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Anna went with Clay to Mac's for Thanksgiving.  She couldn't understand why everyone was so surprised to meet her.  The Clayton Webb she knew and the one they seemed to know were not the same.  Clay had left again right after Thanksgiving.  She was getting used to his disappearing acts but it didn't make it any easier.  She wanted to get to know him better.  She was sitting in her apartment now.  Earlier she had been in the lower apartment. She had designed that apartment to be an office and Mario had done a wonderful job. Today was a busy day. Her office furniture was delivered and she had spent the morning arranging everything downstairs. Now she was upstairs, she was moving furniture around as well; she had purchased a piano and was making room for it.  Anna had ideas for the office; she wanted to discuss it with Clay.  She wanted to discuss everything with Clay.  How it was possible that she was getting attached to a man that she barely spent time with was beyond her, but they had a connection and she didn't want to lose it.

The worst of all was she had begun to stop making plans.  She wanted to be available incase Clay happened to stop by.  She hadn't seen her sister in weeks.  She was definitely going to see her family tomorrow. 

She sat at the window and waited for the delivery truck, she hated waiting and yet she had no problem waiting for Clay. God you have it bad.  She started daydreaming as she waited.  She realized they hadn't spent much time together but a woman has needs.  The ringing phone brought her back to reality.

"Heeeellllooooo." Anna said.

"Zizi, when are you coming?" Antonio her nephew asked.

"Hi my little man, tomorrow I promise." Anna replied.

"I miss you." Antonio said his mother was in the background prompting him.

"I miss you too. Is mommy there?" Anna said.

"Yep wanna talk to her?" Antonio asked.

"Please. I love you." Anna said.

"Love you." Antonio said and gave the phone to his mother.

"Pico what's up with you?" Teresa asked.

"Nothing, I've been busy." Anna replied.

"Hmmm, busy?" Teresa said. "Busy with that guy who was nothing special?"

"No, just busy," Anna protested. "Hey, Teresa, that was my call waiting hang on. Hello?"

"How are you?" Clay asked.

"Hang on." Anna said quickly then switching back to her sister "Teresa I gotta go."

"Ok, but you are coming tomorrow." Teresa said more as an order than a question.

"Yes." Anna said. "Bye." She switched back to Clay.

"Clay, this will be the gazillionth time I am going to say this. When did you get back?" Anna laughed.

"This morning," Clay said. "Can you open your door?"

"You're here? Now!" Anna said as she dropped the phone, ran down the stairs and opened the door.  Clay was standing there and before he could say a word Anna threw herself at him and kissed him. "Wow, guess I should keep leaving town."

"Don't even joke about it Secret Agent Man." Anna said. "I missed you. There are so many things I want to talk to you about.  Things are changing."

"Excuse me I have a piano delivery for an Anna Papap Paparincy." The man behind Clay said.

"It's Paparini." Clay told the man.

"Come on in, I'll show you where it goes." Anna told the guy. 

The guy looked around the apartment, "This is going to be tough."

"Well, you can always get it in through the balcony if you have a pulley." Anna said sweetly.

Clay smiled as he watched Anna bat her eyes at the deliveryman. "You do that southern charm thing rather well." He whispered.

"Thanks, now go take off that jacket and vest, it's stuffy." Anna teased.  Clay did as he was told and the deliveryman went to get organized.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Clay asked.

"There have been some changes while you were gone." Anna said.

"Changes?" Clay asked.

"Yes, changes. I quit my job," Anna announced.

"You what? Rabb is going to flip." Clay laughed.

"Well, I quit but I have to work on Valentine's and I will handle the Rabb/MacKenzie wedding.  But nothing else." Anna replied.

"What do you plan on doing?" Clay asked as they sat down on the couch.

"Well while you were gone, been gone.  My office downstairs was finished.  I am going to start practicing again." Anna said.

"Wow, are you sure that's safe?" Clay asked, thinking about the information he had discovered.

"Why wouldn't it be safe?" Anna asked.

"What kind of law?" Clay asked.

"Criminal." Anna replied. "It's what I do best."

"Well, having a business in your home, clients knowing where you live." Clay said.

"So, it's an office." Anna replied.

"Anna, you are going to have criminals coming here?" Clay repeated. "Knowing where you live."

"I thought you would be excited for me." Anna said disappointed.

"Oh I am, just worried." Clay said.

"Don't be. I can handle anything that is thrown at me." Anna replied.

"It's not what they might throw that worries me." Clay stated. 

"Clay, just be happy for me.  I am very happy." Anna said.

"Than I am too, but will you allow me to have some friends set up security for you?" Clay asked.

"Yes, if it will make you feel better." Anna said with a smiled.

"It will." Clay said and kissed her.

"Ahem, excuse me." The deliveryman said. "We're ready."

"Great, now be careful with my baby grand." Anna teased.

An hour and some expletives later, Anna's piano was in her apartment.

"So are you going to christen it?" Clay asked.

