It only took them less than half a day to find an American unit. They needed to get in touch with their superiors across the channel in London, to report on what they'd learned and what had transpired in Paris.

"Americans!" Chuck called out when he was within earshot of the closest soldier. "OSS agents! We need to speak to your commanding officer, private."

The private just nodded and ran off. He returned minutes later with a Lieutenant that Chuck swore couldn't have been a day over 20.

"Lieutenant Matthew Simpson," he stuck out his hand to Chuck.

"Agent Chuck Bartowski," Chuck shook his hand.

Simpson turned to Sarah, smiling expectantly.

"Agent Sarah Bartowski. Chuck's partner and wife."

"Husband and wife, huh?" Simpson laughed. "That's a new one."

"We need to contact headquarters," Chuck explained. "Do you have a radio?"

"Right this way, agents."

They were ordered to immediately return to Normandy and hop the first transport ship back to England. They were to be de-briefed in person in London.

They found a ride with a convoy of ambulances headed back North. Not wanting to hinder the work of the doctors and nurses, they rode in one of the Jeeps protecting the convoy. Soon, they'd passed through the front lines again. The lines were becoming more and more blurred as the Allies pushed their way into France, the Germans desperately trying to put up a defense while being forced to retreat.

Before they knew it, they were on a ship, heading back across the English Channel. They were obviously going against the flow of traffic as they watched a seemingly endless stream of ships heading towards France and the battle. Troops, tanks, ammunition, supplies, and everything else needed to stop the Germans. It made both of them feel like a small cog in a much larger machine, a machine designed to deal death and wage war. It made them uneasy.

London was gray, even though it was almost mid-June. Chuck and Sarah had a quick opportunity to clean themselves up and get dressed before their briefing. Chuck came out of the bathroom in their hotel room wearing his full dress uniform. His rank and medals were on full display. The 'Ranger' tabs on his shoulders indicated he was elite. She had no idea he even had medals. It's not something he would have bragged about, she quickly understood that. But there they were, proof that he was every inch the soldier she knew he was.

"This thing always itches," he muttered, tugging at the collar. Looking up, he saw Sarah rooted to one spot, just staring at him slack-jawed. "What?"

"I've never seen you in uniform," she almost whispered after a moment.

He grinned, straightening up and smoothing out the front of his uniform.

"Do you like it, Mrs. Bartowski?"

She just nodded vigorously.

"Well I quite like what you're wearing," he admitted, admiring her tasteful skirt and blouse. Professional but still gorgeous, he thought. "You look beautiful, Sarah."

"Thank you," she smiled, reaching up to brush away lint only she saw from his shoulder before leaning up and giving him a kiss. "C'mon, we can't be late for Ike."

"Yes, ma'am," he correctly responded, letting her tug him out of the room.

A short cab ride later found them at the Allied Supreme Headquarters in London.

"Captain Bartowski, Agent Walker," a Sergeant called out as soon as they got out of the cab. "Please, follow me."

The Sergeant led them into and through the building before stopping before a door. Knocking on it, he waited for permission before entering, motioning Chuck and Sarah through.

Inside, General Eisenhower was seated behind a large desk. Sitting next to him was who Sarah recognized as the head of OSS, her boss, Director Stevens.

Chuck immediately snapped to attention, saluting the General.

"Welcome back, Captain Bartowski," Ike smiled as he returned the salute. "Pleasure to meet you, Agent Walker. Please, both of you, take a seat." He motioned to two seats in front of them, and Chuck waited until Sarah sat before he did.

"Thank you, General," Sarah replied. "Good afternoon, Director."

"Agent Walker," he nodded. "Good job in France. From what I can see, you and Captain, or rather Agent now, Bartowski were able to accomplish quite a lot."

"Yes sir," Sarah nodded, all business. "We had a few...setbacks, but we adapted."

"You did exactly what we trained you to do," Stevens assured. "Agent Bartowski, how is your transition to OSS?"

"It's going as well as can be expected," Chuck answered. "I have a great partner. If I don't know what to do, I just follow her lead. She's always right."

