A/N – Things got so intense last chapter that I felt we needed to see some of the lighter side of the situation. The last chapter was rock bottom for Auggie and Annie so don't worry things are about to start getting better for them - hang in there! Or feel free to express extreme distress about the way they are right now in reviews :) Either way works hehe.

Scubagurl22 – You asked for Joan's alternatives...I'm not gonna give it all away but here's a teaser ;) hope this chapter makes you smile. Rest assured, Joan has a plan.

Chapter 11

When Jai received Joan's text message he frowned at his phone for quite some time in confusion.

"Annie needs a friend now and for the next few months. She is in Langley, figure out where and ensure she gets home safe. Will explain further in the morning." Usually Joan wouldn't let him within spitting distance of Annie. He could only hope she was finally giving him a chance to prove he was trustworthy.

He found Annie barely coherent on the CIA roof. Also not within the realm of usual occurrences.

"Annie talk to me, are you hurt?" Her eyes slowly focused on him but she didn't respond. He bent down and picked her up, concerned when she didn't even resist as she normally would have. The cryptic message he had received from Joan had told him nothing useful, but the fact that she was asking him to get her home instead of Auggie made it pretty clear that something had gone on between the golden duo of the CIA.

He was genuinely worried about her. Annie was one of the strongest women he knew and for her to be falling apart was not something that happened often. Although he had been told to get close to her as a request from Joan, he had a lot of respect for her as an agent and as a friend,and seeing her so vulnerable was hard for him. He was not someone who normally cared deeply about anyone unless he needed something from them, but Annie was so hard not to like. She was usually so self reliant and strong that he could not help but admire her, and he had decided early on that if he had to choose between her and the agency, his loyalties would lie with her. She was a person well worth having as a friend.

He got her to her feet and kept his arm around her to support her, and directed her to the direction of the car park since she seemed to be almost unaware of what was going on around her. Her hair was a mess, her make-up had run, and her clothes were crumpled from sitting on the concrete floor of the roof. Somehow she still managed to look gorgeous, not that he would ever have a chance in that realm. Her dance card was full enough. He opened his car door for her and made sure she was safely buckled in before making his way to the drivers side.

Danielle opened the door when he got her home, apparently she had also received a call from Joan. Or, "the Smithsonian," saying that Annie had not been feeling well and they had sent her home. The mystery deepened for Jai – it was not at all normal for Joan to get so personally involved in an operative's life. But for now Annie was safe. He could only assume he would get some answers in the morning.

Joan made her way to Arthur's office as soon as she was done speaking with Auggie. She knew Auggie was scared but she was also aware that there was a high possibility that Annie would be more willing to discuss alternative options. She wanted to have some options to present to her when the time came. Her husband had always been her favorite person to scheme with, and this situation called for both of their skills. And his connections. Naturally.

"Arthur." She smiled mischievously at her husband, and he did not fail to catch the gleam in her eye.

"Joan. You're up to something." The smile was contagious, Arthur grinned back at her. Somehow his wife still had the ability to make him feel like a schoolboy. Causing mischief with her was one of his favorite past-times. She replied to him enigmatically.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Depends who's asking." She sat on the edge of his desk and laughed. Her laugh drove him crazy. In all the best ways.

"I want in." He genuinely did not care what she was up to. If it involved his favorite blond CIA operative - a.k.a. his wife - it was going to be fun. She turned her gleaming eyes directly on him and his stomach did happy sommersaults. He would never get sick of seeing that smile.

"What do I get if I let you join my mischief?" Anything his body said. Anything at all. He controlled himself so he didn't sound too desperate for her, turning his own charming grin on her as he replied.

"Looking like that, half my kingdom. No questions asked." She laughed again, then her smile faded slightly.

"I might have to take you up on that. It's about Auggie and Annie."

"You have my full attention."

"Auggie feels that them dating would be too much of a risk for Annie and he's terrified of her getting hurt because of his overt role. He's stubborn, and its going to take some time for him to work through his fears. I understand that. But in the meantime, I want to have a back-up plan ready to kick into action as soon as he gives the word. I'll have Annie doing some translations for him every now and then which will force them to at least stay in each others circle. And I'll advise her that he still needs her friendship. Which is true. I'll take care of a few things on my end. Now here's where you come in..." She leaned down and whispered something into his ear causing his face to light up like Christmas.

"That could very well work. I'll get my people on it right now." Arthur stood and pulled Joan into a quick kiss but the way she was smiling like a small child made her so irresistible he decided to leave the rest of his paperwork for the morning.

"Lets go home." He put his hand on the small of her back and directed her towards the door. The trouble-making smile reached Joan's eyes and she nodded, allowing herself to be guided out of the office.