WEBB AND ANNA
Standard Disclaimer
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Author's Note: This is a supplemental to the Something Big Series. This story takes place the day after Harm and Webb went to the Landon House to get the contract for Mac and Harm's wedding reception. By the way I know it's a bit unrealistic at certain points.
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Clayton Webb sat in his office staring at the computer. Since yesterday afternoon he was having trouble concentrating. A ride to Maryland with Harm had changed everything for him. Harm asked him to take a ride to see the reception place. Little did Webb know that this simple event was about to change his life. After 20 minutes of sitting and staring into space Clayton Webb decided to do something very out of character.
LANDON HOUSE – FREDERICK, MARYLAND
"Mr. Webb, so nice to see you again." Anna Paparini said. "Is there a problem with the MacKenzie/Rabb reception?"
"No, I just thought that maybe..." Clayton began. Then he stopped and stared at her. Normally surrounding himself with the blonde supermodel type, he was at a loss as to why he was attracted to this woman. With her dark brown hair and brown eyes she was the complete opposite. Not to mention she was at least half a foot shorter than him if not more.
"Yes?" Anna asked trying to get his attention.
"I was wondering are you done for the day?" Clay asked.
"Actually," Anna said checking the clock. "I never took lunch today so I guess I am done."
"Great would you like to have a drink?" Clay asked.
"Why Mr. Webb is this a social call?" Anna asked faking her best Southern Belle accent.
"I guess you could say that. And please call me Clay." Clay replied with a smile.
"Ok Clay, let's go." Anna said and then turning to her assistant, "Kelly I'm leaving for the day. Please finish the contracts and leave them on my desk."
"You're leaving early? The original workaholic?" Kelly joked.
"The contracts Kelly." Anna said with a look.
"No problem Anna, see you tomorrow." Kelly responded and then mouthed He's cute.
"So where would you like to go?" Clay asked.
"Well I live in Virginia so how about some place closer to there?" Anna suggested.
"Sounds good, how about I follow you?" Clay asked. They walked out to the cars and drove off.
LAKESIDE INN – RESTON, VA
They took two seats at the corner of the bar, ordered drinks and started chatting.
"Anna you live near here?" Clay asked.
"Yes I live a few blocks away." Anna replied.
"And you drive to Frederick?" Clay said a bit shocked.
"At the worst it's an hour." Anna laughed. "I don't mind it's a fun job."
"But?" Clay asked.
"There are other things I could be doing." Anna replied.
"Like?" Clay asked with interest.
"Tell me something about you." Anna smiled. "So what do you do?"
"I work for the state department, typical government employee." Clay replied.
"Must be interesting." Anna said.
"Tell me more about you." Clay asked.
"What do you want to know?" Anna asked.
"Everything. Are you from this area, where did you grow up, where did you go to school, what are your parents like any siblings."
"Whoa there, are you trying to make conversation or start a file on me?" Anna asked with a laugh.
"No, I just want to know about you." Clay said. Then thinking, I could easily find out.
"How about we take turns?" Anna suggested.
"Take turns?" Clay asked.
"Yes, I will tell you something and you do the same." Anna said. "Example I was born in New York City. And you were born where?"
"Uh, Virginia." Clay replied.
"Aren't you sure?" Anna laughed.
"Yeah I am. Keep going." Clay said.
"Sure, I grew up in New York." Anna said.
"Ahhh so that's where that accent comes from. I grew up in Virginia." Clay said.
"Typical childhood." Anna said.
"Mine too." Clay responded. "What about family."
"Yes I had one." Anna said with sarcastic humor.
"Sarcasm I like that." Clay said.
"Yes, it's the New Yawk in me." Anna laughed.
"So tell me about your family." Clay encouraged. Then he realized he suddenly wanted to know everything about this woman but that would mean sharing about him. He didn't care; he wanted to talk to her as much as possible.
"My family pretty basic. Dad retired from the Army right after I was born and was a lawyer. Mom sold real estate for a few years but was mostly a stay at home mom, which was great. My older sister was the perfect one. Every parents dream, you know they type." Anna laughed.
"And you were?" Clay asked.
"At times every parent's nightmare. Your turn." Anna laughed.
"Well, my dad worked for the National Security Administration and my mom worked there too." Clay said not sure where this honesty was coming from. "I'm an only child. That was it for family really. I got into my share of fixes too."
"Oh wow, you had that nuclear family thing. Not me, growing up all my family lived within two hours of each other, always together."
"Big family huh?" Clay asked with a smile. He had never known that type of family environment. "Tell me more."
