CHAPTER 34

Sarah arrived at Casey's a bit early hoping to pull Chuck aside but he hadn't shown up yet. With Beckman arranging another call, Sarah feared Chuck's test would be put off again, dealing another blow to him. As much as she didn't want him to end up an agent, she hated seeing him upset because he didn't have the chance.

What surprised her was how Casey was quieter than usual, and after the fifth time catching him looking at her and giving a disappointed shake of his head she sat up and turned to him in her chair. "What is it?"

"None of my business," Casey said looking back to the pages he was printing from the file Beckman sent them to prepare for their briefing.

"What does that mean?"

"It means until it interferes with my business I've got no reason to say anything."

Well clearly he was angry about something. The problem was knowing what it was. Shaking her head, Sarah sighed and looked to his window, hoping to see Chuck, but then she looked to his door she noticed a small trash can with a single red rose sticking out of it. She felt her throat tighten as she suddenly saw him outside her door in the dinner jacket, his sweet smile greeting her when she opened the door. A smile she'd destroyed a hundred times.

"Did you see him?"

At first Casey assumed she meant Chuck but before he could get a word out realized if his suspicion was right she could have meant Larkin. He hadn't seen him, but Larkin would definitely mess up Chuck enough to make him look like he did the night before. Her tone was suspicious, so she must have pieced together why he was trying his best not to ask how she made it through the farm if she was this stupid. "Who do you mean?"

The bite in his question made it clear he knew something, but it also meant he was upset on Chuck's behalf, which was surprising. "Chuck. He's late."

"He was up late," Casey said putting a few papers in a folder while starting on the next one. "I saw lights in his room at sun up."

"What was he doing?" asked Sarah.

"Don't have bugs in his room anymore, do I?" Casey said with a shrug. "Based on how he looked last night, wouldn't be surprised if he was drowning his sorrows. I'll head over after this and get him. Beckman's call comes in three minutes."

"I'll get him," Sarah said standing.

"You sure that's smart?"

Sarah held the edge of the table, staring at him. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"Don't play coy," Casey said shaking his head and turning to her. "By the looks of it I guess Montgomery got in his head, told him some ploy to try and get in your pants, but you saw through it and rejected him?"

Sarah set her jaw and took a breath, her hands digging into the wood of the table before her. "No."

Casey shrugged. "Either way, we both know he came home miserable last night because of something to do with you. Give him a second to breath before cutting his throat."

Sarah shook her head, unsure how to respond, and when she finally started Casey tossed the second folder on his desk. "I-"

"I'll go get him," Casey said walking around the counter, clearly uninterested in her response. "Like I said, Walker. As long as it doesn't interfere with my business I don't care. I'm just telling you because I don't know how much more he can take of whatever is going on, and we need him in tact to keep working. I'd rather not go to get him one day and find him soaking in a tub full of red water or something."

She watched him exit the apartment and back into her chair with a sigh. It must have been bad for Casey to comment at all, let alone say that. Whatever happened, Sarah needed to make sure she set things right.

Hearing the knock at the door, Ellie rushed over and opened the door, smiling when she saw Casey. "Good morning, John."

"Morning, Ellie," he said with a nod. "Chuck up?"

"He's getting dressed," she said shaking her head. "He was all up all night with some game. I forced him to take a nap." Remembering the cameras in the courtyard, she stopped herself from saying she forced him because he told her there was a chance he would be taking another analyst test.

"Good. We need him at his best if we're ever going to get off the ground," Casey said, playing into the cover of her not knowing about their real work.

"We'll be soaring soon," Chuck said stepping into the living room rolling up the sleeve of his button up shirt. "Test is canceled right?" he asked.

Casey shot him a glare and shook his head. "Not yet."

"Well that's one potentially good surprise for the day at least," Chuck said with a laugh, picking the folded white dinner jacket off the table and handing it to Ellie. "Could you please return this for me today while you're out?"

"Are you sure you don't want to keep it a few days, just in case…?" Ellie asked, hoping her brother would try again. She'd been proud of him for making such a bold move.

