Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck but I do own Zoe

A/N: Hey again uplink, again, I really appreciate the review, I have reorganised my chapters so that this one comes next, hope you like it

Zoe Taylor

I was at the Castle with Casey and Sarah when the General called us. The door to the Castle opened and we were startled, only to see Chuck scamper inside.

"What's the update? Where am I off to?" He asked, smiling cheerily.

"I want to see Lieutenant Taylor on a flight to Vegas. There's been a sighting of an agent that the CIA has been searching for, for a while now. I believe that the Lieutenant stands the best chance of bringing him in."

"Him? Oh I think Walker would stand a better chance of it," I protested awkwardly.

"Need I remind you the reason behind your Lieutenant status?" General Beckman glared at me, and even through a pixelated screen, she had a hard stare. "Colonel Casey, you will accompany the Lieutenant on her mission for back up."

"And what if you need me to flash on something?" Chuck asked.

"That won't be necessary though I have to admit, you could do with the experience under Lieutenant Taylor's wing. But, as much as I hate to say it, Colonel Casey, Mr Bartowski is your responsibility."

"But General, doesn't it feel a little unfair to leave Sarah behind whilst we all go to Vegas?" Chuck asked, I wish I had said something, I totally agreed.

"Not at all Mr Bartowski." I could tell that the General was getting angry.

"Aliases?" I asked trying to detract from the General's bad mood.

"You will be Jenny Atari, daughter of a prestigious business CEO. Chuck, you will become the usual Charles Carmichael, if you can handle that?"

"Mmmhmm." Chuck choked a little.

"Colonel Casey will take on the name of Tim Delaney, fiancé to Miss Jenny Atari. Are there any problems with that?"

"Not at all, I can live with that," we chimed.

"Your plane leaves soon, get to the airport and on to the hotel. Walker, you will be the eyes and ears of this operation. Do not disappoint me."

"I won't." Sarah smiled.

The screen went blank.

I poked Sarah's shoulder. "Cheer up, I wish you were coming."

"It doesn't matter. It'll be good for you to get a chance to complete a mission as part of Team Bartowski." Sarah smiled squeezing my arm. "Goodbye you guys, keep in touch."

I trudged upstairs with a quick glance over my shoulder. "Bye Sarah." I smiled weakly.

"Lieutenant!" Casey barked gently. I ran off towards the car park. "Gee, take your time."

"I wanted to say goodbye to Sarah," I protested. "But I'm ready to go now." I got in the car and watched the Buy More and Orange Orange disappear.

It was one of the first missions I had to go on in a long time. But I got to have Casey by my side, what could be better. My childhood friend and boyfriend, the first ever serious boyfriend I had. My current secret boyfriend. Nothing could be better.

"What's got you down?" Chuck asked, looking across the car to me.

I smiled broadly. "Nothing, I just don't know how things are going to work out on this mission. And I can't say it sounds like I'm missing out on a lot of details." I watched Casey reach behind the car seat and pulled out a folder in the pocket out of the back of my seat.

"That'll fill in the gaps." Casey murmured.

I read through my files, my name is Jennifer Atari, Jenny for short. My father was George Atari and he owned a company called, well I was his daughter. I wasn't going to need to know all that. A little bit about Tim Delaney and his history and a few more of the gaps had been filled in. It was that quick and simple.

"Why isn't there anything about the target?" I asked, leaning forwards a little. No one said anything. "Guys?" Still, no one said anything. "Call General Beckman," I instrcted the computer. Her face appeared on the screen moments later. "General Beckman."

"Lieutenant Taylor."

"I need to know who the target is. Who am I bringing in?"

"Lieutenant Taylor, you are bringing in Mr Paul Bailey and his wife Ms Stella Bailey." The screen went blank.

