Amazing Part 10

Emily's idea of Truth or Dare did not really pick up support, but soon a make shift game of charades was going in one part of the tent and a poker game in another, wine was flowing freely and Annie and Auggie were sitting cross-legged on a mat facing each other.

"How do you do that?" Annie sighed and shook her head as Auggie slapped her hands again before she could pull them away.

"Your breath hitches and the tendons in your wrist tighten just before you are going to pull away. Not all tells are visual," Auggie smirked back and she leaned forward to kiss him.

"I'm sorry," Gwen interrupted with a muffled cough.

"Hey there," Annie greeted as she pulled back from Auggie lips, her wrists still held firmly by his hands.

"I was wondering if we could talk," Gwen crouched down her voice low.

"Sure," Annie nodded confused.

"Um, Mike and Rhonda are in another tent. I am not 100% sure and Rhonda won't tell me, but I think he has PTSD from September 11th and I think the storm kind of snuck up on him," Gwen confessed.

Auggie's brow furrowed and a look of concern washed over his face.

"I'm not a shrink," Auggie shrugged.

"I know, but I imagine you've seen a case or two, would you, could you talk to him and see if we need to be concerned, if we should be looking for someone professional," Gwen squeezed Auggie's shoulder.

"Of course," Auggie was on his feet brushing some dust off his butt.

Annie led him with Gwen's guidance to the tent, she had grabbed some water and cookies from the buffet and convinced Rhonda to give Auggie a few minutes with Mike. She wouldn't leave the tent but she did step away and sat with Annie quietly in the corner.

Annie couldn't take her eyes off Auggie, how careful and precise he was with his movements and his words. He started talking about the smell of the ocean from the ferry this morning, how calming it was. He mentioned how the ocean is such a sensory experience, but people assume since he can't see it that he doesn't enjoy it, but he spoke about the smell of it, the taste and sound of the waves, the gritty salty cool feel of it against your skin and in your hair.

Annie knew what he was doing, he was grounding Mike, giving him something tangible to focus on, a talisman of goodness. She was swept away by his words though, transported herself to a beach.

"Why don't you drink some of this," Auggie handed a cold bottle of water to Mike and Mike twisted off the cap and slowly drank from it, his eyes clearing.

"Thanks," he said and it was the only thing he had said since the storm blew in.

"Oh god," Rhonda's shoulders slumped in relief.

Annie gave her a quick hug and the other woman stood and made her way back. She passed Auggie moving away from her husband and reached out and brushed her hand along his arm to warn him before she launched herself into his arms.

"He's fine, make sure he eats and drinks plenty of water," Auggie told her quietly and stepped away. Rhonda just nodded.

As Annie and Auggie exited the tent, Annie's hand rubbing circles on his back to comfort the comforter, Gwen stood from the chair she was waiting in.

"Is he OK?" she looked so concerned.

"Yeah," Auggie smiled, "it wasn't a bad attack and probably heightened by exhaustion and dehydration. He's drinking some water now and Rhonda is going to get him some food."

"Thank you Auggie, I can't thank you enough," Gwen smiled and went back to tell her team the crisis was averted.

***555***

The next morning the teams were heading back to mainland Italy and catching a train to Rome. Annie noticed that Mike seemed perfectly fine as they boarded the ferry.

Their clue in Rome was at the Trevi Fountain, one of the most iconic spots in all of Italy. Annie knew her way around Rome pretty well, as did Auggie, so it was a quick journey for the pair. Annie stopped to throw a coin in the fountain ensuring a return visit someday.

"Did you know the money thrown in this fountain funds a grocery store for the needy," Annie mentioned as she handed Auggie a coin and positioned him so it would land in the water.

"That's pretty cool," Auggie grinned as he repeated the tradition.

The clue box was nearby and sure enough they were only in Rome long enough to toss their coins. Next stop: Athens.

***555***

All the teams were together on the flight to Athens, and friendships had certainly been forged: Annie really liked Kendall and Danielle and Auggie had found a lot in common with Brian, Gary and Warren. Annie had found it odd, they certainly had work friends, but their lives had very little of this kind of social interaction, it felt good.

"You should marry that girl," Warren mentioned, "she loves you."

"Warren, I think that is very likely to happen someday," Auggie grinned.

"I don't even like girls and she's pretty hot," Gary chimed in.

"I'll be sure to tell her she has the gay man's seal of approval."

"Seriously, in these conditions with no amenities and she looks as fresh as a daisy," Brian chimed in.

"Annie travels a lot, she is pretty good at it," Auggie shrugged.

***555***

The rain from Italy followed them to Greece and they arrived at the Agora to find their clue in the pouring rain. They were on their own until morning though as the Agora didn't open until 8:00 am.

Part of the challenge of the race was limited cash, no credit cards or emergency stashes of money. Annie was counting their cash and hoping the coins they threw in the Trevi were not the difference between a roof over their head for the night. Luckily they had enough money for a room at a small hotel and checked in wet and tired.

They stripped off their clothes, hung them up to dry and towel dried their hair before brushing their teeth and falling into a heap on the bed.

"G'night," Auggie mumbled.

"Night" Annie replied as she snuggled closer.

TBC…