He knocked on Casey's door and Sarah opened it. Casey was in the centre of the room, arms folded and talking to the TV screen.
"Good evening team Bartowski."
Chuck smiled; he loved it when she said that. Casey tutted at the stupid grin.
"We have a mission that requires the intersect. This, is the Royal Albert, a luxury cruise liner. We have reason to believe that this man-"
Beckman flashed the picture up.
Chuck flashed. "Antonio Matís. Multi-billionaire. International waters trader." Chuck started listing off the extensive list of illegal trade. Before he was interrupted.
"-Exactly Chuck. Mr. Matís, unfortunately, had his ship registered in Somalia meaning our laws can't touch him in international waters. The cruise will travel for the trade and return under a front of a couples retreats."
"So you want Sarah and I to-"
"Not quite, Chuck. You will be accompanying Casey as a couple and Sarah will be posing as a stewardess. It is a how do I say, specialised retreat, strictly for gay couples."
Chuck shot a glance to Casey who, as expected, hadn't shown the slightest reaction.
"With all due respect General, no one is going to buy that I've bagged someone like Casey. Can't we all go as wait staff? Or I dunno, cleaners or something?"
"People believe you're with Sarah." Sniffed Casey under his breath amused at Chuck's discomfort. Chuck glared at him.
"Absolutely not Bartowski. Matís only hires female staff as to separate them from guests, but most importantly you need to tail him, getting close to him with this cover is the most logical way forward."
Chuck couldn't think of an argument to fight back with.
Sarah interrupted to defuse the tension. "And what is it exactly General, that Chuck is looking for."
"We have intel that Matís has stepped up, which is why it has shifted to our priority. We have been informed it is a drug of some form but we need Chuck to intercept it and see if he flashes on it or anyone else on the ship."
Chuck nodded accepting his fate.
"It departs tomorrow at 11am, get to Matís by any means necessary. Don't screw this up."
He exhaled and Sarah tried to comfort him. "Listen, Chuck, this is a simple op, just info collection, no guns, no fighting, you'll be perfectly safe. I know it may be difficult for you pretending to be something you're not but just remember it's a cover. Think of it as part of a play and your character is gay, the character will be able to do things you never could or would."
She offered him a sympathetic smile but Chuck flicked a worried look over to Casey who had his back turned packing gear away for the mission. "Don't worry about Casey he's a professional. It's all gonna be fine."
He tried to mirror her smile. "Go to bed Chuck, we'll pick you up in the morning."
He left collapsing onto his bed. What a confusing day. He should have said something. He should have said if he goes along with this he could compromise the whole mission. He rolled over face flat into the pillow groaning out his pain. How was he supposed to get over Casey if now they have to pose as a couple?
He eventually fell into an uneasy sleep but too soon woke up panting and sweaty. His eyes immediately shot up to his newly discovered camera. Was Casey watching him now? He was shivering from the cold; he had left the window open just in case. What is it about the dark of a night that makes one feel so alone, so needy. He untucked the cover from the other side of his bed, leaving it folded over and open as he settled back on to his side to sleep. Hopeful. An invitation if he was watching.
Casey was. He watched the kid shiver yet refuse to close the window or wrap himself in the blanket. He saw the offer. But he continued packing and going over the plans with Walker.
"Idiot."
"What did you say, Casey?"
"I said, do you really think he's ready for something like this?"
Sarah eyed him curious at the unusual display of concern. "He'll be fine, it's not a difficult mission, and basically no threat of danger he just has to identify the buyer and the product."
Casey really didn't want to push it and give any more reason for Walker's curiosity. "Yeah but this alias, bit out of the kid's depth isn't it."
"He'll be fine Casey. You'll be there to control him."
He glanced back at the screen at Chuck in a restless sleep. This was a terrible idea.