Casey vs the wedding gift

A/N: The last chapter of The Fight NYE is toying with me – after three rewrites, I get stuck on the same point every time. But I will win. Eventually. So in the mean time I decided on a distraction. It's been a while since I've done a 'deleted scene' for season 4, so here's a little something. I'm going to try and see if I can incorporate this submission in a couple of deleted scenes from upcoming episodes. If not, it'll be AU. Either way, this will be a short fic. As always I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 1

John Casey stood in the shadow of his apartment door watching the festivities around him. Usually things like this would prompt him to get the hose, but not tonight. Well, maybe with the exception of Grimes playing tonsil hockey with his daughter. It was downright disturbing. At least Alex was happy. For a moment there he envisioned tearing the bearded buffoon limb from limb from limb. He overheard Alex tell Morgan that she didn't feel special, just lied to. Casey immediately saw red. Then he remembered what Morgan said about Carina and cursed himself for dismissing him earlier. He knew what Carina was like. Though he'll never admit it, Casey was impressed with Morgan's save, telling Alex how he really felt. He could see that he meant it too. Casey still believed Alex could do better, but given what he'd seen in his years as a spy, he also knew she could do worse. A lot worse. So for now he'll be happy as long as Alex is. And Kathleen. He took a swig from the bottle in his hand in an effort to erase that thought from his mind. Over the years he met a woman or two, felt something more than mere contentment, but none of them came close to his first love. He was enough of a human being to admit that there's nothing like a first love.

His eyes searched out the reason for tonight's celebration. He spotted Chuck across the courtyard sighing happily and sporting a goofy grin. Some things about that kid would never change. He watched Chuck over the past few years turning from a babbling computer nerd into a spy. One he's proud to call his partner and not just for the usual reasons. A good partner is one who always has your back. It's also someone you can learn from. Casey never thought it possible, but Chuck showed him that the job didn't have to be your life. With some effort you could have both. Sure it's not always easy, but it was worth a try. Five years ago Casey was nothing but a spy. Now he's a father and a friend. He even experienced the odd lady feeling or two and it wasn't all that bad.

Of course he wasn't as far gone as Walker. Casey smirked to himself. He felt like shooting something, or someone, when he was ordered to team up with Graham's wild card enforcer. He remembered that first night at the club watching her take out his entire team with throwing knifes and hair pins all the while keeping the nerd distracted with sexy dance moves and inappropriate touching. But the cracks in her armor showed later that evening when she fought for Chuck not to be thrown into a bunker. He recalled thinking that must have been one hell of a first date. Judging by where he was at the moment, he wasn't that far off.

He saw Sarah through the window of the Woodcomb apartment sharing a hug with Ellie. He could guess what that was about. He overheard some bridesmaid talk in Castle earlier. It seemed that Mr. Fix-It Bartowski's plan didn't backfire entirely. Normally he would try and dissuade the kid, explaining to him what a spy's life was really like, but Casey knew on some level Chuck felt guilty about insisting on a big family wedding, not realizing the bride's side would be fairly empty. As it was, Sarah's tally was two bridesmaids and nothing more.

Casey entertained the idea of offering to walk her down the aisle, but then he started thinking of everything they've been through as a team and decided he could do better. He quietly disappeared into his apartment and locked the door behind him. He wasted no time establishing a link to Washington. General Beckman seemed surprised to see him.

"Is something wrong, Colonel?"

"No, ma'am," he immediately set her at easy. He straightened his back. Asking favors was never an easy thing for him to do. "I was just wondering if you have gotten the Bartowskis a wedding gift yet."

"I wasn't aware that they've registered anywhere. They haven't opted for the BuyMore, have they? Finding a decent gravy boat there would be challenging."

Casey cleared his throat. "I was actually hoping for something a little bigger, General."

Beckman raised a half-amused, half-questioning eyebrow. "A salad bowl?"

Casey decided to cut to the chase before he had to shoot down ideas for blenders and crock pots. "I was thinking more along the lines of cutting a deal for Walker's father, General. Some way of allowing him to attend the wedding without fear of prosecution." Casey tried to gauge Beckman's reaction, but she was stone-faced as usual.

"I see."

"General, Agent Walker has dedicated her entire adult life to the service of this country. She was a vital part in taking down Fulcrum, The Ring and Volkoff Industries. And it's not like Mr. Burton is a threat to national security. I agree that his actions shouldn't go unpunished, but wouldn't it be possible to arrange community service instead of jail time provided he cleans up his act? Give him a second chance?" The General held up a hand to stop Casey's flow of words. For a moment neither of them spoke.

"Okay, Colonel," Beckman finally responded, "If you manage to track down Mr. Burton, I will speak to the prosecutors. Make it clear to him that his actions up to you walking into his residence will be subject to community service as we see fit, but if he puts a foot wrong after that, his behind is going straight into a prison cell. That's the best I can do."

Casey suppressed a relieved grunt. "That seems fair. Thank you, ma'am."

"Now Colonel," General Beckman leaned forward on her desk, "What are you getting the happy couple?"

Casey just looked at her, completely stunned. A small smile broke over her face. "Relax, Casey. I think it's a really nice gesture and I'll make sure Chuck and Sarah know where this is coming from. Besides, I had my heart set on getting them that gravy boat." He couldn't be sure, but he thought he spotted a twinkle in her eye before the feed was disconnected.

"Wow, you do have a heart. Who knew?" Casey spun around, nearly grabbing Carina in a choke hold.

"How did you get in here?" he growled.

"Come on, Johnny, a locked door was supposed to stop me? Really?" Carina took a step forward and ran her hand seductively up his chest. "You know," she drawled, "I have some spare handcuffs in my purse, do you have a headboard?"

Casey grunted and took a step back. "Thanks, but no thanks. I don't go for my daughter's boyfriend's left overs."

Carina's mouth fell open. Then she slammed it shut so hard Casey wondered if she cracked a few teeth. "You? Daughter? How'd that happen?"

"The old fashioned way," Casey replied drily as he took her by the shoulders and escorted her out the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."