I apologize for the delay in publishing Chapter 16, but you can obviously tell this is a big chapter. This chapter has just about everything in it. If you need a few days to read it, I can hardly blame you. This story is approaching double the length of what I originally guessed for it. And even though this chapter probably has the most material in it that was planned from the beginning, it still has several elements in it I thought up recently. I hope, despite its length, it remains consistent with the path the story has taken.
Two chapters after this. Please read and review. Let me know what you think.
Castle Underground Facility
July 1, 2011
11:00 AM PDT
Chuck sat at the table and watched her every move, but he was not crazy enough to open his mouth. He had seen Sarah this angry before, but usually someone would end up on the business end of her fist or her boot as a result. This was anger of another, more frustrating kind.
She had spent the entire morning trying to figure out what happened to her father. She contacted the FBI, but they claimed he was being processed by the DEA. She called the DEA, who told her he was being detained by the FBI. The frustration mounted through the morning, and she passed the breaking point six phone calls ago.
"I got as far as the Regional Director, but he never even heard of my father," Sarah said as she paced back and forth, shaking the arm that held the phone to get the circulation back. "What the hell happened to him?"
Chuck shrugged, attempting to stay as quiet as possible so she wouldn't lash out at him.
"Chuck, what was that?"
Now Chuck was even more nervous. "Uh…me trying not to make you more upset by saying the wrong thing?"
Sarah closed the distance between them in an instant. "What the hell makes you think I'd get upset at you, huh? You think I can't control my temper? Tell me!"
Chuck looked at her while trying to not even breathe. Sarah saw his scared expression and hung her head. She slumped into the nearest chair and put her head down on the table.
"I'm sorry. It's just…"
Chuck went behind her and gently massaged her shoulders. "You don't have to be sorry, baby. You have every right to be upset. But I'll help you with anything you need. We'll find out what happened."
Sarah didn't look up, but she put her hand gently over Chuck's hand. "This just feels too familiar. He told me he was going to straighten himself out; that he wasn't going to be a con artist anymore. Why did I ever trust him?"
Chuck hesitated. "Is…is it OK to…"
"Chuck…" Sarah tiredly replied.
"Sorry. You're a different person now. I remember those first weeks when you were here. You were standoffish and guarded to a fault. I have to admit I resented it a little bit, but then I found out more about you. You opened up, little by little. I realized it was very difficult for you. You didn't have a life that allowed you to trust people. The way you grew up, your training, the missions you've been on, all of the people who betrayed you…"
Sarah turned her head to look at Chuck. "You really need to work on how to make someone feel better."
Chuck exhaled in frustration. "I'll skip to the point I was trying to make. You're a much more open and trusting person than you used to be. Every once in a while being more open will feel like the wrong thing to do, but the good things it brings you far outweigh the bad."
Sarah shook her head and put it down on the table. "That damn Bartowski influence again."
Chuck leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Is that such a bad thing?" he gently whispered in her ear.
Sarah sighed and smiled. She turned her chair around and let Chuck pull her to him. "No, of course not," she said as she held onto him. "I'm sorry, Chuck. I'm just frustrated. I really should be grateful for what I have these days."
"Quit apologizing, Sarah. No one can blame you for being frustrated. But I'm sure your dad will be back in time for the ceremony. We'll work something out. And believe me; you appreciate what you have more than you think you do. You went out and earned it. You deserve to have it."
Sarah put her hands on Chuck's face and kissed him. "Thank you," she replied as she ran her hands through his hair.
A beeping sound interrupted them. Chuck looked over at the computer, which indicated General Beckman was attempting to reach them over videoconference. Chuck grabbed the remote and connected with the General.
"Agent Bartowski, Agent Walker, we are currently putting together a team to escort you to Orion's location so you may have the Intersect removed. Although we have not received any chatter that The Ring is planning anything, we do not want to take any chances."
Chuck gave a quick smile. "Cool. It'd be like having my own Secret Service detail."
"Chuck, you're visiting your father, not giving the State of the Union address," Beckman answered dryly, which wiped the smile off of Chuck's face.
"General, do you know anything about what happened to my father?" Sarah asked.
Beckman was hesitant. "I pulled a few strings to find out what happened, Agent Walker. I'm afraid the news is not good."
Sarah sank back in her chair. She already had a good guess as to what Beckman would tell her, but she waited for Beckman to continue. Chuck reached under the table to take her hand in his.
"Your father was running a real estate scam with a mid-level executive for an overseas finance company to purchase bogus properties across the country. He was able to bilk almost five million dollars from this man by selling him run-down properties while claming them to be prime real estate in St. Louis, Chicago, Memphis, and Birmingham. However, the man he swindled was laundering money for a drug cartel in Bogota. This man was eliminated by the cartel, and now they are looking for your father. The FBI and DEA are working together to reclaim the money lost and to keep your father safe. Unfortunately, they are moving him to an undisclosed, protected location. They feel that telling anybody, especially his daughter, where he is would put all of you at great risk."
"Wait, so he won't…" Chuck couldn't finish his question, but Beckman correctly guessed what it was. She gently shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Sarah. We will keep you updated if we hear anything else. Please keep Casey informed of our plans."
General Beckman disconnected the link, and the monitor went blank. Sarah looked down at the table again. Chuck moved behind Sarah. He gently wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm so sorry, Sarah." He was starting to regret what he told her earlier about how rewarding it was to be more open and trusting. Sarah sat there for several seconds in silence. Chuck wasn't sure what she was feeling, but he could certainly understand if she wanted to scream, cry, or beat the crap out of something.
None of those things happened. She purposefully pushed back from the table and stood up, her hand never letting go of Chuck's. She took his other hand and pulled him up to face her. Chuck couldn't miss the look of determination she had.
"No, there is nothing to be sorry about. You were right, Chuck. I am more open and trusting these days. And because of that, I will have my family at the wedding. The family I made here. Ellie, Devon, Casey, Ilsa, Morgan, Anna, Carina, Jimmy, and Alex. All of them will be there. Best of all, you'll be there. I couldn't be more fortunate."
Chuck wrapped his arms around her. "OK, one of these days we'll have to resolve this argument about who is more fortunate. Because I think I can make a pretty good case for me being the fortunate one."
Sarah smiled and kissed him. "How about we say we are both fortunate and not argue about it?"
Chuck gave her his best pouty look. "Awww, you're no fun."
Sarah laughed and continued kissing him ardently.
Unknown Location, California
July 18, 2011
12:00 PM PDT
In a way, Chuck now understood the power trip some cops felt when people slowed their cars upon seeing them. It felt quite empowering that a dozen highly-trained operatives were sent simply to keep him guarded as he drove to his father's house. Chuck was normally not an arrogant person, but he was feeling a tiny amount of self-importance as the door to the back of the SUV was opened and a soldier in full tactical gear and body armor gestured for him to exit.
Although he would have loved to ride a limousine instead. That would have been very Presidential.
The convoy of three SUVs made it to Stephen Bartowski's home without incident. For security purposes, Casey personally signed out the SUV they would use and the other two SUVs with the 12-man escort team was not given the day or destination until earlier this morning. The directions were downloaded into the GPS systems of the SUVs once they were on the road. General Beckman was quite sincere in her plans to not take any chances. Thankfully, her precautions were not necessary. The ride was as quiet as it could be.
Chuck, Sarah, and Casey entered the house as the team guarded the perimeter. Chuck was still a little nervous, but holding Sarah's hand for the entire trip kept him calm. To Casey's credit, he didn't make any disparaging remarks about the couple on the way up. No grunts of disgust, not even an eye roll. Chuck started to wonder if Ilsa really was having a positive influence on him. Chuck wasn't certain, but he thought he saw the occasional glimpse of a smile coming from Casey as he drove them up to his father's house. Chuck was shocked; he would have called Ripley's Believe It or Not had Casey not confiscated his mobile phone and left it in Castle as a precaution.
