanda reminded him.

"No offense to your defense team, but three's a crowd. I needed to talk to you - privately. We've had some developments that may answers some of the questions hanging out there."

"Such as?" Amanda asked curiously.

"Let me ask you a question first. How were you notified that you won the computer?"

"I got a phone call," Amanda shrugged.

"Do you remember filling out any entry forms?" Lee asked.

Amanda thought for a moment before answering. "Well, no. But the boys could have filled out a questionnaire. You know how kids are."

Lee shook his head. "Amanda, I don't think you won that computer. Not legitimately anyway. I think it was rigged. And I think I know who rigged it."

"Who?"

"Does the name Dr. Serge Krutiov ring any bells?"

"The puppet master?" she answered with astonishment.

"The one and only."

"He set me up! And Billy too," she answered with anger.

"Amanda, you've got to keep this quiet. I don't even want you to mention this to Joe or Arthur at the moment," Lee said stroking her face gently. "You know how dangerous he is. He doesn't suspect that we're onto him yet. Any slip on our part could only hurt you and Billy in the end. I want to catch him and put him away for good. He's not in favor in Moscow anymore. He doesn't have diplomatic immunity this time. He entered the country illegally. He's ours if we can catch him. If he wants to strike a deal, he'll have to strike it with me."

Amanda smiled, relieved that they finally had some answers. "Sounds like you've been busy. You look tired."

"Yeah, I have been and I am. And for the next few days, things are only going to get worse. I might not see you for a while."

"Gorbachev's visit starts tomorrow," she acknowledged. "You don't think that Krutiov will go…"

"That's exactly what I think. So I'll be closer to Gorbachev than his shadow."

"Promise me you'll be careful?" she appealed, stroking his face tenderly.

"I will be. Take care of yourself too. I love you, you know," Lee smiled.

"Yeah," she winked at him. "I know. I love you too."

"OK, I've got to get out of here. Give me about five minutes before you take your companion out of his box," Lee said as he handed her the 'bug' inside it's soundproof container.

Amanda smiled as she took the 'bug' from Lee. They embraced one more time, kissing each other passionately. Then he opened her bedroom door carefully checked the hallway and skulked carefully down the stairs and out of the house.

End Part 6
 
 
 
 

Treason Part 7

It was a cold and dismal overcast December 7th. Amanda was a chaperone for Jamie's history class at Arlington National Cemetery. They had been studying World War II and were here to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as other historical sites. She stood in the back of the group trying to keep an eye on Jamie and his classmates as they waited to watch the wreath laying ceremony and the changing of the guard by The Old Guard.

As the ceremony started, Amanda looked down and noticed she still had Jamie's camera. She sighed, not wanting to bother him and took the lens cap off of the camera and turned on its flash. Her thoughts were soon lost in the cadence of the Old Guard; their rhythmic step was mesmerizing. No matter how many times she watched this ritual performed on these hallowed grounds, it never failed to produce a set of chills down her spine.

She was startled out of her reverie by a gloved hand grabbing her arm. "Mrs. King, how nice to finally meet you," the unfamiliar voice said calmly.

Amanda turned to the man and instantly recognized the face. She tried to pull away from him but a gun poked quickly into her side.

"Now, now, Mrs. King," the voice urged. "I wouldn't make any sudden moves."

"Krutiov!" Amanda whispered harshly.

"So you do recognize me; I'm flattered," Krutiov laughed softly.

"Don't be," Amanda growled as she again tried to pull from his grasp.

"Mrs. King, one more stupid move like that and your son, Jamie isn't it, will have a hole in his back. Is that clear? You wouldn't want anything to happen to your baby now would you?"

"What do you want from me? Haven't you caused me enough problems already?" Amanda lashed out verbally. Unsure of what else to do at the moment; Jamie was standing only ten feet in front of her.

"Mrs. King, look down at the ceremony. I'm sure you recognize the guest who will be placing the honorary wreath today."

Amanda looked down at the dignitaries who had just arrived. "General Secretary Gorbachev?" she answered with surprise; she hadn't heard that he was going to be here today.

"Very good, Mrs. King," Krutiov replied and then pushed a small revolver into her hand.

