Chapter 8: Fall Into Place
A/N: My thanks to charahkids for patiently tapping the proverbial foot, with arms crossed...while putting up with my shenanigans...lol!
Next update should be ready mid to late week. Got a busy few days ahead in the real world.
Enough talk! More action! Uh...bad choice of words considering the...content for this chapter. But, sevenrez suggested Sarah have Chuck to herself...so...(gulp).
Oh, and so I can return the favor to my pal david carner...go read Reassigned! It's a goodie! Stop by, and check it out!
Happy Father's Day to all you dad's! Can't wait to see what my kids have up their sleeve this year...last year they cooked breakfast. Love my kiddos!
Echo Park, 11PM
Sarah hadn't said much on the drive back to Echo Park. Her mind still reeling from the day's events. She knew Chuck's mind was now running full speed on the revelation that there was a real possibility of getting the Intersect out of his head.
At the same time, the thought of losing the Intersect weighed heavily on her agent's mind. Whether Chuck knew it or not, he was making a real difference. Beckman loosening the reigns on the 'cover', was proof she too recognized Chuck's potential.
What Beckman didn't know, is Sarah wasn't a fool. With the new 'mandate' on the cover, Beckman practically gave the couple 'unofficial' permission to pursue a real relationship. No surveillance in their new apartment was proof, and her methodical instruction on how to act in public, and around Ellie. Perhaps Beckman was recognizing that the unorthodox nature of the operation called for unorthodox measures. Perhaps even Beckman reasoned to have a happy Intersect, she needed a happy agent too. A win-win.
Sarah paused by the fountain, and Chuck looked at her questioningly. She took a seat, and pat the spot next to her, giving Chuck a smile.
Sarah knew there were cameras watching every square inch of the courtyard. She pretended to glance over her shoulder toward Chuck's apartment, and gave the camera a nod…implying she was performing cover maintenance for Ellie's prying eyes...which were now glued to her apartment window.
Sarah took Chuck by the hand, and knew the exact volume she needed to speak in order to stay under the camera's audio reception. She started out by playing her role, before telling Chuck what she had been dying to tell him all day.
"That dinner was so romantic, sweetie. Thank you." Sarah said, giving Chuck a wink when he gave her a curious look.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Chuck said, knowing this was for the cover.
Sarah moved closer, wrapping herself in Chuck's arm, smiling. "You really are a wonderful boyfriend. You always take me to my favorite places."
Sarah kissed Chuck on the cheek, and started whispering. "Chuck…we will find him. I promise. You will live the life that you want…with the girl that you love. And…I fully intend to be that girl. When this thing is over…I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying right here with you."
Chuck turned, and smiled. "I've never loved anyone as much as I love you, Sarah. I'm just…not cut out for this…spy stuff."
Sarah blinked, her tone soft. "You honestly believe that?"
Chuck turned his face, but Sarah lifted herself on the edge of the fountain, and sat on her knees, pulling his face back to her. "Listen to me. You are the smartest, and bravest man I know. I'm not just saying that to make you feel better. Chuck…you are. No one in your situation would have been able to do this. We would have had to place them in a facility…for their own safety. Sometimes it's hard figuring out if it's the Intersect, or you. You are the reason the Intersect is so successful."
Sarah paused. "I'm going to say something that…might make you upset…but I'm going to say it anyway. I'm glad Bryce sent it to you. That was without a doubt the smartest decision he ever made. Without you…the Intersect is just a…computer program mining for information. You know how to…see the bigger picture. Pick out things even the damn computer doesn't have the intuition to see."
Sarah took a moment to compose herself. "I'm going to be honest. A part of me doesn't want you to lose the Intersect. You are making a real difference here, trust me on that. That's Agent Walker thinking that, and Agent Walker will protect you until her dying breath…because she fell in love with you. As for Sarah…the girl that loves you, and has nearly given herself a nervous breakdown just to be with you…she doesn't care if you have the Intersect or not. She just wants to be with Chuck Bartowski…the man she loves."
