AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN

by mssupertigz

Chuck gets the intersect while still in Stanford and his life starts to unravel. As he decides what to do, he bumps into the very person that has arrived to pick up the pieces and get back what was taken, but unbeknownst to her, he turns out to be the one that shows her that she is not the job and that her life is worth taking risks, even if it doesn't make any sense.

3. Chapter 3

Round three, thanks for coming back. Let me know what you think. Mssupertigz

Chapter 3

Sarah had to remind herself to breathe as she prepared herself to see the one who had called her name. As she anxious turned around, her heart sank. The voice called out. "Miss me?" Then the face that followed belonged to him, who came out from behind one of the pillars and greeted his ex partner. "What are you doing here Bryce!" Like Sarah the girl cared why he was there and why he was the one who said her name, but the spy in her knew, that were Bryce was concerned, there was more to it. "I can ask you the same thing. I can see that you weren't expecting to see me."

"How can you tell?" Sarah standing with her one hand on her carry-on and the other hand near her face.

"So where is the Major?" Bryce looked around as Sarah kept her cool. Sarah heard her name again and turned behind her and this time was able to face the voice that she wanted to hear call her name just minutes ago. This time she was glad that it was Chuck. She tried to stop him before he got closer to her, but Casey was right there and when he saw Bryce, Chuck looked at him. Bryce raised his head to make eye contact, but somewhere deep inside Chuck a voice gave him permission to regain some retribution. It gave him the strength and a well-deserved pay back to let him have it. Chuck could feel his fist slam against Bryce's face cracking his knuckles. Bryce stepped back trying to not to fall backwards but the damage was done. Chuck leaned forward and tried again but Casey held him back. Chuck needed to do this but with the amount of people watching someone had to shut it down. Sarah looked at Chuck. "Not here!" Chuck was hurt and his hand was only part of it. Casey grabbed Sarah's things and tossed them in the back of his Vic as he opened the door, Sarah jumped in the back and Chuck in the front. Sarah looked back at Bryce who was left wondering what had just happened as Casey sped off. Sarah told him where she was staying, and he drove her there to drop of her things. Casey stepped out grabbing a bucket and returning it full of ice then raiding Sarah's liquor cabinet. At this point Sarah didn't mind the intrusion. Sarah grabbed some of the ice and wrapped it in a towel and gave it to Chuck then she went and stood by Casey. "Now what do we do? And why is he here?"

"Does he know where Chuck lives?" As they looked at Chuck fiddle with the towel and the ice.

"Maybe, they were roommates for four years." Casey nodded then got on his phone and called Beckman as Sarah went and unwrapped the towel to look at his hand. Chuck looked up. "Welcome back?"

"Thanks?"

"Didn't expect to see Bryce."

"Me neither. I heard my name as I exited the airport looking for you, so I assumed it was you with all the people."

"Why is he here, Sarah?"

"That I don't know." Sarah worried about this new threat, and she had just got back. Sarah changed then headed back with Casey's to talk with Beckman. "General, we don't know why he was at the airport."

"Unless he was following anyone of you. It would make sense to come and find you Chuck, but I didn't think he knew that you Agent Walker and you Major Casey would be here as well. We can use this. If he knows that you, Chuck are being watched he will have to play his cards very close. It was a bold move to make contact with you, any of you at the airport when anyone could have had eyes on him. Chuck, I think it's best that you lay low till Bryce is located."

"I have no problem with that, and my sister is going away with Devon to his parents place. So, they won't be home thank goodness."

"Agent Walker I know that you just got back but I think that you should stay close as well. If Bryce knows that both of you are watching Chuck, then he won't lead anyone to Chuck. Major I will need you to set up a neighbourhood grid, I can send you some agents to assist you."

"That will be helpful."

Hours later – Echo Park

Chuck paced his floor and was tempted to peek outside. The thought of someone even if it was Bryce coming after him, made him feel very uncomfortable. Chuck paced the floor till he heard a faint knock. He looked through the peep hole and instantly opened it as Sarah was dragged inside. "Where you followed?" Sarah laughed. "Chuck your place is as guarded as Fort Knox."

Chuck took Sarah's things into his room and grabbed the sleeping bag. "Chuck I can sleep on the couch."

"No, my bed is yours." Sarah looked at Chuck as they both made an uncomfortable looking face to each other. Sarah followed him and started to unpack. "Sorry again."

"Chuck sit down." Sarah sat down and padded the bed.

Chuck sat beside her. "Chuck you don't need to thank me or say your sorry, every time I do something. This is my job. I am here to keep you safe as if I had to keep someone else safe."

"With a computer in their head?"

"Maybe not someone with a computer in their head. But as agents we don't always get to choose where we go but where we do go, we try to make the best of it no matter what it ends up looking like. This was not what this mission was initially stated as. I was told to find the files and head back to DC. So, you don't have to apologize at all. Unless you screw up, but this was not your fault."

