Written Oct 2003- May 2004
 

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

SMK Time: Mid August 1987
 

"How about we forget about dinner and just go to bed early?" Lee suggested with a devious grin putting his glass of wine on the table as he began to nibble playfully on his wife's ear.

"Lee!" Amanda gasped in mock complaint as she pulled away, putting her glass of wine out of harm's way. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, but then rebutted. "It's not even eight o'clock. I think it's a little early to call it a night. Besides, I thought you were hungry."

"It's true, I have a very healthy appetite," he boasted proudly, adding a wink.

"That's not the appetite I was talking about and you know it," she reminded him rolling her eyes, but her smile was clearly visible. "Not to mention the poor pizza delivery driver will be here any minute. I don't think having him pounding on the front door while we're upstairs would be very romantic…"

"All right, I see your point," Lee conceded in defeat, his face sporting a disappointed look. "But after the pizza - look out!"

"I'm looking forward to that! It's not often we get a night alone in the middle of the week," she grinned just as the doorbell rang as if on cue. "You want to get that? I'll get the table set."

Lee walked over to the front door while reaching into his pocket and grabbed his wallet. He opened the door and asked, "How much do…" Lee stopped mid sentence and swallowed hard. Standing on Amanda's front porch wasn't the pizza delivery man at all, but a familiar and unwelcome face. "JOE! Is everything all right? Where are the boys?" Lee glanced at the yard and towards Joe's car, which was parked in the street. The boys weren't with him.

"The boys are with my mother," he advised somewhat curtly without further comment. "Is Amanda here?"

"Uh, yeah, she's in the kitchen…" Lee swallowed uncomfortably as he started to lead the way then he slowed his pace allowing Joe to go into the kitchen alone realizing he knew the way. However, Lee stood close enough to eavesdrop.

"JOE!" Amanda exclaimed with surprise when she looked up and saw him walking into her kitchen. She quickly asked with concern. "Where are Phillip and Jamie? Are they all right?"

"Relax, Amanda, the boys are fine. They're at my mother's place for dinner tonight," Joe explained in a fidgety manner.

"I thought you were taking them to Baltimore for a few days to meet Carrie's parents?" she reminded him, more as a question than as a statement.

"There was a change from the original plan," Joe admitted apprehensively then turned slightly, noticing Lee was hovering just a few feet away in the family room. "Could we talk somewhere a little more private? How about outside, maybe in the gazebo?"

"Uh, sure," Amanda nodded uneasily as she followed Joe out the back door. She turned and shrugged to Lee, not sure what was up. He scowled at the situation, but didn't make any comment.

Lee sat and stewed in the family room for what seemed an eternity until the doorbell rang once again. He returned to the front door and this time the pizza delivery boy was waiting impatiently.

"Mr. King?" the boy erroneously assumed.

"No," Lee grunted angrily at the kid as he handed him a ten-dollar bill, grabbed the pizza and turned slamming the door without another word. Lee grumbled in protest as he put the pizza on the kitchen counter. He stalked over to the kitchen window. He thought about knocking on the glass to get Amanda's attention. However, all he could make out were shadows in the waning evening light.

Lee opened the pizza box as the smell of fresh pizza wafted about the room. He considered eating a slice to hold him over until Amanda came back in, but suddenly he wasn't as hungry as he was a few minutes earlier. Instead he closed the lid tightly and wandered back into the family room. He picked up his glass of wine and emptied its contents hastily. Placing the empty glass on the table, he drummed his fingers rapidly on the table trying to entertain himself.

Lee sat back on the couch, but couldn't seem to get comfortable. He picked up his wineglass once again and went back into the kitchen pouring himself another glass, sipping it slowly this time as he leaned against the counter. His eye kept wandering towards the window as he wondered what was so important to Joe that he ditched his two sons and invaded their cherished private time. Lee's blood pressure was rising at the thoughts that were racing through his head.

Finally, Lee returned to the family room, flicking on the television in hopes of finding something, anything to distract him. He watched the Orioles baseball game for a few minutes before the inning ended and an annoying commercial came on. He clicked the off button on the remote control and tossed it onto the table.

Suddenly he felt out of place in the home he usually found himself quite comfortable in. He ambled over to the kitchen window once more, giving some thought to cracking the window open ever so slightly to listen in to the conversation at hand. He couldn't help but wonder what Joe King wanted. Why was he here when he was supposed to be with his sons and fiancee? His finger played with the lock for a moment before he stopped. He finally forced himself from the window, knowing the noise would give him away. He didn't want to be caught spying on his wife. Instead he went over and inspected the pizza.

"What a waste!" he complained after he stuck his finger in the now cold pizza as he pushed the box away in disgust.

He noticed his car keys on the counter. "Maybe I should just go?" he mumbled out loud to no one in particular. Thoughts of a quick drink at Nedlinger's crossed his mind. There was always somebody there he knew. He could share a drink with them and not feel so alone. He shook his head and went to the front window wishing that Joe King would get back into his car and drive away - far away. Lee watched as the last rays of sunshine took their leave for the day and the living room darkened as the natural light retreated. He glanced at his watch in disgust, squinting to make out the time in the darkness.

"Damn you, Joe King," he swore angrily before he returned to the kitchen. He glanced out the window once again to see if Amanda had enough sense to end the conversation and come back inside. Unfortunately, he could only make out silhouettes in the gazebo. He grabbed a piece of note-paper from the refrigerator door and began to scribble a brief note to his wife just as she came back inside - alone, with a perplexed look on her face.

"Are you OK? What happened out there?" he quickly interrogated as he crumpled the note in his hand and stuffed it in his pants pocket.

"I'm not sure," she answered honestly as she leaned against the counter. She stared at Lee for a few moments as she reran the discussion she just shared with her ex-husband through her mind…
 
 

"Are you sure the boys are all right?" she asked Joe again as they reached the privacy of the gazebo. Joe clearly appeared to be troubled, she could tell from the look on his face.

"Yeah, the boys are fine, really," Joe promised as he looked at his watch. "I'm guessing that my Mother has taken them out for ice cream and the three of them are gobbling down hot fudge sundaes as we speak."

Amanda smiled, relieved by his explanation, but curious about the unannounced visit. "So what's up then?"

Joe rubbed his temple as if he was warding off a headache. "I, um, I needed to talk to you…" he mumbled barely audibly.

"I gathered that, Joe," Amanda replied as she patted the bench on the gazebo. "Why don't you sit down and talk to me then?"

Joe began to pace anxiously. "I'd rather stand," he answered curtly, but his explanation was still not forthcoming.

