MISSION ON THE HIGH SEAS

by mssupertigz

Story takes place mid S3 with Hannah. Chuck realizes that she isn't the one that he wants to be with. Now that he hopes he has made the right decision, a new mission has them sailing the Arctic Waters looking for Intel that the Navy thinks is being smuggled off the ship and sold to the highest bidder. Will love finally come there way or will it be one deadly threat.

1. Chapter 1

Hi and thanks for stopping by. This story takes place mid S3 and will start with Chuck's relationship with Hannah, which will lead into another Charah adventure. Sarah realizes that she needs to step up to the plate or she'll lose Chuck, and maybe this time it could be for good.

Please drop me a line or two and let me know what you think. And finally a shout out to Tpsoftballdad for his input.

Thanks for reading. Mssupertigz

CHAPTER 1

It had been several painful weeks since Chuck came back from his first solo mission, and Sarah missed him. Missed talking to him, seeing him at odd times, missing the way he would smile at her, his subtle touches that felt like currents surging through a wire. In all honestly, she missed everything about him. But what added to her loss was that 'they' didn't talk about the mission or talk about anything since someone new had taken an interest in him. But she couldn't blame this attractive brunette for threating what she had with Chuck because there wasn't anything to fight for or was there. Sarah had made that clear after they had come back from Prague. Or maybe it was the fact that she too, was tossed a curve ball, that began to toss her feelings into overdrive as she had allowed herself to be smitten by Shaw. He had something that she thought she needed and when Chuck started seeing Hannah it made sense. And somehow, he knew how to use that against any possibility of being back with Chuck.

It started out small with subtle touches, then small gestures like him bringing her coffee, then meals and not including the massages. But it was what he said and how he said it that made her feel needed. To fill that void that she felt, needed to be filled. Chuck came down the stairs after another date with Hannah and again he had that spry in his step that she had seen before. The same one he had with her when they were together. This time it was as a harder pill to swallow.

She blamed herself for a long time, for helping turn him into someone she didn't want him to become. She blamed herself for not listening to Chuck, really listening to him even after he told her how he felt, and even after she watched his speech on the USB drive that Carina gave him, she still didn't do anything. But things seemed to get back to normal, their normal, Sarah was able to breathe. But after the museum attack, she figured something had happened and they were back to where they were. Maybe, he saw something or heard something but whatever it was. It was the beginning of slow this painful distance between them that was breaking up what they had or could have had if Sarah had listened and acted a long time ago.

"Hey."

Sarah looked up as to not bring any unwanted attention to her and how she felt about him, but as he sat down beside her, she felt like that high school girl who wanted the popular boy to notice her.

"Hi, how are you?"

"Great."

Even his 'greats' were different.

Casey and Shaw came back in which thankfully diverted her thoughts. But now she hoped that this meeting would end soon so she could too disappear long enough that one man would not see her and one that she wanted to see her would.

Chuck looked over to her and saw that something was different, but he didn't want to ask cause, he had been down that road before with her and had been shot down several times. But this was Sarah. The meeting was over, and Sarah got up and left, Chuck followed her, but she had walked into the bathroom. Chuck looked at his watch, he had to pick up Hannah and if he didn't leave now, he wouldn't make it in time. Chuck looked at the door and raised his hand to knock. He wanted to say goodbye, it was the least he could do. Raising his hand, planning to knock, he lowered it then walked away. Sarah opened the door and saw the back of him walking up the stairs.

The next day

"Are you sure this is the right time? Maybe we need to look at this again."

"Sarah, it's the right time and we need to move on with this. After Paris, and how successful that was, he is ready to be on his own. The Intersect was meant for an agent to be able to do the job on their own."

"So, the training wheels are off?"

"Yes, soon Casey. We have done what we can for him, and he needs to know that one day soon he won't need us, any of us."

Sarah didn't like what she was hearing. This had been her world, her life for the last three years and now some guy from DC thinks that he can come in here and change that. Shaw left leaving Casey standing behind her. "Our boy's growing up, huh?" When we first met him, did you ever think that we would be here today?"

"No."

Casey walked past her. "Well he's turning into a spy. That's a good thing."

Whispering her answer. "Is it?"

