A/N 1: Thanks for staying with the story. This is the next to the last Chapter. I quickly cover a decent amount of time, but I think I wrote the scenes that you want to see. I hope it is good enough. I could do requests. If there is a scene, anywhere in this story, that you wish I would have written, let me know in your review, and I will see what I can come up with, as a one shot.
A/N 2: I wish WE owned Chuck. Put Steampunk Chuckster, David Carner, Willie Garvin, Zettle, and several of the other authors on this site, in a writers room and we would have a Great movie. But we know we don't.
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December 23rd.
Casey is smiling and pleased as he boards the plane for their trip back home.
This even puts first class to shame, he thinks as he steps into what looks like a small apartment, except for the 6 regular airline seats at the front.
He throws his bags in a closet-like compartment, glances around the living room area, then continues down the hallway, past the bedroom, to the cargo area, where all of their top secret and classified files were. Time to go confirm everything is squared away.
The top secret materials in those boxes were why they had been assigned this special C22B, otherwise known as a 727. It contained, lucky for them, a VIP transport module, that essentially was a little apartment, and a high security, reinforced storage bay, designed to stay intact, even if the plane broke apart mid air. It would survive a crash into the ocean, even if the rest of the plane, including the VIP module, didn't. Casey just needed to make sure that everything was loaded and in place before they sealed it up tight.
After confirming everything, signing off in triplicate, and observing the locking and sealing of the compartment, he heads back up front.
"Hey Bartowski, Miller," he greets the pair, who are stowing away their things in preparation for take off.
"Hey, Casey." They reply almost in unison.
Carina informs him, "Crew says we will be wheels up, in about half an hour."
Casey, nods and replies with a pleased grunt.
Chuck asks him, due to procedure, more than any concern, "Everything locked up tight?"
"As a barrel." Casey replies, with a nod.
"It's hard to believe that roughly 2 years of our lives are bundled up back there." Chuck comments, shaking his head and reaching out to pull Carina to his side, losing himself in thought for a moment.
Of course his thoughts are on Lady Feelings. I can't deny it's been a good run, and we've been effective, but no need to get all teary eyed about it. As Casey thought about all that they went through, his eyes misted up, his subconscious dealing with the feelings he wouldn't consciously admit to.
He watches Chuck compose himself, squaring his shoulders, and Casey notes, That used to only be a Charmichael move. Chuck tells them. "I would like to talk to you both about something, once we can get up and gather around the table."
Carina looks up at Chuck curiously and replies, "Sure." Casey just nods his head. Whatever.
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After takeoff, they gather around the table. Chuck looks at his team, his friends, and starts, "I owe you guys an apology."
Both Casey and Carina look slightly confused, neither sure of the reason for an apology.
Chuck continues, recognizing their cluelessness, "It's about this transfer, all of us, the team, moving back to Washington. Now, I'm not apologizing for keeping it from you. I was following our bosses lead, and wasn't permitted to reveal the planning." He looks at each of them, as they nod, being quite familiar with "need to know".
Chuck explains, "What I want to apologize for was my presumption that you both would go along with whatever they and I decided. For all I know, Casey, you might be thinking of moving on from this assignment, " Casey semi-smiled and waggled his head noncommittally, "or, maybe retire?" Casey looked up at Chuck, like Chuck was crazy. Chuck and Carina laugh at his response.
Chuck turns to Carina, taking her hand, saying, "And you had a career path, before all of this, and I can't presume that it overlaps with the plans for me and a team."
Carina squeezes his hand, her face flashing through a series of emotions. Annoyance, Yeah, you should have told me. Pride, You know the Number 1 kick ass agent has a career track.
And then, Forgiveness. But, rest assured I would find a way to still be with you. Always, wherever you go.
Chuck turns back to Casey, providing further explanation. "Carina's boss jumped the gun, even though the final decision hadn't been finalized and wasn't supposed to be announced, and informed her she was being transferred."
Carina meets his eyes with a sad smile as she remembers the emotions surrounding that event.
Chuck strokes the back of her hand with his thumb, as he turns back to Casey, filling in the rest of the details. "So Carina was stressed out for about a week, right before Thanksgiving, thinking we were being separated, until I finally got the go ahead and told her of the team's plans. Let's just say she took the news with mixed emotions." He turns to Carina and winks, while she grins and slaps his chest.
