Ah, can't believe it's been this long since I posted anything for these two - but with the new season starting soon, wanted to dive in again with this short piece.:)

She let out a sigh when she got out of the elevator before her lips instantly curled upwards at the sight of him –– completely engrossed in work –– at his desk.

"Working hard, or hardly working?" she teased, her back against the side of the door frame to his office.

There was no missing his smirk before he angled his head towards her. "Annie," he fake chastised in his 'handler' tone, "I thought the car was taking you straight home from the airport."

She hummed and took a step away, starting to approach his desk. "Made a detour."

He offered a half laugh and nod. "I gathered."

Annie continued to make her way over to him before she propped herself up slightly at the edge of his desk, facing him. "You are very astute."

He grinned. "So, what was it? Wanted a head start on all the paper work, did you, Worker Bee?"

"Me?" It was her turn to laugh, and tilted her head at him. "Says the guy that's still here as it's pushing one a.m."

"Less I have to do Monday," he explained, with a soft shrug. "Seriously though, Walker. I'm not the one that spent the last eight hours on a flight. You must be exhausted."

She couldn't help but smile at the concern in his voice and she knows there's no point in arguing with him.

She is, without a doubt, exhausted.

The stress of the mission –– and as he'd mentioned the long flight –– had left her pretty drained.

But coming here, that all suddenly went away––

Which it always did the moment she saw him after a mission.

With all the chaos and unpredictability of their work, any stable, comfortable pattern was nearly impossible to come by.

So, returning after her missions to a 'good job, Walker,' and her best friend's warm smile was a tradition that was well worth withstanding a little fatigue.

"Mmhm," she conceded. Straightening up she pat his shoulder and gestured her head in the direction of the door. "So how about we cut out of here?" she whispered over him.

He gave a tired smile as he stood."Thought you'd never ask."

She simply rolled her eyes as an answer while linking her arm through his.

After she'd checked in when she landed – she had let the driver know that there might be two extra stops.

She had a feeling Auggie would still be at the building, for the same reason he knew that she wouldn't go straight home ––

Routine.

They stepped into the elevator in a comfortable silence and she blinked up at him with a smile.

Apparently sensing her eyes on his (like he always could) he faced her as the doors closed in front of them.

"Hey, Annie –"

"Yeah?"

He grinned. "Welcome back."

She gave his arm a squeeze, her smile widening.

"Thanks, Auggie."

And now she was home.

Thoughts, mi amors?