Hours later

Chuck looked at his phone and saw that it was Castle. He walked past Hannah and gave her a smile and squeezed her hand as he headed over to the Home Theatre. Looking back to see if anyone saw him walking in here, he slipped under the trap door and headed to Castle. Chuck walked in and saw the looks on Casey's, Shaw's and Sarah's faces as he sat down.

Shaw walked to the front of room and placed a file down. "Thanks for coming back Chuck."

"No problem, what's up?"

"The three of us have been talking and since you came back from Paris, we have seen tremendous growth and you have shown that you're quite capable of running an op by yourself."

"Thanks guys, I am only as good as my team."

"Yes, speaking of this team. We feel that you are ready to take on more solo ops and start thinking about where you see yourself with your own team."

"But you all are my team, I don't understand." Chuck looking worried.

Sarah turned to face him. "Chuck, what Shaw is trying to say, is that we knew that the Intersect was developed to assist an agent to become independent and not rely on a team."

Chuck looked around.

"It's time to bring out the big boy bike Bartowski." Casey giving his two cents on the discussion.

Chuck slid into his seat. What he was hearing now sounded like muffled voices. As Shaw, Sarah and Casey still talked Chuck had stopped listening. Shaw got up and left. Shortly Sarah and Casey left too. Chuck saw the file and turned it to face him. The file read Charles Carmichael. Chuck opened it and saw his file. It had a lot more intel in it, and it had every mission and every achievement listed in it as well. Chuck turned to the last page and in black and white it read. Agent is ready to become independent pending certification. Chuck knew that this meant that they wanted him to become a full fledge agent with the CIA. But as Chuck closed his file, he looked up and saw her and as Sarah looked up at him, he wasn't too sure.

Chuck got up and pushed his chair in and headed to the back to take the stairs. Sarah saw the chair empty and looked up and followed him. Catching him before he reached the stairs, she stopped, and at first, she didn't know what to say. So she smiled till the words came to her. "Hey. Uh, I just wanted to make sure you were okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, I guess I've gotten used to us being a team, you know."

"Well we're not going anywhere yet. But Shaw is right. At some point I'm just going to be standing in your way, and not just professionally."

Chuck sees her look change.

"R-igh-t. Are you sure you're okay with the whole Hannah thing?"

Trying not to let it affect her. "Oh, I shouldn't have given you a hard time. She's great and (a longer pause than usual)…"

"How do you think I feel about you and Shaw? I mean, you two are perfect together. It's disgusting."

"Oh?"

"In a heartwarming kind of way?" Chuck sighs deeply. "Look, all I know is the guy carried you out of Castle on his back while you were both in danger. So, if I have to see you with someone else it might as well be a hero, right?"

Sarah now knew, what was the reason was. He had seen her in his arms. But for Chuck each word was a painful reminder that she was losing him and even if his words were truthful it wouldn't make a difference. But Chuck didn't know that his words were heard, and he wasn't okay with her and Shaw as she wasn't okay with Hannah and him. Chuck smiled slightly but Sarah's eye cried out to him. 'Don't you see me, I'm right here. I'm not leaving.'

Chuck looked at her again as he turned on his heels. "I'll see ya."

Chuck headed upstairs leaving Sarah replaying the conversation in her head. She felt that it wasn't over and headed up hoping to catch him. But when she reached the parking lot, she stared out and there he was just standing there. He turned around, looking hurt and confused. "Ch-u-c-k!" as she was slightly out of breath but sighed a huge relief as she looked at him. "I thought you left."

"I did too."

Sarah walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulder and rubbed the back of his neck. Sarah leaned in and whispered. "Why didn't you leave?" Chuck looks up after awhile. "Cause she's not the one I want to be with." Sarah looks up. Chuck turns giving her a very divided look. Sarah leans in and kisses him. Chuck stands there, but welcomes the kiss. It was their first kiss that wasn't spy related, it was real.

Chuck brings her into a warm embrace but still continues to kiss her. Sarah finally breaks the kiss. "Talk to me?"

"When I saw you with you Shaw it killed me. But at the same time before that Hannah kissed me and it felt good. But to be honest it wasn't the person I wanted to kiss, then I saw you and Shaw and how things between you too had changed." 'It made sense as why he went with Hannah.'

"Why did you come?"

"I stood by and watched you with Jill and I did nothing. I watched you kiss Lou and it felt like a knife. And now seeing you with Hannah I knew I was losing you and I couldn't let that happen. So I…."

