Let us do something, while we have the chance.

Still don't own Chuck.

"Sometimes it helps to know that you got something to lose."
--Agent Walker Episode 3.4

Chapter 3—the Discussion

West Side Medical

Chuck and Sarah felt the morning sun coming in the room as they were cradled in each other's arms. Chuck had gotten Ellie to make sure that Sarah could be in bed with him. Ellie thought he needed the attention but he was trying to make sure Sarah did not have another nightmare. The nurses gave in just a couple times to wake him and give him another pill. The IV did most of it, but Doc Weidman had prescribed an antibiotic that Chuck said looked like a horse pill. The painkillers were having their effect. Chuck when to sleep very quickly after taking the pills.

Chuck was able to move Sarah's hair back around her ear and kiss her, "Good morning, are you okay?"

Sarah kissed him back and said, "I am fine. Thanks for getting Ellie to do that. I love you."

Chuck smiled, "I love you too. No more nightmares?"

She kissed him again, "None. How do you feel?"

Chuck blinked, "Well, I guess blissful. I feel good all over but I can tell my chest really hurts. Right now, that is just a dull pain." He saw her looking sad and said, "Hey, better living through chemistry right?"

She started to move for his feet.

He laughed, "Go ahead. I don't think I'll feel it."

Sarah came back and kissed him, "You know you are incredible."

"Yeah, and yesterday I was going to prove that," he sighed.

"Me too," she smiled.

There was a knock at the door and the nurse came in the room, "Time for a quick check and your next pill." After she checked him she gave him a pill. She said, "One more thing, you need to go to the bathroom before you leave. Would you like to try now?"

Chuck paused, "Yeah, sure."

The nurse went to get the bed pan. Chuck immediately started to get up. Sarah had to get up and help him. Between the nurse and Sarah, Chuck made it to the bathroom.

The nurse asked, "Can you do this or do you need us to stay?"

His face went red, "Let me try first. I'll call for help to get back to bed." Chuck was happy that he was able to complete the task and get back to the door with some dignity still in place.

The nurse and Sarah helped him back in bed. Before the nurse left, "Don't forget, you still need to do the breathing exercises and record the results." She walked out the room as Chuck started.

Chuck finished the exercise and Sarah recorded the result. When he leaned back in the pillow, he fell asleep again. Sarah took a shower, got dressed and sat in the chair next to Chuck. She held his hand as they waited.

Casa Bartowski

Casey was awake and looking at her. He kissed her gently, "Hey beautiful, you stay here. I am just going to check on Chuck."

Casey finally got through to Chuck's room and Sarah answered, "Hey, how's he doing? The doc see him yet? Okay, give us a call before you head out and we'll have everything set." He saw that Mary wanted to talk and gave her the phone.

Mary took it, "How are you doing? We were going to have a late breakfast for everyone. We can wait for you. Oh, it won't be a problem. There's a couple things we need to talk about when you get here. Okay, see you then."

Mary hung-up the phone, "Sarah said the doc was just walking into the room. She'll call."

West Side Medical

Doc Weidman came in the room. He was followed by Ellie, Devon and Doc Adams. He went through the normal checks and looked at the lung exercise chart. Chuck started to stir and woke up saying good morning to everyone. Doc Weidman said, "We are going to send you home this morning. You wouldn't have to wait around to be released, because this time we set it up that you'll stay a patient to us while at home. But this time you have to keep the breathing tube on all the time. Your volume," he point to the exercise chart, "has gone down by 200 milliliters. Until that gets better, the tube stays. There are a few things to go over…" Doc Weidman spent the next couple minutes making sure Chuck and the others knew what all he had to do and what was expected. Finally he concluded, "Okay, here's the form to sign and you can head home."

Chuck signed the form and Sarah called Casey. Doc Adams went out with Weidman.

When Sarah got off the phone, Ellie asked Sarah, "Are you doing okay?"

"Better. Thank you both for what you have done," Sarah got up and gave Ellie and then Devon a hug.

Ellie held her a little, "Okay, remember that we'll do dinner tonight. But we'll bring it over to your apartment. Is that okay?"

Sarah answered, "That would be great, thank you."

"Okay. We have our shift, but if you need us call." Ellie and Devon went back out to work.

Doc Adams came back with a nurse and wheel chair. Chuck had fallen back asleep and he had to be woken to get in the chair. The guards use the wheelchair out to the van and then helped him to get in the van.

Chuck looked at Sarah when she got in, "You know it used to be a race to see whether I could get your door before the driver or the guards. Now I can't even get mine."

Sarah stroked his hair, "It's going to get better." She kissed him gently as the ride back to the apartments started.

Casa Bartowski

With a guard on one side and Sarah on the other, they took Chuck back in the apartment. Casey and Mary were already there.

Mary began, "Okay we changed things a little. The couch has been pulled out into a bed and we put a regular mattress on it. The video systems are hook to the conference room so you can review things here or in the bedroom. We have a few meals ready for you in the refrigerator and will get anything else you need.

"Doc Adams and Dorothy are going to check Chuck and get him ready for here. So, if you would please join us in the conference room. We'll brief you on the plans." Mary looked at Casey to see if he had anything else.

