A/N: Soooo… I was going to post this last night, but I figured I'd wait, in honor of today's episode that I am oh-so-stoked for! :)

Also, if the parts about Bill, Baptiste, and Niko don't really make sense… don't worry. I'm in the midst of editing those first few chapters to correspond with the new direction Dreamer is headed in. In about a week or so, you might want to go re-read the parts with Perrot in it, just so you understand what's going on. :)

Soooo. This one's short. But I think the content makes up for it, and after this, we're caught up with all the editing! So all I have left is to write the rest. :)

Disclaimer: Covert Affairs isn't mine. :)

Chapter 7

Bill tore off another bite of his sub while his eyes remained pealed on the two walking across the parking lot. She looked so happy, so carefree, so smug. The man at her side walked rigidly next to her, but Bill could hear what they were saying. They were talking about AP English projects and weekend plans and last week's snowstorm, of all things. Everything but what the man was supposed to be talking to the girl about.

He cursed loudly and hit the dashboard with his fist.

It was time to have a talk with his man.

Annie ambled into the library at 4:46, coming to a stop at one of the shelves of books. She propped her shoulder against the shelf and watched him. Auggie was working with a student, explaining something about a Shakespearean play. Auggie was being so patient. The boy was staring at Auggie in awe, like he was a god for understanding Shakespeare in the first place, not to mention being able to help him understand Shakespeare, all while being blind! When the young boy packed up his backpack and left, Annie sauntered over to him. "Hey, soldier boy," she teased.

He turned in her direction. "Annie," he said brightly.

She smiled at his enthusiasm. She reached out and squeezed his arm affectionately. "Hey, baby." She studied him. He looked so serene, so happy, so content to be a librarian. As if… this was actually his life, and he loved it completely. "Are you ready to go?"

Before Auggie could reply, a gentle chanting began around the room, beginning with two figures standing at the steps leading into the library, and catching on around the room. "Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!"

Auggie's eyes flew to her in surprise, and Annie watched the room. Her eyes settled on Vivian and Tess, the two figures standing on the steps. Vivian was smirking, and Annie's eyes pled for answers. Why was she doing this?

"You guys are, like, the cutest couple ever! MCA needs to see it," she called with a grin.

Annie tore her gaze from Vivian back to her best friend. "Auggie, we don't have to… It wouldn't be profe—"

He reached out and caressed her cheek gently. "Shhh. Trust me," he whispered.

He looked so sincere, so committed to her, like he would never let anything happen to her, never hurt her. His lips touched her in a gentle kiss then, and his hand slid into her soft blond tresses. She resisted at first, the pain in her heart almost too much to bear, but her resistance slipped away at the gentle way he was treating her. She melted against his touch, wrapping her arms around his neck, tugging him closer. After everything her heart had been through in the last week, under false pretenses though it was, she couldn't imagine anything better than being in Auggie's arms. And ohhh, he was such a good kisser.

The brief kiss in the park by their apartment was nothing compared to this.

After a moment longer, he pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers, and he caught her hands up in his own, caressing their backs gently. "See?" he whispered a bit breathlessly. "I promised I'd take care of you."

He leaned in for another brief kiss, capturing her lips for only a moment, and when he pulled away, she was left longing for more. How was it possible that real Auggie was a million times better than dream Auggie?

Tucking her against his side, she hid her face in his shoulder subconsciously and he turned in the general direction of where Vivian's voice had come. "Annie's kinda gun-shy when it comes to kissing in public," he explained with a teasing smile. "She's French, you know."

The room erupted into good natured laughter, and the small audience disbanded. Auggie turned his attention to Annie. He offered her a gentle smile and gripped her upper arm, caressing it gently with his thumb. "You okay? I—I know you haven't done this type of undercover work before…"

She smiled brightly, trying to push away the fact that her heart was still in her throat. "Y-yeah," she said. "Fine. Are you ready to go? It's almost five o'clock."

Auggie nodded, packing up his laptop, and Annie waited while he finished closing down the library. As Auggie flipped off the lights and locked the doors behind them, Annie slipped into Auggie's arms, sliding her arm around his waist, and his arm wrapped around her protectively. "So how was day four of being a French teacher, Madame Anderson?"

She laughed against his side. "It was good. Aside from Viv demanding I kiss my best friend, it was good."

Auggie laughed. "That bad, huh?"

She rolled her eyes and punched his chest playfully. "Auggie… you know what I meant."

He laughed and pressed a gentle kiss against her temple. "Well, now it's sealed, huh? August and Anna-yeast Anderson are hopelessly in love."

Annie giggled. "Ah-Nah-EES, Aug. Anaïs. Maybe you should just stick to Annie."

He grinned in her direction. "You're the one who insisted that I learn your real name by the end of, well…" He heard someone pass, and he finished with "You know."

Annie rolled her eyes. "Maybe you shouldn't, if you're just gonna butcher it."

Auggie was about to respond, but he heard quiet sniffles coming from the area of the foyer just to their left. "Annie—is someone crying?" he whispered.

Annie, sensing the focus in his voice, glanced around, her gaze settling on Aurelie Perrot, trying to hide from view.

Annie rushed to her side, tugging Auggie with her. "Aurelie?" she said softly. "Aurelie? Sweetie? What's the matter?"

Aurelie turned to look up at Annie and Auggie. Tears stained her cheeks, and she wiped her hand across her cheeks self-consciously. "I—uh, um…" Her face crumpled as the tears came again. She held up her phone, showing them the text message she'd received from her father.

Je travaille en retard. Pouvez-vous trouver un tour?

