Chapter 6: Truce
Disclaimer: I do not own Covert Affairs.
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They followed Martha through a maze of corridors. They ended up in a hallway lined with doors of different colors and numbers, like an apartment building.
"Once upon a time in our agency's history, we did not have the resources to provide secure safehouses in major cities. We barely had what it took for proper NOCs. So, in almost every CIA building there is a set of apartments." She stopped at a door, the green paint chipped with age.
Taking a key from her pocket she unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Many have been converted to storage, and little offices, while some remain as they were."
Annie looked around the room as Auggie walked around with his laser cane. It was about the size of a cheap hotel room. The room was pretty barren. A large couch sat at the wall with a matching chair, opposite a television, with a coffee table in the middle. There was a small kitchenette at the corner with a mini-fridge. A door near the kitchen led into a full bathroom.
"It's not the Ritz, but you two will only be here for one night."
"Small, windowless room, reeking of stale air and mothballs. I gather the decor is Spartan at best?" Auggie remarked.
The walls were bare; a plain coat of white, and the carpet was a dark blue. All the furniture was either black or grey. "Yup."
"Might as well be the Ritz then."
"Most agents only needed this space to sleep. Cheaper and safer than a motel." Martha waited until they both sat down on opposite ends of the leather sofa. "That sofa pulls out into a bed. There's only enough power for lights, so the kitchen isn't functional, but the water and cable are both on. Cell reception is crap, but the rotary phone in the kitchen works."
"A rotary phone? A television and a rotary phone. The last time I was this unplugged it was because one of my brothers locked me in a toolshed. Can we at least order pizza?"
"It's on its way. Extra cheese, half pepperoni, half Hawaii. A side of wasabi sauce. Though why you both choose such a strange combination is beyond my understanding."
They blinked at her.
"I'm pretty sure that's not in our files." Annie said finally.
Martha smiled "It's our job to know these things, Ms. Walker. Which brings me to why I've asked you both here."
Annie almost snorted. Asked nothing. She was escorted to her car, where her overnight bag was, and back into the building by two armed guards. She wasn't sure what kind of pull Martha had, but it was enough to get what she wanted.
"First, I want you both to know that there are no cameras or listening devices in this room. The only eyes and ears here are our own. Then, just yours when I leave. You may speak freely without fear of being overheard, understood?"
They both nodded.
"Good. Now, I could tell you why you were chosen for this mission, but unless you realize it for yourselves, there will continue to be discord between you two. Separately, both of you are assets to this agency, but as a team you are an effective weapon. One the agency wants to develop and use to our advantage. Such a well matched pair, we haven't seen in years. Whatever that has happened to upset the balance for you to work as seamlessly as you once had, needs to be addressed. "
They tensed, but she shook her head. "I'm not going to ask you to discuss it with me. I'm not even asking you to settle and make up before heading to the island. This conflict makes you two people wanting to salvage their relationship. What better way to sell the cover? Just enough truth to make it real." She stood up. "Here is your assignment for tonight. Share a meal, share a bed, and talk civilly. Tomorrow morning, tell me why you were picked for this mission and if I accept your answer we move forward. If not, game over." She nodded to them both and made her way to the door, she paused with her hand on the doorknob. "When I see you both tomorrow, Agent
Walker, Agent Anderson, I expect to see a team. Partners. Good agents set aside personal feelings, great agents use them to effectively complete missions. Good night."
Feeling well and truly scolded, they sat in silence. Both wondering how to proceed, if they still had enough to make it work.
Silence.
There had never been many awkward silences between them. One usually knew when the other needed to talk, or needed space to think.
They were both usually on the same wavelengths. Unusual, for two so different people.
The quiet now was processing. Each contemplating how to play their relationship. They needed a thread of truth. How much of a thread could they spin without unraveling the spool?
Auggie sighed, suddenly tired. "Hey, Annie?"
"Yes, Auggie?"
"Truce?"
She blinked. She knew what he was offering. A clean slate. He wouldn't bring it up, and she would try to stop holding it against him.
Until they were both at a place where they could talk about it and still work together, after the mission, it was probably for the best. For now.
She nodded, "Okay."
