Chapter 9 Stars

Hey guys,

I'm so sorry that I didn't updated sooner but I simply couldn't. Sometimes being in a wheelchair sucks. Just damn argh!

So have fun and please review!

What happened last:

They danced through the night, enjoyed the environment of the event and were left as two of the last people still at the function.

"I don't want to end the evening yet, Auggie… but I can't stand on those heels anymore," Annie told him.

Auggie thought for a moment and got an idea. "Have you ever observed the stars from the grass in front of the Washington Monument?" Annie shook her head. "Let us drive there and we can enjoy the view together, if you want to. I have a blanket in the trunk and we can stop at a deli and get something to drink or even eat." Auggie rambled on and on.

"You had me at the mentioning of stars."

They reached the park. It was easy to find a parking spot. He didn't even need his parking tag which would ensure him a handicapped parking space. He wasn't always a fan of it, but sometimes he used it to his advantage. This late the lot was nearly empty, just a police car and a black mustang.

"Can you grab the blanket?" Auggie asked Annie as he got out of his car.

"Sure. No problem. Where is it?"

"It's in the trunk, somewhere on the right by my running gear." Auggie grabbed the bag from the deli and his cane.

"Do you happen to know where you want to go?" Annie asked, walking up to him.

"Yeah, I know the perfect place. Just follow my lead, Miss Annie." He turned and headed for the park entrance.

After 300 feet, he reached just the spot he had in mind; a lonely park bench where no one was in hearing distance of them, not even the two officers on patrol. Auggie put the bag down and started to turn around in the process of sitting down. He was nearly seated when Annie asked "Can't we put the blanket on the grass? So we can look into the sky without getting cricks in our necks."

"You can lay down, Annie," Auggie said, grimacing while he answered.

Annie thought about what she might have said wrong. Seconds later she said to Auggie, "I can help you on the way up and down if you come in the need of a helping hand. Just tell me how?" Annie really tried to getting Auggie to lie down beside her.

Her motive was really clear; she wanted to lie in his arms. She had used the time in the car alone, as Auggie purchased some snacks in the deli on the way to the park, to think of the next steps for getting into Auggie's heart.

"Annie, it's not that simple for me. If I'm down on the ground we are more of a target. I'm not capable of getting up fast if something happens. I don't want to slow you down, and I will even more than if I'm just sitting on this bench." Auggie blushed crimson and was sporting a face of disappointment.

"Auggie," she paused, "I am not concerned about something like that! Don´t be an idiot.

I see it as that. If it rains, we will just get wet. If there's a robbery, we won't stand a chance lying down or not. We can't effect those kinds of things so please reconsider it." Annie was begging him now. She was giving him a glance as if a puppy has been robbed off his toy.

Auggie couldn't resist this expression. "Okay Annie, I'll lie beside you."

As a double above-the-knee amputee, it wasn`t an easy task for him to get down. He had learned techniques in rehab but he'd never wanted to show himself struggling openly. That was the reason of him using the cane. He wouldn't want to risk falling even if he was perfectly capable of walking without the cane. The cane was something he could metaphorically hide behind.

He got down like he wanted to perform some push-up with only one knee on the ground the other leg perfectly straight. Then he turned his body 180 degrees and got down on his butt. It was maybe not the exact movement he'd been taught, but it was his fastest way of getting down. He was down beside Annie but there was a distance between their bodies.

"Happy?" Auggie asked.

"Oh. Yeah, Auggie. You looked like a natural."

"Hmph, I don't think so, Miss Walker. It isn't as easy as it may look. One of the limitations if you aren't normal. I'm dependent on these prosthetics if I want to look others in the eyes. I don't want to looked down upon – the pity I receive is enough being upright. More I couldn't handle," Auggie explained. He wanted to be open to Annie because he really liked her. He couldn't be more open than that, though; he didn't want to get hurt again. His ego was badly bruised and his heart was somewhat numb to feelings. His history with the other gender wasn't exactly a great romantic film that would have won an Oscar. By that she laid her hand on his arm in a comforting manner.

After lying side by side for a few minutes Annie asked, "What did you buy?"

"Are you hungry Annie?" Auggie turned to face her. "I have some strawberries, chips, cheese and some wine. What do you want?" He had sat up and was pulling all the items out of the bag as he mentioned them.