"Joe, what's going on?" she demanded, her voice strained.

"Have you ever felt like your life was in a whirlwind?" he asked but didn't wait for a response. "Everything seems to be happening so fast…"

"What are you talking about?" she demanded in a tense voice.

"You heard that the Prime Minister of Estoccia was re-elected recently. He'll be sworn in for another term in a couple of weeks," Joe began his explanation.

"Yes, I do remember something about that coming across on the Agency's wire," she shrugged. "Why do you ask?"

"I received a call the other day from the Prime Minister himself. He's asked me to join his cabinet. He trusts me; he knows I won't bow to pressure from the insurgents and he needs and wants someone he can depend on."

"You'd leave your job with the EAO after all these years?" Amanda gasped in disbelief.

"Amanda, now that I'm stateside I don't feel like the job I'm doing is as important as it was when I was over there. When I was in Estoccia things I did made a difference - a big difference! That country is still in turmoil, but with the Prime Minister's firm hand and an honest team behind him, it could be lifted out of the quagmire of poverty and thousands of people could be fed, housed, educated…"

"There's a lot of terrorism over there, Joe. It's a dangerous place to live and work," she warned in a concerned tone.

Joe faced his ex-wife. "I could say the same to you about your job, but still you feel it important to work for the Agency."

"I'm in familiar surroundings with people I can trust, Joe," she explained rationally. "I'm not living in a third world country far away from my support system. They speak the same language here. In Estoccia, English is only spoken by the elite and you're the one who told me there are many dialects in the surrounding villages that communication between groups of people is difficult at best."

"That's why going back is so important. We need to educate these people so they can learn to help themselves. If honest people are in control - money can be used properly and programs can be implemented. Think of how much of a difference I can help make in the lives of those people! They can forever be changed for the better…" Joe explained with fervor.

Amanda nodded. Joe's desire to make a difference had changed little since he graduated from law school. "That's an admirable goal, but I didn't think you stayed here in the States just because of your job. I thought you wanted to be closer to the boys, not to mention you're supposed to be getting married soon and…"

Joe sighed heavily before answering. "I've talked to Carrie. She's not thrilled with the idea, to say the least, but it wouldn't be like it was when I was over there the last time. I'd be living in the capital city, Al Sadar, in a house provided by the government. By Estoccian standards we'd be living in a palace. It's right near the government center. I wouldn't be living out of a suitcase anymore, traveling from village to village."

Amanda could commiserate with Carrie, although she wouldn't be dragging two toddlers along. "That's still a big change from living and working in an office in DC. She'd have to give up her career…"

"I know there's plenty of opportunity for volunteer work over there and I certainly can provide for her financially," Joe argued, obviously frustrated.

Same old Joe, Amanda thought. He still didn't 'get it.' "Joe, you're asking her to leave her family and friends and start an entirely new life with you in a country she's never even visited. Poverty is rampant, people die of starvation or diseases that have been eradicated in the western world for decades and other diseases are popping up that they don't even have names or cures for yet."

"Whose side are you on?" Joe snapped harshly. "She's threatening to break off our engagement if I don't change my mind or, as she puts it, 'come to my senses'."

"I'm not choosing sides at all. Besides, it sounds to me like you've already made up your mind. I'm just not sure why you're here telling me this," she replied as she bit her tongue. She wanted to say more but she knew it wouldn't make a difference.

Joe let out a long slow breath. "I promised the Prime Minister I'd have an answer for him tomorrow. His inauguration is barely two weeks away and he needs to know if I'm going to take the position or if he needs to appoint someone else," Joe explained with some regret in his voice. "Amanda, I'm his first choice. Do you have any idea what an honor this is? Over here I'm nothing but a glorified paper pusher. In Estoccia I could make a significant difference helping a developing country."

"So have you mentioned any of this to your sons yet?" she asked wisely, realizing once again that the boys were going to be the ones who suffered most from his abrupt departure.

"No, not yet. I thought I should run this past you first," he answered meekly.

Amanda shrugged, not sure what Joe wanted from her. Did he want her blessing? It was no longer her place, not that he'd listened to her in the past. "I think you need to sit down and explain this to the boys as soon as possible," she advised her ex-husband.

Joe rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I thought maybe we could tell them together?" he asked, swallowing hard.

Amanda shook her head. "Sorry, Joe. This is your choice and your decision. It's your responsibility to tell them and I suggest you do it tonight when you get back to your mother's house or when you take the boy's back to your place," she answered decisively. This was one time she was not going to be Joe King's patsy.

He grimaced unhappily. "What do I tell them?"

Amanda gritted her teeth, holding back what she'd really like to tell her ex - that he has responsibilities to his children and that they should come first. She knew that Joe's career would always come first. "Phillip and Jamie are both very bright young men. Tell them that you have an excellent career opportunity to help a developing nation. Explain to them that you'll miss them terribly but you feel you have a duty to serve. Just make sure your sons don't feel like they're your second choice." She finally stated, hoping to keep her rising temper in check, but realizing that her words came out more than slightly accusatory.

"That's a terrible thing to say," Joe snapped harshly. "Phillip and Jamie would never think that."

Amanda wasn't so sure. Although they never came out and said anything to her specifically, they had alluded at times that they felt they were often forgotten. "I'm just saying you want to break it to them gently that you're not going to be around again, probably for some time…"

"Well, maybe they'd want to come and see the inauguration?" Joe suggested enthusiastically. "Think of the educational value that it could provide them."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Amanda answered without hesitation.

"Why not?" he snapped rudely.

"Joe, the State Department has strong travel advisories regarding Estoccia. It might not be safe for them to be over there," she reminded him wisely.

"Amanda, I'm getting tired of your excuses. I wanted you to come with me to Estoccia years ago. It was your choice not to relocate," he reminded his ex-wife, obviously miffed.

"Let's not rehash old wounds. My main concern is how the boys are going to feel when they find out you're not going to be available," she quickly suggested to him, not willing to debate the reasons their marriage failed so long ago.

"I'll only be a phone call away," he suggested.

"When the phones are working! Things over there are rather… chaotic," she countered with rising concern. "Remember I told you I heard about the Prime Minister's re-election from the Agency wire? There's been more than one attempt on the Prime Minister's life. You were blamed for one of them a couple of years ago!"

"That was ancient history. Things have settled down since then," Joe informed her.

"You may believe that, Joe, but I'm not as confident as you are that it's a stable situation to be sending my two sons. Besides, school will be starting in a couple of weeks. I think you'll have a hard time convincing the boys to give up their last few weeks of freedom to traipse over to Estoccia," Amanda warned.

