A/N: This is the penultimate (first time I got to use that word) chapter. Kudos to anyone who can figure out (before reading the explanation) where the title of this chapter comes from.
Thank as always for the untiring work of my beta michaelfmx.
None of the names used are intended to reflect real persons.
Don't own Chuck.
Enjoy!
CHUCK VERSUS THE PLAN
Chapter 13-Klonk
Beverley Hills, June 22nd, 2047 Hours.
"Radek Bonk." Scowling she says, "Or Petr Klima. Whatever."
"What's he doing here? I thought he'd be hiding out in Europe or something."
"I suspect he's looking to invest some of his stolen funds."
He just shakes his head. "How did you recognize him?"
She's terse, her voice flat and hard. "Changed his hair. Grew a beard. Still has the same ears, shape of head. Not going to forget that stuff a second time." She stares, her fierce gaze intently focused in the direction the men had taken.
He gently places his hand on her shoulder, says softly, "Sarah-"
She shrugs it off and, without turning her head, snaps at him, "Not now, Chuck. I need to figure out how I'm going to do this. I'm not letting him get aw-"
Sarah stops, shocked as she realizes what she's just done. She turns to him, and upon seeing the hurt in his eyes, the flash of anger he tries to hide by turning his face away, she flushes, ashamed.
Sarah Walker doesn't plead. Even when she's faced the threat of imminent torture or death, she's never begged, never implored, never allowed herself to be so weak.
Except with this man.
She clutches at his hand, the one she'd so callously shrugged off mere moments before. Raising her other hand, she softly places it on his cheek, gently turning his face toward hers.
Sarah looks up into his eyes and as she speaks, she hears the catch in her voice, "Chuck, sweetie, I'm so, so sorry. There was no excuse for that. Can you please forgive me?"
Chuck knows his wife is a proud woman (quite justifiably so in his opinion, considering all the good she's accomplished), one unaccustomed to errors in judgment, thus not used to apologizing. And yet, here she is, asking, almost begging for his forgiveness, and, as he looks into her eyes, perhaps a little uncertain it'll be offered.
Truth be told, Chuck has always thought it was pretty much a one-way street on the forgiveness thing. He hadn't truly understood until this moment just how important it was for her to have it from him. At the same time, it shames him that she should ever have to beg for that, ever have to wonder, even for a moment, if it will be offered.
Yes, her action was unkind. But he also knows his reaction was at least a little excessive, dredging up, as it did, the feelings he'd experienced each time she'd pushed him away, flatly denied there could ever be anything between them.
However, that was then. This is now. She's here now and he needs to put those old feelings away.
His hurt fades as fast as it came, replaced instead by a renewed, almost overwhelming surge of loving appreciation for this incredible woman standing before him, waiting for his reply with hope in her eyes.
He smiles as he takes her in his arms. "Always, Sarah. Always."
She looks into eyes before softly replying, "Thank you."
"You welcome. And, hey, we're a team, right? You don't have to do this on your own anymore. I'm here to help."
"I know, Chuck, I know. I'm still trying to get used to the whole 'We' thing." She gives him a rueful little grin. "I guess old habits die hard."
He nods. "Sarah, honey, we both need to work on that, so try not to sweat it. OK?"
"I'll try."
"Good. And now that we've put that behind us, I want you to know that I'm really, really glad we're on the same side. If I had been the recipient of the look you had on your face a minute ago, well, let's just say it would've been nice to have an extra pair of underwear around."
She looks at him for a second, then gives him an embarrassed little smile. "I guess I was a little intense, wasn't I?"
He holds up his hand and bringing his thumb and forefinger almost together, replies, "Maybe just a smidge."
She chuckles at this.
"Oh, and by the way, I think it should be Klonk."
"What?"
"What we should call our guy. You know, the 'Kl' from Klima and the 'onk' from Bonk. Klonk."
She shakes her head. "Where do you come up with this stuff? Maybe a better question is why?"
