What do we do now…go on waiting

This story is the follow-on to the Chuck vs the Plan Series

Still don't own Chuck. Normal disclaimers apply. Characters and events are fictitious.

"Sometimes it helps to know that you got something to lose."

-Agent Walker, Episode 3.4

Chapter 2—A Month Later

Casa Bartowski

Chuck looked over the collection of people in the conference room. Tomorrow was the first day that teams would be leaving for their assignments. Everyone had been planning for his or her assignments since the first week back. Chuck, Sarah, Casey and Mary would be based out of LA, but would travel, as they needed to meet with the deployed teams or conduct their own operations. Lisa and her analyst team would also remain at LA. They would be supported by Steven, and really Chuck, with their analysis model.

Three teams would stay in LA. Their leads were Elton Devers, Lea Suz and Vera Townsman.

Elton, nicknamed Eldie, was a young FBI agent and recent Harvard Law graduate. He had been wounded just as he and the others joined Sarah's task force. Doc Adams released him for limited duty. As Chuck put it, he could direct his team but wait in the van. Eldie's teams were charged with following up on reports of new Messer Schwarz or MS operations on the West Coast.

Lea Suz was an officer from Customs and Border Protection. She had been the lead for a team taking down a MS human trafficking in San Francisco. Lea was charged with the Southern Border. The main thrust was to investigate possible Cartel ties to the Ring or Sion.

Vera Townsman was a Sky Marshal. Turned out she knew how to fly helicopters and supported Chuck in their first strike against Fulcrum. She also was a lead in San Francisco, taking down another hotel. Her teams were responsible for possible Ring or Sion activities in other parts of the Untied States.

Going to Europe with emphasis on Sion activities were Tom Newton, Clay Carston, Kristen O'Day and Lawrence Taylor.

Tom Newton would be based out of Bern. He was with the Secret Service trying to track down people using very sophisticated computer graphics and printers to make counterfeit monies. He had become close to Melina Habana, whom he had helped rescue from MS. She was with Columbian Security and was undercover tying to get two Diplomats' girls out from MS clutches.

Clay Carston was a computer specialist in on-line fraud and hackers. He was a team lead during first raid against the hotels. He was shot in those raids and had recovered from a shot in the arm. He was going to be stationed in Paris.

IRS Kristen O'Day was a specialist in corporate tax fraud and accounting. While lead in San Francisco she had been hit in chest by two bullets. A bulletproof vest stopped them, but she was bruised and cut. When apartments were attacked, she was shot in leg. Along with Eldie, she was still recovering from her wounds.

Lawrence Taylor, nicknamed LT, would be stationed with her in Rome. LT was another young FBI agent and also a recent graduate of Harvard. His teams were to determine whether there was a connection between Sion and the Ring or other organizations with the same view of world domination.

Kayle Poston, Chief Scotts and Jim Henry, a new addition to the ranks, were stationed in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Their primary focus was the Ring.

Kayle was one of the original team leads. He was a US Marshall and had been stationed in Japan when he was in the military. He had glowing performance reports while there and had been posted to the embassy.

The same was true with Chief Scotts and Korea. While on several tours, some with Casey, in the Middle East, the Chief had spent much of his career in South Korea. And the Chief had become a double dipper. While the two weddings were significant events for the teams, Chief's retirement from the Air Force was as spectacular with the ceremony conducted by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The next day he became an agent of the CIA.

FBI Special Agent Jim Henry had made an impression on Chuck and Sarah through his dealings with Alice Kazan. He was offered a job with the teams and readily accepted.

Finally Brad Hill and Alice Kazan were assigned to the Middle East.

Alice was to be stationed in Israel. She was an FBI Special Agent and an original team lead. Alice was going to be the first to leave. Chuck's boss had made arrangements with the Israeli Government for her to be based there. Arrangements had also been made with the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations or Mossad, as they had indications that Sion had links to known terrorist organizations.

Brad Hill had a later flight but he would be the second to leave. Brad was a young FBI agent with a law degree from Yale. He was to work from Kuwait, but much of his operations would be in support of Afghanistan. His target was Ring activity. Chuck's model had shown many of the Ring agents were recruited while serving in the Middle East. Brad's job was to determine whether this was one person or some kind of cell that was turning all these people over to the Ring.

