Aftermath

by Covert Affairs Intelligence

this is a repost of the full story. its a great story and im happy to share it. it has come to my attention that the author has requested i repost it, or at least i think the writer would like me to, as they review the other post i made referring to this story.

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 6

Annie followed a few steps behind the Campbells as the four of them walked into Langley. Despite it being her second time back in the building since her return from the dark, it felt like her first. Maybe it was because she knew it was coming and had the past 48 hours to fret over it. Maybe it was because this time she was going to face her co-workers that had watched her die. Regardless, at the moment her stomach was doing nervous somersaults.

She self-consciously tugged on Joans cream blouse and black blazer she had borrowed for the ceremony. The black stilettos she had also borrowed clicked across the floor as they walked. With each step, the building started to feel familiar to her again. The clean white walls, tightly closed doors, the sound of her heels clicking across the marble floor it all served to send her memory back to her first day working for the CIA.

The day she met Auggie.

Hearing the footsteps behind her slow down, Joan slowed her pace to come alongside her dark haired operative. "You okay?"

Annie nodded and exhaled grinning to herself, "Yeah, actually I am." Her eyes flickered over to Joan and the baby in her arms, "How is McKenzie liking his first day in Langley."

Joan looked down at her son and slid a finger into his fist, "So far so good. Hopefully he sleeps through the ceremony."

"If he gets fussy I can take him outside."

"No you can't. This ceremony is for you too ya know."

Annie half groaned, half sighed and in an attempt to defer Joans attention from her, nodded ahead toward Arthur who had entered the atrium, where the star studded wall stood. "How's Arthur?" she asked watching him shake hands with his former operatives.

Joan looked up at Arthur then to Annie out of the corner of her eye and spoke softly as their walking brought them within earshot of the group gathering for the event, "He's okay. Having you home, having this ceremony for Teo, it's helping him."

Annie was interrupted mid-nod by an extremely enthusiastic Eric Barber. "Annie Walker!" He halfway yelled her name across the room drawing everyone's attention to her. Joan gave Annie a sympathetic smile before excusing herself and walking towards her husband as the enthusiastic tech op half sprinted across the room, "Hey Barber. You shaved your beard?"

"You dyed your hair?"

"I did."

He hugged her awkwardly "Welcome home!"

"Thanks! And thank you for everything you did to help Auggie while I was gone."

"Yeah, about that, the next time you fake your death, can you read me in so I know to expect Auggies moodiness and off-the-wall plans."

Annie laughed and patted him on the back, "No offense, but I don't plan on faking my death ever again."

Barber wiped his forehead, "Good 'cause I can't handle all this drama."

The ceremony went smoothly. It was a perfect memorial to a fallen operative. Arthur was allowed to read the heavily redacted declassification statement concerning Teo's missions. He called Teo his hero, and thanked Annie for everything she had done for him. Arthurs were the only dry eyes in the room, and Annie knew, had he not been standing behind that podium, tears would have flooded his eyes as well. John Brennan presented the Medal of Merit to Annie and despite the pretentious pop and circumstance of it all, Annie was genuinely honored and humbled. The ceremony ended on a high note with Joan and Arthur introducing McKenzie to the CIA department heads that were present for the ceremony and announcing their mutual desire to return to the CIA in some capacity in the future. Both announcements were met with unanimous positive support.

Annie felt like she had been thanked by everyone in the building. Her mouth ached from the forced smile she had worn for the past hour. No one questioned her actions, they just showed support and gratitude to a fellow agent. After shaking what felt like the thousandth hand she heard a deep voice requesting her attention from somewhere behind her.

"Hey Annie, Annie?"

She turned to find Calder navigating the slowly dissipating crowd to move toward her, "Oh yeah, sorry...here." She handed him the box containing her medal.

"Thanks, but that's not what I needed to talk to you about."

Annie raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms, "Okay..."

He went on in his typical direct and slightly cocky tone, "Per Joan's request, all the clothes we took from your apartment have been packed up. They are in a suitcase at the security checkpoint for you to pick up when you leave. You can go through everything else when you feel up to it."

"Thanks."

"And you have a shockingly small wardrobe."

Annie chuckled, "That's because I never had the chance to finish moving everything over from my sisters guesthouse before you raided my apartment."

"Yeah, sorry about that...by the way we did do a sweep of your guesthouse, same as we would for any fallen operative, but unless your sister cleaned it out, the other half of your wardrobe is probably still there."

Auggie walked up and inserted himself in the conversation, "The other half? You mean the other 3/4ths."

Calder laughed, "Yeah, that sounds more like it." He waved and excused himself, "I'll see you tomorrow Walker."

"Tomorrow?" Auggie asked, his hands folded atop his cane and his eyes falling somewhere on her forehead.

"Yes, I have another polygraph and a shrink session." She said in a whisper.

Auggie smirked, "Gotta love those CIA shrinks. Mine particularly loved me."

Annie laughed, "What, the one you almost let get run over by a car?"

Nodding his head sideways toward her voice he commented sarcastically, "Details. So, who is your shrink?"

Annie took a moment too long respond making Auggie nervous, "Annie, ya still there?"

She shook her head and returned her attention to him, "Yeah, sorry, what?"

"Same old Annie, in a moment you're gonna tell me what is so intriguing but what I asked was what your shrinks name is."

An embarrassed smile took over her face, "Oh, uh, Dr. Peterson."

"Never heard of him."

"Well, he has heard of you, or read about you, or both."

"What do you mean?"

"He asked me about you. About us." Auggie could hear her voice trailing off again as her mind wandered back to some distant place, "Auggie...?" She said in that tone that used to play the what if game with him in when she was in the field trying to feel out how far she could push the boundaries.

"Walker...?"

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing if said shrink is huddled in the corner with Joan and Arthur?"

"Well, it's safe to say they are talking about you, so, when has it ever been a good thing Joan and Arthur are huddled in a corner with anyone talking about you?"

"Never. What happened to doctor patient confidentiality?"

Auggie rolled his eyes and spoke in a sarcastic tone that carried a tinge of frustration, "Annie, this is the CIA. I know you've been on your own world for awhile, but you weren't gone that long and things around here haven't changed that much."

An un-traceable pain stabbed Annie in the gut. She wanted to turn and yell at him. He was wrong, everything had changed. Instead she grit her teeth flipped her hair, and took a deep breath to avoid showing her emotional outburst to everyone in the room.

Auggie felt her sudden change in temperament and realized his folly, "Annie I'm sorry. I didn't mean that how it sounded." He reached out trying to find where he guessed her shoulder was.

Watching his long fingers find her arm, she put a hand over his instead of shrugging him away, "But you did and that is why this is so hard. Everything changed for me."

Auggie tried to pull her closer, but Annie peeled his hand from her arm as he took that step forward. She squeezed it and let go.

His brow was furrowed, his blank eyes full of fear, Annie looked up at him with sad eyes, "It was good talking to you Auggie, it almost like old times...but..." She gulped down the emotion creeping up her throat and whispered, "...things will never be the same. I will never be the same"

Auggie nodded sadly for a moment but Annie watched him stand up straight and turn his head like he did when he was intently listening. She narrowed her eyes and turned just as Auggie addressed the person approaching them, "Joan, how are you?"

She chuckled and closed the last few feet between herself and her two former operatives. "Auggie, I still don't know how you do that. How is it heading up the DPD for a second time?" She spoke to Auggie but gave Annie a questioning glance, which was met by two brown eyes evading her gaze. The baby in her arms made a tiny grunt.

"Well, round two certainly has been smoother." A wide grin took over Auggies face. "Is that the baby Campbell I hear?"

Both the women standing in front of him grinned, "The one and only" Joan responded proudly reaching for Auggies hand to guide him to the baby in her arms. Auggie rubbed his tiny hand, which soon gripped his finger.

He looked up to where he thought Joans eyes might be, "Can I hold him?"

"I don't see why not."

Annie took his cane and Joan carefully placed McKenzie in his arms.

"Hey Z" Auggie softly ran his finger across the babys head, face, nose, learning his tiny features. "Handsome little man, taking after his mom instead of his dad. Wise guy." Joan and Annie laughed, but McKenzie started to whimper, the sound obviously made Auggie feel distraught.

"Here, let me take him." Joan brought her son back close to her chest.

Auggie smiled awkwardly and took his cane back from Annie, "Well, I guess a blind man holding a baby isn't such a good idea."

"It has nothing to do with you. All this action has made him tired, hungry, and fussy."

"Well that makes me feel better."

Joan put a reassuring hand on his arm, "McKenzie loves you, I promise." She turned to Annie, "Ready to go?"

"Uh, yeah, what about Arthur?" She asked motioning to where he stood talking to the DNI.

Joan smirked, "If we start walking he will follow."

"Point me in the right direction and I will give him a little nudge."

Annie grabbed Auggies shoulders and turned his body to face where Arthur was standing, "20 paces straight ahead."

"I'm on it. Goodbye ladies, and baby Z."

"Bye Auggie." Joan responded with a dimpled grin before turning and walking beside Annie toward the checkpoint.

Back at the Campbells, Annie drug her suitcase upstairs and tossed it onto the bed. Opening it she rummaged through the contents until she found her sneakers, running pants, and sweatshirt.

Hand on the doorknob of the front door she heard Arthurs voice behind her, "Going somewhere?"

Releasing the door she turned and explained, "Just gonna go for a quick run." Her eyes narrowed upon meeting his as she tried to interpret the look he gave her. Even in all they had been through, Annie had never seen the former DCS show this much emotion. The sadness in his eyes surprised her.

He nodded, "Just be back in an hour or Joan will send a search party." He tried to hide the emotion in his voice with the lighthearted statement.

Annie gave him an empathetic smile before turning to go outside, "I'll be back in one hour."

Inhale, left right left. Exhale, left right left.

"You don't seem to be a person that cares about anyone else."

Inhale, left right left. Exhale, left right left.

"You're wrong I care about everyone I am fighting for including you."

Inhale, left right left. Exhale, left right left.

"We are done…to beat Henry, you have to become him...and perhaps you have. You're a monster too Jessica. "

Breaking her forced pace she gasped for air and quickly scanned the area to see who was around. The street was quiet so Annie sank onto the curb. Smoothing back her sweaty ponytail Annie fought to control her breathing, and the flashbacks that were terrorizing her mind. She crossed her arms over her knees and watched a car fly by. Sanas' words wreaking havoc on her mind. Auggie was right, she had been in her own world. That world was crumbling and now she couldn't help but wonder...could it be? Had she really become a monster? The frigid winter air stung her throat as she tried to breathe. Remembering her promise to only be an hour she stood and started her jog toward the house. Determined to use the remaining time to get her emotions in check.

The downstairs was empty, the lights were off, and the house was quiet. Annie tip-toed up the stairs. Seeing a light on in the nursery she knocked on the cracked door.

"Joan?" She asked without pushing the door open.

"You can come in Annie."

Slowly widening the crack in the door she saw Joan rocking McKenzie.

"Where's Arthur?"

Joan focused her eyes on her son, "In our room he...needs some time to himself. It may not have seemed like it, but today was…." She shook her head and searched for the right word, "….was, impossibly difficult for him." Annies eyes bent with concern but Joan raised her chin and spoke with confidence, "He will be okay."

Annie stepped further into the room and leaned against the changing table crossing her arms and biting her lip.

"Was your run okay?" Joan inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, really cold, but it felt good." She lied. It felt horrible. Running used to clear her mind, but today, it just encouraged confusion.

Perceiving the conflict in Annie, Joan stood and approached her. Without saying a word she placed the child into her operatives arms. Annie looked down at the baby boy and re-inserted the pacifier into his mouth.

Joan made herself busy changing the sheets on the crib, but pausing a moment to survey Annies state of being, "Wanna talk about it?"

Annies startled brown eyes met Joans.

"I was...I was thinking about Geneva, and Sana."

Joan nodded and returned to her task of removing the old sheets from the crib, "You spent a lot of time with her?"

"Yeah. She trusted me, I mean..." Annie shook her head and raised both brows, "…no she didn't trust me by the end of it all, but I…Joan, could I ask you a favor?"

"Sure" She said as she unfolded the clean sheet.

"In my plan to play Henry, I got her fiancé, David Dupree, into...a lot of trouble. Is there a way you could make sure Interpol released him, make sure he and Sana are okay..." Annie looked to the floor beside her for a moment. "I don't want to be the one who ruined their lives just to accomplish my agenda." Annie scoffed at herself.

Joan placed one hand on the crib and one on her hip, "Annie, I don't have the leverage or power to do that right now. Technically I am a cryptology analyst on maternity leave, I..." Seeing the deep concern in Annies brown eyes she paused and took a deep breath, "...I think you should talk to Calder when you go in tomorrow. He can at least look into it."

Annie nodded and started swaying to calm the baby in her arms.

"You could even talk to Auggie…" Joan said his name cautiously and searched Annies face for her response.

Annie froze and lifted her eyes up from McKenzie to Joan upon hearing his name.

Cocking her head sideways, Joan justified her suggestion, "He is interim head of the DPD, and I know things are…challenging but, I saw you two talking today." She had a slyness to her tone of voice that made Annie fight the urge to roll her eyes.

"I might have better luck talking to Calder at this point."

Chuckling, Joan took her son back into her own arms "I doubt that." She said before shooting Annie a sideways grin and heading towards the door.

Chapter 7

Dr. Peterson looked up from the file he was reading as Annie Walker entered his office.

"Annie, nice to see you again. Have a seat." He gathered his notebook and pen and came to sit across from the tense brunette settling into his armchair.

Annie silently handed him the notebook she was clutching. Accepting it, he raised an eyebrow at her, "How was your polygraph?"

"Shorter, so better." Annie crossed her legs and sat back into the chair.

"I read the transcript from your session last week."

Crossing her arms she spoke with sarcasm in her voice, "Solidified your belief I'm insane did it?"

"No, but it did help me understand why you are wary of returning."

Annie tapped her arm with a finger as she decided to take advantage of the moment of silence, "What were you talking with Joan and Arthur about after the star ceremony?"

He paused in veiled surprise before nodding, "I was running an idea by them, finding out if it was plausible."

"What idea is this?"

He replied in his even tone and calm grin, "We will get there. How is Auggie?"

Annie uncrossed her arms to re-adjust herself in the chair, "So your interest has shifted from my sleeping habits to my ex boyfriend?"

"We will circle back around to that too. Ex boyfriend?"

"It's complicated."

"Annie, every relationship is complicated"

"But most couples aren't spies, and most girlfriends don't cut off all communication with their boyfriends. Lots of boyfriends cheat but…." Shaking his head, Dr. Peterson held up a finger to pause her rant, "When did cheating enter this equation?"

Annie groaned, "Technically, it wasn't cheating. We were separated, she was his ex wife."

"How does that make you feel?"

She shifted awkwardly, "Disappointed"

"Why?"

"I don't know…It shouldn't bother me. I was gone, and..." She blew air frustratedly through her pursed lips, "...I was a different person for gods sake but it still hurts." Annie looked at the coffee table between them studying the titles in the pile of magazines.

He opened the notebook and scanned a few pages. "You've been doin a lot of writing."

Thankful he changed the subject Annie tried to lighten the conversation, "And luckily I am ambidextrous because my hands ache from all the writing."

"When you dream, does it feel un-real or real?"

"Real." She replied without hesitation.

"Do you feel like you are watching the event play out in front of you? Or do you feel you are a participant with some control?"

Annie exhaled and rolled her eyes, he just wasn't going to let this dream thing go, "Both, each scenario plays out differently." She could hear the frustration in her own voice.

"Are you comfortable with giving me examples?"

"Uhhh…. Well, when I dream Goodman or someone has a gun to Auggies head, I am always too far away to do anything. I have no control over what happens, but Henry, I feel in control of that scenario."

Dr. Peterson wrote himself a note before leaning forward and waiting for her eyes to meet his, "Sometimes blaming ourselves can feel safer than accepting what happened because we had little control over it."

"But I had full control over what happened."

"Did you?"

"I mean I pulled the trigger, so you tell me." Her eyes glared at him, she felt she was loosing her battle with the anger in her.

"Months of incidents led up to that decision, correct? You had no control over the choices Henry Wilcox made. You couldn't control the situation couldn't control him. In that moment, what other choice did you have?" Dr. Peterson looked directly into her eyes as she stared through him.

"Do you believe in free will Annie? Did you ever imagine you would spend this much energy trying to save my life? It is a paradox of free will. You make choice after choice and suddenly you reach this strange dead end where you are working actively against your own interests. Failure to dispassionately see the whole chessboard. That's your fatal flaw as an operative. You lead with your heart instead of your head."

Annie looked away and rubbed her forehead, as if trying to clean Henrys voice out of her brain. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax and answer calmly, "Trying to bring him in would have been nearly impossible, but looking back, maybe I should have tried."

"Things tend to look more plausible in hindsight, but you couldn't predict that moment was coming, you couldn't see into the future. Given what you knew then, was it a reasonable or unreasonable decision."

There was a long pause, "It was reasonable." Annies brow furrowed with realization.

With a deep breath, Dr. Peterson sat back into his chair and spoke again, "Annie, I want to change subjects for a moment. That okay with you?"

Annie shrugged, "Sure"

"Danielle, your sister..." Annies face hardened and her eyes narrowed as sadness filled them when he said her name, "..she thinks you're dead. I need to know if you want to read her in?"

Annie ran a hand through her dark hair, "Is reading her in even an option?"

"Yes. That is what I spoke with Joan and Arthur about."

"So what, I just show up, her dead baby sister raised from the dead?"

"In essence, yes. Although, we would bring her in here. Your polygraphs will be finished being analyzed and compared by tomorrow. Once they are, we can decide what can and cannot be shared in that reunion…" He watched Annies eyes focus on the wall straight ahead as her mind wandered, "...Annie, what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I….I want to see her, but, I don't want to hurt her anymore. If I tell her I'm alive now, she…she will never know for sure if I do die. I don't want her to live in the unknown. It would be selfish."

"More selfish than not telling her you're alive?"

"You want me to agree to see her…"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"You trust her, you said she makes you feel safe. She is a constant in your life, something concrete in all this change, and I think being able to talk about this with her will help you more than I or anyone else can, and I don't think telling her would put her at a disadvantage."

Annie was silent as Dr. Peterson studied her face.

Looking at the floor, the brunette silently nodded in agreement.

"Okay?"

Annie looked him in the eye, "I want to see her."

"Alright, I will work with Calder on ironing out the details." He said as he leaned over the coffee table to hand her the notebook.

"Great, so, are we done?"

"Yes" Annie practically jumped up from her seat, "…but Annie, I have something like a homework assignment for you."

"Okay…?" She said cautiously as paused on her journey to the office door.

"I want you to talk to Auggie." Annies mouth almost fell open, "Things will be complicated until you do, and it won't be easy but he is not your father."

Annie scoffed, "My father? Really?"

"My understanding is it was your fathers marital indiscretions that occurred while he was deployed that ultimately led to him leaving. And I think the similarities between that situation and yours with Auggie are causing you to feel disappointment toward them both."

She took a deep breath and forced the emotions welling up in her to subside, "You're serious?"

"Completely." He was matter of fact as he rose to return to his desk.

Annie laughed and looked at the ceiling, "Yes sir."

Annie stepped into the elevator and pressed two buttons. One for the floor of the DPD, and one for the seventh floor. She leaned against the back of the elevator and wrapped her arms around herself debating how far she wanted to ride this elevator. Talking to Calder about Sana would be easier, but, part of her wanted to talk to Auggie anyway. She felt she would be sick when the elevator reached the floor of the DPD. It was the first stop. The door opened, Annie took a deep breath and forced her shoulders back. But her feet felt like anvils. She bit her lip as the doors began to close and impulsively reached a hand to stop them.

"Its now or never." She whispered to herself.

Annie took that first step out of the elevator. Looking through the DPDs glass door, she could see Auggie making his way from the conference room back to his office. One of the moments him being blind served as a benefit, she could watch him and get her thoughts together without being noticed.

Walking through the DPD felt strange. Everyone in the room knew who she was. Annie could feel them watching her, but no one said a word to her. Auggies door was open so she stopped and watched him work. It took him a moment to pick-up on her presence in the room. When he did he removed his headphones and tipped up his chin. He took a deep breath and stood slowly.

"Annie?" His brow was furrowed.

"It's me Auggie." She whispered as she slid the door shut behind her.

Auggie grinned and pulled another rolling chair from the corner beside his so she could sit. So they sat. Toe-to-toe, knee-to-knee, face-to-face. Neither spoke for what felt like hours as neither was sure where to start.

"What are you doing back here in the DPD?"

Annie chuckled, "I wanted to come visit my friend who got a massive promotion."

Pride flashed over Auggies face, "It's temporary. So, why did you really come?"

"I was hoping you could do me a favor?"

"Is this favor gonna get me fired?"

"No, not this one."

"Okay then shoot."

"Can you look into what happened to Sana's fiancé, David Dupree for me? When I left, Interpol had him in custody and I just want to make sure he was released."

Auggie nodded, "Can it wait till tomorrow?"

Slightly surprised by his response she narrowed her eyes, "Yes I mean whenever you can get to it."

