The reviews on the previous chapter just blew me away! Thank you so much :o) I'm also amazed by the number of people that have added this to their "Story Alert" and added it to their favorites. Thanks for the kind PM's as well.

I know the trip to Glencoe is anticipated and it will start in the next chapter. I'm working on it now. I just wanted to explore some of Auggie's insecurities regarding his family and why he is so reluctant about going home. I hope I haven't made him too angsty.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Covert Affairs. It belongs to the USA Network.

-Chapter 6: Second thoughts and insecurities –

It was Friday afternoon and Annie was sitting at her desk in the DPD, trying to focus on the report she was supposed to hand in to Joan by the end of the day, but she couldn't focus. The Labor Day weekend was still a week away, but she couldn't stop her mind from racing. When she'd agreed to go with Auggie to Glencoe to spend the weekend with his family it seemed like a good idea, but over the couple of weeks since she accepted the invitation she'd started having second thoughts. Sure, she'd be with Auggie, but he didn't exactly seem excited about their trip, she knew his mother had practically ordered him to come. His big family was really daunting to her, she'd grown up with Danielle and her parents and she'd never really known her aunts and uncles that well. All of her grandparents were dead before she was born.

"Annie, when can I expect that report? I'm leaving soon." Joan walked up behind her. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't heard Joan coming.

"Almost done, just have to a few things to tie up. Give me half an hour and it's on your desk, ok?" Annie tried her best to sound confident.

"Half an hour Annie." Joan stated in her best no-nonsense tone and walked away.

Somehow Annie managed to get the report on Joan's desk within half an hour. It wasn't her best work, but at least she met the deadline.

After dropping the report off at Joan's office Annie headed in to Auggie's office where he was sitting behind his computer, headphones covering his ears. He seemed to be very focused on something, his eyebrows were furrowed and his fingers were flying over his keyboard, then his right index finger swept over the Braille display below his keyboard and he went back to typing again. Annie decided it was best not to interrupt and turned to slip out of his office again.

"Sneaking out Walker?" Annie jumped. Auggie never ceased to amaze her with his spidey senses. She turned around to see Auggie pulling his headphones down around his neck.

"Well, you seemed to be very focused, so I figured it would be best not to interrupt you. I'll come back later."

"It's ok, it's just this damn encryption I've been trying to decipher for the last couple of days. Looks like I'm finally getting somewhere. What time is it?" Auggie seemed very happy with himself, a self-satisfied grin spread across his face.

"Almost five. Wanna go to the Tavern for dinner and a beer or three after work?"

"Sure, we haven't been there in a while, people might think we're becoming hermits since we're staying home all of the time." Auggie stated with a smile. "Give me half an hour or so to finish up here? I'd really like to get this done before I take off for the weekend."

"Hermits, huh? Well, we'd better do something to change that impression. Let me know when you're ready, I've got some reports I can work on while you finish. Just take your time." Annie replied and went back to her desk in the bullpen.

Two hours later they were sitting at their usual table at Allen's Tavern. They'd finished their dinner and were on their third round of Bud Light. Conversation was flowing about everything and anything and Annie decided to ask Auggie to tell her a bit about his family. All she really knew was that he was the youngest of five boys, he hadn't told her much about his personal life and upbringing.

"Hey Aug, why don't you tell me about your family? It would be nice to know a little bit about them before I meet them. I know you come from a big family and having grown up with just one sister and my parents it's actually kind of daunting."

"Daunting? Well, then you know how I feel, just for different reasons. What do you want to know?"

"Well, it would just be good to have kind of an overview of who they are and what they do I guess."

" I'll give you the abridged version when we get home tonight."

Sensing Annie's confusion he added in a whisper; "I think Jai is joining us, I can smell his cologne approaching, and I'd rather not share my life story with him if you don't mind."

After a few rounds with Jai and a couple of guys from Tech Ops they managed to excuse themselves and catch a cab home. They settled on the couch with a beer each and Auggie gave Annie a brief overview of his family,

"My Dad, Andrew, is a corporate lawyer, he's 69 and a semi-retired senior partner at a major Chicago law firm. I don't think he'll ever be able to retire fully, he's too much of a workaholic and still works at least three days a week. Mom, Jillian, or Jill as she goes by, is 68. Raising five boys didn't allow her to create a career, but she's worked part-time as a secretary at dad's law firm since I was in High School. She's also very involved in a few local charities and the social circles of Glencoe. My oldest brother, Steven, is 48. He's a pediatrician. He's married to Catherine; she goes by Kate, is 46 and is a stay at home mom. They've got two daughters; Carrie is 22 she's starting law school at Yale this fall. Christine is 17 and a senior in High School." Auggie paused to have a sip of beer.

