A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry. I can't believe this chapter has taken so long. It appears that the odd numbered chapters come pretty easily and the even numbers are a struggle. Will try to work on that.

A big thank you to all of you who followed, favorited, and reviewed the previous chapters. You are the inspiration to continue. And, of course, thanks to Lost In My Addiction, for the request to write this story.

I have been remiss in apologizing if any of the translations are incorrect. I am relying on Goggle Translate and I hope he/she/it knows what they are doing.

All the usual disclaimers go here. So on with our tale...

4. Is It A Fairy Tale?

Chuck was still in a state of total amazement. He hadn't expected anything like what he found in Maurice's home … the castle DuPont. It was an amazing contrast of Middle Ages feudal castle design and Twenty-First Century luxury.

If Chuck had been amazed at the castle as a whole, the sight of their host's Communications Room, had him panting in disbelief and desire. Banks of computer stations and monitors lines three walls; four large tables were spaced through the center of the room, each with different tools or equipment neatly arrayed on smaller, side tables; and he walked around, absorbing it all. Chuck had flashed several times since entering DuPont, each time leaving a little more residual headache. From his Nerd Herd experience to the flashes, he could tell that all the equipment was state-of-the-art: NASA and the DOD would be envious of the sophistication level in this room.

flashback….

They walked up a steep, stone path, Maurice leading the way; Chuck and Sarah, hand in hand, following. Of course, Sarah had known where they were going, but she was eager to see Chuck's reaction.

The path had narrowed, with thick evergreens on each side, forming a canopy overhead. They came to a sharp left turn: Chuck looked up and froze, stunned beyond all belief.

Sarah's smile had grown to its full, electric brightness as she watched the emotions track across her Chuck's face and through his eyes.

Before them was a sheer wall of stone, rising thirty meters, to the square wave parapet atop the wall, where defenders of old had rained down arrows and fire upon their enemies. From somewhere inside the compound, rising higher still, were two towers, each sporting balconies near the top. Even being able to only see a small portion of the enormous structure, Chuck's senses were completely overloaded.

"S-S-S-Sarah," he stammered in a whisper, "this … this is … uh … whew … uh, DuPont?"

"Yeah, honey, this is Maurice's home. Come on, let's go inside."

They walked across the stone bridge and through a normal size door, set into a huge, thick wooden gate. Walking through a short, narrow passageway, they entered the main receiving hall. "Oh my God ... Sarah! This is big enough to fit the entire Echo Park apartment complex inside."

"You should see it decorated at Christmas time, sweetheart. Maurice hosts a childrens' festival here every year." Sarah was practically giddy as she held tightly to Chuck's arm, pulling him across the floor and spinning him around to see the entire space.

She always felt enchanted here, but this time was extra special because, for the first time, she had someone with which to share it. She was young enough on her first visit, to still have thoughts of the princesses she read about and watched in the movies. But her subsequent visits came as a CIA operative, and those dreams had been thoroughly squashed. Even then, she had felt the real world recede and the magic rise, at least a little bit. Now, those earliest feelings were filling her heart with joy and happiness like she had never experienced before. It was all due to the compassionate, loving man standing next to her. Her Chuck … those two words had continually echoed through her mind since those magical moments in a Paris hotel room, when they had both thrown their fears and doubts away, and come together.

the present….

She was shaken from her reverie when she heard, "Rebecca, ma chérie, you can give him the tour afterwards. We need to get to work now."

Chuck just stood in awe, slowly turning in circles. Sarah nodded to her old friend, but the smile never left her face. He was correct, of course: now they were on a mission and she needed to kick into spy mode. Taking Chuck's hand, she guided him to the doorway in the right wall, where Maurice had disappeared.

Shaking his head and momentarily closing his eyes, he spoke in a hushed tone, "Wh-wh-what kind of work does he do in here?"

"Don't ask, Chuck. Just know that he will do anything for me." Sarah was looking at him with concern now. She heard the strain in his voice. "What's the matter, honey?"

"Just overwhelmed with it all, sweetie. Let's call Casey and see what's going on."

Sarah led him to the monitor station where Maurice was working, her mind in overdrive, wondering just what it was she had heard in the undertones of his denial.

#####

Casey was still pacing the floor. "Casey, you've just about worn a hole in the carpet. Please sit down."

