Sorry for the incredibly long wait on this one. I promise you, I could have posted something earlier, but it wouldn't have been good. I do expect slow updates on this story, but I am not giving up!
Auggie was up early and into the office before most people that he knew were awake. He wanted to address the fallout as it occurred, and the story on his personal life was released that morning.
Annie arrived at Auggie's office before anybody else was in the OCA. She knocked on his door, and when there was no answer, she walked on in. Auggie was at his desk with a look of deep concentration and his headphones on. "Hey!"
Auggie looked up. "Hey."
"I hate to break it to you, but that article didn't have nearly enough detail to know if you rival James Bond." Annie teased.
"It had enough for me to be glad I'll never need to make eye contact with my mother." Auggie replied. He was more subdued than normal.
"Does she think you live like a monk?"
Auggie shrugged.
"Since when did you worry so much about what people think?" Annie asked, tenderly.
"Since I took this job, went overt, and became one of the three public faces of the CIA. I have to worry about what people think." Auggie explained. "And before, I could control what my mother heard. I'm not ashamed of my actions. I'm angry that she's going to learn about them on CNN."
"You didn't tell her about this already?"
"No, and even if I do tell her before she finds out, that's only this time. What about the next story? What about when something I am ashamed of is leaked? I never planned to be a public figure."
It hurt Annie to see the man who taught her to be so confident doubting himself so much. "August Anderson, I think you have control issues."
Auggie huffed in response. "So?"
"I'm not a shrink, but I think the only way for you to survive right now is to accept that a lot of things are out of your control."
Auggie took a deep breath. "I've been told that before." He said, quietly, with an almost accusatory tone.
Annie realized that he was talking about after his accident. "And you accepted it. You control what you can, and you never apologize for what you can't. That's the Auggie that I know."
"That person didn't have to answer to Congress, or the press."
Annie stood and raised her voice. "That man is still sitting here in front of me, and I know that he can handle all of this. You know damn well how to control a conversation. You know that in the end, Congress, and the American public, doesn't give a hoot who you are sleeping with. Call your mother, then go and control this conversation like the spy that you are."
Annie and Auggie were making almost perfect eye contact as she finished her rant. To her surprise he turned up one side of his mouth with half a grin. "Feisty today," He said, raising his eyebrows. "I like it."
It was Annie's turn to huff. "Own it. But turning around and hitting on a coworker probably isn't the best choice."
"Is hitting a coworker okay?" Auggie replied. "Because I think I'll need to go to the gym before the day is over."
"I should be free all day. Give me a call. Even if you just need me to come with another pep talk."
"You are getting good at those." Auggie stated.
"I've had to. Reva isn't going to replace you in that regard, so I've had to give myself the pep talks. They make more sense when there are two people involved."
"I'm glad you are getting by without me down there."
"Getting by, but missing you horribly."
"Gym. Today. I'll let you know when."
"I'll see you there." Annie replied before leaving him.
Auggie took a deep breath and pulled his headphones back up. Nothing Annie said was revolutionary, but he needed the kick in the pants. He smiled with pride that Annie had turned into that person for him.
Auggie had worked out a game plan for the day with his staff, and at 10:00 he had a press conference scheduled to declassify a mission that would hopefully distract their attention from his love life. It was a bullshit declassification, nothing really important in the grand scheme of spycraft, but since it involved a Prince Harry lookalike it was deemed as a good media distraction story. The CIA loved their use of a few key operatives that looked like Prince Harry to attract the attention of sinister characters. British authorities weren't so fond of the idea, mostly because they used it themselves.
He had finished his pre-written spiel and opened it up to questions. Audrey had told him who to select, and in what order, to control the conversation. All was going well until he got to Liza Hearn.
"I believe I hear Miss Hearn with a question." Auggie said. He had requested a rather chaotic press room where the reporters were to shout their names to be selected. So far, it worked.
"Agent Anderson, while this is definitely an entertaining story, I'm interested in the information you gave us last week regarding the construction of a girls' school. Were you aware that the construction of that facility included hiring rebel troops, supplying them with funds that were used to purchase weapons that were later used on US Troops?"
Auggie smiled. "That is an interesting story as well, Miss Hearn. Is there anybody else?"
The room slowly filled with names of reporters, while Liza shouted above them "You haven't answered the question, Agent Anderson."
"I'm not going to, Miss Hearn."
"I have evidence that more money ended up in the hands of our enemies than in the hands of teachers."
"Did somebody give you a pile of receipts?" Auggie asked sarcastically. He heard at least one snicker in the back of the room.
"Somebody gave me the information for the contractor that built the facility. Should I call you directly after I speak with him?"