She looked up at him in shock. He didn't really expect that she would, that she could…

"Mrs. King, I'm giving you a choice. You can either shoot Gorbachev or I'll shoot your son. It's really very simple," Krutiov smiled with glee, obviously enjoying this torture.

***

Francine scanned the crowd. She and Lee had argued with Gorbachev's staff to reconsider going to the wreath laying ceremony this morning, but they had lost the argument. His staff stated it had been planned for weeks, but Francine and Lee worried that in this crowd, anything could happen.

"Lee, what's Amanda doing here?" Francine queried.

"Amanda, where?" Lee asked in doubt.

Francine nodded to the back of the crowd. "Over on the left, she's standing in the back."

Lee surveyed the crowd and spotted Amanda within seconds. Then his eyes narrowed. Further examination of the crowd revealed Jamie, standing in front of her with a bunch of other boys about his age.

"My guess is a field trip. Jamie's up there with her, too," Lee lamented. He didn't need any distractions; at the moment he had his hands full with Gorbachev. Amanda however, hadn't seen him. Lee's line of vision was just leaving her general vicinity when he caught an usual movement near Amanda. He saw a man approach her from behind. Lee watched with concern as her body language suddenly changed. He strained to see who the stranger was who had startled his wife. His eyes focused on a face and watched as Amanda tried to pull away.

"Francine, we've got trouble. Krutiov is here."

"Are you sure?" Francine gasped.

"Yes, I'm sure. He's got Amanda and Jamie's only a few feet in front of her. Damn it, this is going to turn into a blood bath," Lee cursed. "Francine, get Gorbachev out of here. Alert his staff we may have a shooter."

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"I'm going to get Krutiov; now move it," he ordered curtly as he quickly blended into the crowd.

****

Amanda was trying desperately not to panic. Her son's life depended upon her ability to think quickly. She swallowed hard, trying to stall. She couldn't shoot Gorbachev…

"Mrs. King, take the gun from my left hand. The gun in my right hand is aimed directly at your son. At this range, it will be quite a deadly shot," Krutiov grinned in delight. He had studied Amanda King and knew her family would always come first.

Amanda looked Krutiov in his vacuous eyes. Anger was surging through her body. She was not going to allow this man to use her as a puppet. His game had gone on long enough. "Krutiov," she said slowly. "You think you know me so well, don't you?"

"Actually, Mrs. King, yes I do. You are a very easy target," Krutiov nearly laughed at her.

She exhaled slowly and then remembering his very words she spit them back at him venomously. "Then you should know, at this range, Dr. Krutiov, I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn."

Krutiov froze in an uneasy silence. He had gone through what he thought was every scenario for this very scene. Hysterical crying, begging for mercy, but not the inability to shoot someone from a distance. Could this be a ploy or was it the truth?

Amanda wondered if he hadn't heard her. But it was true. At this distance with all these distractions, she was an awful marksman. Luckily it gave her the diversion that she needed. She grabbed her camera and almost shoving it in Krutiov's face, took picture after picture - the flash not only startling him, but temporarily blinding him as well.

Lee was running now. He dove and tackled the startled Krutiov; he knocked him and his gun to the ground. Amanda grabbed the gun and then ran to Jamie's side; she quickly escorted him and his classmates out of harm's way.

The older Krutiov was no match for Lee and his malicious assault. Another agent quickly arrived and pulled Lee off of Krutiov's now cowering form.

End Part 7
 
 
 
 

Treason  Part 8
 

Dr. Smyth listened intently as Francine interrogated Krutiov's driver. Unlike his chauffeur from the year before, this derelict was scared stiff and was spilling every last detail of Krutiov's plan. When Francine was finished she headed out of the interrogation room.

"Too bad all eggs aren't that easy to crack," Dr. Smyth mused, pleased with her results.

Francine nodded her agreement. "With his statement and what they found at Krutiov's apartment, both Amanda and Billy should easily be exonerated."

"Yes, and we still have Krutiov. Not a bad days work, ah, Desmond?" Dr. Smyth queried with a delighted grin.

"Not at all. Has Amanda been released?"

"Yes, our daring housewife, turned spy should be on her way home as we speak. Scarecrow is sending the paperwork over to the FBI. I want Billy out of that jail cell in time for dinner," Dr. Smyth scoffed angrily as he headed out of the room.

Francine headed up to the bullpen. Lee was on the phone with the FBI.

