Let us do something, while we have the chance. The wait is almost over.

Still don't own Chuck.

Chapter 10 the Amazons

San Francisco Ritz-Carlton

Chuck woke to the sun creeping in his window. He looked at the clock and while hoping for some extra time, saw that he had just a few minutes to get dressed. He wanted to go over with Doc Adams to check on Kristen. And well, spend a little time with Sarah.

He got a shower and shaved, dressed in dark slacks and dark blue shirt, he started over to Sarah's. He saw Doc Adams coming up the hall toward the room.

"Good morning, any problems last night?" Chuck asked.

"Good morning, no one called. So, I guess she slept the whole night. We'll find out in a second," replied the doctor.

They knocked on Sarah's door. Hearing a 'come-in,' they opened the door and looked in the room. Sarah, in a jogging outfit was in the living room where Kristen's bed was placed. She was over with the oxygen equipment. Kristen was sitting up in bed. There was a chorus of 'Good Morning.'

Chuck went over to Sarah, "Everything alright?"

"Hum, oh yes. It's fine. I was just checking the readings. But I guess Doc Adams ought to do that." Sarah looked over at the doctor, "Do you need anything?"

"No. I'll be a couple minutes, then everyone can go back to sleep," Doc Adams was over at Kristen's side.

Sarah and Chuck walked over to the other side of the room. Sarah looked at the coffee service and asked, "Do you want a cup of coffee?"

Chuck said, "Oh sure. Here, I'll get the water."

As they stood there waiting for the pot to fill, Chuck wrapped his arms around Sarah. Chuck said, "You know, I miss you."

"I do too. We'll be done here today. I would love to go back to our apartment. I mean…" Sarah did not get to finish.

"Me too," was followed by a kiss. Chuck said, "Think we will be able to do something tonight?"

"I certainly want too," answered Sarah. She saw the doctor wrapping up. "Looks like we need to see what Doc has to say," Sarah looked in his eyes.

The coffee finished perking. Chuck looked over and poured a cup for Sarah. After giving her the cup he held up the pot and asked if the others wanted some. Doc Adams came over to get a cup. Chuck got his cup.

"What?" Chuck knew something was coming.

"When we get back, I'd like to get a nurse to take care of her for a week. The nurse will have to check on her three times a day. I'll check on her too. I am concerned that her lungs were hit too hard by this. There are too many complications that can set in quickly ranging from a burst lung to pneumonia. Can you do something for her?" asked Doc.

Chuck said, "We'll figure something out."

Doc responded, "Good. Next, please arrange for her to stay here until we get done at the control center. It would be best, if we picked her up on the way out and let her sleep." He saw Chuck nod, "Now if you'll excuse us, I need to change her bandages. Sarah, would you help?"

Doc went over to change the dressings and check the stitches with Sarah as a chaperone. Chuck went into Sarah's room and called the front desk to take care of the room. When the doctor was done, he left the room. Kristen went back to sleep.

"Well, what do we do about Kristen?" asked Sarah.

Chuck motioned to Sarah's room. They walked over to Sarah's bed and sat. In a hushed voice Chuck asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Well, I didn't know what Doc Adams was going to say, but her chest is almost completely black and blue," she watched him point at his chest. "Yes, but you have us watching over you. She is like Lea. She's got no one out here. She came out to the IRS office out here and never had any friends. Everyone was twice her age or better."

"Okay and what do you want to do?" Chuck was looking at the floor.

She set her coffee down and took his hand, "Can we put her up at the apartment for the first week?"

Chuck smiled, "Did you bring puppies home when you were at kid?"

A small pillow fight ensued. When Sarah got her pillow wrapped around his head and pushed him down on the bed, the alarm went off in Kristen's room. They both scrambled over. Kristen was sitting up.

Sarah checked the monitor, "Kristen, are you okay?" She turned back to the Kristen and put her hand to her forehead.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I tried to turn over and everything started to alarm," she took Sarah's hand. "I'm so sorry for this."

"It's okay. I'll call Doc back and see if he can adjust this," Sarah went over to the phone.

Chuck was looking at the equipment while Sarah called on the phone. He checked the connections and the settings. As Sarah was getting off the phone Chuck moved over to Kristen.

Chuck continued to check the connections and looked at Kristen, "Are you okay now?"

Kristen answered, "I'm fine."

Chuck nodded his head and looked back at the settings. Sarah came over and said that the doctor would be right over.

When Doc Adams finished, Sarah saw Chuck nod his head. She asked if Kristen would stay at the apartments. Sarah looked at Chuck and he added, "Yes, we think it would be better. We would be able to help you." Chuck nudged Doc Adams. The Doc explained what Kristen was facing over the next week and helped convince her that having someone around would be the best.

