CHAPTER 47

Once Alex left, Chuck made a point of not saying anything to Casey. He knew Casey knew he'd listened in, but hopefully Casey understood he only did it partly because he was nosy and mostly so he could jump in and help if things went wrong. Either way he didn't want to push him on it, and was proud enough of the man as it was.

Instead he focused on his work, but as the hours passed his brow sank lower, his typing picking up speed until he stopped and started knocking on the desk wincing. "Damn it, damn it," Chuck muttered, "where the hell is it from?"

"Something wrong?" Casey called out, making Chuck's head snap up.

Pulling his headphone off he shook his head. "it's nothing big, I just-I tried going back further in Volkoff's records, you know? I figure maybe we already have someone in custody we can make talk or something."

Impressed, Casey nodded. "Not a bad idea."

"Yeah, but it's a lot harder than the newer stuff since the few records I can access are all vague. The biggest thing I can find are a ton of purchases around ten or twenty years ago that all lead back to the same place and I know I heard something about it recently I just can't remember what it was or where I heard it."

"Where is it?"

"Costa Gravas?" Chuck said uncertainly.

Casey's brow rose. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Chuck looked at the screen and nodded. "There's about thirty transactions. Most of them are relatively small, but there's a few that are large even for Volkoff. They don't say what they were for though, just the amounts."

"He's here," Casey said getting out of his chair to walk over to Chuck. "The Premier, Goya, he's coming here for peace talks or some crap."

"Then maybe we can talk to him."

Casey scoffed. "He's here on a diplomacy mission. Not like we can just go in and torture him."

"I meant over tea or coffee or whatever his country does," Chuck said grimacing. "It's kind of scary you went straight to torture."

"Well he isn't going to tell you he's linked to an arms dealer," Casey said shaking his head. "He'll say his people dealt with Volkoff's people and he never knew anything about it."

"There has to be some way to get him to help us, right?" Chuck looked back at the monitor. "This is too good a chance to miss."

It was late when Sarah returned, knocking on Casey's door. When it opened she found Chuck already picking up his things. "Everything go alright here?"

"He had a tantrum but once I gave him a juice box he settled down for his nap," said Casey.

"Ha," she said dryly, looking to Chuck as he made his way over.

Patting Casey's shoulder Chuck said, "Good stuff today. I'm proud of you."

Casey grunted while Sarah looked on in confusion as Chuck stepped past her and led the way to Ellie's. Once they were out of the courtyard she gave a quick greeting to Ellie and Devon, grabbed Chuck's wrist and pulled him into his room.

Watching them hurry past and noticing Sarah's expression Devon gave a grim, "Uh oh."

Once the door was closed Sarah turned on him and crossed her arms. "Did I do something?"

Chuck stared in confusion at the difference between the question asked and the anger on her face. "Um, I'm going to guess not a spa day so maybe a day working out?"

She grunted, frustrated he somehow guessed right. "I meant before that. I spent all day thinking about what I could have done but I can't think of anything. Did I do something to upset you and make you go to Casey's?"

"No," he said shaking his head. "You didn't do anything. I just wanted to give you space, but look, I-I know it's not a flash… but I think I have a lead on something we can do." His defensive tone when he mentioned flashing caught her attention, but before she could question it he'd set his laptop on his desk and continued, "Costa Gravas purchased a lot of stuff from Volkoff back in the day. I thought maybe we could convince the Premier to talk with us and give us something on Volkoff since he's making friends with the US now."

"That's not really how it works, Chuck," she said shaking her head. Seeing him frown, she wondered if maybe that was the problem. Maybe she had been unknowingly treating him like a kid that morning, explained something to him and treated him like a child again. "It's a good idea though. Just… not an actionable one."

Crossing his arms, Chuck sighed. "Casey basically said the same thing."

Sarah winced realizing he'd told her hoping for her support and she'd shot it down. Why did it feel like she kept kicking dirt on him? Stepping to him she slid her arms around him, not knowing what else to do. "Did you eat?"

"I guess I forgot," Chuck said with a laugh.

"Why don't we go find something?" She kissed his cheek before grabbing his hand and leading him back out of the room.

