BIRTHDAY
BY
BRIDGET FRAWLEY
(ARLINGTON, FEBRUARY 1987 )

The alarm clock rang shrilly. Amanda groaned sleepily, leaned over and turned it off. She then collapsed back onto the bed for a few seconds, exhausted. She'd gotten in very late last night after her date with Lee. She smiled, thinking that missing a few hours sleep was worth a little time with him, especially since it had been getting harder and harder to spend time alone as a couple.

Amanda stretched wearily and got out of bed, slowly making her way to the shower. At least today promised to be pleasant enough. It was her birthday and she was curious to see how Lee planned to acknowledge it. After about a half hour she hurried downstairs.

"Mother," she called, going into the kitchen. "Boys?" There was no one there. She looked around and spotted a note on the refrigerator. "'Amanda,'" she read aloud. "'I took Philip and Jamie to the morning pep rally. We'll see you later. Love, Mother.'"

She sighed and threw the note away. Oh, well, she thought optimistically, reaching into the cupboard for a fruit bar and going to the coffee pot to pour a cup. The day is young. I'm sure they'll call later. She glanced at her watch, noticing the time. She downed some of the coffee, put the cup in the sink and hurried out the door, eating the breakfast bar as she went.

Arriving at the Q-Bureau, Lee was already there, diligently doing paperwork.

"Good morning."

He smiled, looking up at her.

"Hi." She returned the smile, sitting at her desk and waiting expectantly.

"How'd you sleep?"

Her smile fell a little. "Fine, and you?"

"Oh, I always sleep well. I had a great time last night."

"I did, too."

He ruefully indicated the pile of files. "We've got all this paperwork to clear up. I'm afraid it's gonna take most of the day."

"All day?" she repeated in disappointment.

Lee glanced over at her for a few seconds, eyebrows rising in surprise. "You're the one who thought the Q-Bureau was a big honor, remember?" He sighed. "Well, this goes with the territory."

"I know, but -- Lee, do you know what today is?"

He nodded. "February 2nd. Why?"

"Oh, I was just wondering." She bit her lip in frustration, not about to remind him. Maybe she was making too much of a big deal out of this. After all, they'd only just started dating.

"Oooo-kay," he replied in confusion. "If you can think of a way out, I'm listening."

"No, no," she stated hastily. "If it has to be done today it has to be done today." She grabbed a folder with more force than necessary and began to read it, checking for inconsistencies and missing details.

Lee hid a smile, enjoying her discomfort.

* * *

They'd stayed hard at work all day, sending out for sandwiches so that they wouldn't waste any more time. Suddenly the telephone rang.

"Stetson here," Lee answered, glad for the break. "What? -- Now? -- But I have plans -- Just a minute! --I -- ."

Amanda glanced over, curious as to who was on the other end of the phone who wouldn't let Lee get a word in edgewise.

Lee slammed down the telephone in disgust.

"What's wrong?" Amanda asked.

"Smyth," he answered grumpily. "He just ordered me to go to New York for a few days."

"When do you have to leave?" Her eyes were wide with disappointment.

He checked his watch. "'Bout two hours. That leaves me just enough time to pack and get to the airport." Lee got to his feet. "Sorry I'm leaving you with this mess. I promise I'll take you to dinner when I get back, okay?"

"How long will you be gone?" She turned away unhappily, trying to hide her feelings.

"A few days. I'll be back as fast as I can." He grabbed his jacket and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow morning."

She nodded silently as Lee hurried out the door.

Some birthday this is turning out to be, she thought to herself morosely. Neither her mother nor the boys had called her yet and now the man she loved was going out of town. She threw her pen down in frustration.

Suddenly the telephone rang again.

She grabbed the receiver. Maybe it was Mother after all! "Q-Bureau."

"Amanda," Billy's voice came over the receiver. "I've got a courier assignment for you."

"Right, sir. When?"

"Right now. I'm sorry for the short notice, but we don't have anyone else available," the Section Chief explained. "It's just routine. It shouldn't take more than a few hours."

"A few hours?" She groaned unhappily.

"It's just a quick pickup. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be finished," Billy continued. "We received an anonymous tip that a top KGB agent is going to be at the Key Bridge Marriott restaurant in Arlington making a drop to a member of the President's personal staff. We need to know who that is and we need someone who can blend in."

"But, sir..." she began.