Casey shook Stephen's hand when they entered, and Stephen gave a hug apiece to Chuck and Sarah. The smile on his face matched the one he had when Chuck left the hospital a month ago. The last time they attempted this was one of the worst nightmares a parent could go through. He spent a few sleepless nights since then thinking about his past and how his family was dragged into it, despite everything he did to keep them away. But it would end today. Chuck would have the Intersect out of him. He wasn't thrilled about Chuck and Sarah moving to Washington D.C. or that someone else would have to be the Intersect to make this happen, but at least they would be out of constant danger. Certainly he planned to visit them there whenever he could. But he figured he'd be very busy when he moved closer to Los Angeles in a few months. He had every intention of being a better grandfather than he ever was as a father.
"How do you feel, son?" he asked Chuck.
"Fine, Dad. It…just…it feels a bit weird. It's sort of like I was in surgery for the longest time and the bandages come off today.
Stephen nodded and gave a little laugh. "Yeah, I can imagine it would feel something like that."
"Is the new Intersect complete?" Casey asked.
"I finished it last week. I'm just waiting for them to complete the computer room in the facility, and then I'll load the program into their computer."
"Is Jimmy ready to do this?" Sarah asked.
Stephen hesitated. "He says he is. But I don't know. He was acting very oddly when he was here two weeks ago. Any time I tried to ask him about anything, he insisted we finish the final testing. Have any of you talked to him?"
Chuck shook his head. "We haven't heard from him since the hospital. He hasn't returned any of our calls."
"One problem at a time," Casey replied to bring everybody back to the job at hand. "Beckman won't be happy about tasking an entire unit as escort if we don't get this done."
Stephen agreed. "You're right, John. Chuck, are you ready to go?"
Chuck took a deep breath and looked at Sarah. She smiled and nodded. Chuck turned back to his father.
"I'm ready."
"If you'll excuse us," Stephen told Sarah and Casey as he led Chuck to the computers. Sarah and Casey walked outside. Casey took a quick look at the men guarding the perimeter of the house. The unit leader glanced towards Casey and nodded, which Casey returned. He pulled out a cigar and lit it. Sarah was rather annoyed. Casey looked in her direction.
"You're about to get married, and Devon and Ellie are about to have a kid. You better get used to seeing these things over the next few months. Besides, as soon as Chuck walks out of there, I'm officially retired."
Sarah quietly exhaled in frustration, but she had to agree. Besides, she could live with one cigar. Field agents never died of lung cancer, anyway.
"It isn't like Jimmy to not return our calls. Something must have happened to him."
"Given everything you've been through, Beckman probably chained him to a desk in D.C. just so he's safe until they're ready to put the Intersect in him."
"But that would explain where he is, not why he hasn't called us. It's not like him to do that. I wonder if he's starting to regret doing this."
Casey shook his head. "Slade's a professional. He volunteered to do this. He's not one to back down or let his lady feelings get in the way."
Sarah turned to him. "You think that's why he hasn't called?"
Casey shrugged. "The guy practically flew back to L.A. when he found out Forrest was waiting for him. Maybe he broke up with her before it got any more serious. He probably assumed you can't be the Intersect and have a girlfriend at the same time."
"But it shouldn't be that way. They can work it out." Sarah was starting to run out of patience with them. "God, between him not understanding romance and her not letting go of her fiancé, they drive me crazy. Why can't those two stop playing games and just admit they love each other?"
Casey looked at Sarah as if she just arrived on this planet. Sarah realized what she just said and hung her head.
"Yes, I know what I did. No need to point it out."
Casey gave his classic grunt-chuckle combination that always irritated Sarah. "Hate to see how you handle those college kids. It'll be like trying to watch Mission: Impossible on the Lifetime Network."
Sarah contorted her face in disgust. "You're a riot, Casey."
Casey took a long drag on his cigar and exhaled slowly, careful not to blow the smoke in Sarah's face. "Sorry, to hear about your father. Sucks he won't be at your wedding, but at least he'll still be alive."
Sarah shook her head. "I promised myself I wasn't going to let it bother me. I just have to move on. I've done pretty well without him, right?"
"Agreed. Never had a better partner in the field."
Sarah smiled. The feeling was certainly mutual.
"Could I ask a favor of my partner, then?"
Casey quietly grunted. "I'm about to leave the field, so this will have to be the last one."
"Will you walk me down the aisle at my wedding?"
Casey turned to face her. "Wouldn't Mr. Bartowski be a better choice? Or maybe Devon…"
Sarah shook her head. "Through everything that has happened over the last four years, there has been one person I could rely on to keep an eye on me, someone who made me remember what being an agent is about. I was disillusioned by this job for a long time. But you reminded me what's important in life and why we risk our lives doing this. And I don't know how to say this without making you feel old, but I always felt like I had to live up to the standards you set. Not to mention everything you did to protect Chuck and his family. I can't think of anybody I want to give me away more than you."
Casey was completely humbled by Sarah's request. He was so used to doing the job and not thinking about what that meant to other people. But things were different now. He never knew two people who wanted to help him without regard to their own lives like Chuck and Sarah. It didn't even matter to them if he was doing it for personal reasons or if it violated every rule in the book. They helped him with Ty Bennett; they helped him with Colonel Keller. And he was reunited with Ilsa thanks to them.
"It would be my honor, Sarah."
He extended his hand, which Sarah shook gently. She then decided that wasn't enough and hugged him tightly. Casey was a bit uncomfortable, but he figured he may have to get used to this with his daughter, anyway.
"Thank you, John," Sarah said quietly as she embraced him.
They pulled apart, and Casey motioned to the door. "We should see how Chuck is doing."
He pulled the door open and allowed Sarah to enter first. They walked back to the computers just as Chuck was stirring awake. Stephen was trying to help him back to his chair.
"Are you OK, Chuck?" Stephen asked him.
Chuck blinked a few times and shook his head clear. "I'm…I'm fine. Just a little dizzy."
Stephen grabbed a folder of pictures. "Let's see if it worked. Have a look at these."
He handed the folder to Chuck, and he flipped through the pictures. Sarah, Casey, and Stephen stood there in anticipation. Chuck looked at every picture intently, and then he went through the entire folder again just to be certain. He closed the folder and looked at all three of them.
"Well?" Stephen asked, barely able to contain his apprehension.
A smile spread across Chuck's face. "They're just pictures. I didn't flash on anything."
Sarah, Stephen, and even Casey exhaled in relief. Sarah walked over to Chuck and pulled him up out of the chair, hugging him tightly.
"How do you feel?" she asked him.
Chuck looked out into space for a moment. "A little…smaller, I guess. It's so weird to not have the Intersect. I feel…ordinary."
Sarah grinned and took his face in her hands. "Trust me, Chuck. That's one thing you never were and never will be." Chuck smiled and kissed her.
Casey cleared his throat. Everybody turned to see the scowl he was wearing. "Not to interrupt this romantic moment, but we have to get back to Burbank. Mr. Bartowski, the I.T. group will be here later today to help you break down your equipment, and part of the team will be left behind to escort you to Los Angeles. Beckman wants to keep you close by and protected just in case they need your expertise with configuring the Intersect room."
Stephen shook Casey's hand. "Thank you for taking care of my son. We owe our lives to you."
"My pleasure, sir."
"Are you ready to handle golf courses and boating trips? You'll be surprised by how much free time you suddenly have."
Casey gave a quick shake of his head. "Ilsa and I have a little business developing. She's spent the last six weeks doing the legwork in order to get all of the documentation and permits we need to get it started. Actually, it was Chuck's idea."
Stephen turned back to Chuck. "Really? What kind of business?"
