Chuck and Sarah got out of the elevator; both avoiding each other's gaze and neither willing to utter the first word – in part because neither of them knew what to say. Chuck was beating himself up for opening up again. He felt that once again, he had allowed himself to be vulnerable, and once again, she just shut him out. Sarah, on the other hand, was beating herself up because of the whole situation. She felt that, once again, she had no choice but to shut him out, because once again, her job, and Chuck's need to be protected, won over her own desires. Neither knew of the other's plight because they were too busy dealing with their own.

Once they were outside club Tao, the location indicated on the invitation, Sarah took Chuck's arm. The Asian themed club had been closed to the public for Pax's very private event. They could hear the loud music booming behind the closed doors, and it reached almost sound barrier levels whenever the bouncers would open up the doors to let invited guests in.

Sarah checked to make sure the metal rods in her hair, which she had put up in a bun, were securely in place. They were the same once she had used on her fake date with Chuck, and like then, she had also tipped the ends into anesthetics that paralyze the part of the body it makes contact with. So, she definitely didn't want to lose them, much less end up pricking herself or her date.

Chuck took a step forward about to enter the club but Sarah held him back. "Wait, hold on" Chuck stopped, retreating his step and looked at Sarah. He saw that Sarah was preoccupied with making sure her dress was in proper condition. She was wearing a Chinese style dress, which fashionistas would describe as a sleeveless Cheongsam, made of red silk brocade with a Mandarin collar. The dress had a floral design of Cherry blossoms running up on one side, starting at one of the two very high side slits and ending at chest level. Her makeup, which was impeccable with her dark eyeliner set at an upward point and cherry red lipstick, matched the theme of the night. The effect was dramatic and, in Chuck's personal opinion, very sexy. Chuck continued to watch her as she smoothed out her dress on her flat belly and her curvy hips.

Sarah looked up to find Chuck staring at her. She locked eyes with him for a brief moment before smiling turning her body to completely face him and reaching out to set his tie. She also felt a little bubble of happiness at his unconscious response of turning his body towards her, at her touch. He was wearing a three-piece Brioni striped suit in black, with a white wing-tipped collared shirt and a red tonal-striped tie with a matching pocket handkerchief. And once again, his hair was slick and in proper order. But his curls, seeming to want to break free at the end of his locks, could not be tamed. Sarah had to admit that she found the sight quite enticing. She finished setting his tie, "Are you ready?" she asked setting her hand down on his lapel and unconsciously rubbing his chest in the process.

Chuck was watching Sarah's face and, admittedly, her smile, at a downward angle, obviously because of his height. He liked that angle, because that meant he was close to her. And when he was close to her, he always felt larger than life... because he was so tall, so he told himself. She had just finished setting his tie when he heard her ask "Are you ready?" while her palm on his chest made small, light circular motions. Chuck cleared his throat, more from surprise at the intimacy of her actions, than anything. His chest burned. He lifted his hands pulling at his sleeves and straightening his cuff links. "As ready as I'll ever be."

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

Casey woke up to the sound of men talking. He found his hands tied behind his back, with the tie looped through one of the bars of the wooden chair he was on. He grunted, struggling to lift his head. His body ached and it took awhile for his eyes to adjust to his dark surroundings. After his initial inspection of the room, he still had no idea as to where he was being held captive. All he knew was that it was big, it was cold and it was dark, so he guessed most likely a warehouse.

Bad guys love warehouses.

Casey heard footsteps approaching and turned his head towards the direction of the noise. Still squinting, he saw Malkova and one of Pax's guards make his way towards him.

"In my country, it is considered very rude to listen in on people's conversations you know," Malkova said with his thick Russian accent, circling Casey

Casey followed him with his eyes. He saw Malkova lift a fist and grunted as he felt it connect with his face. "Who do you work for?" he asked after delivering the blow.

Casey, whose jaw was now throbbing, kept silent. Malkova hit him again, this time across the cheek. After waiting a couple of moments, he said, "I am an impatient man... I know you do not work for the hotel..."