Chuck looked over at Sarah and nodded. She began, "Okay, once again we all know that the enemy and the threats are ruthless and deadly. What we have done so far will be easy compared to our next phase. Also, remember that until we confirm and have proof that someone is in the Ring, a part of MS or Sion we will not be able to act on the information. And in most cases we will be looking for proof that the person has committed a crime. The evidence will be turned over to the appropriate nation's security or police force. And you each have contacts to ensure it gets to the cleared personnel." Sarah looked back to Chuck.

"Yes, well. You all know that I can help you and don't forget to call with questions or include me in any of you operations. And while we don't expect that you'll have direct threats against you like we did before, be careful." Chuck watched as everyone nodded in agreement. "Then let's eat."

A big meal had become one of their traditions. This time they had it catered, another big barbeque spread. Chuck was pleased, but knew he would miss this. With the deployments and only three teams at LA, their numbers would be going down for these dinners. He brightened when Sarah moved over to him.

"Yeah, I know. But we'll have those nights and weekends together." Sarah got her eyebrows to go up and down sort of like Chuck's eyebrow dance.

He was impressed and knew actually what that meant. Casey interrupted his glory. "Hey, are you still going out to Dockside tonight?"

"Yeah, we were planning on it. Morgan wanted a video game marathon, but agreed with Sarah to go out. Are you guys still coming?" Chuck quickly remembered the plans for the evening and knew the eyebrow dancing would wait till later. Morgan did not make it through the Benihana School and Anna had left him. Chuck's initial thoughts were that Morgan could easily slip into a funk like he did after Stanford. He got Sarah to agree to try and help with the problem.

"No, we'll have you covered. But we are going to head back to the ranch. One of Mary's favorite mares is about to foal. Apparently the last one did not make it and they almost lost the mare," Casey shrugged.

"Hey, buddy we'll be praying for you guys. Let us know and we'll come down. But first we'll have to take care of our own little one," Chuck smiled.

"Okay later, I have to get the bags," Casey nodded, happy that he did not have to deal with Mrogan and left the room.

Chuck got up with Sarah. Sarah watched Casey leaving, "What's up with him?" After Chuck explained, Sarah hurriedly said, "Oh, I'll go see Mary off and wish her the best. Be right back and then we can get Morgan."

Chuck walked over to Alice and Brad and asked, "Are you guys all set?"

Brad nodded along with Alice. She added, "Yes, we are already to go. And our teams are set. We'll be checking in along the way. Lisa and her folks will be able to keep a status on the trip. But really, there shouldn't be any problems."

"Right," Chuck held up his cell phone, "But call us if you run into any problems."

After making it around the room, Chuck saw Sarah heading back. They made their farewells and headed out to get Morgan. They intercepted Morgan in the courtyard.

Morgan held up his badge, "Wow, the security around here is like, wow."

Chuck and Sarah looked Morgan over. The badge had a little cheesy orange on it and so did his beard. Chuck frowned, "Cheese balls?"

Morgan's shoulders slumped. He had been found out. "Yeah."

"You know you're breaking the cardinal rule," Chuck sighed.

"Can we please talk about something other than Anna?"

Sarah shook her head, "You're mopping around for…"

"I am not mopping," Morgan cut her off.

Sarah got a little steely eyed. When she thought back about it, she had gotten use to everyone listening to her and not cutting her off. She firmly said, "Look, we know you are upset about Anna. But we have to go on, we can't just put our lives on pause."

Chuck added, "Yeah buddy, what, there's got to be two million ladies in the City of Angeles. They can't all say no to you. Tonight will be fun. You'll see."

Sarah brushed a little of the cheese dust off of his shoulder, "Come on Morgan. We'll clean you up a little and head out."

The Dockside Club

Chuck had Sarah on his arm and opened the door for her to the club. Morgan followed behind. Sarah had discretely pointed Chuck to one of Casey's protection detail. Chuck nodded and then brightened as he saw an open table by the bar. "Hey, great. Right over here."

As they wound their way to the table, they were spotted. When they got to the table Chuck looked up, "Hey, hi! Carina, long time."

Carina looked at everyone and went to Sarah and gave her a hug, "Hey girl. You look, well, good. This is working, huh?"