Chuck smiled. "Let's just say you won't find anything more appropriate for Casey to do."
Langley, Virginia
July 23, 2011
11:00 PM EDT
The room was just like the dorm room on the base at Nellis. Only this time, Jimmy needed a keycard and a retinal scan to enter. Not to mention the security personnel with automatic weapons keeping an eye on him 24 hours a day. But this was probably the quietest, most boring person they ever protected. At least that was the way Jimmy acted since arriving a month ago. Beckman chose to keep him under lock and key since the attack. Certainly she didn't question Jimmy's ability to protect himself, given what he did to fend off the men who tried to take Chuck and him. But the Intersect project was far too important to risk Jimmy doing anything more dangerous than analyzing reports. Since the Intersect room would not be fully completed and ready to go until just after Labor Day, it was decided Jimmy would receive the new Intersect after Chuck and Sarah's wedding. There was little point in having Jimmy receive the Intersect and work for a week before returning to California to see those two get married. They were going to get plenty of good use out of this new Intersect. An extra week of waiting wouldn't hurt.
Jimmy lay on the small bed in the room and stared at the ceiling. He had been doing that ever since he arrived. He didn't talk to anybody, save the occasional work-related question. Although he did all of the work they requested of him, he kept to himself. Beckman talked to him twice during that time, but those conversations consisted simply of Jimmy reassuring her he was ready to do this. The truth, however, was far from that.
It wasn't as if he was going to back out of it, of course. He made a promise to do this, and Chuck and Sarah would be able to leave the spy world because of it. But he never expected to fall in love with Alex. He may have helped to break her ice-cold demeanor, but she made him realize he was entitled to so much more than he ever allowed himself to be. The time they spent together…holding each other, working together, and certainly when they were intimate…was something he didn't want to give up. He never thought he was worthy of someone else before. But for the first time in his life, he felt like he deserved it.
However, he made a promise and what he wanted did not matter. He saw what Chuck and Sarah went through in the field, and he didn't think they would let him keep his relationship with Alex if he was the new Intersect. He couldn't put her through that. It hurt him to no end he couldn't even tell Alex why he had to leave the hotel that morning. He wasn't allowed to discuss the new Intersect project with anybody outside of Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Mr. Bartowski. He wasn't even allowed to call her.
He lay on that bed, and the tears that had come to him on more than a few evenings during the past month came again. He wanted to be with Alex. But that couldn't happen now.
Echo Park
August 1, 2011
10:30 AM PDT
Chuck would have thought he could stop working the Buy More now that he was no longer the Intersect and would be taking the job in Washington, D.C. However, the CIA didn't agree with that assessment. They wanted to squeeze every taxpayer dime they could out of him before he got married. Sadly, he wouldn't be able to quit until the wedding.
Thanks to switching shifts with Anna so she could spend a romantic weekend with Morgan, Chuck had a rare Monday off. And he wanted to just be a lazy bum today. Everything had been so crazy of late, he wanted to have a day to himself. Unfortunately, the CIA was expected to call later to go over Sarah's and his move to D.C. There was a significant amount of paperwork to be filled out, they had to fly there to find a house for them to live, and the thing both of them were avoiding would eventually have to be done: the packing. Not for the first time, Chuck wished it was already October, and he would just be at work in his new job and married to Sarah. He wanted to skip everything between now and then. Although he certainly wouldn't object to going on the honeymoon.
"Are you going to be that lazy today?" Sarah said as she came into the bedroom with more than a little amusement. Chuck did shower and change into some clean clothes. However, anything beyond that wasn't worth the effort.
"No bothering me on my day off," Chuck grumbled without even opening his eyes.
"Sorry, Chuck. You have to help me with this paperwork, and I wanted to look through that real estate website and start narrowing down the list of places where we could live. That way, we're not driving all over Northern Virginia in a couple of weeks."
Chuck opened his eyes and slid upward on the bed so his back was propped up on the pillows. "Or…we could stay in bed all day and just enjoy that," he said with a little mischief in his voice as he gave her an eyebrow dance.
Sarah smiled and got in the bed. She gave a Chuck a come-hither look as she crawled slowly up to him. Chuck was fairly certain she was trying to get him to look down her shirt. Damn that perfect body she had, anyway.
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're going to coerce me into doing your bidding, Miss Walker?"
Sarah started kissing him along his neck and ran her fingers along his chest. "Something like that," she said in a sultry voice while flicking at his ear with the tip of her tongue.
Chuck tried to regain some semblance of self-discipline, despite every hair on the back of his neck being fully at attention. He immediately started kissing Sarah along her face and neck as his hands roamed all over her body. "Well, I can play the seduction game too, missy."
"Mmmm, do you think a few nibbles on the neck are going to convince me, Mr. Carmichael?" she purred.
"Oh, not by itself. But maybe if I did something like this," Chuck whispered hotly into her ear as his hand slid downward. Sarah closed her eyes and her breathing shallowed.
"Oooh, must resist, must resist," she moaned.
Chuck smiled and increased his actions while sucking on her earlobe. "Like the Borg say, resistance is futile, baby."
Sarah surrendered to Chuck's magical fingers and started taking her clothes off. Chuck's phone began to beep.
"You answer that, and it will be the last thing you ever do," Sarah panted at Chuck between increasing moans.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Chuck quickly replied as he started to take his shirt off and worked on the clasp to Sarah's bra. Suddenly her phone started beeping.
"God, how does anybody even know we're here?" Chuck practically screamed.
Sarah tried not to laugh. "Who do you think we work for?"
Both of them finally gave up and reached for their respective phones. Each phone contained an email. They were confused.
"Did you get Four Seasons Beverly Hills, 11 AM, Friday for a message?" Chuck asked.
"Yes I did. I wonder who this is from."
Chuck opened the email header. "C-L Services? What is that?"
Sarah shrugged. "I have no idea. It's not a pseudonym for any government agency I know of." She glanced at the message again. "But whoever this is, they want us to dress nice."
"That's weird. I never heard of a mission where you had to dress nice at 11 in the morning."
Sarah put her phone back on the nightstand. "I guess we'll find out Friday." She lay on top of Chuck and pulled his shirt the rest of way off. She finished unclasping her bra and tossed it aside. She went back to kissing Chuck all over.
"Speaking of resistance being futile…" Sarah went to work on his pants as the two kissed and caressed each other.
Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills
August 5, 2011
10:55 AM PDT
Chuck and Sarah quickly walked through the lobby of the Four Seasons. Chuck was adorned in the navy suit and blue tie that Sarah always liked, while she wore a red dress with her hair held up by two long needles. Just to be on the safe side, Sarah packed a Glock 26 in a thigh holster, although she had to admit this would be the most glamorous place she would ever have to use it.
A concierge walked up to them. "Mr. Bartowski? Miss Walker?"
"Yes?" Sarah replied.
"They're waiting for you in the ballroom," the concierge replied as he pointed down a hallway. Chuck and Sarah exchanged confused looks.
"What is going on around here?" Chuck asked.
Sarah threw her hands up. "I have no idea. But it's almost 11, and I assume we're not supposed to be late for this."
They walked the remaining thirty yards to the ballroom and peeked carefully inside. Both of them were shocked by what they saw. Sarah would definitely not need her gun.
The room was decorated with flowers and ribbons hung to look like tapestries. There were white chairs set up in rows. An archway was built in the middle of the room. Casey stood under the archway dressed in a dark suit not unlike the one Chuck was wearing. However, he was wearing a red tie with stripes, and his shirt looked like he bought it ten minutes ago at the most expensive men's clothing store in the area. Ilsa was wearing a beautiful white dress with a subtle floral pattern along the hem. She was holding a bouquet of flowers.
A justice of the peace stood between them.
Casey looked back towards Chuck and Sarah and gestured for them to quickly join them. "Hurry up, you two," he said in a subdued voice out of respect for the minister. "We have reservations at Spago for all of us after this."