Chuck turned, and embraced Sarah as the sob escaped her lips. "Shhh…Sarah…you have me. We're here now…you and me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry if I ever doubted you…all you went through."
Sarah took her left hand, cupped Chuck's face, and placed a soft, gentle kiss on his lips. "Don't be sorry. I didn't make this easy on either of us."
"Neither did I." Chuck said sadly. "Sarah…I've been a real jerk."
"How?" Sarah said in confusion, now chuckling. "I'm a spy. Trained in deception, lies, and manipulation. How could you possibly know how I felt about you?"
Chuck stared Sarah in the eyes, and caressed Sarah's cheek with the back of his fingers. "Your eyes. They never lied to me. Not once."
Sarah studied Chuck's eyes in awe. "This is why I fell in love with you. You are the only man…who gets me."
Chuck shrugged. "You get me too. I'm not perfect, you accept my faults…and laugh at my stupid jokes."
Sarah grinned. "You're pretty hysterical. You're the first guy that has ever made me laugh."
"Really?" Chuck said in disbelief. "Bryce could be funny when he wanted to be."
Sarah shook her head. "We never really talked about our personal lives, Chuck. It was all business…well, except…."
Chuck nodded. "He was your boyfriend."
Sarah shook her head. "No. He wasn't. Chuck…I don't expect you to understand this…but…when you're taught emotions get you killed…there is nothing emotional about two spies getting intimate. It has nothing to do with emotions."
Chuck nodded in understanding. "Did…did you love him?'
Sarah shook her head, smiling sadly. "No. I respected him as a partner, and we did work well together on missions. But…I didn't love him."
Chuck glanced away, and Sarah saw the look on his face. She pulled his face so their eyes met. "Chuck…it was physical, and nothing more. And…to be honest…you are the first guy ever that…made love to me…and…treated me with such…tenderness."
Sarah grinned, and leaned to his ear. "I've never had an orgasm before this morning…I thought I was going to faint. Especially during the second one."
Chuck's eyes widened. "Uh…really?"
"Mmhmm." Sarah said, rubbing Chuck's face gently. "I am making it my new mission to work on your confidence. Chuck…you are a perfect, perfect, perfect…" Sarah sighed. "…absolute, wonderful lover. It felt like…we were connected…as one…like I could tell what you were thinking…and you could tell what I was thinking…and what I wanted. It was perfect."
Chuck took a steady breath. "Just one question…and I know this sounds stupid…we didn't use…um…protection."
Sarah smiled. "I won't get pregnant, and I know you and I are both disease free. Chuck…birth control is mandatory. We're…discouraged from personal relationships, but we also have to be protected against any contingency. I haven't really needed it anyway...but it's there. It also regulates menstrual cycles. That helps with…mission planning."
"Got it." Chuck said awkwardly. "Uh…sorry if that was…"
Sarah kissed Chuck softly on the lips. "It's not too personal. There is nothing more personal than what we have, so stop apologizing for wanting to know who your girlfriend really is, Chuck."
Chuck smiled. "We should go inside. Before Ellie implodes wanting to interrogate us."
Sarah reached in her pocket, and held up a key. Chuck gave her a questioning look. "What's this for?"
"Our new place. The, uh…movers moved everything in this morning. Our room…looks identical to your room, so don't worry." Sarah said.
Chuck got nervous. "Uh…did they…move my Tron Poster?"
Sarah grinned. "Yep."
"Did they…look on the back?" Chuck said wearily.
"No. They put it straight in a box, and hung it on the wall. Just like I ordered them to. Why?" Sarah asked curiously.
Chuck stared ahead, and shook his head. "You better come with me."
Sarah opened the door to their new apartment, and clicked on the lights. Chuck paused in the doorway, in awe. "Wow…this is great."
"I'm glad you like it. I, uh…wanted you and…Morgan to be able to spend time together, so I asked the movers to hook your video game consoles to the big screen." Sarah said happily.
Chuck took one look at the 90-inch monster mounted on the wall, and whimpered. "The father of all TVs! I salute you!"
