A/N: Anyone else think that went a little too easy last chapter? Anyone else think maybe there might be something at work here? Sit back, relax, and enjoy Chapter 2, Enough is Enough (Back to back updates...don't expect that trend to hold, end of the semester stuff going on so, busy, busy, busy)
Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and I'm not saying I watch an episode everyday, but I'm not saying I don't either.
The day before the last chapter ended. (vs The Crown Vic)
John's phone rang, and he answered. "Casey."
Beckman's voice came through the line. "Major. I am calling to imform you that the baby version of Intersect computer was successful. This means the new Intersect should be up running soon. Once the new computer is on line, it will be time to take care of Bartowski."
"Roger that," Casey replied.
"I hope you have not grown too fond of the subject," Beckman said. "I would hate for you to be compromised."
"I understand my orders, General."
"Oh, and... John?"
"Yeah?"
"Happy Holidays."
-ooooo-
A few days earlier
Diane Beckman was tired, specifically of the CIA. No, that wasn't fair, there were those in the CIA she thought a lot of. Langston Graham was not one of those people. What in the hell was that man doing? What was he playing? Didn't he know who Chuck was? Didn't he know what he was messing with? Did he even care? She opened the door to her home and felt him there, before she ever saw him.
"Diane," his voice greeted her ears and washed over her. It didn't matter how bad things were, it didn't matter how long he'd been gone, Roan Montgomery did things to her, that no man ever had before and she truly doubted ever would. There were days she regretted not doing more about their situation.
"Roan, what brings you by?"
"I thought you could use an ear," Roan replied, grinning. "I've…heard things."
"What things?" Diane asked, walking over to pour herself a drink to try and catch up with Roan.
"Bryce Larkin," Roan answered. She muttered under her breath. "Not very ladylike Diane."
"Between Bryce, and Graham….that damned CIA…no offense."
"None taken," Roan replied, with a suave smile on his face. "I take it Graham's personal enforcer in not the Ice Queen we all thought she was?"
"Who knew a damn nerd could thaw her out so quick," Beckman muttered. Roan nearly spit out his drink in laughter. "Do you know who he is, Roan?"
"He's Stephen and Mary's son," Roan replied. Diane gave him a look, and he grinned. "Everyone thinks I'm a drunk, they talk near me." Diane shook her head. "So what are we gonna do?"
"We, Roan?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.
"Diane, we know you're a romantic, but I am..well…" Diane rolled her eyes. "What's the problem?"
"The problem is Graham. He's going to get that new Intersect on line and want Chuck killed. We cannot do that."
"Make him an analyst," Roan suggested.
"That would work, but Graham would stick his nose in it," Diane added.
"Then we get his wife involved, make him go away for Christmas," Roan said, popping an olive in his mouth.
"No, as bad as Bryce messed things up, there's not enough conflict. Graham's suspicious of them."
Roan thought for a second. "He loves her?"
"Desperately," Diane replied.
"She loves him?"
"Yes, but she doesn't know what the hell to do about it," she said, shaking her head.
"Remind you of anyone?" Roan asked, with a twinkle in his eye. Beckman stared at him. "What assets do we have in play."
"John Casey is about to lose his mind over the two of them," Beckman said. She started the video feed of a double date at Ellie's apartment.
"Who is that vision of beauty?" Roan asked. Diane turned toward him, a frown on her face. "Diane, seriously, is that…is that Elanor?"
"Yes, she's quite lovely," Diane replied. She waited a second. "And much too young for you."
"She's been watching Charles this whole time?" Diane nodded. Roan grinned. "There's your answer," he said, pointing at Ellie.
"Roan, she's not read in," Diane said, spinning toward him. Roan rolled his eyes.
"She's Mary's daughter, and has protected him all these years?" Diane nodded, eyes widening as she got what Roan was getting at.
"Okay, okay, say we do this, what about Graham?" Diane asked.
"You said he was getting suspicious?" Diane nodded. "Seduction mission." Diane's face lit up. "Even if he is suspicious of him, I assume Charles acts like Stephen."
"Oh, God, don't get me started," Diane replied.
"Good, either way, it will prove to Graham that Sarah will do the mission, now what suspected players are in Los Angeles," Roan said, pulling out his phone. "Oh, this is good." He looked up at Diane. "Lon Kirk is in town."
"How do we get Chuck involved?"
"He fixes computers, correct?" Diane nodded. "I'll get myself an invite on his yacht, screw with his computer, find some of his dirty money, and maybe he'll…what did you call it?"
"Flash," Beckman answered.
Roan studied her for a second. "That has such a boorish connotation to it. We have John bring Ellie in and we're set."
"He'll follow Sarah," Beckman said sighing. "He always does. It's to protect her, but…"
"Good," Roan said grinning. "Have Casey make a bust, and check the wrong crates when he does."
