Sorry for not updating in more than a month – I'm abroad for the year and broke up with my boyfriend of four years right when I started posting in this forum. Alone in a foreign country nursing a broken heart. First time I've ever had writer's block – so of course, writing fluff and romance for this forum was the last thing on my mind.

Author's Note: I also borrowed character names from a fan-fiction – namely Beth – Geek Chick's. Brownie points if you can catch the cameo. It's my way of professing my love for her stories. So check out her stories if you're reading mine. Also – still playing around with different writing styles… One from a different perspective this time around.

Not much progress in the love department - but hey, at least you guys know I'm alive and will keep writing now. Wait, not good enough? Careful with those reviews ;) Just kidding - tell me what you like, dislike, or want to see more of.

Disclaimer: I would claim ownership of Covert Affairs and monopoly over Auggie in particular – but I know half of you would have my head…. So no, I don't own.

By the time he had arrived to work, Stu was already a bundle of nerves. Why? Stu silently made a mental checklist of his bad luck for the day so far:

Alarm had been set for PM - which meant he would incur Auggie's wrath for the day

Broken water heater - making him suffer through a devastatingly cold shower

Empty shaving cream container - resulted in a razor burn on the left side of his face

Spilled coffee, not once, but twice - forced him to resort to the unflattering emergency shirt

Construction on 95 - trapped him in slow as death traffic.

It was probably after the second spill that he had finally given up on the idea that today could be a good day.

He had passed through Starbucks to pick up coffee, stopping only to shyly make small chat with Amy – only to be brushed aside by Conrad who needed to get his two cents in, a mocha frappacino, and her number on the side. Stu silently cursed his luck, walking slowly to Tech Ops.

Opening the door he braced himself for Auggie's wrath… Stu cringed and meekly greeted Auggie,

"Aug – I'm really sorr—," Stu said hurriedly, only to be caught off,

"Stu! The man of the hour! Did you manage to finish reviewing the video feed yesterday?" Auggie said almost in a sing song voice.

Stu stared at Auggie surprised. Gaping he replied, "Yeah, actually…I'll have it transferred it to you in a second" Stu treaded cautiously towards his chair.

"Take your time," Auggie turned back to his work, taking a sip of his coffee with a smile on his face.

Something was wrong.

Something was very wrong.

Stu's surprised expression quickly turned into one of concern. Auggie was usually a stickler for time. But as he watched Auggie… it seemed, it was like, it was almost as if… Auggie… was happy…?

Stu watched as Auggie whistled, working away at the almost impossible code Joan had given him almost a week ago.

Just yesterday, Stu, and everyone in the DPD, had spent the last week trying to avoid Auggie's area of Tech Ops and the menacing aura that had been emanating from his corner of the CIA. Auggie's frustration with the code had brought about a week long foul mood that only Annie could subdue. Auggie had spent a week snapping at anyone that went near him and had nearly sent one of the new interns running away in tears, with just a few words, for mixing up a file that he had needed.

It wasn't as if Auggie had solved the code… or was even anywhere near solving the code. Stu clicked "Send" transferring the files that Auggie had requested - and then sat back to ponder over the mystery of Auggie's good mood.

Stu decided to venture a guess, "So I guess you've cracked a bit of that code, huh?"

Auggie was bringing his coffee cup up to his lips when he paused…almost as if to consider his question, "Nah, but I'll get a chunk of it done this afternoon…"

"Then may I ask why you're in such a good mood?" It was the direct approach. He much preferred to leave the banter and word games to Annie.

"Who says I'm in a good mood?" Auggie replied with a question and a mischievous smile on his face.

Before Stu could answer him, the glass door swung open and Annie glided into the room. Stu couldn't help but appreciate Annie's naturally wavy hair framing her face… But before he could even greet her,

"Annie…" Auggie seemed to almost breathe her name. Wait, did Auggie just…

"Ready to go Auggie? We're needed in the conference room in ten," Annie greeted Stu with a smile and nodded his way.

"Just about," Auggie replied without turning around in his chair to look at Annie, and instead continued working at whatever code he had in front of him, "give me just…."

Stu watched as Annie naturally made her way over to Auggie, leaning herself against Auggie's desk situating herself so she could face him. He always swore that the two couldn't be just friends… but Auggie had always laughed off his questions and playfully reply "Yes. Stu. The Beauty and the Blind. Almost as plausible as the CIA movies they have out there."

He soon tuned out their banter, putting on his own headphones to concentrate... but during a momentary lull of silence, he was suddenly drawn back in...

"So tomorrow's Thursday, right? You can't get out of dinner with your sister? If Joan doesn't put you on this mission, it's my turn to treat at The Tavern," Auggie asked almost too carelessly. Stu's ears perked, maybe he'd tag along for a free drink…

"I don't know … She did mention that she had to introduce me to an 'absolutely perfect' guy for me. Apparently an investment banker does a lot of traveling - so we must have 'a lot in common' according to her," Annie rolled her eyes.

"Should we move our date up a night?" Auggie tensed ever so slightly - and Stu slowly took in the scene.

Not realizing that Stu was staring, she smirked and replied teasingly, "Getting worried there Mr. Anderson?"

"I just aim to please, Ms. Walker. Thought you might need me to rescue you from a night of boredom," Auggie swiftly stood up only to stand a few inches away from Annie. The motion took her by surprise and she was forced to look up at him,

"Plus, I wouldn't want a lovely lady such as yourself wasting her time with poor company," He winked and grabbed her hand to rest it into the crook of his arm.

"Already turning on to the charm, I see" Annie said – slightly amused, and slightly suddenly embarrassed at their close proximity. She looked down to his hand that still rested on his arm, holding her hand in place.

"It's called the foreplay before the date," Auggie smiled so broadly, that it would've taken an idiot to not realize what was happening. And Stu, was not an idiot.

"Shall we?" And with that statement, they were gone. Strolling out into the hallway lost in their world of more-than-friendly banter.

Stu immediately grabbed his phone. A move had been played – and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to cash in.

"Yes, Conrad?... Sorry…. No, but could you have me marked in for this Friday? Yeah…the pool. Auggie makes a move on Annie…. How big is the pot now? – Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah, thanks a lot. Sure. Bye."

Stu sat back in his chair and brought his half empty cup of coffee to his lips. Sighing, he smiled and went back to work.

Today was going to be a good day.