A/N: This chapter is probably a little too much on the fluff side, with a little setup for who is behind all this mess. Hope it still works for you.

Still getting very nice comments and I do appreciate them all.

Still don't own any of this but am willing to talk.

XiV. Disguises

Scene 54: January 29, 2013
The day before
Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis Hotel, Cairo

After Beckman's call it took some time for Sarah to calm down. Chuck had gone to her and embraced her from behind, his arms resting on her crossed arms. He could feel the tension rippling through her body. They stood that way until Chuck's nature to talk overcame his sense that Sarah needed silence to process all they had just learned. "Sarah, honey, we know Casey has not gone rogue so it's a moot point. We'll follow up on this, get the intel Beckman needs, and show them that Verbanski Corp is still on our side."

Sarah turned in his arms finally and linked her arms around his waist as well. "I know. But this has spiraled so out of control. What if we get caught up in it, too?"

He had no answer to that other than, "Then we'll deal with it … and fix it." The Bartowski smile came out then and Sarah couldn't help herself from smiling back. As she had so many times before, she marveled at the always positive outlook of her mate. "Let's go shower and dress before the courier arrives."

All the fatigue and tension left Chuck and Sarah as soon as the courier arrived with their assignment. Work was always stimulating for them both, and this was going to be an intense couple of days. The balcony was perfect for their morning's work and they were hard at it until noon.

They watched the video and Chuck was relieved that he would not have to emulate a French accent: Dumante spoke excellent English, having earned an MBA and Doctorate at Yale. Sarah would have to use an accent, but that was another of her special talents that so amazed Chuck. There was a great deal for them to learn in order to be knowledgeable enough to discuss arms sales with perspective buyers. Weapons, they knew, but pricing, suppliers, shipping, and all those details were out of their purview. Chuck flashed several times during the studies, each time with no problems, but causing Sarah to immediately try to pull the plug on the mission. Only with Chuck's most sincere reassurances that he was perfectly fine, was he able to keep her calm … on the outside at least. She didn't say much, but kept a close eye on him the rest of the morning, as they continued to study and quiz each other.

After their shower Chuck had put on a black Nerd t-shirt and khaki shorts while Sarah donned her favorite lounging apparel: one of Chuck's white, long sleeve, dress shirts, along with her boy shorts. "I'm not sure how much work I'm going to accomplish with you dressed like, hon."

"Down boy. I know you love to see me this way and I so love to wear your shirts. Besides, you're doing the same thing to me with that tight-fitting t-shirt you're wearing." Chuck had no comeback for that other than to stand and stare, eliciting a delicate blush from his golden haired goddess.

After lunch Sarah worked on Chuck's hair, dyeing it to match the gray of Dumante. Chuck flirted with her the whole time, pulling on the tails of her shirt and trying to run his hand through her golden tresses. She told him to cease and desist several times, insisting that she couldn't finish her work with all his distractions. "You definitely don't want to go to the meeting tomorrow with weird blobs of gray hair mixed in with your normal color!"

"Wow, Sarah," he said as she declared him finished, "another skill I had no idea you possessed. If CI goes under, we can always open a styling salon."

Sarah whacked him on the shoulder but smiled at him in the mirror, "Disguises are always part of a spy's arsenal. Hmmmmm … not bad, if I do say so myself. I think you will pass."

"The only time I've gone on a mission in disguise was when we took down the Ring. Shaw saw right through it. I hope this one goes better."

"Shaw was expecting us to do something so it wasn't surprising he saw through it. None of these people know you, so that will make it harder for them."

Sarah leaned down and nibbled on his left ear. "Humph! I think I'm going to like having an older gentlemen around." The seductive quality of her voice sent Chuck into a spiral and he quickly turned in the chair to grab her and pull her into his lap. Sarah's arms went around his neck and he pulled her into a gentle kiss, but she was having none of that: she increased the pressure of the contact of their lips and her tongue flicked across his lower lip.

