Chapter 4: Prelude to the Wedding
A/N: See Chapter 1 please review It can only help me get better as a writer. Thanks to BDaddyDL for his Beta work and fixing my mistakes.
3 Oct 2008
Several days after the party, the team's lives and dynamics took a drastic change. They had been called to castle by the General for a follow up brief on the Intel gleaned from the security tapes, and Chuck's latest series of flashes. Taking their seats around the table they awaited the General. Chuck was seated in the middle with Sarah on his left and Casey to his right. The screen flickered to life and all three agents passed out. Their heads were guided gently to the table by unseen persons. The General came on, and the sight she was greeted with sent cold tendrils of fear and dread up her spine. Are they dead? Damn, I hope not. Why are they laid out on the desk? Her questions were answered in short order when Gabriel appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, accompanied by a woman she had never seen before.
"Major General Beckman it is a pleasure to meet you again. I would like you to meet my wife Sirella," Gabriel continued before Beckman could speak, "I see you got that promotion you weren't expecting. You surprised me with your effective handling of the Bartowski issue. I am glad you did not try to push me. As your agents saw, it would have been a very bad idea."
"I may not agree with you, but I'm not nuts. You got into and out of one of the most secure facilities we have. That would take more skill than anyone I know has." Her voice is flat and devoid of emotion.
"I said I would introduce myself to them on my time, and it's now that time." He stated with a complete lack of emotion "Your team is coming with me for a bit. Do not try to track them, or have us followed. Any attempt do so would be unwise and end in the loss of the agents you send."
General Beckman knows she only has one answer. "Alright, we'll do it your way. I do have a question for you about the mission you are sending them on. I heard how you and your wife dispatched those other agents, why do you need our help?"
Seeing her husband's eyes start to cloud over and become dark as coal, she knew what was going to happen if she did not defuse the situation. "Babe, you need to relax. If you're going to work with these people, they need to understand what's going on," Sirella said while giving Gabriel's hand a squeeze.
"You are correct," he grants his wife. Turning back to the General, Gabriel begins to explain, "I need numbers, plain and simple. The organization we need to take down is large; it has people in many important positions. Some are in the Government, the military and some are even high ranking civilians. This enemy is really good at blending in. We will need to get close to them to disrupt their plans. With the events of the other night, we are on the way to doing that. As I explained before, it will take time, which I have a lot of." He pauses to glance at the agents still laying face down on the table.
"The team will not be out much longer, and we need to leave. I understand that while Casey and Sarah were at CIA headquarters, they supplied you with a group of candidates for their mission. Please send Casey and Walker the names of the agents and analysts you would feel comfortable have working with them on this mission. Let them make the final choice however. Again, all credit will go you and your team. When this is over, you should be getting your third star. Gabriel out." After he was finished, he cut the transmission.
Sirella chuckled at this, asking "Why did you do that?"
"Easy, she reminds me of a Captain I know."
"If it's the same Captain I know, she just needs to get laid," this got a laugh out of Gabriel.
"Well, that's what the Queen said cured Janeway," added Gabriel.
"Enough of that, we need to leave. I don't want to have to gas them again"
"Are you sure you want to play it this way?"
"I've done this to thousands before them. They need to be brought back to reality. It will be harsh but it's the only way it will work."
"Well you are the expert on these people," completed Sirella.
Sometime later, the three woke up at almost the same time. They looked at each other and were surprised to find themselves seated in large comfortable leather chairs. Chuck's eyes almost popped out of his head at the amount of electronics and computers in the room. He had never seen any equipment like this. Casey and Walker both wondered why they woke up with no ill effects of whatever drug they were given. Verifying with each other they were alright, they turned to face a large monitor. Well large being an understatement, it was huge, at least twenty feet by twenty feet. Standing in front of it with his back to them was a man. He stood about six feet tall broad shoulders; they could see the muscles rippling under his shirt. From his hair cut Casey assumed he was a Marine.
He paid them no attention, instead pulling up screen after screen of data. It was moving so fast the three could barely make out what it was. Finally, it stopped and pictures of Chuck's sister's place replaced the data. It was a live feed. They could see Devon and Ellie leaving and heading to her car. Sarah immediately went on the defensive, knowing she was still armed she began reaching for her knives.
