Chapter 13: Danielle

A/N: I do not own Covert Affairs.

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Auggie grasped Annie's hand as they waited for the plane to take off. He could feel her nervousness and he tried to be as reassuring as possible. A week ago when they had discussed telling Danielle that Annie was alive he hadn't expected a trip to California to tell her in person, but it was what Annie had insisted on. Auggie fully supported her decision to talk to her, he was just worried about her health, and their baby's.

Annie had told him about her doctor's visit, what he had said about stress reduction and her heart. They had begun the discussion on whether she should consider the pacemaker surgery, but hadn't made it very far in the discussion. Their views differed, greatly. She was against it, atleast until after the baby was born, while Auggie thought that if she did it now it would increase her health and their baby's in the long run. They had tabled the talk for until after she was completely moved in and settled.

The first order of business had been Danielle. Annie couldn't keep letting her believe that she was dead, especially now that she was pregnant. Her therapy was going so well, she was back at Langley where she belonged, her relationship with Auggie couldn't be better at the moment, and she was going to be a mother. Excited, nervous, happy, scared, all these emotions Annie had felt one at a time and all at once in the last week. She placed her free hand over her belly, protectively, and smiled. She was scared to tell Danielle but it had to be done. She missed her sister greatly, and she was going to need her support in the coming months.

All too soon, the plane landed at LAX and they were thrust into the bright afternoon sun that seemed to always be present in California. Well, they don't call it 'sunny California' for no reason... Annie thought. They made their way to the rental car place where they had reserved a nice convertible to play with for their stay. No use in not having a little fun, right? While they drove the two hour trip to her sister's house, she discussed the plan for what felt like the millionth time.

"I'll lead you up to the house then step out of sight, don't want to make her faint. You'll ease her into it, somehow. You're charming, you'll figure it out..." Annie was babbling.

Auggie put his hand on her arm, "Walker, calm down. It's going to be ok. She'll understand. If not today, then eventually."

Annie was quiet for a long time after that. When they were only a few minutes out from the house, she finally spoke again, "Auggie, will she ever forgive me?"

He squeezed her hand, "Yes, Annie, she will. Like I said, probably not today, but she will come to terms with it at some point. You're her sister and she loves you."

She parked the car a few houses down from Danielle's and allowed Auggie to take her arm. Leading him up to that door felt like she was walking the plank on a pirate ship. Concentrating really hard, she kept her breathing normal. She left Auggie at the door with a final squeeze of his hand and went around to the side of the house. Auggie knocked on her door and awaited an answer.

Danielle opened the door and exclaimed in surprise, "Auggie! What on earth... how did you..."

"Hello, Danielle. It's a very long story if you've the time to hear it?"

"Of course! Please, come in..." She stepped aside and allowed him to enter.

"Danielle, would you mind if I took your arm? Don't want to break anything with this," he held up his cane.

"Oh, crap, Auggie, of course. I'm sorry." She awkwardly held her arm out for him to grasp but he still found it. She led him to the couch. As he sat, she noticed he winced in pain and held his chest area.

"Auggie, are you ok?" Danielle asked, concerned.

"Oh, just a broken rib is all."

"Oh dear! How did that happen? Surely work didn't send you out somewhere, did they?"

"Well, actually, they did. In a way, that's what I've come to discuss with you. You see, they sent me there with a partner. Someone you know very well. Someone who wishes to reconnect with you and explain some things." He paused, unsure how to continue. This was harder than he thought it would be. Sighing he continued, "Danielle, there's really not an easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it out right. She's alive. Annie's alive."

Danielle stood. "What kind of sick joke is this, Auggie?" Her voice held an edge of anger he had never heard from her, but it reminded him of Annie.

"Danielle, I swear, I'm serious. She's outside. Open the door."

Danielle was furious. How could Auggie do this to her? Hadn't Annie meant a lot to him as well? Fuming, she flung open the door to prove him wrong and found her sister standing there, very much alive.

"Hi, Danielle." Annie said and waved at her.

Danielle's face went from furious to shock and back to furious. "HOW THE HELL COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?" She screamed at her sister as she pulled her inside and into a hug. Tears started streaming down her face as she held Annie's face in her hands. "Annie, how? Why?"

