The drive to the airport was a relatively short 15-minute drive. By the time the team had cleared security in the private terminal and been escorted out to their plane, the pilots had already completed their walk-around, started up the auxiliary power unit, and had the heater on the plane already running so that the cabin was at a comfortable temperature by the time they were on board. The pilots greeted the team as they boarded and closed the door while they all waited for the ground crew loaded up their luggage. Soon the captain was confirming with the first officer that the fuel weight was within the parameters for weight and balance before calling his order in for fuel. Less than 20 minutes later the captain is given the thumbs up that the fuelers are done, with the tower approving their flight plan, and given the go-ahead to taxi to the line, they are ready to take off.
Casey nodded off not too long after they reached altitude, so Chuck and Sarah made their way to the stateroom at the aft of the aircraft to have their fun without being harassed by the elder member of their team. They awoke, sated, in each other's arms about 45 minutes before arrival in Debrecen and quickly dressed. Casey gave them a knowing look, but said nothing as the young couple made their way to the galley to grab a quick lunch of premade sandwiches and bottled water before joining their partner, who was finishing up his own meal, to run over the set up one last time before arriving in Hungary.
They had just tossed their debris in the trash when the captain announced they were beginning their decent into Debrecen and that they needed to take their seats in preparation for arrival. The flight time in total from the time they blocked out in Paris to the time the chalks were placed in Debrecen, was just under two and a half hours. As they had before, they cleared customs with their carry-ons as the rest of their luggage was sent through customs and to the baggage claim area of the customs office. Once the pilots made sure the team had both their numbers, they confirmed they would not be needed for a few days at the least, after which the team would check in with them daily to update their departure date.
The team had reservations at the Belga Boutique Hotel where, according to their intel, the wedding party as well as the majority of the guests would be staying. The pilots were put up in a hotel not too far off which boasted a spa which the first officer had already informed them she planned to take full advantage of. A statement that made the captain roll his eyes until she enticed him with the idea of a private couples' massage on their wedding anniversary which, incidentally, was the next night.
Two CIA-owned SUVs met them outside in the passenger pickup area, but a distance apart, each with a CIA agent dressed as a chauffeur and holding a sign, one with the last name of the pilots, and one with the name 'Carmichael' written across in blocky script.
"Showtime," Chuck hummed in Sarah's ear as he wrapped his right arm around her waist and guiding them to the SUV that awaited them while Casey followed a few feet behind pushing a baggage trolley piled up with their suitcases. After exchanging handshakes with their 'driver' Sarah and Chuck slid into the back seat while Casey and their Driver, a man who identified himself as Joel Newsom, loaded up the luggage before taking their seats up front. As they drove, Chuck pulled a small blue velveteen box from his pocket. "Jenny," He caught her attention, opening the box to reveal a beautiful, cushion-cut solitaire in a halo setting with diamonds inlaid into the platinum bands of both the wedding and engagement rings, the stones winking and shimmering in the early afternoon light.
"Those are beautiful," Sarah whispered, awed at the beauty of the set.
"May I?" Chuck offered, lifting the rings from the box. Sarah said not a word, holding out her left hand as he slipped the wedding ring onto the ring finger of her left hand, his eyes never leaving hers. He repeated the process with the engagement ring before cradling her fingers in his hand as he lifted her hand to press a soft kiss on the knuckle against which the wedding set now rested. The couple shared a warm smile before Chuck closed the blue box and removed a smaller black box from his pocket, lifting the lid to reveal a wedding ring in a thicker style that is common for men's rings. It was a platinum band with seven channel set diamonds along the top of the band. Lifting the ring from its box, he moved to slip it on to his left hand when Sarah stopped him, plucking the ring from his fingers.
"May I?" She echoed him, slipping the ring over his finger until it rested, securely, at the base of his ring finger. She then took his left hand in her own hands, right hand below and left hand atop his, their matching rings shimmering in the cold winter's light. The sight of the rings on their fingers looking right in a way that made her hope to see a similar sight one day, but perhaps with a set that was more her style. The set was lovely, but a bit too opulent for her liking.
They barely resisted the temptation to make out in the back seat, not wanting to make their driver uncomfortable. If it had been only them and Casey, all bets would have been off. The SUV soon turned off the roadway and into the curved drive of the hotel where a bellman met them, opening their doors and offering a hand to Sarah as she and the men stepped out and waited for the bellman to unload their baggage and stack it on his cart.
