I hate to be one of those "real life interfered with my writing" types, but it did. I was thinking about this story all last weekend during my son's football game. (Bad Mom!) And I was planning to get this really fleshed out last night. My son's finger and football practice had other ideas. He's fine, but this chapter is a little light. The next part is started, but needs polishing. So in the interest of a little is better than nothing….here is the next installment.

And THANK YOU all so much for the alerts and reviews. It really energizes me to write when I get them.

DISCLAIMER: Visits to the Orthopedist, I will own, sadly, not these fun characters.

SOUVENIR – Chapter 4

Not Ben, he was gone again, this time for good. Her brain scolded her the moment the thought and name slipped from her lips. Ben wasn't here and wouldn't be. She was in trouble. That meant only one person was right there.

"Auggie?'

She hated how weak her voice sounded to herself. Annie didn't want to be weak, but somehow she knew even if she was, Auggie was her strength. When did that become such a warm certainty in her life?

"Annie? Stay with me.?"

That sounded really good right about now. She came too slowly, a little confused. She was in Joan's office; a medic had a blood pressure cuff on her. Arthur, Jai and Conrad were all standing together looking very serious. And Auggie, well, of course, he was right there kneeling beside her. Oh, yes, wait a minute. The Baby. Her hand came over her lower abdomen in a gesture that was old as time.

"I think you're fine miss. You just fainted. I understand you're about 8 weeks along? You'll want to see the doctor, of course, but I think you just got a little lightheaded. Babies take a lot out of you."

"You didn't eat like I told you to, did you? Am I going to have to hold you down and make you eat?" The low voice in her ear made her smile as it always did.

"If its chocolate, then you won't have to force feed me. But I will let you buy me a burger. But, I am driving"

He could hear her attempt at a smile in her voice, tired as it sounded. She had leaned toward him as she said it. At that moment they were in their own world. It wasn't the first time people had seen them behave like this. They often shared private jokes. But Arthur and Joan were looking at them not just as their bosses, but married bosses.

Jai swore to himself. Behind Anderson again. Well, as much as he liked Annie, he really wasn't ready to give up the field yet anyway. He had more to prove, to himself, and his father. He turned and left. Clearly, they didn't need him here. Glancing over at Conrad the clueless, he dragged him out. One day, he would draw a road map for him. It was amazing Conrad had gone this far in the Agency.

Joan watched the two men leave. She was sure Jai would have to explain to Conrad what happened. Her eyes asked Arthur the silent question. A slight nod was all she needed.

"Thank you for your swift response. It's nice to know it's there when we need it. I think Agent Walker will be fine. We'll make sure she sees a doctor and eats something." It was clearly a dismissal.

"OK, can I have your secretary help me fill out the PCR?" He wasn't about to argue with Joan, but he still needed his paperwork done. She nodded and he got away fast. Rumor around the Agency was she could freeze you with one look.

After the door clicked behind him, Auggie stood his hand on the back of the chair where Annie still sat. He was not about to be dismissed. They had already made her pass out. Enough was enough.

"How are you feeling Annie?" The concern in her voice was genuine. Watching that bright vibrant girl go colorless and pass out had shaken her too. Joan was hoping they could discuss this later, or better yet, not at all. Annie was just the perfect example of why the Agency needed to get with the times.

Arthur shifted his bodily subtly, reminding Joan that he was still there. The question and point were still there too. Neither was leaving. This was not getting put off. The solution seemed to be in front of him. Frankly, Arthur thought it was time for the Agency to move to a new drum. But with all that was negative about them out there, thanks to Liza Hearn, this was not the time. He had bigger fish to fry than Annie Walker. He knew how Joan felt. Sometimes being the boss sucked.

"Walker, I am sorry you weren't feeling well. But, it changes nothing here. It's an unofficial way of doing things here. But it has worked well for us over the years. I know we could get Jai and Conrad back in here, but I am sensing you have another option?"

Even though Auggie couldn't see Arthur, he knew that last part was directed at him. One slight nod in the affirmative answered that question. Auggie knew he only had outside shots of getting out into the field anymore. The last time they let him, he went rogue on them. Based on the way he acted just now, he was sure they already knew their answer.

Annie was still a little out of it. She tried to clear the cobwebs and focus on Arthur's words. There was a sense of déjà vu in them. He was saying this kind of thing when she went down. What other option? She looked at Joan for a clue, but Joan was looking at Auggie, who was standing almost at attention, with his hand on her shoulder now…..oh no, they couldn't make him. He had offered. How did they know? She knew he wanted back out in the field. According to what he told her last night, this was a signal in screwed up CIA land, that he was willing to give that up.

Hell no. She would not let him sacrifice that for her. She loved him too….oh crap. Did she love Auggie? No. Yes? Could she have picked a worse moment to have this conversation with her heart and head?

Apparently not. Joan and Arthur were staring at her. Auggie's hand had just squeezed her shoulder and then rubbed it reassuringly. As crazy as it sounded she could feel strength from him. She also wanted to curl up in that strength. She knew she could. But right now, she needed to deal with this. They really expected this to happen this way? Really? She needed to buy some time. This was happening at lightning speed. She needed to slow this freight train down.

"I know what you are expecting, all of you. But I have only had a day or so to think about all this. I can't, I can't jump. Frankly, this is all a little crazy. I need make decisions. I get that. But I will not be pushed into them."

She stood up, ready to walk out. Auggie's hand came along her arm and held her up. Damnit. How was she supposed to make an exit if he had to hold her up? She took a deep breath and started to walk away.

"Joan, Arthur, can I have a day? I just need to…well to make one of the biggest decisions of my life. I know agents are supposed to be able to make life and death calls all the time. But this time it's my life. No, it's not just my life. "

Arthur started to speak but Joan's hand stopped him. She was going to give Annie the day at least. This was not the normal circumstance. Auggie's voice cut across all their musings.

"Joan, Arthur, could we have the room?"

No, I am not evil. I had planned to end this normally, honestly, but see the A/N above as my feeble excuse. So, check in, let me know I am not out here alone?