"Las Vegas?! What are you doing in Las Vegas?" Ellie asked Chuck over the phone.

"Sarah and I were feeling adventurous and she's never been here, you know, living in the East Coast and all," Chuck responded. He gripped the wall of the balcony with his right hand and looked over.

They were at the highest floor, in the best available suite at the Venetian. If the reason for staying in this room had not been for cover, he would have said that it was really quite romantic. With its double door entrance and Italian marble foyer, plush king-sized pillow-top bed, Egyptian cotton sheets, a jetted tub and a balcony with a killer view, it was a lover's paradise.

Though, it was for cover, the suite was still perfect. Separate living room, semi-formal dining area, full bar, top of the line entertainment and sound system and a fully-stocked refreshment center. Perfect for entertaining high rollers should it come down to it, and definitely perfect for having anyone think he belonged in the game. And for your inner-spy, a private work area to set up a full-pledge operation and an in-suite safe to store away weapons.

Looking in, he saw Sarah and Casey putting the work area and in-suite safe to good use.

"Yeah I'm still here. Sorry. We'll be staying here for just a couple of days… the Circus Circus… That's all I can afford with my budget… you know… the Buy More doesn't necessarily pay enough to sustain a higher style of living… Yes… Yeah… I will… I'll tell her… Yes… I'll tell Morgan to leave… love you too sis" Chuck said with a smile.

He waited till he heard a different voice on the line, "Morgan, buddy, you gotta go home… yes it is that time… no do not come back until I'm there… alright I'll see you soon." Chuck shook his head, thinking of his best friend.

Chuck hung up his iPhone and walked into the living room. "Ellie says hi."

Sarah looked up from the files she was reading and gave Chuck a smile, "That was nice of her." I've always liked Ellie.

"Soooo…." Chuck said, clapping his hands together, "What's the plan?"

"The plan…" Casey said, not looking away from his current task. He was checking to make sure the guns they had brought was in proper working order. He didn't want another incident, like the one in Budapest, happening again. Him, surrounded and a gun that didn't want to fire.

"The plan is exactly what the General ordered." He said a little too harshly, bringing a Browning 9mmx19 Hi-Power handgun close to his face and cocking it. "You play the big shot, cozying up to the lady here, all the while listening in and gathering as much Intel as you can."

"Okay… seems easy enough," Chuck said, nodding, "walk around eavesdropping. Not too dangerous, not too scary. Not hanging off a balcony… so that's definitely a perk" Chuck quipped.

"It's a little bit more than that," Sarah "our previous missions have been easy by these standards. We have to maintain our cover this whole weekend, the whole time we're here. There will be cameras everywhere, and we don't know who'll be watching. Once they've seen us, every move of ours will be watched. Especially since they've never heard of you."

"We're not dealing with Fulcrum here. These guys would much rather see you dead if you're made out" Casey said " and that goes for us too."

Chuck gulped, "So you get it Bartowski? If you screw up we're all dead"

Casey slammed the safe close and walked out of the suite.

--------------------------------

"He seemed a little moody," Chuck laughed dryly, and then he just stood there staring at the closed door. "You okay?" He heard Sarah ask

"Oh, yeah… I'm... I'm okay," He responded

"I know it's a lot to take in but everything will be fine. I know you'll be fine. I know you can do it."

"Thanks but…" Chuck sighed and put his hands in his pants pockets "you and I both know I'm no super spy" he continued, smiling weakly. "I don't want anything to happen to you and Casey. And I definitely don't want to be the cause of it."

I know exactly what you mean. "Let's go over our cover, make sure we have our story straight. I'm sure they'll have tons of questions for us," Sarah said, trying to get Chuck's mind to focus on something else. She picked up a folder intended for Chuck.

"Alright," Chuck nodded, taking the Manila folder from Sarah's outstretched hand. He opened the folder to start reading as he plopped down on the couch.

Sarah watched his profile intently. She didn't want to admit it but she was very familiar with his face. There was something captivating about it. At first glance, it may seem young and innocent, like a little boy. Which made her just want to cradle it. But if you looked closer, you'd see the quiet strength. Piercing eyes, a strong jaw line and his curly hair. It reminded Sarah of Greek statues, of Gods from a different world. She wanted to trace that jaw line with her fingertips again.

"Hmmm… Seems like I'm pretty loaded" Sarah was jarred from her thoughts. Chuck looked at Sarah and smiled "Can I own a helicopter that turns into a boat?"

And then there's that smile.

Sarah smiled back walking to the only place she wanted to be at the moment. On the couch, next to Chuck.