Collision With Truth Part 5/7
By: Nectar99
Rating: PG
See chapter 1 for Disclaimer, timeline, and summary.
She ran her fingers slowly through his hair. “I’m right here,” she breathed.
Lee looked up at her face. Her eyes were closed, but she was there. She was with him. “Amanda! Amanda! Talk to me baby,” he pleaded.
“Hurts…” she whispered.
Lee smiled from ear to ear. “Thank god you’re alright. Oh, you had me so scared,” he cried while kissing her hand repeatedly. “Just try to relax, Amanda. I’ll get a Doctor!”
Lee jumped up from his wheelchair and hobbled into the hallway. “Nurse! Nurse!” He yelled over and over.
Two nursed came flying down the hall toward his screaming voice. “What’s the matter sir?” They asked in unison.
“She’s awake! My wife is finally awake, and she is in pain,” he stated.
The nurses went into ICU to check her vitals. Lee was right behind them. After a short examination, they went back out into the hallway to find the Doctor.
Lee stayed by her side. He caressed her cheek softly with his hand. He bent down to whisper in her ear. “That’s it Amanda. Just rest. You don’t have to talk, I just want you to relax.”
Amanda followed instructions briefly. After a few minutes went by, she began wiggling her fingers. She felt something heavy, weighing down on her legs. “Lee, what happened?” she breathed.
Lee was so overjoyed, that he almost missed her question. After a brief silence he responded. “You don’t take orders very well do you? He teased. “Just rest Amanda. I’ll tell you all about it when your stronger.”
Amanda nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She was exhausted.
Lee continued to caress her face. He occasionally moved his hand up to remove stray hairs from her face. He closed his eyes momentarily and said a silent thank you prayer on her behalf. He jumped slightly when the Doctor spoke.
“Hello! I’m Doctor Fisher. I’ll be on for the next ten hours,” he stated.
He went over to her bed and did a thorough checkup. He started from her head and worked his way down to her feet.
Lee swore he could feel her pain. Every time the Doctor touched a tender area, she moaned in discomfort. Lee felt his breath become quick and shallow. “Can you give her something for the pain Doctor?” He questioned in an aggravated tone.
“Relax Mr. Stetson. I just want to check on her and the…..” but Lee quickly interrupted.
“Leg injury!” Lee frowned at the Doctor. “Can I speak to you privately for a moment Doctor?”
Lee pulled him aside and filled him in on the situation. “This pregnancy is a surprise for both of us. I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet,” he declared.
Dr. Fisher looked somewhat puzzled. “Mr. Stetson, your wife is three months pregnant. Do you honestly think she didn’t have a clue about that fact?” he asked skeptically.
Lee’s eyes darted back and forth while his mind was working overtime. “Just what is it your saying Doctor? You think she’s aware of her condition?” He asked hesitantly.
“I’m sorry Mr. Stet…”
“It’s Lee! Call me Lee,” he rudely interrupted.
“I’m sorry Lee. I didn’t mean to upset you. Maybe she doesn’t know. I, myself, can’t imagine her not being aware of the fact after three months,” he replied.
Lee looked directly into his eyes. “Thank you Doctor,” he spoke in a monotone voice.
“Look, I’m going to get her something for the pain. I don’t want you upsetting her at all. You’re welcome to acknowledge the pregnancy, but I want her to remain as calm as possible,” he stated.
Lee nodded in agreement. He tried to clear his head before returning to her side. “Maybe that’s what she was trying to tell me last night,” he thought. “Maybe she was encouraging me to go public with our relationship. God I hope she hasn’t been worrying about this all along,” he thought. Tears threatened to emerge, but he quickly blinked them back. He took a deep breath and went to her.
He took her hand in his. “Amanda, I’m right here,” he comforted her. “Let me know if anything hurts, or if you need anything.”
Her mind was still somewhat foggy. She remembered a lovely dinner at his place, and a drive somewhere. She struggled to process the last evening, but was pulled from her thoughts.
The Doctor injected some medication into her IV. Within a few moments, her lids became very heavy, and her mind drifted far away.
Lee continued to comfort her while she slept. He couldn’t seem to touch her enough. His hand massaged her fingertips, and carefully progressed up her arm. Her skin was so soft to the touch. He brought her hand to his lips. He placed soft tender kisses along the inside of her hand, and traveled just past her wrist. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face along her arm. He was only aware of her at that very moment. He looked at her closed eyelids and smiled. She looked so peaceful and comfortable. “I hope this baby is a surprise for you too,” he spoke out loud.
Lee and Billy stood facing each other for a long period of time. Both men stared into each other’s eyes. Lee desperately searched Billy’s face for some kind of idea to what he may have been thinking at that very moment. Lee gave in first, lowering his gaze to the floor.
