Sorry for the delay. Been sitting on this chapter for awhile and debating whether to post or not. So instead of making more excuses I will post as is. There is way more to come but I know that a few loyal readers have been waiting and new readers as well. So enjoy and stay tune for more.

I own nothing!

Chuck leaned against the window sill as Sarah found her place between his legs. Slow kisses and caresses followed by the occasional break for air. Chuck lingered purposely as he didn't want the moment to end and why would he. Sarah titled her head back and tried not to respond to what had just happened and Chuck asking "Now what."

Placing her hands flat against his chest he shuddered slightly, maybe it was the pain he felt from the accident or the fact that Sarah had placed her hands on his chest.

"We better get some rest. I'm going to check on Carina first. They should be done checking her out."

Sarah looked at Chuck, circling her finger. "This is not over." Then kissed him.

Chuck held Sarah's hand as a long as they could and together walked in letting go just as they entered the infirmary door to greet Carina. They had her leg in a brace and was told to relax for a few days. She wasn't out for the count but her knee sprain needed a few days. Carina looked at Sarah all flustered and Chuck well she wasn't 100% sure but she knew from what he had told her, he was in some pain from the crash. Sarah gave Carina a hug.

Carina whispered you ok. "Never better."

Not sure if Sarah realized what she said but the look on Chuck's face Carina knew that there was something going on between them and the slight chance that they were more than partners. Chuck led Sarah out and walked down the hall to their particular wings. Kissing one last time as they broke their hold and said goodnight.

Next morning

Sarah rolled over, instinctively her fingers touched her lips. She flashed on the events that happened earlier and then rolled onto her back. She could still feel his lips on hers and she knew that she wanted more. Changing, hoping to get a morning kiss she was disappointed when she couldn't find Chuck. Walking to greet Carina, she saw Chuck being looked at once again by one of the bases doctors. Chuck was ordered to be checked out when Beckman got the memo. The doctor checked Chuck over as he asked the nurse to bandage him up. His ribs were bruised and with a few scrapes that were bandaged, he would be good to go. The doctor told him that it could have gone the other way. Sarah knocked on the door as doctor was exiting. The nurse started to rewrap Chuck's ribs but was called away. She asked if Sarah would continue. Chuck smiled as Sarah's hands started to maneuver around his waist and ribs. Maybe too much for Sarah's sake but she had admired his physique for some time now. Sarah got a mischievous look on her face.

"Your liking this aren't you?"

"Uh huh?"

Chuck leaned in and kissed her. Letting go of the bandage she turned her whole body into the kiss.

"Good morning."

"Good m-o-r-n-in-n-g." Sarah replied.

Chuck and Sarah walked into the mess hall and sat down beside Casey. Casey still in his army attire which suited him perfectly. He glanced slightly but went back to eating his breakfast. Chuck asked Sarah what she wanted for breakfast and Chuck got up. Casey looked up again wondering why Sarah didn't get her own breakfast. Chuck returned with two plates identical; sausage, pancakes and eggs and some fruit on the side with two coffees. Sarah smiled as Chuck rearranged their plates and coffee. Casey spoke up as the teenage ogling was making his breakfast come up. "Spill it Walker, Chuck?"

"What do you mean?"
"Something here. (Moving his finger back and forth between the two of them). What's going on? You two are awfully."

"Awfully what?"

After a while Casey gave up as neither of them were talking. Chuck got the low down on what happened with Forester and was glad that Beckman reconsidered - that gave him the answers he needed. He now knew that Sarah wasn't going to leave anytime soon.
Sarah and Chuck walked the halls, while they wasted time before their meeting with Beckman at 13:00 hours. The snow had fallen blanketing the ground with a fresh coat. Chuck admired the snow as he didn't have the chance to see it much living in southern California. Sarah snucked in behind him carefully wrapping her arms around him. She figured that after last night they had gone to the next level.

"I could have lost you last night." Chuck turned around.

"Nothing could keep me away from you."

"But you can never be sure. This job, what we do isn't for the faint of heart. One day you're watching the snow fall and the next you could be begging for your life to be spared."

Chuck turned around.

"I never said that it was, all I am saying is no matter what is going on I promise not to leave you."

