CarinaChuck4
3291

T/N: I don't really like this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews and especially all the PMs congratulating us on getting married. Thanks a bunch.
APR's Wife!

Chuck flew through the apartment changing clothes and hoping his outfit was 'acceptable'. He'd never really worried about his dress before. Walker seemed to just accept whatever he wore unless they went out in public and then she became Ms. GQ and would send him back to find something else if it didn't meet her exacting standards. She was worse than Ellie. Obviously any 'feelings' for him were necessary to ensure a successful cover operation, nothing more. He'd deluded himself into thinking it was anything more than a professional working her cover.

He pulled up at the door to Carina's motel room and got out and knocked.

She answered the door with a huge smile and gestured to the phone in her ear and mouthed "Washington" and continued talking.

"Look, I'm on vacation. Really, can't this be postponed until after I'm back at work?

Then, "Fine. I'll fly out Saturday night and be there early Sunday morning. Yes, sir. I understand. Fine. I'll see you at 10am Sunday morning for the briefing, sir."

"Damn it! I have to fly back to DC for some meeting with the Director. I'm sorry, Chuck, but I promise I'll be back as soon as I can swing it. This is so damned unfair."

"Hey, I understand. It must be important. Look at the time difference and it's a Friday night. Someone's burning the midnight oil back at the DEA."

She walked over and hugged him. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I had such plans for us when you had the time. We have tonight and all day tomorrow. But I need to ask a favor."

"Sure. Anything…within reason." He laughed and she smirked. He was such a prude.

"Can you drop me off at the airport tomorrow? I want to keep the rental and when I get back we can find some time to just take a drive up the coast? I really like spending time with you. You're different. You show me respect and I enjoy the time we spend together."

"Sure thing. And if you get sent to Timbuktu I'll just keep it and let the DEA pay the bill."

"No way. I signed for it, remember? I'm on vacation. If I can't make it back, you can just drop it off at one of their locations. They'll just bill my AMEX."

He was lost in her blue eyes. She'd obviously spent time on her hair. It was done up in some twisty thing and she looked like she could walk down the runway at some fashion show. He told her that since it was the truth.

"Flatterer. Chuck, I'm already yours, baby. You don't need to butter me up. But thanks for the compliment. I worked hard getting just the right look for you."

"You'd look good in a gunny sack and curlers, Carina. That's not flattery, it's the damned honest truth."

She laughed and then kissed him lightly. "Let's roll. We have a lot of partying to do and you promised me a moonlight walk on the beach, Chuck. Let's hit another club, though. I think that one has a lot of unsavory characters lurking around. I don't want a repeat of last night ruining our time together."

She threw him her keys. "You drive. It's your town. Just don't wreck it, sweetie. I signed for it."

Boom Boom Room

Since Chuck was driving, Carina ordered a mixed drink and Chuck had a coke. The bartender pointed to the sign and took Chuck's keys even though he was not drinking alcohol.

"Rules to live by, my friend. I own this place and I make the rules. Your soft drinks are free for the first hour but you have to pay for your lady friend's alcohol. My place, my rules. You'll get your keys back provided you don't drink any alcohol. If you do, get a cab and we'll secure your car."

"No problem." Chuck liked the rule and the guy. After quick introductions, Carina dragged him out onto the dance floor.

"Chuck, I have a favor to ask. I like you. A lot. I like everything about you and I know I have a rep but can we just pretend we just met or something? I don't want you to feel you have to be on guard every moment we're together. I made you a promise, remember?"

"Yeah. I like you, too, Carina. I always have. I don't judge. At least not consciously so I figure we're like two new people just getting together. And it's true. I'm the deadly assassin and you were my damsel in distress. Couldn't write a more romantically trashy chapter in one of those romance novels you don't read."

"Hey, there's some really hot stuff in those!"

"Yeah. Well, let's just keep our clothes on. My pulsing love muscle and your throbbing love canal will just have to be kept apart."

"It's been a long time since I was with someone who had respect for me like you do. Thanks. But Chuck, understand something. I will have your pulsing love machine joined with my throbbing love canal someday. I'll wait but not long. This is technically our second date, sweetie, and the deal covered the first date only."