Chuck and Sarah quickly shook off the surprise and joined Casey and Ilsa by the archway. Ilsa pointed to a bouquet of flowers sitting on a table next to Sarah. She took the hint and held them in her hands. Casey handed two wedding bands to Chuck and then turned to the minister.
"We're ready, Reverend."
The minister smiled and began the ceremony. "We are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join Marcus Cobb and Jane Linderman in the bonds of Holy Matrimony."
Chuck's eyes widened. Marcus Cobb? He tried to contain a laugh, and a low growl from Casey made sure he did. Sarah was content to just smile behind Ilsa.
"Do you, Marcus Cobb, take Jane to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, and forsaking all others, honor and love her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Chuck never saw Casey so serious, but the look he was giving Ilsa conveyed everything that needed to be said.
"And do you, Jane Linderman, take Marcus to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, and forsaking all others, honor and love him, so long as you both shall live?"
If Casey thought of this ceremony as solemn, Ilsa looked at it as something she waited for her entire life. Her smile was greater than anyone had ever seen on her.
"I do."
"The rings, please," the minister commanded. Chuck held out his hand with the wedding bands in them. Casey took Ilsa's ring from Chuck and placed it on her finger. Ilsa smiled as she took Casey's ring and placed it on his finger. Both of them turned back towards the minister and nodded.
The minister concluded the ceremony. "By the power invested in me by the state of California and in the presence of these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Casey and Ilsa held each other's hands as they kissed. Chuck was actually a bit surprised by it. It was a different kiss from Morgan and Anna's, who hammed it up a bit for the crowd. He expected it to be more formal, as both Casey and Ilsa had been through so much and were normally so guarded. But their kiss was…what was the right word?...sweet. It reminded Chuck of two people who might kiss for a photograph at a high school prom.
The four exchanged hugs and handshakes of congratulations. Chuck and Sarah were surprised, to put it mildly.
"When did you two decide to get married? Who proposed to whom? How did you get this place?"
Casey didn't want to deal with the barrage of questions from Chuck. He held his hand up. "We'll talk over at the restaurant. We have all day."
Spago, Beverly Hills
August 5, 2011
12:00 PM PDT
For someone who grew up on the east coast, Casey certainly knew how upscale restaurants worked in Beverly Hills.
He made the reservation for 11:30, knowing they would be arriving at the restaurant a little late. As Casey predicted, the restaurant still wasn't ready for them, even though they were one of the first parties of the day. The newly-married and about-to-be-married couples enjoyed a quick drink at the bar. The maitre'd finally called them over to seat them at their table. Casey ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon for the four of them.
Chuck raised his champagne glass and gestured to Casey and Ilsa. "Congratulations to the two of you. I must say this is a shock but only because we thought we'd get more advanced warning. We knew this day would eventually happen, because the two of you are perfect for each other. And we wish you a long and happy life together."
Everybody clinked glasses and took a sip of champagne.
"Thank you, Chuck," Ilsa replied as she smiled at the two people who helped her new husband escort her safely out of Prague. "And thank you for being here to celebrate this day with us."
"We haven't heard much from you in the last few weeks," Sarah said. "Were you busy getting ready for this?"
"Part of it was that," Casey replied. "But we've been trying to set up the new business. We signed the lease on some office property in Van Nuys only last week and have been moving in furniture, computers, and equipment ever since. We've been setting up lunch meetings with some corporate clients to get an idea of what their security needs are. We've also been contacted by a few families in Malibu and Beverly Hills, plus one or two celebrities."
Chuck wore a huge smile on his face. "See, I told you it's a business tailor-made for you. Before long, you'll be the Gavin de Becker for people who can't hire Gavin de Becker."
Casey had to agree. Chuck's idea of having Ilsa and him run a security service sounded interesting. Although it took considerable effort to get the company off the ground, thanks to the interminable amount of paperwork and permits required, the profile the NSA created for Casey to use showed an almost-flawless expert on security and protection, and all of it was the truth. Save a few fake names and locations, of course.
"Well, the best part is that I've been able to add several people to the payroll who completed their tours in the military but were unable to get work with this bad economy. Their skill sets will be valuable to us."
"Wow, that's very impressive," Chuck said, very delighted that Casey had transitioned so well to civilian life. Not to mention giving an opportunity to others who had served the country. "So the money is starting to roll in?"
"Actually, we have a potential million-dollar contract already, but John wants to turn it down," Ilsa said with a sideways glance at Casey.
"Trust me, we don't want to deal with the headaches," Casey countered.
"Casey, are you sure you want to turn down that much money when you're just getting started?" Sarah asked.
"It's to keep an eye on Lindsay Lohan."
Sarah quickly turned to Ilsa. "He's sure."
"John, we've both been undercover in Syria and Afghanistan. How can one little celebrity be that much trouble?" Ilsa asked.
Chuck quietly laughed. "Oh, you'd be surprised, Ilsa. I have to agree with Casey on this one."
A waiter stopped by and took everyone's orders for lunch. Casey refilled the champagne glasses.
"Why did you decide to get married here?" Sarah asked. "And why were there so many chairs if only we were invited?"
"We came up with a few ideas," Ilsa replied. "We thought of going up the coast, like you two will. We also thought of going to Hawaii. But we knew nobody would be at the wedding. John didn't have anyone to invite, and obviously I couldn't invite anybody since everyone thinks I'm dead. The only people we needed here were the two of you."
Casey shrugged. "You need witnesses to get married," he replied quietly, looking as if he thought what they did was already too much. "I didn't really want a big ceremony, but Ilsa wanted more than just a trip down to the courthouse. There is actually a wedding taking place later today in that ballroom. I called in a few favors, and they let us get married there. Thought it would be a nice touch."
Ilsa smiled. "It was." She leaned over to kiss Casey, who was still uncomfortable with public displays of affection.
Chuck laughed. "Dude, you just got married. You can't even tolerate one kiss?"
Casey quietly growled. "Still feel like I've grown my hair long and gone to Woodstock."
"No one ever said marriage was easy, Case," Chuck replied with a huge grin.
"We'll work on it," Ilsa replied, taking Casey's hand. He didn't object to that. Baby steps, he reminded himself. Baby steps.
"I'm surprised you got married so quickly," Sarah said. "It's only been three months and change since Prague."
Casey smirked. "Compared to how fast you two operate, the Hundred Years War was a two-minute argument."
Ilsa gave him a look. "John…" Casey nodded and put up his hand as if to apologize. Ilsa turned back to Sarah. "We gave some thought to waiting for a while, but we knew there wouldn't be a big wedding to plan. We talked about it at great length, and we've had the occasional argument since we returned to Los Angeles. But nothing has changed the fact we're still in love. And we're both at the point where we know we'll work very hard at staying together."
Chuck smiled. "You two sound like you've been married for years already."
Casey shrugged. "Just trying to avoid the things that break up most couples. Maybe being older is an advantage."
Ilsa gave a little laugh. "We're not that old."
"So, no honeymoon for the two of you?" Sarah asked.
"We're going to take an extended weekend and drive up the coast," Casey replied. "Found a nice little B&B on the ocean. We're just going to relax. The long honeymoon will be at Christmas. I still can't believe we're doing it, but Ilsa wanted it."
"I've never been there before, and I really want to go," Ilsa responded.
Chuck and Sarah were very curious. "Where?"
"Disney World," Ilsa happily replied, while Casey gave a Hall-of-Fame-worthy grunt of frustration.
Chuck couldn't stop laughing. "You've never been there, Case? Come on! You'll have a blast!"
"I was there in '75 when I was a kid, and I hated it."
"Uh, that was 36 years ago. I think they've added a few things since then," Chuck answered, his grin permanently etched to his face.