Chuck tried to stand up but, with the extra weight of his willowy beauty, he just couldn't get his left leg to lift enough. Sarah pulled away and stood, pulling him up with her. "I've got you Chuck," she whispered. Now that he was up he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted. As she came back in to capture his lips she wrapped her legs around his waist and they moaned together as the full body contact made their heart rates soar. Chuck slowly and carefully walked out of the bathroom and over to the bed, which was still unmade. She unwrapped herself from his waist and pulled the t-shirt over his head. Once it was off, Chuck began unbuttoning Sarah's shirt. As he finished, she pulled him to her and then fell backwards onto the bed. She continued to pull until she had rolled him onto his back and ending up straddling him.

"You are the most stunningly beautiful woman in the world … and I love you so much!" As Chuck was making this statement Sarah's smile grew and grew and her incredibly blue eyes widened to their fullest.

"And you are the kindest, most passionate, and loving man in the world, and I love you more! Make love with me now, Chuck." Chuck's smile broadened and they were instantly back into each other's embrace, kisses pouring forth from one to the other, across lips, over ears and down necks. It would be some time before they became aware of the world around them again.

Scene 55: January 28, 29, 2013
Two days earlier
Carmichael Industries

When Chuck contacted him the evening of the 27th, it was early morning in Burbank. Morgan worked through the day, making some progress, until he realized Chuck had missed his latest check in call. Morgan put his search on automatic while he tracked down his two good friends. It didn't take long, thanks to his GPS tags.

The crisis at the airport had shaken him but he knew he had to get back to work on the original problem. Alex wanted him to come home to sleep but he refused. "Chuck is depending on me to find this; I can't let him down."

"But, honey, it won't help when you fall asleep at the computer terminal or miss something important because you are too tired. If you won't come home let's at least go to the safe room for a couple of hours. I can fix you something to eat and you will feel much better." Finally he agreed. Once locked in, she went to the kitchen and poured a drink for him while she prepared something simple to eat. When she came back out Morgan was laying on the bed, already asleep. Watching him a few moments, thinking how adorable he looked, and feeling pride in all he had accomplished today, Alex walked over to the bed and curled up next to him. It was a comfort, lying there with him, and she was soon asleep as well.

Later….

Morgan was startled when his phone began ringing. It took several moments for him to realize where he was and that the warm body next to him was Alex. Ah, Alex….

Finding his phone he answered and heard Chuck's laugh, "Wake up, dude. I finally got to turn the tables on you, didn't I? Are you secure, little buddy?"

"Um, yeah, Chuck, go ahead."

"Just wanted to check in to see if you have found anything yet on the vehicles?"

"Sorry, Chuck. After getting you out of your little jam I sort of crashed here at CI. Let me get some coffee and get to the lab to see what's happened in the past couple of hours."

"Okay. By the way, how do you like the safe room?" Laughing, Chuck hung up before his friend could respond in a slightly unfriendly manner.

Alex was standing by the door, coffee mugs in hand, when Morgan turned. "Sounds like we have work to do."

"Yep. I should never have fallen asleep. This intel is too important." Suddenly it dawned on what Alex had just said. "Honey, you said 'we' have work to do." Alex just stood there looking over the rim of her mug as she sipped the coffee. "Well, okay then, let's go."

As they walked back to the lab, Alex put a hand on Morgan's shoulder, "I know I can't help with the computer work but I can help with anything else you need. No reason for you to try to do this all by yourself."

Morgan just smiled at her. Once he keyed in the code and the door to the lab slid aside, they walked in and went to Morgan's terminal. Just before he sat down he grabbed Alex' hand, pulled her to him, and gave her an electric kiss. "Thanks, honey. Just having you here will make it all easier." As he sat and opened the work from yesterday, Alex just stood there, one hand to her mouth, the other on her heart, a huge smile playing across her lips.

