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A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Much appreciated. People liked Chuck being a good boss and Sarah getting on well with his staff.

Thanks to my great friend, MarkeyDeSad. who turned this beta around so quickly after I got it to him, enabling me to publish this on my normal day of the week. Oh, and if there are spelling or any other mistakes in the German here, you can blame either of us! Sorry, Markey!

So, Sarah and Chuck are now starting their new living arrangement. Life seems sweet…

= ! = =

The Novelist
Chapter 17: Reality

= ! = =

When Sarah arrived home on Tuesday, her mom was over the moon about the arrangement Sarah had with Chuck. Emma confessed her thoughts about what would happen with her daughter. "I expected you to either want to move in with him, leaving me all alone here, all the time, or he'd move in here and you'd want me out. This arrangement is wonderful."

"I would never kick you out, Mom."

"Well, your arrangement gets round that," Emma stated. Sarah couldn't agree more.

After spending the rest of the day on her novel, it was great when Chuck arrived. When she opened the door, she handed him the key she'd had cut for him on her way home. He knew exactly what it was and dropped his bags to embrace her, lifting her feet off the ground as he kissed her. He swung her around and she kissed him back. This whole arrangement seemed so perfect and the sharing of keys was just part of that, but extremely significant.

They spent a happy evening with her mom before turning in for bed.

The gentle, quiet lovemaking that night was as wonderful as ever.

= ! = =

They spent Tuesday night and Wednesday at Sarah's with her working on her novel each day after he left for work.

On Thursday afternoon, she drove to Chuck's place. He gave her a key to the apartment and the doorstep celebration was just as significant at it had been at her house two days earlier.

Because Thursday night was Chuck's gaming night with Morgan, she had arranged to see Zondra and Angelica, so she and Chuck only saw each other briefly before each went out for the evening, but both looked forward to rejoining later.

Zondra and Angelica welcomed Sarah into their home that evening. They ate another delightful meal and then settled down to discuss all the things Sarah wanted to know about the world of espionage, from an NSA perspective. They had spent an hour and a half on this, when Zondra's phone rang. Sarah was talking to Angelica at the time and saw her face drop.

"Is there a problem?" Sarah asked Angelica.

"A call in the evening, or overnight, usually means an urgent mission," Angelica answered. Sarah had not thought of that scenario. After all their conversations about working for the NSA, she still managed to forget the implications of the job.

She tried calling Chuck, but his phone was busy. She realized that was probably for the same reason as Zondra's call. She started to worry about his safety, just as she had before.

When Zondra walked in, she looked calm and totally in control, however Sarah could see her fists were clenched, so this was all probably an act for her benefit.

Zondra walked slowly over to Angelica and gave her a long kiss. Angelica's hand snaked around Zondra's neck, pulling her in tightly.

When Zondra stood, she turned to Sarah. "Sorry. That call puts an end to this evening. It'll do the same for Chuck's. We have a flight to Germany in two hours." She had just finished speaking when Sarah's phone rang. "That'll be Chuck to tell you the same."

Sarah answered the phone. "You probably know from Zondra, Sarah. We're heading out tonight. I am so sorry. I know you left your car at my place, so I guess you'll sleep here tonight. I wish I could be with you, but I'll be gone before you can get back."

All Sarah could say was, "You stay safe, Chuck."

"I'll try to call each evening," he replied.

"How long will you be away?" she asked.

"Hopefully no more than a week."

After the call, Sarah sat in stunned silence. She'd been deluding herself that their lives could proceed like everyone else's. She looked over at the other person sitting in the room whose life was the same.

Angelica lifted her head from her hands and looked back at Sarah. "Shitty, isn't it?" She looked worse than Sarah felt.

Sarah made a decision on the spot. She wouldn't rush back to Chuck's or head home. "Angelica, I'm not used to this and you look like you could do with the company. Would it be ok if I stayed tonight?"

Angelica looked at her like an angel sent from heaven. "The first night they set off is always hard on me. If you'd stay, it would certainly help me through it. Are you sure?"

Sarah nodded.

Angelica got up, walked over to where Sarah was sitting and embraced her. "Thank you, Sarah. I'll be here for you too."

Together, they made up the bed in the second bedroom. "We've never had any guests stay," Angelica mused.

The two women returned to the living room and to glasses of red wine that Angelica poured for them.

"Thank you for letting stay me, Angelica. I really need a friend at the moment."

The black-haired beauty looked at Sarah shrewdly. "It's not just them being on a mission, is it? You don't have many friends anyway, do you?'"

Sarah looked at her and smiled. "Is that the analyst in you speaking?"

Angelica laughed. "It's not hard to tell, Sarah. You talk about your books and Chuck, and question about our jobs, but never mention any friends."

"Well, I have Chuck's sister, Ellie, and the two wonderful women that live here," Sarah commented. Angelica laughed again, raising her glass to that comment. "Seriously, though. No, I don't have many friends. Before Chuck, I only really had his sister and that was a work friendship. On Monday, Chuck took me to his work and I met more people than I am used to."

Angelica rolled her eyes. "God, an office full of nerds!"

Sarah grinned, "Yeah. They were all wonderful. They all seem to love their boss."