He shook his head.

Chuck looked over at them and said, "If I am not going up there, I still like to listen. And one more thing, it's been too long since the Ring has shown itself. While they may have decided to wait for us to eliminate Fulcrum, that they would leave us function this long without another counterstrike is surprising. Casey, I think it would be good if you double the protection for each of these strikes." He motioned toward Mary and held up three fingers for Casey to see. Casey nodded.

Sarah said she would be right up after Doc Adams came. After making sure Chuck would be okay, Sarah went up to the conference room. Mary started going through the plans they had put together. Sarah had a couple comments about the pre-surveillance and the timing for the arrests. She looked at Casey and he nodded that he would incorporate Chuck's recommendation.

Mary said that she still wanted to talk with Sarah. Sarah was not sure what had happened. Mary took Sarah in the next room shut the doors and locked them. Sarah asked what was wrong.

"Well, it's not that it is wrong, it is very, very, very right," Mary smiled. "I need some…well, I don't know what. John said he loved me."

Sarah's eyes opened wide. Sarah first asked, "Well, you love him, right?"

Mary answered immediately, "Oh yes. I don't know what I would do without him now."

"Then, the problem is…let's see, he hasn't said anything else?" Sarah asked.

"To be fair, he only said it the night before you came back from the hospital with Chuck. We really have only been talking about the apartments and the teams. I mean well, you know, I got him past grunting, but to get him past two sentences in a row is still a challenge," Mary stared at Sarah with her eyes crossed and they both started laughing.

"So, what do you want? You know you could be creating a monster, changing John Casey from the grunting beast to the chatter box that never ends," Sarah was holding her sides at the concept.

"Well, I want what you and Chuck are getting, the chance to settle down and have kids. I don't want to do this forever," Mary got out after she settled down.

"Oh wow," Sarah thought about it. "We'll help you in any way we can. But you have to know that John has to ask you. I mean we can't…"

Mary stopped her, "Oh, I know. It just would not be right. I think he would have real problems, and then we would too, if somehow someone got him to do it. But I wonder about him sometimes. He is so tied up in regulations and policy that I do not know whether he would be okay with it. I mean Chuck still has him as my protector 24X7."

"Good point. Let me talk that over with Chuck and see what we can come up with. I'll let you know." Sarah acknowledged.

"Ah, one more thing so you know. Kristen was pretty upset that Chuck got the bad tank instead of her," Mary said.

Sarah looked like she could hardly believe it.

"I think I took care of it. But it still might come up if you keep doing those night sessions." Mary finished.

"Wow, do you think we need to?" Sarah asked.

"No, I think we are okay. You need to take care of Chuck." Mary concluded.

Sarah smiled, "Thank you so much for getting the apartment set up."

"You're welcome. You guys go get some more rest. I'll have the final plans later this afternoon. You can do one more check then. And of course, when we are out in the field, we will be live with the video in the bedroom or living room." Mary got up.

Sarah came over and gave her another hug, "Thank you." She went back to check on Chuck and see if there was anything new from Doc Adams.

Doc Adams was waiting for her. He explained what he and Dorothy had agreed to do. Chuck was fine. Dorothy would check in with them in the morning, noon, and late afternoon. He would stop by in the morning.

Sarah talked with Chuck about the problem Mary had. Chuck agreed that they could do something, but asked Sarah whether it would make more sense to make a change after the current operations were over. She agreed that with the plans almost complete, it would be risky to introduce a change now.

Chuck was settling into his bed. He looked over to Sarah and said, "I am really sorry. I don't want to sound like this is whining, but I still feel like…"

Sarah was over with him in a second, "It is okay. You have to recover. I know, I understand, and I do too, but you have to rest."

"I know that you are going to have things to do. And I can't just have you stay in bed with me. But anytime you want to come over, please do," Chuck closed his eyes as Sarah kissed him. He fell asleep after that.

Later in the afternoon Dorothy came over and ran Chuck through a normal examination. After that Chuck and Sarah watched the review of the final plans on the video screen. Sarah did not make any changes. Chuck agreed and told Casey the protection plan looked solid too.

Ellie called Sarah and told her that she and Devon did get off early and she was making dinner for six. Ellie was going to get Casey, Mary and her dad to join them for dinner. When they got Chuck and Sarah's apartment, Devon said, "Hey guys, Ellie wants to ask about the wedding. And we can do a little of our planning too."

Filing into the apartment Ellie went over to greet everyone. Mary and Sarah joined Ellie in the kitchen.

Devon asked, "Hey Bro, you doing okay?"

Chuck turned over, "Sorry, it takes a little to turn yet."

Devon quickly said, "Wow, okay we'll join you. Are you doing alright?"

"Well, the pain relievers were starting to wear off just before you came over. I took another set of pills, but it will be a few more minutes before they kick in," Chuck explained. "And no, I don't want everyone to come over and see how I am doing. Dorothy just checked a little bit ago. So enough of my pincushion status and me. How has married life been?"

"Great," Devon held his glass up to Ellie. "The honeymoon was good. Actually it was awesome. And we are doing very well."

