Operation Reunite. Rating:PG-13 D/Annie fluff piece. Author:suzyh Disclaimer:Annie is mine.The guys aren't. " I can't believe this has happened." "I'm not thrilled myself, Miss Rowan." "You don't have to face an angry Claire." Annie glared at the closed doors. Why hadn't she taken the stairs? To top it off, her companion in misery was the Official. Great. She looked at her watch. She was already fifteen minutes late. Claire would be wigging by now. Why had she offered to help with the party? "This is all your fault!" she accused. "I fail to see the logic in that statement, Miss Rowan." "Stop calling me that!" The Official chuckled, setting her nerves on edge. Another ten minutes passed. All Annie could hear was the Official breathing. Loudly. More breathing. Louder still. "Could you please just not breathe?" Annie was glaring by now. The Official raised an eyebrow. Annie gritted her teeth. God, he was the most annoying person she knew, and she knew Eberts. The time dragged on. The Official started leafing through some files. Annie mentally started to think of excuses for the impending murder. Sudden insanity? No. Self defence? No. Extreme mental abuse? No. Ahh ha! She had killed him because he was the Official. Good enough. No court in the land would convict her. 'Oh my god.' She thought.' He's humming.' Annie closed her eyes and tried to go to her happy place. Nope. There was humming there too. "Miss Rowan, are you feeling alright?" The Official asked. "Just dandy." "Good. I can't have you passing out on me" "You're all heart." Again with the chuckle. Annie clenched her fists. She took deep, calming breaths. One hour ticked by. Annie was just starting to think about how to redecorate the elevator when the Official spoke. "You know, Miss Rowan? I think that Agent Fawkes made a very good choice when he picked you." The elevator rumbled into life. The doors pinged open and the Official breezed out, leaving a speechless Annie. It was eight thirty and the party was in full swing. Bobby and Claire both looked so happy that the room had started to glow. Monroe regarded the couple. It was about time those two took the plunge. Now, if she could just find a way to get Darien away from that annoying little bitch she'd be happy. She saw Darien make his way to the bathrooms and decided to make her move. Darien washed his hands and smoothed his hair in the mirror. He grimaced as he regarded his freshly cut locks. Frustrated, he tried to make it spike up but failed. That was the last time he listened to Annie. She had nagged for weeks about his hair, throwing little barbs at him and leaving notes. Finally, she had withdrawn sex privilages. Two days of that and he'd caved. Sighing again, he walked out of the bathroom and slap bang into Monroe. "Hi, stranger." Monroe's voice was husky. Darien looked strangely at her. "Umm hey, Alex. You having a good time?" "Well, it could be alot more fun if you'd admit how you feel." Darien was looking confused now. Maybe she had had too much to drink. "How I feel?" he asked. "Oh come on, Darien. You don't really prefer that illiterate nobody to me do you?" "Don't call her that." Darien suddenly felt annoyed. Monroe laughed softly. She moved towards her prey and stroked his head. Monroe rubbed her body against his, her hand moving to the front of his pants. Darien placed his hands on her arms and pushed her back. "Alex. I don't know what you're thinking, but forget it." "Darien, just this one time. Admit it. You want me." Darien opened his mouth to protest. Alex swooped in and kissed him. Her tongue finding entry into his mouth. Unluckily for everyone, Claire and Annie arrived at that moment. Claire's hand flew to her mouth. Annie's eyes narrowed. Darien and Alex jumped apart like two scalded cats. "Annie, this is not what it looks like." Darien held his hands out in a calming gesture. "Really? What does it look like?" Annie's voice was calm. "Ummm." Darien groped around for a suitable safe answer. "I see." Annie gave Monroe a look of pure loathing. "Well. Congratulations, Mata Hari you finally did it." Monroe looked smug. Claire tried to calm the situation. "Okay. Everyone calm down. I'm sure Darien has a perfectly logical explaination. Don't you Darien?" "Well, yeah. One minute we were talking, the next minute she had her tongue down my throat." Fawkes winced at how that sounded. "Darien? You're mouth must have been open." Annie's voice was deceptively soft. Darien sighed, there was no way he was going to win. Annie suddenly looked pleased with herself. Sirens went off in his head. He had learned to fear that look. It usually meant trouble. "It's okay, Darien. We never said we were exclusive. Why don't you have your bit of fun and I'll go and have mine." Annie turned to Claire, who was looking shocked by her statement. "Thanks for a great party. I'll call you tomorrow." Darien grabbed