A/N - Here is the next chapter. Please let me know what you think. I don't own Chuck, etc., etc.
Chapter 25
The Team Competition began with the Men's short program and Pairs short program. The return of Evgeny Plyushchenko made the Russian team much stronger and one of the favorites along with the Japanese team in the men's portion of the event. The Russians were also very strong in Pairs skating and were going to give the Bartowskis a run for their money. The Team Men's short program was to be performed first, followed by the Pairs short program. There were ten teams in total and the team with the highest score was awarded ten points, the second place team nine points, on down to the tenth place team earning one point. The Team with the highest overall score in all the figure skating competitions wins the gold medal.
Being out late the night before, Sarah and Chuck slept in until noon, knowing the team competition didn't start until 6:30pm. After getting up and taking a long shared shower, they put their white terry cloth robes on and ordered room service. Hearing a knock on their door about twenty minutes later, Chuck opened the door expecting their food was being delivered. Instead it was Stephen, Mary, Bryce and Lindsay.
"What are you doing here? Uh, let me start over. Hi guys, good afternoon. With that, what are you doing here?"
"Miss me, Chuck?" asked Bryce. "Mind if we come in?"
Chuck looked back at Sarah to make sure she was decent. She had just come out of their bedroom combing her hair. Her robe had fallen open revealing part of her gorgeous underwear clad body to him. "Is room service here yet sweetheart? I'm starving."
To alert his beautiful wife that someone was at the door Chuck said loudly "Hi mom and dad, Bryce and Lindsay. Sarah looked up at her husband and Chuck motioned for her to close up her bathrobe. She looked down and smirked at him. Seeing that he had opened the door only a few inches, Sarah opened her robe wide so Chuck could see her body, blew him a kiss, and covered herself up. Chuck froze in place while his mind took a mini-trip down memory lane of their time together in the shower a few minutes earlier. Seeing that Chuck wasn't moving and his eyes were glazed over, Sarah chuckled and went to the door to let their guests in.
Ushering them inside, Stephen and Mary sat down on the couch in the living room of Chuck and Sarah's suite while Bryce and Lyndsay sat on the loveseat. Before Sarah could close the door, room service arrived and brought their lunch.
Stephen said "Sorry to disturb your lunch. We just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes. Please go ahead and enjoy your lunch. We ate earlier in the restaurant downstairs."
After tipping the waiter, Chuck divvied up the food between him and Sarah and they sat down at their table to eat. "So, what did you want to talk about?" asked Chuck right before he put a forkful of chicken Caesar salad in his mouth.
Mary said "After what happened in Vancouver, we decided to tell you what we are doing here besides watching you win another gold medal."
Sarah looked alarmed. "You said you weren't going to follow us or bug us this time."
"Calm down Sarah. We're not breaking our promise. But we are here on official business of sorts."
"Of sorts?" Chuck asked.
Bryce spoke up "We heard of a threat against a western businessman and/or his business interests. We are trying to make sure nothing happens."
"We, Bryce? Sarah asked stunned. "You're a spy? Were you a spy when we were skating together?"
"No, Sarah. I'm not a spy. I became an analyst of sorts working with your father-in-law after I retired from skating."
Lindsay chimed in "That's why I waited for a while before I agreed to marry Bryce, Sarah. I wasn't sure just how involved he would be, if he would be required to go on missions. After I learned that he wouldn't be going on any long-term missions, I finally said yes."
Chuck said "OK, why are you telling us this?"
"The CIA wants you to keep your eyes and ears open in case you hear or see anything. If you do, just contact us or Bryce. We'll take it from there."
"OK, I guess we can do that." Sarah said after swallowing her bite of salad.
Stephen asked "If you don't mind me asking, but how exactly to you know the Dudeks?"
Chuck answered "We met them in Corfu and became friends. They sailed with us to Athens on the boat we rented and just had a baby girl. I guess they come from two important families in Krakow but they are very nice down to earth people. Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Stephen lied. "It's unusual to meet someone in Russia you know that's from Poland."
"I suppose you're right." Sarah said.
Their guests stood up. "We'll let you enjoy your lunch in peace."
As they were heading to the door Bryce stopped and turned to face Chuck and Sarah. "I almost forgot. NBC would like me to interview you two before the competition starts. Can you come around 5pm to the media room?"