The bellman followed them inside and waited patiently as Chuck and Casey checked into their rooms. Casey's was on a lower floor so his luggage was dropped first before the bellman followed the younger couple up to their room and waited until Chuck had scooped up a giggling Sarah up in his arms and carried her over the threshold to unload the bags into the closet and dresser provided in the suite. After Chuck made sure to tip the bellman well and thank him, he closed the door behind the uniformed hotel employee and turned back to Sarah who stood, leaned against the bedroom door, smiling at him.
"Well Mrs. Carmichael," Chuck gave her a sly grin, "Care to make this place our own?"
"I don't know, Mr. Carmichael," Sarah teased back, "What exactly did you have in mind."
"Oh, a great many things," Chuck growled low in his throat as he stepped over to stand in front of him, eyes sparkling mischievously as he leaned down to hover over her trapping her between his body and the door frame. She closed her eyes and felt his warm breath brush over her cheeks, rippling her lashes enough to tickle her which brought a bright blush to her face. When her eyes opened, she was looking straight into the warm, fathomless hazel eyes of her boyfriend and partner.
Chuck took the slight blush that rose to Sarah's cheeks as a sign to continue as he lowered his head closer to hers and pressed a soft kiss which was soon comfortably progressing further. An hour later, they were relaxing in their suite's lush bed, enjoying the brief respite before getting into the mission. The hotel had a social hour every evening that they were planning to attend in hopes that they might spot Federov or one of his associates.
"We probably should start getting ready to head downstairs," Chuck sighed, his hand drawing lazy circles on his girlfriend's bare shoulder.
"I don't want to," Sarah sighed, nuzzling into his chest, "I'm too comfortable."
"I am too," He pressed a kiss to her forehead, "But I think we both know if we don't head down soon, Casey will come looking for us."
"I hate Casey," Sarah moaned.
"No, you don't," He chuckled, "How about this? We shower together, you can slip into something temptingly sexy before we head downstairs. I'll let you ply me with booze until I agree to let you drag me back upstairs to have your way with me."
"Fine," Sarah groaned, pushing up and out of his arms, "But for the record, you play dirty, Mr. Carmichael."
"Never," He mock scoffed, "I'm just a man who knows how to do what he needs to and how to get what he wants, Mrs. Carmichael."
Sarah rolled her eyes as she slipped out of the bed and sauntered her way, naked, over to the ensuite bathroom, "Are you coming?"
"Now who's fighting dirty?" Chuck snickered, hopping out bed and chasing her into the bathroom their laughter soon blended with the sound of the shower and the sighs they elicited from each other echoing off the tile of the luxurious bathroom.
Nearly an hour later, a knock sounded on their door. Chuck buttoned the last few buttons of his dress shirt as he ambled over to the living area of the suite, making sure to close the bedroom door behind him, knowing Sarah was still doing her hair and makeup and wasn't decent quite yet.
"It's about time you answered," Casey grunted when Chuck opened the door and invited him in. "Need I remind you that this is not a vacation and we have actual work to do here?"
"Casey, we have traveled halfway around the world," Chuck reminded him, gesturing for the older man to take a seat in an armchair while he took a seat on the divan, "We thought we should get some rest while we could to try to avoid jet lag."
"Whatever," Casey grunted, "While you and Walker were playing fill the palacsinta, I was on the line with Beckman. Seems we aren't the only one using this joyous occasion to do a little spy work. In addition to Ilsa, there is a MI-6 team as well."
"Are we to make contact with them?" Sarah asked, exiting the bedroom, her hair in a stylish updo, wearing a short, midnight blue, cocktail dress and a pair of silver pumps and fastening a pair of diamond drop earrings to her ears.
"Yes," Casey rolled his eyes, "According to Beckman we have to play nice with the limeys. It's a man and woman team undercover as a couple… where have we heard that before?"
Sarah and Chuck rolled their eyes at Casey, "Do we have aliases or a way to identify them?" Sarah inquired, taking a seat next to Chuck.
"No," Casey shook his head, "But there's a chance that your boytoy's CPU might ping on 'em."
"Hey, I resemble that remark," Chuck feigned protest.
"To which? You being my boytoy or that you are part of the Borg?" Sarah arched an eyebrow at her boyfriend.
"Both," Chuck shrugged, "I mean, I had no choice; resistance was futile."
"If I wanted to hear cutesy banter, I would have stayed in Cali with my daughter and her idiot hobbit of a boyfriend." Casey groused. "I'm going to try to make contact with Ilsa; see if she has any information we can use to turn Federov. You two be on the lookout for his cronies and the limeys."
"Gotcha," Chuck nodded.
"We can share our findings over breakfast," Sarah added, "Casey, why don't you head on down now and Chuck and I will follow shortly."