"Stop the car, Casey, stop the car!" I yelled. But the car didn't stop. "I mean it this time." Casey hit the brakes and I flung the car open and staggered out to the side of the highway, hopping over the cement barrier, slipping down the bank. I rolled at a rapid speed over and over again. When I stopped rolling I just lay there on my back. "No." I whimpered, slowly sitting up. "No." I repeated. I heard the bank become disturbed. I felt arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground. "NO, put me down!" I screamed, thrashing out, ignoring any flashes that could hurt them. That could hurt Casey. He put me down and pulled me close. "It's not true. Please, tell me that it's not true," I murmured into his chest.

"I only wish I could," he replied, gently kissing the top of my head.

"I have to do this, don't I?"

"General wanted you to do it."

"Is she testing me?"

"No, I'm sure she isn't."

"It's like a punishment. I haven't done anything wrong though."

"I know you didn't. Do you know what Paul Bailey did?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you. I won't."

"Come on. Let's get back in the car. Chuck might blow something up if we're not careful."

"Hmm," I mumbled. "I guess you're right." I followed him up the path, wondering at my Dad. Would he recognise me? Would he even remember me?

On the plane I had the privilege of first class beside Casey whilst Chuck sat on the other side of the plane.

"Are you ready for this?" I asked Casey.

"I suppose, it'll be nice to have time away. Even if it's on a mission," He sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I mean, where do we stop being John and Zoe and start being Tim and Jenny." I pulled him close.

"I have the ring, how about right now?" I kissed him. It was amazing not having to wonder about whether anyone was noticing.

"Oh, er, I-" I heard Chuck gargled.

"Charles Carmichael, fancy meeting you here." I smiled, my eyes growing wider, insinuating that this was the time to use our aliases. "Why are you staring like that, Mr Carmichael? Can't the newly engaged get two minutes to themselves?" I smiled, hoping he would go away.

"Okay Mr and Mrs Delaney." Chuck replied loudly, stepping away.

"Geez, way to make the aliases false. How can we just be Tim and Jenny with Charles about?" I rested my head on his. "I did enjoy it all though. Come back here." I pulled him back closer. He laughed a little, before letting me take control. "If it weren't for the fact that I'm not allowed to take off my seatbelt, I would have my way-"

"Woah, let's wait until later." Casey laughed. I snuggled beside him, he put his arm around me. I felt safe once again, I didn't even mind or care that I would be bringing in Paul and Stella Bailey, because I had Casey by my side.

"I love you," I whispered. "John, I love you."

Casey shook me awake when the plane landed and I stepped off it to see another car waiting for us. Chuck, Casey and I were taken to a hotel, Chuck was in a room just one floor above Casey and I.

"Zoe." Casey smiled, putting his arms on my waist. "This is exactly what I want."

"To be? What do you want?" I said with a tone that wanted him to continue.

"To be with you, somewhere me, on a mission. What could be better?"

"To be Zoe Taylor and John Casey, rather than Jenny Atari and Tim Delaney," I sighed, pouting a little. Casey put a hand in my face.

"That face does nothing for you, you know. I'm going to see Chuck, make sure he knows what he's doing." Casey was by the door now.

"Uh, uh, uh." I jumped forwards, kissing his cheek. "See you in a bit." He closed the door and I listened as he paced away. "Phew." I went to my suitcase and opened a wardrobe door. Inside was a set of beautiful dresses supplied by the agency, and some suits from the NSA for Casey on the other side. The dresses were different lengths, possibly to be suited what I need.

A long monochrome, one shouldered dress. A gold swirled sequin bodycon dress. A sequin masquerade dress. I undressed, leaving all my clothes on the floor and stepping into the one shouldered dress when Casey stepped back inside.

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be," I said fishing the material of the dress up my leg, revealing my thigh which I strapped a gun to. I looked up to see his expression. "What? I always have one. Don't you?"

"That's different."

