Author's Note: I feel really overzealous, starting new stories before I finish others, but I can't help myself. This one came running at me at full force, so I decided to post it. Please let me know if you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Not mine, but I do enjoy writing them immensely.

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Annie palmed the key, feeling the grit from the keyhole caked onto its surface transferring to her hand. Auggie was standing by the mouth of the gate, one hand on his cane, the other on the post where the door latched. She looked back at him from the front door, smiling at his expression. He was somewhere between confused, elated, and curious which made his brow look particularly fetching in the late afternoon sun. She stuck the key into the door for the second time, wiggled it, and let the tumblers fall back to allow her entrance. Leaning into the doorway, she flicked the lights on. Annie could practically hear the electricity buzz as the lights sputtered into illumination. She set her suitcase in the entryway, far from where they would be walking and then went back for Auggie's. As she reached for it, his hand captured her wrist.

"Annie, you're not carrying that."

"But, I want to take everything inside before you go in."

"Annie," he sighed in good-natured exasperation, "We've been driving for hours. All I want to do is find out what kind of surprise this is. Please, let's just-"

"Let me take your bag inside and you will." He rolled his sightless eyes and released her wrist. As he listened to her drag his bag up the gravel path, he wondered just what kind of things she had in store for this weekend. It wasn't hard for her to lull him into a vacation with her. In fact, he'd need just as little convincing if all she wanted to do was take a trip down to the grocery store for the essentials. It was almost unbelievable, how much of a puppy dog he had become for her. And yet, he was happier than ever.

"So," she began, returning to his side, "This is the cottage."

"Ah, so that's why everything smells like pine." She grinned.

"Yeah… See, my brother-in-law inherited this place when his paternal grandfather died. He and my sister don't visit it very often and well, I thought a nice vacation would do us both some good. It is, however, a bit musty in there. We're gonna have to open the windows." Auggie smirked, switching his cane from one hand to the other so that he could hold her elbow. As she walked up the path, she began describing the outside. It's faded cornflower blue exterior, the creeping ivy on the northern side of the house, the shingled roof and chimney stack. It was quaint and dilapidated, but it was picturesque in its shoddy way.

"Three steps up, Auggie." She said as they ascended to the porch. He could feel the wood give and groan as they reached then landing. Annie stopped at the door.

"Do you want me to show you around, or would you rather explore?" she asked, biting her lip pensively. She wanted everything to be just right for him. Her best friend deserved nothing less. He smiled at her.

"You can leave me to my own devices. Just shout if you see me walking towards peril, okay?" She laughed softly, opening the door.

"You've got it." Once inside, she went about opening all the windows. It truly was stale from being shut up for so long without life and the pair found themselves coughing every so often. Auggie's fingers went about analyzing every dusty surface, his mind drawing out a map as he roamed. The area they had entered into was the kitchen and dining room. A small table with four chairs lay on one side while a kitchen with a very antique icebox stood on the other. Through a narrow hallway lay the living room and branching off of that was the one and only bedroom/bathroom. He ran into furniture every so often, but managed to save himself from bruises and cuts. Just as he was sure he'd finished his analysis, he ran into something, his hands flying up to protect his face.

"Annie-?" She came bustling into the room, her eyes wide.

"Oh, the ladder to the loft."

"Awesome." He said, beginning to climb it. She grabbed onto the hem of his shirt in protest.

"Slow down, speedy. We don't know how stable that thing is." He paused for a moment and jumped down haphazardly.

"Can I explore up there later?" he asked, pretending to be a child as he bounced up and down in excitement. She scoffed with a smile.

"Yes. Let's just get unpacked, okay?" Auggie moved out of her way as she slid the ladder on its rolling track towards the far wall. In the bedroom, Annie stared at the solitary bed, a queen-sized obstacle.

"I promise not to spoon," he said, a mischievous eyebrow arched upward on his face.

"Har Har." She mocked, knocking her hip into his. He moved towards the right side of the bed and after much prodding and poking, began putting his things in the dresser behind him. Annie did the same, taking the closet as her own space. Once all was put away, she sat on the bed and sighed.

"Anne, you're sighing." He said, settling down next to her. The bed had no sheets as of yet, but Annie had come prepared. Danielle had packed a fresh set for her, as well as a whole week's worth of food. Annie wondered if Danielle was trying to be mom for everyone sometimes.

"I'm just glad we're here and I don't have to drive anymore."

"I offered to take turns." he deadpanned, making her choke with laughter. He slung an arm around her and hugged her to him sideways. She looked up at him, his face forward with hair falling anyway it chose to. How strange it was, being so close to him.

