A/N: Thanks to those who are continuing on with this. Might have to watch the second season once again as the details on episodes aren't coming back to me as readily as I thought. We will only be dealing with v. Seduction in this chapter. I will let you know about any canon changes.

A Different Kind of Couple

Chapter 4

Casey took a sip of his coffee, its heat and bitterness doing its best to keep him on focus. After the confrontation with Walker he seriously considered contacting Beckman and asking for reassignment. Reflecting on why he thought of that as his first response did nothing but keep him away from his calm center as the shame was staining his sense of honor. Apparently she hadn't immediately said anything to Bartowski as he told where he was going as soon as Casey opened his door a few hours ago. Chuck donning that stupid grin as he walked past; if she had spilled the beans there's no way he would be able to look at his general direction knowing what almost happened earlier. Regardless tailing him on his journey to a bakery, store, back to the bakery and then a coffee shop before heading here was a necessity just in case something was up. Planting a camera at the service door while Chuck went up was easy; trying to keep his mind on task was not. If they weren't planning a strategy to run he didn't want to know what else they'd been doing for four hours.

The only good thing about Beckman's call was being able to get out of his own head. Although she seemed to be off her game as well; this began to make sense when Montgomery's name was mentioned. The rumors were out there and although he truly did not care; he was unaccustomed to the small amount of worry in her voice. After disconnecting his first movement was to exit the Crown Vic when he realized there would be no amount of liquor to erase the scene if he were to casually knock on Walker's door. After thirty seconds where his body just shivered while his mind attempted to process and delete the images, a few passersby were unsure if he was having a seizure or if Electric Boogaloo V was going to be made and he was practicing his 'A' move. He returned to his car. Making the call to the nerd he was able to get in a solid jab, but then realized he needed to really talk to him and had no idea how to do it.

The two came down a few minutes later, Walker apologizing that she needed to change. She did not want to meet the famed Roan Montgomery wearing her Orange Orange outfit. Chuck sat in the passenger seat and Sarah in the back with a relatively quiet ride for the first fifteen minutes, "So Casey, what's your favorite peanut butter?"

"Skippy chunky, why?"

"That must be pretty precarious for your chocolate." Chuck smirked while Sarah giggled having heard Casey's common euphemism for sex a dozen times or so. The rest of the drive remained fairly quiet.

Entering Montgomery's subdivision Casey broke one of his cardinal rules and shared something personal, "He flunked me twice."

Chuck's brow furrowed and looked to Sarah first to confirm what he had heard and then looking for some context. Sarah merely put her hand on Casey's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze as she interpreted this as Casey laying a foundation of personal trust before telling Chuck about the kill order. She felt warmth, not in any way sexual, that her team would possibly stick together, and if there was more to the story besides him simply accepting the order no questions asked she may smooth the way to help Chuck understand as long as Casey understood anybody coming after Chuck would end up at best in a body bag.

Chuck watched Sarah's reaction and realized this had to be something big and forced enough restraint to stop at, "Flunk you for what? You're a superspy."

Casey was not expecting that answer and allowed a genuine small smile before returning his stone façade, "Montgomery is one of the top teachers of infiltration via seduction and considered the master of this craft in the field. The only thing not passing did was allow me to avoid any seduction assignments, which I am thoroughly appreciative of. However…" Casey stopped before it got too personal, "Walker, who was your instructor?"

"I, uhh, didn't have one per se. I just watched a training video and did the final."

Casey lost himself in his thoughts for a moment as that was the procedure for those who were sexually traumatized or vastly experienced. He couldn't picture Walker as either, but chanced a look back to see if her face revealed anything. Instead he was caught with her and Bartowski sharing some look. Trying to decipher that he misjudged how close he was to the concrete stop in the parking space and the Vic's tires hit it solidly, almost going over. The pair now looked startled at Casey, who merely shrugged and said, "I was wondering if there was something to stop you two from making googly eyes at one another," and quickly stepped out of the car to give a cursory look at his baby, admonishing himself for neglecting her in this way..

To say finding Roan was a letdown in almost every sense was extremely accurate as the group drove back to Burbank. Roan was strapped in the passenger seat over Casey's original suggestion of dumping him in the trunk. If he awoke in the trunk who knows what he could do to escape? Quiet soon overtook the drive back and as Casey spotted a sign marked 'scenic spot one mile' an idea popped in his head. One that he was hardly happy with, but it would break up the monotony of the road.

Making their way back to the car; Casey was surprised at Chuck's initial reluctance to pose for some cover photos with Walker. Once she wrapped his right arm around her and leaned back into him he relaxed and was able to get a couple of decent photos so he wouldn't have to photoshop other ones. Stepping in and seeing Montgomery hadn't moved Casey did put a small mirror in front of him to confirm he was still breathing. Once that was established they took off. A few minutes in it was quiet again and a quick glance in the rear view mirror found Bartowski head supported by Walker's shoulder.

"There should be a clean towel underneath my seat you can put it on your lap and use it as a pillow for him." Sarah's look of astonishment caused Casey to chuckle, "Neither of you are comfortable this way and I don't want to worry about Bartowski's slobber getting on the back seat." Sarah eyed him cautiously before balancing Chuck and reaching down for the towel. Thinking that at some point Walker was humming something Casey broke down and turned on his radio finding the replay of the latest Rush Limbaugh show.

"Sarah, I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you kiss Casey. That would have been…" Chuck shivered at the thought, "More awkward than this, right? Sarah?"

