Title: Body and Soul

Author: MuttsandMoggies

Category: Covert Affairs

Rating: T+

Disclaimer: Still not mine. Damn!

Dear Readers,

I'm stepping way outside of my comfort zone and taking baby steps into the world of one-shots. I'll admit it's a little daunting as this fandom has so many wonderful one-shot authors.

And because Auggie is such a jazz aficionado, each of these ficlets is inspired by a jazz tune. I'll include links to the tracks when I can. Apologies in advance if the list is a little skewed towards vocal pieces. In a previous lifetime, I did musical theatre and occasionally performed with a jazz ensemble. That's where I stocked my own personal juke-box.

And so, first up, a loose thread finally tied up.

Chapter One - Come Fly With Me

Inspiration: Frank Sinatra's version (that man's phrasing... damn!). Google it or pm me for a link.

Tag: 2.7, and an AU - Season 4-ish world where Annie and Auggie are still a couple, and Henry never gave Annie that file. Warning: likely to induce diabetes. Yeah, it's that sweet.

Edited with a few small changes. I'd accidentally uploaded an earlier version.


"This was not what I had in mind when I asked you to come to Istanbul with me," Auggie said, pouting.

"It's a tiny detour. Just something to keep things interesting on our way to our vacation."

"I can think of other ways of keeping things interesting."

Annie grinned. "I'm sure you can, but this was a special request. Think of it as a simple mission."

Auggie's brows shot skyward. He knew how Annie's simplest missions had the annoying habit of going south in a hurry.

"A simple mission," Annie continued, seemingly oblivious to the danger. "We collect the packages. Deliver them to our contact in Milan. Travel on to Istanbul. Have an awesome time at the Jazz Festival. Stop in Milan on the way back. Repeat the steps in reverse. Go home. Easy peasy."

"You make it sound so simple. But things are never simple with you, Miss Walker."

They came to a stop at the gate. "Stop pouting. Their plane's taxiing in." Annie directed Auggie to a chair and took the place next to his. "I mean, seriously, what could possibly go -"

Auggie raised a hand. "Don't say it!"

"It'll be fun."

Auggie sighed. "Yeah." He leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. Just minutes later, without warning he bolted to his feet and tilted his head towards the jetway. "They're here."

"Seriously, Auggie, how do you..."

He gripped her wrist. "Prepare for impact in three...two...one..."

"Aunt Annie! Auggie!"

To Auggie, the long-delayed reunion was a cacophonous tangle of squeals, and hugs, and kisses, of arms and legs, and one very sticky pair of hands. Managing to extricate himself, Auggie suggested that they grab a bite to eat. Not because he was particularly hungry, but it was as good a way as any to re-establish some semblance of order and control.

"Thank-you two so much for doing this," Danielle said later, squirting sanitizer into her daughters' hands.

Annie smiled. "You don't have to keep thanking me. It was on our way. It was just as easy connecting through Milan as it would have been through Rome."

"And you promise this isn't..." Danielle's voice dropped, and she took a quick look around, "... work-related?"

"This is a legitimate, honest-to-goodness vacation, Danielle," Auggie said. He raised his right hand, holding up three fingers. "Scout's honor."

"Why am I not reassured?"

"Trust me, Danielle," Annie replied. "Auggie and I would never do anything to put the girls in danger. We will accompany them to Michael's house and pick them up again in three weeks."

"And if all hell should break loose, then who better to-" A sharp elbow cut him off. "C'mon, no beating up on the blind guy."

"I'd bring them myself, but Michael, and his ..girlfriend. I'm not ready. Besides," Danielle continued breathlessly, "it's not like I can just drop everything and go. I have a huge wedding to cater next week. And my business is just getting off the ground. And I can't send them alone. I just can't."

Auggie found Danielle's hand. "It's okay, Danielle. Breathe. We won't let them out of our sight. Well, Annie won't. And I'll take good care of them all. It's what I do, you know."

"I know," Danielle said, and blew her nose.

"And he's very good at his job," Annie added. "There's no one better."

A tinny voice sounded through the concourse. Annie stood up. "That's our flight. Time to go. Katia, Chloe, give your mom a hug."

"You have their passports and Chloe's allergy meds. And don't forget Binny."

Auggie held up Binny the toy bunny. "I will handcuff Binny to my wrist, if need be. I'm sure I packed handcuffs, if not, Annie-" He gave a grunt as Annie's elbow connected with his ribs. "Again with the abuse."

"Be good, girls. Listen to your aunt and uncle."

"Uncle?" Auggie whispered.

"Play along."


The lights were dim. Throughout the cabin, whispers and hushed conversations were giving way to soft snores and the quiet sounds of sleep. Katia and Chloe, separated from each other at some point in the past four hours, were fast asleep, with the two adults between them.

"That went better than I expected," Auggie remarked quietly. He gave a soft chuckle. "The crew thinks we're a family."

"We are... sort of. They called you "uncle." It's a start."