"If your hand moves one more inch Walker, you'll be dead before you hit the ground!" growled the man, as he spun to face them. Sarah froze as she saw his face, never before had she seen such a feral look and ice cold eyes. It was Gabriel, she knew at that moment it was not an idol threat, she had seen him in action just days before.
Chuck seeing the danger to the love of his life, quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed. When Sarah looked up at Chuck he was silently imploring her to stop. Thankfully she dropped her hand, and faced her palms toward Gabriel in a sign of surrender.
"Relax Walker; you are too important to Chuck for me to kill you. Your death would kill you and Chuck, because we know he is not worth a shit without you." Gabriel's eyes had softened and his tone became lighter "I would like to congratulate you two on your upcoming marriage. It was an impressive proposal Chuck."
"WAIT, how did you know about that?" exclaimed Chuck.
"I have my ways, and how is none of your concern. As of now, you are under my protection, not the CIA or NSA. We are here to further define your roles in this mission, and get to know each other, understood?"
"Yes" the three responded
"Major Casey, let's start with you. Prior service, decent record, nothing special there. You enjoy weapons and gunplay. Loss of life does not bother you. You'd follow orders even if meant killing Chuck. As long as it is for the greater good, correct Major?"
"Yeah" Colonel John Casey replied with a grunt. Before he could blink, a hand was wrapped around his throat, and he found himself standing on his toes struggling to breath. Chuck backed away with a shocked look in his eyes, as Sarah shuffled in front of him. Casey found himself nose to nose with Gabriel whose eyes once again had turned black as coal. Gabriel growled out,
"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but let me tell you something you piece of shit. Where I come from a grunt can be taken as a sign of a challenge! DO YOU WANT TO CHALLANGE ME!" he screamed in a deep growl, "because if you do, I will accept, we will fight to the death, and you. Will. Die. That fact is not in question, what is in question is; are you man enough to back up that challenge?" by now the growling had gotten less and Gabriel's breathing had slowed.
He plowed ahead "You are the worst type of person Casey, you have deluded yourself into thinking you are something special. You berate Chuck at every chance you get because he does not meet the standard you set. For this team to work you need to get over yourself. I have read your files, and back tracked the information in it. Did you know that almost twenty percent of you victims were innocent people?" Casey's eyes got wide at this. I always thought they were legitimate kills
"Some of the people you killed were because they MAY cause a problem in the future. They never committed any crimes, and simply because some terrorist, or other interested party may get to them; kind of like Chuck. To Beckman and her predecessor, you are nothing but a tool to kill whoever they felt might be a danger in the future. Do you feel good about that Casey, that you follow orders blindly?" Gabriel paused to calm down
"I know a bit about orders myself Casey, and they have to fit into three parts to be ignored, first being is it lawful, and I don't give a crap about greater good. When did the murdering innocents, for the greater good, become legal? Second, is it immoral? And finally is it unethical? You have the right, NO, the DUTY to question your orders. This behavior of yours stops here and now. If you want to work with this team, think outside the box, and question crap out of things that don't make sense. You are getting a chance to be involved in something so important it pales anything you have ever done. So think about it," he released Casey and turned toward Sarah.
Sarah and Chuck were shocked to say the least. Seeing Casey manhandled was bad enough but hearing what he had done was not expected. Sarah started to get worried. If he knew that about Casey, what does he know about me?
Chuck knowing Sarah was next grasped her hand in support. She could see the unconditional support in his eyes.
"Walker your record is good as well. It shows you have well above average martial arts skills, are good at seduction, and use of knives. Don't be upset about the seduction comment. You deal with men, which mean we're easy. A beautiful woman like you shows up and starts talking to us and for almost all straight men that means it's almost over. Throw in some booze, and a lets go to my room and bingo, game on. I never figured out why they wasted so much time teaching the female agents how to seduce a man. I just did it in fifteen seconds. You tend to get involved with you partners. One was even long term if I read your file correctly." "
"Now about the parts, that like Casey was hidden from you. You think after Graham saved your life. That he gave you a life, after that dirt bag of a father ruined yours?" questioned Gabriel.
