A/N1:

Ok, we now begin our second story arc. To recap, the 1st story arc covered Thanksgiving, which was roughly a Year and a half after Ellie's Wedding, and reflected on Chuck and Carina's 1st year assigned to Rome. The first year was pretty much consumed with the Ring War, where Chuck and Carina dealt with the European theater, while Casey and Sarah dealt with the North American theater.

Something I find interesting in life is that it isn't binary, there are too many moving pieces, to be that simple.

In this story Chuck decides to be a spy. Is that good or bad? Well, it's been great for Carina, horrible for Sarah, and Chuck is conflicted. And no-one is doing anything "wrong". I believe that getting out of your own POV and recognizing that, is a step to providing compassion and grace for others. /rant

This second arc covers essential the next year, where Team Carmichael start running more typical missions. It is 10 chapters of varying lengths.

I decided to separate the chapters by month. We pick up right after Chuck and Carina return from Thanksgiving.

A/N2:

Don't Own Chuck, Can't bill anyone for this.

The Mission - November

Chuck swept Carina up in a big hug, as soon as she walked into the Villa.

"Hey big fella, it's good to see you too. You must have realized how pointless your life is without me around. "Carina teased, at the same time realizing that he filled something that she wasn't necessarily conscious of missing. She was good on her own, but it struck her that she was better with him. Everything, including me, is better with some Chuck in it, she saucily thought. I hope he is "up" for some bedroom fun sometime soon.

His laughter snapped her back to the moment, and he spun her around, teasing back. "Oh you know it. I am just a boring drone without you to supercharge my life." He set her down, kissing her on the forehead and softly saying, "You do make my life more vibrant, help me feel more alive."

They would be pleasant words from anyone, but said with Chuck's sincerity, they touched her deeply, warmed her core. A girl could get used to sincere, sweet talk like that, she thought, immediately understanding that she could never accept the monogamous commitment that words like those truly required. She sighed and stepped out of his arms.

"Well Chuckles, whatever it is, we are a kick ass team. My meeting with my Director went great. They love me, they love what I have accomplished and they want me to stay here doing more." she excitedly informed him.

"I just wish that I could have helped in some way, that I could be more than Wilson to your Castaway." he feigned wistfulness, his half grin and sparkle in his eye giving away his "acting". "I wish I could be Sancho to your Don Quixote."

Carina smacked his chest with an open palm. "OK you goof, OUR accomplishments." "Hey, wait a minute!" She exclaimed. "Wasn't Sancho the sane one in that story?" she asked with a light scowl and raised eyebrow.

He wiggled his eyebrows back at her and with a grin, replied "You are welcome to draw your own conclusions." And ducking her playful slaps, he added, "I admit to nothing".

"Well, Miss Quixote," Chuck teased, sticking his tongue out for effect, "I am glad Director Simpson was happy and is keeping you here, and not sending you out on Windmill patrol."

Carina huffed, putting her hands on her hips, "Yeah, they are keeping me here, so something actually gets done besides Mario Kart, and reading comic books."

"Graphic Novels, not comic books," Chuck harrumphed, "they are respected literature, as you can tell by the word Novel in their name, "widening his eyes in feigned annoyance. "Besides, I know you secretly like being called princess, Princess Daisy."

"Yeah, well there is no queen character to choose from, so that is the best I can do to keep your little Luigi ass in line."

She laughed at Chuck's antics as he took on a coy, Bettie Boop kind expression, he bent his knees, poked his index finger in his cheek and wide eyed, looked over his shoulder and down at his butt. He wiggled his eyebrows for added effect.

Through her giggles, she added, "Just like I have to keep an eye on that ass, when we are on a mission."

Chuck straightened up, and with a soft smile brushing his lips and eyes, sincerely said," Yeah, I love you for that 'Rina."

His sudden sincerity and words, staggered Carina. If she wasn't a trained spy, she would have stopped in her tracks, wide eyed and slacked jawed, instead of her shock being only evident for a moment.

If she wasn't Carina, she would have dragged him back to the bedroom to show him the effect of his words, but that wouldn't be just sex. There would be deep feelings shared and the intimacy that make 2 into 1.

So, since she was Carina, she just replied, flatly. "Yeah, I know."

Chuck was stopped flat-footed, but soon a big grin spread over his face. "Smooth, Hans, very smooth," the affection in his eyes clearly evident.

Carina shook herself to compose herself and cleared her throat, regaining control of the situation. She continued more seriously, "Well, with our new charter, you should be a little safer going forward. I assume you won't mind staying safe, in the command post."

Hopefully it will be safer than "in the car", he humorously thought, before stating, "Yeah, my bosses gave me a similar briefing."

They settled back into their easy comradery, compared notes of their meetings, and began laying out plans for how they would deal with the new parameters.

Maybe it will be easier to be a "less shoot-y" Charles Carmichael, Chuck pondered.