Chuck smiles looking between the two of them. "Team Bartowski follows the orders of our bosses, but I will never assume that you guys are guaranteed to come along." He smiled. "My Family is a family by choice, and I will remember that my Team is a team, by choice."
Chuck's emotions, once again, get the best of him, so he hides the catch in his voice with a laugh. "And you know, I really can't tell the two apart." Chuck smiles affectionately at both of them.
Which makes Casey, even this new, improved Casey, uncomfortable. Casey grunts. Yeah, whatever. "Is that it? Red, sorry it's troubling for you, but it's no big deal for me. I go where ordered, and, Chuck, you know I won't have any trouble dumping your sorry ass, if I get a better offer." The hardass words were totally Old Casey. The slight grin, and twinkle in his eye, is all New Casey. He stands, grabbing his phone out of his pocket. "If that's it?" and with a head nod, he moves to sit on the couch, Honky Tonk songs starting to warble from his headset.
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Chuck turns back to Carina, takes both of her hands and, with a smile and twinkle in his eye, tells her, "There is more that I want to talk to you about." He stands and pulls her to her feet, giving her a light kiss in the process. Chuck steps over to a cupboard in the kitchen area and finds a couple of plastic cups. As Carina stands and waits to see what he is up to, he walks to the mini-fridge thinking, Please be there. Please be there. Please be there. When he opens the refrigerator and sees the bottle of Champagne he smiles and does a little fist pump. Yes! This is going to be perfect. Taking the bottle out of the fridge, he closes its door, and turns to Carina, holding the bottle triumphantly.
"Well Chuckles, I don't know what all you have in mind, but I'm liking how this is starting." Carina states, in a soft melodious voice, a suggestive smile on her face.
Chuck wordlessly steps to her, takes her hand, and leads her to the bedroom.
Carina chuckles, "I thought you said you wanted to talk?"
Chuck guides her into the room, closing the door behind her. He turns to Carina, and with an eyebrow dance replies, "Well, talking will definitely be part of it." Chuck sets the Champagne and glasses on the side table, and invites Carina to sit on the bed in front of him. Carina's eyes drift to his groin causing Chuck to laugh, "Hey! My eyes are up here."
Carina looks up at him and with a smirk replies. "Yeah, I know. They are my second favorite part of you." After all this time, she still manages to make him blush.
Looking down at her, Chuck composes himself and tells her, in a quiet, gentle voice, "You. You are my favorite part of me. And that's why I want you to truly understand that I am sorry that some miscommunication caused you grief." He reaches down with his right hand, cupping her jaw and stroking her face with his thumb. He is even quieter as he declares, "I never want to cause you any pain."
Carina shudders and her eyes mist, feeling the emotion driving his declaration.
Capturing her eyes again, Chuck explains, "I just assumed you would want to stay on the team. And, stay with me."
Carina nods her head. Always, and Wherever you go.
"But, I don't ever want you to feel that I am taking you for granted and that I don't always want your input."
Chuck puts his hands in his pockets and seems to fiddle with something, while his demeanor is becoming more nervous.
"And it made my heart swell when you told me you didn't want to leave me, and that you would search for any way for us to be together. So, I want you to understand that I am serious."
Chuck kneels in front of her, on his right knee, pulling a small red box out of his pocket.
Carina's eyes get wide and begin to moisten, and her chin begins trembling, as she realizes what is happening.
"Like you said, you were looking for a way that assured us that we would be together if you were reassigned. And believe me, wherever I am sent, I will guarantee that you can be by my side."
Chuck opens the box, displaying the ring, and Carina begins softly sobbing.
"Carina Miller, I want you by my side, wherever life takes me, in good times and bad, until the end of time. Carina, will you Marry me?"
Carina reaches down and pulls herself to him, causing Chuck to stumble backward, falling on the floor with her atop him. She peppers his face and lips with kisses, repeating,
Yes! Yes! Yes!" between each kiss.
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The depressurization that accompanies a change in altitude wakes Carina from her light, blissful, contented, satiated slumber. She snuggles more deeply into Chuck's still slumbering form, and he, as always, pulls her closer. Carnia grins, Awake or asleep, he hungers for me. He is my Chuck. My Fiance. She grins to herself. And I am his Fiancee. His Carina. Suddenly she stiffens, then sits up with eyes wide open.