"No but it feels like it is." Smiled tried to smile as Sarah looked up at him. He quickly got up and left her alone.

Hours later, Sarah woke to find the kitchen light on as she walked through the open bedroom door, she kept her gun raised. She let her gun lead her into the kitchen only to find Chuck standing in front of the stove hovering over a pot. He turned. "Sorry." Sarah gave him that look.

"Couldn't sleep so when I little and I couldn't sleep, Ellie would make me warm milk and I would cheat a little by adding some caramel or chocolate syrup in mine. Sarah put her gun down on the kitchen counter. Sarah looked at the clock it was 3:00 am. Chuck poured some more milk into the pot and brought the milk to a good temperature. He continued to stir as Sarah looked for cups. "Just above where your standing." Chuck got an eye full as what she was wearing. No matter what she wore, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Chuck turned the burner off and walked over to the cups that Sarah had set out. He poured the first cup then the second then walked over to the side pantry and brought out a bottle of caramel syrup. He poured almost eyeing the exact amount into each cup then grabbed a spoon, stirring both of them passing one to her and grabbing the other as he sipped his, Sarah motioned towards the living room. Chuck followed and joined her on the couch. Chuck watched as the agent brought the warm milk to her lips. He waited as she took the first sip then a second. Sarah looked over her cup. "Not bad Bartowski."

Chuck smiled and sipped his warm milk. Chuck was nearly done his and was starting to feel the effects of the warm milk. "I guess that's why babies drink warm milk?" As he yawned.

"I guess their smarter than you and I?"

"Well I, we better try this again." Chuck got up and walked back into the kitchen carrying the two cups. Sarah grabbed her gun from the counter. Chuck put the cups in the sink and walked towards the light switch. He waited till Sarah slipped into his room. "Good night again."

"Good night Chuck."

Chuck flipped the switch then crawled back into his sleeping bag.

Two days later

Chuck walked back and forth from Casey's place to his, he was done with meetings with Beckman and wanted some alone time. He hoped to set up his gaming system so he slipped into the kitchen grabbed a beer then walked into his room and Morgan was right, it did smell nice, with Sarah staying here. Chuck opened the window to get a nice breeze that if your lucky came through the courtyard. Chuck grabbed his boxes and opened them up and tossed the items on the bed. Cleared his dresser and pulled out the screen tv from the box and placed it on the empty dresser. Then he grabbed the tower and placed it near his door on his desk. Chuck sat facing the window laying out wire to place around his room for surround sound when he saw in the monitor's screen a reflection. Chuck turned around and laid eyes on Bryce. "One girlish scream from me and Casey and Sarah will be right over."

"I'm not here to cause any issues. I'm hear to talk to you about Sandwall." Just then Casey fired his gun at Bryce making him fall back hard against the wall. Chuck stood shocked at what just happened. Bryce was down. Sarah ran over to Bryce and opened his jacket to see that he was wearing a bullet proof vest. Chuck sat down trying to catch his breath. "What is he doing here?"

Bryce coughed then Sarah helped him sit up. Bryce looked at Casey. "I'm glad you missed."

"I'm not"

"What is Sandwall?" Chuck yells.

Bryce ripped open his vest. "You flashed on it. The retrieval is that quick? Amazing."

"Not really?"

"Are you going to tell us why you're here or do I get another shot?" Casey aiming his gun.

"Guys he's on our side. I flashed." Casey and Sarah both looked at Chuck.

Casey disappointed as he put his gun behind him. He turned to the window as the other agents appeared hearing the gun shot. "All good, cordon off the complex just in case Agent Larkin was followed."

"Yes Major." As the agents pulled back and disappeared.

Casey walked Larkin over to his place to speak with Beckman. Chuck walked over and picked up the broken lamp and the busted gyprock from the hole in the wall. Sarah walked over and grabbed his hand. "I'll take care of this."

Chuck walked back to his desk and sat down and grabbed the items he had in his hands before Bryce arrived. Then it got quiet. Sarah tossed the broken pieces into the waste basket. Then turned and sat across from Chuck on the bed. "So, what is Beckman going to say?"

"She'll probably want to know everything."

"And he's going to tell her, yeah right." Chuck looking frustrated.

"Maybe, but he is here and whether he is on our side and your flash is right, we still need to be extra careful."

"Do we trust him?"

Sarah never answered as her phone rang.

"Ok, we'll be right over."

Chuck got up and slipped through his window.

Bryce was heading out as Sarah and Chuck passed him. Bryce slipped his sunglasses on and left with one of the agents that were patrolling the complex.

"Where is he going?"

"Beckman wants him away from here just in case. She also wants us to be alone. She doesn't trust him quite yet."

"Her too?"

