A/N: Welcome back…sorry I've been neglecting you…it wasn't intentional…can't be helped…so many chapters rattling around, only two fingers…flailing away at the keyboard. Hope you like this installment…if not, please leave a note with your concerns…if you do like it, please leave a note with your overflowing heaps of praise…I'll take your notes, either way. Hey, if you're 'SpreadtheNerd' who reviewed last chapter…yeah, set yourself up with an account…it's easy and…oh, so fun!…and you can tell your friends and watch them turn green with envy…ah, memories…wish I had some…electro shock can do that to you…never should have stuck that fork in that socket…couldn't find any radioactive spiders so figured I'd cheap out on the 'accident' that would give me my 'powers'…don't try it…it just doesn't work.

No beta's were (or are) in any way affiliated with this work of fiction. I don't own any of the characters in the 'Chuckverse' and I'm making no money from these words…which, come to think of it, really isn't all that surprising.

Thanks, Jim. JT

Sarah Vs. The Strong Swimmer - Chapter 22

Chuck opened his eyes to find that the dream he'd been having was actually a very nice reality. Forcing his eyes to focus, he took in the beautiful sight of his fiancé who was grinding herself against him, a look of blissful concentration on her face. The rhythm of her thrusts, which had awoken him, was beginning to increase as was her breathing. Opening her eyes, she realized he was awake and she smiled before reaching down and pulled his hands up to her breasts. After giving him a wink, Sarah closed her eyes again and increased her pace…again.

A couple of minutes later, Chuck felt her rhythm change again and noticed a hitch in her breath just before she suddenly gave a final downward thrust and seemed to freeze in place. As he watched, Sarah seemed to deflate, slowly lowering herself until her face was buried in his neck.

"Morning, stud" she whispered into his ear as her body seemed to shiver. "…aftershocks" she murmured against his neck, "…the things you do to me, Chuck Bartowski…oh god, you really have no idea."

"Sarah…I was asleep…"

"Not all of you and…are you really going to complain?"

"No, of course not…this is really my second favorite way to wake up…"

"Second favorite?" Sarah asked as she sat back up. "And what, pray tell, is your favorite?"

"When we both finish?" Chuck said with a smile, "…together."

A brief look of confusion was replaced with a smile as Sarah began to grind against him again. "Thanks for reminding me…I didn't mean to forget you…give me a couple of minutes and I'll see if we can't move this morning up the list…".

Chuck had closed his eyes and lost track of time as he and Sarah worked together, both of them breathing heavily and covered with a light sheen of sweat. Sensing that they were both close to release, he shifted and rolled, leaving a pleased look on Sarah's face as she found herself looking up at him. Leaning down, he nipped at her ear and then whispered encouragement, hoping she was ready to join him as he slipped over the edge. Feeling her breath hitch, he knew that they'd reached destination together and he reveled in the feeling of her body shuddering beneath him.

"Oh god…" he whispered into her ear, "I love you, Sarah Walker." He felt her warm breath against his neck and was about to take another nip at her ear when the sound of applause suddenly sounded from their doorway. Before he could turn his head to look, Sarah bucked him off of her towards the far side of the bed. Before he had even reached the floor, he heard the distinctive sound of a tranq pistol being discharged…twice. Scrambling to his knees, he noticed that Sarah was on her knees, the pistol in her hands pointed towards the doorway. Glancing towards the door, he was surprised to see Carina leaning against the doorframe. "Bitch…" she managed to say before sliding to the floor, unconscious.

"Sarah…you just shot Carina…"

"Yeah…so? Serves her right…dirty, sneaky skank" she finished under her breath.

"Sarah…if I hadn't swapped your gun for that tranq pistol…" Chuck said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Chuck…really? Do you think I didn't know that you've been swapping my gun out…for the last twenty three nights? Think about it…" she said with a shake of her head. "…spy?" she added, pointing to herself with a thumb.

"Oh…of course." he replied, looking a little relieved. "You didn't realize it was Carina?"

