Stay

Disclaimer:

I own nothing! (Though who wouldn't want Auggie? ;) lol) Auggie, Annie and everything related to Covert Affairs do not belong to me. This story is strictly for entertainment purposes only.

Rating:

K+

Genre:

Romance/Angst (one of my very favorite combos)

Pairing:

Auggie/Annie

Author's Note:

Since we have yet to be given a name for Annie's mysterious Sri Lanka man, I am going to name him Matthew. Why? Well...Because I like that name for a CIA operative. :-\

The Zurich Situation

Admittedly, I really hadn't known Auggie long-only since I was yanked off the 'farm' and thrown directly into the fire. But, even so, I had always thought that he was my friend. He had always been there when I needed him. But, now...When I'm not even certain I can trust my own damn contact-a time when I would (under any other circumstances) be able trust Auggie (if no one else)-he wasn't there. Auggie wasn't there! I call in to hear my best-and possibly only friend-in the DPD tell me everything was going to be all right and he's not there. Some NCS douchebag answers the phone, instead? What the hell? Where the hell is Auggie? And, more importantly, why the hell isn't he answering the damn phone?

My mind flashes back to Sri Lanka. That's when it all hit me like a speeding truck. This is Sri Lanka all over again. I should have known better. One would think I would have learned by now not to let anyone get too close. Anytime someone gets close, they'll only burn you when you need them most. Looking at Eyal, I must make a decision. Right now, he's been a hell of a lot more help to me than my so-called 'friend', August. That in mind, I unlock the handcuffs I slammed around his wrist. Following him out to the car, I can't help thinking what an idiot I am for letting this happen to me all over again.

As Eyal drones on about some other safehouse in France or Italy, I'm not entirely sure which to be perfectly honest, my mind races with memories of all the times I had trusted Auggie. All the times that Auggie had actually been there when I needed him. One memory that comes to mind was how I crashed and burned in what I have oh-so-affectionately dubbed the 'kitsu situation', how Auggie had been there when I had believed Joan had fired me. Just when another memory takes over, I hear screeching tires and shattering glass as our car rolls over on its top.

On my left, I see Eyal unconscious on top of me. After I manage to wake him up, the rogue Mossad agents open fire on us. Eyal brandishes a weapon of his own as I kick the windshield out of our car. Once Eyal has dispensed with our assailants, I tune out the Swiss police as they escort us to the airport where-yet again-my mind is consumed with memories of Auggie muddled with millions of questions.

After Eyal and I make the exchange, I board my flight where I allow the thoughts and questions to take over. Why am I so upset over this? Auggie and I were just friends. It's not like we were in love! Not like Matthew and I were...And then it hits me like a sucker punch to the gut. I can't speak for Auggie, but, I was in love with Auggie after all. I loved him and that was why I trusted him so implicitly. That was also why I felt so hurt after he abandoned me in Zurich.

The flight back home gave me plenty of time to think about where I would go from here. I thought about just continuing on in my work for the DPD and just carrying on as if nothing had ever happened. But, the more I thought about that, the more I realized I couldn't stand working with Auggie-August...he has to earn back the right for me to use his nickname-day in and day out. I don't even know how I could ever learn to trust him again. In my line of work, I have to be able to trust op support. In the end, I know I have to leave the DPD. Pulling out a tape recorder, I record a personal message for August Anderson.

"Auggie-I mean, August...By now, I'm sure you'll have noticed I am no longer there with you at the office and I'm sure you will be wondering where I have gone. Well, let me tell you. I was wondering exactly the same damn thing back in Zurich! I called in to speak with you and you were 'unavailable'? What the hell was that all about? Ya know what? It doesn't even matter anymore! I don't care where you were or what you were doing! The point is you weren't there when I needed you most! You abandoned me when I needed you more than ever! So guess what...What's good for the goose is good for the gander. You left me and now I'm leaving you. Well, in a manner of speaking anyway...I'm resigning from the DPD and the agency as a whole. I can't stand the thought of being around you everyday knowing what you did." I have to wrap this up soon...My voice is shaking and cracking with tears and emotion. "I trusted you." With a pause, I continue, shakier still and just barely a whisper. "I loved you..." With a steadying breath, I finish what I need to say. "So, this is officially goodbye, August."

I sign off just as the plane touches down. After getting off, I receieve his voicemail asking me to call after I make the hand-off. Go to hell. I can't help thinking bitterly. The NCS douche gave me cabfare, but, I decide to walk instead. I need a chance to compose myself before I do what I know must be done.

After walking several miles back to my sister's house, I sit down with my laptop and begin writing.

Joan,

I know this will probably come as a shock-and, really, I can't go into too much detail. But, I am resigning from-not only the DPD-but the agency entirely. I know you will be wondering why. Well, you'll have to ask your field op support man about that. I'm sure August Anderson will be able to provide you with all the answers I know you must be looking for. I'm sorry to abandon you like this, Joan. But, this is something I feel I must do.

Annie Walker

I finish my letter of resignation with a sigh of relief. Without facing him on a daily basis, I will be able to move on and carry on a normal life. This is the right thing to do. At least that's what I keep telling myself. As I drop the letter into the mailbox, I feel almost as if I am finally convincing myself that it's the truth.

"Annie Walker...This is the first day of the rest of your life." I smile ever so slightly to myself as I walk back inside. This is going to be a good thing. I can almost feel it.