"She says that it doesn't feel right and that something is missing. Bryce can't be working alone and whomever he is working for may or may not be on our side and either way, Chuck unfortunately your stuck in the middle."

Two weeks later

Sarah slipped out of Casey's apartment and headed over to grab Chuck. They had been laying low and lucky for Chuck no one had come for him. They met with Bryce away from the apartment purely for the safety of Chuck and his family. Bryce's shiner was starting to fade but it gave Chuck the confidence he needed to stand up to him and find out all the why's. Though Bryce kept that to himself it was starting to wane on Chuck to smash his face again. Beckman had worked behind the scenes and set up a fake Architecture Consulting firm in a small corner of a downtown high rise. Casey looked at the address on the email and pulled up to the front. The three got out and when they approached the doors there stood Bryce. He was like a bad cold that no matter what you did it kept coming back. Casey punched in the code and the doors unlocked. Sarah headed in first, then Chuck, Bryce and Casey as he locked up behind him. The windows facing the street were tinted with a stripe across the middle of the panes allowing light only from the top and bottom of the windowpane to come through. Sarah walked the space and started to push tables together and await further instructions. Chuck sat on the floor in the corner as Bryce, Sarah and Casey sat around the table. An hour later there was a knock at the back door. Casey cocked his gun and Sarah motioned for Chuck to hide behind the counter. Bryce took Sarah's six as they headed to the back. It got quiet as Chuck raised his head to see that it was safe to come out. Chuck relieved he stood up to see what was delivered. Beckman had surveillance equipment arrive and within hours the place looked like a military based operation. Workers built a fake front in case people from the street actually walked in. Beckman assigned agents to work the front and while they worked on this case, Sarah would be pretending to be an Architect as her fake job and Chuck liked it because he got to work on computers setting up a fake website for the firm but it also allowed him to look into Sandwall on the Governments dime. Those words still haunted him and what they could mean.

The next morning Sarah walked in and saw Chuck sitting at the desk. He was wearing the same clothes he had on the day before and his day-old growth made him look like a spy. Sarah was surprised that she thought that he looked like a spy but they way he got to work it was like it was second nature. Whether it was the Intersect or not he had the skills, the knowledge and the ability to problem solve. Sarah walked over to Chuck and saw that he had looked into, the Omaha which was the original mission that Sarah was supposed to be on and where and how it turned out to be. And that was finding him, by mistake. Sarah sat down and grabbed his notes. "What's this?"

"It's me trying to find out why I was kicked out. I know that it is more than me apparently cheating, but why go that route?"

"I don't know, but do you think that it is a good idea to find out why? You will graduate."

"I know and I am thankful for that, but it doesn't make sense. If Bryce is a spy why come after me, what do I know that would have him go this far."

"Maybe it's not what you knew if its what you know now?"

"I get that, if this is what I think it is, I should be a vegetable by now."

Sarah put the paper down.

"What do you mean?"

"With the amount of data that I am able to hold, compress, retrieve an average person does not have the makeup to do that, its impossible so why am I still here. There is no scientific reason that I should still be alive, let alone coherent."

"And?"

"This Intersect, if that is what they are calling it, had to be made specifically made for a specific person, with a unique brain makeup."

"So are you saying that this was meant for you…."

Just then, Bryce walked by and was glad he did. What he had just heard he wasn't ready to have Chuck figure this out this quickly. He needed more time and he had no word on what to do next. Bryce had to jump to his next plan and fast. "Got a lead." Hoping that would make them focus on something else for the time being. Chuck closed off his search and slipped his notes under his laptop and followed Bryce. Bryce watched where Chuck put his notes. Casey walked in from the street, "Got a text, stating that there was a new lead?"

"Yeah, that's what Bryce just told us."

Bryce faced the three and waited for Beckman to come on the screen. "I am ready to come clean, but I can only give you some of reasons."

Chuck walked off. "I'm done, he's playing with us and I am tired of him using this as an excuse, its not his life that is in jeopardy here it's mine."

"Mr. Bartowski!" Beckman's voice stopped him, but it was Sarah's voice that brought him back. "Chuck."

The Sarah looked at Bryce. "Bryce, Chuck is right. Tell us the truth for once."

"I stole the files."

"Brilliant, we can go home." Casey grunting.

Bryce looked at Casey. "I stole them, but there's more to it, but I can't tell you at this point, but I can tell you that its better that we have the files than who I stole them away from or better yet who wanted them."

The four looked at Bryce. "Care to elaborate Agent Larkin." Beckman inquiring.

Bryce turned to face the screen. "The Intersect files were one of two. The one I sent to Chuck was the final and original file. There was a second attempt/cipher and those files were set aside just in case this one did not work in its host." Chuck looked up he was right.