"No it's your turn." Anna replied. "College?"
"Harvard. You?" Clay responded.
"Columbia. Hobbies?" Anna asked.
"Columbia? How come you didn't go into law?" Clay asked.
"I did, I am a member of the bar in several states. I like hospitality better." Anna shrugged and laughed. "I told you, every parent's nightmare. But this is supposed to be about you. So I repeat any hobbies?"
"Music, I rode horses, I have fish." Clay replied.
"Rode, past tense? English or western?" Anna asked.
"English, do you ride?" Clay asked.
"Yes I do, English as well. I stable in Manassas." Anna replied.
"Well, I competed." Clay said trying to sound impressive. "I did pretty well too."
"So did I. My best events were jumping. I hated dressage." Anna said un-phased by Webb's announcement of his riding feat.
"Any thing else?" Clay asked.
"I told you it was all very typical. Mom had us take ballet lessons when we were little, to learn poise. Piano lessons to appreciate music: although I preferred singing. Played little league, I love baseball." Anna said. "That's about it."
"No boyfriend?" Clay asked.
"Nope but I should tell you there are two very special men in my life." Anna said.
"Oh really." Clay said a bit disappointed. "Two?"
"Yes, my nephews." Anna said with a smile. Clay was very relieved.
"So are you parents still living up north?" Clay asked.
"My mom is, my dad past a few years ago." Anna said with a sad look on her face.
"I'm sorry, I lost my dad too." Clay said as he reached over and touched her hand.
They sat like that for what seemed to be eternity then Anna looked at her watch. "Oh my, it's 8:30. We've been sitting here for three hours."
"You're kidding?" Clay said wondering where the time had gone.
"Are you hungry?" Anna asked.
"I could eat." Clay said with a smile.
"Well, I normally would never do this but I think I can trust you." Anna said with a coy smile.
"You can trust me." Clay said.
"How about I make you dinner?" Anna asked. "I live right up the road."
"Sounds great. But first I have to make a quick call." Clay responded.
"You're not married are you?" Anna groaned realizing she never asked. "One can never be too sure these days."
"No, I'm not married. I promise." Clay said with a smile. "Give me a second."
Anna sat at the bar and waited for Clay to come back "Ok let's go." Clay said. They left and went to Anna's apartment.
HUNTER'S CROSSING COMPLEX – RESTON, VA
"Hey this is nice." Clay said looking around the condo.
"It was my sister's place. After the first baby they decided they needed a bigger house. So they moved to Fredericksburg. I got the job down here so I took over the place." Anna said.
"You have very umm interesting taste." Clay said.
"Oh you can say it. I know I am very eclectic." Anna laughed.
"What is this?" Clay said pointing to a shelf.
"It's a shelf. Don't you have any at your place?" Anna teased.
"Cute, I meant the baseballs." Clay said.
"Oh that. Yes, got them at auctions and even found one at an estate sale." Anna replied.
"Do you realize what you have here?" Clay asked looking at the collection.
"No, I don't." Anna laughed. "Check out the bat in the corner."
"How did you get that?" Clay asked looking at a bat signed by Mickey Mantel and Roger Maris.
"It was my dad's. I told you I love baseball." Anna smiled. "But this is the most amazing item of all."
Anna walked over and pointed out a baseball that was in a glass case. Carefully she lifted it and handed it to Clay.
"Is that…?" Clay asked.
"Yep. The pride of my collection and the Pride of the Yankees I might add." Anna said.
"You have a baseball signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gherig?" Clay asked. "Where did you get it?"
"My hairdresser." Anna laughed. "Ok Senor Webb, enough about me. Tell me about you."
"Me? Well, that's not exactly easy." Clay began. "Hey that picture looks familiar. Why?"
"It's part of another collection I have. It's the picture that was hanging in the Ricardo's apartment on "I Love Lucy." Anna replied.
"You're a Lucy fan too?" Clay asked. "You are very eclectic."
"What else do you collect?" Clay asked.
"Hey I thought it was your turn." Anna said with a smile.
"It's not very interesting." Clay mumbled.
"Just start talking. If I get bored I will just throw you off my balcony. Don't worry." Anna smiled.
"You called me Senor? Do you speak Spanish?" Clay asked.
"Si, por que?" Anna asked. "And Italian."
"So do I. Something else we have in common." Clay said. "Do you like to tango by any chance?"
"I learned when I was young. I haven't done that since the 4th grade dance recital when Bobbie Gubanelli broke my toe. Why?"
"Just wondering." Clay said. "Anna we need to talk can you sit down?"