Chuck takes her hand like he had many times before and looks up. "This feels right. It always has."

Sarah squeezes his hand back. "So now what?"

"I don't know. I know that I have to say something to Hannah before it goes any further."

"That would be the best."

Chuck still has his eyes on her. "And, this?"

"I don't know."

Sarah held him close, standing alone in the parking lot, not sure what to do next. It had made sense in their hearts but in reality, it was going to be harder to make it work. They kissed once more before Chuck headed back to work, but this kiss was emotionally intense and full of love.

Chuck headed home as the last half of his shift lasted longer than he had planned but it gave him the excuse not to meet up with Hannah. But now he had to figure out what to say to her now that things had changed with Sarah and him. And the fact that he had slept with Hannah made things worse. But when he closed his eyes it was Sarah that finally, again was only person he thought of as he went to sleep.

Early evening the next day

Hannah waited for Chuck at the restaurant along with her parents, who were in town and wanted to meet the man that their daughter was seeing and whom gave her the job. Chuck arrived a bit late on purpose waiting around the corner trying to figure out what to say to her.

Chuck walked up to the table and introduced himself then looked at Hannah. "Hey can we talk?"

Hannah gets up and excuses herself and walks off with Chuck. "Are you ok, Chuck? What's the matter?"

Chuck looks at her but doesn't keep her stare. "You know how much I like you right?"

"What?"

"Hannah, there are things in my life that you can't understand, and I can't explain them to you. I've been dishonest and it's not fair to you. So, I have to end this…. because you deserve to be with someone who you can know completely and I…"

"I thought you were a nice guy?"

"No, I am a nice guy."

"No, you're not a nice guy. We slept together the other night and now your dumping me?"

"No, it's not like that?"

"Then how is it? Explain it to me?"

Chuck diverted his eyes again. "It's her isn't it, this Sarah." Chuck stayed quiet. "Did you sleep with her?"

"It's not like that and no. We have a unique relationship and I thought that – that door was closed but its not. And before this goes any further, I had to come clean."

"Well you did, and I am glad that it makes you feel better but you're the most inconsiderate person I know. I hope that you can sleep at night."

Hannah walks backs to her table as Chuck exits the restaurant.

Chuck walked home which helped him to come to terms with what had transpired earlier. Her words still stung, that he was a terrible person. 'He did the right thing didn't he?' Yeah, they slept together, he slept with Jill and well we know how that turned out. Not to say that Hannah was strategically placed there to come into his life at the exact moment on the plane. But it was just that, they slept together. But it wasn't love especially if what you saw in front of you, wasn't the person you wanted to be with. And everything you said or did always brought you back to that other person. Chuck rounded the corner from the streets entrance and walked through the arch and there she was. Staring at the fountain. He stopped shy of the courtyard and looked at her. He welcomed all the times they had shared their feelings and their future at that fountain, even when they said that their fake relationship was over. Fake as it looked on paper it was far from that in reality. She knew him and he knew her.

From day one there was a connection that no spy manual could ever write. Maybe the works of Shakespeare or Elizabeth Barret Browning could write their story or how they continued to find and fight for each other.

Chuck cleared his throat not to startle her. Sarah sat up and smiled but when she saw the look on his face, she knew it didn't go well. She hated being the reason why. She had to say something, do something before she would have lost him forever.

Chuck sat on the edge of the fountain like he had done many times before facing Sarah who put her feet flat on the cement. Sarah leaned in and grabbed his hands that were resting on his knees. "It didn't go well did it."

Chuck shook his head. Then lowered his head to rest on her arms. Sarah laid her head on his. They stayed quiet for that moment till they heard a car back fire. Chuck sat up and looked at her. "Now what?"

"Whatever you want. If you need sometime to get over Hannah I understand. I'll wait."

Chuck placed his hands in hers. Then leaned in and kissed her. It was nice and not what Sarah had expected. She lingered a little longer just in case this was it for awhile.

Chuck got up and headed to his door and Sarah turned to leave. "You want to come in?"

Sarah looked at him. "We can order in. I haven't eaten have you?"

Sarah shook her head. "Then it's settled."