"They're good girls. Nothing like my nephews, but I guess these two have better role models."

"For all their problems, Danielle and Michael try to be good parents."

"I meant Danielle and you."

Annie smiled and rested her head on Auggie's shoulder. "Thanks. That means a lot. They are the world to me. I never had much in the way of family. I don't want to screw this up," she said.

"You won't."

"Hmm." For a long time, she said nothing.

"Sleepy?"

"Not yet. I'm enjoying this. It feels strange not having an op. Strange but nice. Normal."

"Just a few more hours and we'll be touching down in Milan. Want to watch another movie?"

"No," she said, with an unexpected edge to her voice. She shifted her position.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. At least I don't think so. I'm not sure."

"Annie..."

Annie lowered her voice. "One of the flight attendants. She keeps staring at you."

"People do that all the time, Annie. You'll get used to it."

"No, not because of that. I think she knows you. Tall, red-hair, pale blue eyes?"

Auggie shrugged. "Sorry, not helping. See if you can get her picture. We can run it through Langley."

"She doesn't look too happy."

"Grab her picture. We'll see what Barber can dig up."

"Wait," she said and grabbed his wrist. "You've been made, Auggie. She's coming over."

"Good evening. Would you care for something a drink?"

Annie noticed she didn't have the drinks cart. If Auggie noticed, he said nothing. Instead, he looked up towards the flight attendant with a smile of genuine delight. "Franka. Fancy meeting you here."

"Of all the planes in all the world, you had to fly..." she recited in a caustic tone.

"In this one? Is there somewhere we can talk?"

"I waited for your call, you know. That entire month and the one after that."

"I'm sorry. Is there a place we can talk?" he repeated, nodding towards the little girl sleeping soundly under his arm.

"This is an airplane," she huffed. "There aren't a lot of nooks and crannies."

"There are things I need to tell you. Things you should know."

"Yeah, I'd say so." She cast a glance at Annie. "Your wife seems seem to be taking this awfully well."

"I told you, Franka. I don't have a wife."

Auggie slowly stood up, gently settling Chloe on his seat. "Franka," he asked and held out his hand.

"All right then. Follow me," she said, taking his arm. He freed his hand and set it on her shoulder instead. The smell of reheated food, a few steps later, announced they were headed to the galley.

"You wanted to talk. So talk."

The temperature seemed to have suddenly dropped by several degrees. He straightened his shoulders. "First, the woman with me isn't my wife. She's a co-worker."

"You seem very cozy for co-workers."

"Maybe more than co-workers, but that's a recent development. She's the one who called me on your phone at Sabiha Gökçen. The girls are her nieces."

"Let me guess, she's not a music journalist either."

He gave her his best boyish grin. "We are going back to the Istanbul Jazz Festival."

Silence.

He continued. "There's not a lot I can say, except that I'm sorry. I never intended to drag you into any of it."

"I waited for your call Auggie."

"I'm sorry. I lost track of time."

"For two years?"

"These things take time. Are we alone?" Auggie waited for an answer. "Are you nodding?"

"Yeah."

He licked his lips, and dug his hands in his pockets, and leaned back against the bulkhead. "It took a long time to make sure he wouldn't get away again. When I heard that man's voice, it came as much as a surprise to me as it did to you. But when I heard it, I knew he was there, and I had to go after him."

"Was he really the man who blinded you?"

Auggie nodded. "That part was true. He hurt a lot of people. He killed a lot of good people. He won't hurt anyone else."

"You killed him?" she choked out.

"No! God knows I wanted to. I came so close, but I didn't." He reached out, palms up and smiled when he felt place her hands in his. He directed his gaze to her face, wishing he could gauge the look in her eyes. "He's a bad, dangerous man, and he's in prison now. He wouldn't be there if it weren't for the help you gave me. I can't say much more than that, except thank-you."

"You thanked me at Sabiha."

"I still owe you a drink."

"I'll be staying at the Hotel Villa Crespi."

"We have to bring the girls to their father's home. Another time, maybe?"

"I'll hold you to it." She gave his hands a squeeze and let go. "Walk you back to your seat?"

"No need. Eight rows?"

"Yeah. It was nice seeing you again, Auggie."

"Same here."


"Is the coast clear?"

"I moved Chloe next to Katia," Annie replied, tucking a tablet into the bag at her feet. "You get the aisle this time. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. You should try to get some sleep."

Annie settled against Auggie's shoulder. "I'm glad you mended fences with your ex-girlfriend."

"She wasn't a girlfriend."

"Hmm. Your friend with benefits, then."

Auggie settled in a bit closer. "You know," he whispered in her ear, "I can think of so many better things to talk about on vacation than my former relationships."

"Or we could skip talking entirely," Annie said, reaching up and bringing his lips to her own."

"Now this is exactly what I had in mind when I asked you to come on vacation with me."


So what do you think? Too sweet? Too schmaltzy? Please review and let me know (but gently).