|
|
Note: This story is based on the premise of the aired episode "Nightcrawler" otherwise known as the proposal episode. The story begins at the point where Amanda has been kidnaped by Addy Birol, and then continues along a different plane.
Amanda slowly returned to consciousness, trying to focus her brown eyes on the stark white walls that surrounded her. Her memory was a jumble of vague images as she tried to sort reality from dreams, and determine where she was, and how she'd gotten here. Suddenly her mind crystallized on one name: Birol! She remembered the press conference, remaining in the van while Lee and the others stormed the building, and the terrorist's sudden appearance. He'd held a gun to her head and ordered her to drive to a remote area, where he injected her with something. Now she was lying on a metal cot, in a small, barren room.
Lee? Where are you? What does he want from me? What will he do to me? These thoughts forced themselves into Amanda's awareness. She attempted to sit upright, but was hit by a wave of nausea and dizziness. From her prone position on the cot, she tried to study her cell. No windows, a barely discernible door with no handle, and a ceiling that seemed to be ten feet high. What kind of place is this? Where am I? Is it day or night? How long have I been here? Amanda began to feel drowsy again, probably from the drugs still in her system. She was just beginning to lose consciousness when the door flew open.
"Amanda -- get up!" barked Birol. Her eyes flew open and she sprang up from the hard cot.
"What do you want? I'm with CSN -- why have you brought me here?" Amanda demanded automatically.
"CSN -- a clever cover. You don't seriously expect me to believe that little fabrication of yours, do you? I know you work for the Agency -- and I know you work with Scarecrow."
"Just call CSN," Amanda pleaded. "Call the station. They can verify my credentials and my identity. I don't know what agency you're talking about, and I don't know any scarecrows." Amanda was speaking rapidly and with commanding force in an effort to convince Birol.
Her protests were met with a smart slap across her face. "Liar! Do you think me a fool? I already know that American women look down upon me and my kind -- do not think for a minute that I would not hurt you in order to achieve my goal."
Amanda's right hand cradled her cheek to soothe the stinging. Suddenly, a terrible memory came flooding back to her -- the day that Lee had slapped her across the face as part of his cover to convince her that he was really a burn-out case. The recollection of that event pulled at her heart, causing a pain that cut through her like a knife, for this time it was no act. This time she was truly alone.
Lee - where are you? Please help me... Amanda's prayers were cut short.
"Tell me how to find Stetson," Birol broke in, "and where the Agency is, and you will be freed. Defy me and you will suffer..." his sinister eyes bored into her, "...and die."
"I can't tell you what I don't know," Amanda pleaded. "I'm just a reporter for CSN -- why won't you call the station?"
Birol pulled something from behind his back. "Just a reporter, eh? Then explain these." He showed her photographs of her with Lee at various places throughout Washington; some of these had the appearance of business, but one in particular showed them at an outdoor café, sharing drinks and holding hands. The sight of that photo brought a sheen of tears to Amanda's eyes, and she turned away so that Birol would not detect her reaction. But, apparently not quickly enough for the sharp-eyed terrorist.
"Do you still insist on this ridiculous cover story? Do you now want to tell me the truth? You and Stetson are most certainly lovers -- it is obvious from this picture and your reaction to it."
"The picture was doctored -- it's a fake" Amanda lied desperately, remembering well the day they shared which ended at that romantic café.
Another stinging slap across her face brought Amanda back to her reality.
"Do not lie to me, woman! I took that picture myself. I have been following Stetson for months!" She realized then that Birol would believe nothing she said, and that he would try anything he could to break her in order to get to Lee. At least he had said nothing about her mother or the boys. She was grateful he hadn't done enough digging to learn of her family or he would have involved them, too.
A wave of futility washed over Amanda -- it's no use, she thought -- there's no way for me to convince him to let me go. Birol turned away and walked to the far corner of the room. She saw him mixing what appeared to be chemicals in a laboratory beaker. He's after Lee, Amanda thought, and he's going to try to use me to get to him. She despaired of all the years she had asked for agent training, and been denied. If I was experienced, I would know all the ways to resist what he's going to do... not give anything away. If only Lee hadn't fought her every time she requested more in-depth classes.
Amanda sat down with a start. She saw Lee standing there, right in front of her.
Don't worry, Amanda... I'll be with you. Don't give up. I'm coming to get you. Remember how much I love you
As Amanda reached out to touch him, the apparition was gone. Suddenly, images of Lee flooded Amanda's mind -- his smile, the tenderness he had only recently begun to show her, his protectiveness of her and her family, his vulnerability derived from his lonely and unhappy childhood, his patriotism and love of country, his newly realized love for her, and her newly spoken but long-known love for him. Amanda steeled herself for the coming attack. I must protect Lee, Amanda resolved. I won't give in to Birol's torture. I would rather die than see anything happen to Lee.
Tearing through the mists of her thoughts, Birol grabbed her arm and jammed a hypodermic needle into it. It's nothing less than he would do for me, was her last thought as she drifted into unconsciousness.
Lee paced anxiously around Billy's office, while the older man tried to calm him.
"Stop that, Scarecrow -- you're not doing her any good in this state."
Lee looked sharply at his superior, but bit back the harsh words. "I can't help it, Billy. Birol's got Amanda and we don't even know what he wants with her. He's a killer; a sadistic, terrorist with no conscience and no feelings -- and he's got Amanda!"
Dr. Smyth suddenly appeared from around a corner outside Billy's office. "How did he pick her out, Stetson? She was supposed to be on background as CSN News -- deep cover. You two were to have no contact with each other -- where did you screw up?"
"I don't know how he found her." Lee's jaw clenched in an effort to control his temper. He probably had us under some sort of surveillance. I do know that out in the field, we had absolutely no contact -- physical or verbal -- in the past two weeks! Maybe it was a lucky guess."
"A lucky guess that places the King woman and our source at great risk and, more importantly, jeopardizes a critical intelligence and anti-terrorism operation," Dr. Smyth replied in clipped speech. "Melrose, I imagine you'll just have to put the ATAC team and its projects on hold, and sacrifice the woman."
Lee's face turned white and he faced Dr. Smyth with clenched fists. "For God's sake, she's a civilian... with two small boys! Don't you have anything running in those veins of yours except ice water?" It took all of Billy Melrose's strength keep Lee from striking the head of the Agency.
"She knew the risk, Stetson. She's an adult. Your first loyalty is to your source -- to Nightcrawler -- after all, she's been at a very high risk on our behalf for quite some time."
"I know where my loyalty lies, Smyth. I'm a professional, remember? I do this for a living. Sure I owe a duty to Nightcrawler, but I also owe a duty to Amanda -- my partner." Lee stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him for emphasis.
"He's pretty tightly wound right now, Melrose," Smyth observed dryly. "There's more going on for him than the loss of an operation. He's got some emotional involvement here that we don't know about. It could be dangerous for him to remain on the case."
"I remember when he didn't have any emotions at all," recalled Billy, staring at Lee who was slumped in a corner in the bullpen staring at a file. "It could be more dangerous to try to restrict him. He obviously feels responsible, and he'll do anything to try to rescue them, even if it means giving up his own life." Billy approached the obstinate Dr. Smyth with an idea. "Let me run this on my own with Stetson and a few hand-picked agents. Very low key. You see the effect you have on him -- the more you're involved, the greater the chances for an explosion that will mean sure disaster."
Smyth chewed on his ever-present cigarette holder and considered Billy's suggestion. "I don't want to see Nightcrawler or this operation sacrificed, Melrose. I'd rather lose the King woman and Scarecrow -- if necessary -- in order to get to Birol and to protect Nightcrawler. If this Agency gets the reputation that it doesn't protect its sources, it will have none left."
"I understand," Billy replied tersely. "But I know these people better than you do, and I can get them to do what they're supposed to. Give me a few days to try, before you abandon everything."
