Wow! The feedback on the previous chapter was really amazing! :o) Thank you all SO much!

Here is the first part of their trip to Glencoe. It's a bit short, but it seemed like a natural place to pause the story. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. I don't think it will be up until closer to the weekend, I have a busy week at work.

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

-Chapter 7: Glencoe part 1-

"Annie, are you ready? Car service is 10 minutes away." Auggie shouted in the direction of Annie's bedroom.

"Almost, give me a couple of minutes and I'm good to go. Just gotta finish packing."

"Sure 'Miss-Always-Getting-Ready-At-The-Last-Minute', just get moving. I don't think Mom will appreciate it if we miss our flight." Auggie teased.

"Har har Auggie! I'm almost ready."

Five minutes later Annie emerged from her room with her suitcase in tow and a large tote bag over her shoulder. Auggie was standing by the front door waiting for her with his left hand on the handle of his suitcase, messenger bag with his laptop and other tech-toys slung across his body and his cane in his right hand. He was always ready on time. They made their way to the sidewalk and two minutes later the car service vehicle arrived to take them to Reagan for their flight to O'Hare.

Half an hour later they stepped out of the car outside the departure hall at Reagan. A Skycap approached with a luggage trolley in front of him and the driver loaded their bags onto the trolley. After letting him know their flight number the Skycap told them to follow him to the check-in counter.

"It looks really crowded Augs, maybe you should have your cane out. Seems like these crowds can be something of a nightmare to navigate," Annie said as she brushed her right hand against Auggie's left. He pulled his cane out of his messenger bag and unfolded it as he whispered, "Thanks for having my back Annie," into her ear.

After checking in and getting through security without incidents they were sitting at a table at The Einstein Bagel Bros. enjoying coffee and a bagel for breakfast.

"I can get used to travelling with you Annie. This is much more enjoyable than being dumped at the gate by Travellers Assistance an hour before boarding starts."

"Glad you're enjoying it." Annie said with a smile, giving Auggie's arm a reassuring pat.

Their flight was right on schedule and at 1:45 pm they were making their way towards baggage claim at O'Hare. It was just as crowded as Reagan, so Annie had told Auggie to get his cane out again. He was right; it did seem to repel people and it made it easier for Annie to guide him through the crowds.

"Matt should be waiting for us at baggage claim. He said he'd be here when our flight arrived."

"What does he look like? Does he look anything like you?"

"I guess we kind of look like each other, but he's dark blonde and a bit shorter than me."

Annie didn't have to look for Matt. As soon as they entered the baggage claim area he approached them. He was a spitting image of Auggie, except for being dark blonde and about four inches shorter than his younger brother.

"Auggie! It's so great to see you again." Matt exclaimed while pulling Auggie in for a bear hug.

"Good to see you too Matt!" Auggie replied with a huge grin across his face. "Meet Annie Walker, my roommate, co-worker and best friend."

"Nice to meet you, Matt," Annie said, while stretching out her right hand.

Matt didn't take it; he pulled her in for a brief hug. "Great to meet you Annie," he said with a warm smile.

"So, should we try to grab your luggage and get going? Looks like the bags from your flight is appearing on the carousel now."

Twenty minutes later they were in Matt's BMW headed for Glencoe. Auggie was in the front passenger seat, chatting away with his brother. Annie was happy to see that there were no signs of awkwardness between the two; they were extremely comfortable together. Annie instantly liked Matt. He seemed to have Auggie's sense of humor and he seemed like a warm and genuine person.

After about 45 minutes Matt pulled off the highway and soon they were driving through an affluent neighborhood and a few minutes later Matt pulled into the drive of a huge, two story red brick house with white trimmings and a very well maintained front yard. She was awestruck. She'd figured that Auggie's family was well off, but this was more than she'd expected.

"Wow! You grew up here? The house is beautiful!" Annie gushed, feeling sort of stupid afterwards.

"I guess," Matt replied with a shrug. "To us it's just home." Auggie echoed his statement.

Before they could continue the conversation the front door opened. Auggie's mother came running towards them. She was tall for her age, fashionably dressed in well-fitted clothes, her salt and pepper hair was done in a well-trimmed bob and she had warm chocolate eyes just like Auggie. She looked way younger than her 68 years.

"August, I'm so happy you're home!" She said as she embraced her youngest son.

"I'm happy to be here too Mom. It's good to see you." He replied. They broke the embrace and Auggie's mother turned her attention to Annie.

"And this must be Annie Walker?"

"Yes Mom, this is my co-worker, roommate and best friend Annie. Annie, this is my mother, Jillian Anderson."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Anderson. Thank you so much for inviting me this weekend."

"Very nice to meet you too Annie. Call me Jill, please." She hugged Annie quickly and then she turned her attention back to Auggie. "August, will you please show Annie the guest room? I'm in the middle of cooking dinner and should be getting back to the kitchen."

"Sure Mom! Grab your bag and follow me Annie." Auggie grabbed the handle of his suitcase and walked towards the front door.

Annie was standing in the guest room in Auggie's childhood home taking in her surroundings. It was nicer than most of the hotel rooms she'd stayed in and she couldn't help feeling a bit uncomfortable. Having grown up in military base housing this was a different league and she hoped she wouldn't make a fool of herself this weekend. She sighed deeply and turned her attention back to unpacking her bag.

After showing Annie the guest room and leaving his suitcase and messenger bag in his room Auggie headed downstairs and into the kitchen to find his mother. Annie had said she wanted to unpack and freshen up a bit before dinner.

The smell of her homemade meatballs and tomato sauce assaulted his nose as he made his way through the dining room and entered the kitchen.

"Hey Mom. Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight I guess?" Auggie asked as he entered the room.

"As usual, I know it's your favorite." His mother replied from where she was working by the cooktop on the kitchen island. In a spur of the moment Auggie decided to follow Annie's advice and ask his mother to swap the spaghetti for penne.

"Mom," Auggie swallowed, trying his best to conceal his nerves. "Would you mind swapping the spaghetti for penne?"

"Why?" She sounded puzzled.

"Um… It's just easier to eat when you can't see what you're doing." Auggie replied sheepishly.

"Oh honey! I don't know why I didn't think about that myself. Why haven't you said anything sooner?" His mother's reaction was nothing like Auggie had expected.

"Well, it's not a big deal and it's not like I can't deal with spaghetti, it's just a hassle and I'm always scared of ending the meal with half of it in my lap," he admitted.

Auggie heard his mother rummaging in the pantry and then she came back towards him.

"I'm sorry, we don't have penne. Are pasta screws ok?"

"Yeah, no problem." Auggie replied with a smile.

There was a brief knock on the guestroom door.

"Come in!" Annie said. She'd finished unpacking and was about to go find Auggie.

The door opened and he entered with a big smile on his face.

"What are you so happy about?" she asked.

"You'll see at dinner," he replied with a wink.

"You grabbed the bull by the horns and it worked I take? Good for you Augs."

"I guess I should take your advice more often Walker," he said as he pulled her in for a hug.