So we're still in the prologue until the whole team is put together.
Chapter Thirteen:
Beautiful Brown Haired Agent
Sarah and Chuck had now finished playing around with each other on the beach and were heading back to get ready before reporting to Graham for the evening mission.
"Umm Sarah?"
"Yep Chuck?"
"We just had an entire beach watching us then." Chuck's face was red he got too carried away with Sarah and completely forgot they were in public.
"Don't tell me you have trouble with PDA Chuck? Because you could have fooled me back there!"
Sarah was laughing at her cute boyfriend.
"Umm.. Well... Normally I do.. But at that particular moment Sarah I was coming close to doing things that would have gotten us both locked up for indecent exposure. You must bring out the worst in me."
"And you in me." Sarah says cutely as they both grin at each other like love struck teenagers before Sarah continues, "I wasn't far away from mounting you on that beach Chuck." Replied Sarah seriously.
Chuck looked shocked before they both proceeded to grin mischievously before turning serious and kissing the face off each other once more.
After a short while Chuck moaned "Let's head back. Don't want to make Graham more pissed than he already is after yesterdays incident."
"Okay Chuck."
They headed back to their apartment to get ready before heading to Castle to meet up with Bryce and hopefully get Casey onto the team. Now that the mission was near Chuck had a lot going through his mind. Having to help Casey brought back uncomfortable memories that he wanted to bury for the rest of his life.
Chuck and Sarah's hotel Apartment
16:30 hours
As they got back into their apartment Sarah could tell something was playing on her boyfriends mind. So she motioned him to come sit on the bed with her before they got ready.
"Baby..?"
"Yes Sweetheart?"
"There's something playing with you about Casey isn't there?"
Sarah asked stroking her boyfriends hair.
"How did you know?"
Sarah shook her head smiling.
"Chuck, I'm your girlfriend silly, and I'm also a highly trained spy. Talk to me what's wrong?" she asked while kissing him lovingly
"Seeing Casey brought it all back Sarah." Chuck sighed. "It was the worst mission I've been on.. The worst moment in my life... I could do nothing but sit and watch as two of my friends were killed." Chuck was really upset.
Sarah pulled her boyfriend close into her arms while he told her everything.
"It all started in Northern Afghanistan..."
Afghanistan 2004.
Major Jonathan Casey was heading up a joint task force team with the CIA. He would much prefer to just do this mission alone. The NSA had received intel of a high value target operating out of the region and the CIA wanted in as well. Casey had no choice as the powers that be made the decision for him. The CIA Agent had just arrived and the team were to move south to locate the target and call in an air strike on the target and the compound.
They were an eight man special ops team. Three from the CIA and a five man NSA team. and to make matters worse the CIA Agent in command was a fresh recruit. 'If he screws up this mission Al Qaeda wont shoot his ass, I will.' thought the Major.
Brief introductions were made between the two agencies.
"Hello Major Casey... I am Agent Carmichael." said the CIA recruit.
"Yeah yeah I know who you are lets skip the lady feelings and get to why we're here."
"Well you know why we are here Major. We are here to find and eliminate Zaid Nisar and destroy the compound. Nisar is a key associate of Al Qaeda."
"My team is more than capable of taking out Nisar on its own"
"That may be so Major but I have a job to do whether you like it or not so lets prepare shall we?"
The Major grunted.
The eight man team would move by night and scout out the location of Nisar and call in an air strike to take out the target.
As nightfall came the team moved out. They had moved about 11KM south and the team were splitting into two to scout the area more thoroughly.
The teams continued for forty minutes before Chuck's team halted. He had a possible location on the compound and they proceeded to call in the NSA team. They couldn't order an air strike on the compound until both agencies had agreed that it was in fact the target. The NSA team were 20 minutes out. The CIA team used their optics to try and confirm the identity of Nisar. There was a minimum of fifteen hostiles inside the compound and they needed a better overview of the compound so they repositioned themselves. As they tried to get a better vantage of the compound and who was inside it suddenly an explosion occurred just metres behind Chuck. He turned and immediately seen that Agent Tomkins had triggered an improvised explosive device. "SHIT!" Chuck yelled as he seen his partner torn to shreds. They were standing in a kill zone. The figures inside the compound scrambled towards them. Tomkins was dead.
"Major I've a man down. IED. Enemy closing in."
"Ah hell the CIA just got into a contact" the Major told his team as they quickly sped off towards them.
Chuck and his remaining Agent were trying to find cover but it was hopeless. The whole area was a kill zone. After firing off a few shots they were soon surrounded they could only surrender and hope that the NSA could save their asses.
The two Agents surrendered their weapons and were violently taken captive.
