A/N: Ned…ah Ned…. you just don't do too well in Chuck stories…It's time to get into the action, and it could take a while. You don't build a criminal empire and bring it down overnight…. unless you have your own personal tornado…I think some of you may be quite mad with me by the time this chapter is over…I hope you enjoy Ch 10, Officer Down

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck and I can't think of a quip to add here.

"I'm not cooking tonight," Chuck said, firmly planted in the passenger seat with Sarah driving them back to the precinct. She looked over at him, with an eyebrow arched. "It's for your own safety," he said smugly.

"So you're trying not to poison me, is what you're saying," Sarah retorted. They were both in great moods. They had one member of Volkoff's team, and Chuck was sure with the way the IDs read that Gruber was one of his as well. Wasn't there a movie about someone named Hans Gruber? Who named their kid Hans anyway? Well, maybe he was German, that would make sense. "Are you even paying attention to me?"

"You had a stuff dog named Bunny, but your father thought that was stupid and called it Sam," Chuck repeated.

"I told you that three nights ago, not now," Sarah said. "You weren't paying attention."

"I was just thinking how the name Hans Gruber sounded German," Chuck explained. Sarah gave him a look.

"You're thinking about Die Hard?" Sarah said. "Odd time to be thinking about Christmas movies." Chuck looked at her, like she was crazy.

"Christmas?" he asked. Sarah ignored him.

"I think you're just scared to admit you can't cook," Sarah said, grinning.

"If I cook for you tonight, you'll just embarrass yourself by proposing marriage or something," Chuck said, a grin plastered on his face. "You'll realize that I'm fantastic and you can't do any better."

"Maybe I already do," she replied, smirking. Chuck's brain shut down. She did not just say what he thought she said. That couldn't have been right. He opened his mouth to retort, when it came over the radio. Code 999, officer down/urgent help needed. Sarah hit the gas.

}o{

It was several hours later when Sarah pulled the car into Lou's. Chuck realized he hadn't eaten all day, but he really didn't care. He had Ellie on speakerphone.

"Casey discharged himself, I don't know what else to tell you," Ellie said to them.

"Okay Ellie, if we see him we'll let him know how displeased you are," Sarah said.

"Like's that gonna do anything," Chuck grumbled.

"You two be careful," Ellie said.

"We will, Sis, love you," Chuck replied.

"Love you, you too, Sarah," Ellie said. Sarah grinned and stuck her tongue out at Chuck.

"Love you Ellie, lunch soon, okay?" Sarah replied.

"You got it," Ellie said, and the line went dead.

"Casey got his big toe shot off," Chuck said, shaking his head.

"Ned got three in the chest," Sarah replied. "Seems fair." Chuck looked at her and she shrugged. "This started out as Ned being questioned, and he escalated it. The next bullet might have killed Casey."

"Have you ever shot someone, Sarah?" Chuck asked. "Let me correct myself, have you ever killed someone?" She shook her head no. "I truly hope it stays that way. Tonight, when Daniel Shaw goes to sleep, he'll probably see Ned's face in his dreams." Chuck had a haunted look on his face. Sarah reached over and squeezed his hand.

"Come on, let's go inside," she said, getting out of the car. They walked in to Lou's and she gave them a head nod toward the private room. Chuck surveyed the room. There was Beckman, Jack Burton, and Molly Burton…Molly had her feet on the table and was smiling.

"Hey sexy," Molly said.

"Molly," Sarah said warningly. "Don't give him any ideas." Molly grinned evilly at her sister.

"I've got you a computer set up here," Molly said, nodding toward it, still stretched out.

"Sarah, they say the footage is lost," Beckman explained. "Do you think.." Sarah grinned.

"They don't call me Piranha for nothing," she replied. Sarah began to do her work. Lou had brought in food for everyone, and they all began to eat while waiting on Sarah…all but Chuck. He was watching Sarah.

"Chuck," Jack said, causing Chuck to realize he had been staring at his girlfriend in amazement. Jack grinned at him. "You were right about Fulcrum." Chuck nodded.

"I've given you grief for a long time about this Ring business, Chuck," Beckman began. "You obviously were on to something. Thank you for working the case and proving it."

"We haven't proved anything yet," Chuck said.

"Hey man o' mine," Sarah said to Chuck. "You might want to look at this." He came over, sat beside her, and watched the footage. The footage showed the lawyer, Evelyn arriving and meeting with Rafe first. After the meeting with Evelyn, Shaw took Rafe back to the holding cell.

"What's a Lieutenant from SWAT doing escorting prisoners?" Chuck asked.