"Yes, the fax should be there by now," Lee snarled in frustration. "Go look on your machine for it. You can have your crack at Krutiov when we're finished with him. But I suggest you have the paperwork sent over to Justice dropping all charges on both Amanda King and Billy Melrose. Dr. Smyth wants Melrose out tonight or it will be a cold day in hell before we let you at Krutiov."

"I think you need to get out of here," Francine commented as she watched Lee slam down the phone in frazzled exhaustion. "Amanda get home OK?"

"I put her in a cab about five minutes ago," Lee explained.

"You should have taken her yourself. You've been going night and day since you got back from Germany."

"I know, but I didn't want to have this hanging over her head, and as Dr. Smyth put it so eloquently, 'Billy better be home in time for dinner," Lee explained as he rubbed his tired eyes.

Francine smiled at Lee's compassion. "Did anyone call Jeannie to let her know?"

"Actually, Dr. Smyth called her himself. She should be on her way to pick him up. That's why I wanted to make sure the FBI doesn't sit on the paperwork all night."

"Well, I'm pretty sure after that phone call, the FBI will be moving pretty quickly. They'll want a crack at Krutiov. I've never seen Dr. Smyth so happy before. He actually smiled a real smile," Francine announced with a shocked expression.

"Well, I'm about ready to collapse. I think I'll head out of here for a couple of days sleep."

"I think that's a good idea," Francine said just as her phone rang. She picked it up quickly. "Desmond… Yeah he's right here…. I'll tell him," she replied and hung up the phone again.

"I'm afraid to ask. What now?" Lee groaned.

Francine took a deep breath. "Joe King is downstairs in the Georgetown foyer. He's pretty upset that his client is being questioned without her attorney present."

"Oh, God. I forgot about Joe," Lee answered dismally looking up at the ceiling in frustration. He'd be glad to have Joe at a safe distance again. As much as Joe had been there for Amanda over the last couple of weeks, he'd prefer Joe in Africa or some other third world country, not across town.

"You sure you're up to this?" Francine asked sympathetically.

"Yeah, I'll be glad to have Joe King out of our lives," Lee stated without thinking. He quickly turned and headed towards the elevator in the hallway.

Francine watched with a funny expression on her face, wondering what exactly Lee meant by that last statement.

***

Lee walked into the foyer to find Joe pacing back and forth in front of Mrs. Marston's desk.

"Lee, whose side are you on anyway?" Joe demanded with a snarl.

"Calm down, Joe. Everything is all right."

"Amanda has a right to have her attorney present during questioning. I didn't even get a phone call from the Agency or you! I get a message from my son," Joe raged with fury.

"Joe, quiet down. Come up to my office and I'll explain everything."

"I want to see Amanda first," Joe reiterated.

"Joe, please. Upstairs," Lee answered as he started walking up the stairwell to the Q Bureau. He wanted to explain all that had happened. He wanted to circumvent Joe heading over to the house to see Amanda for an explanation. He was more than grateful to Joe for what he had done in his absence, but if he didn't see Joe again for a while, that would be fine with him.

Lee opened the door and he and Joe proceeded inside. The door was barely closed before Joe lashed out verbally at Lee yet again.

"I thought you were helping Amanda and me. But all this time you're really working for them," he growled angrily.

"Joe, you have this all wrong. I've always been on Amanda's side. She was brought here to give a statement. This was NOT an interrogation. I can't go into all of the details, most of it's classified, but suffice it to say we got our man this afternoon: Serge Krutiov. He was using Amanda and Billy to get at Gorbachev," Lee answered confidently.

"So where's Amanda now?" Joe asked cautiously.

Lee looked at his watch. "She should be walking in the front door of the house right now. I put her in a cab ten minutes ago. By morning the papers dropping all charges against her and Billy will be filed. I'll see that both you and Arthur get a copy."

"You're serious?" Joe smiled.

Lee sighed with relief, patting Joe on the back. "It's over, and I really want to thank you for all your help. You've really been there for Amanda and I appreciate that. I know her legal bill will be quite substantial; I'd be happy to pay it."

"That's not necessary. I worked that out with Arthur already; Amanda knows that. But what you could do for me is to spend a little less time around Amanda and my boys. Perhaps then she might realize this crazy business should be left to the professionals," Joe answered contemptuously.

