I still don't own Chuck. Not sure who does at this point. Maybe Subway.

Sarah is setting a trap for Shaw. But using themselves as bait has its own risks. It might work. But it might backfire. Heather has had one heck of a day. Let's see if it will end well for her.

I'll be sure to post warnings on chapters that have violent or sexual situations. I'm going to keep this T – but I might dance on the edge for a bit.

If you enjoyed this or any of the stories on this site, please take a second and send the author a review.

Politics As Usual

x-x-x-x-x

Of all the ways that Kate Bartowski imagined returning home for the first time, this wasn't in the list. Not that it mattered. From the very first second that she walked into her old room - it was like she had never left. She was so excited to show Alex around that she almost forgot about tonight's mission – for a second anyway. Fortunately, her mom was right there to remind her. Not that she needed much reminder. After all, Kate was about to do what she loved best – work the press. And after a week's forced absence, she was chomping at the bit. Besides, Alex didn't need any showing around. Sparky had already taken care of that some days ago.

"It's a good thing that you left some clothes here," Sarah said as she poked her head into the room. "But for tonight, it's probably best if you wear the outfit that you bought for your final exam. Alex, I think that Bryce has a suit that will fit you. Chuck Junior is much too tall."

Kate had to marvel at Mom. How could she possibly do it? She had fished in Bryce's closet and gotten a suit for Alex. Then she went downstairs to break out the weapons and communications gear. Kate actually got dressed as quickly as she could – and yet when she walked out of her room, Mom was standing there, ready to go. Not only that, she looked like she had just stepped off the cover of a magazine. It was… amazing.

As soon as everyone was dressed and ready to go, Sarah passed out the earpieces and showed the kids how to put them in. Heather and Chuck Junior looked amazing. They were wearing the same outfits from their big date. In spite of how much of a hurry they were in, Sarah had to take a moment and admire them. She even made them pose for a picture. After all, they looked like a picture perfect couple. Then she had them take off their jackets as she showed them how to put on their shoulder holsters. "I know that you both know how to handle a gun," she said with a sigh. "And I trust you to make the right decisions. But the mom in me just has to say this. This is not a toy. You never take it out of the holster unless you intend to shoot it. And you never shoot it unless you intend to kill someone."

x-x-x-x-x

The entire block where Janice's Senate Office was located was a madhouse. It was the typical media feeding frenzy. All the news networks had live feed trucks parked on the street. The TV lights had the place so lit that it was actually brighter than daylight. Once Sarah took a glance at the scene, she immediately scratched her plan to monitor the situation from the perimeter. There were far too many unknown people milling around outside of the office for that to work. She knew that she had to be a lot closer to prevent any attack. Besides that, somebody clearly needed to calm Alex down. He plainly was having a panic attack worried about the thought of Kate being in danger. Of course, he didn't realize that he was also in danger. Then again, maybe he did realize it – and that simply wasn't as important to him as Kate was. How unbelievably cute was that?

"Okay guys," Sarah sighed as she surveyed the situation from inside the van. Even though she wasn't expecting any trouble tonight, her spy instincts were ringing off the hook. "This is crazy. Kate, how many of these reporters do you actually know?"

"Some," Kate said. "These must all be people who work out of Los Angeles. I've talked to some of them during the campaign. A few covered the victory party. I'm really only familiar with the Washington Bureau folks."

"Okay," Sarah said. "Alex, what about you?"

"I don't know any of the reporters," Alex said. "I recognize a couple of staffers. Since they were assigned by the party, I'm assuming I would know them all. I would hope that they are all trustworthy – but, then again, Julie was assigned by the party as well."

"That's a good point," Sarah said. "That means that we trust no one. Kate, what are your plans?"

"I'm going to go right to the podium and make a brief announcement," Kate said. "Someone from the party must have tipped them off that I would be here tonight. Then Alex and I will go inside and meet with the staff for a few minutes. That will give the networks enough time to prepare their coverage teams. Then, I'll come out and hold a press conference. After that, I'll make myself available for some personal interviews. There are a couple of networks that have been very nice to us. I want to reward them by giving them first crack at the story. I'm assuming that some reporters will want to talk to Alex as well – maybe even Sparky and you."

Sarah sighed. "I'm not talking to the press," she said. "I'm still an undercover CIA Agent. They know the rules about showing my face. And I don't like you and Alex being alone behind closed doors with the staff. Neither of you has a weapon. Can you take your brother with you?"

Kate just nodded. "I suppose," she sighed. Then she turned to Sparky. "Please don't say anything to embarrass me. This is far too important to Aunt Janice. It has to go well. As a matter of fact, it would be best if you pretended to be mute."

"Don't worry about me," Spark said with a grin. "I'll let you do all of the embarrassing yourself. You're the pro."

Sarah groaned. "Okay you two," she said. "This isn't one of your games. Fair warning. If I hear any more of the usual crap between you two tonight, I'm going to do something to make you both pay. That's a promise. Understood?"