Chuck shook his head. "I can see now it was never gonna work anyway."As Ellie wondered if he meant the move or him and Sarah, Chuck leaned in to kiss Ellie's cheek before heading out the door. "Love you, Sis. Have a good day."

Frowning, Ellie felt like was all she could do was call out, "Love you too!"

Chuck waved, walking with a surprised Casey toward his apartment. "You alright, Bartowski?"

"Peachy."

They entered the apartment and Sarah sat up, a wan smile on her lips, testing to see if Chuck would return it, which he didn't. In fact he pointedly swept his eyes past her and to the living room, making his way over to the couch. "When's ol' Becky calling in?"

"Is there something you would like to share, Mr. Bartowski," she said as the screen came to life, revealing the unamused face of Diane Beckman.

"No, sorry, General," Chuck said with a half-weave, half-salute before brushing his fingers across his lips. "Zipping it."

"The Fulcrum threat is far worse than it originally appeared. We've learned one of their agents stole an encrypted microchip containing top secret information out of the DNI. The information on the chip contained high classified intelligence-a refresh for the new Intersect."

"Is there anything on that chip that could compromise our cover?" asked Sarah.

"Unfortunately, yes. Agent Larkin has learned that Fulcrum hired Von Hayes, a wealthy software magnet, to decrypt the chip and deliver the encoded information back to them. Mr. Hayes is throwing a lavish party at his Bel Air estate this evening. The finest dining, music and food." Getting an idea where Beckman was leading, Chuck started to grimace. "Your job will be to pose as a married couple and steal back the chip."

"I guess at least it's a mission Carmichael can sink his teeth into," Chuck said with an apathetic shrug. "Dust off the tux, polish up the dancing shoes… All that crap."

His tone surprised all three federal employees, though stung Sarah. He sounded drained and utterly unenthused.

"No, Chuck," said Beckman. "The mission is going to require a real spy."

Sarah fought off a wince, and nearly lost when she saw Chuck's lips twist into a bitter smile upon hearing her words. Another barb in the heart to pick at the wound she put there.

And then they heard footsteps and turned to see Bryce coming down the steps. Sarah watched Chuck's face turn to stone while Bryce pulled off his sunglasses and smirked at the trio in the living room. "Sorry I'm late. L. A. traffic's still the worst and I had to sneak around the back."

While he made his way over Beckman explained, "Bryce will be posing as Sarah's husband. Chuck you'll be posing as a waiter. Try and flash on and identify the Fulcrum agent."

Bryce took a weeding ring from his finger and slid it onto Sarah's finger with a smile. "Hello, Mrs. Anderson."

Sarah offered a halfhearted smile, but Chuck turned away from them. "Is that all, General? Is my test canceled again, or can I actually take it?"

"Since the mission is taking place tonight Agent Casey can arrange for the second exam if you'd like."

"I'd prefer to get this all done with," he said rising from his seat.

"Good. We'll push to get them done by the end of the week. Casey, after you set him up you can begin mission planning," Beckman said reaching for her keyboard. "Good luck tonight."

Once the screen went black, Chuck looked over and saw Sarah glancing at the ring while Bryce grinned at her. Pushing off the table he got to his feet saying, "I'm going to wet my face and wake myself up a bit more," Chuck said walking toward the stairs. "Call me when it's ready, Casey."

Sarah frowned watching his back, then stood and looked to Casey. "I should go open the Orange Orange."

"I think that's for the best," Casey said, his jaw shifting as he looked up from the computer at the CIA agents. "He doesn't need any distractions screwing up his head more than it already is." Looking back to the computer screen he added while typing, "And if I have to watch you two ogle each other I'll just put a bullet in your heads myself."

"Nice to know you're a sweet as ever, Casey," Bryce said with a laugh.

"Get out of my house, Larkin," he said without looking up, "or we're gonna see if Fulcrum can bring you back after I shove a grenade down your throat."

Sarah sighed. "Come on, we can go over whatever background you have on Von Hayes."

Bryce went from glaring at Casey to smirking as he followed Sarah out of the apartment. After the door closed Casey looked up then went to the windows, peeking through the shades to make sure they were gone. Flicking his finger off the shades he went upstairs and to the bathroom, where he heard the faucet running.