"Lawyers! The bane of society. Fine. We'll see about renegotiating the deal later. For right now, let's pick up where we left off last night. There are no large Latino gentlemen staring at you with malicious intent. Enjoy the music."

Her arms snaked around his neck and she snuggled into the crook of his neck, exactly where she'd been last night when El Gordo made his appearance. She laughed and when he asked what was so funny she just shook her head and tightened her grip.

Carina was on her third cocktail when Chuck signaled the owner for the tab and his keys.

"Carina, I need to feed you, baby. Alcohol on an empty stomach is not good. Let's drive up the coast and I'll introduce you to the best burgers on the West Coast and then we'll take our beach stroll."

"Oh, Chuck, I'm not tipsy in the least."

"Then why are you barefoot? Where are your shoes, baby?"

She giggled. "I don't know. I took them off and put them in a secret place so no one would steal them." Chuck rolled his eyes and signaled the bartender and explained the problem.

"No sweat. Happens all the time, believe it or not." He walked around with a flashlight and finally found the shoes up on the corner of the service bar and returned them to Carina.

The drive up the PCH was quiet and Carina rolled down her window and enjoyed the wind whipping through her hair.

"Y'know, Chuck, I used to wonder about you and Walker. I never knew what she saw in you." She looked over at him and ran her fingers through his hair and continued. "I do now, baby. You are special. And we're driving up the coast in search of the perfect hamburger and then we're going to stroll down the beach and if I'm lucky, find a place to make out. Just until you get to second base, sweetie. I remember our damned deal."

He smiled and took her hand and pressed a kiss into the palm. "Eat then smooch. The way of things. Food then foolery."

Knight's Burgers & Suds

"Oh my God, Chuck. This greasy cholesterol-laden ground beef disaster is the best burger I've ever had. You were right. Promise me we'll come here every time I visit so I can get my quota of greasy food that tastes this great. I'll never doubt you again, Chuck." She snagged one of his fries since she told him she didn't want any.

The sky was cloudless and the quarter moon provided enough light that they didn't have to worry about tripping over the occasional rock thrust up through the sand.

"Chuck, I never swam in the Pacific Ocean. Let's take a dip." She started pulling her t-shirt dress over her head but he stopped her.

"Carina, the water temperature is about 50 degrees. You'll catch pneumonia. The Pacific is colder than hell this time of the year. And I don't want you getting hurt if the surf knocks you down. There are razor sharp rocks out there just under the surface and currents here are dangerous. Let's hold off until daylight – and July."

"Party pooper. At least let me walk where it's shallow? Please, baby? I promise I won't go any deeper than my knees and you'll have to hold my hand the whole time. I'm not a strong swimmer." She pulled the dress over her head before he could stop her and grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the receding surf. Of course, this was Carina Hansen he was dealing with and so she wore no bra. He tried not to stare but her breasts were…perfect. He tried another tactic.

"Stop! Let me at least take off my shoes and socks. And don't complain if you get chilled. It's damned cold."

Ten minutes later a freezing Carina was wearing Chuck's coat and complaining that the heater in her rental was broken. Her dress stuck to her wet skin in all the places Chuck wished were still well hidden.

"You were right. I was wrong. Go ahead. Say it."

"Nah. It was worth it. The look on your face when the wave knocked you on your ass was incredible. Next time we'll bring towels and a blanket."

She reached over and grabbed his free warm hand and put it around her shoulders and tucked herself up against him. "I hope there is a next time, sweetie. I hope we have a lot more 'next times'." She reached up and grabbed the wrist of the arm around her and put his hand on her breast and held it there. "Mmm, promised you second base and I always keep my word." The nipple was hard under his palm and he gulped and she giggled.

"Chuck, I'm not going to rape you, honey. You need to relax around me. I like to have fun and sex is fun for me and usually the person I'm with. Don't you want to have fun, Chuck?" Her blue eyes were unlike Walker's. They weren't hooded.

"Carina, please don't rush me. I know you think it's lame but I really haven't had a lot of experience with…well, not since Jill and, just be patient, OK?"

It was after one when he pulled into the motel parking lot. She'd dozed off in the warmth of the heater. He hated to wake her but it was late and he had a 20-minute drive ahead of him.

