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Here's another chapter, I hope you like it.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Annie, Auggie or Covert Affairs, just my story line.

-Chapter 6-

As Auggie entered his parent's house he braced himself. The family would be arriving an hour later and he needed to freshen up a bit before dinner. He knew his mother didn't see worn jeans and concert t-shirts as appropriate attire for anything. Just as he started to climb the stairs his mother came from the kitchen.

"Auggie, can you come into the kitchen? Dad and I would like to have a word with you before the rest of the family arrived," she said softly. The harshness was gone from her voice.

"Yeah, sure," Auggie said as he turned around and followed his mother into the huge kitchen of his childhood home. His father was sitting in his customary chair at the end of the long kitchen table.

"Have a seat Auggie," he said as Auggie entered the room. Auggie felt a bit like he was back in high school and had been caught breaking his curfew. He quietly sat down a couple of chairs down from his father and waited for him to speak. After a few moments of tense silence Andrew spoke.

"First of all, both your mother and I are beyond happy that you've regained some of your sight Auggie. We really are, it's the best news we've had in years. What we're hurt and a bit angry about is that you didn't let us know what was going on. It's been four months and you're telling us now? Why didn't you let us be there for you in the hospital?"

Auggie took a deep breath before answering. His father was reaching out and he didn't want to screw it up by saying something stupid.

"It all happened so fast, I barely had time to think. From Dr. Kessle called me 'till I was treated it was barely a week. I wanted to see if it worked before I told anyone, to get over the disappointment if it didn't work on my own. You know how I can't stand pity. Then it worked, and things were kind of a blur while I was in the hospital. I had the worst headaches I've ever experienced, I was barely functioning at times. I wasn't thinking clearly. After I was discharged the headaches were persistent, I had to go into the hospital several times a week for tests and follow ups for the trial. I really wanted to tell you in person, didn't know how to tell you over the phone. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, I didn't intend to. I wish I could turn the clock back, but I can't."

"It's ok Auggie. What's done is done. We're your parents, we love you and care about you and would really like to know what's going on in your life, ok?" his mother said with a small smile.

"I'll work on that. I know I'm not always good at keeping in touch," Auggie responded, relieved that his parents seemed to becoming around.

His father rose from his seat and placed a hand on Auggie's shoulder.

"Good. With the air cleared I think it's time we start enjoying this weekend, it's not that often we have the pleasure of your company Auggie."

"Sounds good to me Dad," Auggie said with a smile as he rose from his seat. "I need to freshen up a bit and change my clothes before dinner."

Half an hour later Auggie had changed into a pair of dark jeans and a turquoise polo shirt. There were voices in the foyer, it sounded like most of his brothers and their families had turned up at the same time. Auggie hesitated to go downstairs; he wasn't sure how he should break his news to them. He decided to wait until it sounded like they'd all arrived, that way he'd be able to speak to them all together. His phone alerting him of an incoming text was a welcome distraction. He quickly put on his reading glasses and read it.

It was from Annie: "Worried about u. Did u go to see your brother? How did it go? U ok?"

Auggie quickly replied: "I'm fine. Matt a bit shocked, but we're cool. Cleared the air w Mom/Dad. Now the rest of the family is here. Gotta deal w them now."

A few moments later Annie replied: "Thinking about u. Let me know how it turns out, ok? Good luck. TTYL :)"

Auggie was about to reply when a rap on his door got his attention.

"Yes?"

The door opened and Matt entered the room

"Why are you hiding up here? Everyone's downstairs, food's just about ready. We're just waiting for you."

Auggie sighed.

"Nerves. Not sure how to break the news to them."

"Just tell them. C'mon, I'm hungry and Dad's ready to start grilling."

Auggie followed Matt downstairs; the entire family was already seated around the big table on the deck. Auggie noticed they were staring at him as he walked straight to an empty seat between his mother and Matt's wife Susannah without any cues or assistance. Matt took a seat beside his wife. Auggie remained standing. "Here it goes," he thought as he looked around his family and cleared his throat. Seeing them again made all kinds of emotions wash through him.

"I've got some news, and judging from the looks on your faces most of you have already figured it out. About four months ago I was part of a medical trial, I had stem cells surgically injected into my eyes, hoping to get some. It worked."

Gasps of shock reached his ears and he could see the smiles spreading across their faces. Finally his oldest brother, Steven, found his voice.