"Auggie, do you wanna take a walk by the lake? It's only half a mile into the woods from here." She could tell he wasn't comfortable with the thought of being in the woods, but as long as she was there with him, it would be alright. Wouldn't it?

"Okay," he said the emotions in his eyes nowhere to be found on his face.

"If you're uncomfortable, then we don't have to go."

"No, I want to." He smiled, eyes brightening up. She was mollified by this and taking his hand, led him out the back door and down the well-trodden path. He had neglected to bring his laser cane on this trip, so the long one would have to do for the weekend. The sun was still bright and she linked arms with him. Birds carried on in song above them and Annie couldn't help but take in the beauty of their surroundings. More than ever, she wished Auggie could see it. Yet, he seemed at ease, walking with confidence.

Upon reaching the lake, Annie broke free of their entangled arms and ran to the water's edge with a joyous squeal.

"The water is so blue!" she sighed, taking off her shoes. Auggie moved towards the sound of her revelry, touching her shoulder once his outstretched hand found it.

"Take off your shoes Auggie, walk in the water with me!" She said, touching him knuckles in the way only she could. He sat down on the grass and began unlacing his military style boots, the motion down to muscular memory. He tucked his socks inside his shoes and moved cautiously towards the water. Annie leaned down and rolled up her pants, looking over at him as he did the same. His eyes darted back and forth as he touched his toes to the lapping edge. Annie went to his side and touched his forearm.

"It's wonderful." He offered, his head angled towards her upturned face. She smiled, walking into the water farther with him. He could feel the vibrations of flitting fish swerving helter skelter around his calves. His grip tensed every so often, surprised by new sensations.

"I'm glad you came along with me. We needed a break from the office." She said, looking towards the opposite shore. The horizon had begun to darken a few minutes before and she eyed the clouds with a wary expression. Auggie nodded, his grasp limp around the folded cane. Thunder grumbled from over the distant pines, urging the wise to scurry indoors. Auggie's ear seemed to perk up.

"We should head inside." Annie suggested, taking a firm hold on her arm. Auggie didn't budge.

"Oh, come one, where's your sense of adventure, Walker?"

"You wanna get soaked? You're gonna get a cold and the whole weekend will be ruined?"

"Me? I've got the immune system of a horse. You're the delicate flower here." She playfully punched him in the shoulder, making him lean down and splash some water up in retaliation. She dodged the attack with very little grace only to retaliate through another, if not a tad harder, play punch. As thunder roared, the pair splashed and swung, falling into giggling fits.

"So much for staying dry." He scoffed, slapdash wet patches soaking him like army camo. Annie's hair, drenched on one side and perfectly dry on the other, featured her face like an impressionistic picture frame.

"You started it."

"Oh no, slugger. That was you!" he laughed, pointing at her while doubling over. In the distance, a lightning bolt came down like an executioner's ax on a distance tree. Auggie and Annie jumped.

"Lightening?" he asked, his voice taking on a new kind of fear. Annie took his hand and lead him out of the water. Gathering up their shoes, she guided them back to the cottage.

"The windows!" she exclaimed, dropping everything on the porch and running now, it had been raining for a good 5 minutes and she tried her best to prevent damage. Auggie knelt down and tried in vain to find the scattered shoes. He could hear her running about and couldn't help but laugh.

"It's so wet by the windows. Please, be careful." She said, taking the shoes from him. He stood, his hair hanging in wet dreads around his eyes. He moved to the doorway and listened for her. She was humming, digging through something.

"Annie, what are you doing?"

"Looking for a mop."

"Let it dry on its own." Auggie suggested, moving to step right in a puddle. She rushed up to him and deftly placed a gentle hand on his chest.

"Watch out, Tiger. You're gonna slip." She lead him around the watery mine-field to the bedroom.

"Lemme get you a towel." She said, moving towards the bathroom. He stripped off his shirt, trying to let his body dry a little on its own. Re-entering the room, Annie uttered a "woah"

"What?"

"You've… got a tattoo."

"Yep. I got it when I was in the Army. A few weeks before my accident, actually." Annie handed him the towel, blushing as his fingers brushed hers.

"It's nice." She said with a smirk. He gave her a goofy grin, toweling off his hair. She sat down next to him, listening to the thunder outside.

"I hope it doesn't rain all weekend."

"I'm sure we'll find something to do, Annie. Don't worry." With Auggie's smile reassuring her, she could not argue, nor did she want to.

Chapter end. Please anticipate more and let me know how you liked it!

Sincerely,

Aresenic