"Well, we can't seem to decide whether we should call him Bonk or Klima, and Klima/Bonk doesn't really roll off the tongue now, does it? I think my uni-name works well. Sort of like Bennifer or Brangelina. I thought of Bonklima, but Klonk just seems to fit better."
She just smiles and shakes her head once more.
"Chuck, you're right, there's no need for me to try and do this on my own. Thanks again for reminding me."
"No problem."
"Please keep a look out. I'll call Casey." She opens her purse and takes out her phone.
"Casey. Secure."
"Walker. Secure"
"This better be important. I was just going to sit down and watch 'Sands of Iwo Jima.'"
"Casey, Chuck and I need your help."
"Dammit, Walker. Can't you two stay out of trouble for more than a few days at a stretch?" She hears his sigh. "What is it this time?"
"We found Bonk."
In her mind's eye, she can see him coming to attention. "On my way. What's the address?"
She rattles that off and then adds a list of equipment they'll need.
"I'll be there in about 30 minutes. Try and hold everything until then."
"Oh, and Casey, come either in a tux or dressed as a server."
There's another sigh. "Tux is at the cleaners. Guess it's the server gig again."
"Be prepared. The guy with Bonk is big, probably armed."
"Sounds like fun. See you in thirty."
Sarah turns to Chuck. "Casey's on the way." She glances at her watch. "Should be here by 9:30. In the meantime, we'll need to keep them under constant surveillance."
He nods. "You can't do it. Too much of a chance that Klonk will recognize you."
She lets his code name slide. "Yes, I know. I don't want you to try it by yourself, either. No offense, but you aren't exactly the most covert person."
"None taken. But what does that leave us with?"
"I'm going to recruit the two couples Beckman sent to watch us."
"How? We don't know who they are."
"Oh, I figured that out almost as soon as we walked in."
His expression is priceless. "What?! What was with all that 'let's see who Beckman sent' stuff?"
She smiles. "Just messing with you. Seeing how long it would take for you to figure it out."
He's upset for a second, but then his good humor wins out. "Well played, Mrs. Bartowski. You going to tell me who?"
She inclines her head, almost imperceptibly, towards the bar. "Young blond guy with the attractive redhead. They've followed us from room to room. Did a pretty good job, I'd have to say."
"And?"
"Couple in their early twenties. Dancing. Tall guy with the brunette wearing a dark green dress. Both trying hard not to look our way. Again, doing a decent job."
"How are you going to go about it?"
"First of all, I'll stay here until you go and check where they are right now. Once I know we're clear, I'll make a direct approach."
"I'm off. I'll text you as soon as I find them."
"Nothing stupid, right? Just observe. Carefully. If you have even the faintest idea that they've made you, hightail it back here and we'll take off, let them go. Neither of them is worth putting yourself in danger for. Not even for a single second. You got that?"
He nods. "I do. Nothing stupid."
"You promise me?"
He looks into her eyes, sees them searching his face. "Yes, Sarah. I do."
"OK, then. Gimme a kiss." He leans in, quickly planting a soft one on her lips.
As he walks away, and even in the middle of all this, she can't help but notice how handsome he is. And how the brunette from earlier is also closely watching him as he walks past her. The woman then looks at Sarah, a note of challenge in her expression.
She'll deal with that problem later. Definitely. Later.
A minute passes and her phone chimes with an incoming text.
Outside at the far end of the garden. Looks like the two of them will be discussing business for a while. Love you.
She quickly taps out her reply. Good. Advise if there's a change. And even though it really isn't the time or place, she doesn't stop herself from adding, Love you too.
Placing her phone back in her purse, she starts walking towards the bar. The couple she'd pointed out earlier casually move off to one side and pretend they're watching the dancing.
"Gin and tonic, please."
The good-looking bartender nods, and a few moments later, places the drink before her.
"Thank you."