Chuck and his Agent had now been captured and were being interrogated by Zaid Nisar himself. The target had been located. Neither of the CIA agents were talking and Nisar was getting extremely impatient.
"For the last time tell me who you work for or your friend here dies." Nisar said impatiently to Chuck.
Chuck didn't know what to do. If he talked they would be dead anyway. If he didn't talk his friend Williams would be executed. He knew Williams. He was new into the Agency just like him. They had both gone through field training together and had become good friends. Chuck decided he had no choice but to keep silent. He knew if he identified himself as CIA then Nisar would know about the informant that tipped them off.
He just had to hope that Nisar was more patient than he actually seemed. Which he doubted. Please Casey hurry the hell up.
"Very well."
Nisar pointed his weapon at Williams and executed him in front of Chuck.
"You bastard!" yelled Chuck.
"I warned you my friend. His death is on your hands. Now you will talk or you will be joining him."
Two of Nisar's men started to beat up Chuck with their rifle butt's.
After a few minutes of roughing Chuck up Nisar began to question him again.
"Ready to talk?"
Chuck stood blank in emotion seeing his friend Williams lifeless metres in front of him.
Nisar told his men to continue.
He returned after a few more minutes and continued to question Chuck again who still said nothing.
"Very well my friend. It is time for you to join your friend in hell."
Nisar was pointing his gun at Chuck's head when he collapsed onto Chuck. A bullet from an NSA sniper in his shoulder. The NSA team stormed the compound with an NSA sniper on over watch. Two men pointed their weapons at Chuck but both were quickly eliminated by the sniper. Chuck was desperately trying to break free from what he was tied to. The firefight was continuing in the compound between Nisar's men and the NSA team.
Chuck had broken free and picked up the guard's AK-47 and took cover trying to take out some of Nisar's men who were laying down strong fire on the advancing NSA Agents.
After a few minutes of fire the NSA team and Chuck had eliminated all of Nasir's men. Chuck came out from cover still badly wounded from the beating he took and emotionally wounded from losing his two friends. The Major quickly assessed him and Chuck gave him the all clear that he was good to move. They needed to get out of here before reinforcements arrived. They left to take up position with the overwatch and called in an airstrike on the compound before heading back to the rendezvous.
They were now back at the staging area.
"Major." Chuck called.
"Thank you... for saving my life."
"Don't mention it kid." replied Casey.
Casey could see how torn up he was. That he survived and two of his men had died. Casey felt the exact same when he lost men under his command. Why wasn't it him instead of his men.
"Look... Chuck, it's not your fault."
"I lost two Agents under my command Major.. It's unacceptable."
"It happens Chuck, it's war. Don't beat yourself up about it there's nothing you could have done differently they both knew the risks when they signed up..."
December 2005
Chuck and Sarah's Apartment.
Los Angeles
16:45 pm
Chuck was teary eyed after recalling his worst nightmare to his girlfriend. He still dreams most nights of seeing his friend Williams shot in front of him and blames himself for not talking.
"Chuck.. I'm so sorry." Sarah also had tears. She couldn't imagine seeing her friend executed in front of her. She knew it was a possibility but would never imagine it. And losing another partner to an IED. And he blamed himself for it.
Sarah cuddled into Chuck and held him tightly letting him compose himself.
"Sarah?"
"Yes Chuck?" Sarah replied kissing the top of Chuck's head
"Thank you. For being here. You're the only person I have told about this."
Sarah's heart melted. She kissed her boyfriend's lips as more tears came from her.
"I'll always be here for you Chuck."
Chuck had become slightly more cheerful entirely thanks to Sarah.
"Sarah. thank you." he embraced her tightly. Fully appreciative that she was there for him. Sarah returning the embrace appreciating the fact that Chuck had only ever opened up to her. It pulled on her heart strings. She put as much love as she possibly could into a kiss then left to get ready.
Chuck and Sarah were now changing into their evening wear for the mission tonight. It would be in a hotel protecting and debriefing an Agent who may have intelligence on Fulcrum operations. Hopefully the debriefing would not take too long because Sarah and Chuck had planned a debriefing of their own.
Sarah went to get ready in the bathroom. When she came out Chuck just froze completely in the room. His eyes purely fixed on his girlfriends outfit. 'Sarah Walker will be the death of me.' He said to himself three times. She was wearing a stunningly beautiful red dress and she looked amazing.
Sarah could see her boyfriends reaction and that's why she wore the dress. She knew red was his favorite colour and she wanted to cheer him up. She knew they had a mission but Chuck would be the one removing the dress from her at the end of the evening so it's only fitting that she wear one that he likes, right? 'Even though he tells me I look perfect in everything I wear.' Chuck was looking very handsome himself. This female Agent better not get any ideas she thought. Writing a report on what happened to the Agent would keep me away from Chuck. And Sarah is craving for Chuck more than anything at this particular moment.
