Annie didn't touch any of the complimentary booze in the mini fridge. Tom on the other hand hit it like it was going out of fashion and fell into his single bed by 10pm, snoring like a hibernating bear. She was fairly sure Ben hadn't touched any either, just like she was sure that the deep breathing coming from the couch (which he had insisted on taking) didn't mean he was asleep. Every shift of bed springs, every sigh and snore made her tense... She didn't want the confrontation she knew was coming.

The morning proceeded as smoothly as it could. Tom took so long in the shower that Annie wondered if he was just trying to avoid them. Indeed he stood under the hot spray, his ears straining, desperate not to come out should he hear anything... untoward. Eventually though he could put it off no longer.

While he was gone, Annie studiously didn't look at Ben. It wasn't that she was angry, though she got the distinct impression that was what he thought. She studied the detailed lace on the edge of the table cloth, fiddles with her handbag, and finally settled on staring blankly at her phone both wishing it would ring and dreading it. It buzzed, right as Tom was coming out of the bathroom, fully dressed but still with damp hair. She startled so badly she almost dropped it.

"Hey you." She heard down the line. "Sleep well?"

"I've had better nights. You?" She forced her voice to sound lighter than she felt, and ignored Ben, who was watching her from across the room.

"Strangely there seems to be far too much room in my bed now. I think I'm shrinking."

"You'll always be larger than life to me." She said, smiling.

"That was the punchline I was hoping for!" He laughed. "You coming home today?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, can you get me on a flight this afternoon? I wanna be home in time for beer and pizza."

"Consider it done." There was a pause, and Annie found herself staring blankly into the distance as though she might be able to see his face there. Seconds ticked by, and in that time it became obvious to Annie that he knew... more seconds, he knew she knew... "Annie?"

"Yeah...?"

"I love you..."

Annie let out the breath she hadn't realised she was holding. "I don't know if this counts as office PDA, but I love you too Auggie..."

"Extenuating circumstances, Joan'll turn a blind ear if she's listening. Come home safe, OK?"

"Have pizza and beer waiting for me, and you've got a deal."

As she hung up, Annie couldn't decide how to feel about that conversation. When she looked up, Ben was regarding her speculatively and Tom looked like he wished he'd stayed in the shower another twenty minutes.

"New boyfriend." Ben said.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, really new, like about a week..."

"And it's love already? You're a fast mover." There was an edge of hurt behind his eyes as he said it. Even as it came out he knew it was bitchy and biting, but he couldn't seem to stop himself.

"We've known each other for a long time... it just took a while for us both to man up." She looked down at her phone again and smiled slightly. "He's ah... he's a little different, but it turns out different is good."

"Different." Ben said non-committally. "And new. New as in... not serious yet?" He closed the distance between them, but long before Annie would be forced to say anything Tom coughed uncomfortably to remind them he was still there.

"We ah... we should really get moving. You know, get back to D.C this afternoon." He stammered.

"Ya, OK. I'll do a digital check out on the road. Lets go." Ben moved to wait by the door while Annie gathered up her hand bag and jacket. She walked out past him without looking up.

Tom scuttled out after her, avoiding Ben's gaze as he was sure the older operative was shooting him a less than friendly stare. They made their way back down to the lobby, where Ben pressed a piece of paper into Annie's hand, met her eyes for a long moment, then turned on his heel and walked away. Tom looked at her questioningly and Annie opened the note;

Metro bus station, locker 339

Key is taped under the rim of the third pot plant

Lobby of the Hilton Standard.

I miss you Annie... and I'm sorry

"Lets go." Annie tore the paper into four smaller pieces and dropped them into the bubbling fountain just outside the lobby where the turbulent water rushing over decorative stones, pulversied the message in moments.

"Where are we going?"

"Hilton standard." Annie said.

"The package is there?" Tom asked in surprise.

"No, the key to the package is there."

"And the package is somewhere else? Isn't that a little convoluted?"

Annie shrugged. "Depends on what's in the package."

"Well... what's in the package?"

Annie laughed softly as she hailed a cab. "I have no idea. Could be as simple as someone's work roster, or as complicated as nuclear launch codes. A friend once told me we're all cogs in a machine. If we knew what was in the package, we might behave differently, which is why they don't tell us. Always assume you've got the launch codes Tom... that way, if you're wrong, you did your best for blank paper... if you're wrong the other way, it could be world war three."

"Really?" Tom almost gasped.

"OK, that might be being a little dramatic." She laughed and elbowed him gently. "Hey... this, what we're doing now, this is most of the job. Not getting shot at, not hanging from building by our fingertips. Just this. You're doing fine."

"Why am I here, Annie?" Tom asked as they slid into the cab.

Annie looked at him carefully. "Honestly? I think maybe you're here to make a point."

"What point is that?"

"Well... I'm sure you know about me and Ben." Tom nodded slowly. "I think... I think Joan sent you with me, to let Ben know whose team she was on."

"I don't understand..."

"If I'd come alone, Ben would assume Joan approved of... of him and me. But she didn't send me alone, she sent me with you... I think she did it to let Ben know she doesn't think we're a good match."

Tom watched her for a few moments. "What do you think?"

"I think... I loved Ben like a teenager. Without thought. But those relationships don't last once you grow up."