"Yes that is correct" Sarah answered timidly oh God how bad will this get?
"Did you know a number of those missions you went on with Bryce were staged? The ones you were told 'By any means necessary'? Graham knew you would never just sleep with somebody you did not care about, so he set you up. The information you two received was mostly fake, to keep you participating with your missions. So like Casey, do you still believe in doing anything for the greater good? You weren't the only one either. He did it to most of the young female agents."
Sarah paled at the information, feeling sick to her stomach. The room began to swim as dizziness took over. She was doing all she could to keep from fainting. Chuck immediately wrapped his arms around her for support, whispering over and over how much he loved her and it wasn't her fault. By now tears had begun to fall from her eyes blurring her vision. She knew if it wasn't for Chuck, she never would have been able to get through this. Casey also looked shocked at this information, while Chuck had his own tears flowing because of what happened to his best friend and the love of his life.
Outside Chuck was being as strong as he could be. I need to strong for her. I knew she had slept with some of her marks because she thought it was her job. But this must be killing her. And the asshole Larkin first he screwed up Sarah's life then mine. And I almost wanted to forgive him. Well screw that!
"That's why he tried to pair you back up with Bryce. I was appalled at what he was doing, so we took steps to make sure it never happened again. From this moment on Sarah, your days of flat backing it for the greater good are over."
That mother fucker! How could he do that to me? He used me and turned me into a slut. He knew I hated sleeping with the marks. Damn how many times did I almost quit because of it. If he wasn't dead already I'd kill him. Thank you Gabriel you may seem cold and heartless, but thank you. Sarah now gained a bit of her control spoke up in a shaky voice "How, how could you stop it? He was in control of all my ops until the beta intersect blew up and killed him?"
"Who do you think blew the fucking thing up? Ask Chuck what the possibilities of a computer system creating an explosion that blows out an entire floor of a secure building. You people cannot be that dumb to think a computer did all that. Of course, we made it look like Fulcrum did it," Replied Gabriel.
"Now, before I get to Chuck, I have an offer for you and Casey" as he was talking he made his way over to a chair and sat down. "I know you two are Agents and are probably wondering how I know this. Most of the information was kept in private files that were heavily encrypted. Well, by your standards anyways." He let out a chuckle at this. "All of this was also included in the first intersect Chuck downloaded, just the cues were hidden. I have the cues that will unlock the files in the intersect, so I will give them to you. If you want, let Chuck flash on them. As I said, I have an offer for you two. My doctor can give you a shot that will erase certain memories, the ones that cause you the most pain. All you'll remember is the missions and that you completed them, just not the finer details."
Just then, Sirella walked in and headed to towards them and sat down next to her husband at the table. "I know this is hard on the three of you to accept, but it has to be done. With this mission you will be headed to places Casey and Walker have been before. We reviewed the cues that would cause Chuck to flash. He will know which missions were faked. He will see all the information on those missions. You two did things on those missions you never would have done if you knew the true reasons. We thought you, and I mean Chuck and Sarah, deserved to be happy together. We feared if you find out the information during a mission it could destroy your relationship."
Ok, this is just getting to weird for me. Sarah thought before asking her question "How did you know what we feel about each other? We never said anything to each other until the other day?"
"Easy, we have been following you three since almost the first day, so it was not too hard. Besides whom do you think pushed that Bitch Beckman into letting you two be together?" Gabriel chimed in. "You and Casey have a lot to think about so let's get to Chuck."
Well I'll be damned thought Chuck and Sarah at the same time he seems like a cold hearted bastard, yet he did this. His eyes get a spark when he sees his wife. So he's a nice guy, but I still don't want to piss him off.
"You want the intersect out of your head, you love your sister, and want to keep her safe. You also want to keep your friends out of danger, and think killing is wrong, because the person that may die has a spouse and children, right Chuck?"
"Well umm yeah. I don't like the thought of killing anyone even for the greater good." Stated Chuck in strong even tone. Yet he was unglued inside.
