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June 6, 1944, 5 a.m.
England
"Up and at 'em, Stetson."
Matthew Stetson rolled over on the cold, rocky ground and raised himself on his elbows to see his superior walking past him. Excitement tinged with nervousness filled his stomach as he realized what would happen that day. Today was Operation Overlord, and Matthew was certain this Normandy invasion would help bring an end to Hitler's oppression.
He shivered as he reached for a beer, even though it was still incredibly early. His fellow paratroopers were beginning to prepare for their mission. They would drop down behind German coastal defense posts and try to destroy enemy communications systems. Matthew knew it was dangerous, but he loved the excitement he felt as he fell through the air. It was an indescribable feeling that could be found nowhere else.
As Major Steve Trevor approached him again, Matt rose, making an attempt to conceal his bottle. Trevor stopped him with a wave of his hand.
"You've got a few minutes, Stetson." Matt settled back as the Major sat down beside him on the cold rocks. "A little birthday celebration?" Steve joked.
"You take what you can get, Sir."
Steve smiled at the young man. Not only was Matt a good soldier, but he was also the Major's cousin. They hadn't spent much time together growing up due to their age difference, but Steve had gone through basic training with Matthew's brother, who was moving up in the ranks quickly. Steve saw this same potential for his young cousin. The kid was brave, took orders well, yet wasn't afraid to stick up for himself.
The Major had seen plenty of soldiers this age with a false bravado back home, only to be cowardly once in the war zone. Steve didn't blame them, but Matthew's actions were always genuine. And in spite of their relationship, Matt insisted on no special treatment. Steve looked over at his companion.
"Pretty soon, Stetson, you'll be the one giving orders."
'That'll be the day, Sir."
"I mean it. You've got what it takes to get ahead."
"Think so?"
"There's plenty of organizations back home who need good men like you."
Matt mulled this thought over in his mind. He'd joined the army right out of high school, as had his brother a few years earlier. With the outbreak of war, Matt saw his classmates, one by one, leave for basic training with tearful mothers and proud fathers seeing them off. Combining this with Matt's patriotism and family tradition, the boy hadn't considered any alternatives. Like most kids his age, he never thought much about the future. But he did know he wanted to make his brother proud.
Ever since their parents died when Matt was ten and his brother fifteen, all the boys had was each other. When Charles enlisted, Matt was able to take care of himself, but knew he would follow in his brother's footsteps. Sure enough, as soon as he was old enough, Matt found himself in basic training. He missed having Charles around and enjoyed the companionship of the other troops. Charles was distinguishing himself, and with Major Trevor's words to boost his spirit, Matt intended to follow his lead.
An air raid siren woke Matthew out of his daydream. Used to them now, he looked casually over at the Major who had risen from his break. Matt did likewise; it was time to begin preparing for their own parts in Operation Overlord.
June 6, 1944, 6:30 a.m.
above France
Matthew nervously adjusted his parachute as he looked out the tiny windows of the plane. His fellow troopers were lining up single file and beginning to jump one by one into the wide blue sky. Matt felt absently for the letter in his pocket that Charles had sent him.
He took a deep breath as the line inched forward. Matt was well aware of the danger overtaking the Germans entailed, especially with the attacks by sea already underway. The paratroopers would be essential in destroying German communications back to their home base.
As Matt saw the soldier in front of him go, he thought once again of his brother. Charles was already proud of him, but Matt still felt the need to prove something, if only to himself. If he messed this one up, Charles would be all alone. Not only that, but he would certainly be disappointed. Matt swallowed hard. What if it were Charles whose last mission was that day?
Maybe it was this disturbing thought that distracted the soldier, or maybe it was the general chaos surrounding him. But whatever the case, Matthew's parachute wasn't properly hooked up when he jumped.
June 6, 1944, 6:29 a.m.
England
Yeoman Diana Prince peered nervously from behind some large rocks. If Steve finds out I'm here, she thought, he'll kill me. But I had to come. I have to make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble.
Diana observed Steve pacing distractedly in the makeshift army headquarters, shaking his communications radio. She thought back to earlier in the war when she'd first seen him. His plane had crash landed on Diana's homeland, Paradise Island, a place inhabited solely by unusually strong women who had no need for male intervention. But when Diana saw the Major, she felt drawn to him and compelled to join him. She knew that she would do anything to keep him safe.
But he couldn't know about her super human strength. So this "Wonder Woman" tied her thick, black hair up and sported glasses to conceal her true identity and went back with him to Washington D.C. Applying for a job as Steve's secretary, everyone knew her as mousy Diana Prince, but whenever Steve was in danger, Wonder Woman was there to save him -- a real life superhero.
