A/N Sorry for the lateness of this chapter. In my brief time doing this I have now learned an appreciation for those that can keep a regular schedule. Real life, family, work, and writers block all came in to play these past 2 weeks. Again I want to thank all that have read, reviewed and alerted this story. It has been really amazing to be on the receiving end of all this.

Thanks again to esardi for his read through, to BDaddyDL for his input into this chapter, to Aerox for all the support he gives. Plus I want to thank all the new 'friends' I have been making in my time here. They have really made this a fun place for me.

Still don't own Chuck but if I did I'd be smiling just a bit looking at NBC on monday this season.

Chapter 9

The Revelation

Café

Zuoz

17:25 CET

As Chuck stood in the shower adjacent to the faculty lounge he tried to gather his thoughts about how to deal with what had happened to him in the last few hours. First he realized that his literally "out of this world" attempt to contact Sarah had in fact worked. His old frat buddy Butch had, as he had hoped, somehow been listening. He got the message and forwarded it on to Sarah. Chuck had told her that he went outside on Friday afternoons hoping she would think he was ok and looked forward to that and Sarah then proceeded to rent a plane and signal him while flying over the village of Zuoz on the chance that he would in fact be outside this particular Friday afternoon.

Amazingly it all worked perfectly. The odds were long and Chuck was certain that there was a huge amount of luck involved here but he wasn't going to question it now. Hey why not have fortune shine on him again. Hell he already was the luckiest man on earth because SuperSpy Sarah Walker, his handler and partner told him she loved him. Things certainly couldn't get any better than that but this was pretty damn close.

He then was surprised again when it seems that the act of Sarah communicating with him and telling him she loved him and was there for him, released whatever had been keeping him from flashing. But it was all so obvious to him now. So obvious that he was amazed it took him so long to figure it out. His emotional state was what was holding him back from flashing. Sarah Walker was the focus of his emotions and therefore the key to controlling the Intersect. His precarious emotional state had clouded his ability to trigger the flashes and in effect suppressed the functioning of the Intersect. Plus he deduced that it was the threat to Sarah and Casey as well that triggered the 2.0 to flash with the Kung Fu skills back in the Intersect room.

With the emotional strain he had been under since that asshole Mitchell had split up his team it had in effect weighed down that Intersect in such a way that he couldn't flash at all. Mitchell was determined to fracture the relationship Chuck had with that team and in particular Sarah, to control the Intersect for himself but instead he had unwittingly suppressed it entirely. Even as a self defense mechanism his anxiety and separation from Sarah kept the skill set from triggering in his brain. It had left him a beaten man both physically and emotionally as the longer he couldn't flash the more anxious and distraught he became. Then throw in not knowing if Sarah was safe and no idea what she was facing in Marseille and you have one emotional basket case that couldn't defend himself.

But the most troubling revelation of all was the fact that his primary trainer, the person responsible for transforming him into an Agent was in fact working for The Ring. That fact changed everything. In a way Sarah Walker had saved his life once again. By replying to his message she had lifted the weight sitting on top of the Intersect and it had allowed him to flash again clueing him into the real danger he was now in. But there was also the complication that he knew very little about The Ring and its intentions or its methods. Chuck was no Ring expert. All he had to go on so far was what the Ring Agents said in the Intersect Room about Fulcrum being just a small player in The Ring. Plus from his brief discussions with General Beckman it seemed like no one in the CIA or NSA could be classified as a Ring expert. From what he could tell no such person existed.

Could they be the ones responsible for the obvious change of tactics displayed by one Agent Saunders? Or could it be in fact Acting Director Mitchell who not so subtly ordered Agent Saunders to start the "honey trap" method of trying to "control the asset". Chuck certainly wouldn't put it past him that Mitchell would try that method. From his flash he already knew that Saunders had compromised herself with a Superior official in the CIA and that was simply unprofessional to begin with. Chuck just wasn't sure the extent of the relationship Mitchell and Saunders had. Plus there was even the possibility that the Ring had ordered Saunders to get close to Mitchell to "control" him as well.

He didn't believe that the picture he saw in the flash of the two of them "together" showed any sign of a real relationship and Saunders was too smart to not see right through Mitchell's intentions. So it seemed more likely that Saunders was playing Mitchell. He may have even known about it but as long as he got laid he really didn't care about what the intent was. It was all very confusing and disturbing at the same time. Chuck needed to take control of his situation and he needed answers to his questions.

