It's the middle of February and the CIA is in mop-up mode. Henry Wilcox was back in his old job of trying to rebuild his broken department as Director of the National Clandestine Service. Arthur Campbell's attempted suicide had left him on life support. With the arrest for treason of Charles Mulhare, Chief of Staff for the Director of National Intelligence and disappearance of Joan Campbell, the CIA is in somewhat of a lock down. A few agents are being called home as a precaution that they had been burn and others being resigned. There was one more arrest for treason within the ranks of Langley, that being Michael Dormant, Arthur's pet agent, and another agent just vanished, puff, gone. With the news finally settling down from mid-January when front page reporting worldwide broke about the CIA, FSB and terrorist cells all connected to a large oil cartel from the Middle-East; work duties around Langley are finally getting back to routine with the exception of Annie Walker.
Auggie Anderson was spending his time in Centerville with the battered but recovering Parker Williams, his once future wife - now on hold, their relationship was being renewed gradually. Auggie and Annie had not seen much of each other as Henry reassigned Annie to International/Overseas Operations, taking her down the hall from DPD and Auggie. Annie had mixed feelings with her new position, she and her new handler didn't seem to jell very well together and there was an air of uncertainties toward her, she was being given the cold shoulder by her fellow agents in Overseas Operations, about the only person still friendly was Eric Barber, that loveable piece of humanity. Well give it time; things will work out one way or the other.
When Annie was in the office, it was Eric that stopped by just to chat, once in a while have lunch. He knew Annie was facing all the inquiries and suspicious without having someone at home for support. In his kind heart, he was reaching out as a friend, not for Annie to confide in but just a friend - do things together, take her mind off the grilling she was receiving at work. They had gone to a George Mason University basketball game - a win over Old Dominion University. Eric has season tickets as alumni. Another time, Sunday dinner with his family in Fairfax, one more around a large table of twelve and Mrs. Barber was as sociable and thoughtful as Eric. Annie needed that friendship during her ongoing ordeal at Langley.
Waiting for her turn to go through customs, Annie watched a young man with flowers and a box of heart shape chocolates greeting a young woman with an adoring hug and kiss. Valentine's Day, oh yes the only thing that was going to greet her was a hot shower, and warm bed. Having just left Surgut, Russia and winter to return to Washington and more winter, Annie was in a hurry to get home. It was early evening when Annie reached her Georgetown home; there were lights on in the main house.
"This can't be good, Danielle is in California," Annie parking her car across the street and dialing her sister. Through the front window, she saw movement, looking closer she realized the figure was a woman.
"Hi Sis, where are you, I'm here in Washington and the guest house is dark." it was Danielle on the phone.
"Hello Danielle, just got back into town, will be there in a minute."
Annie pulled her car into the drive, leaving her bag in the car, hurried to the front door. Danielle opening the door with a warm and cheerful hug, both sisters clinging to each other, enjoying their greeting.
"Happy Valentines Annie, look what I got you."
"Box box of chocolates - of course you had in mind we share."
"What are sisters for? Doesn't make me feel so guilty helping you eat all that chocolate instead of buying a whole box for me." Danielle was taking Annie's hand and pulling her into the hallway as Annie was trying to take off her coat. Annie noticed Danielle was tanner and her gorgeous thick hair had been highlighted. Danielle had an air of happiness, peacefulness about her, gone was the stress she was carrying on her face the last time Annie was with her.
"So what are you doing in Washington and where are the girls?"
"The girls send their love - see." she handing Annie a handmade Valentines from her nieces. "They got your gifts, Annie you spoil them tremendously.
"Oh that is so sweet." Annie reading the card with happy and sad emotions both - loving the card and missing the girls.
"Annie, I have some more news. Michael and I are buying a house in San Jose, California and we have decided to sell this one in Georgetown. I wanted to come here and tell you the news face to face and not be so cold as a phone call or e-mail. You can stay here in the guest house until the place is sold. Honey I'm so sorry, but we can't afford two homes."
"Are the girls happy in California?" Annie was asking as her heart fell to the pit of her stomach, all of hope of Danielle and the girls returning to Washington just vanished - her only family a whole continent apart.
"Yes, very happy, we are a family and that means a great deal, why."
"I can tell by looking at you that you are happy, which makes me happy."
Danielle reaching over to hug Annie once more, but this time holding her tight for a longer time. Both comforting each other, perhaps a little more for Annie's sake. "Ice cream and chocolate, I got Rocky Road this afternoon." Danielle was heading to the kitchen, almost tripped over a box in the hallway. "Oh, I almost forgot, this came for you by FedEx this afternoon."
Annie picking up the box and followed Danielle to the kitchen, finding a knife starting to open the white cardboard box. A slight chuckle as she looked into the open box.
"What's in the package?" Danielle asked, putting two plastic bowls on the counter beside the ice cream and box of candy.
Annie pulled out sketch pads, charcoal pencils in different pastel shades, drawing pencils, smooth white plastic eraser, a small wooden art manikin and a table top easel. She laid the art supplies out on the counter trying to find a note or card, when she found the note. 'Relax and indulge yourself'.
"Wow - You're going to take up drawing again..." Danielle seeing tears in Annie eyes, "These are a gift from someone... Who, Auggie?"
Annie shaking her head no, "No, Auggie and I have called it quits, besides he didn't know I like to draw."
"Who then?"
"A friend."
"Friends don't bring tears to your eyes. Come on Annie, I'm your sister tell me, what's his name, what does he look like - handsome I bet, where did you meet him. I want to know all the details."
"Not much to tell Danielle."
"There is a lot to tell if he sinking a couple hundred dollars in art supplies for you. You can't fool me if he knows you like to draw. You have kept that a secret from everyone since Dad made fun of you."
"Danielle I would love to sit here and have our wonderful sister-to-sister chat, but right now I can't. Please understand, with all the turmoil going on at work, it would be best to put this on hold until things clear up around Langley."
Patting Annie on the hand, "Sure, I understand... but you promised and I want to know all the dirty little details." Danielle smiling at her sister, knowing there was a huge mess within the CIA and she could tell the stress Annie must be under, there was strain anxiety in Annie's demeanor. The sisters were there to support each other.
"Promise. So what are your plans now?"
"I will be here for a week or two, need to ship the rest of our furniture to California, talk to real estate agents and get the house ready to go on the market. I may have to bunk with you in the guest house for a bit."
Annie and Danielle continued their chat well into the night. That night, after the lights were out and finally adjusting to the fact that she was indeed by herself living in Washington now with all the crap at Langley, she had to find another place to live. Annie hated upheaval, remembering all the times she had to moved as a child, she soon stopped making friends and only depended on Danielle and now... she didn't want to think about it any more. Laying in bed, turning her mind to Eyal and his thoughtful gift, the very thing she need in the middle of all the polygraphs and questioning, hours and hours of question. He knew drawing was a way for her to relax, take her mind off of bad things - her escape if only for a short time. He was with her, not seen or heard but with her. She was missing his voice, his reassurance, his very being. Happy Valentine my dear Eyal.
