,mLet 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 17—Almost There

Rancho Ramirez

Chuck finished up outlining a plan for Carlos and mapping the information into the model. He was sure that it would take care of it. Casey, Philip and Steven agreed. Chuck set the plan so that Carlos had the Rangers, FBI and Coast Guard at his disposal for this operation. It would be an extension of their previous operation. The Ring and another section of MS were working to set up a smuggling and drug running operation along the Texas coast. The smuggling would include human trafficking. The Coast Guard was to close off the harbor with a Cutter and support with helicopters. The Rangers and FBI were to enter three warehouses in the area and arrest the individuals present. Finally the Coast Guard was to take the ship and free the victims on the held on the ship. The operation was scheduled for the day after next.

Casey was monitoring the progress of the girls and spoke up, "The girls are almost back to the ranch. Chuck, are you done?"

"Yeah, I am finished here. If you get Doc or Dorothy to unhook me, we can head back to the house," Chuck answered.

Doc came up behind them, "Here I got it. You are doing better today. We'll check tomorrow morning but I believe you will be able to do things without the monitors and the oxygen supply."

"Great, I'll tell Sarah the good news," Chuck was almost pulling at the cords to get loose and up to the house.

Chuck walked over to the house at a fairly fast pace. He was winded by the time he got there and sat down at the kitchen table.

Casey stood next to him, "Don't worry when the Doc says you are ready, we'll get you into an exercise program. And don't worry about feeling bad now. If you aren't crawling to the bench when we get done, we didn't do our job."

Sarah walked into the room, "Casey, you better not be making him crawl to anything."

"It's fine Walker, I was just talking about when the Doc says it's okay to start an exercise program. He was pretty winded just walking in the house," Casey replied.

"Casey, he had an operation on his lungs not even two days ago. Of course he's winded," Sarah retorted.

"Hey guys, I am right here," Chuck sat up a little. "I'll start when the Doc says to. And we'll follow whatever he says to do. Besides, I am doing exercises."

"Right and what are they?" asked Casey.

"Right now I am doing breathing exercises." Chuck pointed to the flow meter on the counter.

Mary intervened, "Come on Casey." She waved at him to follow her into the other room. When they got there, "What are you doing with Chuck? He doesn't need any grief. He has done so much in the past few days."

"I am trying to do him a favor. He needs to work on getting ready. This isn't going to end. We need him to be back and healthy," Casey stood looking at Mary. "Look I am going to do everything I can to make sure he and Sarah have the best wedding possible and a safe honeymoon. You know that, right?"

"Well, I do now," Mary said in a snip.

Casey finally realized something else was wrong. Thinking back to the time on the trail, Casey said, "How about we go for a ride before dinner?"

Mary smiled at that, "Sure, I'd like that." She used her cell phone to call Ray and get the horses saddled up. Then she turned back to Casey, "They'll have the horses ready in ten minutes. I'll go change."

Casey smiled at the choice, "I'll be right there. I need to change too."

Casey stayed to the other side of the bedroom and put on the long-johns and riding jeans. Mary had gotten her clothes and went into the bathroom to change. Casey waited until she got out, "Do you have a good place we can get off the horses and sit for a little?"

"Yes, there is a very nice place on the ridge. It has a good view of the valley," Mary replied. She liked the idea of Casey spending some time with her. They had not had time together since going to the museum.

Casey went over and took her hand in his, "Sounds great."

They went through the kitchen and let Chuck and Sarah they were going riding. Mary paused on the way and told them, "If Chuck is okay tomorrow, we could all go out. It might be good exercise and some fun at the same time."

Casey was relieved that this had been the right choice. Mary was now talking exercise, so it seemed she would open up a little. He remembered how hard he was and closed mouthed back in his day. Chuck and Sarah had helped, and he knew Mary got him passed grunting. But he also knew that sometimes, she could be very much like him or at her worse, hide what she was really talking about. He was hoping that he had made the right decision about this.