"Good, yes, very good," Sarah put her arm around Chuck.

Carina continued, "Well, what a nice surprise. Chuckie." She moved closer to him.

Chuck was quick and held up his ring finger, "You were invited, remember?"

"Yes well, was in the middle of something and could not get away," Carina replied quickly. Then she looked at Sarah, "You know we still owe you a Bachelorette Party." She saw Sarah's frown, "Well, maybe you owe us one. I could just call…"

Sarah shook her head, "No, we're good. Thanks but that's okay."

Carina shrugged and looked at Morgan, "Hey Martin, so why the glum mug?"

Chuck spoke up, "It's Morgan, Carina. And we're trying to liven him up a little."

"Well, you came to the right place," Carina looked around. She put out her hand to Morgan, "Come on let's dance."

Morgan's face transformed and had the biggest smile. He mouthed, 'oh wow,' at Chuck as they left for the dance floor.

Chuck's eyes got big and looked at Sarah, "Oh boy, do you think this was a good idea?"

"Don't worry, she won't kill him," Sarah replied, then mumbled, "At least, I don't think so."

At the end of the next song Carina and Morgan returned to the table. Carina winked at Sarah, "Working."

Both Chuck and Sarah caught that and looked surprised. They were even more surprised when a big hulk of a man, bigger than Casey, came up to the table. He called out, "Hey!"

Carina turned around and quickly got into a big bear hug. She smiled at him, "Hey baby. Glad you could make it. Now I can tell everyone the big news. This is my fiancé, Karl."

Sarah could only get out, "Wow."

Carina then began the introductions, "Sarah Walker, now Bartowski, my best friend, and Chuck her new husband. And this, this is my best boyfriend Morgan."

Karl took Chuck's hand and acknowledged, "Chuck," and then Morgan's hand calling out his him too. Morgan cringed a little at the pressure. "Great to meet you guys."

Morgan was still trying to get his hand back, said, "Yeah. Yeah, nice to meet you too. After all Carina has said. Nice to see a face that goes with it."

Chuck nodded at Morgan's comments and saw that he finally got his hand back, "Right, really great to meet you."

Sarah piped up too, "It is really great to meet you. I mean you're exactly how Carina described you."

Karl laughed and putting his arm around her waist, "Thank you. Love has really made me a better man. What about you?" He looked at Chuck.

"Oh well, it's great. I mean this is the best of my life. Couldn't be happier," Chuck gave Sarah a kiss.

Sarah thought that was a sweet comeback to a really weird situation. She went, "Oh," and kissed Chuck back.

Karl kissed Carina and then said, "Love you Smouchie."

"I love you Smouch," Carina replied with a kiss.

Karl looked at his watch, "I'm really sorry to cut this short guys but I've booked a romantic dinner for two."

Chuck agreed, "Yeah go. Don't let us hold you."

Karl turn to Carina, "Meet you at the valet."

Carina gave him another kiss, "Miss you Smouch."

"I'll miss you more, Smouchie. Okay guys, really good seeing you." Karl walked away from the table.

Chuck waited until he was gone, "Sarah, Carina, I hate to tell you but Karl is not who you think he is. He's a bad man. Like really bad. Sort of like…"

Carina smirked, "Arms dealer? Yeah, my mark. What do you think; I'm an idiot? You remember the cardinal rule. Spies don't fall in love. Welcome to my new mission. And I need your help."

Morgan sat back trying to take this all in. 'Was Chuck really into the gangs in LA? Was that what Sarah and Carina were all about? Why did they get shot at after the going away beach party? Chuck had never explained that. There was a lot of explaining to do.'

Sarah hesitated.

Carina continued, "Oh yeah, that's right. You're not any more. Now you're both 'the man.' But now that you met him, I have to have your help."

Sarah answered, "Okay, but we can't talk about it here. Come to the apartments for breakfast tomorrow."

"Sure, I got to go." Carina gave Morgan a kiss on the cheek and walked off.

As he watched her walk away, Morgan smiled, "I'm in. Whatever she needs. I'll help." Then he remembered what Carina had said. "What are you guys? You're not even working at the Buy More any more. Are you gang lords or something? Those guys that put the hoods on us after the beach, are they working for you? Why did I have to get a badge when I came to the apartments?" Then he paused and it clicked, "What, you work for the government or something? That's why your dad is back?"