Sarah held in her grin at that.

"You both were in country for weeks," Ike continued. "Behind enemy lines. After you called in, we decided to extract you back here. Now, what did you learn in Paris?"

Chuck broke out the map he'd carried since Paris, spreading it out on the desk. He and Sarah pointed out everything they and Carina had learned, all the German positions they knew about in and around the city.

They gave a detailed report of their capture, leaving out their wedding for the time being, and Chuck's subsequent escape and rescue of them.

"From what I can remember," Sarah began tracing the map with her finger, "this is where we must have been held by the Gestapo." She pointed to a building on the map, Chuck circling it in red. "We left at least one of them dead when we escaped."

"Well done Agents," Ike sat back in his chair.

"What's next, sir?" Chuck asked.

"You two have earned some rest and relaxation," came the General's reply. "Take a week, then report back for your next mission. Now, is there anything else?"

Chuck and Sarah turned to look at each other at the same time, making the decision unanimously.

Sarah decided to take the lead. She knew that Chuck still probably had whiplash. They'd only been married now for less than 72 hours. What better way could she possibly prove her love to him than by declaring it to General Eisenhower and the Director of the OSS?

"Actually, yes," Sarah spoke up. Everyone's attention turned to her. "While we were in France, Agent Bartowski and I, well, you see..." She suddenly found herself at a loss for words. She looked down at her hands, but that didn't help.

Then she turned to look at Chuck, who was already looking at her. The love in his eyes gave her the strength she needed. Smiling now, she turned back to the General and Director.

"Agent Bartowski and I were married in Paris two days ago," she declared.

"Did you say married, Agent Walker?" Stevens asked after a minute of silence.

"Yes, sir," Sarah replied immediately. "Sir, I realize this is unorthodox, and it might cost me my career, but these are the facts."

"Director," Ike cut in. "A word?"

Ike and Stevens turned away from them to consult in low voices.

Sarah instinctively reached out for Chuck's hand and he grasped it, interlacing their fingers. They turned to look at one another again, having another silent conversation.

"Everything's going to be okay," Chuck said.

"I know," Sarah agreed. "I love you."

"I love you too."

After a couple minutes, the General and the Director turned back to them.

"Agents," Ike began, and Sarah could swear she saw a hint of a smile on his face. "You have been one of our most successful field teams in this operation. Now that we understand the full story, I am beginning to see why you make such a great team. Having said that, I have the upmost faith that both of you will remain professional and do your jobs while on mission."

"Yes, sir," Chuck and Sarah answered in unison.

"Enjoy your week off," Ike was smiling now. "If I may be so bold, I recommend Scotland."

"Thank you, General," Sarah returned his easy smile. "Director, I have one request, if that's appropriate."

"Proceed, Agent Walker."

"We have our marriage contract with us," Sarah said. "I want to do all the necessary paperwork with the Office, make everything legal. No offense, sir, but that's the last time I want to be called Agent Walker."

"Very well," Director Stephens replied, pausing for just a moment, "Agent Bartowski. Stop by my office before you depart the city."

They decided to take up Ike on his suggestion, and took a train to Scotland. First, they stopped by the OSS office in London, signing all the paperwork Sarah had requested. She legally changed her name, they were recognized by the OSS as active married partners (the first in OSS history, or so they were told), and she signed the proper papers to make Chuck the benefactor of her death benefits. Chuck did the same, making sure Sarah was the one who would receive due compensation, as his spouse, from both the Army and OSS if he died in the line of duty. It was actually quite somber, but they weren't about to let it dampen their mood.

They were about to get a honeymoon, courtesy of General Eisenhower.

Chuck found a small hotel in an even smaller town just outside of St. Andrews, on the East Coast of Scotland.

Sarah quickly found she was having the time of her life. Up until now, their entire relationship had been behind enemy lines. They were never one hundred percent safe. There was always a cover to maintain in public, and they both had to be on guard all the time.