The tall, lanky brown haired man nodded and moved to shut down his work station, "Good because I have a date tonight."

Annie stood and pushed her chair back into the corner trying to hide the shock in her voice, "Oh yeah? With who?"

"A stunning blonde, that has since gone brunette, or so I'm told, and has been out of town for the past three months. I plan on taking her to her favorite bar and catching up. Maybe driving around to look at Christmas Lights." His tone was so casual and lighthearted.

Annie felt her cheeks warm, "But you can't see the lights."

Knowing he had just gotten her to agree to a date Auggie smiled wildly, "No, but she can describe them to me."

"I think she would like that as long as you let her drive."

"That would probably be best." He picked up his folded cane and reached for her elbow, "Ready to go?"

Annie put her arm where he could easily find it, "Is Mr. head of the DPD sure he can leave work?"

"I'm the boss, and it's almost quit time anyway, so yes. But lets walk fast just in case Calder has a last minute task for me." He responded with a sly grin and nudged her to start moving.

After greeting his fanclub, Auggie led Annie to a booth in the back corner of the bar. He surprised Annie when he slid in beside her instead of across from her. Auggie must have sensed her apprehension as he turned his head toward her wide eyes, "I can move if you would rather me..."

Annie cut him off, "No, you're fine I, just wasn't expecting you to, to be so close."

Nodding understandingly, Auggie took a swig of his beer, "How was your session with Dr. Peterson today?" He said the psychiatrists name in a creepy tone of voice eliciting a chuckle from the brunette beside him, "Fine. We talked about you again."

"Who wouldn't wanna talk about me?" His face lit up with a childish grin.

Annie punched him in the arm playfully, "That's not what I mean."

"I know. What did the good doctor have to say about me?" He asked far too amused with himself.

"You are my homework."

Auggie gave her a confused look so she elaborated, "He said I need to talk to you."

"About…?"

Annie shook her head and chuckled at herself, "Honestly I'm not sure."

Auggie furrowed his brow, "Okay, well…how is living with the Campbells?"

Annie shrugged, "It was awkward...really awkward at first, but...they really are just humans."

They both broke into laughter as Auggie half laughed, and half spoke "And I always thought they were zombies." Their laughter subsided as awkward silence settled in again.

"Did you know they are gonna let me read Danielle in?"

Auggie looked away and shrugged, hiding his curling lips with his beer mug, "I heard something about it."

"How do you think she is gonna take this?" Annie tipped her mug and stared at the caramel colored liquid inside.

"I have no idea. In a way it's like when you read her in a few years go. Everyone is different so every response is different. Calder and I have been working on your new NOC. You were almost dumped in the burned operative category but, Henry didn't give MSS your name so we avoided that. How we will explain your blown Import/Export NOC on top of your blown Smithsonian NOC, that's still in the air. How your sister explains this has bounced around the whiteboard as well. We have looked at what you can de-classify, and I gotta be honest with you, you can't say much."

Annie blew her hair away from her face as she flipped her head, "I guess you were right, things haven't changed much here."

Slowly turning his half-full mug in a circle, Auggie spoke in a calculated tone, "What did you mean when you said things will never be the same?"

Annie sighed, "I don't know. So much has changed, we both made decisions we can't take back. I guess I've assumed it's too much to walk back."

"Too much that you decided to go dark or that I slept with Helen."

Annie inhaled sharply and looked at him with anger, sadness, and disappointment. It's not like she didn't know but hearing him say it made it somehow permanent or real as if it wasn't already.

"You figured it out at the apartment that night didn't you?"

Annie nodded and looked at her fisted hands that were clenched on the table in front of her. "Yes."

Auggie sighed deeply and put his head in both hands, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" Annie shook her head, "Why did you….?" Her voice trailed off.

Auggie removed his hands from his head and returned to fiddling with his beer, "It was familiar and I...I wasn't sure you would ever come back, but really I don't know. It just happened."

Annie wiped a tear from her eye, "I was on the bus the night you went to meet her."

A shocked look took over his face and he turned to face her. "Why didn't you..."

"Say anything?" Annie interrupted him and finish his statement, "I was trying to protect you. I almost did, I wanted too, but I wanted you safe more than I wanted you with me."

Auggies bit his bottom lip as his face contorted with pain. His phone rang just as he opened his mouth to speak. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he pulled the hated device from his pocket and answered it. Annie took a gulp of her beer and listened in on Auggies side of the conversation.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, she is with me."

"Yes sir, I will."

Annie touched his arm lightly, "Who was that?"

Auggie rolled his eyes "Arthur, wondering where you were."

Annie groaned, "Overprotective much?"

"They just want to make sure you haven't gone off the grid again. Your death was hard on them both."

Annie looked down at her hands and bit the inside of her cheek remembering the day she decided to disappear. Remembering how many people she hurt in her pursuit of Henry. Auggie took a deep breath and stood up, "Lets go for a walk. I don't wanna do this in here."

Annie stood and led him to the car. "Where do you wanna go?"

"I promised Christmas lights, so, the National Zoo? I hear the light display is amazing."

Annie nodded and tried to smile as she spoke, "We can do that."

The drive was quiet. They parked, and started walking.

Auggie broke the silence, "I can't fix this."

"I know. Neither can I." Annie looked him in his blank eyes, "I can't change this experience that has changed me, I can't go back, so I am trying to just be okay with who I am and what I did. But things, things are different."

"Yeah, they are."

Annie sighed, "We are different."

Auggie swallowed hard, "Find us a bench?"

"Uh..." Annie surveyed the area "…over here." Finding a bench off the main path she led him over and they settled down.

Auggie took both her hands in his, "Annie, I made a mistake. I should have been supporting you, trying to get you home but I…"

"Auggie, stop, please."

He squeezed her hands tighter, "No, no you listen. I know how much a war changes a person. I know things will never be the same, but I am okay with that. As long as we are figuring out what this is together. I don't know what our lives will look like 6 months from now, but today we are together, so we can work on this. Annie we all lost so much in this mess. I don't want to lose us."

His words lit a fire inside of Annie. His hands so warm and steady around hers making her feel safe. She whispered, "I don't know what to say…"

"Say you'll try. We can take it one day at a time, but I can't lose you again." A tear fell down his face.

Annie laid her head on his shoulder, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"One day at a time." She nodded and snuggled into him before looking up to see a relieved smile come over his face. He pulled her closer as they sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

"So what do the lights look like?"

Annie chuckled, and wiped a stray tear with her thumb, "We are sitting in front of a massive green tree. Probably ten feet tall. The lights turn on and off in sequence from the top to the bottom, makes it look like the tree is moving. To your right is a pear tree with a partridge that moves from limb to limb as the white lights blink."

"And I smell Hot Cocoa?"

Annie sat up and scanned the area, "Yeah, there is a vendor a few yard behind us. His shop is lit up with candy canes."

Auggie stood and pulled her up with him, "Well, you gonna take me to get some?"

Placing his hand on her arm she rolled her eyes, "I thought the man bought the drinks on a date?"

"I can't buy you a drink if I don't know where they are." Auggie paused and pulled her around to face him, "So this is still classified as a date? Not just a heart to heart session?"

Annie grinned sideways, "As long as you buy me hot cocoa."

"In that case, lead the way. Lets get you your cocoa, finish walking through these spectacular lights, at least I am assuming they are spectacular...?"

"They are."

"Good, cocoa, lights, and then get you home before the Campbells send out an extraction team."

Annie smiled at him before planting a quick kiss on his cheek, "Deal."

Chapter 8

For the first time in months, it was the warmth of the sunshine streaming in her window that gradually brought Annie Walker out of deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and laid still under the warm blankets relishing the moment. Turning over to look at the clock she heard a crunching sound as she turned onto the notebook that she neglected to put away at 3am.

Sitting up she opened to the last page. As she read her forced handwriting she shuddered. Swallowing down her fear she closed the notebook and slid out of bed. It was almost ten o'clock. Annie showered and dried her hair. Rummaging through her suitcase she pulled out a pair of jeans and a long sleeve top. Annie threw her hair in a ponytail and headed downstairs to find something to satisfy the grumbling in her stomach.

Munching on an apple she stood in the window and watched the sunlight play on the white snow that had fallen the night before. The world looked new, pure.

"Good morning Annie." Arthurs deep voice behind her startled her. Annie coughed choking on her apple.

"Morning."

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to startle you."

Annie shut her eyes as she dismissively shook her dark head, "It's okay. Where's Joan?"

"Upstairs..." He shoved his good hand into his pocket and pursed his lips, "and Annie, while I am apologizing..."

Annie raised an eyebrow afraid of what might come out of his mouth.

"Joan said I should have minded my own business last night, calling Auggie to check on you. I know you are both adults..." Letting a sigh of relief escape, Annie held back a laugh seeing the seriousness in her former bosses face. "...I was worried...I didn't want to be responsible for losing you again like I did in Germany...all that to say, I am sorry for meddling. "

Nodding as she began to understand Annie met Arthurs eyes and gave him a weak smile, "I'm sorry I worried you, but thank you for looking out for me. What are you dressed up for?" She asked nodding to his suit and tie.

"I have a meeting with the DNI."

"At Langley?"

"No, on the hill, with the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee."

Annie narrowed her eyes, "About what?"

Arthur gave her a sly grin, "When you need to know, you will."

Annie rolled her eyes and walked toward the kitchen to discard of her apple, "Best part of being dark, no one told me what I did or didn't need to know. Do you need me to drive you?"

"No, I called a cab hoping you would still be asleep. Joan said last night was the longest she thinks you have slept since you got back."

Re-entering the dining room, "Yeah I think it was."

The cab arrived as she finished her statement and honked for Arthur to come out. As he headed toward the door he added one last sarcastic comment, "Your evening with Auggie have anything to do with that?"

Giving him a sideways look and biting the inside of her cheek she shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe."

"Well I'm glad you two are at least friends again..." he lowered his voice as he stood halfway out the door, "...and Joan will be elated."

Annie shot him a glare, "Bye Arthur."

"See ya tonight." he closed the door behind him and Annie went to the kitchen to clean the load of dishes and bottles that had begun to pile up on the counter.

She was headed back upstairs to her room when Joan called her name. Opening the nursery door she found Joan gently burping baby McKenzie.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Can you hand me one of those extra burp rags over there? McKenzie just spit up, and the one I have now won't be enough to clean him up."

Annie grabbed the nearest rag and clean onseie and handed it to Joan who laid her son in her lap and started cleaning up both him, and her shoulder.

"So..." She asked looking up at Annie with just her eyes, "...how is Auggie?"

Annie put her hands in her back pockets and shrugged, "Fine."

"Mhmm. You two on talking terms again?"

"We are." Annie furrowed her brow and tried to explain, "It's complicated and I'm not sure where we are gonna end up, but, last night was good."

Finishing up her clean up job, Joan handed the clean baby to Annie and brought the dirty onesie and burp rags to the laundry basket. "Did Arthur apologize?"

"Yes, but it was really okay" Annie stated as she started swaying the child in her arms.

"No, it wasn't." Putting on the tone of voice she used when she was reading Annie in for a mission she went on, "I'm going to clean up then we need to talk about your sister." Annies eyes bounced from the baby to Joan. "Calder called this morning and we finalized the details."

Joan watched as the heaviness of the past three months returned to Annies brown eyes. She agreed in a small voice and Joan left the two of them.

Coming downstairs a few minutes later she found Annie sitting at the dinning table with a knee drawn to her chest. Her son happily amused by the baby swing Annie was pushing him in.

Sensing Joans presence in the room, Annie looked up and gave her a weak smile.

Grinning back Joan walked to take a seat beside Annie and the baby swing, "McKenzie seems to like you. I'm about to name you the baby whisperer"

"He likes anyone who pushes him in this swing."

"True, he doesn't like to be still, but when I put him in that swing he becomes completely upset.

Annie shrugged and Joan started the brief, "So, the Brooks' home sold. Danielle is flying to DC tomorrow to empty the house and sign paperwork." Annie nodded as she began to see where this was going. "She knows Auggie, so we are going to have him call her and invite her to Langley to give her some answers."

"Answers?"

"She has had a hard time with the story the CIA gave her. Never seeing your body, no memorial service, she has contacted Auggie many times asking what happened. You can't tell her the details of your faked death. Can't disclose names, not even Calders. She will never meet anyone except you, Auggie, Dr. Peterson and possibly us."

Annie looked at her with confused eyes, "Why not Calder?"

Joan sighed deeply, "He is still covert Annie. Her meeting him on the street while he is in his NOC is one thing, but..."

"I understand."

"You can't tell her where you were. Nothing about your direct involvement with Henry."

Annie began to feel frustration boiling in her. She grit her teeth and glared fiercely at Joan, "Well what can I tell her?"

"That you are alive. That you were implicated and identified in relation to the missile attack on the helicopter in Copenhagen. We are going to use that, in combination with your import export NOC to explain your absence for three months. For all intents and purposes, you witnessed the attack and were subsequently sequestered by the Denmark police force before being sent back to the United States where you were put under witness protection. Now that the public knows what happened, well, our version of what happened, you can go back to your normal life. The threat against you has been mitigated. The paperwork your sister filed to get your death certificate has been pulled. The name plate on the grave has been replaced with Jane Doe. On paper, you have come back from the dead."

Annie nodded in agreement. "That is a far fetched explanation is it not?"

Joan took a deep breath and slowly let it out, "Honestly, yes. Most operatives don't try to come back after something like this. Finding a way to keep you from being burned has been complicated. We are counting on your sister not having many people to tell. You have no immediate family and she has just moved to the other side of the country."

Turning her attention to the babbling baby boy beside her Annie asked the next question on her list. "Okay, what happens if I do return to the CIA? What will my new NOC be?"

"You have to make the decision to come back, and you have to be cleared for fieldwork before they put the hours into finding you a new NOC. Have you made a decision?" Joan looked for Annie to look her in the eye but the girl evaded her gaze and silently shook her head.

"It's okay. There is no rush. We want you to come back if and when you feel ready."

"Joan, you keep saying, 'we'. Does that mean you're back?"

Joan sat back into her seat and crossed her arms, "No, it is just habit. Calder and I will have to go through the interviewing process after the new year I would guess."

Annie nodded seeing McKenzie had been lulled to sleep by the swinging motion, she stopped pushing the swing. Her tired arm rested across her leg and she propped her chin on her knee, "Joan, can I ask you a personal question."

"Depends on what it is." Joan replied giving the dark haired girl a cautious narrow eyed stare.

"You told me a couple of years ago that you have three sisters."

Joan nodded.

"Did they know you were CIA before you went overt?"

Joan took a deep breath and twirled her wedding ring around her finger, "One of my sisters, the oldest one, Sarah, directly asked me if I was in the CIA shortly after I joined. I couldn't bring myself to lie to her, so I read her in. After I married Arthur, who was already overt, my family assumed I was CIA." Joan cocked her head sideways and furrowed her brow, "We aren't particularly close tho and my parents never pressed the issue so I never felt the need to read them in. It was the elephant in the room everyone knew about but no one asked about." Joan chuckled, "When I became DCS, they knew for sure."

Not sure how far she could push Joan, Annie asked slowly, "How do you think your sister would have responded if you went dark then came back?"

Joan pondered the question for a moment before blinking and sitting up straight in her chair. Extending her neck she replied, "Keep in mind Sarah and Danielle are two completely different people. From what I know about your sister she is a very nurturing woman. My sister was a Marine for most of her life. If I faked my death then showed back up, she would probably be angry." Joan looked at the ceiling, "I would probably have a black eye." She gave Annie a quick grin and went on, "Finding out I was CIA was hard for her because she didn't want me to give up everything for my country like she felt she had. Ultimately, she was supportive. That being said, in a situation like yours, she would be angry, probably not talk to me for a few months, but I expect she would eventually come around and just be happy I was alive."

Annie dropped her knee to the floor and relaxed back into her chair. Her eyes were staring a hole into the dining room table. "How do you think Danielle will take this?" She brought her eyes up to meet Joans slowly, "How will she take me being alive."

Sighing deeply Joans eyes flickered to her stirring son then back to Annie, "I was shocked when I ran into you in New York, but mostly relieved to see you alive. Your sister will have a lot of emotions to sort through, but ultimately, you are her baby sister and you are alive. I think it will take time, but I think she will be happy to have you back in her life."

Annie ran a hand through her hair, "I hope so."

Arthur walked into a dark house. He could hear his son crying upstairs so he moved toward the sound. The guest room door was closed but the light was on, his bedroom door was open. Standing in the doorway he saw his wife trying to calm his upset son with a pacifier.

"Everything okay?" He asked as he entered the room.

"Hey, welcome home." Joan smiled as Arthur crossed the room and brushed a soft kiss on his wifes lips. "Did you read Annie in on her meeting with Danielle tomorrow?"

"I did."

"And…?"

"And I think it will be hard, but I think she's ready."

The baby in her arms still crying , Arthur looked down at him and spoke in a pathetic tone, "Hey Mac, what is wrong son?" At his fathers voice the wailing child in Joans arms stilled and became silent.

"Apparently he missed you."

Arthur turned and moved to sit in the chair in the corner of the room, "Here let me hold him."

Joan bent over and placed him into his fathers arms. He babbled happily and Arthur kissed his forehead. Joan sat in the chair beside her two men. "How did it go?"

Arthur looked up at her with bright eyes, "James and I sat with the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee for five hours going over the proposal. He hardly said a word and I honestly though he was going to shoot it down without even considering it. But, he said it was a plausible option that he wants James and I to submit to the committee next week."

A dimpled smile took over Joan's face, "Arthur that is great news."

He nodded, "It is."

"So, you would work directly for the DNI?" Arthur nodded, "What would your title be?"

"Associate Director of National Intelligence. My role, similar to that of a Chief Operating Officer overseeing the intelligence community. The Senator was insistent, however, that my office be on the hill with the DNI and not at Langley. I would be there to further integrate the sharing of intelligence between the CIA and the office of the DNI but on the politicking side of things and not the intelligence gathering side."

Joan gave him a sideways grin and spoke in a sarcastic tone, "So, if I beat Calder out for my old DCS post you would go back to being my boss?"

Arthur nodded an looked down at his son, the smile on his face slowly disappearing, "Joan, are you sure you want to go back to work?" He looked up at her with a questioning gaze. "Someone needs to be home to raise McKenzie, and…"

"Arthur, we talked about this. As demanding as the DCS position is, I am a better delegator than you were, and the re-structuring that happened after Lena really does take the pressure off of the position some, and he can be in the building with me."

Arthur shook his head, "I know, but Joan…."

"Don't 'but Joan' me, Arthur Campbell. I worked hard for this job, and I love it. I am confident we can balance being parents and serving our country. Even your new role as Associate DNI will take some duties off of my plate, I am sure."

Arthur nodded dejectedly.

"Please let me try this Arthur."

"You're gonna try it anyway." He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Yeah, I probably will."

Arthur turned so he could look her full in the face, "Joan, I just don't want to see you overwhelmed. I don't want to see this become too much for you and see you…."

"Relapse?"

Arthur took a deep breath, "Yes, Joan."

She nodded and rubbed her fingernail with her thumb, "That won't happen. I have you and I have McKenzie and I know when it is too much. I promise you I will make our family a priority."

Tears had crept into the corner of Arthurs tired eyes, "I know you will. And I know you can do this. We can do this."

Joan gazed at her husband and son. A joyfully warm feeling swept over her as she did.

"What are you smiling at?"

"The two most amazing men in the world. One who has fallen asleep finally."

Joan stood and scooped the baby boy into her arms and moved to lay him in the bassinet.

Arthur came to stand behind her and wrapped his good arm around her waist pulling her against him. He kissed her neck before looking over her shoulder to watch their son sleep. "It will be nice to have two arms again."

Joan wrapped her arm around his, "Just a few more days and you can hold him."

"And you" he whispered into her neck.

"And me" she said with a smile in her voice. Leaning to one side so she could see his profile she added, "And you can change his diapers."

He kissed her lips and went back to staring at their son, "You know, I am actually excited about that."

Chapter 9

"Dear Danielle, I know we haven't had a chance to talk in awhile, and we may never get the chance to speak again. So I'm asking you to think about the times when Dad had us look for the evening star, Venus, when it appeared in the west just after sunset. No matter where we lived all over the world, there was Venus, it was our star. Now I'm asking you to think of me whenever you see Venus in the sky. No matter where you are I'll be there.

I love you Danielle."

Cell phone in one hand, postcard in the other, Danielle forced herself to breathe. Three months later and the pain was still as raw as the night she got that phone call. Hearing from Auggie today was like opening an old wound.

The girls were downstairs running and screaming. Someone was probably about to get hurt. It was inevitable with those two. Danielle chuckled thinking of how much of Annie was in them. In the adventurous, active, dreamers they had become.

Paul Walker used to tell his daughters that Venus was a special star. That it allowed people communicate with their dead loved ones to show they still love and remember them. When their grandmother died, she and Annie were just 5 and 9. One night their dad took them outside and told them that Venus was really their grandmother watching over them. It was always there. Venus was a constant in their lives even when they moved time after time. Being a military brat was hard enough, but, add in their parents divorce when they were in their teens and their mothers sudden death right after Danielles' wedding, that star meant more to the two of them then anyone would ever understand.