Chuck looked at Sarah who nodded. "OK Bryce, see you then."
Chuck and Sarah were left to finish their lunch in peace.
xxxxx
Dr. Zarnow fumed while Ryker finished what he was saying. "Are you certain?"
"Yes. I saw them eating lunch together in the restaurant."
"What makes you think Bryce Larkin is working with the CIA? Wasn't his wife eating lunch with them? Wasn't he their daughter-in-law's former ice skating partner?"
"Yes. That's all true. But listen to this."
Male voice "I think we should tell them what we're doing." Female voice "You're right. It's better for them to hear from us now than for them to find out later."
"So, why is this important? Who and what are they talking about? Is there anything else on the recording?"
"No, that's all I got."
"Where did they go after lunch?"
"Back up to their rooms."
"You've got nothing. Why are you wasting my time with this?"
"I thought it was important."
"It's no wonder you're just an errand boy, Ryker. Keep watching and observing."
xxxxx
Sarah and Chuck met with Bryce at the ice skating media center as scheduled for their interview. Since they weren't at NBC's main broadcast center, the interview room was more sparse and each sat in straightbacked wooden chairs with cushions on the seat. Chuck and Sarah were sitting next to each other with their chairs inches apart while Bryce sat opposite them in an identical chair. Their microphones were clipped to their jackets.
Bryce began the interview.
"Welcome to the figure skating media center. It is my great pleasure to welcome my former skating partner and her husband and current skating partner Sarah and Chuck Bartowski. Thank you for talking to me."
"Hi Bryce," they said in unison. "We're glad to be here."
"Has it really been four years since we skated to a gold medal in Vancouver, Sarah?'
"Time sure has flown by. Vancouver was fabulous for more more than one reason. Winning gold with you was a dream come true, but pales in comparison to meeting my husband, Chuck." She looked lovingly at him and smiled.
Bryce said "I know what you mean." He looked into the camera. "What many of you probably don't know is that Sarah was instrumental in me meeting my wife in Vancouver."
Chuck grinned and added "Yeah, when Sarah gets done with medical school she can start her own matchmaking website."
Sarah playfully slapped Chuck on the shoulder.
"So Chuck, how did a NHL MVP become a pairs figure skater all of a sudden and why aren't you playing on the Team USA in ice hockey?"
"The short answer is that I saw you last Olympics get to pick up my girlfriend at the time, hold hands with her and throw her around the ice. I thought it looked like fun and wanted to give it a try with my wife."
Sarah and Bryce both burst out laughing.
"Seriously though, I reinjured my eye a few months ago and can't play ice hockey right now. I hope to be back by the playoffs. It's getting better and I'm OK to skate, but my ability to see the puck clearly and the hand eye coordination it takes to play at a high level is just not there yet."
"Is that the same eye you injured in Vancouver?"
"Yes. It's something that we've known all along that there was a risk with playing but we're all hopeful for a complete recovery."
"So, Sarah, when did you and Chuck start skating together?"
"It's something we did for fun and started right before we got married. I wanted to keep skating to stay in shape and Chuck was already a great skater from playing ice hockey. Chuck asked me to teach him some of the basics and he picked it up very quickly. We also went to Vail for a few weeks each summer and skated with our old coach Diane Beckman."
"I am impressed with how well you two skate together after such a short period of time. Love suits you I guess."
Sarah smirked "You have no idea."
"It's like I know where she'll be without even looking." He reached over, took his wife's hand and squeezed it.
"I thought I was in tune with you Bryce when we were a team, but it was nothing like what I have with Chuck. It's really the difference between night and day."
"Gee, thanks for making me feel unimportant."
Sarah chuckled. "That's Lindsay's job, not mine."
"True, and she does. What do you think of the new team competition?
"I think it's a great idea, but I would make a rule change if I could."
"What's that?"
"Right now a single skater or team can skate both the long program and short program. Since this is a team competition I think different skaters and different teams should skate the programs. That would put the emphasis on team rather than having a single skater or one pair being able to dominate."
"Interesting idea Sarah and I'm inclined to agree with you. Perhaps it's something they'll look at in future Olympics."
Chuck nodded in agreement.
"Another question that seems to running rampant at these games is whether or not you will do the Pamchenko in the long program. Will you?"
