xX CONTEST Xx

I have decided to do a bit of a contest relating to the next chapter. All you need to do is tell me what you think Annie and Auggie would dress up as for Halloween and why.

I will leave this open for a week and decide a winner for best Annie costume and best Auggie costume (if they were submitted by the same person then there will be a runner up prize for someone else)

The prize will be either 5 reviews to stories (or chapters) of their choosing OR a short story based on their idea, which I will then post and dedicate to them. Their pen name will be at the start of the chapter and idea included, of course.

The rules:

If 2 people submit the same costume I will choose the one with the best explanation (it doesn't have to be very long)

Must keep to the story rating.

There is to be NO sore losers (not that you guys would do that anyway)

Anonymous reviewers welcome :)

That's about it. Leave your entries or questions in a review or PM me ;)

Thanks Guys

Auggie walked into Joan's office the next morning and sat down, releasing a sigh as he did so. This was how so many of his days had been starting lately.

"Any ideas?" he asked, the question reminding him of how little progress they had made lately.

"Ideas, yes. Helpful ideas, not so much" she replied, suppressing a sigh of her own. They were missing something, she just wasn't sure what.

"We have to do something"

"But what?"

They sat for a while, absorbed in their own thoughts.

"Maybe we aren't being direct enough" Joan said, breaking the silence that the room had previously been encompassed in.

"What do you suggest?"

"Take her out to dinner. What girl doesn't love that?" Auggie smiled, liking the idea. It was more direct than he would have liked but after the mild success of the horse riding (aka him not falling off) he was willing to try. They had obviously being doing something wrong.

"Where should I take her?" he asked.

"I have a couple of ideas but I'll do some research and see what I can come up with" Joan replied. He sent her a grateful smile before walking out, happy that they now had a plan in place.

He walked into the DPD the next day with a smile on his face and new plan in mind. The plan itself was simple and after much debate over restaurant and clothing choices, everything was ready. All he had to do was invite Annie.

"Morning" he said as the scent of Jo Malone Grapefruit hit his nose.

"Um, morning" a smooth and distinctly male voice replied. Jai's voice to be exact. Auggie stood in stunned silence for what must have been at least an hour but in reality was probably only a few seconds. Why the hell is Jai wearing Annie's perfume? He thought. And then it hit him: Annie was sleeping with Jai. The thought weighed heavily on Auggie's heart and settled, leaving him speechless and more than a little hurt. How could she? Auggie sighed and sat down at his desk, tears burning at the back of his eyes and threatening to spill. All this time he had taken her out on dates she was sleeping with Wilcox and didn't even bother to say something. The fact that he hadn't actually told her that they were dates nagged at the back of his mind but he pushed it away, pushed all the emotion down, suppressing it in favour of loosing himself in his work and forgetting about it. Denial was his best option right now.

A few minutes later he was once again greeted by the smell of grapefruit but he chose to ignore it.

"Good morning" a light, not-Jai voice said. He heard a cup being placed next to his hand, which he again chose to ignore.

"What's with you this morning, Mr Grumpy?" Annie said when Auggie ignored her.

"Nothing" he replied, voice lowering an octave.

"Would you like to try that again?"

"No, I think I'm good"

He turned back to his computer, a clear dismissal which she chose to ignore.

"Is there something you need Walker?"

"Yes, you telling me what's wrong would be a good start"

"Don't bet on that" He sniped at her.

"What have I done?" She asked, hurt lacing her voice. He never snapped at her.

"Nothing"

"Liar"

They glared at each other (well, she glared and he gave her a 'look'). They stayed like that for several minutes, locked in a battle of wills. Eventually Annie sighed; emotions drained and sat down next to him.

"I can't fix it unless I know what's wrong"

"It's a little late for that don't you think?"

"Do you really want to let one thing tear us apart?"

Auggie sighed and relented, he needed to know why.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"That you and Jai are sleeping together"

"Wait, what? You think that…." She trailed off as she started laughing.

"You think…Jai and me…..together" she got out between fits of laughter.

"Care to let me in on the joke?"

"What makes you think that?"

"He smelled like your perfume"

"Yeah, because I accidently sprayed him with it this morning when I was putting it on at my desk"

"Wait, what?"

They both burst into laughter.

Then Joan walked in and asked them why. They told her the story and she burst out laughing. They both stared at her before joining in. It made a very interesting sight for Arthur…

Just a small chapter to keep you all going :)