Special thanks to my guest proofreader, MySoapBox. She was kind enough to step up and offer to look over this chapter while Poa was off grid. By the way, I highly recommend her stories. She has a real way with words.

Take two: Apologies in addition to cudos to MySoapBox. She sent me corrections that I completely missed. So now I have made all her corrections. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Cupla.

CHUCK VERSUS THE BUY MORE BOMBER

Chapter 7

I'll Show You Mine…

Ari Schwartz was sitting on his cot with his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. If there was one thing that being in the army taught you, it was how to deal with boredom. He was just thinking that maybe he would ask Sarah for a book or something when he heard the beep of the keypad at the door. He turned his head to see the attractive CIA agent enter the final numbers and scan her retina. The door opened and Sarah smiled at him.

"Okay, Ari," she said. "Come on."

"So you finally decided that you could not be parted from me any more, my dear Sarah?" Ari asked with a smile.

"You do realize that there are cameras everywhere and I can send video to Rachel?" Sarah said.

"Fine, fine. Can't an old man have a little fun?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "General Beckman has decided that we can consult with you regarding the investigation into the bombings, provided that you share intel with us."

"I have already told you everything I know," Ari said.

"We both know that's not true, Ari. There's something you're not telling us."

"And there are many things you are not telling me," Ari replied. "Like why there is a secret CIA facility in Los Angeles and why the top agents for the CIA and the NSA are working at a Buy More and a yogurt shop."

"And that is something you do not need to know for this particular investigation," Sarah retorted.

Ari shrugged. "Perhaps it is. We have been operating under the assumption that it is Abdul al Fayed who was behind these bombings, or at least someone in Red Jihad. But now there is an alternate explanation. The bombings could be targeted at your operation and have nothing to do with Red Jihad or al Fayed at all."

"But you have some reason to think that it is Abdul al Fayed beyond just the fact that the bomber is using GB-43's," Sarah replied. "Mossad would not send one of their top agents on a wild goose chase."

"I have told you as much as I am at liberty to say at this time," Ari said. "I will speak to my superiors and see if there is anything else that is relevant and if there is any other information I can release to you." When Sarah started to speak, Ari held up a hand, "Which is not an admission that there is anything else to be disclosed."

Sarah nodded. "Part of this agreement to work together must be that you cannot disclose our operation to anyone else."

"But I must report to my superiors. They will need to know why I have been incommunicado for the last several hours."

"General Beckman has been in contact with Meir Dagan, the head of your organization. You can have them direct any questions to him."

"Nothing like going to the top," Ari said. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes. Moses Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Buy More, stopped by and was looking for you. He was sending a security detail to look over the store. Do you think you could call them off?"

Ari frowned. "Are you sure I should? If you and Major Casey are the targets, would not it be good to have extra security for the store?"

"First of all," Sarah replied, "I am not convinced that we are the targets. There is no reason to target us," she lied. "And even if we are, we are capable of taking care of ourselves. Why don't you worry about the other ten Buy More branches?"

Ari nodded. "Very well, but only because you are so terribly persuasive, my dear."

"Check in with your people," Sarah said. "We will have a complete briefing tomorrow morning at seven. Can you be at the Buy More at that time?"

"Seven? What kind of ungodly hour is that for a briefing?" Ari teased.

"We have to maintain our cover jobs and the stores open at nine," Sarah replied.

Ari sighed. "Fine. I will be at the Buy More at seven. But you must bring me bagels and tea."

"This is America, Ari. We drink coffee."

"So do my countrymen," Ari said, "but I do not. Bagels, cream cheese and tea or no meeting."

Sarah laughed. "All right, Ari. Bagels and tea."

"And cream cheese. Low fat. Rachel made me promise to cut back."

"And low fat cream cheese. Now, I'm going to have to blindfold you," Sarah said.

"Why Sarah, what will my Rachel say if I let pretty young girls go around blindfolding me?"

"Ari."

"Fine, fine. But if she asks you must tell her that it was your idea."

Sarah blindfolded Ari and led him around the Castle a few times, then up the stairs and out into the Orange Orange. She took Ari out the back door of the shop and led him around the service alley for a bit before finally taking off the blindfold back behind the Orange Orange, reasoning that Ari would assume that she wouldn't stop where she had started.

"Aw, does this mean that you are not going to hold my hand anymore?" Ari asked.

Sarah shook her head. "You are incorrigible, old man," Sarah said with exasperation.

"I thought you said I was not that old," Ari replied.

"Well, if you're going to act like a dirty old man, then that's what I will call you."

Ari looked around. "All the wandering around was pointless, you know. I know that we came out through the freezer of your yogurt shop," he said. "I could smell the toppings."

"Protocol," Sarah replied. "Seven o'clock at the Buy More."

"Of course, my dear. Bagels, cream cheese and tea."

