Game Plan
Note: This picks up right where 4X14 left us and follows into the preview for 4X15.
"OK, so this is the plan," Calder started right in despite the obvious tension on the plane.
"We are about to take off on what is going to be a very long flight, we are all tired and have all been working at counter purposes to one another for a few days. We need to eat, rest and get our shit together. In that order," he leaned back and steepled his fingers together as the jet's engines revved to life.
Annie buckled her seat belt and watched Auggie maneuver out of his jacket and do the same.
"Are you OK? Physically?" Calder asked Annie as she rubbed at her forehead.
"Yeah, it's just a headache. Food will help," she smiled at him.
"Joan said you were pretty banged up in the accident…"
"Accident, what accident?" Auggie perked up.
"It was nothing, just a minor car accident with Nelson, he was trying to disarm me," she blew it off.
"You lost consciousness and Joan said blood, look at me," Calder tugged her chin in his direction and looked at her pupils.
"I am fine," she assured both men and nodded away from Calder.
"Let us know if you are not, we don't want you passing out at 40,000 feet," Calder left it at that, but Annie could see Auggie was going to revisit the subject later.
"It seems despite our crossed efforts we all have basically the same intel on Henry and his money, even Joan got it although I have no idea who tipped her off," Auggie puzzled.
"Rossabi," Calder clarified.
Annie grinned, "I knew he liked me."
"I think he likes Joan, and really hates Henry, but you go on believing what you want," Calder chuckled.
The plane began to taxi and the Captain informed them of their imminent take off. All three were quiet as the plane picked up speed and lifted gently off the ground. The rain and cloud cover led to a bumpy ascent but once they cleared 10,000 feet things smoothed out and the pilot told them they could move freely.
"I'm going to investigate the dinner options," Calder stood and left the brooding pair alone.
"Are you really OK?" Auggie asked quietly.
"Yes, it's just a headache, it will pass with food and ibuprofen and half a bottle of wine and some sleep," she listed off her needs.
Auggie just nodded.
"Barber's eating healthy now," he tried filling the silence with idle chatter.
"I'll believe that when I see it," Annie scoffed.
"It isn't pretty," Auggie grimaced and reached for the window, his long fingers trailing over the cool glass.
Calder returned wearing an apron and pushing a cart.
"Nice look Michaels, if this CIA thing doesn't work out I am sure you can get a job at one of DC's finer eating establishments," Annie smiled and sat up straighter at the smell of food.
"With the trajectory my life has been on since meeting you Walker, I will take busboy any day," he snarked back.
"What's for dinner? All I've had today is some lukewarm kale juice," Auggie broke in.
"Chicken or salmon?" Calder offered.
Annie took the chicken and Auggie the salmon and Calder uncrimped the foil trays and removed the tops. Annie grabbed some silverware and napkins from the cart and hastily set the small table they were sharing, she looked over at Auggie at just the right second.
"Hold on," she said softly and grabbed his hand.
She re-crimped the foil edge in place, smoothing down the sharp edges.
"That would have hurt," she released his hand guiding it down to the edge of the tray so he could finish his survey of the container.
"Thanks," he smiled softly.
"Silverware at your 9," she said and shot Calder a look as he observed the pair.
***555***
"Any chocolate in that kitchen?" Annie asked as she wiped the remaining sauce in her dish up with some bread.
"A few different kinds," Calder confirmed and went to stand.
"I'll get it," she offered.
"You're going to share it, right?" Auggie said with fear.
"Maybe," she shrugged and headed to the back of the plane.
"She's not as mad at you as she maybe should be," Calder commented as he sipped his wine.
"Excuse me?" Auggie furrowed his brow.
"I admit, your relationship is complex, but sleeping with Helen really threw a wrench into things…"
"How do you…? Never mind, I don't even want to know. It is really none of your business," Auggie just sighed and turned towards the window.
"I'm not sure how many times I have to tell you two that your relationship is my business if it keeps getting in the way of my business, which it has since you stepped foot in Columbia earlier this year. I could not care less about your happy ever after, I just want to know that the three of us can work together when this plane lands."
"We'll be fine," Annie answered as she carried several different chocolate items to the table.
Calder looked dubious while Auggie seemed to look hopeful.
"Dark chocolate with almonds," she slid a foil wrapped bar towards Auggie, his fingers brushed it and curled around the edge.
"Thank you," he smiled at her again and she returned it with one of her own.
Annie laid out the rest of the offerings and was glad when Calder went for the brownie and left the milk chocolate and toffee bar for her. She figured she didn't really deserve first pick.
Auggie was the first to yawn.
"OK, bedtime. There are two cabins in back. I am taking one, I assume we will give the lady the other. You two can determine if you are sharing the bed or if Auggie is sleeping out here. Good night," Calder stood and left them alone again.
"Good night," Annie and Auggie replied in unison.
Neither of them moved. Annie took advantage of her ability to look at Auggie without him noticing and surveyed his appearance. He looked exhausted, too skinny, older than she left him. He scrubbed a hand over his face and stretched his legs in front of him.
"Come on," she stood and reached out and brushed her hand against his arm.
"Huh?" he looked confused.
"You're exhausted Auggie, come to bed," her voice left no room for question.
He stood and let her guide him to the back of the plane. One of the cabin doors was shut and Annie rightly assumed that was Calder's. The bathroom door stood open between the 2 cabin doors.
"Bathroom is right in front of you, our room is to the left," she told him quietly and placed his hand on the bathroom doorframe.
They passed in the doorway as Auggie returned from the bathroom and Annie moved towards it, she hated how easily her body reacted to him, but she couldn't control the drop in her stomach as they brushed by each other, Auggie reaching out to her to orient himself.
"Be right back," she whispered shakily.
TBC…
