These last few episodes have left me completely, #$%^*&&9 $, would be the only way to put it. I've been meaning to write since after ep. 8 - but just couldn't even wrap my head around where I wanted to go with everything that went down.

But, then I had to write this out after the last episode. :)

And I think with Annie, it all just gets boiled down and it just becomes a very simple 'I need you.' And it's beautiful; it's really sweet. - Christopher Gorham.

Because tonight, the world turned in me –

Because right now, I don't dare to breathe.
Oh, babe, I know, it's alive and somewhere for us to find tonight,

Chase this light with me.❤

"And sometimes, the moments that make the most sense...happen when everything else doesn't."

He needs her back home.

He needs her home, with him, able to hear all the things that he's wanted to say to her since she's woken up from the hospital.

He's not even sure what half those things really are or how he'd even begin to vocalize any of it – everything she means to him – (She means everything) –

But he sure as hell needs her back and alive to be given the chance to find out.

He just really needs her.

His best friend; one of the few pillars of light he has left.

"I'll see you soon..."

He was fighting to breathe after that click on the other line.

The steady sound of the dial-tone and all of a sudden, he's back in her hospital room.

Listening to the unforgiving beep of her heart stopping.

And he can't blame her for going to Russia, really he can't.

Because he's been there. Her need for justice...for vengeance–

He remembers that day a year ago in Istanbul, an eerily similar phone call with him on the receiving end.

"Whatever you're about to do–– don't."

"Please, Auggie, I know you're furious. And hurt. But this is what we do – What we work towards everyday."

He'd hung up on her too.

"I'm sorry. It's too late."

It's over 24 hours later, and they hadn't received any word after the news from Arthur.

Though if anyone could escape, it would be her.

It will be her.

He'd been running on red bull and coffee, Joan right there with him, offering all the available resources she could every step of the way.

"What are they going to do?" she'd asked, with a pale smile. "Fire me?"

38 hours and counting until he heard the ring of his phone.

The emergency phone with number he'd created just for her...

His heart leapt –

"I'm looking for the American Taxi Company?"

The breath he'd been holding – truthfully since the second she got on that plane was finally let out. "Taking the get out of jail free card a little literally, aren't we, Walker?"

"You know me," she choked out on a course half laugh. "I can never do anything half way."

"You – have no idea how good it is to hear your voice."

"Pretty sure I do," she whispered back.

He'd looked as exhausted as she felt when she'd walked in, asleep at his chair, head propped up by his hand, three (what was sure to be empty) coffee cups sitting in front of him.

She couldn't stop her eyes from welling up as she quietly met him by his chair, kneeling in front of him slowly, lifting her palm to the side of his face.

"Hey you."

His eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice.

"Annie," he breathed, and the way he said her name, like a prayer; relief, concern, and something else she can't pin down flooding his voice all at once – it made her heart swell.

"Rough few days for you too?" she asked, teasing, her thumb brushing across his cheek, sure the tears threatening to fall had found their way into her voice.

He attempted to crack a smile in return, raising a hand to meet hers. "More like a rough year."

She let out a hum of assent with a silent laugh, clasping her fingers around his and pulling him up with her as she stood.

Sweeping him in a tight hug he quickly returned, she took in the faded smell of his after shave and the warmth radiating off of him as he tightened his grip around her.

She winced slightly at the strong contact and she felt him start to pull away, afraid of hurting her, but she just squeezed him harder.

"No –just – don't let me go yet."

He didn't say anything, just complied, as they stood frozen in the dim lighting of his office, and when she did finally step back slightly, it was to lean her forehead against his.

"Thank you," she said, softly.

For fighting for her when she couldn't fight for herself.

For standing by her even when he didn't agree with all of her choices.

"You have to trust me –"

"Always have."

For being there, without question ––

"Always." He titled his head back. "Annie, you know that."

"I do."

It's the one thing she's sure of, the one part of her life that still makes any sense.

Him.