Diana watched the handsome Major as he tried to fix his radio. She sighed, knowing what could never be -- inhabitants of Paradise Island measured their lives in terms of centuries, not decades, and Diana knew a real relationship would not be possible. But a girl can dream, can't she?
Awakened from her fantasizing by the static crackling through on the radio, she was worried by Steve's harried expression.
"Damn!" she heard him say as the voice on the other end faded out. He was obviously upset. This mission was crucial and she wished she could assure him everything would turn out okay. She was proud of the convictions he held for his work, and had watched the earlier scene with his cousin, pleased that even his young relative showed him such respect. Suddenly, the sound of Steve's intense voice broke through the crisp morning air.
"What do you mean his chute's not opening? Didn't someone check it? Do something!" The Major felt completely helpless. One of his best troops -- his own cousin -- was plunging towards certain death.
Steve threw the radio down hard on the ground in an uncharacteristically harsh manner. Diana felt his distress and understood the problem. Quickly glancing around to make sure no one was looking, she removed her glasses and began to spin.
June 6, 1944, 6:31 a.m.
over Normandy
Matthew pulled frantically on the cord of his backpack. Why wasn't it working? He was falling faster and faster, and could see the others in his unit beginning to float slowly downward. Oh, Charles, he thought to himself. I'm sorry I let you down.
Matt had known the possibility existed he would die, picturing himself succumbing nobly in battle, not in an unfortunate accident. He was trying to stay calm, but the situation was hopeless; the chute wasn't working, and he was going to die.
As a thousand emotions filled his being, Matt began to feel like he was hallucinating. Something far beneath him seemed to be propelling its way upward, faster and faster towards the frightened man. It had nothing to do with his own descent; the distant object below appeared to be jumping up at him, almost trying to reach him. Then Matt knew he was seeing things for sure. The object began to take on the appearance of a woman -- a very beautiful woman. Suddenly, she had him securely in her arms.
They flew in silence for a time, beyond the fighting below, up over the cliffs until they'd reached a deserted stretch of land well behind the lines.
Matt stared at her in amazement, unable to speak. He'd heard of this powerful lady, but she'd seemed a distant myth. Now, to this awestruck soldier, Wonder Woman was very much a reality.
"I can't believe this," he said wonderingly, regaining his voice. "How can I ever thank you?"
"Let's just say we have a mutual friend," Diana replied with a sparkling smile. "Ah, don't you have some business to take care of?"
Matt quickly remembered his original mission as Wonder Woman leaped away. In the distance he could barely make out the forms of other paratroopers. They were beginning to land on the tops of the cliffs overlooking the Normandy coast... preparing to cut enemy communications and disable gun sights to clear the way for the Marines crawling up the beaches. Wait'll I tell the guys about this one, Matt thought to himself with a grin. And Charles...
But as he heard the thunderous report of mortar fire, Matt realized this would have to wait. First, he had a war to help win.
Spring 1987
Arlington, VA
"Come on, Jamie," Phillip said with annoyance to his younger brother. "Give someone else a turn."
"I'll be done in a minute," Jamie answered, not bothering to turn around.
"You said that two hours ago! Mom!"
Amanda King hurried downstairs, a basket of laundry in her arms. "Boys, boys. Can't you two get along for just a few minutes?"
"He started it," Jamie reported absently, his eyes frozen to the screen before him.
Phillip's mouth hung open in disbelief. "Mom, the professor here, has been hogging the computer for hours and won't let anyone else near it."
Amanda set the laundry down and put a hand on her youngest son's shoulder. "Jamie, it's not fair for you to be the only one to use it. We decided to buy this for the whole family... remember? Why don't you stop playing and let Phillip have a turn?"
"I'm not playing, Mom. I'm working."
"Okay, Sweetheart, but it's still not fair. Look, it's a beautiful day outside. Why don't you call up one of your friends and go to the park?"
"Because he doesn't have any friends," Phillip cut in.
"At least I have a brain, Meathead," Jamie shot back.
"Boys, stop it. Phillip, apologize to your brother, and Jamie, I want you to go outside and get some fresh air."
"Sorry," Phillip mumbled.
"Fine." Jamie jumped up and slammed out the kitchen door.
Phillip seated himself happily in front of the screen. "I'm gonna get to the next level this time for sure, Mom," he bragged.
"Just do your best." Amanda absently tousled her son's hair. She could hear pounding against the outside wall, and she guessed that Jamie must be kicking the soccer ball around.
Amanda sighed as she wandered over to the window. She was worried about her youngest son. Though it had been several months since he started at the junior high school, he still seemed to be having trouble adjusting. Phillip and his outgoing personality had had no trouble when he'd started the year before. But Jamie was shy.