"You're probably right about them not wanting to give up the end of their summer vacation," Joe reluctantly agreed. "I better get going. I didn't realize how late it was getting."

"Yeah, I better get inside. I still haven't had dinner," Amanda answered as she gave her ex-husband a conciliatory hug before he headed for the front yard.
 
 

"Amanda," Lee called out to her, only a few feet away. "AMANDA!"

She finally glanced back up at her husband. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to zone out on you like that."

"Is something wrong?" he asked in concern. "What did Joe say to you? Is it one of the boys?"

She shook her head. "No, the boys are fine. It's Joe. He's been offered a job overseas again," she stated simply, still somewhat subdued.

Lee couldn't help but smile. He'd like nothing more than to have Joe King out of his life and out of Amanda's. "That sounds…" he stopped, realizing he didn't want to gloat over the possibilities. "Sounds rather important."

"Actually it is," Amanda nodded in disbelief. "The Prime Minister of Estoccia has asked Joe to join his cabinet."

"Wow! Some offer. Wasn't the Prime Minister just re-elected?" Lee questioned with interest.

"Yeah, a few weeks ago. Apparently the inauguration will be in two weeks." Amanda repeated what Joe had just told her.

"So is he going to take the position?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think he will. He wanted to tell me before he broke the news to Phillip and Jamie," she added glumly.

"Are you all right with all this?" Lee questioned, as he watched her face carefully.

She shrugged, but she realized that Lee knew her better than her ex-husband ever did. "It's what Joe wants to do, who am I to argue that?"

"But you're worried about how this will affect the boys?" he added knowingly. "Amanda, you can't force him be a better father, and you can't make him want to be part of Phillip and Jamie's lives."

"I know that," she sighed heavily, but then her frown subsided as she reached out for Lee. "At least they have you in their lives."

Lee grinned happily as he kissed his wife's forehead. "You know I'll do anything for you and the boys."

"Yeah, I know that," she kissed him back. "And it means more to me than you'll ever know."

End Part One
 
 
 
 

Estoccian Affair… Part Two

Friday - August 21, 1987

"Sorry I'm late," Amanda called over to her husband when she arrived in the Q Bureau looking a little flustered for so early in the morning.

"No problem," Lee countered with a broad smile on his face. He was counting the days until Joe King's departure - only three more remained, so there was little that could spoil his mood. "Everything all right on the home front?" he queried with concern.

"Better than I expected. The boys are really taking Joe's leaving rather well. I thought it might bother them that he's taking off again, but they seem to be taking it all in stride," she answered with a relieved sigh.

"It's not as if he's ever played a big part in their lives, Amanda," he reminded her. They both knew that Joe left the parenting of his children for his ex-wife to handle and with his impending departure overseas, it would again place the burden of raising their sons totally on Amanda.

"True," she nodded reluctantly, a far off look in her eyes. "So far the biggest problem we had was their inability to pack without me watching over their shoulders. They told me they packed last night, but when I checked on them this morning as I was heading out the door the only thing out were their overnight bags - no clothes, nothing! That's why I'm late," Amanda replied as she sat down at her desk looking rather worn out.

Lee chuckled as he pictured the scene in his mind. "You know how boys are!"

"Yes, unfortunately I do," she smiled.

"So we're still on for the weekend?" Lee confirmed once more. He could hardly wait for Joe to leave for Estoccia - for good. He was counting the days until August 24^th - like a child waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. That was the day Joe King was scheduled to jet away to a distant continent.

"Absolutely, Joe picked up the boys a few minutes ago. He'll drop them back home on Sunday night so we have one last weekend alone," she informed him. "Is everything set? You did make the reservations, didn't you? I hope you're packed and ready to go."

Lee chuckled at her rapid-fire questions and decided to tease her. "I figured we'd never leave the hotel room, so what do I really need to pack other than a toothbrush?" he answered with a boyish grin.

"Ooohhh, you're as bad as the boys are!" she admonished him.

"Relax, Amanda," he advised her as he crossed the room and sat on the edge of her desk. "My suitcase is packed, the reservations are confirmed. Nothing can get in the way." He smiled at her and bent over and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She allowed herself to relax and a smile formed on her face, but as quickly as it formed it subsided. "I don't know when we'll get another chance to get away together with Joe out of the country. I don't think he's even planning to come back for Thanksgiving or Christmas."

"Things always have a way of working themselves out," he answered as he stroked her cheek tenderly with his hand. "Maybe it's time we consider ending the mystery part of our marriage?"

Amanda's eyes opened wide and she let out a big sigh. "You've been thinking about that, too?"

"Only every night," he answered honestly. He reached out for her hand grasping it tenderly in his. "Although the boys won't admit it, they'll miss Joe. They will probably miss knowing that he's around. Sometimes a guy wants to talk to a guy."

"They know they have you," she reminded him.

"To some extent," Lee added with a shrug. "I think it would give them some additional comfort to know that I'm not just a passing admirer, that I'm here for the long haul."

"I'm sure they don't think of you like that," she challenged. "This summer you and Jamie have finally gotten closer and you and Phillip have always been on the same page."

"So you agree we should tell them about our marriage and things?" he asked with a hopeful look on his face.

Amanda hesitated. "There are still other problems that we need to address if we announced the details."

Lee shook his head in disagreement. He knew she could come up with numerous reasons, so could he. That's why they created this masquerade to begin with, but it was time to admit the mystery marriage was driving them both crazy. "Amanda, I've given this a lot of thought. I think those other things will work out. Maybe not 100%, but I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages."

She sighed heavily. "How about we talk about it some more this weekend - when we're alone. I always worry when we talk at the office that someone's listening in."

Lee chuckled. "You're getting paranoid."

"That comes with this job," she commented wisely. "Did I miss anything important this morning?"

Lee watched as Amanda glanced at the piles of paperwork that sat on her desk and another pile that was growing on his. "Not yet. You made it in time for the big meeting," he announced with a raised eyebrow.

"What's up?" Amanda asked.

"I don't know. Billy's being rather secretive," Lee sighed, but refused to allow his good mood to be altered. "Francine called up here looking for both of us. She said Billy wanted us in his office at nine AM - sharp!"

"Good thing the boys were only going away for the weekend," she quipped. "Or I'd still be home with them packing!"

"Do you want to grab a quick cup of coffee before the meeting?" he asked her noticing the clock on the wall was only a few minutes before the hour.

"Did you make it?" she inquired.

"Who else?" he replied.

"I'll grab a cup down in the bullpen then," she answered with a gentle smile.

