Newest one. Enjoy. :)

Title: Partners
Author: Cindy Ryan
Tag for chuck vs the tic tac
Summary: Sarah couldn't leave not without making sure he was okay
Notes: Many thanks to kuryakingirl for the awesome quick beta and for being a wonderful cheerleader.

"I can still afford beer, Walker."Former NSA agent John Casey growled as he opened the door to his apartment.

Sarah glanced down at the six pack of bottles she was holding.

"I thought we could both use one."Sarah replied quietly as she shifted her grip on the alcohol.

With a grunt John opened the door fully and stepped aside to allow his former partner entrance.

"You get the good stuff?"

A brief smile crossed Sarah's face as she set the beer on the table. One of the few remaining pieces of furniture left

"Of course."Walker replied as she took a bottle out and held it out.

Gratefully Casey took the bottle and leaned back against the wall. He barehanded flipped the cap off and took a long swig.
Warm or not; beer was beer.

"Why are you here?"

Sarah glanced up from her perch on the window sill. "Just wasn't right what they did. I had to…."

"Make sure I wasn't falling apart?"Casey snapped a little more harshly than he intended. "I'm not Bartowski."

"That's not…."Sarah began then looked back down at the bottle she held. "You've been through a lot, John."

Memories of the day flickered back pushing through Casey's fragile barricades. Seeing Kathleen again had been harder than he expected. Then to see his daughter…he didn't need a DNA test to confirm.
She had his spirit and her mother's eyes.

"Everybody has ghosts."

"Not everybody gets to meet them."Sarah countered as she watched John slide down the wall and into a sitting position.

He was tired.
So very tired.
The kind of weariness you felt through your soul.

"I made my choice a long time ago."Casey stated quietly as he rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.

"That doesn't make it any easier."

Casey grunted in acknowledgment.
Not opening his eyes he took another long sip of beer draining half the bottle.

"I'm headed to D.C. tonight."Sarah stated softly breaking the companionable silence that had fallen.

Opening his eyes John looked over at the younger woman. "Reassignment?"

"Not yet. Beckman wants to talk further."

"Beckman's one of the good guys. Sticking with her will only boost your career."

"I know."

John finished the beer and stood moving to the small kitchen.
He placed the bottle on the counter and turned back to face the bare living room.
Bare, like his life.
He'd do everything exactly the same. Especially if it meant keeping those he loved safe.

He'd live with the consequences.

Moving back to the sofa John picked up the six-pack and put it in the fridge. He returned to the living room to find Sarah hadn't left her position her gaze on the window and Bartowski's apartment.

"Chuck will be fine."

Sarah finally looked away from the window. "I can't shake the feeling that it's happening too fast for him. He hasn't had time to adjust to these tougher missions."

"He's proven he can learn on his feet."

"We both know what's coming next…..the final tests."

"Are you worried about him succeeding or about what it means for the two of you if he succeeds?"

Sarah sighed her fingers tracing the rim of the bottle. "It'd be too complicated. Too much risk."

"Life is nothing but risks and complications. It's what we do with them that makes it worth it."

"I should go."The CIA agent replied as she glanced at her watch and stood placing the half full bottle on the window sill.

"Thanks for the beer."Casey stated as he followed Sarah to the door.

"You're welcome."Sarah acknowledged as they stood in the open doorway. "I'll be around for awhile longer. If you need anything….you know where to find me."

Casey nodded and watched as Sarah left. His blue eyes lingered on Bartowski's apartment before stepping into his own and shutting the door.

Time to start life as a civilian.

end