Not anymore. Without a cover to protect, Sarah could finally act exactly how she wanted. Of course, this translated to her being almost too clingy with Chuck, never wanting him out of her sight or even out of her grasp. Chuck, of course, didn't look this gift horse in the mouth. His incredible wife wanted to be near him all the time, who was he to object?

She also found herself ecstatic she didn't have to hide her name anymore. Walker had been assigned to her by OSS. It meant nothing to her, except maybe for the reputation that came with it. She didn't care about that, not anymore. Now, she was more than eager to introduce herself to anyone and everyone as either "Mrs. Bartowski" or "Mrs. Chuck Bartowski", grinning like a schoolgirl every single time.

"Why are you awake?" Chuck's whispered voice broke Sarah's thoughts. They were lying in bed, naked, after having made love repeatedly. She couldn't get enough of him, and he of her.

"You wanna go again?" She answered with her own question, smirking up at him from where her head lied on his chest.

"Maybe in a bit," he yawned.

"I thought Rangers were supposed to be tough," she teased. "Don't tell me I wore you out already, Captain."

He didn't answer her, not with words anyway. Grabbing her hips, he flipped her over onto her back, hovering over her, his faces inches from hers.

Sarah just grinned up at him saucily, locking her ankles onto the back of his thighs.

"Better?" Chuck grinned back down at her.

"Mmmhmm," she nodded, biting her bottom lip, driving him crazy as usual.

The next time they woke up, it was light out again. Sarah crawled out of bed reluctantly, dressed, and headed downstairs to try and rustle up something to eat. When she came back, arms full of a tray of food, she found Chuck awake and sitting up in bed.

"There you are," he smiled when she entered the bedroom. "And with food. That looks great, baby."

"I didn't cook it," Sarah grinned. "But I'll take the credit, thanks."

"I'll take it," he reached out and she gratefully handed it over. She began to crawl back into bed when Chuck's look stopped her. "You're wearing far too many clothes for this bed," he smiled.

Sarah couldn't help but laugh as she stood up off the bed, quickly shedding the blouse and pants she'd just put on minutes earlier. Now she stood before him in just her black bra and panties.

At Chuck's questioning look, she motioned to her underwear.

"This is your dessert, Chuck," she explained. "You can unwrap it after you eat."

He just smiled as she got back into bed and they enjoyed the food together.

"What do you think our next mission will be?" Chuck asked.

Sarah just shrugged.

"No idea," she admitted. "Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course you can."

"I almost wanted to quit today," she blurted out.

"Sarah," he began, but she cut him off.

"Let me explain. I know what you're going to do. You're going to interpret this as me wanting to quit my job for you. Then you're going to take that blame and that guilt. Tell me I'm wrong."

Chuck just stared at her. That was enough of an answer.

"Exactly," she nodded. "I'm not going to lie. You are a huge influence on why I don't want to do this anymore. But it's also for me. I don't want to die in some foreign country, in some ditch somewhere. I want to die in your arms, preferably a few dozens of years down the line. I want a chance to have the life that you see for us, the life that I can now see. Yes, you have a lot to do with it, but it's still my decision and my career."

Chuck could see she wasn't finished yet, so he remained silent.

"I honestly thought I'd die in Europe, in the war," she continued softly. His heart broke for her. "Then you walked into that little cafe. Through you, I began to hope. Hope for a future, with you. Hope for a life after all this darkness."

"Are you sure, Sarah?"

"I married you, didn't I?" She joked, Chuck ecstatic to see the smile on her face.

"Yes, and I still can't quite believe it."

"Don't you dare start on the whole 'I don't deserve you' horseshit, Chuck," she warned. "This is our honeymoon. We're supposed to be happy."

"I'm happier than I've ever been, right here, right now," he told her honestly.

"Me too," she assured him. "But why don't we try and see if we can both get even happier?"

Their week in Scotland went by too fast. They spent most of it in bed, exploring each other and the depths of their love. They took long walks, sometimes talking for hours, and sometimes just relishing being with each other in comfortable silence.