"Well Chuck let me be the first to congratulate you on being the most self centered bastard in the world." Gone now was the normal tone he had been using minutes before, and replaced by one as cold as dry ice, and just as likely to burn.
"You have left the ones you love in constant danger by staying here. Fulcrum did not know it was you. They just knew someone was out there, and taking down Fulcrums' cells. You could have moved away or gone into a bunker. That would have kept them safe. But you were to self centered to think like that, you only cared about you. I'll miss Ellie, what about Morgan? I'll never see them again. When they ended up dead because you stayed, and they would have, what would you have done then. Seriously dude, Morgan?" he downs a glass of water before continuing on.
"What I can't understand is how your team was so successful? You work for a group of idiots. I'll explain what I mean. Sarah, you have been living in a hotel for the last year, you drive a Porsche which together is ok if you worked anywhere that pays more than minimum wage. You like the car, so what! Your only job here was to keep Chuck alive, not stick out like a sore thumb. At least they put Casey in an apartment. And you three geniuses couldn't figure that it screamed 'something is not right here' look at me!'"
"During the last couple of years we were keeping our eyes on you. Once we figured out what you are, we put some of our people on you Here's something you don't know. There have been almost forty attempts on your life. We stopped them all." he pauses to let this new information soak in. "Go ahead and argue if you want, but the bottom line is this. If you were working anywhere else, it would have taking much longer to connect the dots."
"Answer me this Chuck, all the people you love are on a boat rigged with explosives. The man holding the detonator is fifty feet away, finger ready to push the plunger. You can end it all with one shot. Do you take it or not? Do you let them all die to save one person that is going to kill more? Thousands died on September eleventh, would you have killed the terrorists that crashed the planes? Would you have let those terrorists live because they had families? What about all the families that would still have the ones they lost that day. That Chuck is what this is all about. You are a sci-fi fanatic do these words mean more now, 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one.' We will never have you kill a person in cold blood. But you can bet your ass if you don't kill the people we are going after they will kill you without blinking an eye. So when you get the chance you better kill them"
Chuck sat back still holding on to Sarah. He knew Gabriel was right, that sometimes taking one life was worth it, he just hoped he could do it when the time came.
Sirella asked in a caring voice to the other members of the team. "Sarah and Casey what is your answer, will you let us help you get rid of the demons that plague your sleep. Or do you wish to continue on suffering with these demons that threaten your sanity? "
Chuck and Sarah were still holding hands as held a silent conversation with their eyes, before Chuck began to speak, "It's up to you. I will stand by you no matter what. I love you so much, and it makes me sick to think of what they made you do. I think it would be best for you to have them remove the memories." As he finished he gave her a short, but compassionate kiss that showed his love for his fiancée.
Sarah sighed, comforted by Chuck's words spoke "Ok, let's get these memories out of my head."
Casey was the next to respond "I may like gun play, but I never wanted to kill an innocent. I signed up to protect them. It pisses me off Beckman would use me like that. So I will do it also."
Chuck feeling brave added his voice to the decisions "Can you overwrite the data in my head so the cues go away? I don't have to know what missions they happened on, I already know they happened and that's enough for me."
"We already planned for that. Our people made a copy of the version you downloaded, and we then added a few extras of our own. They just make the flashes shorter and less painful. We have also added a few tactical planning routines to the mix. Now if Sarah and Casey would follow Sirella; I will take care of Chuck."
Sarah and Chuck looked back into each other's eyes as they slowly separated; both sets of eyes showing how much they wanted to stay close to each other as their hands slowly lost contact. An hour or so later, they were returned to the room they first woke up in. Chuck being well, Chuck asked a question that had been on everyone's mind since they got here "Not to seem rude or anything, but uh where are we, and who are you? Well I mean, who do you work for?"
"I will answer the second part of your question first. I use the name Gabriel in public, and it is not my real name by the way. I chose it because of what it means. The Archangel Gabriel has been referred to as the angel of death in some religions, so it seemed fitting. I will also go by Ghost on some missions we do. Whom do I work for? Let's just say we are an independent contractor who wants America to stay strong and free like it is now. We want to make the sacrifices of the men and women that came before us to not be forgotten; for they deserve no less from us." All Casey could think was Amen brother.
