A/N Having trouble figuring out how to tie things up after the last chapter but didn't want to leave things hanging...any constructive criticism or suggestions would totally be great.

Disclaimer: Not mine at all.

Chapter 10

Annie awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. A change from the usual iPhone alarm. Squinting at her phone she was momentarily confused to see Auggie's name on the screen. 1 missed call. Then she remembered his heartfelt apology of the night before and her face lit up in a smile.

Auggie. She had her best friend back. And if her memories of last night were more than a dream, there were definite possibilities for more than friendship.

In the privacy of her own bed she could let herself indulge in all the what if's and maybe's that had presented themselves when Auggie broke down in front of her last night, finally admitting how much he cared about her. Part of her had never stopped hoping that he still wanted her in his life, even while he was pushing her away. She knew her instincts were usually correct, she should have trusted them. All she had to decide now was whether or not she was ready to let herself trust Him. Auggie.

Maybe if he agreed to take things slow. Maybe. That was as high as she would allow her hopes to go for now. Maybe this time she would be able to maintain a healthy and balanced relationship. Maybe this time the guy wouldn't desert her as soon as she allowed herself to fall. Maybe this relationship would last longer than three weeks. Maybe it was possible to have an honest relationship not built on secrets and complications. Maybe Auggie would be the happily ever after every little girl dreams of growing up. Then again, maybe not. But as terrifying as the possibility of getting her heart broken again was, when she thought of the way her arm had tingled as he touched it lightly, she couldn't help but wonder if he would have that effect on the rest of her. She knew for a fact that there was a reason all the girls loved Auggie - he tried to pass it off as girl loving blind guys, but there was more to it. Probably something to do with his perfectly toned and taut arm muscles. And the rest of the body he usually hid underneath mono-chrome cardigans - she'd seen him shirtless more than a few times on missions and had never been able to resist staring. Not to mention that irresistibly charming smile. Yeah, there was definitely a reason every girl within a twenty-foot radius of him approached him and tried to get his attention.

The sound of her phone ringing again pulled her back to reality. She answered it this time.

"Morning Auggie." She couldn't keep the smile out of her voice. No, she wasn't going to tell him he was off the hook just yet, but on the inside she was not mad at him anymore. It was impossible to stay mad at anyone as charming as Auggie.

"I'm standing outside your apartment and I know this cafe down the road that makes really good coffee. Can I take you out to breakfast before work?" Those dancing butterflies in her stomach were back, it was absurd how he affected her.

"You just said the magic word. I'll be out in 10."

"Magic word...Breakfast?"

"Coffee. Clearly."

Auggie couldn't keep the smile off his face either. She didn't sound like she hated him anymore. In fact she sounded happy to hear from him. Making Annie smile was one of his favorite activities of all time he decided. He knew that they would have to cover some painful topics over breakfast. There would probably be some awkwardness, and rebuilding their relationship was going to take time. He could hear the hesitation in her voice behind her smile, she was still uncertain where they stood.

But he didn't get into the CIA on intelligence alone. His charm and confidence levels were also a major factor. He knew how to get a mission accomplished and how to gain people's trust, even when they were scared and suspicious. Annie Walker was more important to him than any field mission had ever been, there was more at stake for him than ever before. It was his personal mission to prove to her that he would never hurt her again. Now that he had admitted to himself that he was in love with Annie Walker, he would do whatever it took to earn her trust and consistent affection. Auggie smirked mischievously to himself, she might have built walls around her heart to defend herself but as a covert operative the walls didn't faze him. He'd simply find a way around them, under them, over them, or charm the gatekeeper into giving him the key to the door.

Annie opened the door to see Auggie standing casually on the footpath waiting for her. He was smiling about something he clearly found hilarious and she was immensely curious as to what the joke was. As soon as he heard her footsteps Auggie's smile grew joyous, but mixed with a hint of hesitance and nervousness. He was happy to see her but unsure of what her reaction would be.

His nervousness was her undoing. She had never seen him uncertain of himself around anyone else. Definitely not any of his one night stand rotation of girls.

As she walked towards him and he stood still, completely vulnerable to her, she realized there was only one question she truly needed answered.
"Auggie... I know I said I wasn't ready to let you off the hook but I just want to clear up one thing. Did you mean what you said last night... About being in love with me?" She looked up at him as she spoke her heart in her throat as she waited for his answer.

Auggie didn't bother to use words to respond. Instead, he took one step and closed the distance between them, wrapping his strong, perfectly toned arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He had one arm snaked around the small of her back possessively, making the butterflies in her stomach go crazy. His other arm was further up between her shoulder blades, his thumb caressing her gently. She loved the way his shoulder felt so comfortable, like it had been carved into that shape especially for her to lean on. He smelled so familiar and manly; so...Auggie. She had missed him.

Auggie brushed her chin with his forefinger, tilting her head back lightly, then brought down his forehead to lean against hers. Not being able to see had not dampened his ability to express emotions through his eyes at all. As she met them she saw all the longing, pain, desire, and love he had previously been afraid to admit her felt for her.

She could feel air brush her lips as he breathed heavily, trying to figure out how to show her what he knew she would never believe if he just told her. He held her so tenderly, not like he was afraid she would break, but like she was the most precious thing in his world and he wanted her to be his forever.

After a few long seconds of deliberation, just when Annie was beginning to feel that if he didn't kiss her she would shatter, he slid his hand from her chin to the nape of her neck and closed the inch between them, kissing her gently and tenderly but with an edge of desperation that felt like he had been dying of dehydration and her lips were water found at the last possible second before he lost his mind.

All her defenses crumbled at the feel of his lips against hers and she felt herself responding, arms wrapping themselves around his neck of their own volition. It felt so natural and right to be kissing him. This was Auggie, they were connected in a way that no-one around them understood but everyone could sense. She felt his lips smile into hers as he registered her reaction, kissing her harder while his arms tightened around her, claiming her as his own for an all too brief second before pulling away gently. She almost whimpered at the loss of contact.

In a low, husky voice he asked,
"Was that a clear enough answer for you?"

She playfully tried to push him off the sidewalk and he responded by laughing happily as he wrapped his arm around her waist tighter.

"Now, coffee?" Looking at the grin on Auggie's face Annie enthusiastically agreed. How could a girl say no to an offer like that?