"You know I always appreciate your calls. Now, that is all the time I have for today. I'll see all of you next week, where I'm sure Miss Hearn will have something to derail the conversation with yet again."
"You're one to talk." Liza replied, loudly.
Auggie smirked and left the stage. He didn't care about Liza's interruption. Whatever she had would blow over well enough, and he had avoided all questions about his personal life.
Auggie was feeling better knowing that the spotlight wasn't as bright as he originally thought. He even considered going to Allen's after work. As they finished up in the gym Auggie suggested that he and Annie get a drink somewhere.
"Of all days, this seems like a bad one to suddenly be willing to hang out in public with me."
"Just trying to take what you said this morning to heart." Auggie said. "Borrow a wig from cover ops, and I'll meet you at a new bar. Then if the press is watching, we are starting a friendship."
Annie smiled. "I have a safer idea, why don't I take you home to my place? The driveway is secluded enough that nobody will know you are there."
An hour later Auggie and Annie pulled into the secluded driveway.
When Annie walked into the courtyard, she saw the lights on in Danielle's kitchen, and her sister sitting at the table, her eyes red from crying. Annie stopped and stared at her sister. "What is it?" Auggie asked.
"Something is wrong with Danielle. Here..." Annie opened the door to the guest house. "Up the steps and too your left is the couch. Straight across the room from that is a minifridge full of beer. I'll be up in a second."
"Should I go on home?" Auggie asked.
"No, it's fine. I just want to check on her." Annie said. Auggie entered the guesthouse and she crossed the courtyard.
"What's wrong?" Annie asked.
"I can't believe I was so stupid." Danielle responded with an accusatory tone.
Annie walked over next to her sister. "Is it Michael?"
Danielle glared at her sister in a way that practically heated the room around them. "No Annie. It's you."
Annie looked confused.
"I haven't been watching the news for the past week, but evidently August Anderson is a high level figure for the CIA. Auggie. The darling enjoyable Auggie that you work with at the Smithsonian."
Annie practically collapsed into a chair next to Danielle. She should have remembered that her sister knew Auggie. "Danielle," she started.
"You never had stapler accidents. I knew that a job at a museum shouldn't be so demanding. I should have seen it. I can't believe I fell for all of your lies."
Annie looked down. "Danielle, I wanted to tell you, I just..."
"The coworker that you learned was sleeping with somebody back when you first started your job was Auggie, wasn't it? Evidently he's done a lot of sleeping around, Annie."
"He's not like they make it sound." Annie defended quietly.
"You would know, right? I guess only those in your special club get to know what you are really like."
"I am the same person you know. You really know me."
"I don't know you at all, Annie. I don't even know what your real job is."
"I'm a Covert Officer for the Central Intelligence Agency." Annie stated as if reading from a script.
"Which is a fancy way of saying you are a spy. I figured that part out on my own." Danielle bit back.
"I can't tell you more than that." Annie replied.
"But I'm your sister. You have always been able to tell me everything!"
"It's for your own protection." Annie calmly explained.
"My own protection? What kind of protection do I need?" Danielle started to get angry. "It's not up to you to decide what is best for me, Annie."
"When it comes to my job, it is."
"I need you to move out." Danielle replied without hesitation. "I've been thinking about this all day. I don't even know where you have been today. I can't have you in the house with the girls."
Annie nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. A tear fell from Danielle's eye, and Annie reached forward to pull her into a hug. "I understand." Annie replied. "I'll find somewhere to go tomorrow."
"Good." Danielle sighed. "Would you like some ice cream?" She said tenderly.
Annie shook her head. "I'm going... I have a friend visiting. I just came to check on you."
"Is Auggie in the guest house?" Danielle asked, her eyes lighting up.
Annie sighed. "We couldn't exactly go to our regular bar. So if you'll excuse me, we both had a crappy day and need a couple of drinks."
Danielle nodded. "For what it's worth, I think he's a good guy. Here, take this." She offered a small bottle of Patron.
"When did you start investing in the good stuff?" Annie asked.
"I like to entertain." Danielle replied with a shrug.
"Thanks." Annie said. She left the house with the bottle in hand.
When Annie entered the guesthouse, Auggie was sitting on the couch, absentmindedly running his fingers over the beer label. "Everything okay?" He asked when he heard her enter.
"Not really," Annie replied.
"You need time with your sister. I'll go." Auggie stood up and extended his cane.
"Oh no you don't. You caused this, you are drinking with me."
"How did I cause..." Realization dawned on Auggie's face. "Oh no."
"Yeah."
"We should have known she would figure it out."
Annie swallowed, then Auggie heard her move around and come back with two glasses. "She kicked me out and gave me a bottle of Patron. So tonight, we drink."