"All right, Melrose. I'll give you seventy-two hours to do it your way. But if this isn't resolved by then, I take over and call the shots -- 'Kay?"
"Agreed. Now will you please leave so that I can deal with Stetson," Billy concluded as he ushered Dr. Smyth out the door. "Scarecrow, please come in here."
Lee walked quietly into Billy's office. One glimpse at the younger man's face told his superior that Lee was hanging on by a thread; something Billy had never seen in the ten years he'd known Lee. He quietly closed the door and the blinds on the office windows, and motioned for Lee to sit on the couch. "Lee, I know you're upset, but you must be honest with me -- is there more between you and Amanda than just colleagues or partners?"
"No" was Lee's muffled reply, as his face studied the pattern in the nondescript government carpet.
"I don't believe you, Lee. And I have to know the truth if we're going to get through this."
"What's the point?" Lee responded. "Smyth's already signed Amanda's death warrant. He doesn't care. She's 'expendable.' How did I ever let her get involved with all this? Why did I get her involved? I'm responsible for all this... somehow I must have made a mistake that gave her away. Because of me, Amanda's going to die..." Lee's voice grew more strident as his agitation and anger flared. "And with Smyth running the show she's as good as dead." Lee's voice went flat when he uttered that last sentence.
Billy noted without comment the desperation in Lee's eyes. Whatever was going on between the two agents, Lee wasn't ready to admit -- to himself, or anyone else. Now wasn't the time to push.
"Lee... listen to me. First of all, Dr. Smyth is not running the show. He's given me seventy-two hours to try to get them out safely. I need you with me, and I need you at one hundred percent, not wallowing in self-pity, remorse, or recrimination. But before we get started, for the safety of all concerned... especially Amanda... I need you to be truthful with yourself about your feelings."
Lee studied his friend intently, searching for something in the older man's eyes. His face suddenly softened.
"Billy... Amanda and I have been working together for over three years now. I've gotten to know her like I've known no other woman... like no other person. She's unlike anyone I've ever known." His eyes began to fill with tears, and Billy reached out and put his hand on Lee's shoulder for support.
"I love her, Billy." He shrugged self-consciously at the admission, but continued on. "I have for a very long time, but I couldn't face it, or say it because I was afraid. So I constantly pushed her away. But she never let me." A soft smile came to Lee's lips at that confession. He shook his head in wonder. "Each time I did something stupid and hurt her, she always forgave me."
The words came rushing out of Lee faster and with more emotion. "I kept excusing all this by convincing myself she just enjoyed the excitement of the business, and she had to put up with me in order to stay with the Agency. But we were both just avoiding the truth -- we loved each other."
"So when did you finally tell her?" Billy asked kindly.
"When we were on the run over Stemwinder. When I thought I'd have to leave, I told her how I felt." Lee chuckled at his own fears. "I couldn't believe it when she told me she loved me too." Lee met Billy's eyes, his face pleading. "I can't lose her now!"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Scarecrow?" Billy asked quietly.
"Billy, I don't need to remind you about this Agency's policies regarding relationships between agents. We were afraid if anyone knew, it would jeopardize our working together. And then there was Amanda's family. If we were too public, they might be in danger." At the mention of Amanda's family, Lee shot up straight. "Dotty -- what am I going to tell her?"
Billy tried to calm his friend. "Amanda's mother and the boys are camping in the Rockies with the Junior Trailblazers, remember? They'll be away for two weeks. Let's concentrate on Amanda."
Lee's shoulders relaxed as he absorbed Billy's reassurances. With everything else he had to worry about, he was happy not to add Amanda's mother and sons to his list. The older man's voice interrupted Lee's reverie.
"I understand your concern about Agency policies, Lee, but why didn't you tell me?"
The agent ran his fingers through his long brown hair. "Neither of us wanted to put you in a compromised position."
Billy merely smiled. "Lee, don't you think I know you by now? I've seen your feelings for Amanda grow over the years? That's one reason I kept putting the two of you together on cases -- my instincts told me that she was the best thing that ever happened to you."
Lee gave Billy a look of such wonder, it was all the older man could do to keep a straight face. Later they could laugh about it, but right now saving Amanda's life was the most important thing. He stood and walked to his desk. "Now that I know all the facts, let's start working on a plan."
"Bitch!"
Amanda was awakened by Birol's harsh cry and another sharp crack across her face.
"Why will you not tell me what I need to know? I gave you enough drugs to make you confess your darkest sins! Why do you not respond, woman!"
Amanda wearily shook her head in an attempt to return to full consciousness. She had a dim recollection of Birol injecting her with something, then tormenting her with endless questions about Lee. She could vaguely recall pictures of unknown women and the terrorist's voice droning on about Nightcrawler. Every time he asked anything about Scarecrow, she forced herself to see Lee's face before her... to think of his voice repeating over and over: I love you, Amanda; I love you, Amanda. Was it possible that concentration on her beloved helped Amanda overcome the effects of the drug?
Birol was shouting again. "I will break you! I will get stronger, more powerful drugs; I will use force; but be assured that I will get what I want from you!"
Amanda turned her head to face the stark white wall. She was so very weary, all she wanted was to sleep, to escape from this torture, but the terrorist was unrelenting in his tirade.
"Tell me where to find Stetson! Tell me now, and I will let you go. Where is the Agency? Where does Stetson live? Who is Nightcrawler?"
He punctuated each demand with a slap across her face. When Birol finally tired of Amanda's silence, he backed away. He pulled a large black object from his pants' pocket, and opened it to reveal a shiny silver blade, about six inches in length.
"Do you see this, Amanda?" His voice had softened now, but was no less terrifying. "Do you know how much pain I can inflict with this? How much damage I can do to your pretty body? Do you think Stetson will still want you when I finish with you?"
His threats hung over Amanda like a guillotine. I don't know how much more of this I can stand, she thought. I don't know if I have the strength to hang on. Suddenly, everything was black, and Amanda was lost in a room with black walls, and a black ceiling. There were three doors in front of her and she heard a voice in the background.
"Choose, Amanda, choose. Open the right door and you are free. Make the wrong choice, and either you or Stetson die."
Amanda heard her own voice crying, Lee... Lee, where are you? Please come for me? Help me, Lee? I don't know if I can hold out long enough not to betray you?
She approached the middle door, and as she reached out her hand to touch it, the door swung open revealing a grotesque skeleton wearing Lee's leather jacket. Amanda screamed, and her world became totally black.
Lee and Billy were huddled over a computer in a darkened workroom. Francine waited outside, ready to redirect anyone who tried to enter, especially Dr. Smyth.
"We've run down all of Birol's known associates... his known hiding places," Billy observed. "Apparently, he's doing this solo, because of his fear of our source. We've had agents raid every one of his houses in the D.C. area, and there are no signs, nor any evidence that either Amanda or Nightcrawler was ever there."
Lee pounded his fist on the table in frustration. "Damn it, Billy, I can't do this sitting at a desk. I need to be out there looking for her!"
"Lee... be reasonable! You can't track her down 'out there' if you don't have the first clue where to start. You'd just be wasting valuable time. The best chance we have to find them is by intelligence. We've got to outsmart Birol. So keep pounding away at that computer until we get some answers!"
Lee and Billy were both feeling the ill effects of the strain of twenty-four straight hours of work with no sleep, little food, and no leads.
Suddenly, a message appeared on the screen.
Apparently Scarecrow still does not take me seriously. Apparently he is willing to sacrifice his lover for his own skin. I shall prove to you that I am smarter, stronger and my cause will be triumphant. Go to the alley behind the stores in the 300 block of South Capitol Street, and you will see that I speak the truth.
The message was signed A.B.
Lee jumped up and grabbed his jacket.
The older man held Lee's arm. "Wait. Before we go running off, we need to have a plan. We also need to try to track down the source of that computer message to see if it will lead us to Birol."