Angelica nodded. "He does have something about him. A very personable character, your boyfriend. He even broke through Zondra's hardened exterior." She smiled, "She's very fond of your guy, Sarah. I've never seen her soften so much. If I didn't know how much she loves me, I would have felt threatened."

Sarah smiled hearing that. "He appealed to me instantly. I can't get enough of him."

Angelica grinned. "See. Love at first sight."

Sarah nodded. "I didn't realize it at the time, but you two mentioning it made me realize that was me too." Angelica raised an eyebrow. Sarah chuckled. "Yes, and Chuck." That warmed her heart.

"Anyway, what I was going to say was that I met his friends, who will become mine, and at his office met others who I think will become friends, too." She thought for a moment. "My job is a naturally lonely one. It doesn't need friends, but through Chuck I am making friends now."

Angelica nodded. "I thought so. I'm glad you see us as friends. We are not outgoing, so similar mindsets to yours. Are the people at his office the same?"

Sarah shook her head. "God, no. They seem more outgoing. Four of the girls have invited me to go clubbing with them! Not to pick up guys, just to dance."

"Dancing?" Angelica looked sad. "I haven't done that in a while and miss it. We are still keeping our love a secret, so we dare not go out and let everyone see us dancing together!"

Sarah saw an opportunity to help her friend. "If I get in touch with them and they go out while Zondra and Chuck are away, would you come with us? I'm terrified of going to a club after a recent experience." Angelica looked like she was going to ask about that. "I'll tell you about it later, but I'd feel better knowing I have someone else who is not a regular going with me."

A huge smile spread across Angelica's face. "I would love to go dancing with a you and the girls, Sarah."

Sarah grinned. She quickly grabbed her phone and called Hannah.

"Sarah?" Hannah answered.

Sarah put it on speaker. "Hi, Hannah. You and the girls sort of invited me to go dancing with you."

"Ooh, yes. You'd like to?" Hannah sounded excited.

Sarah was a bit surprised at how Hannah reacted. She frowned. "As a friend, Hannah, not as the boss's girlfriend."

Hannah laughed. "Absolutely as a friend. I just thought you were reticent before, so I'm just pleased that you want to go."

Sarah smiled hearing that. "Well, I was a bit, but I'm with a close friend at the moment." Angelica beamed being called that. "Her partner doesn't take her dancing and she misses it."

"Bring her!" Hannah instantly replied. "We normally avoid the weekends as the clubs are just full of men and women trying to score. Sunday to Thursday nights are quieter. We usually go on Thursdays, but Lou and Josie couldn't tonight, or anytime next week, so we are going tomorrow. Before you say anything, I know what I just said about Friday night, but we need to dance!"

Sarah chuckled. "Girls sticking together, protecting each other, and dancing the night away?"

"Yes!" Hannah cried. "Wanna come?"

Sarah looked at Angelica who looked pensive for a while then her eyes cleared and she nodded with a grin.

"We'll come too," Sarah answered.

"Whoopee!" Hannah replied. She gave Sarah the details of their favorite place. It was a different club to the one she'd experienced, thankfully. "We always get taxis there and meet at the bar across the road at about 8pm. The club opens at 9, so time for a couple of drinks first. We'll go over early to avoid the line I know you hate, Sarah."

"See you there, Hannah."

When she ended the call, Angelica said, "You have a story to tell me."

Sarah nodded and told Angelica about her experience at the other club.

"Men are such pigs!" Angelica snapped.

Sarah nodded but then added, "Not all!"

Her friend grinned, "Chuck's definitely an exception."

Sarah shifted into planning mode. "Tomorrow, I'll get a taxi back to Chuck's and then head home to get some clothes. Can I stay tomorrow night as well?"

Angelica grinned. "Absolutely. But tomorrow morning, you won't get a taxi, I'll drop you off at Chuck's on the way to work." Sarah was about to argue, but her friend stopped that, "No arguing."

The two finished that bottle of wine and drank their way through another before calling it a night.

As they got up from the couch, Angelica pulled Sarah in for a hug. "Thank you for being with me this evening and for being a great friend."

Sarah hugged her back. "I love having friends like you, Angelica."

= ! = =

The next morning, after a quick breakfast, Angelica took Sarah back to Echo Park before heading to work. "See you tonight, Sarah."

"Dress to dance, Angelica," Sarah returned happily.

Before going to her car, Sarah went to Ellie and Devon's to see if they were there.

Ellie answered the knock. She was in friend mode rather than editor mode, so she opened her arms. "Sarah!"

After the embrace, Sarah asked, "Did you see Chuck last night?"

Ellie frowned. "No. I assumed he was with you and I don't come over when you are together. Not something a sister wants to see. He wasn't with you?"

Sarah blushed at the implications of what Ellie said, but continued, "No. we had different meetings last night, but I got a call from him that he suddenly had to fly out."

"That damn job!" Ellie growled. "How long for?"

"At least a week."

Ellie pulled her into another embrace. "You poor thing. Just when your lives are settling into a great routine."

Sarah agreed. "Yeah, it is pretty crappy. Last night I stayed with a friend whose partner is also away. Tonight, she and I are going dancing with some of the girls that work for Chuck. I'm hoping it will cheer us both up. Would you like to come?"

