when the ex gets promoted.

[freshoffthefarm]

[ in the middle of all her wedding planning, annie was still keeping up with work, but it appeared that she was not keeping up enough.

it wasn't that she'd been ignoring the chatter after the last d-cia had retired, but she'd purposely stopped paying attention when webb had been left on the short list. for all of that, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise when the announcement came down and annie was left standing in the crowd, staring up at the man she (still) loved, giving his new pep talk to the troops.

as the crowd parted and webb shook hands, she made a mental note to see him and, after she knew that he'd be back in his office, she excused herself and took the elevator to the top.

glad that he'd taken trish with him, she hesitated only slightly before giving the woman at the desk a smile.]

Is he available?

Comments

[fakes_death]

[Annie was not someone Trish expected to see on the Director's floor, but she played it off well enough and checked his schedule.]

He has fifteen minutes before he needs to leave for another appointment.

[The specifics of said appointment weren't for anyone else to know, and Trish called Webb to double check that he wasn't planning on using his time for anything else, he wasn't.]

Go on in.

[And there was Webb, wearing his three piece suit like always and sitting behind his desk a closed leather portfolio in front of him. ]

What'd you think of the speech?

[freshoffthefarm]

I promise not to take too much time.

[ honestly, she didn't know if that was a lie or not, given her history with the director, but the fact that she'd caught the very slightest of hints of surprise on trish's face was enough. she almost told the woman that she hadn't expected to be there, either, but. it felt like the right thing to do.

and there he was, like always, the suit and tie impeccable and there was the oddest twinge in her chest that she didn't want to identify. instead, his question brought a smile to her face, because of course he'd start with that. ]

Inspiring. [ as far as speeches go. ] I can't wait to see what the new Director brings to the Agency.

[ she didn't ask, but eased into the chair in front of the desk. ]

How do you feel?

[fakes_death]

Was it really?

[He didn't want his speech to sound like a line of bullshit, but he couldn't help but think it just a little bit as the words were leaving his mouth.]

I feel....like I belong here.

[freshoffthefarm]

As far as speeches like that go? Yeah. [ she nods at him thoughtfully. ] It was. [ and then she adds, because she knows him so well and what he's really worried about: ] It didn't sound like you were just bullshitting the team.

[ he says he feels like he belongs and she leans back in the chair to really look him over, no shame at all. ]

You look like you belong.

[freshoffthefarm]

[not for one second did annie think that clayton webb not know the moment she was back in country or that her debrief was done. as usual, she took the following day off and then was back at her desk the day after that.

black skirt, red blouse, black heels with the red bottoms. after spending the morning discussion actionable intel, she found herself at 10:59, waiting in line at the agency starbucks.

she felt him before she saw him and the sudden quiet of the very large room had only a little to do with it.]

[fakes_death]

[Sure enough at 11AM, there he was, right behind her at the Agency Starbucks. His morning was fairly routine except for this little break.]

I told you I was going to clear the place out.

[freshoffthefarm]

And I told you--

[she gives the barista, their barista, a gentle smile because this is the very sight the woman hasn't seen in two years and then orders her coffee.]

-- that it wasn't fair to the people down here because they have no idea where to look right now.

[now he gets a smile and it borders on teasing.]

texts @ midnightish

[freshoffthefarm]

[so, maybe he doesn't sleep very well, still. she doesn't.]

No. I don't think I'm happy about it.

Re: texts @ midnightish

[fakes_death]

[ It took about five minutes, but he answered. ]

No?

[From what he heard via Agency rumor mill was that she seemed happy]

[freshoffthefarm]

I miss you, Clay.

[freshoffthefarm]

[she's honestly not sure what kind of invitation it is, but she silently moves from the one room to his, noting the nightstand and breathing a sigh.

taking a seat on 'her' side of the bed, she looks up at him.]

You didn't change anything.

[fakes_death]

[It was actually going to be sleeping. But he did figure they were going to wind up basically on top of each other at sometime during the night.]

No, not a thing. I figured it worked the way it was, there was no need to change.

[And when he looked over at that nightstand he was reminded of why he bought it in the first place.]

[freshoffthefarm]

[it's just the way that she sleeps when he's there; she can hear his heart, he smells good, and she knows he'll keep her safe no matter what. it's what she lives for no matter what - in any situation. he is her calm place.]

