Fate

Chapter 6

A/N: Here we are again, more Fate for everyone to read about. Thanks for coming back for more. Please enjoy Chapter 6. Thanks KroBlues for you awesome help with the Beta and the following timeline. Please read AND REVIEW.

The following timeline was without a doubt the amazing idea of KroBlues and no other. Thanks Kro! It doesn't include this chapter's story line. They will be added in subsequent chapters.

TIMELINE

?????????? Creamy Charah video file (CH4)

2009.6 A.D. Sarah/Chuck/Casey on a Mission (CH1)

2009.6.3 A.D. Chuck talks with Beckman and the plot thickens (CH3)

2009.8 A.D. Chuck gets shot / Sarah freaks out (CH1)

2009.10 A.D. Chuck/Sarah/Casey in Venezuela on a mission (CH2)

0000.0 A.S.L. Chuck finds Sarah gone (CH1)

0000.2 A.L.C. Sarah confronts the new CIA Director (CH1)

0000.3 A.L.C. Sarah fights with Beckman (CH5)

0000.12.31 A.S.L. Chuck learns more about the Intersect and hears from Bryce (CH5)

0001.2 A.S.L. Chuck find out Sarah was shot and flips (CH4)

0001.2 A.L.C. Sarah in Italy after being shot (CH2)

0002.3 A.S.L. Chuck is in Australia in the "Bush" (CH1)

0002.3 A.S.L. Chuck's real reason for being in the "Bush" (CH3)

0003.4 A.S.L. Chuck vs the Chinese Station Chief (CH2)

0003.4 A.S.L. Chuck's real reason for being in China (CH3)

0003.5 A.L.C. Sarah in South America missing Chuck (CH3)

0003.9 A.S.L. Chuck takes out Sarah's targets in South America (CH3)

0004.4 A.S.L. Chuck returns to L.A. (Prelude)

0004.11 A.L.C. Sarah returns from South America (CH2)

0004.12 A.S.L. Chuck in Sweden getting ready to climb a mountain (CH1)

0004.12 A.L.C. Sarah looses the iSat signal and freaks out (CH2)

0005.1 A.S.L. Chuck renews his non-disclosure agreement and sees Casey (CH1)

0005.1 A.S.L. Chuck leaves D.C. for LA and gets a text (CH2)

0005.5 A.S.L. Chuck meets Lisa (CH5)

0005.6 A.S.L. Chuck eats a Chuck (CH5)

0005.7 A.S.L. Chuck gets a new partner and goes looking for Casey (CH5)

0006.5 A.S.L. We all morn the loss of Colonel Casey and Chuck catches Obama..I mean Osama (CH4)

0005.6 A.S.L.

Los Angeles

Casa Woodcomb

"Chuck it's great that you've finally got a place here in L.A. But you know you're not getting any younger. There are plenty of great women here. I can't believe you and Mary didn't hit it off. She seemed quite taken with you." Ellie stated

"That's right Chuckster, you know the wang energy won't last forever." Devon added, slapping Chuck on the shoulder. "You got to strike while the little guys are still swimming." Devon waggled his eye brows in what could only be explained as an attempt at the Bartowski Eyebrow Dance.

Chuck's face screwed up in show being grossed out. His brother in law never ceased to be able to take a subject in that direction.

Chuck was completely accustomed to this kind of banter from his sister but it was getting old. Of course he could ever tell them that he and Sarah were still quite in love and would one day be together. As far as they knew Sarah was long gone, just like Jill. Sarah like Jill had become a bad word in the Woodcomb hose despite Chuck's insistence that it wasn't the same situation. It had become the couple's mission to get Chuck together with someone. Chuck had been set up with the gamut of Doctors and surgeons from the hospital. None had gotten past the first or second date. Chuck simply couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew she was waiting for him and that made the waiting completely worth it.

"You know, I'm thinking that I'm not going to date anymore. There's no point. Every time I just compare them to 'She who must not be named 2' and they all fall short. I just can't bring myself to do it anymore. I'm happy with how things are. Not everyone gets the picket fence and two point five, you know. Some people, like me for example, just are fated for something else."

"That's so sad Chuck, I don't know that I'm entirely happy with it but if you're sure we can let it go. But you show one iota of 'Unhappy Chuck' and I'll be on you like white on rice." Ellie said in response to Chuck's revelation. Ellie wore a concerned look on her face. Chuck knew she was disappointed and was saddened that he couldn't do anything about it yet. Chuck cursed the government for taking this happiness away from her.