"You are at our west coast head quarters. We have a better one back east. But our main location is well hidden where no one will find it. We only go there when we need to." He didn't mention the eight hours a week of regeneration to recharge and replenish his Borg systems he needed. "I doubt you will ever see it. All the Intel we get, we send there to be analyzed. We are only looking for specific pieces of information. All Intel will go to your agencies to be processed. We will rely on it almost all the time."
Gabriel and Sirella motioned to the door as they escorted the trio out of the briefing room. "We need to get you guys back before Ellie sends out a search party for you. We have had you here quite a while. We have a limo waiting to pick you up and take you home. Chuck, you need to call your sister and tell her you'll be home in a couple of hours. Have dinner on the way home. Reservations have been made, and the driver knows where to take you. Enjoy your dinner. When we need you again, we will contact you. Follow Beckman's plans; she may be a bitch sometimes, but her plan is good. Besides, she knows one screw up, and her ass belongs to me!"
"I have one last question for you Gabriel," stated Chuck "Why the hard ass approach at the beginning? You could have explained in a nicer way." Chuck heard Casey grunt at this and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"It was basic training 101 Chuck. You three were to secure in who you thought you were, not who you are. I had to get you down what you each considered to be your lowest or most uncertain level. Then I can build you back to where you need to be. When I get done with you three you will be the best team this country has ever seen." Gabriel finished as he walked them to the waiting limo.
Just before they got there Casey pulled him aside and spoke, "Chuck and Sarah, I'll see you later. I want to speak with Gabriel for a second." When the two were safely in the limo he pulled out a cigar and lit it then was ready to continue when Gabriel spoke up
"That's one thing I have missed, a cigar."
"A woman is a woman but a cigar is a smoke."
"Casey you know you're the backbone of your team.."
"Yeah, yeah, you had to break us down and rebuild. I don't like it but I get it," Casey added in.
Gabe and Casey looked at each other and nodded as Gabe went back inside.
The ride home was quiet with Sarah and Chuck still reeling over the events of the evening. Sarah was amazed, at the turn of events. First, she found out that Graham had been using her and other female agents to entertain his friends. Then the revelation that all those bad memories could be wiped out, and they were. She thought back to all missions, and she could not remember sleeping with any of the marks. She had hated that part of her job, and now she felt like a new person. Her only concern was how Chuck would react to what they had heard. So far he had been great, offering his love and support. He had gone as far as having the intersect reloaded, so he could not flash on anything that would reveal to him what she had done. She loved him for that, and for so much more. She felt his arm pull her closer, and she snuggled into him brushing her lips across his neck as she felt him shiver slightly at the gesture.
Chuck was concerned about what had transpired back Gabriel's head quarters. First he learned how Casey had been manipulated into killing innocents, then about Sarah's past missions. Her CIA boss had basically made her have sex with his friends in the guise of getting information. What scared him the most was when he found out all the information was stored in his head. What impressed him was the offer to have the intersect reloaded minus those details, and have some additional goodies installed. He loved that idea. He needed to relax so he pulled Sarah a little closer and she allowed it and brushed a kiss along his neck. The kiss caused him to shiver slightly as she snuggled closer.
When the trio arrived at the apartment complex Casey took his leave, and went to his place. Chuck and Sarah sat by the fountain, where they had so many times before. Sarah broke the silence "I am so sorry you had to find out what Graham made me do. I swear Chuck, I never knew." She was close to tears in worry that Chuck would now see her as damaged goods.
Chuck, being Chuck, responded in the only way he knew how "Sarah, I knew what you had to do on some missions. And even though I had trouble accepting it at first, I did. You were carrying out your orders, believing it was another mission. You had no way of knowing what he was doing to you. I love you Sarah, completely and forever. So why don't we go inside and pick a date to get married. Hell I'd get married tomorrow if I could."
Sarah's head snapped up "What did you say Chuck?"
"Umm, well ...I'd marry you tomorrow,"
"No Chuck not tomorrow, in two days! Ellie and Devon have off that day so we can drive to Vegas and get married! Let's go tell them!" Sarah jumped up and practically drug Chuck into the apartment.
