A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and support. Though I really don't enjoy writing/ uploading this on my phone, writing the actual story is a blast. I hate to tell you guys, but you'll only be receiving brief but frequent updates. That means chapters like this one, AT LEAST once every two nights. That may just be until I get back; but hey, I'm enjoying the new process. Now, enough spiraling:

Chapter Six: Hold the Olives

As if there wasn't enough stress on Sarah's shoulders, she had to cope with several major problems. No, not terrorist or work related; it was a far more serious matter. Her reputation was on the line, her very being teetering on the edge-

"You done, Walker?" From the bedroom portion of her apartment sounded Carina's voice. Her "supportive" best friend had strongly encouraged her against rejecting Chuck's dinner invitation.

She still had chills from their earlier encounter.

She glanced up In the mirror, fingers ever so gently grazing her lip so as not to ruin the makeup on it. She wouldn't call it a kiss...she wouldn't call it anything. A fight, that's what it was.

"Yeah..." Sarah sighed, stepping away from the mirror as she revealed her outfit to Carina, who was bored out of her mind.

"Walker..." Carina drawled, smirking. It was semi- formal, though casual on someone like Sarah or Carina was jaw dropping. She eyed the beautiful black number she wore, complete with low heels and light make up.

"That bad?" Sarah winced, unsure of why she cared. They were her pawns, her employees. Their opinions weren't supposed to mean anything.

"Yeah, if bad means that he...or any other guy...would jump you on the table in two seconds flat..." Carina smirked, whipping out her phone.

Sarah rolled her eyes at her analogy. "How much time do we have?" She asked as she eyed Carina's outfit, which was equally as nice.

"About five minutes...where are we headed?" Carina asked, well aware that she was driving.

"Oh...Chuck chose a place down by the beach..." Sarah shrugged, slipping a knife on her thigh sheath.

Carina rose a brow. "Why the knife?"

Sarah smirked. "For the lucky guy that, as you so adequately put it, "jumps me on the table."

Carina got up laughing, opening the door for her friend. If Sarah was too naive to let things go untampered with tonight, she was sure as hell going to make her friend happy...in the end, anyway.

The restaurant did indeed live up to, if not exceeding, Sarah's expectations. She lived in LA for some time, but she never really had a chance to discover its hidden "gems", this restaurant being a prime example.

She glanced around, eyes spotting Chuck in the bustle immediately. There he was, tall and wearing his signature smile, his eyes finding hers and the Carina's in seconds.

Sarah felt her heart hammer. There was that stupid effect he had on her. Maybe it was his slick suit, the one that hugged his toned body. Training had really done a number on him.

He stepped forward to greet them, though he felt reserved enough to keep it at a smile and a guiding hand on the shoulder, leading them to an already populated table.

"I don't mean to push it..." Chuck murmured to keep gossip down. "But Sarah you look amazing...as usual..."

She heard the tinge of nervousness, and oddly, she found it somewhat comforting. She could sympathize, and- her train of thought was cut off by his entrancing cologne.

"Oh...thank you...very dapper yourself..." She wanted to mentally smack herself. She couldn't even fathom how stupid her own comment was.

"Looks like Hannah respects your property..."Carina whispered in her ear, smirking as usual. Sarah then noticed that the seats beside Chuck were both vacant, Carina occupying one, leaving Sarah with the other, landing her a spot between Shaw and Chuck.

She took a minute to survey the table, noting that Bryce and Shaw cleaned up extremely well and that Casey was gone.

"No Casey?" She asked Chuck, watching everyone else carry on with their apparently interesting side conversations.

"Nah" Chuck smiled. "I sent him a glass of whiskey at home...seems like that kind of guy..."

Sarah nodded, raising a brow. "Good move..."

Chuck smiled, watching the waiter come by to take orders for appetizers.

Sarah cursed herself for not being more open...she could trust him...enough to make small talk anyway. He was doing all the right things and yet she resisted.

Bryce figured he was quiet long enough. "I think Sarah and I will share the olive bread?" He smirked over at Sarah, who was about to speak up in protest.

"Actually, I think she'll take the Caesar salad..." Chuck corrected gently to the waiter, who nodded. Sarah held her tongue. That was exactly what she wanted...but how did Chuck know? Who said she couldn't speak for herself?

The waiter finished up and leaned over. "Sir, any more wine?"

"You know my favorite...two bottles, please..." He murmured suavely in response, turning to Sarah.

"Sorry I ordered for you...that was kind of stupid of me...what do you need ?"

Shocked, Sarah nodded for the waiter to leave, her salad unaltered. "How did you know I wanted salad for my appetizer?"

If Chuck was right, he knew that there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "You don't like olives..." He stated simply.

Carina was watching over Chucks turned shoulder with a wolfish grin. "Jump him" she mouthed.

Sarah resisted the urge to roll her eyes and laugh out loud. She instead decided to revert back to he old ways...the way she was before life got so confusing. "Chuck...this restaurant is gorgeous..." She took in the beautiful view of the sunset on the beach below. "How do you know it?"