Deciding that a new topic of conversation would lighten the mood, Chuck turned his attention to his nephew. "So Steven.." Chuck began before being interrupted.

"My name is Stevie now, Uncle Chuckie." Steven interrupted, feeling the need to clarify before letting chuck continue.

"Is that so?" Chuck responded to his nephew, stealing a glance up at his parents.

"It's his name Chuck, he can do with it as he wants." Devon spoke up.

"Alright, Stevey, how's Kindergarten?" Chuck said continuing with his original line of questioning.

"Oh it's awesome, I met a girl, her name is Susie and we held hands during recess." Stevey blurted out with a mixture of awesome enthusiasm and childish excitement.

"A girlfriend already? Wow, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree I see." Chuck said, not too surprised by the development.

Steven looked at Chuck in puzzlement at Chuck statement, not sure what anything had to do with apples and trees. Chuck noticed the youngsters puzzled look and explained. "It means you're very much like your dad. I bet he has many very similar stories about his younger school years. I myself didn't have a girlfriend until I was in 4th grade. I don't have one now though."

"You should try and say nice things about them. They like that Chuck. My dad told me how and it works perfectly." Steven added somberly, trying to help out his uncle who clearly needed help in the chicks department.

Ellie shot a withering look at Devon at the child's latest reveal and Devon piped up to save himself. "Hey, the little man wanted to know. Its better know these things early. Studies show the younger kids absorb things the better they retain it."

Ellie shot back, "I don't think that's something he'll need a whole lot of help on Devon, not if he has any of your blood in him. Which he does, tests confirmed it." Ellie had a stern, but playful look her face as she finished.

Chuck swallowed hard, "Why did you get him tested, was there any doubt?"

"No, bro, we just tested to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with our little guy. No there's no doubt whose little man this is." Devon said, ruffling the mop of hair on the youngster's head.

Recognizing where the conversation had gone Steven piped up, "I'm a product of daddy's swimmers meeting mommy's swimmers, and love." He said matter-of-factly. Obviously Devon had been sharing a lot of info regarding girls to his son.

The adults broke out in laughter at the unexpected addition to the conversation. When Steven saw everyone laughing he chimed in and began laughing as hard as he could.

They finished dinner and went through the normal routine. Chuck and Devon took care of the dishes and cleaned up and Ellie took Steven into the living room waiting for the boys to join them for family time. After a few hours of catching up on the last weeks activities Chuck left for his new house. On his way home he received a text. This time it was from an anonymous forwarding center and had no number to trace.

"SSBsb3ZlIHlvdSwgcGxlYXNlIHdhaXQgYSBsaXR0bGUgbG9uZ2VyLiAtU2FyYWg="

Chuck flashed quickly and the unencrypted message appeared superimposed on the display in front of him. Chuck smiled, after the first set of strange coded messages he had modified the trigger for code breaking in the Intersect. It had worked like a charm. Chuck smiled again as he put away his iSat. Sarah's cipher methods had really improved. Not giving away the cipher in the message helped too. What a perfect way to end the day. Chuck drove the rest of the way home on cloud nine. I will.

_____

0005.7 A.S.L.

Italy

Venice Marco Polo Airport

Chuck listened over the intercom for the coded message letting him know that the NSA had confirmed his message that confirmed they were on mission and in country.

"Questo è l'annuncio di volo Sierra Lisa wiskey zero zero uno si prega di andare al turista aiuto chiosco multimediale" Squawked the speakers over head. Chuck nodded to a security camera and he and Lisa exited the terminal.

Moving though the crowds of tourist milling around he the entrance to the airport Chuck and Lisa made they're way south towards the water taxi's. Most tourists didn't know about them, simple because the local didn't really want them to. Chuck was going to avoid all the normal avenues of approach and any high profile lodging during the mission. Obviously there was a compromise somewhere in the chain of command, he wasn't going to make it easy for their adversary. The harder the prey was to follow and predict the easier it would be to catch the hunter.

"I hope you expecting the best because that's what we're going to get. Ever been to Hotel Cipriani?" Chuck piped up as they sat on the ferry. Lisa's jaw nearly hit the floor.

"How… that's like the nicest hotel in Europe." Lisa sputtered out. I could get used to this. "Isn't that kind of high profile?"

"That's the point. What spy is going to practically announce his presence by booking the best suite in the best hotel in the city? I mean, it's only the best from here on out for my new bride."