Now she looked at it and remembered her grandmother, her mother, and her sister. Her sister who joined the CIA and had gotten herself killed. Warm tears started flowing down her cheeks when a knock on her door drew her out of her melancholy muse.

"Danielle?" Michael cautiously asked as he stepped into the room. Seeing her emotional state he walked quickly to her and pulled her into his arms. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?"

Danielle pulled away and sat up straight, "Auggie called."

"What did he want?" He asked with an angry edge to his voice.

"They know we sold the house." She sniffled, "They need to do what he called a "sweep", and I guess its protocol for the family to be debriefed? When I fly in tomorrow he is going to meet me and take me into Langley."

"Are you sure you want to do this alone? Going to Langley and having to go through Annie's things? It's only two days, I can take off work and my parents can watch the girls."

Danielle stood and stashed the postcard into her nightstand, "No, Michael. I need to do this alone."

Stepping out of the airport terminal Danielle easily spotted Auggie Anderson standing by a black SUV. Pulling along her carry-on bag she walked to greet him.

"Auggie, I'm here."

He turned his face toward her voice and smiled warmly, "Welcome back to D.C."

Danielle was glad he couldn't see her face. Being back in D.C. brought back so many painful memories of her sister. Keeping the emotions off her face had been impossible. She climbed into the SUV and Auggie stowed her bag in the trunk before climbing into the seat beside her.

"How was your flight?" He asked as the car began moving.

"Fine." Her response was flat. Taking a deep breath she rallied her emotions and managed to put on a sanguine tone, "How have you been Auggie?"

He shrugged, "Ah, I've been better."

Danielle let herself stare out the window as the city she once live in flew by, "I know what you mean."

Finally passing through security with her red visitors badge, Danielle and Auggie began making their way through the maze of hallways inside Langley. "And I thought airport security was bad." She said lightly while holding the blind mans arm as he led her deeper into the building.

Auggie gave his signature grin, "What really sucks is it doesn't let up even after you work here."

Danielle looked at him with a slightly shocked face. "That doesn't seem fair."

He just shrugged and continued walking, tapping his cane in semi-circle motions as they went. "So, Auggie, where are you taking me?"

"Dr. Petersons office."

"Why am I going to see a doctor? Or does the person just have PhD? Or is that even their name?" Danielle asked in a half serious, half sarcastic tone.

Auggie laughed, "He is a psychiatrist."

"Scared I'm going to have a psychotic breakdown?"

"No, we just felt having him there for support would be good for you and everyone involved."

Danielle sighed, "Well maybe I am crazy, I am letting a blind man lead me around the CIA."

"It is a little ironic, a blind man leading you around Langley. That's what I told Annie the first day she worked here." Danielle took in a sharp breath at the mention of her sisters name. Slowing his walk he turned slightly to face the door containing the name Department of PsychoTherapy. "Well, here we are."

He released her arm and held the door open for her. Danielle shot him a sideways glance, "You aren't coming in?"

"I don't have the best history with CIA shrinks and I'm not the person you really need answers from."

Stepping halfway into the door she looked back at him, "What does that mean?"

Propping the door open with his foot, Auggie found her arm and gave it a re-assuring squeeze, "Just trust me. I won't be far."

Danielle nodded quickly and took a deep breath before turning to enter the reception area. Walking in she was met by an extremely tall man who held his hand out for her to shake and introduced himself as Dr. Peterson.

She followed him to his office and they made small talk about her travel experience and the weather in D.C. versus California. Arriving at the door he placed a hand on it and looked her directly in the eye, "Mrs. Brooks, I have someone in my office who needs to talk to you. What they tell you will be hard for you to hear. I will be just outside the door if you need me."

With narrow eyes she glanced up at him, "Okay...?"

Dr. Peterson gave her a nod and a weak smile before opening his door and letting her walk in. A woman with dark hair was sitting in a chair. Hearing Danielle enter the room she stood and turned around right as the door was clicking shut behind the nervous blonde.

Danielle just stared at the woman for a moment, her mouth falling to the floor, tears welling up in her eyes as she slowly recognized the dark haired girl standing before her. Finally finding her voice she managed to whisper, "I, I...Annie?"

The dark haired girl nodded and bit her lip looking at Danielle with eyes full of sadness and fear.

"Oh my God." Danielle breathed as she moved forward to pull her sister into a hug. Tears were streaming down her face as she wrapped her arms around her sisters bony shoulders. They stood there for a few minutes. Danielle finally let go and grabbed Annies arms, holding her at arms length so she could look her in the eye.

Shaking her head she stammered , "I...I...I thought you were dead."

Annie shook her head, "No."

"You let me believe you were dead." Her voice started to have an angry edge to it as she started processing what had just happened.

"I did. And I am so sorry Danielle." Annie pulled her sisters hands from her arms and led her to sit beside her the couch against the office wall. Annie watched Danielles face closely, waiting to see what she would do or say.

Danielle pulled her hands away from Annie and sat up straight looking at her with angry, shocked and sad eyes, "How? Why? Why did you let me think you died? Do you know how horrible that was? I can't believe this is happening. How could you do this to me?" She felt herself losing control of her tone of voice so took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

Anne rubbed her arm and looked away, "I had too. It was the only way to...to keep the people I care about safe."

"People you care about? What about me and the girls?"

Annie met her eyes, "Danielle, you are some of the people I was trying to keep safe. If I didn't disappear, it would only have been a matter of time before..." Annie took a deep breath and looked for a way to explain this, "...before you were in danger as well. The people I was chasing would have come after you if I didn't let them and you...think I was dead."

"So you did this to protect me?"

Annie nodded and looked at her clasped hands, "Yes."

"Who? Who was so dangerous you resorted to, to playing dead?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Oh really, you can't tell me who was threatening my life?"

Annie shook her head and looked straight into Danielles eyes, "No, but I promise you the threat no longer exists."

Danielle nodded remembering how her sister saved her life in Stockholm two years earlier.

"Where have you been for the past three months?"

"Copenhagen and here."

"That's it?"

Annie just gave Danielle a narrow eyed sideways glance telling her there was more, but it was information she would never divulge.

Danielle sucked on her cheek and nodded as she looked away from her sister. After a moment of silence she took e breath and turned her eyes to meet the dark haired girls beside her, "If I ask you what happened, will you tell me the truth or will it all be lies?"

Annie tilted her head sideways, her face contorting and showing the conflict inside of her, "The story I can tell you is a partial truth. You will probably know what is made up. Trust me Danielle, you don't want to know the details."

Nodding and taking a moment to scan the room they were in Danielle finally looked Annie in the eye again, "It is a story you can tell while you help me pack up the house?"

Giving the blonde beside her a weak smile, "Yes."

"Good, cause I have a lot to do."

"Consider me your personal packing slave." Annie chuckled and gave her sisters arm a squeeze as she stood. "Dr. Peterson is waiting outside, to talk to us both. Then we can go."

Danielle watched her dark haired sister walk out of the room. The dark hair made her look older, thinner and harder. Whatever she went through had changed her. It was like her little sister was a completely different person. The anger, relief and fear Danielle had been feeling since the moment she recognized Annie kept pumping adrenaline through her body. Her hands shook as she sat and tried to sort through her thoughts. She took a deep breath and pressed her fingers to her forehead.

"Danielle?" Her sisters small voice timidly requested her attention. Looking up she stood.

Dr. Peterson gave her a weak smile, "Mrs. Brooks…."

"You can call me Danielle."

He nodded, "Okay, Danielle, how do you feel about all of this?"

"Here, Annie, I found another box." Danielle yelled as she re-entered Annies nearly empty guesthouse. They had worked mostly in silence for the past four hours packing the guesthouse and cleaning the main house.

Annie gave her sister a grateful smile, "Thanks."

"You know, you would have half the boxes to move if you would go through that ridiculous shoe collection of yours." Danielle stated with her hands on her hips and a sarcastic grin playing on her face.

Rolling her eyes Annie dumped the last few pairs of shoes into the box. "You never know when you may need them."

Danielle plopped onto Annies mattress, "Hey Annie?"

She looked up and removed the duct tape from between her teeth, "Yeah?"

"I'm ready to hear the story." She used her fingers to make quotation marks and spoke in a deep voice.

Annie took a deep breath and added the box to the stack by the door before coming to sit beside Danielle. "….did you hear about the helicopter in Copenhagen that got shot down by a missile?"

"Of course I saw it. I may not be a spy but I do watch the news."

Annie bit her lip and grinned for a moment before returning to her serious persona, "I was there trying to finalize a deal with an import export friend of mine." Danielle sensed the lie and narrowed her eyes at Annie who rolled hers to point at the floor and went on, "I witnessed the attack and was taken into custody by the Politi. I was kept there for a few weeks before the government arranged for me to return to the US and be put into witness protection until the man who shot off the missile could be caught and prosecuted." Annie rubbed her hand and swallowed hard trying to work up the courage to say what she had to say, "The man was killed..." Her memory flashed to the vision of Goodman struggling atop of her for the gun, the smell of the gunpowder, the sound of him slumping lifelessly on top of her. She had to pause and force the flashback to subside before continuing, "...the threat against me eliminated and I was able to return to my somewhat normal life."

She slowly and timidly brought her eyes up to meet Danielles. Danielle was neither impressed nor comforted nor convinced by the story. "Is that what I am supposed to tell Michael and the girls?"

"Yes."

Danielle stood and half stomped across the room before turning to face Annie with her arms crossed and her face red with anger, "Did you not think about how you dying and suddenly coming back was going to effect your family? I don't know how I am going to ever explain this to the girls. And Michaels family?"

Annie felt tears welling up but she pushed them down and sat up straight and spoke to Danielle like she would an asset she was trying to turn, calmly and emotionlessly, "It will be a hard thing for everyone to accept, it was a hard thing for me to do, but I had to do it."

The look in Danielles eyes pierced Annie's heart. She didn't believe word coming our of her sisters mouth. Annie looked at the floor and whispered, "I'm so sorry Danielle."

She could feel Danielle's fierce gaze on her for a good minute before she picked up one of Annie's boxes and broke the tense silence, "Wanna help me put these in your swanky new Land Rover?" Her voice had an edge to it.

Annie stood and nodded grabbing a box and walking out behind her sister. Opening the trunk they slid the boxes in, "It's not my car?"

Danielle swung her head around, "What did you steal it or does it belong to the…"

Annie spoke over her sister, cutting her off before she announced Annie's occupation to the entire street, "It belongs to my old bosses."

Danielle closed her mouth and softened her face giving Annie a questioning gaze.

"They have let me stay with them while I figure out…..figure out what to do next."

"I assumed you would be staying with Auggie?"

Annie looked at her with tears pooling in her eyes, "No, Auggie and I aren't really together right now. Joan and Arthur needed help with the new baby and I needed a place to stay and I guess something to do with my life. Helping with the baby gave me something to distract me…." She chuckled as she began to realize it was probably the Campbells plan all along to help her out of herself, "…to distract me from everything that happened."

"So, what are you going to do next?" Danielle asked as the two headed back inside. Once behind closed doors she extended her question, "I mean are you going to go back to work for the CIA or..."

Annie avoided her sisters eyes and picked up a box, "Honestly I don't know. I'm not sure I can go back."

With boxes piled high in the Campbells Land Rover, Annie and Danielle drove across town to drop everything off in storage. The drive was awkwardly silent. Annie knew Danielle had more questions but she was afraid to push her too far, afraid of how she would react to the responses Annie had to give her. She hated lying to people she loved.

Locking the storage container Annie turned to face her sister, "Where are you staying?"

Grinning happily and blushing every so slightly, Danielle responded , "I have a Presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown."

Annie raised an eyebrow, "Nice."

"Michael booked it, said I needed to spoil myself while I'm here." Danielle opened the car door and looked across the front bench at her sister with wide, excited eyes, "And I have a massage this evening."

Nostalgia took over Annies face, "I'm glad you two were able to work it out."

Danielle shrugged and climbed into the car. "Why don't you stay with me? We could make it a sister spa sleepover, watch a chick flick and eat overpriced ice cream."

Turning her head and smiling from ear to ear, "I would love that."

They started to drive away when Danielle reached to touch Annies dark hair, "And while we're there we can have your hair colored, these roots are awful."

"Danielle!"

The sisters erupted in laughter. Laughter that left Annie feeling alive and happy.

She felt happy.

Annie pulled into the Campbells driveway and looked over at her blonde older sister, "I need to grab a few thing, want to come inside? They would love to meet you and..."

"Annie, these people put you in danger. I'm not sure I want to ever meet them." The joy and laughter left the car almost as quickly as it had entered. Annie sighed and furrowed her brow, "Danielle, I chose to fake my death and do it alone. They would have stopped me if they could've."

Danielle looked at her with narrow eyes as she bit her tongue and chose a new set of words, "Fine, but don't expect me to be nice to them."

Annie opened the drivers side door and rolled her eyes, "Now why on earth would you think I would want you to be nice to them?"

Danielle groaned and exited the vehicle following the dark head in front of her inside.

"Joan, Arthur?! I'm here with Danielle."

It was Arthur who first emerged from his office taking off his glasses and moving to greet them. "Danielle, I am Arthur Campbell. It is a pleasure to meet you." He held his good hand out for her to shake, which she did.

"Nice to meet you. What happened to your arm?"

Annie and Arthur exchanged glances before he came up with an answer, "Car accident."

Giving her sisters arm a squeeze, Annie excused herself, "I'm gonna go grab some clothes for tomorrow and check on Joan. I'll be right down."

Danielle shot Annie a desperate look as she disappeared up the stairs.

Arthur motioned for her to take a seat in the living room. "So, Danielle, how is California treating you?"

"Fine." She sank into the arm chair and looked at him with a sly question in her gaze, "So, if I ask you what really happened to Annie are you going to..."

Arthur cut her off, "...She was in Copenhagen when the..."

Danielle nodded and waved her hands in frustration cutting him off, "...yeah yeah, when the missile attack happened, witness protection, the man was killed, shes back."

Waiting a moment for her to cool down before he spoke, Arthur replied in a calm, even tone, "The secrets can be hard to live with, but, especially in this case, you need to trust me when I say the truth is harder to live with. Sometimes we have to keep secrets to protect the ones we love." He watched Danielles body language relax as the anger slowly left her eyes. After a moment he felt it was safe to make small talk. "Annie staying with you at the house tonight?"

"No, hotel."

Arthur nodded and leaned forward onto his elbows. "Annie has had a hard time adjusting to being back. She has a hard time sleeping and has nightmares. She was on her own for so long it's hard for her to ask for help, hard for her to trust..." Danielle shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "...You know she has PTSD?"

Danielle nodded, "Dr. Peterson explained that."

"Good, I know you are hurting, just remember she is too."

His concern for her little sister shocked Danielle but she managed to keep a straight face as Annie and an older blonde woman entered the room carrying a newborn.

"Danielle? I am Joan Campbell…and this is Mckenzie."

Danielle stood as the mother in her took over she smiled at the baby boy and cooed at him. "He is adorable."

"Thank you." Joan smiled at Danielle.

"How old is he?"

"Almost two weeks."

"He is tiny."

Joan nodded and took a deep breath, "He came a few weeks early. But he was fine and his timing was perfect."

Annie could see her sisters uncomfortable awkwardness growing so she picked up the bag she had packed and motioned for her to follow her out the door and looking over her shoulder to address the Campbells, "I will see you both tomorrow." Joan and Arthur nodded in acknowledgement but Danielle hadn't moved. "Danielle?"

She snapped back onto reality and smiled graciously, "It was nice to meet you three." Looking Arthur in the eye she inhaled deeply, "And thank you for explaining."

He nodded and pursed his lips. "You two have fun and be safe."

Annie and Joan both shot him confused glances as Danielle exited the room.

Knowing her sister needed to breathe and relax, Danielle tried her best to keep the evening lighthearted and not ask too many questions. Other than Annie awakening violently twice in the night and scaring the hell out of Danielle, they enjoyed spending time together. It felt like old times, until they went back to the house to sign the closing papers and the memories came flooding back. The day Annie told her she was CIA, the day she kicked Annie out, the day she moved back in. Danielle kept it under wraps, but now as Annie drove her to the airport the anger that had been slowly coming to a boil within her was starting to bubble over.

"Annie can you pull over?"

She looked over at her sister with a surprised look on her face, "Sure. Everything okay?"

Danielle shook her head, "No...no...I tried to just be okay with all of this, but..." Angry tears welling up in her eyes, "...Annie, I thought you were dead, I mourned your loss. You are all the family I have and the only person I have ever trusted completely. I could take the lies about your occupation, about where you traveled too, but letting me believe you were dead? Damnit Annie, I went to grief counseling. I had to explain to your nieces, my daughters that their Aunt Annie was never coming to visit." Her voice had risen from a low roar to a full blown shout. She took a breath and tried to calm herself down, "I know you did what you did to protect me and you keep secrets to protect me and everyone around you, but I'm not gonna lie and say I'm not angry. I am furious at you. I love you and I'm glad you didn't let me think you were dead forever, but I'm still angry."

Traffic was flying by them shaking the car as they sat on the side of the road. Annie ran a hand through her blonde hair and sighed deeply, "I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."

Danielle rolled her eyes, "I guess there is nothing else you can say." She turned to face the road again and looked at the cars dashboard to check the time, "We need to get going or I'm going to miss my flight."

Annie nodded and put the car in drive. A silent tear escaped down her cheek as she drove them into the departure drop-off.

They exited the car and Annie opened the trunk to retrieve Danielles bag.

Not looking her sister in the eye Danielle reached and pulled up the handle and turned to walk away but her sisters broken voice stopped her.

"Danielle?"

She turned to face her. Looking Annie in the eye she didn't see a hardened, trained liar, she saw her broken little sister. The deep pain in Annies brown eyes made Danielles heart ache. She knew her words had brought Annie to this point. Letting go of her suitcase she pulled Annie into a hug. Her little sister cried, shaking in Danielles arms with each sob. Tears of sorrow, relief, and grief that Annie hadn't allowed herself to cry for the past few months now came pouring out onto Danielles shoulder. Annie had never cried like this in front of Danielle, much less the entire departure terminal of the Ronald Reagan Airport. As she sobbed she repeated the phrase "I'm sorry" over and over again. A few minutes later Annie calmed down and caught her breath. Danielle stroked her hair and tried to comfort her. Fighting her own tears she found the words she had been looking for throughout Annies breakdown, "Annie, I forgive you..." she said choosing her sister over her anger and pride. Those words sent Annie into another crying fit. Finally able to compose herself she pulled away from her sisters shoulder. Danielle looked her in the eye, "I'm still angry, and frustrated, but...I forgive you." Danielle reached to try and clean up her sisters tear stained face.

"I love you Danielle, and I never meant to hurt you."

"I know." Remembering where they were and why they were there Danielle reached behind her for her suitcase, "I really have to go now."

Annie nodded, "Are we okay?"

Danielle gave her one last quick hug, "I don't know..." Pulling away she looked her in the eye and spoke with determination, "...but we will be."

Annie gave her a weak grin and Danielle squeezed her arm and kissed her forehead before turning to leave, "I will call you when I land...oh wait, you don't have a phone do you?"

Annie chuckled, "No, I'll grab one and text you so you have my number. Fly safe."

Danielle waved and disappeared into the terminal.

Kind of a long chapter, kinda a different format, but I hope you enjoyed. I've never written Danielle before so I also hope it translated well!

Chapter 10

Joan Campbell sank onto the bed beside a disheartened Annie Walker, "Wanna talk about it?"

The girl grit her teeth and kept staring a hole into the wall across from her. Her head, however, involuntary nodded if only ever so slightly. Joan noticed and took it as permission to demand an answer.

"What happened Annie?"

Poking out her upper lip her glare moved from the tan wall to the white carpet, "I lost it."

"You lost it?"

Annie cleared her throat and turned to face her former boss giving the woman a clear view of her bloodshot eyes, "I literally had an emotional breakdown at the airport. In front of everyone."

Joan gave her a confused look, "So...that justifies you coming back home, stomping up to my guestroom and slamming a fist into my mirror?"

"Guess you can tell Dr. Peterson to add anger management to my PTSD treatment."

Joan shook her head and said Annies name with a sigh before standing and walking over to the bathroom doorway where she could see the damage. Shattered glass was strewn all over the tile. The frame the mirror had been in was now hanging lopsided on the wall. A few drops of blood from the cuts on Annies hand had fallen onto the counter top.

Fiddling with the bandages Joan had wrapped around her hand she spoke in a small voice, "I will clean it up and replace the mirror and then I'll...I'm gonna go."

Joan turned to face her. Fighting the frustration that was nearly driving her insane she bit her lip to keep her temper under control before asking with narrow eyes, "And where are you going to go?"

Annie just shrugged pushing Joan to the edge of her self-control. The young blonde sitting in front of her was acting like an out of control teenager and Joan had just about had enough.

