A/N: It has been a little too long. And for those of you who follow this story but do not follow me on social media, there is a perfect explanation to my disappearance (besides school): Papa passed a way a few weeks ago, and inspiration seemed sparse for a while. This was difficult to write. I hope to get back to getting the spunk to write this soon. I'd love to hear from you guys, because you do keep me writing.
Still, stuff up here, besides the storyline ain't mine. otherwise, CA would still be showing. -_-
On with the story then.
"Auggie, wait up."
She'd been jogging to keep up with his long and angry strides. It was never usually a problem. But he'd rarely ever seen him so furious. The last time she'd witnessed such a burst was in Barcelona- almost a lifetime ago. She had to admit that she hated to witness him this frustrated, and it hurt even more to know that his own family- particularly his father – had caused Auggie to feel that way.
She'd seen why he was so hesitant to introduce her to him. The rest of Auggie's family had welcomed her so warmly that James' up-and-down matched with a glare seemed twice as cold as it already was. But she had been prepared, and kept a cooler head on her shoulders. She had to keep it together- for Auggie.
This visit wasn't quite as pretty as the previous, which was the reason why she had to run up to his boyfriend in the hospital hallways. The argument had happened so quickly, she barely had time to process it all.
"Anything you want when I come back, hun?" Amanda was heading to the cafeteria to grab everyone some dinner. Auggie had just settled down on the chair at the corner of the room. It was his turn to watch over his father while his mom went home to relax a bit.
"Bring me back some fried chicken?"
Auggie shook his head. "Dad, the doctor just said…"
"Screw the doctor's orders. That chemo just shot my taste buds, bud."
"Auggie's right you know. I'll bring you back that green shake that they recommended. Sounds good to me. I'll see you in a while." Amanda walked out, leaving James to lash out at Auggie. It wasn't like it was anything new to Auggie, though.
"Always right. Can't even think of how I might feel,"
"This isn't about your feelings dad. It's about you getting better." Auggie had been trying very hard to keep his emotions in check. It was a scene he wasn't ready for- not in the hospital. It was a scene he'd wanted to avoid from the very beginning. But he had to give it to his dad: He had a way of making things just… happen. What made things worse was that he had made it happen in front of Annie. He didn't mask his vexation upon his father's a million degrees less than warm greeting of Annie, but he couldn't say he hadn't expected it. He had warned Annie. Yet, she was here, and he could feel her eyes boring a hole at the back of his head. But she wasn't going to speak. She was a smart girl and she knew her place. Auggie hoped to God that she did, because he knew nothing that they'd started this way ever ended pretty.
"You wouldn't know how this…."
"Stop right there. Don't go there, dad. That's a deep, dark hole you're digging."
"It's true."
"Wrong. Been there. It sucks. But you gotta deal. Unless you don't."
"Yeah, it does suck, son. Because you had the choice to run away." Bulls eye.
"Running away? That's what you think that was? Dad, I didn't know who I was anymore! And no one would let me over here because they were too afraid that I'd trip over thin air!" Auggie's well-bottled up temper was starting to pour out. That was never good. But it did, and he knew there needed to be some sort of intervention somewhere. "You're the one with the choice. There are a bunch of treatments right under your nose that you don't want to talk about, because you're too stubborn to admit that finally, something's taken over you that you cannot control! Me? I'm just stuck with nothing, with no damn choice but to accept things and find a way to move forward!"
"Always about you."
"I had to get it from someone," he spat as he pulled so hard on the cord of his cane, Annie was surprised it didn't snap. He slammed the door as he sped away, and before Annie could think, she had made her way out to follow him.
"I'm sorry," Auggie stopped upon hearing Annie's voice. He was still fuming, Annie could tell with the tension in every muscle in his body. She reached out with her hand to his shoulder, easing out the knots that had built up with all the stress of the preceding events. "You shouldn't have seen that,"
"'Sokay," Annie replied. There wasn't much to say. She pulled him to a hug, and she felt every single ounce of tension fall upon her shoulders. She didn't mind. Annie was there for Auggie no matter the circumstance. It took some time before he let her go.
"Go take a walk. I should get back to the room. Your mom won't like it that we left your dad alone." Annie whispered, fiddling with Auggie's hands. She was anxious about her own suggestion, but this moment, she would go through hell and back to make Auggie feel better. Even if it meant facing the dragon.