"Ungh! You do whatever it is you do, moron, and I'll do what I do." But he did stop long enough to stare at the bearded gnome. Several seconds later he spoke again, as he resumed his pacing, "Trouble is, I'm a man of action, but there is nothing to do but wait for Walker to call again."

Just as he was finishing, the television beeped twice, and the face of General Beckman appeared. "Col. Casey, Mr. Grimes, have you heard from Walker and Bartowski?" Right to the point, as always.

"Yes, General. Walker called. They are holed up about an hour from here, in a safe house she knew about. She is working on something and will be getting back to us late tonight."

"I, too, have some news … unpleasant news, unfortunately." Casey and Grimes exchanged glances as she continued. "The bodies of two men have been found in the river north of Zurich. They are the two agents who were working out of the office across the street. They appear to have been killed in gangland style. I am sending their names, pictures, and pertinent information now." She reached in front of her and pushed a couple of buttons.

"I have received more information as to their mission as well. It appears this was not a typical CIA station. Rather, they were working outside normal channels. The CIA has been tracking a potential takeover of several Swiss banks that could result in large sums of money being funneled to several organizations, from criminal to terrorist. It could also mean the merging of the banks into a cartel of violence and crime, with the takeover of the assets of virtually every western European arms manufacturer."

Casey whistled, something Grimes had never heard him do before. "That's quite a laundry list. I assume, because they are dead, someone found out about them."

"That is our assessment, Colonel. There has been a cat burglar operating in Switzerland known only as Le Renard. We think he may have been hired by the cartel, resulting in him stumbling into the operation."

"What do you want us to do now?"

"Nothing until you hear again from Walker; see what she finds out; whether it confirms our theory or not. Then we can formulate a plan. Be careful, gentlemen."

"Ungh. How do we get into these messes…?"

#####

"Here's the trail. It has to be Le Renard, because he is so sloppy. The original would never have left such a trail."

"But the original never had to contend with computerized security systems and…."

Maurice flashed a withering look at Chuck and Sarah put a hand on the younger man's shoulder to stop him from continuing.

"Let me assure you, the original Le Renard would have studied, and learned, and been better than any of the programmers. He was a master. This … impostor ... is too lazy and egotistical. That is why we will catch him this time."

Sarah took Chuck by the elbow and pulled him back a half dozen steps. "Chuck, sweetheart, please let Maurice work his magic, or we will be working on this alone." The three creases between Sarah's eyes deepened and her blue eyes were menacingly dark. "We need him."

But how can I know if you don't tell me anything about him? He put on his best I'm sorry, Sarah face and touched her cheek lightly. "Okay, Sarah, for you." The final two words were said so softly she felt them more than heard them. Then, looking over her shoulder: "I'm sorry Maurice; I tend to live by foot-in-mouth disease."

Maurice turned back to the monitor without a comment. "There's no video feed but we can follow the trail through the air ducts and into the security observation room. Then nothing until he enters the gallery. So we still don't know how he got around the room security.

"We know that he took two Giannini Pizzaro sculptures, valued at ten thousand US. As I've said, a novice: he left the three priceless Giotto's."

"Could he have a contract to procure just those pieces? Or have a problem carrying them out?"

"No, Rebecca. No one wants the Pizzaro's, except the new monied tech company teenagers who know no differently, while the Giotto's could be cut out of the frames and put in one tube. No, he just doesn't know what he had within his grasp."

"So where does that leave us?"

"You two need to go to the gallery to try to determine how he got in. While you do that, I will try to determine his next victim; then we can be there, waiting for him."

"Sounds like a plan. Can you outfit us?"

"But of course. You know where everything is."

#####

The junior detective ran from the tech lab all the way up four flights of stairs, down the hall and through two outer offices, to Inspector DeBarné's office. Breathing heavily, he knocked, and then entered the office. The Inspector, who was standing at the window with a cup of coffee, turned and smiled at the red faced young officer. He's going to be a good one. "Yes, Luc, what is it?"

"We have identified one of the men we caught on the surveillance tape. It is Col. John Casey, United States NSA agent. He has been working with the CIA for the past three years."

"And the other man?"

"Nothing, sir. He is a complete unknown."

"Very well. And we still have no idea about what was going on in the office?"

"No, sir. All the computers were destroyed. In fact, we don't even know who installed the surveillance equipment."

"Strange." He tapped the fingers of his right hand on the rim of the coffee cup before continuing, "Start doing a search to see if you can find where Col. Casey is staying here in Zurich. Let me know the instant you find something." The young officer turned and started out of the office. "Oh, and Luc, next time call me instead of running all the way up here."

