John patiently listened as Ellie chewed him out. He had the bluetooth- sync working in the car so, as awkward as it was, Chuck could hear the whole thing as well. Thankfully, Sarah was in la-la land. He let Ellie vent a bit and just gave the occasional "Uh-huh" in reply so Chuck wouldn't sense his discomfort.

He'd thought this would be a good first test for Jeff and Lester. "If" they followed directions, they'd get paid and "if" they didn't screw anything up, then maybe something part-time could be found for the two dweebs. They'd been angling for positions at Solution Systems for some time, and John knew they would never work on the covert end of things but figured Chuck could find something part time in the mail-room or delivery department for the two slackers. He figured now that the bedroom and bathroom were packed, especially Ellie's silky unmentionables, the two morons could earn a few extra bucks and pack the rest of the apartment up for them. His weapons and sensitive materials were secure so he'd let them have at it and get Ellie the hell out of there. However, he hadn't counted on Ellie getting bent-out-of-shape about them being in the apartment with her. He should have anticipated that. He mentally kicked himself for not having taken that into consideration, or at least for him not being there first to warn her they were coming.

"So I just don't get it. They are rooting around in our stuff! What were you thinking John?"

"Look, Honey, you told me this morning that you'd already packed our personal stuff right?"

"Well, yes, but it's them John. They're here with me now, and I'm alone with them, and they're touching our things."

Chuck kept his best poker face on and faced forward, refusing to glance Casey's way as he secretly enjoyed hearing Agent Bad-Ass get his butt chewed by his sister.

"Ell, you know I would never put you in danger. They're harmless dweebs." Then, he looked over at Chuck with an evil grin and shrewdly added "Plus they're your brothers friends, so, I figured they'd come over quickly and just get it all done so you wouldn't have to deal with it." He glanced at Chuck with a superior "this is how you handle it look."

She sighed into the phone. "I know Baby, and that was sweet of you, but they're just.... ewww you know?"

"Yeah, I know, nerds are like that, but they're harmless nerds."

Chuck gave him an amazed look, which Casey incorrectly interpreted as one of appreciation at how well he was handling the "situation."

Chuck just sat and listened to the show. He always loved it when Beckman, Sarah or anyone for that matter, raked Casey over the coals. But, he did have to admit, the poor-guy was really getting hit up hard today with Sarah on his case and now Ellie too.

"So Ell, how about we take your brother and Sarah out for dinner? Everyone's had a stressful day and we're hungry."

"Oh that sounds good John. I've been craving beef all day."

Chuck immediately choked on his own saliva and sputtered and coughed as Casey got a huge lecherous grin on his face.

"Well, I can help you with that, Sweetheart, I can definitely help you with that. Can you be ready in twenty minutes and we'll come by and pick you up?"

"Yes, I'll be ready. Love you, Honey, see you soon."

Chuck shook his head in amazement at what had just transpired. Casey had turned it around and had come out glowing again in his sisters eyes. He really was pretty smooth he had to admit.

--

Chuck sat in a daze of erotic imagery, watching Sarah devour her steak. She cut it into dainty little pieces but was working through it rather quickly. At the other end of the table sat his sister, also devouring a steak. His eyes drifted to Casey who looked back at him with a confident smirk on his face. Chuck had to admit that it really was a good idea to go out for dinner. Sarah was coming out of her funk and was laughing as Ellie described her surprise at seeing "Jeffster" at her door.

"Oh, it gets even better, then, he asked me with a straight face, where my underwear drawer was and that's when I literally ran for the phone, only to find they were there to do my husbands bidding!" The last comment immediately got Casey's attention. Chuck watched the large man's eyes narrow as he listened to Ellie and Sarah's conversation.

"Ugh, how gross! You should have pepper-sprayed him right there," Sarah firmly stated. "Hasn't Chuck given you any pepper-spray? He gave me one and I always keep it in my purse," she covered.

"No, I don't have one." She turned to John, "do you think I should get something like that, Sweetie?"

"Yeah, it's not a bad idea. Chuck, do you have an extra one for Ellie?" He was laughing on the inside as Sarah was the one who'd insisted on giving Chuck the pepper- spray before he'd finally learned how to handle a gun.

"Yeah, I have a few at work that I keep in my desk. I'll send one home with you to give to her tomorrow."

"Well, it all worked out. It really was a sweet thing to do John. I wasn't working very efficiently with the leg and all and I was cranky, so, I'm sorry I was such a shrew to you on the phone. You're always so sweet and patient with me." She leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. "I hope I didn't hurt your feelings."

"Oh, Baby, I'm just sorry I didn't think that they'd make you uncomfortable. I should have had them come over once I was home." He kissed her back and wrapped an arm around her, stroking her hair. "And, I'm going to have a chat with the little rat-faced one about his underwear drawer comment, he's lucky I didn't hear him say that or he'd have a permanent imprint of my wedding ring on his ugly mug."

