Alright, I know it's been so long since I posted on this fic. But I'm trying to get back to it. I wish I'd come back with a stronger installment, more relevant to the plotline, but this is where I was going before my…hiatus. With Part 21, it should be a rush to the finish. Starting with this part, I hope to crank out new parts every ten days or so.

Oh, and be sure to check out my profile page for my others works. In my humble opinion, I've written a few good ones lately. Please check them out and review.

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The Road to Innocence

Chapter Twenty: Dry Run

Story By: Liam and BillAtWork

Written By: Liam

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From her spot on the couch, Ellie quietly sipped coffee and intently studied the scene playing out before her. But her focus wasn't on the soap opera playing on the nearby television screen, but rather the one playing out by the dining table.

As Chuck sat at the table, working on the laptop, Rachel and Sarah stood by his side, one agent over each shoulder, intently focused on the screen and listening to his words. And as Ellie watched, two things were plainly clear.

The first, this was not her little brother. At least, not the one she knew. The man she watched now was…Ellie wasn't quite sure what adjective to insert. Though not having the cool, collected air of either agent, Chuck seemed oddly…comfortable…with the task at hand. Ellie would like to think that was due exclusively with the fact he was operating within his domain – computers. And while she knew that played a partial role, she also knew that her brother was slowly embracing this new world he found himself in.

For that, Ellie suspected she would always bear resentment towards the two women.

Second, she could clearly and painfully see the love each woman had for her brother. This time it was Sarah who idly played with the soft curls at the back of Chuck's neck. And in a further reversal of roles, it was Rachel who cast surreptitious glances at this action, envy and remorse not so subtly imprinted on her features.

Well crap-dee-do-da.

Ellie sighed heavily, drawing the attention of Rachel. The redhead excused herself from the group and approached her. "C'mon, Ellie, we have things to do."

"We do?" Ellie asked, surprised.

"Yup. Get dressed. Preferably in something with a plunging neckline. We're gonna give you a crash course in Inducement and Infiltration of Enemy Personnel."

"Huh?"

"Seduction school. Be sure to grab a pad and pencil."

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Indeed Ellie wore something with a plunging neckline. A purple knee-length dress with matching heels.

"Fit this into your ear," Rachel said, giving Ellie an earpiece. "Two way comm," she explained. "I can hear you and those around you. Conversely, you can hear me."

Ellie fitted the tiny device into her left ear. After executing a sound check, Ellie asked, "So what's the purpose of this again?"

"I told you, two-way communication."

"No, I mean this little exercise."

"Tonight, if things go well, your role will be minimal," Rachel explained. "And in our business, Plan A never goes to plan. So when the proverbial poo hits the fan, we're gonna need you."

"For?"

"Information inducement through subterfuge and amorous interactions."

"Huh?"

"Use your feminine wiles to pump him for information."

Ellie stared. "I'm not sleeping with anybody."

"Then lucky for you, in this game, you often don't need to. Frankly, nine times out of ten, all it takes is a short skirt, pushup bra, and a wink to get whatever intel is needed."

It was as good a moment as any to broach the subject. "What about the game Sarah's about to play?" Ellie asked.

Rachel shrugged. "When it comes to the game, there's no better player than Sarah Walker."

Ellie frowned, in no way comforted, ever more concerned by her brother's choice in women.

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Up in the suite, Chuck and Sarah engaged in their own conversation.

"You know what I have to do," Sarah reminded him.

"Yeah, I know," Chuck acknowledged.

"I'm not asking you to like it."

"Good. Because I don't."

"Is this going to be a problem?"

"Watching and listening to you seduce another man the day after professing your love to me? Pfft."

"Chuck…" Sarah said, exasperated.

"Can't you let me piss and moan for a little while?"

"No, I can't," Sarah strongly said. "You wanted honesty, well here it is. I can't work like this. We're in these situations too often. Situations where I must work a mark. Chuck, I need to know that when I do this that I have your support, not your jealousy."

Chuck considered this. "So what happens when I have to seduce a mark?"

"Oh, I'll beat her ass," slipped out before she could rein it in. Sarah slapped a palm over her mouth, not believing what she just said. Particularly at this moment.

Chuck, on the other hand, was grinning like a little monkey. And then, quite suddenly, he realized, "The parking lot!"

Sarah groaned. Of course he'd figure it out now.

"You two were fighting over me!" Sarah mumbled something unintelligible. "What?" Chuck questioned.

"Maybe a little!" she snapped. Sarah didn't think anything could wipe that dopey grin from his face, so firmly entrenched was it. This was completely the wrong time for him to be fixated upon…

"Two badass secret agent hotties were fighting over me," Chuck marveled.

"Can we get back to the point?" Sarah asked, only a bit annoyed.

"Hold on, let me have this moment. It's one I never expected to have."