"Billy, I don't care if it is an ambush, as long as it takes me to Amanda," Lee protested. "At least I'll be with her and know that she's safe."
Billy took a deep breath before he responded. "Think about it carefully, Lee. When he has you, do you think he'll just let Amanda go? No -- he'll use her to get to you. Could you watch him torture her? And once he had what he wanted, do you think he'd spare either of you? His feelings toward you are a blood rage. You've thwarted all of his terrorist efforts here in the U.S. He's acting from wounded pride, vanity and ego, coupled with his revolutionary, fundamentalist zeal. That is a very deadly combination."
Billy's calm, rational words breached the emotional wall Lee had erected in his mind. He sagged visibly.
"I know you're right. I know I'm not thinking straight. But I just have this horrible feeling -- call it a sixth sense -- that Amanda is hurt and wondering if I'll ever come to save her. It's almost like I can feel her pain, and it's tearing me up inside. I keep trying to think about her, to concentrate on her and tell her to hang on and I'm coming to get her. But I can't help feeling that it's just useless, and I need to get out there and do something!"
Billy stood beside Lee and put his arm on the younger man's shoulders. "Lee, you should keep up those positive thoughts." He shrugged slightly. "They may be helping to keep her alive."
Lee nodded. "A year ago if you'd said something like that to me, I would've thought you were crazy. But now... everything's changed. I can't accept it on a logical, scientific basis, but in my heart..." He trailed off, unable to continue.
Billy strode to the door. "Francine -- I want you to trace this message. Lee and I are going to South Capitol Street."
Francine peered at the screen and shock crossed her face. She looked at Lee and Billy with fear and concern. "You're going out there alone? That's too dangerous. I can go as backup -- stay in the background until we see if there's trouble."
"No, Francine," Billy said firmly. "We need you here. No one in this Agency can get more from a computer than you. We've got backup."
Disappointment flooded the blonde woman's face, but she nodded reluctant agreement. She looked at Lee, and tried to reassure him.
"Don't worry, Lee, she's strong. You've both been in tight spots before, and always come out in good shape. She'll be fine."
This statement of support warmed Lee's heart. "Thanks Francine -- for everything."
As they exited the room, Lee asked Billy curiously "Does Francine know, too?"
Billy replied, "Lee, it's really hard to fool your friends." With that the two men took the elevator to rendezvous with the ATAC squad.
Billy and Lee headed toward South Capitol Street. The ATAC team was already in place setting up operations. As they approached the Capitol, winding their way through streets clogged with rush hour commuters on their way out of the city, Lee felt his heart racing.
What are we going to find? Is Amanda still alive? Has Birol hurt her? Has he planned some trick like he did at the warehouse interview to grab Billy and me?
To calm his nerves, Lee checked his handgun, and the assault weapons he'd brought along. Oh Amanda... hold on, I'm coming to get you. Please remember I love you.
He closed his eyes and tried to picture Amanda as he had last seen her... dressed in her casual jeans with her blue sweater, her lush brown hair piled on top of her head... wisps falling around her neck, the simple diamond heart on a platinum chain. Lee's expression softened as these warm and precious memories filled his mind, but when he opened his eyes again his features suddenly hardened.
As God is my witness, Birol, if you've hurt her in any way, I'll come after you and make you beg me to kill you, Lee vowed silently.
Billy glanced over at his friend, accurately reading the Lee's state of mind.
"You've got to stop torturing yourself. If you can't get a grip, we won't succeed."
Lee sighed and rolled his eyes. "I know what I have to do, Billy. Believe me, this is too important for me to let anything get the better of me. Okay? I just wish we were there already. The longer this ride takes, the harder it is to avoid thinking about Amanda."
The car made a right turn down South Capitol Street, where the late day traffic was lighter. Lee pointed to the street sign, and Billy stopped the car about a block away. They approached the alley with caution.
"Scarecrow, Melrose," the ATAC team leader radioed to them, "the alley appears to be deserted. We've finished our sweep of the area and there's no sign of anything out of the ordinary."
Lee looked at Billy. "Is he just leading us around by the nose?"
"No -- that's not his style," Billy responded. "He always makes a point. Let's see what we find."
The alley was littered with empty liquor bottles, trash and used syringes. The two agents crept along cautiously, peering into doorways. Lee walked toward the dumpsters parked at the far end of the alley, when he noticed what seemed to be random graffiti on one of them. Although it appeared casual, the word traitor was written there. Alongside that was painted A.B.
"Billy! Over here!"
When Billy noted that the top of the container was considerably higher than either man, he radioed to the Squad Commander.
"Get a man up here to do a visual into this dumpster."
It took only a few minutes for the special squad to come in with their equipment and get a man to the top of the bin.
"There's something up here, Sir," the agent called down. "Bringing it down now."
The men lowered a large, bulky bag to the ground and Billy pulled out his pocketknife to open it. Lee muttered a short prayer.
Please, Lord, don't let it be Amanda. Please don't let anything happen to her. She doesn't deserve this.
He closed his eyes as Billy's knife bit into the heavy green plastic. "Oh, my God," Billy moaned.
Lee's eyes opened wide with horror and his heart felt like it would explode. "Nooooo!" he shouted as he dropped to his knees. Inside the bag was the body of a woman. She had been brutally beaten and her face was bruised and battered almost beyond recognition. As Lee studied her, he felt a flood of relief wash through him. This body wasn't Amanda, but Nightcrawler, Mara Petrak, his source inside Birol's organization.
As the men examined the body more closely, Lee noticed a shiny object clutched in the dead woman's hand. He reached over and tenderly picked up Amanda's heart pendant. It was covered with dried blood.
As Lee cradled the pendant in his hand, Billy bent over the body to retrieve a piece of paper.
"Lee -- he left us a message."
Scarecrow -- You see now that I mean what I say. I found Nightcrawler without you. Women give in to torture so easily. Now all I want is you. What you see in front of you will also happen to Amanda if you do not follow my instructions. She is a typically soft American woman -- not as tough as Mara -- so do not count on her to last as long. Go to the telephone booth at the corner of 16th and K Streets at 7:00 for further instructions.
Lee looked up at his superior. "He's gonna kill Amanda! I have to find her!"
Billy tried to calm his friend. "Lee, let's see what Francine's found. Then we can make a plan."
Lee gently stroked the dead woman's hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Mara. I swear I'll find Birol and punish him."
Billy leaned over and gently pulled at Lee's elbow until the agent got to his feet. "We'll get him, Lee. Let's go." As the two agents moved toward their car, the ATAC squad began the clean up process.
Amanda... why aren't you dressed? Don't you remember? We're going out for a very special dinner tonight. I have something important to tell you. We don't want to be late on such a special day.
Amanda saw Lee standing before her, handsomely attired in a stylish, double breasted black tuxedo.
"I'm sorry, Lee, but I've been so sleepy. I've been having terrible dreams..."
Lee's face suddenly dissolved -- replaced by Addy Birol, smiling and holding his shiny knife.
"Wake up, Amanda. I'm pleased to tell you that my plan is working. I have discovered Nightcrawler, and I wanted you to be the first to know who she is -- or rather, who she was."
Birol placed three photographs in front of Amanda, who shrank back in horror. The photos depicted a bloodied, and obviously dead, Mara Petrak. Amanda recognized Mara's face as one of Addy's followers. Lee had shown her photos of all of Birol's known accomplices, but had never identified his source. Tears of sorrow and fear began to run down her face.
"Are you frightened, Amanda? You should be. This is exactly what I will do to you if you do not tell me what I want to know."
Amanda stared at Birol, his evil dark eyes glistening with hatred. She was unable to say anything. It was as though her entire body was beginning to shut down, and would not function. Her silence infuriated Birol. He pulled off his belt and began to whip Amanda all across her body. She tried ineffectually to ward off his blows, but the pain was sapping her strength even further. She crumpled to the ground in a heap, her whole body shaking violently.