"Then there's John. He's 46 and followed in Dad's footsteps. He's a corporate lawyer and a junior partner at the same firm as my Dad. He's married to 34 year old Mandy, she's an interior designer and they've got a six-year-old son, Peter. Alexander, or Alex, is 45 and the second doctor in the family. He's a neurologist. He was divorced a few years ago and has never re-married. He's got a daughter, Lindsay. She's 25 and is starting her last year of medical school at Northwestern. Matthew is only a year older than me, 37. He's the CEO at a big real estate developer in Chicago. He married Susannah, she's 32, about two years ago and they've got a three month old son, Alan," Auggie paused for a second. "I guess that about wraps it up. You'll meet most of them in about a week."

Annie sat in silence for a few minutes, she'd hoped learning more about Auggie's family would make them less daunting, but the it had actually done the exact opposite. They seemed more daunting than ever. She let a sigh pass her lips.

"What's that?" Auggie turned his head in her direction.

"I feel so silly, but your family seems more daunting than ever." Annie admitted.

"Annie, don't worry so much. Yes, they are kind of daunting, especially all together as you will experience at the Labor Day cookout next Monday, but at least you can see what's going on." Auggie let out an exasperated sigh before continuing. "I always feel very blind when I'm with them all together. There are always several conversations going on and all of a sudden the person I've been talking with has disappeared without letting me know and I find myself talking to the empty chair next to me. Awkward doesn't really cover how I feel most of the time during big family gatherings. It's why I do my best to avoid those. I can deal with them one family at the time, but all together…" He sighed again.

"I won't leave you talking into mid air if I can help it." Annie moved over and put her arm around Auggie's shoulders. "I'll be by your side all the way. Promise."

"Thanks, I'm really happy you're going. I'll do my best to make it as fun as possible for both of us, but be prepared for awkwardness, ok?" Auggie put his arm around her waist and pulled her in for a hug.

Annie felt butterflies swarming around her stomach as Auggie hugged her. She was still scared to admit she had feelings beyond friendship for Auggie.. Learning to know him even better the last month and a half and getting to know his more vulnerable side had only made her feelings grow stronger and she was glad he couldn't see her blushing. She really had to use all of her self-control to stop herself from kissing him. "Stop it," she told herself. "It's Auggie, your best friend and roommate. Don't mess up the best relationship you've ever had."

"Annie, wake up!" Auggie shook her shoulder gently. Annie growled and pulled the covers over her head. It was Saturday and she wanted to sleep in. She'd had one too many beers last night and ending the evening with a couple of shots of Patron had not been one of her brightest ideas. She felt the covers being pulled off her and Auggie's hand on her shoulder again. "Wake up sleepy head!"

"What?" She slowly sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. "Is something wrong? What time is it?"

"Nothing is wrong, but it's almost 10 am and if I remember correctly you have an appointment with your hairdresser at noon? And you've gotta get your car from Allen's before that."

"Oh… yeah, that's right, I totally forgot about the car. Thanks Aug." Annie couldn't believe that Auggie actually remembered her hairdresser's appointment.

"Coffee's ready and I've been to the baker to get some fresh bagels for breakfast and the Washington Post for you." Auggie turned to go back to the living room.

"You really are the best roommate in the world!" Annie shouted after him. He turned and flashed her his signature smirk.

Annie jumped out of bed, had a quick shower and got ready in record time. When she entered the living room she found Auggie sitting on one of the stools by the kitchen island with his iPad and portable Braille display in front of him. Apparently he was catching up on the news, he was surfing the USA Today website.

Annie quickly spread cream cheese on a bagel and poured herself a mug of coffee. After filling up Auggie's mug she sat down on the stool next to him.

"So, got any plans for the day?"

"Nah, nothing special, but I think we should go grocery shopping in the afternoon. Fridge and pantry seems pretty sparsely stocked. I need to replenish the beer shelf as well."

"Well, I should be done at the hairdressers by two o'clock. I can pick you up from here at about 2:30."

"Sounds good. We could go somewhere for a late lunch and go grocery shopping on the way home." Auggie suggested.