Mary was on Dusty, a Quarter Horse that was her favorite. Casey was riding Shadow, a dark Appaloosa. They rode behind the barn and started a good trot to the bottom of the ridge. Casey followed Mary up the trail to the top of the ridge line. The trail had several switch backs going to the top. Once there the view was spectacular. The ridge did over look the valley. The ranch buildings were clear as they were no more than two miles away. As the valley went out to the west, the sides almost cradled the sun as it head down.

Casey saw a log that seemed to make a sturdy seat. He got off his horse and tied it to a scrub bush. Then he went to Mary and helped her down. Casey thought he would begin, "So, are you happy with everything and the preparations for the wedding?" They walked over to the log and sat down.

Mary looked out over the ranch and said, "Yes, everything is fine."

"Just fine, huh?" Casey rubbed her back.

"Yeah," Mary's shoulders sagged.

"Cause it's not us?" Casey asked. He thought that was the problem.

"Well," Mary looked at him. "When will we…"

"I know. I have been thinking about that ever since we came out here." Casey moved closer and put his arm around her. "I thought you would be wondering too."

"Yeah," she got closer to him.

"Look, I want to get married or I wouldn't have given you the ring. But when we came out here I did not think that it was right to take away from Chuck and Sarah and set our date. I mean, well, I want you to have the spot light when we get married and everything leading up to it. Is that okay?" Casey bent over to look in her eyes. He was met by a very passionate kiss. "I'll take that as a yes." It was a while before they untangled.

"I think we can wait until after their wedding to tell anyone," Mary agreed. "But when are you thinking?"

"You mean for the wedding?" He saw her eyes say yes, "I figured the earliest would have to be about a month. I know there is a lot to do. Remember, I helped with Ellie's wedding."

"Yes," she looked at him expecting a little more.

"So, Chuck will have a little more than a month forced vacation after they get married. Or at least that's what Doc Adams said after the last surgery on his lungs. I was thinking that if we got married a week before he came off leave we could have a week's honeymoon. How does that sound?"

Casey did not have a chance. She pulled him into a kiss and they rolled off the log. Mary came up for air, "I love you. That's exactly what I wanted."

"Great. But this isn't. Quick, get up. We are in some kind of ant hill," Casey almost launched himself off the ground while holding Mary. He started brushing and swatting all over Mary and then himself. "Let's head on back. We'll have a little celebration tonight, but after Doc Adams checks us."

"Casey, we have run into this before. Remember, I grew up here. We'll go back and put some Borax in a tub and soak for a while. Then just some hydrocortisone should work. We can get with the Doc if any of the bites look like they are too inflamed. And I still love you."

It was not quite a race, but they made good time getting back. Stopping by the kitchen they explained to Doc Adams what they were about to do. He agreed that if there were any bites that got inflamed, he'd take a look. Casey and Mary spent the next half hour soaking and checking on each other. It was another half hour before they came back to the kitchen to check on dinner.

Sarah saw them come in, "So, are you all right? Any bad bites?"

"We're fine. I think the soaking did it," Casey smiled.

Sarah looked in Mary's eyes. She was altogether too happy just to be free of some ant bites, "What?" She had watched Mary while they were looking at the dresses. "So, you decided didn't you?"

Casey's eyes got big and Mary's smile was gleaming. Chuck had been watching the exchange and when he saw Casey's eyes get big, he knew to intervene, "So, this is up to you. Whenever you want," he reached over to get Sarah's hand and her attention.

Casey nodded and Mary went over and gave Chuck a kiss on the cheek. Mary got next to Sarah and whispered to her, "We are going to wait until after the wedding. Thanks. You guys are the best," and gave her a big hug.

Things resumed a normal balance and Casey began ribbing Chuck about exercises. Everyone came in for dinner and planning started for the next day.

A/N Hope you enjoyed. Thought I let Casey ad Mary have the stage for a bit. Please review.