Just something I thought of one day while watching CA. This is an AU fic, so just about anyone from CA past could be in...just FYI. Anyway, this of course, centers around our favorite dynamic duo, Annie and Auggie! ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I don't own COVERT AFFAIRS, though I wish I owned Auggie Anderson. ;-)

"Damnit!"

The abrupt ringing of her phone made her nearly poke out her eye with her eyeliner. She was already running late and she needed everything to be perfect for today. This interruption was not appreciated.

Trying to get her eye back into focus, she reached across the counter for the offending object. She couldn't think of who would be calling her, especially right at this moment.

"This is Annie," she said absentmindedly.

"Annie? It's me."

She smiled while she continued to wipe her eye. Her sister, Danielle, always had perfect timing.

"Hey, Dani," she said, slightly huffy. She didn't want to brush her off entirely, but she knew she needed to make this quick.

"So…are you ready?!" She could hear the excitement in Dani's voice and she couldn't stay frustrated with her for long.

"Well…I was getting ready."

"Oh! I'm sorry! Wait, why aren't you ready yet and out the door? I thought you needed to be there in an hour? And you still have to drive there!"

Oh, boy. Once Danielle got going, it was hard to stop her.

"Dani? Dani! Stop! I'm already running behind as it is…so as much as I'd love to talk with you right now, I'm nervous and I need to get going, ok? I'll call you as soon as it's over."

"You promise?"

"Yes Dani! Now really, I need to go!"

"Arlight, alright. Break a leg."

There was a quiet 'click' as she hung up and Annie couldn't help but release a little giggle. Her sister was crazy, but amazing at the same time. With the quick phone call, she was able to relax, honestly. Dani always had that affect on her. She would wind her up, make her laugh and it always made her feel better.

She looked into the mirror in front of her and took a deep breath.

"You can do this."

And with a smirk, she did one last check of her makeup, shut off the light and headed for the door.

Her little red Volkswagen wasn't the prettiest car on the road, especially out here in Los Angeles, but it got her where she needed to go.

Today's destination: the Studios of the USA Network.

She had a callback for a new television pilot and she was really hoping it would go well. She'd been pounding the pavement for months, having finished college last year and she was already running out of steam. She needed a real job, an entertainment job that would help reestablish her confidence. When she saw the open audition for this new show, she was excited. They were looking for a new face and she had hoped that would be her.

It had been a long shot, she knew it. But the first audition went well. So well, in fact, that she got the callback to come and screen test with some of the other cast members that were already determined. Annie's fingers had been crossed since receiving the call.

The show seemed like an interesting concept from what she was able to find out. It showed more of the human side of the CIA: a new operative joins a secretive division of the Agency and the show was based around her life, her fellow agents and her missions.

This was the role she was up for: the lead. And she was nervous as hell.

Once she got through security at the main gate, she was directed to a small parking lot towards the back of the property. She pulled into a space and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"You can do this, Annie."

With a quick nod to her counterpart, she smiled, shut off the engine and stepped out of the car. With her bag on her shoulder, she took the first steps towards what she hoped would be a prominent future. She knew she would be amazing, if given the shot, so she just hoped that whoever was looking out for her, would see that. It wasn't that she was full of herself. Annie just wanted the chance to prove herself.

Little did she know that she would get that opportunity sooner than she thought…

Auggie stood just inside the entrance waiting for Annie Walker, aka Actress #5. She was to be the final callback of the day and he was honestly ready for it all to be over. The normally easy going guy was Mr. Cranky today and he had a headache to thank for it. He'd had one since he woke up and no amount of medicine would stop it. Stress of the casting process and a lack of sleep was to blame, but he couldn't let it slow him down again. He had already missed the initial auditions the week before due to a similar situation. It had even been bad enough that he was forced to see his doctor. Now, after the last four women that had been called in, the headache seemed to have reached a breaking point. He just hoped this last audition would go smoothly and uneventfully so he could get home and climb into bed.

Everyone was accounted for since the last break, so as soon as the stage door opened, it would have to be Ms. Walker and no one else. He checked his watch and sighed lightly. Still ten minutes before she was due to arrive. He was a patient man most days, but today he wished that this Annie woman would be early. He thought back to him many audition experiences.

He had been a promising actor, or so he had been told. He wasn't oblivious to his good looks, but he didn't advertise them either. He had started in this career as a model. He had gone to college for computer science and was 'discovered' on campus by an agent. There wasn't any harm in earning some extra cash on the side, which would help pay for school. When he finished, his agent offered him an acting opportunity and again, as a way to pay bills, he stepped up to the plate. One job led to another and another and before he know it, he was the new 'it' boy of Hollywood.

