Disclaimer: I don't own Covert Affairs, but the OCs are mine.

Prompt #48: Covert - They were - until the need to be no longer existed.

Words: 728

Annie and Auggie never revealed their relationship to their coworkers, keeping it close to the vest for a variety of reasons. They couldn't risk being separated from each other if relations between agent and handler were not allowed. With the amount of risk in their profession, secrecy also kept their enemies from using either Annie or Auggie as leverage against each other. Not to mention it was kind of fun keeping it a secret from their coworkers as long as they had.

So they believed, anyway.

When the majority of Langely that were in the know discovered that Auggie Anderson and Annie Walker had finally hooked up, you can bet there was some hardcore celebratory cheer at Allen's that night. The now-oceanic pool was finally settled, with all bets covered accordingly, and a new one took its place - how long before they made it public?

The good money was on soon. If they'd taken four years to act on the attraction that everyone else had picked up on during the first month, who knew how long it would take for the pair to decide to announce their relationship to everyone else. A few brave souls set down money on a specific stretch of time. Others put their money on situational reveals - on an op, caught in the act, that sort of thing.

Clara Piper was not one of those people. Nor was she a gambling soul by any stretch of the imagination. Instead of indulging in the pool, she merely sipped her beer and ran the facts in her head.

Maintaining a relationship with a covert operative under the radar is difficult even when you're also a highly-trained operative. It's even more difficult when you work in the CIA, which is full of highly-trained intelligence gatherers who spread office gossip worse than an old ladies' bridge club.

Auggie valued his privacy. It was a defining aspect of his personality, and he guarded his long-term relationships fiercely. Add to that he'd fallen in love with his best friend, and that protective instinct increased tenfold. If Annie said she wanted to keep whatever they had between them, her handler would never betray that trust.

Annie's privacy was also her most well-known personality trait. Rarely were any details of her personal life made public knowledge. Taking into account that she'd fallen in love with her best friend and handler, and her need for privacy was exponentially compounded. If Auggie wanted to keep their relationship secret, then she would go through interrogation in Russia all over again before giving up a single detail.

"You look like you're pondering the problems of the world," said Dexter Hill as he slid into the booth beside her.

"Just thinking."

He put a fresh beer in front of his handler and sipped his own drink. "Penny for your thoughts, Clara?"

She shot him a look paired with a small smirk. "You bet on Annie and Auggie's relationship, didn't you?"

"Of course not. That would be juvenile and self-serving and completely pointless."

"How much money?"

"Two hundred, but only because I know I'm gonna win."

Clara rolled her eyes and lightly punched his arm. "That's the excuse given by every gambler in creation."

"But I have an in."

"So do I. I happen to know that neither of them are going to spill the beans unless Joan personally walks up and demands to know if they're sharing a bunk."

Dexter slung his arm around her and pulled her close to press a small kiss to her temple. "Well I happen to know that your boss is starting to look for a certain type of ring for a certain agent of our mutual acquaintance."

"...You're splitting half that pot with me."

As it happened, the pot was settled in very short order.

When Annie and Auggie arrived later than usual one day, every agent and analyst instantly zeroed in on the small but elegant diamond catching light on Annie's ring finger. Dexter let out a whoop of victory amid the congratulations and we're so happy for you both's that surrounded the couple.

The money had barely cooled from changing hands before someone said, "Okay, baby pool time. Boy or girl?"

Clara rolled her eyes.

Not sure about this one, but I still like it.

Review please!

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