A/N: I'm back! And I'm so excited about this story. :) I hope you love it, too. I don't want to give too much introduction, because I want the story to speak for itself.

I will say, though, that this little story has been inspired (a little) by a sweet little episode of Bones.

Ah, and just a note… I'm about to start (on Tuesday!) the worst semester of my college career (why am I starting this story now?), so don't expect an update every day. I'm not even sure when I'll be able to update each new chapter… I have a general idea, but I don't want to limit myself, because I feel it kinda affects the quality of my writing. And nobody wants that. :(

Without further ado…

Disclaimer: Did you really think that I would stage a hostile take-over of the best-est show in the world in my fifteen-day hiatus? Sorry to disappoint you. :( Didn't take over Bones, either, btw. :)

Chapter 1

His eyes locked with hers from all the way across the room, and he cocked a secret smile in her direction.

Blushing, she smiled softly and ducked her head. She slipped into her chair at her desk, depositing her purse by her feet. As she found the file she had been translating for Joan the night before, she glanced back at him. Even blind, he could find her in a crowded room, offer her that smile, and chase away all her shadows.

She snuck a look at him again, to find his gaze penetrating her, following her every move. Her eyebrows furrowed curiously.

He was in the middle of a fairly heated discussion between Jai, Conrad, Stu, and Barber, and she watched with a soft smile as his hands flew in front of him, trying to prove his point.

She knew he couldn't see—her best friend was blind, after all—but how was it possible that he could follow her every move? Even his super-power hearing didn't work that well.

Locking the file back in her desk for safekeeping, she slipped out of her chair and ambled over to where the five boys were arguing animatedly. As she came within hearing distance, all five of them clammed up suspiciously.

"Hey, boys," she said with a flirty grin. "What's up?"

"Nothing," the majority of them replied, quickly making excuses before taking their leave.

"Annie," he said with an easy smile.

"What was all that about?"

He shrugged dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Personal issue between His Highness and me. It's being dealt with."

"His Highness?" she asked, her eyes twinkling as she studied him.

He grinned back at her. "I think it suits him."

She was a little disconcerted by the way his eyes had followed her during their whole conversation. Auggie couldn't see. Not that that had ever stopped him from anything… but how was it possible that he was acting as if he could see her, and he was taking her in for the very first time? "What did you do this weekend?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

He shrugged, but she could tell the joy was barely contained within him. "Oh, a little of this, a little of that. I was mostly at Johns Hopkins."

"The hospital?" Her eyes widened. "Auggie, what happened?"

He grinned like a fool. "I, ah… I volunteered for a trial surgery."

"Trial surgery?" she asked, her worry mounting by the moment. "Auggie, what would you need any kind of surgery f—" Her breath caught in her throat as the realization dawned on her, and tears pooled in her eyes. "Au-auggie?" she whispered. "Can you see me?"

He was just standing there, watching her cry, her hands covering her face in shame. She wanted to beg him to say something—anything—and she felt like a fool for crying in the middle of the DPD. Knowing her luck, Joan would walk up to them any second, and see her, mortified and completely falling apart.

Then his hands came to frame her hands, and he pulled them away so he could see into her tear-stained eyes. Cupping her face with his hands, he brushed away all her tears, kissing her gently on the forehead. He pulled her into a tight hug, dropping his chin onto the top of her head protectively. "Yes, Annie," he finally whispered. "I can see you."

Her arms tightened around him as more tears leaked from her eyes. "I can't believe you kept this from me!"

His arms tightened around her shoulders in return, and he was gently rubbing her back, trying to repair the damage he'd done. "I—I'm sorry," he whispered. "I know you would have been there for me… But—I didn't even know this was happening until Saturday morning. The chances were so slim. And I didn't want you to get your hopes up… if, well. If something had happened."

She clung to him, still in shock. "You can see? Really?"

He pulled back a few inches, to show her his reassuring grin. "Really, Annie," he whispered. His hands came up to frame her face again, and he groaned. "You're so beautiful."

She watched him silently as he studied her. She gasped quietly as he slowly traced the contours of her face with his fingers, memorizing every feature, every facial expression, both with his fingertips and his eyes. He stood there, mesmerized by her, and every inch of her body tingled with anticipation.

As his fingers found a ticklish spot underneath her chin, she quickly ducked and pulled away, trying not to giggle. There was a tension between them, an intimate pull, and she didn't want to let it go.

She could see that pull in his eyes, too, as desire pooled there. "Annie, I—"

His eyes darted around the bullpen quickly before he reached for her hand and tugged her out the door, around the corner, and into his arms. Before she knew what was happening, his lips were on hers, exploring gently, passionately. His hands cradled her face protectively as he deepened the kiss, tasting her, memorizing her, as if this moment couldn't be real.

When she pulled away, breathing heavily, she buried her face in the hollow between his neck and his shoulder, and he rubbed her back gently.

Slowly, she looked up at him. "Auggie—"

He silently leaned forward and touched her forehead to his as he got lost in her eyes. His hand came up to cup her cheek, and she felt herself shiver involuntarily as his thumb moved gently across her lower lip, like a sweet caress.

How had she known him for so long, without seeing this gentle, intimate side of him?

"Annie, I—Annie, I love you."

A/N: Ahhh! :) So, what do you think? Review, pretty please! I'm afraid the concept for this won't be as well received as Christmas with Auggie, but I just want to say that there's a twist coming that will change basically everything. :) I'm diabolical, I know. :)

I just know a lot of people aren't crazy about the whole Auggie getting his sight back (neither am I, to be honest!) plotline, so all I'll say is please stick around until next chapter... hopefully, it'll all make sense then. :)