DISCLAIMER: Lee Stetson, Amanda King, Billy Melrose, Francine Desmond, Dotty West, Joe King, Philip King and Jamie King do not belong to me. I merely like to take them out and play with them now and then. All the other characters do belong to me and I take responsibility for most, but not all, of their actions. No copyright infringement is intended and I have not made, or intend to make, any money from this work.

AUTHOR: michb

SYNOPSIS: This story takes place at the end of the third but before the events in Stemwinder. It offers an alternate reality view of how Lee and Amanda might have finally admitted their feelings for one another.

RESURRECTION

Winter in Washington reminded Sean of his native Belfast. It was cold, with a biting wind that seemed to go through layers of clothing to chill a person to the bone. It was a feeling Sean relished - sunny climes were for people with the leisure to enjoy it. But Sean was a true believer. The coldness of the evening matched his icy determination to aid his cause, whatever the cost. Of course, it was not just his cause, it was Ireland's cause. And that meant that the cost of one person's life, one family's anguish, was nothing in comparison to the fate of a country. So Sean contemplated his latest task with equanimity.  

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Lee Stetson contemplated his reflection in a mirror. An impartial observer would have said he was a very handsome man; well groomed, well dressed and emanating an indefinable air of easy control. But Lee did not feel very relaxed or in control. He couldn't quite grasp the turn of events that had led him to this point - to the point of heading out on a date with Amanda King. His mind cringed even at the word, although his heart beat a little faster. As much as he tried to convince himself that this was just a casual evening with his partner, to relax and discuss strategy, he couldn't seem to calm his nerves.

If he was honest with himself it was the fact that he had nerves that made him feel even more nervous. Although he was not exactly proud of it, Lee had been with numerous women, and none had really made him nervous. It was funny how he had changed lately. He was not ashamed of his previous behaviour, but somehow over the last few years he had felt less of an inclination to run around after female company. Unless that female company happened to be Amanda. And that was made him nervous. She was his partner and his friend. There had been a time when he would have scrupled to admit even that much, but that was long ago. Now he would do anything to protect that friendship. And he didn't want this evening, simple as it was, to jeopardise it.

Lee sighed and spoke to his reflection, "Come on Stetson, get your act together."

Lee turned away from the mirror and declared a plague on philosophical contemplation. He picked up his keys and prepared to walk out the door. Just as he did so, the phone rang. Looking at his watch, he picked up the receiver.

"Yes?"

"Lee, it's me."

"Amanda, what's up?"

"I'm sorry about this Lee, but my car has broken down. I'm at a phone booth not far from you. I know we said we'd meet at Emelio's but would it be OK if we met at your apartment? I mean, if it's inconvenient it doesn't matter, we can do this another time. I just thought since I was already out, and you were ready to go..."

Lee interrupted her, "Amanda, slow down, it's fine, OK? Just get a cab and come on round. We can sort out your car when you get here."

"OK, thanks Lee. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Lee rang off and smiled to himself. He'd never met anyone who could talk quite like Amanda. He could have sworn she didn't draw breath through the whole conversation. He tried not to think about it felt to have Amanda on her way to his place. He busied himself with tidying, remembering a time early in their acquaintance when he had asked her to feed his fish while he went on vacation. At that time he had been a typical messy bachelor - and she had tried to clean up after him. Now he generally took care to clean up after himself. He was pleased to think that whenever she had been in his apartment since that time it had been immaculate.

He didn't even notice how he tended to think about things as occurring in a time either before Amanda or after Amanda. It never occurred to him that she had become a defining moment in his life.  

The sound of a vehicle pulling into the kerb on the street outside brought Lee to the window. He watched as Amanda got out of the cab and headed into his building. A few moments later he heard her knock on his door.

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"Hi."

"Amanda, come in. You look frozen solid."

"Oh I am frozen. You wouldn't believe the wind chill out there tonight."

"Well sit down and try and get warm." Lee turned the heating up and poured a glass of wine. "Here, drink this and tell me what happened."

"Oh it was nothing really. The car just quit - I'm sure it's happening to a lot of people tonight. I haven't called a mechanic yet as I was running late and wanted to catch you before you left. I didn't want you sitting at Emilio's thinking I'd stood you up. I mean I know it's not really a date or anything, so I guess you wouldn't have thought that. I mean, well, you know..."