With a knock he called out, "It's ready." He wanted to spare the kid, so avoided saying they're gone.

The faucet shut off and Chuck called out, "Alright, give me a second."

Casey went downstairs, moving to the kitchen to prepare some coffee. Pulling out his mug and setting it on the counter he saw Chuck come downstairs, his hair soaked and brushed back.

"Sorry I took so long, but I didn't want to add a towel to your wash." He tapped his damp hair, which bounced back slightly. "So what's the deal with the mission tonight? You're working the plan?"

"Yeah. We're making it airtight so even you can't screw it up," he said with a smirk and little bite.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Chuck said snickering, making his way to the other side of the counter as Casey started pouring himself a mug of coffee. "So what's the scoop with the… you know, the Andersons?"

"You worried Bryce is going to steal your girl?" Casey said carefully, but of course Chuck didn't pick up on his words. He should've known he'd be too raw to notice.

"Sarah is a professional," Chuck said sharply. "To accuse of her otherwise is an insult." He scoffed and shook his head. "I can't take an interest in my coworker's mission? I mean, I figure if I'm going to be stuck with the Intersect and I'm going to be some unofficial analyst, I might as well learn from a pro."

Casey cocked his head slightly, surprised by his response. So he decided to test it more. "Hmm. Alright. The microchip is stored inside the vault in Von Hayes' mansion. All Bryce and Sarah need to do is slip out of the main ballroom and grab it."

"Aren't people going to ask why they're snooping around the house?"

"Bryce and Sarah will be very affectionate," Casey said searching his face. "That way, no one will ask them any questions when they're looking for the vault. That's the beauty of PDA."

Chuck nodded. "Makes sense."

Turning around he went to the computer, settling in for his test while Casey watched from the counter. Months ago he would have thought this was great seeing Chuck close off, leave himself neutral, but now Casey just wondered how long it would be before Chuck died. With how he threw himself into danger being there was a good chance he'd start taking even stupider risks. He just hoped he was there to stop him, because he wasn't sure Chuck had much fight in him to make it through on his own.

To keep their temporary cover in tact, Sarah opened the Orange Orange and Bryce joined her, watching as she went about wiping the shelves. "The company really knows how to put you into a cute outfit."

With a genial smile she said, "We're not undercover yet, Bryce."

"Well you can't be too careful," he whispered. "You never know who's watching, Mrs. Anderson."

"Yeah, uh… about the Andersons," she said standing and moving to the register, "I really think that we should keep it strictly a cover this time."

"Okay. Everything alright?" He knew better, but he also knew she wouldn't be honest and would make an excuse.

"Yeah, it's just with Fulcrum getting closer and closer, we should be… focused. You know, no distractions."

"You're right. Yeah… No distractions."

Neither of them knew that Ellie had been dropping off Chuck's rented jacket nearby, or that she decided to head over to the Orange Orange, stopping just before she opened the door when she saw Bryce take Sarah's hand in his.

"I have to admit though, it sure was fun while it lasted," he said smiling, leaning toward her slightly.

Sarah put on a smile, looking at their hands together and reminding herself she had to be professional. Outside, Ellie felt her heart break for her brother. This was going to crush him. Even if it was nothing, even if it was some misunderstanding, it would crush him before it would cleared up.

Part of her wanted to go in there and say something, but she knew that rarely worked out well. If only for the short term it would make everything worse, and she didn't want to risk messing things up when her brother's life might be on the line during a mission.

Her concern seemed supported when she returned home and Chuck entered the apartment minutes later telling her, "Hey. I'm going to be out tonight. Mission."

"Oh, is it dangerous?"

"I'll be fine. Just waiting tables." He assured, but noticed she looked distracted. "What's up? Is something going on?"

Ellie got up from her seat and walked over to him. "Uh, well, I returned your jacket and decided to head by the Orange Orange to talk with Sarah, ask her to be a bridesmaid…"

"That's so sweet, Ellie." Chuck was surprised he meant it, but he did. Something like that must've been rare for a spy. At least not as part of a mission, though really this was all a mission for her.

"Yeah, uh… Chuck when I got there, I saw her holding hands with another guy. I think it might be her ex."

