A/N: Happy weekend to all of you...really...I mean it...ok,ok...you caught me...I'm just being nice so you will vote for me for the 'Operation Get A Greta Award' for rambling incoherency in an A/N...what?...it isn't?...well then, I take my ass kissing back...except for all of you have been sticking with this 'thing'...'fluff and stuff'...you know...telling me that you're enjoying it and even leaving kind reviews...just so you could leave the illusion that you care..."sniffle"...I'm touched...and not in that 'a very special episode of differant strokes' kinda way...I really mean it...thank you. I never thought that this would become this ...beast. I had planned on a short little story, just to see if I could do it without making a fool of myself(wait...have I made a fool of myself? and you didn't tell me? what kind of friend are you? You were probably lying about my haircut too...weren't you) and now...this...the story that keeps writing itself...of course, if I were to trim off all the sugar coating...two, maybe three chapters?...but I just can't do it... I'm a victim of my own creation...oh christ...poor poor pitiful me...shut up you whiner...ok, ok...back to the ramble...oh yeah...thanks to all of you who have stuck with me...hope you hang in there...I really do have a plan...sorta...of where this is going...promise...still have more Roan and Carina and...eventually...intersect 2.0 and a reason for it!...no, really...it's gonna happen... and of course, there's 'swimmer' which has taken own it's own twisted little life...springing up from that first chapter that i let loose as a tease...well, that's me...a rambling, fluffy tease...but in a good way...I think...oh yeah, pt.2...if you're just joining us...welcome aboard...the life preservers are evenly spaced along the railings...as your cruise director I must encourage you to review as soon as you manage to dogpaddle your way through each chapter...that's why I try to keep them from being too long...plus, with my 2 finger typing style...too many words causes me to experience hand and finger muscle cramps...and not the good kind...which I have to attempt to get relief for by saying hello to the Jager...I know, I know...it's no excuse...I'm just weak...weak and flawed...and I'll only feel better when lots and lots of dazzlingly beautiful reviews are left...wait, ther I go again...groveling...don't listen to me...you go ahead and leave reviews for every one of the writers on this site who make you smile, for whatever reason...better.

I promised that I'd drop this, my longest chapter yet, before midnight so I could spend the day tomorrow plotting another year of attempting to rule the cosmos...happy f'ing b-day to me...and maybe after some cake, if i'm still feeling fluffy, I'll drop one for swimmer. Hey Jim...whoop it'ass man...we need ya...seriously!

Hey, guess what...even though I don't own Chuck...it's not to late for you to surprise me for my birthday...you know you wanna...on no you didn't...you just go ahead and keep that block headed douche for your self...I'm a SHATER...through and through...what a horrible gift that would be...what, did someone give him to you and now you're trying to be a re-gifter?...for shame...I expected so much more from you...tsk...trying to give away Shaw and acting like someone should like that idea...pffffftttt!...now go away before I taunt you again...yeap...swiping python...a sure sign that this has A/N has gone on to long.

Previously in 'The Walkabout'…

"What?"

Chuck Vs. The Walkabout Chapter 25

Sarah was straddling Chuck's waist, holding her hand up to the light so she could admire the ring on her finger. Chuck had his hands on her hips and if she had looked down at that moment she would have thought about the looks of confusion, shock and wonder that fought for dominance on his face. Somehow, fate decided to step in and at that exact moment the door to the penthouse suite opened and Ginger and Casey walked in.

Ginger noticed Sarah staring at the ring on her finger and Casey noticed that Chuck's towel was no longer wrapped around his waist, having been knocked loose when Sarah had 'attacked' Chuck moments earlier.

"Congratulations, Sarah" Ginger said with a smile. "let me take a closer look at that ring." Sarah almost leapt to her feet and rushed over to show off the ring.

"Bartowski! Cover yourself before I have to gouge my eyes out!" Casey barked which caught both Sarah and Ginger by surprise. They both looked down at Chuck who was stretched out on his back, obviously still confused.

"Wow…Sarah, you better not let that man go or else I'm gonna try my hardest to hit that!" Ginger said as she stared at Chuck who had begun to scramble to get himself covered.