Amanda felt for the place on her finger where her wedding band should have been. Life was definitely more complicated than she'd ever imagined it would be. Not only did she have two teenage boys to raise and a household to manage, but she also had a very important job to do. And she had to keep her job, and her marriage to her partner, Lee Stetson, a secret from the rest of her family. Working for the Agency had changed her quite a bit. Even her ex-husband, Joe King, had noticed a difference, though he didn't know all the details.
It was hard to keep it inside, especially about her marriage, but for the safety of her kids, Amanda knew it was necessary -- at least for the time being. The boys at least, knew what she did for a living, but that didn't solve the whole problem. She still kept her relationship with Lee a secret from Jamie and Phillip and her mother didn't have a clue about any of it. Sometimes she wished she had someone to talk to about everything.
Maybe that's what Jamie needs, Amanda thought to herself. Someone to talk to. And as much as she hated to admit it, that person didn't appear to be herself. But, as usual, Joe was out of town on business.
Amanda reached for the phone to call Lee. Jamie had been uncertain about Lee at first, but he'd gotten over his initial jealousy and now enjoyed the man's company. Amanda smiled as she dialed Lee's number. At least that part of the problem had resolved itself.
As Lee pulled up in front of Amanda's home, he saw an angry looking boy kicking a soccer hall hard against the side of the house.
Amanda was right, Lee thought to himself, he does need someone to talk to.
"Hey, sport," Lee greeted as he walked up the driveway.
"Hi," Jamie answered with one last hard kick.
"Want to talk?"
Jamie shrugged his shoulders, but followed Lee without protest to the porch and sat down. Lee waited in silence.
"It's not fair, Lee," the boy burst out after a few minutes.
"What happened?" Lee decided not to mention that Amanda had called.
"Phillip... he's always hanging out with the other guys at school and acts like I'm not even there."
"And it used to be just the two of you?"
Jamie nodded as he fiddled with his shoelace. "I guess he doesn't want to be with his nerdy little brother."
"Hey..." Lee lifted Jamie's chin. "You are not nerdy. You're a very smart boy whose having a little trouble finding out where you fit in. It happens to everybody."
Jamie thought about that for a few seconds before standing up. "He's just jealous anyway."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Because I'm so smart. All he wants to do is play stupid little games on the computer."
"And what do you do?"
Jamie looked at Lee as though he was sizing him up. "Can you keep a secret?" he asked confidentially.
"I'm great at secrets," Lee promised, in his mind becoming twelve years old again, talking to his cousin, Murphy.
Jamie sat back down on the porch, scooting close to Lee. "I'm doing some investigating," he whispered.
"What kind of investigating?" Lee remembered clearly his boyhood summers of adventures on his uncle's ranch.
"Well," Jamie continued. "I've been getting into the internet a lot lately. Not everybody can do that, you know," he bragged. Then he grew serious again. "Some of the activity there are highly suspect."
Lee tried not to smile at Jamie's solemn expression and carefully chosen words. "How so?"
"At first, I was just fooling around. But I got into this one area where there were all kinds of odd messages. Stuff about overtaking the government. I thought it was just a game, but when I tried to leave a message, it wouldn't let me. So I started reading more. And there were some weird codes and stuff. When I typed those in, I got into some government files."
Now Lee was beginning to get a little worried, and returned to being Scarecrow, federal agent. "What kind of government files?" he asked carefully.
"I'm not sure." Jamie looked thoughtful. "Phone numbers, I think. Then I tried some other numbers, but it said I didn't have access cause it was classified."
Lee was relieved. He should have known it wouldn't be so easy. He relaxed again. "Top secret, huh?"
"Yep." Jamie nodded solemnly. "But I bet those people are trying to crack the codes."
"Jamie," Lee began, "I really don't think you have anything to worry about. I mean, that kind of information is uncrackable; no one but authorized personnel can get into them."
"You don't believe me?" Jamie looked hurt.
"It's not that I don't believe you," Lee assured him, "but I think maybe you were right the first time. It's probably just a game. It's like an inside joke or something, you know? It doesn't make any sense except to the people who are playing. I wouldn't worry about it."
"Yeah. I guess." But Jamie wasn't convinced. He knew what he'd seen. He'd thought Lee would take him seriously... being in the spy business like he was. But apparently even Lee thought he was just a kid who didn't know anything.
Jamie grew even more determined to find out what was going on, and to do that, he was going to need to get into those files. Maybe uncovering some secret government plot will get me some attention, Jamie thought to himself. Maybe I'll even be famous.
Uncrackable? Ha!
Washington D.C., Inter-Agency Defense Command
(IADC) Headquarters
"Morning, Steve," Diana Prince greeted her boss as she entered his office. This was Steve Trevor, Jr, and a dead-ringer for his father. Diana, still youthful, was very much attracted to him.
"Morning, Diana," Steve replied while sipping his coffee. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine, but I was wondering what happened to IRA?"