"Actually, that's a phenomenal idea, Casey," Sarah added. "There's a million things to do in Orlando. And it'll be good for you to get some winter sun."
Casey sat back in his chair, but he knew he wouldn't win this argument. "If she tries to put mouse ears on me, I'm calling my lawyer."
Everybody but Casey laughed at that image as their meals arrived.
SkyBar Nightclub, West Hollywood
September 21, 2011
11:30 PM PDT
It wasn't the most ideal situation in which to have a bachelorette party, since Sarah really wanted Ellie to join them. But Ellie was due in less than a month, and she couldn't do much in the way of walking, much less partying. However, Sarah did have two other close friends with her to celebrate her last nights of freedom. Besides, Sarah always had this fear if Ellie ever got a few drinks in her and went to a place like this, she might let the tiger out of the cage and conveniently forget a few marriage vows.
Carina was allowed to make the plans for the bachelorette party, provided she only took them to a nightclub and not make Sarah do anything with the guys there. Sarah probably should have included Carina in that rule, as she watched her trouble-causing friend dance with anything that moved and down more than a few $20 drinks. If Carina started taking her clothes off…or the clothes of one of her dance partners…Sarah knew that would be the signal to call it a night.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Alex sat in the booth and nursed the same drink she ordered two hours ago. She was quiet the entire night and turned down every request to dance. She went out one time when Carina all but dragged Sarah and her kicking and screaming onto the dance floor. It didn't take a psychology degree to know why Alex looked like she was partying only out of obligation to Sarah. Clearly she had not heard from Jimmy in three months, either. Sarah wondered if Casey was right. Did Jimmy break up with Alex because he was becoming the new Intersect and thought that meant giving up his relationship? Sarah would have to straighten him out, too. Chuck and she managed to work together for two years since they finally admitted their feelings for one another. They had probably been in love with each other a lot longer than that. If they could make it work, why couldn't Alex and Jimmy?
Carina returned to their booth. Sarah had a couple of drinks earlier, but she didn't take any of the ones that were sent over by some of the leering patrons. She wasn't that stupid. Besides, she still had a habit of keeping her wits about her, just in case.
"Sarah! Come on. Hold one up. A toast." Sarah reluctantly got her drink, and Alex held up hers. "To Sarah. If she's going to make the biggest mistake of her life and stop being a jet-setting secret agent woman, at least she picked a good guy to do it for. So good luck to you. I wish you nothing but the best in life, and if it doesn't work out, I've got a dozen hot guys waiting for you who will cater to even your most perverted fantasies."
Sarah laughed and raised her glass. "Thank you, Carina." The ladies clinked their glasses together. Carina downed her shot in an instant, while Sarah and Alex sipped theirs slowly.
Carina looked out to the dance floor and back at Alex. "Forrest, get your narrow ass out on that dance floor and show us how nasty you can be! Come on, no more sulking."
"I'm not sulking, Carina," Alex replied.
Carina leaned towards Sarah but talked loud enough for Alex to hear as well. "If I wasn't getting any from Slade, I'd be sulking, too. Man, the Milton Berle of the spy world. Secret Agent Huey Lewis…"
"Carina! Ease up, will you? You're talking about one of my best friends!" Sarah exclaimed.
"Oh, quit acting so innocent. You've given him some thought. He's on your 'night off from marriage' list, isn't he?"
"He is not," Sarah tiredly replied.
"He's on mine. So is Chuck," Carina intoned with her traditional lascivious gaze.
"Don't even think about it…"
"Oh, lighten up. You know I wouldn't try anything with your oh-so-perfect fiancé. As far as you know."
Sarah shook her head in frustration as Carina returned to the dance floor to narrow her selection down to the three or four men she would take back to her hotel. Sarah never made a list of people she would sleep with if she could take a night off from Chuck. It wasn't her style. But Jimmy would definitely be on that list if she decided to make one. Anybody that nice and that hot had to be given a spot on it, especially if Carina was right about the whole Milton Berle/Huey Lewis thing. Devon would be another person on that list, although Sarah still thought sometimes he was a little too awesome…to use Devon's own catchphrase…for his own good. Casey was never on that list before, but the changes Sarah saw in him over the last six months made her rethink her policy regarding the gruff NSA operative.
Sarah sat down next to Alex. "Are you OK, Alex? Carina didn't rile you too much?"
Alex looked down. "No, it's OK. I know she was just playing around. Although she is right about the Milton Berle/Huey Lewis thing."
"Oh, stop! You two are driving me nuts!"
"Please. Even I know you've given Jimmy some thought."
Sarah relented. "OK, I have once or twice. I must have a thing for hot guys who don't know they're hot. That or people I work with. One of the two." Sarah turned to Alex with trepidation. "Wait. You've never given any thought to…"
Alex shrugged. "For some reason, whenever I picture myself with Chuck, I'm wearing a leather dominatrix outfit and he's handcuffed to a bed. I don't understand it." Sarah eyed her warily. "Oh, come on, Sarah. You've had to wear leather outfits for the job, haven't you?"
"Just once. And I hated it."
"Not even if you got the chance to use a whip on some scumbag selling weapons to a nasty dictator somewhere?"
Sarah paused and smiled. "OK, that part was fun." Alex laughed. "I'm glad to see your mood is a little better, Alex."
"I'm just…I wish I knew what the hell was going on with Jimmy. Why did he leave me in the hotel?"
Sarah was dying to tell Alex why, but everybody was under orders not to discuss the new Intersect project. Still, she was more than willing to disobey a few orders to help the two of them.
"Alex, take my word for it. Chuck and I know him better than anybody. The guy is completely in love with you. You have to relax and let things happen. Both of you will be at the wedding. You just have to talk to him. Tell him how you feel. I mean, do you think John would want you to be unhappy the rest of your life?"
Alex was silent for a moment. In spite of her feelings about Jimmy, John was always in the back of her mind. She could still picture his blonde hair and piercing sky blue eyes and remember the times they held each other in front of the fireplace or walked hand-in-hand among the lights of a starry D.C. night. But Sarah was right. The first thing John would say is that she was crazy to stay unhappy like this.
"You're right. This last year has been crazy. I certainly never expected things to turn out the way they did."
Sarah smiled. A year ago, Sarah would have decked Forrest just as soon as look at her. But things change in this business. If Sarah thought she was a different person, Alex was a different person a thousand times over by comparison.
She raised her drink to Alex. "You and me both. But I'll take it."
Alex smiled and they turned their attention back to the dance floor when they heard the shout from the crowd. They spotted Carina trying to remove the pants of a cute guy while they were dancing. It was time to go home.
Echo Park
September 22, 2011
8:00 AM PDT
Sarah would have whipped her ringing iPhone against the wall if it wouldn't cost her $500 to replace it. However, the person on the other end of the line would not be bound by the same conditions. She checked the caller ID and groaned.
"Casey, why the hell are you calling so early? I'm still sleeping off my bachelorette party. And you're retired, remember?"
"You didn't see Sunday's newspaper?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Check the email I just sent you."
Sarah angrily slid out of bed and opened up Casey's email on her laptop. She stared in shock at what she saw.
"Oh, no." Casey sent Sarah a scanned copy of the wedding announcement in the Los Angeles Times.
"The moron forgot he's still a spy."
"No, Chuck wouldn't have done this." Sarah paused for a moment. "Ellie must have put the announcement in there. Dammit, we kept telling her we wanted this low-key."
"You have to postpone the ceremony."
"The wedding is in two days, Casey! And what do we tell Ellie? 'Sorry Ellie, we can't have a wedding because we're really CIA agents who don't want to let the bad guys know when and where we're getting married'?"
Casey gave a combination exhale-and-growl. "We'll figure something out. Slade will be there later today. Tell him and tell Forrest. I'll let Ilsa know and we'll come up with a plan to keep an eye on things without anybody knowing."