"You're wondering if the tip is reliable, I know," Billy interrupted, misinterpreting her apprehension. "From what I understand it's straight up. You know where the Key Bridge Marriott is, don't you?"

"Yes, sir, but..." she started.

"Very well. I'll look forward to your report later this evening."

She sighed again. There was no way out. Besides, what else did she have to do tonight? "Yes, sir." She hung up the telephone and grabbed her purse from the desk drawer, slamming it closed with a decided thunk.

She arrived at the Key Bridge Marriott and peered through the glass casually, trying to spot anything or anyone suspicious. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary she slowly walked around the outside, pretending to be looking for someone.

Suddenly a hand came up from behind her and pulled her close.

She yelped and spun around, coming face to face with Lee. "What are you doing here?" she whispered sharply.

He was dressed in a blue suit and his left hand was hidden behind his back. "Happy birthday."

"Wha... What?" she stammered, thrown off balance by his appearance and proclamation.

He smiled and kissed her. "I said happy birthday -- it's pretty straightforward," he said seriously, then winked.

"Lee! I'm on assignment," she answered breathlessly, glancing around quickly to see if anyone had noticed them..

"I know," he said. "Who do you think arranged the tip?" He presented a rose to her that he'd hidden until now.

"You?" She took the flower, pressed it close to inhale its fragrance.

He nodded, chuckling softly. "You looked so upset this morning but I couldn't say anything to spoil the surprise." He led her off to his car.

"Wait! Where are we going? What about your assignment in New York?" She asked pleadingly.

"There was no assignment. It was all a setup." He helped her into the car and then got into the driver's side. "I asked Mrs. Marsden to call me so I could check my watch." Lee started the car and pulled into traffic leaving the hotel behind.

"But what about the assignment Mr. Melrose sent me on?" She began to grin happily, warmed that he'd go to all this trouble to surprise her.

He shook his head. "I asked Billy to help. Don't worry," he assured her. "I just told him it was your birthday and I wanted to do something nice." He reached over to squeeze her hand affectionately. "He doesn't have a clue we're dating."

"Where are we going?" Amanda beamed at him.

"Mario's. The reservations are all made. I thought dinner... a little dancing. Then we can go back to my place for a nightcap... your present... and then we spend the whole day together tomorrow."

"We have to be at work tomorrow," she reminded him regretfully. "Oh, and I can't be gone two nights in a row, Mother'll kill me."

"I was already scheduled off and Billy gave you the day off," he corrected, smiling smugly. "And don't get mad at your mother for not calling you either," he continued, happy that his plan worked. "I called her last night and said we'd be leaving for a location shoot around noon today and you wouldn't be available."

Her eyes widened in surprise, Lee had thought of everything. She grinned brightly. "And no assignment means no paperwork." Amanda pointed out.

Lee nodded. "What kind of a birthday gift includes paperwork?" He laughed, eyes twinkling.

Lee pulled up to the front of a very elegant restaurant. The valet opened Amanda's door, extending his hand to assist her while Lee handed the parking attendant the car keys. Lee came around the side to take Amanda's arm. "Any more questions?"

She shook her head in amazement.

He led Amanda inside.

The maitre d' seated them near the back at a candle-lit table. "Your waiter will be with you shortly." He advised, then left.

"He knows me," Lee explained before she could ask.

"You know you're a pretty special man, Lee Stetson?" Amanda whispered, eyes shining.

"I've heard that," he teased.

She slapped his arm playfully. "This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."

"You know the best part about this place?" Lee whispered huskily.

She shook her head.

"It's known for its discretion."

She smiled and took his hand. "You mean that we can just be ourselves?"

He nodded, leaned over and kissed her hungrily. "Yep."

She stared deep into his eyes. "Just don't expect me to be able to come up with something this elaborate for your birthday, okay?"

He laughed. "I promise."

* * *

Billy Melrose glanced at his watch. Lee and Amanda should be at dinner by now. "...Something nice for my partner...," he quoted Lee, chuckling out loud. He grabbed his coat.

Grinning to himself as he left his office, Billy was pleased Lee really believed he didn't know what was going on. It always amazed him how Lee could be the most observant of his agents when it came to work, but personally you sometimes needed a hammer. Billy had been waiting for something to happen since he'd seen the two of them together.

Billy entered the elevator to the outside world. Reminded of being young and in love, he decided it was too late to surprise his wife with dinner tonight, but flowers would be his promise of a romantic weekend to come.