"Annie, I don't want you to leave, or clean this up, or sit there in silence like a scolded child. I want you to tell me why you did what you did and not so that I can send Dr. Peterson a report..." Annies brown eyes shot up to glare into Joans icy blue ones, "...I want to know that you are okay."

McKenzie started crying it the other room.

Annie breathed a sigh of relief as Joans attention was instantly pulled away from her. She watched Joan hang her head out the door before coming back to stand in the room and close the door behind her.

"I'm okay if you need to go get him..." she offered hoping Joan would just let her be.

She crossed her arms and shook her head leaning back against the closed door, "Arthur has him. So, mirror, attitude, explain."

Annie had withstood interrogation in Russia for two weeks without saying a word, she had been questioned by MSS and kept her cool, but one glare from Joan Campbell was worse than a week of threats and questions. She was not getting out of that room until she explained herself.

"I expected Danielle to be angry, to have questions. I expected it to be hard to talk to her, to tell her what happened, but I didn't..." Her voice cracked and she pushed her blonde hair out of her face, "...we stood in that airport terminal, and Joan, she forgave me." Tears began streaming down her pale cheeks and she turned to wipe them away so Joan couldn't see. Taking a deep breath she turned her face back toward Joan who had tilted her head sideways and bent her eyes with concern. "...when I got here I looked in the mirror and, I still don't recognize myself..." Annie let silence fall in the room again. Honestly she wasn't sure what came over her. Wasn't sure what her problem was, what was wrong with her? Things went well with Danielle. Things were looking better, life was becoming manageable but for some reason she just couldn't completely let it all go.

"You're frustrated because things aren't returning to, whatever normal is for you, as quickly as you want them too?" Joan asked with a raised brow as she walked across the room and took a seat beside her former operative.

"Yes, and..." her voice trailed off and she turned her eyes back to her bandaged hand.

"And what Annie?"

She flipped her hair back and looked Joan in the eye for a moment before letting her eyes flicker back to the wall in front of her, "I was told to beat Henry, I had to become him..." she scoffed, "...Henry was a monster and I...I wonder how much I became one myself in the process. I lied, I stole things, I was an assassin and a murderer. I let people I love believe I was dead. I failed at saving Teo. I hurt so many just to, just to bring justice or vengeance or whatever it was to one person. One person. All that just to take out Henry Wilcox. I gave up so much and hurt so many that I...I feel like a monster." Annie stood and looked into the bathroom taking in the mess she had made. The room a reflection of what she felt she looked like inside. A broken, bloody mess.

"Annie, come sit." Joan patted the mattress beside her.

Obeying, Annie came and settled back down beside Joan.

"You and I both know you are not a monster. I'm not a mind reader, but I think what set you off is..." She paused and inhaled, "...you can't forgive yourself." The look in Annies eyes confirmed Joan's assumption so she smiled weakly and went on, "...and having the people around you choosing to forgive and embrace who you have become leaves you with one of two options, you can continue to isolate yourself and be bitter…alone...broken?" She gave Annie a pointed glare, "Or you can choose to join the majority and forgive yourself. The only way you can survive in this business is to get really good at forgiveness, at letting things go. The anger you feel is pointed at yourself. I'm not mad at you, Arthur isn't mad, Auggie isn't mad, Danielles anger will not last forever." Annie looked at her with a question in her eyes. Joan nodded, "I promise you, the only person truly angry with you, is you and you have got to forgive yourself."

Tears fell down Annies face and she looked at Joan with blurry, squinted eyes, "How?"

Joan swallowed hard, "By every day reminding yourself you don't owe anything to anyone. There is nothing you need to do to make up for what you've done and that includes coming back to the CIA. Coming back won't fix you. In fact, until you stop blaming yourself for everything that happened, I won't let them bring you back in because you will be working yourself into the ground trying to pay off a debt that doesn't exist."

Annie took a deep breath and let out a few sobs as Joan pulled her head to her shoulder. She stroked the blonde girls hair for a moment, "And concerning Teo..." Annie sat up and looked Joan straight in the eyes, "...Arthur does not blame you, he blames himself. The two of you are similar in that you insist on taking on the weight of the world even when it isn't yours to bare. And you are both incredibly stubborn." Annie chuckled as did Joan.

When her son began crying again Joan stood and motioned for Annie to follow, "Go help Arthur with McKenzie and I will start cleaning up this mess."

Annie paused and presented an argument, "No let me clean up my mess, he will calm down faster if you..."

Opening the door Joan gave Annie a gentle glare, "If changing him doesn't work, there are a few bottles of breast milk in the back of the fridge." Joan smiled with a tilted head and went downstairs to retrieve a broom and dustpan.

It took some coaxing and negotiating but, Annie finally convinced Joan and Arthur to let her go to the hardware store to replace the shattered mirror. If it weren't for Arthurs arm being in a sling she would have lost the battle.

There were more reasons than just fixing the mess she made that influenced her desire to run the errand. Annie needed to be alone, to think and not feel like someone was hovering over her constantly.

Driving through town she had a strange feeling she was being tailed, but saw no evidence of it. The vehicles around her drew no attention to themselves. No one car popped up more than it should, no cars made sudden changes in course to follow her. Unable to shake the feeling she used evasive driving techniques all the way to the store as a precaution. The last thing she needed was to be caught with her guard down. Downshifting suddenly she threw the back end of the BMW around the median making a fast u-turn and causing chaos around her. People were obviously irate at her sudden move but no one followed.

"You are just being paranoid. Calm down Annie." She said to herself while scanning the mess behind her in the rear-view. I wonder what Dr. Peterson would think about me talking to myself. The thought caused a grin to creep onto the corners of her mouth.

Pulling into the ACE parking-lot she scanned the area. Everything looked normal, nothing was causing a red flag. Convinced she was just being paranoid she took a deep breath and walked toward the entrance while trying to push the unsettling feeling out of her mind. Her phone vibrating in her pocket distracted her from her muse for a moment.

"Danielle?"

"Yeah, I just wanted you to know I landed...It's really nice to be able to call you again."

"It's nice to hear your voice. Have you talked to Michael yet?"

"Annie, I just landed." Danielle emphasized the word just and Annie could hear annoyance in her tone. "I'm just now walking into the luggage terminal. Once I have had a chance to explain everything to him I promise to call... "

"Okay. Danielle?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you, and thank you."

"For what?"

Annie sighed, "For being my sister."

"I love you too. And I will always be your sister now I gotta go. Talk soon."

Annie could hear Michaels voice greeting his wife right before the phone clicked off. She flipped the phone shut and stuffed it into her pocket as her leisurely walking had taken her to the aisle of mirrors. Lifting her eyes to find a mirror similar to the one she destroyed she couldn't help but chuckle at herself. Annie Walker was walking through a hall of mirrors that forced her to look at herself. Maybe this experience should be added to my book of nightmares.

Halfway down the hall Annie stopped to examine a mirror that was similar if not exactly the same. Examining her reflection in the mirror she saw two dark eyes enter the frame and stare directly at her reflection. A gasp escaped Annies lips as her mind slowly put a label on the figure behind her. The man grinned, obviously proud of himself for sneaking up on her. Turning, Annie threw herself into his arms. "What are you doing in D.C.?"

The man released his hold on her and held her shoulders at arms length so he could examine his old friend, "I could ask you the same thing Neshsma."

Annie laughed and rolled her eyes and gave him a playful punch in the bicep, "And how do you always do that?"

His face feigned innocence as he pretended to be offended, "Do what?"

Annie just narrowed her eyes at him.

"I heard you were back in DC and wanted to welcome you back from the dark. I did, however, expect to see you with dark hair, or was the hair dye in the bag I gave you not good enough for you?." He reached a hand and ran his fingers through her shiny blonde hair.

Annie chuckled and swatted his hand away, "The dye was fine, and my hair was dark until yesterday. Danielle was in town and was complaining about my 'awful roots' so she took me to get it dyed."

"Did the agency change their policy on reading family in?"

"No. The story I was able to tell her was a fraction of the truth thrown into a lie. I think they needed me to read her in so I can come back…considering it was actually their idea to read her in."

"How was that?"

Annie sighed, "Hard. My sister thought I was dead, so you can imagine how confusing it was for her."

"And how are you Neshema? How are you handling all of this?"

Annie looked at the concrete floor and shifted awkwardly before forcing herself to meet his eyes, "I'm doing better." He opened his mouth to ask another question but Annie tilted her head to the side and cut him off, "How long have you been following me?" She asked remembering the feeling she was being tailed earlier in the day.

"Just since you left to come here. Nice driving by the way." She shrugged in false humility, "A little bird told me you were staying at the Campbells, so I took it upon myself to make sure the little bird was telling the truth and indeed he was."

"Does this little bird have a name?"

Eyal ignored her question and went on with his story in his normal egotistical tone "Knowing how much Joan adores me..." he raised an eyebrow, his words dripping with sarcasm, "...I figured it would be smart to make my approach when you were alone."

Annie took a deep breath, "Probably wise."

He winked at her, "So, why are you shopping for a mirror? Moving into your own place again?"

Annie rolled her eyes and turned back to the task Eyal had distracted her from, "Not exactly...I broke the one in the Campbells guest bath."

He tisked at her and shook his head, "Annie, Annie, Annie...wait, are you going by Annie or something else?"

"Yes, back to Annie."

"So, Germany wasn't the end of Annie Walker?"

She picked up the box containing the mirror she needed and tried to think of an answer, "Technically no, but in some ways it feels like it was." She met his eyes for a moment and saw his concern and compassion. Proceeding to carry the box to the checkout, Eyal stood in her path and reached to take the box from her hands.

"Eyal, I've got it."

Ignoring her he pried the cardboard free, "Yes you do, but I am here, your hand is apparently injured." He pointed his eyes at the white bandages wrapped around her right hand, "…so let me help you."

Reluctantly she stopped fighting him for control and came alongside him. They walked in silence as Annie checked out and led him to the car where he deposited the box.

Closing the trunk, the tall Israeli propped himself up on the back of the car, "So, Annie Walker, what is next for you?"

She leaned against the back of the car beside Eyal, "I don't know."

"I'm surprised your protocol hasn't dictated you spend a month in some CIA safe house in the middle of nowhere being debriefed."

Crossing her arms she shook her head, "No, there is no protocol for an agent coming in like I am." She looked up at him, "What does Mossad do for an agent coming in from the cold?"

He shrugged, "It is as rare in Israel as it is for you here, but..." he cleared his throat, "...the one time I saw it happen the person came back, he had a polygraph, a psychological evaluation, a physical, and I was assigned to follow him around to… make sure he wasn't a double. He had to explain to everyone where he had been while on his own, then was given a new cover and put on his merry way. It was hard for him tho, to adjust. I could see his struggle…." Eyals voice drifted away.

"The story seems to be the same for the CIA. Although I haven't had a physical yet, I think I am now at three polygraphs, my evaluation turned into twelve weeks of therapy, and I haven't even decided yet if I want to come back."

He looked at her, unable to hide the surprise in his eyes and voice, "You think you are done?"

"Maybe..." She shook her head and struggled to find the right words, "The things I did, Eyal, I can't un-do them and I don't want to be put in a position like that ever again." She looked at the ground and crossed her right foot over he left, "Everything changed for me."

Eyal stood up straight and moved so he was standing directly in front of her, grasping her shoulders he waited for her to look him in the eyes. With a flip of her hair she did. "Annie, you know I have had my own set of regrets when it comes to my choice to live this life. It is hard and it tests everything you believe is true. But Neshema, if we don't do it, people like Henry Wilcox will win every time. I think you still have it in you...I don't know what you went through, but, if you don't come back in a way, Henry won." Annie inhaled sharply at the sound of his name. "Don't let him cripple you. I will be here for you whatever you decide, as a friend because I believe in you."

Tears began to creep into Annies eyes, "I'm just not sure it's worth it anymore."

Releasing her shoulders, Eyal stepped back, "I can't tell you if it is or isn't. You have to decide that for yourself."

Annie nodded and bit her lip.

"Well Neshema, I must go. I have a meet with an asset in an hour." Pulling her up to envelop her in a hug he whispered into her ear, "I am glad you are back, Annie Walker."

Releasing her he turned to walk away and waved, "I will see you again soon Neshema."

Annie let herself smile and turned to climb into the car. Looking for Eyal in the rear-view mirror and realizing she wouldn't find him she chuckled at herself. He had done his disappearing act once again.

"The left corner is higher than the right."

Annie tapped the mirror, "Better?"

"Mmmm...not quite..."

Once again Annie attempted to straighten the hanging object. "There?"

"Perfect."

Annie let out a relieved sigh. "Sorry about all that."

Picking up the empty box and stuffing the packaging into it Joan shook her head, "It is okay. Thanks for hanging a new one."

McKenzie began to fuss from his spot in the middle of Annies bed. Annie walked by, leaning over him she replaced his pacifier that had come out of his mouth. He quickly began sucking away and returned to his satisfied state. Annie smiled at him.

"Hey Joan…?"

She tied the trash bag and set it beside the door, "Yeah?"

Pausing the blonde took a seep breath and waited for Joans un-divided attention, "I wanna come back. Back to the CIA."

Joan tried to hide the mixture of shock, joy, and worry Annies words caused her to feel. She moved to sit in the blue armchair by the window, "You do?" Annie nodded and settled Indian style on the bed next to McKenzie who was grasping at her finger. Joan raised her eyebrows, "Are you sure you are ready to make that decision?"

Annie looked down at the baby boy laying beside her, "No." She looked up at Joan, "I may never be, but it has to be made and, someone has to do the job. I think I can still do some good for my country, my family." Her eyes fell back down to the baby squeezing her finger.

Joan narrowed her eyes at Annie, "What happened to make you decide you wanted to come back? There's something you aren't telling me."

Biting the inside of her cheek, Annie momentarily considered lying, "I ran into Eyal today."

"You did?" Joan looked extremely un-impressed and slightly angry.

"Yeah. Somehow, talking to him settled it in me. I want back in.

Joan sighed, "Well, when we go back in the day after tomorrow you can tell Calder."

"We?"

"Yes…we..." Joan nodded and twiried her wedding ring around her finger before standing and leaning against the bed, "…the beginning of the process for me to go back to work…"

Twisting her mouth, Annie carefully asked her next question, "How does Arthur feel about it?"

Joan chuckled through her nose and climbed to sit beside her son and blonde operative on the bed, "He is worried, and not excited, but he is supporting me."

"How do you two do this?"

"Do what Annie?"

"This...marriage, work, now family?"

"Not always well, but one day, one challenge at a time." Joan gave her a weak smile, "Speaking of challenges, Arthur is having his stitches removed tomorrow, it is McKenzies two week check-up, and since you have decided to return, I can have a CIA physician meet us at the hospital and do your physical at the same time?"

Annie nodded and looked down at her hand before lifting it off her lap, "What do I tell them happened to my hand?"

Chapter 11

"Good morning, Annie? I am Dr. Williams." The medium height Indian woman entered Annies exam room and extended a hand. Annie nodded and greeted her, "Morning."

After eyeing the blonde sitting on the examination table briefly she turned her attention to the information on her clipboard, "Well, your blood work looks good. No red flags there." Flipping to the next page she furrowed her brow and focused on Annie's face, "But you have lost ten pounds since your last physical...?"

"Uh, my most recent mission was...complicated, eating wasn't exactly on the forefront of my mind, but I am eating. The weight-loss was probably due to stress more than anything." Dr. Williams nodded and flipped the papers back before setting the clipboard on the sink and pulling a flashlight out of her pocket.

"So..." she began flashing the light across Annies brown eyes,"...I have a note on your file that you suffered a head trauma in the field? You lost consciousness after a car accident?"

Annie nodded once the onslaught of light died down, "Yes, it was two weeks ago tho…" Meeting Dr. Williams eyes she shook her head and smiled dismissively, "…nothing to worry about."

Dr. Williams did not look so convinced, "Well, I want to do a CT scan just in case." She picked up the clipboard, "You are attending therapy sessions?" She pointed her eyes and question directly at the blonde girl as she shifted awkwardly making the paper covering the table crinkle with her movements.

"I am." Annie nodded and looked at the floor.

"It says you have been going to sessions for PTSD treatment, and you haven't been sleeping well. It is possible the concussion caused damage that is effecting your ability to sleep and recover...it's not likely you have any permanent damage but I would like to check..." She clicked her pen shut and stuffed it into her pocket, "...a nurse will come get you and take you up to imaging." Giving Annie a quick, re-assuring smile she left Annie alone in the examination room.

Baby McKenzie in one arm, his charts in the other, Joan swiftly navigated through the halls leading from the Mother and Childrens wing to the General Care area. Reaching the nurses station she promptly demanded a nurses attention, "Hi, I need to know what room my husband was put in. His name is Arthur Campbell and he is having stitched removed." The nurse smiled and nodded calmly, "Room 319, follow me, I will take you to him."

"Thank you."

The red-haired nurse looked over at Joan as they walked side-by-side, "Your son's two week checkup today?"

Joan glanced over at her before nodding, "Mhmm, checkups, stitches, labor, surgery, after the past few weeks I feel we should just move in."

The nurse chuckled and opened door 319, "He is right in here."

Entering the room she saw her shirtless husband lying on his side facing away from her. A nurse was working away removing the stitches from his side that was pointed toward the ceiling. The nurse paused and turned to see who had entered the room, "Mrs. Campbell I assume?" Joan nodded and stepped into the room, "Let me get you a chair." He removed his gloves and pushed a chair over so she could sit face to face with Arthur.

Joan settled into her seat as the nurse pulled on a new pair of gloves and returned to his task.

She could see how un-comfortable Arthur was. His face twisted slightly. Joan moved to the edge of her seat and reached her free hand to give his a squeeze, "You okay?"

Giving her a slight nod and a re-assuring smile he turned his attention to his son, "So, how is our little man?"

Releasing his hand, Joan turned McKenzie in her arms so he could see his fathers face, "He is perfect. Gained 4 ounces, good reflexes. He did not like the whole process tho. No ear-splitting cries but he whimpered the entire time." Joans brow furrowed and her eyes watered at the memory. Snuggling her son to her chest, she went on, "I hated seeing him feel like he wasn't safe."

Arthur reached a hand toward her which Joan took as their eyes met, "But he is safe, and you are a great mother." A dimpled grin came over Joans face as she leaned forward to kiss Arthurs cheek. "I love you, ya know?"

"I love you too, both of you." His eyes wide and full of joy.

"Okay, Mr. Campbell. Stitches are out. I need you to lie still until your doctor comes in and takes a look, but I think you are going to be good to go."

Arthur turned his head as much as he could to thank the nurse as he left the room.

Standing to her feet, Joan leaned over her husband curiously to see the damage. "Well, Arthur, you have three new scars" she stated running a finger gently over the puckered skin.

She watched his body shake as he laughed, "That mean I have the most scars now?"

Joan rolled her eyes and sat back into the chair, "Really? It's a competition?"

He gave her a coy grin, "We can count later."

Back in the examination room Annie sat on the edge of the table swinging her legs impatiently. She had been there over two hours and was more than ready to leave. Her phone vibrating offered temporary relief from the mind-numbing boredom.

"Yeah."

"Hey, it's me."

"What's up Auggie?"

"I have the intel on David you asked for. Is it possible you can come in today so I can read you in."

"Uh, yeah. I'm at the hospital with the Campbells but..."

"Wait, why are you all at the hospital? Something happen?"

Annie chuckled, "No Auggie, McKenzie had a check-up, Arthur had his stitches removed and I am having a physical."

"Sounds like torture."

"Basically."

"What hospital are you at? I can send a car to bring you in once you're done."

"Georgetown Memorial. I'm waiting on my CT scan results then I think I'm good to go."

"CT scan?"

"Checking to make sure my brain wasn't damaged in New York." A knock on the door divided Annies attention, "I gotta go Auggie."

"Alright I'll text you once I have a car on the way."

"Sounds good." Annie ended the call as Dr. Williams closed the door behind her.

"So, is my brain all scrambled from the crash or..."

Dr. Williams shook her head, "No, nothing looks damaged. I am going to send a copy to your psychiatrists' office..." She raised an eyebrow and changed her tone as she referenced Langley "...he will likely want to see it anyway."

Annie nodded and poked her lips out, "Great, so I am good to go?"

Inhaling deeply Dr. Williams looked the blonde operative sitting in front of her straight in the eye, "Yes. In my opinion you should be cleared for fieldwork."

Pushing herself off the table Annie curtly thanked the Indian woman and reached for the door but was blocked by Dr. Williams who looked at her with narrow eyes, "Annie...seeing as you had a concussion and didn't seek treatment for two weeks, I am going to assume you are jump first type of operative. I am clearing you, but I want you to be careful. Don't push too far too fast. Give your body time to heal before you throw it through the ringer again." She moved herself out of Annies way and opened the door for her, "Good luck Annie."

Biting her cheek Annie nodded and headed down the hall.

Dr. Jefferson helped Arthur Campbell sit up straight in the hospital bed. "How do you feel Arthur?"

He grunted a little as he adjusted himself, "Weak and a little sore."

The man in a lab coat lifted Arthurs arm that had spent two weeks immobilized and tested his range of motion. "Pain level on a scale of one to ten?"

"Two."

