[Post Belarus] -- after 2.06

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie had told Danielle that she was exhausted, but that was so much of an understatement that it was ridiculous. After making sure that her older sister had put the good coffee on the menu, Annie hauled her suitcase off to the guesthouse with as much nonchalance as she could muster.

After she'd made sure that her classified paperwork was put away where it was supposed to be, she came very close to laying down on the window seat and falling asleep there. It took way too much effort than it should have to make it into the shower and actually scrub her body down.

There is nothing better than your own shower after an op like that, was the thought that she managed after, as she changed into the usual post-mission bedtime wear of Harvard t-shirt and shorts. When the knock came, she thought it was Danielle, reminding her about something else that had happened while she was gone.

Opening the door with a groan, she said, "This couldn't have waited until morn..." Her voice trailed off when she saw her visitor, "ing?"

Comments

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Clay did want to talk about it, but it seemed to him that Annie didn't, so he just nodded.

"I'm sorry."

There were so many things that could apply to and he hoped that she knew he'd be there for her anytime she needed him.

[freshoffthefarm]

She could sense his hesitation and when he apologized, she said, "It wasn't your fault."

Whether she was talking about the mission or something else was really up for debate. Rather than let it linger for too long, she added, "You look like you wanted to actually say something about last night. Or this morning."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"I volunteered to be the undersecretary State was going to send to Belarus."

Then he took a deep breath. Fights between one's emotions and one's brain were always hard ones to fight.

"I" love you "Just want you to know that" I'm sorry for ending things like I did "if you ever need anything, I'll always be there for you."

[freshoffthefarm]

"They would never have let you go." Her voice was quiet again as she thought about Clay being in country to rescue her.

She knew he wasn't saying what he wanted to say and it took a moment to swallow past the tightness in her throat before she nodded. "Thank you."

It was all she could think of to say, but her eyes never left his.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

That went better than he expected, and he didn't look away from Annie either.

"You're welcome."

[freshoffthefarm]

Annie waited a moment to see if he was going to say anything else and when he didn't right away, she stepped away from the counter and around him to get to her shoes.

"I really should get going."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"I really should get dressed."

Which he did while Annie put the finishing touches on her outfit.

[freshoffthefarm]

Webb dressed in her house in the morning was almost as bad as Webb undressed in her house at night. All the same feelings as before came rushing back and she wanted to straighten his tie, help with his vest, brush her hands over the arms of his jacket and kiss him goodbye.

She settled for opening the door and silently motioning him to go first so she could lock up.

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

Clay couldn't leave it at just that, but instead of a kiss, he hugged her tightly, then left her guest house not exactly sure what to say.

[freshoffthefarm]

The hug threw her for a loop and she wanted to pull him back inside and just pretend it was just another day, any other day for the two of them. She wanted to pretend it was Sunday and they could have breakfast and relax, cuddle on the couch and maybe throw a nap-that-wasn't-a-nap in there.

After gathering herself, she put on her sunglasses and followed him out to where his car was parked behind hers and paused again, this time even more awkwardly than at her door.

Unlocking her car door, she set her purse on the seat and then looked at him. Stepping close, she kissed the corner of his mouth -- more friendly than his cheek, but not intimate enough to be his mouth -- and then stepped back. "Thank you for checking on me," she said, pushing her hair back. "Um, have a good day."

[fakes-death.livejournal.com]

"You too," he said with a slight smile before getting in his car. Clay was completely unsure what this whole night meant for them, other than neither of them wanted things to end even though he was the one who did it.