"He'll say it's because it's a high profile case," Jack answered. Chuck looked at Jack. "He's always looking to move up in the ranks."

"How does he feel about his current progress?" Chuck asked. Jack nodded at Chuck and pointed at him.

"I've never liked the guy," Jack said. "I think he'd sell out his mother for a promotion."

"What about some guy that works at Fulcrum?" Chuck asked. Jack took a sip of his drink.

"He'd put three in his chest," Jack replied.

"Those are serious allegations about an officer," Beckman said. Jack shook his head.

"No allegations, just my personal opinion of the guy, and he did put three in that guy's chest, not saying he didn't deserve them," Jack replied. "Besides, you kinda hate him yourself."

"He's quite pretentious," Beckman replied. "But then again, so are you."

"Yeah, but I'm charming," Jack quipped. Beckman laughed. Chuck turned back to the video.

"Looks like Rafe is telling him something," Chuck said. They watched Shaw walk over to Lieutenant Frank Mauser, and they had a brief conversation. After a minute, Shaw walked away. "LOOK!" he said, standing up. Sarah rewound the footage, and Mauser had unclasped the strap on his holster holding the pistol in. Chuck turned toward Beckman and Mayor Burton.

"That is a problem," Beckman said. They watched as Ned was escorted back to his cell, uncuffed, and shoved Daniel.

"How the hell does Ned shove Shaw that far?" Chuck asked.

"I don't think he does unless he wants to," Sarah replied. They watched Ned grab the gun from Mauser holster, and wave it around. Casey approached him, hands out, trying to calm Ned, when Ned pulled the trigger, hitting Casey in the toe. Casey hopped around, while Ned began to apologize. As Ned looked at Casey, Shaw pulled his weapon and shot Ned three times in the chest. Ned dropped. The entire room was silent until a phone buzzed. Beckman realized it was hers, pulled it out, and checked it.

"Evelyn is wanting her client released," Beckman said.

"Release him, I'll go to the precinct and follow her," Molly said. "Something is not right with her. Sarah, can you do a check on her?"

"What do you want me to look for?" Sarah asked.

"Anything that can tie her and Daniel together," Molly said. "Start with Shaw's leave time, and see if there is a time he flies, or rents a car, or a hotel room, and see if her credit cards match up with his."

"There's only so much I can do without a warrant," Sarah said.

"IA is going to want this if Shaw is dirty," Chuck replied.

"Nope, I'm keeping this inhouse," Mayor Burton said. Everyone turned to him. "This is too big. I know, I'm going to make some people mad, but I'll make it work."

"Keep me in the loop," Molly said as she headed out the door.

"I'll do a better job than dad did about letting me know you were working with us," she yelled. Molly stuck her hand in the air for a wave as Sarah turned to look at her father. He did a slow shrug. Sarah shook her head and went back to work.

}o{

"I apologize Miss Thibeaux," Daniel said. "Captain Beckman is away at the moment, but I have full authorization to release your client. Daniel Shaw and Evelyn Thibeaux were standing in front of Beckman's office. Carian and Zondra were at their desks, and every so often Carina would glance at the two of them, and then go back to her work.

"Please, Lt. Shaw, it's Evelyn," she replied, smiling coyly.

"Well then, Evelyn, it's Daniel," he replied. Zondra looked at Carina and rolled her eyes. The two walked off to get Rafe out of lockup. Carina watched them go. When they left, she opened her drawer and dug around until she found the flash drive she was looking for. She put it into the computer, and started going through pictures.

"What are you doing, Red?" Zondra asked.

"Remember when we cased that high price escort service?" Carina asked. "This Evening's Companion?"

"Oh, yes, the one we thought Syliva Acrulin was running," Zondra said. "Ryan was so excited."

"He thought he had Fulcurm that time," Carina said, shaking her head. "The head of HR running an escort service, he thought he was gold." She went back to the computer. "Come here." Zondra came over to her. "That first night we ran surveillance, do you remember those fancy townhouses that used to be old warehouses?" Zondra nodded. "Well, while we were parked there, and you were taking pictures of the 'establishment' I started taking pictures of the occupants of the townhouses. I had run the owners of the townhouses before the stakeout, and it was owned by a shell corporation, that was owned by a shell corporation."

"Okay," Zondra replied. "So what's the big deal?"

"I think they both live there," Carian said. "And they acted like they just met today."

"Who?" Zondra asked.

"Daniel Shaw and Evelyn Thibeaux," Carina replied. They looked up as they saw Molly strolling over to them.

"I hear you had some gunplay earlier?" Molly said, grinning. "Boss sent me down to make sure everything was okay."

"We're good, Molly, thanks," Carina said.