So the internal debate waged on in Chuck's head as he dried himself off before changing into the clothes Agent Saunders had brought for him to wear IF he had been successful. But why the sudden change in tactics? Who was behind it, Mitchell, The Ring or Saunders herself? But finally how much actual danger was he in and what was their plan going forward? If Saunders found out that he had flashed on her would it change their plans once again? There were too many variables and Chuck's training in math and engineering was telling him that the best way to resolve a problem was to eliminate as many of the variables as possible. He was at a bit of a crossroads. The longer they thought he wasn't flashing the greater the odds were he would be "discarded" but the sooner they knew he was flashing the more likely a potential snatch and grab scenario would have to play out. Or in the CIA's case he would be sent on some godforsaken mission for Mitchell. So he had decided to not let on to anyone here the fact that he was now flashing again just yet. He would keep that one a secret till the last possible minute when he could also use the element of surprise which was a key tactic in his training,

He also had decided that the best way to deal with the "honey trap" was to set one of his own. Let her think she is playing him when in fact he is playing her. Use the skills that Roan had scoffed at but in fact had "worked on me" to Sarah. Combine that with the methods he had been taught by Roan and use it all to his advantage. If Chuck Bartowski could get Sarah Walker to fall in love with him Charles Carmichael could damn well put up a good offense to combat an obviously lesser skilled woman in Andrea Saunders.

Chuck took a deep breath and headed back out to where his 'mark' had been seated. This was going to be an interesting evening.

Chuck looked over at the small table by the square where CIA/Ring Agent Andrea Saunders was sitting sipping the same cup of coffee she had ordered when she arrived at the café. That was just prior to Chuck successfully completing his game of 'hunter' and 'prey'. She looked at the passersby and watched the daily life of the small Swiss village play out before her. She actually looked almost content. Her facial expressions were softer than he had ever seen her display and she almost seemed to have what might be considered in some circles a smile on her face. The fact that she was unaware of his presence made him curious if this was actual honest contentment he was witnessing. Did the idea of dinner and drinks with Charles Carmichael actually appeal to her or was this all part of the performance? 'Well I guess it's time to find out.'

Chuck walked over to the table where Agent Saunders was sitting and asked with a confident yet humble smile on his face,"Is this seat taken?"

"Actually I was waiting for someone but I have a feeling something better just came along…. Please sit down."

"Thank you, the thought of a woman as beautiful as you sitting alone on such a glorious evening just doesn't seem right to me. I hope I'm not intruding. If I am please just tell me and I'll respect your wishes and leave you alone."

"Thank you. You are not intruding at all. Actually I had been thinking of leaving as the person I thought was going to be joining me was a bit of a loser. He simply hadn't shown me enough yet to get what he wanted."

"Well then it's his loss and thankfully my gain."

Andrea tilted her head and smiled appreciatively.

"Charles Carmichael" Chuck said as he bowed and tilted his head. He then extended his hand to her.

"Andrea Saunders. Pleasure to meet you Charles." She gently took his hand and gave him a small but 'sincere' smile.

"The pleasure is all mine Andrea and might I say that is a lovely name. Appropriate for someone as beautiful as you."

"Thank you Charles." Andrea thought to herself as she looked intently at two of the most captivating brown eyes she had ever seen looking right back at hers. 'I like this approach he's taking of two strangers meeting. We can be different people tonight. Actually it's very spy like.'

'Good work Chuck let her be the first to break eye contact' He could hear Roan's voice saying in his head.

After just a few seconds too long Andrea looked away and down at her cup of coffee and swirled the remains around before setting it back down.

"Andrea if I may be so bold, I'm not really in the mood for coffee. I believe a nice bottle of Pinot is much more appropriate for this evening. Don't you agree?"

"Definitely". She leaned in and lowered her voice with a seductive tone, "Charles are you asking me to join you and that bottle of Pinot?"

"Actually no Andrea."

Agent Saunders frowned just a bit wondering why the sudden change. It was not the answer she had expected.

"What I would really like to ask you is if you would do me the honor of joining me for a delicious 'dinner' and that bottle of Pinot"

"Ahh, I see." Her frown turned around without her even thinking about it. A light of excitement began to show ever so slightly in her eyes.

"But humbly I do have to ask you something else and I'm a little embarrassed about asking it."

Andrea turned her head slightly and moved her hands a little closer to Chuck's that were clutched together at the edge of the table in front of him. "There is no reason to be uncomfortable Charles, we don't know each other so you can ask me whatever you want. I promise not to embarrass you."