The briefest of pauses followed this speech. Lee had sat down on the sofa quite close to Amanda (some might say unnecessarily close) and they stared into each other's eyes. Amanda looked away first and the spell was broken.

"Look Amanda, tell me where you left your car and I'll get a mechanic to see to it. I'll grab a cab and if the mechanic can get it going I'll bring it back here."

"Oh Lee that's really sweet of you but you don't have to do that. It's my car and my problem, I should be the one to go back and get it."

"Just this once Amanda would you not argue with me? I'm going to go and get your car, come back here, and then we'll just get some take-out, open a nice bottle of wine and settle back while you warm up. I think you've had enough adventure for this evening, huh?"

Amanda looked down and blushed at this little speech. She hoped Lee didn't notice the flush in her cheeks brought on by the thought of a quiet evening alone with Lee. She was aware that she harboured powerful feelings for him but she tried, not always successfully, to keep them hidden. Lately, they had been tentatively moving towards taking their relationship to a new level, but she was so used to thinking that Lee could never possibly care for her as more than a friend. It still seemed beyond all possibility, beyond all her dreams, that he could ever love her. Belatedly, she realised Lee was still waiting for an answer and dragged her thoughts back to the present.

"OK Lee, thanks. I guess I am kind of tired."

Lee smiled his pleasure that she was being reasonable for once. He phoned a mechanic he knew and arranged to meet. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Have a rest then we can get on with the rest of the evening." With this Lee walked out the door.

Amanda looked out the window and watched him leave. She was oblivious to the non-descript car that pulled up outside the apartment block. Focused as she was on Lee, Amanda remained blissfully unaware of the havoc the occupants of that van were about to wreak in her life.

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Sean and his partner pulled into the kerb just as Lee left in a cab. The sight of Amanda looking down from a window above did not go unnoticed by the men.

Sean turned to his companion and said, "Well Patrick, there goes one of them and the other is still in the flat. We know that one of those two is Scarecrow, and we know Scarecrow lives at this address. I think it's safe to assume that she is Scarecrow."

"Well shall we get on with it then? I don't want to drag this out, and the quicker we're out of here the better I'll like it."

"Everything's ready if you are. The stuff's in the boot. Let's grab it and go."

The two men headed into the building and up the stairs. It didn't matter to them that it was seven flights up; in fact it was all the better. Their priority was to avoid being seen and they were far less likely to meet anyone on the stairs than in the elevator. They exited the stairwell and headed towards the door of Lee's apartment.

"Alright Patrick, get ready. The lock looks easy. I'll pick it, you be prepared to take her out. Remember this is not a civilian, but a trained agent. Defend yourself, but try to refrain from doing irreparable damage."

Inside, Amanda was busying herself in the kitchen. She wanted to surprise Lee with a home-cooked meal as a thank you for sorting out her car. Concentrating on the chopping and blending, she didn't hear the scratching at the door. Professionals that they were, Amanda never heard the door open nor heard the men creeping up behind her. The first, and last, she knew of the danger was when a hand clamped over her mouth with a chloroform soaked rag.

Quickly now, Sean and Patrick went about their business. A bomb was placed close to the sofa, the timer set for ten minutes. Blood extracted with a syringe was sprayed on shredded pieces of Amanda's clothing. The pieces were placed strategically away from the predicted blast front. And out of the bag Patrick had brought came the finishing touch. Bone fragments stolen from the morgue were scattered next to the device. Finished, they gathered Amanda between them and ran back down the way they had come.

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Lee pulled up outside his building just as Sean and Patrick drove away, but concentrating as he was on getting back to Amanda he didn't notice the car. Excited to be back, he practically bounded out of the station wagon. A second later he was sitting in the road being showered with debris. Knowing that he would see what he couldn't bear to see, Lee looked towards his window. Fear filled his heart even as his mind tried to comprehend what his eyes saw.

"Amanda, no...." came his anguished cry.

All the windows in his apartment had been blown out. He could see smoke and flames inside. As he was gathering himself off the ground, he saw his neighbours begin to pour out of the building. Oblivious to anything else, despite the remonstrations of those attempting to get out, Lee ran into the building and up to his floor. He could see through the shattered door that the interior was well alight. Holding his hands up to his face he tried to approach closer, but the heat was too intense.

