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Chuck was a bit confused at why Beckman and Graham insisted on hosting the briefing at Ft Belvoir (some eighteen blocks away), given he had already set up a nice video conference room for them in no time. That said, he liked visiting his old workplace once again, allowing him to have some sense of familiarity which helped put him at ease.
He really wished he could stop by and check up on Manoosh and a few other Cyber Division colleagues with whom he shared a good relationship, but that didn't seem like a good idea as he had already told them a cover story about joining USCYBERCOM to work on some top secret IT-related stuff. Manoosh was a bit freaked out about hearing this but as he himself had a bit of experience working with highly classified projects in the past he decided not to be like his usual nosy self. Which was something Chuck was quite thankful for.
As they were waiting for their superiors in a new conference room which had been specifically set up for their team, Chuck tried his best to keep the conversation going – mostly about the technological advancements done by his agency and how it was being an NGA engineer. He could barely contain his enthusiasm as he talked about his past projects and Sarah was quite amused by his excitement. A few moments later, the door flew open as Kernan and Beckman entered the room, just as Graham appeared on the home theater screen in front of them.
Casey quickly stood up and saluted his superior, but Beckman shook her head and told him, "At ease, Major. No formalities needed here. We are going to be seeing each other a lot so it's better not to waste everyone's precious time on trivial things like that."
"Well said, Diane. I couldn't agree more." Michael nodded with a smile.
Casey obediently did as he was told. Immediately, the Admiral passed him a bunch of photos. "Chuck, take a good look at these pictures. We want to know why these men were killed."
Chuck took a peek at each of them, but was unable to flash on anything. However, the moment he accidentally glanced at the copy of today's newspaper on the top of the recycle bin, he felt his brain begin to do its thing once again. Which felt both familiar and yet completely foreign at the same time, as though he'd been doing this for a while. Vivid images of paintings, an art auction, and a name: La Ciudad.
"These people... they probably died smuggling a piece of art, which had a tube of weapons-grade plutonium inserted into its frame. That piece of art is a painting of sorts... only referred to by its code Water Lily. It will be on display at some art auction in the Wilshire Grand, tomorrow night. And... some hot shot arms dealer called La Ciudad is interested in buying it." Chuck started hyperventilating a little as he thought about the horrific implications of his recent flash. "Oh boy... this isn't good... this isn't good at all. We can't afford to let such hazardous material falling into his hands."
All the people on the room looked at him with confusion and awe. "Is it always this instant, Charles?" Graham asked with curiosity, raising his eyebrows.
"Depends on the stimuli and the recall of information for the most part, but theoretically, yeah, it usually works like this," Chuck answered modestly.
"If Charles is correct, this is a high priority," Beckman began. "La Ciudad is one of the most elusive and dangerous arms dealers in the world who has often given the slip to authorities worldwide."
"I heard MI-6 got the drop on him last year but he vanished once again. Apart from that, no agency has even come anywhere close to grabbing him. And unfortunately no one who has ever seen him has lived to tell the tale. So there are no known pictures of him in our system," Michael added.
"Why don't we bring the Intersect then?" Casey said, which made Sarah's eyebrows twitch in irritation, "Everything we know about La Ciudad was fed into that computer."
"It's too dangerous. He is an analyst, not an operative," Sarah countered forcefully. "He isn't cut out for this kind of mission. At least not yet."
"Eh, he will be fine. It's just an event for high society's who and who."
Michael was a bit surprised that they were letting Chuck accompany the agents in this assignment and said so. "I thought Charles would be in a van somewhere with a SWAT team while Agent Walker and Major Casey provide him the camera feeds or something. His safety is vital for national security, after all. Are you sure you want him to be in the field?"
"Alright, we have heard enough. I will put a SWAT unit on standby right inside the parking lot, armed to the teeth and ready to jump in at the first sign of trouble. Between that and both of our operatives keeping an eye on Mister Bartowski, it should be enough to keep him safe. He might be our best and probably only shot at catching La Ciudad. So he has to be present at this event," Beckman spoke in a commanding tone.