The rest of the evening was quiet, but it was just the two of them. They sat on the couch snuggled tight under a blanket as Chuck had fallen asleep and Sarah didn't want to move or wake him. So, she stayed watching TV with the sound down. He was restless at first as he always was when he slept but when his breathing tapered, she knew he was relaxing.

He had dozed for about an hour and when he woke up and saw that Sarah hadn't left, he was thankful. "Your still here?"

"Had no where to be?"

"What time is it?"

Sarah grabbed her phone and showing Chuck the time. "I better go I got the early shift."

"I don't understand why a yogurt shop would need to be open early? Noon I can see."

"I guess some people like their yogurt."

Sarah got up and headed to the door. Chuck followed and reached for the doorknob. "Sorry that I fell asleep."

Sarah smiled then leaned in for a hug. "No worries."

They kissed goodnight and Chuck was going to walk with her, but she turned. "It's okay. See you in the morning."

Late Morning

Chuck walked into the Buy More and was bombarded by Morgan's questions about Hannah and why she had quit first thing this morning. Chuck looked down at his buddy. "She quit?" Not surprised but it would have been weird seeing her at work after what happened last night. "She was our best Nerd Herder next to you of course."

"Did she give a reason?"

"Yeah she said it was personal?"

"Well don't you know why. She's your girlfriend."

"Yeah about that buddy. "

"Not the brunette? You don't have any luck with brunettes, do you!"

"I guess I don't."

Chuck reached for his phone. Morgan saw who it was. "Well maybe the blonde has always been the one? "

'If only Morgan knew that he was right.' Chuck thought to himself.

Chuck slid his phone to talk. "Yeah I can, give me 10 minutes."

Chuck put his phone away and kept busy hoping that Morgan would leave his side so he could sneak out but wherever he went Morgan followed. Chuck finally ditched him, when a crowd of people came in and he snuck out running across the street.

Casey and Sarah stood facing the screen as Chuck snuck in and Beckman appeared. "Good afternoon team." " Good afternoon General." They all repeated. "I have called this meeting to discuss your next mission." Beckman brought up a video of the Arctic Ocean then the USA Icebreaker Polarstern. "A Naval mission General?"

"Yes Casey."

"We have been asked to find and recover naval mission logs that they believe were smuggled off the ship and found in a hotel of one Josef Muir." Chuck flashed.

"Josef Muir former Russian Agent charged with selling Government secrets to the Chinese. Also, the charges were dropped when all the witness were either killed or too scared to say anything."

"Thanks Chuck. We will have you three meet the USA Icebreaker Polarstern as it passes the half way point to the Baltic Sea where you will board mid float."

"Nice, I haven't done that in years."

Chuck looked less thrilled. "A ship General?"

"One of our finest."

Beckman showed a picture. "I wouldn't say that she's top notch."

"Looks can be deceiving." Chuck commented.

"You fly out in two hours. Pack for winter. Will debrief with you once you arrive on deck. Your contact when you arrive is Commander Master Chief Brampton Jennings and Petty Officer Rhett Olafsson."

Casey headed to the back grabbing his arsenal for the trip. Sarah slipped into the back room grabbing three winter parkas and winter boots. Chuck grabbed three back packs and walked in as Sarah piled the table with warm fluffy white camouflage parkas. Chuck opened the back packs and tossed the white parkas inside. "Why white? Aren't we heading to Russia?"

Sarah looked up. "We are but we could be outside for some time and we need to stay warm."

"And look like polar bears?" Sarah laughed and tossed a pair of mittens at him.

"How are you feeling?"

"About the mission?"

"That too, but what happened last night?"

"It is what it is?"

Sarah walked up to him facing her back against the door as she closed it behind her. "So, where do we stand?" Chuck walked up to her. And touched her hand bringing it to his chest. Opening her hand and laying it flat against his chest. "You always had my heart?"

"And that's your answer."

"And maybe this?"

Chuck lowered head to be at the same level as hers then brushed his lips gently over hers almost like they were asking for permission to kiss her. The kiss picked up pretty quick as they didn't have to wait any more or ask themselves will they or won't they.

Chuck finally let go of her hand and wrapped his arms around her supporting her back and head as Sarah slid her arms around him and felt his warm body against her skimpy Orange Orange outfit. The kiss was intense and long overdue. As they continued to be alone and lazily kiss, it was soon interrupted when Casey's voice blared across Castle. "Don't forget the sun goggles."