"Yes, sir…."

#####

The three bankers, with Maria Romanina in the lead, stormed through the open air entrance to a modern office building in downtown Zurich. A receptionist tried to stop them but the statuesque woman shoved her aside, and they entered the elevator labeled Private. When the doors opens on the tenth floor, they were met by two men, firearms drawn, a determined set to their face.

Heinrich Buchheit stood behind the men and spoke, "We were not expecting you: you were told not to contact us."

Romanina moved forward until one of the handguns contacted her chest, just over the heart, "And I told you we need answers. If you expect us to continue this … project … then call off your dogs and we will all sit down together. Otherwise, I hope you have more security guards then these two."

Buchheit locked eyes with her, the tension mounting as the seconds ticked by. Lemieux and DeMorieux, still in the far back corners of the elevator, were conspicuously sweating in their expensive suits.

Despite the well maintained ventilation of the modern office building, the air around the six people grew warm and stale, yet still the lock of eyes between the man and woman did not break. Footsteps on the hardwood floor came nearer until a deep voice broke the silence, "Gentlemen, Mme. Romanina, please, this is not the time or place for an honest conversation. Come, let us adjourn to the conference room."

The two security men quickly backed away and lowered their weapons. They did not, however, turn their backs on the woman. The two other bankers each sighed audibly and moved forward. But Buchheit and Romanina continued to hold each others' eyes, the menace in each obvious to one and all. But there was also something else in both their eyes ... something that no one else noticed.

#####

Le Renard poured himself another scotch and sat down on the floor, next to a small dog. After downing the drink in one swallow, he picked up the animal and examined his right, rear paw. "So how's the paw feeling today, Doolittle? Do you think you can work tonight?" Doolittle looked at his master with bright eyes and a wagging tail. "Attaboy, pup. This one will be easy; then we can take a break from it all."

The door to the apartment opened with a crash and a tall man entered, dropping a bag of groceries in the process. Several expletives, all in German, followed, punctuated with the slamming of the door, this time closed.

Le Renard put the dog back on the carpet and stood slowly, picking up a couple of oranges as he did so.

The man at the door froze, staring at him, as he continued to pick up the spilled food.

"What are you doing here, Johann?"

"I told you not to call me that, brother."

"And I refuse to call you Le Renard. What a stupid moniker."

"I didn't give it to myself; it was the police and the newspapers. But now, I like it; and it keeps my other name out of the database."

"Your real name. A. Real. Name." Heinrich sighed and looked at his younger brother with disdain. "Again: why are you here? We should not ever be found together."

"And who is going to find us? Okay, okay. Doolittle was hurt in that office break-in that I told you we should never have been involved with in the first place. The veterinarian is just around the corner so I thought we would crash here until time to go out tonight."

"And, where's his collar? That thing is worth more than this apartment."

"Who cares? I'll get something better tonight."

"Is the dog able to continue? This is not a time for you to get caught."

"Not to worry. We did the job at the gallery with no problem. Tonight's will be even easier. Two rooms at the resort and we can get out of this God forsaken country, and off to somewhere warm, preferably in the Caribbean. "

"You're an idiot, Johann."

#####

Sarah wandered back to the communications room. She had often kidded Chuck about overpacking, and now, with Maurice's resources to choose from, he was having difficulty deciding what he needed for the mission.

"Ah, chérie. I have your credentials ready."

"Thank you. We should be ready in a few minutes."

"And so," he paused, looking at her with a mixture of concern and amusement playing across his face, "Chuck…." He just let the name hang there, wondering how she would react to his question.

"Yeah." She said it softly, as she dropped her shoulders and head, feeling the blush rise up her neck and into her cheeks. Looking back up she smiled, "He's really something … but it's so hard to put into words. We've been through so much ... both good and bad."

"He adores you. He would try to run through these stone walls if you asked him to."

"Yes … yes, he would. And he would do the same for anyone he cares about. He's taught me so much about what family and friends mean."

"I never thought I would hear those words coming from you, Rebecca. You have changed so much since I last saw you; all for the good, I might add."

"I've found a home, Maurice. Me: dad's silent partner, Graham's lone wolf. A home: where Chuck's sister is quickly becoming, not only my best friend, but truly my sister; where my NSA partner is older, but a friend I can always rely on; a place I want to return to so I can feel safe and loved. Is it a fairytale? Will I wake up and it will all vanish?"

