It's In The Mail Part 5/5
By: Nectar99
Rating: PG
See chapter 1 for Disclaimer, Timeline, and Summary.
Amanda slowly opened her eyes about half way, but it was enough to recognize Lee sitting on the corner of the bed. “L..e..e..,” she whispered, fighting to get the words out.
“Shhh, that’s it, Amanda. I just wanted to make sure you’re awake. You don’t need to talk,” he replied softly, smiling when he felt her weak attempt to squeeze his hand. Lee leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead, amazed that she was still so warm, yet she managed to talk to him. ‘She’s strong,’ he told himself. ‘That’s my Amanda.’
Giving Amanda his full attention, Lee didn’t hear Billy enter the ICU. “Hello there.” He greeted both of them. “I’ve got a sketch here that I need Amanda to take a look at. Do you think you can do that, Amanda?” Billy asked skeptically.
Amanda took few moments to nod and opened her eyes the best that she could. Her eyes widened slightly as she gazed at the picture. She took a deep breath before responding, “ma….lmn.”
Both Lee and Billy looked at one another, slightly confused. Neither of them had a clue was to what she was trying to say, so they both waited a moment before trying again.
Lee caressed her hand softly, leaning down so he could hear her when she responded to him. “Amanda, could you try to tell us again?” Lee asked, hoping to get a lucid response.
Amanda drew in a deep breath, and opened her eyes to look at Lee. “The….mailman,” she replied, exhausted from the effort.
Lee’s eyes widened considerably, and he turned to look over at Billy. “Her mailman! Damn it, lets go get him,” he yelled, startling her. “Shh, I’m sorry, Amanda. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Lee apologized sincerely turning back to comfort her once again. “You try to get some rest, and I’ll be back before you even know it,” he promised. Lee smiled as Amanda attempted to squeeze his hand once again.
Billy and Lee went to The Agency. After searching through the files, they were able to get an address on Mr. Thomas Kinsey. Lee was surprised to find a list of alias’s Mr. Kinsey had acquired through the years, one that struck a cord with Lee.
“Billy, get over here,” Lee urged.
“What’s up,” Billy responded.
“Does the name Hans Schlatter mean anything to you?” Lee asked the question, but was well aware of the answer.
“That’s the guy who originally unleashed the XL-2 virus in Germany three years ago. He’s wanted by half the Agency’s around the globe,” Billy announced.
Lee clinched his teeth together before speaking, “He did this to Amanda. I’ll bet he has the antidote on him. Let’s get him!”
The team of Agents arrived about a half a block from Mr. Kinsey’s residence. Lee insisted to be the one to go in after him, instructing the backup to wait for his signal.
Lee carefully maneuvered around trees and fences in the suburban Arlington neighborhood, hidden from view. He expertly dodged the bushes on the side of the house, and picked the back door lock. Within seconds, he was in the house with his gun drawn, ready to pounce on Amanda’s stalker. Lee’s keen eye probed the unfamiliar semi-dark surroundings, anticipating Thomas’s upcoming move. As Lee rounded the corner of the kitchen, a door flew open in front of him, knocking him to the floor, but not dislodging the gun from his hand.
The large man jumped on top of Lee, straddling his body, while clutching tightly to his neck in an attempt to strangle him. Lee raised his left hand sharply, administering a hard blow to the head with his weapon. Thomas immediately toppled to Lee’s right side, and onto the floor. Lee jumped on top of the man and held the gun to his temple.
“Where is it?” He demanded to know, clinching his teeth, trying desperately to control his growing anger.
“Where’s what?” Thomas replied, the smirk on his face quite evident even in the semi-dark room.
Lee cocked the hammer of the gun and shoved it harder against the side of his head. “I’m only going to ask one more time,” Lee stated in a threatening tone.
Watching Thomas’s smile widen, Lee clenched his hand into a fist and socked him across the jaw. Thomas took the blow, tasting his own blood, but refused to speak. Lee arose, pulling the man to his feet. After several minutes of repeated strikes, the man collapsed in a heap.
Lee called in the backup to search the house. After searching the house with a fine toothcomb, they were unable to locate the antidote. Lee tripped on a floorboard in Mr. Kinsey’s upstairs bedroom and knocked it aside, locating a secret compartment. Inside, he found a small vial of liquid that he believed to be what Amanda needed.
Lee drove directly to the hospital, overlooking the receptionist, in route to ICU. Lee ran into Dr. Keely in the hallway nearly tackling the man with excitement.
“How’s Amanda?” Lee asked hesitantly.
“She’s holding on, but we haven’t been able to get her fever down, so we packed her in ice for now,” the Doctor informed him.
“Here, I think this is what Amanda needs,” Lee announced, showing him the vial.
Dr. Keely took the dark liquid from Lee and raced down to the lab for analysis.