"I can't leave you alone with him, Annie. He'll hurt you."
"I've been hurt many times, love. Nothing that saves you from your own misery can hurt me." She responded. "It's your dad. It's not some delicate op in the middle east."
"I think I'd rather…"
"Nope," she cut him off mid sentence. "Go. Calm yourself down. Listen to Mingus. I'll take good care of him, I promise."
"You're too good for this,"
"You're worth it."
He pulled her in for a kiss because there wasn't anything that could be said. Annie headed back to the hospital room, empty except for James Anderson. She took a deep breath before entering the room, met by a first startled and then chilling glare from James.
"Your boy's a tough cookie," Annie broke the ice with a slight smile. She found James' stare quite unnerving and averted her eyes to the nearby couch. James just watched her.
"Well, you all were trained to be so." Annie tried to hide the surprise in her face, delivering a flat out lie she'd said so many times. Somehow, this time sent her on edge more than any other time she'd have to say it.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she shook her head.
"You're all pathetic liars. No one tell you I can sniff you out from a mile away?"
"Your other son."
"And you still choose to lie to my face. Already making a wonderful impression, Ms. Walker."
"We always have to try." Annie dry swallowed. There were so many emotions upon her now- fear, disgust, anger- all of which she'd had to conceal under a perfectly still façade. Come on, Annie. You're a seasoned field operative. How different can this be?
She knew how different though. She was making an impression upon Auggie's father, and so far, she was failing in making a good one. She refused to make it any worse than it already was, if she could control it.
"I never thought he'd end up with one of you spooks. Always thought it would cause an explosion too massive with your too-good-for-anyone selves." He mocked. Annie saw red.
"That's what you think of your son? That he's just some prick who thinks he's too good for anyone?" Annie's jaw clenched, her fist too. She kept them close to herself before she even thought about causing any bodily harm. "He's given so much of his life for other people! For this country, for the company he works for, for me, for his family- for you!"
"He left us!" he exclaimed. "He left us all in shambles!"
"Because he gave so much of himself he couldn't find himself anymore! Did you listen to him? He left so he could figure out the pieces of his life, so you all could live knowing that he was going to be okay! He chose one time to be selfish, but God knows he didn't do it solely for himself?"
"He never came back."
"How much of that matters now? Now that he's here? He's your son, sir, with all due respect. I know you love him. He does too. Don't make it difficult for you both. Don't push him away. He's trying so hard that he's beginning to break under pressure. It would break his heart again if you pushed him away. And he may never come back too." She couldn't remember what had pushed her to plead to him. But Annie knew that very moment that she had broken a wall. Maybe a tiny piece of it, but it was enough. They sat in silence for a while, and Annie continued to shake of the scrutiny that James had put her under.
"Did you know Auggie before he left for Iraq, Annie?"
She shook her head.
"Does it bother you? That he can't see?"
"Auggie and I have been friends much longer than we've been lovers sir. It bothers me when it bothers him. Otherwise, we learn to deal with it. I love Auggie for much more than his lack of eyesight. He's a wonderful man."
"There's much about him that you don't know."
"I know. And I hope that in due time you may help me know and understand those things."
"You're a mystery, Annie Walker."
"I've been told."
That moment, the door swung open, with both Amanda and Auggie in sight. Annie instinctively moved towards Auggie, wrapping her fingers around his. She let out a heavy breath and Auggie immediately looked worried. She leaned on his chest and shook her head whispering that she was ok. She was. But she couldn't be more thankful for their appearance the moment that they had.
"Annie, honey, I left your dinner in that paper bag with Auggie. Why don't you both head home? You look so beat, honey," Amanda addressed Annie.
"Sleep sounds like a good idea," she responded. Auggie chuckled and held her closer. He wondered what had transpired during the time that he had been gone, but thought it best that he not ask. Amanda whisked Annie out to the hallway so quickly to leave some instructions for the house, leaving Auggie alone with his dad.
"I'm sorry for earlier," James said before Auggie reached the door. The younger man turned around to face his father.
"It's a difficult place to be."
"Good thing we've got good women behind us then," James said. Auggie smiled, his curiosity for the earlier happenings heightened even more. He smiled and nodded before turning back to the door and leaving his father with a smug look on his face.
Leave it to Annie to charm even his own father.