"Thank you Andrea. Well you see I've never been to this delightful village before as I'm here on business for the first time and I don't know any of the local restaurants. I was hoping that you would know what the finest one is in town as I'd very much like to take you for a meal that is deserving of someone as captivating as you."

Agent Saunders wasn't but Andrea Saunders was most definitely blushing right about now. 'Damn he is good'. Plus what made it so devastating was there was a real aura of honesty in how he spoke.

Chuck continued to look at her with a bit of a humble smile. He knew he was playing the part well and was able to keep down the nerdy babbling he usually tended to display in front of beautiful women. Maybe that mission with Sasha Banacheck had taught him a few things.

"Charles, that was very sweet. I believe I know just the place."

"So I take it that your answer is yes, you will allow me the pleasure of your company for dinner?"

"Yes, Charles. I'd love to."

With that Charles stood up and extended his hand to the brunette Agent. When she reached out hers to take it he lowered his head and gently kissed the back of her hand before he helped her to her feet.

"Shall we?"

"Why yes."

As they walked towards the exit Chuck gave a warm smile and handed the bag he had his clothes and personal items in to the hostess for safe keeping. "Someone will be by later to pick up my things." The hostess blushed back as her pulse rate skipped just a bit from that devastating smile.

"Lucky woman" the hostess said when they were out of earshot.

Well in the first battle of seduction between Charles and Andrea, Charles had won. But Agent in Training Carmichael knew that the real Agent Saunders would be right back in the hunt on the next field of play.

Zuoz Switzerland

Restorant Dorta

20:12 CET

Dinner had been fantastic as Charles ordered the veal and Andrea had the local trout. By the time their entrees had been cleared away they had finished the first bottle of Pinot and Chuck had ordered a second.

"So Charles, what kind of business are you in that brings you to such a small village in the Swiss Alps?"

"Well I am involved with computers and high tech educational services that the school here in Zuoz is considering purchasing. I have my own company and as it is still small but growing I like to come and meet the potential clients so they can judge for themselves if my vision is compatible with theirs."

"That sounds interesting and from what I have seen so far this evening I would bet you have been quite successful in having clients find you 'compatible'. Andrea reached over and placed her right hand on top of Charles left and is a soft sultry voice said, "I know I find you quite "compatible' and I'm thinking we just might find a few more of those 'compatibilities' before this evening is over" She then gave him a very subtle wink.

"I think that is a most delightful possibility, Andrea."

The waiter approached them and poured them each another glass of wine while they looked at the desert cart.

"Charles I think you are going to have to try some of the local Crème Brule. I've heard its fantastic here. I think I'm going to pass as I like to watch my figure."

"So do I." Charles said with a sly smile. The double entendre was not lost on Agent Saunders.

"But will you share one with me please?" Charles brought out the hopeful look from his arsenal.

"How can I resist, Charles? Sharing something sweet and creamy of yours is something I would enjoy very much." Her sexy grin simply added to the not so hidden meaning.

On the outside Charles kept his confident, casual smile on his face but inside Chuck was a bit shocked at the complete lack of subtlety with that one. Maybe Saunders got some pointers from Carina.

Charles, trying to get back in control of the little dance they were having decided to do just that.

"Andrea while we are waiting for our first desert would you care to dance?"

"I'd love to." 'Wow a dancer too? Maybe we have been underestimating his abilities as a spy without the Intersect.'

Aman who could dance was something every woman loved. Ellie had told him many times that "Girls like boys who can dance". Apparently so do female spies.

Charles stood up and walked around behind the table to the other side where Andrea was sitting as he knew he had to hide the fact he could feel a flash coming on from the music playing. Ellie had taught him the basic steps but he could become Fred Astaire or Bob Fosse using the Intersect. He reached out his hand once again to her and then escorted her to the dance floor. There were 2 other couples on the floor at the time but once they got out there virtually every eye in the place was on the beautiful couple that had just joined them.

Charles reached out and put his left arm around Andrea's waist while taking her left hand in his right. She reached her right arm around Charles' neck and placed it on his shoulder. His moves were perfect and as they continued to dance to the small trio that was playing with each circle of the floor he pulled her in just a little closer. By the time they had completed their fourth circle they had dropped the pretense of holding each others hands and Andrea put both hands loosely around his neck. Charles was now holding her gently but firmly and most definitely close around her waist.