Chuck answered "We've never done it in competition before. Why would we want to do it for the first time at the Olympics?"
"Oh, because of this." Bryce had them roll the video of Chuck and Sarah performing the move in practice. It was the first time Chuck and Sarah had seen it. "And it's worth five more points than any other move."
Sarah looked at Chuck stunned and then at Bryce. "Where did you get this video? That was taken when we were in Vail."
Bryce shrugged. "I don't know. I was just told we had it and they wanted me to ask you about it."
"The only person who could have taken that video was our coach, Diane Beckman. Did she give it to you?" Sarah demanded to know.
"As I said I don't know. But you're not answering my question."
"The truth of the matter is that we don't know if we're going to do it." Chuck answered.
"Fair enough. What do you think your chances are to win gold?"
"If we skate our best, then I think we have as good a shot at it as anyone." Chuck answered and Sarah nodded in agreement.
Bryce looked at them and smiled. "Good luck out there and thanks for your time. It's great to see you and talk to you again."
"You're welcome Bryce and thanks for having us." Sarah responded.
xxxxx
Chuck and Sarah arrived back at the Iceberg Skating Palace for the Team competition that night. The men's short program competition was first, followed by the pairs. Chuck and Sarah were scheduled to skate third from the last. The entire team waited for the scores in the kiss and cry area with their teammate that performed to celebrate a good score or encourage them after a poor one. At the conclusion of the men's short program, team Japan was in first place followed by team Russia. The American skater had a difficult time and finished seventh. It was up to Chuck and Sarah to keep Team USA in the medal hunt.
Chuck and Sarah waited in the back for their turn to skate. Chuck sat on a bench and Sarah sat on his lap with her arms around him. They had walked through their program twice and felt that there was nothing else to do to prepare. Being with Sarah before competing at the Olympics was not new to him as they met before their separate events in Vancouver. Waiting to compete with her was a whole new thing altogether and he loved every minute of it. He smiled at his wife and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"What was that for?" Sarah asked.
"Do I need a reason to kiss my wife?"
"No. How are you feeling? Are you ready to do this?"
"Absolutely. I feel great. I get to compete at the Olympics with the most beautiful woman in the world who also happens to be my wife and a terrific skater. We're ready for this. How are you feeling?"
"I have never been more relaxed before a competition in my life. Knowing I get to compete with the most handsome and wonderful man on the face of the earth who also happens to be my husband takes away all my nervousness. You're right. We are ready for this."
Sarah leaned down and captured his lips with hers and they shared a kiss full of love, commitment and promise. Unbeknownst to them, a TV cameraman was in the area focusing in on them while there was a break in the action on the ice. Their kiss was being shown on worldwide TV. The TV commentator asked Bryce "Did you ever prepare for your skate by kissing your partner?"
Bryce chuckled. "No. I never got to kiss Sarah Walker. We didn't have that kind of relationship. I am really happy for her though and for Chuck. They are my friends and I'm looking forward to seeing them skate."
"You won't have to wait long as it's their turn next after this commercial break."
Sarah and Chuck walked over to the ice and handed their blade guards to Diane before heading out to the ice where they skated around to loosen up. Returning to where Diane was standing by the boards, she spoke to them.
"Enjoy your skate. Have fun. You already have a great program with plenty of points. The team needs a good score from you. I know you can do it."
Chuck and Sarah simply nodded at her and smiled. When they heard to public address announcer announce their names "Next to skate Sarah and Charles Bartowski" they headed to the center of the ice. Chuck and Sarah assumed their starting position and smiled at each other after whispering I love you.
The music began and the two skaters moved in unison to their first element, the split triple twist. Chuck was wearing black pants and a red long-sleeved shirt with a black vest. Sarah wore a black and red dress with a scoop neck and low cut back. She was breathtakingly beautiful. They executed the twist perfectly and followed up with perfect side-by-side triple axels, the only team doing them. A triple lutz triple flip combination jump followed after an exquisite footwork sequence and two perfect lifts and a throw triple axel. Their program concluded with a forward outside edge death spiral. It was a fantastic program and even the pro-Russian crowd gave Chuck and Sarah a standing ovation.