"Oh god, you are married. I knew it." Anna said rolling her eyes. "Get out."
"I swear I am not married. It's just that, well. Ok here's the thing." Clay began.
"Clay I hope you don't stumble over words like this when you are working at the State Department." Anna teased.
"Well that's just it. Anna… I can't believe I am doing this." Clay continued. "I have not be able to stop thinking about you since we met yesterday. The call I made before we left was to a friend of mine, well not really a friend but someone I trust."
"Ok, and this friend said?" Anna asked.
"He laughed at me." Clay stopped.
"Why did he laugh?" Anna said.
"Because for the first time in my life I told him I wanted to be completely honest. AJ said he couldn't believe his ears." Clay said.
"Who's AJ? You are confusing me. So the last few hours you have been lying?" Anna asked confused.
"AJ is Harm Rabb's boss. And no I have not been lying exactly." Clay said.
"Exactly? I think you better go." Anna said standing up. "I don't have time for guessing games."
"Anna wait, let me finish." Clay urged.
"Go ahead." Anna said shaking her head and sitting back down.
Clayton Webb stood up and opened his suit jacket. He pulled his side arm out of its holster and removed the clip and placed them on the coffee table.
"What the hell?" Anna asked. "Who are you?"
"Just wait." Clay said. He then removed his id from his inside pocket and showed it to Anna.
"You work for the CIA? So was your coming back today part of a security check for the wedding?" Anna asked.
Clay sat back down next to Anna. "No I don't do wedding security. They are my friends. I came back today because you have not left my thoughts since we met. I have never told any woman what I do. Something tells me I have to tell you."
"Is this a gag?" Anna said. "Did the guys in the kitchen put you up to this? They keep saying they are going to find me a guy to sweep me off my feet."
"No it's not. And sweep you off your feet? Have I done that?" Clay asked with a smile.
"Back up J. Edgar. I am not sure if I am buying all this." Anna said.
"He was FBI." Clay laughed.
"Whatever." Anna said rolling her eyes.
"Come with me?" Clay asked.
"Oh Ay. Yeah right. I'm gonna get in a car with a man who has a baretta? Anna said her New York accent coming out.
"How did you know it was a baretta? And I love that accent." Clay laughed.
"I know guns." Anna replied
"Trust me please and come with me." Clay begged.
"Ok but give me a second." Anna said and went to the closet. She pulled a small lock box out and took it to the kitchen. She grabbed a key and opened the box. She then pulled out a small .22 handgun and license. She then opened a cabinet and took out the bullets.
"Where did you get that?" Clay asked in astonishment.
"It's registered and I am permitted to carry it." Anna replied. "I am not going anywhere with you without my own protection."
"How about we leave both here?" Clay suggested.
"Fine, you can put yours in the lock box." Anna said. Which he did willingly.
"Now will you come with me?" Clay asked taking her hand.
CIA BUILDING – LANGLEY, VA
"Good evening Mr. Webb." The guard said.
"Good evening." Clay said attaching his badge to his lapel.
"You were serious." Anna said in shock.
"Shall we go to my office?" Webb asked.
"Lay on McDuff." Anna said.
"You quote Shakespeare? And correctly." Webb asked.
"Sometimes." Anna replied.
They went to Clay's office and he showed her his fish. "Believe me?"
"I believed you when they didn't haul you away at the gate." Anna laughed.
"How about that dinner?" Clay asked.
"Let's go, besides you left something at my place." Anna said.
"I plan to make a habit of that." Clay said with a wink.
They drove back to Reston and chatted in the car. They ate dinner and talked some more. After the meal, they talked for a while. Then realizing it was approaching 1am, Clay announced he should go. He kissed Anna good night and left. Anna walked out to her balcony and watched him as he walked to his car.
Clayton Webb was anything but his normal stoic self at this moment. He looked up at the balcony and called out "Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say good night till it be morrow."
"That's Juliet's line." Anna laughed. "How about don't like good-byes, tears or sighs."
"What's that from?" Clay asked.
"It's a Sinatra song." Anna laughed.
"Frank Sinatra even better. Can I call you tomorrow?" Clay yelled up.
"I am sure you can find the number." Anna called back. "Good night."
"Good night." Clay said and got into his car.
As he drove home he could not believe what had happened. He just spent that last 9 hours with a woman and he wanted more. He was standing outside someone's home and yelling up to them. He wanted to tell her everything about his life, his work and anything else he could think of. He wanted to know every detail of her life. This was going to be interesting. Anna Paparini was one woman he planned on seeing again and very soon.