Billy took that opportunity to speak. “Hello Lee. I see you’re up and about. I’m sure the Doctors and Nurses love having you as a patient,” he stated sarcastically.
Lee, happy to avoid the scene Billy had just witnessed replied without hesitation. “You know me too well Billy.”
“Well not as well as I thought,” he stated in questionable tone.
Lee knew exactly what he was referring to, and thought carefully before finally speaking. “Listen Billy. There are so many things I need to talk about with you. I should have had this discussion with you a long time ago, but I was afraid…..”
“Hold it right there Lee,” he interrupted. “I must admit that I was stunned to overhear your statement earlier, but I’m not completely in the dark about your relationship with Amanda.”
Lee placed his arms across his chest, careful not to come into contact with his sore ribs. “What are you talking about Billy?”
“I’m well aware of your marriage to Amanda. I knew you were ready when you had your pension totals put together. I tried to give you every opportunity to share the news with me. I even went as far as to search the Agency for an administrative position for you, but you wouldn’t bite,” he confessed. “I would have liked to hear your news under different circumstances, but I think I understand your situation.”
Lee could only shake his head in utter disbelief. “How did you know?”
Billy let out a sarcastic laugh. “I think you already know the answer to that question. My god Lee, the mutual attraction between you two was so obvious. I think I knew before you even you did that Amanda was very special. You were so protective of her. You still are very protective,” he stated.
Lee stood stunned for several moments. He did eventually close his open mouth to respond. “I don’t know what to say Billy. You have lifted such a weight off of my shoulders, but I still feel terrible. We thought we would be protecting her family by concealing our marriage. We didn’t tell you because we are well aware of the policy at the Agency. Billy, we want to work together. We have to work together! We make the perfect team…..”
“Relax Scarecrow,” he interrupted. “I know exactly what kind of efficient team you two make. When Amanda recovers completely, I want the two of you to have a meeting with Dr. Smith. I’ll be there with you. I’m sure we will work this out,” Billy encouraged.
Lee patted him on the back. “I really appreciate that Billy. This means a lot to us.”
“You have done a lot for me Lee. You’ve risked your neck for me many times. I won’t ever forget that,” he stressed. “I’ll do what ever I can to help. Oh, and I want to say congratulations! You and Amanda have a lot to look forward to,” he happily replied.
Lee smiled from ear to ear. “Thanks Billy.”
Billy turned to leave and stopped suddenly. He spun back around and called out to Lee. “I almost forgot why I stopped in. Francine finally got in touch with Joe. She said they would be back late tonight.”
Lee let out a noticeable long sigh. “Thanks Billy,” he stated grimly. “I wanted to wait until Amanda recovered before discussing this with her family, but it looks like I’m going to have a lot of explaining to do on my own.”
“I’m sure you’ll handle everything just fine. Just take your time, and be as honest as you can be,” Billy stated. I’ve got to get
going. I’ll check in with you in a few days.”
“Bye Billy.”
Lee took one last look at Amanda who was sleeping comfortably. He decided to head back to his room for a nap. He was exhausted.
Lee gingerly placed his body in bed. His mind was racing in several directions. He was so worried about her family’s reaction to the news he was soon to deliver. He thought about several different ways to convey the news, settling on his original idea. He also worried about Amanda and the baby. Sleep and he finally did find each other after an hour passed.
The smell of beef aroused his taste buds. Lee opened his eyes to find his dinner tray awaiting consumption. He glanced up at the clock and realized he slept for nearly two hours. He made record time of consuming the rather bland *food matter* in front of him. As soon as he finished his meal, he raced back to ICU.
He arrived just in time to catch Amanda waking up from her deep sleep. He smiled as he approached her bed. He placed a soft kiss upon her forehead. “Hello there sleeping beauty.”
Amanda smiled slightly. “Hi,” she whispered softly.
“Are you thirsty? He questioned.
“I’m okay,” she breathed. She motioned for him to help her up.
“No, you sit still. I don’t want you to even try to move right now,” he insisted. He raised the head of the bed slightly.
“She slowly reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “Thank you Lee.”
Lee cupped her cheek gently. “Your very welcome, baby.” His mind quickly wandered to the term of endearment he chose to use.
Amanda looked deep within his eyes. She noted the concern in his eyes, but didn’t say anything. She just smiled softly.
Her throat suddenly became dry, forcing an involuntary cough. Amanda’s hand unconsciously went to her stomach.
Without thinking, she caressed it softly. After a moment she looked up to greet his questionable glance. “Lee, I really need to discuss something very important with you,” she stated very seriously.
Lee took her hand in his. “Amanda, I need to tell you something also. I think I know…..” he spoke before she interrupted him.