Sorry for the incredibly slow updates on this one. It isn't abandoned, but it requires so much more planning and re-watches to keep it right. Thank you for being patient.

"Auggie," Arthur announced as he walked into the office. "I'm going to be out of reach for a few days. Can you handle a few things for me?"

"Sure," Auggie replied.

"Joan is covering my desk, but she can't handle the overt portions of the job. Mostly just help her out, as needed, and attend that JTFS meeting."

"Nothing I enjoy more than sitting with a team of bureaucrats listening to a Power Point presentation." Auggie replied.

"Great. See you in a few days."

Auggie checked his schedule and verified that he could still make the trip to Richmond later that week, even with the additional meetings while Arthur was away. He also checked on the DPD, and found that Annie was still in country, as she had been ever since her botched mission in Venice. He wondered why Joan hadn't sent her out again, if only to regain her confidence. He hasn't had a chance to talk to her since she got back.

The next day Joan came into his office. "Any chance you have a few million around in your department I can borrow?"

"OCS doesn't have a budget to run ops, Joan." Auggie replied. "We just keep the purse-strings intact. What's up?"

"I'm not sure, but Arthur and Jai are up to something that involves a suspicious pile of money."

"I could try to help you out, but the Appropriations Committee doesn't work that way." Auggie replied.

Joan sighed, but didn't walk out.

"Hey, you need anything else? I'm supposed to head out of town for the evening, but I can stay..."

"No, no. You should go."

Auggie was nervous about the evening. Not only was it his friend from Iraq's memorial, but it was his first social appearance after going Overt. These memorials were always awkward, and he had no idea what to expect now that others knew he was CIA. He had been invited before being promoted, and wasn't sure how warmly he would be received. But he was never one to shy away from awkward conversations, and needed to get out and do something before dying of boredom.

Auggie had just made his way to the bar when he was recognized.

"August Anderson?" A male voice asked.

Auggie didn't recognize the voice, but he didn't expect to know many people there. "Yes," He replied, turning toward the voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"This is Billy Rowland's memorial, right? I didn't walk into the wrong bar?"

"Yeah, this is the right place. You knew Billy?"

"You could say that." Auggie extended his hand.

"Jake Tursam." The man took Auggie's hand in a firm shake. "I went to college with Billy."

"Nice to meet you Jake." Auggie responded.

"So you were in Iraq with Billy?" A new voice asked.

"Yes," Auggie replied. He could hear more people gathering around him.

"Billy was in the CIA?" A voice asked.

"I'm sorry, but I can't -"

"You mean you can't tell me if my son was a CIA agent?" The voice cut Auggie off.

"Mr. Rowland, I don't believe we ever met." Auggie put his hand forward in a move of goodwill.

The man grabbed Auggie's hand, pulled him close and spoke near his ear. "I want to know if my son was a spy." He stated loud enough for everyone around to hear. Auggie could smell the beer on his breath.

Auggie stood straight and looked toward the man as best he could. "I know you do."

"But you won't tell me."

"I can't tell you, sir." He replied, gently.

"Don't give me that bullshit. My boy is already dead, what is the harm in telling me the truth?"

Auggie sighed. His mission with Billy had been declassified when he went Overt. "I can tell you that when we were in Tikrit on that last day, it was not a CIA mission. We were just soldiers, completing our duty. You have the full story, sir."

"You were with Billy on the day..." Jake spoke up again, but was unable to finish the sentence.

Auggie turned toward his voice. "Yeah."

There was a moment of silence surrounding Auggie, so he took the opportunity to turn toward the bar, away from what felt like a crowd of gawkers.

Jake stepped up close and put his hand on Auggie's shoulder. Auggie turned toward the touch.

"Let me buy you a beer." Jake offered.

"You really don't have to do that."

"Yeah, I do." He responded as he flagged down the bartender.

The first long gulp of the cold beer felt good. "So what do you do, Jake?"

"I'm a cop." He replied.

"Cool. You live here in Richmond?"

"Yeah. Never really left town."

Auggie nodded.

"So you were really a spy?" Jake's voice was filled with curiosity.

"Yep." Auggie replied. He still wasn't used to answering that question direct and truthfully.

"Can you tell me about some of your missions?"

"Nope," Auggie replied.

"I bet you know all kinds of cool shit. Like about the President, and waterboarding, and can you at least tell me if there is really a bunker under the Washington Monument?"

"My lips are sealed." He said calmly.