Malkova approached the lackey, and the lackey handed him brass knuckles. He returned to where Casey was and made a show of fitting the brass knuckles into his digits, then rotating and flexing his hand. Then he struck him on the jaw, causing Casey to spit up blood. "I am only going to ask one more time," he said leaning down and getting close to Casey's head, "Who… do… you… work for?"

Casey took a gasp of air and coughed, "I… I work… for… your mom." he grunted, slamming his forehead against Malkova's.

Malkova recoiled from the impact, almost falling over backwards. He let out a string of curses in Russian. He was now hunched over, with one hand on his knee and the other grabbing his head forehead. Casey was pleases that he drew blood. The lackey took a step towards Casey but Malkova held out his hand to stop him. Malkova, slowly brought himself upright, approached Casey once again and punched him square in the nose.

Casey let out a yell, his head snapping upward as blood flowed out of his nose. The impact was so strong that he flipped over along with the chair, and there he laid motionless. The lackey took a step towards Casey again, presumably to pick him back up, but Malkova said, "No, leave him. I want him to wake up tasting his own blood… Come." And Malkova and the guard walked away towards a door in the far corner of the vast open room.

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

"Okay Chuck, when you flash on anyone or anything, let me know. The mic and camera hidden in your tie will pick up and record all the Intel" Sarah said as they weaved through the crowd, arm in arm, flashing anyone who looked at them with a smile. "And as much as possible, stay close to me. If we get separated, tell me your location and I'll hear you through the earpiece."

Chuck fidgeted with something in his ear, "I'm afraid this thing will get lost in here… even worse if it gets lost all the way into my brain… it's so small."

Sarah slapped at his hand, "Don't mess with it, someone may be watching… I don't know Casey's status on tailing Malkova. I haven't heard from him, so keep a look out and if you spot him first, let me know."

Chuck noticed that Sarah was rambling on and realized she was nervous. Her? Nervous?That's a first. Chuck realized the reason once followed her gaze and saw Pax standing with his three guards, all of whom were not even remotely attempting to conceal their weapons.

"Casey? Miss the opportunity to meet new and wonderful people? Noooo… he's a regular charmer… a social butterfly so to speak," Chuck said to Sarah with a smile, trying to get her to relax.

Sarah looked at Chuck's cheesy grin and couldn't help but smile back. She lightly nudged at his side and realized with some degree of happiness that she and Chuck were joking, and talking to each other, once again.

"Oh, Pancho Villa is coming," Chuck said of Pax's sudden approach. Chuck set himself to his full height after noticing the three, big Mr. Clean type guys following behind. Both he and Sarah turned to face him as he called out, "Dimitrios…" he said shaking Chuck's hand. "And the lovely Callista..." he turned to face her and took Sarah's hands in his "I have been awaiting your arrival" and bringing them both to his lips.

Sarah gave him her best smile, "We're excited to be here." She responded giving him hooded looks.

Pax grinned and beckoned to them, "Come… come… you two will be sitting with me." Pax led them to the corner of the room, and up a couple of steps into a private lounge. There were three big velvet couches with large pillows, all mostly occupied by men in suits and women wearing next to nothing, surrounding a low rise square table, which at the moment were filled with alcohol and appetizers. There were also silk and sheer cloth hanging from the ceiling all the way to the ground, so those inside could still see the rest of the club but still feel a degree of privacy.

The moment they stepped in the lounge, Chuck flashed on several men. He leaned in close to Sarah's ear, whispering the Intel into his tie. Sarah listened, pulling his body closer to hers and smiling seductively to give the impression of heavy flirtation.

All in all, there were three mafia bosses, two known assassins, seven hired guns and four ex special-ops. Chuck also noted an unknown man… who he swore looked vaguely familiar. All of them were enjoying the company of half-clad, tall and leggy Asian women.

Sarah noticed Chuck's facial expression after realizing the company they were currently keeping. "It's going to be okay Chuck. You've made the ID's… we're halfway there" she said seriously, while caressing his neck for any onlookers. "You just need to listen in and catch any info on the auction, and then we're done." She gave him a demure smile and pecked his lips, lingering for a second. Then she walked off to one of the open spots on the sofa, looking over her shoulder at Chuck.

Chuck felt rooted to the ground.