"YES! I love this system Chuck designed. It's been working since we left, and it's made great progress. Let's see exactly what we know now."

Morgan worked for over an hour without further comment, which, in and of itself, worried Alex. She had never seen him not talking. Oh, he grunted and grumbled a few times, but no actual words or conversation. He had four terminals working simultaneously and rolled back and forth from one to another. Finally, he began sending information from each terminal to the massive touchscreen monitor on the wall to his right. Once everything he was working on was moved, he stood up, stretched, and walked over to huge screen.

As he studied it, Alex walked over to him with another cup of coffee, but did not speak. She sure didn't want to disturb his train of thought now. The technology was amazing. Morgan could move or resize any document on the screen; if he needed something not already on the screen he could call it up from any of the terminals he had previously been working on; and when he found a connection he could draw a line from one to another in whatever color he needed to get the flow of information organized. Alex was amazed at how easily he manipulated everything; he had really learned a lot in the installation process of CI's technology. She also marveled at how their friend, Chuck, had designed it all from his hospital bed, so many months before.

The Swintibian governmental and military files were a mess. Much of the information would probably never make it into digital format. But what was available allowed Morgan to identify the chain of command, starting at the motor pool, where the jeeps and trucks had been procured, all the way back to the commanding general. He also found governmental connections between a Mr. Gottitobi, administrator of the Nbora Airport, a Colonel Ngobi from the motor pool, and General Montobi, Commandant of the army base. The government officials included a Vice Governor and the assistant to the Swinbitian Prime Minister. But there the trail went cold, and Morgan knew there had to be at least one more link in this chain.

"Morgan, I've fixed pizza. Let's take a break and eat. You need to clear your mind."

At first he started to protest but then stopped, sighed, and said, "You're right, Alex. Thanks for looking after me."

Alex distracted him with small talk and some subtle flirting to which Morgan blushed and smiled. "You are so good to me, Alex. You know, this has been great, having you here today. I know I haven't said much to you but your mere presence, plus the coffee and treats along the way, have helped so much." He reached out and took her hand. How lucky can I be to have Alex in my life? Who would have believed, just a few, short years ago, that Chuck would be married … married to an incredibly beautiful and talented woman ... and I would be in a committed relationship with an equally wonderful lady. Our lives, like brothers, were running in such great, parallel … parallel? … brothers? … something there … what can it be? …

Alex saw Morgan's eyes glaze over and watched him intently. Something was banging around in his head. "Morgan, what is it? Can I help?"

"Huh? Oh … uh … I've got to get back to the lab. Come with me and help me think this through." They ran back before Morgan lost the tentative connection he was starting to see.

Scene 56: January 29, 30, 2013
One day earlier
Fairmont Towers, Heliopolis Hotel, Cairo

They ordered room service for dinner after making love, taking a nap, and scrubbing each other in the shower which, of course, led to even more loving. They rarely spoke aloud, but spoke volumes as they looked longingly and adoringly into each others' eyes, while they caressed each other in those intimate ways only true lovers know. Sarah's sparkling blue's sucked Chuck into their depths and left him breathless. Chuck's equally mesmerizing chocolate brown orbs were enough to tell Sarah she could never live without him. They continued to stare at each other over their meal, bringing the most tantalizing blushes to each others' faces. Any time they both had a free hand they would reach out and intertwine their fingers. And Sarah loved to run her foot up and down Chuck's leg, giving him shivers of delight. They were so completely in tune with each other that their communication, verbal or silent, was so overt, even the most cold hearted cynic would know these two were deeply in love. There was nothing that would ever stand in their way to be together; and heaven help anyone who tried!

It was back to work after dinner to finalize their plans, theorize potential problems and appropriate solutions, and test each others' knowledge base. One tiny slip up could cause, not only the failure of the mission, but their capture, torture and/or death. They had to be absolutely accurate and confident in themselves, not as Chuck and Sarah, but as Henri Dumante and Martine Bergeron. All evening they called each other only by these character names so there would be no slip ups.

