Ch. 4 The First (Cover) Date, Part I
A/N: First of all, a small disclaimer. The title to this chapter was created when this chapter covered what are now chapters 4, 5 and 6. Our favorite couple (finally) meet up. Any words in italics are the thoughts of the characters-hopefully it is clear who is thinking what. I'm trying to keep to the chapter a week posting schedule, but chapters 5 and 6 underwent a ton of rewriting so now I need to make sure there aren't any continuity mistakes. Also, despite multiple readings, somehow a spelling error or two slip through. As always, pointing out any mistakes will help me to be a better (or at least more careful) writer. Thank you for reading, and thank you for the reviews and PMs. My plan is to write a follow on story after this one wraps up, and I'm planning on using several of the ideas mentioned in reviews.
I hope you enjoy.
Sarah hitched a ride with Agent Butterfield over to the Team Bartowski campaign headquarters located in Old Town, New Castle, Delaware, about a fifteen minute drive from the debate site, and within twenty minutes of Philadelphia. Sarah made a mental note to handle the driving herself the next time. She suspected, or at least hoped, that the Secret Service issue SUV could go significantly faster than the Agent In Charge was driving. As they neared the house, Ron Butterfield gave her a quick overview.
"I have taken responsibility for securing the headquarters from any potential attack. The campaign inadvertently helped a great deal in that regard. The headquarters is in a rented house on a quiet residential street. The roads are old, so they are narrow and winding, making it harder for someone to sneak up on the property. The house also has decent sized front, rear and side yards, making approach from any angle difficult. It's in a historic district, so most of the people living in the neighborhood have been there for decades. Any new face is quickly noted. Plus, it is fairly close to former Vice President Biden's private residence, so local, county and state law enforcement are all familiar with interacting with the Service."
As they pulled to a stop out front of the house, Sarah noted that the house itself seemed to match the biography of Charles Bartowski himself. Not flashy, but with a lot of substance. As she and Ron Butterfield exited their SUV, Sarah noted several "unmarked" Secret Service vehicles scattered up and down the street in proximity to the property. If she could spot the vehicles, as well as some of the security detail, that easily, she was sure Javier Cruz would be able to spot them as well. That, however, was likely part of Ron Butterfield's objective.
As they approached the front door, Sarah commented to Agent Butterfield, "I've looked over the Bartowski file in detail. There isn't anything that jumps out as a red flag issue. No shady business deals, no affairs or secret children, no sign of any offshore accounts or hidden assets. There's just nothing there to indicate a reason for someone to hire an elite assassin like Cruz to take him out. Bartowski is so clean, he makes choir boys look corrupt."
"I wouldn't say that last bit around John Casey, he might take offense having been one himself," Butterfield replied with a rare, and short lived wry grin.
"No!" Sarah said as she paused mid-stride to flash a smile in return. "That is hard to picture."
They both schooled their expressions into proper agent faces as Ron Butterfield knocked on the door to the temporary campaign headquarters. The door was quickly opened by Ellie Bartow- by Ellie Woodcomb, Sarah mentally corrected herself. Doctor Ellie Woodcomb, to be precise. Sarah was surprised to see the doctor look chagrined as she glanced Sarah's way before stepping back to all the two to come in. All of the bluster and fury that had been present in the Carpenter Center was gone from Bartowski's sister.
"Ah," Ellie quietly began, "Agent Walker. I am glad you are here. I would like to apologize for my behavior earlier today. It was inexcusable on my part. Between the stress of the upcoming debate, and discovery that there is someone out there trying to kill my baby brother, I just lost it. I'm sorry that I happened to lose it on you."
Sarah had lots and lots of training on spotting prevarication and deception. None of that training came in handy as it was clear that her protectee's sister was genuinely contrite for the slight that had taken place earlier that day. Sarah hadn't been too concerned at being on the receiving end of the wrath of the formidable sister, but for some reason she was secretly thrilled that Eleanor Woodcomb was no longer angry at her. Before she could dwell on that surprising reaction, as well as wonder at what had changed between the Bob Carpenter Center and the candidate's headquarters to make Chuck's sister not hate Sarah, Ron Butterfield was ushering Sarah inside the house so that they could discuss his idea to insert Sarah into the campaign undercover as the new girlfriend of Charles "Chuck" Bartowski.