Maurice had walked over to stand directly in front of his Rebecca. This was the girl he had counseled to get away from her father before she landed in jail … or worse; the young woman he had warned to be ever-vigilant to the pressures the CIA would bring to make her something she would no longer recognize; one whom he had nursed back to health after a serious injury while on a mission. Placing his hands on her shoulders he sighed, "I like him. He is obviously very good for you. How much does he truly know about you?"

"Bits and pieces. He's met dad … even helped get him out of a jam. We went to my high school reunion … as part of a mission. He knows I've killed; that I've been injured; that I have serious commitment issues and walls around my emotions; and I have secrets … secrets that are better left untold."

"Mmmmm … ma chérie. You can not hold back from this man. He is the best thing to ever happen to you. Don't jeopardize that by not tell him the truth … all of it."

"I … I just can't. You know there are some things that are just too sensitive … like Hungary. Too many people could be endangered. I can't protect them all, no matter how much I want to."

"Protect who?" Chuck had walked in the room and heard her last statement.

"Oh ... uh ... hi Chuck. I didn't hear you come in. Oh, we were just talking about old times, and some of the friends who have worked with us that we have to look out for."

"O-okay, Sarah." His words said okay, but his face did not. They had not been able to hide much from each other for a long time, and now that they were lovers, it was even more difficult. She knew there were going to be questions later. Hopefully, the mission would keep Chuck's mind occupied until she could figure out how to answer those questions.

"Now you two, here's how to proceed…."

#####

DeBarné's team had not come up with anything on the Col. Casey or the mystery man, when a call came in from a colleague at Interpol. "Louis, how are you? And to what do I owe this call?"

"Mario, I'm in a rush here, but thought you should know: three bankers, Maria Romanina, Jacques Lemieux, and Jacque DeMorieux, were just seen entering the Suisse Delamonerie office building. Not sure what those three would be doing in the home offices of your most notorious underworld syndicate. We're watching the crooks; you want to keep an eye on the bankers?"

"Thanks for the heads up, my friend. Yes, we'll follow up, and keep you in the loop; you do the same for us. Hey, while I've got you, do you know anything about an United States NSA Col. John Casey?"

"Hmmm … Casey. No, sorry. But I will ask around. Keep your eyes open and head down."

"And the same to you. Thanks."

Picking up his phone again, DeBarné called his acting Number Two, Josef Lasch: "Josef, have we figured out what was going on in that office building?"

"No, sir. But if I had to guess, they were observing someone or something at the

Graubündner Kantonalbank."

"Check the bank roster to see if any of the following work there." Once he had given Lasch the names, he hung up and walked to the white board on the wall. Adding the names of the bankers, he stepped back and shook his head. Now what?

#####

Chuck and Sarah arrived at the Flumserberg Ski Resort about fifteen minutes after leaving DePont. Maurice had loaned them his Saab, but traffic had held down their speed, frustrating Sarah to no end. She really didn't want to draw too much attention anyway, so she settled for gripping the steering wheel too hard, and ignoring Chuck's attempts to relax her with humor.

Pulling into the valet parking area, she slammed on the brakes, put it in Park, and threw the keys at the attendant once she exited. Having been stopped dead in his tracks by the incredibly beautiful woman getting out the car, the poor attendant caught the keys with his face and then stumbled, trying to retrieve them. The eyes of all three attendants followed Sarah all the way inside the building, while none even noticed Chuck as he jogged to keep up with this girlfriend.

He finally did catch her, grabbing her hand and pulling to a stop. She turned on him with a finger raised but the dancing Bartowski eyebrows instantly caught her attention and she instantly felt herself relax, a smile breaking out on her lovely face.

"Saraaahhhhhh," he drew her name out, lifting the pitch on the end, "let's just take a moment here. We don't need to storm into the security office out of control." He leaned down and gave her a quick smooch on the cheek.

As usual, the sight of his grin and bouncing eyebrows made her heart flutter, and she took a slow deep breath as he spoke to her. They had linked both hands now as he leaned in and kissed her … cheek? She was having none of that and brought her left hand up to his cheek, pulling his head around for a lip-locking, water-boiling kiss that caught the attention of everyone in the lobby.

Caught off guard, Chuck's eyes were still open and he realized everyone was staring at them. Pulling back, he whispered, "Everyone's watching us. So much for not drawing attention." They both chuckled, while looking into each others' eyes. Then, drawing in deep, cleansing breaths, they turned and walked quickly to the security office.