Hearing them heading toward the kitchen Devon looked up from the couch and gave an approving nod. "Makeup quickie, nice."

"You two okay?" Ellie asked shaking her head at her fiancee's commentary.

"A little hungry," said Sarah.

"There should be some leftovers," Ellie said motioning to the fridge before turning back to the television.

Sarah released Chuck, who turned to the television as the reporters said, "This visit to the US is the first for the outspoken Costa Gravan leader. Goya has ruled his small nation ever since a Communist coup in nineteen seventy four." Seeing his picture and hearing his name seemed to be enough to pull the information on the man from the Intersect.

He'd just come out of it when his phone beeped along with Sarah's, making the couple share a glance before checking their phones. Each found a text from Casey telling them 'My place. Now.'

"I guess dinner will have to wait," Chuck said pocketing his phone.

Ellie glanced back frowning. "Something come up?"

"Uh," Chuck glanced at Devon, "we're heading to Casey's to handle an investor."

Turning around to watch the couple head for the door, Devon said, "You got this, Chuck."

"Thanks, Awesome," he said with a surprised and pleased nod, then looked surprised as Devon's phone beeped and he leapt to his feet.

"Duty calls," Devon said turning to kiss Ellie as he picked up his bad and made for the door with Chuck and Sarah.

At Casey's Beckman told them Goya was in critical condition, which Casey wanted to celebrate. It turned out he'd been ordered to kill Goya multiple times, which Beckmen reminded he'd failed each time.

"Thought you said you had a perfect record," Sarah said with a haughty smile. It wasn't until Casey shot her a questioning look that she realized the bite in her comment had been born of jealousy. The fact Chuck had gone to Casey all day was clearly still bugging her.

"Wow. This is getting entertainingly uncomfortable," Chuck said looking between the two.

Beckman went on to explain how US relations with Costa Gravas had changed since Goya planned to open his nation up to a democratic election. She made it clear they were to protect him.

"So we're assuming this was an assassination attempt?" asked Sarah.

"We're not assuming anything until we've secured his medical records," Beckman told them. "Which brings me to your assignment. The premier is being treated at-"

"Let me guess," Chuck interrupted, "Westside Medical?"

"Correct," Beckman said with a nod.

"General, are you suggesting that I exploit my sister or brother-in-law to acquire confidential medical records for government use?"

"Yes, Chuck," Beckman said evenly, "that's exactly what I'm suggesting."

Chuck snapped his fingers. "Hey, I knew it."

"And if anything happens to the premier," she said moving the papers on her desk before ending the call, "I'm holding you responsible."

Chuck groaned as he got to his feet. "Maybe I can just hack into the hospital records?"

"We could just ask Ellie," suggested Sarah.

"Or just ask her fiancee," said Casey as if they were missing the obvious. "He's the one working on it. Get him to tell you if there was anything suspicious. That way we don't risk your sister getting caught or you having to hack their system."

"I don't know if he'll crack that easily. I know he seems like a typical frat brother at times but he's serious about some stuff, and being a doctor is definitely one of them. He takes the whole confidentiality thing to heart. He once did a physical on some actress and spent a whole party turning down all his frat brothers asking questions about her. He wouldn't even say her height or anything."

"I could always make him talk," Casey offered.

"No!" Chuck sighed, getting to his feet. "I'll figure something out. Maybe he'll tell Ellie and she'll t ell us."

Heading over to Ellie they found her coming out of her room changed into scrubs for her late shift. "Hey you two. I'm guessing you have a mission?"

"Kind of," Chuck said hesitantly. "We kind of might need your help."

"Me?" Ellie's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "I can't. I don't know anything about spying."

"We know, Ellie," Sarah assured, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm the doctor. "We're not asking you to put yourself in danger. It just happens that our mission is to make sure no one is trying to kill the Premier of Costa Gravas, and Devon is treating him. We were hoping that you could convince him to tell us about his records, let us know if him collapsing is a failed assassination attempt."

"Do you think he's in danger?" Ellie asked the two.

"No," Chuck assured. "He's just his doctor. They wouldn't go after Goya while Devon or anyone else is around, if anyone is even going after him. It might just be too many cigars and steaks."

