CHAPTER 33

"Excellent work team," Beckman said when they met at Casey's for a debrief. "Thanks to your work the Cipher is on it's way back to us."

"General, you should know that Chuck was invaluable on this mission," said Casey, and Chuck almost gaped at him. Either he was as sincere as he sounded, or he'd forgotten how sarcasm was supposed to sound.

"He also risked his life several times to save ours," added Sarah.

"Your country thanks you, Chuck," Beckman said dryly. "Hopefully now we can finish the Intersect and this nightmare can be over for you." Chuck was grinning as she leaned over to disconnect the call saying, "Have a nice day."

Once the call ended, Chuck looked around the apartment. "Sorry about wrecking the place, Casey."

The NSA agent grunted. "Hold on."

Watching Casey turn and head to the kitchen Chuck said, "I'm sure Sarah will lend you a knife to gut me."

A knowing smile came to Sarah's lips when she saw Casey open a drawer, returning moments later and grabbing Chuck's hand, forcing a key into it. "Just in case."

Chuck grinned, looking over the key before pocketing it. "Oh, Casey, this might be the worst decision you've ever made."

"If you use that key at any point our lives aren't in immediate danger, I will put your head through the floor, copy?"

"And paste, yes," Chuck said with a nod, then met his eyes to say sincerely, "Thank you."

Casey grunted, watching as Chuck followed Sarah out to the courtyard. "I suppose I should thank you for saving my life," she said walking to the fountain, keys in hand.

"Oh, you've done it for me a time or two," his hands in his pockets, Chuck shrugged. "I'm probably still in debt."

"I have to admit, that was pretty impressive," she said turning on him and coming to a stop.

"Right? I mean, come on," His smile faded a bit, but didn't disappear. "I-I know I'm not an agent but between the two of us, I mean, have you ever seen anyone do something like that before?"

She was relieved it wasn't as raw as it had been, that he could smile around her, even if it was self deprecating. "I think it's safe to say, Chuck, that I've never seen anyone quite like you," Sarah said keeping her eyes on his, relieved to see it made him smile.

"Well, Agent Casey, thanks for the accommodations."

"Agent Montgomery," he said shaking the offered hand.

"The reason I failed you twice was that your partner at the time was too pretty to pass. Should have failed her a few more times."

"Should have known." After a brief nod with the CIA agent, Casey looked to Chuck and then his replaced door before closing it, wondering what would be the next thing someone broke in his apartment. Maybe a wall or the ceiling.

Montgomery set his bag down and took Sarah's hand, kissing her knuckles. "Adieu, Agent Walker."

"It was a real pleasure, Agent Montgomery," she said before turning to Chuck. "Well, I'll, um… I'll see you later, Chuck."

He watched her walk around Roan, heading toward her car. It felt too soon. With everything they hadn't had a chance to talk. He needed to apologize for how he acted, but when he went to follow Roan held a hand to his chest. "Uh, uh," he said as Chuck reeled back, turning to Roan, "Let her go.

"A great man once said it will give her the illusion of being pursued," explained Roan. Chuck smirked wondering if he was just quoting himself, as if the thought was original. "You trust me?"

The man had been a coward and likely had a spotted liver, but despite it he still helped Chuck when he could have run. He trusted in Chuck's plan to put his own life on the line and helped get Sarah and Casey back. So Chuck nodded, saying sincerely, if warily, "Yeah."

"Good. Do you own a white dinner jacket?"

"No," Chuck answered skeptically.

"Rent one. Tonight you will show up with a bottle of Chateau Margaux, the dinner jacket, and a single red rose, known in several countries as… The Montgomery." Both men shared a chuckle as Roan's phone rang and upon seeing the ID briefly grinned and extended a hand to Chuck. "Goodbye, Charles."

Chuck shook it and said with affection that surprised him, "Goodbye, Roan."

Flipping his phone open Roan greeted, "Hello, Diane." Chuck watched him take his bag and depart, telling Beckman, "Should be at Dulles by the morning."

He took some time to consider his advice. There was no denying Roan was a Lothario so if it was well known she might think poorly of Chuck trying it on her. There was also the embarrassment of it, the chance he could show up and she would just close the door in his face or laugh at him for such a bold move.