As they took their seats in the living room to await the arrival of Chuck, Ellie apologized for the mess, as though it were actually her house and not a temporary campaign headquarters on the opposite side of the country from her own home. For a moment, Sarah allowed herself to wonder at what Ellie's home actually looked like. The files had indicated that she and her brother had lived in Burbank, but to Sarah it was just a dot on the map. Sarah's daydreaming was short lived, as Ron Butterfield took advantage of the delay in Chuck's arrival to get the sister's input on the proposed cover for Sarah.
"Dr. Woodcomb," Butterfield started in his serious, yet calming tone, "unfortunately we have developed some new information that shows that your brother is the intended target of the assassin. Given the sources of information and methods used to obtain it, I cannot reveal how we know, but I have checked the sources and am confident in the accuracy of the new information.
"That being said, we would like to recommend a plan that Agent Walker and I have come up with which would give your brother constant, yet discreet protection. While we have already increased the number of Secret Service agents handling physical security both here and at the debate site, our proposal is for Agent Walker to go undercover as Mr. Bartowski's girlfriend. Our information indicates that only you, your husband and Mr. Grimes have much knowledge about Mr. Bartowski's social history. We feel that if the three of you act as though Agent Walker was a past girlfriend with whom he has recently reconnected, the other people working in the campaign will accept it as fact. This would allow Agent Walker to constantly be by your brother's side."
Ellie sat back, stunned at the confirmation that there was, in fact, someone out there actively trying to kill her baby brother. As she slowly came to grips with that concept, the rest of Agent Butterfield's comments filtered through her consciousness. "I think there would be a very big problem with Agent Walker posing as my brother's girlfriend."
What, does she not think I'm good enough for him? Ok, if she knew my actual job, or worse-why they requested me for this assignment in the first place, she'd know I wasn't good enough for him. But she doesn't know so what gives?
Something in Sarah's expression must have given away her thought (damn, need to work on my poker face around Bartow…Woodcomb, Dr. Woodcomb. She made that clear enough back at the Center). "Agent Walker, I mean no disrespect. What I was trying to say, poorly I admit, was that the problem would be with my brother." Why wouldn't he want people to think I'm his girlfriend? Aside from the whole CIA assassin thing, and joining the CIA straight out of high school? Wait, he probably goes for brunettes. Yeah, the picture of that little tramp Jill showed she was a brunette. Maybe I could dye my hair. I wonder if he'd like me with black hair? I could do it straight and black, like that mission where I infiltrated the Russian arms dealer. I wonder if I can get them to ship me that catsuit?. "Agent Walker is, wow, she's a beautiful woman. It almost surprising that she's a federal agent. Oh, that sounds patronizing to both of you doesn't it. Ugh, I'm so sorry to both of you. I'm afraid you are not catching me on my best day.
"While I am all for getting my brother as much protection as possible, and I am sure that Agent Walker is capable at her job, I think there is a big problem with the undercover girlfriend plan," Ellie said while staring at Agent Butterfield.
What is the problem? Does Ellie not think that I can do a good job of protecting her brother? Does she think that a CIA, er, Secret Service agent is not good enough for her brother, or is it just me she has an issue with? I get that she's a doctor and he's this heroic, genius software mogul with a heart of gold. But would I really be so bad? Why doesn't Ellie approve of me as girlfriend material.
"The problem would be getting people to accept, even for a day or two, that Agent Walker is dating Chuck," Ellie continued.
So she's saying that Chuck wouldn't want to date someone who looks like me? Wait, that two-timing skank of an ex-girlfriend is a brunette. He prefers brunettes, doesn't he? I should look into getting my hair dyed. Or would Chuck want me to stay a blonde?
"After that bitch Jill broke his heart, Chuck hasn't dated. He hasn't even been interested in dating. I mean it's been two years! He got hurt. Badly. I get that. She's a wretched excuse for a human being who deserves to rot in hell for what she did to such a great guy."
Amen to that.
"What I don't get is why my brother doesn't realize what a great guy Chuck Bartowski is."
True.
"That he doesn't get that there are other women out there to date."
Also true. Wait. Women? Plural?