"I'm tired of your obstinate, arrogant ways. I am in charge, here. Do you understand me?"
With that last statement, Birol crashed the belt across Amanda's chest. Kneeling, he pulled out the knife and held it before Amanda's brown eyes.
"Do you know how men from my country get their women to obey them? Do you want to find out? If you don't want a lesson, you will tell me what I want... now!"
All Amanda could see was Lee, standing there, holding his arms out to comfort and protect her.
Lee, where are you? I need you so very much?
Amanda's inner torment and Birol's physical abuse were beginning to have an effect on her grasp of reality. She kept seeing Birol's face interchanging with Lee's, followed by the faces of Jamie and Phillip flashing across her mind. She was suddenly aware of cold and pain as Birol traced a line from her chin down her neck to her throat with his knife. Without warning, he flicked his wrist and the knife cut the top two buttons from her cotton shirt. He pushed open the shirt and began tracing designs over her bare chest with his knife.
"Is Stetson a good lover?" His voice was silken now, and insinuating. "Maybe I should try and give you a point of comparison? Would you like that?" His hand moved to her upper thigh suggestively.
By now, her terror was complete. She realized that all that stood between Lee and this crazed killer was her ability to hold on and not reveal his secrets. Her mind started reeling and suddenly this pain and madness were not happening to her. She was standing aside, almost like an observer, watching this happen to a stranger while Amanda was safe and protected in the darkness of her mind. Her last conscious thought was that she must be going mad.
Lee and Billy returned to the Agency to find an excited Francine waving around a single sheet of paper.
"Lee, Billy! Birol's made his first mistake! We traced the message. When we first checked it, the transmission was encoded. But he used an old code we'd deciphered years ago. He must have thought it was so old we wouldn't have records on it any longer. But you know the boys in Crypto -- they never throw anything away!"
Billy questioned Francine while a dejected Lee slumped in a nearby chair. "What did you find out? We need to move quickly." He lowered his voice in deference to Lee. "Nightcrawler's dead. She was pretty badly beaten and tortured before she died. Birol's threatened to do the same to Amanda if we don't follow his instructions."
Francine's normally cool face was tinged with uncertainty. "Do you think we'll be able to save her, Billy? And if we don't, will we be able to save Lee?" She glanced over at her friend.
"I don't know," Billy admitted. "But I do know we have to try. Now tell me everything you know. Birol has demanded Lee pick up instructions at a drop on the corner of 16th and K at 7:00 and we don't have much time."
"Right. The transmission was made from a computer in the Cleveland Park area of D.C. That's close to 16th and K, isn't it? We've got it down to a three block radius -- mostly private homes and a few embassies. We checked out the owners of the private homes. Two don't have any connection or other references in the area -- they may be fronts. We've dispatched agents to discretely watch both houses. We've centered on a large estate at 3000 Ordway Street, Northwest. That's the place we need to cover."
At Francine's last words, Lee's head shot up. "Francine, how certain are you?"
"We've already accessed the blueprints and determined where it's vulnerable, and how we should get in. The teams are on their way over there to start setting up."
Billy checked his watch. "It's almost 7:00 -- Lee, we need to get you to 16th and K. Francine, we'll pick up the information from Birol and then be in radio contact with you to coordinate with the assault team. Let's go."
Lee followed his friends, but to Billy he appeared to be losing hope of finding Amanda alive. His face was stone, his eyes cold.
How can I deal with Lee? Billy wondered. How can I trust him in a delicate mission. Can I put the fate of all these people in his hands?
"Lee -- look at me. She's okay -- she's alive. He hasn't played his final card, yet. He wouldn't have sent us Mara and set up this arrangement if he'd killed Amanda. But I need to know I can count on you. I can't have you acting on your own."
Billy's words had the desired effect on Lee. His eyes lost some of their ice.
"I'm okay, Billy -- really. I know how important this is -- probably more than anyone else."
The fierce look in Lee's eyes convinced Billy of the sincerity of his friend's vow. The two men walked down the corridor to begin what would likely be the most important and dangerous mission of their lives.
The sun was shining, and children were playing on the quiet suburban street. Amanda peered out her bedroom window on the idyllic scene below. Strange how I can see everything, but I don't hear any sound coming from the street. All she could feel were Lee's arms around her, holding her close. The world was beautiful and at peace, and she was safe in her own room in her own house.
Birol entered the room where he held Amanda captive and studied her. The slender woman's clothes were torn and dirty, her body bruised and covered with dried blood, yet her eyes were open and her face bore an expression of peace that was a total contrast to her condition. His first thought was that she was dead; he approached her and felt her skin, which was still warm. He observed the shallow rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. A look of relief flooded the terrorist's face.
She must not die until I will it and that is not until I have Stetson and make him watch her die. Then I will kill him and my mission will be complete.
Birol slapped Amanda to gain her attention. But this time, the woman showed no response, and had no reaction to the pain he inflicted.
"Wake up -- stop playing games with me!"
He grew angrier as she did not respond to the repeated blows to her face and arms.
Is this some game? Some new technique the Agency teaches its people to avoid giving in to torture?
Overcome with rage, Birol grabbed his belt and began to beat her, but her body still didn't respond to the pain he was inflicting, nor did her facial expression change. Angry and frustrated, Birol left the room to make plans for his final confrontation with Stetson and the Agency. He had a telephone call to make.
Lee and Billy were standing next to a public telephone booth at the corner of the busy Washington intersection of 16th and K Streets. All around, people were rushing to get home, or to begin an evening's festivities at the area's many night spots. Lee watched happy young couples pass him by.
How can life go on as though nothing is happening, when my world is about to collapse? How can people continue their ordinary lives, while mine is over?
He fought to overcome the sadness that sought to engulf him and interfere with his judgment, skill and training.
Stop it, Lee -- you're not going to do her any good in this condition. And even if you don't care what happens to you, you care about Billy and the others here -- you can't do anything to jeopardize their welfare.
The sharp ring of the telephone brought Lee out of his reverie. He picked up the receiver.
"Stetson."
"Scarecrow -- you know who this is. Do not try to track the call. It has been sent through several remotes so as to be untraceable -- of course, you must have anticipated that I would do this."
"Let's end this, Birol...now... just the two of us." He had to fight to keep from pleading to the terrorist about Amanda's well being. Lee couldn't let the man know how desperately he needed to know she was alive.
"You are in no position to be making demands of me, Stetson," Birol stated coldly. "I set the rules, and you must play by them if you wish to see your partner alive. I take it that you found Nightcrawler? You know by now the full extent of what I did to her. You know that I must mean business if I could do that to someone I loved. Imagine what I can do to someone you love.…" Birol let his voice trail off and remained silent for a moment to let his words have their desired effect on Lee.
The young agent's body trembled, his voice betraying his emotions despite his efforts at control. "Birol -- tell me what you want, but leave Amanda alone. She's done nothing to you. It's me you want. Why don't you be a man and face me directly, instead of hiding behind a woman!"
"I will see you very shortly, Scarecrow" Birol promised. "And I will deal with you; that has always been my purpose. But your Amanda... I have really enjoyed her company." Birol paused long enough to let Lee fill in the meaning. "Now listen carefully, Stetson. You are to go -- alone -- to the B.A. Imports Warehouse on Georgia Avenue. Alone, you understand? You are to be unarmed and to arrive at midnight. When you get there, and I am confident you have followed my instructions precisely, I will send a message over the same computer I used before to tell your people where to find Amanda. She will be released to them."
"How do I know you'll release her if I show up?" Lee questioned. "You haven't shown me anything to make me believe in your word."
"You are in no position to question or demand!" Birol growled. "You will do what I say, to the letter, or there is no hope that you or anyone else in this world will ever see Amanda King alive again."