"Yes I am." Anna said sitting at her piano. "How about I give it the contemporary trial and you give it the classical?"

"Sounds good," Clay said.  He sat down on the bench next to her and watched her fingers go over the keys.  Anna glanced at him sideways as she played wondering if he would recognize the tune.

"Billy Joel. Not bad." He said when she finished. "You would play New York State of Mind."

"Ya know what they say, you can take the girl outta New York, but you can never take New York outta the girl." Anna laughed exaggerating the accent.

"My turn," Clay said as he skootched her over. He played a piece by Mozart.

"And you would pick Mozart." Anna teased when he was done.

"Anna let's get out of here." Clay said. "Let's do something normal."

"That sounds wonderful.  How about we go across the street? Do you like ribs?" Anna asked.

"Ribs?" Clay replied.

"Yeah ribs. You know sloppy sauce; eating with your fingers?" Anna stated.

"Hmmm," Clay said. "I haven't done that in a long time."

"Clay, loosen up a bit and have some fun, let your hair down." Anna teased. "You're a great guy but you are too stuffy."

"Look who's talking, Miss French twist." Clay shot back.

"Come on, leave the jacket and vest here. Let's have some fun." Anna said.

BABY BACKS BAR

They went across the street to the restaurant. When Anna walked in she was greeted as though she was Norm on Cheers.

"You're a regular here?" Clay laughed.

"Somewhat. I like it here. The people are nice." Anna said.

"And they have good taste; they all seem to like you." Clay said.

"Annie, it's good to see you. The regular?" Joe, the bartender asked.

"Nope, tonight I want two drafts. No, make it a pitcher and two orders of ribs." Anna said.

"Wow, changing huh. No margarita.  Who's the suit?" Joe asked.

"How did he know? I don't even have the jacket or vest on." Clay asked puzzled.

"It's your look Clay, I am gonna loosen you up if it's the last thing I do." Anna said with a smile.

"Give it your best shot." Clay laughed. I'm laughing?

"Joe, are you going to put some music on tonight?" Anna asked.

"You got it payzon." Joe said trying to speak some Italian with his southern accent.

"Joey, Joey, Joey, how many times to I have to tell you.  Don't do that." Anna laughed and she went to hang her jacket.

"So how do you know Annie?" Joe asked Clay.

"I guess I'm Anna's boyfriend." Clay replied. Boyfriend where did that come from? Did I just say that?

"A suit like you?" Joe laughed.

"Yeah, a suit like him." Anna said walking over. "Joe you're a pain." Anna teased.

"Just kidding Annie, I'll go put in your order." Joe said.

"Oh before I forget, that Talent Show for AJ Roberts is this Friday. Are you going to be there?" Clay asked.

"I know.  I sent Harriet the programs.  Unfortunately, Angelo and Teresa have the Hospital Christmas Party on Friday."

"That's too bad." Clay said he wanted Anna to be there.

"Well, I have been informed a video will be taken." Anna said.

"Yeah they told me." Clay groaned.

"So Clay, you gonna dance?" Anna asked.

"Dance?" Clay asked.

"Yeah, move you arms, your feet maybe your hips. Or do you do that white boy shuffle." Anna said making funny movements.

"If I say no what are you going to do?" Clay asked.

"Regardless of your answer you are going to have to dance." Anna laughed.

Clay just shook his head and let Anna lead him to the floor.  She was having a blast. Clay was stiff.  After a while Anna got him to loosen up a bit but he had a long way too go.  Years of dancing with Porter and being in the CIA did not prepare him for Anna.  Actually nothing in life had prepared him for her.

The tempo slowed and Clay took Anna in his arms.  "This is more my style."

"Of course it is, slow and sedate." Anna teased.

They had their dinner and it was time to go.  Clay walked Anna back to her apartment and kissed her good night.  He then got into his car and drove off, it was about 11pm but he needed to talk to someone.  He picked up his cell phone and said. "Call Rabb."

HARM'S APARTMENT

"Rabb," Harm said wearily into the phone.

"Rabb, it's Webb." Clay said.

"What ever it is no." Harm said.

"Stow it. Just listen to me." Clay snapped.

"I'm listening." Harm said looking over at Mac and shrugging.

"Hey is Mac there?" Clay asked. "Maybe I should talk to her."

"Hold on." Harm said. "He wants to talk to you."

"Hi Webb, what's up." Mac said.

"Hi Mac, listen let me ask you something. Between us, if this got out… Do you think I need to loosen up?" Clay asked.

"Loosen up?" Mac laughed. "I guess you could relax a bit. What's this about?"

"Anna, the woman I brought to your house." Clay said very quickly.

"Ohhhh. Then yes Clay I think you can loosen up a bit." Mac replied. "I also think she's the one to do it."

"Thanks Mac. I'll talk to you later." Clay said and disconnected.

"What was that about?" Harm asked Mac as she cuddled up next to him.

"I think Clayton Webb is in love." Mac laughed and she turned out the light.