Lisa couldn't help but blush at the notion. "We'll it's certainly better than I'm used to. Usually us spies are in slummy little side cottages and seedy hotels. I could get used to your type of missions."

The water taxi pulled up to the dock of the exclusive hotel and they got out of the boat as it touched the edge of the private dock. The bellboy's efficiently snatched the bags of the new guests. Lisa nearly stumbled as she stared are the ridiculous opulence of the suite that Chuck had arranged.

"Ok, how in the hell did you get all this situated in such a short time? The CIA is fast, but not this fast." Lisa asked as she made her way toward the room through the private garden to the door of the suite. She noticed the rather oversized Jacuzzi on the way in and decides that's going to be her first stop after unpacking.

"Friends in high places. I also have an open invitation at this hotel year round, so that helps." Chuck said, while Lisa looked at him skeptically. "I've got a lot of frequent flyer miles?" Chuck offered shrugging his shoulders. "I can't actually share that with you at this point. We'll address that issue when we get back from this mission."

"Fair enough, I think I'm going to hit the Jacuzzi, we don't have anything planned tonight do we?" Lisa said already digging though her bags for a swimsuit. Red or white…hmm, I'll take it easy on him tonight and go with the red one. It's less see through.

Chuck was relieved that she hadn't asked him to join her. Despite the compromise they had come to on the flight over he wasn't even sure if he trusted himself, and he knew she wasn't going to put a stop to anything that might develop.

"I'm going to make some phone calls and arrange dinner. It's quite a formal affair here so I hope you stuffed something appropriate in that bag of yours." Chuck said as she scampered towards the bathroom to change.

"Yeah I got something, distracting to wear. I think…Oh…My…God…Chuck this bathroom is….amazing! Holy crap! You've stayed here before!?" Lisa exclaimed, frozen at the entrance to the bathroom.

"No, I don't usually stay in this suite. There's one across the garden that I usually use." Chuck said, obviously enjoying her reaction to the ridiculously amazing bathroom. "Well hopefully we'll just be spending all our time here and not in some dank room shooting people."

"I think everything in here is made from marble, and silver. Jesus, there's an 'efing painting on the ceiling!" Lisa continued, oblivious to Chuck's change of subject.

"Right, I'll let you and the bathroom get better acquainted. You have my number if you need me. Lisa?" Chuck said waiting for some kind of response.

"Yah, gotcha, can't you see I'm busy right now?" Lisa quipped holding her shirt over her chest as she poked her head out of the bathroom.

Seeing his partner's state of undress Chuck nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'll be back."

Chuck scurried out of the room and toward the main hall, his phone glued to his ear. He had some things in the hotels safe he needed to access, hopefully one of his contact at the consulate could give him something to go on.

An hour later Chuck returned with a small bag and a grin on his face. The consulate had been quite helpful. He had a possible target and he'd felt rather creative about their planned approach. Scuba!

Lisa was coming out of the Jacuzzi as he entered the and Chuck had to remind himself not to stare. "Hey dinners in two hours so you don't have much time. There's a hair dresser waiting outside the door for you. You need to look insanely good tonight.

"Chuck if this is how you treat your sister, I don't know how I could handle full blown Chuck." Lisa said, a mix amorous attention and admiration fixed on her face.

Chuck flashed a big grin and responded, "Oh don't worry, there's more."

Lisa smiled demurely and headed again for the bathroom.

"Just open the door when you're ready for him. He's just waiting for you." Chuck said she disappeared again. "….Lisa?"

"Yeah, sorry, stuck in bathroom awe again." Lisa replied through the door.

Chuck laughed and opened the closet where he'd stashed his tux. He called the concierge and asked for someone to come fetch it and get it pressed, it didn't look as fresh as it should after the trip across the world.

Chuck pulled out his laptop and logged himself in, letting the camera scan his iris for authentication. I'm going to need to get her one now. Chuck went over in his head again the plan for the night and the early morning. He hadn't planned anything but a solo mission in almost six years. He wasn't quite sure about sticking her in the field so fast. He knew she was an accomplished agent with almost as much time in as he did but there wasn't the familiarity and knowing that comes from working together with someone yet. I guess we're playing this one by the ear.

The laptop had booted it self up and Chuck busied himself pulling up various files and pictures to orient himself for tomorrow's recon. He would have to be sure and show them to Lisa as well to make sure they were as much on the same page as could be.

