A/N: I'm baaaaack.
Okay, so it's been two years.
Once upon a time I was a consistent writer here...
Then life happened and well...
I'm back!
This is the continuation of Bottled Chaos.
It's not necessary that you read that to understand this one.
Just understand that Annie and Auggie spent their senior year together.
This is, obviously, AU.
Okay, so I'm going to shut up and let you read!
I know, I know.
It's really short!
The next chapters will be longer!
I promise!

Disclaimer: I own none of the Covert Affairs characters.

1.

Tentatively, she walks into the local internet café, Beans & Bytes. It's more than she expected, she's nearly overwhelmed by the buzz of dozens of laptops and the orchestra of keys as they find the perfect pitch of tick-a-tack-a, tick-a-tack-a. Her eyes sweep the room. He's not here yet. No matter, he will be. The tail that's been following him for the past two weeks assured her that he keeps to a close schedule. A glance at her watch tells her that she is, in fact, a few minutes early, so she decides to take advantage of the situation.

"Hi, how are you today? Would you like to try one of our blueberry scones?"

"Oh, no thanks, can I just get a caramel coffee, cream and sugar?"

"Of course! It'll be ready at the end for you. Can I get a name?"

"Annie Walker."

Eight minutes later and Annie is relaxed into her plush chair, iPad open, flipping through a magazine that she's been meaning to read for the past two months, and her coffee close at hand. This is about as much of a vacation as she's had in – well, she can't even remember. Still, there's a tightness in her gut, a twitch in her fingers, a nervousness in the back of her mind. Of all the missions she's been on in the past five years and all the assets she's turned, this one is different.

This one comes with a past.

The bell over the door jingles and Annie looks up to see him. God, just as handsome as when they were teenagers and then some. Those butterflies in her stomach reawaken and shake off the dust. But it isn't time for that. This isn't high school. Agent Walker has a job to do.

"Hey, Auggie! How're you doin'?"

"I'm doin' great, Franka. How's my favorite barista?"

Air catches in Annie's throat. Just the sound of his voice has memories flooding back, nostalgia threatening to drown her. Drunken nights at the beach, warm bellies at full houses pulsating with music, quiet moments on rundown playgrounds, good food with friends like family.

"Fantastic. I might actually be getting that flight attendant job I was telling you about."

"I told you that you would. You've got that sparkling personality that every flight needs."

"Oh hush, you're making me blush and blush does not look good on redheads."

"Ah, it's all the same for me."

Annie shakes her head. Same old Auggie.

"Is it the usual again today?"

"You know me so well. Is my table free?"

"Sure is. I'll bring your coffee to you once it's called, yea?"

"Perfect, thank you."

As Auggie, messenger bag slung over his shoulder, moves through the maze of tables to his usual spot, Annie makes her way to the serving counter, poised to strike. Once his name is called, the girl, Franka, moves towards the counter. For a moment, Annie considers the grab-and-run technique but then considers that this might cause some commotion. Low key is what she's going for.

"Do you mind," Annie cuts in politely as Franka reaches for the coffee cup, "Auggie and I are old friends and I'm surprising him. He doesn't know that I'm here."

For a moment, Franka looks confused, looks from Annie to Auggie, and finally smiles again.

"Of course, just let us know if you two need anything else."

"Thank you so much."

Annie takes a deep breath and approaches August Anderson's table.

"Ten years later and you're still drinking your coffee the same. Black."

"It's vanilla nut, I added some excitement."

His voice is unsure, eyes wide as they wander somewhere beside her though his face is turned toward her. Those warm eyes never wandered when they were younger. This is not high school. Anxiety creeps up in her stomach, he doesn't recognize her voice. Has it really been that long? She feels like she would recognize his voice anywhere even twenty years from now.

"Annie Walker."

There it is, her name on his lips, wonderment curling the corners of his mouth.

"Ten years later and you're still wearing the same perfume."

"Impressive."

"Never question a blind man on smell."

"Coffee at your three o'clock."

In one smooth movement, Annie pulls out her chair and settles in, her eyes never leaving his face.

"Tell me, Walker, what're you doing in D.C.?"

"I never left. After I graduated, I started working and – I don't know, I've just been really happy here. How about you? You don't live in D.C., do you?"

"No. No, I don't. I'm actually here on business."

He gives her that disarming smile and she bites her lip, holding her tongue against all of the things that she's wanted to ask him all of these years. That's not why she's here. She needs to keep things on track or the boss is going to ride her ass.

"So," she feels bad, lying to him, deceiving him, "What's this MIT graduate doing for work? Some high profile computer software guru stuff?"

"Something like that," he chuckles and leans back in to the table. "Hey, what do you say we take a walk? Catch up, talk about life, the past, the future, you know?"

It would be best not to discuss confidential matters in a highly populated area. Still, Annie can't help but wonder how Auggie will feel when he finds out that he's being targeted by one of the nation's most elusive offices. How he will feel when he finds out that sweet, sensitive, Barbie doll Annie Walker is a CIA agent.

"I think that sounds perfect."