Chuck swallowed as he watched dark clouds pack together over his blonde spy friend/girlfriend. Obviously things weren't going as she hoped. She glared fiercely towards the General, though her feeble attempt to turn Beckman to ash failed.
Michael had seen Agents on security detail before, but none had acted like Graham's enforcer. Most of the time they didn't even care what their subject was up to as long as they were alive and well. As it was supposed to be. Was this really just an assignment to her?
This Sarah was clearly unhappy about putting Chuck in harm's way for the sake of serving the greater good, no matter how hard she had tried to hide it. Her body language made this meeting more interesting.
If he was right – and there was no doubt in his mind that he was – it couldn't hurt to help them a little, just not in the most conventional way. Otherwise a beautiful relationship might not flourish the way it should. The mushy road often tended to hinder people's growth like it did with Chuck's past relationship, and he only wanted what was best for his family in the long run. However, he'd intervene with extreme prejudice in case this turned out to be some nefarious ploy from his CIA counterpart.
"Major Casey will be posing as a bartender, while Agent Walker and Mister Bartowski will go as guests," Graham quickly informed them about their latest assignment.
"Yes, Sir." Casey was first to answer though everyone in the room could tell he wasn't really thrilled at the prospect of bartending.
"Mister Bartowski, try to stick with the script this time. I have been informed about your tendency to act as you please, but that sort of attitude will only make you a liability in this mission," Beckman remarked sternly, throwing shade at his reckless actions from last week.
Chuck looked down for a moment, before staring back at her. "With all due respect, I can't make such empty promises, Ma'am." Before Beckman could scold him for his disrespectful behavior, he continued further, "I can't promise you that because there will be times where I have no other option but to fight back on my own. A lot of dangerous people are after the secrets locked inside my brain, so they'll find a way to come at me sooner or later, and when that time comes I must be ready to strike back. I wouldn't let that rogue organization hurt another soul, not when I have the means to stop them." He closed his eyes and tilted his head down slightly. "And somehow if my team gets in trouble during this mission or any other... I will do everything in my power to help them out. I can't let them risk their lives for me without being willing to do the same for them in return. It's what partners do for each other."
"Charles," General Beckman said in an authoritative tone, clearly angry at his display of insubordination. "I don't think you fully grasp the importance of this operation. It's vital for national security that you remain alive. Everything and everyone else is expendable."
"Expendable?" Chuck couldn't believe it. "How can you say the lives of these agents are expendable? They are no different from me! They are people, for God's sake!" This time Casey snorted in amusement, already half-expecting the bleeding heart to make a comment like that. Beckman's scowl deepened, Graham clenched his jaw, Michael grinned a little and Sarah turned around wide-eyed to face him for the first time since they had entered the room, giving him a look mixed with concern, adornment and awe.
"Mister Bartowski, there is no other way to put this, so here goes. The future of the United States may very well depend on you. So yes, we are all expendable, except you. And you will have to accept this fact unless you want us to reconsider your current living arrangements." Graham frowned, leveling his stony eyes on the Intersect host, indicating he brooked no further discussion on the matter.
Chuck lowered his head with a sigh, still visibly distressed by the notion of Sarah and Casey risking their lives for his sake. With the Intersect and the amount of rigorous training he went through, he was more than capable of defending himself in the field. It just didn't feel right to him to let others risk their lives for him. However, most people didn't know that and it was proving to be a huge inconvenience.
"I will do my best to comply with your orders, Sir!"
Both Graham and General seemed to relax after that. "Good, then can you step outside for a while?" the General said brusquely, motioning for him to leave. "I'd like a word in private with Major Casey and Agent Walker."
"Yes, Ma'am," Chuck replied as he rose and Kernan gave him a subtle apologetic glance, as he wished him luck for his first mission.
After walking out of the conference room, he sank down on the chair, his thoughts going in a million directions, none of them related to his upcoming mission.
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Later that night – still feeling a bit restless about his recent mission – Chuck ended up hacking into the database of the Wilshire Grand Hotel, hoping their data might be able to trigger a flash. And to his utmost displeasure, making the government Intersect tick was easier said than done given it worked on entirely different principles compared to the other one so he couldn't just force an information flash.