Joan stood from her seat and moved to the foot of his bed, "And by two, he means four..." Arthur suppressed a groan as Dr. Jefferson continued moving his arm into different positions. Joans eyes intensely glared at her husband when she heard the sound, "...make that a five."

Finally letting Arthurs arm rest at his side Dr. Jefferson gave his patient a half smile and reached for the clipboard, "So, pain level is a five..."

Arthur feigned offense as he glanced between his doctor and his wife who had a satisfied smile on her face.

The doctor bent over and took one last look at the two wounds in Arthurs side, "You have healed quickly Arthur..." Moving his attention to the scar on Arthurs bicep area he went on, "...but I am going to send you to physical therapy for six weeks. Your range of motion is not where I wanted it and after two weeks in a sling, you have some atrophy. Your side is still healing so no lifting anything heavier than ten pounds. No rigorous exercise. I'll see you again in six weeks and I expect to be able to clear you."

Arthur nodded reaching for his button down he started dressing himself and glanced at his son currently napping in Joans arms, "I can hold my son now tho?"

Dr. Jefferson smiled and nodded "Absolutely. I will send a nurse in with the name of a local physical therapist then you three can go home."

Once they were alone Arthur swung his legs off the side of the bed. Joan walked toward him and let him take McKenzie from her arms. Crossing one arm over her ribcage and propping her elbow on it, she covered her lips with her fingers as she watched her husbands face light up as he cuddled their son with both hands for the first time. Arthur brought his sons head near and lightly kissed his tiny, smooth forehead. He looked up at his wife, eyes wet with tears, "I can't believe I almost missed this." Joans hand reached to cup her husbands cheek, "But you didn't" she whispered as she inched closer to his lips. Returning to her full height she delicately picked up the necklace resting on her chest and ran it back and forth on the chain while she watched her husband and son. Arthur spoke softly to the baby boy as he cuddled and bounced the bundle in his arms.

A light knock on the door interrupted their reverie, Joan turned her head, "Come on in."

Annie poked her blonde head though the door "It's me."

Joan released the necklace and motioned for her to come alongside. Annie entered the room feeling awkward as she intruded on their family moment. Pulling the car keys from her pocket she held them out to Joan, "Are you okay driving home?"

Taking the keys Joan nodded and both she and Arthur gave Annie an inquisitive look that demanded she explain the change in plans, "Auggie called, he has the inel on...on Sana and David I asked him about a few days ago."

"How are you getting there?"

"Auggie is sending a car. It should be here in five minutes."

Arthur cleared his throat to attract the attention of the two blonde women in front of him, "How was your physical?"

Glancing from Arthur to Joan nervously Annie gulped down a swallow and responded with confidence and clarity, "Fine. I am cleared for fieldwork. Well, according to this doctor." She rolled her eyes thinking of the four to eight weeks of therapy she had left with Dr. Peterson. Joan shot Annie a sympathetic look and squeezed her crossed arm, "You will get there. It's a process." Annie nodded and looked at the floor and Joan let go of her operatives arm, "You need to go, the car will be waiting for you."

Standing to attention Annie moved toward the door. Arthurs voice made her pause as she pulled on the doorknob, "Annie?"

She turned to face him, eyes moving from examining Joans narrow glare at her husband to Arthurs furrowed brow, "Let us know when you are headed home?" he requested cautiously.

A grin slid across her lips, "I will."

Finally through security Annie saw Auggie waiting for her just past the final checkpoint.

"Auggie..."

He smiled upon hearing her voice, "Walker...nice to see you, well it would be if I could see." Annie rolled her eyes and smiled as she offered her arm to him before the two proceeded toward the DPD.

"So, are you stalking me now?" Annie asked flirtatiously.

"Now why would you ever think that?" He gave her a sly grin and continued, "I pulled some strings and assigned myself as your on-campus escort."

With at groan and a roll of her head Annie asked, "When are they going to stop assigning me an escort every time I walk in the building."

Auggie shrugged, "What, you don't like taking long, leisurely walks with yours truly?"

Annie looked over at him, her mouth open letting out a silent chuckle, "That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Yeah, I know. Once you are officially re-instated you should get your badge back. Probably with a super low level clearance but you will be able to get into the building without needing an escort and having to sign in every time. Well, your ID technically signs you in because the server uses..."

Annie interrupted him, "Auggie, I get the picture."

He gave her a sheepish grin, "Sorry."

The two of them walked into he DPD. Annie tried to just focus on getting into Auggies office as the stares and whispers initiated upon her entry. Auggie felt her tension and spoke quietly, "Keep your head up. You will be old news soon enough." Annie nodded as they reached Auggies sliding door.

Auggie went straight to his workstation. Annie watched him make his way around the room to set-up the brief. It felt like old times. He went through his routine and Annie remembered the last time she sat in his office to receive a briefing on new intel. A sadness hit her as her mind went back to a happier time. She ached to go back.

"Okay, screens are up." Annies eyes shot up from his figure behind the computer monitor to the TV screen behind him. Annie crossed her arms and stepped closer to the screen, "What am I looking at?"

"A copy of a letter signed by Interpol President, Mireille Balstrazzi. She was contacted by a friend of mine in the Interpol office who explained the situation."

Annie read down the page, "This says David is acquitted of all charges and apologizes to him for the inconvenience."

Auggie smirked at himself, "It pays to have friends in many places."

Flipping her hair, Annie turned to face him, "You have friends everywhere." She thought she could literally see his head getting bigger as he stood straight and responded, "Why yes I do."

Annie let out a nasally chuckle and rolled her eyes as she propped herself against his desk. "Speaking of your world-wide network of friends, did you tell Eyal how to find me?"

Auggies brow furrowed as he reached behind him to find the chair and sink into it. He leaned back and raised a quizzical brow, "Now why would I do that?"

"I honestly have no idea."

"I thought you could use some cheering up and I knew he was in town."

"How did you know he was here?"

Auggie tilted his head to the side, "Ehh, that's classified."

"I hate that sentence so much."

Auggies office door sliding open interrupted them both. Annie whipped her hair around to see Calder in the doorway.

"Annie Walker, nice to see you back here in your element...and with blonde hair again too." He said blinking and stepping into the room feeling a slight wave of déjà vu as he did.

Auggie spoke up first, "Calder Michaels, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I need to steal Annie for a few minutes." He nodded and eyed her, "We have a lot to talk about."

Taking a deep breath, Annie stood.

Sensing she needed a moment with Auggie he leaned forward and pinted to Annie as he turned to leave, "I'll meet you in the hall Walker."

Alone again Annie put a hand on Auggies shoulder.

"So you went back blonde?"

"Danielle insisted."

Auggie nodded, "What do you need to talk to Calder about."

"My decision." Annie whispered and squatted down in front of him letting him take her hands in his, "Your decision about what?"

"My involvement with the CIA."

Auggie inhaled sharply and waited for Annie to potentially confirm his greatest fear. Annie watched worry, concern, and fear play on his features.

"I decided….I decided to come back."

Letting a grin lift half of his lip, Auggie sighed, "You sure?"

Annie released his hands and stood to her full height, "No, but Eyal reminded me if I don't do this, someone else will step-in and there is no guarantee they will have the right motive. I need to so this."

Understanding but un-sure how to feel about her decision Auggie whispered, "Okay."

Annie walked toward the door, "Auggie, could we grab lunch the next time I'm here for a session?"

"I would like that."

Annie blushed slightly and slid his door shut behind her.

Settling into his seat behind the desk of the DCS Calder looked over Annie with narrow eyes, "So, I hear you have made a decision about returning?"

Annie scratched her left pointer finger with her right thumb and pondered the way this conversation would change the rest of her life, "I have."

"And?" Calder demanded unable to hide his impatience.

With a deep, slow breath Annie met his eyes and spoke with an even but intense tone, "I want to come back."

Lifting his chin, Calder continued to bore holes in her face with his eyes, "Well then…." He stood and walked around to perching himself on the desk so he was closer to Annie, "…we will start nailing down a NOC for you and once you are released by Dr. Peterson…." He perceived Annie wince ever so subtly at his name so he narrowed his eyes once again, "…we will find a place for you in the CIA."

Annie looked up at him, a question in her eyes, "I won't just go back to the DPD?"

Calder crossed his arms and shook his head, "No, technically your last assignment was special projects for the office of the DCS. Joan transferred you out, remember?"

Blinking as the memory entered her conscious thoughts, Annie briefly brought her hand to her forehead, "Yeah, it all happened so fast I never even had time to adjust to the idea."

"Well, once I have some official options we can talk about I will call you in. Until then, rest, take care of yourself and we will work on clearing a path for you to return."

Standing Annie ran a hand through her blonde hair, "I'll try. Thanks Calder….for believing in me and helping us get this mission done."

"It was a hell of a mission, but, you Annie Walker are one hell of an operative and probably the only one who could've accomplished what you did. We are proud of you."

Annie looked at the carpet. After a moment of increasingly awkward silence she looked up to meet Calders dark, piercing eyes, "Is that all you need?"

"Yes, you are free to go." She looked at him wondering if he was going to escort her down, sensing her question Calder walked beside her to his office door and held it open for her, "I think you know your way out." He said with a wink.

Chapter 12

Peering out the window Annie used her eye movements to experiment with the way her mind perceived the trees flying past her. Focus on one tree and if you can move your eyes fast enough to stay with the tree, it seems stationary until it disappears. Effortlessly stare at everything and it all flies by making it seem time was passing faster. The closer to the car, the faster it seems to move. The repetitive movement across her retina was mesmerizing.

"Overheard you on the phone with Danielle last night."

Annie turned her empty eyes from the passenger side window and pointed them at the middle consul between her and Joan.

"Michael didn't take the news well?"

Two brown eyes encircled by dark circles from a sleepless night arose to meet hers briefly. With a deep breath those two brown eyes led her face to turn toward the road ahead. "No."

Joans blue eyes momentarily squinted and took in Annies non-verbals. "You didn't sleep at all did you?"

Propping an elbow on the car door Annie hunched over and rested her head on her hand rubbing her forehead as she responded in a heavy tone, "No."

"I'm so sorry. Michael doesn't want you to see the girls." Danielles voice cracked as the tears Annie couldn't see but could hear fell down her face. "Annie he is angry. I think it will pass, but it will take time. Just give us some time to work through this." Michaels raised voice came over the speaker before Danielle ended the call abruptly, "I have to go."

Her sisters words replayed in Annies mind all night. Nightmares of her time in the dark returned with a vengeance. She awoke every time more angry and frustrated than the time before. Now she had to pull it together. Dr. Peterson will never clear me if he sees me this way. Why do I even care? Why am I here? Why the hell did I decide to come back? Why didn't I just stay dead? The questions, the pent-up pain, Annie clenched her eyes shut and tried to turn it all off as the Land Rover neared the security checkpoint.

Red visitors badge clipped to the waist of her pencil skirt, Annie emerged from the security checkpoint to find Joan waiting for her inside, hands behind her back, head tilted sideways as she watched the blonde move towards her. The outfit, the heels, the hair, she looked like the old Annie Walker until you met her hollow empty eyes. No life, no mischief, not even suspicion, just pain. Joan cringed inwardly and scolded herself for thinking the worst was over.

"You're my escort?"

"I dismissed your other escort when I realized you left this…" the hands behind her back moved forward, her right one clutching Annie's notebook. "…at the personal item drop-station."

Annie lifted her chin and took the abused spiral bound notebook with her hand that showed the marks the shattered mirror left.

With the turn of her head Joan motioned for Annie to walk with her to Dr. Petersons office. "I'm assuming there is something in there you don't want coming up in your session?"

Annie just looked straight ahead as a stone cold expression settled onto her face, "It was a long night."

The two blondes arrived at Dr. Petersons office, "My poly shouldn't take more than an hour." Her hand gripped Annies arm slightly tighter than necessary. Annies eyes met Joans in response. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria then we'll go?" Annie nodded and took a deep breath in an attempt to soften her hard features before walking through the door behind her.

Joan started to walk away but paused and hesitantly whirled around, "Annie…"

The girl stopped in the doorway, Joan narrowed her eyes and exhaled, briefly looking around the hall to see who was in earshot, "…this is where it gets hard. Don't you quit on me." Mustering a weak smile, Annie shook her head, "I'm not." Her blond head disappeared into the room and Joan hurried down for her polygraph.

Dr. Peterson sat back in his armchair across from Annie. He had been silently flipping through the notebook now for five minutes….Annies eyes darting between the floor, him, and the clock on the wall. Take your time, she thought to herself the longer you read the less time you have to ask redundant questions.

The second hand ticked twenty three more times before he shut the notebook and looked up at her, "What happened to your hand?" His southern accent creeped into his speech as he inquired about her injuries.

Annie blinked, slightly taken aback by his first question of choice. Glancing down at the scabbed over cuts on her knuckles she ran her thumb over them, "I cut it on some broken glass."

"Broken glass?"

His dark eyes were piercing and focused. He wasn't going to relent until he got the full truth. Annie swung her blonde hair over to one side and slouched back in the chair, eyes falling to the carpet, "I put it through a mirror." Her eyes and head rolled up as she looked straight ahead to survey his reaction.

"Why?"

"I didn't like the mirror." Her sarcasm was met by another soul piercing glare, "…I was feeling angry, humiliated, frustrated...that a long enough list of emotions for you?"

"Why were you feeling angry, humiliated, frustrated? Did things not go well with your sister?"

Annie looked down at the hands, "No, I mean, they did, she is still talking to me, but I….I had a bit of what you may call an emotional breakdown when I dropped her off."

"Meaning…you cried?"

She looked at him with an annoyed glare, "More like bawled hysterically."

"Annie there is nothing wrong with expressing emotion in tears. It is healthy. Nothing to be ashamed of."

"Shame was not on that list of emotions I gave you to work with."

"Fine, angry with yourself for showing your weakness in the moment?" Annie shrugged, "Humiliation for letting it all out in front of someone?" Annie bit her lip and Dr. Peterson knew it was on the right track. "And frustration, frustration because in-spite of your new look, you still don't feel like yourself?"

"Maybe." She responded just barely over a whisper.

"Feeling embarrassed, humiliated are all expressions of a deeper emotion of shame."

Annie bit her lip and shook her head, "Everyone keeps telling me I am a hero, I did the right thing, but I still lied, hurt people, killed people, and I live everyday wondering if I had been more cunning, been a better spy, how could I have avoided the fallout?" The words flew out of her mouth without her permission or her forethought. True as they were, they were thoughts she never imagined being able to express.

Pen to paper, Dr. Peterson completed his note and looked up at her, "Now you feel regret for your actions, but, in the moment what did you feel?"

"Nothing, I didn't have time."

"Exactly. The emotions you had to put on the back-burner just to survive didn't go away. Now, you have to deal with each one." He paused and leaned forward onto his elbows, "Annie, what is your greatest fear?"

Mouth opening and closing like a fish she shook her head, "I don't….what do you mean?"

"Shame is a feeling of guilt or regret and is often caused by a fear of, for example inadequacy. So I ask again, what are you afraid of?"

There was a long pause as Annie searched her mind for a response, "Part of this job is getting inside the head of your enemy, finding a weakness and exploiting it. To beat them, you have to, to an extent, become them and I…I'm afraid I became the monster I was trying to beat. I spent so much time trying to understand Henry, I felt sympathy for him. He was insane and a horrible man, but he was grieving and I….I understood. I feel…part of me feels guilty for killing him because I wanted to save him."

"I saved your life."

"Deciding not to kill someone is not the same thing as saving them."

"Yes it is"

Annies brow furrowed as she remembered Teos words. Dr. Peterson observed the visible change in her face as she processed what she just confessed. "Annie, whatever part of Henry you embraced in order to kill him and save the people threatened by him, that part died with him in that alley in Hong Kong, and you need to leave it there. Guilt and shame over time lost, and decisions you cannot re-make will destroy you. Don't focus on the one man you couldn't save…" her eyes shot up and met his, "…focus on the lives you did save and go from there."

Giving her a moment to process and relax, he changed the tone of the conversation, "I got a call from Calder saying you have decided to come back?"

Annie inhaled and flipped her head, "I have."

"Can I ask what made up your mind? The last time we discussed it, you weren't sure you could come back…"

Annie shrugged, "If I don't who will, 'And if not now, when?'"

Dr. Peterson chuckled, "Hillel the Elder?"

Annie grinned and nodded.

"A dead Jewish priest changed your mind?"

"No, but talking with and old Jewish friend did. Indirectly perhaps old Hillel did. I've asked myself why I told Calder I wanted back in everyday since I did. I don't have a definitive answer for you, I just know I need to do it."

"Hmm" He nodded contemplatively and made another note. "Can you trust the CIA?"

"The organization as a whole, never again. Certain people in it, eventually."

"You mean Auggie?"

Annie groaned, "My hour is over."

"No, I wasted part of it catching up on some reading." He said tossing the notebook across the room at her.

"I trust him as my handler. Honestly, I accomplished so much on my own I just don't see the value in having people order me around and defining what I need to know...I said I wanted back. I didn't say I trust the CIA"

"You had help when you caught Henry. Correct?"

Annie poked out her bottom lip, "Yeah…?"

"You trusted in a team enough to get the mission done. What has changed? Seems to me you are better when you're not on your own."

Annie almost felt offended, "I said I didn't trust the CIA, not that I didn't trust Auggie."

"I think you want to make sure you position yourself in a way that you need people. There is independence then there is isolation. You need people in your life you can work with and trust on both a professional and a personal level. Needing people is not a weakness...it is evidence of humanity."

Standing just outside his office, Annie observed him as he worked. Barber looked up from his workstation across the room and opened his mouth to speak but Annie widened her eyes and held a finger to her lips. He nodded knowingly and left the room.

Annie knocked on Auggies office doorframe. He pulled off his headphones and turned his head toward the sound, "Someone there?"

Annie stepped into the room and stood near the edge of his desk, "It's me."

A smile slowly turned up Auggied lips, "Walker, what a…" That smile left his face as fast as it came. Annie's eyes narrowed in confusion. Auggie stood and lifted a fisted hand in slow motion before dropping it onto the table and sighing, "We had lunch plans didn't we?"

Noticing the pile of paperwork on his desk and the way the DPD was busier than usual she understood his frustration, "Auggie, if you've got too much going on today we can re-schedule. It is okay. I understand."

Auggie shook his head and dialed on the phone, a womans voice answered, "Yes sir."

Annie grinned proudly hearing him called sir. "Lisa, can you come in here real quick."

A moment later a young woman with dark curly hair entered his office, "Need something?"

"Yes, I am going to grab lunch. Can you monitor this feed?" He asked motioning for her to come around the table. "If you need anything I will be in the cafeteria but Barber is read in and can probably handle your questions…."

"Yes sir."

Realizing there was no clicking of keys behind him he turned his head toward where Barber should've been, "Where is Barber by the way?"

Hearing his name he half ran back into the room and slid into his chair, "Right here boss."

"Okay. Ill be back in thirty." Auggie ran the back of his hand over the smooth surface of his desk until his hand nudged his cane. Picking it up he un-folded it and moved around to find Annie who had moved herself out of the way into the front corner of the room.

Annie hesitantly reached for his arm offering him her elbow, "Auggie it is really okay if you need to stay." He put his hand holding his cane over her hand, "No, I need to eat, you need to eat, Lisa can hold down the fort for half an hour." The last statement was pointed behind him and Annie saw the dark haired girl give a re-assuring nod more for Annies sake than Auggies. He pulled her to make her move and lead him out of the DPD. "I wish I could take you somewhere nicer, but the CIA caf is gonna have to do today."

Annie shook her head as they walked, "Nothing wrong with where we are."

Halting his footsteps, Auggie pulled her around to face her, "As in our physical location or as in where weare?"

Biting her lip, Annie looked at him with sad eyes, "Both, even tho, I hope we don't stay here forever."

She saw Auggie smile with releif, "Just checking."

Ten minutes later he walked over to the table he insisted she sit at while he picked up their lunches. Tray of food in one hand, cane in the other he approached their table. Annie sat back and smiled to herself as she watched him walk near.

"Okay, one green goddess salad with no peanuts for you, and there should be a cheeseburger on there for me." He took his seat and Annie laid the food on the table. "Said cheeseburger at your six o'clock, fries at your ten o'clock, drink at noon."

He grinned coyly, "Where's your hand?"

Annie looked at him with a confused smile, "My hand? Uh…I..." She looked down and realized what he meant, she placed her hand on the table and spoke with a smile in her voice, "….your three o'clock."

Covering her hand with his he let a satisfied grin take over his face. Annie had missed that smile. The silent moment between them didn't last long as his fingers felt the cuts on her hand. His lips pointed down in a frown as he explored them, "When did you do this?"

Annie pulled her hand away and dropped it in her lap, "A couple days ago."

"How?"

Annie took a bit of her salad to stall, "I punched Joan and Arthurs guest bathroom mirror."

"Why?"

Dropping her fork into the plastic bowl she used a napkin to wipe her hands, "See, now you sound like my shrink."

"Sorry." His voice was laced with concern and worry, "But everything is okay right?"