"But we may have something juicy," Zondra replied. Molly looked interested and sat down.

"So we were running surveillance on This Evening's Companion," Carina began.

"Trolling for men again, Miller?" Molly asked, grinning. "Really, I know some guys I can hook you up with." Carina gave her a playful shove.

"Carina believes that the lawyer for Rafe Gruber, one Evelyn Thibeaux and our very own Lt Daniel Shaw live in the same building," Zondra explained.

"2 x 4?" Molly asked. Carina laughed out loud, and Zondra chuckled as she nodded. "Okay, so big deal."

"They went out of their way to act like they didn't know each other," Carina said. "And we saw both go in the building. Neither are listed as tenants, and they each have their own residences elsewhere."

"You did all that why we were talking?" Zondra asked.

"I'm not just a pretty face," Carina replied.

"Yeah, she's got legs for miles too," Molly said. Carina high-fived Molly. "Well, looks like you two have detecting to do, so I'll make myself scarce. You see that sister of mine, or soon to be brother-in-law, tell them I'm looking for them." Carina and Zondra looked at her.

"How soon?" Carina asked.

"As soon as he pulls his head out of his ass," Zondra replied. Molly pointed at Zondra as if to say, "that's right". She gave them a wave as she left.

"Are you okay with that?" Carina asked. Zondra waved her off.

"You know what we had was just physical," Zondra began.

"I suspect it was better than some of the "just physical" I had," Carina countered. Zondra grinned, but didn't retort.

"He did give me something to latch on to, to remain grounded," Zondra said. Carina laid her hand on Zondra's arm.

"Hey, I'm here," Carina said softly. A look of thanks passed between the two, but because they couldn't deal with feelings, or maybe because they didn't want to, an inappropriate comment was necessary.

"I know I'm good looking and all, but I don't swing that way, Sweetie," Zondra said, lightly patting Carina's hand that was on her arm. Carina glared at her, but the grin broke through. "Let's go chase this down," she said, nodding to the pictures of Daniel and Evelyn that Carina had found. "If these two were behind Casey getting hurt, we owe them."

"Don't tell me you're thinking about Casey now?" Carina asked.

"Relax, Carina, I'm not making a move on your guy," Zondra said.

"Hey, it was ONE time," Carina replied.

"Yeah, you better thank God too he was separated or Kathleen would have your head," Zondra fried back.

"Zondra, they have been separated for years," Carina retorted. This went back and forth as they got in their car and took off. That's probably why they never saw the car tailing them.

}o{

"So to make sure I'm understanding everything correctly, if we are given info, it's not fruit of the poisonous tree?" Chuck asked. Beckman nodded. Chuck pulled at his bottom lip, nervously.

"Just say it, Chuck," Sarah said. Chuck looked over at Jack.

"Whatever you two do, is between you two, Son," Jack said, having a good idea what Chuck was thinking.

"How do you feel about flirting with someone for some information?" Chuck asked Sarah. "Over the phone," he added quickly.

"How would over the phone work?" she asked. Chuck shrugged.

"I have a …..an acquaintance at the FAA that has given me info in the past, but he…he's a little upset with me," Chuck said, wincing.

"What did you do?" Sarah asked, amused.

"I promised him I'd find him a real Texas girl next time to talk to," Chuck said, wincing. "He's a little, hefty, he stays to himself, and he's in DC. He's homesick."

"What's his name," Sarah said, in a perfect Texas drawl.

"Charles," Chuck said, grinning.

"First or last?" she asked.

"Both," he replied.

"Charles Charles, huh?" she said. Chuck gave her his phone number and email address. She went to the computer and began to work. She looked around and found a wall she liked and situated herself. She typed a few more minutes and looked at the other three. "I'm going to need absolute silence, okay?" All three nodded, curious as to what she was up to.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Giving him a face to go with a voice," she replied. Chuck grinned as she punched a button and waited, with a huge smile on her face. Chuck heard ringing.

"Who are you and how did you get this number?" Charles said on Skype as he answered.

"Oh, he wasn't lyin'" Sarah said with her drawl. "It is soooo good to hear a familiar voice instead of all these LA types."

"You're from Texas," he whispered.

"Sarah Charles," she said. "Of the San Antonio Charless."

"Charles, Charles, Dallas," he replied, grinning.

"Oh, I know all about you, but you know Ryan, or should I say O which stands for omitting-whatever-he-feels-like-to-get-what-he-wants Ryan," Sarah said.

"He's right there, isn't he?" Charles asked. Sarah gave a sad smile and nodded. "You're not even from Texas are you?" She shook her head no. "He needs info?" She nodded. "I'll make you a deal, if you keep talking in the accent I'll give you what you need." She grinned at him.