Chuck smiled then kissed her forehead. "We better finish up here?"

"Yeah we better."

Two hours later

The three waited while the cargo aircraft they were taking had loaded their gear. Beckman had made arrangements to piggyback on this flight to Germany then a SH- 3D SEA KING would then fly them to the drop point where the Polarstein would be coming through heading to Russia. This was their first Naval operation that required them to board a ship. Chuck's last time on a ship got him in a bit of hot water with Sarah and the Von Kirk debacle. Hoping this would be different now that they were back together. Words that he liked hearing and saying. Casey whistled getting their attention. Chuck adjusted his huge back pack as he ascended the ramp into the belly of the beast. Chuck looked up at the vastness of an aircraft and what it held. Chuck walked past a couple of Hummers and metal containers that were the size of his bathroom. He found Sarah who had walked the other side of the aircraft. Chuck helped Sarah with hers, even though she didn't need any help. Sarah then hooked it to the wall's edge then sat down. Chuck took his off and did the same then sat down beside her. Casey sat across from them with some former colleagues as they shared stories and old times. The lights dimmed then an alarm went off as the doors at the back of the aircraft started to close. Chuck watched the lights as he remembered that it got loud on the aircraft so the lights helped figure out what was going on. Chuck slipped his arms through his seat belt harness and pulled down on the shoulders straps and leaned his head back. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath he opened one eye to see that Sarah had grabbed his hand. Chuck smiled and gave their hands a squeeze.

The aircraft roared down the runway and jolted into the atmosphere. As the aircraft descended then finally levelled out the crew and who ever else was on the aircraft released their safety harness's and walked freely around the aircraft. Casey found a hammock and instantly went to have a nap. Sarah stretched her legs and leaned back. Turning to face Chuck. "We have 20 hours. You wanna play cards or watch a movie?"

"I'm not sure what the in-house movie is?"

Sarah laughed. "I thought that maybe you had one on your computer?"

Chuck looked at her. "Yeah I think so."

Chuck got up and opened his backpack and pulled out his laptop. Reaching into his pocket her grabbed his headphone jack and two ear buds. Passing one to Sarah, she pressed them into her ears and Chuck did the same. He went into his flies and brought up the movies he had on there. Pulling out one of the buds he turned to face Sarah. "You pick?"

Sarah nodded then scanned the list and settled on Airplane. Sarah rested her head on Chucks shoulder as they sat in the faint light of the air crafts overhead and the light from the screen. Two movies later Chuck got up to walk around and found a bathroom while Sarah decided to join him on the walk. They walked the length of the aircraft hand in hand as no one cared to look at them walking around. Chuck found the bathroom and came out as Sarah went in. Chuck waited and looked at the time. It was now almost eight local time. They had another 12 hours to go. Sarah came out and looked up and found a spot to just hang out for a while. She grabbed Chuck's hand and climbed the ladder. Sarah ducked as she walked past cargo containers then found a spot that overlooked the whole plane. Chuck ducked a bit more than she did but sat down next to her. Sitting down they stared out looking again at the vastness of the aircraft. Chuck dangled his long legs over the edge. Sarah moved closer to him and slid her arm inside his.

"We better get some sleep?"

"Yeah probably, but I like this."

"Me too, but we need to be alert and we might not get the chance to sleep for a while once we arrive?"

Chuck got up and climbed down waiting for Sarah. He grabbed her waist as she took her last step and touched the floor. Turning around she was staring him in the face. "We can't."

"Can't what?"

"This?"

"This what? I am just staring at you?"

"That's the problem."

Chuck looked around and saw a spot between two huge cargo nets. Chuck grabbed her arm and led her in behind. Sarah backed into one of the crates as Chuck's arms wrapped around her waist bringing her close to him. Their lips said good night and it felt good. Chuck let her go and followed her to a few empty hammocks. Sarah chose two that where side by side. Taking her boots off she climbed in and waited for Chuck, who had disappeared. Sarah sat up and saw him return with her jacket and another jacket for her to rest her head. Chuck slipped on his hoodie and grabbed another one for his pillow. He climbed inside and faced her. Sarah slid her hand out and reached for Chuck's. Chuck held onto it till he fell asleep.