They both let out a relieved breath. They'd give themselves a reprieve. They shook on it, the metal of their rings clinked as their palms touched.
"So, CEO of a Private security company. Would you have ever gone that route?" His cover was that of a CEO in the private sector. It provided him with a reason to not talk so much about his job, but still have one that fit his skill set.
"It's something I still consider now and again. Do basically what I do now, except less politics and calling the shots? Honestly, it's temping. Cover-wise, it makes sense. It would've been something I might've tried if I didn't have the CIA." He did consult on the side, and had more than a few patents on programs floating around.
"What about you? With all your linguistic skills and knowledge of other cultures, a freelance translator seems like good fit, huh? If a little bit of waste of your spycraft."
"I actually interned at the American Embassy in Japan while my dad was stationed there, but even at that age I never saw myself as a politician. But language, culture, connecting with people…I could've spent my whole life doing that."
And like a switch was flipped, they were suddenly talking. Her without the veil of anger and ice, and him without the hesitations and wariness.
They played catch up.
She told him about her family, their new life in California.
"They love it. Danielle's catering business has really taken off, and the girls love their new school."
He told her about the politics with his staff, all the drama that came with being boss.
"It's like a competition with everything. Who can get me my coffee in the morning, have a file ready before I ask for it, or be there with answers before I've even asked the question. Oh, they work together, but someone's always trying to outshine someone else." It took him a little while to understand that they were like this, not because they thought him incapable, but because they wanted to impress him, gain his favor, and in doing so advance their careers. His predecessors, even before Jai, ran the department that way.
"Everyone wants to be the brightest crayon in the box, even if all the boss needs are pixels."
He smiled at that. "It's flattering, but I'm a soldier at heart. Brownnosing doesn't get you any further. I wanna know more about your situation with your two bosses. I can't believe Joan and Lena share. I was sure there were clear rules regarding interpartmental floating. How does that even work? The women hate each other."
Annie grinned. "It's almost like a game. Joan is just waiting to Lena to refuse to share, where she'll subtly imply that she doesn't trust me because she can't control me. Lena is waiting for me to spill some information on these high profile missions Joan sends me on, until then she subtly implies to Joan that I already have. It's all so petty and sophomoric." She still resented being used as a pawn, but field work was field work.
"You know what they need to do? Fight. Just duke it out in the gym. It'll be good for them. Clear the air."
"That's what I've always thought! Who do you think would win?"
"Hmm, hard to say. Joan's got a lot of pent up rage she can call on, but Lena's one helluva sneaky fighter."
"Think they'd be BFFs afterwards?"
They both paused, then at the same time, "No way."
When the food arrived, they were surprised with half a case of their favorite beer.
"We do have work in the morning," Auggie remarked.
"Better go slow."
They dug into their pizza, and settled down in front of the sofa. The only thing on TV that wasn't infomercials was a movie about a businessman marrying his secretary in order to gain his inheritance.
"So I have a bold question, "Annie said, as it went to commercial.
"Ask away."
"Say we met outside the agency. If I was really just a translator, and you a wealthy business man. Would we have ended up together?"
He frowned, brows furrowed with consideration. Had he not went to work the CIA after rehab, how different of a person would he be?
He thought about Annie, and his attraction to her. Would it be there at all if they had met in different circumstances? No question. "I am drawn to you, Annie. Always have been. Occupation has nothing to do with it." His words were sincere, and with them a tension they'd never openly acknowledged before. "I would've pursued you. The only question would be how long you could hold me off."
"Hmm," She tried to look at him objectively, to see through the eyes of who she was before the CIA. The old her would've been attracted, sure, but would she have responded to him? Her type had been the dangerous, mysterious bad boy. Then again, if it was Auggie..."I think I would've been drawn to you too. I would've at least let you take me out to dinner. Not sure I would've married you though."
They smiled, that old warmth and familiarity sneaking back.
"Now, I have a bold question myself." A familiar half smile lit his face, part mischief and part curiosity.
"Go ahead."
"Exactly what liberties am I allowed?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"Well, starting next week, we'll be husband and wife."
"We'll be husband and wife about to divorce. What do you expect?"
