a/n: So, this story is kind of staying true to the show in some ways, but it'll be totally different in others. For example, Annie lives in the safe-house that no one can know the location of, and Jai has already had his promotion, but Parker will just not exist (partly because she doesn't really fit and partly because I can't wait until she's gone in the Peace Corps). Anyway, here's the next installment! Hope you like it, and don't forget to drop me a comment! :)

Klatsch: a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation.

"Auggie, people are staring."

Auggie rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Stop worrying."

"We should have gone back to my house so I could get a change of clothes," Annie grumbled, wincing slightly as she put too much pressure on her ankle. She tightened her grip on Auggie's arm, and he in turn shifted his weight so she could lean on him more heavily. "And maybe some different shoes," she added.

"Hey," Auggie said, holding up his hands. "In my defense, I offered you my sneakers. You didn't want them."

She swatted him in the chest. "They were three sizes too big! And you know what I mean."

"I'm not allowed to know where you live, Annie," he said, sighing. "It's called a safe-house for a reason. How many times do I have to tell you that? And if I'm not allowed to know where you live, some greasy cab driver certainly isn't."

"I could've driven," she muttered, leading Auggie around a group of laughing coworkers, many of whom gave them curious glances that made Annie's cheeks burn.

"Annie, you can't even walk on your own; you're using me as a human walking stick," he said dryly. "Forgive me if I've lost faith in your driving abilities."

Annie groaned. "Then I wish the cabbie could've taken me to my house! It's not like he's part of some international spy ring."

"It's protocol, Annie! No one can know where it's located."

"But I'm always alone there," she said, frowning. "I hate it."

"Get a cat."

"Auggie…"

"Get a real place then," he suggested, throwing a sideways glance and a smirk at her. "Until then, my door is always open, and you will always be forced to do the Walk of Shame." She bit her lip, knowing that Auggie was right, even if he was teasing. If she ever wanted to really feel at home, she needed a new place, where she could have company over, and sleepovers with the girls, and someplace that was smaller than her large, cold safe-house.

Footsteps sounded from behind them. "What do you know," Auggie said, a distinctly sarcastic edge in his voice. Annie glanced at him searchingly, wondering why his tone had changed so drastically. "I'm starting to think you want your old job back, Jai. You just can't seem to stay away from us."

Annie turned in surprise, losing her balance and grabbing onto Auggie for support, wincing slightly. She had long given up trying to figure out how Auggie could simply know who was around from a simple sound or a smell. She had attempted to do it one day at her desk. She had closed her eyes, and listened to every squeak that passed her desk, trying to put the squeak with the shoe that it belonged to. Needless to say, she had failed miserably, not realizing that Joan was clicking towards her and getting reprimanded for "sleeping on the job".

Annie shuddered, remembering the incident and surveyed Jai, who was standing there with his arms crossed over a dark black suit. "Hey Annie," he said, throwing her a quick smile that she returned before he turned back to Auggie. "Don't kid yourself, Anderson; I'm here to celebrate my new promotion."

"How so?"

"I'm having a party at Allen's tonight, just a small little thing, and you guys are invited," he said, observing Annie's clothes with probing eyes. "I like your outfit," he said coolly, raising an eyebrow, "even if it does look strangely familiar."

Annie's cheeks flushed as a crooked grin graced Auggie's face.

"I sprained my ankle and couldn't get home," Annie quickly explained.

Jai pursed his lips. "Rough night?"

Auggie chuckled quietly. "Oh yeah," he said, a lascivious smile slowly spreading across his face.

Annie jabbed him in the ribs angrily. "He's kidding," she said, glaring at Auggie. She knew he liked to get under Jai's skin, but he would pay for that little comment. It was all she needed for Jai's jealousy to start a rumor that would be spread throughout the building by lunch.

"The party starts at seven," Jai informed them, his eyes flickering back and forth between the two.

Auggie snorted suddenly. "I'm sorry, let me get this straight. Are you throwing a celebratory party for yourself?"

Jai's face clouded. "You don't have to come, Auggie. Believe me, we'll be fine without you."

"Did you make a cake with your face on it?" Auggie teased.

"Why don't you come see for yourself? Oh, wait—"

"You know what Jai, it sounds fun," Annie said loudly, cutting off the rest of Jai's distasteful insult. "We'll be there."

"Great," he said breezily. "I've got to get back to my very large office, Auggie. See you at Allen's."

He spun on his heel, clipping quickly through the DPD doors, and Annie turned to face Auggie murderously.

Before she could speak, he muttered, "I can't believe you told Jai we'd go to his stupid party! I am not going."

"Yes you are," she said, ignoring his protesting scoff. "You're coming."

"Annie!"

"That's your punishment for implying that we had sex," she said, elbowing him again.

"Ouch, stop doing that!" he complained, his lip jutting out in a pout. "Your elbow is really bony."

She didn't answer and Auggie sighed. "Come on, Jai knew I was kidding."

"That's what you think," she muttered as they began the trek to her desk once more. "He's going to tell someone and then they'll tell someone else and—Auggie, everyone's going to think we slept together!"

Auggie grinned widely. "Annie, everyone already thinks that."

Annie's mouth fell open with a pop, making Auggie grin wider.