Gathering his breath, he screamed out the one thought in his mind, "Amanda, oh God, Amanda..." Giving in to his grief and uncaring of his safety, Lee slumped in a corner opposite the remains of his apartment. He locked his eyes on the last spot he had seen Amanda and waited for the arrival of the firefighters.

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Billy and Francine pulled up outside Lee's apartment block. Looking up at the now smouldering remains, they both sighed deeply and glanced around for Lee. They saw him sitting on the back ledge of the fire truck, attended by paramedics. Billy led the way to where Lee was sitting, ready to intercede between the no doubt overwrought Scarecrow and the police surrounding him. What shocked Billy though was the fact that Lee was quietly answering their questions. Far from being over-excited, Lee looked almost catatonic. Billy cleared his throat,

"Lee, I'm sorry about your apartment. But we'll move you a temporary safehouse while you get yourself sorted out."

Billy was surprised to see Lee look, if anything, more pale than he had before. Billy was at a loss to explain why his top operative was so affected by the loss of bricks and mortar. Francine was obviously equally shocked, and expressed as much to Lee.

"Lee, I know you were fond of your place, but look on the bright side. This will save you the trouble of spring cleaning this year."

Finally, Lee croaked out his first word since their arrival.

"Amanda."

Billy's eyes went wide and Francine raised an eyebrow.

"What?" was all that Billy could think of to say.

"Amanda was in there; she was waiting for me."

"Oh God Lee, I'm so sorry. We didn't know."

"She's gone Billy. She's gone and there's so many things I didn't...." Lee stopped before he revealed too much of his feelings. As if it could matter now.

Billy fell back on practicalities. "Come on Lee, let's get you out of here. We have to assume this was no accident - somehow I don't think this was a gas explosion. And therefore it's likely you were the target."

"And as soon as they find out you're still alive you could be in danger." Francine chimed in.

Lee balked at leaving, feeling that if he did he would be leaving all hope behind. All evidence to the contrary, he somehow still wanted to believe that there was a chance Amanda was alive.

"I don't want to go yet Billy. I can stay and help the forensics boys..."

Billy interrupted with a decisive, "No, Lee. There's nothing you can do here. Francine, take him back to the Agency. We'll sort out a safe house from there. I'll be along soon. I just need to have a word with the investigators here OK?."

"OK, Billy. I'll look after him. Come on Lee, let's go."

Reluctantly, Lee stood to follow her. As they drove away, he watched his apartment until it was out of sight.

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Amanda fought to clear her head as she slowly regained consciousness. She opened her eyes with trepidation, wary of what she might see. However, all she found was darkness. Beneath her cheek Amanda could feel rough material and further exploration told her she was lying on some kind of campbed with a thin mattress that was covered in a blanket. As her eyes adjusted, she found that the room was not completely lacking in light. A door in the corner leaked a little light in from underneath.

Looking about the room she was in, Amanda could see that besides the bed she was on the only other fixtures in the room were a basin and toilet in the corner. Obviously she was to be allowed no privacy, not to mention dignity. She sighed and attempted to sit up, only to find the room spinning uncontrollably. Amanda lay back down and tried to make sense of what had happened.

She clearly remembered being at Lee's, and she remembered the men coming up behind her. As she couldn't remember anything further, she had to assume that she had been drugged and brought to this place. With the thought of Lee, Amanda felt a fluttering of hope. She knew without a doubt that Lee would be looking for her and that he wouldn't stop until he found her. It had been the same from the very beginning of their relationship, and that was years and many layers of friendship ago. She wondered how long it would take until he found her.

Just as she was slipping back into unconsciousness, the door opened. Patrick entered.

"So you're awake then? Bit of a headache I imagine. Well, that will go away in a little while. But it must be nothing to an agent with your reputation, isn't that right Scarecrow?"

Amanda's eyes widened, but she held her tongue. All that she could think was 'oh no, not again'. Amanda struggled to keep from laughing. It was impossible to believe that the same thing was happening again, that not for the first time she had been kidnapped in place of Lee. She resolved to wear a name tag next time she was at Lee's apartment.