"Of course I did."

"And you shot her anyway?"

"Well…yeah" she answered slowly after noticing the look on his face. "She was peeping…and clapping…and…and…"

"Yes? Are you ashamed of what we were doing?"

"Of course not, Chuck. Hey, why aren't you blushing?" she asked, hoping to turn the tables. "Are you suddenly someone who likes showing off? Well…Mr. 'I don't like PDA's'…what do you have to say for yourself? "

"Sarah…what…"

"I guess you just want to get rid of your fat fiancé…trade her in for some skinny skank…well, go ahead…" Sarah shouted out through tears that had suddenly appeared. Before Chuck could respond, Sarah through herself down on the bed, burying her head in a pillow.

Chuck got to his feet and stared down at Sarah, her body shaking with sobs. Forgetting all about Carina, he sat down on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on her back, moving it gently in circles as he tried to figure out what to say. Leaning over, he whispered into her ear. "I love you, Sarah Walker…only you." After a few moments, she rolled over, her red rimmed eyes locking on his.

"Really?"

"Really…you're it for me, Sarah."

"Chuck…I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me…well, I guess I do…according to your sister, this is all your fault" she said, a small smile appearing on her face. Seeing the question in his eyes, she added "it was you who knocked me up so…"

Chuck's lips found Sarah's, sure that a kiss might be the best way to stop the discussion. He deepened the kiss as he felt Sarah wrap her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. A moan from the doorway got their attention and they both looked up to see Carina starting to move.

"Chuck…maybe you should put on some clothes…not that I don't enjoy the view…I just think Carina's seen enough for today…ok?" Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, Chuck got up from the bed and went to get into some workout clothes. "Chuck…toss me one of your t-shirts…please" Reaching into a drawer, he grabbed a shirt and through it across the room and then watched as Sarah slowly pulled it down over her head. Catching him staring, she smiled and then grabbed the hem of the shirt and started to pull it back up, pausing just before her hands reached the bottom of her breasts. "Maybe after your workout…and after you've made us breakfast" she said, allowing the t-shirt to drop back down.

"Tease" Chuck said with a smile before turning back to the dresser and shrugging into a t-shirt. Reaching into a drawer, he grabbed a pair of his boxers and then returned to sit on the edge of the bed. "Here" he said as he offered them to Sarah. "Should cut down on any drafts" he added as she took them from him.

"Thanks, sweetheart" Sarah said as she watched Chuck putting on his running shoes. The sound of someone clearing their throat made her turn towards the doorway where Carina had rolled onto her back and was obviously struggling to get to a sitting position.

"Walker…" Carina croaked out, "…what the hell?"

"Sorry…I didn't realize it was you…I just thought it was some poor, undersexed pervert who had broken into our apartment and who couldn't resist watching a hot guy giving it to his girlfriend…"

"Cut the crap, Sarah…you knew it was me…" Carina replied as she finally managed to get her back against the door-jam.

"Did you break into our apartment?"

"Well…sorta"

"And were you watching my hot boyfriend…"

"No, I was not…I got to your doorway after you'd…well, after…"

"And you didn't look at Chuck's naked ass…"

"Well, I…"

"So, that makes you an undersexed pervert…"

"Sarah Walker…I am not a pervert…"

"So, just undersexed?"

"Sarah…"

"Carina…you're kidding, right? What about Casey? You're living there…what about Prague?" Sarah asked, suddenly curious about Carina's reaction.

"Ladies" Chuck said, having decided he'd heard much more than he wanted to. "Could you please save this conversation until I'm not anywhere near…if I hear anymore I may be forced to shove spikes into my ears." Having finished lacing up his Nikes, he headed towards the door and stepped over Carina who still hadn't managed to get to her feet. "I'm going over to Casey's…I'll be back after our run…" pausing, he turned back and looked down at Carina. "Should I tell Casey you're not gonna be joining us this morning?…I could tell him you're not feeling good."