"That he can find someone just as great as he is."
Hmm. That's a pretty tall order. He's pretty great.
"That he can find someone as intelligent, funny and kind."
Uh oh. Funny? Nope. Kind? Not the word most would pick in describing the Ice Queen. I can recall being called a great many things, but I don't ever recall kind being on the list.
"He just needs to get back out there."
"Who needs to get back out where?" Chuck asked as he burst into the room, practically at a run. "Hey sis! Sorry I'm late. Morgan was bombarding me with debate prep questions. I haven't seen him this intense since the pre-release for Call of Duty Black Ops. Morgan literally just mentioned that someone from the Secret Service needed to meet with me. Not like that would be an important fact to mention to someone or anything," Chuck muttered sarcastically, shaking his head in frustration. Chuck turned to face Ron Butterfield when he suddenly realized that there was someone else in the room. His manners kicked in as he turned to greet his new guest.
Sarah watched, curious to see if her suspicions about Chuck being attracted to brunettes was true. She was surprised at how disappointed she felt at her suspicion. That suspicion was quickly allayed as Chuck's jaw literally dropped open when he saw her. However, it wasn't the cartoon like reaction that nearly made her laugh out loud, but the fact that Chuck had been mid turn when his jaw dropped, apparently caused his brain to seize up which resulted in his momentum turning his upper body while his legs stayed rooted to the ground. Chuck quickly became unbalanced and quite literally tripped over his own two feet. He likely would have caused considerable damage to the nearby glass coffee table if it were not for the lightning fast reflexes and protective instincts of Sarah. Before anyone else had even started to react to Chuck's nearly catastrophic attempt to walk, talk and look at Sarah Walker, Sarah had shot out of her seat, grabbing Chuck by the elbow to swing him away from the table. Unfortunately for Chuck, his momentum wasn't quite finished embarrassing him, as he let out a quiet "oof" as he collided with Sarah.
Oh, my god. She's Vicky Vale. No, as gorgeous as Kim Bassinger was, this woman is in a whole different league. And the first thing I do when I see her is to nearly impale myself on a glass table. Topped only by slamming into her after she saves me. Bang up job, Chuck.
"Well, I see that we don't have to wonder whether she's capable of protecting my brother," Ellie commented. Then with the edge of her lip starting to curl into a grin, and speaking mostly to herself, she continued, "And maybe we don't have to wonder if there's a problem with the undercover lover plan."
Ron Butterfield had decades of experience as a Secret Service agent in not visibly reacting while on the job. But even he couldn't stop the small grin at the combination of the sister's banter, the shell-shocked look on the protectee, as well as the widened eyes and singular focus of the CIA agent. Every action and statement by Agent Walker had been the height of professionalism since she first joined the team in the Treasury Building back in Washington. But he silently wondered whether Langston Graham's infamous Ice Queen might have just thawed a little bit.
"I…uh…hmmh. Sorry. Hi, I'm Chuck. And the two of you are?" As Chuck desperately tried to regain his equilibrium, while speaking to Agent Butterfield for the first time.
Sarah, meanwhile, was stunned as well. She'd seen plenty of surveillance photos, even a couple of his speeches on YouTube. None of that prepared her for the instant attraction she felt towards him. Or the fact that she had lost track of what he was saying once he made eye contact with her. She instantly realized that the pictures of him had failed to convey just how warm, friendly, open and expressive his eyes were. This was new territory, very new territory, for the Graham's enforcer. Oh, boy.
Sensing that neither his protectee nor his temporary agent were likely to rejoin the conversation any time soon, Ron Butterfield cleared his throat. "Mr. Bartowski, we know how busy you are with campaigning and preparing for the debate, so I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us. My name is Ron Butterfield, and I am the Agent In Charge for the Secret Service responsible for your security for the upcoming debate. As we were just briefing your sister, the Service has received a threat directed towards you. Politics, unfortunately, often brings out the worst in people. The vast majority of the threats we learn of are harmless venting. Unfortunately, in your case, the threat is specific and credible. Another government agency intercepted some communications, and additional investigation has corroborated you being the target of this threat.