"What is it you want?" Amanda asked.

"You. Or more precisely, a chance to have a long chat with you."

"I see. And what is it you would like to chat about?"

"About the case you have been working on. We would very much like to know how much you know."

"And what makes you think that I'll tell you that?"

"Perhaps you won't. But I would bet that you will. We have a long time to try - as long as it takes."

"What makes you think you have very long? You seem to know who I am; you must I know that there are people who will be looking for me," Amanda said with confidence.

"You would think so wouldn't you? But I can guarantee you that they are not looking for you."

"You'll have to explain that I'm afraid."

"Nobody looks for a dead person."

"I beg your pardon?"

"As far as your colleagues are concerned, you are dead. You see, there was a little fire at your apartment. And for authenticity we left behind a little of your blood and clothing, not to mention some human remains."

Unable to comprehend what she was hearing, Amanda closed her eyes and turned away. Smiling at this first victory, Patrick left the room. There would be time enough to break down all of her resistance later.

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Back at the agency, Lee hesitated upon the threshold of the Q-bureau. He didn't know if he could enter this office, so full of memories. He took a deep breath and turned the handle.

The office was just as they had left it this afternoon as they rushed off to their separate homes to get ready for the evening. He saw again in his mind the last time he had seen her in the office: flustered by his offer of dinner, she had looked downwards briefly before rewarding him with her sweetest smile, tinged with shyness. He heard again her voice saying 'OK Lee, sure. Where shall we go?'. His invitation had sealed her fate. He sat in his chair and looked at Amanda's chair as he had so often done, observing her surreptitiously, considering possibilities. He had hoped for a shared future with her, but now all hope was gone. He squeezed his eyes shut, but it was too late. A few stray tears escaped and dropped to the desk.

Looking through the half open door, Francine saw Lee's head drop forward, saw the tears stain the files on his desk. She withdrew from sight to consider her best course of action. Although she had always been aware that there was a strong bond between Lee and Amanda, she had obviously underestimated the strength of that bond. Francine had never seen Lee react quite like this before. And if she was going to help him she had to be prepared to let him to talk him about Amanda. There could be no more bristling, no more snide remarks. Francine looked again at Lee and made her decision. She knocked quietly on the door of the Q-bureau. Lee looked up.

"Lee, are you ready to go?"

"I...yes, there's nothing left for me here."

Lee stood up and took a last look around. He breathed in the air that still smelt faintly of her perfume. He knew that in a day or two even that faint trace would be gone. He followed Francine out of the office, and out of the building. Only once they were in the car did he think to ask where they were going.

"We're going to the safehouse. Billy has organised a place for you to stay until you can find another apartment. And he's assigned me to stay with you."

“Francine, I think I'd rather be alone. I don't think I'll be very good company tonight."

"Lee, we both know you shouldn't be alone tonight. And I don't need you to be good company." Francine hesitated then plunged on, "I know I haven't always been particularly tolerant of Amanda, or understanding of your relationship. I guess I was a little jealous. But I hope you know that I am your friend. I want to help you now Lee, and I am willing to listen to anything you have to say."

Surprise brought Lee out of his stupor, at least temporarily. He looked across at Francine, but she was avoiding his gaze, looking straight out of the windscreen. After manoeuvring the car into the garage of the safehouse, she looked back at Lee. She was pleased to find some spark of life there. Together, they went inside.

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Amanda tried to keep a hold on her emotions, to prevent the tears that pricked at her eyes from falling. After all, it wouldn't do for the famous Scarecrow to be found crying in the dark. And previous experience had taught her the value of maintaining the charade of identity. However, it was difficult to maintain her composure. Every time she thought of Lee her heart tightened in her chest. Although she understood the increased danger to herself, it was the thought of what Lee must be going through that upset her. Amanda couldn't imagine how she would feel if she thought Lee were dead but she knew that it would be dreadful. If Lee felt only half of that, he would be in a terrible state right now. She only hoped he wasn't alone.