Sarah smiled the best she could. If only Chuck knew the dangers, the real dangers that lurked out in the 'real world' of spies, despites, criminals and mad men. If only she could tell him what to expect, her only saving grace was the Intersect. But even with or without it could Chuck hold his own, well she hoped he could.

They continued to walk around the halls of the base, when Chuck looked at the make shift decorations that plastered the walls and ceiling of the base, he looked at his watch noticing the date.

"Do you know what day it is?"

"No, the last few days have been a blur."

"It's Christmas!"

Sarah watched how Chuck's face lit up. She knew from experience that he loved the holidays. Everything about them, she on the other hand didn't feel the same about them. Chuck walked slowly up and down the hall dragging his fingers along the tinsel and flipping up the Christmas cards looking to see whom they were from.

He continued to look around. "Sorry I didn't get you anything. I would have if we were back home."

Sarah grabbed his hand, turned to face him then kissed him. Chuck stood up and twisted his back a bit to kiss her properly.

"Merry Christmas Chuck."

"M-e-r-r-y Christmas Ms. Walker."

Chuck held her close. "I bet you had some pretty memorable Christmas's."

Sarah released her hold and turned. Chuck came and placed his hands on her shoulders as Sarah hugged herself and looked outside.

With a softer sound to her voice she replied. "If you call stealing from the Salvation Army kettle stations and pawning stolen items to only have your dad to use that money to buy you a Christmas gift. Then to resell that item when things got bad. Then no I don't have really any positive memories."

Sarah leaned back as Chuck's arms encased her own hug. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be its not your burden to bear and besides I am thinking that maybe this one might be worth remembering."

Chuck held her close and rested his face inside her neck.

13:00 hours Meeting with Beckman

Casey, Sarah, Carina and Chuck sat waiting for Beckman to address them. It was early back home, and plus being Christmas Day, they didn't know what to expect. They all heard a beep as Beckman came on. The team was surprised to see Beckman not in her uniform but a soft fluffy pink bathrobe. Her hair was down but wrapped around her ears.

"Merry Christmas team."

"Merry Christmas General." They all answered.

"I need to apologize for my attire but I just woke up and I have the grand kids in the next room. I told them to give me a few minutes to take care of some Government issues."

The four looked at each other as this was the first time they had ever saw the other side of the General.

"I hope that you Agent Miller and Chuck you have been checked out?"

They both nodded.

"Good, now onto the next item. Agent Miller has spoken to her team and Chernekoff I presume on the latest developments."

"I have General and they are on board if you sign off on it."

By now the three were concerned with what Carina had put together. She had the reputation to act first then ask questions later.

Carina saw the looks on the three and faced the screen. "General, before we go any further maybe we should let them in on what has transpired."

"Good idea, Agent Miller."

Beckman grabbed her glasses and grabbed a file.

"When we got word that Chuck had been taken and mistaken for the nephew of one of Russia's notorious crime families, we knew that we had an in. Agent Miller spoke to her DEA team as well Chernekoff and after some convincing they were willing to give it a try. What Agent Miller is suggesting is that Chuck resumes his newly founded role and we will see where it takes us. The Russian mafia has been on the radar of the USA government for some time. Since the breach in Utah we know that our security was jeopardized and we need to know which one of us is working with them. As long as Chuck plays the role we can make a case that can eventually shut them down."

Chuck stood in silence as Sarah feared what could go wrong.

"General, do we really believe that Chuck can make this work that he actually looks like the nephew?'

The General brought up the recent picture. And to the surprise of the team they could see the resemblance. But it still drew some concerns for the team.

"Team, we will go with Agent Miller's plan and she will take the lead on this mission. We still have some planning to do but in the meantime enjoy this day and we will resume tomorrow. I have made arrangements for all of you to enjoy a Christmas Day turkey dinner."

As the team was ready to sign off the General spoke once more.

"Merry Christmas team."

"Merry Christmas General."

Casey headed out.

"What's the rush Casey?"

Casey turned around. "Food that I can eat and don't have to cook."

Chuck and Sarah laughed as Casey almost ran down to the mess hall. Turning around he yelled. "You guys coming?"

Sarah looked at Chuck then back at Casey. "Yeah."