Her sudden movement wakes Chuck, her sudden move to sitting pulling her abruptly out of his arms and up out of the covers. Chuck had learned to wake fast and be mission ready when needed, so he was wide awake by the time he was sitting upright. He scans the room for danger, and seeing nothing he turns to her, concerned, and asks, "Carina, everything ok?"
"No" is her reply, but her demeanor is sheepish, rather than worried.
Confused, Chuck looks around again, listening, sensing, trying to suss out what is wrong. "No? What's wrong?"
Carina reaches out to touch his cheek, a small smile on her face, and meets his eyes. "No. As in, Not Carina."
Chuck sits back against the headboard, and takes her hand in his, softly rubbing it. "Carina, I don't know if it's the sleep, or the Champagne, or if you finally did it and screwed my brains out." He winks and smiles with his last comment. "But, I don't understand what you are saying."
Grinning at his confusion, she lightly slaps his chest, and announces, "You have to propose to me again."
Chuck's brow furrows. "Again?" With a smile and an eyebrow bounce, he adds, "I thought I did pretty good the first time."
Carina lightly laughs and leans in to kiss him. "Yes, Chuck, that was wonderful. You just proposed to the wrong girl." She laughs more heartily at his increasing confusion. "Chuck. I'm not Carina. That's my cover name."
Understanding crosses Chuck's face, and he starts chuckling too.
"I've just gotten so used to being Carina with you, I don't even think about it, and during your proposal, it wasn't even on my radar. And I love being, and I want to keep being, your 'Rina'." she emphasizes, reaching out to stroke his cheek with her hand, tilting her head and smiling at him.
Chuck leans into her hand, returning her smile.
She then straightens up, turns to face him directly and holds her hand straight out. "Caron Celine Anderson. Pleasure to meet you."
Chuck takes her hand, then brings it to his lips. He stares deeply into her eyes and answers, "Charles Irving Bartowski. Pleasure to love you. Always, whoever you are, wherever we go."
Carina melts, the feelings of love he projects, and can draw out of her, overwhelming all of her senses, short circuiting her body. The opposite of the primal Fight or Flight. Stay and Cuddle are the dominant instincts.
He grins and takes both of her hands in his, and positions their hands to emphasize her engagement ring. "Caron Celine Anderson, will you be my wife?"
"'Rina" smashes into him, her deep kiss is her reply, as in her mind she answers. Always, wherever we go.
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June 3rd
Chuck is trying not to fidget. I'm Charles. I am an adult. I have defeated Fulcrum and the Ring. I can do this. He still can't keep from bouncing his heel on the carpet. To distract himself from the most important meeting he has ever had, he thinks about the past few months that have led him here.
A smile spreads over his face, as he recalls something else big that happened, I can't believe I am married to 'Rina. Married. That should make me feel like a grown up. Come on Chuck, I mean Charles, you are a full fledged adult now.
He still can't hold back a goofy grin. It's been awesome. Since our plane ride back here, when I proposed to her, everything seems to be falling into place. My business is established and Morgan is starting to handle some opportunities on the West coast. With the business to solidify my cover, I have been able to start meeting openly with all of the Agency heads, so the Intersect is back in business saving the world.
And, I am married to Carina. No. Caron. No. She's my 'Rina. He softly smiles, his eyes darkening with love.
I am so glad we were able to go back to L.A. for the ceremony. And her idea of getting married on Valentine's day will make it easier to remember our anniversary. It made her so happy, although I am still trying to understand what she meant when she said it was Romance cubed?
And, I am so happy that all of us are able to be together at our new estate. John's apartment above the garage, keeps him close, but not too close. And I am sure that as much as he enjoys not being all up in our business, he also enjoys his own privacy. Chuck laughs aloud, catches himself, looks around to make sure he hasn't disturbed the others who were waiting, and returns to his thoughts. Like we don't know what it means when the R & B tunes replace his honkey tonk tunes. I'm sure his lady friends enjoy it. His smile softened. Maybe he can find someone to settle down with, a special someone, someday.
Chuck startles when the big double doors open, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff motions him into the Oval Office. Once the doors were closed behind him, the Chairman spoke up. "Mr. President, I would like you to meet….."
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The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stands before the President of the United States, as the rest of the JCoS members, as well as the DNI and the heads of the CIA, NSA, and DEA look on from around the room.
He begins his presentation. "Mr. President, as has been explained, the project we are about to discuss has involved all of us, and while not hidden from you, you have not been privy to some of the specific details."