Billy prompted Lee. "Ask him for some proof she is still alive."
"Put Amanda on the phone," Lee insisted. "I need proof she's alive."
Birol exploded. "I said that you will not demand anything! Follow my instructions or the King woman will pay the ultimate price!" With that, the phone line went dead.
Lee's face was drained of all color. "Billy, I've lost her. I'm sure of it." Lee lowered his head against the phone in despair. "He won't release her, even if he gets me."
"Lee, we have five hours," Billy reminded his friend. He lay a comforting hand on Lee's shoulder. "Five hours to set a trap to get Birol. He has no idea we know where he is. We have the element of surprise on our side. You can't give up now."
Suddenly Lee focused on something Birol said. "Billy, what did Birol mean 'the full extent of what I did to her?'" He dreaded the answer.
Billy swallowed hard, not knowing how he would tell his friend about all of Nightcrawler's injuries. "Lee, let's not worry about that now" he evaded. "We have to concentrate on finding Amanda and getting her out of there before midnight." Billy's tone set off alarms of concern in Lee's mind.
"Billy, please -- you have to tell me what he meant. I need all the facts. Just like you needed the truth from me. Now I need that full truth from you."
Billy took a deep breath, and said quietly. "She was sexually assaulted -- severely -- prior to her death." Lee paled and clenched his jaw, closing his eyes.
"Lee, we have no proof that he's done anything to Amanda. It's all part of his game, to throw you off balance."
Anger overtook the anguish that had previously marked Lee's attitude toward the rescue. "I'm going to get him, Billy. I'm going to save Amanda and kill Birol!" Lee questioned his superior, "So what's your plan? How are we going to pull off this sneak attack?"
Billy was concerned about Lee's change in mood, but felt it was more productive and safer than the depression that had preceded it. "We'll meet Francine at the mobile command post in fifteen minutes. It's going to be all right, Lee."
Amanda was at a funeral. There were lots of long black cars, and many people in black clothing, mourning the deceased. The sun was shining, and except for the grave markers, the cemetery was like a beautiful park. She strained to see whose funeral it was. In the front of all the mourners were two young boys about ten and twelve years old, and appeared to be very much like Phillip and Jamie. Next to them was a tall blonde woman in her fifties, who looked remarkably like Amanda's mother. The minister was handing an American flag to the woman and telling her that her daughter had given her life for her country. There was a tall man off to the side with tears streaming down his cheeks. Lee? Why was he at a funeral? Why were Mother, Phillip and Jamie there? This must be my funeral… that's why I feel so peaceful.
"Amanda!" Birol barked. "The day you hoped for is here. Your lover is coming to join you. It is so much nicer to die with the one you love than to die alone, wouldn't you agree?"
Birol's statements were rewarded by the same response he had become accustomed to from his captive -- silence and a blank stare. If Stetson doesn't come tonight, he thought, I will lose the fun of killing her because she will die of her own will, by starvation. Birol despaired of losing his ultimate victory -- having both Amanda and Lee die by his hand.
One hour later Billy, Lee and Francine were driving down a quiet, residential street in the heart of Cleveland Park. The avenue was lined with old trees whose limbs had grown across the roadway and joined to form a canopy above the cars. The houses were old and large, with expansive lawns.
This is so beautiful, Lee thought. It's hard to believe that Birol's atrocities could occur here.
The sun was just beginning to set as the car pulled up outside a brick Colonial, set back from the street, and surrounded by a tall iron fence.
"This is it -- and it's a perfect place," noted Billy.
It could be the home of a diplomat or an embassy, rather than a chamber of horrors, Lee mused.
Billy radioed to the commander of the ATAC team, who responded that the agents were in place and ready to move at his direction. The plan was to fill the house with a paralyzing nerve gas. After the men were injected with neutralizer to protect them from the zap gas, the three agents exited the car and walked slowly to the gate. As expected, it was electrified. Francine opened a small tool case and removed two wires. She attached the loose end of each wire to the post, connected the other ends to a monitor, and pressed the red button. She checked the monitoring device that was directly above the control panel.
"The fence is neutralized," said Francine. She turned to the two men. "It's time to go. Good luck and please be careful." She looked at Lee with concern. "I'll be praying for you -- and for Amanda."
"Thanks, Francine -- you don't know how much your support means to me," said Lee. "Let's go, Scarecrow," Billy interrupted gruffly. "I've just given the word we're going in, and they'll be tracking us here. Francine, make sure the medical unit is standing, and that Doc Kelfer and his team are ready to move in."
Lee and Billy crept warily through the bushes and trees that lead from the street to the house. Night had fallen, and both men were dressed in black to prevent detection. Lee flashed a small beam of light across the grass.
"Look," he said, surprised. "There's no laser alarm or other type of protection. This isn't normal. In all his other hideouts, he had alarms and other equipment safeguarding against attack. Why nothing here except an electric fence? Is it possible we have the wrong house?"
Billy was also puzzled. "Lee, our best intelligence is that he's here. Could be he hasn't had time to fortify it yet. And maybe he's underestimated us." The two men continued their slow movement toward the rear of the house.
Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, Amanda heard a voice. It was the first sound she had registered in a very long time. It was a man's voice and it kept growing in strength. Amanda, hold on. I'm coming to get you. It won't be long now -- just hang on for me. I love you. Who could that be? Could it be Lee? Was he really coming, or was it just one of the many illusions and apparitions that filled Amanda's head?
Or was it Birol?
"Billy -- over here!" Lee was examining the rear door. He pointed to a set of ominous-looking wires. "This is certainly alarmed, and perhaps rigged to explode. Birol's taken some precautions after all, and it's likely this is the right place!" Lee's spirits soared. I'm close, Amanda -- I'm coming to get you. Hang on just a little bit longer. Just hang on.
All of the ground-floor windows appeared to have the same wiring as the door, but Lee spied a small window half-hidden by leaves and debris that led into a basement. He anxiously pushed the accumulated refuse out of the way and whispered. "Billy, over here. It's not wired!" Melrose crept over to join his friend, who was already at work cutting the glass from the frame.
Billy and Lee began to walk slowly through the dimly lit basement. Each man had his weapon drawn; Billy also carried a canister of zap gas, in the event they met with more than one adversary. Lee's flashlight illuminated their path, and he moved the light around the room in order to better assess the layout and to plan their attack. "Billy," Lee exclaimed as he shone the light around the room, "it looks like there's been reinforcing done to the walls. It could be a holding cell!"
The two men walked slowly to the doorway and peered into the hall. Lee gasped when he saw an unarmed Birol take out a set of keys and unlock a steel door. "Birol -- freeze!" commanded Lee. The terrorist wheeled around to face the two intruders and reached for his gun. Lee raised his automatic weapon to fire.
"No!" Billy yelled and proceeded to spray Birol with the zap gas before Lee could fire. "We need him alive."
"Sorry, Billy," Lee said as he rushed into the unlocked room, while Billy busied himself putting handcuffs on Birol and radioing the team outside.
Lee face paled at what he saw. The room was stark, with no windows and, on the floor, piles of rotting food covered with insects. The room was bare of all furniture save for a metal cot resting against one wall. On that cot was Amanda, clothes torn and bloody, skin beaten and bruised, and hair disheveled. The most frightening aspect of all was her face: her eyes were open and staring straight ahead, with an almost-peaceful look.
Lee's heart almost stopped. Am I too late? He gathered her up in his arms and began to cry. "I'm sorry, Amanda. I got here too late. I'm so sorry. I love you so much."
Suddenly, he realized that her body was still warm and that she was breathing. His tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy. "Billy - she's alive!!!"
Lee's triumph was short-lived as he realized that Amanda was not responding to him. She must be in shock, he thought. "Call the medics in here, now! She needs help!"