Sarah waited till Casey was inside then she grabbed Chuck's hand and walked down. But as they ventured, Carina looked up over a file that she was reading and noticed their hands.

Christmas Day evening

The snow continued to fall outside, as the Army Base continued to make this Christmas an enjoyable one for all the soldiers and Army personal. Chuck glanced around as army men and women were all on their phones, talking to loved ones back home.

Sarah noticed the look on Chuck's face and she knew that he had to be missing his sister. Unaware that he had called her hours before she, dropped her phone into his hand.

"Call your sister."

Chuck turned around and fumbled the phone till he got a proper hold of it. "Thanks but I called her yesterday."

"You did?"

"Yeah when I arrived. Casey encouraged me to call."

"And?"

"Well besides being upset with the fact that I haven't made it a habit of calling she forgave me. I was lucky to call her as Devon and she were travelling to his folks for Christmas anyways. I was supposed to go with them, but being here I had a good enough excuse."

"You okay with not being home for Christmas?"

Chuck got up and sat down beside Sarah. Sarah pushed aside a huge pillow and held it close as Chuck sat down. Sliding down so he could be at the same height he grabbed her hand and stared into her eyes.

"What could be better than having a person that I care about sit beside me, in this most romantic place on earth at Christmas?"

"I wouldn't call this romantic."

"Anywhere with you is romantic." Chuck leaned in, Sarah grabbing for his cheek, the kiss was subtle. As they shared a breath, the world around them faded.

Chuck walked as far as he could down Sarah's wing. They had turned some heads and almost got caught by Casey so they had to be careful. They agreed that they didn't want to tell the team yet. They had enough on their plate, so they would try and refrain from too much PDA for now. Chuck held Sarah a bit longer than he wanted to but he knew that this Christmas would set the precedence of every other holiday or Bartowski celebration to come.

BOXING DAY – literally

Casey stared over Chuck as he shrieked himself out of a rest full sleep. Chuck wasn't sure how long Casey had been standing there but, really didn't want to know either. Casey stepped back and sat down on the empty cot next to Chuck as Chuck semi sat up on his small cot.

"What bids me the pleasure of you stalking over me this fine morning?"

"Just waiting for you to wake up so that I could tell you that I am heading out with Carina to get some supplies for our trip."

Chuck looked a little perturbed with Casey's attempt to keep him informed.

"That's sound like fun. Not! But you could have just left a note."

Casey stood up and headed to the door. "What fun would that be? See you later. Walker is around to babysit you so don't do something stupid."

Chuck laid back as Casey headed out the door. This was the first chance he got to just rest. Instantly Sarah's words, her concerning words about the spy life jumped into his subconscious. She was right. 'This was still all too new and the fact that he wasn't an agent but was being baby sat, in all honestly he still didn't know what his place was.'

Contemplating whether to talk to Sarah or let it go, he thought – 'I am pretty good at going with the flow it can't be that bad.'

Chuck ate alone while waiting for Sarah. He guessed that she needed the sleep and he couldn't blame her. He went for his check up and the pain was getting less so he figured a workout might work out some of the kinks that he was feeling. And if Carina could leave with Casey, he knew he could branch our as well. Finding his way to the weight room he checked out the machines that the US Army had provided. Impressed with what he saw he went straight to the large mat at the back. Changing into a pair of sweats. One good thing was how they provided a change of clothes. Looking around he figured that it was Army attire.

Stretching his body it ached at each sudden motion. He focused on his breathing which helped ease the pain. Each time he moved he loathed Forester for not listening to him about slowing down.

Chuck took his stance and started his routine of Tai Chi. Sarah made her way down the hall and noticed a tall dark handsome American working out. Ogling inside the glass she stood facing the door that led to where Chuck was standing. She quickly headed back to her bunk and changed and headed back to join Chuck. Turning around as he wiped his brow he noticed Sarah standing there. Walking up to her, she tossed him his towel. Wiping his face he moved in, not anticipating a kiss at first he said hello.

"Hi Chuck, good morning."

"Morning."

Chuck leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"What brings you here?"

"I was walking by and saw you, and figured if you were working out in your state I could too."

"Well I'm not doing much. Still quite sore but the stretches I do aren't really a work out.

"But you look like you have."