That said, the list of guests triggered a mini-flash, indicating the heavy presence of MI-6 agents at this particular event. He wondered if their bosses were as clueless about the whole thing as he was or if they were just simply keeping him out of the loop. He couldn't find much on La Ciudad as all he could access through the database was names, contact info and a list of items on display. Sure, running a thorough background check on all of them might have helped, but he wasn't sure if he had enough time to pull it off.
He also looked into La Ciudad's case files from various agencies across the world but he found nothing but highly detailed, exceptionally vivid snapshots of the terrifying crimes and terrorist acts he (or she) committed. To think he might be dealing with such a dangerous, cruel and sadistic individual didn't help him much with his anxiety and stress.
He thought talking with his sister might improve his mood a little, but even she turned out to busier than ever with her own research project and some exciting fellowship prospects, with Devon jokingly telling him that her books weighed more than their workout weights. She apologized for not being able to make some time for her favorite brother like she always did and promised to call him once she was done with her work. He eventually disconnected the call after informing them of his recent address change.
Sighing, he made his way towards the kitchen to make himself a big mug of coffee; however he was interrupted by Sarah who had been waiting outside his room, with a takeout bag in one hand and a maroon folder in another.
"You and I will be going in as the guests at the auction and see if you can flash on La Ciudad."
Chuck replied with a shrug, wondering how he would be able to recognize La Ciudad when there were no known pictures of such a person in their system. It wasn't like the Intersect magically let him know everything. "I think I will manage. What about my cover?"
Smiling a little, Sarah gently ruffled his hair at the back of his head. "We have decided to go with your previous one. Charles Carmichael. Easy to remember and not far off your real name."
Chuck laughed ruefully upon hearing this. "Ah, the good ol' Charles Carmichael. Too young to retire. Too rich to work. Owner of a small but highly profitable Internet security company with big ticket clients that value their discretion. Thinking about sailing in the America's Cup."
Sarah looked up at him with a bit of surprise. She had no idea about there being such an interesting backstory behind the cover identity he used as an analyst.
"I get the feeling you have done this before." A giggle escaped her lips when she looked at his goofy smile and messy hair.
Chuck leaned back with a sigh. "That's how I usually envision myself after leaving the NGA. Except for the sailing part. I have no idea where that came from. But that's where most of my class already is."
Sarah raised her eyebrows, her voice filled with curiosity, "So what happened, Chuck? Why join the NGA? You have been cleared of all wrongdoings, right? Why not do something that you always wanted to?"
"Well, the NGA came along and put me on an even keel when my life took a little detour. So I kinda owed them big time. But I will have you know, I haven't been sitting idle since then. I am just following a different path then I initially intended to. Right now, I gotta focus on finishing this AI program. But after that, who knows, I might end up launching a successful startup of my own sometime in the future," Chuck replied with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I am pretty sure you will, Chuck." With a reassuring smile, Sarah put her arm around his waist. "And don't worry about the auction. I won't leave your side," she said quickly, as sincere as she could possibly be.
"Me? Nervous? C'mon. I am the coolest nerd in the whole, wide world," he drawled jokingly.
"Your hand is a little moist," she teased back, grabbing his hand below.
"That tends to happen sometimes when I am freaking out a little," he said before shifting awkwardly.
The smile never left Sarah as she embraced him tightly. A still anxious Chuck nevertheless enjoyed it. The hug was beyond welcoming. She pulled away just as quickly while holding his shoulders with her hands. She then gave him a long passionate kiss that Chuck almost didn't react to in time. She stopped and gave him two additional quick kisses.
A comfortable silence settled between them and for a short moment nothing else existed outside their little bubble of well-being.
"I hope French food is okay with you. I brought it from a new place which opened nearby," Sarah softly said, a pink hue adorning her cheeks as she avoided his eyes shyly.
Chuck was simply amazed at how he could turn this very confident and badass federal agent into a shy puddle of cuteness. His heart felt like swelling and he almost thought it would burst out of his chest.
"Sounds like a great way to end the evening," he replied happily, gently caressing her hair.
Maybe Beckman and Graham were right. It was just an art auction. What could possibly go wrong?
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