They both just nodded.

Sarah just shook her head – with a pained smile. "Okay," she said. "Chuck Junior will stick to Kate like glue – all night. I'll find Alex as soon as the staff meeting is over and stay with him. Chuck and Heather will stay in the van, monitor the surroundings and our comm. – and be ready to provide backup in case they are needed. I sure wish that Joe and Elise were here. We could really use them."

They were actually lucky that Janice had an L.A. office at all. After all, Alex really didn't have much time to set anything up. Fortunately, the national party had stepped in. So that meant that Alex knew all of the temporary staff that the party had assigned. The bad news was that he knew all of the temporary staff. That meant he knew Tim Oswald. He winced as soon as he spotted him. Tim was a player. One of those pretty boy types that rose up the ranks purely because of his looks. That he would make a play for the newest Beltway Babe was almost a given.

All Alex could do was sigh to himself. Who didn't want to make a play for her? It was just another example of the price you had to pay to marry the most beautiful girl in the world. After all, this was politics as usual.

x-x-x-x-x

Shaw was still watching news programs, switching between the various cable news channels, well into the night. The press has seized upon this story with a furor that only a twenty-hour hour news organization could. Suddenly CNN broke in with a breaking-news alert. Shaw watched with a grin as Kate Bartowski's press conference was covered from start to finish. He was surprised how much she looked like her mother. He hadn't paid that much attention before – but she was quite stunning.

He also had to admit, Kate Bartowski was an incredibly impressive package. She was handling those reporter's questions like she had been doing this for twenty years. It was extra impressive how she announced that Senator Casey was running for President – without having to actually say it. She was very smooth. It was really too bad. If things had been different, there would have been room for young Kate at the agency. After all, good PR people were hard to find. It would only be a matter of time before some company waived an unbelievable amount of money at her and lured her away to represent them. Assuming that she was going to live, of course.

Then the idea hit him – between the eyes. Of course. Volkoff Industries needed a new PR spokesperson – a new fresh face to be the persona of the company. They were about to make this young rising superstar an offer that she couldn't possibly refuse. After all, who could turn down that kind of money? It was really ironic. His moronic friends wanted to use young Kate Bartowski's youth and immaturity against her. That was always a stupid idea. Now here – Shaw was going to use her maturity – the very strength that protected her before - against her. This is going to be fun. So she is engaged. What a shame there isn't going to be a wedding.

Maybe it was time to see this for himself. After all, Casey's Senate office was only twenty minutes away. Shaw was incredulous. Was Sarah Walker really being this careless? It was insulting. Did she really underestimate him that much?

It was time to find out.

x-x-x-x-x

As soon as they were out of the van, Kate pulled Sparky aside. "See that guy?" she whispered so that only Sparky could hear as she indicated a man in his forties standing outside the office by himself smoking a cigarette.

When Sparky nodded, Kate continued. "He is a reporter from the Post," she whispered. "He is mega-creepy. His hands were all over me at Aunt Janice's Victory party. I'm surprised that he hasn't made it to Washington. Please don't let him be alone with me. The last thing that can happen tonight is for Alex to see him grabbing my ass. That's all I need. He's ultra sensitive about seeing me with other men."

"Oh come on," Sparky whispered back with an evil grin. "Look at him. The poor guy needs a little action – don't you think?"

"How about this for action," Kate asked sarcastically. "If he touches my ass tonight – I'm kicking yours. Action enough for you?"

"Maybe," Sparky said, just loud enough so that Alex couldn't hear. "But maybe you should tell Alex. I mean – don't you believe in an honest relationship? Do you want me to tell him for you? I'd be more than happy too."

"Please do," Kate said sarcastically. "I actually agree with this honest relationship stuff. In that same vein, I think that it's also important that Heather know about the disgusting scene that I walked in on at the boathouse on the Forth of July – and how Miss July-Big-Boobs-Airhead seemed to misplace half of her bikini. Don't you agree?"

"Enough," Sarah's voice crackled in their earpieces. "You do remember that you're both on comm., right? Maybe I didn't explain this well enough. You see kids - when you're wearing a wire - that means the rest of us can hear everything that you say. So, Katie, there will be no need to hide anything from Alex about your ordeal at the victory party. He now already knows. You yourself just told him. For what it's worth, most guys would be ultra sensitive about seeing another man put their hand on their fiancé's ass. I think that Alex is acting very maturely. I'm actually quite proud of him. By the way, rest assured. If that creep comes anywhere close to touching your ass tonight, there won't be enough left of him for an autopsy. I'm in no mood to watch anything like that. And Chuck Junior, Heather already knows now about your ridiculous fling with that unpleasant beauty queen with more boobs that brains. So there will be no need to try and hide it from her. But I would like to have a little one-on-one chat with you later about why I had to go get firewood that day when you were supposed to be getting it. And what apparently happened in the boathouse when you swore to me that you were off looking for said firewood. Let's plan on having that little chat later tonight, shall we?"