Outside, Sean stopped short of the door and listened. No sounds could be heard from within. Not that he had expected any; after all, he knew the reputation of Scarecrow. He expected her to be very tough to crack. But they had to know how much she and her partner knew of their gun running operation. If they could find out exactly who and what was compromised, perhaps it wouldn't be necessary to shut down the whole operation and start again. It had taken years to set up their system and contacts, and it was vital to the cause that it continue. It was so much easier to obtain weapons here in America than in Ireland or the UK. With that in mind, Sean opened the door and stepped inside the room.

"Ah, Scarecrow, I had heard you were awake. Here, take these, they'll help with the headache." Sean handed her some aspirin and a glass of water.

Amanda looked suspiciously at the pills.  

"Oh don't look like that. If we'd wanted to drug you we could have done it without your co-operation. I simply want you to have a clear head for when we have a little chat."

With little choice, Amanda swallowed the tablets. If they weren't aspirin, he was right and they could force her take it some other way. And her head was pounding. Perhaps if her head was clearer she would be less liable to break down in tears in front of these people.

"Who are you?"

"You don't know? Well, that's a start anyway. See, already you've been a great help. You may call me Sean."

"What do you want?"

"I believe my colleague has already explained that to you. I know you're not stupid Scarecrow. A mind such as yours cannot have failed to connect my accent with your current case. It's very simple. I need to know how much you know."

Amanda shook her head in irritation at her slowness. She had failed to connect his accent to the case they were working on. But whatever she had been given was working well - the pain behind her eyes was receding and finally she was able to think. It was obvious they had gone to a great deal of trouble to obtain her, no - to obtain 'Scarecrow', and that therefore they intended to hold her for as long as it took. And Lee would not be able to rescue her this time. For the first time since she had woken up, Amanda felt real fear.

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In the kitchen of the safehouse, Francine made coffee and kept a watchful eye on Lee. He was looking out of the window at the sunrise, apparently lost in his own thoughts. Although neither of them had slept since yesterday, both were too wound up to contemplate bed. It was time to try and draw Lee back to reality.

"Lee, what are you thinking about ?"

Lee looked away from the dawn and took the mug of coffee she offered.

"I was thinking this is the first day of the rest of my life. The first day without Amanda."

"Lee, I know that it doesn't feel like it right now, but you have to give it time. It will get better."

"Better?" he almost yelled, "You wouldn't say that if you knew what she meant to me."

Careful not to react to his outburst, Francine went on, "Well, why don't you tell me Lee; tell me so I'll understand."

Gritting his teeth, suddenly angry at her for her past treatment of Amanda, he said "I loved her Francine. There, I've said it. Go on, you can laugh now. I know you disliked her, and no doubt think I'm a fool."

Francine winced at Lee's accusing tone of voice. "I am more sorry than I can say Lee for all that I said or did to Amanda. I have no excuse for my actions, but I can give you some reasons. Basically, I was jealous."

Lee looked up in surprise. "You said that before in the car. What do you mean, jealous?"

Francine struggled to find the words. But finally she said, "I mean I was jealous of Amanda's relationship with you."

"But Francine, you and I..." Lee stopped, then started again, "Anything we had was over a long time ago. I thought that we had both agreed it was just a fling."

Again Francine hesitated before replying, "Oh I know we had, and it wasn't that I wanted you back. I guess I was just envious of the understanding you had between the two of you. I suppose I wished that I had someone who would risk everything for me, the way you would for each other."

Distracted into another chain of thought by Francine's reply, Lee said "Was it that obvious?"

Francine smiled fleetingly, glad that Lee was at last opening up a little. "Lee, from the very beginning you were very protective of each other. Remember when Amanda was kidnapped by mistake at your apartment? You risked treason to get her back again. And then she did the same for you to help clear your name and save your career."

Lee smiled at the memory. After all, everything had turned out well in the end. If only it could now. But that was wishful thinking. Resolutely, Lee turned his thoughts back to the present. "You're right Francine. From the first time I knew her, I felt a connection. For a long time I didn't even want to acknowledge it. And once I had acknowledged it, at least to myself, - I fought it for so long." He stopped and took a shuddering breath, "Too long as it turns out."

"You couldn't have known what was coming Lee. Nothing you could have said would have changed that."

"I know, but at least she would have known. And at least I would have known her - as I wanted to know her." The tears threatened to return to his eyes, and he whispered to himself, "Oh Amanda, I'm so sorry. I love you." And with that Lee turned away from Francine and looked back at the rising sun.