But it was also a bold move. It would be a statement of intent, in a way. Even if it wasn't known she'd pick up on the interest when he showed up dressed out of his norm with a bottle of wine and a rose. If it was known then it would leave no room for doubt about his interest. He knew better than to think it would go as well as he might hope, but even if it didn't end up with them in bed professing their love for each other it might make her consider him more seriously. She could see it as amusing, maybe cute, and they could share a laugh about it and Roan, talk about the mission, air things out and have things be better than they were before he took the first Analyst test.

A small part of him imagined how well it could go. She would find it oddly charming that he tried something so outside of his comfort zone for her. They would drink a bit of the wine, and he could apologize for bringing a rose instead of a gardenia, surprise her with the fact he'd noticed her look at them whenever they were around. He was certain those were her favorites, another thing he'd picked up on his own. That might be endearing, and maybe they'd get to have their fourth real kiss. And maybe it wouldn't stop there.

He knew it was unlikely, but the idea was enough to make him try, so he spent he rest of the afternoon gathering his supplies and prepared. Looking at himself in the mirror he felt a bit childish in his white jacket with a t-shirt and jeans, but in a way felt like he pulled it off.

"Hey, El," he called out making his way toward the living room, "it alright if I borrow your car?"

Ellie was at the sink setting the last plate on the drying rack as she answered, "Sure. You know where the keys are."

Devon was cleaning off the table when he saw Chuck walk out of the hall and grinned. "Nice! I knew you were a pro at this, bro."

Ellie turned, her furrowed brow rising as she grinned and hurried out of the kitchen, tossing the hand towel on the counter. "Date with Sarah?"

"Yeah," he said stopping at the key bowl and turning to them. "I pull it off, right?"

"She won't know what hit her," Devon said with a nod.

With a laugh Chuck said, "I hope she remembers some of it."

Ellie beamed as she made her way over and adjusted his jacket. With Devon heading to the bathroom, she asked quietly. "Decided you had enough of the cover?"

Chuck shrugged. "I had enough of it when I first saw her."

"Aces, Charles," Ellie said with pride coloring her eyes, easing the anxiety painting his. "You're aces."

He felt sixteen again. He left Echo Park high on hope. Even with the way things had been only a day earlier Chuck felt like he was taking a step forward, but he realized some things had changed even in that time. He'd been so angry with Sarah, upset when she said he would never be an agent, but it wasn't like she was the only one. Bryce had basically thought the same and gotten him expelled to keep him from trying.

Yet they still had that kiss. She said his charm worked on her. And he saved her. Chuck Bartowski saved Sarah Walker. Threw himself, literally, into danger for her and came out victorious.

Walking through the halls toward her door he literally skipped, feeling almost giddy as he turned the corner, took a breath to steady himself and knocked.

It was barely three seconds before the door opened and he saw Sarah. He saw her face light up a little upon seeing him, smiling as she said, "Chuck!" Then her brow rose slightly and she seemed almost nervous. He saw a shadow on the glass partition behind her as she started, "Hi! Um-"

The door was pulled open and there beside her stood Bryce Larkin in a tuxedo with his bow tie undone. "Hello, Chuck," he said with a smirk while Chuck failed to keep his smile from crumbling. "Miss me?"

He looked to Sarah briefly, gaping for a moment as he felt once again had to piece himself together in a heartbeat. "Just thought I'd stop by on my way home and make sure you're okay after everything," Chuck said with a smile that tasted bitter on his lips. With a nod he took a step away from the door. "See you tomorrow."

Moments earlier Sarah had been rolling her eyes at Bryce showing up unannounced in a tux when she heard the knock, letting Bryce go into the room while she turned back to the door and opened it. The moment she saw him she'd felt a swell of happiness. He'd come to her place on his own, so not only was he not angry enough to ignore her but he was actually reaching out to her. And once she spotted the outfit and what was in his hands she realized it was completely unlike him, seeming more like Roan, and instantly imagined the older agent convincing him to try it.