"May I help you?" The very large man in the office stood, towering over even Chuck's tall, lean frame.

"We are agents Rebecca Walker and Charles Burton of Interpol. We are on the team working the Le Renard cases, and heard that you had a break-in last night." As Sarah spoke they showed their credentials, also provided by Maurice.

Satisfied with their ID's, the man introduced himself, "I am Tomas Gioletti, head of security. Welcome to Flumserberg. We were not informed that you were coming, but we're glad you're here. You got here awfully fast."

"We were in Zurich, working another lead, when we got the word. Now, if you don't mind, may we see the scene?" Chuck was trying not to appear nervous; Sarah, knowing his tendencies well, managed to brush his hand with her's occasionally, helping him immensely.

"Certainly." He called for another man, in the back room, to man the front office and then offered, "I will take you there personally. Do you really think it is Le Renard?"

"We won't know until we see the setup. We suggest you heighten your security measures, just in case. We assume you have a number of extremely wealthy patrons here?"

"There isn't a time that we don't. So the possibility of being targeted by Le Renard is disconcerting. Ah, here we are … the Art Gallery."

Sarah watched him careful: he swiped his card, then punched in three numbers, followed by a hand scan, and five more numbers. She had seen this type of security before and knew she could defeat it if necessary. Of course, they weren't there to break-in, but it was good to know. In the meantime, Chuck was checking the security cameras and determining if there were any infrared or heat sensors in this anteroom. He, too, found the security to be adequate but ordinary.

Before entering the gallery, Sarah stopped and said to the security man: "Don't tell us anything unless we ask. We need to discover things on our own. If you tell us what you found, we may not look beyond that to find anything else. Understood?"

Even though it was an order, she had delivered it with a soft inflection to her voice, putting the guard at ease. He nodded his consent, and then held the door open for them.

Chuck quickly identified the infrared sensors within the room, and then moved on, taking it all in. He had fully expected to flash as he looked over the gallery, but all the equipment was very standard, and his days in the Nerd Herd had given him enough experience, to make the Intersect unnecessary.

Meanwhile, Sarah wandered around by herself. "If someone were to be in the room while the security was active, is there a switch or something in here that would allow them to turn it off?"

"Yes." Gioletti took Chuck to the far wall where there was a small scanner. "If the person had a security card like mine, he could swipe it here. I never understood why this was put here, but the installation team told us this was SOP."

While Chuck studied the scanner, Sarah found the hole in the plexiglas wall, "What is this hole, Officer?"

"We assume that is where the thief entered."

"Was it here prior to the theft?"

"No. We found it after we discovered the burglary."

"But it is so small. Even a contortionist would have to be extremely small to come through here." She sat back on her heels, tapping her lips with her finger. Seeing something odd, she leaned down closely to see more clearly. There was a spot of something dark red on the edge. She took out a swab and specimen tube, and took a sample of the smudge.

"Hey, Charles," she stood and looked at her partner, her heart fluttering ever so slightly at the sight. Not used to being called "Charles", he didn't respond, so she walked over to him. She leaned down, ever so slightly letting her hand brush the back of his head, "Charles. Do you see anything like a dark red splotch of something over here?"

"Hmm? Oh, Sa … er, Rebecca … as a matter of fact, there is something. So you have a sample swab?"

"Of course." She handed him another evidence tube. Standing back up, she turned to Gioletti, "I think that's all we need in here. May we see the room on the other side of the glass?"

"But of course. Boy, you two are something. We didn't catch whatever it is you just found."

"Understandable." She flashed him a small, but brilliant smile: might as well keep him off balance. "We've been at this a long time."

They did a quick inspection of the room, finding signs that the thief had come through the ventilation ducts, but nothing more.

"Thank you, Officer Gioletti. If I were a betting man, I would put my money of Le Renard. We must return to Zurich, but here is my card. If you should have any indication of more activity, please call. We will return as quickly as possible."

"Thank you Mr. Burton, Ms. Walker. Do you have any recommendations for increasing our security?"

"No, you seem to have it all covered. Just be on your toes."

With a bow, Officer Gioletti turned and entered the security office, while Chuck and Sarah walked through the lobby. "We should come here on vacation sometime."

"It's a nice place, Chuck, but wouldn't you rather stay at DuPont?"