"I'd have loved to, but Devon and I are attending a medical reunion ball."

"Ooh, that sounds posh," Sarah remarked.

"Yep and plenty of free booze and lots of dancing." Ellie smiled. "Should be good!"

Sarah laughed. "Well, I am going to work here this morning before I head home for some clothes. Oh, and don't worry, the writing is going well."

Ellie smiled as Sarah walked across the courtyard. Her author was good for her brother and vice versa.

Sarah felt completely at home in his apartment, she just missed him terribly. She worried too. She couldn't help it.

After making some coffee, she booted up her laptop to start work. Her mind wasn't totally on it, but writing helped her from the worry.

She worked for a few hours and then her phone rang. She instantly snatched it up and, seeing who it was, answered it with relief. "Chuck!"

"Hi, beautiful," he said, which made her smile grow.

"Hi, gorgeous," she replied. "You ok?" She was sure he was or he'd have sounded more tense.

"I'm fine. We're following a lead, but nothing for us to get our teeth in yet. I can't talk about it, obviously, but you shouldn't have to worry about me. I'm not getting into any danger."

Sarah surprised him when she asked, "How's your female partner?"

"I have this call encrypted so we can talk freer. She's ok. Why do you ask?"

Sarah told him, "I'm staying with Angelica. I didn't realize how hard this is for her. I assumed because she was also NSA, she'd be used to it, but that definitely isn't the case. Does Zondra call her?"

Chuck paused before answering. "I don't think so. Zondra gets into mission mode and shuts everything else out."

"Maybe before you get the intel that drives her to act, she could perhaps call her girlfriend," Sarah suggested.

"I'll mention it, but I'm not sure she will," he replied.

Sarah felt she'd done what she could for her friends. "It's wonderful hearing your voice, Chuck. I love you."

Chuck felt so much better hearing that. "Hearing you is wonderful too, Sarah. I love you so much."

"I'm going out with Hannah and the girls tonight. Dancing. I'm taking Angelica too. It'll be her first time in ages as she and Zondra can't be seen together."

Chuck replied, "You're a good friend, Sarah."

She chuckled. "Well, I'm new at it, but I'm trying."

They talked for a further minute before he said, "I'll try to call at this sort of time each day, but if I don't, it will be because I'm too busy. Don't worry about me."

Sarah noted the time, 1:05pm. "She did a quick calculation. "It must be just after 10pm there, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you know I'll be writing, so unless you call before 7pm at your end, I'll be at a keyboard. Before that I'll either be asleep, traveling back from Angelica's or in the shower." He audibly gulped. She knew instantly what he was thinking and laughed. "I can't wait to share a shower with you, either."

"What a thought to leave me with!" he choked out, causing her to laugh again.

"I'll be thinking of you when I shower tomorrow, just like a do when I go to bed," she teased.

He groaned. Then, he said, "I really do have to go. Take care tonight, but enjoy it too."

"Will do. Love you,"

"Love you too."

Sarah felt good for telling Chuck about their friends at the end of the call.

She settled down to write some more but would stop to eat some lunch soon.

Five minutes later, her phone rang again.

She was so engrossed in her writing that she answered it without looking to see who it was, "Hello?"

"Hello, friend," Zondra answered. "First of all, thank you for being with my partner and caring. Secondly, I'm jealous as hell about what you'll be doing. If I didn't know about the love of your life, I'd be jealous about you BEING with my partner."

Sarah knew that Zondra was avoiding names or details and she laughed. "I see you both as friends and friends look after each other, don't they?"

"So, I understand," Zondra replied. "I don't have many."

"Nor me," Sarah reminded her.

"Lastly, my partner never talked about how it feels when I am away, so that was a surprise. Thank you for the prompt to call. It'll be hard, but I'll try. Calls at the office don't work, but I'll call tomorrow." She chuckled. "I'm guessing you'll both have hangovers."

Sarah laughed. "Hope not, as I don't want to have problems at the night club."

After lunch and tidying up, Sarah headed home to select what to wear that evening.

= ! = =

Sarah got to Angelica's just after 6pm so they had a bite to eat before getting a taxi to meet the other girls.

Sarah didn't mention that she'd spoken to Chuck and Zondra as it might make the black-haired woman feel upset that she never heard from her girlfriend. Hopefully, tomorrow, that would change.

Sarah had asked Angelica if she could stay with her for the rest of the time when their partners were away, which was happily accepted. "I'll head over to Chuck's or my place during the day, but it feels so good having someone to share thoughts in the evenings and early mornings."

Angelica nodded. "I'm usually just a lonely mess while Zondra's gone," she admitted.

Now, the two of them had arrived at the bar. Sarah introduced Angelica to the girls. They were all stunned as this tall black-haired beauty walked in with her.

Hannah smiled. She'd told the others that someone was coming with Sarah, but she was surprised at what she saw. "Wow! I bet you break a few hearts when you tell suitors you're taken."

Angelica grinned. "Thank you, but I don't get out much, so not really."

"Well, with the six of us together tonight, we'll hold them off," Lou stated, chuckling.