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I come down to that beach to think...this just happened to be a new building that I checked out and fell in love with..."

Sarah knew he was only talking about a building but shit, it was nice.

She nodded in response, taking a sip out of her freshly delivered wine. He seemed to have good taste in everything. Hannah called Chuck and his attention shifted, allowing Shaw the opening he needed to steal Sarah.

"Walker...I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you how gorgeous you look..." Shaw started smoothly, with a lot more charm than Chuck tried for. Carina rose a brow. So, he wanted a piece of her best friend? That made for all the more of a fun time.

Sarah tried not to show any surprise, though that was all his compliment brought up in her. "Thank you." Her reply was smoother as well. She didn't know what his angle was, though she felt her knife was justified by a good cause.

Chuck laughed at Hannah's comment, and Sarah instantly regretted not listening. She was Sarah Walker...it was time to get it together.

"What about you, Sarah?"

She immediately lost herself in his open smile. "Hmm?"

"What would you do...if your current career was out of the picture...?"

She found herself deep in thought. "I'm not sure..." Her words came out softer than she intended. "I'm not really good at anything but-"

"-You're perfect..." He felt his face flush slightly. "At everything..."

Sarah felt her heart stop as she quickly took another sip of wine. The room was getting hot.

" and you, Carina?" Chuck quickly asked.

"Stripper." The entire table laughed at the free answer.

Soon the food arrived and the table was broken back up into little factions, Sarah really only listening to the enigma before her.

"Steak?" The waiter asked.

"Here..." Chuck answered kindly, accepting the steak. The waiter obliged, placing the steak and the especially sharpened utensils at the edge of the table.

Chuck turned to help him grab something and missed the knife fall to the ground, turning and dropping fast to catch it.

Before he could grasp it, a hand snatched it expertly, flipping it with ease. That was unquestionably Sarah Walker's effort.

The two glanced at each other. "Oh...thanks..." Chuck began, smiling as she handed him the knife. "I'd remembered the stories they told me about you..."

"Stories?" Sarah smirked, raising a brow. "I'm intrigued."

"That's because it has to do with you-" a knife landed square in the middle of Carina's dish, inches from her hand. She rolled her eyes and stopped the commentary.

"You're...the assassin. The knife wielding goddess of-"

"Goddess?" Sarah repeated, laughing a bit. Chuck swore it was angelic. "Doubtful..."

Chuck laughed, eyes falling to his plate. "I wish I'd made that up..it's very fitting...I'm so not that smooth."

Sarah awarded him a rare smile before beginning her food.

Shaw rolled his eyes, unnoticed. This kid was a rook. He'd have Walker in bed soon enough.

Dinner turned out to be quite successful for the group as they all bonded and finished, leaving Carina and Sarah with Chuck and Shaw.

Carina smirked. Fun time. While Sarah busied herself with Chuck, she slipped away into her car, stranding Sarah with two men who probably burned for her. She loved herself.

Sarah finished and was about to see where Carina went when Shaw turned her, by the waist, much to her displeasure.

"So, Walker..." He smirked. "I'm not one for games..."

"Then get to it..." Sarah retorted.

"I was thinking that you and I should probably, hook up to night and get together to...better work with each other."

As if Sarah's face wasn't enough, she decides to come up with a more stinging rejection. "Oh Daniel..." She began huskily.

He raised his brows, proud of himself, and prepared for a good night.

"I'm with Charles..." She uses his first name for emphasis. Chuck, who was leaning back on his phone behind Shaw, immediately stiffened. He had no idea what to do, until he saw the twinkle in her eyes.

"What?" Shaw demanded, almost laughing.

"Oh, sorry about that, Daniel..." Sarah was lucky she didn't pass out when Chuck wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her waist to his chest.

"No..." Shaw backed off with widened eyes. "I just wanted to go over some work details...maybe later. Goodnight." He backed away, getting into his car. They could faintly hear his cussing from the outside entrance.

As soon as he pulled away, Chuck released her, her body feeling suddenly cold.

"Oh god...I'm sorry, Chuck. It's just, he-"

"Hey...my bad. I just wanted to make sure he left you alone...I'm sure you could have handled it."

Sarah took a breath.

"Knives?" Chuck guessed, which was confirmed by her nod. "Where...? Oh wait, don't tell me..." He laughed.

"Carina dumped me..." She laughed softly, rocking on her heels with extreme agility.

"Oh, I can take you home..."Chuck offered. Sarah glanced wistfully at the beach, then back at Chuck. "I'm so sorry..."

"Not a problem..."he smiled welcomingly, silently promising her a safe trip home.

The next week passed by quickly, and Chuck was at ease. All the pressure was on Jack to book jobs, while the agents merely worked out and trained. Sarah wasn't there, which intrigued Chuck, but whenever she did show up, she spared him a smile and a few minutes to talk, which was more than anyone, save for Carina, could claim.

