I still don't own Chuck. Is it for sale?

"Sarah", Chuck whispered. "We have a problem. Carina's new partner's name is Jim Smith. He is Fulcrum."

Sarah almost instantly transformed into agent mode, quickly searching the room for threats. When she was satisfied that the room was safe, she whispered to Chuck. "Does he know about you?"

"I don't think so", was Chuck's reply. "I think he is using his DEA position to import heroin from Afghanistan. They are plotting to use the profits to sabotage a nuclear power plant. Do you think Carina knows?"

"I don't know", was Sarah's hurried reply with a worried expression. "I don't think so but we have to be prepared for anything. It would draw too much attention for us to leave now. Let's get through dinner as calmly and quickly as we can. We'll try and set up two meetings for tomorrow. While you're talking to Carina, I'll try and get close to our new friend here. Let's see if I can get him to reveal what he's up to. We'll contact Casey as soon as we're done here tonight."

Just then, Carina noticed Chuck and Sarah. She waived and came running over.

"Sarah, I've missed you so much", exclaimed Carina as she embraced Sarah warmly.

"Chuck", always nice to see you again", Carina said as she stepped up to Chuck and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Chuck, Sarah, I'd like you to meet my new partner Jim Smith."

Chuck and Jim shook hands with a reciprocal "Nice to meet you".

The rest of the meal was a blur to Chuck. He was much too occupied trying to stay calm to give much thought to the food or conversation. Fortunately, with Carina at the table, there was little need for Chuck to carry any conversation. Chuck thankfully listened to Sarah and Carina chitchat. Mostly Carina. Finally, Carina turned her attention to Chuck.

"Well Chuckie boy", she started with the beginnings of a mischievous smile. "Sarah tells me you want to have a chat with me. What do you want to talk about?"

"I'm not really sure", Chuck blushed. "I'm just hoping that you can give me some hints on what makes my girl here tick", he said with a nod towards Sarah. "Maybe you can give me some pointers on how to stay on her good side."

"There's no other side to be on and survive", laughed Carina. "From what I hear, every side you've been on so far has been very, very good. If you know what I mean."

"Carina", Sarah exclaimed softly, as her face began to turn noticeably red.

Chuck's face matched Sarah's. He finally choked out, "Please help me stay there."

"Why don't you come over to our hotel room tomorrow about 7:00", Carina smiled. "We can have a chat."

"Room? As in singular", Sarah asked slyly.

"Always trying to save the taxpayers money", Carina replied with a grin.

"I have an idea", Sarah said coyly. "How about I pick up Jim and keep him occupied while the two of you chat? How about it Jim? Want to see the sights", as she turned her megawatt smile in his direction.

"If the sights are better than this then I definitely have to see them", Jim replied as he leered at Sarah.

Carina's face suddenly lost its mischievous grin as she shot a glare towards Sarah. "I guess we'll call it a night until tomorrow then."

Carina and Jim said their goodbyes and left the restaurant. As soon as they were out of earshot, Chuck leaned into Sarah.

"From the way he was trying to look down your dress all night, I think I know what sights he's hoping to see", Chuck smiled.

"I guess you could say that he's not exactly a one women man, couldn't you", Sarah sighed.

"Not that I can really blame him. Now that I've seen the sights, I have to admit, they are spectacular", deadpanned Chuck.

Sarah smiled at Chuck as she got up from her seat. "Let's go talk to Casey and report in."

Sarah called Casey from the car and by the time they arrived at his place Casey had already started the videoconference with Washington. General Beckman was speaking.

"Jim Smith has had a rather unspectacular career in the DEA", Beckman started. "His most notable mission was Operation Poppy in 2005. That operation was a sting to intercept a shipload of heroin from Afghanistan. Unfortunately, when the ship was raided at the port in Los Angeles, it was empty. To this day, we're not sure where the heroin went. It had a street value of well over a hundred million dollars. If Smith is really part of Fulcrum, it's possible that he had a hand in diverting the drugs for them to sell and use the profits to finance their other activities. We don't know about Carina Hansen's loyalties, at this point. Is that correct?"

"Yes General", replied Sarah. "I know her pretty well and I'd be very surprised and disappointed if she was part of Fulcrum. But I guess it would be prudent to fear the worst."

"Yes Agent Walker. I agree", said General Beckman. "I understand that you and Mr. Bartowski have arranged meetings with Carina and Smith to try and ascertain their intentions. I understand why Smith agreed to meet with you, Agent Walker, considering your - umm - assets. But why in the world would Carina agree to meet with Chuck?"

Sarah looked at floor.

Casey spoke. "She has a crush on Chuck, General. She attempted to start a relationship with him during our mission last year."

"Ok", replied the General. "I find that a little hard to believe but ok. I've got to tell you, I'm a little uncomfortable with Chuck being alone with someone who we fear might be Fulcrum. But I guess we have little choice. Agent Casey, you will monitor Agent Walker and Smith. We know he's Fulcrum so we'll treat him as the higher priority. Mr. Bartowski, be very careful. You're going to be on your own with Carina Hansen. We hope she's loyal but we can't be totally sure. I don't need to remind you that she is a trained agent who knows a hundred different ways to kill you. Well you have your orders. Good luck."

As soon as the screen went blank, Sarah turned to Casey.

"Carina has a crush on Chuck", she laughed.

"What was I supposed to say", Casey shot back. "Chuck asked to talk to her alone so he could get some pointers on how to keep a girlfriend?"

"How about, Chuck was the only one who wouldn't end up handcuffed to her bed", Chuck laughed.

Sarah looked at Casey, expecting him to explode. Instead all three burst out laughing.

"If Chuck ends up handcuffed to her bed, we've all got big problems", laughed Casey.

"Some of us more than others", Sarah said sternly as she looked at Chuck but then broke into a smile.

As Chuck drove Sarah home, they talked about the upcoming mission.

"Do you really think that Carina might be Fulcrum", Chuck asked Sarah.

"No", replied Sarah. "I really don't. But just to be on the safe side be very careful. Talk to her about the things that you want to know about me but don't talk about our mission."

"It's going to be very hard concentrating on what Carina is saying", Chuck said sadly. "I'm going to be too worried about you and Jim Smith. I saw by the look in his eyes that he is going to be all over you."

"I thought you told me that you weren't going to be jealous any more", Sarah asked amused.

"I didn't say I was never going to be jealous", Chuck replied. "I just said it was selfish. It is selfish. I'm sorry but I am a little jealous. Just for the record, I am more than a little concerned for your safety. This is a trained agent who is a member of Fulcrum. He is dangerous."

"Don't worry about me", Sarah laughed. "I can take care of myself. Casey is going to have my back all night. Just keep thinking that we'll see each other later after it's over."

Chuck walked Sarah to her door, holding her hand. As Sarah opened the door, Chuck gave her a peck on the lips goodnight. As Chuck started to pull away, he felt Sarah's hand behind his head. She pulled Chuck's lips to hers and gave him a passionate kiss.

When the kiss finally broke she whispered, "Just for the record, it's ok to be a little jealous sometimes. It shows that you care."