"OK, Casey. Thanks for letting me know."
Casey hung up the phone. Sarah quickly went into the bathroom to splash some water on her face. Sleep would have to wait. She was starting to wish she listened to Chuck back in March and just eloped. But she had to give Ellie credit: it was a beautiful picture.
Malibu, California
September 24, 2011
1:30 PM PDT
Sarah sat in the house they rented for the weekend to act as a staging area for the wedding. She glanced for the 100th time at the wedding gown hanging up next to her in the bedroom. Ellie gushed over the one Sarah eventually settled on. Of course, Chuck told her she could have worn a t-shirt and sweatpants and still look beautiful, but she wanted this to be perfect. She wanted to look more than beautiful. She wanted to knock Chuck off his feet with her choice. Ellie reassured her she would do exactly that.
They decided to keep some wedding traditions intact. Sarah remained at their apartment last night while Chuck slept at Jimmy's hotel, where Chuck would also get ready for the ceremony. Ellie and Devon were frantically searching for the items Sarah would need for her 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,' but Sarah wasn't going to have a fit if Ellie couldn't find them. She had been through enough good times and bad times to think jinxing a wedding tradition would make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. But Ellie didn't have a sister to go crazy over when it came to a wedding, so Sarah let her have a little free reign over hers, despite the wedding announcement she placed in the newspaper. If The Ring was going to attack the wedding, it certainly wouldn't be because Sarah accidentally saw Chuck before the ceremony.
She heard a knock on the door and went to answer it.
"Alex, hi."
"How are you feeling?" she asked Sarah.
"Uh, nervous. But I'm trying my best."
"Nervous about the ceremony or about everybody knowing you're going to get married?"
Sarah smiled. "Definitely the ceremony. In a way, I almost wish we would be attacked. That I could handle."
"Not to worry," Alex reassured her. "I think Casey is looking under every seashell on the beach for IED's. I just wanted to stop in and see how you were doing."
"I'm doing fine, thanks," Sarah replied and gave Alex a hug. "Actually, I'm glad Ellie isn't here right now. Between the wedding and being that pregnant, she might have driven me crazy."
Alex nodded her assent. "I will definitely find a good hiding place before she arrives. 300 hours of martial arts training and 200 hours of weapons courses won't do me a bit of good if she sees the stripper from Devon's bachelor party."
"How are you doing? Everything OK?"
"As good as can be. Actually, I thought I would drop something off for you. I figured you would appreciate it."
"What is it?"
Alex pulled a sapphire ring out of her pocket. She looked at it longingly before handing it to Sarah. "This was the first gift John ever bought me. He told me the stone on it was the color of my eyes. He probably just said that so I'd sleep with him. Of course, I had planned to do that before he ever gave it to me. But I figured this covers your 'old, borrowed, and blue' if you were trying for that.
Sarah did appreciate it. She knew Alex was having difficulty letting go of John, and this was a big step for her. Sarah hoped Alex would then take the next step. Two people deserved that.
"Thank you, Alex. It's beautiful." A message popped up on Sarah's iPhone. "Oops, Ellie texted and said she'd be here in ten minutes."
"OK, I should clear out." Alex gave her another hug. "Good luck and just have fun with it. It's your day. I'll keep an eye on things outside."
Sarah watched Alex depart the room and looked at the ring she gave her, which she placed on her right hand. So many crazy things had happened to Sarah since arriving in Burbank. A man who originally tried to kill her became her role model. A woman who had no qualms about ending her career became a confidant. An inept man-child became a key member of a CIA team, a couple who seemed like nothing more than Ken and Barbie come to life became her siblings, and a 400-pound mountain of anger and self-hatred became a dashing hero. And most of all, a guy who fixed computers for a living was about to make her the happiest woman in the world. She didn't even know what she did to make all of it happen; she thought she was just doing what she always did. But somehow, she was there to witness all of those amazing transformations. And every one of them would say she had a hand in what happened to them. They would say she deserved nothing but the best.
In just over an hour, she would have it.
Malibu, California
September 24, 2011
2:30 PM PDT
Jimmy's rental car pulled up to the parking lot two hundred feet away from where Chuck and Sarah would be married. Chuck, Morgan, Anna, and Jimmy exited the car and looked to their left as Jeff and Lester pulled up. So far, they were doing exactly what was in Chuck's explicit instructions.
They couldn't cancel the ceremony, but Casey could control exactly who was present for the happy event. He called the same minister who married Ilsa and him to conduct this ceremony. Chuck sent the guitarist originally slated to play home with his apologies…and the full fee for playing his wedding. Anna was the pièce de résistance to making sure this went off without a hitch.
"I'll find Casey and tell him to get ready," Jimmy quickly told Chuck.
"OK thanks," Chuck replied as Jimmy departed. "Anna, do you have everything?"
"Handcuffs, baseball bat, and taser gun. Jeff and Lester practiced and they're ready."
"And you know…"
"…I know, Chuckles. If they deviate even one note, take out their boy parts."
"She's so beautiful, isn't she?" Morgan said dreamily.
"Uh, yes," Chuck said with a wary eye looking in their direction. "Thanks, Anna. Let's go, Morgan."
Chuck and Morgan headed to the area on the beach where the wedding will be held while Anna conducted her full inspection of Jeffster! to make sure they followed proper hygiene and attire for the event.
"How do you feel, buddy?" Morgan asked.
"Uh, good. Good. I just feel…you know…"
"Cold feet?"
Chuck smiled. "No, surprisingly. I mean, this was inevitable, right? Everybody knew this day would happen. It's just…incredibly daunting when the day actually arrives."
"Hey, you said it yourself, buddy. This day was inevitable. But after this, you get to be married to Sarah. I mean, how lucky are you to be marrying her?"
"I know, the leggy Valkyrie with an aversion to clothing, right?"
"Chuck, no. I mean, she's gorgeous, we all know that. But I mean the face, the hair, those eyes, that rockin' body, that's all bonus material on the DVD, man. If she didn't have any of that, she'd still be so right for you. Dude, she gets you. Not every girl does. She puts up with all your little quirks, your obsession with Tron, the fact that you are the worst dancer anyone's ever seen unless it's a slow song, the fact that you consider the last two Matrix movies tragically misunderstood, and most of all she even tolerates the bearded little troll who's your best friend. You know, it's like you hear about people finding their perfect soulmate and you think how bogus that is. But you have. And I get to stand next to you and watch it happen. I mean, it's a total honor. It's like getting a personal tour of Comic Con from Bruce Campbell and Tricia Helfer, you know?"
Chuck grinned. He never heard Morgan speak so highly of anyone in his life. And the speech was so Morgan.
"Thanks for doing this with me, buddy," Chuck replied as he hugged Morgan.
"It's no problem, bro. We're in this together, right? Besides, it was nice of you to give Anna a job at the ceremony. She's still a little ticked I have to dance with Ellie at the reception."
Chuck laughed. "She still doesn't trust you around my sister, huh. Even with her being the matron of honor and eight months pregnant?"
Morgan threw his hands up. "Hey, I can tell you from personal experience. Marriage takes effort, buddy. I'm trying to avoid any talk of having kids right now."
Chuck nodded. "That sounds like good strategy, Morgan. It's best to not have kids until you stop being one yourself."
"Right?"
Malibu, California
September 24, 2011
3:00 PM PDT
"Jeff and Lester? Sarah, you agreed to this?"
"Ellie, we didn't have much of a choice. Our guitarist called in sick two hours ago. We couldn't get anybody else. Chuck assured me he took steps to make sure they behave. Besides, you said you loved their rendition of Leaving on a Jet Plane, didn't you?"