"The original cipher had only been tested once and the hopes were that it would be used for good, uploaded to the right person, blah blah blah. Anyways word got out that someone was going after the files. That they had to be protected, so I agreed to look into why and who. When I came across a man named Fletcher Ramsey when I was recruited at Stanford and he was part of a team that was behind an untested, new unorthodox style of CIA experiments and research. He was working with a group of men that I had only met once or twice but he was not like the others. He seemed to be more interested in the end results that he hoped would create a super spy, using old spy tactics. But when I got word that it was not going to be used for good, I had to make that call and get those files out before they were sold and used for others things than what its creator has created it for."

"What were they intended for?" Chuck looking at Bryce.

"All I know it that this file was to be used as a teaching tool, not for military gain."

"It could be made for military?" Casey now interested.

"That was a possibility Casey. If you had the right people and you used the right formula, you could create a super spy, with all of what Chuck knows and what we still doesn't know about the Intersect, it could create a super army if you wanted it to."

"Trained killers?"

"Yes Casey."

Casey sat back. "That's not good."

"No, so that was one of the reasons why I had to act fast."

"So, sending them to me made you feel better." Chuck standing firm.

"Chuck, I can't tell you or any of you anymore that I already have and that is more than you deserve at this point. The problem is now we need to take care of is so that Fletcher can't continue with his plan. When I took the original file, I saw that the other file was taken as well. So that means that he has the other version."

"How do you know that you got the right one?"

Bryce looked at Chuck. "Your still here."

Chuck was surprised by his tone, almost a caring, apologetic tone.

"If Fletcher moves quickly and he uses those files and he has a team of the right engineers and techs he can modify and create that super team."

"He sold it, didn't he? And you want us to get it back." Casey and Sarah look at each other.

Bryce was quiet.

"Agent Larkin your telling me that another copy of the Intersect is out there and in no time can be uploaded into who knows who and then we have a group of super military soldiers with our secrets inside their heads."

"Yes General."

"Care to elaborate on where you think this cipher is?

"Thailand?"

Casey tossed his hands in the air. "Great, this guy just probably sold our secrets to the Thai military. You think that they were bad as bad before this. If they get this intel, we are done."

"Not necessary."

They all looked up. "Both ciphers were created by the same program and it was designed for a special makeup and there can't be the same person with the same chemical makeup."

"So!" Sarah and Casey reply.

Chuck had to vouch for his ex friend. "What Bryce is telling us, is that even if they did get to upload the cipher, it's not a guaranteed that they will be able to handle the amount of data and if they do, it may not last." Casey walked over to Chuck and leaned in. Whispering. "So why are you still around?"

"I keep asking myself that everyday. I don't know, maybe I have that chemical makeup or I am still so angry that this has happened to me that its afraid to do anything else." Casey smiled slightly.

"So, Agent Larkin, if your right, where do we go from here?"

"We need to shut it down. But I need to make Fletcher think that I am on his side, that I am working with him."

"I knew it, we can't trust him." Casey reaching for his gun.

"Major!"

Casey sat down. "Agent Larkin, you have to see our side of this."

"I do ma'am, and I know that I have a lot to do to gain your trust back, all of you (as he looks at Chuck) but I need your help."

"You started all of this!"

"I did Chuck and I have to live with that, but if I can prevent what I think is going to happen then I would do it all over again."

Beckman signed off and the four were off to Thailand by the end of the day. Casey and Chuck sat together as Sarah found her spot a few rows behind them and Bryce a few rows ahead of them. Chuck slipped his headphones on and closed his eyes. He hated lying to his sister on where he was going but when Ellie saw that Sarah was going to be with him, she was okay with it. The plane ascended and levelled off and Casey got up and walked over to Sarah. "He's all yours. I need the leg room." That was his excuse and Sarah didn't care. She got up and walked a few rows ahead and sat down beside Chuck. Chuck slipped his earphones off and they chatted as Sarah squeezed his hand to reassure him that things were going to be okay. They sat holding hands till Bryce walked by and Chuck let go.

22 hours later they arrived and moved throughout the airport. Chuck kept close to Sarah, but he was a sitting duck as his towered over the crowd. Casey walked ahead and grabbed their bags. The three headed out and meet up with Bryce but keeping their distance. Casey waited outside for his contact and finally got a visual of their driver. Sarah took the lead then Chuck slipped in behind her, then Bryce and Casey getting in the car last. The van drove through the crowded streets and slowed down to a decent hotel and the four got out. "So, Bangkok." Chuck's head starts bobbing and starts to sing 'Bangkok, Oriental setting And the city don't know that the city is getting The creme de la creme of the chess world In a show with everything but Yul Brynner…One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster… The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free'

Sarah laughed but instantly loses her smiles as they enter the hotel. Sarah walked ahead as Bryce sped up to walk in with her, like she was his arm candy. Chuck and Casey slip in behind and take one of the suites with joining rooms and head upstairs. They enter the main suite as Casey sets up a surveillance feed with the hotels main frame, just to keep an eye on who enters and exits. Bryce posts pictures of Fletcher and his men and who Bryce thinks he might be here to see on one of the bare walls facing the group.