"Are you saying you don't like my coffee?" he questioned indignantly.

"I'm just saying that the new Colombian blend you've been making is a little strong for my tastes!" she hedged.

"Come on, then," he huffed in mock offense. "We better get down to the bullpen before all the wimpy coffee is gone."

"I don't like wimpy coffee," she argued. "I just think that particular blend is a bit hearty for my tastes."

Lee shook his head, but opened the door to the Q Bureau and followed his wife down the stairs.

When they arrived in the bullpen, Francine was just pouring herself a cup of coffee. "You want a cup?" she asked them both.

"Please," Amanda replied, but Lee put up his hand begging off.

"Any idea why Billy called this sudden meeting?" Lee asked her with a raised brow. "We've got enough problems with the Potomac Conference."

"Not a clue," Francine answered with a shrug as she handed a cup of coffee to Amanda. "I haven't seen anything on the wire this morning, but I'm swamped with paperwork. The computer was down until after six last night so I'm two hours behind before this meeting gets started."

"Thanks," Amanda replied as she sipped the hot liquid. After swallowing the coffee she glanced both at Lee and then over to Francine. "There's one way to fine out what he wants..."

Lee nodded his agreement. "Let's get this over with," Lee asserted as the three of them walked towards Billy's office and knocked on the door.

"Come! " he shouted loud enough for his agents to hear him through the closed door. "I appreciate your prompt attendance on such short notice."

"So what's the scoop, Billy?" Scarecrow asked impatiently.

"Have a seat," he directed and waited while they got settled as he shuffled through a desktop of paperwork. "I'm sure you're all aware that the Estoccian Prime Minister will be re-inaugurated next week amidst quite a bit of unrest in the country."

"Unrest?" Francine coughed sarcastically. "They're embroiled in a civil war!"

Billy's face tensed. "Technically, the civil war has ended, the elections have been verified, but the Prime Minister is still receiving death threats. The Estoccian government has requested our cooperation in providing additional security next week during the inauguration festivities."

"You said security," Lee noted immediately. "Are we sending in the military?"

"Let me clarify that," Billy replied. "The UN has agreed to send in additional peace keeping troops, but in addition to that we've agreed to send some special help."

Lee started to get an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Although his initial meeting with the Estoccian Prime Minister was less than stellar, once they realized they were working towards the same goal, they'd developed a keen respect for each other. "Billy, before you go any further, I want to remind you that Amanda and I are working on the Potomac Conference."

"I realize that, Scarecrow, but this is going to take priority. Hand over all your open cases to Cortez. The Prime Minister specifically asked for you and Francine since he knows you both," Billy explained with a stern glare. "You can brief Cortez on the Potomac conference before you head of out town."

After a brief groan from both Lee and Francine, Amanda broke the silence. "I can fill him in," she suggested. "We still have a lot of leg work to handle, but..."

"Amanda, I'm sending you to Estoccia as well," Billy interrupted his other agent.

"Sir, you're sending me to Estoccia as well?" Amanda repeated with uncertainty. "But, but… the Prime Minister doesn't know I work for the Agency!"

"I realize that and we're actually counting on that fact. The Prime Minister as well as anyone else in Estoccia knows you only as Joe King's wife," Billy Melrose began to explain.

"Ex-wife," Lee corrected immediately.

Billy sighed heavily and shrugged his shoulders. "Amanda, we'd like to send you over as Joe's ex-wife under the presumption that you've been working on a reconciliation since his return from Estoccia."

"What?!" Amanda gulped.

"That's crazy!" Lee complained harshly.

"It could put you in places where Scarecrow and Francine can't go without closer scrutiny," Billy reminded them. "You might be able to pick up on any internal problems that could be brewing. You wouldn't be suspect since they wouldn't know you're actually part of the security detail. Francine, we're planning to assign you as Joe King's personal secretary/aide-de-camp. Scarecrow, you'll be the King family's bodyguard and in charge of his household's security."

"Sir, I realize this looks fine on paper, but there's a lot of other issues…" Amanda started babbling anxiously.

"Amanda, we've run this by Joe King and he had no objections," Billy advised her with a stern glare.

"What about his fiancée?" Lee snarled angrily.

"Apparently she's no longer in the picture," Billy answered as he shuffled some paperwork on his desk.

"Sir, you asked Joe before you even mentioned this to me?" Amanda questioned, rather perturbed.

"Amanda, the initial request for additional security came through the Prime Minister's office. However, the Estoccian government advised us to make whatever arrangements were necessary and to run everything by Joe King - logistically it makes sense. Since you and Joe have had an amiable divorce and from what I understand continue to get along rather well it makes this more than a convenience. It will be invaluable to have you on the inside," Billy explained rationally.

"How incredibly convenient!" Lee raged, his face red with anger. "Billy, don't you think Amanda should have been asked how she feels about this farce before you set things in motion!"

Billy ignored Lee's protest and continued on his explanation. "It's possible, if not probable that some of the problems are coming from inside the administration. That's why it'll be important to have Amanda snooping around. Who would suspect the wife of a lawyer who's going to be in a cabinet position as being an intelligence agent?" Billy asked with a devious grin.

"Sir, it's not just pretending to be married to Joe. There are quite a few other things that need consideration," she stated, obviously flustered. "I can't just leave the country and abandon Phillip and Jamie. School starts in just a few weeks. Certain preparations need to be made and I'm certainly not bringing them along to Estoccia. It's a very dangerous place and…"

"I understand your concerns for your sons and, trust me, the Agency will make all arrangements necessary for them while you're out of the country. We don't expect you to be gone for more than a week - ten days tops," Billy advised them. "You'll be leaving this Monday with Joe. The inauguration is set for Thursday. If all goes well you'll be on a plane home first thing the following week after the Inauguration Ball and other receptions."

"Sir, this would be… very awkward for me…" Amanda stammered, her face flushing in distress.

"Amanda, I imagine it will be difficult for you, but it's in our nations best interest to help this small country remain democratic," Billy reminded her rather sincerely as he passed out several thick manila folders.

Lee shook his head in defiance, but he couldn't think of a way out of the predicament they seemed to be trapped in despite their protests. "Billy there's got to be another way."

Amanda glanced at Lee then back to her supervisor. "Sir, what if I decline the assignment?"