"I don't know if I can make him talk," Ellie said frowning. "We take our oaths very seriously. If it was me I'd tell you guys since I know everything, but Devon doesn't. Maybe I can try to…" She saw the look they exchanged and quickly shook her head. "You want to tell Devon?"

"Not especially." Chuck shrugged. "but we're going to have to tell him at some point, right? And it's not like we have to tell him everything. Just that we work for the government and are working to protect Goya."

Ellie groaned. "I don't want him involved in this stuff."

"Neither do I," Chuck assured. "But Ellie, if there is someone going after him then not only could we stop them and save Goya's life, but… there's a chance Goya might know something that can help us get to Volkoff. If we can hit Volkoff where it hurts then it will give me real leverage against the government and keep them from getting rid of me when another Intersect comes along."

"Well I have my shift," she said shaking her head, "and I'm guessing you guys can't really wait until I'm around to tell him about it."

"I'm sorry, Sis."

"It's fine. I'll talk to him when I get home, assuming I'm not dead on my feet."

They watched the news where Awesome gave a conference before briefly going over what they would tell him. Maybe it was her wanting to make up for the day or just her trusting him, but Sarah suggested chuck handle it himself. "He'll feel more comfortable if it's just you and not both of us ganging up, demanding it from him."

"Are you sure? You're the one that's the real agent here."

"And you're the one he knows better and will trust," she countered.

"Isn't pretending to be a federal agent a crime?" Chuck asked with a teasing smile.

"So is hacking into government databases and stealing millions of dollars," Sarah said leaning in to kiss his cheek, "but that doesn't stop you."

Watching her go to his room, Chuck settled into the kitchen chair waiting for Devon to get home. When he did he found Chuck sat on a chair facing the door. Slinging his bag to the wall, Devon's brow knit. "You wait up for me, bro?"

"There's a few questions I need to ask you."

"Sure," Devon said shaking his head in amusement. "No chance this could wait until I catch some shut eye?"

"I'm afraid not," Chuck said getting to his feet.

"This about your fighting with the lady?" Devon sympathetically grabbed Chuck's shoulder. "Don't worry. Making up makes you closer."

Chuck closed his eyes to keep from rolling them. "No, it's about Alejandro Goya."

"The Premier?" Devon blinked, pulling his hand back. "Bro, you know I can't talk about that. Doctor-pat-"

"It's a matter of life and death," Chuck interrupted, making Devon's eyes widen. "A matter of national security."

"What do you mean?"

"Devon, I-I work with the government, and I've been given the mission of making sure the Premier survives his trip here, so I need to know if someone tried to kill him."

Devon gaped for a full seven seconds before shaking his head. "Wait, you're like, what? A secret agent or something?"

"The most secret, in a way," he said cautiously.

Frowning, Devon asked, "Is Ellie?"

"No," Chuck answered quickly. "No, but she knows I work with the government. I just told her a while ago."

"So it's really your mission to protect the Premier?" Devon asked skeptically. "Not like, off him?"

"I don't do the offings," Chuck assured. "I've yet to off anyone. I'm more about handling computers. Which is why I could try and hack the hospital and get his information, but there's always the risk I could screw up or the wrong person could see the wrong thing at the wrong time and figure out I was looking… Or I was hoping you could just tell me if you noticed anything odd. Anything that would indicate his collapse was anything but natural."

"Here?" Devon asked looking around the apartment. "Doesn't the CIA want to debrief me or something?"

Chuck nodded. "I am debriefing you. This is a debriefing."

"I meant in your secret base."

Chuck laughed and shook his head. "You've been watching too many movies. Before this we were working out of the Orange Orange. It's not like the freezer led to an underground bunker. Just extra citrus surprise."

"Hm." Devon nodded, slowly smiling as he smacked Chuck's shoulder. "I knew you were too good for the Buy More. Now it all makes sense."

"No, that was me," Chuck said shaking his head. "I was that big of a loser. But things changed and here we are. Obviously you can't tell anyone else about this, but you also can only let on that you know about it in here, okay? There are cameras in the courtyard to keep us safe, but if the people who watch it find out I told you know about me I'll be in a lot of trouble. Now, please, what can you tell me about the Premier?"