Chuck knew that she was looking at him. He wiped his face one more time then grabbed her. She pushed him away due to him being sweaty but as he snuggled into her neck she said what the heck.

Looking around Sarah kissed Chuck. Chuck kissed her back.

As Sarah tried to catch her breath, she thought if this made her blood pressure rise a little then what else he could do to her. Chuck was starting to like how Sarah responded to his kisses. Chuck knew from a young age to watch people's reactions. His sister always told him that you can really get to know a person by how they react to you in certain situations. Growing up with only his sister, her words were golden. Chuck stepped back as he smiled and continued to smile as Sarah approached him.

"You think this is funny?"

"No, not at all but I can clearly see that you're enjoying our time together."

"Well when the company isn't bad to look at…."

"You only like me for my looks?" Chuck moved back smiling.

Chuck resumed his stance as Sarah tried to follow his moves. Chuck knew that Sarah was combat ready but she was never able to just relax. Chuck started out slow and Sarah did what she could but after a while Chuck was beginning to think that she was faking the difficulty of the steps. To some degree she was but as the session progressed he noticed her hands starting to go to places that Chuck had probably only dreamed about. What started as Chuck being the teacher he was now the recipient of Sarah's advances.

Chuck upped the antic's but Sarah took this as something else. Sarah went from the relaxed Sarah to agent Sarah in matter of seconds. Chuck came around with his left arm extended in front of Sarah and as he stepped into Sarah's space. Sarah grabbed his left arm and side punched him with her left hand. Chuck flipped back landing hard on the mat. Sarah turned out of her motion and saw what she had done. Chuck laid flat and knocked out.

Sarah fell to the floor grabbing Chuck's head and laying it in her lap. She checked to see is he was still breathing, patting his cheek he finally woke up. Startled he half sat up and looked at Sarah then fell back down.

"I'm so sorry! You ok?"

Chuck didn't move nor spoke. Which worried Sarah. Chuck decided that it was safer to lay still and why not. Where he was, why would he move?

Enroute to Russia – Kaiserslautern Station Germany Four days later

Casey pushed Chuck through the crowd to meet their train. Army personal dropped them off then waited till they were aboard. Chuck had been carefully watched the last few days more than he had been in the past. Whether it was the fact that Sarah had knocked him out or the fact that this mission could go either way, or they didn't trust anyone at this point. Casey said little as he mostly pointed and grunted. Casey found their compartment, tossing Chuck inside he noticed that it sat four people. He had been with Casey for most of the last few days and had not seen Sarah, well really seen her since their time in the gym. Casey grunted and pointed for Chuck to sit down. Chuck took a window seat and watched the patrons file in and out of the train station. Deciding not to ask too many questions, in why they chose to take the train instead of flying or even driving, Chuck sat back. 20 minutes later Carina entered the cabin followed by Sarah. Chuck sat up and quickly made eye contact. Sarah did the same but remembered they agreed to keep it as professional as they could. But as the minutes rolled on it was going to be a hard task to follow. Sarah did a last minute check of the area as Casey came from the back of the train.

"All clear." Casey informed Sarah.

"All good here as well." As she placed her bags above Chuck's head.

The closeness of her placing her bag overhead caused her shirt to rise displaying her mid drift. Chuck tried not to look but he couldn't help it. Drawing his eyes away, Sarah put her arms down while pulling her shirt with her. Carina snuck in beside Chuck forcing Sarah to sit across from him. Sarah slid into the seat across from Chuck. This was the first time that they had been this close to each other.

Chuck greeted Sarah and vice versa. In the last few days Carina, Sarah and Casey had locked themselves up going over possible scenarios and when Casey wasn't needed he was with Chuck. Casey had Chuck go through some opts training and spy training 101 just in case. Chuck caught on quickly as Casey taught him how to do things like picking locks, hot wire cars and breaking out of hand cuffs. Chuck just hoped that he didn't have to break his thumbs to do it and lastly Casey showed Chuck how to shoot a gun. After explaining to Casey that killing wasn't his thing. Casey admired him but said 'That no matter how much you promise yourself that you'll never have to pull the trigger when the moment arises, you have to make that judgement call. Either you die or they die.'