"Yes, Ari," Sarah laughed. "Say hello to Rachel for me when you tell her you saw me."

"I thought I was not supposed to tell anyone I saw you?"

"And I know that you tell Rachel everything," Sarah answered. "That's why Mossad gave up and finally gave her a security clearance. Just tell her to keep quiet as well."

Ari took Sarah's hand and kissed her knuckle. "Until tomorrow, dear Becca," he said.

Chuck was disappointed that he didn't get to meet Ari that night, but was delighted when Sarah came over to the store with two coffees. She hopped up on the counter by the front door and watched him do a walk around through the store prior to closing up.

Sarah couldn't help but smile. Even doing this boring task, Chuck was fastidious, checking everything in what she assumed was a carefully choreographed pattern to make sure he didn't forget anything. "Thanks for waiting," he said when he was finished. "Hey, come here a second."

"What?" she asked with a smile.

"Just come here," he said, taking her hand and leading her back through the store. She didn't resist but enjoyed having him hold her hand, even if it was just to lead her to wherever they were going. He led her to the back of the store and toward the storage area.

"What's that smell?" she asked when they got to the cage.

"Just wait," he said. He stepped into the cage and emerged a moment later with a small creature. He was holding it gently, stroking its fur. "I'm not sure if this is Romeo or Juliette," he said. "It's one of the chinchillas that Jeff and Lester are breeding."

"Can I hold him?" Sarah asked.

Chuck nodded and carefully handed Sarah the small animal. For a moment it resisted leaving Chuck's hands but then let go from him and threatened to scamper up Sarah's arm. Sarah laughed as she caught it and cradled it in her arms. "He's… she's… well whatever. It's cute. And so soft." She gently stroked its coat while Chuck smiled at her.

"Did you have any pets growing up?" he asked.

Sarah shook her head sadly. "No. We moved around too much so my Dad would never let me get one. We used a dog in a con now and again, but I never got to keep it." She stopped, realizing that, whether purposefully or accidentally, Chuck had maneuvered her into talking about herself and her past. That was part of the problem. She was getting so comfortable around him that it was easy to slip up and forget that she was an agent. An agent charged with protecting him no matter what. Reluctantly, she handed back the little ball of fur.

"Maybe we could get you a pet now?" Chuck asked as he put the chinchilla back in its cage.

"I have my goldfish," Sarah replied. "Besides, I don't think my hotel would allow anything else.

"You could keep it at my place," Chuck offered.

Sarah sighed. As tempting as the offer was, she couldn't afford to be tied down by anything or anyone. It wouldn't be fair to Chuck to leave him with a dog come that inevitable day when she was reassigned. Still, she knew Chuck wouldn't accept that excuse so she said, "We'll talk about it later."

They walked back to the front of the store and got their coffees, then Chuck entered the code to activate the security system and they hurried out. He punched in the code to close and lock the front doors. He moved closer to her as if he was going to kiss her goodnight. She took a step back. "We are meeting Ari here at the store tomorrow morning at seven o'clock," she said. "Will that be a problem?"

"No," Chuck sighed. "I'll tell Ellie I'm opening again tomorrow and that I have to be here early."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Sarah said.

Chuck nodded. "Yeah. Tomorrow."

Chuck had just finished changing into his Nerd Herd uniform when there was a tap at his window – or the Morgan Door as it was now universally known. Chuck stepped over to the window and looked out. John Casey was clad in his green Buy More shirt and khakis. Chuck opened the window. "I haven't even had breakfast yet, Casey. What's the hurry?"

"Walker's bringing bagels," Casey replied. "I don't like anyone getting to a meet before me. I like to have the place scoped out before the opposition gets there."

"'The opposition?' Casey, you make it sound like we're meeting Afghani warlords."

Casey reached up and thumped Chuck in the middle of the forehead. "Anybody home? Listen, Bartowski, just because Walker knows this guy, that doesn't make him any less dangerous. Or have you forgotten that someone's blowing up Buy Mores and we don't know who?"

"Ow!" Chuck said, rubbing his forehead. "Was that really necessary?"

Casey reached up as if to thump him again and Chuck darted backwards. "Let me get my phone and keys," he said. He closed the window, grabbed his keys and iPhone and headed toward the front door.

His sister Ellie was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cereal. She was still dressed in her fluffy pink robe. "You're leaving early," she said.

"I'm meeting Sarah for breakfast and then I have to open the store," he said. "Gotta run!" He turned and started toward the door.

"Chuck wait!" Ellie called. Chuck stopped and turned. "Chuck… Just in case. Well… I love you. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Don't worry, sis. I'll be fine." He wished he could explain that he had two of the country's best agents watching his back so there was no reason for her to worry, but then of course he'd have to explain why they were watching his back and she would just worry all the more. 'Welcome to my world,' he thought. Instead he said, "I love you too, sis."