He wasn't going to pull a Casey. Full disclosure all the way. Well, except for that one little thing…for now. He wasn't sure what Beckman's plan was for that, but there was no way she could work closely with him without picking up on it. Chuck left the laptop open and answered the knock on the door with a measure of caution. There were going to be no simple mistakes screwing up the mission before they really got started. The knock at the door was just for his tux and he handed it to the waiting man with a tip to hurry the process along. When he moved back into the room Lisa appeared from the bathroom in a towel and walked past Chuck to get the door.

Chuck spoke up, "Before you get him in here, can you go over the files I have cued up so I can secure it before he gets in here?"

"Oh sorry, Chuck, I didn't notice." Lisa said apologetically. "I'll knock that out."

She had stopped when Chuck had started talking and had headed for the laptop, she sat down and fumbled a bit. Sitting had caused her towel to come undone. She looked up and Chuck and was slightly disappointed that he'd missed it, digging through one of his suitcases for lapel camera he had stashed inside.

In reality Chuck hadn't missed it but had turned around in time to hide the blush that rushed up his neck. Even after a year of teaching seduction techniques, and with the Intersect's help he still didn't handle bare skin too well.

After a minute of fumbling around in his suitcase Chuck stood up and exclaimed, "Found it. I really need to reorganize these bags."

Lisa had at the same time finished going over the few files Chuck had left for her and stood up, headed for the door.

"I'm finished Chuck, I'm going to get the hairdresser. I shut the laptop already." Lisa said over her shoulder as she reached the door.

Chuck nodded, snatched it off the table and stuffed into his suitcase as the pair returned from the doorway.

As the hairdresser arranged his tools and set up on the balcony Chuck plopped on the bed and flipped on the tube. Scanning through the channel Chuck stopped on an episode of Cops and let his mind wander over the personnel files. Manually testing matches was taking too long. His search query hadn't brought up anything on the combined dates for the mystery agent so he was trying to cross reference the old fashion way, basically by hand, except without the hands.

After nearly an hour and no matches Chuck returned to earth from his trip into the Intersect and noticed that Lisa's hair was almost done, and decided to check out the bathroom himself and get ready for the dinner. He wanted to get down there early if he could so he didn't miss any possible leads.

Forty five minutes later a ravishing Lisa in a reveal everything but the best, crimson red, silk dress and a tall and handsomely dressed Chuck entered the dining room. More than a few heads turned in their direction as they made their way to their seats, led along by a waiter.

Chuck had turned it on and Lisa was enjoying herself, fawning over and generally being as amorous as possible without going totally overboard with her fake husband. Chuck was doing his part and was for all intensive purposes fully absorbed in his beautiful new bride. Chuck was however systematically scanning the room for leads. With only one flash, an unrelated one at that, before he was seated Chuck was rather disappointed. Apparently they aren't in the rich and famous crowd tonight.

The meal slid by uneventfully and they moved to the dance floor after dinner. Chuck used a rather stoic march to dance around and scan the new faces that hadn't been at dinner. Chuck hit pay dirt. The Intersect had made a seven point facial analysis match to one of the photos in the file. Javan Ramioi a wealthy oil baron who grew up in Greece was a member of the Revolutionary Nuclei a.k.a. Revolutionary Cells. An anti-U.S., imperialistic contender with a list of large bomb attacks since the 1950's, which just happened to be suspected of acquiring materials for a nuclear bomb.

The Intersect was still putting together the pieces when Lisa interrupted his thought process with her hand on his butt. The move shocked him out of his thoughts and back onto the dance floor while a much more involved dance had begun. The Tango. Chuck thanked his lucky stars that the Intersect had indeed taught him the man's part. He prayed Lisa wasn't getting any ideas for after shocks, because halfway through the dance most of the people on the floor had stopped to watch the couple as they moved across the floor, completely absorbed in each other.

After the whirl on the dance floor Chuck whispered in her ear, "Time for bed, we can't do anymore down here."

"Jeez, Chuck if I didn't know any better I'd have to act offended at that comment." Lisa responded, whispering back into his ear.

Chuck grinned like she just suggested something naughty and steered them in the direction of the exit. As they left the main hall and meandered towards their room he noticed they had someone following them. Chuck spun Lisa around in front of him and kissed her. As he pulled away from her whispered. "Being followed, three doors down, short dark hair. See him?"