Sarah's head whipped back around, glaring at the other woman. "Quit staring…that's mine…see?" she said, raising her hand into the air so that her ring finger was directly in Ginger's view. Turning back to look at Chuck, who was still trying to gather up his towel, she almost hissed, "Chuck, get that towel back where it should be…NOW!"

"Yeah, moron…some of us are looking forward to dinner and don't want to lose our appetite." Casey snarled.

Finally getting to his feet, he was able to re-wrap the towel around his waist. Turning his back, he padded over to the bathroom and closed the door behind himself. Sarah turned back towards Casey and Ginger and caught her staring at Chuck's backside as he went into the bathroom.

"HEY! Didn't you hear me? Mine! See?" she said, once again wiggling her fingers in front of Ginger's eyes. Blinking several times, she finally got her focus back on the ring on Sarah's hand, bending closer to get a better look.

"Sorry…just couldn't help myself" she said with a smirk, obviously still thinking about something other than the ring. "That really is one of the most beautiful engagement rings I've ever seen."

"I know" Sarah replied, pulling her hand back so she could admire the ring some more, "it really is stunning. I wonder where he found it? Maybe he got it from the same person who sold him the other pieces."

"FOOTBALL! BASEBALL! GUNS! HOOTERS!" Casey said, confusing Sarah and Ginger.

"What?" they both responded.

"Just trying to get the 'man' level back up in this room. Between you two out here and what's her name in the bathroom, it's like I'm drowning in a sea of estrogen."

"Shut up, Casey!"

"Yeah, John! Considering that you play pool like a little girl, you really shouldn't be talking about upping the 'man' level in this room" Ginger added with a snicker.

"Ugh…I'm going down to find some food…maybe a nice manly steak. Anyone else?"

"Yeah John…why don't you go get a table for all of us, we'll be down shortly" Ginger said as she watched him turn and make his way out of the room. "Damn, there goes another fine ass"

"Hey!"

"Sorry Sarah, I'm just saying…you can't blame me for noticing that Chuck and John both have nice butts."

"HEY! No more talking about my Chuck's ass, OK?"

"Yeah…yeah, no problem."

"Hey, Chuck…where did you find the ring?" Sarah asked as she walked towards the bathroom door. "What was that?" Catching Ginger's eye, she repeated what she thought she'd heard Chuck say…"Squirrel?"

"He must mean Laurel's sister" she said as she reached for her phone. "Let me make a call…I'll find out where she found it."

"Laurel?...who's Laurel?" Sarah asked, suddenly very interested. Seeing Ginger hold up a finger signaling her to wait as she put her phone to her ear, she waited

"Laurel…it's Ginger…yeah, it's been a while…yeah, we're all going to Sturgis…hey, did your sister sell a bunch of jewelry yesterday…yeah, Chuck…yeah, I know…yes, he is…yeah…no…I sure wanted to…hold on, his fiancé is giving me the stinkeye…yeah, she really is…I know, I know…yeah, I've got an idea she knows how lucky she is…yeah…we walked in on them 'celebrating'…no not that far but I did get a free look…wait…stinkeye again…yeah, I'll tell her…hey, where did Squirrel find that ring?...I know, really beautiful…oh really?...thanks for the info…yeah, I'll see you at Sturgis…yeah, later gator…bye." Ginger pocketed her phone and looked up to see the 'pot' that was Sarah, ready to boil over.

"Who is Laurel and what the hell was she saying about Chuck?" she hissed, obviously struggling to keep her temper under control.

"Laurel is Squirrel's sister…she works for Gary, managing his Tuscon dealership."

"And?" she said, tapping her foot.

"She said that Squirrel picked up the ring at an estate sale a few weeks ago."

"AND?" she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Calm down, Sarah. She just said how lucky you were because Chuck is such a, and this is her word, 'hottie'. I agreed with her…you really have no idea how lucky you are to have found him. There's not many great guys out there…not like him. You better get him locked down and pop out a kid or two!"

Sarah looked down at the ring on her finger, obviously starting to release some of her built up 'steam'. "Yeah…you're right…sorry. I'm sorta new to this love stuff and haven't quite got a handle on my jealousy. It's just that…Chuck and I have had this…uh…complicated relationship for the last two years and now…I'm…uh…"

"Sarah, I think you and I…we're friends, would you agree?"