Sarah introduced them all and then ordered drinks for her and Angelica.

The four were full of questions about Angelica and her partner. Sarah interrupted them. "Less of the Inquisition, please. This is a night to relax."

Angelica laughed. "Hey, I'll want to quiz them too!" She turned to the others. "Well, I'm Angelica Mayson. I work for one of the government agencies. I can't talk about my work, so don't bother asking questions. I live with my partner, who also works there and is currently away, leaving me lonely. Because of our jobs, we rarely go out and don't have many friends." She looked over at Sarah. "This one befriended us. She's a great person and we love her very much."

Sarah beamed hearing that. It was good having and being a friend.

Josie chipped in, "We love her because she's great but also because she's with Chuck. We've never seen him so happy."

Sarah blushed. She commented, "All of the women who work for Chuck love him. I ought to feel jealous, but they assure me that they see him as a brother, not a potential lover."

"I see him more like a dad," Jeanine said.

Sarah looked at her. "He's not much older than you."

"Yeah, but he treats us like family." The other three nodded.

Angelica looked to Sarah. "Doesn't sound like you have competition, at least not from these girls."

"I once thought he was going to ask me out, but he seemed to change his mind," Lou commented. The other three from his office glared at her. She hastily added, "It wouldn't have worked out, but it buoyed my spirit for a while."

Sarah was curious. "Why wouldn't it have worked?"

Lou grinned and stood. "There's a slight height difference, over a foot. Even with heels, the neck ache alone would be too much for me!" The others laughed at her humor.

As the time reached 9pm, they finished their drinks and the six of them wandered over to the club. Getting in was easy at this time. Once inside they found a booth and got more drinks at a somewhat higher price. They continued to talk until the music started.

Hannah told the two new attendees, "We'll take it in turns to dance, so there is always someone guarding the drinks." Sarah raised a brow. Hannah explained. "You can't be too careful these days."

Sarah looked at Angelica and saw reticence in her eyes as well, so she said, "Angelica and I will be drink guards first." The others laughed but happily headed onto the dance floor.

Angelica leaned closer. "I'll want to go before the slow songs start. I don't want to dance like that with other girls."

Sarah looked at her. "Feel like cheating?" Angelica nodded. "Well, I would only want to snuggle up to Chuck to dance like that, so I won't want to stay either."

They settled back to watch the dancers.

"They all seem nice and they really do seem to like you, Sarah," Angelica commented.

Sarah nodded. "The whole company act as if I've saved his life."

"Zondra always talked about him as this brilliant but lonely guy. He didn't look like she described him when you both came over. That must be thanks to you."

Sarah smiled. "I'd met Zondra a couple of times before that. She seemed nice, but a bit intense. When I saw her with you, she was completely different. She looked head over heels in love with you."

Angelica beamed. "That's us."

The music was being played louder now, making conversation difficult. It was easier to watch the others. Sarah was starting to want to dance herself. She'd forgotten how much she enjoyed it. She looked to her friend. "How are you feeling about dancing?"

Angelica was swaying to the music. "Ready when the new guards arrive."

At the end of the fourth song, Josie and Lou wandered back. Lou asked, "You two ready to dance yet?" Sarah and Angelica nodded and got up.

As Sarah started to dance, she just wished her boyfriend was with her, but she still enjoyed herself.

= ! = =

Chuck woke with his alarm at 7am. He had a quick shower then went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, joining his two partners.

The mission to find a Fulcrum cell in the heart of Berlin, but that had a slow start the previous day. They were working with the Berlin branch of the BND. None of the original leads had been worthwhile, but at the end of the day, they heard talk of a team 'recruiting' scientists and technical staff. What they were creating wasn't clear. Some thought it was a virus to unleash on the Internet, others thought it was a smart bomb.

Today, Zondra and Casey would be heading out with two operatives from the BND to assess the situation.

Casey looked at Chuck. "If they want IT geeks, you might be our best bet, Bartowski."

"But my German is so poor," Chuck stated.

"Doubt that'll be an issue. Don't you speak in bits n' bytes?" Casey replied.

"Ignore him, Chuck. That won't happen," Zondra commented. "When we take them, we'll get any code they've created for you to examine."

"So, another day spent with the BND people who don't really want me there and who talk in German, most of which I can't understand." Chuck really wasn't looking forward to that.

"Maybe one of them will be willing to coach you on the language," Zondra suggested.

Chuck brightened. "That'd be cool."

"Ask when you get there," she told him.

I'll do that."

= ! = =

He'd been left in a small meeting room since he'd made his request. Thankfully, Zondra had still been there and had given her approval as well. She was well known as she'd been here when she was in the CIA and they'd been impressed with her. Consequently, her opinion meant something. That had been twenty minutes ago. Chuck was starting to wonder if they'd just parked a problem out of the way.

At least there was a water cooler and some cups in the room with him.

The door opened and a young woman entered and looked at him. She obviously didn't find him too repulsive as she continued into the room and sat opposite him. "Charles Carmichael?"

He nodded and he tried to reply in German, "Und du bist?" (and you are?)

She smiled at his attempt. "Gut. Ich bin Helga Müller." (Good. I'm Helga Müller.)