Chuck stood by his belief and settled for a tranq gun instead.

The train's horn blasted as it slowly moved down the track. With a few transfers, the trip was going to take them over 8 hours. It was mid-afternoon when they left Berlin heading east. Carina had filled Chuck in with what was the plan. As Chuck listened his fears and his newness to the spy life was getting the best of him.

"When we arrive in St. Petersburg, we will head to our temporary base. Beckman has made arrangement with the Chernekoff to use an old textile mill. Once we are there, word has it that there is huge who's who including members of several Mafia families and rich debutants attending a New Year's Eve party; invites only. Also Chuck we will have you try and get Genrika's attention again while we are here. Rumors are he was released and is supposedly in town the same time we are. If he still thinks your Valie we will go with that, as long as no one makes the connection and finds out that you're not who you say you are, you'll be safe. Sarah will play your escort for the night. Casey and I will join you planting bugs to capture as much as we can. Someone has to be connected to Genrika and the CIA breach, it's too coincidental. Once inside the party you will mingle and Chuck you need to stay in view so that, the more people who think you're Valie, the easier it will be to be him. Read this file we obtained on the real Valie and practice your Russian." Turning to Sarah. "Sarah you will do what you do best. Make him look good."

Chuck took the file and opened it. He instantly flashed, luckily Carina didn't see him. One blessing to sitting beside him I guess. Carina continued to drill Chuck. After a few hours, Sarah knew that Chuck needed a break and from all the flashes and no time to recoup Sarah needed to get Chuck out of there. Casey slid out as Sarah suggested that Chuck go and get some air. Carina wanted to continue to work but Casey agreed that Chuck, all of them needed a break.

Carina slid out allowing Chuck to get out and stretch his legs. Sarah headed out as she wanted Chuck to follow her. Chuck stood out in the small walk way and didn't see which way Sarah went. He looked to his right but knew that not much was down at that end except more cabins. When he turned to face left he got a whiff of something sweet. Chuck walked down the walkway trying to stay straight as the train sped down the track. As he approached the split in the train, he was pulled into a small corridor. Chuck looked up as Sarah had a hold of his shirt, before he could say anything Sarah attacked his lips. Chuck responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her close. As the train tossed back and forth Chuck let go of his hold on Sarah to brace himself. With his hand against the wall of the train, Sarah's body covered his hand, with his other hand caressed Sarah's cheek. Sarah reacted as Chuck held her tight against the wall. Breaking for air, Chuck rested his head just inside her neck.

"I missed you."

Chuck mumbled inside her neck. "Me too."

"How's the head?"

Chuck looked up. "What?"

"Your head, after all the flashes?"

"Do we need to talk about that now?" Chuck nibbled a little deeper into Sarah's neck.

"I guess not."

Sarah stopped reacting as she saw Casey head down the train. They had to get make their way to the other end as Casey would know that something was up if he arrived and didn't see them. Chuck looked up and got an evil look in his eye. He grabbed Sarah's hand and pulled her out the door. Climbing the ladder he stopped and bend downwards looking between the rungs.

"Are you nuts?"

"Well you obviously don't want Casey to know about us yet and if we come in behind him, he'll know that something is up."

Chuck reached down and grabbed Sarah's hand.

"You up for a little adventure."

Chuck climbed the ladder just outside the one car. The cold breeze hit him as the train sped down the track. He just hoped that there wasn't a tunnel. Chuck looked as far as he could and saw nothing. He waited till Sarah reached the top rung. Gaining their balance they made their way up the train. They jumped from the first car to the next and saw the dining car was up ahead. Chuck slid down first climbing downward as Sarah followed. The train jolted as Sarah half hung and slipped on the second last rung. Chuck grabbed her and brought her feet safely to the floor. As they opened the door, Casey came around the corner, looked them over then grunted. Chuck looked up at Sarah then looked down the hall. Casey turned into the dining hall as Sarah grabbed Chuck's face and kissed him. "Thank you my prince charming."

St. Petersburg

As Carina opened the door to the warehouse Chuck filed in behind her. Beckman didn't take long to have a base set up, which looked like every other warehouse he had been in, abandoned and smelly. But as Carina walked ahead she turned back.

"You ready for this Chuck?"