"Yeah…I would."

"Well then, talk to me."

"OK…later? I want to grab my fiancé and make sure he's dressed before we head down for dinner. Why don't you go catch up with Casey and we'll be down in a few minutes."

Alrigtht…that sounds good. See you guys in a few" she said as she turned to go. Pausing, she looked back over her shoulder, "We'll talk more…later?"

"Yeah, I'd really like that" Sarah answered with a smile. After watching the door close she walked over to the bathroom door and knocked gently. "Hey Chuck, you ok? Can I come in?"

"Sure…come on in."

"Hi…you look great, is that a new shirt?" she asked after opening the door. "You ready to go downstairs for some dinner?"

"Oh yeah…ready to go" he said as he stepped over and pulled her into a hug. "I love you, Sarah Walker." He whispered into her ear before moving to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. She him in tighter, deepening the kiss, trying to make him understand just how much she loved him through the strength of the kiss. After pulling her lips away after what seemed like hours, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door.

"C'mon Chuck, I want to take you downstairs so I can show my fiancé off…to everyone." While waiting for the elevator, Sarah had a sudden thought and whispered into Chuck's ear.

"I hadn't thought about that…whoever calls could lose an eardrum. I'll let you tell her and I'll handle the call to Hawaii."

"Ok…I guess that sounds fair…I'll just have to make sure that I remember to hold the phone away from my ear" Sarah replied, not really convinced that she gotten the better end of the deal. At least she wouldn't have to deal with the Morgan 'fallout' which could very well involve copious amounts of crying.

"Agent Walker…I thought that was you" said a voice from behind, "and Charles…I must say that the facial hair is a very different look for you."

"Roan" they both said as they turned around and watched the older spy approach.

"So, are the two of you on the job?"

"No Roan" Chuck answered first, "I'm now back in the private sector and…"

"I'm on an extended leave." Sarah finished for them.

"So Charles, I'm assuming that since Agent Walker is here with you, the 'Montgomery' worked for you?"

"No…not exactly."

"The 'Montgomery'?" Sarah asked with a look of confusion on her face.

"I'll explain later."

"So" Roan continued. Ignoring the byplay between the two, "what brings you to Las Vegas…together? Vacation? Or are you planning to say hello to Elvis at the Chapel of Love?"

"What?" Chuck asked while Sarah suddenly looked thoughtful.

"I noticed that incredibly beautiful engagement ring on Agent Walker's finger and found myself hoping that you were the one who placed it there, Charles."

"Yes…yes he was" Sarah said with a smile, "but I don't think Elvis was part of the plan…was he?" Sarah wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled herself in tight, waiting for his answer which she suddenly wanted to hear.

"No…I can honestly say that I hadn't planned on having Elvis…or anyone, for that matter, marry us tonight."

The elevator doors opened and they all entered, pushing the button for the lobby.

"Well then, why don't you let me purchase your dinner and a bottle of Dom as a way of saying , 'congratulations'?"

Sarah glanced at Chuck before answering for both of them. "Thanks for the kind offer but my fiancé and I are joining some friends. Maybe some other time?"

Of course, agent. I will be sending over a bottle of Dom for all of you to share. Hope that is alright?"

Before either of them could answer, Roan's phone began to ring. Pulling it from his pocket, he looked down at the display and smiled. "Hello Diane…how are you this fine evening? Really? Well, I'm sorry to hear that…really?...how interesting…well, do to a fabulous coincidence…I'll be able to fulfill your request, right now.." he said as he handed his phone to Sarah. "It seems that the general wishes to speak to you."

Sarah took the offered phone from Roan's hand and held it to her ear, a look of confusion on her face. "Yes ma'am?...I'm here on vacation…yes, he is but I'm sire he doesn't wish to speak to you…hold on, I'll ask…no ma'am, he doesn't…I'll remind you again, I'm still on leave and if you have any problems with that you can speak to the director…yes ma'am, you as well." Sarah finished and handed the phone back just as the elevator doors opened.

