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Prompt #23: Couple - Annie used to envy people who'd found their "soulmate."

Words: 861

It's not very nice to hate a woman on principle. Especially not the woman your best friend's in love with.

But when Auggie showed her that beautiful pearl ring, damn if Annie's heart didn't burn dark jealous fire. It was beautiful and different and one-of-a-kind - and intended for Parker. The sister of one of his Army buddies. His girlfriend of four months. Someone who knew absolutely nothing of the work they did.

Even Annie knew that was far too soon to spring marriage on someone. Hell, it'd taken her two years to read Danielle in, and her sister had thrown her out!

Swallowing her tears, Annie heaved a deep sigh and rolled over to stare at Simon's sleeping face. Flying to Paris after seeing that ring had been impulsive and stupid, but Annie had wanted someone to hold her and love her. Sad that it had to be a maybe-Russian spy she was trying to glean information from.

She would've preferred hanging with Auggie at Allen's.

But no. He was in Eritrea, probably on some beach proposing to Parker. The one for him.

It made her feel awful.

It broke her heart when she learned what happened.

Parker left him. She left him, had her bags all packed and a cab waiting before Auggie was even awake, and left him with the ring and no way to chase after her.

Annie's first knee-jerk reaction was completely understandable. She wanted to hunt Parker down and yell You soulless bitch! How could you do that to Auggie? But then again, Annie understood the other woman's situation as well. Didn't mean she was sympathetic, however.

Then there was the incident at Allen's. Involving the cops. He'd been in a real bad way.

She wanted to talk about it, but Annie knew Auggie about as well as she knew herself. He was a master of compartmentalizing. He'd brush off any questions or attempts to talk. Bad enough he was seeing the CIA head-shrinker; the last thing he'd probably want is his best friend pick-picking away.

So she waited for him to come to her.

Sighing, Annie rolled over and punched her pillow to get it more comfortable. Her recent mission had really put her through the ringer. All she wanted was to sleep, but her churning brain refused to let her go easy.

Auggie hadn't talked with her since she confronted him. Three days ago. But Annie wasn't worried. She knew he'd come around.

After all, they were besties.

It was five days after Sayeed was turned that Annie found herself standing in his office doorway. Auggie didn't hear her approach on account of listening intently to whatever was coming through his headphones. Stepping lightly, Annie walked up to his desk and touched his shoulder.

He reacted like she branded him with a hot iron. One hand came up to grab her wrist in a death grip as the other ripped off his headphones. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he snapped. "Don't you know it's a bad joke to - "

"Auggie, it's me!" Annie said, trying to pry off his crushing grip. "Let go. You're hurting me!"

"Annie?" The anger faded to shock, and he couldn't let go fast enough. "I'm sorry. You startled me."

"Yeah, I caught that." Rubbing her wrist, Annie injected a joking note. "My bad. You're always saying it's not a good idea to sneak up on you."

"D'you need something?"

"Wondering if you wanted to grab some drinks."

His smile was dry. "We actually going to talk now?" he asked. "No missions or work to get in our way?"

"My evening's free and clear," Annie said. "Yours?"

"It is now. You driving?"

The old joke never failed to put a smile on her lips. "Of course. Which means you're buying."

"Of course." Auggie glanced up at her. "You okay? You sound a little defeated."

"Long couple days."

"That what prompted your transfer request?"

She pouted uselessly. "You really do know too much about everything that goes on here."

"It's how I stay employed. I know too much." He reached for her hand, and she gave it to him. "Let's go vent over beers. It's been too long."

"It really has," she said. "I've missed you."

"Me too, Annie."

Annie had never put much stock in soulmates, but now that Parker was gone, as bad as it sounded, she was considering the possibility. A chance of being together with Auggie.

But she knew better than to blindly believe. Soulmates spoke of forever, and when you're a spy in the CIA, you know that forever is an illusion that nobody can ever claim is real.

Sitting with Auggie in a little corner booth, beers in hand and catching up on everything, Annie could believe that they stood a chance. Even though she knew he probably didn't think of her that way.

But damn, did she wish he did.

Does anyone else think the show needs to up its game? I do.

Review please!