IRA, the Internal Retrieval Associative computer, was a super computer -- practically human. Every morning the IADC agents would gather around the machine for an update on the latest events affecting national security. Diana had been surprised to find IRA deactivated when she arrived today.
Steve sighed. "I know it's an inconvenience, but the Pentagon decided we're due for a major security check right now and wanted to start with the big guns. We've had some reports of possible interference with the whole computer system, so we just need to make sure IRA hasn't been compromised."
Diana's eyes had widened at Steve's explanation, knowing how serious a situation it would be if information leaked out into the wrong hands. IRA's databases included items as trivial as phone numbers for favorite local lunch spots, to things as serious as strategic defense plans. And, to add to her worries, IRA was also the only one who knew about Diana Prince's dual identity.
"Do you think there's any reason to worry, Steve?"
"I doubt it. We just had a complete check a few months back." Steve got up from his seat. "I'd say the only thing we need to worry about is this ledge. What's really in it anyway?"
Diana smiled. "You probably don't want to know."
"Yeah." He set the cup down. "Hey, why don't we go out for some real coffee? It's been pretty slow around here."
Diana didn't really feel like having coffee, but she wasn't about to turn Steve down. This was the closest he'd come to asking her out on a date. And besides, she relished spending time with him.
"I'd love to," she answered.
"Great." Steve opened the office door for her. "Might as well ask Eve to come along."
"Might as well." Diana tried not to sound disappointed. She shook her head. Like father, like son.
One Week Later
Washington D.C.
"Mmm..." Amanda murmured, while Lee gently massaged her tired shoulders. They were sitting together on the couch at Lee's apartment, enjoying one of the rare moments they were able to spend as man and wife. With no worry of being discovered, they were able to relax and relish each other's company. Amanda sighed contentedly.
"Magic fingers," Lee quipped with a smile.
"Everything about you is magic." Amanda turned to face her handsome husband.
"Correction. Everything about us is magic."
Amanda chuckled softly. "Lee, everything about us is weird."
"Amanda..."
"Well, you have to admit we're not exactly a normal couple."
"Who wants to be normal?" Lee leaned closer to his wife and gave her a mischievous grin.
"Not me," Amanda whispered back as their lips met. Their pleasantly lingering kiss was rudely interrupted by the doorbell.
"Remind me to get that thing fixed," Lee grumbled with annoyance as he got up to answer the door.
"It works," Amanda told him.
"I know," Lee remarked as he opened the door. "Billy. What a surprise."
"Nice to see you, too, Scarecrow." IFF's section chief, William Melrose, walked passed Agent Scarecrow and headed straight for Amanda, who was straightening the cushions on the couch. "Do you have a computer?" he asked in an uncharacteristically straight- forward manner.
Amanda was caught off guard at the unexpected question and exchanged puzzled looks with Lee before answering. "Yes, at home. I bought it a few months ago for the boys."
"Damn!" Billy sat down hard on the couch. "I had a feeling you would say that."
"Billy, what's going on?" Lee demanded.
"Okay, here's the Reader's Digest version. The IADC is on our case."
"Why?"
"Get this. Their top super computer they call IRA has been broken into."
"What?" Lee asked in surprise. "A hacker?"
"Not technically," Billy hedged. "You know with the way the internet is developing, this is a gray area."
"What does this have to do with me?" Amanda asked cautiously.
"They seem to think, Amanda, that you may know something about this," Billy replied.
"Me? I've never even heard of IRA... or the internet."
Billy looked her carefully in the eyes. "The signals have been traced to your house."
"What?" Lee and Amanda exclaimed in unison.
"That's crazy!" Lee's mind was racing, trying unsuccessfully to remember something he knew was important.
"They want to talk to you," Billy informed her.
"Now?"
"Amanda, this is a major security leak they're facing. They wanted to go to your house. Actually, they already did, but you weren't there. So they called me.
"Thank goodness Mother and the boys aren't there tonight." She was quiet for a moment, then rose from the couch. "Might as well get this over with," she announced.
"I'm going with you," Lee insisted, taking his wife's hand.
"Good." She nervously squeezed Lee's palm. She didn't know what was going on, but she did know she would need all the support she could get.
IADC headquarters
Steve paced restlessly across the office.
"We'll get to the bottom of this," Diana tried to reassure her boss.
"If they ever get here," he replied with agitation. Just then, Eve buzzed from the next room.
"Billy Melrose, Amanda King and Lee Stetson here to see you."
"Send them right in." Steve went to open the door.
"Nice to see you again, Steve." Billy extended his hand when he entered the office.
"I just wish it were under different circumstances," Steve told him. "I'd like you to meet Diana Prince."
"I'm Lee Stetson. This is my partner, Amanda King."