Lee entered the ICU and went to sit with Amanda. She was packed in ice, so Lee was forced to pull up a chair and sit beside her. Lifting her hand delicately, he grasped it with his own, and gently caressed it. “I’m here, Amanda,” he whispered softly trying not to startle her. He heard a few inarticulate sounds escape her lips before she stilled once more. “Just try to get some rest. I don’t want you to talk. I just want you know that I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere,” he vowed.
You could have heard a pin drop in ICU when Dr. Keely entered the room. Lee felt butterflies deep in the pit of his stomach, awaiting the news on the vial of liquid.
“Well?” Lee asked impatiently, nodding for the Doctor to speak up.
The Doctor smiled, nodding affirmatively. “You got it,” he replied, walking over to connect the bag of liquid to Amanda’s I. V.
On Tuesday afternoon, Lee awoke, feeling a trembling sensation in his hand. His back hurt and his neck was stiff, but he was happy to see Amanda lying there in the bed. Her teeth were chattering, and she mouthed, “c.c.c.old.”
Lee called for a nurse to take care of her. The nurse came to her bedside and took her temperature. “Her fever’s down. I’ll get her out of this ice in one moment” she announced. “That’s a great sign,” she happily added in an attempt to offer Lee some reassurance.
With his smile apparent, Lee shook the nurses hand and thanked her for the news. He leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss to Amanda’s forehead. ‘Thank God,’ he thought, but murmured, “ you’re going to be just fine, Amanda.”
After spending a week in the hospital, Amanda was more than ready to get out of there and go home. Lee had filled her in on the case, but she was still leery of going to her house after that frightful night the previous week. She called her Mother from the hospital, and told her about the termites. She decided to keep the ordeal to herself, not wanting to worry her Mother. Amanda also decided to play along with the termite story to give her time to fully recover from the virus.
Balloons and flowers peeked through the door before Amanda realized that Lee was behind them. She perked right up, smiling from ear to ear. “Lee, they’re lovely. Thank you, but you didn’t need to go to any trouble for me,” she implied.
“They were no trouble, and you most certainly deserve them for all that you’ve been through, Amanda King!” Lee stated, looking her directly in the eyes. “Are you ready to get out of this place,” he inquired, teasing her a bit.
Amanda’s eyes grew wide with hope. “Yes, please! I’m already checked out. I’m just need to call a cab,” she replied softly, trying not to assume he was there to take her home. She knew Lee would insist on taking her home, but she played the game anyway.
Lee frowned, cocking his head to one side in puzzlement. “You what? A cab? I’m taking you home,” he demanded.
For once, Amanda didn’t argue. She smiled and uttered, “thanks for being there for me. I owe you big time.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I should be saying that to you for all the wonderful things you do for me, without even trying,” he informed her, reaching over to take her hands in his.
It was a bright and sunny Tuesday afternoon when Lee arrived in front of Amanda’s house. He helped her out of the car and led her to the front door. He noted her slight hesitance to go in but he quickly reassured her that he was there, and wouldn’t ever let anything happen to her. Amanda finally stepped inside, and looked around the living room. Her eyes locked on the phone, and she turned and wrapped her arms around Lee. “Thank you for being here, Lee. I don’t know if I could have done this alone,” she admitted.
“I hope your not trying to get rid of me. I brought my bag, Amanda. I’m staying with you until your mother gets home. I’ve already cleared it with Billy,” he informed her, rubbing his hands up and down her back.
“Lee,” she protested, but felt him pull her closer.
“No, no arguments. I want to be here with you,” he whispered against her hair.
Amanda pulled back slightly, a little uncomfortable with their close proximity. She loved Lee dearly, but wasn’t sure if his feelings went any further than friendship. She began to tremble in his arms, and held on as tight as possible. His body felt so perfect, molded against hers, holding her with his strong arms. She could smell his cologne on the fabric off his shirt and began to feel slightly intoxicated by his scent. She realized that she needed to back away before she did something that she would regret.
Lee pulled her to arms length and gazed in her eyes. He saw love, warmth and excitement, yet saw something else too. He wasn’t sure if it was fear or uncertainty, but he didn’t want her to feel that way at all. After taking a long deep breath, he took his chances and leaned down to brush his lips over hers. He felt her gasp at first, and he hesitated for only a moment before capturing her lips fully. The taste and texture of her mouth was exquisite. He felt as if he could kiss her forever, and it still wouldn’t be long enough. Lee pulled her body snuggly against his own, running his hands gently along the contours of her back. He broke the kiss, gasping for air. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to kiss you like that,” he admitted.
Twice in one day, Amanda King was speechless. She brought her hand to her heart, as she struggled to breathe, smiling to let him know she was okay. “I’m glad you finally did and we stopped missing,” Amanda happily replied, pulling him back in for another passionate kiss.
THE END