A/N: Hello to everyone...thanks for your patience...been sorta busy with Walkabout. Getting sorta tight there so wanted to take a break and get back here. I might get another chapter or two before the weekend or maybe...it's right back to Walkabout...I just don't know...just follow where the pen leads...oops...sorry about that...showing my old age...still write longhand and then use notes to work this magic...ta dah...this chapter ends without a hard ..or even soft note...sorta just there, waiting for more to be added and it will be...soon. As everyone who posts here says...or is it just me?...nope, I'm pretty sure ir's all the posters...please leave a review...for or against...love it or hate it...just let the author know...sure you could not do it and save yourself a few minutes...but what then...you leave your computer a few minutes earlier...and walk out the door a few minutes earlier...and the piano falls from a great height and crushes you...just because you didn't review...hey, I'm just trying to save your life...you're important to me...I mean it, you really are...so...today's lesson...leave a review and you won't be crushed by a falling piano...or safe...or...some other really heavy thing...just saying..,.the life you save by leaving a review could be your own.
Jim...keep getting better...you, not your writing...your writing is good enough(as in GREAT)...my inferiority complex is big enough, thank you.
I bought a box of crackerjacks and got a cool prize...it wasn't Chuck so I still don't own Chuck...but I know own Shaw...and those crackerjacks left a funny taste in my mouth...i wonder if that's from the Shaw...yeah, that's got to be it...blecccchhh. Stupid bad tasting crackerjacks...never again.
No living betas were harmed in the writing of this chapter...or the entire story for that matter...dead betas...well those were abused a lot...mostly name calling and such...who cares...zombies, although a threat up close and personal, are downright silly when placed in front of a computer and challenged to beta a story...don't belive me...try it for yourself... you'll laugh until you wet yourself...trust me...i just did...gotta go...enjoy...and review...remember...piano, crush...review, no smush... JT
Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer Chapter 6
Chuck awoke in what was rapidly becoming his favorite position, his arm wrapped around a blonde super-spy who had her head tucked into the nook between his neck and shoulder. Her warm breath caressed his skin and one of her legs was draped over his thigh, making him very aware of her lack of clothing. He glanced down and found Sarah awake and staring up at him.
"Good morning beautiful" he said after planting a kiss on her forehead, "what are your plans for the day?"
"Me…what about you? What are your plans?"
"Plans?…I'm unemployed, remember. I could spend the entire day with a beautiful woman, trying to keep a smile on her face." he finished, adding the Bartowski eyebrow dance.
"Chuck…seriously." she said before rolling over so she was straddling his waist and looking down into his eyes.
"Sarah…I honestly have no plans…if I can't find a beautiful spy to ravish, I guess I'll get started on the plan for the business that I pitched to 'him and her'. I figure I should have something ready for this afternoon's briefing.
"Chuck, what do you mean…'have something ready'? I thought you had something ready yesterday. You didn't?"
"Well…not exactly. I was sorta winging it."
"Winging it? Are you crazy?"
"Hey, calm down. I figured that they'd either table the suggestion, say yes or find me a nice bunker. It seemed like good odds."
Sarah cuffed him gently on the head. "Chuck, weren't you even thinking about our…uh…uh…"
"Kid…child…baby in waiting…spawnlet…"
"Yeah…spawnlet…really?"
"Sarah, I didn't know yesterday…I didn't find out until last night…remember, I took that quick nap when you told me?"
"Chuck" Sarah said with a big smile, "you fainted…luckily I was there to administer mouth to mouth."
"Agent Walker…I'm so glad you were there to help…in fact, I'm feeling a little faint right now…"
"Chuck, you may have the day off but I have a shift at…you know what, the hell with it…Scooter can find someone to cover for me" she said before leaning down to whisper into his ear. " I believe you said you had some ravishing you wanted to do? Well, get started."
"Yes ma'am" he said as his lips found hers. "Whatever you want."
-00-00-0-00-
The sound of Chuck's cel phone brought them back to reality. Untangling himself from Sarah's sweaty grasp, he looked at the phone's display and grimaced. "Yeah, Big Mike…what do you want?…Oh really?…you don't say?…well, isn't that interesting…now, let me see if I've got this right…Lester has confessed and you're giving him a two week suspension…after firing me for the same thing…oh, affirmative action…that makes it right…and now you want me to come back to work for you…like nothing happened. Well, I'll tell you what…I've decided to open my own business. I'm gonna do repairs and installations and…whenever possible, I'm going to take clients away from you. You're right, this doesn't sound like me. I spent five years covering for you and when you had the chance to stand up for me, you didn't! Yeah, I'm sorry too…sorry it took me so long to finally stand up for myself… Well, good luck to you too…and believe me, with Lester and Jeff now being your best 'Nerd-herders', you're gonna need it. I'll be in to pick up my final check on Friday…see you then."
As soon as Chuck disconnected the call, Sarah wrapped her arms around him from behind and whispered into his ear. "I'm so proud of you. I have to be honest…hearing you stand up for yourself really gets me hot. Why don't you take me to the shower so we can get each other cleaned up for this afternoon's meeting."