"C'mon Chuck, let's go find Casey and Ginger…have a nice evening, Roan" Sarah said as she grabbed Chuck's hand and started dragging him towards the dining room, obviously upset by something the General had said.

"Good evening Charles…Miss Walker. Once again, congratulations. Please be sure to send an invitation once you have decided when and where the nuptials will take place."

Thanks Roan, we will." He said over his shoulder, struggling to keep up with his girlfriend. 'Fiancé' he reminded himself, still not sure how that had happened but thrilled that Sarah seemed to be so happy with the development. He hadn't even realized that the ring was an engagement ring and Sarah's acceptance of his 'proposal' had left him breathless…and in a state of shock!

Letting himself be lead into the restaurant, he debated the merits of telling her that he hadn't really planned on asking her to marry him. Besides the very real possibility of physical damage…to him, he just could bring himself to say anything that might cause her to doubt his feeling for her and canceling a 'proposal' might just do that. He was still shocked that kick-ass spy, Sarah Walker would ever want to get married…let alone, get married to him and he knew that he wasn't about to pass on this huge piece of good fortune that had landed in his lap. No, he'd be quite happy to keep this particular secret, forever if he had to. Plus, she was the one who volunteered to tell Ellie the news and that…well, that was huge.

"Chuck…earth to Chuck…there's Ginger and Casey. I realize that you're still struggling to come to grips with your incredible good luck" she said with a huge grin, "but I haven't changed my mind. Face it tiger…you're stuck with me!"

Chuck smiled, thinking about how close his girlf…fiancé had come to uttering a classic Spiderman line. Planting a foot, he pulled a very surprised Sarah Walker into a glaring PDA…right in the middle of the restaurant he kissed her like his life depended on it and then broke the kiss, to the sound of scattered applause.

"Why Mr. Bartowski…feel free to that as often as you want" she said as she resumed pulling him towards the table that Ginger and Casey had chosen. "Hey guys…sorry that it took so long, we ran into an old friend in the elevator."

"Oh really…who?" Casey asked.

"Roan" Chuck answered with a smirk.

"Well, isn't that craptastic" Casey responded, obviously less than thrilled by the news.

"Yeah…but at least he promised to send us a bottle of Dom" Sarah said as she took the chair that Chuck had pulled out for her.

"Score!...uh, who's Roan?"

"Uh…we worked with him…once" Chuck answered as he slid into a chair after making sure that Sarah was seated. "Did you guys order yet? No? Alright…well let's see what looks good."

A few minutes later, a bottle of Dom was delivered to their table and the waiter poured a glass for everyone. Casey surprised everyone by making a toast to Chuck and Sarah, wishing them good luck and adding that he hoped that 'Bartowski' would get to wear the pants at least half of the time. The toast earned him a glare from Sarah, who had her hand hovering around her steak knife, and a punch to the shoulder from Ginger.

"Thanks, Casey…that really means a lot." Chuck replied with a smile, knowing that Casey didn't hate him as much as he pretended to. "So, guys, what are we gonna do after dessert?"

"Well, I know what my fiancé and I will be doing later" Sarah offered, giving Chuck a look that left no doubt about what he would be doing later that night. "You guys wanna hit the tables for a few hours?"

"Yeah" Ginger said, "so john, blackjack or pool?"

"No pool!" Casey grunted.

'What's wrong John? Scared?" Ginger teased, obviously having fun reminding him of his earlier beating.

"No…I just know what I'm wagering on a blackjack table…"

"C'mon everyone…blackjack it is." Chuck announced, standing up from the table. "We'll have to decide what we're doing tomorrow afternoon. I've got an upgrade to do in the morning But I'll be free after one."

"I think Ginger and I are going shopping and then…"

"Sorry Sarah, no shopping for me. John and I are going to the spa for facials and mani/pedi's…"

"What?" Chuck asked, not sure if he had heard correctly.

"Well…let's just say that John isn't as good on a pool table as you are" Ginger offered as an explanation while Casey just looked away.

"Maybe we can meet at the pool after?" Sarah offered.

"Sounds good…how about you, John?"

"Sorry, no! I think I'll go down to this dealership Bartowski's working at and take a look at the bikes."