After looking in each others eyes for a minute longer than she had wanted to she snuggled her head onto Charles shoulder. As the music finally stopped they both let go and clapped softly their appreciation to the trio and headed back to their table. Chuck pulled out her chair and she nodded thank you.

After they finished the desert and almost the second bottle of wine Charles spoke. "Well it was a lovely dinner shall I walk you home Andrea?"

"How chivalrous, I'd like that"

Charles paid the bill with the credit card he had noticed was left in the pants he had been given by Agent Saunders when he first arrived. The couple got up and headed back to the entrance of the training facility. As they walked Andrea had hooked her arm in Charles' and they strolled at causal pace. If Agent Saunders were honest with herself she would admit she actually was having one of the best times she had ever had on a first "date" with a man. Though he was her trainee and her mark there had been such a calm confident serenity to the evening. Sure the sexual excitement and anticipation was there at least on her part, but from what she could tell Charles was simply different than most men she knew. She had dated a few spies and many marks. The spies were suave, full of themselves and spent more time glancing over at their reflection in whatever shiny object they could find. The marks spent their time looking down her dress or at her ass and gave some really blatantly awkward moves to let her know what they expected from her. Mitchell was more like a mark than a spy. In fact he was her mark when she was assigned by the Ring Director. "That dumbass Mitchell could be the CIA Director someday and he has a weakness for beautiful women. A very big weakness. We expect you to get close to him in case we need you to become his "handler" for us and help him get to that position. Once there you can 'control' him anyway you see fit."

Yes, this Charles Carmichael was different. Sure playing his role tonight as a stranger meeting a beautiful woman in a Swiss café seemed like it was right out of a 1960's movie with Rock Hudson or Cary Grant but he played it to perfection. He came across as totally focused on her. She felt warm, safe and respected. Three things a female spy rarely if ever never gets to feel. Especially ones who spent 18 months in a Thai prison camp getting beaten and fighting for the amusement of paying customers after being abandoned by her agency.

She had played her role well too. She had seen his reactions to her obviously sexual double entendres ever so slightly in his eyes though he tried to hide them. She knew she had planted the seeds that were about to blossom. So she pulled him in just a little closer and put her other arm on top of their intertwined arms fawning being slightly chilled.

As they walked along the sidewalk in the moonlight, Charles looked up at the now ¾ moon and the corner of his lips curled upward. 'Thank you Butch and I love you Sarah'.

Andrea noticed the smile on his face and said, "What are you thinking about Charles? You seem rather happy."

Chuck twitched a little as he brought his attention from a certain beautiful blonde to a certain beautiful brunette Ring Agent next to him.

"Nothing really, just enjoying a beautiful evening, a beautiful moon and a beautiful new companion."

"I see. And thank you. I'm flattered that I might be at least part of the reason for your pleasant mood."

"You're welcome and you most certainly are."

As they arrived back at the entrance to the training facility, Agent Saunders stopped and then turned towards Chuck putting her arms around his neck.

"Charles, as this is probably the end of this evening, I just wanted you to know that it doesn't have to be the last evening we spend together as Charles and Andrea. I know I will be back to being your trainer, abuser and the wicked bitch once we go inside that door but I really enjoyed myself tonight probably more than I should have. I enjoyed the little "strangers meeting at a Swiss café" film script we played. Maybe next time we can see what actually happens after the director fades to black in the hotel room."

As Andrea looked into his eyes she felt the over powering urge to kiss him. Chuck noticed this and leaned in as if he had gotten the same message. She closed her eyes and just as their lips were about to touch, Chuck leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Agent Saunders, for 2 years I learned from the best in the business, always leave them wanting."

With that Chuck dropped his arms, reached out and opened the door to the facility below and walked in leaving a stunned and oh so frustrated female Agent alone at her "doorstep". He grinned as he headed to the elevator but knew he would probably pay for it tomorrow. But damn it was worth it.

'Thanks Sarah. You saved me once again.'

Zuoz Training Facility

Agent Saunders office

08:52 CET

Andrea Saunders sat in her plain leather upholstered chair and read over the reports from the 4 Agents who took part in the "hunter" and "prey" exercise for the third time. She was also on her third cup of coffee this morning. Something had dramatically changed in her asset. Two of the agents never encountered Carmichael but what fascinated her were the accounts of the two other agents who didn't show up back at the facility till after 22:00 gave. Both had been subdued and tranqed by the asset and left on the mountain trail a few kilometers from where she had met Carmichael after the successful completion of his mission.