"No it's not, I've got to, for my own safety," I protested, flapping the material back over my leg. "Chose a suit Mr Delaney." I pointed at the wardrobe before heading into the bathroom and giving my hair a braided twist and tuck look. Something a little bit different for Jenny. Jenny Atari. Had a nice ring to it, better than Jenny Delaney, but I was 'engaged' to John Casey, a k a, Tim Delaney. "Ta da," I said, spinning into view. "Very nice," I added as Casey donned one of the three smart suits. "Let's go, shall we Mr Delaney?"

"Of course." We quickly made an appearance upstairs to find Chuck busy snacking on a pot of peanuts from the mini bar.

"Chuck?" I wrinkled my nose. "You know expenses don't quite cover that."

"Bartowski, the ear pieces?" Casey held his hand out. Chuck fumbled with one of the cases and handed us one each. "Still got a way to go before you're an agent."

"Why don't you go make an entrance downstairs Tim?" Casey put his hands in the air, admitting defeat. "You sure you're okay?" I sat down on the end of the bed beside Chuck.

"Yeah, there's just a lot of pressure hanging on this. Are you?"

"I've done this plenty of times Chuck. I'm a pro. That's why I am a Lieutenant. You know what, Sarah will be missing us." I snatched Chuck's phone from the bed.

"Hey!" he squeaked. "No." I took a cheerful picture of myself which had Chuck in the background with a 'what the -?' expression and the peanuts in his hand. Before he could take his phone back I sent Sarah a text saying: Team Bartowski miss you x x x

"There you go. Just go with your heart Chuck." I winked before shutting the door. There was a tear as the dress got caught in the door. "Oh man!" I cursed, dashing up the stairs to change into another dress. But only the sequin masquerade dress was left. The shorter one of the original three"Oh well, here goes."

I stepped out in the dress, and down into the casino. I saw Casey chatting to someone, it was Paul Bailey, my dad. Paul looked over his shoulder and gawped at me. I ignored his dumbfound expression and started looking about the casino. I walked towards them slowly. A man walking past me, stopped me to place a chip in my hand for luck. Holding onto the chip, I rolled it around my fingers.

"Hey sweetie." I smiled, reaching around to kiss Casey's lips. "Who's this here?" I asked, my arms draped over my 'fiancé' in a diagonal loop.

"Sorry, I didn't get the chance to ask?" Casey looked at Paul.

"Paul." He smiled. "As a couple, you remind me of my daughter and her boyfriend. But that was many years ago, before I lost her." My biological father threw back another drink, I took a sip of Casey's. "Are you feeling lucky then Jenny?" Paul asked, slamming the glass on the bar.

"I thought you'd never ask." Paul took my hand and led me to a Blackjack table.

"Do you play?"

"My father taught me a little." I ignored the fact that I had just given a little bit of my past life as Lauren Bailey away. It was strange to think that I was standing next to the man who taught me to play.

"Oh, Mr Atari must have a lot of skeletons in the closet. Tell me, what's his view on the conflict over poisonous gas tanks?"

"Bearing in mind there is no conflict on the matter Paul, I'd say he was fine with it." I put the chip I had been given on the table. I was dealt a nine and a three. "Hit me." My eyes met the glare of the dealer's. Another nine. "Shake your head Paul," I whispered in his ear, he did so. "Oh but I want to. Why not?" I added in a whiny tone. My pinkie finger started to tap on the table as I held the other cards out to Paul.

"Sweetcheeks, I really wouldn't say it."

"Okay, I suppose not." I sighed, the other players had gone bust. I dropped the cards on the table.

"Congratulations Ma'am." The dealer said. Paul scooped up his winnings, gathering them close.

"Your father taught you well." He dived into his pocket pulling out a poker chip on a chain. "Keep this close to you. Make it a wedding present, I hope you and Mr Delaney are happy."

"I can't take that from you, it looks important." It was, I had seen it before. When I was a little girl. I pushed it into his pocket again. It was so tempting to blurt out the whole truth. So that he knew who I really was.