Casey grunted his agreement and took his leave from the suite to let Chuck and Sarah finish getting ready for the night. Since it was supposed to be somewhat casual, Chuck had opted to wear a medium grey suit with a pale dress shirt with the feintest hint of a lilac hue and no tie. He fastened his watch communicator to his wrist and helped Sarah on with her own bracelet communicator before pulling out the earwigs handing one to Sarah and claiming the other for himself. Once he was sure they were working correctly, he checked his pockets for his wallet with his cover ID and credit cards and key card before slipping on his suit jacket and helping Sarah on with her wrap. Within minutes they were ready to head down to the lounge.
"In case I forgot to say so, you look beautiful tonight, Jenny," He whispered in her free ear as the car descended.
"Thank you," She gave him a warm smile as she turned to straighten his lapels and make sure his shirt was not wrinkled, her rings glimmering in the low light of the car. "You look pretty dapper yourself, Charlie."
"You ready to do this?" He asked, capturing her hands against his chest from where they were still smoothing the non-existent wrinkles out his shirt; an obvious ploy to have an excuse for her to touch him.
"As I'll ever be," She gave him a quick peck on his lips and wiped away the bit of lipstick that transferred at the contact with her fingers as the elevator doors slid open. Chuck offered his arm to hers and she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, allowing him to lead her to the evening's social event.
The lounge was buzzing with activity by the time they entered, many were seated at the various tables, high-tops, and booths throughout the social space, with a few people leaning against the bar speaking to the bartenders who were quickly mixing and distributing drinks for the waitstaff and patrons alike. Chuck and Sarah didn't see Casey when they entered and made their way to the bar, casually looking about as if in search of an available table.
"Care for a drink?" Chuck nodded toward a newly vacated stool at the bar.
"I would love one," Sarah smiled up at her boyfriend who deftly maneuvered them through the crowd to the bar, assisting her onto the stool before catching the bartender's attention, ordering a white wine for Sarah and a whiskey neat for himself.
A few minutes later, Casey's presence was announced over their earwigs, "So many Russians…"
"What did you expect, big guy?" Chuck scratched his cheek as he spoke under his breath into his wrist com. He handed Sarah her drink and lifted his glass to his lips to cover his next point. "And isn't that a little like the pot calling the kettle black? Your mother's maiden name is Stepanova."
"You leave my mother out of this," Casey growled back.
"Boys, focus," Sarah chided them, slight amusement coloring her voice. "Have either of you spotted our contacts?"
"Not yet," Casey reported.
Chuck scanned the room once more catching sight of a man who looked to be in his mid-30's with short dark hair and a bit of scruff, leaned over whispering in the ear of a woman in her late 20's with shoulder length brunette hair who was smiling as if he said something amusing. Chuck leaned over as if he were whispering flirty little nothings in her ear to hide both the fact he was flashing and his report, which he made thanks to Sarah placing her hand on his cheek, allowing him to communicate via her bracelet com that he had spotted the MI-6 team.
"Well what are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?" Casey challenged over his coms, "Get over there and make contact."
"Give him a moment, Casey," Sarah huffed under her breath, "It looked like it was a big one."
"I'm good," Chuck nodded after a moment, and gave Sarah a warm smile, offering his arm to her, "Shall we go see if we can't make some new friends?"
Sarah nodded and linked her arm through his as he guided her through the throng of people to the booth where the MI6 team was seated.
"Excuse us," Chuck addressed the couple in Hungarian and gave them a charming smile, "But would you mind if my wife and I joined you? The lounge is so full, we can't seem to find any other seating, and since you two are the only ones here who are remotely our age…"
"Of course," The man returned with a dashing grin of his own, "Please, we could use the company."
"Thank you," Chuck nodded, taking Sarah's wine glass so she could slide into the booth then handing both glasses to her so he could do the same.
"Hello Cole," Sarah gave the British man a humored smile.
"Agent Walker," Cole let out a wry laugh then spared a look toward Chuck, "And you are?"
"Charles Carmichael," Chuck offered his hand across the table, "It's a pleasure to meet you Agent Barker, I've heard nothing but good things."
"Interesting," Cole shook his hand, "I've heard nothing of you."
"He's new to the company," Sarah gave Chuck a secretive smile, "But you probably know him better as Piranha."
The eyes of the British agents widened in recognition, "How? I thought he was untraceable!"
"Still am," Chuck grinned proudly, "A friend of mine got me back in contact with Jenny."
"Jenny?" Cole arched an eyebrow.
"Jenny Carmichael," Sarah stated as means of explanation.
"Ah, so your cover is as a married couple," Cole nodded understandingly, "But I still don't know why a hacker is needed on your mission. Which is what, by the way?"