He had barely uttered the last words when Dr. Kelfer and the medical team rushed in. They pushed Lee aside and began to examine Amanda. "Get the chopper down here now!" shouted the doctor. "This woman is in extremely critical condition. We need to get her to the Agency hospital ASAP."
As the paramedics loaded Amanda onto a stretcher and prepared to take her to the waiting helicopter, Lee was barely aware of the squad putting chains on Birol and taking him outside. As they were about to leave, an animal-like sound erupted from Lee's throat as he lunged at the terrorist.
"What have you done to her?"
Billy grabbed Lee to keep the younger man from killing Birol with his bare hands. Lee's shouts followed Birol down the corridor.
"I'm not through with you yet. You're going to beg me to kill you to end your misery!!! You'll never have another day of peace for the rest of your miserable existence!"
"Lee! Stop it! Amanda -- she needs you now more than anything else."
Billy's rebuke again brought Scarecrow around to his senses. He ran after the stretcher, and jumped into the waiting helicopter.
Amanda had been in the treatment room for several hours. Doctors and other medical personnel rushed in and out, but no one had yet stopped to give Lee any information. He paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair He stopped long enough to drape his long body into a chair, only to leap up again, his head going in too many directions to allow sitting still for long. He couldn't forget the painful sight he had of her in that room, lying so still. His mind was filled with thousands of racing thoughts.
What did he do to you? Did he torture you? Did he poison or drug you? Will you be all right? Can you survive this physically? Emotionally?
Billy suddenly appeared. "Lee, any word on Amanda? How is she?"
"I don't know, Billy. The doctors won't tell me. This waiting is killing me. I just can't forget what she looked like in that room. I keep wondering what he did to her. Do you think she'll recover? And what will her family do if she doesn't? What will I do?" he finished softly. "This is the time for prayer, Lee," Billy advised gently. "The doctors are all top notch, and the best in their fields. But you know that isn't always enough. This is the time to use all of your will, and hope for a little divine intervention."
Lee closed his eyes. Please, Lord, he began awkwardly. Be there for Amanda. You know how good she is. You know how many people depend on her. Please don't make her suffer; let her recover from this -- for her mother, her sons who need her so much -- and for me, although I don't deserve it.
Dr. Kelfer appeared, accompanied by a woman Lee knew to be one of the staff psychologists. "Lee, Billy -- can we go somewhere to talk?"
Lee strode over to them. "How's Amanda?"
"She's resting comfortably right now. We'll discuss this more privately," replied Dr. Kelfer uncomfortably.
Once seated inside a small office, Dr. Kelfer began. "From our preliminary examination, Mrs. King's physical condition is very serious. She was beaten on a repeated basis. It appears he used a belt or strap to whip her. Because of the unsanitary conditions in that room, some of the wounds became infected. We're treating those with antibiotics. Her blood tests also reveal that she is suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. I don't believe she's had anything to eat or drink for at least forty-eight hours."
Lee recoiled, remembering the stacks of rancid food that had littered the corner of the room that had been Amanda's cell. He swallowed hard, and forced himself to ask the next question. "Doc, like I told you in the chopper, did you check to see if there were any signs of -- anything else?"
"Do you mean sexual abuse?"
Lee took a deep breath and nodded his head.
"Lee, I'll be honest with you. There's some bruising that could be consistent with that. It is also consistent with the physical abuse that he committed to her entire body. We're running standard tests to rule out actual rape, but until Amanda is awake, we won't know for sure what exactly he did to her."
Lee's eyes flew open. "You mean she's not awake yet? What's wrong?"
Dr. Kelfer said gently, "That's why I brought Margaret Tompkins with me. We need to talk extensively about Mrs. King's mental condition."
"When Amanda first came in, Dr. Kelfer asked me to observe as the medical team examined her. He was concerned that her eyes were open, yet they were fixed, her pupils were dilated, and she had no response to any stimulus. At first, we thought it was shock. But the symptoms of shock would have abated by now, especially since we've given her nutrients and fluids, taken care of her wounds, and made her warm and comfortable. At the very least, if it was shock, she would have closed her eyes and gone to sleep. But her facial expression is very much the same as it was when you first found her. And that causes us more concern than her physical condition."
Lee asked anxiously, "What do you think is causing this? Drugs?"
"We considered that," the doctor replied, "so we took a blood sample and had it analyzed to see what he may have administered. The only thing we discovered in her blood was some type of truth serum. Even if he gave it to her in mass quantities, it shouldn't have caused this reaction."
The psychologist continued. "I've had extensive experience dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. You've probably heard of it in connection with returning Vietnam veterans, and children who have been sexually abused. Amanda's symptoms are similar to PTSD."
"What does that mean?" Lee demanded in frustration. "What's her prognosis? Will she ever come out of it?" The questions poured out of Lee faster than he could say them.
"Slow down, Mr. Stetson," Dr. Tompkins cautioned. "I didn't say it was PTSD. I just said that her symptoms are similar. What we're going to do is keep her here under observation. We need her to be surrounded by people who love and care for her. We have to talk to her and try to get through to her that she is safe and her ordeal is over. We also have new drug therapies we can administer to help unlock the story of what happened to her in Birol's house. Once we know the extent of what he did, we'll be better equipped to help her."
"Her mother and sons are on a camping trip in the Rockies. They won't be home for more than a week," Lee informed her. "They don't know anything about her work with the Agency, and I don't think they could help her if we just sprang this on them."
"Is there anyone else who's close to her?" queried Dr. Kelfer. "Her file mentions she's divorced. How about her ex-husband?"
"No" Lee replied sharply. "I'll stay with her."
The two doctors looked at each other quickly. Dr. Kelfer spoke up. "Lee -- you look like you haven't slept in a week. You can barely stand on your feet or put two sentences together. I don't need another patient -- you need to rest."
"She's here because of me, and I'm the person she's closest to. Doc, I wouldn't rest anyway, knowing she's here and in such bad condition. Please, I've got to stay with her," Lee pleaded determinedly.
Dr. Kelfer looked at Billy who nodded his agreement. "Okay -- you can stay. But I'm putting an extra cot in her room. You need to try and sleep."
"Agreed. But before I see her, I have to get something from her house. I'll be back as soon as I can." With that, Lee rushed out of the room.
Billy turned to the doctors. "Frank, now that Lee's gone, tell me -- is there really hope that she'll recover?"
Dr. Kelfer thought a moment. "Billy, I think the one force that'll result in a miracle here is that young man who just walked out the door. It's obvious he loves Mrs. King -- and the power of love is as important to her recovery as any modern medical technique."
Lee slipped into Amanda's home through his customary rear door. Once inside, he glanced around as though seeing it for the first time. The house seemed so quiet; extraordinarily so for Amanda's usually rambunctious family. All around the kitchen and family room, he saw Amanda's special touches: the print curtains on the windows in her cozy kitchen, the comfortable sofa and chairs in the family room, and the warm books and pictures that lined the bookshelf on the wall. He walked directly to the bookcase and found what he wanted -- an eight by ten color portrait of Dotty, Phillip and Jamie they had given to Amanda several months earlier.
She's going to need all of our love and support now, guys, Lee thought, and this is the best way for you all to help. He looked around again and could almost feel Amanda's presence in the room and see her beautiful face. Will she ever return to this house again? Will her life ever be the same? Will any of our lives be the same? Lee said another silent prayer for her full recovery, and slipped out of the house.
Less than 45 minutes later, he returned to the hospital. When Lee walked into Amanda's hospital room, he again had to catch his breath as he gazed at her.
Amanda was lying on her back in the stark white hospital room, with numerous intravenous tubes flowing into both arms. Her face bore the same strange, peaceful expression it had when he first found her, but her eyes were now closed and she appeared to be sleeping. A small cot had been placed along one wall of the room, and a green vinyl chair was beside the bed. Lee noticed Dr. Tompkins standing in the corner of the room, watching her patient.