"We have already stationed some agents near this residence, and are working closely with local law enforcement to upgrade security at the debate site. We will do everything in our power to minimize the disruption to your daily schedule. But the information we have is that you are being targeted by an international assassin. Based on that information, we were able to get Agent Walker here assigned to this detail. She is an expert regarding the man coming after you, as well as being a highly decorated field agent."
Well, I'm glad that he left out the part about me being a more accomplished assassin than the man hunting him. I doubt that Chuck would find that very reassuring. Sarah had failed to notice that she was no longer noticing that she thought of him as Chuck rather than the protectee.
"Given your, ah, unattached social status, we can place Agent Walker into your inner circle operating undercover, posing as your girlfriend. That way her presence would be easily explainable, while allowing her immediate access should an attempt on your life be made."
'Unattached social status' sounds so much better than sap whose fiancé screwed him over by sleeping with her boss. I haven't even noticed a woman, any woman, since Jill until…sometimes life just isn't fair. After all, its her job to pose as my girlfriend so that she can…take a bullet for me?
"No. Absolutely not." Oh, crap. I just said that part out loud didn't I. Man, she does not look happy. But why would she be happier having to risk her life to protect some guy she's never even met before?
Sarah had hoped for an enthusiastic response from Chuck to the offer to have her pose as his girlfriend. Given the background she knew on him, she was certain that he would understand her role as being bodyguard, not escort. She was not prepared for his vehement refusal to consider the plan.
"Would it be so bad," Sarah softly asked. "Having people think that you and I are a couple?" The nervous fluttering in her stomach was such a foreign, alien feeling that it took her a moment to realize that she was holding her breath awaiting his response. She wanted to cast aside the nerves, embrace her strong, independent, self-sufficient nature. A little voice in the back of her head chimed in: You are strong. You are independent. You are self-sufficient. You are also lonely and alone.
Chuck's eyes bore into her own. His quick intake of breath as he got lost in the depth of cyan blue seemed loud in the otherwise silent room. Sarah could see the contrition in his eyes, the dawning horror in his expression as he realized that his rejection of the proposal had come across as a rejection of her. She realized that had he been a mark, she would have just manipulated him perfectly. But he wasn't a mark (thank god for that), and she despised the thought of having to manipulate him.
"I didn't…I wouldn't…," Chuck paused, once again trying to regain his equilibrium in the presence of the most beautiful woman he'd ever met, who was lobbying to risk her life to protect his own. "I didn't mean to infer any insult to you or your abilities."
"You didn't infer," Sarah responded with a hint of mirth. "You implied. I inferred."
Chuck unconsciously broke into a grin, "I stand corrected." Man, oh man. She is perfect. Smart, funny, brave, beautiful, beautiful. Wait, I already mentioned beautiful. He was shocked that he was engaging in banter with this incredible woman. Not only was he engaging with her in banter, but the underlying conversation was about a threat to his life. "Sis, you are awfully happy considering that we're hearing that someone out there wants me dead." Chuck turned to face his sister, his look a mix of confusion and humor at the beaming smile his sister was sporting.
Damn, he looks cute right now, Sarah thought to herself.
Willing himself to focus, not an easy task in the presence of the alluring Agent Walker or while about to discuss someone trying to kill him, Chuck turned back to Ron Butterfield, "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole 'someone wants me dead' concept. But if someone does want to kill me, why would you put one of your top agents right beside me? She would be in just as much danger."
This man isn't real. He can't be. His first reaction to learning that he could be killed is to worry about the safety of a complete stranger? Then again, he did become famous for running toward a bomb to save a hotel full of strangers. Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised at the quiet bravery of Chuck Bartowski.
Ron Butterfield interrupted Sarah's thoughts, "Having Agent Walker next to you would make you dramatically safer. She is unrivaled in hand to hand and close quarters combat. She is experienced at operating undercover. She would be able to convincingly portray your girlfriend-although it goes without saying that her job is to protect you, to assess threats and engage those threats if necessary. She would not be there to fetch you drinks or, how can I put this, be there for your amusement?"
As the implication of Agent Butterfield's last comment filtered through, Chuck's expression went from one of confusion to one of outrage. "What?! Are you telling me that there are men out there pursuing your agents for sex? That they think getting laid is more important than being kept alive? These agents are trying to keep their sorry asses in one piece and the politicians are looking for a quickie? Someone needs to remind them that they are public servants, not that the public are their servants. Bastards."