He and Casey rode to the store in the Nerd Herder. Jeff had grabbed his favorite, number three, so he was stuck with number five, which smelled like wet sweat socks. He wasn't sure why it smelled like wet sweat sock and he wasn't sure he really wanted to know. Chuck turned to Casey. "You know, with all the little additions to the Herders, would it kill them to put in a heavy duty air freshener?"

Casey merely grunted.

Thanks to traffic, they didn't arrive at the Buy More until fifteen minutes to seven. Chuck had been a little concerned during the drive that Casey was going to pull his gun and start shooting other drivers, but they fortunately made it before there were any 'unfortunate incidents' on the freeway. Unfortunately, when the pulled into the parking lot Ari Schwartz's car was there waiting for them.

"Calm, Casey, calm," Chuck said when he glanced over and saw Casey's eyes narrow. "Go to your happy place. Oh, wait. That's right. You don't have a happy place. Think about Reagan. Yeah. That's it. Think about the Gipper."

Casey growled and Chuck decided to let it drop. He pulled the Nerd Herder into its parking spot and heard tires squealing. He turned to see Sarah's Porsche pulling into the lot behind them.

Chuck got out and started toward Sarah's car, while Casey and Ari faced off like two gunslingers, sizing up the new competition in town. "Good morning, Sarah. Can I help you with that?" Chuck asked. Sarah smiled and handed him a bag from Bennie's Bagels and a tray with four Styrofoam cups.

"Good morning, Chuck," Sarah said, offering him that dazzling smile that always made him go a little weak in the knees.

Sarah looked over at Casey and Ari. "Uh oh. We really shouldn't leave those two alone." She hurried over and stepped between the two agents. "Good morning Ari, Casey. I brought bagels. Shall we go have some breakfast and talk?"

Ari smiled, but his eyes never left Casey. "Good morning, Sarah. Did you get me my tea, too?"

"Of course, Ari. And black coffee for you, Casey. How about we go over to the Orange Orange?"

"Fine," Casey said, his eyes fixed on Ari. "After you," he said to the Mossad agent.

"The last time I let you behind me, I woke up with a rather large lump on my head," Ari said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Tell you what," Sarah said, exasperated. "Why don't you two go around behind the building, have your pissing contest, and then you can join Chuck and I for breakfast?" Casey and Ari both blinked at her. "But I can't guarantee that Chuck won't eat all the bagels before you get there."

The two male agents looked at each other and finally Ari shrugged. "Fine. I am hungry anyway."

"Yeah," Casey agreed. "I've learned never to leave Bartowski alone with the food."

Chuck came over and stood next to Sarah. "Hi," he said to Ari. "I'm Charles Carmichael," he said, "CIA. I'd shake your hand, but…" He held up the bag and the tray of cups to show that both his hands were full.

"Nice to meet you, Agent Carmichael," Ari said.

"Oh, he's not an agent," Casey quickly cut in. "He's an analyst. We needed someone who could actually fit in working at a Buy More."

Chuck gave Casey a strained smile. Sarah rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said. "We have work to do."

They headed over to the Orange Orange. Since Ari had figured out that the entrance to the Castle was in the freezer, she didn't bother with a blindfold this time. They filed down the stairs and Chuck set out the bagels and cups around the table. Ari sat down and Casey took a seat across from him. Sarah sat between the two, so Chuck took the other end of the table. They spent a few minutes passing around the bagels and cream cheese.

"So, Ari, did you talk to your superiors? Did you call off the extra security for the Burbank store?" Sarah asked.

Ari swallowed the bite of bagel in his mouth and nodded. "Yes and yes," he said. "I got the extra security cancelled for your store, for now. I told Moses Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Buy More, that I was chasing a lead that did not pan out and that my cell phone battery died. Oh, and he seemed very impressed with someone at the Burbank store. A Chuck Bartowski?"

Chuck smiled. "That would be me. That's my cover. Chuck Bartowski, Nerd Herd supervisor."

"Well, Mr. Bartowski, you certainly must be good at your cover job. Moses is not a man easily impressed."

"And your supervisors?" Sarah asked.

Ari hesitated for a moment and then said, "I have clearance to tell you some additional information, but it is of a highly sensitive nature. And I am only authorized to tell you if I receive your promise of full cooperation in my investigation of the Buy More bombings."

Casey sat back in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest. "Let's hear what you have to say first," he said.

Sarah gave Casey a narrow-eyed stare and then turned to Ari. "Agreed," she said. Casey leaned forward started to protest, but Sarah gave him a warning look and he huffed and sat back, crossing his arms again.

"Good," Ari said. "We believe that Abdul al Fayed is targeting the Buy Mores in a vendetta against Moses Finkelstein, Founder and CEO of Buy More."

"Why?" Chuck asked.

"Because," Ari said, "Moses Finkelstein is Mossad."