Chuck wasn't too keen on Carina's thrill of the chase or the fact that she reminded him of a female version of Casey but 100% better looking. As he turned the corner he saw every high tech machine you could possibly dream off. It reminded him lot of the sub base in Utah.

Casey and Sarah followed and went straight to work. Sarah walked by and casually squeezed his shoulder. Chuck smiled and found a chair to sit down on. But his rest was short as Chernekoff's ensemble walked in.

"I hope that you have all that you need."

Carina took the lead and spoke for the team.

"We are. We will meet at the party around 8 and have Chuck enter shortly thereafter."

"So we are good. My team is ready. I will have my men stationed near the exits and will have a few inside."

"Sounds good. Hopefully whoever Genrika is dealing with will show up as well."

20:00 hours

Chuck stared at the garment bag hanging on the door of the make shift room. Having had a shower he stood there staring at the picture of the real Valie. Casey suggested that staring at a mark would help but the more Chuck looked at the real Valie, he wondered if he could pull it off. Walking over he unzipped the bag and pulled down the bag displaying the tuxedo. It was a Russian custom made suit that had a black tie and a pure white dress shirt. Chuck laid the suit down on the cot and grabbed the shoes. The shoes were polished shiny black and were probably very expensive. Grabbing a pair of clean boxers he slipped into them followed by the pants, then the socks, shirt. Chuck leaned down to grab his tie when he heard a knock at the door. Chuck walked over and opened the door. There stood Casey dressed in a black suit and tie, Chuck walked back in resuming his tie duties. Casey walked over and sat down.

"How you doing?"

Chuck was surprised by his comment. He was expecting Casey to come out and ask him if he was ready. He was pleased that Casey was concerned. And then there it was.

"You ready?"

Chuck didn't respond at first but when Casey didn't speak up he leaned against the counter.

"Honestly I don't know. I'm just a guy who works in a Buy More. I make a little over 10 dollars an hour and a few months ago living a pretty dull life. But it was my dull life. And now I am thousands of miles from home pretending to be a nephew of a possible drug family."

"Chuck if we didn't think that you couldn't handle this we wouldn't, Beckman wouldn't have signed off on it. Sarah and I thought this over many times. And each time the answer was yes. Chuck you're not in this alone. Sarah and Carina will be right beside you and I will be close as well. If you feel threatened you say the word and you're out of there."

Chuck felt a bit better but the butterflies were having an all-out war with each other.

Casey walked over and grabbed his jacket. Chuck watched as Casey inserted a small knife and placed it behind the front lapel. Casey walked over and helped Chuck into his jacket. Pointing out a few spy gadgets, Casey knew Chuck was ready. Chuck slipped his feet into his expensive shoes and walked out. A few minutes later Carina stepped out wearing a purple low cut dress, equally split in the front and back, just covering what it needed to cover. Walking passed the boys she stopped to see the looks on their faces.

"You look amazing."

"Well thank you Chuck." As she dragged her finger across his cheek.

Chuck looked briefly at her but was drawn to what came next. Chuck's caught a glimpse as Sarah walked in wearing a salmon colored dress, criss crossed in the back and gracefully covering her in all the right places. Chuck wanted to slip out from Carina but waited as Sarah came to him. Whispering 'You look beautiful'. Sarah's warm skin turned to goosebumps.

'Well you look very dapper yourself Mr. Bartowski'.

Mariinsky Theatre

As the limo pulled up, Chuck followed Sarah out and watching all the people entering the Theatre. Large spot lights were in full swing catching the air as they shone on the near by buildings. Sarah slipped her arm into Chuck's side as they walked the stairs to the main doors. She hoped that someone would recognize Chuck before they reached it. Carina couldn't get a hold of any invites. Casey and Carina waited as they followed Chuck and Sarah. They needed to get inside and follow the crowd till they could slip away and start laying down some surveillance.Chuck stepped towards the door and was stopped by a large man. He looked Chuck over. Chuck's started to sweat. Sarah was sure that this was it. As Chuck was about to speak Chuck could hear a man yelling in Russian from behind them. "пусть в (Let him in). Разве ты не знаешь, кто он такой (Don't you know who he is)? "

Chuck looked back and saw Genrika coming up the stairs with two tall brunettes very endowed.