She'd thought Chuck looked adorable in his white jacket, especially knowing how much he hated white pants, but he'd still put it on for her. His smile made it all better, and suddenly she realized this stupid move Roan put him up to was actually working. Her stomach felt like a butterfly farm as she said his name, but then she remembered she wasn't alone and she felt them all die inside her. She tried to keep her voice light but Bryce had pulled open the door and her heart broke realizing she'd broken his again.

Oh Chuck, she thought watching him turn and leave, doing his best to not embarrass himself further while fleeing, playing it off as best he could. Part of her wished he'd been angry, yelled at her, swing at Bryce, even slapped at her, anything but smile and leave. She could have dealt with those.

She was tempted to run after him, to tell him she was sorry for how he must feel. In that contemplated conversation she'd imagined herself saying he should have called ahead and got angry at herself for it. He'd tried for her, put aside his anger and she'd find a way to gripe about it? Even the imaginary version of her was awful to him.

That internal anger grew as she chided herself for not turning Bryce away. She should have closed the door in his face, left him in the hall. But she also dreaded to think what would happen if Chuck found Bryce in her hall. Either he'd have thought the same without her ever seeing him or Bryce would say something to make things even worse than they were. And she was sure now they were going to be worse.

Sarah turned to go sit on her bed, doing her best to not bury her head in her hands since she still wasn't alone. Bryce closed the door and turned make his way over, asking with a sly grin, "What was that about?"

It took Sarah a moment to remember the lie Chuck had told. The least she could do was help him save face. He deserves so much more than that. "I was captured on our last mission so he was just worried."

"You were captured?" He asked skeptically.

"Me and Casey."

Bryce chuckled, "Sounds fun. How'd you get out?"

"Chuck." If she wasn't so miserable she might have smiled, but he wasn't there with her.

Bryce caught the softness in her voice though, arching his brow. "Chuck saved you?" The surprise in his voice was expected, but then she heard him snicker and say disbelieving, "Chuck Bartowski?"

Sarah felt herself bristle at his tone, her hands balling as her brow sank and she tried not to glare at him lest he know how angry that made her. "He seduced an operative to retrieve a part of the Intersect, then escaped by leaping off a hotel balcony and when we were captured planned and executed our rescue, taking out her and her guards. All with tranqs and by leaping off a roof."

For a moment she regretted saying so much. She probably shouldn't have, but a petty part of her wanted to shove it in his face, to let him know that Chuck wasn't who or what he thought he was. She didn't want Chuck to be an agent, to become like her or Bryce or like every other agent she knew, but Bryce was a fool to think Chuck couldn't be one.

That was the problem for Sarah. She could easily imagine him becoming an agent and excelling, but feared it would strip him of all the good things about him, fueling the pain in him and turning him cold. As much as she knew he would do well at it she didn't want to lose him to it. She didn't want to lose the things in him that made her want more than she had since… ever, really. Even growing up she'd never believed in half the things she dreamed of having with Chuck. Thing she not only wanted, but hoped were possible.

"Wow," Bryce nodded. "Seems like a lot has changed in a few months." He looked her over then glanced toward the door, looking to her with a solemn smile. "Poor guy."

Sarah shook her head, getting up to grab a bottle of water. "What do you mean?"

"He fell for the lie," Bryce answered with a shrug. "He clearly came here for more than to check up on you. Don't tell me you believed that excuse?" Bryce scoffed. "I know I haven't been around for a while, but while there's no doubt he's the type to check up on people there's nothing about him that's the type to just walk around in a dinner jacket with a rose and bottle of wine."

She started to suggest he might have a date, but stopped herself. Bryce knew their cover and she'd already done enough hurt Chuck, she wouldn't let Bryce think him unprofessional. After taking a drink she set the bottle on her table and turned to Bryce. "It could be for his sister."

Bryce guffawed. "What?"

Sarah fought off a wince realizing she might have chosen a worse answer than letting Bryce think he was going on a date. "He helped his sister's boyfriend put on a romantic night for her when they were fighting. Maybe he went to pick up a bottle of wine and a flower for him."

"And the coat?" Bryce asked dubiously.

"We have a new cover coming up," Sarah said with a shrug. "He can't exactly go around dressed in his Nerd Herd uniform anymore."

Bryce chuckled and shook his head. "You're good. I'm sure he'd appreciate it." Walking up to her a wry smile took his lips. "Why don't I show you how much I appreciate you?" He brushed his hands through her hair as he leaned in to press his lips to hers.