And there it was. Both Sarah and Chuck watched dumbfounded as the couple easily worked through their differences and openly showed their love and affection for each other.

Sarah sighed and inwardly longed for a relationship like her partner had. She knew Chuck was slowly coming around, but there were times when she wished he'd move faster. She wanted to be openly cuddled and fondled like Ellie was and knew Chuck was adjusting to the reality of their new relationship and that his old, restrained mannerisms were hard to break.

Just as she finished that thought, as if he'd read her mind, he surprised her when he placed his hand over hers on the table, for all to see, and stroked it with his thumb. She lit up with the brightest smile and leaned into him.

She'd only hoped for the perfect mix of job and family, and now with she and Casey now permanently assigned in L.A., it was starting to become a reality and she knew she and Chuck were meant to be and she wanted to start a life with him as well. It was within her reach and she really, really wanted to pull that brass ring.

Casey stood and excused himself to go and pay the bill and Chuck decided now was a good time to let the ladies talk and followed. Once they were in the foyer, Casey approached him.

"See, I told you, just relax and it will all fall into place. You're doing great. Now start phase two."

"Yeah, phase two. A little walk after dinner, an arm around her waist, a little tickle here and there with her neck, then, the beef. Yeah, I guess I'm ready."

"No, don't be so wishy-washy, set your sights on what you want and make it yours. I'm telling you, she's my partner, and all, but I can tell when women give signals, and she's practically flashing them in neon at you. Make your move tonight and seal the deal."

"Okay, okay. Seal the deal."

"Quit that!" Casey growled as he rolled his eyes at Chuck.

"Quit what?"

"Quit repeating it like your memorizing directions or some crap."

"I am memorizing directions."

"Well keep it in that brain of yours and stop babbling to yourself."

"Yeah, okay, no babbling."

"Your still doing it!" he growled.

They paid the bill and Ellie and Sarah walked up to join them. They were in a new shopping and restaurant complex so they decided to stroll around and walk off their dinner. Chuck caught up to Ellie and was talking with her about her leg and how it was healing when Sarah dropped back and walked alongside her partner, then quietly addressed him.

"I'm sorry, Casey."

Slightly taken aback, as nobody really ever apologized to him, except for Ellie, and now his partner was doing the same thing. He quizzically looked at her.

"For what?"

"I was such a bitch to you in the car. I don't know what got into me today. I was just so cranky."

John softened up as he realized it took a lot for her to admit when she was acting like a brat and she was genuinely sharing her feelings with him. Her "lady" feelings he inwardly thought, but let her continue.

"So, what exactly has got you so wound-up, Walker?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "It's just, this will sound kind of weird, but, I was almost jealous of you today."

"Jealous..of me? why?" he sure wasn't expecting that reply from her.

"Well, it's silly, but everything is perfect for you, you know? You have it all. Don't get me wrong, you deserve every bit of it, and I'm totally happy for you and all, but I want that with Chuck too, but it's just taking so long."

"It will come Sarah, it will come if it's meant to be. He does love you, it's plain as day. Anyone can see it. You're just too close to see it for what it is. Relax and don't rush it, he's getting there. And, you know it's from his heart and not some bullshit, as he's taking his time and doing it right." For some inexplicable reason, he placed his arm on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeeze.

Sarah smiled up at him.

"When did you get so wise? and how come you aren't giving me some sarcastic come back?"

"I've always been wise. You're just open to actually listening to me now, and, I'm not going to razz you this time, okay, partner. Everything is working out for all of us now, so let's just go with the flow, eh?"

"Okay, I know that sounded weird, but thanks for letting me get if off my chest, you're just getting easier and easier to talk to. Also, thanks for that dinner, it was wonderful. I was totally craving beef today. I always do when I'm cranky."

Casey let out a loud, deep, belly laugh, causing Chuck and Ellie to turn around and gawk at him. He just kept laughing and gave her shoulders another quick squeeze with his arm. "Go on, get up there with Chuck, he's monopolizing my Ellie-time."

He fondly watched as she scooted up to Chuck and turned to smile at him over her shoulder when Chuck wrapped his arm around her waist as he continued chatting with Ellie.

Casey felt a warmth come over him, and instead of squashing it down, he uncharacteristically let it wash over him. He felt almost fatherly, or brotherly or some shit like that and, it wasn't that bad of a feeling.

"So what was the big-guy laughing about?" Chuck inquired, as he strolled along with Ellie and Sarah.

"Oh, we were just talking. I felt kind of bad for being so bitchy to him earlier in the car." She glanced over at Ellie, hoping her friend would understand and continued speaking. "I was kind of cranky but we got it all worked out and we're good. But his laugh was kind of weird, I'm not sure what was so funny, all I said was, I was craving beef and thanked him for the dinner."

Chuck was now the one to give a deep laugh at her reply, hearing Casey start to chuckle again behind him.

--