"Don't say a thing to Casey…I'll catch up with you guys in a couple of minutes" Carina said as she fought her way to a standing position.

"Ok…see you in a little bit…Sarah?…be back soon."

Both women watched as Chuck walked away and then looked at each other once he was out of sight.

"Don't say it Carina" Sarah almost growled, knowing exactly what she'd been watching.

"Ok…listen, sorry about walking in…un-announced."

"I'm sorry too."

""For tranqing me?"

"Oh, hell no…you deserved that…sorta. I'm sorry that you're not getting any. Maybe you should get a nerd of your own…so you'll quit staring at mine."

"Maybe I should…" she replied with a smile before she shook her head and then turned to leave. "…maybe I should" she repeated to herself as she left.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Casey hadn't asked about Carina's absence, simply nodding his head when Chuck showed up at his door. Minutes later, as they started into the second mile of their run, Carina silently appeared beside them, looking a little green around the gills but not offering an explanation for her late appearance. The trio simply jogged along in silence, each one seemingly unwilling to start a conversation. Finally, Casey cleared his throat before glancing to his right.

"So, moron…you ready for tonight?" the big man asked.

"Almost…still have to go with Sarah to pick up the new tuxedo. They called to say that the alterations were finished so we're going to get it this afternoon."

"Good…last thing…you can tango, right?" Casey asked.

"What…tango…like the dance?"

"No moron…like the movie…you impersonate Kurt Russell when I start doing my Sylvester Stallone…of course the dance!"

"Well, Casey, since you asked…yes I can tango. Ellie insisted I take classes at the 'Y' when I was in junior high. I can also do several waltz variations and, if pushed, I can even do the Foxtrot."

"Why did your sister make you take dance lessons?" Carina asked, evidently having recovered enough to join the conversation.

"Because she figured that a tall, gangly nerd with ballroom skills would be a chick magnet" Casey offered with a snort.

"And it worked on Walker" Carina added softly.

"Well, everyone knows she's crazy" Casey said and then quickly added, "…about Bartowski."

"Maybe I should tell her your opinion" Carina offered.

"Yeah, Hansen…great idea…and I tell her you keep jogging behind us so you can stare at Bartowski's ass."

Chuck ignored both of his partners, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. The conversation behind him seemed to come to a halt until Casey decided to jump back in…with both feet.

"So, Hansen…you were late…hangover?"

"I wasn't hung over, Casey."

"So…Walker tranqed you…why? Offer your opinion on numbnut's ass?…Tell Walker she looks fat?…Walk in on them playing post office?…that's it, isn't it? You walked in on them and Walker tranqed you."

"Shut up, Casey!" Carina almost shouted before she sprinted on ahead, leaving him staring at Chuck, a smile on his face.

"So…you and Walker had some company this morning?"

Chuck simply exchanged looks with the big man beside him and then turned his eyes forward and picked up the pace. Minutes later, and not exactly sure how, he caught up with Carina. Falling into pace beside her, he glanced over and found the agent staring back at him. "Casey can be a real dick, sometimes" he said with a smile.

"Yeah…I know. I just can't figure out how he knew…did you say something to him?"

"Do you honestly think that Sarah would react positively to me talking about this morning…given how , well, touchy she's been lately? Yeah, like I'm gonna poke that very hormonal bear with a stick…which is exactly what you did this morning."

"Yeah, I know. I was a little tired this morning…otherwise I would have been thinking a little better. I didn't get much sleep last night…"

"You and Casey…?" Chuck started to ask and then shut up quickly when the anger flashed in Carina's eyes.

"Been there, done that…a long time ago. No, I wasn't up half the night with the 'grunter'…" she said. Obviously hesitating to say anything else, she looked at Chuck again before shrugging her shoulders. "I was spending time playing online…one of those games that Martin turned me on to, if you must know."

Chuck's eyes couldn't have possibly gotten any bigger as he stared at Carina in disbelief. "You were up all night, playing online…with Morgan?"