After everything he's still her ever-fixed spot when she's dizzy, her world spinning out of control ––

Even more, he the only one that knows how to slow it down.

"So," she adjusted his collar, blinking up at him. "Can I interest you in a ride home?"

She really doesn't want to say goodnight just yet.

"Driver's waiting," she added, with a quick tug on his sleeve.

"Well, we can't have Frank waiting, now can we?"

She let out a deep breath, relieved.

This ride, much like their last, was relatively silent.

The scattered rain drops they'd experienced when they first left the building now built into a steady downpour, pelting droplets against the car windows.

They just sat, his hand still squeezing hers desperately–

As if she'd disappear if he let go.

She propped her chin up on his shoulder.

"Auggie–"

He angled his head towards her. "You wanna race raindrops?" he asked, with a small grin. "I'll let you pick one for me, if you promise not to cheat."

Humming a laugh in the back of her throat, she rolled her eyes lightly, before biting her lip on a sigh.

"I'm sorry," she whispered up to his ear.

He squinted at her in confusion and before he has the chance to ask, she pressed on.

"For not coming home when you asked. I just – I couldn't. I couldn't just let it go."

"I get it, Annie. Trust me, I do," he answered, taking his free hand to brush her away her hair from her face. "And you're here now. Okay? And you're safe. That's all that matters."

She just nodded once in response, gives his hand a squeeze.

There's so much more she needed to say – how much she's missed him, even before all this – how sorry she is for how she'd shut him out.

And that his phone call, his words, were part of what kept her fighting to get home.

There are so many overdue conversations they need to have –

But at least now she knows they still can.

Though right now she just needs –

"Have a good night, Mr. Anderson," Frank called back, and she hadn't even registered when the car had parked.

"How many times have we been over this, Frank," he shot back with a smile. "You can call me Auggie."

He turned to her again, slowly. "And you," he started, softly. "Just call me. If you need anything."

He brushed his thumb over her knuckles with a quiet smile and he started to open the door to leave, exposing them to the cool air and steady sound of the rain against the pavement.

She took a short breath.

– to stay with him, she realized.

That's what she needs now.

"Wait –"

And before she can think on it, she grabbed his hand again, pulling him back towards her.

He blinked. "What's wr –"

Lifting her hands around his neck, she closed her eyes, planting a kiss along the side of his face, just under his eye.

"–ong," he finished, his voice warm and low.

She inhaled, moving back a fraction of an inch before her lips are brushing against his cheek, and his hands are automatically steadying her waist in place.

(Always steadying her.)

Her lips found the corner of his mouth in another kiss, and she lingered, relishing the warmth of his breath as he exhaled.

"Annie," he warned, and she knows for the sake of both their sanities she should just let him leave.

(Though, really, when has she ever known when to stop?)

She still doesn't want to say goodnight.

Instead, she moved her lips, just barely from where they were, to meet his and it's light and breathy and she felt like she's in some sort of day dream.

He pulled away slightly, shaking his head, and she pressed her forehead against his, capturing his lips again, and her hands tightened their grip at the base of his neck.

She whispered a desperate please against his lips; he's hesitant and there are million and one reasons why this is quite possibly the worst move she's ever made.

And her heart literally stopped the second he starts to kiss her back.

With one quick movement he pulled her with him out of the car, their lips not parting as they're suddenly water logged, and their clothes clinging to their bodies.

She was freezing, apart from his hands wrapped around her, and his mouth on hers, all rational thoughts being washed away – save one.

He is what she needs.

Confetti rainfall and the quiet street,
The beauty is in what you make it.❤

So, by way of explanation of my going totally AU in their reactions here, now that she doesn't have that anger to fuel her any more (since Lena is gone) all she has to focus on is her loss. Over Jai, over Simon – and besides the latent feelings she has for Auggie, he's the one person that just...Makes everything better.

And Auggie, well, obviously not one to take advantage of her fragile state – is still just coming to terms with almost losing her twice and well, he's a guy. ;)

They could both use a little light after everything...

Pat II soon? If anyone's interested?