"I did, you're right. I thought maybe it was because I was sad to be going to Africa and leaving you and Chuck. But if they behave…"
Sarah took her hands. "Everything will be fine. I bought John Casey a great suit to wear to the ceremony. He's going to be on his best behavior."
Ellie looked at the ground. "God, I am so sorry your dad had his flight cancelled. Will he be here before you and Chuck go on your honeymoon?"
Sarah was silent for a moment. She knew the answer, but she couldn't give that answer to Ellie. "We'll see. But I have you and Devon here, I have my friends here, and I have your brother here as well. I couldn't be happier."
A few tears came to Ellie's eyes as she carefully hugged Sarah. "Thank you so much for being part of this family. Chuck is so lucky to have found you."
Sarah's eyes developed a tear or two as well. She kept saying she had her family here, but it set her emotions into overdrive to hear Ellie say she's part of the family.
There was a gentle knock on the door and Casey poked his head in. "Ready?"
Sarah and Ellie looked at each other. Sarah turned back to Casey.
"I'm ready."
Casey held open the door to let Ellie exit first. Morgan was outside the house to help her down the aisle because of her condition, while Chuck stood at the front of the ceremony with the minister. Sarah walked out of the house and took Casey's elbow as he escorted her to her starting point.
"How do I look?" Sarah asked.
"Beautiful, Walker," was Casey's quick reply.
"Ah, every bride looks beautiful."
Casey shook his head. "No they don't. I've been to a few weddings. When a bride isn't beautiful, people automatically think it's the dress or the hairstyle or the makeup. But when a bride looks beautiful, it's all her. Today, it's all you."
She smiled. "Thanks again for doing this."
Casey gently scoffed. "Never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Sarah and Casey waited at the back of the chairs for the music to start. She saw Chuck at the front. She could swear Morgan was standing awfully close to Chuck.
Maybe he's trying to keep Chuck on his feet. Ellie was right about my gown.
Jeff played the first few notes on his synth player. It wasn't the original song they were going to use for their ceremony, but both Chuck and Sarah liked the song, and it was in Lester's range.
There she goes
There she goes again
Racing through my brain
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
There she goes
There she goes again
She calls my name
She pulls my train
No one else could heal my pain
And I just can't contain
This feeling that remains
Sarah and Casey walked down the aisle as the entire crowd stared at Sarah. It wasn't the first time every set of eyes was on her, but never was the reason more important. She reminded herself to breathe normally as Casey escorted her to the front.
They stopped in front of the minister, and Casey pulled her veil back. The kiss he gave her cheek was awkward, but he was supposed to play the role the father of the bride would. The huge smile on Sarah's face when he pulled back indicated that he got it right. Chuck stepped forward and shook Casey's hand. Casey plastered a fake smile on his face and gripped Chuck's hand to the point of drawing blood.
"You ever do anything that hurts this woman, and I'll cut off your fingers knuckle by knuckle and pull every appendage off of you with my bare hands, starting with your privates."
"John!" Sarah quietly hissed at seeing Chuck's scared expression.
Casey shrugged. "I'll have to do this with Alex someday. I need the practice."
Chuck's fear faded quickly as Casey let go of his hand and gently led Sarah's hand to it. Sarah smiled at Chuck, and he wore a smile as beautiful as the one he gave her when he woke up in the hospital. He glanced back at his father, who was sitting in the front row with as proud of a look as he ever gave Chuck. He then looked at his sister, who was trying to hold back her tears. Chuck and Sarah turned towards the minister.
"What a beautiful and amazing day we have been blessed with, and I could not be more proud to be with you to witness the union of two people who were destined to be together…"
~/^\~
Jimmy walked down the road leading up to the beach and looked out with binoculars. The road was clear for the three miles he could see. As much as he wanted to watch Chuck and Sarah get married, he knew his presence would take too much explanation. But he was content just to be nearby. He owed them so much to get to where he was today. It felt right he would help to make sure the ceremony went off without a problem.
Alex slowly walked up and stood by Jimmy. He felt a shiver of guilt go through him.
"I'm…I'm so sorry for what I did in the hotel. I didn't know what to do. I've been under lock and key ever since I left there and couldn't talk to anybody. God, what you must think of me right now…"
"Stop!" Alex turned him to face her. She put her hands on his face and gently wiped away a few tears that formed in his eyes. "What is going on? Is it related to the job? Why are you acting like you'll never see me again? I'm not going anywhere, James. I don't want to be anywhere else. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Jimmy looked down at the ground. "It's a lot bigger than that. I want to tell you so badly, but what it means is…I can't tell you how sorry I am."
"Please, just trust me. Tell me what you have to do."
Jimmy nodded gently. After everything they had been through, he owed her that much, orders be damned.
"It has to do with…"
Jimmy was interrupted by the beeping of his mobile phone. His expression turned from sadness and hurt to concern in a heartbeat. He took a look at his phone.
My phone is picking up radio frequencies, and they're getting stronger."
Alex looked at the phone. "Those aren't used by the government."
Jimmy immediately turned back to the road and looked through the binoculars. Five large SUVs were driving up the road on the way to the beach.
"We've got maybe five minutes before they get here." He handed Alex the binoculars and sprinted back to the wedding.
Jimmy reached the back of the ceremony as the minister was giving a quick talk about how Chuck and Sarah met. Casey turned and glanced at the crowd. He spotted Jimmy. Jimmy eyes widened, and Casey knew what it meant. He quietly snuck around the side of the chairs, gesturing for Ilsa to join him. Devon followed them with a look of confusion on his face.
"Five SUVs, maybe four minutes away," Jimmy whispered. "I gotta believe…"
"Let's go," Casey replied. Devon grabbed him.
"John, John, what's wrong?"
Casey turned to face him with a grave look. "Devon, do whatever you have to do, but don't let anybody leave the ceremony. No matter what you hear, no matter how much anybody protests, keep them here."
Devon was too scared to question Casey further. "OK."
Casey, Ilsa, and Jimmy ran for the road. Alex ran to them from the other direction.
"They're almost here. What about local police?"
"I called as I ran to get Casey," Jimmy replied. "They're eight minutes away, if we're lucky."
"OK, we have to hold them off," Casey said. "Let's get some weapons."
"I thought you were retired, Case. Our asses will be in big trouble if anything happens to you two."
If looks could kill, the hard glare Casey gave Jimmy would be the Manson family. Jimmy did an instant 180.
"So what's your plan? Never mind, I love it! Please give me more orders."
Casey opened the trunk of his car and started passing out weapons and clips.
"Ilsa, over there," Casey pointed as he handed his wife a pair of automatic rifles. He gave Jimmy a pair of M60 machine guns. He handed Alex two sniper rifles.
"Slade, you and I are the front lines. Forrest, you're on the grassy knoll. If anybody attempts to exit a car, they're yours. All head shots; they're probably wearing body armor."
Casey and Jimmy ran fifty yards forward and laid down in the grass. Forrest climbed onto the roof of a storage shed and loaded both rifles. The SUVs were within 500 yards.
"Wait…wait…" Casey and Jimmy lay in the grass, waiting for the right moment. The SUVs closed to 400 yards.
"Now."
Casey and Jimmy opened fire on the SUVs. The bullets bounced off the windows.
"Shit, they're bullet-proof," Jimmy cursed.
"Take out the tires on the lead car; I'll take out the tires on the rear car," Casey commanded. "That'll slow the other three. Go!"
Jimmy opened fire on the front SUV, while Casey opened fire on the rear SUV. The tires were shot out of both vehicles, and the middle SUVs were halted because of the dropoff on either side of the road. The driver's side door of the front SUV opened and someone attempted to get out. They got two steps before Alex fired. The man immediately fell to the ground.
~/^\~
The entire crowd turned around when they heard the sound of tires being blown out. Big Mike got out of his seat, and Devon intercepted him.