After picking up some of the flowers and stuffed animals thrown on the ice, the Bartowkis skated over to the kiss and cry area where they were greeted with high fives and hugs from their teammates and coaches. Up in the TV booth Bryce was asked "What did you think?"
"That was a spectacular program. If that doesn't get the highest score so far then there's something wrong. Let's look are a replay of some of the key elements. Look at the positions Sarah is in as she lands her throw jumps. Perfection. Not even a hint of a wobble for either of them on the triple axels. This has got to be awarded."
The camera returned to the kiss and cry area where Sarah was again sitting on her husband's lap waiting for the scores. They didn't wait much longer. The crowd cheered loudly when the scores were shown, 85.34 points for first place by a wide margin. Chuck and Sarah celebrated with their teammates with hugs and high fives. Bryce said "Chuck and Sarah will be happy with the score but that was too low. They deserved to be two or three points higher at least. It will be interesting to see what scores the Russian favorites Volosozhar and Trankov get. Their program is not as difficult as the Bartowskis' program."
Sarah and Chuck waited with their teammates through the remaining two teams. Volosozhar and Trankov skated last and received a boost from the hometown crowd. Also skating flawlessly, they went to the kiss and cry area to nervously wait for their scores. Chuck had his arms wrapped around Sarah and peppered her cheek with kisses. The crowd cheered and groaned when the scores were posted. 84.91 points. Bryce said "That score was probably higher than it should have been as the starting point value is three points lower than Chuck and Sarah's program. This means the judges thought that the Russians executed their moves better. That was simply not true. It will be interesting how this affects the Bartowski's decision on the Pamchenko."
"Do I sense the possibility of a judging controversy?" Sandra Bezik asked Bryce.
"Not so much this time as the best team still was awarded the highest score. There would be if Chuck and Sarah finished second."
"It looks like it's something we will need to watch. That's all for the team competition tonight. The standings are Russia in first place with 18 points, Canada in second with 16 points and Japan and the United States tied for third with fourteen points. The ladies short program and ice dance will be tomorrow night. See you all then." Sandra signed off.
xxxxx
The Russian pairs coach sat in her hotel room with a grim look on her face. What is she going to do about the Bartowskis? She heard the rumors about this team, a former gold medalist paired with an ice hockey player…. Her husband, no less. How can they be this good? I must figure out a way to rattle them. Get them distracted. They're married and it seems to be an area of strength for them. I know, I'll send Sophia Stefanova and Sergei Romanov to meet with them and see how faithful they really are. With her supermodel good looks and his James Bond style, they're bound to create some problems. She smiled to herself. A plan to bring down the Bartowskis already formed in her brain.
xxxxx
Since they weren't skating in the team competition that night, Chuck and Sarah went up with Morgan and Alex to watch them in the snowboardcross events. There was worry that the warm temperatures were going to cause problems with the snow and the quality of the competition, especially in the qualifying runs taking place in the heat of the day.
"Hey little buddy," Chuck said to Morgan. "Are you ready for this?"
"Yeah, Chuck. I'm more ready than I was last year. Living up in Whistler with Alex has really helped. I get to train a lot more that I used to."
"It's a lot more fun boarding with your husband, too." Alex added with a wink.
"Yeah, especially when she races me down the mountain with a little incentive going to the winner."
Alex turned pink.
Sarah laughed and teased. "I think those kind of incentives are the best kind. Even the 'loser' gets the spoils."
Morgan teased back. "We learned all about those kinds of contests from you two."
It was Chuck's and Sarah's turn to be embarrassed.
The view from the top of the mountain was spectacular and as it was Morgan's event that was first, Alex, Sarah and Chuck went to the refreshment stand to buy some hot chocolate. Much to their surprise they met Carina and Zondra.
"Hey guys."
"Hey."
"What brings you to the top of the mountain today?" Alex asked.
Zondra spoke up. "We came to cheer you and Morgan on. Cole Barker and a lady friend are going to join us."
"Which lady friend this time? Have we met her?" Sarah asked.
Carina chuckled. "He's still waiting for you to introduce him to some figure skaters. The female kind."
That caused a few groans and chuckles from the group. "He's met a cross country skier from Finland. I can't pronounce her name."
"He should come to the team competition tonight. Karolina Costner will be skating and I can introduce him after the night is over."
"Speaking of the devil, here he comes."