"That is too bad. Hey, Robbie!" Jake called. "Have you met August?"

For the next hour, Auggie was the center of attention. He deflected questions about the CIA in every variety, from training to interrogations to a few conspiracy theories. He didn't miss the anger in some of the guys' tones when he couldn't answer questions about Billy. He would be upset if he were in their shoes.

"What are you guys all focused on over here?" A female voice joined the group.

The guys went silent as the woman stared.

"Auggie, you made it." She said.

Auggie raised one eyebrow. "Have we met?"

"Oh, sorry, I'm Parker."

A grin spread across Auggie's face. "Billy's little sister!"

"The one and only." One of the guys added.

"Mind if I steal you for a second, Auggie?" Parker asked.

"Sure." He stepped away from the crowd and waited for Parker to come to him.

"I'm glad you came." Parker said. Her voice was sweet and calming. It was a nice reprieve from the inquisition he was facing in all other aspects of his life.

"Thanks for having me."

"I know it's not the typical situation for a memorial, but it's what we could manage."

"It's tailor-made for Billy."

She led him further from everybody else and they found themselves on stools at a small table. "It shocked my parents a bit, learning that you were CIA."

"Mine too." Auggie replied.

"Wow," Parker replied.

"Are your parents doing okay now?" Auggie deflected. "Your dad didn't seem that excited to see me."

"He's fine. They are fine."

"And you?" Auggie asked.

"I'm doing good. I've been living with them, but I'm leaving the nest this fall. Joining the Peace Corp."

"Wow, good for you! Do you know your assignment?"

"Not yet."

"Hey man, one more question..." One of the guys interrupted.

Auggie shot a glare in his general direction.

"Just, I was hoping you could explain-"

"No." Auggie interrupted.

"You don't even know what I was going to ask!"

"I don't have to. If you can't find it through Google, I can't tell you about it. It's as simple as that."

"Come on man!"

Auggie could hear Parker giggling. "No." He said, with more softness. The other guy was obviously a little drunk, but Auggie was standing his ground.

"Can't believe I get to hang out with a CIA agent, and he won't tell me anything." The guy said to nobody in particular as he turned away.

A moment after the guy walked away, Parker let the laughter slip out. "Do you get that a lot?"

"Not yet." Auggie replied. "This is sort of my first time out in the wild."

Parker stepped off of her stool and leaned close to his ear. "Then how about I rescue you from this particular jungle?"

Her breath against his skin put his body on alert. "I'd appreciate that."

He stood and opened his cane while she wrapped her arm in his and led him out the door. Parker led Auggie to a car, and they drove to a quiet jazz club. Auggie and Parker sat at the bar, drank some wine, and enjoyed the live music.

Parker ran her hand over Auggie's arm as she laughed at one of his jokes. "I need to run to the restroom. I'll be right back."

"Okay," Auggie said. He kept his head turned in her direction as she walked away.

"She's cute." A voice caught his attention from Parker's empty barstool.

Auggie quickly turned towards the voice. "Liza?"

"Got it in one." She replied.

"What do you want?"

"I'm not the only one digging into your past, Auggie."

"That's already clear."

"You know, it's interesting, you consistently go for brunettes."

Auggie didn't reply.

Liza slid off the barstool. She leaned toward Auggie's ear. "Just wanted to give you a heads-up," She whispered as she walked away.

Auggie turned toward her retreating footsteps as Parker walked back. "She looks familiar." Parker said as she slid back onto her barstool.

Auggie shrugged and gave her a smirk.

"Come with me." Parker directed as she reached for his arm.

"Taking a blind guy to the dance floor?" He asked.

Early the next morning, Auggie walked into his apartment with mixed emotions. He was practically floating from his evening with Parker, but he also had Liza's message in the back of his mind. He wondered how deep people had searched. Had they found the Russian anarchist that he had fallen in love with, or even Helen?

"Hey."

Her voice shocked him as he stood by the credenza. It took a moment for him to stabilize his breathing, even though he realized it was Annie.

"What the hell are you doing here, Annie?" Auggie asked as he walked toward her.

"I miss you." Annie said, as though it explained everything.

"You shouldn't be here. It's too risky."

"I was careful. Where were you?"

Auggie rolled his eyes. "Out."

"Sorry. I'll leave."

Auggie reached out and, through a stroke of luck, caught her arm as she walked by. "No, it's fine. Since you are here, let's catch up."