"You're very welcome." He rests his arms on the bar, leans in closer and looks at her with what she's certain he believes to be an empathetic expression. Not that it fools her for a second. "Having trouble with the boyfriend? I thought he looked a little ticked. I know it's a bit of a cliché, the whole bartender thing, but if you want someone to talk to, I'm here."
She lets her eyes drift off in the direction Chuck had taken. "No. No trouble. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's planning to propose tonight. I think he just went off to gather up his courage." She sighs. "Although I don't know why he feels he needs to. Of course, I'll say yes. There's no other man I could possibly ever love the way I love him."
The bartender's hopefulness quickly fades. "Oh…OK then. Congratulations." He looks around, seeking a way out. "Excuse me, I need to help the gentleman at the far end of the bar." He hurries off.
Sarah smiles to herself as she picks up her drink, wondering if Beckman's watchers overheard her. Judging by the rapidly concealed expressions of surprise on their faces, she thinks it likely. Well, the surprises are far from over.
Just as she passes by them, she pretends to trip, spilling some of her drink on the pant legs of the young man.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! Hopefully, it won't stain. It's just gin and tonic."
He waves it off. "Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine."
Sarah nods and quietly says, "I know that you were sent, along with your two friends," she nods toward the dance floor, "to observe me and my partner, but something much more important has come up. Your names please."
The redhead quietly replies, "I'm Agent Lynn. This is Agent Palmerston. What do you need us to do?"
"Did you notice the two bearded men that came by a few minutes ago?"
Palmerston asks, "You mean the tall one and the one wearing sunglasses?"
"Yes. We've identified the taller one as an illegal arms dealer. The other is likely here to invest in his business, using stolen funds. I have backup on the way but until then I need the four of you to run a rotating surveillance on the two of them."
Both agents nod.
"It's critical that I know where both of them are at all times, especially the idiot with the sunglasses. He and I have had some previous encounters. Judging by what happened on those occasions, he'll rabbit if he sees me. I have no intention of letting that happen again. Am I clear on that?"
Again they both nod.
"Code names will be 'Enforcer' for the big guy." After a moment's hesitation, she says, "We'll go with 'Klonk' for the other one. Starts with a K."
To the questioning looks she receives at this, she simply replies, "Don't ask."
Sarah outlines a few procedural matters and they exchange phone numbers. "I'll expect regular text updates. Please brief the other couple. Are you armed?"
Lynn answers, "Yes, Agent Walker. SOP for even a basic surveillance op."
Sarah looks at the redhead closely. "So you know who I am?"
"Yes. I hope I don't sound like I'm sucking up, but we're privileged to be working with you. You're a legend. Your partner, on the other hand, is pretty much a mystery."
"See to it that it remains that way. Understood?"
They both speak at the same time. "Yes, Agent Walker."
There's a hint of a smile as she says, "OK. My mysterious partner, Agent Carmichael, is out in the garden keeping watch for the moment. Please relieve him ASAP."
Agent Palmerston speaks up, "I'll do that while Agent Lynn briefs Agents Smith and Smith."
"Smith and Smith, really?" She remembers the movie Chuck talked her into watching and commenting on how she'd thought the whole plot was ridiculously overblown. It would be impossible to avoid that many bullets. She'd said as much but Chuck had disagreed, saying their own experiences invalidated her argument.
"Yes. They get kidded about that a lot, even though they don't look at all like Jolie and Pitt."
Chuckling, she gestures with her head. "I'll be over there. Let's get to it."
The young man moves off but, before Lynn can do the same, Sarah stops her and quietly asks, "How did we do?"
The redhead looks at her for a few seconds before answering with a straight face, "Very well. My report and those of the other agents will simply state that your act was very convincing. If I didn't know any better I would think the two of you genuinely care for one another."
"Thank you…?"
"Amanda. And before you say it, I know. My parents were both musicians and sadists."
Sarah chuckles, "Thank you, Amanda. You can call me Sarah."