"Great!" Annie's phone beeped. "My cab's here! See you later, I'll call when I leave the salon!"

Auggie heard the door slam shut behind her and turned his attention back to the iPad.

They went for a late lunch at TGI Fridays and then they hit the supermarket. When Annie suggested spaghetti and meatballs for dinner Auggie sighed and an embarrassed look came across his face.

"What's wrong Auggie?" Annie asked.

"Spaghetti. I can deal with it pretty well, but I prefer bow tie pasta or penne, it's just easier to eat without eating like a toddler. Whenever I have spaghetti I always spend the whole meal in fear of looking like a fool and ending up with most of the meal in my lap." Auggie had the 'deer in the headlights' look on his face again.

"Well, what do you prefer? They've got penne, pasta screws and bow ties."

"Doesn't really matter, penne I guess." Auggie replied with a shrug of his shoulders. Annie grabbed a box of penne and put the packet of spaghetti back on the shelf.

"Penne it is. I just didn't think about the spaghetti thing. Thanks for letting me know," she said lightly while making a mental note to discuss this with Auggie later. It was definitely more to the story, but she knew better than to question him in public.

After they'd finished dinner they were seated on the couch, sharing a bottle of red wine. Annie decided to bring up their conversation from the grocery store.

"Auggie, when we were at the supermarket earlier this afternoon I got the feeling that there is more to the whole spaghetti and meatballs story."

Auggie sighed, wondering how Annie was able to read his mind. He decided to fess up.

"Mom always makes spaghetti and meatballs for me as a welcome home dinner. Her homemade meatballs are amazing and she makes a great sauce as well. It was my favorite growing up and it has become kind of a tradition ever since I went to college I guess."

"Well, it sounds nice. What's the problem?"

"I wish she'd get penne or bow tie pasta instead of the blasted spaghetti."

"Auggie, why don't you just tell your mother that penne or bow tie pasta is easier for you? I'm sure she'll get that instead. If you've never told her she can't really know, can she?"

"I dunno'. I don't want to seem like I need special treatment because I'm blind. I've struggled enough to convince Mom I'm able to live independently, you know? If she had it her way I would've moved into my room at their house after I finished rehab. She was convinced that I'd be unable to live alone and take care of myself."

"Auggie, it's just pasta; just tell her. She's your mother, I'm sure she'll understand." Auggie didn't reply; he just shrugged his shoulders again. Annie paused a second to gather her thoughts before continuing.

"From what you've told me Matt is the only person in your family you've spent extensive time with since being blinded, right?" Auggie nodded. "Well, if you haven't spent time with them, how are they supposed to know how to act around you, what you can do yourself and what you need some assistance with? They're probably just as insecure around you as you are around them, have that ever crossed your stubborn mind?"

"Well, the thing is that I don't want them to act different. I'm still the same person as I was three years ago, I'm still Auggie, I just can't see now. Most of the time I'm fine on my own and I'll ask for help when I need it. I hate it when they just assume I need help with something I'm perfectly capable of. Hell, you got that within hours of meeting me and everyone at work knows that and treats me normally. Why can't my own damn family do that?" His voice rose at the end. Annie moved to sit next to him and started stroking his back to calm him down. She could feel his tense muscles under his shirt.

"Well, I think that next weekend will be a perfect occasion to let your family know that. Maybe you should talk to your family, kind of like you do with new people at work, like you did with that intern last week? Have you ever done that?"

"I've never done that. Matt was with me all trough rehab and he had a few lessons with Chrissy, my O&M instructor on how to assist me and my parents went to the Hines VA in Illinois to have a couple of lessons with an O&M instructor there right before I came home for Christmas the year I was injured."

"Well, that still leaves plenty of people. Instead of letting the elephant in the room grow bigger I think you should grab the bull by the horns and try to help your family understand that you're still the Auggie they know and love."

"And when did you become my personal therapist Walker?" Auggie said with a small smile on his face.

Deep down he knew Annie was right. He hadn't spent much time with most of his family since being blinded and maybe he needed to take some action to make things less awkward and get them to realize that he still was the same person? Maybe having Annie there with him would make it easier to do that?

He also realized that his feelings for Annie were growing stronger each day. She understood him so well and most important; she saw him as a person, as Auggie, not as the blind guy. He just didn't want to lose his best friend and making a move if Annie didn't share his feelings would probably ruin their relationship. Auggie wasn't willing to risk that.