"But the briefing isn't for five hours."
"Well Chuck…you have to get something together for the briefing and I'm feeling pretty dirty so, after you get me 'clean'…you might have a little time left to get your business idea together…"
"Yes ma'am" Chuck said as he stood and took her hand. "Let's see if I can make you happy."
"I know you can, Chuck…I know you can!"
-00-0-0000-00-0-0
Chuck had headed back to Casa Bartowski about two hours before the briefing, planning to have something actually written down before he talked to Graham and Beckman. He was busy filling up the second page of his proposal when he caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. Spinning around in his chair, he watched in awe as Sarah silently entered through the Morgan door, moving with a grace that bordered on feline. He couldn't keep the smile from his face as he watched her glide over to his chair and take a seat in his lap.
"So, Mr. Bartowski, are you ready to make your presentation?"
"I really think I am, Sarah. If the powers that be will give me the chance, I think I'll be able to make it work. I might even have to hire a 'hottie' to work as a receptionist slash secretary. OW! What was that for? I never said that the 'hottie' wouldn't be you…although if you're going to be this violent in the work place, I may have to reconsider…OW!"
Twisting her hand through the curls at the back of his head, Sarah made sure she had Chuck's attention. "Because I'm pretty sure that I'll be able to kick your ass up until and probably through the epidural, you should really consider, very carefully, who you hire as your secretary."
"You have to know that you will be the first one I interview for the position…"
"Chuck…I'll be the only one you interview…unless there are some other positions you want to give up! Understand?"
"Yes ma'am" Chuck said with a smile, "have you noticed how often I seem to be saying 'yes ma'am' to you…a lot?
"Now that you mention it, I have…and I'm quite happy with it. Now…" she said, getting up from his lap and grabbing his hand, "gather up your plans and let's go to Casey's so we can see what we're going to be doing with our business."
"Our?"
"Yes…at least I hope it's ours."
"I think I can work with that. One question…will your secretarial outfit be as 'interesting' as your Weinerlicious uniform…Ow! What was that for?"
-00-0-0-0-
The briefing had barely begun and already Sarah could see that the Director and the General seemed less that enthused. The general had started the meeting by offering to put Chuck on the payroll as an analyst and he didn't seem to like the idea.
"Ok General…you're saying that I won't be doing any fieldwork, correct?"
"Well, if you won't be paying me for fieldwork…then I guess you don't want me doing any."
"Mr. Bartowski…you have no formal training so why should I pay you for field work…which is what a trained agent does?"
"General…and Director…I'm fairly certain that I was never consulted before one of your employees sent me this 'gift'. Since I didn't ask for it, you can't expect me to work for you for nothing. You have offered analyst pay and that's fine as long as that is all I'm doing…however, if you want me to take part in field work, you'll have to up the ante."
"We'll what?…" General Diane Beckman sputtered, clearly struggling to maintain her self control.
"Mr. Bartowski…If the NSA doesn't wish to make use of your …uh…talents, the CIA would be happy to have you sign an exclusive contract with us…and then we can decide how and when you'll help the NSA."
"Director Graham! You will not be signing and contracts…"
"And why not?" Langstrom Graham asked, clearly wanting to take control of Chuck and the Intersect. "Agent Walker is already in place and would be happy to step in and supply twenty-four/seven surveillance plus we would assign an other agent for back-up. Major Casey could go back to doing what he does best…killing people."
"I don't think so, Director…the NSA won't allow you to take control of the asset like that. Perhaps a controlled environment would be for the best. Mr. Bartowski, would you like to add…Mr. Bartowski?…Major Casey…Agent Walker, where is the asset? He was sitting there just a moment ago…where is he?"
"Um…General…ma'am…it appears that the asset has walked out of the room…just a moment." Casey replied before getting up from his seat and walking towards his kitchen. "Hey…numb nuts, what the hell are you doing? Are you trying to piss off the General…because if so, bang up job."
Chuck walked past Casey without saying a word and returned to his spot on the couch. After twisting off the top on the bottle of beer in his hand, he looked back at the video monitor. Seeing the shocked looks of the General and the Director, he looked at Sarah who was staring at him with wide eyes. "What? They didn't seem to want to talk to me…just at, over or around me…so I went and got a beer. I was thirsty…they're lucky I wasn't hungry because all Casey's got are hot pockets and I hate those things. I would have had to order some take out and I know it's rude to eat in front of people. So, where were we?"
"Mr. Bartowski" the Director started, " I have to agree with you that since you are being asked to do more than traditional analyst work, you should be compensated for it. I can assure you that the General and I will work out a fair pay grade for you. Next…would you please tell us what exactly you have planned for your cover business"
"Director…uh, General, I don't want this to be a cover business…I want to start a business that actually makes money. I believe that I have the knowledge and skill to make a go of it. I actually made contacts during the five years I worked for the Buymore and with the help of a few 'bones' from the government, our business could be making money within six months."
"Our' business, Mr. Bartowski? Do you have another partner we are not aware of…please tell me that you're not considering bringing Mr. Grimes into this."