"How is she doing, Doc?" Lee asked. "Has there been any change?"
"She finally drifted off, but no... no other change," Dr. Tompkins replied negatively. "I'm glad you're here. For the next few hours -- if you're physically able -- I want you to sit with her and to talk to her in a loving, reassuring way. Stroke her arm, her hair -- touch her. Do whatever you can to get through to her and try to bring her back to us."
"Right. But what if that doesn't work? What's the next step?" he asked anxiously.
"Mr. Stetson -- let's deal with that later. Right now, concentrate on reaching Mrs. King." With that statement, Dr. Tompkins exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Lee settled the photo of Dotty and the boys on the table next to Amanda. He sat on the side of her bed and began talking.
"Amanda, it's Lee. Can you hear me? I'm here with you and you're safe. It's all over." He took her small hand in his and held it tightly, while stroking her arm. "I love you, Amanda. You're the center of my universe. We've shared so much together, and there's so much more for us to share in the future. I love you, Amanda. You're my life."
Lee looked at Amanda's unchanged expression and continued, pointing to the picture on the side table. "Amanda... it's your mother and Phillip and Jamie. They love and need you so much, too. Think about how wonderful they are, how bright and how loving. And think of how great it will be when we can raise them together. They need you so much, Amanda -- you've got to come back for them!"
He began to reminisce. "Remember the fun we had in Europe? The black tie parties in Germany? The beauty of the Alps -- in between fighting the bad guys? Do you remember our time in London after we caught the Mongoose? We had tea at the Ritz -- your second choice, since I couldn't arrange for Buckingham Palace?" He actually chuckled a little in remembrance.
"And after, we walked around London, holding hands, taking in all the tourist attractions. I was in love with you then, only I didn't have courage enough to admit it to myself. But I think you've known for a long time how I feel about you..."
Lee's voice lowered as his heart was overcome with emotion. "I don't know why I waited so long to tell you how I felt? Why I didn't tell you then that I loved you. Why didn't I do more for you? Why didn't I do more to make you happy?" He stopped himself short. Beating himself up wouldn't do anything to help her now.
The tension and fatigue of the last several days were beginning to take their toll. He felt drowsy, as though he could no longer keep his eyes open, or move his mouth to speak. He stretched his long body out on the bed next to Amanda and wrapped his arms around her, taking care not to disturb the various tubes that were flowing into her body.
"I love you," he mumbled and softly kissed her cheek before drifting off to sleep.
Lee awakened suddenly; it took several seconds to orient himself and realize where he was. The sun was shining brightly through the window of the hospital room, and he was in Amanda's bed. But he was alone. Where was she? He jumped up with a start, ran into the hallway, and almost collided with Dr. Kelfer. "Where's Amanda? What's happened? Is she all right?"
The doctor put his hands on Lee's shoulders. "Hold on, son. She's fine. We decided to use that new drug on her, since she didn't respond to you."
"Why didn't you give me more time to work with her?" Lee demanded.
"Lee, the longer Amanda is in that state, the less likely it is she'll recover. We must work as quickly as possible to bring her back."
Lee looked fearfully at the older man. "Doc, is the drug dangerous?"
"It's still technically experimental, but it's been very useful in treating people in conditions similar to Mrs. King's. The drug causes a chemical reaction in the brain which will allow us to question her about what occurred while she was in captivity."
"How will that help you treat her?" Lee asked.
The doctor replied, "We can help her to look at and deal with her experiences. Right now, she's dissociated; like many victims of terrifying situations, she's removed herself from her body and has blocked the horrible things that happened to her. We see this quite frequently in children who are sexually abused. They remove themselves from the pain. Amanda did this and now she has to come back. The quicker we get through to her, the better our chances to bring her to full recovery. Do you understand?"
Lee nodded his head. "Do you need me to do anything?"
"No, son. Just get some rest." With that, Dr. Kelfer turned around and walked toward the treatment room where Dr. Tompkins was working.
Lee returned to Amanda's room dejectedly. The blinds were open wide, allowing the beauty of the day to shine in. The nurses' aides were just completing a change of linens on the empty bed. A small bouquet of fresh flowers had been placed on the bedside table, next to the picture of Dotty and the boys. Lee opened the card. It read simply, "Amanda -- please return to us as soon as you can. We need you. Billy."
Lee's heart turned over at his friend's thoughtfulness and concern. He also noticed a small teddy bear that had been placed at the center of Amanda's bed. Tied to the bear's right arm was a small gift card that said, "Hurry back -- F." Lee realized immediately that "F" was Francine and again was touched by the warmth and generosity of their friends. He stretched out on the bed, the soft bear clutched in his hand, and was immediately asleep.
"Lee -- wake up."
Lee turned his head to see Dr. Kelfer gently shaking his shoulder. How long have I been sleeping? he wondered hazily, peering around and realizing that he was no longer in Amanda's bed; he was now stretched out on the little cot. He blushed slightly as he realized how out of it he must have been not to remember moving. Amanda had been returned to her bed, appearing very much as she had before. There was no change in her facial expression, and the tubes and wires still connected her to life-giving medicine and nutrients.
"Did you get through?" Lee questioned.
"We have quite a bit to tell you, and we'd like to share it with both you and Mr. Melrose, if you don't mind," the doctor replied.
Thinking of how much Billy's support had meant to him during the days of this ordeal, Lee readily agreed to have Billy join them.
Several minutes later, the doctors, Billy and Lee gathered around a small conference table at the end of the hallway.
"First, let me say that our use of the hypnotic drug was very successful," Dr. Kelfer began. "We were able to arouse Mrs. King and get her to tell us what happened during her captivity. This is a very good sign. It shows that she's not regressed or dissociated so far as to lose hope of bringing her back."
"Doc, that's great!" Lee exclaimed happily. "What do we do now?"
"Dr. Tompkins did most of the examination, so I'll let her tell you what we learned." He turned to the psychologist. "Margaret?"
Margaret focused her soft brown eyes directly at Lee. "Mr. Stetson, let me preface my comments with the warning that this will not be easy for you to hear. But you must listen carefully, and not let anger or emotion get in the way. After this session, much of the success of Mrs. King's emotional recovery will rest in your hands, so you must understand how important the next few minutes will be."
Lee nodded resolutely.
"We administered the drug, and within five minutes, we were able to get a response from Mrs. King," Dr. Thompkins continued. "Her answers were very slow and somewhat stilted. But she was responsive. She told us of her capture. Birol wanted three things: how to find Lee, where the Agency was located, and which member of his organization was Nightcrawler, your source."
"At first he tried threats and some mild physical force," the doctor went on. "When she refused to answer, and insisted that she was from CSN, he administered some type of a truth serum. When that failed, he stepped up the level of violence, alternating between beating Mrs. King at times with his fists, and other times with his belt. He also threatened her with a knife."
The doctor paused before she began the next revelation. "The last thing Mrs. King remembers Birol was threatening to rape her. After that, she remembers nothing. It's as if her mind went blank following that incident."
Upon hearing that last comment, all color drained from Lee's face. He clenched his fists tightly in order to control his emotions. "Did he rape her?" he forced himself to ask.
"No," Dr. Tompkins replied quickly -- anxious to reassure the young man. "Amanda wasn't raped. He probably used her fear to break down her resistance."
Billy asked the next question. "How did she manage to resist? She hasn't had formal agent training, and absolutely no sessions in how to deal with torture. How did she do it; how did she survive?"
The doctors looked at each other and smiled before Dr. Tompkins responded. "As we were listening to Mrs. King's story, that was the question we tried to answer. How could this woman, with no training, fight off the relentless interrogations of this terrorist? How could she hold out and not respond, given the actual physical torture, together with his threats? Remember, at some point he showed her the photos of Mara's dead body and described in some detail what he'd done to her, intimating that she would be next."