Lisa breathed out a "yes" before kissing him again and dragging him towards their suite. As they came to door, Chuck pinned her to it and reaching around her he slipped the key into the door, opening it. Once inside Lisa dropped the act, Chuck did as well, relaxing a bit against the inside of the door.

There wasn't much to do that night but get some sleep.

Chuck spoke up before they settled in, "We need to be ready to move at a moment's notice. If we're being watched, no matter who it is, we need to be able to move out without leaving behind evidence. Non essentials stay packed." Chuck said, looking around him at the disarray in the room. Kicking himself for his lack of concentration.

"Right, sorry, noted." Lisa responded, also kicking herself for letting herself be distracted enough to have overlooked that important. "How are we doing the bed arrangements?"

"It's a big bed. I think we'll be fine." Chuck states simply.

Lisa looks at him quizzically. She realizes there is something more he could say but isn't, and that he's obviously remembering something personal. Something she hopes he'll one day share with her, because it looks like it means a hell of a lot to him. She brakes of the stare, glad that he didn't notice her that time. Moving towards her suitcase she packed it all away, except what she was going to wear for the night. She decides the test the waters a bit and drops the dress to the floor without looking at him, dawning a t-shirt as her attire for the night. She heard Chuck cough in the background but other wise he didn't appear to object to her little stunt. She smiled to herself. Maybe it wasn't hopeless after all.

True to her word she didn't try anything during the night and Chuck and Lisa fell asleep without much delay. Chuck had set some invisible intrusion detectors and ensured both of them were packed for a quick exit before joining Lisa in the bed, which was, in fact, quite large. Despite all the posturing and good intentions they woke up tangled with each other. When they realized what had happened they extricated each other, one apologetically, and one reluctantly. Neither could deny that it had been more than comforting to wake up in that state, but it was Chuck that was mentally kicking himself for allowing it to happen. Luckily the mission required his attention and he didn't have to dwell on the mornings happenings.

"Time to get moving, we've got a bit of exploring to do today." Chuck said after both of them had made it to a standing position.

Lisa simply nodded, secretly glad that the 'mission' was back on for the day. It wasn't that hard to play the amorous newlywed. She stretched her arms over her head as she headed for the bathroom. Chuck stared at the ceiling, willing himself not to think about the butt leaving the room in front of him. He concentrated on today's activities. Scuba diving in the Venetian Lagoon, well to start with. They would start there, but the trip would be much longer than the tour guide had intended. The bottle were loaded for nearly and hour more than normal, giving them nearly three hours to swim back in to the city and explore under the location that his flash had given him.

Suddenly a realization hit him. "Um, Lisa, you do know how to scuba dive right?" Chuck asked apprehensively. I really have to work on this dual mission thing. Lisa answered as she emerged from the bathroom. "Yep, since I was in high school."

Chuck was relieved. He mentally noted to himself to check with Lisa on skill sets before setting up mission plans. It wouldn't do to have a partner who couldn't perform the tasks he planned.

Both of them finished their showers and were out the door in less than thirty minutes. Their luggage stashed under the bed ready to go. After making a quick trip to the main desk to arrange for the days activities they left to meet up with the 'adventure guide'.

Chuck and Lisa sat at the rear of the motorboat on it's way out of the canal, on the way out to the scuba site. They were almost to the mouth of the canal when Chuck saw something he certainly didn't expect. Cole Barker and Sarah Walker. Ok, I didn't see that one coming. Lisa noticed Chuck's shocked look and looked around trying to assess what was making the unflappable super agent look like he'd seen a ghost.

"Chuck, you want to share with the class." Lisa asked slightly worried now.

Chuck came out his shock and looked at Lisa. "The plot just got thicker. I just saw some very interesting people from the distant past. We need to contact Beckman. This new development may change things. Scuba trip canceled. For now.

_______

Cole Barker was at the helm of the boat as he steered back in from a rather strenuous recon. His partner Sarah Walker sitting behind him recuperating from the long swim they'd just finished, when he saw the most unexpected pair of faces. What the hell is Chuck Bartowski doing in Venice, and whose the blonde?! Is that a freaking wedding ring? Sarah is going to flip out.

Cole spoke up over the noise of the water and the engine, "Walker, you are not going believe what I just saw."