Annie shrugged and sipped on her water, "Yeah. I fixed the mirror, my hand is healing…."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know. Therapy was a little draining today and I'm just not sure I want to go there right now. Not here." The volume in the room already had her half yelling to be heard.

He nodded and took a bite of his sandwich.

"So, what has you and the entire department all frazzled today?"

Auggie spoke with his mouth half full trying to hide his grin as he did knowing it drove Annie crazy, "You know I can't tell you that."

"Couldn't hurt to ask."

Auggie took a sip of his drink and pointed it at her before putting it down as he spoke, "If you wanna talk shop, we can talk about how you passed your physical, and your polygraphs are done being analyzed."

Annie swallowed, "So, does the CIA think I'm a terrorist?"

He laughed, "No, you passed with flying colors. Now the fun part of figuring out how to re-structure your NOC and find a department to put you in begins." Finishing his statement he stuffed a handful of fries into his mouth.

"And Dr. Peterson still has to clear me."

"That too. Punching mirrors isn't gonna help your case any there."

Annie rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair crossing her arms, "I know."

Seeing Joan standing in the distance surveying the room Annie sat up straight. Auggie heard her change her position, "What is it?"

"Joan."

The blonde woman met Annies eyes and walked over to them, "Annie, Auggie."

"Ready to go?"

Joan shook her head, "No, my polygraph is done but the DCS wants to see me.

"I can wait around for you…."

Cutting her off Joan curtly replied, "No, I'm not sure when I will be home. Can you get a ride back?"

Annie nodded, "Yeah, I will finish up and head that way."

She gave Annie and Auggie a mischievous smile, "No rush, there are enough bottles to get Arthur and McKenzie through the day and the man has two hands again..." She winked at Annie, "...he can handle it."

Annie laughed imagining the mess she would probably return home too, "Okay."

Auggie, feeling left out, interjected into the conversation, "How is baby Z?"

Joan put a hand on Auggies shoulder, "He is fine."

Auggie patted her hand and looked up toward her voice, "And how are you doing?"

Pulling her hand away she shrugged, "After today, I expect to be exhausted, but I am doing well. I have to go, but you two enjoy yourselves. And Annie, when you get home, nap. Please?" Again, not a request, an order, one she was sure would be passed on to Arthur. Annie rolled her eyes and returned to her meal.

It was after eight o'clock when Joan finally re-entered her front door. She hung her coat and purse and stumbled into the kitchen to find Annie cleaning up the last of the dishes.

Realizing she was no longer alone in the kitchen, Annie looked up and smiled, "Joan, there are leftovers in the fridge if you're hungry."

Rubbing the skin under her eyes she shook her head, "I already ate, but thanks for cleaning up."

"Joan, are you okay?"

She snapped her head up and blinked rapidly, "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a long day. Wheres Arthur and McKenzie?" She asked with a deep sigh.

"In your bedroom. I'm going to finish up down where and head to bed. Is there anything you need Joan?" Concern took over Annies tone of voice as she saw evidence of exhaustion in Joans posture and face.

"No. Goodnight Annie."

Entering the bedroom she saw her husband laying on his side and her son happily babbling and flailing his arms and legs as he laid on the bed beside his father. She leaned against the doorpost and smiled, "Well you two are a sight for sore eyes."

Recognizing his moms voice, McKenzie reached toward the sound and made sucking noises with his lips. Arthur smiled at his sons reaction and his wifes greeting, "Hey. How was your day?" Joan pushed herself off the doorframe and shut the door behind her, "Long. Does he need to eat?"

Arthur nodded and stood, "I figured you would want to feed him once you got home."

Joan climbed onto the bed went through the motions of getting him happily latched on and feeding. Arthur walked around the bed and leaned in to softly kiss his wife, "I'm going to shower and change. He, uh….got me earlier."

Joan raised her eyebrow and chuckled, "Oh, he did?"

An embarrassed Arthur shrugged and exited the room.

Looking down at her son she smiled, "Got daddy did you?" She ran a thumb over his soft head and sighed, "Mommy missed you, McKenzie." Relaxing her neck, she let her head fall back against the pillow. Her free hand rubbing her sons tiny feet. When she pulled him away to change sides she noticed there was no longer a lump under his onesie where the umbilical cord stump had been. Un-snapping his outfit she felt a lump in her throat rise to the surface. It had fallen off during the day. She shook her head as he protested the delay in feeding and brought his tiny mouth back to her chest, her free hand running over the place the stump had been when she left that morning. Hearing the shower turn off she quickly snapped his onesie back up and wiped the tears from her face.

Arthur emerged in plaid pajama pants just as McKenzie finished nursing. He grabbed a burp-cloth off the edge of the bed and reached to pick up his son, "I'll pat him down so you can change."

Watching her husband walk around the room bouncing her son she felt a stabbing pain in her stomach. Realization came over her. Working for the CIA, as a mother, she was going to miss these milestones. Walking into the closet to change she pondered if she could bear missing her sons life. This was going to be a harder decision than she thought.

A few minutes later she re-entered the bedroom in a silk nightdress. Arthur was on his good side teasing McKenzie with a plush airplane. Joan climbed into the bed behind him let one arm hang over his side, her chin resting on his shoulder after she planted a kiss on the scar on his bicep. Reaching a hand across her son she felt his tiny belly.

Suddenly it donned on Arthur what had her so melancholy. Putting down the toy plane he took her hand in his. Joan sighed as she felt those warm tears grace her cheeks again.

He turned so he could see Joans face. Seeing the silent tears flowing his heart broke with compassion. He used his free hand to wipe her face before she laid her head on his chest and whispered, "I missed it?"

Arthur ran a hand through her hair, "It fell off while he was napping today. This may be a little strange, it was to me, but Annie suggested I put it in a baggie and leave it in the nursery for you to see."

Joan chuckled, "A little strange, but comforting." Propping herself up on her stomach, she folded her hands on his chest and rested her chin on them so she could look him in the eye, "How much am I going to miss?"

"Oh Joan…" His eyes full of sympathy and understanding. At a loss for words he started soothingly rubbing her back as she laid her head back down on his chest and went back to gazing at her baby boy. "….you can stay home."

She nodded watching McKenzie happily waving his tiny arms and cooing as if he was a part of the conversation, "I know." Joan let out a deep heavy sigh, "I just don't know how to decide, how to balance all of this. I was gone for half a day and I missed a milestone."

"You know my opinion, but you also need to know, I will support you whatever you decide." Joan turned her head to face him again. "Working for the CIA won't make you a bad mother, staying home won't make you a bad person." He brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her face, "You can do whatever you set your mind to. I believe you can do this, if it is what you want."

Joan flashed a dimpled grin and scooted up so her lips were millimeters away from his, "I love you Arthur Campbell."

Lifting his head slightly he closed the gap and captured her lips, "I love you too Mrs. Campbell."

They smiled silently at each other until a sudden movement drew both of their eyes to the baby boy beside them who had flipped himself over onto his stomach.

Joan sat up abruptly, "He just rolled over…." She looked at her husband with wide eyes.

Arthur chuckled and sat up beside her, "Our son is going to be an acrobat."

Rolling her eyes she couldn't' suppress the chuckle.

Arthur leaned over and kissed her cheek and whispered into her hair, "See, you won't miss everything."

McKenzie, un-happy with finding himself stuck on his belly began to whimper. Joan leaned forward and turned him over, "Aawww baby boy, got yourself stuck there." She picked him up and held him so his belly was in front of her face. Blowing a raspberry on his tiny tummy he babbled happily and reached to grab his mothers blonde hair.

Prying her hair free Joan cradled him and spoke softly, "I love you so much my sweet little man."

Arthur wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gazed down at their son, "See, we can do this."

Joan leaned to one side and looked him in the eye, a smile forming creases on her face, "We sure can." Arthur leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers as the baby in his wifes arms began to still and drift into sleep.

Chapter 13

One Week Later…

Annie stumbled down the stairs toward the kitchen. Eyes heavy and not yet fully awake or alert she mindlessly measured the coffee grounds and started the coffee maker. A yawn escaped her mouth as she leaned against the counter and waited for her cup of energy to finish brewing. Giving her eyes one last rub she mused at how much had changed over the past three weeks. Three weeks ago today she was on a boat out of Hong Kong. Two weeks ago she was attending Teos star ceremony and last week she was sitting at lunch with Auggie after what was probably the most draining therapy session of her life. Pouring her coffee she went farther back, a year ago today she was still working for Lena. Compared to the past four months, that whole experience seemed like a walk in the park. Back then she had no thoughts of Henry or Helen or going off the grid and yet, she felt she had been living in this reality for years, not months. Her eyebrows arched as she thought about how fast things change.

Moving into the living room Annie found Joan curled up against the side of the couch, elbow on the arm-rest, head propped up on her hand. Her eyes were closed and she still had a burp rag hanging over her shoulder. McKenzie was in the bouncer in front of where his mother had fallen asleep. He was completely amused by trying to hit the elephant, lion, and giraffe hanging over his head. Bending over, Annie lightly ran her hand over his head, which had begun to sprout soft, blonde hair. The baby boy happily hummed at the attention.

Hearing her son make the soft sound, Joan inhaled sharply and woke herself up. Immediately, her two tired blue eyes flew down to check on her son. Rubbing her eyes, she straightened herself on the couch and addressed the girl standing in front of her, "How long have I been asleep?"

Annie walked around the coffee table and sat beside Joan, "It's almost eight o'clock, what time did you come down?"

Smelling the dirty burp rag on her shoulder, Joan's face twisted before she removed the source of the un-pleasant smell, "Around seven." Brushing her hair out of her face, Joan looked Annie in the eye, "How did you sleep?"

Annie had accepted the fact that this particular question would be a part of their morning conversation as long as she stayed there. But she still couldn't control the involuntary eye-roll and subsequent glare that followed the daily inquiry, "Better. I actually slept all night." Annie looked down at her cup, "Instead of five nightmares, it was just one long one…." She chuckled unenthusiastically and looked back up at Joan, "…restless as it may have been, it was better than waking up every two hours like somebody else I know." Annie pointed that last statement at the baby in the bouncer who was clueless as to what was going on in front of him.

Joan glanced down at her son before grinning and watching the young blonde beside her take a sip from her mug, "Is there coffee left in the pot?"

"Yes, but why don't you go back upstairs and sleep? I will watch McKenzie."

"No, I just need something to wake me up…."

Annie shook her head and spoke in the sternest voice she dared use with Joan Campbell, "No, you need to sleep. He just ate, I'm assuming?" When Joan nodded, Annie let half of her mouth rise in a self-satisfied grin, "So, he will be fine for another hour or two at least."

Letting her exhaustion win, Joan agreed and headed up to bed.

Not a moment after his mother disappeared up the stairs, McKenzie lost interest in the animals above his head and began to whine. Annie set her half-empty mug on the coffee table and reached down to un-buckle the child and cradle him in her arms, but the change in position still didn't calm him.

Annie stood and started pacing around the downstairs, "Shh-shh-shh, hey, hey, McKenzie you need to be quiet so your parents can sleep." She continued in high-pitched motherese trying to soothe the child, "If they hear you crying they will jump right out of bed and come down here, and trust me, they need to sleep." His whimpers continued to grow in volume and quantity. Remembering how Danielle used to soothe her baby girls by clicking her tongue, Annie experimented with making the clicking sounds while watching the baby in her arms. A smile played on her lips as the noise successfully calmed him. Wide-eyed and gurgling happily McKenzie just stared up at Annie. Smiling at the child she spoke in a high pitched voice, "I'm gonna have to thank Danielle for that, huh little man?"

Hearing her cell phone ring upstairs, Annie quickly grabbed a plush multi-colored elephant and McKenzies pacifier before bolting up the stairs as fast as she dared whilst holding the baby. Luckily, he seemed to enjoy the fast motion and momentary chaos.

Annie dropped the toy and pacifier onto her made-up bed and answered the ringing cell phone that was on her night-stand.

"Hello?" She said as she sandwiched the device between her shoulder and ear and laid the baby boy belly down on the bed with the elephant toy in reach. The night before he had started picking his head up while he was on his stomach to briefly look around the room. It made Annie nearly laugh out loud as his parents acted like he had just saved the world and treated the milestone like the biggest win in agency history.

"Morning Walker…" Calders deep scratchy voice boomed over the phone line. Annie sat on the side of the bed and held the phone in her right hand while her left hand encouraged McKenzie to open his mouth and take his pacifier.

"Calder…I'm assuming you didn't call just to give me a friendly good morning?"

He gruffly chuckled "No, I sure did not. We finished vetting your new NOC yesterday and the DCI gave the green light for you to be re-instated."

Annie swallowed hard as her eyes jumped from McKenzie, to the floor, to the ceiling and with a sigh back to McKenzie again, "I still haven't been cleared by Dr. Peterson."

"I know, I said you were re-instated, not cleared for field work. You can come back on a provisionary basis with a lower clearance starting next week."

"And do what? Translate emails and chatter all day?"

"Actually no, I mean, you can but we need to arrange for you to do some serious cover maintenance."

Annie stood and started pacing the room, keeping the baby in her field of view, "Meaning what exactly?" She asked in an un-impressed tone.

Calder sighed, "How about you come in today and we can talk about it?"

Annie ran a hand through her bed-head, "Uh, sure…when do you want me to come in?"

"Actually I am pretty slammed…." She heard him bang the keys on his keyboard to check his calendar "…I have back to back meetings all morning, lunch on the hill and a department head briefing at two, so lets say four?"

"Sure, I will be there."

"Fantastic. See ya then Walker."

The phone clicked off and Annie closed it in her hand before crossing an arm over her waist and bringing the fist holding the phone to her chin. As she gazed at McKenzie playing she wondered if she was ready for this. As much as she wanted things to return to the way they were she was afraid if she went back to the CIA but not back to the old Annie there would be a constant shadow over her life.

The shadow of Jessica Matthews.

Arthur awoke to his wife sound asleep beside him. Looking at his phone he realized it was already after nine. He and Joan never used to be able to sleep-in past six. But, three weeks into being a parent again, waking in the middle of the night to change diapers, or to help Joan feed him, Arthur was beginning to feel his age. He slowly rolled out of bed. Sitting up on the edge he rubbed his side. He could feel the damaged skin under his cotton tee. Physical Therapy always left him sore in the morning. With a slight grunt he stood and walked over to the basinet. Realizing it was empty, mild panic shot through his system. Just as he was turning to bolt out of the bedroom to look for his son, his wifes groggy voice stopped him.

"Annie has him."

Arthur turned to see his wifes eyes slowly opening as she worked to bring herself to alertness. He let out a sigh of relief and walked back over to the bed. Joan turned over to face him, "I fell asleep after I fed him this morning. Annie insisted I sleep and let her watch him." The last few words came out with a yawn.

Reaching across the bed, he stroked her cheek, "Good. You needed sleep."

"Apparently, I did." She said grinning as Arthur slid back under the covers. Joan moved to relax her head on his chest and lay her arm across his waist before letting out a sigh of contentment and closing her eyes again.

Un-tangling her hair with his fingers, Arthur whispered, "Honestly I don't know how we would have gotten through these first weeks without her." He felt Joan nod against him.

"I know." Joan picked up his hand lying by his side and held it in hers, "What are we going to do when she moves out?"

"We will figure it out. You think she will be moving out soon?"

Joan ran her thumb over her husbands hand, "They're putting her in her NOC next week so she will have too. A National Archives Analyst living with two ex-directors of clandestine services would be hard to explain otherwise."

"When are they reading her in?"

Joan shrugged, "Soon. Calder called and read me in last night."

Arthur nodded, "Hmm."

"What do you have planned today?"

"Lunch on the hill, then home with you."

Joan reached across him to where his phone rested on the nightstand and checked the time, "Well, you need to shower and get ready unless D.C. traffic magically disappears and your lunch is a late one."

Once Arthur was in the shower Joan walked down the hall and found Annie lying stomach down on the nursery floor across from her son who was holding his head up to look at and reach for the long blonde hair hanging in front of him. "Hey you two."

Annie worked her hair free and McKenzie began crying to request his mothers attention. "Joan, you're up."

Joan chuckled and walked over to pick up her son. Kissing him on the nose she smiled and spoke in her mom voice, "I'm guessing you are a hungry baby boy, huh?" He babbled happily in response and Joan held him against her shoulder before addressing the young blonde standing behind her, "Thank you for letting me sleep a bit."

"No problem."

Walking to sit in the rocking chair across the room, Joan expected Annie to go get ready for the day but when she turned to sit, she realized the girl was hovering awkwardly with a conflicted look on her face. "Something we need to talk about Annie?"

"My NOC is ready."

Joan nodded, "I know."

Giving her former boss a narrow eyed glare, Annie took a deep breath, "Calder wants to read me in this afternoon."

Pausing in her task of draping the nursing blanket over her shoulder Joan let a half-shocked expression take over her face. "That is quick. I expected him to wait and read you in next week."

Annie silently nodded and looked at the floor.

Using the time it took to get McKenzie situated, Joan observed Annie and tried to determine what was bothering her as she continued to hover.

"Do you think you're ready?"

Annies eyes shot up, "Yeah. I….I'm just surprised its happening before Dr. Peterson cleared me and…"

"And what?" Joan raised an eyebrow.

"And, I know its been almost a month but I, I guess I'm not sure I'm ready."

"Not ready for what, the work or the adjustment?"

Annie narrowed her eyes in confusion and crossed her arms, "Adjustment?"

"Mhmm. You've accepted things won't be the same, so re-entering will require an adjustment period where you figure things out again and knowing you, I'm guessing the un-certainty of how things will play out is what is bothering you."

Annie just shrugged and shifted from one foot to the other.

"Annie part of why this is so hard is because, in spite of the way you push against them, you like rules and boundaries. It is something I like about you as an operative. You have a good gauge for what boundaries are keeping you safe and what boundaries are keeping you from accomplishing the mission." Annie turned her head to one side and gave Joan a sideways glare. "Protocol is important to you, but there is no protocol for what you are going through and I think that is what bothers you the most."

Annie chuckled, "Step-by-step instructions would be nice." Joan smiled and nodded in agreement before asking, "Annie, why are you coming back?"

Annie shook her head, "I'm still not sure how to answer that question."

"Well, you need to know the answer if you are going to do this job and not be consumed by it. Why did you join in the first place? Remembering that might help you understand why you want to return."

Rubbing her arm in contemplative silence for a moment, Annie let her memories wander to Sri Lanka. "Originally I chose this life to get away from my past." She looked Joan in the eye, "This time, I…I think I'm choosing it for the same reason. That and I can't let Henry win."

"So look forward, you can't escape your past, but you can walk away from it. One day at a time, one step at a time."

Calder looked up from the file he was flipping through as Annie entered the room. "Annie Walker." Closing the file he tucked it under his arm as he stood and walked toward the opposite end of the room. "Come take a seat." He motioned to the chair at the head of the conference table. Sinking into the black chair, Annie reached to open the file Calder slid across the table at her.

"Your new NOC."

Glancing up at him he nodded in approval before she flipped the cover page over and started reading.

"My new NOC is a search and retrieval analyst for the National Archives?" She read aloud with a hesitant voice what her mind was questioning as she read down the page.

Calder took the seat on her right, "Yes. You were fired from the Smithsonian, took up the import export life, but after your experience in Copenhagen..." Annie looked up with narrow eyes to see which experience he was actually referring too, the one narrow eye and raised eyebrow told her it was the story they had made up to read Danielle in, "...you decided to come back to the legitimate side of the business."

Annie scoffed and looked up at him as she turned the page, "Symbolic don't you think?"

Calder sat back in his chair, propping his right arm onto the table, "How so?"

Shrugging, Annie paused to read the job description before working up the words to explain, "Well I worked for the CIA, went to the dark side, and now am coming back, in a legitimate capacity...?"

Calder gave her a satisfied grin, "Well I suppose it is."

Shutting the file, Annie crossed her arms and sat back in the chair, "So, why am I coming back in before I am technically cleared for fieldwork?"

"Like I said on the phone, you won't be doing any field work for quite some time. You need to spend at least the next month doin some serious cover maintenance. You've blown through two covers in one year. That will take some time to repair. Dr. Peterson has informed me he thinks he will feel comfortable clearing you in four weeks..." Annie couldn't keep the surprised look off of her face when she heard that. Smirking, Calder went on, "... then we can talk about what department we will place you in permanently."

"You don't want me working for you forever? I'm shocked." She said in a sarcastically offended tone.

"Transferring you to work under the office of the DCS was a temporary solution then, so I am treating it as such now. Me being in this office was also a last minute temporary solution. Once your cover is a little less threadbare we can talk about leaving you under this office, sending you back to the DPD under Auggie, or a plethora of other options."

Annie flipped her hair, "This office, the office of the DCS," Annie quoted him and inquired, "You aren't taking ownership of your position."

Calder crossed his legs and arms simultaneously as he took a deep breath, "There you are acting like a linguist choosing words again. Your language skills are part of why we were able to put you in this NOC. You can be the employee who has an office but is rarely in it, stay home and analyze foreign documents and submit your findings."

His response evaded her question and knowing he was technically her boss, Annie abandoned her confrontation and moved on. "Okay, and I am assuming the retrieval bit is how you will explain my travel schedule."