"Amanda is the consummate professional," Lee rebuffed.

"For god sakes, Stetson, she's a housewife with two kids. She doesn't belong chasing down double agents and terrorists. She should be working in an office, behind a desk or something…"

"Something boring?" Lee interjected. "You don't know your ex-wife very well. Amanda needs more than that. She's smart and has great instincts; she's really good at her job, can't you be happy for her?"

"I'd be happy if I knew she was safe," Joe argued back, paused and then added. "If you're such an authority on Amanda, let me ask you, what are your intentions towards her anyway?"

"What business is that of yours?" Lee asked with a guarded look.

"She's the mother of my two, very observant sons. Don't you think they're wondering where this relationship is going? You seem to spend a lot of time around the house, but I don't see any signs of a permanent commitment. Make your move, Stetson, or someone else might," Joe warned; the threat was clear. Without waiting for a response from Lee, Joe opened the door to the Q bureau and headed down the hallway and to the stairs.

Lee stood in the room in stone silence. Even as exhausted as he was, what Joe meant was obvious. He had suspected that for some time now, ever since Joe's engagement broke off. He wanted his wife and family back. Joe had just given him an ultimatum.

*** *** ***

It was later that same evening when the doorbell rang at the King household. Amanda was upstairs trying to give a plausible explanation to Jamie of the events that morning. He was still a little shaken up.

Dotty yelled up the stairs. "I'll get it."

Lee's face flashed a tired smile when Dotty answered the door. "Good evening, Dotty. Is Amanda home?"

"Mr. Stetson, it's been a while since you've graced us with your presence," she answered him with a distinct air of formality. The tone of her voice was cool and distant.

None of this went unnoticed by Lee who was still standing uneasily at the front door. "Can I come in?" Lee finally asked uncomfortably.

Dotty shrugged and turned, leaving the door open, then she mumbled, "Oh, certainly, Mr. Stetson, do come in."

Lee closed the door and headed after Dotty. He carefully placed himself in front of her and addressed the situation. "Dotty, is there a problem?"

"Problem? No, Amanda told me everything's cleared up. "

"Yes, the charges of treason have been dropped."

"Well I KNEW it was all a mix up. I never doubted her for a minute," Dotty said sharply.

"Dotty, if you have something to say to me," Lee said point blank, "just say it."

Dotty looked towards the stairs, cautious not to be overheard by Amanda. Then she looked at Lee again. "Mr. Stetson, I'm a mother and a grandmother; I'm just concerned for my daughter's welfare and the welfare of my grandsons. She's in love with you; there's no denying that. Now whether you really love her too, well… I don't know. I know it's none of my business, but what is my business is that there are two boys upstairs who are growing rather attached to you. Amanda's been miserable without you the last few weeks. But you seem quite content with a relationship without any commitment. That might be fair to you - 'Lee Stetson, indomitable bachelor', but like it or not, Amanda comes with strings attached."

"Dotty," Lee said as he swallowed hard. "I'm well aware of that. That's why we've been taking this relationship so slowly. There are things here you don't understand."

"That, Mr. Stetson, is the first thing you've said in a while that we agree on. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going upstairs. I'll tell Amanda that you're here."

Lee watched as she pushed on by and mumbled to himself, 'This is just not my night...'

End Part 8
 
 
 

Treason Part 9 (Conclusion)

Amanda came downstairs a few minutes later. Lee was still leaning against the wall in the family room, lost in thought. First Joe dumped on him and then Dotty. What did the boys think of him? They didn't know that he had made a commitment to their mother. They didn't know how much he truly cared for them, and that he would do anything to protect them.

"I thought you were going home to get some sleep," Amanda said softly as she gently touched his arm.

Lee was startled by her touch and jumped.

"I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you OK?" she asked with concern; it was rare that she could walk up on Lee and surprise him.

"Yeah, just trying to sort out everything that's happened today. How's Jamie?" Lee asked trying to shake himself back to the present.

"Still slightly confused about what happened today at the Cemetery. I'm not sure how much longer they're going to believe these excuses I keep giving them. Seeing you fly through the air and tackling Krutiov was a bit hard to explain," Amanda said shaking her head.

Lee chuckled softly. Things had gotten more complicated now that they were married. "How are you?"

