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 18—Final Prep
Rancho Ramirez
Sarah was happy. She was watching everyone at the dinner table and going through all the preparations. Chuck was doing better. Everything went well today. They got the dresses. The shop was making the necessary alterations and would have the dresses ready two days before the wedding. They already had made arrangements for the chapel and the flowers for it and the reception. The cake had been set up and would be delivered that day. Sarah worked with Mary and the ranch staff to plan the reception and the food. The chaplain was coming to the ranch tomorrow to review the ceremony. He was bringing the organist with him. They could decide the wedding music then. She smiled at the thought; Jeffster was going to do the reception. Jeff and Lester had agreed to do their songs and also act as the DJ.
Chuck was sitting next to her at the table and saw her smiling, "What are you thinking?"
"Oh, I was just going over everything. Making sure we had everything covered," Sarah replied.
"Well, I still have the Rehearsal Diner. It would probably be good if we stopped by the jeweler. I want to make sure we have the right size," Chuck said.
Casey chimed in, "We can get that set up after the Chaplain stops by." Chuck and Sarah nodded.
Mary interjected, "Unless you want to go all the way back to Burbank for the Rehearsal Diner, I can show you a nice place on the way back from the jewelers?"
Chuck answered quickly, "Sure, that's fine. Most everyone is staying out this way."
Casey observed, "Yeah, we've laid on a full Special Ops company, and two FBI SWAT teams for protection during those two days. Our little portable command center gets two more additions. We are definitely going to make sure nothing happens to you or the wedding. I don't want to even think about another fire drill wedding, or you getting hurt again and having to nurse you for another month."
Chuck smiled. The old interchanges were coming back. He replied, "Right, you're only doing this so you can add on to your play toy."
Casey almost swatted Chuck, but Mary held his hand. She smiled at Casey, "Thought you said you did not want to nurse him for another month?" The four of them laughed.
Devon looked up at them laughing, "Yeah, did you know that they have almost leveled the apartments?"
Casey nodded, "The architect said the structure was no longer safe. They moved everything out of the apartments last night and put it in storage. The physical security folks said we needed more secure grounds, so the buildings around the side and back were bought.
Ellie was surprised, "Where is everyone supposed to stay? How long is this going to take?"
Casey said, "Plan is now a month. And I know we did not have time to tell everyone."
Sarah turned to Mary, "Don't. We will not impose on you and the ranch."
Casey jumped in, "We can cover any one. They all have per diem."
Chuck felt better and a little playful, "Well, we could all take some time off."
Sarah looked at him, "Are you serious?"
"Well, it only makes sense. We are going to be off a month, right?" Chuck asked to confirm that she still agreed.
"Oh, you know that we are," Sarah smiled.
"Well, what a better time to have off? Now obviously, if anyone has other plans and would rather have off later that is fine." He smiled, "I looked this afternoon at everyone's record. Almost everyone needs to start taking some vacation or they are going to lose it. I am not going to call names, you know who you are." He looked at the others around the table they all nodded. "And to be proper about it I am not really anyone's boss. But that's my recommendation."
Everyone was a buzz about what they would do. Chuck told Ellie, that he would cover them for anything they wanted to do.
When they finished and were in their bedroom Chuck said, "I did not get to tell you something yet. I got an email from John that the next phase will increase our operations. We will have overseas areas and our responsibility will increase. Even after everyone gets back, it would be another month before we are all ready. We'll have to do more interviews. Each of the people you have now will have at least three team leads and four other people with each team." Chuck paused watching her take it all in. "We have to start planning that now to get the interview process ready for when we get back. I still think it would be best if we do it like last time and I have the chance to see if a flash on them.
Sarah came over to him, "That's fine. We can talk about that more tomorrow. It was a long day. I really want to curl up with you and go to sleep." She did not know if he would catch it, "You know you are right, I'll be finished before the wedding." But she did not feel good and wanted to go to sleep.
Chuck's eyes got big, but he pulled her close to him and curled up with her. The Amazon rain forest could be a treacherous place.
The next morning after a quick breakfast Doc Adams gave Chuck the okay. His lung capacity was sufficient and his breathing normal. He did not have to use the oxygen supply nor have the monitors attached any more. Chuck and Sarah were elated. Casey, Doc Adams and Dorothy did present their physical therapy plan. Chuck was thinking about fighting it, but realized that all three of them has gotten together and laid out the best plan they could. He agreed.
After that it was out to the command center vans. Chuck and Sarah sent the email he was talking about over to Casey. They went into the small room off the conference room to discuss it. The main discussion was whether Brad, LT and Eldie would be ready to lead teams of agents. After a long discussion, they decided that they would be given the opportunity. Chuck also said the Liz should be given the opportunity to lead the new analyst section that would be assigned to him. There was agreement there too.
"You know we still want you to head the military support?" Sarah asked.
"Well, I was kind of hoping you would, especially if Mary was going to be a part of this." He punched Chuck in the shoulder, "I'm starting to sound like you."
"Yeah, and I'm starting to feel like Beckman." Chuck smiled, "We'll try to keep you together." He started to punch Casey in the shoulder, but then said, "We do need to decide where everyone goes. Only three of the twelve main teams will remain in the states. And I think Sarah and I will be going back and forth between here, Europe and Asia."
Sarah said, "With a set up like this I don't think you would have to travel to support the teams. But I think there will still be some missions where the three of us are the team."
Casey grunted and Chuck nodded his head in agreement.
"So, we would like you with us. Would it be possible to make Mary the chief of teams? She would still have her own team. Alice seemed to think highly of that Special Agent Henry from Seattle. Maybe we could check on him to make twelve teams?" Sarah suggested.
Chuck said, "Sounds fine to me. That solves the problem of who gets the extra person. The extra four people will be assigned directly as Mary's team. It will mean you always travel with us. That sound okay, Casey?"
"Fine, I think she will be happy," Casey said.
They spent the next hour going through records and checking for second languages, college language classes, and finally high school. They found that everyone had language training of some kind and finally decided it would be best to let the troops have a little input in this. They agreed to have an all hands meeting that afternoon and explain the path ahead. They would give them a couple days to think about it and then everyone would have to put in for their choices.
The meeting with the chaplain went smooth. Chuck and Sarah were happy with the ideas he outlined for the wedding. The organist provided a song list that was a bit different. It did not have the traditional bride's march, but he explained the history of the song and Chuck and Sarah agreed. The organist left and the chaplain asked a little about their background and who would be coming to the wedding.
Chuck and Sarah easily explained what they jobs were and a little about their relationship. Casey had already checked the clearances of the chaplain and organist. When the chaplain asked a personal question, Chuck stammered a bit. But he saw Sarah nod and he said, "No. We decided to wait."
"Wow, oh excuse me. I wish I could convince some of the younger folks to do that." He looked at them with a serious smile, "I know you have thought that out, and I appreciate it."
The meeting concluded and headed to the jewelers. Sarah was happy that they did. Chuck had lost some weight since they were in the suburbs. The jeweler suggested a removable size adjuster and suggested they stop back by in a month or so.
They stopped by the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner on the way back from the jewelers. Mary introduced them to the owners. Chuck got the dinner arranged. While they were walking out the restaurant, Chuck asked Casey, "Will you be able to cover this?"
A/N Hope you enjoyed. A bit shorter than normal, but wanted the wedding and all the activities in one chapter. Please review.