"Carina, we're here. Give me your key. I'll carry you into the room and then I'll head on out for Burbank. It's late. Call me and let me know your schedule for tomorrow. If you're not busy, I'll buy you breakfast. Keys, Carina."

"Stay with me tonight, Chuck. The damned deal still stands but I want to wrap myself around your warm body. I'm still chilled. Please?"

"I'm not sure I can handle the temptation. A beautiful woman with a body that Aphrodite would envy, so close to me. I don't know…"

"Chuck…please?" She wanted to feel him around her if she couldn't have him in her.

"OK, but the deal…"

"Thank you" she said when she ended the kiss that ended his ramblings. For the briefest instant she wondered if Chuck was a virgin. He seemed so nervous about sex but the more she thought about it the more she found that thought to be ridiculous. 'No woman could resist the boyish charm and that devastating smile for long. But I wonder how long it's really been since he…'

Carina woke, senses on alert. She rolled over onto her back and reached out for Chuck but the bed was empty…and cold. She heard the shower running and glanced at the clock: 6:15am.

She debated going back to sleep but suddenly remembered that this would be their last full day together and she didn't want to miss a minute of it. She threw back the covers and shuddered. The room was chilly and she'd never really been an early morning person.

Making up her mind and grinning, she walked into the steam-warmed bathroom and slipped into the shower behind him wrapping her arms around his bare chest and letting the hot water pound down on her. Her fingers had minds of their own and started rubbing small circles in the soapy lather that covered his chest. As they roamed lower and lower he grabbed her wrists.

"Carina, don't, please. It's too early in our relationship and I know it's hard for you to understand but I don't just hop in the sack for something to do because I'm bored. It means something to me to share with the other person. Please…"

She slipped around in front of him and looked up at him and smiled. "OK. I understand. You're not into recreational sex, right?

"Sex signifies my commitment to one person to the exclusion of all others. I only date one girl at a time, Carina. Sounds stupid and immature and maybe unrealistic but it took me almost 5 years to get over the fiancée who cheated on me and then dumped me. I don't do casual sex. Lame, huh?"

"No, it's not lame. It's...nice. C'mon, you've hogged the shower enough. This might be our last full day together for a while and I don't want to waste a single minute of it. You promised me breakfast so get out and get dressed and feed me, sweetie."

"I have to meet with Walker for a while this afternoon. Handler/asset stuff. It should only take an hour or so. Then I'll take you to dinner someplace nice so you don't have to worry about the competition. I'll run you into the airport and wait and see how badly Fate has screwed me over. I don't want this 'thing' we have to end like this. Can you understand what I'm trying to say, Carina?"

"I feel exactly the same way. I've never wanted a normal life before and now it seems like that's all I want. We can be normal, can't we? Even though what we both do is not normal by anyone's definition."

"Let's see how things go for you in DC. Maybe you'll get a 'normal' assignment someplace that's not on the other side of the planet."

They spent the day doing touristy stuff and then it was time for Chuck to meet with Sarah at the Orange-Orange but they were still on the other side of town and with traffic he was going to be late so he called her to tell her he was on the way and to please wait for him.

Bryce was sitting on the balcony waiting for Sarah to finish her shower and dress for her meeting with Bartowski. Thursday night had marked a turning point in their relationship. Friday morning she'd returned from a conference call at the Orange-orange. She'd been crying but refused to explain anything to him, just saying that she had broken protocol for him and now she was in trouble.

That was all she said and she said very little to him since then. He'd figured out early on that Bartowski held her heart even when others held her body. This would be a 'last dance' night for the 'Bryce & Sarah' affair unless he 'discouraged' his friend.

Sarah had spent the remainder of the day shopping and pampering herself at a day spa. And now she was spending time getting all dolled up for an 'important meeting' with her asset.

Her phone rang and he saw it was Bartowski so he answered it without thinking. Chuck would understand.

"Larkin, secure. "

"Bartowski, secure. What are you doing answering her phone?"

"Hey, Chuck. Sarah's unavailable. Can I take a message for her? I'm staying through Tuesday. Maybe we could get together and talk about…"

"Not going to happen. I called to say I was running late for our meeting but I finally understand how things are. You two enjoy your time together. You don't see each other as much as you probably wish you could. Tell her…never mind. I'll see her at Castle on Monday. Stay safe, Bryce. I have to take someone to the airport."