"Mike, everything's cool. Nothing to worry about. Just some kids setting off some M-80 firecrackers."
"Woodcomb, they're bothering the wedding," Big Mike whispered crossly at him.
"It's fine, the ceremony can go on. It's good," Devon replied while gently steering Big Mike back to his seat.
The minister continued. "And now, Charles Irving Bartowski and Sarah Lisa Walker will state their intentions and vows."
~/^\~
The middle SUVs pulled back and forth, trying to free themselves from between the two disabled vehicles. Casey and Jimmy continued to fire to stop them. The men in the front SUV managed to get out and concentrated their fire at Alex's position. Ilsa stood up to open fire at them. She took out three more people in the front SUV. The occupants of the rear SUV opened fire on her and she dove behind a bench. Casey fired at them as Jimmy reloaded. Ilsa was pinned down. Casey looked at her in shock.
"Cover me, Slade!" Casey bolted up and sprinted towards Ilsa, firing away at the Ring agents.. Jimmy moved to a kneeling position and fired away with both of his guns. The agents who made it outside of their SUVs pinned themselves back against them. Alex fired four more shots, taking out two of them. Only three men remained outside, and everybody kept firing away as Ilsa got up and moved to better cover.
They had no defense for the helicopter that was heading towards them.
~/^\~
The crowd ducked down as they heard the shots. Ellie was getting furious.
"What is going on out there?"
"Babe, it's nothing," Devon nervously replied. "That isn't real gunfire. Why would people fire real guns in Malibu?"
"Then what are they doing?"
Devon was stumped. "They're…they're shooting a movie nearby! They were supposed to film tomorrow. Maybe the schedule changed."
She looked to the sky from the direction of the noise. "And what about that helicopter, Devon?"
"Well, it's…um…"
Suddenly Morgan figured out what Devon was trying to do. "They're shooting the Expendables sequel."
It was the wrong movie to say. A chorus of approving words erupted from the men in the crowd. A few of them started to get up to witness the 'movie'.
"Michael Bay is directing it!" Morgan shouted.
"Awww," was the disappointed reply. Everybody groaned and sat back down. Ellie glared at Morgan.
"Uh, sorry Reverend," Morgan humbly spoke. "Go on."
"Do you, Charles Irving Bartowski, take Sarah to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, and forsaking all others, honor and love her, so long as you both shall live?"
Chuck had a look of worry in his eyes, but it wasn't because of the question the minister asked. He correctly guessed Morgan and Devon were lying through their teeth and they were hearing actual gunfire. He looked at Sarah, but her expression was the same joyful look she had since the ceremony started. Chuck suddenly smiled. This was the reason he always felt like the world was right when he was with her. Why he always felt better about himself. Why he was here today.
"I do," he confidently replied to the minister's question.
~/^\~
The helicopter moved towards Alex as she continued to fire at the SUVs. The door slid open on the helicopter, and a man leaned out with a long-range rifle. He opened fire at Alex, who ducked down. Jimmy turned and saw Alex in trouble.
"Son of a bitch!" He sprinted to his left towards the shed, firing at the helicopter and the SUVs simultaneously. The helicopter flew past Alex, and the man inside turned his attention to Jimmy. Jimmy dove and slid down a hill filled with gravel to prevent beach erosion. The helicopter flew past him and banked left to make a return pass.
Jimmy slowly got up. His suit was completely torn and bleached by the gravel. Enough steam was coming out of his ears to elect a new Pope.
"This was a $3,000 suit!" He turned behind him to see the helicopter almost finishing its turnaround.
"Oh, I'm mad now."
He turned and sprinted up the hill and made a beeline to his car, not even bothering to duck out of the line of fire. He slid behind his car while opening the trunk with his remote. He reached in and started assembling the gun inside.
"Slade! What are you doing?" Casey called from 30 yards to Jimmy's right. Alex fired and shot out one tire on one of the remaining SUVs, but the other two had finally worked their way loose. Jimmy finished assembling and loading the gun.
"Casey! The helicopter!" Jimmy pulled a launcher out of his trunk and threw it at Casey. Casey caught it as Jimmy closed his trunk and jumped on the roof of his car. He took the safety off of his M249 Saw machine gun and opened fire on the convoy. He concentrated his fire on the engine block of the closest SUV, which exploded into flames. The other two SUVs started to turn around and retreat. He opened fire on the second one, blasting the windows open. He continued to fire until the SUV was decimated.
Casey pulled the pin on the grenade inside the launcher and extended the barrel. He put it on his shoulder and aimed at the approaching helicopter. He released the safety and fired. The grenade was propelled upward and hit the helicopter dead-on. The helicopter exploded and crashed to the ground.
Casey stared at Jimmy. "What in the hell are you doing with an M249 and a grenade launcher?"
Jimmy looked very meek. "I have a...slight inferiority complex."
Casey looked up at Alex, who shook her head and gave a dismissive wave. "Don't ask."
~/^\~
"And do you, Sarah Lisa Walker, take Charles to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, and forsaking all others, honor and love him, so long as you both shall live?"
It was a long way to get to this moment, and someone was trying to stop them even now. But Sarah was not a woman who was ever denied what she wanted. And she wanted this more than anything in her life.
"I do."
Morgan quickly handed them the rings. Chuck and Sarah tried their best not to rush this part of the ceremony, but they knew their lives were in danger. They could only hope whoever was coming would be kept at bay until help arrived.
~/^\~
The last SUV tore down the road, attempting to get away. Four police units drove up from the opposite direction and swerved in front of it to block its path. The SUV screeched to a halt. Eight officers quickly exited their vehicles and trained their rifles on the SUV. The men inside the SUV slowly got out with their hands on their heads.
~/^\~
"By the power invested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
It might be the last thing they ever did, but there wasn't a better way for them to go out if it was. Sarah slid her arms around Chuck's neck as he gently held her face in his hands. Their lips met tenderly at first; expressing the love they had for each other for so long. The emotion of the moment made them increase the heat and intensity of the kiss. The crowd cheered loudly for them, but Chuck and Sarah never heard them, as they were completely caught up in their kiss.
Ellie would have thought it was one of the most romantic things she had ever seen, but she was beyond furious.
"I don't know who those bastards think they are, but I'm going to give them a piece of my mind for ruining your wedding just to make some piece of crap movie that shouldn't have been made in the first place!" Ellie stormed down the aisle as quickly as she could in her condition. Everybody in the crowd was too stunned by her anger to stop her. Devon, Morgan, and Stephen went after her.
"Everybody, just stay here a minute," Chuck called. "Everything will be fine."
Ellie made it around the hill and took in the scene in front of her. She saw the wreckage of the helicopter, the destroyed SUVs, and the bodies lying on the ground.
"What the hell is going on out here!"
Devon grabbed her to bring her back to the ceremony. "Ellie, Ellie, everything's going to be OK."
She whirled around to face him, turning her back to the wreckage. "What in the hell are you talking about? It looks like a war zone out here! Don't try to tell me this is some sort of movie! I want to know what's going on!"
"Babe, it's going to be…" Devon spotted a man lying on the ground next to the SUV raise his gun. "GET DOWN!"
Devon tackled Ellie to the ground as the man fired, barely missing her. Alex fired two shots at the man with her rifle, killing him. She jumped down from the roof of the shed and stood over Ellie and Devon in a protective stance. Ellie looked up at her.
"Devon, isn't she the stripper from your bachelor party?"
Devon turned and looked up at Alex. He turned back to Ellie. "Uh, funny story about that…"
Morgan and Alex carefully pulled Ellie and Devon to their feet. Ellie looked around at everybody. She was shaking as Stephen walked up and surveyed the scene. He saw Casey with the grendade launcher, Jimmy with a large machine gun, and Alex with a sniper rifle. He then turned and saw Ellie, who was in complete shock.
"Oh, boy."