Sarah chuckled. "It's the biggest one they had. Full HD. We can, uh…watch TV together right here on the couch."
Chuck smiled bright...then sighed. "Come on."
Chuck led Sarah to the bedroom, and pulled the Tron Poster from the wall. He gave Sarah an apologetic look, and flipped it around, laying it on the bed.
Sarah glanced at the work Chuck had done on his own. Piecing together his entire dilemma. Every mission, and every key player was mapped out in detail.
When Sarah saw her ID, and the pieces of information about her…she sighed. Chuck took a seat in a nearby chair, and rested his face in his hands.
"I'm sorry, Sarah."
Sarah glanced at the names next to her ID…even the bit about her not liking olives...it hit her. If Chuck was going to be in a real relationship with her…he needed to know her real name.
Sarah removed a Sharpie from her pocket, and drew a line through the names 'Walker,' and 'Jenny Burton.' She smiled when she saw her middle name listed.
"You heard me…" Sarah trailed.
"Heard what?" Chuck said, now glancing up.
Sarah smiled, and wrote a name under her ID. Chuck stood up, and examined the poster. Sarah put the top back on the Sharpie, and took Chuck by the hand.
Chuck smiled. "Samantha Lisa Kent." Chuck furrowed his brow, noticing the name 'Sarah' wasn't blocked out. "Why leave Sarah?"
Sarah glanced down, then made eye contact. "I was Sarah when we met…and the person you made me…this is who I am, Chuck. Sam Kent no longer exists. I am Sarah. Your…Sarah."
Chuck cupped Sarah's face, kissed her gently on the lips, and thumbed away the tears now trickling down her cheeks. "A name doesn't define you." Chuck put his hand on Sarah's heart. "This…defines you."
Sarah smiled through her tears, and pulled Chuck into a tight embrace. "I love you, Chuck."
"I love you too…Sarah." Chuck said solemnly. "Sam, huh?"
Sarah chuckled. "Yeah…that's what my…dad called me."
"Pretty name." Chuck said, as Sarah ended the embrace.
Sarah took Chuck's hands, intertwining their fingers. "Do you like the place?"
"I love it." Chuck said happily, then glanced to Sarah's side of the bed. "I sort of…figured you liked scented candles from what…intel I picked up on you at your hotel. I am gonna miss that place."
Sarah smiled. "I won't. I let Colette take my room so she doesn't have to stay in Castle."
"That's very kind of you." Chuck said. "Thank you for being so understanding about her."
"I think we're going to get along just fine. Don't worry. We just need to figure out what her cover is going to be." Sarah said, still pondering that one.
Chuck furrowed his brow. "Isn't it obvious?"
"What?" Sarah asked curiously.
"You two could pass for sisters. I mean…you do favor." Chuck paused, and sighed. "That's why I found her so attractive. I thought…and…this is stupid…if I couldn't have you…at least I could have someone who looked like you. Sarah…I'm sorry about all this."
Sarah wasn't upset. In fact, she smiled. "I don't know whether to be insulted by that, or insanely flattered. Chuck, that was actually very sweet…in a twisted sort of way."
Chuck blinked, then laughed. "And you said you weren't funny."
"I'm not." Sarah chuckled. "Someone has had a bad influence on me." Sarah leaned forward, and kissed Chuck on the lips.
Chuck gave Sarah a look of awe. "You looked gorgeous tonight."
Sarah blushed. "I wore that dress just for you. I'll wear it again sometime…non-mission related, of course."
"Good to know." Chuck said, the goofy look now forming on his face. "By the way…do you have a mission wardrobe, and a non-mission wardrobe? I'm curious, because my sister's clothing takes up about 95% of closet space. I'm trying to do the math here. That leaves me with a negative value on closet space for my clothing."
Sarah swatted Chuck playfully. "I have one suitcase, and it's always packed…until now."
Sarah walked to the closet, and opened it. Chuck's clothes, and her clothes were neatly hung. "The dress belongs to the government." Sarah removed a dress from her closet, and held it to her body. She grinned when Chuck's eyes widened. "And, uh…this is what I'm planning to wear tomorrow night…on our…third first date."