The connection was severed and Larkin tossed the phone onto the bed just as Sarah came out of the bathroom in her robe and saw the phone bounce on the bed.

"You didn't answer my phone, did you? Who called and what was said?"

"That was Bartowski. He called saying he was running late but that no meeting was necessary because he finally understood how things were and that you and I should enjoy our time together since we don't get to see each other much. He said he'd see you at the Castle Monday. He was heading for the airport "

"You stupid idiot. You've ruined everything. He'll never understand or believe anything I tell him ever again. Oh, God. What am I going to do? How can I fix this? I don't want reassigned because of this."

"Calm down. Explain things to me, Sarah. You've been a cold fish since you came back from your video conference."

"Bryce, leave and don't ever come back, ever. If you do, I will kill you and claim you were an intruder." He'd never seen her so angry before.

"But Sarah…" She threw a knife at his head and he felt it brush past his ear. "Jesus, what's wrong with you? Are you nuts?"

"Get out, get out, get out! You've ruined everything." She shrieked at him.

Larkin grabbed his bag and packed and left. He was determined to find Bartowski and find out what was going on with Sarah.

She was crying so hard she couldn't breathe. He'd never believe her, never listen to her explanation, and never give her a second chance. She knew how he felt about honesty and loyalty. He'd view her behavior as proof she was just 'handling him'. Damn Larkin! He'd tell Beckman to have her reassigned and the bitch would be all too happy to comply.

Chuck angrily disconnected the call. Larkin! Well, it figured. She was a spy, a seductress, a handler. Damn her! She was handling him. He didn't care if she and Larkin screwed themselves to death as long as she was honest with him as it affected the cover – and him.

"Chuck, please pull over and calm down. You're going to cause an accident, sweetie. Please pull over!" She'd never seen him this angry, this distraught – not even after he'd killed the four men who were chasing her.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just…damn it, she lied to me – again! So much for the trust she asked for." He pulled off onto the side of the road and got out and walked to the edge of the cliff and leaned against the railing. The ocean always had a calming effect on him.

Carina got out of the car and walked over and hugged him. "Chuck, it's how we are. It's how spies and operatives and agents operate in your world. It's not personal, Chuck. But I promise you that I will never lie to you or deceive you, even for your own good. I've kept my word so far, Chuck. Just don't give up on me, please?"

He rested his cheek against her hair and held her tightly waiting for the rage to pass. He was a fool to ever think Walker could ever have feelings for him. Now he wondered about Carina's motivation. Was he just 'filler', someone to fill her time until she got her next assignment? His life was so screwed up.

Carina knew what he was thinking. She'd think the same thing if their roles were reversed. Damn Walker for breaking this man's heart. She had her work cut out for her, rebuilding trust and convincing him everyday that she chose him.

"Listen to me, Chuck Bartowski, and listen good. I want to be with you, spend time with you and see where 'us' ends up. I choose to be here with you. I choose you, understand? You're not my assignment, you're my choice."

Sarah had calmed down enough to think rationally and finally called Chuck to explain the whole "Larkin" thing and to beg, if she had to, for him to come over and just talk about their situation. She'd lay it all out for him and then get them both naked. She'd tell him that she 'loved' him and that Larkin was nothing more than a substitute for the man she couldn't have until now. She knew what buttons to push. He was only a man.

All her calls went right to voicemail and that meant either he'd selected 'ignore' for her calls or he'd turned his phone off. He wouldn't turn his phone off, ever. He was consciously ignoring her calls using his damned technology.

'I should have fallen in love with a damned plumber not a tech wizard! At least my pipes would be…oh, that's just gross!'

Conscience: 'Hey! Don't blame it on me! It's your mind that provided the metaphors.'

'What am I going to do now? I've lost him to someone who doesn't have to play by the rules.'

Conscience: 'Set your own rules, girlfriend. Get nasty if you have to. All's fair in love and war, right? Fire up the seduction machine and break out the 'Handling the Mark' Manual. Like you said, he's just a man and men only want one thing? Push his buttons, Sarah. It might be fun, you never know. You've slept with worse men and well, we won't talk about the women you've seduced.'

APR