For notes and disclaimer, please see part one.

Here's a couple things you might need to know or maybe you just forgot: Casey and Ellie tell Chuck and Alex that there's an impending marriage… and a move.

Final Countdown

They were harried. Planning a wedding, a move, an entire life change, really, with very little time in which to accomplish all those things was draining. When Chuck, who was to be Ellie's Person of Honor, arrived to tell Casey that they were going out for a bachelor party, initially the Marine balked. He wasn't one for parties, especially not as the center of attention. And, there were numerous things that he needed to do in addition to the things he'd rather do than spend some stripper-filled night of debauchery with his soon-to-be brother-in-law and potential future son-in-law.

When Chuck showed him the "prescription" written in his intended's handwriting, Casey caved.

While Morgan tried to insist on the blind fold, the growling, vehement anger from the groom quelled that idea quickly.

Chuck had rented a black limousine (sadly, without bullet proofing, though the Intersect had asked the party rental company about the added safety features), which took the three of them to a steak house, a real red-meat, rustic kind of place which Casey loved. After dinner, they were chauffeured across town to a cigar bar, where the single malt flowed and the smoke circled the air.

The night ended unexpectedly at a gun range. Paper targets had been custom printed with some of America's most wanted terrorists just for the occasion. Chuck had bought out the entire place, just for their little shooting party.

Casey had never been so touched in his life.

As the night wound down, he slung an arm over Chuck's shoulders. "Thank you, Bartowski."

Morgan grinned.

"You're very welcome, big guy. Had to send you off to married life right. Y'know, I think it's gonna be kinda nice, having you as an official brother," Chuck said with a grin before turning more serious. "There's no one else in the world I'd rather have protecting my sister."

Casey nodded. "Means a lot. Your approval."

Morgan cleared his throat. "Speaking of approval, y'know, I was wondering if, someday, maybe, you might be approving of me and, possibly, Alex, being something more than what we are…"

Casey's grunt was nearly mournful. "You'll keep an eye on your niece for me, won't you?" he asked, looking at Chuck.

The Intersect grinned.

Ellie wasn't sure which way was up, left, right, or sideways. Between meetings with ministers, Skyping with realtors, and yelling at movers, she was exhausted. When Alex, who was to be Casey's Groom's Maid, arrived to tell her they were going out for a bachelorette party, initially the doctor hesitated. While she would've loved a night out, there was so much to be done, so much she was afraid wouldn't be accomplished in time.

When Alex showed her the "mission brief" written in her intended's handwriting, Ellie caved.

To Ellie's surprise, Sarah lingered in the courtyard by the fountain, to join them. While the spy had yet to fully recoup her memories, she wanted to remember what she'd had before, and that had included being a sister to Ellie.

Wordlessly, Ellie hugged Sarah before they headed to dinner in her father's old Mustang convertible with the top down.

Pre-dinner cocktails were at a swanky little club that had a very retro-sixties vibe, complete with a crooning Frank Sinatra-wannabe on the tiny stage. It was just what Ellie had needed, to forget that her life had descended into madness. The stress vanished, transported back in time just as they had been.

To Ellie's endless surprise, they returned to the apartment complex for dinner. They were met in the courtyard by a culinary professor from a local college, complete with groceries and necessary tools to help teach them how to craft a fantastically wonderful Moroccan dinner.

With a playlist Sarah had created with Chuck's help, the three ladies learned the finer points of the foreign cuisine techniques for a scrumptious meal. It couldn't have been a better way to end the night, at home, with her kitchen filled with laughter and music, and Downy, as always, getting right in the thick of things.

Heaven forbid the cat realize that there were things to be done without her.

The ladies were proclaimed star chefs by their teacher, who left them with the specialty spices, gadgets, and recipes so that they could recreate it whenever they wanted. Alex insisted that they leave the dishes in the sink—because they could absolutely be done later—and guided the bride to be back outside.

It was like walking into an outdoor oasis, with twinkling floating candles in the fountain and white Christmas lights strung across courtyard from the upper balconies. Chilled champagne awaited them, along with chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Ellie shook her head as she helped herself to one of the padded lounge chairs. "This has been the best night." She looked at Alex and Sarah both. "I cannot thank you enough."

"Every now and then," began Alex, "you need a little pampering… a night of complete fun. I'm going to make sure Dad takes care of that for you when you're in Chicago."

Ellie reached out, taking Alex's hand. "I hope that means you'll come out and see us, so we can all do this again sometime. Both of you," she said, looking at Sarah.

"Knowing what I know about Chuck… and how much he loves you," began the spy guardedly, "I'm certain there will be many trips back and forth."

The bride nodded, releasing her soon-to-be step-daughter's hand. Inhaling slowly, she looked at the courtyard, at all the wonder that Alex and Sarah had been able to create. There had been many parties there over the years, so many excuses to gather, to have a good time.

Downy leapt onto the lip of the fountain, sniffing curiously at the strawberries.

There were so many memories of the courtyard, of that building… Ellie's smile was soft as she pulled Downy away from the treats, though she did grab one for herself as she settled back against the chair. The chocolate was bittersweet, just like she knew leaving Echo Park would be.

Stay tuned…