a/n: It's not yet autumn, but the idea came to me so I just had to write it up! Besides, it's adorable! I hope you all enjoy it..please review!

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Covert Affairs. Sorry, guys.

Autumn Leaves

The autumn leaves rustled together as a cool fall breeze blew through them. Winding through the branches the wind danced with the leaves, pulling and pushing each one before moving on to the next. As it left the tree it caught one final leaf, which it wrapped around and plucked free of its branch before dropping it from the sky. The lone burgundy-colored leaf fluttered down through the air to land softly on the hem of a bright pink coat. It was quickly scooped up by pale hands to be examined closely by bright blue eyes filled with wonder.

Turning the red leaf over in her hands, the pink coated girl looked up at the trees above them and asked, "What makes leaves change color?"

"Fall," her companion said simply, tucking his hands further into his jacket pockets and resting his head against the trunk of the tree he and the little girl were sitting under.

"I know that, Daddy," the young girl said, smiling and giving the blind man a playful shove, "I mean what makes it happen? What in the leaf decides that it doesn't want to be green anymore? Green is a pretty color, after all. And why does it turn brown or yellow or…," the girl held up her leaf, "…red?"

"I don't know, Catie," Auggie said, shrugging one shoulder as he thought back to his high school biology classes years and years ago. He distinctly remembers learning about this subject in his junior year of high school. But, of course, the facts have faded over time. Besides, does anyone really remember all the useless information they learned in high school bio classes? Auggie certainly doesn't. He was too busy studying for his technology class...and flirting with the hot senior girl in the second row. He clearly wasn't paying attention to that particular lecture, "Well, I'm almost positive it involves a lack of sunlight and a slower production of chlorophyll during the autumn and winter months. I don't remember, Catie. It's a very scientific process, you know. And I'm not sure of all the details. Maybe you should ask someone else. Maybe your mom or your aunt or your teacher."

"But Mommy and Auntie Dani and Miss Gresham aren't here," Catie giggled, "Duh, Daddy."

"Well, then you should ask them when you see them," Auggie sighed, smiling slightly at his daughter.

"Are you sure you don't know how it works, Daddy?" Catie asked curiously as her father accurately grabbed for the red leaf she had held in front of his face. The blonde haired girl quickly pulled it away moments before he grabbed it from her tiny hands.

"Yes, I'm sure," Auggie said, wrinkling his nose at Catie, "Biology was never my strong point in high school. I prefered computers."

And that senior girl in the second row...but that clearly didn't work out, He added silently with the ghost of a smile on his lips.

She stuck her tongue out at him, and then snuggled up against his side. Auggie smiled, draping an arm around her tiny shoulders.

"Then you should make something up."

"Why?"

"Because I want you to."

Auggie made a sound somewhere between a moan and a whine.

"It doesn't have to be real or anything," Catie said, "Just something to explain why my leaf is red. I know!" she shouted suddenly, sitting up quickly with pent-up excitement, "Make it a story, Daddy! Like those ones you tell me before bed!"

"A…story?" Auggie asked, eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

"Yes," Catie nodded.

Auggie raised an eyebrow at his young daughter. Catie gave him a pleading look even thought she knew full well he couldn't see it. He wrinkled his nose at her, but when her pout didn't let up, he sighed. He knew when he was beaten.

"Okay, fine," he huffed, earning an excited 'yay!' from Catie who snuggled up closer, "So, uh, once upon a time..."

"Daddy," Catie whined, "Those are saved for bedtime stories. Not for daytime stories! Can't you be a little more original?"

"Nope," Auggie answered smugly, "So, like I was saying, once upon a time there were leaves. That were, uh, green. But they wanted to be other colors."

"So how did they do that?" Catie asked when her father paused. The brunette man raised a finger to his chin in thought.

"Umm, with paint."

"Paint?" Catie repeated, eyes growing wide with wonder and excitement. Auggie nodded wisely.

"Yes, kiddo," He smiled, "Paint, of course."

"How?"

"Buy being painted," Auggie answered, "You know, with paint brushes and stuff."

"But who painted them?" Catie asked curiously.

"Who do you think painted them?" Auggie asked. Catie hummed in thought then rested her head against her father's broad shoulder.

"Elves," she answered him, grinning wide, "Cute little tree elves, of course."

"Okay then," Auggie chuckled, hugging his daughter a little closer, "So one day the leaves decided they wanted to be other colors besides green. So the cute little tree elves came with their paint and painted them yellow and red and brown."

"If it's tree elves then how come you never see them?" Catie questioned. Auggie was about to remind her that this was just supposed to be a made up story when he noticed the intelligent yet mischievous glint in her voice.

"You never see them because…because they come out at night, of course," he explained, turning in her direction and grinning at her, "Tree elves are very shy, you know."

Catie nodded intently, grasping onto his every word.

"Do the cute little tree elves make them fall out of the tree?" she asked.

"No, that was the leaves idea," Auggie said. He found he kind of liked the challenge of trying to come up with this stuff on the fly. When it was a bedtime story, at least he had a few moments to figure out his story before he walked into her room to wish her goodnight. This was much different, "It's because…because the leaves wanted to show their colors off to everyone else. And so, once they're painted and the paint dries, they leap from the tree. That way everyone down here gets to see them."

"Like my leaf," Catie said happily, looking down at the bright red leaf in her small hands. Auggie nodded.

"So, now you know why leaves change color," he said, "And fall from trees." Catie nodded this time.

"Thanks, Daddy," she said, looking at her leaf for a moment and then turning blue eyes up at her. He smiled in her direction, and hugged her tighter.

"Any time, Kiddo."

a/n: Cute, eh? Now, I know I ramble a lot, but I would really really appreciate a review. Please! Come on, I know you want too ;)