A/N: Good morning (or whatever time it is where you are)! Here we are again. Such wonderful reviews and other communications. Thanks to everyone. They are all very inspiring.

Can't think of anything creative or humorous to say so I'll just say I don't own anything to do with Chuck and this is offered as a tribute to the wonderful little universe we have been allowed to lose ourselves in.

X. On the Road Again

Scene 37: January 27, 2013
Earlier...
Swinbitia, Africa

Casey and Verbanski rolled out of bed just before dawn. Packing was easy: they only had the clothes on their backs', and some simple toiletries given to them when they arrived. A young man in military dress came to the cabin, knocked, and gestured for them to follow. When they walked out the young man was holding the door open to the second black SUV. Once they were inside he closed the door and quickly ran to the driver's door and got in. They were rolling in seconds.

The roads were passable but still bounced them around quite a bit. At least they were leaving the camp and headed to somewhere that, hopefully, would prove to be more comfortable. Casey continued to complain, but it was pretty halfhearted.

Three hours later they came to an actual paved road with a small village surrounding the intersection. They were allowed to get out, walk around, take care of business and eat. Once loaded up again they turned onto this highway heading northeast. It took them a little less than five hours, driving at normal highway speed and one quick stop for a fuel and restroom break, to come upon a fairly good sized city. They tried asking their driver what city it was but he did not answer. They each tried a couple different languages but got no response.

It was amazing how modern this city was which led them to believe they were pretty far off in their estimate of where they might be. The streets were smooth, with light poles for nighttime and a fair amount of traffic. All the buildings along the way appeared to be less than ten years old and several high rises of ten or more stories were visible. They turned onto another thoroughfare and then quickly into a hotel entrance leading to a covered unloading area. The Corinthia Hotel looked to be as nice as either agent had ever seen on their respective trips to Africa. It was an amazing change from the tents and cabins they had been living in since their capture.

Their driver got out, came around the vehicle and opened their door. Once out, he led them inside and straight to the elevator, which took them to the seventh floor. The elevator opened directly into a suite with a huge common room, featuring one full wall of windows overlooking the city to the east. Several rooms to the left and right were probably bedrooms and possibly office space. Both Casey and Gertrude were amazed by the decor, the view, and how their treatment had change in such a short time. Casey was particularly impressed when he found a humidor stocked with Cuban cigars.

He looked in one of the rooms to the right and called Gertrude to come look. She entered to find all their original luggage and equipment trunks there. "John, I'm finding this all a little disorienting. How about you?"

"Ungh! Right with you there, Gert."

"Maybe that's their new ploy: throw us off guard with all this luxury and kindness. If it is, it certainly is working."

"Yep," was all Casey could say.

"John, I'm going to take a long bubble bath … care to join me?"

"Ungh … not a bath man."

"But John ... we can scrub each others' backs and let the tension drain out." Verbanski came up to Casey, holding his eyes with hers. When she got up to him she began pulling his shirt up.

"Didn't think the KGB went in for that kind of girly thing." His mouth was still saying 'no' but his eyes and shallow breathing were definitely starting to say 'yes'.

"That was long before I came to embrace the finer points of western living." Her smile was infectious and now that his shirt was off, she began pulling her's off as well. Casey leaned down, picked her up and walked to the bathroom.

"Guess I should give it try then."

After a long session in the huge tub, Casey and Gertrude came out to the great room, wearing the plush robes provided by the hotel, to find supper waiting for them. Casey's eyes lit up when he caught sight of the ribeye and baked potato and both dug right in, like they had been starved for the past three weeks. Of course, compared to this feast, that was very true. Once they had polished off dinner, ending with coffee and cheesecake, they curled up on the bed and got their first sleep, in a decent bed at least, since leaving the States. They slept straight through until morning.

Scene 38: January 27, 28, 2013
The Present
Swinbitia, Africa

Once they contacted Morgan there wasn't much Chuck and Sarah could do but wait. They also contacted General Beckman who was happy to hear their news but was clearly distracted and signed off quickly.

It was well after dark and the fires had burned down. Now, with no other lighting anywhere nearby, the stars were amazingly bright and clear. The moon, nearing full, was just coming over the horizon. It had become quite cool so they sat, huddled together on a large boulder, arms around each other, and Sarah's head on Chuck's shoulder, staring up at the incredible sky.

"I've never done this before; just sit and stare up at the sky and see so many stars. This is amazing, Chuck."

"I know, babe. Living in LA doesn't give us a chance to see the night sky without interference. But you know ... the brightest star is the one sitting right next to me. You are so beautiful Sarah." He couldn't see or feel her blush but knew it was there from the increased pressure of her embrace.