"So how do I look?" Asked Sarah
"Beautiful... Breathtaking.. Gorgeous...Fantastic..." Chuck was rambling out any words that came to his head. Every other part of him was too distracted by his beautiful girlfriend.
Sarah's face lit up. 'Why does my boyfriend have to be so kind and loving and beautiful.' she thought. Well because he's Chuck! and she would not want it any other way.
"You know my boyfriend would be jealous if he was here." Said Sarah smiling seductively at his beautiful persona.
"I'm sure your boyfriend if he were here would want to show you just how special you are to him right now." He paused, before adding extra passion to the next words, "If he was here." Chuck looked right into Sarah's eyes meaning every word.
Sarah blushed. One more word from Chuck like that and they would be late for their mission. Probably six months late as well.
Chuck smiled noticing the effect he has on Sarah. He kissed her to thank her for being there for him. He appreciated that more than anything.
"Mmm... Chuck"
Chuck smiled.
"Mmm yourself Sarah"
Sarah grinned mischievously.
"So ready to go work Chuck?"
"Well I could think of so many other better things to do right now Sarah."
'Tell me about it. Starting with you.' Thought Sarah.
"Well be sure to enlighten me with those better things tonight Chuck."
They both wickedly grinned at each other.
"I plan to."
Sarah paused, as she began to eye up Chuck predatorily shifting her gaze between him and the bed inside the room as she began to edge closer to him again causing Chuck to gulp for the first time as he quickly pulled at Sarah's hand as he sensed she was about to do something that he ABSOLUTELY would not complain about.
17:40
Outside Castle
Chuck and Sarah were now outside Castle. Bryce was waiting for them, they had to quickly go over how they would convince Graham to let Casey on the team.
As they met up with Bryce he noticed a whole new vibe and character between the two. They were pretty smitten with each other when he last seen them but it was a whole new level today. Bryce wonders how they do it maybe they could give him some lessons.
"Good evening Bryce" said the two smiling away. Mostly at each other rather than Bryce though.
"Good evening, lets grab a quick coffee we need to be on the same page when talking to Graham about this. He could easily say no."
The three decided that they would hit the Director with it before the briefing started.
17:55
Inside Castle
The three Agents were inside the armory checking out the weapons. The Director appeared behind them and motioned them to join him in the briefing room. Upon seating he was about to start the briefing for this evenings assignment until Chuck interrupted.
"Director, before you start do you have a moment?
"Of course, what is it?"
Chuck looked at his two colleagues who nodded
"We have picked out the fourth member of the team. I wanted to run it by you."
"Very well who is it to be?" Asked the director curiously.
"John Casey."
The Director stopped dead dumbfounded.
"Excuse me?"
"We would like the fourth member of this team to be John Casey."
"Yes I heard you the first time! It's simply not possible." The Director was flabbergasted.
"Sir, John Casey is one of the best Agents out there. I know from first hand experience. The input he would add into the team would make this operation successful a lot quicker."
The Director was curious. The possibility of recruiting the NSA's best Agent excited him very much he did have to admit.
"Enlighten me." The Director allowed his curiosity to overwhelm him as he listened to the input of one of his best ever Agents.
"Ok sir, well I have had four assignments with Casey and the first time he saved my ass as you know. The second and third times we completed our objectives with flying colours. And the fourth time we protected a U.S senator from assassination. We work pretty damn well together if I may say so sir."
"So you're trying to save his ass because he saved you in Afghanistan?" The Director said as he could read through Chuck better than anybody.
Bryce interrupted "Director not at all this was a three person decision. I've worked with Casey too. He's one of the best sharpshooters around. He provided overwatch on one of my missions and saved my ass even though I'm reluctant to admit it John Casey is one of the best."
Sarah interrupted "Sir on my mission in Jakarta before I had chance to even get close to my mark the NSA had took him out. I agree with Agent Bartowski and Agent Larkin we need Casey on this team."
The Director smiled to himself inside. His three Agents backed each other up all of the way. Teamwork and Loyalty of this scale is very rare in the spy world. But it increases the success of missions ten-fold. And the CIA was all about results after all.
"Very well. I'll see what I can do. Wait here."
The Director motioned to two guards and told them to bring out John Casey.
The guards returned several minutes later with the Major. The Director set up a conference call between himself, General Beckman, his three Agents and the Major.
"Good evening General Beckman, I'll get straight to the point. My team have requested that Major Casey be assigned to a team we are putting together to take down Fulcrum and protecting the Intersect."