"Yes, ma'am," Sparky said with a pained expression.

"This is not a game," Sarah said firmly. "I told you what would happen if I had to listen to any of your foolishness, right? Well, you're both going to pay. You two had better start paying attention – right now or you're really going to pay. Shaw might be watching us as we speak. Lose focus for a second and someone I love dies. Please tell me that I'm being clear."

Both Kate and Sparky knew that they were in serious trouble. When Mom took that tone… "Yes, ma'am," they said as one. "Very clear."

"This discussion is not over," Sarah said. "Don't make me say it again."

x-x-x-x-x

The rest of the night actually went a lot better – in a lot of ways. Chuck turned off all of the earpieces so that the only one everyone could hear was him in the van – and then only when he turned on his mic.

For one thing, you had to feel good watching Kate work the room. Her press conference was a work of art. She was serious when she needed to be – but funny when she needed to be. And lord help the reporter that tried to ask a hostile question. She was simply a genius at turning it around and making him look foolish. Even as on edge and – well, just plain annoyed with Kate she was at the moment, Sarah had to admit – she was a freaking natural.

Alex just stood there and watched his fiancé – in awe. She was truly in her element. He wasn't crazy about that extra button thing – but he understood. And sure, Tim Oswald tried but she shot him down so fast that he never knew what hit him. It was actually kinda funny to watch.

Alex really wasn't used to being interviewed himself. He was far more comfortable working behind the scenes. But Kate identified Sparky and him as the heroes that had mounted the critical rescue – and used that opportunity to slip in the fact that they were newly engaged. So he suddenly found himself deluged with requests by reporters for an interview. As a matter of fact he had just gotten done talking live to CNN. Alex quickly found out that it wasn't nearly as easy as Kate made it look. Oh, he did – okay. But he definitely wasn't smooth like Kate. For one thing, he worried about saying too much.

"Well," he said as soon as the interview ended. "That's the last time they'll ask me."

Sarah just grinned. That was typical Alex – modest. Cute – but modest. There was also one good thing about Alex's interview. It kept his mind off the group of male reporters that were currently circling Kate much like a group of sharks would circle a school of tuna. "Why do you say that?" she asked. "Sweetie, you did great. Besides, now they know that you're the hero of this deal. Expect them to ask you for interviews – a lot."

Alex groaned. "Do you really think so?" he asked. "It's better if we can keep the focus on politics."

Sarah grabbed his hand. "Trust me, Alex," she said. "When this full story becomes known - you, Elise, and Chuck Junior are going to become rock stars for quite a while. We're going to have to figure out who is going to play you in the movie."

"I'm thinking Homer Simpson," Alex said with a grin.

"No way," Sarah replied. "Too old – and too yellow. Sweetie, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. I know that it's hard watching your girl being the center of attention of so many men. But you're doing great. You're actually doing a lot better than Chuck did at this stage of our relationship."

It wasn't ten seconds before Chuck's voice came through their earpieces. "Hey," he said. "In my defense, I'm not sure what this stage of our relationship even means. We were engaged for three days. And, while I'll agree, Alex is doing great – he didn't have to watch Kate go on missions with her ex."

Sarah smiled – in spite of the tenseness. "Okay, sweetie," she said. "Duly noted."

x-x-x-x-x

The one that was taking this mission the most seriously, besides Sarah of course was Heather. To say that she was a little spooked was an understatement. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that was overwhelming her. And, no, it didn't have anything to do with what Sparky had done in the boat house on the Forth of July. They both had been with plenty of other people. She frankly couldn't even remember the guy's name that she had spent the Forth of July with. It would be stupid to get jealous over some stupid fling with a girl that Mom clearly couldn't stand. Not that Heather was above being jealous. She was most definitely prepared to defend her turf. She was simply going to choose her battles. And this one wasn't worth fighting - although she was fully planning on using it to tease him at some point in the near future.

It's just that tonight had all happened much too fast. This afternoon – only eight hours ago, she thought that she had lost him. Then came the wonderful news that she was yearning for. Soon after, they were going to start planning their future together. Now, here they were, waiting for someone to come and kill him again. There was one thing that Heather knew for sure. She couldn't lose him – not now. They were just on the edge of something magical.

So she was most definitely on edge. Dad was clearly trying to keep the mood light. He obviously had some fence mending to do after yesterday's capture. In the van, they had cameras pointed in every direction. Heather was sort of torn. On the one hand, she didn't want to be rude to her future father-in-law. But she also wasn't going to lose focus. She hadn't taken her eye off those monitors for a single instant. So when she saw him, it took a long moment for her brain to register what she was really looking at. Then for another long moment, she was too stunned to speak. All she could do was grab Chuck's arm – and point to the monitor.

Chuck immediately keyed the mic that would let him talk to everyone. "Okay team," he said as calmly as he could. "Listen up. We have a visual on Daniel Shaw."

x-x-x-x-x