Diana stared at them. Stetson... The name sounded so familiar. A sudden flashback made her realize she was looking at Matthew Stetson's son. But that would mean he and Steve are cousins, she thought to herself, though the men seem like strangers.
"I'm sorry." Diana realized Lee had noticed her staring. "You just look so familiar."
"Shall we get down to business?" Steve asked as he sat behind his desk. Diana's revelation would have to wait.
"Now, Mrs. King," Steve went on, "Has Mr. Melrose explained the situation?"
"Yes, Sir, he has, but I don't know what's going on."
"We've traced the calls that have penetrated IRA back to 4247 Maplewood Drive. That's your address, isn't it?"
"Yes, Sir, but my computer is only used by my two sons and my mother."
"Do you ever use it?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"What do you use it for?"
"Well... filing recipes, balancing my checking account... things like that."
Diane heard a suppressed chuckle from Lee.
"And you didn't think IRA might come in handy with your Agency caseload?"
Amanda looked perplexed. "We've got computers at work. If I need information, I can get it there."
"Mrs. King," Diana interrupted. "I don't think you fully understand. IRA is a very special computer. Its database contains highly classified defense plans. It would be very dangerous if any of this information leaked out."
Steve continued. "Whoever's been breaking into the system has already managed to access phone numbers, and has begun to get into some more sensitive areas. These codes are classified, and we need to know how you're breaking in."
"I'm not breaking in," she insisted defensively.
"Oh, boy." Lee ran his fingers through his hair. He'd just remembered a seemingly unimportant conversation with a young boy.
"What is it, Scarecrow?" Billy probed.
"I think I know what's going on," he admitted ruefully
"Can we have a minute alone?" he asked his boss.
Steve cut in. "I'm afraid that's not possible. If you're trying to cover for your partner..."
"She hasn't done anything! As a matter of fact, this is all just one big mistake. There's no threat to national security."
"Lee, what's going on?" Amanda wanted to know.
"I was talking to Jamie the other day, and..."
"Who's Jamie?" Diana interrupted.
"My twelve-year-old son," Amanda explained.
"And," Lee went on, "he was telling me about some things he'd found on the internet."
Lee related their conversation with his fellow agents, though he felt a little guilty at breaking his promise to Jamie.
"A twelve-year-old hacked into our top of the line system?" Diana responded in disbelief when Lee had finished.
"Where is your son, Mrs. King?" Steve inquired urgently.
"He's just a little boy," Amanda objected worriedly, afraid of what the IADC would do.
"It's okay, Amanda," Lee reassured her with a comforting hand on her tense shoulder. "They just want to know how he found the codes. They need to ask a few questions.
"I've seen how Smyth asks questions," Amanda countered. "And I won't have my son treated that way.
"Don't worry, Amanda," Diana said soothingly. "You'll be with him the whole time. It's very important that we know the whole story."
"And as soon as possible," Steve added. "We can't afford to take any chances."
Amanda looked at her husband, who clasped her hand in reassurance. "Well... okay," she agreed after only a slight hesitation. "He's with his brother at the Henderson's sleep-over. It's their son's birthday."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Steve led the way out the door.
Diana followed the group of agents down the hall. She wondered when she'd get the chance to introduce the cousins. Correction, when Wonder Woman would get the chance.
The next morning
Arlington
Amanda yawned over a warm cup of coffee at her kitchen table. The boys were fast asleep, both exhausted from last night's excitement. Jamie, especially, had been worn out from the intense two hour interrogation. Amanda hadn't liked it, but she knew it was necessary. At least now they would be left alone.
A light tapping on the back door caught her attention. She smiled and motioned for Lee to come in.
"Morning." He leaned over to kiss his wife.
"Hi, Honey."
"Didn't get much sleep, huh?" Lee asked, pulling a chair close to Amanda.
"None," she admitted. "The boys didn't want to go to bed, but once they got there, they were out."
"I'll bet." Lee gave her a knowing smile. "It's a good thing Jamie found out about IRA."
"It is?"
"For the government's sake anyway. Otherwise they never would've known their system was so vulnerable."
"Did they check out that area Jamie told us about? Where the people were talking about overthrowing the government?"
"They tried the numbers Jamie gave them, but they didn't work. I guess he remembered wrong."
Amanda thought for a moment. "Jamie's got an excellent memory. Maybe someone was able to change them."
"Because they knew the IADC was on to them!" They were thinking along the same lines.
"They would need someone who could tell them the other codes, wouldn't they?"
"Then they could trace it back here." Lee raced for the stairs, Amanda close at his heels.
"Jamie slept in my room last night," she told him hurriedly.
Lee breathed a sigh of relief to see Jamie sound asleep wrapped in Amanda's comforters.
"He's okay, Amanda," Lee reassured his wife, but at the same time, she called from down the hall in the boys' room.