her arm. Annie shook his hand off. He glared at her, his temper rising. Annie matched the glare and stood her ground. "What is that supposed to mean?" Darien's voice rose. "It means that if you want to go slumming it you can." "You're being stupid." "Am I?" "Yes." "Explain that to me." "Well, I'd write it down but I'm not sure you could read it." Darien tone was cruel. Annie's hand connected with Darien's cheek. She turned on her heel and walked away quickly. Darien stood still as if dazed. A red handprint marked his cruel remark. He caught Claire's eye, she shook her head and went back to the party. He turned a murderous look on Monroe. "Stay away from me from now on." He hissed at her. Monroe had the good grace to stay silent. Darien flung her a final glare and headed for the exit. Monday morning arrived. Darien hadn't heard from Annie all weekend. Of course, he'd spent most of it drunk. He was miserable without her, it felt like part of him was missing. It was difficult to get to sleep without her there. He dragged himself into work and collapsed into his chair for his shot. Claire was less than polite which added to his misery. Even Bobby had seemed distant. This was going to be a long day. At lunchtime, Claire surprised him with a little picnic in the keep. To " make up" was how she'd put it. When he asked about Bobby, she had vaguely answered something about Hobbesnet. Bobby was busy. He waited until he saw her serve the last customer, then made his move. "Annie, fancy lunch?" Annie's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Bobby saw the look and held out his hands. "Hey. He doesn't know I swear." Bobby crossed his heart. Annie relaxed and released her breath. Maybe lunch with Bobby would be fun. She nodded her agreement. Bobby grinned. It was time for Operation Reunite. Back at the keep, Claire was handling Darien. It was clear he regretted the whole thing. He was close to tears when he explained about the party. Claire found herself feeling sorry for him. Then she remembered his cruelty to Annie. "You know, she might never forgive you for that remark." "She has to, Claire. If I could take it back I would. She forgave me for attacking her when I was QSM so she can forgive me for this." Claire shook her head. "Darien. Being in the throes of madness is one thing. You were completely sane the other night. You have no excuse." Darien looked miserable. Claire felt her sympathy return. She looked at her watch. Bobby should be at lunch by now. She prayed he could convince Annie to stay with Darien. "So. Let's get this straight. You're not mad he was kissing Monroe, but you're mad about what he said." Bobby was trying to get the story straight. "Correct. Gold star super agent." "From what I hear you did some pretty serious goading." "Maybe. I was angry. It's not everyday you find your boyfriend sucking face with another woman." Bobby laughed despite himself. Then became serious. "Look, he's really cut up about things. He spent the whole weekend face down in his couch. Can't you throw him a bone? " "Maybe. He really was face down?" Annie raised an eyebrow. "Yep. Ass in the air and everything." Annie grinned at that image. She hugged Bobby, he patted her back fondly. She gave a dramatic sigh. "Okay. I'll forgive him. Just do me a favour. If we ever break up again, bring me to a place that has tables." "You got it sweetheart." Bobby chortled. Annie smiled back at him. Her brain was working on how to forgive Darien properly. No time like the present, she turned to Bobby. "Can I catch a ride?" The phone rang in the keep "It's done." Was all that was said when she answered. A lovely smile broke out on Claire's face. She glanced at her friend. She only had to wait a little longer. Right on cue the door opened twenty minutes later to reveal Bobby and Annie. Darien's eyes lit up when he saw Annie. Annie tried to look casual. "Okay you two. Claire and I think that you are both behaving like kids. Annie, Darien is sorry. Darien, Annie thinks you're a pig but, she loves you. We are going to leave you for five minutes. Use that time for some serious necking. After that I use the gun." Bobby took Claire's hand and sauntered out the keep. Annie tried to keep a straight face. Darien had already started to laugh. They grew serious as they looked at each other. Annie had missed him. She hated sleeping alone. Darien spoke first. "I'm sorry for what I said. It was cruel and I didn't mean it." "I know. I didn't mean what I said either." "About slumming it or being exclusive?" "Being exclusive. You can slum it with me anytime." "Too much talking, not enough necking." Came a voice from outside. Darien grinned. "C'mere you." He pulled her onto his lap as he sat in his chair. She wriggled causing him to groan. "You're a bad girl you know that?" "Spank me later. Kiss me now." Darien was all to happy to obey her. The End.