Cole Barker sauntered up with not one but two Finnish beauties, one on each arm.
Chuck raised an eyebrow. "Did you invite one of your buddies to join us Cole?"
Cole grinned from ear to ear. "No Charles, they're both for me. I'd like to introduce you to Ella and Emilia, they're sisters and cross country skiers from Finland."
Everyone greeted each other and Sarah came up to his side and whispered "I thought you wanted me to introduce you to Karolina Costner"
Cole looked surprised. "Of course I do. When can I meet her?"
"I was thinking after the team competition tonight but it looks like you're going to be busy."
"Them? Don't worry. They actually have boyfriends and just wanted me to take them up here. I'm actually free tonight."
Sarah looked skeptical. "Really?"
"Yep. I still want to meet Gracie Gold even though you won't let me ask her out."
"I don't think it would do any harm to introduce you to her. Meet me and Chuck after the competition by the rear exit."
"OK. And thanks Sarah."
xxxxx
Both Morgan and Alex qualified for the finals in Snowboardcross that takes place the following day. The headed back down the mountain with Chuck, Sarah and their other friends to cheer on Team USA and Team Canada in the Figure Skating Team competition. Even though Chuck and Sarah were not actually skating, they wanted to be there to cheer on their teammates as the ladies and ice dancers were competing in the short program.
Davis and White won the ice dancing and the Russian skater won the ladies short program. The Canadian ice dancers Virtue and Moir finished second leaving Team USA in third place at the end of the short programs. Russia was first and Canada was in second place.
After the program was over, Sarah went back into the ladies locker room and found Karolina Costner changing into street clothes.
"Hi Karolina." Sarah said to her.
Karolina looked up and smiled. "Sarah Walker. It's nice to see you again."
"It's Bartwoski now. I got married over three years ago."
"Right. I'm sorry, I knew that. How are you?"
"I'm great. Surprised to be here competing but having a lot of fun."
"I almost didn't come back either but decided to give it one more try. I'm having a lot of fun too."
"Great. I hope you don't mind, but I have a friend who would like to meet you. He's from England and on the Curling team."
Karolina cocked an eyebrow. "Are you trying to set me up Sarah?"
Sarah laughed. "What if I was? Would that be a bad thing?"
Karolina chuckled. "I suppose not. What's he like?"
"I should warn you that he thinks he's quite the ladies' man. He's got rugged good looks and can be quite charming. Whether or not you give him the time of day after meeting him is completely up to you. Who knows, you might find him worthwhile to get to know."
After pondering the idea for a few moments she said "OK, I'll meet him. What's his name?"
"Cole Barker."
"Alright, when and where?"
"He'll be waiting at the exit as we leave tonight. I'll go find my husband and meet you outside the locker room."
Karolina nodded and finished changing. Sarah went outside the locker room where she found Chuck waiting there with Morgan, Alex, Carina, Crash, Zondra and Jim. She greeted Chuck with a kiss.
"Well," Chuck asked, "does she want to meet Cole?"
Sarah nodded. "She'll be out in a few minutes."
"Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match….." Zondra teased Sarah with part of the song from Fiddler on the Roof.
Carina smirked. "Yeah, she gets hitched and wants everyone to join her."
Alex said "Hey, getting married isn't a death sentence Carina. In fact, I highly recommend it once you find the right guy." She gave Morgan a kiss resulting in a big smile from Morgan.
Carina scoffed. "It may be right for you two, I don't know if I can settle down like that. I love being with Crash here, but make it permanent?"
Crash said, "I understand you Carina. I'll take whatever you give me. But knowing what I know about you, if you ever wanted to get married, you'll have to be sure to let me know."
Carina laughed. "Don't worry big guy. I love being with you. Let's just enjoy that right now, shall we?"
Crash nodded.
Chuck turned to Jim Rye "Well, how are you liking Sochi so far?"
"It's great, especially after meeting Zondra. We stayed out at Gawk's until five in the morning. Jeffster was a lot better than I expected."
Zondra looked over a Sarah and Carina and smirked. "Yeah, I'm beginning to see why you two have a thing for ice hockey players."