"Amanda, most freshman agents would jump at an assignment like this. If things go well it would be an excellent feather in your cap," her supervisor reminded her. "I think you should really give this assignment some strong consideration. The residence that the Estoccian government is providing Joe King with is quite expansive. I've requested a floor plan for the house; it's in your folder. If you'd look at it you'll see that in the master suite there's a sitting room and a nursery as well as a couple of other bedrooms upstairs. I'm certain something could be arranged to suit your needs for, um, privacy…"

"Where will I be staying?" Francine asked curiously while Lee and Amanda flipped anxiously through the folder to find the layouts of the house.

"I believe the first floor has servants quarters near the kitchen that you'd find acceptable. The rooms down there are small but serve their purpose. The housing outside the government complex is less than desirable," Billy cautioned. "Scarecrow, there's a small security cottage near the entrance to the complex. That's where you'll be living. You'll find pictures of that in your folders as well."

Francine thumbed through the paperwork and mumbled in disgust, "Servants' quarters!"

It was clear from the anxious looks on their faces that none of the three agents were pleased with the assignments at hand.

"If there are no further discussion or complaints," Billy announced with a scowl, "Doc MacJohn is expecting the three of you this morning for vaccinations and medication for the trip. Francine, you're to give all your cases to Burkley."

"Won't this be a fun assignment?" Francine griped as she stood up and proceeded to the door.

"Scarecrow, Amanda, get hold of Agent Cortez. He'll pick up your cases until you return," Billy reminded them. "Any questions?"

"Billy, this is crazy," Lee argued, still far from persuaded that this operation should be handled in the manner Billy had doled it out. "Amanda hasn't been married to Joe King for years…"

"Lee, I think you're underestimating your partner. She's pulled off more difficult assignments than pretending to be getting back together with her ex-husband," Billy answered with brutal honestly. He glanced at his watch and then back at the agents seated in front of him. "I suggest you get down to Doc MacJohn's office. I understand there's quite an extensive list of medications he needs to go over with you both."

"It'll take half the weekend to brief Cortez on all that we've been working on. The Potomac Conference itself will take most of the day…" Lee continued to gripe.

"Then I suggest you get a move on it. I'll make sure you're both adequately compensated for your weekend time when you get back," Billy empathized with them. "I wouldn't put either of you in this situation if it wasn't for national security."

Amanda stared at her supervisor blankly before eventually standing and walking mutely toward the office door.

"So much for our plans for the weekend," Lee grumbled as he followed his partner into the bullpen. They both looked at each other silently, not knowing what to say or what to do…

End Part Two
 
 

Estoccian Affair - Part Three

Monday/Tuesday August 24/25, 1987
 

The first leg of their trip was a long, overnight flight arriving in London early the next morning where they had to change planes. Next they boarded what turned out to be a rather bumpy flight over Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. They changed planes once again in Algiers before they finally arrived at the small airport in the Estoccian capital of Al Sadar on Tuesday afternoon.

Luckily, Joe King was now considered a VIP in Estoccia and the four weary travelers were whisked through what appeared to be a small customs office where their driver met them. They were quickly ushered towards a waiting limousine - also what appeared to be the only limousine at the extremely diminutive airport. Joe helped Amanda into the car as they began to play their cover as loving couple working on reconciling. Lee seethed in silence as he stood behind Francine waiting impatiently to get out of the blistering afternoon sun.

"It sure is hot here," Francine complained as she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse, trying to cool down in the blazing hot afternoon sun. She climbed into the limo after Joe and Amanda and waited while the driver stored their luggage in the trunk.

"It's no hotter here than DC is in the summer," Joe eagerly advised them as they settled into the back of the air-conditioned limousine. "Actually, the humidity is lower here in Estoccia than in Washington."

"It's a desert and it's hot," Lee grumbled softly.

Joe ignored the comment, or perhaps he hadn't heard him, but Amanda had and gritted her teeth, silently wishing that the week would be over with quickly.

Finally the driver entered the car and their journey from the airport began with a ride down a four-lane highway. A few miles from the airport, the highway suddenly turned into a two-lane road with more potholes and patches than blacktop.

Amanda stared out the window, captivated by the people, but repulsed by what they termed the city. The people walked along the roadway, some in rags, many in bare feet, some carrying their meager possessions with them, others just wandering as if they had no clear direction. "I knew they'd be poor, Joe," she whispered as she swallowed hard, repugnance clearly present on her face, "but I never imagined how poor…"

"That's why it was so hard to leave here. So many of these people have nothing," he explained somberly. "The lucky ones live in mud or straw huts, but the less fortunate ones lost their homes or farms during the war and sleep in the streets or gutters."

"Those don't look like mud huts," Francine interrupted as she pointed to people huddled in sandstone structures with no roofs and crumbling walls.

"That's what's left of the airport's commercial district. A lot of it was burned or bombed during the civil war," Joe explained. "What you see here is what hasn't been torn down since the bombings stopped."

"It looks like they're living in them!" Francine gasped, the expression on her face made it clear that she was obviously appalled.

"It gives them some shelter from the heat and the rains - it they ever come. They're late this year," Joe clarified. "The drought has decimated most of the farmlands."

"What's over there with the crowd of people standing outside it?" Lee asked, nodding towards a larger brick style building. It was one of the few solidly built structures they'd seen since leaving the airport.

"That's a clinic which was built with funds by the EAO back in 1982 or 83. It's the only one within miles for the locals. They sometimes have to for wait days to be seen by a doctor. Occasionally they'll die while they're waiting," Joe explained regretfully.

"Don't they have any shops or stores here anymore?" Francine questioned.

"They still have open-air markets, but nothing like you're used to back in the States," Joe King commented in a sad voice. "When I first came over here there were a few western companies that ventured into the market. At first they did quite well. Unfortunately, many of them went out of business with the political instability. The few that survived eventually pulled out after their stores were looted and ransacked or their employees were robbed or murdered."

"Why come back to this?" Lee questioned as they drove through a section of the city, which supported a decrepit marketplace. It was surrounded by blown up piles of rubble where the locals had squatted and now called home using worn tarps to provide some protection from the ever-glaring sun and dust.

"How could I not?" Joe answered flatly as he watched out the window. "Look at these people. They want more than to starve to death. They want to be educated; they want a future for their children. I can be a part of that. What could possibly be more rewarding than helping a nation get on its feet to self sufficiency?"

Silence permeated the limousine as the three agents absorbed their surroundings. Finally Amanda broke the quiet. "How much longer before we reach the government compound?"

"It's not too much farther. The capital is quite beautiful. It gives you an idea of the promise this country has, but it's on the southern side of town. The compound where we're staying is just a short walk from there. It's nicely landscaped and looks a lot like a tropical paradise."

"That would be a nice change from this," Francine mumbled.