"No…not with Mar…" she started to say and then caught Chuck's look, "…Morgan, he just got me started. No, I …I will deny this if you repeat it…I met this gamer who seems like a cool person. I'm sure that it's probably some pimply faced kid sitting in his mom's basement but…he's got a great sense of humor…a little twisted but fun…and he's great at the game. He gave me all these great tips and it helped me improve my game. I think I'll give Morgan a run for his money the next time we have a game night. We're supposed to be hooking up…online…tomorrow night."

"So, Special Agent Carina Hansen…who is this mystery gamer that's started you down the path to 'nerdvana'…what's his name?"

"Don't you dare tease me, Chuck Bartowski. I blame this on you…and Morgan…and you better not say a word…to anyone!"

"Ok Carina…you have my silence. So…?"

"Chewienerd342..." Carina said, refusing to look at the man running beside her. If she'd been looking, she would have seen a look of shock on Chuck's face that was quickly replaced by a big smile.

"Sounds like a Star Wars fan" he replied, trying to keep the laughter he felt, trying to break free, from actually escaping, "…you're probably right, just some nerd in a basement."

"Yeah…but he really did seem sorta nice" she said with an almost confused look on her face. "Enough of that…I'm really sorry about this morning…I really didn't do it on purpose."

"I know…just, please, apologize to Sarah…again."

"Chuck…she tranqed me…"

"May I remind you of a few facts…you did, kinda, break into the apartment…and you know Sarah is pregnant…and very hormonal…and did I forget to mention that Sarah is pregnant and very hormonal?"

"Wow, thanks Chuck…I'd forgotten that little fact" she replied as she used her thumb and forefinger to caress the bridge of her nose, "but…I'll apologize…again."

"Alrighty then…you gonna come over for breakfast this morning…I think Morgan's going to be there"

"Ok…sounds good. Wanna race the last mile? Loser has to give the winner a massage."

"Yeah, Carina…do you actually think that would be a good wager? Win or lose…Sarah would hurt somebody"

"For racing? C'mon Chuck…how could she possibly get pissed at us for racing?"

"Not the racing, Carina…the massage?"

Seeming to consider Chuck's answer, she smiled. "You're right…we'll just forget I said anything…Ok?"

Chuck just smiled and picked up the pace, trying to pull away and then shaking his head when Carina just accelerated past him like he was standing still. Moments later he heard heavy footfalls behind him and they were getting closer. Realizing that he didn't have anymore speed in him, he just watched as Casey passed him by.

"Pick up the pace, moron. Last one back cooks breakfast" Casey said over his shoulder.

"Well, John…I guess I'm cooking breakfast…again" he yelled to Casey's back as the big man pulled ahead and then set a pace that would keep him ahead…but not too far…just in case.

-0-0-00-0-0-0-0-0-0-

About twenty minutes later, Chuck stumbled into the courtyard to find Casey and Carina doing some cool down stretches by the fountain. They both looked up with smiles on their faces.

"Not too bad, Bartowski…that's actually the fastest you finished. Not fast enough. I'm looking forward to breakfast. Maybe, one of these days, I'll have to cook…I wonder if they'll still be chickens when that finally happens." Turning around, he headed towards his apartment.

"Don't worry about it, Chuck…you really are getting better. I'll get cleaned up and be over in a few."

Chuck simply gave a quick wave before heading towards his apartment. Opening the front door, he was surprised to smell bacon cooking. Stepping into the dinning room, his mouth dropped open when he caught sight of the people seated at the table. He'd been expecting Morgan and he figured that Sarah was busy in the kitchen but it was the other two people seated there that shocked and, if he was honest with himself, troubled him. He had planned to tell Morgan an interesting fact he'd learned earlier but the two people seated to either side of his little buddy put an end to that plan.

'Holy crap' he said to himself, 'this can't be good!'

A/N: Yep…cliffy…next chapter…breakfast and an actual mission…and one of the two involves gunplay. Please review. JT