Sensing where her thoughts had gone, he knew he had to make himself clear. "Since we only got married because you wanted my body, I think that it's only fair that we not get too carried away. Consider yourself cut off."
She raised a brow, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Is that so?"
Because her felt her relax, and heard the amusement in her tone, he nodded gravely. "I know it'll be hard, sleeping next to all this every night," He gestured to his form, making her snort. "But if we want this marriage to work, it has to be about more than just great sex."
"You know the way I see it, you married me to appear more stable to possible investors for your company, and I married you for financial security. The sex was a minor bonus."
"A little abstinence will be good for us."
"I don't know, Auggie. A girl has…needs." Her voice dropped to a whisper on the last word. "I'm not sure I'm strong enough."
"I believe in you."
There was a beat of silence, and then they both lost it. They laughed, loud and long. It was cathartic. Cleansing. They laughed like they did before things changed so much. It eased the sharp edges to what they both were now.
"If we ever go there again, Annie. It'll be because we both want it." He may be crossing a line by saying it, at the very least he might be breaking their temporary truce, be he had to say it. "I'd feel like the luckiest guy, but the timing has to be right."
She said nothing for a moment, reading his face, searching anything she couldn't trust. "Okay, we should practice."
"Huh?"
The next thing he knew, she was straddling him. "Woah, um…practice what exactly?"
"Well, when I do this," She pressed herself up against his front, rubbing. Every part of him stiffened. "You have to act like it's not a big deal. Like it's not new to you."
He sincerely doubted it'll ever stop feeling new, but he understood what she meant. And really, who was he to argue? He tried to relax by scooting back a little, but she had him pinned against the sofa. Unsure what to do with his hands, he put them on her waist. "Touch you like I have the right to? Like I've had years to know you? Like you're mine?" He ran his hands up and down her sides as he spoke, almost absently.
"Mhmm,"She leaned in and rested her head on the crook of his shoulder, one hand reaching up to play with the hair at the base of his neck. She smiled a little as he gave an involuntary shiver. "Like you can touch me anytime, in any way, anywhere you want. Like you know what it does to me. Like I belong to you."
Her voice had taken a sultry quality that he drowned in. Having her so close, the curves of her body molding into him, made him dizzy.
The want that he thought he had under control, threatened to consume him. He distantly wondered what she was doing, but he was too lost in her, too caught up to think clearly.
"Auggie?" She breathed into his ear.
"Yeah?"
"Resist me."
She nuzzled his ear, his sensitive ears, before lightly nipping the edge.
"Hmm? Why?"
"Because, I'll hurt you."
He froze, her words like a bucket of ice water. He leaned away from her, as far as he could. "I need to resist you."
"Get used to me, but you have to resist. You can't let me own you so easily."
"Because we're trying to save our marriage, but I can't trust you. We've hurt each other." They tried to tell him. The nuances to the cover was left up to them, but he never thought about how deep they'd both have to go.
She nodded. "We were separated, so we've both been unfaithful. Neither of us thinks we'd last."
"Our job always keeping us away."
"Got married for the wrong reasons, too soon at that."
"And using sex as a weapon." He sighed. "Your parents probably hate me, too."
"So, why are we still together?"
They both silently agreed to discard the bitter hatred angle. "Pride? A failed marriage not only carries a stigma, but wealthy blind guy's gonna have an ego. Leave me, and take half of what I've built for myself? Not without a fight." Even as he spoke, it didn't quite feel like
enough.
"That'll be what you tell people, but you're not going to stay married to someone you feel nothing for." She thought of Danielle then, and smiled. "We stay because we remember how good it was. Late night dinners at the office, waking up on Sundays, making out in your corvette. This chapter isn't over, and neither of us wants it to be."
He could see it, so clearly he could touch it. He had had late dinners with Annie. He had woken up with her (unplanned sleepovers before that night). The making out thing he could work on. "I'm beginning to see why they chose us."
Because no one knew him better than Annie, and no one knew Annie better than him. No matter how much time passed, it would always be true. The connection they had couldn't be faked.
"So, what do you say, Agent Anderson? Think we can pull this off?" She moved off his lap and went to her bag.
He was about to give a cheeky reply, when he caught the sounds of cloth rustling. "Are you changing in front of me again?"
