A/N: And we're back. Sorry for the prolonged wait, I never intend to keep you guys waiting more than a week, but I'm pretty irresponsible on that front.

I need a BIG favor from you readers! Please see the bottom A/N for more info.

Enjoy!

"Alright, the transport is to drop off Roberts and Chuck at Price Avenue." Jack informed the fully present team behind the table of the secure conference room. "From there they will separate and head over to Dr. Robert's residence, where she will pick up her necessary items, like her ID and badge. They will then utilize her vehicle and the infiltration of Fulcrum will begin."

"And Lorenzo, sir?" Bryce asked, tilting his head a little.

"He'll stay here, under twenty four hour security." Jack nodded, thanking Bryce for reminding him.

"A reminder- Chuck can only be contacted once he activates his comm. Link, which happens after he passes through security- expect a delay. He will need to sell his cover as Robert's associate, and he'll need time."

"And once I'm in?" Chuck coughed. This was all supposed to happen in a few hours?

"Then you'll begin your investigations. You will return to Agent Robert's house each night, until a member of our team can meet you there, to take your place watching over her. Once said person has arrived, you are to report to the safehouse and report to myself, and/or Sarah. Understood?"

"N…..Not quite, sir." Chuck mumbled, but nodded. This was a lot for a day, and it was a thorough review. His head was spinning.

Sarah glanced at him with concern. This was awful. He wouldn't get proper rest for at least two weeks, at the very minimum. How she wished she could shut the whole damn operation down.

"Let's see how this plays out, kids." Jack finished with a patented Walker smirk and left to his office, leaving the team behind him in silence.

"Not too late to flee the country, is it?" Chuck murmured somewhat humorously to Sarah. She turned and glanced at him, smiling, despite the worry that glazed over her expression. "Anywhere you like."

"Oh come on….." Carina rose, smoothing out her skirt. "Can't be all bad, right? I mean, Chuck may find that he prefers brunettes over-"

"Just for that, you're getting tonight's official shift of Jill watch."

"Fuck me…." Carina sighed. "You're kidding, right?"

"I could join you?" Bryce suggested with a smirk.

"No." Sarah began firmly, rising up. "No messing up. This is serious."

"What do I do?" Carina grumbled. "Play scrabble with her until she falls asleep? Tuck her in?"

"Whatever it takes to make sure she isn't secretly snitching." Sarah retorted, rising.

"I'm…..going to….Restock the armory." Casey shuffled out of the room awkwardly.

Chuck threw a knowing glance at Sarah, whose eyes warned him to stay quiet.

"This is it…." Chuck rose. "I'll go prep Jill."

"Bye, Chuck." Sarah turned away rather surprisingly, almost coldly, as she left the room in full stride.

Chuck froze, then followed. "Sarah? Hey, Sarah!" He jogged to her office, crying in surprise when she yanked him in.

"Sarah, I-" he was cut off when she pressed him hard against the door, lips finding his in an instant. Immediately his body melted to hers like butter, and she was no longer tense. She kissed him furiously, with the caged passion, worry, rage, and fear that seemed to have been building in her since the mission's briefing.

"Oh god…." Chuck mumbled between kisses. "I…"

"Chuck…." Sarah breathed, pulling apart only a little. "Sorry…..I wasn't sure if I-"

"Sarah…." Chuck smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too, Chuck…..Be safe."

"Just another mission." He reminded gently, embracing her tightly.

"I know…Now…..go, before I make us do something we'll both regret." Sarah ushered him out, leaning against the closed door. She pinched the bridge of her nose. How was she to get through the day?

-0-

Sarah watched as Chuck had finished briefing Jill, through the camera wired to her cell. She almost jumped when Carina tapped her shoulder. "Hey Walker…..woah, easy there."

"Sorry…I'm a bit on edge."

"Yeah I noticed. Did you say bye to the nerd?"

Sarah sighed somewhat wistfully. "Yeah I did. This mission is awful."

"Well, we didn't exactly sign up for cuddle nights and chocolates, did we?"

"I don't remember signing up for any of this." Sarah grumbled, watching as the two headed towards the transport. "And I hate not having eyes on Chuck."

"It's not even going to take an hour for him to get past security and turn on the comm." Carina reminded.

"An hour with….her."

"You scared she might jump Chuck the minute she's out? I mean, I bet she has a nice fluffed up bed with cute little p-"

"No." Sarah held her hand up. "I worry for Chuck's safety."

"Yeah, cause his sexu-"

"They're leaving." Sarah rose, straightening her jacket. "It's time to get things rolling."

"Fun starts now." Carina smirked, following her leader and best friend.

-0-

"Wow…" Jill sighed in happiness as she got behind the wheel of the issued car, once Chuck was secure beside her. "Freedom feels…..great."

"I promised it wouldn't be long." Chuck smiled, watching her eyes scan the road before pulling out. "How'd they treat you?"

