A/N: This is probably the shortest chapter I've ever done on this thing, but I wanted this to act as a linker between the previous chapter and the first part of CHUCK VERSUS THE MOUSE. We set the scene having left it with the Morgan scenario, and now being confronted with the follow-up from Chuck's point of view. This one's for everyone who has read the story chapter to chapter: thank you very, very much and I hope I haven't let you down. Please leave me a summative review if you can be arsed, just so I know where to go from here. And it's goodbye from me for now!

PS: in light of some negative criticism, I decided to rework the ending. Please remember that as I have no Beta I am liable to mistakes. Any offers will be appreciated =D

General Beckman stood in the office examining, staring down at the despondent Chuck and Sarah. The mission had been a waste of time, and yet Beckman could not have known it would turn out with the death of John Casey.

"So he's dead?"

"We haven't heard from him, so we have declared him as killed in action," Diane responded, fiddling in the drawer behind her desk.

"You can't say that! You're treating him like… like a toy! Like you don't care!" Chuck screamed, slamming his fists onto his laps.

"Mr. Bartowski, agents come and go in my line of work. It's nothing new. We all need to get used to it and move on,"

"Mrs Beckman- if you are married- I cannot get used to the fact that one of my best friends sacrificed himself to protect me,"

"That's perfectly natural Chuck, however you need to deal with these emotions on the outside," Beckman said calmly, watching as Sarah's eyes glistened with tears. Good old Walker, keeping her true emotions inside. The asset here needed to harden up.

"So what now General?" Chuck stood up, and Sarah's hand trailed after his.

"Chuck, no" Sarah whispered.

"We have a situation. Here is the footage of the cruise ship as it left. It seems your friend- Martin Crimes- was seen conversing with Alicia Weiss as they left. Three guesses what they were on about,"

"Us?"

"Exactly. From what we can tell, something big is on the move and we need to maintain this one this time. I'm afraid Agent Shaw died in the blast as well, so that's two of my best agents gone. Even worse is the fact that you will be taking another vacation Mr. Bartowski,"

"Honestly General, can't you just send me to work for once? I mean there seems to be a link here. I go on holiday, get to relax and the spy world conveniently intervenes. First it could have been me with Obertan. This time it was Casey"

"This is your work now Chuck. We have terminated your contract with the Buy More. You are now a full-time C.I.A. agent, and you have been assigned with Agent Walker. Congratulations. We are going to do everything to ensure that the next time will be different. And I think you'll like this vacation," Beckman smiled, and slipped a photo towards them. Sarah extended her right hand towards the envelop, revealing the diamond ring which sparkled on her finger.

"Miss Walker, what is this?"

"It's hardly a rogue communication device is it?" Sarah laughed, and groaned as Beckman raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Chuck and I are getting married,"

Beckman froze, and for a second a hint of annoyance crept across her face. Good, so the bitch does have feelings, Chuck thought. "I understand. In that case, I hope you know what you're getting into. But I hope you realise Mr. Bartowski that this changes everything,"

Beckman reached into her drawer and tossed the box she had held towards Chuck. Chuck caught it in midair and opened his palm. It was a box of six condoms.

"I want you two to be extremely careful on this mission, so I'm assigning heavy protection for this one. Including these," Beckman smiled briefly, and then coughed despite the fact it was probably the first joke she had ever made. "Off you go now,"