"Well," Devon sighed, "I know he didn't really have a heart attack. His potassium level was off the charts. I don't know how it got into his system-"

"So he was poisoned. That's what I needed to know. Thanks."

"Woah, Chuck," Devon said grabbing his arm as he turned toward the hall. "You know if there's ever anything else that I can do…"

"You've been great," Chuck assured. "This will help."

"No, seriously," said Devon. "You're gonna be my brother-in-law soon. If you ever need some help, just let me know."

The offer surprised Chuck, who nodded. "I'll keep it in mind. Thanks."

Returning to his room he found Sarah sat against her pillows, closing her laptop as he closed the door. "How'd it go?"

"Goya was poisoned."

"He'll be safe for the night," she said setting aside her laptop. "Come to bed. We have an early morning."

She knew they should just try to get what sleep they could, but once she had her arms around him she found herself kissing his jaw. Once he turned to catch her lips it wasn't long before they were sweat soaked and naked under the comforter. She wanted to be close to him, and after a day apart she needed it, needed to show him how much she wanted it. How much she wanted him.

After a rushed and shared shower that morning they were dressed and made their way over to Casey's for a debriefing where Beckman told them they would be going to break into an event at the Costa Gravan Consulate. It was also where they learned the Costa Gravans called Casey the Angel of Death. And right as he questioned whether the Premier would still care about him a squad of soldiers arrived at the court yard, but then went to knock on Ellie's door.

They watched as Devon and Ellie came out and Alejandro Goya himself invited them to the gala at the consulate that night. "That's our in," Chuck said peeking out Casey's door, and when they accepted he hurried out. "Somebody say something about a gala?"

Ellie quickly told them who he was once the guns turned on him, and Goya indirectly invited him as well. Once they departed Ellie smiled at the invitation, then grabbed Devon and turned back inside. Sarah hurried behind him, following him inside and closing the door behind them.

"Is this safe?" Ellie asked waving the tickets.

"Well-"

"Absolutely," Chuck said cutting off Sarah. "With us there you'll be safe."

Sarah glanced at him then looked to Ellie. "We were told to attend and find the assassin before he harms the Premier. We'll keep you safe."

"So did you guys set this up?" asked Devon.

"No, just… dumb luck." Chuck shrugged. "Either way, it works out and we'll handle it."

"So you're both secret agents?" Devon asked looking between the two.

"We are," Sarah said with a nod when Chuck hesitated. "I assume Chuck told you how important it is that you don't share this with anyone, or let on that you know. Anywhere outside of the apartment could be unsafe, but we scan here every day to make sure there aren't bugs. If anyone finds out who we work for, or even that you know, it could put all of us in danger."

"Hey my lips are sealed," Devon assured with a trembling grimace.

Ellie rubbed his back. "Honey, think of it like an oath, okay? An oath to protect me and our family."

Devon grinned at her, nodding. "I will. I swear it."

Turning to them Ellie asked, "And you're absolutely sure it's safe?" Seeing them nod, Ellie grinned. "Then I need a dress. Why don't you come with me, Sarah?"

"I, uh," she glanced to Chuck.

"Casey can babysit him," Ellie said with a wave of her hand.

"Casey's a spy too?" Devon nodded. "That makes sense."

Sarah looked to Chuck, who was snickering as he looked to her. "Go enjoy yourself. I have more work to do anyway."

Though she groaned, she couldn't turn down Ellie's offer. Chuck went with Casey to pick out a tux for the night, with Chuck only cracking three jokes about him having to stay in the van.

Once they were in the Consulate, Sarah went to check the back and for the first time in well over a week he was on his own. Looking out for assassins. With a breath he made his way over to Devon by the bar, who was watching Goya.

"So what's the plan, bro? Wait for them to strike them take 'em out?"

"Take them-" Chuck shook his head. "No. Hopefully nothing happens. But if it does we'll try to stop them before they get to him."

"I get it. What's my mission?" Devon asked quietly.