Chuck gulped. "Wow…third first date…and that dress…wow…"
Sarah turned coy. "You know what happens after the third date, don't you?"
Chuck grinned. "The waiter brings the check, and I pay the bill?"
Sarah hung the dress back up, and turned. "Nope." Sarah popped the p.
"Uh…I take you to see a late movie?"
"Uh, uh." Sarah said, now free of her jacket, and her hands working the buttons on her blouse.
Chuck gulped again. "Oh, I know…we stop off for your favorite ice cream?"
Sarah shrugged, tossing her blouse at Chuck, covering his face. Sarah stood in front of him, and unzipped her skirt, letting the article fall to the floor. She giggled, turned, and yanked the blouse from Chuck's face, and struck a pose.
"Like what you see?" Sarah said seductively, standing in a black lacy bustier, panties, and stockings.
"Yeahhhhhhh." Chuck wheezed.
Sarah undid her hair clip, and whipped her head side-to-side. Chuck gasped for air. Sarah wordlessly moved into Chuck's space, and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. Before kissing him, she spoke breathless against his lips. "Kick your shoes off."
Chuck complied, and Sarah suckled on Chuck's neck, and earlobe. Chuck's hands found his way to Sarah's back, and Sarah purred when his hands caressed her body.
Sarah grabbed Chuck's belt with a devilish grin, and yanked the belt away, hanging it around his neck. She unbuttoned, and unzipped his jeans, and ran her hand inside.
Chuck's breath hitched, and he closed his eyes. Sarah slowly slid his jeans down, and moved to the bed. She gently flung the Tron Poster off the bed, and sat Chuck down.
Chuck, mesmerized by Sarah's beauty, leaned his face to Sarah's body, and began placing gentle kisses on her body. Sarah held Chuck's head, and leaned her head back, moaning softly.
Sarah scooted Chuck back, and crawled on top of him. Hungry for his lips, Sarah attacked, taking his face in her hands. The kiss turned desperate, as Sarah ground herself on top of Chuck. Chuck growled softly in Sarah's mouth, causing her to grin.
Sarah pinned Chuck to the bed by his wrists, and stared in his eyes. "I love you, Chuck."
"I love you too, Sarah." Chuck said softly.
Smiling at her boyfriend, Sarah reached behind her, and took control. Chuck grunted underneath as Sarah coupled their bodies together.
Sarah leaned her head back, and moaned, slowly rocking her body.
One hour later…
Chuck and Sarah, now tangled, and sweaty, were laying in a heap, gasping for air.
"Oh my God, Chuck!" Sarah panted, running her hand through her hair. "That was incredible!" Sarah gasped.
Chuck pulled Sarah to him, and she buried her face in the crook of Chuck's neck. Chuck, still trying to catch his breath, couldn't believe what had just happened.
"Sarah…that was…intense!" Chuck panted. "I…I can't breathe!" Chuck laughed after the comment.
Sarah chuckled, and rubbed Chuck's chest. "Mmm…Chuck, what got into you?"
"I could…ask you…the same thing…" Chuck said, still panting for air.
Sarah grinned. "You think anyone heard us?"
"Uh…yeah…I'm sure the whole complex heard us!" Chuck said, gasping.
Sarah buried her face again, then rested her head on her hand, rubbing Chuck's chest. "I don't see how in the world you were single when we met. Chuck…I've never experienced anything like that before."
Chuck joined Sarah at eye level, gently brushing her disheveled hair. "I'm sorry if you thought that I was too aggressive."
Sarah's eyes glazed over. "Oh my gosh…you have GOT to do that again! Chuck…I thought I was going to lose consciousness! I have never felt that much…pleasure my entire life!"
Chuck gave Sarah a goofy look. "I didn't even know what you did was humanly possible…"
Sarah let out a wet laugh. "I suppose you bring out the best in me. After that first…you know… you gave me…I wanted to return the favor. But…it backfired. I ended up having another, before you had one. That's not very fair. You're going to spoil me."
