A/N: I know I have been away for quite some time, and I do apologize for those of you who have been waiting on the continuation of "To Be Held." I was rereading it the other day, but the original plot has long since disappeared from my notes, and I'm struggling with how to continue it. However, the plot bunny as resurfaced after a ten year hiatus, and decided to try this for now.


(Takes place after "There Goes the Neighborhood")

Chapter 1:

After they were safely back on the ground, Lee Stetson took the arm of the brunette next to him and led her away from the scene knowing that the Agency had things well in hand. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern showing in his eyes.

"Oh, I'm -" she replied, a small smile making its way on her face. "I'm, yes." As they walked along, they could hear more sirens as they walked along on the sidewalk.

Lee continued to look at her with concern. "You're sure?"

Amanda was touched by his concern. With this being their second case, she felt she was starting to get to really know him. "I'm sure. I'm really….I'm alright."

"Well." Lee paused. He really didn't know where to go from here on the conversation. He shouldn't have worried though. Amanda was always able to fill in the silences.

"Well, tell me. What was in those hair dryers, anyway?" she questioned. She was really interested in what she had risked her life over.

Lee shrugged. "Oh, the terrorist guns we were after." He suddenly found himself not wanting to let her go on home. "Look, you want to get a drink? I'll tell you about it."

She smiled sadly. "Uh, no, I can't. Maybe some other time." She looked down and saw she still have the wedding ring on. She tugged on it remove it, then moved to hand it back to him. "I need to give this back to you. Guess I won't be needing it anymore."

Lee tightened his grip on the simple band. "Yeah, right. Yeah, I guess the honeymoon is over, huh?"

Amanda sighed and gave a small laugh. "Right. I guess so."

As they stood for a few moments looking at each other, Lee couldn't help think of everything she had done to make their fake home more like …. a real home. The little touches. The way she organized the kitchen. He couldn't let her go. "Amanda, I know we've only known each other a few weeks, but I feel that I really want to get to know you. I know you are seeing that Dan guy…"

"Dean," she muttered, with a small smile.

"…but would you consider not just a drink, but maybe a dinner as well?" he asked, hoping she wouldn't turn him down. He wasn't sure what it was about her, only that he wanted to really get to know this unique woman in front of him.

Amanda smiled tentatively, but at the same time was one that spoke of hope. She shrugged, "Sure, I'd love to."

She sighed and looked around. "Now that the interview with Honeycutt Typewriters is out, I guess its back to dusting off the resume and job hunting." After she had been dragged out of the interview, she didn't think she would have a chance at another interview there. Not that she really wanted the job, as there was just something about the hiring manager that kind of creeped her out. All those hours of hunting, preparing, and then to finally have an interview only to see it disappear in a few moments…..

Lee put his hand on her arm. "Wait. Before you start doing some serious job hunting, let me talk to Billy. Let me see if we have a full time civilian position open. After all, it is my fault that you didn't get that job."

"Oh, really?" Her smile brightened considerably. "You'll do that for me?"

Lee shrugged once again. "Yeah, sure. You've got a good head on your shoulders. You certainly were able to help me blend in with the suburban lifestyle, and the fact that you used a can of hairspray like it was a can of mace…. Amanda, I do still have reservations of taking you out in the field, but you do have a way of looking at things that the rest of us in the Agency either don't get or are so removed from normal life…." He paused. "I really think we could use someone of your skills working for us. Help us out – full time – so you can also support your family."

If it was possible, Amanda's smile became even brighter. "Oh, Lee! That would certainly help solve my financial problems! Thank you!" She then impulsively reached out and hugged him. As if she realized what she had done, she backed up awkwardly then patted his shoulder. "Uhm, well, thank you for doing that, Lee."

"It's the least I can do." And a way that I can keep an eye out on you, Lee thought to himself.


Amanda relaxed in the corner of the couch with Jamie sprawled over her legs, going over his spelling list for the test that he was to be take the next day. "…i…e…t…l..y. Quietly."

Amanda reached over and kissed his head. "Terrific, sweetheart. That's much better." Phillip leaned over the couch in that moment to hand over his homework. "How's my math, mom?"

Amanda looked over the math problems with a quick, practiced eye. "Your math is beautiful. You're both a couple of geniuses." She glanced at her watch. "Okay, get upstairs, get in bed, and I'll tuck you in in a minute." With that statement, the boys both leaped off the couch, kissed their grandmother goodnight and headed up the stairs.

Amanda stood up and stretched, checking her watch once more. "Well, I guess I'd better call Dean before it gets much later." She had come to a conclusion after her talk with Lee after this last case, and she needed to discuss it with Dean.

Dotty focused on her crossword puzzle. "Hmm. When you took so long getting home, he got quite concerned. I mean, he tried to pretend that he wasn't, but I could detect that little quiver, that vaguely strangled quality in his voice."

She realized what her mother was doing, but she wasn't going to let it affect her anymore. It was time to let things go. "Mother." She sighed. "I need to call him and let him know that it's over."

Dotty looked up at her over the frame of her glasses, shocked. "What? Why?" Dotty pulled her glasses off to look at her daughter. "Dean has been so dependable, he has always been there. Why would you want to end it?"

Amanda sighed, and stuck her hands into the pockets of her robe. "I'm not exactly sure I can explain it to you, Mother. The only thing I can say about Dean is that I'm not in love with him. He has asked about marriage, but after he came back from his last trip and brought me back book ends, I just don't think we have what it takes to make this relationship work." Amanda sighed once more, looked over to the back yard, then back to her mother. "It's time to end it before we continue this charade."

Dotty nodded her head sagely. "I understand dear. My door is open if you need to talk afterwards." She stood up, gathered her things and headed to the stairs. "I'll head on up to bed, give you a little privacy." She leaned in to give her daughter a kiss on the check. "Good night, dear….and good luck," she smiled sadly.

"Thanks, Mother." Amanda watched her mother head up the stairs, then picked up the phone to tell Dean it was over.


Let me know if I should continue. Again, thanks for reading!