Slowly and lightly he ran his fingers up the back of her leg, taking his time as he explored each curve of her body. She gave out a wispy giggle when he touched her side and roll over, reaching her arms around his neck and pull him to her. Snuggling his head down to her chest, moving with tender kissing to her chin, "And what are we craving today."

"You Mr. Anderson."

"My darling Dolores I'm here to accommodate your every command." Auggie kissing her as his hands move down her back and they started their morning delight.

It has been months since that last phone call he had received from Annie. While holding out hope she would return and forgive him, the months slipped by and slowly his hopes had vanished. He met Dolores Tam because of a state side mission and she was the FBI agent on the case. To say they the hit it off from the beginning is an understatement - they could hardly be in the same room together without shooting snide remarks at each other. But time soon changed their relationship both professionally and now very much on a personal level - they are a couple.

Annie gathering up her tote for the overhead compartment and heading down the aisle to debark from the flight, her headache gone. She wondered if Eyal still had his apartment in Washington but then way wouldn't he being with Mossad. Everyone was in such a rush, pushing their way out as if the plane was going to explode any second - Annie was not in a hurry, just the opposite.

Annie being the last person off the plane and taking her time coming through the jet-way she was stunned. There with a beautiful welcoming smile and twinkling sexy eyes stood a tall Israeli. Running without thinking into his open arms and kissing. It had been well over four weeks since they last saw each other.

"This is wonderful but what are you doing here?" Annie laughing with happiness but curious.

"Meeting my wife, what else. Come on Neshema and we'll go to the apartment." Eyal holding her around the waist, "Did you check you baggage thru?"

"Yeah."

They walked through the airport terminal talking in general about non-important things - weather in the south of France and South Africa and so forth. Something caught Eyal's eye, a person he had once met years ago and not under the most pleasant conditions. Vincent Rossabi standing in a crowd of people watching the departing passengers from the Atlanta flight. Eyal's mind hastily presumed the reason, Annie and the FBI surely had eyes on the Florida fraudulent charity event. Well that means Annie's cover may be in jeopardy and not knowing if Lexington had also invaded the walls of the Hoover building. Nothing he could do about it but a passing consideration of them walking over to Vincent to say hello and quickly decided - no. Eyal gave Annie a small tug around the waist and a little kiss on the side of her head, "Happy to see you again."

Once in Eyal's Ford, the silver-gray nondescript car he own in DC, Annie was back to asking why. "You didn't answer my question about being in DC and how did you know I was going to come to Washington and how did you know which flight I was going to be on?"

"Could you break those down to one question at a time?"

"How did you know what flight I would be on?"

"What name are you traveling under?"

"Nicole Cohen." Annie chuckled, "Of course Mossad tracking. Did you fly directly from Tel Aviv?"

"No, a quick layover in London and then on to Washington." Eyal driving around an accident that had practically blocked the highway. "American drivers are so dumb." Eyal uttered under his breath in Hebrew.

Annie not defending the drivers, maybe living in Europe she realized he was right. Leaning over the seat she pulled from her tote and lightweight knit cotton sweater, "Bit chilly for May isn't it."

"You going to need more than a sweater, did you bring a rain coat or at least an umbrella? They are calling for some nasty weather with high wind, heavy rain and hail."

"No. Can we stop some place cheap and I'll buy a coat. I need a raincoat anyway." Annie slipping her sweater on, "Now back to my questions. How did you know I would be coming to Washington?"

"Same side of the world and the draw to find some answers. Annie I was there one time and had to act on my feelings. You are going looking for answers and the trip will not be easy. I'm here not as your current lover but as a long time friend - your reinforcement and support."

Annie fell silent, this man, this wonderful man knew her better than she knew herself. Turning her head and looking out the window, seeing familiar sights but no feeling of missing any of it. Had she healed from the fact that Washington was no longer her home or was she just numb to all that has passed in the last four years - four years with CIA here in DC with all the happiness and heartache. Eyal parking in Macy's parking lot broke her muse, it was coat buying time.

"This is not cheap Eyal."

"Look at the banner - '50% Off Entire Stock - Today Only'

"So you're a shopper too." Annie chuckling as they climbed out of the car. When she closed the door the slight of her wedding rings made her feel good, even if it was only make-believe.

The little shopping spree turned out to be fun, they spending more time checking out an array of outfits and Annie coming away with an avocado green spring pullover and crop jeans. She purchased the coat but the pullover and jeans were gifts from Eyal.

Reaching Eyal's apartment, he handed Annie a small paper bag of groceries to carry while he unloaded her luggage and Macy's shopping bags. "I'm cooking tonight and you are washing dishes."

"Works for me. I've been missing your cooking Eyal." Annie holding the door for Eyal loading with stuff to enter the building. Standing at his door, Eyal handed Annie the Macy's bags as he unlocked the door and allowed Annie to step in first. It was a warm welcoming feeling for her, much like being home.

Dinner as expected was excellent as well as the wine and company. There was not talk about their mission but wonderful exchange of friendship mixed with a little affection. Eyal wanted to hold her, make love to her but not until she would come to him. This was a critical time in Annie's life, her time for finding answers, closure or renewal of a love affair she had walked away from because of a mission to get one man. Eyal knew all too well the force of vengeance, it had driven him for years.

Cuddling on the sofa and watching some pay-for-view movie on the television, Annie rested her head on Eyal's chest, "You know why I'm in Washington."

"To see Auggie."

"You think I'm wrong?"

"That is not for me to say. You are fully aware that being in Washington is very dangerous for you." Eyal stroking the side of her head and running his fingers through her hair.

