Thanks again for the reviews and alerts. :o)

I've been struggling a bit with this chapter, but here it is. I hope you like it. The story is coming to an end, I think a couple of more chapters and we're done. We'll just have to wait and see what the muse comes up with next. ;o)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Annie, Auggie or Covert Affairs.


-Chapter 8-

As Auggie came to the end of the jetway no one was waiting for him. He knew the flight had landed a little early, so he decided to wait a few minutes before contacting the Travellers Assistance office. He took a few tentative steps to the side and hoped he wasn't too much in the way as he leaned on his cane and waited. A few minutes later he heard the voices and footfalls of the crew from the plane coming up the jetway behind him.

"Mr. Anderson, are you okay?" the friendly stewardess from earlier asked.

"I'm fine, I was just about to call Travellers Assistance and find out where my guide is."

"Where are you going? Baggage claim?"

"Yeah, my brother's meeting me there."

"I'm heading there too," she said as she touched the back of Auggie's left hand. He tentatively took her arm.

"You know how to be a sighted guide?" Auggie asked with surprise.

"My father is blind, so I've pretty much known how to be a sighted guide since I was tall enough for him to reach my shoulder without bending down. I'm the oldest of three kids, so Mom often had her hands full with my younger siblings, leaving to assist Dad if he needed it in unfamiliar places."

"Oh, well then you've got more experience than me. I've only been bumbling around in the dark for about six months," Auggie said with a small laugh. "You can call me Auggie by the way, Mr. Anderson makes me think of my Dad."

"Oh, I'm Shawna. So you're pretty fresh out of rehab then?" she asked.

"They sprung me little over two weeks ago. This is my first time travelling solo after I was blinded. Thanks for helping me, I must admit I was freaking out a little bit back there."

"I can only imagine. I'm happy to help. Are you from Chicago?"

"Glencoe. Most of my family lives in the area. I've been living in DC for a few years, so I'm just here for the holidays."

Auggie and Shawna easily made their way through the crowded terminal while chatting about their families and lives. The crowds were a bit overwhelming to Auggie, but the knowledge that Shawna was an experienced sighted guide and her bubbly personality made him relax a little bit.

A few minutes later they arrived in the baggage claim area and Shawna guided Auggie to the carousel for his flight.

"Looks like the bags are arriving on the carrousel Auggie, what does your bag look like? I'll fetch it for you."

"It's a black suitcase with a bright blue strap around it. My brother should be here any minute, I'm sure he can manage that Shawna."

"Oh, I think I see it. I'll be right back," she exclaimed and before Auggie could say anything else he heard her walking away. She returned a few moments later with Auggie's suitcase in tow.

"Here's you go Auggie," Shawna said as she placed the suitcase next to Auggie and placed his left hand on the extended handle. "My husband is waiting, so I've gotta run. Your brother should be here soon, right?"

"Yeah, he shouldn't be too far away. Thanks for helping me. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too," Auggie said with a genuine smile. Shawna patted his arm and walked toward where the exit where her husband was waiting for her.

"So, picking up stewardesses now? You've still got it bro," Nate said as he walked up to Auggie and nudged with his elbow just as Shawna reached her husband.

"Oh har. Travellers Assistance didn't show up and just as I was about to call them and find out what was happening when the crew came off the plane. Shawna offered to lead me here; I figured it was better than trying to sort things out with Travellers Assistance. I would probably still be stuck at the gate if she hadn't offered to help."

"Shawna, huh? Did she give you her number too?"

"Very funny Nate. She's married; she just offered to help me. Her father is blind, so she knows about blind people."

"I'm just teasing Auggie. You have everything?"

"Yeah, I'm good to go. Let's head to Glencoe."


A couple of hours later Auggie had unpacked his suitcase and was pretty much settled into his room at his parents' house. He grasped his cane off the dresser by the door and unfurled it. The house was familiar territory and his parents rarely moved the furniture, but decided to take the belt and suspenders approach and make sure everything was where he remembered before he started moving around without the cane. When he entered the family room a few minutes later he heard the rustle of a newspaper from bay window where his father's favorite chair was located. The faint smell of his father's cologne confirmed it was him.

"Hi Dad," Auggie said as he crossed the room. To his relief everything seemed to be where he remembered and he easily found the chair opposite from his father and sat down.

"Have you settled in okay son?" John Anderson asked his son as he watched his youngest son fold his cane and place it next to his thigh in the chair. It was still hard for him to accept that Auggie was blind and he had to swallow hard to get rid of the lump of emotion that had been building in his throat since Auggie entered the room.

"Yeah, seems like most of the furniture is where I remember, so I won't be needing this in the house," Auggie said, holding up his cane before setting it back down.

"We'd done some rearranging, but we put everything back to where it was the last time you were here to make things easier for you."

"Oh…that was really thoughtful," Auggie said with a smile. He really was grateful, because it meant he could move around freely and not worry about blundering into furniture.

"So, how are you holding up?" John answered as he folded the paper and placed it on the table between the chairs.

"I'm not great, but I'm getting there. Looking forward to going back to work in a couple of weeks. It'll be nice to get back to doing something productive."

"You don't think you're taking on to much by going back to a managing position after this? I know you said it was challenging before you went to Iraq."

"I understand where you're coming from and part of me is a bit apprehensive about it, but my boss has faith in me and wants me back. I know it won't be easy, but I think I can do it and I want to try."

"I completely understand that. I know you worked hard to get that job and I believe in you son. I just don't want you to take on too much too soon."

"I'm pretty sure that if I survive Christmas here I'll survive work too," Auggie said with a small laugh. "I must admit the prospect of dealing with all of them at once is a bit overwhelming."

"Well, tonight it's only you, me and your mother here and judging from the aroma that's coming from the kitchen I think dinner's about ready. Shall we go find out what you mother has prepared for us?"

"Sounds good to me," Auggie said as he got to his feet. He was relieved it was only him and his parents for a couple of days, it gave him some time to get reacquainted with the house without an audience.


As always I'd love to hear what you think about the chapter :o)