"You welcome, Agent Wal…Sarah. Don't worry, we won't let you down."
With that, she walks away and casually approaches the couple on the dance floor, who by this point, Sarah realizes, must be more than a little curious. She watches as the three of them briefly converse before heading towards the garden entrance.
A few minutes later, Chuck rejoins her, a big grin on his face.
"What's so funny?"
"You, my dear, appear to have a big fan in the person of one Agent Jeff Palmerston."
"What do you mean?"
"We chatted for a few minutes before the rest of our little group wandered into the garden. After introducing himself, our Mr. Palmerston couldn't wait to ask what it was like to work closely with the incredible, amazing Agent Sarah Walker. His words, not mine."
Sarah suddenly finds herself curious about Chuck's response. However, she tries to be nonchalant as she asks, "What did you tell him?"
He holds out his hand and rocks it from side to side. "Meh, it's OK."
Her eyes widen in surprise, rendered, for the moment, speechless. He simply stands there, grinning.
Finally, she manages to splutter, "You, you…you rat. Perhaps I ought to go and find Jeff. It sounds like he might actually appreciate me." She starts to turn away, but before she can, he moves in close and takes her in his arms.
With his face only a few inches from hers, he quietly says, "Sarah, how could I tell him what I really wanted to say? That the days I've spent with you have been the absolute best of my life. That the words incredible and amazing don't even begin to describe the person that you are. That being with you is the greatest gift I could ever be given."
Her throat is suddenly tight and she has to blink hard to hold back the tears. Quite a few seconds pass before she's able to say, "And you called me the sappy one."
"Hey! It's not sappy when-"
"-it's the truth. Gotcha."
He grins as he gives her a quick kiss. "And don't worry. What I actually said is that you are the best agent I've ever worked with. Second to none. That you are the consummate professional."
"How did he respond?"
"I obviously did a great job emphasizing the professional part, because he immediately asked me if you were seeing anyone."
She chuckles. "So, just how did you answer that one, Mr. Bartowski?"
"I told him that your personal life is your own affair. However, I did say that if someone was to earn the love of Sarah Walker, he would be a very fortunate man."
"You're right. I'm pretty hot stuff. That man, whoever he turns out to be, will be very fortunate."
His eyes widen comically as he plays along. "What?! I thought I was-"
"You know, at one time, I thought so too. But in light of that 'Meh, it's OK' comment, I felt that I should reconsider my options."
"It appears I have some serious fences to mend. What can I do to get back in your good books?"
"I'll think of something. Just be prepared to snap to it when I do, mister."
He gives her a mock salute. "Yessir."
Her phone chimes and she quickly pulls it from her purse.
Enforcer and Klonk still in garden. No change in position.
Chuck reads the screen over her shoulder.
He smirks. "So you decided to use my uni-name after all. Told you it was a good one."
She turns her face to his and grins. "Shut up. Just couldn't think of another code name because your stupid one got stuck in my mind."
"And Enforcer?"
"Not sure on that one. Just seemed to fit."
She taps out a message.
Advise immediately of any change.
There's an almost instantaneous reply.
Roger that.
Looking up, she says, "OK. Everything appears to be under control for the moment. We need to plan how we're going to get these guys. What do you have in mind?"
He notices a couple rising from a small table in a shadowed alcove. "Let's go and sit there." He takes her hand. "First, let me fill you in on Mr. Boogard. I've got some ideas I'd like to bounce off you about how we can get to him."
…
Twenty minutes later they see Casey walk into the room, resplendent in his red vest, white shirt and tie. He's carrying a tray and starts to gather the many drink glasses scattered about on the various surfaces in the room. He works his way to where Chuck and Sarah are sitting.
Seeing the glasses left by the previous occupants, Casey says, "Let me get those for you."
After placing them on the tray, he deposits it on a nearby sideboard. "I'll just wipe down the table."