They order room service and plan to head out in the morning. Sarah can't sleep and sees someone else not sleeping. Sarah looks at him, with caring eyes and makes a phone call. Chuck stared out the window as Sarah brings him some warm milk that she had ordered from room service.

Chuck turned to face her. "Thanks. You remembered."

Sarah smiled. "Time change can be a killer."

"Yeah, kinda new to this?"

"You don't travel?"

"No, Stanford would have been the furthest I had been to. My dad did take us camping but no, I have not left the US of A."

"Well I am happy to be the first to show you the world."

"Well then can we stop in Paris on the way home?"

"Paris?"

"Yeah I always wanted to see Paris."

"It's beautiful."

"You've been?"

"Briefly, but I would love to go back there and spend some time looking at the museums and the tower. I have lots of stamps on my passports, but I haven't been able to stop and appreciate these places."

"Well, maybe we can mix a little sight seeing with our stake outs?"

"Stake outs?"

"Yeah, what do you call them?"

"Surveillance?"

"Boring." They both laugh.

Chuck sipped his warm milk and then thanked her again and headed down the hall. "Good night Agent Walker."

"Good night Chuck."

Sarah sipped her milk then crawled into her bed. She put her cup down and smiled. She didn't know what to expect on this trip but, she was glad that he was here with her.

Two weeks in

Beckman arrived and walked in carrying two garments bags and her assistant carrying two more. "Agent Walker and Chuck take these and get ready to head over to the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel. I have a limo waiting to take you there. I also have invitations to attend a socialite in two days at the Palace. We got chatter that Fletcher Ramsey will be attending and we hope that whomever he is planning to sell the cipher to will be there as well. Also going on, will have you placed in the hotel and as you attend and mingle, you won't be out of place because you will already be seen in public." Chuck opened the garment bag. He had never worn a tux before and he feared that he'd struggled with his tie but, Sarah walked by. "I will help you."

Chuck zipped up his garment bag and grabbed his other bag and headed to the door. Bryce looked at Beckman waiting for her to tell them that he and Sarah would be the couple. Bryce started to smile. Beckman faced the team. "Sarah you and Chuck will pretend to be a married couple, on your honeymoon."

Bryce looked at Beckman. "General wouldn't it be better if Sarah and I were that couple?"

"It would Bryce, but they know or should know that you are not in a relationship and Chuck needs to be visible to flash and being cooped up in hotel room looking at a video feed is not the results I want. Plus, this will allow you to roam freely and hopefully make contact with Ramsey."

Bryce took a deep sigh and grabbed his bag and slipped into the back. "Major I will have you arrive at the in a day or so. I want you to stay back. See where this goes."

"Yes General." As he saw he motion to where Bryce disappeared to.

"I will be staying at the American Consulate over night and heading back to DC after that. Chuck it was has been a pleasure to finally meet you even though our visit is brief."

"Its my pleasure and thanks."

"Good luck."

"Agent Walker you know what to do."

"Yes General."

"Goodbye team."

Beckman left in the same fashion as she arrived.

Chuck and Sarah's limo arrived in front of the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel. They were escorted to the honeymoon suite and Sarah dropped her bag off as Chuck walked around, nervous and restless. He saw the one bed and the large tub and fancy attire. He felt very out of place. Sarah grabbed her one bag and opened it up and called Casey. "We have arrived. Heading out to be seen. Wait for your arrival."

Sarah closed the case and walked over to Chuck. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just feel a bit weird."

"You'll do fine."

"We can worry about the other things when we get back."

"Like the…."

"Sleeping arrangements?"

"I see that they have a couch."

Sarah nudged Chuck and headed to the door.

"Let's go Chuck."

Sarah and Chuck walked the sidewalks and did a little site seeing trying to see if Ramsey was near or had arrive yet. Chuck watched as Sarah played the role and never missed a beat. She would start a conversation that Chuck would know exactly what to say, she would even bring up waiting to meet their friends Fletcher Ramsey, just in case someone took notice. A few times Chuck got a flash but they were minor players an a few that Sarah was able to grab a photo and send it back to Casey. Sarah looked at Chuck as she impressed at his ability to stay focus, even when she knew that every second of this was wearing him down. Sarah approached a merchant booth and was eyeing the scarfs. "Charles."

Chuck walked over and placed his hand over hers, she had to focus on her next lines. "Do you like this one?"