"Me, I feel better than I have in weeks. Feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

"How about you and I get out of here for a little while?" Lee suggested.

"You look kind of tired. Are you sure you're up to it?" Amanda asked in concern.

"Go grab your coat. I think the cold air would do us both some good," Lee answered quickly.

Lee drove into DC and to the Mall area. "How about a walk to the National Christmas tree?"

Amanda smiled. With all the chaos in her life she had barely realized that Christmas was just over two weeks away. "That sounds really nice."

They walked, hand in hand, down to the festively decorated tree. Quite a crowd was milling about listening to the Christmas carols being sung by a local high school chorus. They quietly walked about, soaking in the relaxing sights and sounds.

"I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did," Amanda remarked softly.

"You seemed to be doing a fine job all by yourself," Lee replied, his mind not on the Agency.

"I was scared stiff," she commented as a belated chill ran through her body.

"It's over, Amanda," he answered as he pulled her close. "Are you cold? We could go back to the car?"

"No, I'm OK. Maybe we could walk somewhere a little less crowded."

They continued to walk together, away from the throng of people. A few stray stars had broken through the clouds above, twinkling down at them. For the first time in weeks they were together, relaxed and comfortable. No urgent threats loomed overhead, nobody photographing or listening to their every word. Amanda looked around, surprised at how far they had walked.

Lee smiled over at her. "Funny that we ended up here."

Amanda looked up at the impressive marble columns of the Jefferson Memorial. "Why, are you going to try to get rid of me again?" Amanda questioned, remembering the first case they worked on together, so many years ago.

Lee pulled her to him, as they stood not far from where they had years ago. "Hardly," he chuckled softly. "But, Amanda, I think it's time we make our relationship more official."

"More official?" she questioned as Lee led her up the steps of the monument to sit down in the rotunda area.

"What do you say if we announced our engagement?"

"Now?" she asked, startled by the suddenness of his suggestion.

"What's wrong with now? Call it an early Christmas present," Lee indicated.

"Did my mother say something to you?" she asked suspiciously.

"Amanda, when doesn't your mother say something to me? Seriously, I'm tired of this mystery marriage and the complications it causes. Besides, the boys must be wondering why someone who is so much in love with you won't make a commitment to you. Not exactly the example that we want to set. So what do you say?"

"Now let me get this straight. I have to choose whether I want announce our engagement so we can get married and live like a normal couple, or continue this little affair that we're having sneaking around both at home and the office," she said with a grin.

Lee smiled back. It wasn't just the words, but the tone she said it in that provided him with the answer he was hoping for. "So let's go back to my apartment and get your engagement ring."

"Tonight?"

"What better time than the present?" Lee smiled, pulling her to him again and initiating a rather passionate kiss.

When the kiss finally ended Amanda managed to whisper, "I think I'm going to love my Christmas present."

****

It was late when Lee dropped her back at the house on Maplewood Drive. He walked her up to the front door. His hand raised her chin slightly as his lips brushed against hers. It was meant to be a quick goodnight kiss. But within seconds it turned into a long, lingering kiss as his arms pulled her protectively to him. When they finally pulled apart Amanda was quite flushed.

"Wow," Amanda gasped; her frosty breath was easily visible in the cold night air. "I hope the neighbors enjoyed that as much as I did." Amanda noted as she looked up at the porch light that illuminated their forms quite well in the darkness of the night.

"Do you think they'd like an encore?" Lee teased.

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Lee, go home and get some sleep. I'm sure Mother is waiting up, and she'll spot this ring with lightning speed, so I might as well tell her about our wonderful surprise."

"Now that I'd like to see," Lee chuckled.

"You're welcome to come in," Amanda suggested, tugging slightly at his arm.

"Ah, no. I think I'll let you handle this one - alone."

"Some partner you turned out to be. You're chicken," Amanda noted.

Lee feigned a large yawn. "It's just that I'm feeling so very tired."

"You know, sometimes you're as bad as she is," Amanda complained.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Stetson. I love you," he whispered as he blew her a kiss.

"I love you too, Mr. Stetson," Amanda called back to him softly as she unlocked the door and headed inside.

Amanda leaned against the door for a moment thinking to herself that it had been quite a day. She began to unbutton her coat as her mother called out to her.