"You have your sight back? You...you can see again?"

"I have some sight back. I see well enough to move around without a cane in when it's light, but my night vision is virtually nothing. I still need a cane when it's dark. I can read print again and use a computer without adaptive tech; I just need correct lighting and reading glasses. My Braille skills still comes in handy at dimly lit restaurants though," he said with a smile as he sat down.

"Wow Auggie, that's fantastic. I'm so happy for you," Steven said. The rest of the family echoed his statement. To Auggie's relief no one seemed take notice of the fact that he'd withheld it from them for months.

Late Sunday evening Auggie arrived back in DC. After grabbing his bag he headed for the taxicab stand to get a car to take him home. Just as he reached the door his iPhone started warbling in his pocket. It was Annie. He answered the phone quickly.

"Hi Annie, you miss me?" he teased.

"Yes, I actually do miss you Auggie. Where are you?"

"At Reagan. I was just headed out to get a cab to take me home."

"Walk over to the pick up area, I'm about five minutes out."

"What? You don't have to do that, I'll take a cab."

"Just get your ass to the pickup lane Auggie. I'm almost there."

With that Annie hung up. Auggie shook his head as he put the phone back into his pocket. It was pretty dark outside and the lighting wasn't all that great, so he took the belt and suspenders approach and got his cane out of his messenger bag. A few minutes later he was half leaning on his cane when Annie pulled up in front of him. After a quick hug and loading his bags into the trunk of the 'Vette they were on their way to Auggie's apartment in Adams Morgan.

"So, how was the rest of the weekend? I didn't hear much from you after Friday."

"It was good. My niece's graduation and the party after took up most of Saturday. We had a big family brunch this morning and I spent the afternoon playing a round of golf at the country club with Dad and a couple of my brothers. It was fun, haven't done that in years, for obvious reasons. I still don't see well enough to have much of a game, but with a little guidance the others it wasn't a complete disaster. After we got the air cleared on Friday things were really good."

"Glad to hear it. You had me worried on Friday."

"I had myself worried on Friday," Auggie said with a soft chuckle. "I can't really explain it, but it felt good to be part of things again. Don't get me wrong, they've tried to include me as much as possible for the past few years, but there's a difference between tagging along to the golf course and actually playing."

"I get that."

"So, enough about me and my family drama, what have you been up to this weekend?"

"Not much. Mostly holding Danielle's hand, so-to-speak. Her divorce is turning out to be a really messy affair and Michael is being a real dick. Danielle might have to move, but it's in their pre-nuptial agreement that in case of a divorce she and the girls gets to stay 'till both girls graduate high school. Apparently Michael has found some sort of a loophole or something. Danielle got a letter from his lawyer yesterday."

"Oh, sorry to hear that. How are Chloe and Katia holding up?"

"They're okay. Michael's been working in LA for much of the past year, so they're used to him not being around all the time. It's not that much of a change for them, unless they have to move." Annie let out a heavy sigh as she turned onto Auggie's street.

"Here we are then," Annie said as she pulled up to the curb and stopped the car. They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Auggie, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, you know you can ask me anything," he replied with a smile.

"What happened to Parker? You never said anything when you came back from Africa."

"It's over. We tried long distance for a while, but it just didn't work out. I think we both came to realize that her brother was what brought us together, that we weren't in love. We're still friends and keep in touch via Facebook and Twitter. Why?"

"Auggie, I need to tell you something. Something I've wanted to tell you since the day you gave me this car," Annie paused to gather her thoughts. She'd worked her little speech out in her head, but now, with Auggie sitting next to her with an expectant look on his face, it was suddenly hard.

"What Annie?" he prompted.

"When I was in Stockholm with Danielle she said something that got me to realize that my feelings for you are deeper than just friendship, that I care about you as more than a friend. I was ready to come clean that day by the car, but then you were all set on going to Africa, after Parker. I wasn't smiling at all that day, I was on the verge of tears."

"Wow…" Auggie breathed out. He was lost for words after Annie's confession.

"Listen to me; you're my best friend. The best friend I've ever had. I can't lose you, I don't want to lose you, so if you don't share those feelings, please forget I ever said anything."

Auggie still didn't know what to say, so he responded in the only way he could think of, he pulled Annie in for a kiss.

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