"Lee, Phillip's gone!"
The countryside
"I wanna go home," Phillip pleaded to the older man standing before him. "Why won't you let me go?"
Walter Muntz answered him harshly in a thick German accent. "Stop sniveling, you little brat. You'll go when I get some answers. Now, what are the passwords you used to break into the computer system?"
"I don't know." Phillip was trying hard not to cry, but he was terrified. He knew last night had something to do with Jamie finding stuff on the computer he shouldn't have, but that's all Phillip knew. He couldn't understand why this man had taken him.
"I'll give you a little time to think it over." Muntz turned to the other man in the room. "Tie him up." When that was done, Muntz strolled over to the shaky door of the small room. "I'll be back," he growled, as his assistant followed him out.
After they'd gone, Phillip tried to wipe his eyes on his shirt sleeves and unsuccessfully struggled against his ropes. Why did they want him here?
"Mom," he whimpered softly to himself, hoping she was okay. He didn't know if they'd taken anyone else in his family and he was worried. How would they be found? How would he be found? The drive had been long, and Phillip knew by the sounds that they were out in the country somewhere.
As his mind wandered, so did his eyes and he began to take in his surroundings. Weird, he thought to himself. There were some banners on the walls and an old photograph lying on a three-legged desk. It all looked like something out of his history book. Even the men had been wearing funny clothes... old uniforms or something.
Then Phillip realized he had seen those uniforms before. It really was from a history book. And he also recognized the banners and the photo. As he studied these, he thought to himself, Why are there swastikas all over the room? And why would anyone want a picture of Hitler?
Arlington
"You don't even care!" Jamie yelled at Steve. He'd been questioning the boy in his living room. "My brother could be dead right now and all you care about are those dumb codes! I wish I'd never figured them out!"
"Shhh, Jamie." Amanda held her son against her as she turned to Steve. "He's already told you everything he knows."
"I'm sorry, Amanda, but we have to be sure. If Phillip tells them what they want to know, they won't need him anymore. We have to know where we stand."
"Will they kill him?" Jamie asked tearfully.
"It'll be okay." Lee put a reassuring hand on Jamie's shoulder. "We're going to find him."
"It'll be my fault if you don't."
"No, Jamie this isn't your fault at all. Someone set you up. They wanted you to figure out those codes. It's their fault Phillip's not here. But we're going to find him. I promise."
Amanda smiled at two of the most important people in her life. They needed each other right now just as much as Amanda needed both of them. But she knew Phillip needed her more at this moment.
Billy rushed in the front door, Diana at his heels. "We've got a lead," he announced.
Diana added, "We just saw your neighbor, and he said..."
"Buck?" Jamie sniffled.
Diana smiled at the worried boy. "Yes, Buck. He said that this morning he saw Phillip leave with his grandfather."
"Grandfather?" Jamie interrupted with a puzzled expression.
"Buck thought it was his grandfather," Billy explained. "He got the license number of the car and we're having it traced."
"How'd he manage that?" Leave it to Buck to get the plate. Amanda smiled at her neighbor's oddness.
Diana shrugged her shoulders but Jamie grinned up at his mother. "He probably used his binoculars. His new girlfriend is in to bird watching and Buck's been practicing."
"Thank God for bird watching, huh sport?" Lee tousled Jamie's hair.
"Let's get going," Diana urged, and they all headed out the door. Billy drove back to the IFF command post. Amanda dropped Jamie off next door, in spite of his protests. Then the agents sped off towards an old farmhouse on the outskirts of town.
The countryside
Walter Muntz reentered the dark room where he was holding "Jamie" King hostage. After a few hours alone, maybe the boy was ready to talk.
"All right now. No more nonsense," he barked. "I want those numbers."
Phillip just regarded the old man with disgust. "You're a Nazi," he accused.
"Smart boy, Jamie. That's why I know you'll choose to cooperate."
Had Muntz been watching his captive's face, he would have seen the confusion pass over Phillip's expression. But then the boy understood -- they had intended to kidnap Jamie, not him. That's why they thought he knew the codes. But Phillip had seen enough movies to realize he would be worthless to them if Muntz found out his true identity. He played along.
"I don't help kidnapers," Phillip spat out bravely, showing his mother's stubborn streak. But he was a little too confident. "Or murderers," he added."
This last comment earned Phillip a stinging slap which rocked his chair hard against the wall. Muntz hung over the frightened boy menacingly.
"You had better think more carefully about what you say, Jamie. I've dealt with people like you in the war. And believe me, they never forgot it."
With that, Muntz walked out the door, leaving Phillip alone in the dark with his imagination.
A hundred yards away, out of sight from the farmhouse, Amanda stopped the station wagon.
"I guess this is it," she said nervously to Diana.