The real turbulence fell into effect when the first mission was booked, and the plan fell into affect.

"This is a small one, but a fun one, should you kids get this right." Jack told them earlier. "Dance, drink, and capture the drug lord code named "Caesar"before Verbanski's agents do. "

"Couples?"Carina smirked.

"I don't care. For all I care Bryce can date Shaw, just keep it out of my business." Casey grunted his disgust and Bryce lowered his head as the group laughed. It was supposed to be a piece of cake.

- The Party: "Royal Hotel ballrooms: 10:15 PM-

The party was bustling. Chuck Sarah turned out to be separate guests, as did Bryce and Carina. Casey and Hannah were bar workers, and Shaw was a sole spectator.

Sarah was beyond flattered as Chuck told her she was by far the most gorgeous woman there. Chuck went so far as to have his hair slicked back and his nicest suit out; he looked like a millionaire. Sarah was, of course, the most beautiful woman there. Only her team came close.

The two took seats at the open bar, which always seems to be Casey's occupation on missions like these. He tried to tell himself that he'd have more productive things to do on a night like this.

Chuck ordered a drink for himself and sat two chairs behind Sarah, who had previously pointed out Verbanski's two agents: a young blonde pair, obviously not socializing with each other for cover reasons.

Everything was as planned until the agent, the blonde man, stepped over to Sarah and ordered her a drink. At first, Sarah was weary that the drink could have been dangerous, but then remembered Casey was the bartender. Even so, she rejected his drink, though he had no idea who she was. Just a pretty face...and body.

"No, hmm?" The guy smirked, practically undressing her with his eyes. "I enjoy a challenge..."

"Then why not act like a gentleman and see where that takes you?" Chuck spoke behind him, allowing him no time to talk as be stepped towards Sarah , who watched curiously.

"My I have this dance?" Chuck extended his hand towards Sarah, who gratefully excepted and allowed herself to be pulled away.

"You saved my ass..." She commented as Chuck pulled her to the dance floor, where several couples were dancing.

"I'm sure you'd do the same for me..." Chuck teased, amazing Sarah with his lightheartedness.

The music stopped and a swift, building beat came on.

Sarah and Chuck murmured at the same time: "The Lambada..."

Sarah smirked, feeling the alcohol's slight effects kick in. Maybe it was liquid courage, but she did it anyway. "Do you enjoy challenges, Charles?"

"I do, Ms. Walker." He smirked playfully, taking her sensually by the waist as she took his hand.

Carina's jaw dropped as she knew what was coming. "Sexy, walker..." She muttered with a smirk.

The couple began sharply, matching the exact beat of the music with a sexy dancing counterpart. First twirls and dips, in which both agents' hearts were pounding, and then the "entree."

Sarah was spun back into Chuck's grasp, though this time, she was backwards against him. All the spectators watched in awe, the lambada was indeed a difficult dance to master.

The next few moments caused Sarah and Chuck to become very hot. Sarah began to grind backwards against him as the song played, his hands flowing her hips in every motion. One or two whistles could be heard as Sarah breath hitched, Chuck's hands were trailing down her entire body. They left a tingling trail, Sarah wanted to hold them there. After what seemed like seconds, the song ended with the two right at each other's lips.

Sarah's heart was pounding, as was Chuck's. And then it happened. Over the crowds roaring approval and applause, Chuck saw only one choice.

He pulled Sarah to his embrace, arms around her hips as their lips met. The shock that ran through them was unbelievable. Sarah's breath hitched and chills went through her. The mission was the last thing on her mind as she pulled Chuck closer, both hands ending up on his cheeks as did his.

Though the kiss was almost customary, Carina's jaw dropped. As did Casey's, Hannah's, Shaw's, and especially Bryce's. "holy shit..." Carina smirked. "Walker's got a new boy toy..."

The two pulled apart, breathing hard as they separated. Her lips were swollen, and she felt a fire burn inside her. They quietly exited through the back side to the outdoor courtyard, where the party seemed to be quiet. Chuck's arm never left Sarah's waist until they reached outside.

With both pairs of eyes staring at each other, chills down her back, the two were about to speak when they heard a rustle from the back.

"Caesar's getting away from the back; he's got explosives!" Casey sounded through the earpiece.

"What about Verbanski's men?" Shaw demanded

"Dead..." Came Carina. "Bathroom on the left. Should I call clean-up?"

"Roger..." Sarah spoke into her watch. When she turned, Chuck was nowhere to be found.

A/N: Semi-cliffhanger? This chapter was harder to write, so sorry, I simply can't continue it on this phone, at least not until tomorrow or later. Mwahahaha. So, points to bear in mind:

Where did Chuck go?

What were they going to say?

What's Shaw up to?

Casey needs a girl.

And on that note; I'll leave you to review and tell me what you all think. Remember: faster reviews mean faster and frequent updates. As I promised, another daily update. Until then; have a great one, guys.

-LLC