Annie's face fell apologetically, and Auggie reached out to Annie, snagging her hand. "Babe—" he said, pleading an explanation.

She glanced over at Auggie. "Aurelie's dad was supposed to pick her up, and he canceled." She turned to the girl. "Does your dad do this a lot?"

Aurelie dried her eyes. "Um… sometimes. Yeah." She paused, packing her backpack. "He—he is always busy with work. I usually ride the bus. But he promised to pick me up today, to take me to the bookstore to pick up a few books for Honors English."

By the pained look in Aurelie's eyes, Annie knew it was as important to her as hunting for a prom dress for other teenage girls. "Do you still need a ride home, sweetie?"

Aurelie nodded, feeling around in her backpack. Fresh tears appeared in her eyes, and she sank back against the chair.

"What now?" Annie asked gently, reaching out and gripping her knee gently.

Aurelie buried her face in her hands. "I left my keys at home. On the kitchen table."

Annie reached out to Aurelie, pulling her into a hug. "Hey, hey," she soothed quietly, rubbing the girl's back. "C'mon." She glanced over at Auggie. "You can come over to our apartment until your dad's done with his work. He can pick you up. We'll even give him directions."

Aurelie glanced between the two of them. "I—I don't know… my dad's kinda…" She drifted off, not wanting to fill in the blank. It wasn't fair that two of the best teachers of the school would have to see Baptiste Perrot on a bad night. "He's really picky…" she finished lamely.

Annie squeezed her shoulder gently. "Where are you going to go, Aurelie? The school is going to close down for the night—most of the faculty is already gone. I can't leave you on your front step, waiting for your dad to come. Do you know when he'll be home?"

Aurelie shook her head. "N-no."

Annie nodded to her reassuringly. "Call him. Tell him where you'll be. He can pick you up whenever he's done."

She nodded, walking a few steps away as she dialed her father's number. A few moments later, she nodded her assent, and they made their way to Annie's car.

Annie glanced over at Auggie and Aurelie, sprawled out on the living room floor, Auggie's chess set placed between them. The set had been purposely designed for the blind, with the darker squares raised up and flat-topped white chess pieces and pointed black chess pieces.

They had been passionately involved in the game for nearly an hour now, and, for a beginner, Annie had to admit that Aurelie was really good at the game. That, and Auggie was a great teacher. She had watched him help her through her physics, history, and algebra homework with ease, and she realized, for the first time, why Auggie had been assigned as a librarian for his cover. She had never known someone so smart, so good with teenagers, and so good at finding information when it counted. After Aurelie had finished her homework, Auggie had challenged her to a game of chess. With a gleam in her eye that had surprised them both, she had agreed, promising to win.

Annie had smiled at the transformation in the girl—she had gone from demure, withdrawn, and self-conscious to happy, smart, and confident. She had no doubt it had everything to do with Auggie. From what Annie had read about Baptiste Perrot, she had no doubt it was hard being his daughter, and she was glad that they could alleviate some of that stress.

Turning off the burner, she grabbed Aurelie's and Auggie's plates, bringing them over. Aurelie murmured her thanks when she received the plate, a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of pea soup resting on top. Annie set Auggie's plate next to the chess set on the floor. "You're plate's at your two o'clock," she whispered in his ear, curling up next to him.

Auggie wrapped his arm around her protectively, claiming her lips in a quick kiss, and Annie couldn't help smiling. Kissing Auggie was her new favorite thing. If only it could be for real.

Pushing the thought from her mind, she studied the chess set. "Who's winning?"

"I am," they both proclaimed at once, and Annie laughed.

Leaning up, she kissed Auggie's cheek sweetly. "I'm going to grab my plate," she said softly, stepping out of Auggie's embrace. A few moments later, she returned, and Auggie tugged her close again, as if he wanted her to be in his arms.

Happily, she watched the game continue as she munched on her sandwich. After the game ended at around 8:30, they agreed to let Aurelie watch Amelie. By eleven o'clock, the movie had finished, and Annie and Auggie were almost ready for bed. Hesitantly, Annie turned to their guest. "Aurelie? Do you think—"

Before she could finish her question, there was a knock on their door. "I'll get it," Annie offered. She glanced in the peephole before pulling the door open. Baptiste Perrot. "Hello?" she asked, pulling the door open a few inches. "Can I help you?"

He was wringing the cap in his hands, and he looked humble—nothing at all what Annie had expected. "Yes… I am—I am looking for my daughter? Aurelie Perrot?"

Annie smiled, swinging the door wide open. "She's here. We were just about to find some her some pajamas! We didn't know if you were going to make it tonight."

Annie noticed and catalogued the fact that Aurelie withdrew into herself a little at the sight of her father. Did the man treat her right? "I, ah—my business plans went longer than were originally expected," he explained, his French accent heavy. "I apologize…"

Annie smiled accommodatingly. "It's fine. She's a wonderful girl. You must be proud."

"I am," he said, his gaze darting to his daughter. "Aurelie? Are you ready to go?"

She nodded, glancing around to make sure she had everything in her backpack. She glanced from Auggie to Annie. "Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson! You were so kind to open your home to me."

Though Annie could tell Aurelie's thanks was genuine, she could also tell that Aurelie was hiding something—almost as if the manners were a show for her father. She smiled reassuringly, despite her concerns for the girl. "No problem, Aurelie. It was a pleasure having you."

With a wave, the Perrots were gone.

Annie's eyes locked with Auggie's for a moment. "That was weird," she muttered, walking to the sink and filling it with soapy water to begin washing their dishes.

A/N: Review, please!