"We'll find him, Amanda," Diana reassured her.
Lee and Steve parked behind them and came up to the driver's window. "You stay put till we've checked the place out," Lee told Amanda.
"He's my son, Lee. I'm going."
Lee knew there was no point in arguing. "Just be careful," he ordered.
"The same goes for you," she reminded him.
Steve motioned for Lee. "Let's go around the front... check out that barn."
"We'll sneak around the back," Diana informed them.
As the men neared the large barn, they could tell there was something sizable inside. Peeking through the double doors, they saw an old plane.
"Whoa," Lee whistled in admiration.
"Think it's genuine?" Steve wondered.
"Looks like a World War II model, to me."
"Correct, gentlemen," came a deep voice behind them. Slowly, the agents turned around and faced the barrel of a gun. "And this, too," the guard motioned to his weapon, "is also quite genuine.
The roar of an engine came from the make-shift hangar, as the plane wobbled out of the barn doors. Three other men surrounded Lee and Steve, forcing them to climb into the cargo hold.
"Phillip!" Lee exclaimed, when he saw the frightened boy inside.
"Lee!" Phillip ran to his friend and flung his arms around him. "Lee, they kidnaped me and took me here to tell them the secret passwords Jamie learned from the computer 'cause they thought I was him and that guy with the accent is a Nazi and wants to take over the government and I wouldn't say nothin' so they were gonna kill me but then they..."
"Whoa, there, son. Slow down. Everything's going to be okay." Lee smiled in spite of the circumstances as he recognized Amanda's tendency to ramble in moments of excitement.
"What about Jamie? And Mom? Are they okay?"
"They're fine. Don't worry," Lee assured. At that moment, the plane lifted off, knocking them against the wall. Wary of the two guards with them in the cargo hold, Steve spoke to his fellow agent in a whisper.
"We've got a problem here, Lee. Any ideas?"
Lee searched his mind for a way out of this one, but with the armed guards watching over them, and with Phillip right there, Lee didn't see any practical solutions.
"Let's just hope the ladies are having better luck."
"Where is he?" Amanda wondered aloud in frustration.
"We'll find him, Amanda," Diana tried to reassure her. "Maybe the guys already have him."
"Then why haven't we heard anything?" Amanda was trying to maintain her professionalism, but she found it hard to stay an agent when her maternal instinct was working overtime.
She turned into the little room with swastikas plastered on the walls. "What in the world?"
"Mrs. King, I presume?" a thickly accented voice sounded from the darkness. Still outside, Diana gasped. She recognized the man. Quickly, she took cover, hoping to remain unseen. World War II had introduced her to Walter Muntz, an important Nazi official. He'd been responsible for many deaths during his lifetime, and was well-known for his antagonistic feelings for the U.S. government. He'd often threatened a Nazi takeover.
"Where's my son?" Amanda demanded, holding her gun on the old man.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about him. He and your other little friends are taking a flying lesson right now." Muntz laughed deviously as he continued. "It's just too bad their parachutes won't be working."
Recalling vividly a similar instance during the D Day Invasion of Normandy, Diana hastily snuck out of the farmhouse and looked up towards the sky. Sure enough, the plane was right overhead. She would have just enough time to give Amanda a hand before the aircraft reached a high enough altitude for what she guessed Muntz had in mind.
Glancing around to make sure no one could see, Diana began to spin.
Lee put a tight arm around Phillip as one of the guards opened the plane's door. Steve stood in front of the them, also trying to protect the boy.
"You." The guard pointed to Steve. "Let's go."
Steve took a slight step forward. He knew he had to stall as long as possible to give Phillip a better chance.
"Make me," he challenged.
"Okay, wise guy."
As the guard approached, Steve dove at him and the two were quickly rolling on the deck. Though armed, the other man couldn't fire, either for fear of harming his partner or damaging the plane. Lee took advantage of his distraction.
As the men brawled on the floor, Lee edged over behind the watching guard and knocked him unconscious, while Phillip stared in admiration. Lee was unable to fire without hitting Steve, so he tossed the gun aside and joined the fight.
Just as their captor was successfully knocked out, he fell backwards, bumping into Phillip. The boy had edged closer to the open door to avoid the fight and before anyone knew what had happened. he fell out into the wide blue sky.
Lee froze for an instant, then rushed to the door.
"No!" he shouted in panic.
Steve tried to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Lee brushed him aside. A thousand emotions rushed through him as he searched frantically for something -- anything -- he could use as a makeshift parachute. He would save Amanda's son or die trying.
Lee, look," Steve called excitedly from the hatch.
"You found something?" Lee rushed over to him, but Steve shook his head, pointing to the sky with a smile.
Lee followed his gaze in confusion. Then he saw them, and his eyes widened in shock. Wonder Woman jumped into the cargo hold with Phillip securely in her arms.