And then it all changed in a flash and the once up-and-coming star was last year's news; all because he was now blind.

Almost no one wanted to take a chance on him when he was ready to go back to work. He tried. So did his agent, for a time, before giving up himself. He was grateful to the Campbell's for pretty much taking him in. He had shot a few television commercials and did a few stints on some shows when he first started acting and they had been involved as director and producer. Apparently they had taken a liking to him and that didn't change when he lost his sight. In fact, both Joan and Arthur took him under their wings and started to help him learn the other sides of the business. His computer skills did come in handy, even though it took awhile to get readjusted when he started using Braille and the appropriate technology.

Now, he was working on this new pilot that Joan was directing and Arthur was producing and instead of being in front of the camera like he wished he could be, he was their assistant who was waiting on the last callback of the day.

"Aug!"

He recognized the yell to his left and smiled as he turned his head in his direction.

"Hey Barber. What's up, man?" he called back.

Auggie could hear Barber's footsteps pickup in speed and braced for the impact that may or may not be coming. Fortune favors the brave apparently as he came to a halt right in front of him. He could even feel him huffing and puffing on me, which wasn't exactly a welcome feeling.

"I just got word from the front gate that they just let Ms. Walker through, so she should be here any minute. Just wanted to give you the heads up."

"Thanks. I appreciate that." I reached out towards him and he shook my hand.

"Not a problem. Need anything? Can I get you a coffee?"

"Actually, coffee would be amazing." He could only hope that the added caffeine might help his headache, even if only temporary.

"You got it, man. I'll have some waiting for you when you get back." And with that, Barber was off.

Auggie released a sigh as he returned to face the studio door. He focused on Barber's steps as they faded in the distance.

The moment he could no longer hear Barber, the door in front of him opened. Showtime, he thought. The metal door slammed shut and he heard a slight curse. He grinned slightly. The door's whiplash was giving everyone trouble today, and Ms. Walker seemed to be no exception. He heard a quick huff and then a set of heels striding confidently towards him.

"Ms. Walker, I presume?"

"Yes. I'm Annie."

"My name is August Anderson," he said as he stuck out his hand. "And I'll be your friendly studio cruise director."

He waited for her hesitation when he reached to shake her hand. He knew he couldn't look anyone in the eye any more so he was aware that everyone he met knew he was blind. He was sure it was off putting. Each of the women today hesitated and treated him as if he was slow. It was an annoying factor of his disability. But the hesitation from Annie Walker didn't come.

"Well, Mr. Anderson, it's so nice to meet you." She gripped his hand firmly and let go.

Now it was his turn to hesitate. She caught him offguard, and he liked it. Then he did something he rarely did.

"Call me Auggie," he insisted with a genuine smile. There was something to this Annie Walker and he hoped his initial assessment had a chance to grow along with a chance to know her.

"Auggie. Of course. I'm Annie…though I already said that. Sorry." Her giggle was sweet but sophisticated. He found himself wanting to hear it again.

"Well, now that you're here, why don't we take you to meet everyone?"

"Sounds good. Lead the way, Auggie."

And with that, he turned to his left and started to walk down the hall with a bit of swagger. He even started to forget his headache. She saddled up to him on his right side and he caught a whiff of her perfume.

"Grapefruit?" he said aloud, not meaning to.

"I'm sorry?"

"Your perfume. It smells like grapefruit." He noticed she had slowed down a bit, so he did as well.

"Is it too much? I was in a bit of a rush leaving today to make it here on time, so honestly I'm lucky I even put any on. Apparently too much, though."

"Whoa, Annie. No, it's not too much. Honestly, it smells nice; refreshing actually. After the day I've had with the other callbacks, it's nice not being bombarded with the extensive amounts of floral scents. Shall we?" He began to walk faster again and he felt Annie beside him, keeping up with ease.

After a few moments, Auggie stopped outside of small rehearsal studio where the rest of the team was waiting.

"Here we are." He was about to open the door when Annie's voice stopped him.

"Hey, Auggie? Look, I'm sure it's no surprise from my resume, but this is my first major callback and I'm a little nervous. Do you have any words of wisdom? I just want to do my best."

His heart warmed a bit at her admission. The other women had been confident to the point of cocky, as if they were entitled to the role. Annie was humble and wished to make a good impression. She'd fit right in.

"Just be the Annie Walker I've had the pleasure of knowing for the last few minutes, and you'll do just fine. They called you in for a reason. Show them what you've got, Walker."

"Thanks, Auggie." She reached out and touched his upper arm and he reveled in her touch.

"Anytime." He gave her a smile and grabbed the door knob. "Now, break a leg."

What do you think? I've got a basic idea for A-squared, but let me know your thoughts or what you might like to see happen! Thanks!