"I know."

Nothing else was said about her reason to see Auggie. Eyal had found out Auggie had move on with his life and now involved with another woman but he could not be the one to tell Annie. This was something she had to discover on her own but the one thing Eyal could and would do - be there for her.

That night after both had climbed into bed, Annie was the one to make advances to Eyal, wanting him to make love to her. Their intimacy was lovely, tender and passionate, expressing their desires for one another. Annie breathing hard, her head on his chest and one leg lying between his, she felt confused. Being with him was feeling so perfect but yet was this the last time or would there be more in the future. Her heart being torn between two men or that's how she was feeling. Tomorrow she would find the answer, was Annie Walker surely dead or would she leave Eyal and return to her American life.

Next morning, Eyal making breakfast, Annie with her cup of coffee and reading the morning paper, "Did you know about the raid on al-Shabab base in Somalia."

"No, not even sure if that happens to part of a Mossad mission but I wasn't informed."

"Might be a reason, it was the US Navy seals making the raid." Annie started reading the article to Eyal.

"Nice to know we are not fighting the battle alone although the US keeps these types of tactics to themselves as does Israel."

"Shouldn't they work together?"

"Won't happen anytime soon - too much distrust." Eyal placing a plate with a delicious omelet and fresh fruit before Annie.

"I can get very accustom to your cooking."

"Wouldn't you like to try your hand."

"Maybe, after I take some lessons." Annie smiling and digging into her breakfast.

Breakfast complete, dishes cleaned and they having another cup of coffee. "You want to go find Auggie today?"

"Yes I do."

"I'm going with you. To be your support." Eyal leaning against the kitchen island.

"I want to do this by myself. You do understand...don't you?"

"I understand alright but Neshema you need me with you. You have an inclination to be impulsive and I want you to say on the right track. Think your moves through completely before acting."

"What if we reconcile."

"Then I shall rejoice in your happiness. All I want for you is your contentment, whatever it may be."

Annie stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the street below, Washington traffic passing by with little regard for anything. If she decided to go back to her old life she didn't want to hurt Eyal but would she be hurting him? He is her lover but there had not been any words of love spoken between them. A true and dear friend above all, he was always there when she need him, her pillow of strength. He seemed prepared for her choice but was she ready. Turning back to Eyal, "We'll do it together."

"Okay good, let's go stalk Auggie Anderson." That small quip put the tense mood at ease. Eyal certainly had his way.

Later that morning, Eyal parking in front of Auggie apartment building and waiting. Annie getting fidgety and nervous. "I should go knock on his door, get it over with."

"Not a good idea Annie."

"Why?"

"That's why." Eyal nodding to Auggie and Dolores leaving the building, walking to a car and Auggie opening the driver's side for her and then making his way around to the right side and letting himself in.

It took Annie a second to comprehend what she was watching, "Follow them Eyal."

Starting his car and pulling about three car lengths behind Auggie and Dolores, he was a master for tailing. Not saying anything to Annie, he would only respond to her, this was Annie's time to come to terms. They followed them out of Washington into Maryland and westward, a drive in the country. Annie being very quiet as they drove. After about thirty minutes, Auggie's car pulled into a country-style restaurant with a large sign, 'Home Cooked Barbeque."

Eyal also pulling his car in and parked, "We should go in but give them a minute before we do." Eyal was anticipating Annie thoughts which she welcomed his suggestion. "Be careful with our voices."

"Hold my hand Eyal." Annie asked as they walked across the parking lot to the restaurant. She is being a bit apprehensive about the possibility coming face to face with Auggie and his new love.

When they entered, Auggie and his girlfriend were still standing, waiting to be seated. The hostess asked if there was two or four. Auggie answered only two. The hostess looked to Eyal and he only held up two fingers. Auggie was seated and the hostess returns to seat Eyal and Annie.

"Mind if we have the window booth." Eyal asked softy, it was empty and on the other side from where Auggie was seated.

Eyal giving Annie the better seat to view Auggie and he was looking over the menu. "Barbeque plate for your?"

"Yeah, go ahead and order me anything but not heavy." Annie eyes were glued on Auggie.

After Eyal had placed their order, he reached across the table and touched Annie's hand, "You are doing fine Neshema."

Annie looking at Eyal with a smile, "They are very affectionate and she has a diamond ring on her left hand."

"So do you."

"They are pretend Eyal." Annie looking at the wedding rings he had given her over a month ago.

"They could become real Neshema, it all depends on what you decide today."

For the first time Eyal was speaking of a future, a life she could have with him, a new life of being Nicole. There wasn't any feeling of hurt or betrayal seeing Auggie with another woman but another feeling, unexpected on her part. Auggie had moved on and she felt satisfied. She turned her eyes from Auggie and gave her attention to Eyal and nothing more was said about Auggie Anderson.

Eyal and Annie finished their lunch and were the first leave before Auggie and Dolores. As the past Auggie's table, there was a strange feeling on Auggie's part. He looked straight ahead then turned his head, a strong feeling of losing something but he didn't know what. Annie Walker was forever walking out of his life.

That night with a treacherous storm whirling about and they in the apartment safe, Eyal once more with the cooking duty. After dinner and both with wine settled on the sofa, Annie begin to cry. Eyal holding her compassionately as she sobbed, tears flowing on his chest, the uncontrollable surge of tears she has held for months - dark months of fear and loneness. She was again and for the last time grieving, not with seeing Auggie and another woman but the final death of Anne Catherine Walker - the ultimate price she has paid for the down fall of one malevolent man.