Sarah pressed her hand to his chest, pulling her head back. "Bryce," she said, her tone warning.

Stepping back, he narrowed his gaze on her as his brow arched slightly. "What is it?"

All she could say was, "I'm tired. I think it's time for you to leave."

Bryce laughed. "Do you have a headache too?" He asked sarcastically.

Sarah glared at him, then shook her head. "I thought you'd understand when I didn't go with you."

"I knew there was a chance you wouldn't abandon the job," Bryce said with a shrug, not realizing he'd just said two words which made her tense. Despite how much she said it she hated referring to her time with Chuck as a job, because it was much more than that, and the idea of abandoning him like his parents did and breaking him further was something she dreaded, which was why a 49-B terrified her.

"So that's it?" Bryce asked, his jaw shifting as he met her eyes. "We're done? Everything we did together?"

"We've been done a long time, Bryce," she said shaking her head. "Long before you came back. Before I thought you died… maybe even before I thought you betrayed me. We were never anything more than partners. Not really. Not in any way that mattered."

Bryce searched her face before smirking. "Is that really how you feel, or there something going on?"

"Like what?" asked Sarah.

"I don't know," he said with a sarcastic shrug, "maybe some other guy? Someone in a white coat?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "It can't just be that I don't want to go back to what we had? That I don't think I need it anymore?" That I don't need you, she left unsaid.

"It's possible," he relented. Cocking his head he mused, "I guess it makes more sense then you and Chuck."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Sarah asked sharp as the knives on her calf.

"You need it explained?" asked Bryce. "Chuck's a good guy, but he's… well he's a good guy. Simple, friendly, always ready to help people and see the best in them. Even after the thing with Morgan he's still so naive about some things. He wants the whole life with a wife and kids, driving a minivan and all that normal stuff. And you're you. Graham's enforcer. You're not exactly a normal girl. The kind who settles down with a guy like Chuck, which is what he'd want."

Sarah made sure he couldn't tell how the barbs in his words had stuck in her. How much the idea of not being a normal girl like Chuck wanted or deserved would keep her up that night, or the anger she felt at him saying Chuck was a good guy like it was bad thing. Instead she drolly shook her head while waving him off toward the door. "I'll keep that in mind. But I have to open for my cover job tomorrow and want to catch up on some sleep since I missed most of last night's, you know, being held captive."

Bryce was clearly displeased, but held up his hands. "Alright, alright. I'll let you rest." He made his way to the door with her following close behind. At the door he turned to her, watching her open it and hold it open for him. "You sure about this?"

Meeting his gaze she said simply, "Goodnight, Bryce."

Stepping into the hall where Chuck had been minutes earlier, Bryce turned to her and smiled. "Goodnight, Sarah."

She closed the door and locked it, letting out a breath as she made her way to her bed and sitting at the end with a sigh. Pulling her phone from her pocket she speed dialed Chuck, putting it to her ear. She listened to it ring three times before suddenly she heard, "Hey I'm Chuck, leave a message after the beep. Beeep." Then the recorded ended and the real beep played.

It might have made her smile if she didn't know it took four rings before it went to voicemail, which meant he'd ignored her call again. After everything that happened and all he'd done, they were back to where they were before Roan. At least, she hoped they were back there, but part of her feared this might have pushed Chuck past that.

"Please don't," she said holding the phone to her forehead. Don't ignore me. Don't push me away. Don't give up on me. Don't forget me. Don't leave me. After a long breath she raised her head and looked at the phone, and was about to call him again when she realized she couldn't.

She'd outwitted groups of assassins. Taken out terrorist cells. Beaten soldiers to bloody pulps and hunted down some of the best killers in the world… But Sarah Walker couldn't bear Chuck ignoring another call. If she tried and he did it would break her. She would cry and she didn't think she would be able to stop herself.

The moment she heard his voicemail she would know she lost him forever. He would rely on Casey more than ever, maybe even ask for her to be reassigned. He would leave her behind. He would realize what she really was and see everything he didn't want. He would be gone from her life and she would be left broken with a hole in her heart she could never fill. A hole which would devour her, leave her an empty shell. The shell she feared she had become until she felt her heart beat again when she heard him singing to himself and saw his sheepish smile when he realized he wasn't alone.