"Mmmmm … decisions, decisions." They smiled at each other as their car was brought to the stand.

#####

Casey's phone rang, but he knew it was too early for Walker and Bartowski to call again. "Yes?"

"Monsieur, the skies are blue, but the skiing is lousy."

"Who would waste their time sliding around on sticks?"

"Very good, my friend. I have the results on the blood samples you requested. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"One sample was A+, male, not in any European databases, so probably American. The second is far stranger: it is canine, probably cairn terrier."

"Thank you. I owe you."

"Yes, you do. I will be around to collect some day."

"I look forward to it." Casey disconnected and then dropped the phone of the bed.

"Well, Grimes, what do you know about dogs?"

#####

"Listen, Johann, the bankers think it was you who broke into the gallery, and they are pissed. If Interpol gets involved, and they find out about the break-in at the office, it could lead back to the banks."

"Bunch of mambi-pambi's! They aren't going to catch me and there was nothing left at the office to lead them to me. I doubt those dummies even suspect it was me."

"My source at E-TIGRIS says there's a clandestine group operating here as well. There are a lot of eyes coming to bear."

"Bah! Look: there's enough jewelry at the resort to allow us to retire to the Caribbean. I'm going tonight; you be ready to pack." Le Renard walked out of the room, not wanting to hear any more sniveling from his brother. If he was going to be a coward … well … he'd could always just keep all the jewels from himself.

As he was dressing, he heard the door to his brother's bedroom close. Good, now I don't have to argue with him on my way out! Gathering up his equipment bag and putting Doolittle into his pouch, the unusual team headed out for their evening of easy adventure.

#####

Sarah drove back to DuPont, taking advantage of the lessened traffic, and keeping Chuck in white-knuckle territory the whole way. She glanced over at him as often as her driving allowed, and let an amused smile play about her lips, while he held on with his wide-eyed look, jaw firmly set, and pushed well back into his seat. She even thought about putting the car into a spin just to hear his little girl scream, but decided she just couldn't do that to her boyfriend.

Finally, inside the garage of the gate house, she shut down the high-powered engine, and reached over to loosen his grip on the armrests. "Chuck, honey," she laughed, "we're home; you can relax."

"I-I-I should be used to your driving by now, Sarah, but with all the ice and snow and mountains, I just locked up. Maybe you could give me one of your patented massages to loosen up my muscles?" He looked at her with his puppy dog eyes, and pouty mouth, causing her to laugh even harder.

"Yeah, I think I can do that, sweetie." She leaned over and nuzzled his neck before moving on to his lips. He brought his hand up to the back of her hand, luxuriating in the feel of her thick, blonde hair. As the kiss deepened and their tongues began their dance, they both moaned, deeply and satisfyingly. Sarah had gripped the front of his jacket in her hand, pulling him to her. She loosened her grip and began to move her hand lower when they both had to end the kiss and breath. Thinking better of it, she whispered, "Let's get inside."

They ran inside, continuing to laugh, kiss, and arouse each other, but then stopped dead in their tracks. Sitting at the kitchen table was Maurice, drinking a cup of coffee. "So, what did you learn?" Both blushed deeply, but did not let go of each other, while Maurice looked on mirthfully.

Using the excuse to get coffee for themselves, they worked to regain their composure and calm their roaring desires. Once seated at the table, they gave him a run down of their afternoon's efforts. He asked a few questions, leading them to further check the pictures they had taken. "You have done well … both of you. Chuck, I apologize for doubting your abilities. Now here is what I have found today."

Later….

"So, based on this intel, it is a good bet that his targets will be Suites 26A and 28B. He will go for the easy score in 26A first, in case he has to abort before hitting both rooms. That way he will come away with, at least, a little something."

"Great work, Maurice, thank you so much." Sarah leaned over and kissed the older man on the cheek. "We can get there first, and be waiting when he arrives. Should be a piece of cake."

"All but one thing: how do we get him out of the building? Security knows us now so we can't just waltz him out the front door."

"If you catch him in 26A, you can jimmy the window and it's a short drop to the ground. There's plenty of trees there so IF the parking lot security camera is operational, it still won't see you."

"Okay, sound like a plan."

"We have about three hours to kill so I suggest we get some rest now. Then we can eat a bite before heading back. Maurice: anything else you can think of?"

"No, ma chérie. I have already gathered your equipment and clothing."

"You are such a sweet man. If we do catch him, may we bring him here? We will need to have the rest of our team come here, as well.