________

2009.11 A.D.

The Caribbean

Radiance of the Seas

Chuck and Sarah emerged from their cabin in a state of bliss. Granted there were other places they wanted to be besides stuck on a boat with a whole load of old people, but this was free and an ending perk to the mission they had just concluded. It had take nearly two hours to make it out of the hotel room. Casey, along with his surveillance had left with the strike team and the half dozen badies, Chuck and Sarah had taken down and captured, leaving the two of them to ride out the week before the next port call.

"Chuck, stop staring at my ass, you're going to make me self conscious." Sarah said in mock disapproval. Truthfully she loved it when he stared at her, but it was fun to make him squirm a little.

"Sorry, but it's impossible not to, besides, everyone else gets to." Chuck said smiling at his beautiful girlfriend, who had given up the facade of disapproval.

"Don't make me cover it up, Chuck." Sarah trying to keep up her serious face, but failing completely.

Chuck commenced to tickling her as they rode up escalator. Sarah, lost in the moment did nothing to stop him, and just simply enjoyed his touch, giggling and squirming until he stopped. Chuck having had enough tickling, wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a tight hug and a quick kiss, which turned into a long kiss, and then an impassioned one and finally they tripped on the top of the escalator.

They layied in a heap at the top of the escalator causing a major traffic jam. Chuck was frantically apologizing to both Sarah and the inconvenienced people behind them, but Sarah was too busy laughing at themselves to do anything but hold her sides and roll in laughter. Nearly a minute later Chuck did finally get himself and Sarah off the floor, out of the way and into some chairs. Both of them still laughing in fits at the quite unromantic end to the kiss Chuck had started so innocently halfway up the escalator.

After the morning debacle Chuck and Sarah decided they would kiss only when stationary. Chuck was sure that Sarah could handle mobile kissing but was a bit hesitant of his own abilities in that department.

Laying out on the deck of the massive cruise liner Sarah broke the comfortable silence, "Chuck, why did you step in front of the that Ring agent? He had a knife in his hand, he could have killed you? How many times have I told you, it's my job to protect you, not the other way around, and did you have to do it with your torso?"

Chuck sat up on his elbows and looked at Sarah contemplating his reply. He knew she didn't want to hear it but it was the truth. "First there is no way I'd let you get hurt if I could manage it and second, I was wearing a vest as you had so adamantly insisted and I knew the knife wasn't going to hurt me. Sarah, I love you, I would do anything to keep you safe. I couldn't care less what happens to the damn secrets, you're much more important to me than these infernal bits of knowledge." Chuck finished as he tapped his head, indicating the location of the 'infernal bits of knowledge".

Sarah didn't hear anything different from the last time he'd saved her. In fact recently it seemed he was doing that a lot. Saving her, from bad guys and her own emotions. "Thanks you." Sarah said, surprising herself. She'd had a well thought out rebuttal to his response, but after looking at him and his gorgeous brown eyes for once she couldn't even pretend to be mad, or frustrated.

"Sorry I brought it up, Chuck, it's just hard to accept that someone cares enough to do that for me. Not because I'm a fellow agent, that I've got in spades but you, you do that, saving me thing because you care for me. I just have to get used to it I guess." Sarah said, the beginning of tears appearing at the edges of her eyes. Chuck took note of the rare and endearing confession coming from his favorite spy. Shifting himself from his sun chair to hers he sat her on his lap and brought her down to lay on top of him. He fought the urge to smile like a goofy clown. These moments were extremely rare for them and they were the best part of the whole situation for him.

Chuck and Sarah stayed like that for next hour, simply reveling in being with one another.

"I love you Sarah Walker." Chuck whispered into her ear, as he played with hair between him and her neck. Sarah smiled and murmured, "Love you too Chuck." as she nuzzled her head under his chin, once again falling silent and still.

An elderly woman across from them on the sun deck smiled and nudged her husband who had dozed off. She pointed to the young couple and posed a question. "You remember when we were like that?" The old man snorted and added, "I seriously doubt that they are like us. They'd have to be a pair of spy's who have fallen in love despite the long odds. That kind of thing only happens once in a very great while."

_______

A/N: Thanks for reading the new chapter, sorry for the cliffy. I've written two versions of the Venice mission and I can't decide which to go with yet. For those of you who love the ciphers. You're clue for this chapter's message is in two parts. The clues lead to the name of the cipher method. As always Awesome points are up for grabs along with future chapter shout outs to who ever gets it first.

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[___ ___ ____ ____ ] [____ ____]

1. Chuck sat at the __ __ __ __ of the mountain and looked up at the challenge ahead of him.

2. Commodore __ __ game system