"Really?" He asked with a chuckle. "Uh, did you get a good look at him?"

"Well I couldn't, 'cause he was faced the other way and I didn't want to go in there and start anything, but, uh, dark hair, sort of classically handsome… "

"That sounds like him," he said with a nod. "They were holding hands, huh?"

"Yeah," she said softly. "I'm really sorry, Chuck."

"Don't be… Don't be, Ellie. There's nothing to be sorry for." Chuck shrugged. "It makes sense. He's an agent, I'm not. They're equals, like you and Awesome. They can respect each other, be open with each other. There was never anything between us. Nothing more than a cover."

"But, Chuck I've-"

"I don't want to talk about it, El." He said grabbing her shoulders, his eyes pleading. "I know you do, and I love you for caring so much, but please, just…" He sighed, letting his hands fall to his side. "I have to wait tables while trying to flash on bad guys, and then another test tomorrow. Just leave it for another day, please."

Watching him head back to his room, Ellie wondered if she'd ever seen her brother so defeated. He'd been hurt by Morgan, Stanford and Jill, but this was different. He'd been quieter after Morgan and had closed off after Stanford and Jill, so at least he wasn't doing either of those. She wanted to help, but didn't know how. All she knew was that if things kept on like this nothing good would come of it, not with him going off on missions.

All Chuck cared about was picking out his uniform. At least that was all he'd let himself care about other than automated search Volkoff Industries' cover businesses running on his laptop in his closet. He'd given up all his other searches. Galina was in jail, he knew what was Fulcrum was, and Orion already made contact. His search for Joe Chill had come up cold again and again thanks to only having a description of him to go off. Chuck just had to accept he'd never find him, but then maybe it would help him come to terms with not getting what he wants.

He made his way up to Sarah's apartment while Casey stayed in the van. Holding his jacket over his shoulder, Chuck knocked and the door was answered by a slick haired Bryce. "What, no rose for me this time, lover boy?"

"Cute," Chuck said dryly, walking past him. "We're just protecting our cover."

"Sales up at the Buy More?"

"Wouldn't know. I quit months ago."

"That so?" Bryce smirked. "What are you doing then?"

"They have us at the Orange Orange until our new cover is setup," Chuck said with a shrug watching Bryce go to the mirror to put on his bow tie.

"What is it?"

"Security firm," Chuck said moving to the spot on Bryce's left, near the bathroom door, and pulled his clip-on bow tie. Glancing at Bryce he noticed an open bag on the chair behind him and turned to the mirror to put on his cheap clip-on. "So, uh, staying with Sarah, huh?"

"Protecting our cover," he said looking at Chuck in the mirror. "How are things between you guys?"

"They're good," he said with a shrug. "Good, good, good. Solid. Why? Did she say something?"

"No. It's just she's a beautiful girl pretending to be your girlfriend. I was afraid you'd let the lines get blurred and fall for her."

"What? Me? Fall for Sarah?" Both men finished adjusting their ties as Chuck scoffed. "Please."

The door opened and Sarah stepped out of the bathroom in a red silk dress with silver shoes and her hair pulled back, leaving a few stray strands framing her face as she smiled upon seeing Chuck. "Hey, guys." He eyes on him she held out her arms asking, "So, how do I look?"

A dozen things came to mind, but Chuck couldn't say any of them. He wouldn't. It didn't matter anyway. Realizing he'd given her a once over, Chuck fought off a wince and raised his head with a put on smile. "Good. Red isn't really my color, so…" Chuck shrugged and walked away again, then turned around to grab his coat. "Almost forgot this." He chuckled, then looked to her with a wave of his hand, "Or salmon or whatever that is." He shrugged again, pulling on his coat as he made for the door.

Bryce didn't miss that Sarah had been beaming the moment she saw Chuck was there, or that she hadn't smiled or moved apart from watching him after he dismissed the color red. His dismissal had shaken her, left her blinking as she took a breath to steady herself before she went to the door, waiting for Bryce to get his coat so they could leave.