Chuck then spoke in English. "Other than greeting, that's about all I know of your amazing language."

She grinned, "Well, we'll try to start changing that today. Do you want a coffee?"

"Yes, please," he replied. "Black, no sugar."

She quickly walked out and soon brought two coffee cups back.

She started straight into her "lesson." He found it easier than he expected and commented on that.

She smiled at him. She'd been pleased at how quickly he was picking it up. "The two languages share a number of similarities, including familiar vocabulary. You may even be able to read some German."

After an hour and a half, they had a break for more coffee. This time he walked with her to a vending machine. He selected his own and was able to interpret the German instructions, which pleased both of them.

When they got back to the room, She continued working with him for a further hour and a half. He was starting to flag. He'd been doing much better than she'd expected with a very receptive mind and an excellent memory, but he obviously needed another break.

She asked, "Mittagessen?" (lunch)

Chuck hadn't realized how hungry he was until she asked. He replied, "God, yes!"

She tutted. "You should have replied auf Deutsch." (in German)

"Es tuts mir leit." (I'm sorry)

She took him to the building cafeteria and they grabbed some food and sat to eat it.

"You should talk in German, but I'll let you off for lunch," Helga told him. she then asked him about himself, still in English. She was interested in this attractive tall American. Of course, Chuck was completely oblivious to that.

They talked through the lunch break and she found him charming. "Do you have someone back home?"

He'd been focusing on the lesson all morning and this was the first time he'd thought about Sarah. Helga watched his face change and that answered her question.

"The most beautiful woman in the world," he answered, his eyes glazing over. Then he realized what he'd said. "Not that you're not beautiful, Helga, she's just the one for me."

Helga smiled. "Thanks for the compliment, Chuck. She must be special."

"She is," he replied, "She's also quite well known in the States. She's an author."

"What does she write?"

"Spy novels," he replied.

That got raised eyebrows. "Bit close to home?" she asked.

"I'd not read any until we met by chance. My sister is her editor."

"What's your author's name?"

"Sarah Walker," he told her.

Helga shook her head. "Not heard of her. Are her books translated or just available in English?"

"I don't know," he said.

Helga grabbed her phone. "Never mind, I'll search." She looked on . "No, just the English editions available." She read the details and looked up. "So, she writes about a female CIA operative. Are they any good?"

He grinned. "I'm only part way through the second, but the first was great."

Helga narrowed her eyes. "You're not just saying that because you're with her, are you?"

Chuck held up his hands. "No, no. It is really good. And Zondra likes it too."

Helga was surprised. She looked back to her phone and selected the Kindle version of the first book. "I'll give it a try tonight."

= ! = =

Midafternoon, Zondra walked into the room Chuck and Helga were using. Both looked up at her.

"We will do a raid around midnight. Casey and I are heading back to the hotel to get some sleep before we go." She looked at Chuck. "Do you want to come now or get a taxi later?"

Chuck didn't really want to go back so early and have nothing to do. He looked at Helga, uncertain. She smiled at him and turned to Zondra. "Where are you staying?" Zondra told her. Helga replied, "I can drop him off on my way home."

Zondra looked at her for a second, then back at Chuck. "You ok with that?"

Chuck nodded.

Zondra turned to go, but Chuck commented before she did, "Don't forget that phone call."

Zondra turned back and nodded, then left.

Helga asked, "Phone call?"

Chuck was careful how he replied. "To her partner. She never has before, but my girlfriend suggested it might help."

"A worrier?" Helga surmised.

"Yeah. It's not easy on the person left behind."

"I can imagine. Still unattached," Helga said.

"The job doesn't make it easy for relationships," Chuck admitted.

"Tell me about it."

They continued the lesson.

= ! = =

Sarah woke and rose. A few of her muscles ached, but that was the only real effect of the night of dancing. She hadn't drunk excessively because she was still wary of being in a nightclub and didn't want to be taken unawares by some drunken man. She knew she was tarring them all with the same brush as that jerk a few weeks ago, but she couldn't help it.

She and Angelica had been approached by a few men, as had the other girls, but none took offense when turned away.

Sarah got up and padded through to the bathroom. She didn't feel like a shower yet, though, so after the basics, headed to the kitchen.

Angelica was already up and had made coffee. She hadn't drunk excessively last night either, so looked fine.

Sarah looked at the clock behind her friend, seeing it was nearly eleven. "When did you get up?" she asked.

"About fifteen minutes ago," Angelica replied. "I'm exhausted and ache everywhere."

Sarah chuckled. "Me too. I guess neither of us have used our dancing muscles for a while."

Her friend nodded. "Good job today's Saturday." She looked at Sarah. "I wish I looked that good this morning."

Sarah had seen herself in the bathroom mirror and hadn't been impressed at what she saw. "Kind words, but not true."

Angelica laughed. "Want something to eat?"

"Just this coffee for now. Is it ok if I have a shower after that? If nothing else, it'll soothe the aches and pains."

"That's fine. I'll follow you."

"So, I enjoyed last night, did you?" Sarah asked. They hadn't talked in the taxi on the way back.