As he does so, he mutters, "Still out in the garden?"
Sarah had texted a number of times, apprising him of the situation.
"Yes. No change. Enforcer and Klonk are apparently having a pretty serious conversation."
Casey scowls at Chuck. "Klonk? You come up with that dumb code name, Bartowski?"
Chuck simply nods.
"Figures." Casey turns back to Sarah. "How about our watchers?"
She subtly gestures. "Couple by the door. Redhead's name is Lynn. Blond guy with her is Palmerston."
He nods. "The others?"
"Smith and Smith are in the garden."
"You're kidding? Like that dumb movie?" He growls, "Anyone who thought that movie was realistic should have their head examined. Nobody could dodge that many bullets."
Sarah shoots Chuck an "I told you so" look. He just shrugs his shoulders, smirking.
Casey continues, "I'll check in with the two by the door. They know I'm part of the team?"
Sarah nods, "Texted them when you walked in."
"Good. They can point out the Smiths to me. What's the code phrase?"
"You ask if they would like a drink and they'll ask for a tonic and gin. Gordon's. You reply that we only have Beefeater."
He nods. "Got it. I'll check with our 'friends' while I'm out there as well. Size up the tactical situation." He hands Sarah a small case. "Here are your earwigs. I've brought enough for the rest of the crew as you requested. Already got mine in."
"Thanks, Casey. When we're all wired, I'll lay out the plan that Chuck and I came up with."
"OK." Casey then quietly adds, "We'll get him this time, Sarah." He quickly turns, picks up his tray and walks towards the garden door.
Startled, Sarah looks across at Chuck, sees her surprise mirrored on his face.
"Did he just say—"
She nods.
"Has he ever—"
She shakes her head. "No. Not even once."
"Probably just a slip of the tongue. We shouldn't read too much into it…should we?" He sounds a little uncertain.
It's a few seconds before she answers, and when she does, she sounds even more uncertain than Chuck. "No. I suppose not. But…" Her voice trails off, her expression thoughtful.
She gives herself a little shake. "Well figure that out later. First things first." She opens the case, hands one of the devices to Chuck, taking the other for herself. "Remember that after we activate them, Casey and the rest of the team will be able to hear everything we say, so be careful."
"Gotcha." He turns his on and surreptitiously inserts it into his ear. Sarah follows suit.
When she sees Casey re-enter the room a few minutes later, Sarah starts a comm check. Upon receiving a confirmation from all the members of their improvised team, Sarah, under the guise of quietly speaking to Chuck, initiates an ad hoc briefing.
"We need to take Enforcer and Klonk into custody with a minimum amount of fuss and with minimal chance of any gunplay. We don't believe Klonk to be carrying but Enforcer almost certainly is and will likely use it given the opportunity. We cannot let that happen. There would be too much chance of civilian casualties. We're all clear on that?"
She pauses and hears a rapid series of acknowledgments.
"Good. Agent Casey, please update us on the tactical situation."
"Enforcer and Klonk are at the north end of the garden, relatively isolated from the rest of the party. No evidence of a bodyguard. They're sitting on a bench backed by a high garden wall. The area in front of them is clear of any useful cover. No way we're going to sneak up on them, people. When I offered to get them drinks, they declined and there was no evidence that they had been drinking previously. They will be alert."
"Thank you, Agent Casey. Agent Carmichael and I have come up with a plan that we feel will enable us to get close enough without arousing any suspicion on the part of our bad guys. Each of us will have a part to play."
She looks across at Chuck and says, "Agent Carmichael will brief you further."
Sarah sees his surprised look. She nods firmly and mouths, "You can do it."
He sits up straighter, buoyed by her confidence in him. His voice is quiet but still firm as he looks her in the eyes and says, "Thank you, Agent Walker. OK, everyone, listen carefully. Here's what we're going to do."
TBC
A/N: What happens in our final chapter? You'll know in a couple of days.