Its a slow afternoon at the Buy More for Chuck and after his routine service calls that morning, he sits in his chair at the Nerd Herd counter, staring intently at the door.

"Hey, Chuck!" Morgan greeted with too much enthusiasm, covering Chuck's line of view of the entrance.

"What's up, buddy?" Chuck reciprocates.

"Oh you know, nothing much, nothing much," the bearded man says, leaning on the counter. "Just wondering if you had any plans for the night?"

After yesterday's miniscule mission, he figures there shouldn't be anything going on for tonight. "Free as a bird, pal. What you got in mind?"

"Well,"scratching his beard, "this wasn't my idea. Anna wanted me to come and ask, and I couldn't say no, 'cause you know how she gets when she doesn't get what she wants and quite frankly I get scared. The last time I di-"

"Morgan?"

"Yeah, man?"

"Spit it out already, would ya?"

"Right, right," he chuckles slightly, "you think you and your lady friend would be up for a double date at Chinese restaurant down the block?"

Chuck immediately sits up straighter, contemplating whether or not to accept. It'd be good for the cover, he rationalizes on Sarah's behalf, though he knows he's way too excited already. "I'm game, I'll just check in with Sarah," he says taking his iPhone out and dialling.

"Hey, Chuck."

Before he knows it, his heart is beating just a tad bit faster than normal; as it always does when he's with her, even just through a phone call. Clearing his throat, "Hey, Sarah. I-I was just wondering, do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Nope, I'm doing the daily report now, so I'm free for the rest of the day. Why?"

"Well, Morgan and Anna wanna go for a double date. Up for it?"

"Sure," she says and Chuck thinks she almost sounds excited. "It'd be good for the cover," with that, his heart sank just a little, though he expected it, didn't he?

"Great," he says anyway, hiding any negative emotions from his voice. "Pick you up at 7?"

"Yeah, sure. Bye."

"Bye, Sarah." He hangs up and stares intently at his phone, feeling too many different things at once.

"Chuck?" his head snaps up, finding Morgan.

"Oh, right, umm yeah," he stutters a bit, "she'll be there. What do you say we meet up at around 7.30?"

Before his bearded little friend can say anything, Big Mike yells his name from the office. He jogs over, "Sounds great," he says over his shoulder.

Over at the Castle, Sarah hangs up and takes a moment from going back to her report, willing her heart to slow down. Its just a cover date for God's sake, she tells herself over and over again. .. She knows she can't be this close to someone or anyone. Especially her asset! Before she can dwell on anything else, she hears the hiss of the entrance.

"Walker, briefing in 2 minutes," grumbles Casey from the stairs.

Putting away her files and papers, she asks, "What about Chuck?"

"What's the matter? Not comfortable keeping secrets from your boy?" He says with a smirk. "Beckman said he doesn't need be present for this one." About to question him, she's stopped short when the screen came to life.

"Agent Walker, Agent Casey," she greets, "without any chit-chat to waste time, I'm just going to shoot forward here." This grabbed the two's attention. "The government is this close to eliminating the Russian terrorist group once and for all. Agent Larkin has been working on the inside and has gotten us an opportunity to capture their leader," she pauses making sure her her top agents are still listening.

"Ma'am?" Casey starts, "What do we need to do to help?" Both know that this particular group have been responsible for not only fatal attacks in the US, but in Europe and South-east Asia as well.

"Well, it's actually quite more simple than you may think as it is similar to past missions," the General says with small smirk, excitement written all over facial features. This unnerved both of the Intersect's handlers. "Agent Walker simply has to accompany Agent Larkin, in disguise of course, and assist with the arrest."

"Do we know who he is? name? face?"

"No, this is why the Intersect must be present during surveillance to identify him. I can not stress enough how important this is. Arresting this man is critical."

Sarah's gut is aching with the mention of her and Bryce together. Yet, she can't help feel ecstatic for a thrilling mission. She schools her expression though, and remains quiet.

"When do we proceed, General?" Casey inquires for the team's behalf.

"In two days, Major. See that the Intersect gets time off as you fly over to Nevada. Tonight, Agent Larkin will be flying in to debrief the team on crucial facts of who to watch for and what to do. Are we clear?" Without waiting for a response, she continues, "Until tomorrow."

- - - - - -

"Chuck," she calls for him across the parking lot, their shifts are over and are about to head home.

"Sarah, hey," he beams. "C'mon and get in the car. I'll drop you off at your place." Always the gentleman, he opens the door for her.

"Chuck, we have to cancel tonight's plans," Sarah starts as they drive out of the lot. With a quick side glance at the man, she catches his frown.

"What is it this time? Turkish arms dealers? Mexican traffickers?" He says not bothering to hide his frustrated tone.

"No," she sighs, "its that Russian terrorist group, remember? The ones in charge of the atomic bomb over near Thailand." Chuck can't be any more pissed, when can he get a break from all this? Not even a decent cover date? He calls Morgan quickly and clears it up. Ending the call, his attitude still present, he asks.

"Alright, now what? Waiter? Husband? Fiance maybe?"

Clearing her throat from a phantom itch, she says softly, "No, you stay in the van for surveillance." Looking straight ahead, "Casey will pose as a bartender and I'll arrest the guy."

"Wait, its just like any other mission, right? Why can't I just attend the party and point whoever I flash on?"

"We need someone on the inside," detaching her voice she continues, "Bryce is taking me."

Just when I thought it doesn't get any better, Chuck says to himself. "Okay," he replies.

Okay? What? That's all he can say about it? No, no. This is good, so much more easier to distance myself if he gives me the chance. Arriving at her hotel, she turns to him. "Meet us back at the Castle in an hour. We have debriefing with Bryce," she closes the door and walks off without waiting for a response and missing the pained expression of the man she tells herself that she doesn't can't have feelings for.

A/N: Okay, probably not the best I can do but at least I tried :)