The President sits up straighter, his eyes darkening, as he learns secrets had been kept from him.
"Hidden amongst all of the resources and tools that our agencies use, is our most powerful asset."
The President angrily questions, "And you have hidden it from me?"
The Chairman rushes to clarify, "No sir, We have discussed it many times. It's The Intersect. We have mentioned it during mission debriefs as being an important element in our operations. We just downplayed it." He admits at the end.
The President nods his head, "Yes, I remember you mentioning how The Intersect had provided important information leading to some of our successes. I don't understand the big deal. I know we have supercomputers. Everyone knows we have supercomputers. I don't understand all of your secrecy about this one."
"Well sir, you will in a moment, but we need you to do a few things first." The Chairman hesitantly explains.
The President raises his eyebrows, feeling like this is an order, not a request. "Yes?" he intones, his words weighted with seriousness.
"We need you to issue an Executive order, limiting the historical record of this meeting to only a print copy. All electronic recordings of this meeting need to be destroyed. And, the print version needs to be marked 'Eyes Only' for the sitting President of the United States."
The President manages to raise his eyebrows even higher.
"Sir, it's needed for the protection of some identities."
The President nods his agreement.
The Chairman takes a deep breath, "And, one other thing."
The President's eyebrows furrow at the additional request.
"Some information we will be providing you will be in written form, and it is important that you not say any of it out loud."
The President barks out, "You've got to be kidding."
The Chairman looks directly into the President's eyes, adding gravitas to his statement, "No Sir. We are dead serious. As in, many people have died, protecting this very same information."
The President's eyes widened.
"But we feel that we can be even more successful with our strategies if you had access to the Intersect directly." The Chairman finishes.
The President nods, liking the fact that he will have even more help with this difficult job.
The Charimant expectantly looks at the President, "Sir, with your confirmation of all of that, and your approval, I would like to proceed."
The President states aloud, for his staff and posterity, "By Executive order, only print transcripts of this meeting will be kept, and those transcripts are to be marked 'Eyes Only'".
He nods to the Chairman.
The Chairman then walks to the doors, motioning for them to be opened and for the assistants in the room to leave. After a moment he motions to a waiting, fidgeting, dark haired man, inviting him into the Oval Office. The doors are closed behind them. The Chairman turns to the President and says, "Mr. President, may I introduce you to The Intersect."
The President's eyes grew large, and he glanced down at the notecard that had been put in front of him, which read "Charles Bartowski."
As Chuck's head was spinning, standing in the oval office, learning of the tremendous opportunities to come, his heart was elsewhere. She was back at home.
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'Rina looks out her home office window at the gardeners taking care of the flower beds. I am so happy I had them put those flower beds outside my window. Although, I am also glad that I don't have to maintain them. I don't know that I would have the patience for weeding. Thank goodness the gardeners do a great job of keeping them healthy, free of weeds, and the soil fertile.
Fertile. When the word popped into her head, a small smile grew on her face. Fertile. Ready to produce life. Who would have thought Agent Carina Miller would be thinking about producing life? She looked down and rubbed her flat stomach. Well I guess she never would, but Caron Celine "'Rina" Bartowski certainly is. Her grin got even bigger. Someday. Now that I have my contraception removed. I am primed and ready for it to happen. My new position at the DEA is squared away. I know that my work will be either here at home, or right in this area, I can manage career and motherhood.
She remembers last Thanksgiving, while they were with Devon and Ellie. Chuck seemed so happy and content, holding Clara. I knew right then that he needed to be a father. And, I discovered that I wanted to see him holding our child. I am ready to be a mother. Someday. Hopefully someday soon.
Carina shuts down her computer, walks to and through their bedroom, and starts drawing herself a bath. After confirming the water temperature and adding some bath beads, she walks into her closet and starts looking through her lingerie, selecting some of Chuck's favorite pieces. Carina's eyes glittered with excitement. Time to get ready. When he gets home and walks through the door, he is going to know how serious I am about trying to make babies.
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A/N 3: Ok, this is pretty much it. One more chapter to go, because I have this scene in my head that I hope you like. I hope you have enjoyed this journey of personal growth for both of them.
If you haven't read Walker's Eleven, and you like a good caper, you should.
BTW, my recommendations are all older, complete stories that might be overlooked.
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