Francine almost couldn't bear to watch his distress. She quietly stole from the room and left Lee to his grieving. Tired beyond words, she headed to one of the bedrooms and slept the heavy dreamless sleep of the exhausted.

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Francine sat in Billy's office, looking tiredly at a Billy who looked as though he'd had much the same amount of sleep as she did.

"How was Lee when you left him?"

"Sleeping, finally. He's pretty torn up about it all. I've never seen him like this Billy."

"I know, I know. But perhaps we should have seen it coming. He's always been pretty upset whenever Amanda was in any trouble."

"Yes he has. You know Billy, Lee mentioned another time that Amanda was in trouble. Do you remember when Amanda was kidnapped in place of Lee a few years ago?"

"How could I forget? Lee risked treason to save her."

"Well, ever since Lee mentioned it, I can't get the thought out of my head that this might be the same sort of deal."

"We already know that Francine. It's obvious that Amanda was mistaken for Lee."

"I don't mean that Billy," Francine said impatiently. "I mean what if this is some sort of sophisticated kidnapping?"

"Not possible Francine, we have the preliminary forensics. There was blood matching Amanda's, as well some pieces of bone. They've been identified as human."

Francine glanced briefly at the report Billy handed her. "Well, this is pretty incomplete Billy. Not to mention it wasn't done by our people but by the local boys."

Billy rubbed a tired hand across his eyes. "I did say it was only preliminary," he held up his hand to forestall Francine as she drew breath to object, "but, I will get our team onto it. In the meantime, I don't think we should mention this to Lee. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Now, there is one more thing we need to discuss. Whatever wild theories you might have, the overwhelming probability is that Mrs King is dead. We need to think about her family."

"Yes sir, we do. But what can we say? They don't know what she does for a living."

"That is going to have to remain the same I'm afraid. But there's no reason for anything else to be hidden. I think it's best if we tell them as close to the truth as we can manage."

Francine paused to think, then said "We could tell them that that she was waiting at Lee's while he helped with her car and that there was a gas explosion. That scenario would account for everything that they are likely to find out."

"Yes, that's good. But who's going to tell them?"

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Amanda tried to keep her voice even as for what felt like the hundredth time she said, "I don't know the details of your operation. We were at a dead end in our investigation." She looked up at Patrick then turned to look at Sean standing behind her, attempting to assess whether or not they believed her. As she was lying, she felt it was a good test of her ability to dissemble. Unfortunately both men were professionals. Amanda could tell nothing from their expressions.

"Come along Scarecrow," Patrick wheedled, "We know how good you are, we know the Agency's resources. I have to be honest with you petal, I find it very difficult to believe you know nothing."

"Then I'll never be able to convince you of that. Either I have nothing to tell you because I know nothing or I am not telling because I am not going to tell you anything."

"You've summed that up rather well my dear. So I wonder where we go from here?"

Sean spoke up from behind Amanda. "I think we go to something more dramatic than questions."

Trying not flinch, Amanda said, "Such as?"

Sean smiled, "Oh don't worry darlin', nothing so modern as drugs. I think good old fashioned emotional blackmail might do the trick."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you and that partner of yours seem quite close. After all, we saw him leaving your apartment the other night. Now, we can be fairly sure that you'll say nothing, even if your own life depends upon it. But what if his life depended on it?"

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Later, lying back in her cell, Amanda tried to answer that question for herself. She knew she ought not give any information to these people. Not only would it sign her own death warrant, but other lives depended upon it as well. But not talking would mean risking Lee's life.

Amanda knew that if she could ask him, Lee would undoubtedly volunteer to take the risk. But did that justify her choice? Amanda distrusted her own judgement in this case. How did she know that her own desire for Lee's help wasn't clouding her judgement? Was she just kidding herself that the two of them would stand a better chance of getting out of this? Or was she condemning Lee to death as well?

However, Amanda knew that in the end she would do her duty. Lee would expect no less of her, as she would expect no less of herself. Amanda would simply have to trust in Lee's resourcefulness to keep him safe. It had served them both well before.