"Your mission? Your mission is to keep my sister out of danger. To keep your eyes on her all night."

"Uh, Chuck," Devon said as he put his eyes on Ellie just as Goya approached her, kissing her knuckles. Thankfully Sarah appeared and whisked her away.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Ellie asked once they were sat down, but then seeing Sarah glance toward Chuck she nodded. "It was to get me out of the way, right?"

With a laugh Sarah said, "More because you looked uncomfortable. Trust me, I know how guys like that can be."

"You must have to deal with that stuff all the time, huh? For missions or whatever."

"Sometimes," she admitted with a shrug. "Not as often as others. My specialties lie in other areas. I've mostly been stuck with those tasks since not many of the men we go after find Casey as appealing in a bikini."

Ellie laughed, then gasped and gave a quiet, "Sorry, Casey."

"It's not open on our end," Sarah said with a smirk.

Ellie looked across the room to the two most important men in her life and smiled. "It must be fun sometimes though. Going to these events, getting dressed up like this with my brother. I bet you two can't keep your hands off each other afterward."

Though she shared Ellie's laugh, Sarah's quickly faded. "We haven't had much chance to celebrate together. The missions we had after getting together we either had to go our own ways after for the cover or they ended before we even left Casey's house." There was the suburbs, but that was more during the mission. Though technically every time was during a mission.

"So I'll need to cover my ears again tonight?"

Sarah's face fell and her cheeks flushed. "Oh god, I'm sorry. Am I-"

"I'm kidding!" Ellie shook her head. "I guess I chose the wrong one to make that joke to. Chuck used to say he had to sleep with headphones on whenever Devon and I came home together after our shifts."

After nodding, Sarah smiled and said, "Well, maybe you should anyway. Depending on the mission…" Her voice trailed as she realized her only experience with anything after a mission was Bryce. She hated comparing Chuck to Bryce. Even knowing he'd always come out on top, she still hated making the comparison.

"What's the deal with you guys?" Devon asked across the room, noticing how Chuck watched Sarah speaking to his sister. "I mean, not to be crass or anything, but you and Sarah really, you know?"

Chuck nodded, pride coloring his smirk. "Yeah. We are. We do. Our bosses can't know about it, they think we're just pretending for people like you and Ellie, but we really are."

Devon knit his brow. "So you have a fake fake relationship."

After taking a second to think it over Chuck answered, "Pretty much."

"Why can't they know?"

"Because they think it's unprofessional. That it compromises us."

"Hm. I bet it must be fun going into danger with someone you love, but it must be rough too, huh? You can't be there to help them all the time. You can't protect them all the time. Must be tough knowing exactly the kind of danger their in when that happens."

Chuck returned his gaze to Sarah. "It's hell."

"It can't be easy for you seeing him so involved," Ellie said noticing the hint of a frown on Sarah's lips. "At least once he gets his upgrade we shouldn't have to worry as much."

"I wish it were that simple," Sarah said shaking her head.

Ellie searched her face. "I guess it's different for me since I'm not here with you. I don't see him putting himself in danger, just that he leaves and returns. Knowing he can defend himself helps me, but maybe it would be different if I actually saw him like you do."

"He doesn't need it to be good at this," Sarah said solemnly. "He's already incredible. There are fully trained agents who couldn't have done half the stuff he has just on missions, not to mention all the other stuff. Once he has his update…" Sarah kept herself from saying the words that had been burning in the back of her head since she heard about the update, instead saying, "He'll be a one man army. Which is why I'm worried Beckman will be reluctant to let him go even if they have their own Intersect."

"Orion's still working on the removal," Ellie said grasping Sarah's hand. "We'll get it out of him and Beckman and everyone else won't have a reason to bother him anymore. They can leave him alone, let him live a normal life."

Bryce's voice echoed in her mind, You're not exactly a normal girl. And right behind it as she looked to Chuck speaking with Devon, Once he has the update he won't need you anymore.

"I'm not like her or Casey," Chuck told Devon, turning to the doctor with a smirk. "Like I said I'm the computer guy, so I can't really help much once things get dangerous, but I'm hoping to change that. Like you said, it's rough, but I'm going to change it. Make myself good enough to protect her." Glancing back to her with a somber smile he thought, Good enough for her.