"Hey buddy, slow down. We're here for some fun." Chuck tried to regain a little control over the night.

"Wait, what does that make Carina?"

Sarah reached out to Morgan, "Why don't you come by for breakfast tomorrow too? We'll answer your questions."

"Great, great. I'll go get the drinks." Morgan was almost bouncing over to the bar.

Chuck watched him and looked over to Sarah, "Really?"

"Yeah, as the Directors, we can decide who gets briefed. We've already run his background," she started to explain. She saw the question in his eyes, "What you don't think Casey would let anyone near the… you, without getting a full background check?"

Chuck's eyebrows rose in recognition, "Yeah, I guess so."

Casa Bartowski

There was no letting up. Morgan was on this right away. Breakfast was not early enough for Morgan. He was over at the apartments at sun up. Chuck and Sarah had to take a call from the security detail to let Morgan in. They got in their bathrobes and went to meet him.

Chuck got Morgan at the apartment door and ushered him into the kitchen. Sarah had just finished turning on a pot of coffee. Morgan watched as Chuck just shook his head and nodded to the coffee pot. He managed to get out, "Coffee, quiet." Chuck saw that Morgan was about to say something, "Don't even…"

Morgan saw Sarah turn around without the happy face and noticed the garter belt with the set of knives. His eyes got wide and he nodded at Chuck.

Once Sarah had a cup of coffee in her hands and Chuck and Morgan had one, she sat at the table. Morgan took a hesitant sip and said, "Okay, that was like going through TSA this morning. What are you guys doing? Did your dad develop some new technology that needs to be protected? Is it some new medical breakthrough that Ellie or Awesome developed?"

Chuck smiled, "Slow down Buddy, slow down."

"Wait, you're working for the government and…"

"Stop, stop, Morgan," Chuck was just shaking his head.

"You're spies?"

Chuck closed his eyes, "Well, not anymore."

Sarah decided that since she had suggested that Morgan come by she would take over the explanation, "That's right, we're not spies any more. Wait a second." She walked back to the counter and got a sack of papers. "Sign these at the tabs." She smiled as that gave her a chance to actually get a refreshing wake up drink of coffee.

"Boy, there more forms than there were for Benihana. My hand is cramping."

"Morgan, do you want to know or not?" Chuck asked of his complaining little buddy.

"Yes, I'm good. Okay last one." He looked over at Chuck. "So, what you're a spy or something?"

"No, like I said, we're not spies anymore," Sarah started.

"What? You were? Really? Both of you?"

"Okay buddy, slow down, stay with us and we'll explain," Chuck cut in.

"Yes, we were both spies. Now, we are called Directors. We have people working for us," Sarah continued.

"Wow…wow! My best friend and his super hot wife are spies! This is unbelievable." He looked at Sarah again, "Well, maybe the hottest girl ever but Chuck? This is the best news ever. Holy smokes this makes perfect sense. All those times you went out with Sarah, instead of a nice quiet game of COD with your best friend, your life partner."

Chuck held up his hand, "Morgan?"

"I can't believe it, all this time. Is Casey too? How about Carina? Her too? Wow!" Morgan looked around. "How about Ellie and Awesome?"

Chuck quickly intervened, "They know, but are not a part of this. They're here so we can protect them."

Morgan nodded. Somehow that made sense. "And your dad?" He looked down at the paper work. "So, what is the Intersect program? What was that all about?"

Chuck looked over at Sarah. She smiled. He knew he got her agreement that he should explain, "Okay. This all started about, well almost three years ago at my birthday party."

"Oh, I remember that. We finally got away from the party and went to your room. What? What happened? Sarah wasn't there?"

"No, she wasn't. But do you remember telling me about an email?"

Morgan thought for a while, "From Bryce, the dirtball, Larkin?"

"Right, when I got the email from Bryce Larkin…"

A/N Well, took a little longer than I expected to post this. Work is going to get busier. Actually that's a good thing. Will be focusing on this story rather than starting others. Hope you enjoyed, please leave a review.

Hope you enjoyed, please leave a review.