"I haven't danced for a long, long time, but your friends made me feel so welcome that I just relaxed into it." Her look darkened then. "Mind you, when the slow songs started I had to get out of there. It reminded me who wasn't there."

Sarah had felt that too. "Yeah, I just wanted to be in Chuck's arms and dancing with him."

Angelica looked enviously at her. "You can, when he's back."

Sarah reached across and held her friend's wrist. "Sorry you two can't go out for that. Maybe we could come over and dance here with you. Have our own dance party."

Angelica smiled. "I'd like that, but it wouldn't be the same."

Sarah admitted she was right. She finished her coffee and walked around the table and hugged her friend. She didn't need to say anything.

"I'm going to have that shower now." She smiled. "Maybe then I'll look better."

Angelica grinned. "Go right ahead."

= ! = =

While Angelica was in the shower, Sarah got a call. Seeing who it was, she headed into the bedroom she was using. "Hi, Chuck."

"Hi, Sarah. How was the dancing?" She told him about the whole evening. "And you didn't have problems?"

She knew what he meant. "Some men approached, but all got sent packing, without any problems."

He sighed. "So not all men are jerks?"

She laughed. "Surprisingly, no, but you're still the best by a mile."

"Only a mile? I should worry," he joked. "You're the best in the whole world."

Sarah felt so good hearing those words from him. "Thanks, Chuck. You are too." Then she got serious. "How's the mission going?"

"Well, Zondra and Casey have a lead and are following up tonight. I'm not much use yet, so have been stuck in the offices of our friends over here."

She knew he couldn't say much, but still asked, "So, how are you spending your time?"

"One of the women in the office has been teaching me the language," he replied.

"One of the women? One to one time with her?" Sarah asked, trying to sound like she was teasing him, but not totally comfortable with this.

"Yeah. I told her you were a writer."

That caught Sarah's attention. "Hold on. She asked if you were with anyone?"

"Yeah," he said again. "Shouldn't I tell people about you?"

"How did you answer that first question?"

"I said, 'The most beautiful woman in the world.' Was that the wrong thing to say?"

Sarah was beaming. "No. That was perfect! I love you so much."

"I love you too, gorgeous. I wish I was there with you."

Sarah wanted to know more about this woman, though. "Tell me about this woman. What does she look like?"

He thought for a while. "Her name is Helga. She has brown hair and fair skin."

"Is she beautiful?"

He chuckled. "I had to say that after what I said about you. She looked crestfallen."

Sarah guessed what her wonderful boyfriend said, but asked anyway.

"I think I hastily said, 'Not that you're not beautiful, Helga, she's just the one for me.'"

Sarah shook her head. Typical Chuck, wanting to be nice to everyone, but also rather clueless. "Chuck, what you said was perfect. She was interested in you and sounding you out. If you'd given any indication of shakiness in our relationship, she would have flirted with you."

"Oh," Chuck replied. He'd not considered that as a possibility. "Oh," he repeated.

"So, you told her I was a writer?"

"Yeah. I might have gushed a bit. She searched for your novels. Have you had any translations done?"

Sarah replied, "No, Ellie has been talking to some publishers abroad, but nothing as yet."

"Well, today, you had a Kindle purchase of an English copy of your first on . She said she was planning to read it tonight."

Sarah laughed. "Checking out the competition?"

He chuckled, "I don't think so. My glowing review and the fact that Zondra likes your books made her curious."

"Well, thank you, my publicist."

Both laughed.

"Talking of Zondra, I don't think she's called her partner yet."

"She was getting some sleep, but plans to before she goes out," he replied.

"I hope so."

They talked for a few more minutes, then, after promising to call again the next day, Chuck ended the call.

= ! = =

Sarah and Angelica ate brunch when they both felt refreshed. Sarah looked at her watch as they cleared up after it. It would be approaching 11pm in Germany, so if Zondra was going to call, she was running out of time. This night work on top of working during the day was really shitty. It was a good job the two agents were taking the time to sleep early. Maybe calling tonight was a bad idea as she must have to wake earlier to allow for it.

As if on cue, Sarah heard a phone ringing. The tone was different to hers, so she knew this must be the call.

Angelica looked panicked and rushed to answer it. Seeing who the caller was, only slightly eased her anxiety. "Are you ok?"

Sarah felt she should leave them to it, and started to get up, but Angelica waved her down. The tension that surrounded her eased and she sat next to Sarah. "But you never call," she said to her girlfriend. She listened to what Zondra had to say for a while, then she looked up at Sarah. And a smile crept over her face. "Oh, she did, did she? I'll have to thank her for that."

She listened for a while longer and then said, "You take care, you hear me. And call tomorrow so I know you're ok."

She soon ended the call. She didn't say she loved Zondra and Sarah knew that the reverse would be true as well. Others may access the call log, after all.

Angelica was silent for a while, then she shuffled closer to Sarah and gave her a huge hug. "Thank you."

Sarah hugged her back. "So, she told you I had suggested this?"

Angelica didn't let go of her and just spoke quietly into her ear, "She did. My love for you increased even more, Sarah Walker. You've been good for all of us."

Sarah felt tear drops on her shoulder and just hugged her friend that much tighter. It felt so good to help.

