A Common Spy Problem

A/N: Exams are over, so I can finally concentrate on the fun stuff. I owe so many thank you's, I have no idea where to start, so in no particular order of importance, thank you to everyone who had read this story, to those who left a review and to the voters in the Awesome Awards. You are truly awesome! A big thank you to Nervert for taking time between cooking dinner and gardening to beta this and making it better.

I don't know if you are aware, but TVLine have posted a list of 12 'dream' Emmy nominees for the best female lead in a comedy series, and fans can vote. When I checked a few hours ago, Yvonne Strahovski was in the lead with nearly 20% of the vote. She's beating out the likes of Tina Fey and Edie Falco! Please visit the site and make your voices heard.

For those of you, like me, who sees a story that has been updated, but can't remember what happened in the previous chapters, I've posted a summary, since this story has been gone so long. I don't own Chuck.

Previously on A Common Spy Problem:

A life or death shower ended between the sheets and Chuck and Sarah finally admitted that they both wanted more, even if they had to wait. With Jill still around, however, Sarah decided to push the relationship forward, but thanks to Emmett Milbarge, they never reached the BuyMore broom closet. Sarah gave Chuck pointers on dealing with Jill, but staying professional posed a problem, and General Beckman caught them kissing in Castle. Sarah admitted that she was compromised. Casey predicted a reassignment and expressed his hopes for a new partner with a different kind of lady feelings.

Exhausted from taking down Jill and Leader, and worried about what Beckman was going to do, Sarah enjoyed a little TLC from Chuck. Awesome acted unawesome. Sarah came up with a plan to pursue a real relationship with Chuck. Ellie freaked out over an impromptu visit from the in-laws-to-be. Emmett insinuated that Sarah was a 'working girl'. Sarah paid Roan Montgomery a visit and slipped him truth serum in an attempt to get dirt on Beckman. Instead he told her about Frost and Orion, an asset and handler who were allowed to marry.

Chuck was benched from the Ty Bennett mission, but got involved anyway. After a close call, Sarah told Chuck she needed him. Then Casey got benched, but he disobeyed orders. Team Bartowski took down Bennett. Sarah changed Beckman's mind about reassigning her. Beckman admitted that Sarah's feelings could be an asset to the assignment, but she had to discuss the issue with the CIA brass, and ordered Sarah to remain professional until the situation was resolved. Chuck waited for Sarah at her hotel and they made the most of their private time. Chuck tried to sneak out, failed, and was punished.

Sarah kept a secret from Chuck. He followed her and made an awkward first impression on his girlfriend's father. Sarah found out about her dad's shady dealings and reported it. Beckman ordered her and Chuck to find out more. Chuck put a stop to the rumors about Sarah that had been going around the BuyMore. Chuck and Sarah shared an intimate lunch in full view of the cameras. Casey destroyed the evidence.

Chapter 9

The somewhat heated discussion was about ten years overdue, yet Sarah felt she wasn't any better equipped to deal with it now than she would have been at sixteen. "He's not a schnook. He's a wonderful, caring, intelligent guy." She met her father's gaze in the mirror in an attempt to let him know that she was being serious.

"He's a class A schnook. Look, you don't wanna cut me in, no problem, but don't play me for a fool." He pulled on his jacket and straightened the lapels. "This guy has twenty-two hundred bucks to his name," he stated flatly.

Sarah spun around and felt her stomach tighten. "How do you know?"

"I lifted his ATM card last night." Jack produced the evidence from his inside pocket and Sarah grabbed it out of his hand, shooting him an accusing glare. "I wanted to check him out because I was worried about you."

"Now that you know he's broke?"

"Now I'm really worried."

Sarah had a feeling that this was not how normal father-daughter-boyfriend discussion was supposed to go. Her dad had taught her to never let her guard down, a lesson that had been reinforced by her CIA trainers, but she had and she knew the risks. She could get hurt. She was taking a chance on Chuck, and if she was given the opportunity to do it over, she would choose him again in a heartbeat. But there was no convincing her dad.

Before she could retort, Jack turned on his heel. "I'm gonna get a cab."

Sarah carefully stored her makeup away when she heard the door open and her father greet Chuck. The conversation sounded friendly enough, but she was no fool either. Her father could charm his way into, not to mention out of, any situation. Chuck possessed the same quality, though he was oblivious to it most of the time, which made him all the more sincere. Grimacing slightly, she grabbed the ATM card from the counter and rounded the room divider seconds later, just as Jack left.

"Well, I think he's warming up to me." Chuck gave her a brilliant smile which she instinctively returned.