After Doc Adams left, Chuck gave Sarah a hug and went out with the Doc. Kristen got Sarah's hand, "You know you guys are the greatest. I mean, thank you so much for helping."

"You are welcome. I hope your recovery is fast and easy on you. I am going to get something to eat with Chuck. You okay?" Sarah asked.

Kristen nodded. Her eyes were a bit misty and she went back to sleep.

Sarah showered and dressed. She knocked on the next room and got Lea to listen for any problems with Kristen. Sarah and Chuck then went to get breakfast.

Mary and Casey were starting to wake up. Casey was sure he heard an alarm but looking around the room he did not see anything that was buzzing. He looked at the clock and saw that they had a while before they had to get up. He bent down to her ear, "Good morning. How was last night?"

She gave him a kiss, "I beyond loved it. Casey it has been…"

Casey had a big smile, "I am glad you loved it. Actually, I was asking about the dreams."

Mary smiled back at him, "This is now the second night without any bad dreams. And you know it is because of you." She kissed him in thanks. It was another hour before they got out of bed.

San Francisco Control Center

The team arrived at the Control Center a little later that morning. After a short session of checking emails, Chuck called his boss, "Hi, This is Chuck secure. Yes, I wanted to check in with the boss and let him know what we intend. Sure I'll wait.

"Good morning, yes sir we are all done. We are packing up this morning. Right, they have all of the originals. Yes, thank you and I will pass it on. She is doing okay, but it is going to take a while. Doc Adams is concerned about lung damage. Well, Doc Adams said we should take some time as downtime. I suggested we take a week to do a review of all the data we have been able to collect. Will that be okay? Great. We sure will. Thank you." Chuck was happy with the call.

Chuck went over to Sarah. He told her, "I called my boss like we discussed. He agreed with the week. He also suggested that you call Kelly. And he said we did an outstanding job and thanked everyone."

"Okay, great. I'll check in with Kelly. Can you tell Casey, so he can start planning for it?" Sarah turned to pick up her phone.

Chuck went over to tell Casey.

Sarah got Kelly on the second ring. Kelly started, "Hi Sarah. We are secure. You guys did great. I got the report from Doc Adams. Do whatever you can for Kristen. I don't really care that she's from another agency. I have already sent in a request for a nurse."

Sarah was a bit surprised how on top of the situation he was. "Thanks. We are intending to take a week to review all the data we have collected. Chuck called it downtime. He checked with his boss already. Actually, he needs it as much as anyone. Will, it be okay with you?"

"That will be fine. It was good that you asked. I think you were close to having John order it done. But yes, that is a good plan. Have a good rest," Kelly said.

Sarah said, "Thanks."

Sarah went over to Chuck, "Kelly said okay. He even put in the paperwork for a nurse. He gave me the okay to do whatever we can for her."

Chuck asked, "So, what did the Doc say about the others?"

"Oh, he said that if they wanted to continue that we probably should. But this downtime should do it," Sarah said softly.

"What?" asked Chuck.

"You know I want to be with you," Sarah looked at him seeking forgiveness.

"You know I do too." He took her hand, "We'll figure out something."

The team began closing up and packing the equipment away. They left early that afternoon for LA. Sarah slept against Chuck on the flight back to LA. The trip back to the apartments was easy and uneventful.

Casa Bartowski

Ellie and Devon were out of the apartment waiting for them when they pulled up. Ellie went over to Sarah first and gave her a hug, "I am so glad that you're back."

Devon came up to Chuck, "Awesome work, saw it on the news."

"Thanks," Chuck nodded his head.

Devon nodded at Ellie, "Careful Bro."

Chuck's eye brows raised, "Wow, thanks." But he wasn't fast enough.

Ellie got a hold of Chuck and started, "You guys okay?"

"Sure," was all Chuck got to say.

Ellie looked at Doc Adams getting Kristen out of the van. "Well, it doesn't look like it. You let someone get hurt. You sure you can do this?"

"Ellie, she's a…" Chuck still didn't get far.

"Please don't tell me you let her get shot or something. Chuck," Ellie almost screamed.

Chuck remembered the so many times he had to protect Morgan. Ellie's wrath and mood swings at this time of the month had left Morgan trembling many a time. Chuck took his stand, "Ellie, she's a hero. She stopped a guy from killing innocent people. You be nice to her." Chuck had his steely eyed look glaring at Ellie.

"Well, are you going to take care of her?" Ellie retorted.

"Of course, you know I would. We are going to have her stay with Sarah in the new apartment and we have a nurse coming to check on her," Chuck continued to stare at her.

"You have a doctor on your team and the two of us and you call for a nurse?" Ellie still wasn't backing down.