"Locate Victor Federov and see if we can't get him to roll over on some of his associates," Sarah provided
"Ah, now I see why a hacker might come in handy," Cole smirked, "If he won't talk, Piranha here will do a deep dive on him."
"Pretty much, yeah," Chuck took a sip from his whiskey.
"And what are the two of you here for?" Sarah looked between Cole and his partner.
"Believe it or not," Cole chuckled and sent a loving look to the woman seated beside him, "We're getting married. I was sent undercover to investigate a particular Russian businessman. All I was told was that there was already someone on the inside. I never imagined my assignment would come to this."
"They're making you get married?" Chuck gave them a puzzled look.
"No," The woman shook her head with a gentle smile, "Neither the ministry nor the man we are investigating is requiring this of us."
"I never thought I'd ever have cause to say these words and truly mean it," Cole grinned, "But I love Vivian dearly and want to be her husband in the fullest extent of the word."
"That is surprising," Sarah smiled, "I never thought I would live to see the day that Cole Barker actually fell in love."
"Congratulations, you two," Chuck raised his glass in toast to them, "To Cole Barker and Vivian… I'm sorry I didn't catch your last name."
"McArthur is my surname," Vivian provided, "Well, McArthur-Winterbottom, but that's a bit of a mouthful, my cover name is…"
"Vivian Volkoff…" Chuck murmured as he flashed, earning him concerned looks from the others at his table. A moment later, his eyes refocused.
"Charlie, Baby, are you okay?" Sarah gave him an evaluating look.
"I'm fine," Chuck shook his head to clear it a bit, "It just caught me off guard is all. She is Alexei Volkoff's daughter."
Sarah's eyes widened as she looked toward the bride to be, "I don't understand."
"You might not, but I think your partner understands more than he's letting on," Vivian gave Chuck an evaluating look.
"Perhaps we should take this somewhere a little more private?" Cole suggested.
"I think that's a good idea," Chuck nodded, "I have a feeling there are some things that we all need to discuss."
"I'm assuming Volkoff has your rooms bugged," Sarah looked between Vivian and Cole who nodded in confirmation, "Why don't your come by ours, give us a little bit of a head start. We swept our suite when we arrived, but it couldn't hurt to do another sweep."
"It will also give us time to get a hold of our directors to confirm what we can and cannot share," Chuck added.
"Agreed," Cole nodded and stood. He exchanged a handshake with Chuck, which allowed the men to pass Chuck's room key between them and welcomed a kiss on the cheek from Sarah who whispered their suite number in his ear before retreating.
Chuck and Sarah headed toward their room, advising Casey of what was going on and that they would meet him in the morning with more details. Receiving a grunt that indicated the NSA agent's acknowledgement and confirmation he would continue to observe the lounge a bit longer.
The couples entered the Carmichaels' suite silently. Chuck ducked into the bedroom and returned with a couple handheld devices. Once he and Sarah had swept the room and were satisfied that it was clear of bugs, Chuck returned the bug detectors as Sarah offered their guests a seat and something to drink. By the time Chuck had returned with his laptop and a secure hotspot, Sarah had poured glasses of white wine for herself and Vivian and two scotches for Chuck and Cole.
"Just give me a moment to set this up so it's ready to go when we get around to briefing our people." Chuck gave the group a smile as he turned to his work. After making sure everything was connected, he joined Sarah on the divan and accepted his drink. As Vivian already surmised, I have a little more information than some of the rest of you."
"What can you tell us, Charlie?" Sarah went with Chuck's cover name so they all could get used to using it for the duration of the operation.
"Vivian and I actually knew each other as children," Chuck looked at the brunette, "Although I doubt you remember me, we were pretty young the last time we saw each other."
"You may have a point there," Vivian shrugged, "I do not recall anyone named Carmichael…"
"You wouldn't, but does the name Stephen Bartowski ring a bell?" Chuck gave her a pointed look.
"Oh my God," Vivian's eyes widened, "You're that Charlie; Uncle Stephen's son?!"
"Nice to see you again Vivy," Chuck smiled warmly at her, "How's Uncle Hartley doing?"
"Not so well, the Volkoff personality has pretty much taken him over." Vivian sighed, "Only reason he even accepts me as his daughter is that Frost made sure he was aware of who I was when it became clear the override failed."
"We may have a way to help," Chuck assured her, "We have a pair of glasses that can be programmed to essentially override the agent X programming your father received, but we need a way to get him to put them on."
Vivian sat thoughtfully, "I may have an idea, but we will need to bring in another operative. One he trusts more than me."
"Who would that be?" Sarah inquired.
"Frost," Cole and Vivian spoke at the same time.