Chuck glanced away bashfully. "I like watching you when you lose control. You look hot.
Sarah leaned forward, and kissed Chuck on the lips, smiling in the process. "Let's shower, and grab a bite to eat. This is going to be a long night."
Chuck, for once, didn't even hesitate. "Last one to the shower, is a rotten egg!"
Sarah followed, laughing the entire way to the bathroom.
Echo Park, Next Morning
Sarah Walker was humming. She never hummed. But, she was doing a lot of things lately she normally didn't do. Like, cooking breakfast for her boyfriend.
Sarah turned, and paused briefly before chopping up a tomato. She remembered the last time she cooked breakfast for Chuck, and how wonderful it felt. Until, she had to once again break his heart after the mission in the suburbs.
Sarah smiled softly, glad she no longer had to pretend to be anything other than a woman madly in love.
Sarah didn't noticed Chuck standing in the threshold to the kitchen, lost in her musings. Chuck, slipped up behind Sarah, and kissed her softly on the cheek. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Sarah smiled, and turned in Chuck's embrace, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "I was just…thinking about the last time I cooked you breakfast.
"I remember." Chuck said. "I didn't realize your culinary skills were that good."
Sarah grinned. "The CIA likes to put agents in service roles on missions. It's easier to blend in. Nobody really pays that much attention to cooks, waitresses, and so on. It's like what we're doing now. Hiding in plain sight."
"That's…actually really smart." Chuck said. "And…I've always heard the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
Sarah gave a coy look. "Are you saying I am a good cook, Mr. Bartowski?"
"Yes I am." Chuck said confidently.
"Better than Ellie?" Sarah asked playfully.
Chuck furrowed his brow, and held his hands up defensively. "Ohhhh no, you don't. Not falling into that rabbit hole. Never, ever, ever, ask me the following: Is my cooking better than your sister's? Is she...meaning any random woman...prettier than me? Does this dress make my butt look big? Sorry. Not falling for it." Chuck sneaked a piece of cheese from the counter.
Sarah let out a yelp in shock, when Chuck pulled her to him, his lips inches from her lips, his eyes staring deep in her eyes. "I'll answer those questions now, so you'll never have to wonder. Your cooking, and Ellie's cooking are equally wonderful…but you have a slight edge in the omelet making department. That tasted wonderful. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, so put that fear in a coffin, and bury it. You look like a goddess in everything you wear, and your…derriere would make Aphrodite herself jealous. Does that about cover everything?"
Sarah bit her lip, and slowly untied her robe. "Not really…"
Chuck captured the base of Sarah's neck, and she spun around, allowing Chuck to pull the material away from her shoulders, trailing kisses. Sarah rested her head on Chuck's shoulder, and reached back, pulling his head deeper into her skin.
With Sarah's free hand, she began tugging at Chuck's jogging pants, and boxers.
Sarah arched her body into Chuck as their bodies coupled, then leaned back. Chuck held her firmly, as Sarah cried out in ecstasy…fulfilling her fantasy of that morning in the suburbs, but realizing that the reality…was so much better.
Later that day…
Sarah couldn't remember the last time she just…lounged around. She found herself now staring out the window, with a report in her hands. Chuck was in the bedroom setting up his computer, so she decided to catch up on paperwork.
Deciding she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend, Sarah padded into the bedroom, and found Chuck sitting in deep thought.
"Hey…are you okay?" Sarah said, plopping down in his lap.
"Yeah…just thinking. I…developed a program back at Stanford…a really advanced search program. I was...thinking I could alter it to search for Orion." Chuck said softly, mindlessly caressing the exposed skin below Sarah's shorts.
Normally, Sarah would crush such a thought. She knew finding Orion was important.
Sarah thought for a moment before responding. "We can't tell Beckman." Sarah finally said. "We have to keep this between us."
Chuck made eye contact. "I know. I'm pretty good at hiding things." Chuck pointed to the Tron Poster. "I figured out a way around my surveillance."
Sarah grinned. "Casey and I thought as much."
"You did?" Chuck asked curiously.