"Yeah, but I think the blue one will go better with your eyes." Chuck turned to face Sarah as Sarah leaned in and kissed him. It was not a quick kiss but a few more. Chuck grabbed her hand. "We have lots to look at sweetheart, so we better not get stuck here or we won't leave." Sarah slipped her hand in his as they continue to walk around. Chuck looked down at the floating markets and enjoyed their walk as they headed over to the Chao Phraya River to meet up with Casey and Bryce. They sat at a small table and ate, still acting like a real couple, sharing their food and laughing as Casey and Bryce sat at two other tables. Chuck liked the spot and wondered why they chose this spot. Then he knew, they were still on a mission. Casey raised his glass. "Your six Walker."

"He's not alone." Bryce confirming target.

Chuck tried to look but Sarah leaned in and kissed his cheek. "We are watching Ramsey."

"What do I do?"

"Kiss me."

"What?"

"Kiss me, we are supposed to be on our honeymoon. Chuck leaned in and kissed Sarah just in time as Ramsey walked by them with a small entourage. Chuck continued to kiss Sarah till the voice in their ear snapped them out of it.

Chuck leaned back as Sarah touched her lips. Chuck took a sip of his drink and looked up to see Ramsey shaking hands with Bryce. Chuck flashed and tried to keep his cool. Casey stayed at his table.

"Casey, we got something."

Casey stood up and walked over to their table and sat in front of Chuck not to cause prying eyes to look at them. Chuck came to. "That's Ramsey for sure, he use to work for the CIA, they fired him for insubordination and other fractions and Bryce was right he was part of some research pilot project, that."

"That what?"

"That has something to do with code name Omaha and Sandwall. They are connected somehow."

"So that could be one reason why he is interested in getting back at the whole institution that fired him. Steal what was theirs and make it yours." Casey turning slightly to look over his shoulder.

Sarah and Chuck waited till Ramsey and Bryce walked off and followed them. Chuck didn't mind the kisses and the hand holding. Especially when Sarah kissed him first and a second and a third. Chuck was starting to like this mission. She was a good kisser and Sarah couldn't lie either he was an excellent kisser. She hadn't been kissed like that ever. Even if it was them 'faking' it.

They made their rounds and headed back to the hotel. It rained the next day but that didn't stop Chuck from actually fulfilling his duty as a visitor to Bangkok. He stayed close to the hotel just in case they needed to be back, but he was able to show her some of the museums and a little of Thai culture all before lunch. They arrived back at the hotel and were walking towards the elevator looking at the front lobby when Sarah turned to face him. She grabbed his hand. An older Thai couple stepped in beside them. In broken English; "You married?"

Sarah looked at Chuck then at the couple. "Yes, we are on our honeymoon."

"So happy for you."

"Thank you."

"Many blessings."

Chuck and Sarah nodded. Chuck looked at the couple. He leaned in. "I think they want us to kiss."

Sarah looked down at them. She turned to face him and grabbed his face in her hands. Their lips met. But it was not like the others.

The older couple smiled and walked off. Chuck lowered his face as Sarah let go.

They both, blushed a few shades of red.

That evening Casey arrived with his suit on and waited for Chuck and Sarah to walk out. Chuck looked at her and how beautiful she looked. Casey forced Chuck to snap out of his gocking at Sarah, by dropping two rings in Chucks hand. Chuck looked at them. "What's this?"

"You two are married right? So you need to wear these rings, plus they have a small GPS in them in case something goes wrong."

Casey grunted as Sarah walked by. "They don't have a GPS in them Chuck."

Chuck took the rings then took Sarah's hand and slipped her ring on her finger. Then he smiled as Sarah took his ring and slipped it on his finger. They leaned in as Sarah kissed Chuck's cheek.

"So, it's official."

"It is, we are the Carmichaels." Easy to remember and easy to convince people that we are who we say we are."

They walked to the door as Casey followed. "Just act normal. Do what normal couples do on a honeymoon."

"Ok, but we are not a normal couple." His comment hit her hard, it even stung a little. Casey looked at her as he opened the door. "He's got you there."

The first night of the socialite gala was a bust. They headed back to the suite and slept when they could and they tried again, the next night.

It was getting harder to keep focused with the room and all and them pretending that they were a couple. Sarah tried to keep it light but when you had to kiss on demand to show others that what this was real was harder on Chuck and he started to show it, but she too pull back and not take it to far.

The final night of the gala Ramsey finally showed up as the night progressed into the wee morning hours. They watched as Ramsey was having a good time and Bryce staying close to him. The four waited to see who the buyer could be and when Chuck flashes were not what they expected. Casey grabbed his cigars and walked past Chuck and Sarah. "We will look at this another way. I'll head back, you two change and meet me back at the hotel, we don't need the suite anymore."

Bryce left with Ramsey to keep an eye on him. Chuck looked around as the party was slowing down. And headed to the doors as Casey was right, it didn't turn out the way they had planned it go. Chuck walked out of the gala and down the Palace steps towards their hotel. Sarah followed knowing that it was a bust and felt bad for Chuck as they didn't get any further than they already were at. They arrived at their room and Sarah slipped her heels off. Chuck sat down embraced the quietness of the room. Chuck poured two glasses of wine and walked towards the window. Sarah came out of the bathroom not prepared to see Chuck there. She didn't bring with her a robe to cover up. She had planned to change and head back. Chuck looked at her and almost dropped the glasses. She walked towards him wearing a black teddy. "What wow you look."