Sarah flung open the door so hard it nearly knocked things off the shelves. Looking around for Ellie and Devon and not seeing them right away hollered "ELLIE, DEVON, get out here. We got news for you!" Chuck had never seen her like this; I thought she was all business in agent mode. This is worse, it's I'm a woman getting married mode. I hope I survive.
Sarah was on a roll and had to restrain her hands while waiting for Ellie to get into the living room, "You two have off in a couple days, so we decided to drive to Vegas and get married!"
The squeal that Ellie let loose almost broke the windows, and caused many small animals to run for cover. She ran over to the happy couple and engulfed them in a bone crushing hug at the same time "YES! We'll be there! Oh. My. God! This is great and so romantic." After she calmed down she asked "Are you sure, this is a bit sudden."
"Ellie I have never been so sure of anything else in my life ever! Even though we have been together for a short time, I have loved Chuck for so long. He has loved me even longer. Now that there is nothing stopping us from being together, why should we wait?"
"She's right Babe" chorused Devon as he was shaking Chuck hand. "You know what they had to deal with, so if they to do it in two days I support them. Since were spreading good news, Ellie and I had a great day as well. We got called into the administrator's office and were told that Johns Hopkins called. They wanted permission to offer us jobs with them, and we have to let them know by Friday."
"That's what we were talking about that when you walked in. Devon and I would have been worried about you out there doing what you do. Now we'll be close enough to visit every weekend, but far enough to not impose on a regular basis. It's like we have a guardian angel!" Ellie added with a small squeal.
"More like an archangel" snorted Chuck, soft enough so only Sarah could hear. Sarah could only roll her eyes.
"Since we are getting married in two days, let's go pick our wedding rings tomorrow. Tonight we'll go out to dinner and celebrate. It's on us of course." exclaimed Chuck.
"Well that's settled; tomorrow when we go to work, we tell them we decided to take the job at Johns Hopkins. The day after we drive to Vegas and get you too married," stated Devon.
They spent the hour or so asking questions and giving answers. Out of the blue a thought popped into Ellie's head "I am so sorry guys. You just decided to get married in a couple days, and we are sitting here talking about things that can wait. We need to take you up on your offer of dinner and celebrating," Ellie gushed.
"That's right babe. We need to get these two a drink, and let them relax," Devon said seconding the idea. They headed out to a restaurant, then to a club, and enjoyed a night of music and dancing. Pleasant conversations took place mostly revolving around the personal lives of the couple.
"Hey guys it's getting late and we have a lot to do tomorrow; so Sarah and I are going to head home, and get to bed. Good night guys." After saying good night, Chuck led Sarah back to Sarah's car, and headed home. When they arrived they headed straight to their room, and got ready for bed. The two got in bed, and burrowed under the covers getting as close as they could.
"Chuck I may not say I love you as much as you say it to me, but I do love you very much. You are the kindest man I know. Thank you for being there for me, and not holding my past against me." She whispered to him.
"I could never do that to you. I plan to make you happy and get you to smile at least once a day for the rest of our lives." He kissed her good night and they both drifted off to sleep.
Morning came and found them wrapped up in each other. After getting untangled, they got ready for the day. Sarah had to head in to the castle to pick up the list of agents she would have to choose from. She would then give Casey the packet, and he would make his choices. The ones they both picked would be accepted, and then they would haggle about the rest. Once all the names were assembled, their pictures would be shown to Chuck to see if he flashed on any of them. If not they would accepted to the team.
Chuck and Casey headed in to the Buy More to talk to big Mike about quitting. Once that was done, Casey headed to the castle to check over the list of agents. After he made his choices, he compared his with Sarah, and after several hours they had the names to show Chuck.
When Chuck got done talking to big Mike he tracked down Morgan in the appliances isle. "Hey Morgan, what's up with you?"
"You know Chuck same old stuff, just a different day. I thought you had the late shift today? Why are you here so early?"
"I umm I need to talk to you, so I came by to take you to lunch so we can talk. Where do you want to go for lunch?"
"How about we go to the new steak place?"
