PART 3

Amanda had called Paul the first time, just to thank him for his help with her job search. She had felt comforted by his graciousness, and they had talked for a while. Surprise overtook her when Paul began calling her a couple times a week, and asking her to call him, just to talk. Amanda enjoyed their conversations, and soon, found herself looking forward to his calls. When he asked her to come to London to visit for a long weekend, without thinking, Amanda said yes, she'd love to. After all, in her new position, she could fly anywhere she wanted for free as long as she didn't mind being available to work, if needed. She hadn't taken advantage of this job perk, yet, but decided it was time that she did.

Now, packing her bag, her mind spun with second thoughts. Why had she said that? Paul's reputation was as colorful as Lee's! A respectable mother of two should not go trotting around the world to visit a known womanizer! On the other hand, carefully guarding her virtue didn't get her anywhere with Lee. She decided it was time to take some risks. Searching her closet, she debated whether to take the blue backless gown or the black cocktail dress. She held them both in front of her, shook her head, and put both dresses in her garment bag. Finally, she tossed in her cosmetics, zipped up the garment bag, and ran toward her car.

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Lee drove slowly down Maplewood Avenue, hoping he could catch Amanda at home. Since there was no car in the drive, he parked across the street and walked toward the back door. Looking over his shoulder to make sure no neighbors were watching, Lee quickly picked the lock, and entered the kitchen. Not knowing what he was doing there, he looked around the neatly ordered kitchen with a sigh. The only thing out of place was a single glass resting by the sink. Lee picked it up, noticing the ice cubes still floating in the beverage. Someone had left it there recently. He ran his hand across the counter, waiting for some inspiration, then opened a drawer, and rifled through some papers.

His eyes lingered on a pay stub with Amanda's name on it. She was working for Global Airlines! Why? He continued reading, and nearly choked on the amount of the check! Had Amanda moved up in the world, or did the airline pay this much more than the government across the board? He needed someone with contacts at the airline to help him find out more information.

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Amanda and Paul spent their first evening together at an elegant restaurant. Afterwards, they went dancing until late in the night. Paul's touch, on her back, demonstrated his appreciation for her blue gown, and sent pleasurable tingles down Amanda's spine. He held her closely on the dance floor, enjoying her proximity.

When they returned to his apartment, Amanda gazed around, while Paul poured them each a glass of brandy. It was a one room, "L-shaped", penthouse flat with large windows. The kitchen was on one wall, near the door. The living room was in the corner, dominated by a large bookcase, stuffed floor to ceiling with books. The bedroom was at the opposite end of the room, under a large skylight. The apartment was noticeable chilly.

Amanda stopped by the bookcase, running her fingers along the spines of the books. Unable to read the titles, she reached to turn on a lamp, but Paul stilled her hand, giving her the snifter of brandy.

"Wait a moment, I want you to see something. But, first, let me do something about the heat." Paul removed his jacket, dropped it over the back of a chair, rolled up his sleeves, and bent to light the gas fire that heated the room.

"Sorry about the temperature in here," he said, apologetically. "The heat is fairly efficient by British standards, but I realize it's not up to what most Americans enjoy. It should warm up in here in a couple of minutes."

He put his arm around her, and led her to the window to show her the view of the city, pointing out various landmarks. Paul stood behind Amanda, his arms wrapped around her, his fingers drawing small circles on her stomach. Amanda relaxed, and leaned back into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his breath on her neck.

"Better?" Paul murmured. "You know, as your host, I feel responsible for your…comfort."

Amanda set her drink down, and turned to face him, running her hands across his chest.

"Much better." She replied in a soft whisper, her hands coming to rest around Paul's waist. Paul held her face in one hand, his other hand running down the smooth skin of her back. He kissed her lips softly, then kissed her again, more deeply, pulling her closer. She returned his kiss eagerly, and they were both breathless when they finally broke apart. Paul looked into her eyes, opening his mouth to speak, but hesitated a brief moment before proceeding.

"I've wanted to kiss you since that day you found me in a crumpled heap at Silver Springs airport." He whispered, stroking her cheek with one finger.

"I was afraid you were dead." Amanda remembered.

"I thought I was!" Paul smiled at her. "When I woke, every breath was painful. But your touch was…magical." He paused, stroking her hair. "When I heard your voice, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!"

"And now?" Amanda whispered softly, as she temptingly played with a button on his dress shirt.

"Now, I know I've died and gone to heaven!" Paul answered softly, reaching to reclaim her lips with his.

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Monday came all too soon, and Paul reluctantly returned Amanda to the airport. Waiting with her at the gate, he held her close to his side with his right arm. They were both quiet until the announcement came to begin boarding.

"I enjoyed this weekend. Would you come back to see me again?" Paul asked in a whisper turning to face her. "Please?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Amanda replied, smiling, running her hands across his chest, and bringing them to rest around his neck. She was pleasantly surprised that he wanted to see her again. She had been halfway expecting a man with his reputation to brush her off after a weekend like they had shared.

"How about next weekend?" Paul asked urgently, wrapping both arms around her waist and pulling her closer.

Amanda laughed and shook her head, "That's too soon, I haven't seen my kids in nearly a week, and the boys will be crushed if I miss their game on Saturday."

"The following week, then," Paul persisted, resting his forehead against hers, "or should I jump on a flight to DC this weekend, and go with you to their game?"

"I'll come here, in two weeks," Amanda agreed, sure that she wasn't ready to introduce Paul to her family, just yet. She barely got the words out before he pulled her closer, and kissed her deeply.

He broke their contact just long enough to murmur, "I'll hold you to that, you know," before he resumed kissing her lips.

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Lee sat on a park bench trying to look casual, knowing he wasn't succeeding. He found himself nervously tapping his foot, and fidgeting while he waited for T. P. Aquinas to appear.