Calder nodded, "Yes it is."

"Great, when do I start?"

"Next week. We're putting you in a one-bedroom apartment on M street. You can move in Monday, then Thursday we will put you in the new NOC."

Annie nodded and picked the file back up to re-scan over a few pages, "Joan mentioned I would be moving out."

"Well, explaining why someone who just got out of witness protection is living with two CIA legends would be difficult. In fact, if anyone asks, Arthur knew your dad back in their military days."

Laughing through her nose, Annie spoke under her breath, "Because people will believe that."

"Also, your old assets were assigned new handlers after your death. We didn't tell them you died just that you had transferred departments and some other bureaucratic bullshit. The Yemenese aid you turned last year, Sayid Al-Muqri, didn't take the transition so well. He will be in town tomorrow for an oil and energy summit at the Virginia Conference Center. If you happen to run into him, give him this." Calder handed her a white business card with a phone number on it.

"What is this?"

Calder sat back, "Your new asset line. If you run into each other, see if you can calm him down and get him back on board. There is a chance he will become essential to a few developing plans."

"If I run into him? As in this is not on book? As in I shouldn't really be read in on this because I'm not cleared for fieldwork?"

Calder stood and gave her a sly grin, "As in...I never asked you to do anything, I just gave you a business card."

Annie chuckled and pocketed the card before picking up the file, "I'm assuming we're done?"

"For today. Oh, you need to go down to the DPD and get your new cell phone. Auggie will be around if you need any help finding our friend tomorrow as well."

Shooting him a grin, Annie headed for the door.

"Enjoy your evening Walker."

"You too." She said closing the door behind her.

Auggie heard Annie before she saw him as they met in the hall just outside the DPD.

"Annie Walker."

She looked up. His voice and presence sending a warm smile across her face. "Auggie." taking his arm the two walked to Auggies office. "Calder told me you have a gift for me...?"

Auggie grinned and ran his hand across his desk until he found the device. Holding it out in front of him he spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Try not loose or to let any Israelis or Colombians destroy this one. Please." The mention and subsequent memories of Teo created a bittersweet atmosphere in the room.

"I promise to keep it safe." She turned her head and looked around the empty department, "Did you go off on an angry rage and fire everyone today or do you have your entire division out in the field?"

"It's Friday, and this is the CIA."

Smacking her lips, Annie nodded in realization, "Right, Allens is probably hopping with spooks."

"But I'm glad you told me, I was wondering why I hadn't seen anyone all day." He let a grin cross his lips as he made the joke.

Annie rolled her eyes but laughed, "Need a ride home, or maybe to a stand-up comedy gig?"

Flashing her his signature toothy childish grin "Actually, a ride home would be nice. No offense to the CIA shuttle, but I prefer riding with a stunning young blonde who works for the National Archives than a bunch of stressed CIA operatives and a mean, bitter old bus driver." Annie grinned at him. "Speaking of your new NOC, what do you think about it?" He asked as he gathered his things and moved towards the door.

His hand on her elbow, Annie and Auggie began the walk out of the building, "Honestly, the language nerd in me is borderline excited. You know I was offered a grant to study foreign texts in college?"

"I did and it's where I came up with the idea."

Joining the other operatives on the elevator, Annie leaned over and whispered in his ear, "It was a good one."

Auggie sat in the passenger seat of the Campbells black BMW trying to find a radio station he didn't hate as Annie drove across town.

"Ready for tomorrow?"

"What's tomorrow?" Annie asked shooting him that cheeky grin he could hear but not see.

"Your first official, un-official mission with yours truly."

Annie laughed, "Ready as I can be I guess. You remember what I had to go through to turn him in the first place."

Auggie crossed his arms, "Yeah, if I remember correctly, you were the one that got caught by state and had mom and dad Campbell all pissed off. I was just glad to not be in the middle of their argument for once."

"Well, at least this time I'm not trying to both turn him and hide from state."

"True, its pretty straightforward and simple, but you have a knack for taking these types of missions and making them a complicated mess."

Annie slapped him playfully, "I do not."

"Hey, on your first day, you forced us to come up with a plan B after blowing our original plan, which, I said it then and I will say it now, was simple..." He said the last word with a raised tone, "...or do you not remember."

Nostalgia washed over Annie, "Of course I remember. I remember thinking the job was going to be too complicated." She snickered, "If I only knew then what I know now...everything was so un-complicated back then." Her stomach twisted as four words crept up her vocal chords, "We were happy then."

Auggie sighed, unable to find the right words. They rode the last few miles in silence. Annie pulled into the visitors parking outside Auggies apartment. "Well, we're here."

Auggie nodded and opened the door sitting with one leg outside debating what to say next, "How about dinner?"

"Now?"

"Yeah, now. We can go to our Thai place."

Looking out the window, Annies eyes traveled down the sidewalk to where their restaurant was. The one they ate at every other day while they lived together.

"Okay."

Letting out a relieved sigh, Auggie stepped out of the car.

Settled into their table by the window with their usual dishes, Auggie listened to Annie eating as she looked out the window. He was happy she still loved to sit and people-watch. It is why she insisted they always sit at that table even tho it was the coldest spot in the building in this D.C. winter.

"What are you thinking?"

He heard the blonde air woosh as Annie flipped her hair and turned her face towards him, "I'm not, just watching..."

"Liar. I can hear you thinking."

"I was remembering the last time we were here. Feels like it was yesterday, but years ago at the same time. We had no idea what was about to happen...'Treat every meal like it's your last' right?" Annie looked down at her plate and pushed the food around with her fork as she remembered Eyals advice the first day they worked together.

"I suppose so. Things do change fast in life, faster for people like us."

Annie cleared her throat, "True. So, what time are we going in tomorrow?"

Swallowing quickly Auggie licked his lips then replied, "They have a lunch break at noon, but, we had a surveillance team on him today and he takes smoke breaks on the roof every two hours or so. Figure you can hide out up there and offer him a cigarette."

"Great, but you still haven't told me what time you want me to go sit on the roof."

Auggie chuckled at himself, "Sorry, first session is at 9. We should meet out front around ten. That will give you time to get upstairs and him time to enter the building and not see you until you're ready for him too."

"Chatting over smokes on a roof. Talk about a deja vu."

"Worked once before, you can make it work again. I'll be on a bench just outside the entrance watching, or listening, to the surveillance cameras in case his plans change and he leaves before you catch up to him. I will send you his file electronically so you have some reading to entertain yourself with while you sit up there and wait."

"Sitting on a D.C. rooftop in mid-December, maybe you should send me a heater and a travel mug with warm coffee in it instead of an electronic file." She commented while pulling her new phone out of her pocket and dialing a number.

"Are you calling someone?"

"Texting."

She saw a "who" start to form on his lips but elaborated before he had a chance to vocalize the question, "I just realized I'm gonna get home later than Arthur expects, I don't have my old phone anymore. I'm telling them I'm at dinner with you so I don't get home to him waiting at the door for me."

"He wouldn't."

"He might" Annie finished the text, "I kinda feel bad for McKenzie, he will have two overprotective parents who have the ability to track him using satellite imaging, read his non-verbals and know if he is lying, and send a whole extraction team if he goes somewhere he shouldn't. His high school years are gonna be a party."

Auggie shrugged, "Yeah, that would kinda be a buzz kill."

The small talk and shop talk continued for another half an hour before the two started the walk back down the sidewalk. They walked in silence, Auggie holding Annies elbow letting her lead him home. Both had things they still wanted to say and both were struggling to find the words to express what they felt. Arriving at the entrance to Auggies apartment building, the two paused and debated what to do next. Auggie came around to stand in front of Annie and pointed his eyes at where he guessed hers were.

"Annie, when you said things used to be simple, did you mean the job, or us?"

"Both I guess." She said in a whisper.

Auggie took a deep breath, "Our jobs will always be complicated, but you and me. We don't have to be."

Annie looked up at him with sad eyes and bit her lip, "Auggie….everything changed and..."

He interrupted her, "Yes, everything changed, but that doesn't mean we can't be happy again. Things are different, things are complicated, but..." he paused and ran his hands up her arms to cup her face in his hands, "...I promise you, one thing hasn't changed and one thing will always be simple and it is this...I love you Anne Catherine Walker. It's a love that hasn't changed since the day I met you and it is the most simple thing in my life."

Tears welled up into Annie's eyes. And as much as she wanted to say them, those three words were stuck in her throat. Her hands came up to grasp Auggies forearms. She saw him smile briefly at her touch before he moved his face down to brush a soft kiss on her lips. That light kiss sent a warm sensation through Annie that she once thought she would never feel again. Auggie leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. Their breaths became synchronized as the stood there in peaceful silence.

Pulling away, he kissed her on the cheek, "Big day tomorrow, you should go get some sleep." His hands still on her face let him know she nodded in agreement.

He reached into his bag to find his cane, un-folding it he paused and pulled Annie into a warm, safe embrace. "I'm always gonna love you Annie." Her arms snaked around his back and reciprocated the embrace before letting go and stepping back, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Auggie stayed just outside the buildings entrance and listened as her footsteps moved away from him. The sound growing fainter with each movement. He heard the car door open and shut. The engine started and that sound too became faint as she drove away. He walked into his apartment building with a smile on his face, his heart light, no regrets plaguing him from words un-said. One day at a time she was returning to him.

Chapter 14

Aftermath started three days after the season finale and has kept to a timeline. So, in this AU we haven't had Christmas or New Years and Annie has been home for almost a month. This chapter happens on December 14th. Two days prior, a U.S. drone strike hit a wedding party in Yemen and a week before the Yemini defense ministry compound and a hospital in Yemen were both attacked by Al Qadea. There is increasing political tension between the northern and southern regions in Yemen. Things are un-stable. Just to orient you.

By running a finger around the face of his watch, Auggie knew Annie should be arriving in the next minute or so. He was at the park across the street from the conference center leaning against a waist-high wall surrounding the raised flowerbed. Auggie turned his head toward the sound of clicking heels coming directly towards him and stood to his full height, "Morning Walker."

"Auggie." He could hear the smile in her voice.

Taking a quick sniff of the air his brow furrowed, "Did you rob a McDonalds, or are you trying out a new perfume?"

Shooting him a sideways glance she brushed the paper bag she was clutching against the back of his hand, "I picked up McDonalds, I did not steal it."

"Why?"

Annie took a deep breath and chuckled at herself, "For Sayid."

"You know, if you were anyone else I would think you were crazy, but since I already know you are I'm just gonna let you do your thing and wait for you explain it all later over drinks at Allens."

"Mhmm. So, should we do this?"

Auggie nodded and reached into his satchel, "Here is your earpiece..." He opened the box and held it out for her to take before returning his hand to the box and feeling to pick up his own, "...I will be on the bench out front..."

Annie offered him her arm, "Need me to walk you over there?"

Un-folding the cane that he had been holding under his arm he shook his head, "No, and it's probably best if you don't use the front entrance..."

Annie nodded and brought her hand back to her side, "Right."

"There is a service entrance on the east side of the building. Once inside there will be an emergency staircase on your right. At the top there is a door that gives you roof access. It's the same one Sayid used yesterday so he should come right up to you."

"Great, any roadblocks?"

"Your usual conference center security guards, and because its an oil and energy conference our friends at state and the FBI have a few agents on the property but none of em are looking for you..."

"Sounds simple enough."

Hearing her turn to leave Auggie reached back into his bag, "Hang on Annie." She turned to face him, "What is it?"

He pulled a thermos and plastic bag from his satchel, "Hot cocoa and hot hands."

"Hot hands?"

"Like an ice-pack in reverse. When you shake them up they get warm. No tellin how long you'll be up there."

Annie planted a soft kiss on his cheek before taking the items and giving him a sentimental smile, "Thanks Auggie."

"My pleasure. Now, go get Sayid so we can go home and enjoy the weekend." He winked at her and turned to find the crosswalk.

Annie waited to leave and watched him walk away. Finding the edge of the sidewalk he waited for the signal to cross. She watched until he was safely settled onto the bench when his voice came over her earpiece, "Walker, stop staring and get on the roof. We have a job to do."

"Sorry Aug."

"I know, you just can't help but stare at the handsome blind-man crossing the street." He flashed a cocky grin in her general direction.

Annie smiled back even tho he couldn't see her, "Remember the last time you sat out waiting on a bench for me?"

"Yeah, Colombia, right before I got shot." Annies smile turned to a frown as she remembered the panic she felt seeing the blood pour from his shoulder. His sarcastic voice broke her thought process, "Let's try to avoid doing that again."

Pusing the memories out of her mind, Annie nodded, "Good idead" as she started her trek to the roof.

Over an hour later, Annie was still sitting with her back against a locked storage shed a few feet away from the entrance to the roof sipping the hot cocoa and reading the file of Sayid Al-Muqri on her phone, "Are you sure he hasn't left the session? It's almost time for them to break for lunch...?"

"No, the security cameras at the entrance would've picked him up."

Annie groaned, "Maybe we should just wait for him to leave and follow him to lunch. Approach him there" She said before blowing warm air into her frozen hands.

"Annie, getting him away from the group he's traveling with would be difficult. If they see you with him you could blow his cover."

"I know, I know...wait…Auggie…" Her tone changed to the one that almost always caused Auggie un-do stress and panic…."Walker, whatever you're thinking, no."

"Where is he staying? I can leave him a note in his hotel room and set up a meet for tonight somewhere..."

"You could, or you could stop whining and get your cheeseburger ready."

"What?"

"The cameras just picked him up entering the stairwell."

Annie quickly closed the now empty thermos and stuffed it into her messenger bag style purse before standing and moving to the opposite side of the storage shed where he wouldn't see her as he came out onto the roof. She shivered as she was not shielded from the wind on this side of the wall and thrust her hands into her pockets, her fingers finding warmth thanks to Auggies gift.

The door-knob squeaked as he turned it and pushed the heavy metal door open. Annie could hear his foot-steps crunching on the gravel covered roof as he walked to the side opposite where Annie was. Looking up at the grey, December sky she took a deep breath and stepped out from behind her hiding place, "Not as hard to find a place to smoke around here."

Sayid froze. Left hand in his pocket, he let his right hand holding the cigarette to fall from his mouth to his side, "Annie Walker?"

Annie took a few steps toward him, "Nice to see you again Sayid."

Almost in slow motion he turned to face her. His sad dark eyes looked her up and down before he took another puff of his cigarette, "They say you are no longer my handler."

Annie shrugged, "I've been out of town."

"You promise you would not disappear."

Annie shook her head with a deep sigh and looked at the ground, "I didn't plan on doing so."

Sayid flicked the ashes off the end of his cigarette and walked toward her, stopping when he was little more than an arms length away from her, "And now your mentor sends you back to me because I tell CIA I don't trust my new handler."

Narrowing her eyes at him, she realized his hairline had receded since she last saw him but his dark sideburns and facial hair were still in place, "No, my mentor doesn't know I'm here."

"So why are you here Annie Walker?"

"We have heard some chatter about the planning of upcoming events involving a terrorist cell in your country looking to disrupt your nations oil production and we need you in the game. You are the only person we have in Yemen who can get us the intel we need to stop it."

He gave an unenthusiastic laugh, "I don't see the value in giving you intel anymore. Nothing changes only I have put me and my family in danger. Tell your CIA I am done."

"The value is in working together to bring change..."

He hardened his stance and face and looked at her fiercely as he interrupted her, "Work together? Your country is attacking my people with drones. They say they need information to strike militant groups, but my people are suffering. I cannot be a part in the destruction of my own people."

Annie shook her head, "Your intel didn't play into the decision to make those attacks and the CIA never targets civilians, intentionally."

"Intentional or not it still happens."

"And I am sorry that it does. Sayid, I have seen the process we go through to make a strike and trust me, the decision is never made lightly. You said you wanted to see more collaboration with your country and the West, correct?"

Sayid gave no response just stared into Annies brown eyes, "Sayid, your intel has kept us from having to use drone strikes to take out militants. It gives us other avenues of action to walk down. After the prime ministers death we were able to help prevent political un-rest thanks to what you provided in your dead-drops concerning the candidates who wanted to de-stabilize your government."

Sayid sucked on his cigarette and blew the smoke through his nose and mouth, "You still attack us like we are a hostile people."

Annie sighed and turned her head sideways, "We are not attacking the Yemeni people. The strikes are aimed at Al Qaeda cells, not civilians."

"And yet, the more we align ourselves with you the larger the target on us becomes." Dropping his cigarette on the ground he angrily stomped on it.

"You are only a target because you are a threat. If your nation wasn't taking steps to close the distance between you and the West, there would be no reason for militant groups to attack and there would also be no chance at your country seeing the freedom and autonomy that it has the potential to exist in."

Sayid gave one dramatic nod before turning his face towards the D.C. skyline and moving to stand closer to the edge of the rooftop, "When the game is over the king and the pawn go back in the same box."

Annie furrowed her brow and walked to stand beside him. He turned his head to face her. Seeing her confused facial expression he inhaled and explained, "It is a proverb my mentor hated. He hated the implication that his position of power mattered not."

"What does it mean to you?" She asked quietly and cautiously.

"That everyone dies. Therefor while we are alive we are all equal. Nationality, wealth, is irrelevant and all should have a chance to be great."

"A chance to fulfill our destiny."

Sayid glanced at her before turning to walk behind her and running a hand through his thinning hair. Annie twisted to face him.

Swallowing and planting his hands on his hips Sayid looked from his feet to her eyes, ""What is it you need me to do?" he asked and set his jaw.

Taking a step forward, Annie tried to hide her relief, "Nothing for now. We just needed to know you were still in the game."

"You said you need intel to stop an attack."

Annie nodded, "And we do, but I am not read-in on what yet. We will contact you soon. For now, your protocol remains the same, except…." She fished into her pocket to pull out a the business card from Calder, "…this is my new asset line."

He took it and concentrated on memorizing the number before pulling a lighter from his pocket and setting it ablaze. "You are a very convincing woman, Annie Walker, twice you have made me change my mind." His eyes turned fierce as they met hers, "There will be no third chance."

His slumped shoulders led his body as he turned toward the stairwell entrance.

Annie pulled the paper bag containing the now cold cheeseburger from her purse, "Sayid!" When he turned she tossed it at him. "Sorry it's cold."

Reaching out and catching the bag, he peeked in and chuckled, "I guess I should've come up sooner."

Annie shrugged and spoke in a light tone, "Coming to America and not eating a burger is like going to Japan and not ordering sushi."

Nodding and giving the blonde woman a half-grin he closed the bag and continued on his path towards the exit, "Goodbye Annie Walker."

Once the door closed behind him Annie breathed out a relieved sigh.

"Nice work Walker."

"You gonna read me in on the intel you need from him?"

"You're clearance isn't high enough, hell until Thursday you don't even have a clearance."

Annie decided to use the fire escape ladder that ran down the side of the building instead of following Sayid in the stairwell to make sure nobody got suspicious, "Comments like that make me miss Jessica Matthews."

Auggie shuddered at the name, "I much prefer Annie Walker no offense."

Reaching the end of the latter she jumped down with a humph, "None taken."

Rounding the corner she could see Auggie a few yards away gathering his things to go when an all too familiar voice behind her stopped her in her tracks.

"Annie Walker"

She saw Auggie sit up straight and listen to the audio feed carefully and knew he recognized the voice as well, "Agent Rossabi…." She said as she turned around slowly, "…nice to see you."

He looked like he had seen a ghost. Face pale, mouth wide in shock, "You're dead."

Annie quickly looked around to see who was in ear-shot before stepping closer and speaking under her breath, "Obviously not."

"But…but…you..." He stopped stuttering as he realized what happened, "You faked your death didn't you?"

Annie stood with her mouth hanging open unsure how to respond.

His brow was furrowed in confusion, "And...I'm guessing you're the one who killed Wilcox?"

Regret stabbed Annie's lungs causing her to inhale sharply. Auggies voice in her ear brought her back to reality, "Annie stick to your cover."

She cleared her throat and threw her blonde hair out of her face, "No, I was in witness protection. I uh, witnessed the helicopter attack in Copenhagen."

Rossabi rolled his eyes and started walking toward Annie motioning for her to walk beside him, "That's your story?"

She nodded and looked straight ahead, "It is."

"So what are you doing here?"

Annie gave him a narrowed eye glare, "Just walking around the city…enjoying my Saturday."

"Right…I saw you coming down the fire escape. What are you up too Walker."

Annie sighed, "You know I can't tell you that."

He opened his mouth to comment when his cell phone rang. He answered it without breaking eye contact, "Rossabi..…Yeah…..I will be right there...Yeah, follow him don't approach yet."

He ended the call and crossed his arms, "Report of a suspicious Yemeni man on the stairwell leading to the roof."

Annies eyes widened as her mind flew into action trying to determine how to handle the situation.

Rossabi's eyes narrowed as he read her facial expression, "CIA asset?"

Annie met his eyes and shrugged.

The FBI agent in front of her let out a frustrated sigh, "I'll let him go. You took down Henry so I owe you one and if I don't it's gonna cause problems for me, right?"

Giving him a pained grin she said yes without words.