"Yep. Chuck…you've already proven you can hack into anything. I think it stands to reason you could figure that out." Sarah said, placing a gentle kiss on Chuck's lips.
Chuck's mood turned forlorn. "There's…something you ought to know. About the night Graham was killed."
Chuck keyed a file on his computer. It was Beckman and Graham, ordering Casey to terminate Chuck. To Sarah's surprise, Casey tried to talk them out of it.
Grabbing her chest to control her growing rage, Sarah shook her head angrily. "I knew it! I fucking knew it!" Sarah stormed out of the bedroom, with Chuck right behind her.
"Sarah…wait." Chuck pleaded, relieved when Sarah stopped in the middle of the room, her body heaving from sobs.
Chuck took Sarah in his arms, and wordlessly held her tight. After a moment, Chuck spoke in a surprisingly determined tone. "Sarah…I think Casey timed his entry for your arrival. He was standing in the hallway. He was there for a good three minutes before you arrived. He could have taken the shot at any time…but he didn't."
Sarah, making eye contact, wiped her face. "Are you saying he wanted me to stop him?"
Chuck nodded. "Yeah. I am. Or…he wanted it to be a fair fight. Sarah…I can't hate him for that."
Sarah spoke angrily. "That's what pisses me off! They wanted to terminate you, of all people…after everything you did for their sorry asses!"
Chuck took Sarah by the arms. "They had a point. The Intersect out in the open. Sarah…if I can find Orion, he can get this thing out." Chuck paused, his tone confident. "You know as well as I do…as long as I have the Intersect…we will never truly be free. This isn't about me. It never has been. I won't see my sister lose her entire family. That would destroy her. And…now that I have you…I won't let it destroy us."
Sarah knew, deep down…Chuck was right. As long as he had the Intersect, they would never be free. The Intersect was the priority. She wasn't blind to that fact.
Chuck led Sarah to the couch, and the two sat down, their hands clinging to each other.
Sarah took a breath, and spoke calmly. "I don't think Beckman wants us to find Orion. When we mentioned him…she turned pale. I've never seen her that scared, Chuck. She knows things that we don't…and I don't like it."
Chuck nodded. "Sarah…what scares me is the fact that I think my father is connected to all this in some way. I've done some digging of my own…and there isn't much. What I was able to find out is that…the project was shut down 16 years ago. My…dad was working on something very hush hush around the same time…and he disappeared the same time the project shut down."
"You think your dad is connected?" Sarah asked, her tone concerned.
Chuck took a steady breath. "Sarah…when I was nine years old…I think I uploaded an early version of the Intersect. I was playing with my dad's equipment…and something happened. He came back home, and freaked out. The thing I remember he said was…I'm special. He acted like it should have hurt me."
"Oh my God." Sarah said in realization. "I think your father is Orion."
Chuck nodded. "So do I. I…also think my mom is connected. When she disappeared four years before he left…he was frantic. He spent months working on whatever it was he was working on. People would call the house, and he would go in the other room to talk. My mom would often disappear on business trips…and return with these…bruises, or cuts. Sarah…I think my parents were spies."
Sarah let out the breath she had been holding. Chuck continued his theory.
"Bryce knew I could handle the Intersect. How? I think he was working with Orion…think about it…who else but a parent would not want their child to be recruited by the CIA for a military project? Bryce had seconds to send the file before Casey shot him. He intended it to go to me. The only way he could have possibly known that, is my father. Bryce had a lot of inside information about Fulcrum, and even pretended to go rogue to infiltrate their organization in order to find out if they had the ability to build an Intersect."
"Operation Sandwall. Chuck…the night Bryce disappeared…he received a message on his laptop, and then said he was stepping out to get a coffee. When he didn't come back, and I checked his laptop…it was shorted out by some device he used." Sarah paused. "He warned me once there were things going on that would make my blood boil. I dismissed him as a conspiracy theorist."
Chuck sighed. "Something big is going on…and I intend to get to the bottom of it. Sarah…none of this was by chance. That's why I have to find Orion….and my father. If they are one and the same…then I can find answers, and our father can walk Ellie down the aisle at her wedding."