Annie grasped her sister's hands and told her the entire story, or as much as she could without giving away sensitive information. She told her about Henry Wilcox, the danger he posed to everyone she loved, including Danielle. She told her about her decision to fake her death to find evidence on him and stop him.

"He's dead, Danielle." She did not tell her that she had been the one to kill him. Even if she could have, she wouldn't. Danielle didn't need to know what Annie was capable of. "I couldn't tell you I was alive. I had to protect you and the only way I could do that is if you, and the rest of the world, truly believed I was dead. Only Auggie and my boss knew the truth."

Danielle started pacing her own living room and didn't speak for a long time. Refusing to look at either of them, she seemed to be digesting everything Annie had just told her.

"Danielle, I'm sorry I had to put you through that." Annie finally broke the silence.

She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at Annie. "Sorry? Annie, I went to your funeral! I helped Auggie clean out your apartment! I cried for weeks straight! I still do sometimes. I've flown to D.C. once a month to visit your grave!" Auggie hadn't known that last part or he would have prepared Annie for it. "And you!" She turned towards Auggie, "you KNEW! You knew and didn't tell me! You called me and LIED!"

Auggie stood. "Danielle, I'm sorry as well. I had to. There were people watching my every move and if I hadn't told you, they would have become suspicious. I was protecting us both. And Annie."

"Annie, I love you. I'm so happy you're alive, but right now, I can't look at you. I need you to leave."

Annie nodded. "Ok. We're going to be here for a week." She walked over to the coffee table and laid a piece of paper on it. "That's my number. Call me when you're ready to talk again." She reached out and tapped Auggie's hand, offering her lead. He grasped her arm. As she reached the door she turned back to her sister. "I love you, Danielle. I hope you can forgive me." They stepped out onto her porch, Annie wrapped her arms around Auggie and started crying.

Three days passed before Danielle finally called. Annie almost jumped when the phone rang. She picked up, nervously. "Hello?"

"Annie?"

"Yeah, it's me, Danielle."

"Ok, look, I don't understand completely what you did or why. But I do know that I love you. You're my sister and I'm so happy to have you back. Can we go out for coffee and talk? Just the two of us?"

"Of course. Just tell me when and where."

"Now? There's this place downtown, Coffee Junkies..." her voiced trailed off.

"Yeah, yeah. I can be there in about a half hour, is that ok?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. See you soon." Annie hung up the phone and sighed with relief. She was making real progress with her life. Now she had to break some more news to Danielle, but hopefully this news she would be excited about.

As Annie walked into the coffee shop, she searched for her sister. She spotted her way in the back, coffee already in hand, with an extra cup on the table. Annie smiled. Her sister was always talking care of her.

"Hi Danielle."

"Annie." Danielle stood and pulled her into a long embrace. Annie felt her shoulders start to tremble. As she pulled away, she noticed the tears on her sister's face. Annie sat across from her and clasped her hands in her own.

"Danielle, are you... ok?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just still kinda trying to get over the shock. But I am so happy, really. I want to get to know you again. I want to know everything. Are you and Auggie?"

Annie smiled. "Yeah, we are. I'm moving in with him actually. And well... there's something else, too."

"Oh? what?" Danielle's face became curious and scared all at once.

"Danielle... I'm going to... have a baby." Annie beamed at her news.

"You're... you're what!?" Danielle's eyes were big as saucers.

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh, Annie! That's... that's wonderful!"

"Yeah, I know. I'm so happy and scared all at once. Auggie's been great, though. He's so supportive."

"Oh, Annie. You're going to be a great mom. And... and I get to be the aunt!" She practically giggled.

They spent the next two hours talking about everything from baby names to Danielle's kids. Finally Danielle had to leave. She embraced Annie again. "I'm so glad for you, Annie. You deserve some happiness. I want to spend time with you every day until you have to back to D.C.. And you let me know about your due date because I am NOT missing that!"

Annie nodded and hugged her sister tightly. "I love you. Thank you... for forgiving me."

"Always, Annie. Just don't go and 'die' on me, again. Ok?"

"I won't. I promise." They parted ways, happy with the reunion.