Sarah found that her fears before marrying Chuck were unfounded – neither of them had ever been married, but it didn't matter. Chuck was right – as long as the love was there, they'd be just fine. And their love was there, in spades. Every time he looked at her, love pouring out of every fiber of his being, she found herself falling deeper and deeper for him. She was determined to be everything he deserved – a loving, faithful wife and a devoted, trusting partner.

She told him more about her life growing up – how difficult it had been being dirt poor in a city like New York. How she'd had to lie, cheat and steal just to put food on the table. How ashamed she was at who she'd been. She was worried he'd see her in a different light, realize somehow that the woman he thought he'd married wasn't actually the woman he was getting as his wife.

It took all of a second for Chuck to burst that bubble.

He'd listened patiently to everything she said, and when she was finished, she'd looked up at him, worry on her face. He just smiled and kissed her, telling her all it did was make him love her more. She had done what was necessary to survive – and he was proud of her. Proud of the woman, the agent, the person she'd become. She chided herself for ever doubting him.

When their week of bliss regrettably came to an end, they found themselves back in London, sitting again in front of Eisenhower and Stevens.

"Agents," Stevens nodded. "I trust that your week off was pleasant?"

Sarah held in the blush she felt creeping up her neck. Thankfully, Chuck answered for both of them.

"Yes sir, very much so. Thank you for recommending Scotland, General. It was incredibly beautiful."

"Glad to hear it," Ike smiled. "Now, we have something important to discuss with you. We have your next mission."

Chuck and Sarah sat up straight, both going into their professional modes.

"General Montgomery is convinced we can use Holland as a backdoor to get into Germany," Ike explained. Chuck and Sarah knew who Montgomery, or Monty as he was known to soldiers, was. He was the commanding General of all the British forces, and the D-Day operation had been his baby.

"Are we invading Holland, General?" Sarah asked.

"Looks that way," Ike nodded sagely. "How would you two feel about jumping in before and gathering intel, just like before D-Day?"

They glanced at each other, but both of them already knew their answers.

"Whatever you need us to do," Sarah replied, "you can count on us."

"We have no doubts about that, Agent Bartowski," the General told her.

"Report to OSS at 0800 tomorrow," Stevens added. "You'll be briefed and get your gear."

"Yes sir," Chuck and Sarah replied in unison.

"Dismissed," Ike said.

They stood and Chuck saluted Eisenhower again. Once they left the office, Sarah grasped onto Chuck's hand as they walked back outside.

"So, when was the last time you jumped out of a plane honey?" Chuck asked with a grin.

"Not since training," she admitted. "But I'm not worried. I have my husband to help me, and he happens to be a decorated Ranger, OSS Agent, and the smartest man I know.

"Well it looks like we have one last night before we're back in this war," Chuck almost lamented. "I propose taking my wife out to a nice dinner."

"Agreed," Sarah nodded with a smile. "After dinner, Captain, your wife will be taken to bed, correct?"

"Like I could say no," Chuck mumbled, and Sarah kissed him on the cheek.

"C'mon," she tugged on his hand. "I'm hungry. And not just for food."

A/N: Phew. Okay, so now they're invading Holland. I'm trying to actually follow the history of what happened after D-Day, although I am condensing the timeline for purposes of this story. We really did try to invade Holland using paratroopers, and it really was Montgomery's idea. Now, we get to see our heroes be the tip of the spear, again, as they go into combat.

This story has been incredibly fun to write. I was a history major in college, and American military history was always my favorite to study, especially WWII. I hope some of my love for this subject is coming across in my writing.

I'm still on lockdown (the entire country of Israel is, actually. I got questioned by three separate security officials on my way to the grocery store this morning). Hopefully that means I'll have some more time to write. I might even be tempted to revisit some of my other Chuck stories, like 'Versus the Road' that remain unfinished.

Please drop me a review if you enjoyed this. I definitely think there's enough people still reading it for me to continue, but it's still nice to hear your work is appreciated, so thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed and everyone who will.

Have a great day, and wash your hands!