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Lee turned away from Francine after listening to her describe the scenario she and Billy had decided should be told to Amanda's family.

"Lee, no-one expects you to do this, but we thought you would like the option. It seemed only right."

Lee turned back to face her. "I appreciate that you asked me Francine. And I will go and see them. I just need a moment. This makes it so real you know?"

"I know Lee. But they deserve information. From their point of view she's been missing for almost twenty-four hours."

"You're right Francine. I'm going now."

Lee began to walk towards the door when Francine said, "Lee, good luck."

Touched by her sympathy, Lee turned back for a moment and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks for everything Francine."

Lee drove quickly from the safehouse. Now that he had determined on delivering the bad news, he had no wish to delay. Francine was right, they must have been worried sick. Better to know the full truth now than leave them wondering. He wished to God he didn't have to do this, but he would not leave it to anyone else.

Sooner than he thought possible, he was parking his car in front of Amanda's house. It felt strange to walk up the front path rather than duck around the back. He tried not to think about all the times he had spent in the yard of this house, tapping on the window like a secret lover. They had even shared their first brief kiss here. But now it all ended. He would tell Mrs West a censored version of the truth and watch as her face reflected the disbelief he himself had felt. But in the end she would believe. And she would go on with her life, as would Philip and Jamie and even Joe King. And they would never know how much Amanda had done for her country. Or how much she had meant to him.

He knocked on the door.

After less than a second Dotty answered the door and before Lee could say anything she said, "Oh are you from the police? I called hours ago but nobody's come. It's my daughter you see, I'm worried sick. I haven't heard from her since yesterday."

"No I'm not from the police Mrs West. I'm Lee Stetson, I work with Amanda."

"Oh yes, she's mentioned you. Shall we go inside?"

"I think that would be a good idea."

Lee waited until they were both seated before continuing, "I'm afraid I have some bad news Mrs West. Some very bad news."

"About Amanda?"

"Yes, about Amanda. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but Amanda is dead."

For a full minute, Dotty just stared. "I don't understand."

As Lee explained, she listened quietly with tears running down her face. It was all Lee could do to keep his voice steady. She didn't need the burden of his grief added to her own. Instead, he tried to make himself useful.

"What will you do now? Is there anyone I can call for you?"

In a shockingly calm voice, Dotty answered, "Oh that's kind of you Mr Stetson. I ah, I'll call Joe, that's Amanda's ex-husband you know, and get him to come around before...before I explain to the boys."

Dotty looked at him without really seeing him. It was obvious that the pain was still on the surface somewhere. It would only be later that the reality would penetrate.

"If you don't mind Mr Stetson, I would like to be alone now."

Lee stood up and moved towards the door. He glanced back to see Dotty pick up the phone and dial. As he shut the door behind himself he heard her say, "Oh Joe, something terrible's happened..."

Lee bolted to his car, slamming the door in his frustration. He was shaking and had to take a few seconds to calm down. He knew that Amanda's family didn't know him from a bar of soap, but it was so hard to be confronted with the reality. In the space of five minutes he had been dismissed from their lives. Needing to get away, he put the car in gear and sped off.

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Back in Billy's office, Francine was listening in stunned surprise as Billy detailed what their lab boys had found. The bones fragments were not Amanda's. Not unless she was eighty years old.

"So someone was trying to fool us sir."

"And if it weren't for you they would have done. Good work Francine." Billy was suddenly energised, the knowledge that Amanda might still be alive was like a weight off his shoulders. "I think Lee would like this information, don't you Francine?"

Unable to hide her smile Francine said "Yes sir, I do."

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Without consciously thinking of a destination, Lee found himself outside Emilio's. It had been their place, and obviously something had drawn him back here.

In need of a drink, Lee went inside. As he sat down at the bar, Patrick got up and headed to the phone.

"He's here Sean."

"It's about time. Well, you know the plan. Let him have a few then stick the stuff in his drink. It'll look like he's just drunk and you'll be able to take him out without attracting too much attention."

"Right. Don't worry, I'll get it done and be with you soon."

Patrick hung up and went back to the bar. He was pleased to find they had it to themselves. He settled down and prepared to wait.

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Francine looked anxiously around the safehouse. Lee should have been back by now. She stood for a minute, thinking. Then she reached for the phone.