= ! = =

The raid was productive. Casey sent details he found of the offsite servers that held the code. He was, unfortunately, a bit heavy handed with the technician, knocking him out before he told the physical location, but Chuck had enough to get started.

Shortly after starting, however, he got a call from the BND chief in Berlin. "You compatriots were still in the Fulcrum base when they retook it. My men are either dead or captured with them. By the time we got more men there, the prisoners had been taken elsewhere."

Chuck was torn. He knew he could access traffic cameras to see where they had gone, but he was close to cracking his own task. However, if he did that, it would leave his partners in the clutches of the enemy. He knew he should do this and would try to be as quick as possible.

He called in to Beckman and explained the situation.

"I know you want to help your team, Chuck, but I will get our German colleagues on that. They should have access. You should do what you do best."

He wanted to argue that he was probably the best at hacking traffic cameras, but knew she was right. He immediately startled the other sort of hacking. He was good at this and would be as fast as possible, but careful as well.

An hour later, he had found and altered the computer virus so that it would corrupt their servers rather than be unleashed on the world. After another hour, he had altered the code involved with delivering the bomb.

He backed out of their system, leaving no trace of having been there.

He called Beckman to let her know.

"I know you'll be offended, but I have to ask. How confident are you in what you've done and that they won't find it?"

Chuck replied instantly, "I'm not offended, General. You have to make sure. They are very unlikely to check the code again, but if they do, with the virus modification, it will trigger its execution immediately. That would probably also take out the firing app if it is still connected to the network. If they check that that code, it will send a signal to the other, triggering the same."

"So, why didn't you set this off while you had access?" she asked.

"I was linked to their servers, so could be caught in the backlash," he explained.

"Ahh, that wouldn't be good."

"Any news on Casey and Zondra?" he asked.

"BND have tracked two vans to another location, which they think is another Fulcrum base. They are attacking it now, with help from GSG 9 and the Berlin Police."

That worried Chuck. "Won't Fulcrum just kill the prisoners?"

"We hope not. The raid will be fast."

After she ended the call, Chuck felt he couldn't just wait. He decided to track the vans himself. He knew where the first location was and when Casey had rung him. He watched the local cameras from that time and thirty minutes later, spotted two black vans on one of the cameras. He tracked them to another building. This one was on camera itself. He advanced the recording to the current time and watched armed men storm the building.

Twenty-five minutes later, some of those men left the building leading cuffed men out and others left with three people being supported. One of those was obviously a woman. Two ambulances arrived and those three were taken to these. The paramedics ran with one of the armed men back in and then brought a fourth person out on a stretcher.

Chuck tracked the ambulances to another building. He guessed this was a BND hospital. He noted the name and called a taxi. He was not going to sit here while his partners were there.

= ! = =

Chuck was allowed in to see Casey and Zondra. Both had deep red marks on their wrists, severe burns to their bodies and feet, cut lips and cheeks. However, both smiled when he walked in.

"Well, you two look like shit," Chuck said.

"Almost as bad as you do all the time, Bartowski," Casey replied.

"And surprisingly you have no lipstick on your face or neck," Zondra commented. Casey and Chuck looked at her in surprise. "Oh, come on. Young Helga had eyes for you."

"She knows I'm taken and she dropped me off back at our hotel without stopping," Chuck replied.

"Oh ho, she asked, then?" Zondra chuckled.

He blushed. "She did. Sarah tells me Helga must have been checking me out."

Zondra laughed. "And you didn't realize." She shook her head. "Never change, Chuck."

"When will they let you out?" Chuck asked, changing the subject.

"When we've been checked over," Zondra replied. "Should be later today."

"Do you know when they planned to initiate their attacks?" Chuck asked.

""It was going to be tomorrow, but our raid may have accelerated that," Casey replied.

"So, I guess we wait and see what happens," Chuck replied.

"You worked your magic?" Zondra asked.

"I did my job," Chuck replied, not thinking of it as magic.

"Well done, Bartowski," Casey said. "I was afraid you'd get distracted and try to rescue us."

Check nodded. "You know me well, Casey. Beckman persuaded me otherwise. Once I'd finished, I did track you and then, after the BND raid, saw the ambulances come here."

Both bedridden people looked surprised. "You weren't told we were here?" Zondra asked.

Chuck shook his head but grinned. "Not yet."

= ! = =

When Chuck got back to the hotel, it was 6.45am. He was still buzzing, so decided to what he had promised to Zondra and make the call.

Sarah answered the call almost immediately. "You ok?"

Chuck reassured her and asked if she was with Angelica.

"Yes, I am."

"Can you put her on?"

She put the phone on speaker. "Angelica, Chuck wants to talk with you." There was no way Sarah was going to miss whatever he had to say. She might need to comfort her friend. Angelica looked panicked. "Don't worry, he has it encrypted somehow. No one will be able to access recordings of the call."

"Hi, Angelica," Chuck started. From his tone, Sarah could hear that he was not going to say anything bad. "Don't worry at all. There won't be any records and Zondra is safe. Her phone got smashed overnight, so I'm calling. She has been hurt, but is fine. They are keeping her and Casey in the hospital for a bit longer, but they hope to be out later today. Tomorrow, your time."