Finally, near midnight, with exhaustion taking over, they felt confident enough to call it quits and go to bed. They lay in each others arms, as usual, but sleep wouldn't come for either. "Sarah, are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Mmmm … yeah, I guess so. I can't ever remember being nervous before a mission, except my red test. I always knew there was danger and I had to do my job perfectly. But I was always confident and kept my mind on the job. Now I have so much more to live for. Just the thought of losing you makes me almost come unglued."

"No, no, no, Sarah, don't think that way. Together we are the best there is. You have to be your cold, ruthless, efficient, albeit beautiful, ninja spy girl. I need that confidence coming through to sustain me. From that very first night ... and morning on the beach ... you have been my rock."

"For you, sweetheart, I can do that. But I need to know you are okay. If at any time you have a problem ... physically ... with the Intersect ... whatever … you have to tell me!"

"For you, my love, I can do that."

Finally, sleep took over, but both Chuck and Sarah slept fitfully, with funny dreams of plans gone awry and forced partings.

Their alarms went off simultaneously, eliciting moans and complaints from both. But with a mission on, they came up and out of the bed ready for the day's work. Sarah helped Chuck with his beard first, then, while he went out to dress and order breakfast, she prepped herself, strapping on her knives, an extra gun and ammo, and her specially made, form-fitting, vest.

Chuck donned his vest and then the custom-made business suit. Despite not really being a business suit type, he loved the feel of the material, cut and fit of this suit. From outer appearances, he was definitely dressed for success in any business setting.

He was just getting their breakfast uncovered when he heard their bedroom door open. Looking up, his mouth dropped and a gasp resounded from his chest. He slowly stood up, holding the covering from Sarah's omelet. Walking slowly towards him was an amazing vision from times past. Sarah was dressed in all black: blazer, high neck blouse, knee-length skirt, and knee-high leather boots with stiletto heels. But he only noticed all this later. His sight … his tunnel vision … was focused on her face and head. She was wearing her black wig: long, straight tresses falling over her shoulders, while hair swept from her part, down across her forehead to her right eye, and on back to her ear. Dark tinted contacts matched her eyes to the all black ensemble. She was the most menacing thing he had ever seen … and completely, breathtakingly, beautiful.

His eyes were unblinking and his lips were moving, but no sound came out. Reading those lips Sarah understood as he mouthed 'Perfect' over and over, and a rush of adrenaline surged through her entire body.

" 'Allo, Henri," she said in a soft, sultry, seductive voice. "Like what you see?"

"Uh … hmmm … ah … oh … ye-ye-yeah. Oh, Sar … sorry … Martine. You are so … uh … very … mmmmm…."

"Henri," she said, stretching the name out luxuriously, with a delectable French accent, "shut up and kiss me!" She had walked up to him, straightened his tie and placed her hands on his chest. Dropping the plate cover, his arms came up to hold her waist and then their lips met, gently at first and then with increasing pressure. She wrapped her right leg around him and grabbed his hair in her left hand.

Chuck was overwhelmed to the point of overload! He was suddenly afraid they were going to burn out the Intersect, as well as every nerve ending in his body. He moaned into her mouth and pulled her even closer. As their lips parted, for each of them to breath, Sarah sighed. She laid her head on his shoulder and said quietly, "I guess we both know what we have to live for today."

In a very few moments she stiffened and pushed herself away from Chuck. He looked at her with concern, until he looked in her eyes and realized she had just put on her spy face. "Let's eat. We have to leave in thirty minutes."

Still quite dizzy, Chuck could only nod and sit down. They ate in silence until time to depart. Gathering their notes, they quickly left the room, and descended to the parking garage, where their SUV and driver were waiting. Forty minutes later they were escorted into the Conglomérat Delta building and up to the corporate executive suites on the eighth floor. No one questioned their identity or why they were there. So far, so good!