She was equally troubled by the events from later in the evening but needed to hear first hand from the agents involved in this situation to better understand if it had any implication to the events later in the evening.

"So, from your reports it seems that an unarmed, c level trainee subdued and escaped capture from two seasoned agents and to top it all off he shot said agents with their own guns? Is that correct gentlemen?"

"Yes, ma'am" The agents said in unison.

"How the hell did it happen?"

The first agent Chuck attacked spoke first. "Well ma'am I was walking along the trail heading back to the complex as I had reached the end of the test area. Suddenly Mr. Carmichael leaped from above me knocking me to the ground and sending my tranq pistol down the trail away from me."

"What maneuver did he use and be as complete as possible?"

"He used a flying kick with both feet to my chest and side knocking me down. It's a maneuver I have seen you working with him on in his training sessions but he never seemed to fully get the choreography for."

"So it wasn't a new skill but just one that he seems to have now perfected."

"Yes, ma'am"

Agent Saunders got up from her chair and turned to face away from the two agents who sat before her. She had to figure out if it was an Intersect skill or not. But it just seems that he has perfected what she had been training him on. Maybe he has been holding out on her for some reason.

"Then what happened?"

The other agent now spoke. "Then I arrived on the scene and saw Mr. Carmichael grabbing for the tranq pistol and I readied my gun to fire. He quickly jumped out of the line of the dart and I went around a large rock looking for cover."

"That was when he tranqed you?" Agent Saunders questioned pointing at the first agent.

"Yes, ma'am. I was still groggy from the flying kick and as I was getting up everything went dark until I woke up a few hours later."

"Then the asset must have known of a crack in the boulders as he surprised me coming around the other side and fired at me. That was the last thing I remember until I woke up with the other Agent and we headed back to the facility."

"Was there anything unusual you saw in either his fighting skills or anything that seemed out of the ordinary for an asset at his level?"

"No ma'am. He simply used the element of surprise and more skillful use of techniques he has used in his training."

"Anything else agents?"

"Well there is one thing that seemed curious but it's probably nothing."

"And what might that be? No matter how insignificant you think it is please say it."

"Well it's not really about what he did but more about what he didn't do. It seemed like he moved us in such a way that we would not be hurt or exposed to the elements and away from any danger of injuring ourselves as we woke from the tranqs. He never bound us up and never left us in a position where we could be easily threatened. It almost seemed like he was making sure we were ok before he left us."

"Is that so?"

Both agents nodded affirmatively.

"Thank you gentlemen. You may return to your duties."

After both agents left Agent Saunders sat back down at her desk to try and figure out the man that was becoming more of an enigma to her everyday. Had he flashed with the skills needed on these 2 agents and if he was now able to flash was he aware of her connection to The Ring? It had always been a concern of hers as to whether her affiliation was known by anyone who might have put that data in the new Intersect but as her missions and her tasks for the Ring had been very few and very discrete other than her seduction of Acting Director Mitchell and feeding the names of new recruits from the Farm for possible recruitment she felt it was very unlikely. Any data on Mitchell would have probably been suppressed by him before being sent to the Intersect database and her recruitment data was not to be used till further down the line once these new Agents had something to offer The Ring. She was simply like a baseball scout watching junior high school kids for any to look out for in the future.

But she had to know the truth. Was Carmichael holding out on her or was he simply getting better at his training? His "performance" on their "date" was another thing all together and she was going to spend many a waking moment trying to figure out how he had played her. That was not the awkward geek she had seen in much of the surveillance footage from his work in Burbank. He was confident and seemed to fully understand his power over women. Something he had only shown on a few missions and not in his own life. If this had been a mission for him, he passed with flying colors. But she also couldn't deny that he had affected her, charmed her and got her interested in him beyond just her attempt at seduction. She wanted that kiss. She wanted it badly and that surprised and angered her. No one decides who Andrea Saunders kisses or doesn't kiss except for Andrea Saunders. Also the thought of what might happen in the "R" rated version of their movie script excited and intrigued her.

Also how do you explain his treatment of his "hunters"? Was there a reason for it or was he in fact concerned for their well being. While seduction skills would be a great asset to him as a spy, caring about the welfare of his adversaries would get him killed.

One thing for certain, there was far more to Charles Carmichael than she had been briefed on or had seen for the first 8 weeks of training. Now she wanted to learn more about and see "all" of him for herself.