"I see.." replied the General.
Casey looked over and nodded at Chuck. 'Thank you Chuck. I will never forget this' he thought to himself. He knew that if Chuck hadn't have done this he'd be spending a long time in a 4x4 cell.
General Beckman promptly agreed with this. The Major is a damm fine patriot and the suits higher up were going to throw the book at him. This was a good way to get him out of that predicament.
"Director Graham speaking on behalf of the NSA we would be glad to transfer over the Major into your command if that is what the Major wants.
"Yes Ma'am, thank you." replied Casey.
He looked over appreciatively at Sarah Chuck and Bryce briefly.
"The NSA would also like to offer as much assistance as possible to help you with the destruction of Fulcrum. And the protection of the Intersect."
Graham smiled to himself. Yesterday's disaster means the NSA will be bending over backwards now to help the CIA.
"Thank you General."
The General terminated the call.
The Director then continued to address his now four Agents. "I'll give you a few minutes then I will return to brief you on tonight's objective."
They nodded and the director left to sort out some things.
Casey walked over to Chuck first. He gave Chuck a Russian hug. Casey tried not to show any emotions but since Afghanistan in 2004 he had become pretty close to Chuck. He was the only real friend he had.
"I'll never forget what you just did for me kid."
"Don't mention it John. I owed you one for getting me out of that hell hole in Afghan."
They nodded respectfully at each other.
Casey then moved to Bryce.
"I guess I owe you a thanks too Larkin."
"Don't worry about it, Sugar Bear." Bryce snickered at seeing the Major's face.
Casey grunted before moving to Sarah. He didn't know much about Sarah but when he seen her with Chuck yesterday he was very happy for Chuck. He finally seems to be happy for the first time in 19 months since Afghanistan. Chuck spent most of his time drinking out of a bottle after that. Whenever a joint task force opportunity came along Casey requested to lead it. The kid had a death wish and Casey tried to protect him.
"Agent Walker I believe. It's good to finally meet you."
"You too Major."
Casey then spoke in a quiet but very serious voice so only Sarah could hear him.
"That kid's been through a lot, I finally seen him happy yesterday. Dont you ever hurt him."
Sarah smiled at a hard ass Major looking out for his friend. "I would never hurt Chuck. He means so much more to me than anybody else has or ever will."
Casey nodded and shook Sarah's hand. If he wasn't a hardened Marine he would have smiled.
"Glad to hear it." he replied.
Casey then took a seat with the other three Agents in the briefing room and waited for the Director to return.
Once the Director returned he started to brief the team. The Agent they had been assigned to protecting and debriefing had arrived in LA today. three hotel rooms had been booked on the same floor.
"Ok Agents. Tonight's mission will consist of you attending a formal party at the hotel making contact with the Agent. Once contact is made you will proceed to the rooms we have booked out protecting the Agent from any possible threat that may show up to keep her quiet. You will also debrief the Agent for knowledge of Fulcrum operations. Manoosh here will brief you on the identity of the Agent." The Director smiled to himself. 'That wont be necessary.' He snickered inside his evil sinister head.
"Thank you sir," Manoosh started the presentation showing a picture of the Agent. "The Agent in question is..."
Manoosh continued but it wasn't really necessary as soon as he showed the picture Sarah and Chuck both muttered "Carina..." in unison.
And Casey muttered "Miller..."
Bryce looked at them all chuckling away.
Not paying much attention to anything else that Manoosh was saying Chuck, Sarah and Casey visually recalled past events with the beautiful brown haired Agent.
Bryce was listening to Manoosh intently but was watching the reactions of his three partners bemusedly. All three were shaking their heads in denial.
After the briefing finished they learnt that Carina was on a DEA mission in Mexico and while she was close to her mark she came in contact with possible Fulcrum operatives. The team was to go and retrieve that information from her. She would probably want something in return.
The Director then left to his office to let his team plan out the protection of Carina and retrieve mission gear. Sarah, Chuck and Casey had other ideas however. They all turned to look at each other.
"I see you three already know her. Care to explain?" Bryce asked his partners.
"Bad Mission" was all Casey said.
Sarah and Chuck weren't curious about how Casey knew her they wondered how they both knew her.
"I've known Carina for a number of years. We first met at the farm and I worked with her in CATs."
"Afghanistan.." Was all Chuck could mutter.
"Wait that was her!" Sarah reacted aggressively.
"I should have known it!"
"Sarah... please calm down." Chuck was trying to cool his girlfriend come partner.
Casey and Bryce were watching on amused.
"She's hot" Said Bryce... Meaning Carina of course.