That got a laugh out of everyone when Karolina emerged from the locker room and walked over to the group. Sarah spoke up "Karolina, I'd like to introduce you to my husband Chuck and some of our friends." After exchanging greeting, the group headed to the exit to go outside. After exiting, they saw Cole standing over to the side looking a little nervous. Sarah took Karolina's arm and nodded toward Cole.
"There he is. Do you still want to meet him?"
Karolina whispered back. "He is kind of cute. Sure, I'll give him a chance."
Sarah led Karolina to where Cole was standing. "Karolina Costner, I'd like to introduce you to our friend Cole Barker. Cole, this is Karolina."
Cole smiled at her, took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Pleased to meet you Karolina. You skated beautifully tonight."
Karolina smiled back at him. "Thank you. Pleased to meet you too, Cole."
Just then Bryce and Lindsay arrived at their group. Bryce nodded to Karolina. "Great job tonight."
Karolina responded "Thanks Bryce. It's good to see you again."
Bryce introduced her to Lindsay. "I don't know if you're interested, but NBC is throwing a little party next door and you're all invited. Do you want to come?"
Cole looked at Karolina and she nodded. Everyone else also agreed to go.
xxxxx
NBC provided quite a spread of food and drink at the party. Athletes from various sports, members of the media, coaches, foreign dignitaries and celebrities were in attendance. Among the celebrities were Sophia Stefanova and Sergei Romanov who were watching the Bartowskis from across the room. She was wearing a very short sequined dress with a plunging neckline and he a dark suit with a light blue shirt and striped tie. The Russian coach said to them "Those two are the skaters I want you to meet. Their names are Chuck and Sarah Bartowski."
Sophia cocked an eyebrow. "You want me to seduce a married man? Piece of cake."
Sergei said "She looks way out of his league. I'll have my way with her in no time."
"Don't get cocky. From what I've seen, they're very much in love. It won't be as easy as you think."
"Not to worry coach. We've got this."
Sophia and Sergei each took a flute of champagne and headed over to where Chuck and Sarah were standing by the bar waiting for their drinks. Sergei spoke up "Good evening. Are you enjoying the party?"
Chuck and Sarah looked up. "Yes, thank you. Are you?"
"Yes. My name is Sergei Romanov and this is my friend Sophia Stefanova."
"My name is Chuck Bartowski and this is my wife Sarah."
Sergei bent down and kissed the back of Sarah's hand, his eyes staring at her chest. "Pleased to meet you."
Chuck also bent down and kissed the back of Sophia's hand but his eyes never left hers. "Pleased to meet you, Sophia."
Sarah snuggled up to Chuck and put her arm around his waist while he put his arm around her shoulder. Sarah said "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. Wait, are you a fashion model?"
Sophia smiled seductively at Chuck. "Yes, I am." She arched her back and pushed her cleavage out at him which didn't escape Sarah's notice. Chuck's eyes, however, never looked down.
Chuck looked at Sergei and said "Have you been in the movies?"
"Yes. I played the villain in the last James Bond movie and I've been in several European movies."
"I thought I recognized you."
"What about you, Sarah? Do you recognize me?" He let his eyes wander over her body again and back up to her face.
Chuck pulled Sarah to him so that they were face to face and their bodies were pressed together. He turned to look at Sergei. "I don't mean to be rude, but I don't like it when another man looks at my wife that way. If you can't be more respectful of her, please go find someone else to talk to."
Sarah said "And you, Sophia. My husband is too respectful of women to fall for your attempts to get him to look at your breasts. He can see mine as much as he wants and he has exclusive rights to my breasts. Chuck, I think I'm done here. Please take me back to our hotel."
Sophia stammered "Please don't be offended. We meant no harm and are sorry. We are not used to meeting couples as committed as you are. Please forgive us."
Chuck nodded and said "Apology accepted, but my wife's right. It's time for us to go. We are competing tomorrow and must get our rest. It was nice to meet you and we hope you enjoy the rest of the party."
After Chuck and Sarah left, the coach came over to Sophia and Alexei. "Did you do it? Did you get them interested in you?"
"No. This will be more difficult than we thought. But we're not giving up. We're staying at the same hotel as they are. We'll just have to get one or both of them into compromising positions."
"Make sure you do it before the start of the individual pairs competition in three days. We must stop them."
A/N 2 - Due to my schedule, updates will slower for the next few weeks. Thanks for reading.