Zuoz Medical lab

2 days later

19:48 CET

As Chuck had expected, Agent Andrea Saunders was not too happy about his brush off at the end of their "date". He had worked his magic on her as if he were the trainer and she the trainee. She vowed to never let that happen again. She was going to be in complete control next time and if she wanted him to kiss her he was damn well going to do it. No nerdy agent wannabe was going to beat her at her game. So she decided to step the physical nature of his training back up. She would end up on top both figuratively and literally this time.

Chuck had been able to control the flashes in the self-defense and martial arts classes which was no easy feat. He simply couldn't afford to let on he was now flashing to anyone until he knew he could trust them. So first he needed to figure out who the players were on both sides and who might be somewhere in the middle.

While Chuck sat on the examination table waiting for one of his now less frequent

massages and checkups with Ursula, he was working on a plan on how to deal with whatever the consequences were if and when Saunders got whatever order she got from whichever of her evil overlords she was most loyal to. Would he be terminated, captured, tortured or asked to join a different kind of fraternity? He was really beginning to see very little difference in methods used between the Ring and the CIA, well at least Mitchell's version of the CIA.

The one thing he knew for certain was he needed help. He couldn't escape the facility on his own even on his Fridays outside because he always had 4 "guards" with him or looking for him. They also made him wear a GPS watch and he was fairly certain they had implanted a tracker in his skin when he had his first visit with the Doctor just after he arrived. He couldn't take on all of the Agents here alone. It would be a huge risk and he was better off focusing on getting some help from outside the facility rather than inside.

He needed to get another message to Sarah. He needed to ask her if she trusted Beckman. He needed to flash on Landers and see if he was legit. Even if he was not with the Ring and a loyal NSA operative that didn't mean he could trust him. Casey proved that. When he first met him he would have put 3 bullets in each of Chuck and Sarah and then gone out for pancakes without blinking an eye. Landers could easily have been someone just like that and followed his orders to the letter.

So Chuck figured the best place to start to try and find an ally here was with Ursula. She had been the only one who had been even mildly friendly when he arrived. She seemed to be genuinely nice and treated him like a human and not a robotic agent. But the question was could she be trusted. She may have been playing him as well. If they were going to play good cop, bad cop he certainly knew who the bad one was. So why not have Ursula play good one.

But she had told him that very personal story of how she became involved with the CIA and the training facility. It was certainly not protocol to tell him that and it seemed genuine. So he needed to see if he flashed on her and what was in her file.

Chuck heard the distinctive knock she always gave him before she entered. It felt like a sign of respect and not at all like the way everyone else completely ignored his privacy or personal space. As she walked in the door he put his hand slightly over his eyes so that she would not see him flash. He could get the image of her needed to trigger the Intersect by seeing just enough of her but not show any telltale signs to the "men behind the curtain".

As he saw her face the flash of her file came to his conscious mind. He saw her history, her employment records, her connections to the Grahams, and everything she had told him checked out as true. She had no political affiliations and had an exemplary record of service both at the school and this facility. Ursula was clean.

"Good evening Chuck. Light bothering you?"

"Hey Ursula, no not really just got a little bit of a headache. Saunders the Beast has kind of been picking up the pace with her beatings of the peasants."

"I see. Well from the fact that I have seen you less and less lately I was kind of hoping you were coping better or she was letting up a bit on the abuse."

"Well things have been going a bit better for me physically but it does get a bit tough being here underground for all but four or five hours a week."

"Oh I know, Can you give me your arm I need to take your blood pressure. I couldn't stand it myself. I'd go nuts if I didn't get to see the sun or sky everyday. Its one of the reasons I love living here. The mountains, the river, the countryside, my husband and I love to go hiking especially the trails above Pontresina. You get incredible views of the glaciers and the valley below leading into St. Moritz. You should try it sometime."

"Well I kind of doubt I will ever get the chance as I would expect as soon as I finish my training I'll be shipped off to some god forsaken part of the globe where someone will be shooting at me from some rooftop. Besides I bet part of the reason you love it so much is the company you are with. How long have you been married?"

She took some empty blood sample viles and went over to the centrifuge she had used before to hide their conversation about the Grahams. She turned on the machine and the noise meant they could talk more freely. They had to tread lightly as they were never sure if the "mirror guys" were there or not.

"Twenty seven years tomorrow as a matter of fact."