Sarah pulled the card out from behind her back and returned it to the rightful owner. "This accidentally fell into my father's pocket."

"It's okay," Chuck played it off. "He was just being protective of you. And after the way I behaved last night, I can't say I blame him."

"Chuck, you're attributing good intentions to him because you're a good person." Though Sarah knew exactly who and what her father was, she had never judged him too harshly, but Chuck's trusting nature would make him the perfect mark and she was determined to protect him. Even from her own father if need be.

"Well, he must have done something right. You turned out pretty good." Chuck took a step towards her, his eyes sweeping over her appreciatively. "Not to mention absolutely beautiful."

Sarah beamed at the compliment. She met him halfway, her hands automatically reaching for his tie and straightening it. When she was satisfied that it was perfect, she ran her fingers down his chest and tilted her head to meet his eyes. "You look very dapper yourself." Sensing that he was not going to make a move, she reached up and brushed her lips over his. Chuck returned the kiss, but kept it chaste. Sarah pulled back and shot him a questioning look.

Chuck cleared his throat. "It's one thing for Beckman to have caught us, but if your dad…" He cleared his throat again. "Does your father own a shotgun?"

Trying to suppress her laugh, and failing miserably, Sarah took a small step back. "Are you being serious?" Judging by the look on his face, that was a stupid question.

"You are pretty proficient when it comes to handling a weapon and I'm not entirely sure who you got that from, so I'm just being cautious."

"That would be the CIA, Chuck," she gave the obvious answer, but just because she felt cheated out of the opportunity to be a little less than professional, she added "He did teach me a few tricks with throwing knives though."

"Well, there you go," he responded triumphantly.

"So you're saying I'm not worth the risk of possible impalement?" She gave him a mock pout, which he misinterpreted.

"No, no, no, I'm not saying that…not at all. You're so worth it."

"Good answer, Chuck," she smirked, picking up her purse. "C'mon, we better get going." When she walked past him, he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Are you sure you're okay to do this?"

"We have orders." Difficult as they may be to execute. She would prefer to help him get away, but she wasn't sure she could risk it. She was already on thin ice with her request to breach protocol, and if she were to leave the Agency, it was going to be on her own terms.

"I know, but…" Chuck pursed his lips and was deep in thought for a moment. "Listen, if you decide you don't want to do this, just give me a sign and I'll spill wine on myself and we get out of there."

Sarah regarded him for a moment, and then she simply smiled. "Thanks, Chuck." She reached up to kiss him. He was more receptive to her advances this time and they only became aware of their surroundings when Jack cleared his throat.

"The meter's running," he merely stated before turning back in the direction of the elevators. Sarah saw her own blush reflected in Chuck's face when she pulled the door closed.

"That's strike two," Chuck muttered under his breath.

Dinner had been eventful. As Sarah had predicted, her dad told Chuck about some of the crazy cons they had pulled over the years. Chuck was enjoying the tales more than any honest civilian should, sending the occasional grin her way which she shyly returned. Jack also taught him a few tricks of the trade. Despite Chuck's earlier reservations it seemed that her father really liked him. When the opening presented itself, Chuck casually asked about his latest scheme. It took Sarah by surprise at how easy he was pulling it off. Focusing on the mission, she reassured her dad that he could trust Chuck, and her mind started working a mile a minute when Jack started to explain. Chuck was impressed, she was downright worried. Jack was confident he wasn't going to get caught, but Sarah knew better. He was going to need a shovel to dig out of this one. Or a comfy prison cell.

Sarah snapped out of her head when she felt Chuck giving her knee a comforting squeeze. They'd accomplished their mission. She pushed her worries aside, as there was nothing she could do until she reported to Beckman in the morning. Instead she looked from Chuck to her dad and decided to make the rest of the evening about the two men in her life getting to know each other better. Though her dad would probably not be around much, she would like for them to get along.

"You think your dad bought us as a couple?" Chuck asked when she threaded her arm through his as they made their way outside to hail a cab. Jack had stayed behind to settle the bill.

"Well, you did a pretty good job selling it back in my room," Sarah teased and bumped his shoulder. Chuck went predictably red. "I would be more worried about my wallet if I were you." His hand immediately went to his jacket pocket. Sarah let out a small laugh. They reached the door just as four men entered. Chuck stopped in his tracks and she could feel him tense. He spun around, taking her with him.

"I just flashed. That's him. That's Sheik Rajiv Amad."

Sarah snapped back into agent mode and extracted her arm from Chuck's. "Stay here," she ordered.

"What do you think he wants?"

"What do you think? Lichtenstein. Too bad he doesn't exist."