Angelica relaxed. "Thank you for letting me know. Was it a bad accident?" Sarah knew this code. Angelica was still using it.

"Fairly bad, but thankfully, no fatalities," Chuck replied.

"Any idea when you'll be coming back home?" Sarah asked.

"At least another couple of days as we need to wrap up our work here first."

"take care on the roads," Sarah told him, using the code.

Chuck laughed at her using that. "I will and so will my friends."

When the call ended, Sarah slid over to her friend and wrapped her arms around her.

Angelica cried on her shoulder for a while, more from relief than anything else.

= ! = =

Two days later, Chuck's code was activated. Another blow to Fulcrum. The three Americans were thanked by a very grateful BND leader.

As they were about to leave for the airport, Chuck was stopped by Helga. "I read her book. She is really good."

Chuck smiled. "Rebecca or Sarah?"

She laughed. "Both. Tell your girlfriend she has a fan over here."

He grinned. "I will. Thanks for the lessons the other day. I really appreciated it."

She nodded and headed back to her desk.

"Wow, You promoting Sarah's work over here?" Zondra asked.

Chuck turned to her. She looked better with makeup covering her bruises and cuts. Her wrists in bandages still, though. He replied, "Well, she is the best spy author around," he replied.

Zondra grinned, "That she is."

Casey, who still looked worse for wear, groaned.

= ! = =

The first time Chuck had returned from a mission, Sarah and Ellie had met him at LAX. This time, Chuck had clearly told her that he and his partners would be picked up from the airport and she should wait for them. So, she stayed at Angelica and Zondra's place. Angelica had taken the day off as she couldn't wait to see her girlfriend.

They had obviously dropped Casey off somewhere first, so only Zondra and Chuck arrived in the SUV. Angelica stayed inside, so that no one saw her. Consequently, Sarah greeted them.

She rushed over and gave Chuck a quick kiss, but she could see that Zondra was struggling to walk, so hastened to help her. Zondra waved her off, but allowed Sarah to take her case as she frowned and walked independently

Once inside, Zondra saw her girlfriend and her face transformed into one of joy. The two quickly embraced and kissed each other passionately. Sarah turned to her boyfriend and did exactly the same.

For both women that had remained here, the relief to know their partners were safe and coming home was great, but actually being with the loves of their lives was something else entirely.

Since knowing they were coming home, Angelica had felt more comfortable about opening up to Sarah about how it was for the one left behind.

"I feel sick every time she goes on a mission. Sick with worry. I know she's great at what she does but can't help wondering if this is the time she gets killed," she admitted.

"I worry about Chuck and he's not the one always taking risks like Zondra is," Sarah replied, "So, I can relate but also see how your situation is much harder than mine."

Angelica proceeded to tell Sarah about some missions where Zondra had gotten hurt. Not details about the mission, just Zondra's condition on return. "I also know your boyfriend saved both Zondra and Casey in Tokyo, Sarah. I will forever be grateful to him for that."

"What is it like when she returns? Injured or not?" Sarah asked.

Angelica shared those feelings and how she had to still work and pretend not to fuss, but did as much as she could for her lover.

"God! That makes it so much harder for you both," Sarah commented and Angelica nodded.

Even though she was there to support Angelica, Sarah still filed this away as something to use in her books.

Now both couples were reunited.

Zondra separated from her girlfriend. "Angie, I was tortured while there, as was Casey. However, we were treated and both of us are ok. Please don't get upset when you see the wounds."

Angelica swallowed, but nodded.

Zondra looked at Sarah. "Chuck saw this while we were out there." She smirked, "Don't think I'm stripping for him, but I think you should see the sort of thing that can happen."

Chuck walked away anyway and headed to the bathroom.

Zondra eased her long-sleeved blouse off. Sarah held her hand over her mouth. When Zondra took off her shoes and slipped down her pants, further damage was obvious.

Angelica was careful to avoid gripping any part of her girlfriend's body that had bruises, cuts or burn marks, but wrapped her arms around her and hugged her, with tears in her own eyes. Then, she led Zondra to their bedroom. Sarah knew this was to get her more comfortable clothes, but wondered if they both needed sex to help them through this. She called out to them, "I'm taking Chuck home. Look after each other."

"Will do," Angelica called back before closing the bedroom door.

When Chuck came back to her, Sarah kissed him again, then grabbed his hand and took him to her car for the drive home.

All the way back, Sarah was thinking how grateful she was that he was unharmed and wondered if each mission would feel as tense and worrying as this one. She was sure that they would.

When they got to his apartment, she pulled him straight through to the bedroom. She didn't care if the other couple did this or not. She quickly stripped off and he did the same, both of the same mindset.

They made love for the first time in a while, both needing that intimate life affirming connection to the other person.

= ! = =

A/N: Time apart is hard for any loving couple, but the situation these two couples face adds more stress to it. Partners of people in the military will know how they feel. Sarah has learned a lot from being with Zondra's girlfriend. It has made her realize what their lives will be like going forward, but also some of it will filter into her novels.

Not sure when I'll get the next one out as I haven't even started it yet, but the story hasn't ended yet, so please be patient.

What did you think of this chapter? Please let me know in a review.