"Well, Lee, what can I do for you?" T. P. asked as he dropped onto the bench beside Lee.

Lee pulled out the mysterious pay stub, and handed it to his friend. "I need help with this."

"This is Mrs. King's!" T. P. was surprised. "Is she in trouble?"

"That's what I want to know," Lee answered with more calm than he felt. "I need to know what this `position code' means. It's probably attached to a job description."

"Global Airlines…?" T. P. mused, shaking his head. "They appear to pay quite a bit better than the government. I hear they have a good health insurance plan, too. Mrs. King seems to be doing well. What worries you exactly?"

Lee cleared his throat and looked at the ground. "Well…it's just that…I have no idea what she's doing since she left…the Agency."

T. P. shook his head. "I was sorry to hear about that, you know. You two seemed to be a fine couple."

"We weren't a couple, she was my partner," Lee replied harshly.

"Oh…I misunderstood." T. P. said, raising an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "You know, Lee, I might be able to find out what this code means, but it would only be a job title, probably something pretty vague. I doubt I can find out anything really detailed. Might I suggest you look for someone who has…firsthand information," T.P. said, putting the pay stub in his pocket and rising to leave.

Lee continued to sit on the bench, watching the activity of lovers walking and talking and laughing around him. He knew T.P. was right. Only Amanda could tell him what he wanted, what he needed to know. This left Lee back at square one. He had to find a way to talk to Amanda.

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An unexpected trip interrupted Lee's plans. Billy insisted Lee and Francine meet with a man in Rome, a man who wanted to pass information to the Agency. Lee stuffed himself into the small airplane seat with a sigh. These coach seats were too small for his large frame. Even the aisle seat didn't give him enough room for his legs. He was in a blue funk about this trip. It ruined his plans. He had been rehearsing the speech he planned to give Amanda, for weeks. He was, finally, summoning up his courage to talk to her. Then, bam! Off to Rome! With work being so busy, it seemed he would never get a chance to talk to her. He had to persuade her to come back to the Agency, to come back to him.

He had not been able to get her out of his thoughts since the day they said goodbye. She might be in love with him? Where had that come from? How could she say that? How could she feel that? They were friends, weren't they? At least, that's what he had thought.

But now that Leslie was out of the picture, everything was becoming clear to him. Amanda filled his thoughts day and night. And boy, what thoughts he had about her at night!

He was beginning to think he might be in love with her, too, and he began to develop a plan to repair the damage to their friendship. Then he would see if they could proceed from there. Just when he was about to make his move, this trip came up.

Damn! But at least his stomach was feeling a bit better. He was able to eat, now, at least; although, he still had a nagging case of butterflies at times.

Then, Lee saw her. Amanda was a vision in black jeans and a baggy, sleeveless, black-hooded sweatshirt. This was a new look for her, but he liked seeing her long bare arms. She headed toward a seat a few rows in front of him, and across the aisle.

She put her bag under the seat, and stepped aside for a man to move into the seat beside her. They were talking animatedly, and appeared to be together.

Damn! Who was he, and why were they going to Rome together?

Rome! Lee drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly. The Eternal City, a perfect city for lovers to enjoy together. Lee imagined a romantic dinner by the Spanish Steps, an evening visit to the Trevi fountain, followed by a walk to Piazza Navona for desert and drinks. Lee longed to share these things with Amanda, and his heart sank as he thought of her sharing these things with another man.

But why shouldn't she be with another man? It had been nearly four months since Lee had even seen her. He hadn't so much as left her a message in all that time. Four months since she had professed her love for him, knowing it was unrequited. Four months since Lee had bought an engagement ring for another woman. Why shouldn't Amanda do whatever she could to erase the pain he had caused her? Why shouldn't she find the happiness she deserved?

Francine's voice disrupted his thoughts.

"Well, if it isn't the happy housewife?" she sneered. "Wonder what she's doing here…and what is she wearing? I must admit though, her travel companion isn't bad," Francine added, looking admiringly at the gentleman next to Amanda. Lee sprinted to the bathroom at the rear of the plane.

Damn stomach bug!

He had to at least talk to her. He would be cool about it, totally casual. After takeoff, he strode casually toward her. "Hi…uh…how's it going? I…uh…found a couple extra magazines…want one?" he asked lamely.

Amanda looked up startled. "Not here…not now," she whispered, shaking her head slightly.

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Of all the people to be on this flight! There were billions of people on this planet, why did Lee Stetson have to be one of the 300 people on this flight with her? It was going to take all her concentration to keep her mind on her work! Amanda drew a deep breath, and struggled to focus her thoughts. She could think about Lee, later.

Hours later, Amanda was making her rounds of the coach cabin. She flopped down the magazine she had been pretending to read, and strode casually to the rear of the plane. She asked the flight attendant for a soft drink, and stood surveying the rear of the plane. Nothing looked the least bit unusual. Good. No one seemed unusually nervous or agitated, except for the little Italian grandmother who hadn't stopped saying her rosary since takeoff…and Lee. Lee had lost weight since she had seen him last. He was fidgeting in his seat, and flipping through a magazine, nervously. Amanda laughed. Lee usually pushed back his seat, and slept for the entire flight. Amanda completed her rounds of the cabin by strolling down the aisle, pretending to look for a pillow, and then, returning to her seat.

Later, she really did need a glass of water or juice. She strode to the rear galley in search of something cool. Her thoughts turned to Lee. It was good to see him, again, but distracting to be in such close proximity with the love she could never have.

Amanda didn't notice the door of the restroom open until she felt a strong hand over her mouth. Before she could react, she was pulled backward into the lavatory. She struggled, trying to elbow her attacker in the ribs.