"But of course. Use the back entrance into the lower level. If you would like, I can go to Zurich and get your team."

"The would be perfect. You don't mind?"

"Ma chére fille, you know I will do anything for you. I just wish I could see you more."

Sarah looked down at her coffee cup for a moment before responding. "I know, Maurice; me, too. But you know the life."

He did not respond, but sadness darkened his eyes as he looked back at her.

"Soyez prudent ... prendre soin de votre homme ... il est bon pour vous!" (Be careful ... take care of your man ... he's good for you!)

"Je suis si contente que vous approuvez. Oui, il signifie le monde pour moi, comme vous le faites." (I am so glad you approve. Yes, he means the world to me, as do you.)

She turned in her chair, and holding out her hand to Chuck, she continued, "Let's go upstairs, sweetie. I think there was something about a massage…."

"Mmmmm … babe … you read my mind." As the two lovers left, hand in hand, Maurice sighed, happy for the dear girl … no, woman … he had come to think of as family. But then his lips turned downward, as his thoughts returned, again, to the mission; and all the things that could possibly go wrong.

#####

He heard the footsteps, followed by the outer door opening and closing. Sadness filled his heart as he shook his head, knowing that he couldn't get through to him. But as long as his ego is that big, he's not going to listen.

Picking up the phone he dialed the special number that was not in his address book.

"Hello?"

"Maria." He said it simply, but there was so much undertone there, as well. "I had to hear your voice."

"This is dangerous."

"I know. But … but we haven't been together in over three weeks ... and I miss you."

"You know why we haven't been able to see each other. I, too, miss you. But, Heinrich, is that idiot brother of your's going to screw this up?"

"I-I don't know. He thinks he's clear. I do have to admit: he is very, very good."

"So is Interpol; so is E-TIGRIS; and we don't even know who else may be involved now."

"Let's not argue, Maria; I need you, to feel you lying next to me."

"This will all be over soon, my lover boy. We must be strong to see it through. Now whisper those special little things you say to me…."

#####

Chuck and Sarah easily moved through the surrounding woods, into the resort, and to Room 26A. Their reconnaissance, earlier in the day, had paid dividends in getting past the security measure in place. Now they just had to sit and wait. Maurice's information indicated the couple in this room were both high-stakes gamblers and would be in the casino until 0300 or later. They just hoped Le Renard would come sooner rather than later.

flashback….

When they had adjourned to their room, after working with Maurice, Chuck pulled Sarah onto the sofa, where their lips quickly met. As his lips roamed over her neck, ears, eyes, cheeks and lips, Sarah wondered how she could have gone all day without feeling him pressed against her. Chuck so loved the feel of this beautiful woman in his arms; he marveled, as he did each and every time they made love, how he could be so incredibly lucky to have her in his life, much less in his arms.

As their movements became more frenzied, and they were beginning to undress each other, Chuck stood, with Sarah in his arms, and carried her into the bathroom. In no time they were in the shower, bringing their senses, and joy in each other, to higher and higher levels of excitement. Finally, and before they were totally pruney, they shut off the water and dried each other, while continuing to laugh and enjoy each thoroughly. Once on the bed, Sarah rolled Chuck onto on his stomach, and proceeded to give him the promised massage, until his sighs once again became moans, and her fingers began to cramp. Moving to lie on her side, Chuck rolled over and spooned up against her, his arm around her waist and head buried in her hair. They were almost instantly asleep.

Just before his alarm was set to go off, he once again awoke from a very odd dream. He didn't remember any of it, but it continued to nag at him as he rose to get dressed. Why had he started to dream so much lately?

the present….

They had been in the suite about an hour when they heard a strange noise. Sarah was instantly up and standing by the largest air vent in the room. The noises continued, but were really only noticeable because they were listening specifically for them.

A light appeared inside the passageway until it reached the wall vent. A tool, similar to Sarah's, emerged and removed the screws; then the vent was lowered to the floor. As a head began to emerge from the opening, Chuck flipped on the lights.

Le Renard was startled, first by the light, and then, by the most beautiful, woman's face he had ever seen. The next thing he saw was the woman's fist coming at his face ... and then everything went black.

A/N2: Thanks for reading. Reviews are always welcome and I try to respond to each one. Not sure how quickly the next chapter will come because I have two big projects with actual, real time, deadlines, looming. But I hate leaving you hanging. 'Til next time...