At this point, Dr. Kelfer picked up the narrative. "We asked Mrs. King how she was able to avoid giving in -- how could she keep silent in view of what he'd done." Turning to Lee, he commented, "She's an extraordinary woman, Lee. It appears that she focused on you -- on how much she loved you, and how much she wanted to protect you, even if it meant her own life. Every time Birol tortured or threatened her, and even during the quiet periods in between the assaults, she focused all her concentration and energy on you. Her extraordinary feelings for you enabled her to, in essence, block out Birol and all he was doing to her body. She would rather die than see Birol hurt you."
Lee's body began to tremble as his mind absorbed the full impact of what he had just heard. He buried his face in his shaking hands. I can't believe it. She cares for me enough to sacrifice her own life for mine. How can I ever be worthy of her?
All three took note of Lee's reaction and no one wanted to disturb him.
"Doc -- it appears Amanda, unknowingly, utilized some of the same techniques of concentration and distance that we train our agents to use," Billy asked. "Am I correct?"
Dr. Kelfer agreed. "Exactly. Although she wasn't aware of it. The power of her love for Lee enabled her to withstand horrific torture without revealing anything that would hurt him."
"What about her withdrawal? Why is she still not responsive?" Billy persisted.
"As we said earlier, she essentially 'withdrew' from her body by dissociation. She removed herself from the physical pain, so it was as though she was watching it happen to another person. She apparently saw 'visions' or 'apparitions' as part of this process. She saw what was happening, without feeling it, and she imagined visions of peace to take her out of the tortured situation."
"We're all very concerned about her full emotional recovery," Dr. Tompkins added. "She's still unresponsive. This is where Lee comes in. We need him to again talk to Mrs. King; to hold her; to tell her how he feels. We believe this is the only thing right now that can bring her back."
At this, Lee stood up and walked out the door, heading to Amanda's room. Billy had one final question for the doctors. "Can he do it? Can he bring her back?"
As they moved toward the doorway, Dr. Kelfer replied, "If he loves her half as much as she loves him, he'll get her back."
Lee entered Amanda's room, his face filled with concern. He walked over to her bed and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. "Amanda, it's me," he said softly. "I'm here with you. I'm going to take care of you. Please come back to me. I love you so much." Lee sat by her side for what seemed like an eternity, repeating the same words over and over, and stroking her hands, her face and her hair. Despite all this, Amanda remained unresponsive.
Finally, the strain became too much for Lee and he broke down. "Amanda," he cried, as tears flowed freely from his eyes. He lay his head carefully onto her chest, mindful of her bruises. "Please come back ," he pleaded raggedly. "I need you. You're all I have. Please..." He choked, unable to continue. He buried his face in her chest as he gave in to his unaccustomed tears.
Something stirred in the recesses of Amanda's mind. Crying… I hear crying. Someone needs me. Lee?? That can't be Lee. He doesn't cry. He doesn't need me -- I need him. She struggled to push her way through the fog that seemed to surround her.
Lee suddenly felt something on the back of his head, fingers softly stroking his hair, trying to comfort him. His head shot up. "Amanda! Can you hear me?" Her soft brown eyes were open and trying to focus on him.
She turned her head and looked at him for the first time since her rescue.
"Amanda! Can you hear me?" Lee was grinning and had both arms wrapped around her body, holding her as close as he could without dislodging any I.V. lines. He felt a slight stirring in her body as he held her.
"Lee?" Amanda murmured softly. "Is it really you? Am I dreaming? I've been doing a lot of that lately."
Lee pulled back only slightly, so he could see her. He held her face between his two hands and covered it with kisses. "I've missed you so much, Amanda."
"Lee -- it is you! I'm not dreaming!" She blinked her eyes groggily. "How did you find me?"
"Time for that later. Right now just rest. You're safe. We're together and no one's ever going to separate us again."
Several hours later, Lee and Amanda were in the same position; wrapped in each other's arms on Amanda's hospital bed. Both were sound asleep. They were awakened by the arrival of the nurses with Amanda's dinner, followed by Billy Melrose. Amanda saw Billy and realized she was cuddled in Lee's arms, but she suddenly didn't care.
Billy soon put any fear to rest. "It's all right, Amanda," he said warmly. "I'm very happy you two are together. And believe me, I 'guessed' most of it myself long ago. I told Lee I think you're the best thing that ever happened to him. And he's obviously good for you, too."
"Yes, sir!" Amanda declared. "Will this have an effect on our working together here at the Agency? I thought that agents couldn't..." Amanda's voice trailed off as she voiced her greatest concerns.
"You know the general policy. But you and Lee don't fall under the 'general rules' in my opinion. You're both extraordinary -- and frankly, Lee would not function nearly as well as he does without you. It would be a waste of valuable resources not to keep you together as a team. And I'm sure Dr. Smyth will agree with me -- especially considering the results in this case. But I don't want you thinking of returning to work right away. You need some time to rest and recover."
"Starting with right now -- you've got to eat dinner" Lee added. "You can't sustain yourself on intravenous fluids. You need to get your strength."
Billy used this to cue his exit. "Amanda -- I'm delighted you're back with us and on the road to recovery. I'm going to cut this visit short, so you can have your dinner in peace. I'll be by again tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. Melrose. I..." Amanda looked at Lee, "We really appreciate everything you've done for us."
Billy walked over to the bed, kissed Amanda on the cheek and left.
"Well, young lady - how about eating something?" Lee asked as he again kissed Amanda gently.
"We need to talk and it's more important than food."
Lee regarded Amanda with apprehension. "What's wrong? Do you want me to call the doctors?"
"No, I'm all right," she said as she took his left hand and held it in both of hers. "Lee, I need to know what happened... to..." Her voice choked and she lowered her gaze so that Lee would not see the tears that were filling her eyes.
He put his hand under her chin, and gently lifted her face so that their eyes met. "What do you want to know? Let me help you."
"What happened to... him?" she asked softly.
"Birol?" At her nod, Lee sighed. "When we found you, I wanted to kill him," he admitted. "To tear him apart for what he'd done to you. Billy stopped me. Birol's in a maximum security facility. He can't hurt you any more."
Amanda studied her hands. "Will there be a trial?"
Lee hadn't even thought about that. "Well, yes -- I suppose so."
"Will I have to testify?"
The anguish and fear in Amanda's face were plainly visible to Lee. He put his arms around her and tried to make her feel warm and secure. "I don't know. Just don't think about it or worry about it now. Concentrate on getting better, and on being with me forever."
That last sentence prompted Lee's memory. "Amanda -- I have something very important to tell... no, to ask you. I'd planned on doing this in a different setting -- champagne, candlelight dinner, dressed in a tuxedo with you in that beautiful blue gown -- but the one thing that I have learned from the past few days is to not put off something important, and not hold back on my true feelings."
Lee angled himself so that he was directly facing her. From his pocket, he removed a small, blue box wrapped with a white satin ribbon. "Amanda King, I love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want to share the rest of my life with you. You are the most beautiful, exciting, and loving woman in the world."
He removed the ribbon from the box, and opened it to reveal a smaller box covered in dark blue velvet. He opened it and removed a perfect, round diamond, set in platinum. He slipped the ring on her left hand.
"Amanda King, will you marry me?"
Amanda's mind flashed to the memory she'd had while in captivity -- Lee, dressed in a tuxedo, telling her he had something 'very important' to tell her. How did I know this would happen back then? she wondered. She shuddered, and gazed into his eyes letting all the love she felt for him shine through. "Lee, I love you. I always have, and I always will. Of course, I'll marry you."
Time and place were forgotten as the stark walls of the hospital faded into the background. The two lovers sealed their promise and their love with a deep, warm, longing kiss. The horrors of the past days were behind them, and they would draw strength for the future from the power of their love.