She quietly approached the group from behind, paying close attention to any sudden movements. From the looks of it, her dad was trying to talk himself out of trouble. She moved into earshot.

"…then I've got to warn you, the deal's off." Jack turned his attention to Sarah, prompting her to join them. "In fact, uh, this is Mr. Lichtenstein's personal secretary right here. Miss Applebaum, may I present Sheik Rajiv Amad?"

Without missing a beat, Sarah turned to the man Chuck had identified. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Lichtenstein has been expecting you. How is tomorrow at two?" She knew it was a cheap shot, but she had to try.

"I have a better idea." She was fixed with a cold stare. "Why don't we go get him right now?" Sarah shared a pointed look with her father which didn't escape the sheik's attention, nor those of his henchmen. She felt the unmistakable shape of a gun barrel pressing into her side. "I thought so," Amad continued. "There's no Lichtenstein."

Sarah was undecided for a moment. It was one against three – she doubted that the sheik got his hands dirty – and one weapon was already drawn. She could take them, but at the risk of blowing her cover. The alternative was to let Amad lead them away and send a signal to Casey from her phone. Backup was only ten minutes away. She shared a look with her father, his concern evident, but before she could speak, there was a commotion behind her.

"Mr. Lichtenstein. Is there a Mr. Lichtenstein here?" A hotel clerk was waving a piece of paper, scanning the room.

"Yah?" Sarah turned her head in the direction of the bad German accent, her gratitude for the distraction fading quickly as her heart started pounding faster. Now she had to get both Chuck and her father out of this mess.

"You have a message." The clerk made her way across the room. Jack didn't miss the cue. He led the group over to where Chuck was getting up from one of the chairs.

"Uh, Sheik Rajiv Amad, may I present Hans Lichtenstein."

Chuck was about to speak when Sarah cut him off. "Unfortunately, Mr. Lichtenstein only speaks German, but he'll be happy to meet you tomorrow at his office. Two o'clock?" Sarah gave Amad a smug smile, all the while hoping he would fall for the charade.

"Okay," he conceded, "but if I don't get my building, he's a dead man. Translate that." Sarah glanced at Chuck, relieved that he didn't appear as freaked out as he probably was.

Once the sheik and his associates had left, Jack stepped closer, looking oddly proud. "I knew you two were on the grift. You can't put one past your old man."

The ride home was relatively quiet. They arrived at Sarah's hotel shortly before eleven and she insisted that her father stay with her as Sheik Amad had tracked down the hotel he was booked in. She closed the door behind them.

"Dad, would you excuse me and Chuck for a moment?" Jack nodded and Sarah indicated in the direction of the bathroom, waiting for Chuck to turn before following. She barely had them sealed in when Chuck started.

"I know. I know I should have kept out of it and stayed put like you said, but he had a gun on you, Sarah, and you can't honestly expect me to stand by and watch…" the rest of his sentence was cut off when Sarah grabbed his face and attacked his lips. The kiss was short and intense and they pulled apart slowly.

"Thank you." A smile spread over Chuck's face, but stopped halfway when she continued. "That being said, you should not have gotten involved. Chuck, this is dangerous and my job is to keep you out of trouble, not put you in the middle of it. Beckman is going to have a fit."

"Hey, you couldn't possibly have known that the bad guys were going to show up." He cocked his head to the side. "Though, given our track record on dates…"

"Chuck, which part of 'if I don't get my building, he's a dead man' didn't you understand? These guys mean business."

"Yeah, but they're messing with the CIA now. We know what Amad looks like. We can pull the security cameras from the hotel, Beckman will have them arrested and he won't be able to get to any of us. Mission accomplished." He ran a comforting hand down her arm, pulling her closer at the same time. "Stop worrying."

That was easier said than done, but Sarah realized Chuck had a point. If they moved quickly, Amad would be in custody before the set meeting. Then she would only have to figure out the best exit strategy for her dad without compromising the CIA's decision regarding sanctioning a personal relationship with Chuck.

"So, do you think your dad likes me?" His question brought her back to the present and she smiled.

"I think so." She ran her hand up his chest, loosening his tie. "Though I don't know why you were nervous. From what I can tell, everyone who meets you likes you." Her hands locked behind his neck, pulling his head down to hers.

"I'm flattered that you think that," Chuck responded somewhat shyly, "but if I'm to keep my perfect record intact, we better get out of here. You and me and bathrooms…" he cleared his throat, "things happen…"

"I could send my dad out for some rocky road," Sarah suggested as Chuck's arms tightened around her waist, despite his protest. She knew it went against what she'd agreed with Beckman a few days ago, but technically Chuck was sanctioned to spent time with her, well, and her father, so who could fault her for trying to take a little advantage?

