This one is shorter than the previous, but I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Covert Affairs is the property of NBC Universal, USA Network, etc. I just make the characters do what I want.

~~~WINING AND DINING~~~

Oh, how Annie loved Eyal's cooking—there really was not anything better. Sitting down to a meal of rack of lamb and tabouli with wine and good company was a wonderful luxury, and for a second helped her forget that her vacation was more forced than by choice.

Taking a bite of the lamb, Annie bit back a moan; the lamb was pure ecstasy.

"A girl could get used to this," she commented after swallowing, a small smile on her face.

"Ah, but you are not any girl, Neshama," replied Eyal as he sipped his wine. Annie's smile grew, reminding Eyal more of the woman she was before.

The food truly was exquisite; Eyal had to agree that he had done a perfect job on the lamb and his mother's tabouli recipe acted as the perfect compliment. And the Cabernet finished off the meal beautifully.

There was much more silence between then nowadays, but it was the silence of two friends who understood each other—comfortable without the need for explanations.

"Not that I don't appreciate the meal," began Annie after a few minutes, "but usually when I am wined and dined like this there is something going on, some sort of ulterior motive."

Eyal sighed. "You caught me. Mossad needs me in London to act as a liaison with British Intelligence." And Eyal was not happy. Rivka had given her word that she would not interfere with his responsibility for Annie and yet now she had him jetting off to England. Something was up.

"Oh." A pause. "Well, I didn't expect you to spend all of your time with me." That's not to say that Annie wasn't slightly disappointed. She had been enjoying her time with Eyal. It was like breathing, so easy. But maybe she was getting to comfortable. She would have to leave eventually or fear discovery by Langley—Mossad more than likely already knew she was there. Though why they hadn't acted was disconcerting.

"I should not be gone for more than three days, five if the British make difficulties." Eyal loathed to leave her alone in Tel Aviv, even for a few days. He knew she could tae care of herself, but with her heart . . . he would never forgive himself if she received a heart and he was not here to be with her.

Annie placed her right hand over his left. "I'll be fine, Eyal. Don't worry about me." She could see the worry in his eyes, a constant presence since the discovery about her failing heart. But a few days on her own would be a good experiment in taking care of herself. And maybe she could find a way to repay Eyal for his care.

Eyal put his right hand on top of Annie's. "I'll always worry about you, Neshama."

And he always would.

Thanks for reading, and I would love to hear what you think :)