"Sounds good to me. I cleared it with Big Mike to give you a longer lunch, so we can go now. So clock out, and let's go." Chuck was glad Morgan chose the steak place because he had to turn in the keys to the herder after he quit. They placed their orders and Chuck began "Morgan I got some good news yesterday. The job I applied for came through. It's on the east coast as a software engineer for the Government. So I quit today."
"NOOoo" wailed Morgan "Chuck you can't leave Buymoria, you can't leave me." This caused people to turn and look at them.
"Don't worry dude, I'll be back here on a regular basis, so I'll still be able to get together with you. Plus, we can play COD online. You still have those plans we made?" asked Chuck in a quiet tone hoping to defuse the earlier outburst from Morgan.
"There's more Morgan, Sarah and I are getting married tomorrow in Vegas."
"YES! Road trip, when do we leave? Where are we staying? This is going to fun. Wait till I tell Anna we're going to Vegas." And excited Morgan rattled on. All Chuck could do was shake his head. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought.
"Sorry Morgan you and Anna won't be going it's us, Ellie, and Awesome."
"But Chuck it's me, your life partner!" Morgan continued to whine loudly.
"NO Morgan you're NOT my life partner, Sarah is. You are my best friend, and I love you like a brother. Sarah is my life Morgan. I'll always thank you for helping me get over Jill, but Sarah allowed me to love again. Without her, I would still be drifting along working at Buy More as the Nerd Herd supervisor. Because of her, I can be so much more. I hope you understand."
Chuck turned around when he heard a muffled sob coming from behind him. What he saw astounded him. Sarah was standing there with her hand covering her mouth and tears running down her face. Chuck stood and pulled her into a hug.
"What's wrong Sarah? You ok?"
"I'm fine Chuck; I just came over to say hi to Morgan during my break. What you just said to Morgan was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. I guess it makes it seem more real I just can't explain it."
Morgan stood up and moved to the couple "Congratulations Sarah, Chuck told me the good news. Seeing him now, you have been good for him. Sarah would you like to join us?"
"No thanks I'm gonna head back to work. You guy's enjoy the rest of your lunch." She gave Chuck one last hug and a quick kiss and headed out.
"Sarah really loves you man."
"Yeah Morgan, I know. I am one lucky guy. Let's finish eating before you're late getting back."
They finished their meal with Morgan asking Chuck for more information on his new job, how he proposed, and the normal stuff they talked about. When they finished, Chuck headed to the castle, and Morgan to the Buy More.
Chuck found Sarah poring over reports. She looked up and gave him a big smile, "Babe, I called the Jones' and asked them to reschedule the dinner until next week. I told them something important came up with one of your companies, and we had to go out of town. She understood and asked if next weekend was fine, and I said yes."
"Good idea, running off to Vegas to get married may not have been the thing to say. Speaking of which, I made reservations at the Bellagio for the five of us, three rooms of course." Chuck was laughing as he continued on "The last thing I need is a repeat of the shower scene. Plus, I want to spend my wedding night alone with my new wife."
"That sounds wonderful." Letting out a sigh "Casey and me finished looking at the files, and picking out the agents. All we need for you to do is check them out."
"Ok, hand them over, and I'll take a look. Ya know, take the new improved intersect out for a test drive, and see what it can do." Taking the folders from Sarah he set to work. He was part way through, when he flashed on one. It was nothing like before. Man this is great no pain! "This guy is Fulcrum but just a low level grunt type. He won't have much to offer us on them. We should just have him picked up."
"Wait a second Chuck, you said you flashed, but I didn't see the usual signs" Sarah exclaimed.
"I know it was different, Instead of images just popping in and out quickly; they faded in and out smoothly and with more details. Kinda like when your computer shuts down. Also there was no pain or for that matter, any sensations. Just the data flow as it was. It felt like it took forever, how long was it?" Chuck really wanted to know.
"Chuck, I never knew you flashed, almost as soon as you looked at it, you handed me the folder. It seems Gabriel's version works well. You should continue on and see what happens if you have multiple flashes."
"The rest of them are ok." Chuck had finished up with the folders and hadn't flashed on anyone else. As they were finishing up Casey joined them.