Casey walked by and shook Chuck's hammock disturbing his sleep. "It's time to get up, the plane lands in 20." Chuck got up and saw that Sarah was sitting by her backpack going over a file that she had brought from LA. Chuck walked over and sat down. Sarah smiled then closed the file. "Did you sleep?"

"I think so? You?"

"Enough."

The plane landed, as they waited in Germany for the SEA KING to fly in and pick them up. Chuck and Sarah grabbed a coffee and joined Casey staring out at the night sky. "The flight should be a couple of hours, then they will drop us off. Then we board at the right time. Once we are on the ship, we will be off and running."

Chuck wasn't thrilled as Casey continued to talk. Chuck finished his coffee and made sure he went to the bathroom. Sarah had slipped into her parka and boots and grabbed her backpack. Chuck followed and slipped into his. Casey headed out first as the cold winter wind hit them like a tonne of bricks.

The moon was out giving the airfield a haunting glow. The SH-3D SEA KING rumbled as it touched down. Casey saluted the pilot and tossed their gear into the back. Chuck slipped his backpack off and tossed it to Casey as he then grabbed Sarah's. Sarah climbed into her seat and pulled down her hood. Even with the winter wear she still looked gorgeous. Chuck sat across from her as Casey sat down next to her. The helicopter's doors closed and off it went into the darkness. Two hours later it landed on the ice. Chuck got out on his side and stared blankly at what he described it as one big snow globe.

Dressed in their insulated winter wear, the three waited in the darkness. Casey lit a cigar and sat on a large clump of snow. Sarah walked around trying to stay awake and warm. Chuck looked up as he heard someone coming. When Casey didn't move and Sarah only looked up, he figured that it was safe. Casey finally stood up and greeted the two men. They exchange handshakes and Chuck saw coming out of the darkness one very large sleigh. Then he saw the change in colour of the snow, and he wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him as the snow was moving as the sled moved over the frozen ocean. Chuck looked at Sarah. "Where are the dogs?"

"The dogs?"

"We have a sled?" Sarah laughed. "Chuck this is for us to walk across as the ship floats by. We have to be discreet and board without incident. The ships personnel know we are coming but those were seeking don't."

"So, when will this ship be here. I'm freezing." Sarah walks up to him and lowers his scarf. And kisses his lips. Chuck looks at her in the faint moonlight. "Does that help?" "Maybe one more." Sarah moves in and tugs on his jacket.

"So, we are walking across the sled, easy peasy. The ship will be easy to board once it stops."

"Chuck, the ship doesn't stop, we get on as it floats by."

Chuck turned his head as the quietness now sounded like crushing waves and screeching metal. Chuck watched as the moon lit night was blocked by a huge shadow of metal. The two men slid the sled out just shy of the edge of the blocked ice. The ship floated by and at the right time Casey walked out first, then Chuck and Sarah followed. Casey turned around. "Chuck you have to be quick. When in doubt grab the cargo net and hang on." Chuck nodded and pulled on his backpack straps. Casey saw the open door and the light helped him to get his foot ready. As he extended his hand, he saw the cargo net. Casey took a step then Chuck followed then Sarah. The sled was pulled back as the three held on. Casey climbed in first and turned grabbing Chuck's jacket to help him along as Sarah came up from behind. Casey side stepped along the side of the ship into a holding area, waiting for Chuck and Sarah. Casey turned and saluted Commander Master Chief Brampton Jennings and Petty Officer Rhett Olafsson. "Welcome Major Casey, Agents Walker and Carmichael."

Two petty officers took their gear. "We will debrief in 30 minutes. We will have Petty Officer Olafsson take you to your sleeping quarters. Major, we have you in staying in Admirals quarters as she is off ship and will be away while you are on board. Agents Walker and Carmichael, we have you next to each other in our spare quarters. Its not much but it is the best we can do under the circumstances."

"Anything will be fine Commander."

Chuck nodded and followed Sarah down the narrow walkway to their quarters. Chuck walked in his and looked around his small room, that had two bunkbeds, a small table and even smaller bathroom. He had trouble turning around and getting his backpack onto the empty bunk. Taking off his parka he looked at his pillow that was on the bed and decided to use it as a pillow. Slipping out of his ski pants he heard a faint knock on the metal door. "You ready to go Chuck?"

Chuck turned and hesitantly nodded.