Sarah reached up and gently turned Chuck's face around to hers. "You are very sweet, Chuck. I can see the stars shining in your wonderful, chocolate brown eyes, and I am completely lost in them. I love you so." And she leaned in to gently kiss him.

The kiss deepened and any thoughts about the stars were soon lost. Chuck gently pushed a strand of hair behind her left ear and trailed down her neck. Her hands moved from his cheeks around his neck and gently played with the hair on the back of his neck. They pressed into each other, completely lost in one another. They soon moved into their tent where Chuck had zipped their two sleeping bags together. Sarah quickly removed his shirt as he kissed her forehead, ears and neck. Gasping for breath, she returned the kisses as he ran his hands inside her top and lifted it over her head. They continued to explore each other, their arousals becoming more and more intense, leading them to make love, first frantically, and then again, slowly and gently, to the point of exhaustion, before falling asleep in each others' arms.

Later….

"Goodbye, Chuck. I have to go." Chuck could only sit in the sand and watch the love of his life … his only reason for living … walk away. They had argued about what her lost memories meant and she was adamant about going back to the CIA. He begged, pleaded, and sobbed, but her cold, spy heart had taken over … and he knew this was the end. He stood, watching her get into her Lotus. And suddenly he was knocked down as the car exploded. He jumped up and ran towards the now savagely burning vehicle but he couldn't seem to make any headway. In the next moment he was overwhelmed by a flash, seeing the face of the one and only person he truly hated. That coal black, slicked back hair, those deep, dark, emotionless eyes. And the mouth that Chuck so wanted to smash … laughing at him now. He was tied to a table and couldn't move and that face hovered over his, mocking him once again….

With a gasp Chuck's eyes shot open but that face … and that explosion ... was burned into his sight. He tried to sit up but was being held down somehow. In a sudden, claustrophobic panic, he scrambled to somehow get loose … get away.…

He and Sarah were snuggled inside the bags and she was instantly awake as Chuck began thrashing around inside the bags. It appeared to her that he was still asleep, but in a panic, so she quickly unzipped her side and threw the covering off, allowing him to pull himself out. As he stood he grabbed his head and staggered a bit while Sarah, now sobbing as she reacted to his pain, grabbed him with a strong, steady grip.

"Chuck ... Chuck! What is it?" His eyes popped open again and he was looking into … the most beautiful, albeit tear laden, blue eyes he had ever seen. SARAH! She was alive … here with him ... holding him ... but with panic written all over her.

Despite his hammering heartbeat and lingering fear, he pulled her to him and a sense of peace began to wash over him. In a hoarse whisper he told her, "Oh, Sarah. Oh, baby. I am so glad to see you. I … I guess I was having a nightmare … but it was so real … and you were dead … and Sh…."

"Shhhh …. shhhh. Sweetheart, relax. I'm here … this is real … I'm real. Hold on to that ... hold on to me! We will always be together." They stood, tears on both their faces, holding each other until the sun began to break over the horizon.

Scene 39: January 28, 2013
The Present
Corinthia Hotel, Nbora

Breakfast came a short time after they awoke. While they ate their talk was casual but wary, as they suspected, the room was bugged. Casey had tried the phones but they were all dead and the elevator would not come, no matter how hard Casey punched the buttons or swore at the doors.

"Doesn't it seem funny they would deliver all our equipment and yet the elevator is disabled and the phones are dead. Don't they know we have enough gear to start a small war?"

"Ungh! First order of business today: check each and every piece so we know it is all operational."

"Agreed. I wonder how long we will be here?" After a short pause: "Damn … this is just weird!"

As soon as breakfast was over they jumped on the task of checking all the equipment. Everything was there except their various communication devices. Surprisingly, all the ammunition was there but with seals on all the packaging. For now, they left those containers intact, figuring it would keep their 'hosts' happy if they didn't have loaded guns right away. Certainly, if they deemed it necessary, those seals wouldn't mean anything anyway. It also indicated they were being watched, even though they had not found any cameras as yet.

It took almost four hours for them to check through all the equipment. They had to completely break down and reassemble all their firearms to make sure they were completely operational. Then they checked all their ropes, D rings, equipment bags, and operational clothing, to make sure they were untampered with, and carrying no bugs or tracking devices. They were just finishing repacking everything when they heard the elevator doors open and footsteps coming into the suite.

Looking out cautiously Casey saw Mr. A and Mr. B looking for them. As he walked out of the side room they saw him and spoke: "Good afternoon, Mr. Casey. We have some news for you both. Oh good, I see that you have checked your equipment. Is everything to your satisfaction?"