Chuck knew too well what the next part of the conversation would entail. He raised his hand; she was after all his sister. Chuck said, "That's great. I am glad it is working." Chuck immediately thought, 'That did not come out right, change topic now.' He shifted to the wedding, "So, I do want you to be my groomsmen. Is there anything we need to do?"

Devon spoke up, "Well, you two ought to go downtown and get your marriage license set up."

Chuck started thinking about that, 'Will she even do it, what if they ask for her birth certificate, her real name.' Chuck looked up, "Sorry, what?"

Devon repeated, "I said if you have an updated passport you can use that. I bet Sarah has one."

'Oh, saved again.' Chuck said, "I am sure she will." Chuck looked over at Casey, "Will you set up the transportation for everyone, or do we need to?"

"I'll get it. I would just for you two, but with your bosses coming. I'll probably have a small staff to set this up," Casey acknowledged.

"Awesome, who are your bosses?" Devon asked.

"Let us see if they are going to make it first." Chuck replied. "So, what else?"

Casey added, "Last time, we had to get you guys measured. And that was for the second outfit at the same store. We'll probably have to do that again. You and Sarah need to make sure of what you want for tuxedos. And no pastels."

"Okay here," Chuck smiled.

Ellie, Sarah and Mary came over to join them. Sarah asked, "So, you figure anything out?"

Chuck said, "Couple things. When the Docs say I can, we ought to go downtown and get the marriage license. They will only need your passport." He was watching close and she nodded. "Next, we need to get the guys to be measured again, and we need to pick out the tux. The only requirement so far is no pastels." Sarah laughed at the thought of Casey in a pastel tux. Chuck went on, "Casey will handle transportation."

Sarah commented, "Wow, you have got a lot done."

Chuck cut her off before she started to think she had too much to do, "Well, you already know the flowers and where we are going to have it. We already said a month from now, although tomorrow we ought to check with our bosses' secretaries for which day is better."

Sarah asked, "Well first, Ellie and Devon which day is better for you?"

Ellie looked at the calendar, "Well, Saturday afternoons have been constantly time off. The mornings have been kind of iffy. Sundays have been a bust here recently. One of us has been in each Sunday. Friday afternoons are the next best."

"Okay, we'll go for the 6th at 2 PM," Sarah was happy that they finally got one more thing settled.

"I was wondering about the rehearsal dinner. Now I don't want to get into your part, but would we do the reception at the ranch?" Chuck asked.

Sarah said, "Oh, I'd love to. Mary, can we?"

"Certainly, I learned to cook from Donna. She is our cook at the ranch. She'll be proud of doing that for you," Mary said.

Chuck then said, "Well, I assumed that we would do the rehearsal at the ranch, but I don't know what would be around there for the dinner. Mary, do you have any suggestions?"

"Oh sure, that are a few places close to the ranch we could use. When we get back, we ought to try a couple," Mary answered.

The buzzer for the oven went off. Ellie said, "Well, dinner is served. Excuse me."

Dinner went smoothly with the details for the flowers and the shop, ideas about the cake, and where to go for the dresses being established. Sarah agreed that they would get the license the next day, the cake and flowers the next, and then the dresses when Mary got back. Mary suggested using the chaplain that was holding services at the chapel now. She said that he should be easy to check. He was retired military.

Soon after dinner was finished Chuck leaned back and fell asleep again. Ellie and Mary made sure Sarah was okay. Everyone said his or her goodnights.

Chuck woke up later when the pain relievers were wearing off. Sarah was next to him asleep. She had the news channel on with the volume down low. Chuck knew better and quickly turned the TV to a classic movie channel. When Chuck reached for the pills and water Sarah woke up.

"Here, let me help," she got the glass and helped him.

Chuck said, "I think it would be easier to sleep up stairs. You want to try getting up there?"

Sarah nodded. The couch was not that comfortable. She got him up stairs and to the bedroom. He went to the bathroom and was proud he could get there and back on his own. He told her he was going to wait for her and sat of the edge of the bed while she took a shower.

When Sarah got him ready for bed and Sarah got in with him, he pulled her to him and kissed. It lasted for a while but the medications finally took effect and he went to asleep again. Sarah smiled and curled up in his arms.

Casa Bartowski

Knowing that they would be split up during the operation, Casey made sure the night was a special one. While Mary was checking the plans for the next day, he had some flowers delivered and put some candles out. When she came in the apartment she was surprised at what he had done.

Mary gave Casey a hug, "Wow, very nice." Casey poured her a drink. Mary had a sip of her drink, "Do you think Chuck will be okay?"

Casey answered, "Yes, he will be able to handle it. And I do have to say, he has been resilient."

Casey turned on the music to listen to some soft Neil in the background. Casey motioned to the flowers and candles and said, "I wanted to make sure that you knew why you are going to be very careful and come back. I know I am starting to sound like Bartowski, but I love you and I don't want to even imagine what it would be like without you."

Mary had a sip of her drink, "Oh I don't think you'll forget why either." She set her drink down.

A/N Hope you enjoyed.