The night finally came for Annie and Auggie's big date. It took longer than they expected to find the right fit, but the Agency and Auggie had worked the necessary magic for him to have an offer he couldn't refuse.

Annie had taken the time to polish her resume and solidify her background in the arts. For the sake of their cover, she was going to look for a job in California on her own. Of course, the Agency would have to approve, but she had to use her own skills to get the position. "If you spend a month out there hitting the pavement, that's just more believable." Calder had explained.

In the meantime, this mission had given Annie something to look forward to. She was excited to be with Auggie, and felt like her old self a little bit more everyday.

She took a deep breath and straightened her dress, then knocked on his door. He must have been close, considering how fast he answered.

"Hey." She said, her face lighting up at the sight of him. He had on a dark blue shirt with a thin black tie and a vest that matched his pants.

"Hey." He replied.

Annie stepped forward and gave him a quick, but sizzling kiss on the mouth.

"That answers my first question." Auggie said with a grin. "Now that I know that you think I look stunning, are you ready to go through with this?"

"Yes." Annie replied. There was no doubt in her voice.

Auggie smiled. He already had his jacket on and his cane folded up in his hand. "Then let's get this show on the road."

He locked his door and offered his elbow to her. She draped her arm through his, and they walked together to the elevator. Standing close, he gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

"Anything I need to know?" Auggie said, softly.

"I'm really excited to get this started." Annie replied.

Auggie smiled.

"And you have my lipstick on your face."

His smile grew as she wiped at his lips.

A little while later, they sat across from each other in the crowded restaurant. They were enjoying the last glasses of a bottle of wine.

Auggie took a sip and sat his glass down carefully. It was time for the show to begin. "Annie, I have some news."

"Oh?"

"I have been approached by a firm in California. They've made an offer to hire me."

"Wow. That's cool. Obviously they don't know how happy you are here." She responded.

Auggie shrugged and fidgeted with his wine glass. "They made a really good offer."

"Oh my God. What are you saying?" Annie asked.

Auggie looked up towards her. "I'm saying that I accepted the position."

"In California?" Auggie thought he could hear her voice crack.

"Hey," he said, reaching for her hands. "It's not definite, I mean, I..."

"You are moving to the other side of the country, Auggie. Do you expect me to be happy about this?"

"I want you to join me."

Annie gaped and stuttered while she stared at Auggie.

He stared back toward her, squeezing her hand tightly.

"Join you?" Annie finally asked.

Auggie used his free hand to pull a small velvet box from his jacket pocket. "I would get down on one knee, but it's pretty crowded in here, and knocking over the adjacent table would probably kill the moment."

Annie gasped as Auggie opened the box. The people around them got quieter as they realized what was going on.

"Annie, will you come with me to California and be my wife?"

Annie stared at the ring. It was simple, yet elegant. She knew that Auggie would choose well.

"Yes." She whispered. "Yes, I want to marry you. But California?"

"I know you love DC, but we would be close to your sister, and with this new job, I can support you until you find something out there."

"This is crazy, Auggie!"

"DC hasn't been the best for you recently. This would be a fresh new start."

"What about you? You love it here."

Auggie shrugged. "I'm tired of looking at all the black suits."

Annie giggled.

Auggie lowered his voice. "And getting to know a new city would be far easier with you around."

Annie got up and went around the table. Auggie turned toward her just in time for her to sit sideways in his lap. "Yes." She said.

Then they had a very public, passionate kiss. A few of the people around them applauded.

...

"We are going to have a problem,"Annie said very seriously.

Auggie sat up, alert. "What?" He asked as his mind raced through the possibilities.

"I keep wanting to stare at this ring rather than look at the road."

Auggie relaxed and smiled.

"Did you pick it out?" Annie asked.

"I had some outside assistance."

"It's beautiful."

"So are you," Auggie replied. His fingers wandered to her leg, feeling the soft fabric of the dress she chose for the evening. He couldn't wait to explore the fabric more at his apartment.

Annie placed her hand on top of his for a moment, then returned to the wheel to park the car.

Once the door was closed to Auggie's apartment, he pinned her to it. "I love this dress." He said, his hands on her shoulders.

"I'll keep that in mind." Annie replied.

Auggie ran his hand over the fabric, which included leather panels over a silky material. It urged his hands to wander from her shoulders down to her hips. Annie watched his face and smiled. This man really did make her happy. She leaned toward him and joined their mouths in a gentle kiss.

In their brief relationship, Annie and Auggie had communicated so many important messages through a kiss. They jumped from friendship to romance not with words, but with a long heated kiss in Annie's guest house. When Annie was shaken up after killing Seth, Auggie was finally able to calm her nerves with a kiss. When Calder tried to break the pair up by sending Annie on a mission with no communication with Auggie, she said far more than "Goodbye" with a kiss in the parking lot. After Auggie declared that they should be back together, Annie didn't have time to tell him how much she agreed before Calder arrived at his apartment, so again, they kissed.

This kiss was as calming for Auggie's nerves as their first. Annie meet him halfway, her tender lips spreading into a smile after touching his. Like their first kiss, this caused Auggie to smile more broadly and push forward. Annie hesitated a moment, then opened her lips, as though reminding Auggie that she was still just a little bit closed off, but that she wanted to be open with him.

Auggie was gentle but persistent, as though telling her that she could choose her own pace, but making the direction that he preferred clear. Annie relaxed into his touch, and enjoyed the feeling his hands on her body. She pulled away, and saw the look of disappointment on his face before she spoke.

"Come," She said, pulling his hand toward his bed.

Auggie followed with a fire in his eyes. While their relationship had worked it's way close to where it used to be, they still hadn't slept together. When Annie got to his bed she turned her back toward him. "Unzip me?" She asked.

Auggie took his time finding the zipper and pulling it down. Annie worked out of the dress and then turned to Auggie and helped him remove his clothes. He kept his head turned toward her, his eyes narrowed with desire. When all of their clothes were gone, Annie stood in front of Auggie for a moment with her hand on his chest, staring. Auggie covered her hand with his own and stepped a bit closer. He used his other hand to cup her jaw and kiss her again.

This time there was no hesitation. Annie wanted him as much as he wanted her. They turned and fell on the bed.

Later that evening, Annie laid across Auggie as she had many times before she went dark, staring at him.

"I can hear you thinking." Auggie said softly.

"I'm just enjoying the moment." Annie replied, truthfully.

"Me, too."

He pulled her closer and pulled the blankets over their bodies. They enjoyed the rhythm of each other's breathing until they both fell into a peaceful sleep.