"Rocky road, huh? Somehow I pictured you for something simpler, like chocolate, or vanilla."

Sarah deflated a little. "Chuck, is that really what you want to be focusing on right now? I would have thought that you had learned more than enough about me for one night." She avoided his eyes, fixing her attention on undoing the top button of his shirt. Her movements stilled when Chuck placed his hand over hers.

"It wasn't always fun for you, was it?"

She kept her eyes on his Adam's apple, raising one shoulder slightly. "My dad was happy."

"That's not what I asked, Sarah." Her gaze traveled up to meet his. "But I guess I should have expected the answer." He reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's the first thing I learnt about you," Chuck continued when she simply stared at him, "that you're selfless. That night I spent on the beach, thinking about what this all meant…having the Intersect…I realized that Casey was right – it would have been easier to throw me in a bunker. But you fought for me. I was just a mark you had one cover date with and yet you were willing to give up a life of excitement…traveling across the globe, sipping mai tais, so I could stay with my family and friends."

The conversation was heading in a direction that made Sarah uneasy. She wasn't comfortable when the attention was on her, even if it was just the two of them, so she diverted. "You heard that, huh?"

"The two of you weren't exactly subtle, even when you didn't have guns drawn on each other…or me." Sarah answered his smile with one of her own, remembering the fight that had followed a couple of days later in the Wienerlicious. She had kicked Casey's ass. Oblivious to her thoughts, Chuck continued. "That was so not how I expected our date to end."

"Yeah, we really need to work on that part." Extracting her hand from under his, she took a small step back. The thought of how a date should end, combined with how sweet Chuck was being, was edging her to the brink of losing her self-control and she needed some distance. Aware that her dad was on the other side of the door, she knew they had to wrap this up before he got the wrong idea. "My phone is in the other room, so may I please borrow yours?"

Chuck looked perplexed for a moment, but handed it over.

"Casey will come fetch you," she explained while texting. "I need to handle my dad, so please stay close to him until we talk to Beckman in the morning and get this resolved."

"Is that a new way to tell me to stay in the car?"

"I'm asking you to stay safe, Chuck." She slipped his phone into the inside pocket of his jacket and propped herself up on her toes to brush her lips over his cheek. "You'll do that for me, won't you?" His power of speech stolen by her close proximity, Chuck merely nodded.

"Okay, good," she smiled at him before reaching for the door handle.

"Sarah, wait." She turned and shot him a questioning look, but he didn't continue. Instead, his arm clamped around her waist and with a hand curled around the nape of her neck, he pulled her against him. The first touch of his lips to hers was soft, as if asking for permission. Sarah responded instinctively, nipping at his bottom lip, urging him on. They broke apart briefly before Chuck caught her mouth again, more firmly this time. His tongue inched forward, seeking out hers. The kiss sent a slow surge of warmth through her body. She bit back a moan and tightened her grip on his shoulders. They're lips moved in sync a few more times before Chuck slowed the pace and retreated gradually. Sarah forced her eyes open, her mouth still agape in an attempt to draw enough air into her lungs. Chuck raised his hand, his thumb tracing her swollen lips. "That's how you end a date."

Sarah's first order of business was to pre-empt the General's scolding and apologize for getting Chuck involved in her father's ridiculous con. She didn't protest when Casey suggested putting Chuck in protective lockdown until the threat was neutralized. Though she was not looking forward to spending a couple of days without him, it was best that he would be out of harm's way. It took her by surprise when General Beckman disagreed. It took Sarah several seconds to realize that not only would Chuck be used as bait in order to access the Sheik's accounts, but her father, who was unaware of her career, would effectively be running a CIA op. One that was as close to impossible as missions go, pulling off the 'sale' of a sixty story building in a day, and without any backup from the Agency, as they couldn't condone committing fraud.

Sarah almost snarled when the screen went black. She was trying to get used to living a life in which she didn't have to lie to the people closest to her, bar keeping the real nature of her job from her father, and now she had to pull off the biggest lie of her life. Her father trusted her and she was ordered to use that against him. The night before she did so to get the information they required, but this situation was totally different. If they pulled this scheme off, he might very well prosecute him for a crime he had no intention of committing. Jack Burton was far from an innocent civilian, but it was the principle that mattered. Not for the first time in the past couple of days, Sarah felt like a hypocrite. She had no problem in the past with the Agency's practice to burn assets, but damn it, this was her dad.

A/N: No teaser today, I'm afraid, but keep an eye on Twitter, I may post a spoiler or two. See you soon.