"Hello darling." Stella sat down on Paul's other side. She was wearing a crazy dress. A pink one, knee skimming, one-sleeve pink dress with silver diamantes along the slanted neckline and down the dress. "Who's this whore?"

Well I certainly didn't appreciate my stepmother calling me a whore.

"Stella, my love, this here is Jenny Atari, daughter of the CEO of a valuable prestigious company," Paul said in a very emphasised tone.

"It was nice to meet you Stella. Paul." I nodded to them both before heading to the toilets. "Stay with them Casey," I whispered to my watch.

"I've lost them Zoe. They're nowhere." I slammed my fist into the wall. After a few deep breaths I walked out the toilets. I heard the click of a gun and froze. Turning to my left, just a few metres away from me, was Stella poised with a gun.

"Please, you don't want to do this, I know you don't want to."

"I know about you, I know all about who you really are," she muttered, her hand shaking.

"It wasn't him, it's you. You started heating things up underground," I whispered.

"Correct, I'm the one who started all this, not him. He's just a glory hunter. Now, where is the chip?"

"I don't have it."

"Wrong answer." Stella pulled the trigger.

"No!" I heard a scream. I saw Paul jump in front of the bullet's path. It hit him square in the chest.

"Oh no, no, no, no," I squeaked as he fell to the floor. I planted my hands on the bullet wound. You will survive. You're going to be fine." I watched as Stella turned to run after staring in shock for so long. "You did this." I pulled out a knife, throwing it swiftly, it pierced the back of her calf and she screamed as she fell to the floor. "Serves you right."

"You are her." Paul's hand reached up and touched my face, stroking my cheek and rubbing a little blood on it accidently. "I taught you to play. Your trick was the way your pinkie finger tapped the table."

"No, I can't lose you again. I didn't want to leave in the first place" I shook him gently.

"I know that you are in safe hands. With him."

"What do you mean?"

"You really love him, this isn't just your cover. You truly love him in reality, I've seen you look at someone that way before, his name was Alex Coburn. Remember that Lauren?"

"Yeah, of course I do."

"This is for you. Please, take it." His hand pulled out the chip he had tried to give me earlier. "For you." The blood was overflowing onto my hands. There was another gunshot which made me flinch. I looked away from my dying father to see Stella drop to the floor, my knife is her hand.

"Guys, what's happening?" Chuck's voice echoed in my ear.

"Lauren, I love you. But there is something you have to know."

"What? What is it Dad?" I leant closer to him.

"You need to be careful of those around you, you can't trust them. And- Elliot is-"

I watched as Casey dragged Stella's body away.

"Dad." I shook his body, no response. Casey returned for my father's body. We drove to a field a little outside of Vegas and dropped the bodies on the field. I struck the match, the flame crackling, I tossed it over my shoulder, not wanting to witness the rest. Casey held me close, I buried my head in his chest.

"It's going to be okay. Why don't we get some rest and then fly back tomorrow?" We walked back to the car and I watched as the fire simmered down, getting smaller as we went away. In the hotel I kicked off my shoes and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I turned the shower on, without taking the dress off, I stepped inside, feeling the water soak my hair and run off my skin. I sank to the floor under the water's stream. I heard a banging on the door minutes later. I cried into my knees, curled up like I would as a little girl. The door gave way, Casey burst in the room, letting out a sigh of relief. He looked out the bathroom, jerking his head towards the other door.

Instead of pulling me out the shower, he just dropped his coat and tie on the floor and stepped in with me, the water still running.

My fingers traced the outside of the poker chip. When I flipped it over there was a carving, an inscription.

To my little SparrowHawk, your own token of luck.

"Oh Dad." I kissed the chip and turned the water off, burying myself into Casey's arms.

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = I don't want to say too much, this was a tough chapter to finalise but I hope it's alright, now we know a little more about what Zoe Taylor gets to go through, and now, she knows that she will have Casey by his side