"Amanda, is that you? I was getting worried about you. It's rather late," Dotty explained.

Amanda sighed. She wondered what exactly she had said to Lee earlier in the evening. Lee refused to say, but Amanda planned to have some fun with her now. "Yes, Mother, it's me. I didn't realize how late it really was. You know how you can lose track of time when you're having a good time."

"I'm glad you had a good time tonight, Amanda. You do look happier than you have in a while." Dotty noted the exuberant smile on her face.

"Oh, Mother, tonight was the most wonderful night of my life," Amanda said with glee.

Dotty looked at Amanda thinking she knew the reason why. "It must be a great relief to you now that the charges are being dropped."

"Well yes, of course, Mother, but that's not what I'm talking about," Amanda said, secretly enjoying teasing her mother.

"Amanda, what is it?"

Amanda sighed and slowly finished unbuttoning her coat and took off the glove on her right hand. Then with theatrical dexterity she pulled the glove off her left hand where her engagement ring sat shining. "Mother, Lee and I have been talking about marriage for a while now. We were going to wait until Christmas to announce our engagement. But all of a sudden Lee decided he didn't want to wait anymore."

Dotty smiled in delight. At last her words hadn't fallen upon deaf ears. "Oh, Amanda, how wonderful; that ring is beautiful. I'm so happy for you both."

"Mother, you're not going to believe it, but Lee wants to get married before Christmas. I know it's a crazy idea, but he wouldn't let me come home until I agreed. So we're getting married on Christmas Eve. Can you think of a better Christmas present?" Amanda asked as she admired her sparkling ring.

"Christmas Eve?" Dotty exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief. She plopped down on the couch in desperation.

"Isn't that wonderful?" Amanda said, as she tried to keep a straight face.

Dotty sat there - stunned. What had she done? No fancy wedding to plan. A wedding in two weeks time would have to be the simplest as possible. The only words to come to her mouth, "Oh my gosh…"

"Amanda Stetson," Amanda chattered with a giggle. "I think I like it, Mother. What about you?"

"Yes, dear," Dotty murmured, still overwhelmed by the stunning announcement.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson," Amanda said out loud. She liked hearing those words together. They rarely got to use those beautiful words over the last ten months, always sneaking around.

"Yes," Dotty answered finally. "It certainly has a nice ring to it."

"Mother, I love him so much," Amanda said as she sat down beside her mother. Suddenly she felt a little sneaky with the way they were handling this quick wedding. "I know you'd like to plan a big wedding, but this is the way Lee and I really want it to be. Just you and the boys."

Dotty sighed. This was partially her fault she thought. "Amanda, when two people love each other the way you two do, you shouldn't wait. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy."

"Thank you for understanding, Mother. It means a lot to me - to us. I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," Dotty smiled and hugged her daughter. "Now it's getting late, we better get to bed. There will be plenty to do in the next two weeks time. Small wedding or not, it will be done properly."

"Yes, Mother, goodnight," Amanda said with a bright smile as she got up and headed to bed.
 
 

****

Lee awoke from his dream. The room was still cloaked in darkness. Slightly confused, his eyes tried to adjust to the little light that was seeping in through the curtains. Lee sighed loudly.

"Can't sleep?" The voice next to him asked softly.

"Amanda?"

"Who else were you expecting to wake up with the morning after your wedding?" Amanda chided. "If it's not me, you certainly have a lot of explaining to do."

Lee laughed huskily. "That dream I just had seemed pretty real."

"Hope I was in it," Amanda commented.

"Yeah, that was why I was so disappointed to wake up. We were just getting to the good part."

Amanda reached over for her husband; her fingers beginning to caress him. "I'm pretty sure I won't disappoint you, Mr. Stetson."

Lee responded to his wife quickly, "You never have yet, Mrs. Stetson."

"You know, I really like the sound of those two words," Amanda whispered.

"We did it. We got married last night, didn't we?" Lee asked with a slight question in his voice.

"Yup. Too late for second thoughts now, buster. This time I have witnesses," Amanda kidded. "So you're stuck with me."

"A burden I will just have to endure," Lee said as his hand magically slid down his wife's body.

"Merry Christmas, Lee," Amanda said in-between kisses.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Stetson," Lee whispered as he pulled her closer to him. He had plans for this Christmas morning…

The end.

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