"It's a deal, darlin'," she drawled. Charles smiled. "Now, I'm going to send you some dates, and I need to see if a Daniel Shaw was on any flights." Charles nodded. He began a search and got a hit.

"Yep, he went to France," Charles said.

"Now, on that flight, or any other flight in that same time period, is there an Evelyn Thibeaux?" Sarah asked.

"Sitting right beside him," Charles replied. Chuck glanced at Beckman.

"Return flight?" Sarah asked.

"Same, they're together," Charles said. "I take it from your reaction, this is big?" Sarah nodded. "Just so you know, she had two other flights. She flew in the day before from France." He made a strange face.

"What is it, Charles?" she asked.

"She left the US for France over sixty days prior," he said. "I'm sending you all relevant information."

"Charles, you have been the biggest help," she said grinning.

"You can call me on this line anytime, and Ryan!" he yelled.

"Yeah, Charles," Chuck replied.

"Thanks," he said.

"Catch you next time I'm in DC?" Chuck asked.

"No, she can, but I don't want to see your ugly mug," Charles said. "Goodbye, Sarah," he said sweetly.

"Charles it was an absolute pleasure," Sarah drawled. She winked at him and disconnected the feed. She looked up at Chuck, grinning.

"You probably just gave him an aneurism," Chuck said. Sarah laughed. "Okay, now, what did those two do while they were over there, and why did she leave so early?" Sarah thought for a minute.

"It is the city of love," she said.

"Well, if she went over there to meet some other dude, it kinda kills our theory," Chuck said, grinning.

"Unless," Sarah said, and did some typing. She stopped, read something, and smiled. "Oh, those sly kids," she muttered. She typed some more until she found what she was looking for, a triumphant grin on her face. "Evelyn Thibeaux owns a home in France," she said.

"Okay, I mean I guess good for her," Chuck said. Sarah's smile grew. "What?"

"French law requires anyone to be married in France to live there for at least 40 consecutive days," Sarah said. Chuck's jaw dropped.

"Holy crap, they got married?" Chuck asked. Sarah shrugged.

"I'm trying to access records at the mairie but so far, it's been a no go," Sarah replied.

"We need to contact Molly," Jack said. Chuck nodded. She had to know what she was getting into following the two.

}o{

Rafe sat in the room across the street from his lawyer's and husband's loft. It was an old warehouse that had been gentrified. He didn't trust cops, and the fact that Shaw was supposedly on his side, did nothing for him, but he did agree to the plan. Volkoff and his money were very convincing, although Rafe was thinking it might be time to change countries. A car pulled up, it was obviously cops that thought they were being inconspicuous. Rafe was pretty sure it was the two women that were at the station earlier. Crap, they had put it together, this was why he was so cautious. Blast Shaw and his stupid sense of romance. They had to be married, and agreed with Volkoff to do it elsewhere so they wouldn't be found out, but it seemed like the last few weeks, the cops were slowly tightening the net around them. Why couldn't Shaw just be happy having his libido satisfied? Why did he have to get married?

Rafe pulled up the rifle, and saw Evelyn rounding the corner. Rafe trained the gun the other direction and there was Shaw. He quickly put down the rifle and text Shaw. "You've been made, head back the way you came". He picked back up the gun and watched. Shaw pulled out his cellphone, frowned, and paused. He then looked around. Idiot! Shaw finally turned around, but Evelyn noticed it, and now she was hurrying after him. There was only one thing to do, and then he had to get out of town.

Rafe looked through the scope. He couldn't get a headshot because of the angle and the way the car's back window was situated. He glanced away and saw Shaw walking the other way, but Evelyn was heading in his direction. Amateurs. He had to do it now.

Rafe took a deep breath, steadied himself and pulled the trigger. Yelling came from the car. The car started and pulled away, but it was driving strangely. Shots peppered the window he had been firing out of. He didn't know who was firing, and really didn't care.

He got out of the window, hurried to the other side of the room and began to disassembled his weapon. He glanced out the window one more time and noticed the car stop, dead. He smiled, hurried out the door, down the stairs, out the back door of the building to where his car was stashed one street over. As he started his car and began to pull away, he smiled knowing one thing remained constant, Rafe didn't miss.

A/N: Dear fanfic readers…please don't kill me…Who was shot? Will she live? Find out next time on Casey and Walker…Same Chuck Time, Same Chuck Channel…Sorry for taking so long with this one. Researching what they could do legally, plus French marriage requirements took a bit. Thanks for reading, take care…til next time, and feel free to leave a review or drop me a line.

DC