"No general…no Morgan. I plan to have Agent Walker working with me…after all…" Chuck winked as he glanced at Sarah, "Mrs. Larkin is going to be investing her death benefits into the business." Chuck said with a smirk. Sarah snorted and Casey snickered under his breath.
"Is this true, Agent Walker? I thought that you said that you and Agent Larkin were never married." Director Graham asked, clearly puzzled by the development.
"That's right. I'm going to use that check to help Chuck get our business started. I figured it would help with the cover if Chuck had an investor who wasn't the government…directly anyway." she glanced at Chuck and saw him nod, briefly. "Since I'll be a partner I'll be able to spend more time with the asset, keeping him safe while helping build the business."
"I guess that makes sense" the general said, adding "what else do you have in mind, Mr. Bartowski?"
"Well, for now, I don't see the need for a store front…I'll just work out of my apartment until we actually need the extra room."
"You are going to start your business by working out of the bedroom you rent from your sister? Really, I thought you had a plan?" General Beckman said, the disdain evident in her voice.
"You know General, you can be a real…"
"Chuck…maybe you should tell her about the apartment…you know, the one across the courtyard that just became vacant and you plan to rent?" Sarah said, clearly trying to keep Chuck calm…and off of the General's bad side.
"You're right Sarah…how nice of you to remind me" he said through clenched teeth. "Yes, it seems that a three bedroom, two bath apartment just opened and I plan to take it…with my new 'job', I'm sure I can afford it and until things really get going, I can work out of it. It'll also make surveillance easier for Casey…he can watch the outside of the apartment…unless you want to send him somewhere else?"
"No…no, that sounds fine…for now." the general answered with a scowl, "is there anything else that you want to tell us or…"
"Well, yes ma'am. When I said government bones earlier, I assume you understand that I meant work from government sources?"
"Of course I understood. What else do you suppose I might have thought?"
"Well, General…when the IRS throws someone a 'bone', it's not always pleasant."
"How very droll, Bartowski. Anything else."
"Not that I can think of…once the apartment is rented, I'll need to set up a monitor there…for 'work' purposes, and I'll need a vehicle of some sort…maybe I can check your impound lot and find something that can be made functional, for both of my jobs?"
" Mr. Bartowski" Langstrom Graham decided to jump in, 'the General and I will get together and iron out all of the details. We'll send you the details as soon as we can agree on everything…"
"Oh crap…that'll take forever…"
"Mr. Bartowski!" the general snapped, "you will have the information by noon tomorrow. Now, if you'll excuse us, Director Graham and I need to speak with Agent Walker and Major Casey."
"Oh…okay. I'll…uh, just be going then." he replied as he slowly started making his way to the front door. Glancing at Sarah, he saw her nod briefly towards Ellie's and figured she would catch up to him there.
As soon as Chuck had closed the door behind him, the general let loose. "Agent Walker, I know that the CIA does things a little differently from the NSA but, really, is this anyway to control an asset? Just who the hell is in control there in Burbank. If Mr. Bartowski wasn't so valuable, he'd be chained to a desk somewhere….I know, I know…he's to emotional and would be next to worthless if pushed too hard…but really?"
"I'm sorry Agent Walker but I must agree…why don't you have him under better control. You're training should have him groveling…after all, you're supposed to be one of our best…"
Director…General, with all due respect…if you're unhappy with my job performance, I would understand if you re-assign me…however, I believe that Chuck Bartowski is a work in progress. He's had an incredible amount of stuff dumped in his life in the last six weeks and he has adapted, quite well. I hope that you'll give me the chance to see if I can steer him along and get Chuck…and the Intersect, working to the best of his abilities."
"Agent Walker…I'll leave you in place, for now. You do seem to have a calming effect on the asset. Now, what about the other matter…have you reached a decision?"
"No sir…but I will let you know by the end of the week. Is there anything else? Then goodnight."
After Sarah had left and Director Graham had disconnected the video feed, Major John Casey waited for the explosion.
"God dammit, John! What the hell is going on out there? If that information wasn't so incredibly valuable I'd have you plant that pain in the ass right now…however…until the new Intersect is up and running, we need him. Keep him safe and I'll let you know when that is no longer necessary…and the you'll do what you do best."
"Yes ma'am" Casey answered and then realized that the monitor was already blank. "Damn, she never says goodbye. Well, this just keeps getting better and better." he said to an empty apartment. "Non-stop fun."
-000-00-0-0-
Chuck was lying back on his bed when Sarah wandered in through the door. Sitting up quickly, he was about to ask what was wrong when Ellie appeared behind her, smiling. "Sarah volunteered to help me make dinner…isn't that great?" Ellie was beaming and Sarah looked terrified.
"It's ok Sarah…my sister has never killed anyone in the kitchen…that I know of. Have fun"
"I will…Chuck, after dinner, can we go for a walk …there's some things I want to talk to you about."
"Of course…now go help Ellie…have fun. I'm gonna work some more on the business plan."
Sarah wandered over to the bed and Chuck stood up and gave her a big hug. "I really needed that Chuck…thank you."
"Any time Sarah…any time."