Hearing the faucet run and turn off followed by the unlocking of the bathroom door had Chuck turn the handle and cautiously walk into the room where Sarah had her back to him.

"I am a freak."

Chuck rushed over to her and placed his hands on top of her shoulders, after a moment of feeling his face on the back of her head she shivered slightly as his lips touched the top of her head. "If by freak you mean the most amazing person in the world I can accept that. Otherwise you are wrong."

Sarah turned to look Chuck in his eyes and found honesty with a steely determination if she dared think anything except for his declaration of truth.

"During it, I kind of forgot about things. I'm sorry if it was too much."

Sarah slightly sighed and wrapped her arms around Chuck, "No, I would be lying if I didn't say the same thing. Plus you needed to show Roan and I actually feel more confident about the mission now because you are going to have to be aggressive like you just were. Luckily you'll have a great weapon with you."

"Yep, Casey'll be at the bar."

Sarah giggled, "No, these," she stated taking one hand and squishing his lips together, "And even though things are different between us… I'm just glad you didn't tell me to leave." The final part she said with her head facing down and in barely above a mumble.

Chuck heard it clearly and fought his instinct to say something immediately; allowing just his mere presence to show her he wasn't going anywhere, but knowing he had to say something, "C'mon you would know I wouldn't leave my best friend, at least I would hope you'd gathered that about me."

Sarah looked up at him with unabashed glee from what he said. However it started to lessen as time passed until she arched an eyebrow, "What about Morgan?"

"He's my best childhood friend. There are so many times and things we've shared that there is no possible way to remember them all, and he's saved me too… well we've saved each other in different ways." Sarah tried to look down, but Chuck held onto her chin keeping her looking up. "But, it's almost impossible for your best childhood friend to be your best adult friend because you find yourself in a pattern of doing the things you have always done and when you find yourself closer to thirty and still doing the things you were before you were even twenty… Don't get me wrong, I'll always want Morgan as a part of my life. It is going to take him longer to get out of the 'Peter Pan' mode he's lived his life by for a decade, but Anna has begun to chip away at a few of those things. Like you chipped away those things for me; just know that when this is all over I will still be there for you." Chuck shrugged and released her chin.

Sarah cursed at herself for crying, "Just so you know I will always do my best to protect you even after this." She let go of Chuck and gave a gentle push against his hands and he let her gain a little distance as she went to the sink and washed her face. Looking back she said, "Thank you, I've never been a best friend before."

Chuck shrugged again, "I think you will be an excellent best friend."

Sarah slightly blushed, but composed herself quickly, "Well as your best friend I think I need to give you some more prep. You were spot on when you talked about making a connection with Banachek, but she is not going to make it easy for you. Roan and I are going to be in the van, as long as he remains relatively sober, the best bet is to follow his instructions."

"I should add that after you left he said he would help me 'get you'." Chuck could not read Sarah's face with that revelation.

"Ok, you should accept it, but be cautious because he and Beckman have a history. Nobody is positive how far it goes, but even though I don't think he's a mole for the General. I cannot afford to trust him not to be… Ok; I think we need to get you a new tie and pants, come on."

"Let her go Charles." As Roan explained the Montgomery he didn't know if it was his naivety, but he did trust him and it seemed to be mutual. Roan had the aura of the legendary spy now, when before it would have been a know-it-all snob with a martini glass permanently attached to his hand. Roan left and Chuck went back to his apartment he just sat on his bed thinking he'll go over to Sarah's in a half hour, but the wearing off of the adrenaline from his 'Ass Man' jump had him asleep for two hours.

Waking up he groaned as his body felt sore and stiff, looking over to his clock he swore at himself before getting up and getting himself ready to go. Uninterested in the tips Roan had left with he stepped out of the Morgan Door and two steps out saw Casey's door open holding a white dinner jacket. Chuck gave a dejected sigh and walked over to Casey who simply stepped aside allowing him to walk in first.

"Montgomery turned around ready to offer more advice after you had gone into your room. You fell asleep immediately so I dragged him back here and he told me to get these items for you. Frankly I thought Walker was going to jump you right then… well after checking to make sure you were ok and then hitting you for risking yourself like that. You did a very brave thing Chuck. Whatever happens between you and Walker; as long as it doesn't affect the missions and you can keep yourself professional at least in my presence I can live with. I think we have a good team. While you were changing in the bathroom she sent a text asking if you were coming over. I did reply that you were going to be on your way in five minutes."

Chuck was processing the longest stretch Casey had probably ever talked in his life while saying, "Thanks," and grabbing his phone he made it to the door before Casey mentioned something about needing to talk with him about something and that he should bring Walker. Chuck nonchalantly turned and answered, "Ok," before getting into the Nerd Herder wondering if he had just encountered the Bizarro Casey.

During the drive he called Sarah wanting to explain why he would be dressed the way he was; avoiding the initial awkwardness that the outfit implied. He was slightly concerned that she didn't answer, but it was likely she had jumped into the shower. He casually strode by the desk manager who was used to Chuck's presence and gave him a thumbs up as he walked by. Chuck laughed entering the elevator and he was still amused as he walked to Sarah's door the prevalent thought in his mind whether Sarah would answer the door before or after he could knock. He was able to; unfortunately the person answering the door was not Sarah.

"Hey bud…" was all that came out before a loud thunk reverberated into the hallway and room.

A/N: Sorry about the delay between chapters. Started reading a number of different movies and TV shows which had me thinking about story ideas for their topics. I am working on my other story as well and hope to get the next chapter up quickly for both. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Added in lines to differentiate breaks within the episode.