Lee gratefully helped the boy back onto the deck of the plane as he looked at the miraculous woman.
"I can't believe this," he said, shaking his head.
"That's funny," Diana remarked with a sparkling smile. "That's exactly what your father said."
"What?" Lee felt his mouth open in surprise. "You knew my dad?"
"Steve's, too," she said, slamming the heavy door shut. "They served in the War together."
"World War II?" Phillip questioned.
"That's right, Phillip," she answered. "Matthew was a paratrooper during D Day. Steve's father was in charge of his unit."
"Cool," Phillip remarked.
"How do you know this, Wonder Woman?" Steve asked his friend.
"I was there. Matthew's chute didn't open. Your father was very upset. After all," Diana said with a mysterious smile, "they were cousins, you know."
If the roar of the plane's engine had not been so loud, the silence would have been unbearable. Phillip was the first to speak.
"That means you two are cousins, doesn't it?"
"You sure about this?" Steve asked.
"Positive. I guess your father lost touch once Matthew was killed. He probably didn't even realized Matt had a son."
"My cousin," Steve marveled.
Lee was equally surprised. "You know, I grew up thinking I was all alone in the world except for the Colonel. Then suddenly I found out I had more family than I knew what to do with. And now," Lee laughed. "Wait'll I tell the guys about this one."
"Nice to meet you, cousin." Steve extended a hand.
"Welcome to the family." Lee shook his head in amazement. Another cousin -- and a lot to catch up on.
Diana's wide eyes sparkled with her smile. Now this was the kind of ending she liked to see. She glanced over at the oblivious pilot and the unconscious guards. Their ending would not be so happy. Now, if she could only get Steve to give her a happy ending...
Arlington
"Aaahhh..." Jamie yawned later that night over his hot chocolate. It had been a long day.
"Hey!" Phillip peered into his brother's mug. "You got more marshmallows than me."
"Did not. You just ate yours faster."
"Come on, guys," Lee reproved with a laugh. "I thought you missed each other." Silence. "Guys?"
"I guess so," Jamie admitted.
"Maybe a little," Phillip conceded.
"That's better," Lee remarked approvingly. Being a father wasn't so hard after all.
"But he still got more marshmallows."
Lee shook his head in amazement. Did they ever stop?
"Boys," Amanda admonished as she entered kitchen. "We have a guest."
"Aw, it's just Lee, Mom."
"Phillip..."
"It's okay, Amanda. I think I like being 'just Lee'."
The couple smiled knowingly at each other. "Okay, guys," Amanda said, "time for bed."
"But, Mom," they protested in unison.
"No 'but Moms' tonight. It's been a long day and you're both exhausted. I want you to get a good night's sleep. Your grandma's already in bed."
The boys snickered as they rose to leave. "Did you see grandma's face when I told her about Wonder Woman?" Phillip asked.
"I'll say," Jamie replied. "I thought she was gonna faint!"
Amanda called after them, "I'll be up in a bit to tuck you in."
For once, neither boy protested what they would normally have considered babying. In fact, Phillip took it a step further.
"Is Lee coming up, too?"
Lee was pleasantly surprised. "Do you want me to?"
The boys looked at each other and nodded.
"Okay, then. I'll come up to say good night with your Mom."
"Great," Phillip replied, but Jamie wandered back into the kitchen for a minute.
"Lee?"
"Yeah?"
"I guess I was wrong."
"About what?"
"Well, I thought it would be fun to be the center of attention and all that, but it wasn't so fun after all. I mean, all those people kept asking me questions and bugging me. I don't mind now not being all that popular."
Lee grinned at the boy as he tousled his hair.
Phillip called from the top of the stairs, "Are you coming, Professor?"
"Yeah, Meathead, I'm coming." Jamie bounded up the stairs after his brother.
Amanda laughed as she walked over to her husband and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms loosely about his neck. "They're really taking to you, you know," Amanda told him.
"The feeling's mutual. I think I can get used to this family thing."
"Oh yeah?" Amanda moved to kiss him.
"Yeah," he whispered as their lips met. It felt good to be in each other's arms after such an emotionally draining day. Lee was beginning to finally be accepted in to his new family -- even if they didn't know they were related -- and he'd just gained a new branch to add to his already established extended family. He couldn't wait to call his cousins tomorrow. But for now, Lee was spending some all too rare time with his wife.
As they joined for another lingering kiss, they heard a thud from upstairs.
"Mom!" Jamie yelled, "Phillip stole my pillow! Mom!"
"Did not!"
Amanda and Lee looked at each other and laughed. "Well," Lee admitted, "maybe not all of this family thing." And after one last quick kiss, Mr. and Mrs. Stetson went upstairs to check on their kids.