He gruffly whispered under his breath and proceeded to walk toward the building entrance, pausing to face her, "And Walker, thank you for dealing with our mutual...enemy. It had to be done and I'm glad someone finally did it."

Annie gulped down her emotions and let a half-grin creep onto her lips, "Wouldn't have happened without your tip."

He gave a genuine smile and nodded, "See ya around Walker."

Once he disappeared into the building, Annie moved to meet up with Auggie who had left the bench and returned to his spot across the street. Removing her earpiece she handed it to him, "Well, that went way to easily."

Auggie chuckled and put the device away, "It's not always supposed to be hard."

Annie bit her lip, "Maybe not."

"How'd it feel to be back in the field?"

Annie laughed lamely, "You can hardly call that being in the field, but, it felt good I guess."

He reached for her arm and nudged her to start leading them to the car, "Hungry?"

Annie flipped her blonde hair as she started walking and smiled at him, "I could eat."

"Good. Lets get lunch, then I'm gonna need you to drop me off at Langley."

'Why?"

Auggie rolled his eyes, "When I called to read Calder in he, uh...read me in and it's gonna be a long weekend."

"Mmmm Saturdays at the office, now that I haven't missed."

"Yes you have."

"I have?"

"Of course, cause it meant you were with me all weekend."

Annie gave his arm a playful slap, "Anything I can come in and help you with?"

He grinned coyly and commented "See, case and point…" before shaking his head and putting on his all business tone, "But no you can't. It's above your clearance." Annie spoke in stereo with him as he finished the statement.

It was five o'clock and sun had started to set when Annie pulled into the Campbells driveway. Using the key they had given her weeks before she let herself in and proceeded to go upstairs to her room.

"Annie, how was your day with Auggie?"

She felt like a teenager trying to sneak back into the house after curfew that just got caught. She hadn't told Joan and Arthur about the mission and wasn't sure she was allowed too. Taking a deep breath she walked back down the two steps she had climbed and entered the living room where Arthur had his son lying on his back on top of his fathers knees.

"Fine."

Arthur set the plush airplane down and cradled his son in his arms, "Im about to go get take-out for dinner. Anything in particular you want?"

Half-way holding her breath, Anne shook her head, "No."

Arthur eyed her suspiciously, "Okay. Can you watch McKenzie? Joan is taking a bath, she should be out soon."

Annie nodded and Arthur's attention went to his son, "You behave son." He said in the strange deep but kind tone he used with his son before kissing his forehead and leaving him in Annies arms.

Upstairs, Annie laid McKenzie on his stomach on the bed with his airplane and rattle before removing her messenger bag and trench coat and bending over to remove her heels and pull on a pair of socks. Her socked feet shuffled into the bathroom and she threw her hair in a ponytail before going to sit on the bed beside the infant who had grown tired of being on his belly and was whimpering to let Annie know.

Carefully picking him up, Annie turned him over and laid him on his back and began teasing him with the airplane. Seeing movement in the doorway she looked up to see Joan in lounge clothes with her wet hair in a bun on top of her head, "Arthur go to get dinner?"

Annie nodded and turned her attention back to the baby boy who was waving his arms and cooing happily at the attention he was getting. She hoped Joan would just go on her way but the blonde woman came to sit on the edge of Annies bed. She reached a hand to caress her sons head before addressing her blonde operative.

"You and Auggie enjoy your day?" Her tone was sarcastic and her eyes pointed narrowly at Annie.

"Yeah."

"What did you two do?"

Annie tilted her head to the side nonchalantly "Ya know, we just, walked around the city, talked, grabbed lunch. Something came up so I dropped him off at Langley."

Joan nodded and looked down as her son pulled her finger that was now in his grasp to his tiny mouth, "How did you handle being in the field again?" Her eyes slowly crept up to examine Annies reaction to her question.

Annie sucked on her cheek and inhaled, "Sorry Joan I didn't think Calder read you in."

With a chuckle Joan shook her head, "He didn't." Annie looked at Joan with a questioning gaze. With a sly grin Joan explained, "You acted strange this morning when Arthur asked you what your plans were for the day…"

Annies eyes widened as she hadn't realized Joan had heard them talking. It was true she felt herself become awkward when he asked and she wasn't sure what to tell him. In spite of the fact he was no longer her boss he was still an intimidating person and lying to him made her feel un-fomfortable.

"I didn't realize…"

"...that I heard you?" Joan gave Annie the I-know-everything glare and went on, "I called Calder and asked what was going on. He read me in."

Annie nodded and relaxed slightly, "Does Arthur know?"

"No, so how did it go?"

"Sayid agreed to remain an asset. Do you know what they need him to gather intel for?"

Joan tilted her chin up, "No, and if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

Annie scoffed, "Course not."

"So, he is on board, no hiccups?"

Annie tilted her head to the side and gave a pained grin, "Well, I ran into Agent Rossabi."

Joans eyebrow flew up, "You did?"

"Once he got over the fact I was alive he was fine."

With an understanding nod Joan opened her mouth to speak, "Henry did a number on him. He blamed Henry for your death from the start."

"He thanked me for…." Her voice and eyes trailed down to the carpet.

"For what Annie?"

She shifted uncomfortably and let out a slow breath, "For killing Henry." Forcing her eyes to meet Joans she gave a forced smile.

"I know that it is still hard for you hear this, but, you did the right thing."

Annie nodded, "I know, its just, I feel like you shouldn't thank me for killing someone."

"It wasn't the fact you killed him that made Rossabi thank you, it was the fact Henry was no longer a threat because of your actions."

Letting silence take over the room Annie gave a slight nod and turned her attention to McKenzie who was happily sucking his mothers finger.

"How was working with Auggie again?"

Looking up Annie couldn't hold back a girlish grin and chuckle that formed in the back of her throat after seeing Joans sly smile, "It was fine."

"Good." Her grinning eyes moved from Annie to her son who she picked up and cradled against her chest, "Now, I am going to go feed this growing man. Come get me when Arthur gets back with dinner?"

"Will do." She responded as her phone started ringing. Standing she pulled it out of her pocket.

Danielle Brooks

Chapter 15

Incoming Call:

Danielle Brooks

"Hey Danielle"

"Aunt Annie, it's Chloe not mommy." The high-pitched voice of a little girl on the other end of the phone caused a surprised look to come over Annie's face.

After stuttering for a moment, Annie finally formed understandable words, "Hey Chloe. Where is your mom?"

Danielle's voice joined Chloe's on the phone. "I'm here Annie. You're on speaker with me, Chloe and…"

"And me!" A second high pitch voice joined the others and Annie let out a chuckle as she interrupted her mother.

"Hi Katia. How are my two favorite nieces."

Chloe and her pre-teen self answered in a condescending tone, "Aunt Annie, we are your only nieces."

"But you're still my favorite."

"Aunt Annie?" Katias voice broke through as she requested her aunts attention.

"Yes Katia." There was an un-controllable smile in Annie's voice.

"Now that you don't have to hide from the bad man, can you come see us? Please-please-please-please-please-please!" Chloes voice joined Katia, "Yes, please Aunt Annie!"

"That will be up to your parents but hopefully soon?" She posed the question hoping Danielle would chime in. "Yes soon." Danielles voice sounded hopeful and Annie took in a deep breath in an attempt to control the happy tears climbing up the back of her throat.

Katia again broke the silence with a question only a child would think to ask, "Will you be here for Christmas!" The excitement behind her question made her voice rise and squeak as it reached the top of the audible range of frequencies. Annie glanced at the alarm clock on her night-stand and realized the holiday was less than two weeks away. "I'll have to talk to your mom about that."

Two voices turned away from the phones speaker and, Annie assumed, towards their mother ears, "Please Mommy! Can she come, can she?"

Danielle took a deep breath. Annie could her her turn the speakerphone off and bring the phone to her ear as she told the girls to go play outside while she and Aunt Annie have big-girl talk. Annie grinned as she heard the two girls moan in disagreement.

Once alone Danielle breathed deeply. Annie broke the silence, "Michael let you tell the girls?"

She heard Danielle clear her throat on the other end, "Yeah. He came home a few days ago and…he had changed his mind. It was crazy because just that morning we had been arguing about the situation and….he came home, said he got a phone call and the person explained the situation to him, told him about his own personal experience with keeping secrets and Michael finally caved. It was that man I met when I was in town."

Annies face contorted with shock, "Arthur?"

"Mhmm, he told Michael and I the same thing that the truth is too hard to live with so you keep secrets to protect the people you love and I guess that day it clicked. We told the girls last night."

"What did you tell them?"

Danielle chuckled at herself, "That you couldn't come visit because you were hiding from a bad man but now the bad man is gone so you don't have to hide anymore."

Annies breath caught as she inhaled and sniffled.

"Are, are you crying Annie? Was this not okay?"

"No, no I'm just, surprised but...happily surprised." Her mind was trying to wrap itself around Arthur calling her brother-in-law. The man was never particularly cold but he was Arthur Campbell and Annie was borderline shocked. Shocked he called and shocked it worked.

"Good. And as for Christmas, I don't know if you can or if you want too but…"

"Yes, I would love to spend Christmas with you and the girls."

Annie heard the smile in Danielles voice, "Great. We are doing Christmas morning just us then going to Michaels parents place for dinner-it's a formal thing so you'll need to pack your little black dress but they're very catholic so not your little-little black one. Oh and you can stay in our guest room I just need to know when you're flying in so that I can be there to pick you up and the girls…"

"Danielle, slow down, I will call you soon with my travel plans. I promise."

"Sorry, didn't mean to go all type-A on you."

"It's okay, I'm used to it. I've lived with you basically all my life so…"

Katia began yelling on the other end of the line and Danielle pulled the phone from her ear, "I gotta go Annie. Someone hit someone with something."

Annie laughts heartily, "Okay I will call you soon with my travel plans? Oh and I'm moving Monday into an apartment but you go I will explain it all next time we chat."

"Okay, bye Annie."

Hearing the garage door open Annie headed down to help Arthur with the take-out bags. He was already dumping the bags onto the dining room table when Annie made it to the bottom of the stairs.

Seeing her enter the room he motioned with a nod of his head toward the kitchen, "Mind grabbing plates."

"Sure."

Opening the cabinets and retrieving the plates, she rose her voice and spoke to him while he went through the take-out bags, "I got a call from my sister while you were out."

The plastic bags immediately stopped rustling as Arthur froze. Annie re-entered the dinning room and set the plates down on the opposite end of the table to where he was standing like a deer caught in the headlights. Arthur folded his arms over his chest and looked at her with arched eyebrows and feigned cluelessness.

"You called Michael?" Annie inquired tilting her head to one side.

A breathy chuckle came through this nose as he planted his hands on the back of the chair in front of him, "I did."

Annie smiled across the room, "Thank you for that. You didn't have too…."

Arthur shrugged, "After everything you did for us, for Teo…" a dark sadness crossed his face as his sons name crossed his lips, "…I thought it was worth a try. Michael was just trying to protect his family. He needed to understand that is why you did what you did. To protect your family. He is a reasonable man. Wasn't hard to turn him." His eyebrow lifted with the corner of his mouth. Annie returned the smile before he turned his attention back down to the bags of food, "So, you hungry?"

Closing the notebook Annie dropped it into the nightstand drawer. Henrys face and voice lingered in her mind as she tried to rehearse the ending to the nightmare she had re-written. Letting her elbows rest on her knees she dropped her head into her hands and took a few deep breaths. A light knock on her bedroom door pulled out of herself. Annie sat up straight. "Come in?"

The door slowly creaked open to reveal Joan still in her robe cradling McKenzie, "I saw your light on when I finished his morning feeding."

Annie glanced at the clock, it was 6:30, "It's fine I was up. Is everything oaky?"

Joan silently stepped further into the bedroom and shrugged one shoulder, "Yes and no." She came to sit on the edge of the guest bed, "Today would've been Teo's birthday."

Annie felt warm tears fill her eyes, "Is Arthur…okay?"

Taking a deep breath Joan stared down at her son, "I don't think he realizes I know. And I doubt he was going to tell me." She sniffled and met Annies concerned eyes, "He, uh, he wasn't in bed when McKenzie woke up this time. He sent me a text around 4:30 saying he would be back at noon and not to worry, but I don't think he should be alone today and I'm pretty sure I know where he went."

"You need me to watch McKenzie?"

"Do you mind?"

Annie shook her head and gave Joan a weak smile, "No. Not at all."

"Thank you Annie, I'm gonna go get dressed and head out. If you need anything I will have my phone on me. Arthurs is off, so…." Her voice trailed off and her brow furrowed with worry, sympathy, and concern.

Not sure what to do Annie slowly reached to re-assuringly squeeze Joans arm, "He will be okay and McKenzie and I will be fine. May be my last day with the little guy for awhile."

Joan chuckled and stood, "True." She bent over and kissed her sons forehead and whispered against his face, "Hey sweet baby. You be a good boy. Mommy loves you and she will be back soon." She kissed his nose and handed him over to the blonde operative sitting Indian-style on the bed, "Bottles in the back of the fridge…he will get hungry again in two hours…"

Annie nodded and calmly but firmly interrupted, "I've got this. Go take care of Arthur." Joan disappeared into the hall without saying another word.

"Well Mac, looks like it's just you and me today."

The baby boy in her arms cooed as if he understood and agreed with her statement. Annie let a warm smile play on her lips as she watched his tiny fist grasp her thumb. With her pointer finger she reached and stroked his chubby cheek, "You are getting big McKenzie. I'm gonna need you to slow down."

The baby flailed his arms and legs as if to say no. Annie sighed and walked to the nursery to find his favorite rattle.

Pulling into the parking lot of the Chesapeake Memorial Garden, Joan saw her husbands car. Parking beside him she took her time turning the car off and gathering her things. Death was something she could never wrap her mind around. Never something she felt comfortable being around. At funerals and star ceremonies over the years she never knew what to say. Arthur always spoke the comforting words while she stood and silently offered support. She swallowed a sob and rallied her emotions. On the two hour long drive there she let herself cry for her grieving husband and lost step-son. Not sure what she would find when she ventured into the graveyard she knew she had to be strong for Arthur. Flipping the mirror down she examined her reflection and did her best to hide the evidence of the tears that had fallen.

Locking the car she turned her phone to vibrate before dropping it into the pocket of her black trench-coat and slowly walking toward the plot where they buried Teo. The sky was grey, the clouds were heavy, and a snow-storm loomed as if the sky itself was grieving for her step-son. Her breath formed small white clouds every time she exhaled. Reaching the top of the hill he came into her field of view. He was standing with his arms crossed and his head down wearing all black. He looked so small, and his shoulders were bent like he carried a great weight. Joan brushed back a strand of blonde hair the wind had blown into her face and proceeded to head down the hill into the valley where he stood.

She took slow, small steps toward him. Her black boots hardly making a sound as she closed the space between them. When she was about 20 yards away she saw her husband turn his head ever so slightly toward where she froze, and she knew he heard her. For a moment she paused and considered waiting there. Seeing him relax she knew he had sensed her presence and instead walked until she stood a few yards away from his side.

Seeing his tear-stained face and nose red from crying and from the cold air her own emotions began to turn in her stomach. He looked up through his haze of grief and stared straight ahead into the forest that surrounded the graveyard. Joan bit her lip and crossed her arms over her chest. The trees stood bare and grey. The world looked empty.

"Come here Joan."

His weak-quiet voice surprised her attention from the forest back to him. She slowly moved until she was a few feet away knowing he needed space. Sensing her movement come to a halt he tore his eyes from the trees.

"No, come here Joan." The tone he used this time was sincere and at a normal volume level. He opened his arms and his dark, bloodshot eyes met his wifes uncertain blue ones. Taking a deep breath she timidly stepped forward and pressed her body into his. Her head resting on his chest. His long arms encircling her. Relief washed over her and she tucked her arms between his chest and hers and relaxed in his embrace. The sound of his steady heartbeat comforted her.

They stood for what seemed like an hour in that position. Their body heat keeping them warm against the December wind that was getting colder as morning was slowly turning to noon.

"I wonder if maybe I should've had him buried in Colombia next to his mother."

The heartsick tone he spoke in made Joans own heart ache, "I think he wanted to be here just as much as he wanted to be there."

Arthur loosened his grip and Joan looked up into his eyes. The tears hadn't stopped coming down. The bags under his eyes were heavier than usual, his forehead was tense. His wind chapped lips were poked out, "You do?"

Giving him a weak smile Joan nodded, "I do."

She turned herself around in his arms to face Teo's epitaph.

Teo Philo Braga

My Hero

My Son

The fight was not in vain.

1980 – 2013

Arthur tightened his grip around her shoulders and Joan covered his hands with hers. They stood in comfortable silence until Joan involuntarily shivered.

Arthur kissed the side of her head, "We should go. It's getting colder."

Joan shook her head and squeezed his hands, "I'm fine. Don't leave until you're ready." His chest rose and fell, "I'm ready. It's a long drive back."

Letting go of her, Arthur offered his arm. Joan leaned heavily against him as they walked in-step back to the cars.

"Annie has McKenzie?"

Joan nodded against his shoulder.

Reaching the parking lot he wrapped her in another tender, warm embrace. "I'm glad you came."

Joan pulled back and cupped his face, "I love you, and I am so sorry." He nodded and she pulled his head down so she could brush a kiss against his chapped lips. "You following me home or am I following you?"

"Lead on my dear."

Annie was sitting on the floor with McKenzie sprawled out on the blanket when Joan and Arthur walked in the door. Hearing them enter the house she picked up the baby and his blanket and stood. Joan entered the living-room first followed by Arthur. The blonde woman practically flew to the baby boy in Annies arms. Picking him up she assaulted him with kisses.

"He ate about an hour ago."

"Was he fussy?"

"No, he was perfect. We ate, pooped, played, slept, spit up on Annie..." She saw Arthur chuckle and let a smile come across her lips, "..he was perfect."

Joan turned and placed her son in his fathers arm. Holding his son, Annie saw the cloud of tension and grief start to break over Arthur. Joan stepped back to gaze at her men, "Annie, can you help me in the kitchen?" She glanced over her shoulder to see the girls response. Annie nodded and walked past them and into the kitchen to wait on Joan.

Entering the kitchen she saw bags of groceries on the counter and busied herself with putting them away.

As she folded the last empty paper bag she heard the heels of Joans boots click across the tile floor. Annie looked up and was surprised to see the smile Joan wore on her face, "Everything okay?"

Joan nodded and walked over to the sink and started washing her hands, "It is, thank you for watching him." She turned her face away from Annie and looked at the running water, "Tonight is your last night here so I am going to cook for you." After rinsing the last bit of soap off her hands Joan dried them and turned to face her blonde operative, "You have endured living with me and Arthur and a crying newborn, and eating only frozen meals and take-out for a month now."

Annie smiled and shook her head, "It wasn't that bad."

"Regardless. Do you like chicken-pot-pie?"

Annie looked at Joan with a narrow glare, "One of my favorites."

"I know, it's in your file." Joan said lightly as she shot Annie the I-know-everything look and turned on the oven.

Annie rolled her eyes as Joan started shuffling around the kitchen pausing only to order Annie around.

Two hours later Joan, Arthur and Annie sat at the dining-room table. McKenzie in his swing beside his mother.

Arthur poured white wine into everyone's glasses before sitting and addressing the young blonde on his left, "So, how are you feeling about getting out of the Campbell house?"

Annie took a sip of her wine and paused to choose her words carefully.

Joan saved her from having to answer, "Probably relieved to not have you prying into her personal business." Her sarcastic response earned a snarky glare from her husband and a suppressed laugh from the blonde operative sitting across from her.

"No, I will miss you guys. It will be weird being on my own. I never really was. After Danielle moved out I was in the hospital, in Russia, with Eyal, or living at Auggies so I'm not sure what to expect"

Arthur swallowed, "If you need anything, all you have to do is ask."

Annie smiled graciously, "I know and thank you again for Michael."

Joans head shot up, "Michael?"

Arthur scrunched is face. Annie explained, "He uh, called my brother in law and talked him into letting me talk to my nieces."

"He did?" Joans expression was a mix of anger, pride and shock.

Arthur shrugged and evaded her glare.

Joan rolled her eyes and turned her gaze to Annie, "Arthur will watch McKenzie for me so I can help you get all of your things out of storage tomorrow."

Having learned arguing with Joan about anything was nearly pointless Annie just nodded in compliance.

Arthur smiled widely and addressed the blonde women on either side of him, "I have an announcement to make…"

Joan and Annie exchanged questioning glances before turning to look at Arthur and wait for the announcement.

"The Senate Intelligence committee approved the creation of the position of Associate Director of National Intelligence."

Joans mouth dropped wide, "When did you find this out?"

"On the drive back I turned on my phone and had a voicemail."

"Congratulations Arthur!" Annie spoke in a surprised tone.

Joans eyes narrowed at her husband, "There's something else isn't there?"

Arthur nodded and looked directly at her, "Pending an interview with the committee I have been chosen and approved to take the position."

Joan forced a smile, "That is great news."

Annie noticed the grimace Joan tried to hide with her smile but left it alone and returned her attention to her dinner.