"Wait, Roan. We have a chance to get Lon Kirk. I can't let him get away."
"He's Stephen's son?" Diane nodded. "When has Stephen ever let anything go?" Diane smiled. Roan stood. "I'm sorry, Diane, but I must get to LA. Seems there's a yacht I need to visit." He gave her a kiss, and headed for the door.
"Roan," she called. He turned and looked at her. "What happens after that?"
Roan grinned. "How do you feel about staying in a chalet in Grindelwald, Switzerland?"
-ooooo-
"John what is with all of these forms?" Ellie asked, still signing. "I don't understand.
"Ellie, trust me, we don't have much time," John replied, watching the screen in front of him. Chuck was there by himself. He knew it was a matter of time before Sarah showed up.
"What does this have to do with Chuck, and Sarah, and…..the NSA?" Ellie asked, looking up from the last form.
"You're about to find out," Casey said, grinning, running into the living room with a bowl of popcorn.
The door opened. "She's coming," Roan said. Casey punched a button and on another monitor Beckman came on.
"What is going on?" Ellie asked.
"This is the easiest way to tell you," Casey replied, sitting on the couch as they watched the door open to Ellie's apartment and Sarah come in.
Ellie or Awesome home? No. They're at work. And hello to you, too. What the hell happened today? I-I don't know. I don't get it. I had a flash. Right when I went below deck with Kirk. It's pretty convenient timing, I would say. What are you talking about? Just when you thought that I was getting intimate with Kirk, you decided to have a flash. What exactly are you implying? That I faked the flash? That I'm a flash faker? You know, I think we need to discuss the fact that you let your emotions get in the way today. My emotions? Things have been a little off since the incident, Chuck. Really? And what incident are you referring to, Agent Walker, huh?Could it be the incident where you planted a kiss on me right before a bomb was supposed to go off, ending our lives? That same kiss right before your boyfriend, Bryce, came back from the dead, that kiss? Stop saying kiss. It happened. Okay? What's done is done. Can we just not talk about it, please? Okay, fine. Absolutely, of course. Just answer me one little thing. Chuck... Did you kiss me that night because you thought we were going to die, and mine were the most convenient lips around, or was it actually about me? What happened was a mistake. One I won't make again.
The door slammed to the apartment and they all winced. Ellie stood there a second. "There's so much we all need to discuss, but who is she trying to kid, she's not an Agent."
"Sarah Walker is an agent of the CIA," Beckman said. "In fact she's a spy." Ellie turned to her. "I am General Beckman of the NSA, Dr. Bartowski."
"Ellie is fine," Ellie said, looking at Beckman like she was crazy. "Well someone needs to tell the CIA their spy is in love with my brother."
"Ha," Roan said, looking pleased. "Roan Montgomery, CIA," Roan said, offering Ellie his hand. "It is lovely to meet you, Elanor."
Ellie took his hand and shook it. "Do I know you? You look familiar."
"No, no, I would never forget a lovely creature like yourself," Roan replied.
"Casey is a major in the NSA, Ellie," Beckman said, trying to get this conversation back on the right path. "Both have been dispatched to guard your brother, but we have a problem."
"I'm guessing it has something to do with a CIA agent being in love with my brother," Ellie said, shaking her head. "Figures, that hell psycho Jill screws him up and he goes and falls for a spy."
"You're taking this calmly," Casey said, not hiding the surprise in his voice.
"Chuck Bartowski is capable of great things, John," Ellie said fiercely.
"He's been involved in missions," John added.
Ellie spun on him. "And now we have a problem," Ellie said.
"If we could focus on the important part," Roan said, soothingly. "Diane and John can fill you in on the rest later." Ellie nodded. "Sarah's ex partner was Bryce Larkin."
"Are you flippin kidding me?!" Ellie exclaimed.
"Don't hold back your language because of me," Beckman said. Ellie shot off a fury that made everyone's eyebrows raise. "Maybe you should," Beckman amended.
"As I was saying," Roan continued. "Sarah had a…relationship with Bryce." Ellie groaned. "Sarah has secret service training and her main mission is to guard Charles."
Ellie nodded. "She fell for him, kinda like in The Bodyguard."
"Kinda," Casey admitted. Beckman and Roan both gave him a look. "What, I wasn't hatched."
"Anyway," Roan went on, shaking his head. "They thought they were about to die, Sarah kissed Charles, Bryce returned, awkwardness ever since."
"So they're not together?" Ellie asked.
"A relationship between an asset and a handler is forbidden by the CIA," Roan explained.
"An asset?" Ellie asked.
"It's the way the Director of the CIA is keeping Charles under his thumb," Roan explained.
"And you're in charge of the NSA?" Ellie asked. Beckman nodded. "Make him part of the NSA."