The other occupants of the vehicle didn't voice their opinions, but the looks on their exhausted faces showed they were in agreement as they traveled through the hot and dusty desert. As they drove south, the limousine climbed a slight grade in the road. The potholes and ruts were disappearing and the road widened and became smooth once again. The buildings in this area although far from being comfortable were actually habitable and supported some businesses. When the vehicle finally reached the top of the incline, the capital was finally in view. As Joe had suggested, trees and shrubs now lined the sides of the road. The capital city was a tight enclave. Although it couldn't compare to the magnificence of the Capital Building in Washington D.C., its beauty, in contrast to the dusty arid desert, which surrounded it, indeed made it look like a splendid oasis.

"Wow!" Amanda gasped, as the buildings became closer.

"You'd think it was a mirage as you came right out of the desert," Francine observed as she stared out the window.

The limo got closer to the government compound and the occupants noticed the massive stone wall that enclosed the whole area.

"It's pretty ironic that a stone fence separates the alleged leaders of the free society from the poverty it's supposed to be overcoming," Lee remarked as his eyes scanned the wall. "That wall has to be at least eight feet high and three feet deep."

"It is rather imposing," Amanda agreed as she studied the wall. The top of it had short black spear-like adornments pointing at different angles. Although they appeared to be decorative, she surmised that they were more for security than ornamentation. The sharp points would surely impale anyone crazy enough to attempt to climb and cross over the wall.

"A stark reminder, no doubt, and a daunting challenge to provide for a hungry nation with so little resources," Francine agreed as she too surveyed the wall as the vehicle passed it.

Joe made no reply to any of their observations. The car finally stopped in front of massive iron gates. An armed soldier stepped forward as the driver rolled down his window. A brief conversation passed before the guard nodded to another soldier inside the fortress and the massive gates opened up to allow their passage.

"That's where you'll be staying, Stetson," Joe pointed to a tiny cottage just a few feet from the gate. The small shanty was less than appealing, but appeared to have a sturdy roof, a window and a door.

From the look on Lee's face he was less than impressed by the small square structure that appeared to be half the size of the Q Bureau back in DC. "Spacious!" he snarled unhappily.

Joe nodded toward a larger house, "As you can see, the main house is just across the courtyard."

"It's like a palace," Amanda observed as she stared at the impressive three story stone structure.

"It is quite elegant," Joe agreed. "The stone in the capital complex was brought in from the neighboring mountains. The red tile roof was a gift from the Estoccian people as a symbol of unity."

"One of the few symbols of unity," Lee grumbled.

"It takes time for a country to shed its prejudices. Every small step in this country is appreciated. There's so much that needs to be done," Joe lectured sternly.

The car finally came to a stop in front of the residence and a tall lanky man dressed in black pants and a white shirt hurried from the house and expediently opened the door. Lee started to get up and instinctively reached back for Amanda, but realized almost immediately that he'd have to allow Joe to help her out of the car. Lee gritted his teeth and assisted Francine out instead.

"God, it's hot here," Francine complained again as soon as she was out of the comfort of the air-conditioned vehicle and the hot sun shone on her face.

The man bowed in front of the four weary travelers. "I am Dobi, your…butler," he greeted with a yellow toothed smile and a struggling grasp of English. "I'm at your service. Please enter the house where you'll be more comfortable."

"Pleased to meet you, Dobi," Amanda greeted with a warm smile of her own as Joe reached for her hand. Amanda knew Lee was watching, but she had little choice but to allow her ex-husband to lead her up the stairs to the palace.

Lee shook his head in scorn. "After you," he nodded towards Francine and brought up the rear.

"Oh my gosh!" Amanda exclaimed when Joe opened the door and they entered the foyer. The first step inside made them feel as if they'd been magically transported out of the bleak desert. The walls in the foyer were painted a pale amber color with ornate lamps and paintings. The high ceilings and crown molding only accentuated the beauty and added to its spaciousness. To the left was a larger sitting room. It was filled with gold laden African antiquities, as well as hand made African art and oil painting with extravagant gold frames. "This place is like a museum!" she commented as she browsed through the room.

"I'd forgotten how beautiful this place was. I'd been here once before for a reception years ago. I never imagined I'd be living here. Wait until you see the dining room," Joe advised her with a knowing grin.

Amanda wandered across the hallway into the dining room. A large mahogany table that could easily seat two dozen people dominated the room. The grand chairs that matched it were quite ornate with hand carvings of what appeared to be animals that perhaps frequented the country in the past. The draperies that covered the windows were thick rich cloths that depicted various animals as well. Two crystal chandeliers were centered over the table and glistened as the light from the windows shimmered upon them.

"It's beautiful," Amanda professed, enchanted by the interior.

"It would be a rather impressive gallery of antiques," Francine commented as she wandered through the room only a few steps behind Amanda and Joe.

"Perhaps we found what the foreign aid money is being spent on," Lee commented bitterly.

"Lee, enough," Amanda warned in a quiet, yet harsh tone.

Lee shot his wife an annoyed glance, but observing Amanda's peeved glare he kept silent.

"Would you care to visit the family rooms on the second floor, Mr. King, Mrs. King? You must be exhausted from your trip and would like to freshen up?" Dobi suggested, again sporting his yellow toothed smile. "I can show your secretary her quarters in the back of the house and then bring up your luggage when I'm done."

"That would be fine," Joe nodded as he headed back to the foyer and towards the rather splendid grand staircase. He reached for Amanda's hand and took it in his "Shall we?"

Amanda nodded to Joe before smiling at Lee awkwardly.

"I guess I'll see you all later," Lee replied, trying to hide a grimace. He quickly put on a mask of professionalism, playing his role as security chief. "I'll just carry my own luggage down to the gate house," he retorted in a mocking tone. "Then I'll be back to check the perimeter of the house and inspect the premises inside as well."

Francine raised an eyebrow at the exchange, but for once Amanda was grateful that she held her tongue. It was evidently clear that Scarecrow's aversion to Joe King was growing…

Amanda and Joe walked up the staircase and after a few moments disappeared into the private residence out of view. Lee marched to the front door, grabbed his suitcase and stormed out of the house.

End Part Three
 
 
 
 

Estoccian Affair - Part Four
 

Wednesday morning August 26th

The Prime Minister summoned Joe to an early morning meeting at his office. After Lee safely deposited Joe at the Prime Minister's residence, he returned to the palatial home Amanda and Joe were sharing.

"Back so soon, Scarecrow?" Francine needled Lee while she sat in luxury in the front sitting room. "I thought you were supposed to be baby sitting Mr. King?"