Sarah realized she'd made a mistake. Not only was the dress not his color apparently, but she'd expected him to react like every other man she knew. To let his baser instincts wash over his problems. She'd chosen it specifically for him but he didn't know that or he didn't care. As far as he knew the dress wasn't for him because she wasn't, which was all that mattered to him. He probably thought she had gone back to Bryce.

She'd expected him to react like Bryce and yet again found he was better, which was worse for her as it meant their ride to Von Hayes' was filled with silence. Chuck sat in the front passenger seat with head phones blasting music as he laid back with his eyes closed. He didn't even open his eyes when they got out at the drop off for their car service to take them the rest of the way while he went with Casey to drop off at the mansion.

Casey noticed even with his headphones on he noticed when they were near the mansion, pulling them off and hiding it and his ipod in the glove box just as they parked and he leapt out tucking in his ear piece. After a quick check of the mic on his way through the kitchen, Chuck started his duties, making his way through the room serving drinks. It wasn't long before he noticed Sarah and Bryce off in the corner stood close feeding each other strawberries and champagne. He barely noticed Von Hayes arrive and make some speech.

Instead he watched Bryce feed her a strawberry, then ate the last half himself, and Chuck vowed he'd never eat another strawberry in his life. It could be a mission where the antidote to a poison was in a strawberry and he would throw it into a fire before putting a strawberry near his lips ever again. The prospect made him sick. And angry. So angry.

"Hey, Bartowski, Von Hayes is at table eight. Grab a bottle of wine, see if you flash on him."

That anger left his insides boiling as he watched Sarah and Bryce start dancing to the music.

"Any security behind you?" Bryce asked mid dance.

"No," she answered irritably.

"You're still a great dancer," Bryce offered.

"You're a little rusty," she responded coolly.

Making his way through the room, Chuck tried not to look but couldn't help himself. He was a glutton for pain, pulling his attention away to serve some champagne before continuing on his way and watching them with a barely contained sneer.

"Will you just let me lead?" he asked trailing her slightly.

Turning from him, his frustration made her smile as she answered with a defiant, "No."

Of course all Chuck saw was her start literally waving her ass at Bryce. It made his mouth open, gaping at her in disbelief until he heard Casey in his ear. "Hey, quit screwing around, Bartowski, and get close to Von Hayes."

Arriving at the table, Chuck scanned everyone while pouring Von Hayes' champagne and glancing over his shoulder. Just in time to see Bryce sink, trailing his hands down her swaying body. Chuck pulled the bottle up and without thinking took a big swig, his mind flooding with a million possibilities, suddenly feeling like he needed to soak it to cool it down, just like when he was in full Piranha mode.

Though his sudden drinking didn't go unnoticed. "Excuse me?" Von Hayes asked incredulously, making him quickly pull the bottle from his lips. "Is it customary for waiters to top off the bottle?"

"Better than letting it go to waste," Chuck said with a laugh. "Why don't I just go get a fresh bottle." At that he turned and walked toward a passing waiter, switching out his now empty champagne bottle for wine. "Casey, I didn't flash."

"Keep looking, get your head in the game," Casey told him, shaking his head.

"The camera's on the east and west walls, cross for about two seconds," Sarah said raising a leg as Bryce held her, then she sank back and swayed while his hand roamed her torso.

The waiter who came to a stop beside Chuck nodded. "Lambada!"

"The forbidden dance," Chuck said squeezing the wine bottle in his hand. Of course nothing is forbidden to Bryce Larkin, he thought with venom. I have an old atomic purple Gameboy in my room, why don't you steal that too.

"That's the blind spot," Bryce said holding Sarah close.

"Get a room, right?" the young waiter said patting Chuck's arm with a laugh.

With a slight sneer, Chuck found he couldn't pull his eyes away despite wishing he had and being tempted to just gouge them out as he watched them kiss, sure he saw her tongue brush Bryce's lip. Chuck's nostrils flared as he threw the wine bottle to the ground, shattering it and spraying wine across the floor as he started to turn and leave. That was when Von Hayes came up and grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around.

"Are you on drugs?!"

"I wish," said Chuck.

"That was a thousand dollar bottle of Lafite Rothschild."

"I'm sure you can afford another," he said with a shrug.

"You're-" Von Hayes scoffed. "Were you dropped as a child from a very great height?"

