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Prompt #30: Bruise - She hid her injuries from everyone else, but the blind guy had to go and blow her cover.

Words: 827

Sometimes I wonder how sane I was when I decided joining the CIA was a good idea, Annie thought as she headed into the DPD. I have to be certifiable if I keep coming to a workplace that frequently shoves you into assignments that blow up or get royally screwed up. She hid the wince as she gingerly made her way to Joan's office. Oh well, another day, another ding.

Her debrief was relatively straightforward. Mercifully, she was allowed to sit while giving it, and once Joan dismissed her, Annie headed for her desk for a couple hours off her feet and a chance to tackle the pile of forms on her plate.

"Hey Annie!"

"Oh, hi Clara," she said, smiling at the tech.

"That sounded like a bad fall in Istanbul. You okay?"

Annie shrugged. "Just another day in the life of a CIA operative."

"I hear you," said Clara. "Well, you should take it easy for a while." She patted Annie on the shoulder, which made the older woman grit her teeth to keep the smile from wavering. "G'night."

"Night, Clara." Annie mouthed a silent Ow as she turned and headed for her desk again. Once seated, she started working through the reports with single-minded determination. With some luck, she figured she could finish a good chunk of them before hobbling.

At least, that had been her intention. Until six feet of brown-haired, brown-eyed blind guy appeared by her desk and remarked, "And what do you think you're doing, Walker?"

She pasted on a smile he couldn't see and quipped, "Hey Auggie. I'm just trying to finish some reports..."

"Leave the reports til morning, Annie. I'll give you a ride home."

"You're gonna...should I be worried by that statement?"

"You'd be more worried if I actually was driving." His hand unerringly latched onto her elbow with a gentle grip, mindful of the bruises hidden by the sleeve of her blazer. "You're in no condition to drive, anyway," he added in a softer tone so nobody would overhear them. "You shouldn't even be wearing those heels with that busted ankle. And those bruises must be killing you."

Annie scowled. How the hell had he...? But it was a moot point. Now that he knew she was injured, Auggie would hound her like the St. Bernard that she'd once compared him to until she was properly taken care of and off her feet. She sighed and said, "Fine. I'll get my stuff."

"Atta girl."

"You didn't have to come inside," she said, unlocking the kitchen door and flipping the lights on. "Really, Auggie, I'm fine."

"Humor me," he said. His hand reached out until it touched the kitchen island. "I'd ask for the grand tour, but you're hobbling a bit too much to risk it. Kick off those heels."

Annie rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom."

"Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady."

"Are you going to mother-hen me all night?"

Auggie chuckled. "I'm considering it. After all, you did try to pull a fast one on me."

"I didn't - " Her words died in her throat when she remembered. "You were listening in on me and Clara."

"No, I actually heard you fall through a roof and a couple dozen wooden crates, remember? I was the little voice yelling if you were okay until you told me to shut up."

With a wry smirk she kicked off her shoes, wincing as her bare foot throbbed in pain when she tried to put weight on it. "Dammit," she hissed.

Auggie was at her side in an instant. "Where's your room?" he asked.

Between her directions and his steady footing, they managed to get to the guesthouse without tripping over anything (him) or falling flat (her). When they reached her bed, Annie couldn't help the sigh of grateful relief that escaped her lips when they sat down.

"Well that sounded painful," remarked Auggie.

"Shut up," she muttered as she shucked off her power suit jacket. "Okay, I'm in bed."

"Technically you're on the bed. Not quite there yet."

"I just want a hot bath."

"Then take one."

"Well you're not going to be here while I do."

"Awww," he playfully whined, making an exaggerated pout. "Spoilsport."

It was later that night, while soaking in a hot bath with scented aromatherapy candles, that Annie recalled her earlier thought about her questionable sanity. She slouched in the bathtub and decided to amend it.

She was nuts to keep going back. No question.

But she was also patriotic. She believed she was making the world a better place. So even on her worst day, that thought made all the lies and injuries worthwhile.

Especially if she had the best bestie in the entire CIA watching out for her, so to speak.

Whew! What a storm.

So, last night we had the return of Heartbreaker Parker (grrrr) and surprise! Lies from Mossad! Next week promo looks epic!

Review please!