"John…are you saying that you don't want to ride bitch with me anymore?" Ginger asked with a mock pout. "First Chuck, now you…I just can't seem to keep my bitches…" Chuck and Sarah were trying, with little success, to not laugh while Casey had the look on his face of a dog that had been shown a card trick. "It's ok…'B2'…I'll get over it…eventually" she promised with a fake sniffle which pushed them past the limits of their laughter control.

After making their way to the casino, the group found a table and sat down. A few minutes later, Sarah decided that Chuck's lap looked more comfortable than her chair and promptly moved which earned her a frown from the dealer. Ginger, having taken note of Sarah's change in seating, looked over at Casey.

"Oh no! Not gonna happen!"

Sarah looked at ginger with mischief in her eyes. "Hey Casey…why don't you offer to show her your new tattoo?"

"WALKER!" he growled.

"Yeah Casey" Chuck jumped in, "maybe you can show her tomorrow…at the spa…or I could just send her the picture" he added, pulling his phone from his pocket and waving it at him.

"BARTOWSKI!"

"What tattoo? Let me see." Ginger said as she reached for Chuck's phone.

Casey suddenly got to his feet and picked up his chips. "Have your fun…I'm gonna go find a nice quiet game of Texas hold'em. I'll see you in the morning" he said, looking at Ginger, "A bet is a bet and I always make good on my bets" he finished before turning around and stalking away.

"What was that all about?" she asked , turning to Sarah and Chuck who both looked shocked.

"I'm not sure" Chuck said, clearly puzzled. He was putting his phone away when Ginger stood up and grabbed her chips.

"Well, guys…if you don't mind, I think I'm going to go and find out. I like john and I just hope I didn't do anything to piss him off. I'll see you guys later, ok?"

"Yeah…sure. Night." Chuck said as Sarah got up and gave her a hug.

"We'll talk tomorrow…promise" Sarah stated before releasing the hug and returning to her spot on Chuck's lap. Watching Ginger leave, Sarah wondered aloud what had upset Casey and Chuck shrugged his shoulders, unsure what to make of the situation. "Maybe you can talk to him tomorrow?"

"Yeah…of course."

-00—0—00—0—

Almost two hours later, Chuck found himself up by almost thirty-four hundred dollars and a quick glance at Sarah's chips showed that she was up by almost twenty-two hundred. Stifling a yawn, he felt Sarah lean in and nuzzle his neck and whispered into his ear. "Hey, let's go upstairs…I want to find out if fiancé sex is better that boyfriend sex." She followed the suggestion with a nip to his ear and suddenly Chuck no longer wanted to play blackjack.

"Let's cash out, then we'll go upstairs and try to answer that question, Miss Walker."

-00—00-0-0-0

Chuck and Sarah were enjoying some breakfast that had been delivered by room service when the door slammed open and Casey stumbled in with Ginger riding piggyback.

"Guess what guys…you know what, never mind…you'll never get it! John got into a Texas hold'em game and we won over two hundred…thousand dollars!"

"We? Casey asked with a smile as Chuck and Sarah struggled to keep from choking on their breakfast.

"Well…I helped, didn't I?" Ginger asked as she slid down from her perch.

"Yes…I can honestly say that I couldn't have done it without you. What's the matter Bartowski…Walker, cat got your tongues?"

"Casey…" Chuck started, "what happened…how…what…?"

"After I left the table last night, I went to find quiet game. About ten minutes after I sat down at this table, this one comes over and sits down behind me. The next hand, I had the cards but not enough to stay in so she put her bike up as a marker…and the rest, as they say, is history." Casey finished, clearly out of breath.

"That's amazing. What are you gonna do with all that money?" Sarah asked, even though she was more curious about the way that Ginger kept looking at Casey.

"Well…I'm seriously considering getting a bike and after that, who knows. I'm definitely gonna enjoy the rest of my leave." He finished by pulling Ginger into a big hug and a light peck on the cheek. He then headed towards the adjoining suite. "I'm gonna take a shower…I've got to go 'spa-ing' this morning with the good luck charm."

Ginger smiled as she watched him leave and then turned to find them both staring at her. "What?"