"Well Happy Anniversary Ursula and to Mr. Ursula as well"

"Thank you Chuck. Now roll over I need to massage those back muscles again."

Chuck turned over on his stomach and thought to himself that maybe she would understand. She had managed to have a family and still be connected to the spy life at least on some level.

Ursula poured some warmed oil on her hands. She really was very good at this part of her job. Chuck looked forward to these parts of his examination quite a lot. She surprised him as she quietly asked her next question. "Do you have someone in your life Chuck? I know its not protocol and I've heard about the 'Cardinal Rule of Spying' but to me it's a ridiculous rule and totally unrealistic. Besides having a friend, companion or hopefully someone you could love keeps you grounded and sane in the crazy world we live in. Sometimes it's nice to know what you're fighting for."

As she leaned in again to do his shoulders he spoke barely above a whisper. "Yes I do and I miss her very much. I know I shouldn't be telling you this but she's a spy too and I'm just worried about her. She's on a mission and though she is the best and I trust her abilities completely there's always that chance of something going wrong. I just would feel so much better if I knew she's ok. I'd hate to find out when I get out of here that something happened to her while we were out of communication. She's probably worried about me too."

Chuck rolled on his back and looked at the woman he had risked quite a bit in confiding in. She saw the worry in his deep brown eyes. She liked men with brown eyes. Then Ursula leaned back and as she did she nudged Chuck ever so slightly. She gently put her finger to her lips letting him know to keep quiet. He blinked in understanding. She walked back over to the centrifuge and turned it off. She then picked up the tablet computer she had entered his vitals in during the exam and quickly typed a brief note on the screen. As she walked back over towards Chuck she held the tablet with the screen facing Chuck but blocking it from the cameras.

Chuck glanced down at the screen and looked back up at Ursula and very subtly mouthed "thank you".

"Ok Chuck I think we are done for tonight. I see your next scheduled physical is Thursday. I guess I'll see you then. Get dressed and I'll lock up when we leave."

"Ok Ursula, see you Thursday. I just hope Agent Saunders doesn't kill me by then." He said with a slightly uncomfortable chuckle. 'I really do'

Zuoz Training Facility

Chuck's room

23:15 CET

Chuck was lying in his bed trying to access Intersect files on command. Since he had begun flashing again, every night in his room while alone and in the dark had tried to learn about the new features of his little brain partner. The original Intersect needed outside stimuli to trigger a flash. He had hoped that the designers had added the ability to initiate a flash in the 2.0. It really would come in handy and if he had been able to do a "feature request" to the designers that would have been near the top of his list. On-Demand flashing so to speak could prove very helpful. So far he wasn't having much luck. 'God I wish I could find the PDF of the manual in here somewhere. Couldn't they include that in the download?' Maybe it would just take time to learn how to do it.

Chuck looked up at the drab ceiling in the dim light of his room and a wide grin appeared on his face. He was glad it was dark as he didn't want the glow from his teeth to show in the cameras.

Chuck was also thinking about the note that Ursula had typed on her tablet before she deleted it. 'Going to Zurich for weekend with husband for anniversary. I'll contact her 4U. I'm sure she misses you too.'

He'd decided to have Ursula email Sarah and hopefully get a response back from her before she had to leave Zurich to come back to Zuoz on Sunday. He figured he could write the email in Romulan and tell Ursula it was to protect her in case anything went wrong. He had to protect her at all cost as he was certain she didn't know that doing this for him was a lot more risky than just some lovesick trainee. The email couldn't trip any of the government scanning of email traffic that the Intelligence community had used ever since 9/11 looking for suspicious key words and phrases. It had to be well planned out and in no way could lead back to Ursula or him. He hated to put her at such risk but he couldn't see anyway to avoid it.

But this was the kind of plan that Chuck loved. He had to outsmart the CIA, The Ring, Agent Saunders and possibly even General Beckman. So with that Chuck began to create a mental version of the back side of the Tron poster. He had to understand who the players were, their motives and how he could gain the upper hand. To do that he needed to contact Sarah and he may have just found the link he needed in the kindness of a Swiss CIA nurse.

Chuck Bartowski was on a mission and this was the kind of mission he did better than anyone. With that he rolled over on his side and thought to himself. 'Here we go'. He then drifted off to sleep and had the best rest he had gotten since he left Burbank two months ago.

A/N 2 This was a little shorter than the last 3 but I think that was a good point to stop. Some more action next chapter. Hope to get back on a weekly schedule.