When It All Comes Crashing Down

Author Note: Wow. Thanks for the reviews and the alerts. Glad to see I'm getting this somewhat right. So Joan's going set us up for the rest of the action to come and we should be good. As usual, not making any money or own anyone...although I would love to know where one can buy their own Auggie. :)

Ch 3.

Despite the pouring rain and late hour, Joan Campbell was both a picture of perfection and terror as she stood at Annie Walker's door. Annie walked over to open the door and allow Joan entry into one of the few places she never thought to have invaded by her boss.

"Joan... you're here... in my guesthouse, " was all Annie muttered as she walked back toward Auggie. Half to support herself, and half to keep Auggie between her and Joan. Like Auggie said, one can never be too careful.

"Technically, Annie, this is your sister's guesthouse, you being the guest," Joan pointed out and she shook off the umbrella she had been carrying.

Auggie spoke up, trying to lighten the mood, "Gee Joan, awful lot of house calls you're making tonight."

Joan didn't respond she simply stood in place, hands on her hip, surveying what she considered to be her two best employees. Joan knew as soon as she had left Auggie's where he would go.

The extended silence in the room was deafening. Finally Auggie spoke up again.

"Look Joan, Annie didn't know anything, don't take this out on her. I swear, i just told her tonight. Please."

Joan's raised eyebrow told Annie she didn't believe a word of it. So Annie was a little surprised by Joan's next words.

"Of course not Auggie, because if she did, she would have reported it to me. I'm not here to yell at Annie, or you for that matter. But I meant what I said Auggie, once Arthur finds out, I can't help you."

"Wait," Annie paused, "Once Arthur finds out? You haven't told him."

"He's without communication for the moment, so I won't talk to him until Monday."

What Joan left out was the reason her husband was out of contact with both herself and the agency. He left on a weekend golf trip after a late dinner on Friday. While he was in the shower his phone had gone off, multiple times from the same number. Though she wouldn't admit it, her jealous side got the better of her. She checked the voicemails left. Imagine her surprise when Liza Hearn's voice came through the phone, leaving a detailed message of the identity of the CIA leak.

Joan knew better. She knew that sound in the other woman's voice. The sound of betral, of bitterness. It was the sound of a woman who had just had her heart trampled on. Which is why she didn't believe a word the reporter said.

When she went to Auggie's apartment earlier, she was pissed. That she couldn't deny. She was angry he had put himself in such a dangerous position with out any back up. There were things out there far more dangerous then a gun. And a heartbroken woman was one of them.

After checking the voicemails, and erasing them, Arthur's phone had a little accident involving a broken bottle of cologne. Joan apologized for making such a mess, she was just helping him pack after all. Being left with two choices, go to the agency and get a new encrypted phone but miss his flight, or a relaxing weekend with the boys, he decided to go ahead and enjoy his weekend. After all, he was going with the three Brutus's themselves. Anyone that needed to reach him could do it through them. Joan promised to call in an order for a new phone to be on his desk on Monday morning when he walked in.

Joan looked at both her agents who were still standing in place staring at her. Well Annie staring like she had just seen a ghost and Auggie facing a little above her left shoulder. Apparently neither of them understanding she was throwing a life line here.

"Whether you are or aren't the leak Auggie, Liza Hearn is ready to throw you under the proverbial bus here. And the person who truly is guilty is going to get away. Think about that this weekend. Enjoy your night." And with that Joan Campbell left, hoping those two were as smart and talented as she believed them both to be.

"Ok," Auggie said as he heard the door shut, "That was cryptic, even for the CIA." Auggie waited but heard no reply from his cohort and best friend. "Annie?"

"She's giving us a shot here." Annie replied.

"Huh? Annie, sweetie, if there is some sort of visual to go along with this, you are going to have to help the blind guy out."

"She left something on the counter. It's a copy of Liza Hearn's credit card bill." Annie was reading the few pages that Joan had discreetly dropped on Annie's counter top before heading out. At first Annie had thought it was legal paperwork for Auggie, that she was recommending a good lawyer. But then, the way she had said the part about the guilty party getting away...

"She's giving us a window to find out who the leak really is. And a way to do it."

Auggie still looked confused, "Ok , I appreciate her not telling Arthur gives me a few more days to enjoy life without an orange jump suit. But the credit card bill is going to help us how?"

"Honestly Auggie... you were a field agent right?"

"Damn good one. But I'm still missing something here."

"Well Mr Ladies's Man, let me give you an a little insight into what a woman does when a guy like you breaks her heart."

Auggie crossed his arms. This was unknown territory for him, trusting Annie was his only option here, "And that would be?"

"Make herself feel worth while again. Shopping trips, a night out on the town, but mostly, a make over."

"A make over? Seriously?"

"Really, nothing makes a girl feel like a million bucks after a new hair cut and some major pampering. And a woman like Liza prides herself on her appearance, so she is going to go to a nice place, somewhere where they make a day of it."

"Ok," Auggie said as it was coming together, "And how does that help me with my problem?"

"Because Liza Hearn and I are going to spend some quality time together at the spa. And you're paying."