Chuck let go of Sarah's hold as he embraced his personas uncle.

"Valie my dear nephew. I was wondering if you would show up."

"Why would I miss this?"

"But the полиция (police)?"

"They had nothing on me and why would they?"

"That's my мальчик (boy)."

Genrika cupped Chuck's cheek then was drawn to Sarah. He grabbed Sarah's hand and kissed it. Holding it between his hands he spoke to her in Russian. Chuck swallowed hard. He, they weren't versed in the Russian language and the way Genrika was talking he hoped that they could avoid a response. But as Genrika continued Sarah's words surprised Chuck.

"Почему слова благодарности ваш слишком добры (Why thank you, your too kind)".

Chuck winked as Genrika escorted them into the lobby. Chuck stopped and motioned to Genrika that he wasn't alone. Carina standing behind him, confidently walked the few steps that were separating Chuck and her and slipped her arm into Chuck other free arm. Sarah wasn't to please at what Carina just did. Knowing her she wasn't surprised.

"More the merrier. Welcome. (добро пожаловать)."

Casey stayed close, he scanned the room then slipped away. Chuck and Sarah and Carina entered the main area. A small ensemble was playing in the distance, while several attendees where already toasting to a New Year. Chuck was sandwiched between Sarah and Carina but each had their own agendas. Sarah had been in situations like this and she needed Chuck to be visible. The more who believed that Chuck was the real Valie the safer he was. Carina on the other hand was more eye candy to the average person. But Sarah knew that Carina was casing out the joint, considering all possible scenarios but heavily relying on herself, which had always been a concern when they were on missions together.

Carina finally left Chuck's side which allowed Sarah to resume her initial job. She smiled at how good they fit. How good Chuck made her feel. Even if it was a mission, being with Chuck was never a task as it first was. Honestly she reminded herself that, being with Chuck was never a job. Falling for him was a different unexpected surprise.

Chuck tried to keep up with the conversations but fell behind a few times but Sarah was able to change the subject. Chuck leaned up against the bar as Sarah came in behind him and gave his arm a squeeze.

Chuck turned around.

"You're doing fine?"

"Am I, I feel that someone is going to find out who I really am, and then we are toast. Or minced meat or tossed in a culvert or ground up into cement."

Sarah placed her hand on Chuck's cheek and rubbed it with her thumb.

"You think too much."

Sarah grabbed two glasses and gave one to Chuck.

"Here's to tonight and whatever it brings."

Chuck clinked his glass with Sarah's and took a sip.

"So my dear, where did you learn how to speak Russian?"

"In college. I majored in languages and foreign affairs."

"You're full of surprizes."

Sarah leaned in and kissed Chuck.

"Is that a real kiss or a cover kiss?"

"You decide."

Sarah grabbed his tie and entered the dance floor. The music started to play. Chuck watched as Sarah turned the heads of the guests. As the band started to play Sarah opened her hand and gestured with her index finger for Chuck to come closer. Chuck hadn't dance in a long time and the way Sarah was dancing he knew he had make her look good. He walked up to her and instinctively Sarah's hand were on his shoulder and waist. She leaned in and whispered 'You ready?' Chuck flashed on the basic Tango 101 moves and swooped Sarah up. Chuck gathered her up and they danced like they had dance this dance many times before. The moves were hot and enticing. As the guests watched, Sarah could hear that they were discussing who this guy was. When Sarah heard Valie she knew that Chuck was safe for now. As the music started to fade Chuck slid to his knee while still holding Sarah.

Chuck looked down as Sarah looked up into his eyes. Whether Chuck or Sarah knew it or not they were not expecting what Chuck did next. Chuck leaned in and crushed Sarah lips with his. All the passion or the heat of moment was evident as Chuck and Sarah embraced. As time stood still Chuck knew he had made his move. Leaning back his lifted Sarah upwards. Sarah fixed her dress as Chuck slipped a few loose strands of hair back over Sarah's ear.The guests applauded as Chuck and Sarah took a bow. The music started up again. Sarah was heading to the bar when Chuck stopped her and held her close.

"Again?"

"This time it's' me and not you know what?"