Lee scowled at Francine who was sipping at her coffee as she sat among the assorted antiquities. "My assignment is to provide protection to the King family," he reiterated hotly before continuing. "Mrs. King, I believe, is still in the residence and needs to be protected. I deem it's necessary to sweep their residence upstairs for potential listening devices as well as check out possible hazards that may befall the family." He held up the equipment that would detect any hidden microphones.

Francine smirked at him knowingly. "You don't fool me, Scarecrow, you want to check on the sleeping arrangements," she whispered teasingly after checking the room to see if Dobi, the ever-present butler, was around.

"I'm doing my job, Francine," Lee snarled, already incensed by the situation; he didn't need Francine's wisecracking as well. "I suggest you do yours. You really should have accompanied Mr. King this morning to his meeting with the Prime Minister instead of sleeping in. You could have taken notes or… something."

"I offered to attend the meeting, but Joe said it wasn't necessary," Francine advised coolly.

"You mean, Mr. King or Mr. Secretary? Or are you already on a first name basis with your employer?" Lee bit back, his temper short.

"Will you two stop it?" Amanda snapped as she entered the room. "We won't get anything accomplished if all you two do is bicker!"

They both glanced down at the floor before Lee finally cleared his throat. "I came over to check the security of the family residence. I made a thorough sweep last night of the first floor and exterior. Things looked pretty tight, but I want to check the second and third floors as well as make a detailed escape plan in case it becomes necessary."

"The third floor, I believe, is an attic," Amanda advised him as she glanced at the staircase. "I tried the door last night, but it was locked."

Lee's raised a concerned eyebrow. He didn't have full control over the situation and he was walking on eggshells to boot. "We'll need a key for sure. Does this building have a basement? The blueprints didn't show one and I didn't see any windows in the foundation, but that doesn't mean that one doesn't exist."

"We'd have to ask Dobi," Amanda suggested.

"Where is he?" Lee questioned as he glanced around the room, suspiciously. "I don't like it when I don't know where all the players are."

Francine cocked her head. "Sounds like he's back in the kitchen. Probably cleaning up the breakfast dishes or perhaps preparing lunch. Who would have imagined that he'd be such a wonderful cook?"

Lee hurried out of the room in search of the butler. Amanda followed quickly behind him.

"Dobi?" Lee called out as he entered the large, modern kitchen.

"Yes, sir! What can I do for you, sir, ma'am?" Dobi asked attentively with his usual polite grin.

"Mrs. King advised me the door to the third floor was locked. I need the key to inspect the area. Also, is there a basement in this house?" Lee asked directly.
 
 

"The third floor is not… um, clean?" Dobi searched for the correct word. Nervously he added. "I was told the family wouldn't need access to it. It's used mostly for storage."

"I understand that, but my job is to ensure the safety of the King family so I'll need to inspect the room," Lee answered definitively.

"Very well, I'll locate the key," he answered with a curt nod.

"Is there a basement?" Lee asked once more, noting that the man had not answered his original question completely.

"It's not really a basement," Dobi replied hesitantly. "There's a crawl space under part of the building."

"Where is the entrance to the crawl space?" Lee asked, his frustration level rising.

"It's not habitable," Dobi added evasively.

Before Lee could verbally pounce on the butler, Amanda interrupted. "I think Mr. Stetson would like to investigate the area to make sure there are no possible security breaches. It's his job and he just wants to be thorough."

"Yes, of course," Dobi smiled at Amanda. "The basement entrance is in the back by the servants' quarters. The staff would be the only ones who would need to enter such a dreary place."

Lee shot Amanda a grimace. His patience was running thin, his temper was rising, but Dobi led the way through the butler's pantry, down a few steps to a thick wooden door that was locked. He fumbled through a myriad of keys before locating the correct one.

"Mrs. King, I suggest you wait here. I'm sure we'll only be a few minutes," Dobi recommended as he opened the door with a loud squeak and pulled on a worn string that turned on a light bulb. The light that was emitted from the tired globe was minimal at best.

"Do you have a flashlight?" Lee questioned in frustration as he peered into the rather dark crawl space.

"Ah, yes, one moment." Dobi scurried off for just a few seconds and returned with a flashlight.

"After you," Lee suggested to the butler as he followed him down a half dozen cement stairs that had seen better days.

Both Dobi and Lee were tall men and neither of them could stand erect in the crawl space. At best it was four feet deep. The floor was sand and dirt, and there were no windows. It smelled stale and except for a few old crates stacked haphazardly in the one corner of the chamber, the room appeared to be empty.

"Is there any way out from inside here?" Lee questioned as he was scrunched down in the caliginous crawl space. The light from the flashlight wasn't bright enough to shine on the farthest foundation walls.

"No, sir," Dobi answered politely. "Only from the steps we entered."

"What's in the crates?" Lee asked as he nodded towards the wooden boxes that were about ten feet away from them.

"I'm not sure," Dobi answered quickly.

The butler's voice seemed a bit tense to Lee. Was the butler nervous of the dark or was it something more? Lee prodded the man to proceed forward. The two men pushed past cobwebs, Lee silently cursing Billy Melrose and the assignment at hand as the back of his neck itched from invisible insects or other vermin.

Lee reached the crates and tried to lift the top crate, but its weight was significant. "Something's in there," Lee noted as he attempted to pry open the lid without any success. He squinted in the darkness trying to find something that might help him pry off the lid.

"Is everything all right down there?" Amanda called impatiently from the top of the stairway.

"We're fine," Lee reassured. "We're just trying to open an old crate."

"It's probably just old cans of food or other non-perishables," Dobi suggested.

"Could be, but why not keep them in the pantry?" Lee questioned curiously. Perhaps the butler didn't like the creepy basement anymore than he did, but he seemed anxious for him to leave whatever was in the crates alone. "I don't suppose you have anything with you that we could use to pry open the box?"

"No, sir, I'm sorry," Dobi apologized hastily.

"Give me the flashlight," Lee directed.

"What?" he replied, confused.

Lee pulled the flashlight from the butler's grip and before he could react, Lee bashed the back of it into the old wooden crate and the old wood splintered away in pieces. His eyes focused on the treasure before him. It wasn't cans of food as the butler wanted him to believe, nor was it a cache of jewels. Inside the crate was an assortment of small weapons, bullets and grenades. "You had no idea this was down here, huh?" he asked accusingly.

"I, uh, I had no idea," the butler stuttered anxiously. "They could have been here for some time."