Chuck took several moments to bask in the revelation. That goofy smile was going absolutely nowhere. After about a minute, Sarah finally asked, "Is the moment over?"

"Never, but go ahead."

"Chuck, I need to be assured that you'll…"

Chuck leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Sarah responded, bringing her hand up to his cheek.

"I don't like it," Chuck said once they separated. "I'll never like it. But sometimes we gotta do things we don't like. Right?"

"Right," Sarah agreed.

They stood there a moment, contemplating their words. Finally, Chuck declared, "Okay, so everything I just said was crap."

"Me too. Except for the part where I'll beat up any mark you might seduce. That stands."

"We make a fine couple, don't we?"

"So we are a couple?"

Chuck smiled that smile of his. His hand found hers. Their fingers entwined. "Was there any doubt?"

She smiled and buried her face into his chest. His chin rested lightly atop her head. They quietly considered what the evening would bring.

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"What do I do when, you know, I need to end it? Because I'm not going up to his room."

"Don't worry. I'll step in at the proper moment. Just remember to chase after me, okay?"

Ellie frowned at the curious comment. But she tried to put it out of mind and focus on the task at hand. That task was to put the seduction moves on The Mark. Get him to bend to her will. To, well…

He was attractive. Perhaps mid-30s, tall, lanky, with short cropped brown hair and matching brown eyes. Clad in a tastefully expensive business suit. Someone Ellie could conceivably go for in real life. Though she was slightly put off by any man that felt a need to hang around a hotel bar drinking at 11 am.

"Hello," Ellie smiled. The man looked up at her voice. His eyes gave her a quick once-over. It was immediately apparent that he liked what he saw. For some reason, that sent a thrill up Ellie's spine.

"Hello," the man drawled.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"Ohh. Nice," Rachel's voice said in her ear. "Forward, direct. Make your interest clear. And maybe flash a little leg, too."

Ellie slid onto the stool neighboring the man, making sure her dress slid an inch or two up her thigh. It's when she coughed lightly that his gaze returned to her face.

"My name is…Jessie," Ellie told him.

"Tommy," the man said in turn.

"Remember the objective, Ellie. Turn the guy into putty. Manipulate without being known."

"What brings you to Miami, Tommy?"

"Business. You?"

"Feels like a roller coaster," Ellie laughed. Even though he didn't get the joke, Tommy laughed along with her.

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"Why do you trust her?" Sarah asked. "I'm not sure I do."

They lay on the bed, side by side, staring at the ceiling.

"Because she's like you," Chuck said. "Only without a profanity filter."

Sarah stared at him incredulously. "She's not like me. She betrayed everything we as agents believe in."

"Well, yeah," Chuck agreed. "But you gotta admit, her reasons were just." Sarah continued to stare. She didn't have to admit anything. "Tell me you wouldn't do something completely insane and desperate to save someone you loved," he said softly, gazing into her eyes.

Sarah turned her gaze back to the ceiling. "Fair enough," was all she offered. They lay there quietly for several minutes. Then, suddenly, Sarah said, "I cuss."

Chuck looked at her, amused. "Sarah, I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard you cuss…"

"I cuss like a sailor," Sarah insisted. "Or I did when I was younger. Ask Rachel. Or Carina, next time she blows into town."

Chuck grinned. "Seriously? You cuss?"

"Damn straight."

They stared at each other, each trying to hold a straight face. Sarah was the first to crack up. Chuck was only an instant behind. "When did you two meet?" Chuck asked upon recovering his breath.

Sarah sighed and turned back towards the ceiling. "At the Academy," she said. "She was…one of my first real friends. I was never popular in school. And at the Academy everyone knew I was Graham's pet project. That didn't really endear me to anyone. But Rachel befriended me anyway."

"She was a good friend?"

Sarah smiled, just a bit. "Yeah. She was."

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"…and the guy says, 'you can't do that. This is a non-smoking area.''

That was it? That was the joke? That joked sucked. But Ellie laughed like it was the funniest thing she ever heard.

"Good. Men love it when you laugh at their jokes. And point of fact, he botched the set-up. It's supposed to be a duck, not a pig that sat on the priest's lap. And the stripper is supposed to be French, not English."

Ellie erupted into genuine laughter, getting the joke now that Rachel had filled her in. Tommy laughed right along with her.

"It's a good joke, right?"

"Fantastic," Ellie assured.

Tommy began to fiddle with his liquor glass. Ellie saw what was coming from a mile away. "Listen," he began. "I got a few hours to kill before my meeting. Tomorrow I have to head back home. Would you, uh, like to have some fun?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"That sounds like my cue."

"I don't know about yours, but my suite has a great view of the beach. Maybe you'd like to come up and see?"

Tommy's hand dipped to her leg, his fingers trailed along her bare thigh. Ellie nearly jumped out of her skin. "Hand! Hand on my thigh!"