"I thought you were going back to work. And Ben will check on her. But we wanted to give her the best we could, so we are getting a nurse to help," Chuck was firmly in position. He remembered the times when they we younger that this point in the discussion would result in a full contact tumble. He'd always lose, until he got to be taller than Ellie and could stay out of her range.

Ellie said, "Fine," and stormed back to the apartments.

Devon shrugged his shoulders, "She heard on one of the news casts this morning that the leader was wounded. We could not get you guys, and she thought it was you. Sorry, Bro."

Chuck tried to connect the information, "Oh, they must have meant Kristen."

"Okay, great to have you back. You guys are awesome," Devon turned to follow Ellie.

Chuck looked at Sarah. She was smiling. Chuck said, "What?"

Sarah came up and bumped him, "Nice."

Chuck suddenly realized his worse fears were coming true, both at the same time. He knew it was a foolish idea, but he tried to flash looking for something that might help.

Doc Adams came up and asked for help getting Kristen set up. Chuck got out his keys. Doc, Chuck, Sarah, LT and Kristen got the luggage and started up to the apartment. Doc checked on the oxygen equipment and Chuck watched.

Sarah said, "Kristen, we can go pick up clothes at your apartment if you want." LT looked like he would jump at the chance to help out.

Kristen replied, "Thanks, but I brought enough for a week." She saw Sarah's look, "Well, it sounded like we were going to be a few extra days."

Chuck decided it was best to protect Kristen and intervened, "Good idea, I had a week's worth too."

Sarah asked, "So, is there something we could do? How are you feeling?"

Kristen looked at Sarah and decided she better say it like it was, "It still hurts a lot. I can move around, but I get tired pretty quick. I can't think of anything I need. Is there something I can do?"

"No, we will always be around," Sarah reached in a drawer of one of the dressers and brought out a case. She pressed the button on a thin plastic wafer that was a modified tracking device. The other five devices looked like thin phones with screens. They instantly buzzed and vibrated.

Sarah held out the tracking device, "Here, it is a tracking device. So, we will know where you are all the time. But as you saw, it can act as an alarm. It has a lanyard. You can wear it around your neck. If it bothers you, put it in your pocket. But slide this cover over it. It has a nasty habit of turning on in your pocket if the cover is not on."

Kristen put the device around her neck and the cover in her pocket. Sarah gave a phone to Chuck and Doc Adams. LT looked at her with expectant eyes. She looked over at Kristen and she nodded. Sarah held out one for LT, "Do you expect to stick around here?"

"Well, I was hoping I could stay in the next room. Of course, if that is okay with you?" LT answered.

"I think that will be fine. If not I guess we can set up something in the conference room." Sarah looked over at Chuck, "Do you have any more pillows?"

"Well, I think Ellie might have a couple," Chuck replied.

Sarah smiled, "Right. If not, we'll go get a couple."

They were about to head out the door when Sarah's cell chimed. She looked at it, "Kelly. The nurse will be here tomorrow." Everyone acknowledged the information.

Doc Adams said, "Sarah, let me show you what to check for tonight. If there is anything off, call me right away." They started to go over the settings. Chuck came and watched.

LT and Kristen excused themselves and walked out to the courtyard. LT helped her out to the fountain and they sat down.

Devon and Ellie had gone out for dinner that evening. Chuck and Sarah checked in with Mary and ordered some pizzas for dinner. Chuck, Steven, Liz and Eldie were working on the computer model. LT was helping Eldie find information. They kept working into the night. Casey finalized the schedule for the week. Sarah and the girls were meeting in the new apartment but mainly checking on Kristen.

Sarah came by the conference room, "You know this has been long enough. We are supposed to be taking it easy. Come on, everyone close it down and head on out. We can start tomorrow." She went over to Chuck and got his ear, "What are you doing?"

"Sorry, sorry, just lost time," Chuck answer.

"Well, as long as you remember that this is downtime. You remember that, right?" Sarah said.

Chuck face slumped, "Okay, and yes, I'll have everyone cut back. We'll get some rest."

Sarah said, "Good, I'm going to make sure you use some of that. I checked with Doc Adams there are some physical therapy exercises we can start. I want to have time to do that."

"Cause we are going to have downtime…" Chuck started but knew better, "Certainly. I would love too. Are you and I going to do this?"

"Yes, of course we will," Sarah responded. "But if you do not follow my instructions, I'll have the nurse do it."

Chuck looked at her, "No problem. Anything you want."

Sarah happily wrapped her arms around Chuck, "Let's go out in the courtyard."

" Okay," he acknowledged having decided it was far better to follow her lead. Saying goodnight to all they went to the courtyard.