"Resistance." She reminded him, a grin in her voice.
The best defense is a good offense, he thought to himself, reaching for his own overnight bag beside the sofa. He noticed the rustling stop abruptly as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Shrugging it off nonchalantly, he folded it and placed it neatly on the coffee table. With his
back to her he undid his belt and slid off his pants, which he put on top of his shirt. He smirked at the hitching sound of her breath.
Picking up his toiletry bag, he walked casually past her, comfortable in nothing but his boxers. "Mind finding the sheets while I'm in here? I'll help with the bed when I'm done." With that he escaped to the bathroom, in dire need of a cold shower. He didn't miss the slight pant she had as he walked by. It was good to know he affected her as much as she affected him.
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Well played, Soldier Boy, Annie thought, trying not to dwell on the image of his delicious body. She had seen it before, had felt it during their sparring sessions, she shouldn't be so affected by it. She'd have to work on building up her own resistance. Still, what she could remember of their night together didn't do reality justice.
After retrieving the bed sheets and the cotton blanket, which she hoped were as new and unused as they looked, she moved to the sofa.
She had the cushions off and the mattress halfway pulled off when it refused to go any further. Grunting with effort she pulled and push in every direction, but nothing worked.
"You're making some suspicious noises right now, Walker. What are you doing?" Auggie asked, walking out from the bathroom.
Trying not to stare, she tugged on the handle of the bed again. "I'm trying to get the mattress out, but this ancient thing just won't budge."
"Maybe it takes offense to you calling it an "ancient thing" and would respond better to a firmer touch,"
She rolled her eyes, "The way your Jarvis system responds to you flirting with it?"
He grinned at that, "Machines have feelings, Annie. Notice how Jarvis only works at optimal efficiency for me?"
"On three?" They both placed their hands flat on the top of the mattress.
"One…two…three!" With their combined weight, the bed frame gave and before long they had the bed made.
"It's narrower than it looks." Annie commented.
"Do we need to put a pillow barrier? Wouldn't want you molesting me in your sleep."
She snorted, fully aware he was trying to put her at ease with his flippancy, and was oddly touched by it. "`Nother thing to get used to, I guess. We're adults. Adults can share a mattress without making it weird." And she was too tired to think about it too much. With a sigh, she got into bed, the springs squeaking only a little as she did so. As she drifted off, it occurs to her that tonight was probably the first night in months she was able to so fully relax. Auggie had always had that effect on her. Perhaps there was hope for them after all.
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As the sound of her even breathing filled the room, Auggie was left wide awake. Two people made for a tight squeeze, but he thought if he stayed on his side it should be fine. That was until with a muttered grumble, she turned in her sleep and threw her leg and her arm over him. On top of her so close and wearing what felt like very little (he could feel the burning h
eat of the skin of her arms and legs), it looked like he wouldn't be getting much sleep.
He swallowed a moan, as she unconsciously moved against him. This was Hell. Pure. Unaltered. Hell. His brothers often warned him that his player ways would come back to get him. This was it. He tried to gently push her way, but she only tightened her grip on him and proceeded to wiggle until she was half on top of him. Suddenly his joke about her molesting him in her sleep wasn't so funny anymore.
She sighed, and cuddle deeper into him.
It was going to be a long night.
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As Martha was leaving that night she spoke to her assistant. "You did remove their spare clothes, didn't you?"
"They'd both left them near the door after falling asleep. Agent Anderson is said to be a light sleeper, I was afraid he'd catch us."
"And the room temperature?"
"Set to go down a few degrees, not enough for them to freeze, but enough for them to seek one another's body heat."
Martha nodded. "Excellent."
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A/N I'm not quite happy with the way this chapter turned out, but I needed to get past it and get the ball rolling. On the other hand, I'm glad I started this fic when I did so now that the season is over, I can go with my own plot. Vague as it is. Thank you for your patience,
I know it's been awhile since I posted, and as always, I appreciate the reviews, follows, and alerts.
A little reader participation: PROMPTS. To be featured either in this fic or on its own, receiving mention and credit for the prompts.
Send in a review or a PM. THANK YOU, ~pagedancer