"Jessie!" a booming voice sounded. Both turned to find Rachel striding towards them, clearly angry. Ellie was so startled by the sight, she actually recoiled. "How could you?!" Rachel screamed. And she really wasn't expecting it when Rachel reared back and slapped her across the cheek. Ellie's head snapped to the right. She instantly brought a hand up to touch her tender face and work a crick from her jaw.

"Ow!" Ellie shouted, momentarily slipping from character. "What was that for?"

Rachel, however, stayed in character. "Are you kidding me? Not only do I wake up to find you missing from the bed we share, but you're down at the hotel bar picking up strangers!" She leaned in and stage whispered. "And a man no less! I thought you said you were done with their kind."

Rachel quirked a brow, a clear message. Get back in character.

"I, uh," Ellie stammered. "I was weak. Forgive me…baby."

Tears began to well in Rachel's eyes. She fidgeted anxiously, distraught. Ellie couldn't help but note she was a pretty good actress. And for the briefest of moments, she wondered how far her acting skills stretched. How much of Rachel was but an act?

Any further thoughts were cut off, for the situation got even crazier as Rachel suddenly palmed Ellie's cheeks in her hands and planted a kiss on the brunette. Ellie stood there, frozen, mortified. And was that cheese Danish she tasted?

Eventually, Rachel broke the kiss. She gazed lovingly at Ellie for a moment before slapping the hell out of her again. "I can't look at you!" she cried. She stormed off towards the elevators and yelled "And to think I believed you when you said it wasn't just a phase!"

Ellie gave Tommy an apologetic shrug and pursued her 'girlfriend'. He watched after their fleeing forms and said, "Man. That was so hot."

Rachel was holding the elevator door open when Ellie found her. "Not bad," she said. "I give you a solid 'B' for that performance. Still need a little work on your physical cues, but…"

"What the hell was that?" Ellie shouted. She stabbed the button for the penthouse suite before turning to face Rachel. The redhead feigned innocence. "Was it necessary to slap me?"

"It's a role," Rachel said, "and I'm a method actor. I was channeling the emotion of high school when I caught my boyfriend messing with Chrissy Lorenz. That ignorant slut."

"It hurt!"

"Really? I tried to dial it back. But you know, when I get into a performance…"

"And what the hell was with the kiss?"

"Like I said, method actor. And my character is very emotionally conflicted."

"You're nuts," Ellie insisted.

Rachel folded her arms and leaned against the elevator wall. "I'm completely justified in my reaction. This isn't the first time you've cheated on me. And I forgave you for that thing with the waitress at Shoney's." Rachel harrumphed. "It's what I get for opening my heart."

Ellie ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. "That exercise was completely pointless."

"Really?" Rachel asked, in a manner that completely disagreed with Ellie's assessment. "What was the guy's name?"

"Thomas Lee Harrison."

"Age and occupation?"

"Thirty-two. He's an insurance agent for Priority Global, based out of their home office in San Francisco."

"Place of birth?"

"Chicago, he claims. Which jives with his love for the Cubs. Plus, he has a hint of the midwest in his voice."

"Anything else?"

"Fan of classic rock, the Rambo movies, and good whiskey. Seems to be a leg man, judging from his eye movement and hand placement. Also the tan line around his ring finger indicates he's married, which kinda makes him skeevy."

Rachel smiled. "All that in twenty minutes. Another hour you would've had his social security number, the deed to his house and Porsche, and his bank PIN number."

"He lives in an apartment and drives a classic Challenger," Ellie absently said.

"See? You're a natural. If I wasn't burned by the CIA I'd gladly write you a letter of reference."

Ellie perked a bit with pride. "Really?"

"No, not really." Ellie deflated a bit. "I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy, much less someone I like."

Ellie didn't know how to respond to that. So she chose to say, "I still can't believe you kissed me."

"Well, I had to compare between siblings. Interesting note, you both use a little too much tongue. Other than that, quite nice."

Ellie groaned. "You are insane."

Rachel crossed her arms and looked away. "To think I gave you my college sweater."

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"So how is this gonna work?" Chuck questioned. They continued to lay on the bed, only now much closer together. Their heads resting on the pillows only an inch apart.

"Work is work, everything else is everything else," Sarah answered.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning…on the job, as Casey would put it, the Walker chocolate can't be dipped into the Bartowski peanut butter. Anytime else is fair game."

Chuck stared. "Did you just channel John Casey?"

Sarah frowned. "Ugh. I think I did." They stared at each other for several long moments. Sarah finally sighed and slowly sat up. "I should get dressed. Big night tonight."

Chuck watched as Sarah sauntered towards the bathroom. As she reached the doorway, she looked back briefly, offering a tiny smile. "Yeah," he said. "Big night."

END PART