"Bartowski, you get a chance to look over those folders yet?"
"Yeah I just finished them up. Only had one flash though, but it was impressive. I had no feelings at all, and Sarah never noticed I flashed. We were trying to get me to have multiple flashes to see if I react better than the last time."
"Why don't you try looking at old files that we have in the archives from cases we have closed." Casey suggested heading to the archive computer to pull up the files.
Chuck took his seat and started scanning the files as they appeared on his screen. Casey and Sarah were astounded as they watched him. Gone were the rolling of the eyes, glazed over expression, and the stiffened body they were so used to seeing. Instead, he just looked normal, like he was reading the screen. Casey noticed for the briefest moment that Chuck's eyes would move back and forth a miniscule amount. If you weren't staring at his eyes and looking for it, you would never notice it.
"How's the pain Chuck?" a concerned Sarah asked
"There isn't any, just like the flash earlier." Replied Chuck
"Casey why don't you send the names to Beckman, and let her make up the teams? We need to get out of here to pack for Vegas, and so do you." Said Chuck
"Why would I want to go?" Casey was stunned
"Casey, you may not show it all the time and you may not act like it, but I think you like us. If not that, at least respect us so we want you there." Chuck said with a small smile, knowing that was about as much of the Lady feelings Casey could handle.
Since it was still early, Sarah and Chuck decided to head out shopping to pick out their wedding rings. Chuck figured that since he had just got all his back pay, they should head to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Sarah had to explain to Chuck that since they were going to need new clothes for the upcoming mission, the CIA would be footing the bill. They checked out several of the stores there and made several clothing purchases, before heading into Harry Winston's.
"Hello, I'm Samantha, how can I help you today?" asked the sales person
"We're looking for a wedding set," answered Chuck.
"We have some very nice sets here. Do you have any particular style you are interested in?"
"Not really. My girl is very special, and I was looking for something unique."
"Ah I see. We may have just what you are looking for. Please wait here while I get something from the back." After several minutes, Samantha returned carrying a small tray containing two rings. "This set was made many years ago. It was designed by a couple who was already married for several years and wanted something to last a lifetime. Before they could get remarried, they were killed. The man called it an eternity set."
"Wow" they both exclaimed at the same time.
Sitting on the tray were two of the most beautiful rings they had ever seen. They were made of platinum, with a dull black design, resembling a Celtic rope design. The edges were in a scallop design, and very small green stones were interwoven in the black design.
"Why did he call it an eternity ring?" asked Sarah
"He designed the rings to join together after one of their deaths. Something to do with the black metal he gave us to mix in with the platinum. They join together on the scalloped edges. That way the remaining spouse has the rings for all eternity," explained Samantha. "So just to be safe we have never let the rings touch, just in case what he says is true."
"What do you think Sarah?"
"I have never seen anything like them before. Like us they are unique, I say we get them."
"Ok, Samantha we'll take them. What's the damage?" inquired Chuck.
"These rings are very old and were a custom made, but in all the years we have had them nobody has wanted them. So how about you give us cost plus 500?"
The purchase was made, and as Chuck and Sarah departed the store Samantha called out to them "Congratulations on your pending marriage, may it be a long and healthy union."
As soon as the couple left the store Samantha pulled out her phone and placed a call.
"Talk to me Sam"
"They got the rings"
"Good, return to base. Nice work"
"Got it boss, see you in a few." And with that the call ended.
With the shopping done, and rings bought, they headed home. The couple enjoyed a quick ride home, stopping along the way to grab a bite to eat. The conversation centered on the wedding, and the plans for the upcoming mission. When the topic of cars came up, Chuck stated he wanted a Mustang, but Sarah argued that in keeping with their uniqueness, he should get a more powerful machine. Sarah suggested the Viper. Chuck remembered what Devon had told him about not arguing with the woman you love, especially when you know you can't win. So he conceded the Viper. Plus he figured it would be really fun to drive. Once they arrived at home they unpacked Sarah's Porsche, and finalized the trip to Vegas with Ellie and Devon. They then went to bed anticipating the day tomorrow.