The men all stood outside the room as Verbanski came out to join them, saying, "All but our earwigs and other communication equipment. I assume you feel it necessary to keep us from trying to contact anyone on the outside."

"Naturally, Ms. Verbanski. This is still a clandestine operation and we can't afford to have any of your friends trying to rescue you. Once we proceed on the mission you will be given whatever you need for a successful effort. Now, let's sit down so we can give you more information on this mission."

Lunch arrived but the two men only took coffee while Casey and Verbanski began to eat. "We have been contacted by the dealers. They would like to meet sooner than anticipated so we will be leaving this afternoon."

"Where is this meeting to happen?"

"Cairo. We will provide all your transportation and equipment needs. You will have to let us know if there is more you require than what was in your original equipment trunks and bags."

"What materials are you attempting to purchase."

"We can not divulge that information at this time."

"Is it offensive or defensive?"

"Again, I can not..."

Gertrude waved him off from the rest of the answer and stared at him with a withering look. "The nature of the 'materials' could, once again, prove to be a conflict of interest should they be used against one of our clients."

"Assuming this assignment goes well, and you agree to at least some of our other proposals, we would expect you to make us your sole employers. Does that lessen the conflict of interest?"

"No."

"Then are you refusing to complete the task we have asked of you … and for which we are paying you a substantially higher amount than your normal fee?"

"No, I didn't say that. However, in order to adequately prepare, we need to know the route we are taking as well as the mode of transportation, as well as what we will be inspecting. If not, we can not guarantee we can protect you, nor do a proper inspection.

"What do you need to do to adequately prepare?"

"Normally we scout the travel route, visit all the sites in order to determine what obstacles we may encounter, and make contact with the local officials. We will also need all technical information regarding the merchandise. I assume none of that will be possible."

"Not necessarily. We have ground transportation for our entourage. We can assist you in inspecting the site as well as procuring any addition equipment you may require. You will not make contact with the local officials, however; this is not a sanctioned visit or transaction. You will have an escort made up of our men throughout the process."

"I really don't understand why you need us to provide security for you when you feel the need to provide security against us."

"How would you act if you were hiring us, Ms. Verbanski?"

Scene 40: January 28, 2013
The Present
Swinbitia, Africa

"Chuck, honey, we need to get you home and get your leg checked out. Ellie needs to know about this ... about your nightmares and your flashes. I will not risk your life … and our life together … over this mission. Come on, let's go." Sarah was really worried. All these dreams … no, nightmares … were definitely affecting Chuck and his ability to work. But he didn't seem to be taking it seriously and that was upsetting her, too.

"Look ... sweetheart ... we all agree there is nothing more for us to do here. So we can get back to the airport this morning, see what Morgan and/or the General has come up with, and then make a decision of what to do next. Let's not jump to conclusions with this."

"Chuck!" Sarah was practically yelling now and her teeth … those beautiful, white teeth that so electrified her smile … were showing, which Chuck knew was a sign she was ready to go all ninja on something or someone. He hadn't seen it directed towards him in a long time, but he remembered it well: she was fired up and that made her dangerous. "You've hurt your leg again … all these nightmares … and now you are flashing again; we can't ignore all these signs that something is wrong!" As she finished she turned her back to Chuck and crossed her arms tightly across her chest. To Chuck it seemed like she actually shrunk into a much smaller frame.

He walked over to her and started to wrap his arms around her but she shrugged him away. As he caught sight of her profile he could see tears on her cheek again. In his softest voice he said to her, "Sarah, love, please don't cry. I know you are worried; me, too … I really am. But we will get through this … together. I can't do it alone … you know that. Without you I am nothing. Please be strong for me so we can finish this, get back to civilization, and then find out what's happening."

Now Sarah leaned back slightly into Chuck. The ever present current of love flowed between them immediately. After a few moments she slowly turned to face him and this time allowed him to wrap her up in his arms as she tightly gripped his shirt in both fists. They stood together for what seemed eternity, until one of the soldiers walked up to them and quietly waved to Chuck that they were ready to leave. "Let's go, hon. They're ready to leave. We'll be back at the airport before lunch time."

Sarah looked up into the deep brown pools of Chuck's eyes. There was no doubt she was worried and upset: her lips were set firmly in a line, and pulled slightly to the right; the creases between her eyes were showing in all their glory. Their lips touched, ever so briefly, and then quickly gathered up their bags and jumped in the SUV. They sat close, holding hands for the entire trip back to the airport, arriving at 11:30 am.