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Patrick watched as his quarry ordered another drink. His man beginning to look a bit weary now. It was about time, he decided.

The phone at the bar rang, distracting the attention of the barman. Then the barman waved Lee over to the phone. Perfect. Unnoticed, Patrick slipped the drugs into Lee's drink.

Lee sat back down and rubbed his eyes. He wondered what Francine could possibly have to say that was so important. She had practically ordered him to stay put until she got there. He downed his drink and ordered another.

Patrick smiled to himself once the drink was gone. Any moment now. He stood as Lee nearly fell off his stool.

"You alright mate?"

"Yes, just a bit dizzy all of a sudden."

"I think perhaps you've had a few too many. Come on, I'll help you to the bathroom and you can throw some water on your face."

Lee was too tired and depressed to exercise his normal caution with a stranger. Patrick helped him off his stool and headed him out of the bar. Checking to see that no-one was watching, he helped the near unconscious Lee out the door and into the car. Intent on getting his man into the car, he didn't notice Francine pull up. Francine noticed him though, and stayed in her car and watched. When Patrick drove off, Francine followed.

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Lee awoke in brightness with a very sore head. He squinted at a shadow that loomed over him and covered his eyes from the harsh glare.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"Lee, it's me."

Lee uncovered his eyes at the sound of that voice. It couldn't be... "Amanda?"

"Oh yes Lee, it's me."

"Oh Amanda, it's not possible. I don't understand. Are you really here? I don't understand." Lee couldn't stop babbling. Although he knew he was awake, he was still groggy from the drugs and unable to react rationally to the situation.

Amanda let him chatter on for a few minutes. It did not escape her notice that for once it was Lee talking an endless amount of nonsense. But she at least had had a little more time to adjust to seeing him again. He had been unconscious when they had shoved him in the cell with her and had remained that way for some time.

Amanda decided to try again. "Come on Stetson, focus. I need your help here."

Lee sat on the edge of the bed and breathed deeply. It seemed to do some good and his mind and vision cleared a little. He looked at Amanda in wonder. She was flesh and blood and sitting right next to him. "You have no idea how good it is to see you, Amanda King."

"Oh, I think I do Lee. They told me what they did, what they made you think. I'm so sorry."

"Sorry? Why should you be sorry? You're alive, and that's all that matters now." Without warning, Lee reached towards her and kissed her full on the lips. He pulled back to see how she had reacted. A split second later, he had his answer as she reached back towards him and they kissed deeply. Finally, they broke off and clung together. Lee thought he just might never let go again. Without completely releasing the embrace, Lee pulled away enough to look her in the face.

"Amanda, when I thought you were dead, there were so many things I wanted to say to you. I thought I would never get another chance. But now I have that chance and nothing in the world is going to prevent me telling you that I love you."

"Oh, Lee..."

"No, wait Amanda, let me finish. I was so afraid to tell you before, so scared of the future. But nothing is as frightening as when I thought we had no future. So much wasted time, but I'm not going to waste another second."

Amanda's voice quavered, and her eyes bright with tears as she said, "Oh Lee, I love you too."

They kissed again, less desperately this time, savouring every second. Reality would intrude, however, and they broke off again to consider their options. Lee opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by the sound of gunfire outside the door. Before either of them could react, the door was flung open and Francine and Billy stepped in, both grinning maniacally at the sight of Lee and Amanda, alive.

Francine spoke first, "Hi kids. Party's over, time to leave and go home."

Not to be outdone in the coolness stakes, Amanda took Lee's hand and walked slowly out of the room. "Thanks Francine, Billy. We'll give you our reports - in the morning."

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Epilogue.

Back at the safehouse, Lee and Amanda slept quietly together on the sofa. After arriving at the house, they had talked for hours. After so much time hiding their feelings from each other, everything had spilled out at once.

They had even found time to concoct a story for Amanda's family. Alright, it wasn't the best - involving cliched mix-ups of hospital records - but neither thought her family would much feel like complaining. And although obviously eager to relieve them of their grieving, Amanda did not feel up to facing them until she'd had some proper rest herself.

In the early hours of the morning sleep had finally overtaken both of them. Both slept dreamlessly through the dawn.

THE END

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