"We can do that, but the problem still is these two moving forward," Roan explained.
"Bartowski's got a computer in his head and all his ladyfeelings are mucking it up," Casey said. "Like Sarah said."
"Actually that was because of you, and you know it," Roan corrected. Casey grinned. "We need you Elanor to help us get these two together so they grow as human beings and be better. As a whole these three are outstanding."
"When Walker and Bartowski are at this…whatever the hell their at, it's God awful," Casey added.
"He has a computer in his head?" Ellie asked.
"Ellie, focus," John said.
Ellie's eyes narrowed, and nostrils flared. "John Casey."
"Oh, shit," he muttered.
"I am a neurologist, I am quite focused about A COMPUTER IN MY BROTHER'S HEAD!"
"This may help alleviate some strain," Beckman said, knowing this could go bad.
"If I help you three, I want in on everything."
"Granted," Roan said. He turned to Beckman. "This is quicker." She didn't look happy. Roan turned back to Ellie. "How do you feel about Switzerland?"
-ooooo-
Later, while Chuck and Sarah are on stakeout duty
"General, did Graham take the bait?" Casey asked with Roan on one side and Ellie on the other.
She made a disgusted noise. "Not only did he take the bait that those two were having conflict, he actually believed I'd make a phone call like I did to you."
"That was a bit dramatic," Casey admitted.
"Dr Woodcomb ready to go?" Beckman asked Ellie.
"He is, General," Ellie replied. "Although I worry he might be spotted on the slopes."
"What about this Hans Gruber?" Casey asked. "Isn't that a bit ridiculous?"
"He has been reported a few times to be leading a…cult, according to some visitors. What happens is he finds a couple that has wealthy family members, uses his looks and his charm to convince the female of the couple she could use "private" lessons, and afterwards…blackmails her."
"Walker will tear his balls off," Casey said, grinning. "But how is this anything we care about?" He felt Ellie's eyes on him. "Not trying to be harsh, Ellie, but this isn't our thing."
"He is rumored to have the slightest connection to Fulcrum," Beckman replied.
"How is them going after this Gruber character going to help us?" Ellie asked. "We just saw what happened with Lon Kirk."
"Because we'll have Sarah have to open up to him, explain how seduction works," Roan explained. "See, it's not having sex with someone, it's not about even being naked, or barely even touching, it's about a promise." Roan grinned. "Done right, a few touches, on the arm, neck, or shoulder, a few looks, and suddenly, the belief of an amazing night is all that's needed. Add in the drugs from the darts…"
"All the mark knows is they wake up feeling amazing, so it must have been amazing sex," Casey said, grinning. "However on the last mission I might have implied Sarah did more than that."
"So Chuck was in a jealous fit, but it also showed….oh," Ellie said, grinning. "You're evil." Roan grinned. "Sarah realized he was jealous, but not only that, a part of her liked it."
"She's wanted, but not just sexually, your extraordinary brother wanted to protect her," Roan explained. "Sarah was so confused by everything she was feeling that she lashed out."
"Do you three really think this will all work?"
"We're sending them to the most romantic spot in the world before Christmas, with a nothing mission, and we're all going to be nearby with the two chalets I have procured, what could go wrong, Ellie?" Roan asked.
Casey's eye twitched. "You just jinxed it, you moron."
-ooooo-
Now
Sarah spun toward Casey. "When do we leave?"
"Private jet, so whenever you can get ready," Casey answered.
"I think Chuck and I need to head to my place and get my suitcase and come up with a plan for Ellie," she said, never looking at Chuck.
"Copy that," Casey said. Sarah turned and left the apartment leaving Chuck standing there. "Don't you think you ought to catch up before Ellie realizes you're separated?" Chuck sprinted after Sarah.
Chuck got to her car and saw her sitting in it. Her mouth was moving over and over, "I don't know how to do this." Chuck stood there, frowning. Sarah looked up and saw him. She opened her car door and got out. "What's wrong?"
"Sarah, you keep saying you don't know how," Chuck began. He paused, and wiped his hands on his pants. Lord, they were sweaty. "Sarah, what do you want? Do you want to be with someone like me? Do you want be with me? I meant what I said, was I just convenient or was it about me? Sarah it has nothing to do with how, but it's about should we, should you?"
Sarah stared at him and saw the hurt on his face, the pain that had been there since that damn not-bomb went off. She came around in front of her car with long strides, walked up to him, grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a kiss that rivaled the one at the bomb. It didn't go on as long, and when she pulled away, he had a grin on his face, one she really wanted to knock off, and not with her fist.
"I'm not great with words," she said softly.
"So that's a maybe?" Chuck asked.
A/N: A simple mission, what could go wrong….HEHEHEHEHE. EDC is still smiling. I hope you enjoyed it. Reviews and PMs are always welcomed. Til Next Time
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