Miles away Chuck watched Sarah's picture fade from his screen before pocketing his phone and taking the rose and wine from the passenger seat. Walking through the courtyard he felt like every camera was a pair of eyes following him. Each of them knowing what a fool he was, how he'd embarrassed himself.

There was a set of eyes on him, or on the screen showing the camera feeds. Watching Chuck trek through the courtyard, Casey saw how distraught he was. His shoulders slumped, his jaw set as if anything less would fall apart. Seeing the jacket, the wine and the rose, Casey realized he must have gone to see Walker and tried something. Either she'd turned him down or something else had happened. By the look on his face he'd imagine something even worse then that.

"Larkin," Casey groaned, sitting back in his chair and shaking his head as he watched Chuck drop the rose into a garbage can and sigh. "Damn it, Walker."

Chuck turned to the door of his apartment and took a breath, steeling himself for his next gauntlet. All he had to do was survive it to his room. He'd be safe in there. He could busy himself, block it all out, force himself to go numb. He'd take failing the analyst test tomorrow. He'd probably fail it anyway.

"Hey," Ellie said from the couch as he entered the apartment. Checking her watch she said, "That was a fast date. Is everything okay with you and Sarah?"

"Everything except her ex is in town," he said as casually as he could muster, chuckling as he continued, "This guy has a really nasty habit of popping into my life at the most inopportune of times."

While Ellie grimaced sympathetically Devon returned from the kitchen with wine glasses for him and Ellie. "Stalker ex. Not awesome."

Taking the offered glass Ellie furrowed her brow asking in a careful tone, "Does he know that you and Sarah are dating?"

"Yeah," he said hoping that would sate her, "I think he's just taking the whole 'we can still be friends' thing to heart."

"Don't sweat it Chuck," said Devon, Ellie beaming as she watched her fiance enthusiastically supporting her brother. "This guy can't hold a candle to you. And what does he have that's so great?"

"Uh, that would be good looks, sophistication, an exciting career, and much more history with Sarah."

"You know what? I'm sure that Sarah will take care of it," Ellie said thinking back on all their talks. Sarah was careful to never say anything bluntly, but the way she spoke about Chuck, the way she looked at him during their dinners together and movie nights, she was certain the woman cared for her brother. "This guy will be out of your life in no time."

"Something tells me it won't be quite that simple," Chuck said thinking the Bartowski curse wouldn't be sated until he was in the grave.

"Do you want to talk?" offered Ellie, motioning to the TV, "Watch something else?"

"No. No, I'm good." Chuck set the bottle of wine on the table. "I'll leave this here so you two can enjoy it while I go hunt Liquid Ocelot and fight off Private Military Companies in the Middle East." When Ellie stared at him wide eyed, apparently thinking he was about to take off on some spy mission, he clarified, "I'm gonna replay through the new Metal Gear game I got."

Ellie laughed in relief, nodding. "Right."

"Have fun you two," Chuck said with a wave, making his way to his room.

Once he was in the safety of his room, Chuck locked his door and pulled off the white jacket, throwing it across the room with a growl. Watching it stretch out in mid air and sink to the ground, Chuck sighed, walking around his bed to pick it off the ground and wave it off before folding it and setting it on his bed with a huff.

Normally he wouldn't have bothered, but he did a scan of his room for bugs before grabbing a Playstation controller and kicking off his shoes. He made it to the main menu for Metal Gear Solid Four before setting the controller aside to get his laptop. If he was going to stay up all night and risk failing he'd do it to get started on something bigger than the analyst test. And as great as Hideo Kojima's magnum opus was, Chuck imagined bringing down Alexei Volkoff might be the Piranha's magnum opus.

AN:

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get probably my favorite heart break moment with the 'Thank you for coming to the wedding. Good for the cover.' moment, so there's no way I wasn't expanding the Montgomery.

I went with The Montgomery not actually being well known just because I thought it felt better than having it be known. A few fics I've read have it actually recognized, which works, but I also like the idea that Roan is lying to make it seem more likely to succeed when really it's just something he thinks would work for Chuck.