Sarah had anticipated that Chuck would be a fundamentally good guy. That he would accept her position as protector, not plaything. But hearing his indignation at the concept of such an attitude resulted in a shocking emotion in her gut. Suddenly, the idea of being Chuck's actual girlfriend instead of just a cover slammed into her. No, I can't think like that. Focus on him. Sheesh. Focus on the threat against him.
"Well, seeing as how everyone is clear on Agent Walker's role, Mr. Bartowski, would you reconsider your objection to having her operate as your cover girlfriend? As I mentioned, having her close by would make you immeasurably safer, also making my job considerably easier. For security reasons, if she does go undercover, we would need that only you and your sister know of Agent Walker's true capacity."
"If I may," Ellie interrupted. "Agent Walker, I don't want to sound as though only men built like football players are capable of handling protection details, but if this nutcase were to burst in here right now, how is it that you would be able to protect my baby brother?"
"Baby brother, El," Chuck practically whined. "Seriously?"
"Well, Dr. Woodcomb," Sarah calmly replied, not the least bit offended at the question. "First, Javier Cruz isn't some 'nutcase', which is both good and bad for us. It's good because he's not willing to risk it all just to kill your brother. He's going to look for an opportunity where he would be able to escape in the confusion after the attack, rather than be willing to die to get the job done. It's bad because he will be more cautious about things, making it harder to detect the attack before it comes."
"As for your question on protecting Mr. Bartowski…"
"Chuck. Please. If you are going around protecting me, you should at least be able to call me by my name," Chuck modestly stated, causing Sarah to smile just a little too widely. "Besides, it is good for the cover." At those words, Sarah's smile dimmed and she involuntarily and unknowingly hunched her shoulders as she slouched down a bit in her seat. Chuck failed to notice her reaction. His sister did not.
A more subdued Sarah Walker turned back to Ellie, "As for protecting your brother, if Javier Cruz burst in right now, I am an expert shot and I have my service pistol on me right now. If that didn't work, I've got five throwing knives strapped to my leg, another two knives tied to my back, and the needles holding my hair in place have had their tips dipped in a fast acting neurotoxin we call Twilight which would incapacitate a person for 15 to 20 minutes."
By the time Sarah had finished listing her arsenal of weapons (failing to include her own martial art skills), both Bartowski siblings were staring at her in wide-eyed wonder.
"Before we get any further discussing this Cruz guy," Chuck interjected, "El, did you whip up any dinner? Morgan's plans for finding some local spot to eat was ruined when the debate prep ran late." When Ellie's mouth dropped open, Chuck laughed, "I know! Morgan working instead of eating is probably one of the signs of the apocalypse."
"Oh," Ellie said while looking a little ashamed. "About that," she continued as her eyes began to discretely shift back and forth between Chuck and Sarah. "I must have forgotten to pick up food at the store. Why don't you go to that pub, or whatever it was that you kept going on and on and on about?" With what was supposed to be casual indifference, she tacked on, "Maybe Agent Walker can accompany you. You could get to know each other so that everyone believes that you are a couple." Ellie concluded with a beaming smile.
Chuck, for his part, merely looked confused. "But Ellie, I swear that I just saw a bunch of bags in the kitchen just now when I was hurrying in here. How could you have gotten that many groceries and forgotten…"
"Chu-uck," Ellie cut him off with a smile that came across more as a grimace, "there's no food. Now go." With that she tilted her head slightly in the direction of the door and fixed Chuck with her do-as-I-say glare.
Sarah, seeing the opportunity for some one on one time with Chuck, even if he was just interested in protecting the cover, jumped at the chance. "I could use a bite. Plus, your sister is right. We could use some time to learn about each other. That is, if you are free."
With that, Chuck moved behind her to help her with her chair. As the two of them headed out the front door to grab some late dinner at a nearby tavern, Ellie turned to Ron Butterfied, "Would you care for a sandwich or some snacks while you and I discuss protecting Chuck from this killer?"
Ron Butterfield gently shook his head as smile briefly flitted across his face. "Dr. Woodcomb, I have the feeling that you would make a most formidable opponent." Ellie merely beamed in response.