"Probably. It would fit my luck to survive that."

"Sir, is everything alright," his cover boss said hurrying over to them.

"Congratulations," Von Hayes said turning to him. "You've succeeded in hiring possibly the worst waiter in history!"

"You heard the man, Jorge. You're fired. I'll call security to take you out."

"Ugh," Chuck exclaimed realizing he was going to hear about this from four different people now. "What else is new."

Just as he started to follow the bald man away from Von Hayes he heard a woman say, "Hello, Mr. Hayes, do you have my microchip?" He turned as Von Hayes greeted her, but only saw long brunette hair. "Well, my… bosses don't like to wait," she said and he felt the pull of a flash linked to her voice as she continued, "Perhaps… we could talk in private."

"Let's go," his cover boss said grabbing his bicep and pulling him out of the building.

Chuck tried to get a better look but her back was too him and then he was out of the building. Once the door closed, Chuck turned to the Camera and waved.

"Moron," Casey said with a sigh. "Bryce and Sarah are at the vault, come back to the van."

"No. I flashed on the Fulcrum agent but I didn't see her face. We need to know what she looks like."

"Fine. Go back inside and get me a real ID."

"I don't have a phone or any tools so can't break the lock," Chuck said turning to the door and tapping the security pad beside it. "Can you manage?"

"Yeah, I'm not a complete idiot, like a certain someone-"

"Bryce?"

Casey guffawed. "I meant you, but sure, him too. Try it now."

Hearing it unlock Chuck nodded. "Pretty impressive, Casey."

"Alright, just get in there and find the Fulcrum agent. You've got five minutes."

Making his way through the kitchens he passed someone who saw him and asked, "Is that Jorge?" Cursing internally he closed the door behind him and ducked under a long dining table.

That was when another set of doors opened and Von Hayes entered with the Fulcrum agent saying, "You promised us the decrypted chip two weeks ago and instead you're throwing a party."

"Well, what's the point of being rich if you can't have a little fun?" Chuck almost rolled his eyes at this man's stupidity, but then maybe he didn't know who he was dealing with.

"You have decrypted the information on the chip?"

"Yes, yes, it's all finished. The, um, questions is where's my fee?"

"Forget the fifteen million," the agent said pulling a gun from her bag and firing a silenced shot into the heart of Von Hayes' guard.

Chuck watched the guard hit the ground unconscious as his blood soaked into the rug and Von Hayes screamed. "Oh my god!"

"I think I'll just take my chip," the agent told him.

"It's in my vault. Um… I'll take you r-" he dropped his keys and Chuck saw, and then flashed on, the chip on his keychain before Von Hayes picked it back up. "I'll take you right there."

Once they left and the door closed Chuck said into his watch. "Oh, Casey, Casey! The microchip isn't in the vault. It's on Von Hayes' keychain. And I also got a good look at the Fulcrum agent."

"What'd she look like?"

"Oh gosh, dude, so awful. I mean incredibly creepy. Think… Think psycho elfin queen."

The click of a gun hammer drew his eyes up to the elfin psycho in question pointing a gun at him. "Did you say Fulcrum?"

"Would you believe me if I said I'm discussing a seesaw?"

AN:

Though another instance of mostly canon stuff, hopefully the differences and shifts stand out, the switch in his searches, etc. All those little things are fun for me to write since I typically plan on skipping most of this stuff but realize there's little differences that would or could happen to fit more with things.

For those wondering about the tests I generally put them here functionally as reasons to separate characters and have Chuck returning to Echo Park instead of being at Orange Orange. Their story function could've probably been done with a single test otherwise. Not sure if I'll mention it later so I figured I'd say here, this test was the Operational Procedures test, and of the tests is fittingly the one he does the worst on. I imagine Chucks a good tester, so pulling an all nighter beforehand isn't going to instantly fail him, just lose him a few points.

I love the 'red, or salmon' line. The read on it was great as were the reactions and it's a nice low key barb. Watching this episode back I enjoyed how pissed Sarah was during the whole dance with Bryce, like she hated being involved in it and let it be known. I imagine she'd be a bit pissed anyway, but after the salmon line she wasn't going to hide it.