"You were saying."

"Was I talking?"

"Yes, you were saying that maybe we could stay a little longer? Not waste this room."

"Did I?"

"Yes. By wearing that."

"This, this is what a girl would wear to seduce her boyfriend or husband."

"Well lucky boyfriend, even luckier husband."

Sarah walked up to him. "No lucky you." Sarah took her glass and drank it quickly.

Chuck swallowed his drink quickly as well and tried to stand up. Sarah looked at him. "We don't need to leave do we? I mean we have a very fine suite here, and its paid for."

"I guess not, I'm protected here with you. We can order room service, maybe watch a movie or."

Chuck looked up and saw Sarah walking towards him. As he tried to keep his distance.

Meanwhile back at the other hotel

Bryce knocked on Sarah's door but there's no answer. Casey walked down the hall. "Their, not back yet from the party. We had to split up."

Bryce put his hand down and walked back to his chair and turned on the tv.

Sarah approached Chuck. "We can't waste the room, we shouldn't waste the room." Sarah looked at Chuck then stood in front of him. She could feel his heart beating through his shirt. Sarah placed his hand on her chest as he felt her heart beat faster than it should as well. "I don't know why I am so nervous, being here with you?"

"Maybe because it's starting to mean something."

"Maybe this is."

"Real? Not saying that your other times weren't."

"Don't worry, Chuck there's not that many."

Chuck looked up. "Me either, it would be you and Jill."

Then Chuck pulled away and Sarah knew why. "He did again. He always finds a way or does something to ruins everything that I care about or have worked for."

Chuck sat down on the edge of the bed. Sarah crouched down in front of him. "I can see how this looks and I'm sorry. That Bryce has been apart of this. Bryce and I were a mistake that happened early in my career and it only happened a few times. Literally and I can't speak for Jill, but it looks like to me if she slept with Bryce it was her choice. She could have said no if she was committed to you."

Chuck looked up. "Maybe your right, maybe I thought that Jill and I had some thing. If we did then she wouldn't have slept with Bryce. But maybe he did it to get back at me."

"Or its his strange way of protecting you?"

"Bryce and I were over as soon as it started. You and me."

Chuck looked up. "I can't explain it. But I know that you mean something to me and its not the mission and its not that its my job to keep you safe, it something I can't explain. And I know that nothing like this has ever happened to me and I don't want to take it for granted. Life's too short."

"I like you too."

Sarah smiled. "I know you do."

"But you're my handler, and I don't want to get you into trouble."

"Don't worry about me."

"I do."

"That is what I like about you Chuck. Always worrying about others. It's time for you to worry about you. What do you want?"

Chuck grabbed her face and leaned towards her. Their lips met. Then he whispered. "I want you."

Sarah looked up. "Then I am yours."

Chuck helped Sarah up and looked at her as he slid his hands along her bare hips making circular motions with his thumbs. Then he removed her strap off her shoulders and kissed her shoulder then dragged his fingers over her body. Sarah felt like she was being charged by his finger's tips. He slipped his shirt skipping the buttons as she grabbed his belt. His lips covered hers. He slipped out of his dress pants and turned her, so her legs touched the bed. He slid his hands under her hips and lifted her into his and laid her back onto the bed. Her body pressed into the mattress with his warm body covering her. He slipped her bra off and stood up and removed what was left as Sarah slid backwards taking Chuck with her. Sarah was not prepared for the quickness of them becoming one, but it felt so good. Chuck looked at her and it was seal, what they felt for each other could even be felt in their movements, touches and the little noises that escaped their lips. Sarah was lost in Chucks rhythms as he held on, she flipped them over. Chuck stared at her as Sarah brushed her hair back over her shoulders and lowered herself to kiss him. She laid her hands flat in his chest kneading his chest hairs in her fingers. Chuck tried to hold her stare but what she was doing to him he had to close his eyes.

Chuck sat up and held her close as they slowed down and looked at each other kissing slowly and embracing each others kisses and touches They didn't want it too end. Sarah looked at him as she gave her a strange look. She quickly knew what that look meant. Chuck flipped Sarah on her back and pressed her further into the mattress starting all over again. Sarah laid back trying to catch her breath as Chuck grabbed his socks and shorts slipping them on. Sarah eventually rolled onto her side then grabbed her underwear and bra. Chuck brought her dress to her as she slipped it on. Chuck kissed her whole back as he zipped her up. Then he nestled in her neck as she held his face close. "If you continue like this, we won't make it back."

"And that would be a bad idea why?"