"Oh that's an easy decision; I want to have everything, and I want to share," Annie answered smiling widely. Annie first took a strawberry and then dunked a tuc into the cheese. Auggie grabbed just a plain chip and lay back down. He was feeling some phantom pain again and thought why now? He didn't register that his face showed a pained expression, but the next thing Annie said was, "Is everything alright?"

Auggie just nodded but didn't convince Annie.

She put the food beside her as Auggie stared into the sky absentmindedly. He was doing some breathing technique to get through pain so he was startled when Annie touched him on his shoulder and snuggled a little bit up at him. As if they were an item he reached his arm around Annie's body and held onto her.

They lay there for a long time just staring into the sky. Annie shivered and Auggie became aware of the sinking temperature. He pulled her in a little more and draped the blanket over her shoulder. Her head was pressed to his chest. Absentmindedly, he stroked her back and her arm, giving her comfort but at the same time giving himself a moment to relish the feeling of having a woman in his arms. No, not some woman, Annie - his sweet sexy and loving heart, his coworker. The only one besides Joan who didn't look with pity in their eyes at him.

"Don't stop moving your hand Auggie. This feels really good." Annie said, enjoying the feeling of Auggie's hand on her body. He held her closer and used the other hand to explore her face. He shifted a little, turning his body onto his side, holding her a lot closer.

"Annie, I really like you. You are honest and open-minded. Even our rocky start doesn't matter. You are a beautiful woman. Is it okay if I try something?" He looked her in the eyes searching for any discomfort of her and hoping for her approval.

Annie noticed his nervousness and realized that Auggie may have a problem with women in connection with his disability. She thought that this adoring man was afraid of getting rejected. So she took his hand with her hand to show him she didn't felt pity or rejected him because of his missing legs. She closed the space between their heads and palmed his face in her other hand.

She gave him a small kiss. Then a second one, and after that the third came from Auggie closing the distance.

"Is this answer enough for you?" Annie asked him smiling.

Auggie was only able to nod his head. He blushed lightly and held his chin to his chest.

"Auggie look me in the eyes," Annie demanded. She put her finger under his chin and lifted his face up so she could look him in his eyes.

"This was wonderful. I haven't had a more romantic first kiss than this! Thank you."

He just cupped her face with his left hand and drew her closer. He got more self-conscious the more he touched her. He pecked her lips again, then he travelled with his lips to her right ear and just said, "Thank you, for just being you." He gave her cheek a kiss and got upright into a sitting position.

"It's cold Auggie; do you want to change the scenery again with me?"

"For sure, Annie. I wouldn't want for you to catch a cold," he said to her. He struggled a bit to get back on his feet, but managed, despite knowing he was being watched. She wasn't looking in disgust, but rather just out of curiosity. He knew he had to open up about his disability. They trained together but Annie didn't see the actual flesh of his stump; he had his layer from the prosthetics on every time they worked on the floor.

Annie draped the blanket over herself and linked her hand with Auggie's free one. They reached the car and drove off to her home.

"I really want to not end the evening, Annie, but I have to get up early tomorrow morning. If you want to, you can come over and have lunch with me?" Clearly he was asking her if she would be willing to spend more time together; testing her to see if the kisses and the snuggling time was just a one-time event.

"When should I be there?" she nearly choked out.

"How does 12:30 sound?"

"Fine for me. Should I bring something?" she asked, unbuckling her seatbelt because they'd reached her home.

"No. Just you. Everything else is there. Oh - are you allergic to something?"

"Nope - but I'm not fond of anchovies," she said and started to get out of the car.

Auggie put the car in park and got out too. He rounded the car and escorted Annie to her entrance. She put her key in and opened the door. He drew her in and kissed her again. Feeling like he'd just won a trophy.

"Thank you, Auggie, for this awesome first date!" She turned and closed the door hastily, giving him no chance to respond. He stood there a matter of seconds frozen. He regained his control and walked to the car feeling his lips, remembering the feeling of Annie's smooth lips.

He got home and nearly fell asleep in his bathroom in the process of getting ready for bed.

This was the first night, since he knew what he lost because of the bomb, with only pleasant happy dreams.