Sarah leaned forward. "Then do it. Use that program…and find him. I'll handle Beckman if we're successful."
"We?" Chuck said, smiling.
"Yes, Chuck. We. There is no…I, or me any longer. There is only us." Sarah paused, her tone barely above a whisper. "You're not alone any more…and neither am I."
Chuck took Sarah's face in his hands, and kissed her softly on the lips. "Together."
"Together." Sarah smiled. "Now…you have a program to work on…and I need to brief Casey, and Colette."
Chuck furrowed his brow. Sarah smiled reassuringly. "Casey is on our side. He knows all about us, and so does Colette. We're going to need their help if this is as big as we both think it is."
"Alright. Call them over. I'll get started on the program." Chuck got up…and Sarah yanked him back to the couch…with an evil grin.
"And just where the hell do you think you're going?"
Chuck pointed to his room. "You said…"
Sarah silenced Chuck with a kiss, then pushed him to his back, furiously removing his clothing, and her own.
Sarah lifted herself to answer the questioning look on Chuck's face. "Making up for lost time. I want to be focused on the discussion…not on screwing your brains out." Sarah finished by attacking Chuck's lips.
That evening…
Sarah finished briefing Casey and Colette on her, and Chuck's theory, and was met by silence.
Colette put a hand to her mouth, and looked troubled. Casey bit the inside of his mouth, then broke the silence.
"Why do I feel like a pawn on a chess board?" Casey snarled. "I don't like being the red-headed step kid our bosses keep in the dark."
"Neither do I." Colette said. "My boss looked like he was having a stroke when he told me about the possibility of a human Intersect. Sarah…our own government had a MI6 scientist assigned to the Intersect team. He disappeared."
"Did they tell you his name?" Sarah asked.
"No. Said it was above my pay grade." Colette huffed. "Fucking tosser. I hate getting told to bugger off."
"No shit." Casey agreed. "I hate the term 'need to know.' Assholes use that term."
Chuck walked into the room, and Colette asked Sarah permission with her eyes before kissing Chuck on the cheek. Casey greeted him with a grunt.
Sarah addressed Chuck, who took a seat beside her, Sarah taking his hand. "How's it going?"
"It's running." Chuck said, using his free hand to rub his eyes. "Made a few alterations to keep…prying eyes from catching it…but I've got it looped through enough servers it shouldn't raise any red flags."
Colette stared at Chuck in wonder. "That's impressive, Chuck."
Casey grunted. "The geek's got skills, Barker."
Sarah gave Chuck a coy look. "Yes. He. Does."
Chuck turned fire engine red. Colette snorted, and Casey grunted disgusted. "Ugh!"
Chuck cleared his throat. "Um…Colette…Sarah and I discussed your cover. How do you feel about being Sarah's sister?"
Colette shrugged. "We're both blonde, so that sounds logical."
Sarah nodded. "You'll have to make your accent sound slightly English…and more American. The cover is you attended Oxford, and you've been working in the UK. You just moved here, and you're now my business partner at the Orange Orange. We're introducing you to Ellie tomorrow night."
Colette smiled, and cleared her throat. When she spoke, you couldn't even tell she was British. "I'm looking forward to meeting Ellie. Should I prepare a dish, or bring a bottle of wine?"
Sarah nodded. "That'll do."
Chuck's eyes widened in shock. "That…that was awesome."
Colette winked. "I aspired to be an actress at one time…until MI6 offered a better deal."
Casey chimed in. "Ellie's sharp. You'll have to add some truth to every lie, or she'll see right through it. She was the one who spotted Walker making googly eyes at the moron."
"Got it." Colette said with a single nod.
"You guys staying for dinner?" Chuck said, standing to put his already prepared dish in the oven.
Casey shrugged. "Why not?"
Colette smiled. "I could eat."
Sarah stood up. "I'll set our places. Chuck's making his famous chicken pepperoni."
A/N: Next chapter...the bad guys are back...mwhahahaha!