Chuck wrapped his arm around Sarah's back and held her hand in his other hand bringing it up to his chest. Sarah leaned into his shoulder as the band played. All was perfect till Chuck and Sarah's dance was halted. Carina had made her way in between them. Carina pushed her way in front of Sarah causing Sarah to let go of her hold.

"You still have a dance for me?"

Chuck causally nodded at Carina as Sarah bowed out and headed to the bar. Looking back as Carina took Chuck further onto the dance floor disappearing amongst the crowd. Chuck tried to keep Carina's arms at bay but it wasn't what Carina wanted. It felt that Carina wanted what Sarah had. But Chuck was convinced that no one knew about them. As the song played and Carina did what she could as Chuck kept thing professional. As he waited for the song to finish he scanned the room looking for Sarah and where she went. As his eyes drifted from one area to another he noticed a few faces that he had flashed on earlier that day. Wanting to break the moment he spoke into his mic, then waiting till Casey's voice came over their ear pieces.

"Yes I see them. They are heading to the back. Where are you guys?"

"Your 6."

Chuck and Carina turned and saw Casey and Sarah. Chuck followed Casey to the back as Sarah headed in the other direction. When Sarah came around the door Chuck and Casey were stopped by the men Chuck and Casey had seen. Sarah waited behind the door. Chuck knew from the file that they were 'family' but not blood related which gave him the opportunity to play the part. The file also indicated that they were short a full deck, mostly kept around for the muscle.

As Chuck dodged twiddle dee and twiddle dum he turned to face Genrika who wanted Chuck to come back and talk business over lunch tomorrow. Chuck knew that he couldn't go in alone. Chuck looked at Casey.

"You can bring your body guard if you wish." Genrika assuming that Casey was Chuck's muscle.

Genrika gave Chuck the address leaned in and kissed each cheek and tapped his face.

"Go and celebrate its' almost midnight."

Chuck slipped the paper into his inside pocket and waited till Genrika disappeared.

Sarah slipped out from the door and Carina came in from behind.

"So this is going well beyond what I thought it would have gone."

"Carina, I hope so. What did you find out?"

"Most of the guests are just that, guests. Some are Government officials and some are mafia related and the rest are either family or rich brats out for a good time."

"What about you?"

"The boy here has a date with Genrika tomorrow. We will go in and see what he has to say."

"We?"

"Yeah the old man thinks Casey is my body guard."

Chuck laughing. Chuck loved it when Casey had to play a role. Casey didn't like to be told what to do. But Casey knew that he had to do what he already was doing, but this time it meant more.

Sarah looked at the clock and knew that they had to go back inside the main room. Walking in Chuck slipped into the crowd followed by Sarah. Carina stood on the side trying to tower over to find Chuck. When she couldn't find him she turned and joined Casey as Casey uncapped a bottle of Johnny Black. Each toasting each other and enjoying their individual drink in some definition of silence. The clock counted down as Sarah had lost Chuck in the crowd. The crowd started counting down. 10 – 9 – 8, Sarah looked around and didn't see Chuck. Maybe this evening wasn't going to end up like she hoped for. And how could it when Casey and Carina were meters away from them and Carina seemed to have her own agenda. 7-6-5-4, the crowd crowded Sarah tighter into the inner sanctum of the dance floor 3-2-1…..HAPPY NEW YEAR. Balloons fell from the ceiling as lovers and guests embraced each other with kisses. Sarah stood deflated as Chuck was nowhere to be found. Sarah felt alone as people around her celebrated, kissing and hugging each other into a New Year. Sarah accepted the fact that this was like every other New Year.

As Sarah held back a tear something soft tickled her shoulder. The item slid down her uncovered shoulder down to her fingers then dragged up her chest and dragged under her neck. By now Sarah knew that it was a rose. As the scent of the rose engulfed her scenes Chuck slipped his hand around her waist and turned her around.

Chuck could tell that Sarah was teary eyed. 'Never again will you be alone. Happy New Year Sarah.'

Sarah thought 'How did he know?'

"Happy New Year Chuck."

Chuck leaned in as the space between them faded away. They kissed and were guarded by the crowd and unseen as they embraced and welcome the beginning of something unique, something special. Casey and Carina sat and in their own way passed New Year greetings to each other.