Sarah smiled. As she walked to find her heels. Chuck slipped his dress pants on and dress shirt. He slipped his tie on and grabbed his shoes slipping into them in as Sarah brought him his suit jacket. They both stared at the bed that was now of strewn of rumpled bed sheets. Then looked at each other. Their lips met.

Bryce slid his feet down as Chuck and Sarah walked in. Sarah reached into her purse and dropped a small USB drive. "We waited to retrieve this." Chuck saw a woman named Prija Yang and another man known only as Ting coming into the palace after you and Casey left. Casey walked in. "So, you saw him too?"

Bryce wasn't sure that her story was true but when Casey verified it, his suspicions that her and Chuck were not doing something other than spy work was thrown out of the window. Chuck put the USB into one of the computers bringing up the feed. They watched then Sarah pointed. "See she's talking to Ramsey."

"Yang is a Triad ladder climber and has connections with a special forces branch who are privately funded by a man named Ko Nang Yuan."

Bryce looked at the three. "She's one of the people that the cipher was supposed to go to. She must be the one that Ramsey was talking about."

"Well I guess that is where we start with in the morning. I will contact Beckman, You three get some sleep."

Bryce walked away as the Casey, Sarah and Chuck looked at him. "Is it time to trust him?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Sarah left to get ready for bed and Chuck sat down with the USB drive to see if there was more to this. Bryce half walked ran to Sarah before she slipped into her room. "Glad your back?"

"Why wouldn't I."

"Just assumed that we would have all returned at the same time."

"We told you that we waited till see if by chance there was more to this and we were right, then we slipped into security office."

"Right. Well sleep well."

"You too."

Chuck looked up as Bryce came back. Casey grabbed a few beers and sat down. "Chuck did you see anything else?"

Chuck looked up. Chuck knew that Bryce was fishing. "So where were they Chuck?

"Who?"

"Ramsey and Yang?"

"We just saw them.

"Just saw them."

Chuck trying to justify why they were late coming back. "Yeah, my question was how did she get in? We had to walk in the front doors and everything else was locked or guarded. The security wouldn't just let anyone walk in. So, there must be a secret door, or she came in with a disguise?"

"Whatever her reasons were she going to get the cipher whether Ramsey gives it to her, or she takes it. Once it gets loaded and up and running any military force can use it."

Chuck looked at Bryce. "True but we also know that the cipher can only work in someone with a unique brain make up."

"So, your telling me that any soldier that she has working for her that might have the same brain make up as me could become a super soldier?"

Bryce looks at Chuck. "The purpose of the cipher she has was the earlier version. That I know. Yours is more advance."

"So, the intel retrieval. It's the intel that DC is worried about."

Bryce didn't have an answer. Chuck questioned Bryce as he looked at him. Chuck had even more questions, but he was tired and done. Chuck got up as Bryce settled with his beer. Chuck walked down the hall and into the bathroom to find out that he wasn't alone. Chuck slipped inside into Sarah's arms and leaned against the counter. He instantly felt safe and calm. "You know how long I have been waiting."

"Well, I am glad that it wasn't Casey who came in here first. No he uses the other bathroom." Sarah kissed Chuck as Chuck ran his hands though her damp hair. She smelled like lavender and now he knew why his room smelled that way. Chuck lifted Sarah onto the counter and kissed her all over. Sarah had a hard time keeping up. "We can't." Chuck continued to ravish her and she let him. Chuck eventually nestled in her warm neck placing kisses along her jaw line. "Ch-uck."

"Okay, but this is not going to be easy."

"I know, and I didn't plan on it happening."

"Your regret it? I mean what happened between us."

"No."

"You?"

"Hardly, your so beautiful and I am glad that I was at the receiving end."

Sarah smiled as she jumped down, a bit disappointed at the magic they could have done in that shower.

"I'm going to go, and you can have a cold shower."

Chuck looked at her as she sauntered towards the door. She opened it slowly, then slipped out not making a sound. Chuck turned and walked towards the shower. It was going to take more than a cold shower to cool him off.

The very late night ended with Chuck and Sarah rolling over in their beds and closing their eyes. But their dreams they were instantly drawn to what could have happened in the bathroom. Chuck kissed her chest and dragged his lips over her body as the hot spray cascaded over their bodies. Chuck lifted her wrapping her legs around his and pushing her into the cold tiles. Sarah held him close as their kisses had the urgency, the want and the need. Chuck tried to hang onto the end and was eventually was rewarded when Sarah smiled. Chuck pulled back and slowly let her legs fall to the floor of the shower. He kissed her then grabbed a bar of soap and lathered her skin. They took turns soaping up their wet skin, then standing under the cool water, rinsing off. Chuck opened the door grabbed a towel and wrapping it around his waist. Grabbing Sarah, a towel and wrapping it around her body he held her close. "I wish I could wake up with you."

"Me too."