They held hands for the longest time. When Sarah moved over to Chuck, he put his arm around her. She moved her head over and kissed him. They stayed in the embrace until Sarah managed, "Love you, good night." She went back to the new apartment and Chuck went to his old bedroom.

About the same time Mary went down to Casey's apartment. Mary said, "You doing okay?"

Casey took her hands, "Just fine, this should be an easy time. How are you doing?"

"Great, I don't think I'll have any more problems. Those last arrests, and what happened doesn't seem to be as over shadowing as last time," Mary responded.

Casey was not sure where this was going, "So, you are all done with these evening sessions?"

"Well, I think the other girls, and I do too, still want to spend time together and take care of Kristen. But I don't think I have to do this anymore," Mary said and then looked at Casey. She realized what he was thinking.

Casey started, "Well, I could…"

Mary rushed over to him and put her hand to his mouth, "Wait, I really don't want to leave."

Casey moved her hand and kissed it, "I don't want you to go either."

"If you don't mind, this was a long day. I'll go get a shower," Mary went in the bathroom, took a shower and changed into the silky teddy.

Casey eyes could not stop looking at her. When she climbed in bed, he finally went to the bathroom and changed. He got in bed and moved next to her. Casey had his arms around her when he said, "Let's see if we can make some dreams to remember why."

Mary said smiling, "Maybe I can make a dream you'll remember."

The next morning Chuck met Sarah in the courtyard. Chuck had his slacks and shirt on. Sarah was wearing her jogging outfit. Chuck immediately said, "Sorry, I didn't realize you meant we would start this morning." He looked at his watch. "Let's meet the nurse, then you can show her Kristen and I'll go change."

Sarah was not that happy, "Fine."

Fortunately, the nurse came in the courtyard, "Hi, do I need to show you my ID too?"

Sarah said, "Sure," and took the ID that was in her hand. The nurse was Dorothy Watts. The ID showed she was 47 with brown hair and brown eyes. Dorothy looked younger than that and her hair was now streaked with shades of blond and light browns. She had a round face with a straight nose. The face matched the photo graph. Sarah hand the ID back.

Sarah looked at Chuck, "In ten." She started walking over to the apartment, "This way."

Sarah and Nurse Watts went to Kristen's room. Lea and Alice had stayed overnight in the other room. They were in Kristen's room putting a pot of coffee on the heating pad. Sarah introduced the nurse. She went around and shook everyone's hand.

Nurse Watts began to check on Kristen. She did a normal status check of blood pressure and heart rate. She checked her breathing with a stethoscope. Then gave her a breathing test to see how much air her lungs were taking in. Finally, she made some adjustments on the equipment.

"I am all done here. She is doing fine," Nurse Watts moved to get her bag.

Sarah put her cup down and started out with the nurse. The others sat down next to Kristen.

Sarah and the nurse met Chuck out in the courtyard. She saw that he still had his slacks and shirt on, "I told you to change."

About the same time Devon and Ellie were coming out and Mary was coming from Casey's.

Sarah was about to launch into Chuck for not changing clothes.

Chuck tried to deflect the fury he knew was coming. He asked Nurse Watts, "How was she?"

Nurse Watts smiled, "Just fine. Just a little bit more and she'll be dancing like an angel." Then she saw Mary coming and her eyes started to take an evil glint.

Chuck did not make another step, the flash started: movie studios, makeup, wigs, the look, Fulcrum, poisons, and small pistol training. It was Kathy Murdock. Former actress with some commercials married a succession of older men, each meeting their demise under questionable conditions. She had links to organized crime. She was not only a hit man, but a very, very special assassin and a Fulcrum Elder. Last known target was Mary Ramirez.

Kathy Murdock looked at Chuck and realized she had been made. She was going for her bag. Her hand was already in it when Chuck yelled, "Assassin! It's Kathy."

Kathy grabbed her gun as she swept Sarah's legs. Sarah hit the ground with a thud. Kathy just about had her target in her sights, when she was tackled from behind. The gun slid across the courtyard over in Mary's direction. Mary reached down picked it up and went to the downed assassin. Kathy started to get up and was met by a swift right elbow to the head from Mary. Kathy slumped to the ground.

Ellie was still on Kathy. She looked up and said, "Four years of soccer finally paid off. Who is this trash?"

Casey's protection detail collapsed into the courtyard as Casey came out of the apartment. The detail brought out handcuffs. Casey told them to use double handcuffs and leg restrains on her.

Chuck and Devon went over to Sarah. When Sarah started to come around, she asked, "Chuck, are you alright?"

Chuck thought she looked like the angel, "Wait, what did Kathy say?" He went running to the apartment.

A/N Sorry for the long wait between chapters. Hope you enjoyed. Please review.