Lee wished he could see the man's eyes, but they were staring intently at the contents in the box. He wasn't sure if he was lying or telling the truth, but either way he was starting to feel more than a little concerned that his wife was staying in the house with this man. Were there other weapons in the house? He would need to search the butler's quarters for sure. "This stuff is rather dangerous to be stored inside a crawl space. Just one of those grenades could blow this whole house up!"

"Yes, we should probably contact the military and have them haul it away," Dobi suggested.

Lee nodded. "Until that can be arranged, I want the key to this basement and no one - and I mean no one - will have access to this room without my knowledge. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," the butler answered soberly.

Lee crawled the perimeter of the dark, dusty basement as best he could, making sure there were no listening devices in the floor joists or anywhere else. Once he was convinced there was no other way in or out of the basement, he made his way back to where the butler was waiting. "Come on, let's get out of here," Lee ordered as the two men made their way back to the concrete stairs.

"So what was in the crate?" Amanda inquired as the two men emerged from the cellar.

"I'll tell you later," Lee answered as he and Dobi brushed off the cobwebs and stamped the sand off their shoes. Dobi began to walk away.

"The key, please," Lee demanded with his palm pushing forward. "I'd like the key to the attic as well."

Dobi removed the basement key from his key ring and again fumbled with the other keys on his ring. "I'm not certain, but I think this key will open it," he answered meekly.

"Thank you," he replied harshly as he locked the door, pulling on it to make sure it was locked. Then he reached for Amanda's elbow and escorted her towards the upstairs residence.

"So what was down there?" she asked again once they reached the privacy of the second floor.

Lee stood in the parlor and glanced around at the residence confirming they were alone. He sighed heavily, not really wanting to worry his wife, but she had a right to know. "I didn't check all the crates, but the top one was filled with ammunition."

"Oh my gosh! What kinds of ammunition?" Amanda gulped nervously.

"Shells, some clips, grenades - a rather varied assortment. I'll make some phone calls and have them removed -pronto. Until then, I don't want anyone going down there which is why I requested the key," he answered, then his tone changed. "How are you?"

She smiled a relaxed smile. "I'm all right. I slept in the guest bedroom last night. Joe was the perfect gentleman."

"Hmmph," Lee grumbled.

"Let me give you a tour," Amanda suggested as she led him from the living area at the top of the stairs down the hallway.

Lee scanned the area carefully as Amanda showed him from room to room. He inspected each room for security hazards, bugs and made mental notes for an escape plan and where would be the best place to stay in case of an attack.

The upstairs comprised a large living area at the top of the stairs. To the left and down a hallway was an office/library with a varied collection of books and again more antiques. As they wandered down the hallway, Amanda showed him the master suite with a large sitting room and nursery. "This is where Joe's staying. My room's down the other end of the hallway with the other bedrooms."

Lee smiled at that comment, relieved to see such a distance from Amanda's sleeping quarters and Joe's. "Rather nice accommodations."

"Yes, I can't complain," she agreed as they walked back down the hall to the other bedrooms. "How's your cottage?"

"It's habitable," Lee answered in a curt voice as he thought about his cramped, uncomfortable quarters.

Amanda opened the door to another bedroom. Her suitcase was on the chest at the end of the bed. There were a couple of overstuffed chairs next to the large window. "As you can see, I have plenty of privacy - even my own private bath. Feel better now?"

Although Lee was a bit more relaxed, he still wore a worried look. "I'll feel better when we're all back in the States and this case in nothing more than a bad memory."

Amanda reached for her husband. Lee kicked the door gently with his foot until it closed. This was the first moment alone they'd been afforded since they left DC on Monday. Lee leaned against the door and pulled his wife closer to him. The embrace was warm and familiar and the kiss they shared was intimate.

"I um, I need to sweep the attic, too," Lee grumbled as he pulled apart, feeling rather restless in their unfamiliar surroundings...

"I can't wait until we're home," Amanda whispered her understanding and she put some distance between them.

"How about we investigate the attic together; make sure there's nothing up there we need to be worried about?" he suggested as he reached for her hand.

"Sounds like a plan," she agreed and they made their way to the attic door. Lee inserted the key into the lock and opened the old narrow door.

Dust lined the stairs and cobwebs hung from the low ceiling. It was stuffy and warmer up here than on the second floor. There was natural light coming in from the front windows. Unlike the basement, the attic was cluttered, but most of it with furniture. The dust carpeted the room and the streams of light from the window filtered through it in a haze.

"Look at all the furniture!" Amanda gasped as she pulled off the dust covers to inspect some of the larger pieces. "Francine was right, this place could be a museum. It's a shame they're hidden away in this old attic."

"Poke around and see if there's anything we need to worry about. I don't want any more surprises," Lee instructed as he rubbed his itchy eyes. He rummaged through the drawers of the desks, bureaus and chests looking for anything that might be a threat to his wife and their assignment.

Amanda coughed at the dust. "Lee, don't rub your eyes, you'll only make them itch more."

"No chance of that," Lee complained as his red eyes watered from the grime.

Amanda lifted the cushions on the sofas and inspected the chairs. "It seems to be what Dobi said it would be - storage," she reported after thoroughly checking the room.

Lee wandered to the two front windows and tugged at them, trying to open them "They're both nailed shut," he advised her after he inspected them carefully.

Amanda walked over and joined him. "What a lovely view," she commented as the sun lifted over the capitol building.

Finally satisfied that the attic posed no threat, Lee tugged on his wife's arm. "Come on, it's going to start cooking up here," he predicted, never even glancing at the view. "Let's get you back downstairs. Do you think you can find some reason to keep the butler occupied for a while?"

"Yeah, I'm sure I could come up with something," she confided.

"Good, I want to search the butler's quarters before the dinner tonight with the Prime Minister," Lee explained.

"You're going, too, aren't you?" she questioned as Lee led the way back down the stairs.

"Yeah, Francine and I will be there, blending into the background, of course," he grumbled. "I just hope this dinner doesn't drag on like most government affairs."

"Lee, you need to relax a little," she suggested.

Lee locked the attic door and then turned to his wife. "I just have a bad feeling about this whole assignment. Keep your ears open tonight at dinner. If you think there's even the slightest problem, let me or Francine know immediately."

"You worry too much," Amanda chided her husband.

"Yeah, well, I've got a lot to lose," he warned her. "I'd better go…"

"Haven't you forgotten something?" she questioned with a crooked grin and raised her eyebrow as he started to leave.

Lee stopped, glanced around the hallway, and listened to see if anyone was within earshot. "I love you," he whispered as he enveloped her in his strong arms.

"I love you too, Mr. Stetson," she mumbled as their lips met again before they'd have to part once again.

End Part Four

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