Now that you've mentioned it, I am tired.

[and it's after one in the morning.]

[freshoffthefarm]

[later that morning, annie stepped up in her signature heels behind the director of the cia in line at the agency starbucks and, very quietly, asked:]

Am I going to be allowed to buy your coffee today, Director? [she leans a little closer as they step up in line, still a couple people in front of them.] It's might fault you might be tired.

[is that... innocence in her voice?]

[fakes_death]

[He'd know those high heels, by sound, anywhere in the world.]

I can't let you do that, Agent Walker. Might be construed as undo influence.

[freshoffthefarm]

[she actually laughs as the line moves again and nods to herself.]

Then I'll have the usual.

[and she'll make sure to put the five dollar bill into the barista's tip cup. if there's anyone that's going to be happy that they're back together, it's going to be the woman making the coffee. the tips are going to be wild.]

[freshoffthefarm]

[in the end, the end went smoother than annie had anticipated. certainly smoother than her engagement had come about; far less gunfire and heightened emotions. ryan didn't seem especially surprised - if anything, he appeared to know it was coming, even going so far as to say he'd suspected that she was the type to never truly give up on someone she loved.

when she added that she hadn't actually done anything with webb, ryan said he figured, but that her heart wasn't ever really truly in it because it was still with another man and she couldn't deny it. the joke that money couldn't buy everything, as if ryan was the only man with money that she knew, fell kind of flat and she'd assured him that she still cared.

the dinner ended not long after, and he'd paid the check, kissed her on the cheek, and told her that webb was a lucky man. after leaving her at home, she'd simply gone to bed. it was over.

early the next morning, she was at her desk before eight and waited until almost ten before leaving webb a message on his voicemail: coffee at eleven?

it was the only sign she'd given him (after three full weeks of no contact) that she'd ended things. at eleven, she was in line at starbucks.]

[fakes_death]

[Clay wasn't surprised about the three week break. In fact, he completely supported it. The last thing he wanted to do was harm Annie's reputation, professionally or personally.

When he got the 'coffee at Eleven' message, he could assume what it meant, and made a dinner reservation for two at his favorite Italian restaurant. Then he was extremely punctual for his coffee date and was right behind Annie in line, as usual.]

Good Morning, Agent Walker.

[freshoffthefarm]

[she felt that greeting all the way to her toes. either the person behind her had moved when he got in line or he was very punctual. either way, she was sure the barista was going to get whiplash because she didn't even bother attempting to pay, just put her five dollar bill in the tip jar and ordered for the both of them. she knew what he liked.

he definitely liked the dress she'd chosen to wear that day, which was why she'd chosen it.]

Good morning, Director Webb.

[freshoffthefarm]

[like that, she was all smiles while she placed her order and then focused on him again.]

I didn't mean right this second. [though it would mean that neither of them would get emotional.] I just think... there are still issues that need to be resolved.

[and she wanted to know if he still had the same thoughts that he had two years earlier.]

[fakes_death]

[Spy training for the win.]

I think you're right, but I was hoping to put that off until coffee tomorrow.

[Because he just wanted to enjoy being together again. As far as his feelings some were the same, some were taken care of when Lena was taken care of.]

[freshoffthefarm]

That works for me.

[and it did. she just didn't want him to be disappointed in when and if he found out she'd been changed by lena, too. also? scars.]

Dinner and... [she can't help the slightly wicked smile that comes over her face before she drops her gaze to the table, picking up her wine glass.] Later.

[she takes a sip.]

[freshoffthefarm]

[the drive back is quiet. she's chosen not to drive only because she suspects she'll get the chance again soon enough. instead, she rests her hand on his, their fingers curled into a light holding of hands that only changes when he has to shift gears.

after he's parked, she turns her head toward him against the headrest and, feeling the effects of the wine, has to confirm.]

You said tomorrow night we'd talk. Does that mean you're staying tonight?

[fakes_death]

Only if you're okay with me staying tonight.

[He was prepared, since Annie did mention that they were going to be able to talk all weekend.]

[freshoffthefarm]

[he gets a LOOK.]

I was expecting it. I bought the alcohol and all the stuff you'll need to cook breakfast.

[what. he did it when they were at the beach house.]