"Okay ladies enough chatting," Casey said over their earpieces. "And yes I meant you too, Bartowski. I need someone to keep a line open, otherwise I'm just going off the cameras."

"Sorry, I'll keep the line open," Chuck said with a glance to Devon that told him to be careful.

With an understanding nod Devon motioned to the table with their partners. "Let's go get our ladies."

Sarah and Chuck went back to scouting the room until Goya called Ellie onto the floor for a dance, during which Casey told them about a freedom fighter who had slipped in with the wait staff.

When they spotted him Sarah reminded Chuck, "We're on Costa Gravan soil. They will arrest us if we make a sudden move toward the premier. We need to get across the dance floor."

"We can't just walk around, bump into him or something?" Chuck asked with a nervous look toward the dance floor.

"He could move in by then," Sarah said suddenly fighting a smile. She knew he didn't like dancing much, at least not publicly, much less making a scene, but she could guide him along. For now he still needed her for this. "Come on," she said grabbing his hand and dragging him onto the floor.

He did his best to keep up, but ultimately he knew it worked. If he looked like such an uncoordinated idiot dancing with this gorgeous woman, why wouldn't he elbow the person behind him, knocking them through a table. However it wasn't enough to keep them from getting kicked out, but as they did Chuck flashed on a gaunt guard who turned out to be the actual assassin, Jack Artman.

Devon being caught up in the excitement of the mission saw the suspicious guard draw a gun and charged in, taking him out before he knew it was Casey. And while Goya praised him for saving his life again, Devon realized he might have just cost Casey his.

Chuck and Sarah went to Casey's ahead of them to call Beckman, but were told to stay away rather than try to get him back. Once the call ended however, Chuck turned to Sarah. "We're not doing that, right?"

"I can't do anything about it, Chuck. I can't risk your life by taking you there, and I'm still under orders to guard you around the clock."

"Fine," Chuck said with a nod, "then you can guard me as I go to get him out of there." When she was thinking it over, Chuck stepped forward to grab her arms and meet her eyes pleading, "I need your help, Sarah. Please."

Sometimes she wondered if the Intersect really did give him some kind of ability to see right through her. "We need to change."

As they made their way into Ellie's they found her and Devon in the living room, having just returned from the consulate. Spotting them, Devon let out a sigh of relief. "Great, you're here. I think I can help get Casey back."

"Unless you can get into the consulate without starting some international incident, I want you two far away from this," Chuck said holding up his hands to stop him.

"That's exactly what I can do," Devon said stepping away from a concerned Ellie. "I just got a call. The premier collapsed again. His last request was for me to be his doctor."

"Devon if you think this is you chance to be a spy like them-"

He cut Ellie off, turning to her, "It's my chance to set things right." Turning back to Chuck and Sarah, Devon sighed. "I'll get you inside, then I promise I'll leave the spy stuff to the pros."

"I'm coming with yo-"

"NO!" Three voices said in unison, stopping Ellie mid-step.

"Babe please it's-"

"It's going to be hard enough protecting your brother and your fiancee," Sarah said stepping to Ellie. "Please, Ellie. Trust me."

Looking from her fiance to her brother, Ellie ended with her gaze on Sarah, clutching her hands. "Please bring them home safe."

AN:

I considered the A-Team-like episode, even had a brief plot for that coming out of Angel of Death, but realized it was all kind of unnecessary to get where I wanted, so stuck with just this. I chose it mostly for a moment that starts the next chapter which stood out when I rewatched the episode.

I'm having fun with the relationship stuff here with both misreading things. To me it's bittersweet with a bit more sugar since there's the safety net of them being together and thus more likely to make up despite that net being fairly easy to rip away or turn into spikes by having the problems grow into bigger ones and there's always the threat of them breaking up. It's also fun knowing what the seeds will become, especially since some are involved with stuff I have planned for the season/part 2 finale.

Next chapter should be start of what I'm treating as the part 1 finale, which I've been looking forward to doing since early on. Stuff might get a bit bloody.