Disclaimer: … Do I really need to say this? Surprisingly still dow'ning CM and all the other stuff – including Billy Joel.
Author's note: So, this is Annie's retrospect. I realize that Mrs. Terragni from the kindergarten totally is a female version of Rossi. Shame on me :S
Oh – and the conversation between Annie and Charlotte is very much inspired by me and my best friend.
This was an exceptionally nice Monday.
Probably the best Monday in her entire life – but then again, Monday usually was a lousy day.
When he had dropped of his son he had looked art her and smiled. Not just smiled – smiled. Like they had a special secret – which they had.
Annie smiled at everything and everyone around her. Mrs. Terragni looked back at her without hiding her friendly suspicion.
"I take it the date went well?"
Annie smiled in reply.
"And you're going on another date?"
"Yeah – I think so," Annie answered still smiling.
"How do you feel about him?" Annie frowned at her older colleague.
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm not trying to be nosy – I'm more concerned of what you think you're getting into and what you really are getting into. The two things tend to be alike, but aren't necessarily."
"I think you and I need to get a cup of coffee, so you can explain exactly what you're trying to tell me."
They settled in the small staff room each nursing a cup of coffee.
"You remember the thing I said about dating Aaron Hotchner being a project."
"Yes – and I thought about it. I like him for who he is not the horrible wounds he has," Annie said with a purposeful look on her face.
"Are you dating him to save Jack?"
Annie's mouth opened as if to answer but she didn't know how to.
She adored the boy and his incredible strength. She did feel the urge to save him from whatever evil the world held – but was that the reason she got interested in his father?
"I know you have a good relationship with your family although you look a bit down on them – don't deny it, you think they're a bunch of unambitious mechanics and housewives – and you want to have a family of your own. But is this the way to get one?"
"I don't look down on my parents! Or my brother and sister – it's just..." Annie felt hurt and embarrassed that her feelings showed that clearly. "I just don't relate to them. At all! I don't get how anyone would want to stay in Casanova, Virginia for their entire life."
"I'm not accusing you of anything. I'm stating the facts." Mrs. Terragni smiled calmly at Annie who felt her face flush with feelings. "The important thing is your feelings, and you'll have to figure them out if you haven't already?" She looked at Annie inquiringly.
"I guess I..." Annie looked at her empty coffee cup. "I think I should go outside and see if there's anything I can do..."
Annie had locked the door after her and waited impatiently for her sister to answer her phone. Mrs. Terragni's questions had kept bothering her and now she sat on the toilet with locked doors and her cell phone pressed against her ear.
"Answer now you stupid co..."
"Carlington's, Cecile speaking. How can I help you?"
"Yeah, hi, it's Annie, Charlotte's sister. Can I speak with Charlotte – it's an emergency?" Annie hated calling her sister at her work, but she turned her phone off way to often for Annie's liking.
She thought she heard the woman in the receiving end sigh.
"Just a moment." Stupid Camille or whatever. Annie tapped her foot muttering curses under her breath. She always got emotional when she was reminded of her family and now she was questioning her feelings for the amazing and kind man she start...
"Annie?"
"Thank GOD! Charlotte – did I go on a date with Aaron just because I adore Jack?"
"I'll take this one in my office, my aunt's been hospitalized." Annie heard her sister say to someone. "WHAT is going on?" Her sister demanded in a harsh tone a short while later.
"Am I with Aaron to get closer to Jack?" Annie felt her eyes water from frustration. Charlotte sighed.
"I clearly don't know enough about this scene. Who's Aaron, who's Jack, and how will you be able to use Aaron to get closer to Jack?"
"Aaron's the man I was on a date with Saturday..."
"Ooh, right! How did the date go?"
"Oh, it was amazing! He's SUCH a gentleman – he opened doors and pulled out the chair for me. And we kissed when he walked me all the way up to my apartment and said goodbye. It was simply one of the best – no – THE best date I've been on my entire life!"
"I like the sound of that... Now – who's Jack?"
"Aaron's son."
"WHAT? He has a son?"
"Well yes. One of the children from my kindergarten..."
"What about Jack's mother? And are you seriously dating a parent from your workplace?"
"His mother was killed by a serial killer that Aaron was hunting and yes, as a matter..."
"She was murdered?"
"Yes, but that was years ago..."
"That's not something you just get over..."
"They were divorced."
"Oh... wait – what was the question again?"
"Am I using Aaron to get closer to Jack?"
"Are you dating the strong handsome FBI-agent to get a closer relationship to a child?"
"... When you put it like that..."
"You hear how stupid it sounds? Listen Baby Sis. I know you love kids and are totally obsessed with their minds..."
"Am not."
"Are too – but anyway. You can get as close to the boy as you want without dating his dad. How do the boy feel about you?"
"He said I'm his favorite girl-person..."
"So you're already almost his mother."
"I'm not almost his mother! No one can replace his mother – and I sure don't plan on trying to do that. I just think it's sad that he has to be so unhappy."
"He's unhappy?"
"Yeah, sometimes he doesn't play with any of the other kids and just sit on a swing or in the corner reading a book."
"He sounds... incredibly normal. He just sounds a bit introverted? The real important question is how do you feel about his father, the infamous Aaron? Wait – Aaron and Annie? That sounds like something Mom and Dad would approve of!" Annie laughed with her sister.
"He's so nice! And gentlemanly."
"You said that already. How do you feel about him?"
"This is going to sound really corny but I think I might be a bit more than just attracted to him."
"That's not corny. Admitting to being in love with him after one date – now that would be corny."
"Well..." Annie let the word trail of and put a cold hand against her hot cheek.
"Oooooh – that is SO corny!"
"But he's nice, ambitious, a family man and he actually hides an amazing sense of humor! I feel so at ease when I'm with him – and I think I just might have seen fireworks when we kissed."
"Right – you kissed!" Annie could almost picture her sister putting her feet up on her desk. Being the manager of a rather large clothing store had it's benefits. "Tell me about it."
"Alright Billy Joel." Annie smiled at her small joke. "Listen up..."
So... About this story that I'm in – Wild And Untamed Thing – read it. I'm awesome in it, and the story's pretty addicting too.
Oh – and btw. Next Chapter is the last one :O But there will be a small sequel.