"Not badly." Jill smiled a little. "Best imprisonment I've had. And the food was actually….good."

"So I've heard." Chuck nodded gently as he watched the car roll smoothly along the road. He knew that Sarah wasn't able to really watch him from this point until he infiltrated the building; there wasn't any need for it. And he felt alone, somehow. He felt free, in a sort of crippling sense where every mistake he made would way down on the team. And this was before the actual mission?

Jill sighed. Chuck had been so good to her. He'd trusted her, gotten her free early, and went out of his way to make her feel comfortable. There was still a chance, and that was something she could gamble on.

-0-

"Wow…" Chuck smiled as they entered her apartment. "This is really nice…"

"Hmm?" Jill smiled absently. "Oh yeah, if you'll excuse the mess."

"Sure." Chuck nodded.

"So I'm gonna go….ah….change for work." Jill explained in a sort of awkward fashion.

"Right…..sure….." Chuck nodded.

Jill motioned towards the couch. "Make yourself at home…."

"Thanks." He smiled and nodded, watching her leave into the narrow hallway to her room.

Chuck seized his opportunity to look around, checking out some of the photos displayed on a shelf. He saw ones of Jill and her family, her distant uncle…..what was his name again? One of her old dog, as he remembered. Everything seemed quite….standard. It was odd to think that he was in the very home of a master mind, working for the most ill-doing crime organization around.

Chuck glanced around; trying to note anything he felt was odd, which was nothing. He snooped around the kitchen a little, thankful that she was really taking her time with makeup and the works; he'd had considerable experience with Ellie first, and then Sarah. He moved quietly, with a trained agent's mastery. He glanced to the right; the room before Jill's bedroom.

It was filled with boxes; it appeared as if she'd never finished moving. Still, being an agent, Chuck knew looks could be deceiving. He slipped in the room quietly, examining the boxes. They were all closed and taped, too light to be of any significance. Then his eyes fell on one open box towards the rear of the room, with a few of its contents splayed out. He made his way towards it, kneeling over. He subconsciously smiled fondly, it was filled with Stanford gear. His eyes fell to the item that looked like it'd been touched recently. It was a picture of Chuck holding Jill at a football game, one of their fondest memories together.

Jill leaned against the doorframe, watching him. "We won by this much…." She motioned by nearly pinching her fingers in the air, illustrating the scene.

"Oh…" Chuck jumped up, feeling his cheeks turn red. He felt bad to have suspected anything in the first place. She was as mundane as the next guy.

"Chuck…" Jill couldn't help but laugh a little. "It's alright…..it's your job." She closed the distance between them, bringing Chuck to an all new level of discomfort. Sarah would hate this.

"Sorry…." He began, unsurely running an awkward hand down the back of his neck.

"Thank you, Chuck." She closed the gap, hugging him warmly.

Chuck was taken by surprise, gently returning the hug, then stepping back respectfully. "Ah….for what?"

"For giving me a chance." She smiled, turning and grabbing her keys off the table. "Let's go."

"Right…..right." Chuck nodded, shaking his head as he followed along quickly.

-0-

"Hey, Sarah." Bryce called gently, catching her as she made her way down to her office, steeping in after her and closing the door behind him.

"Bryce…." Sarah replied, sitting at her desk as she began to type up something behind her laptop.

"Sarah, we need to talk."

Sarah's eyebrows shot up. That was odd, especially given their history….

"It's…..relationship related…..if you have time."

"Bryce…" Sarah closed her laptop suddenly. "Go on."

"Look, you know Carina better than anyone here, right?"

"I should hope so…" Sarah nodded, watching his eyes. "Why?"

"Is she…well, into me?"

Sarah couldn't help it. She burst into a fit of laughter, watching as Bryce stared on, mortified.

"What are we, back in high school?" Sarah smirked. "Yeah, I think she does…..considering that she slept with you and all."

"Not just like that." Bryce defended. "I mean, like you and Bartowski."

Sarah froze, a small smile starting to form. "You mean, you've been thinking about that….with Miller? Our Carina?"

"I know it's stupid, Walker, but I can't get her out of my head. And you know how difficult she can be-"

"Okay…." Sarah nodded. "So what do you need from me?"

"You're her best friend. Do I have a shot?"

"I'll talk to her…" Sarah smiled a bit, happy that Carina may have found the one.

"Talk to who?" Carina asked as she opened the door, freezing when she saw Bryce. "Out Larkin, its girl time."

Bryce mumbled an awkward "Hi" to Carina and left, leaving Sarah with a full on smirk.

"What the hell was that?" Carina asked, completely suspicious.

"That…." Sarah rose, grinning. "Was Bryce, confessing his feelings to me."

"Feelings?" Suddenly Carina was sharp. "For who? Hannah? I knew he was looking at her li-"

"-no." Sarah shook her head, enjoying the apparent jealousy. "You, Miller."

"Me….." Carina trailed off. "What?"

Sarah laughed. "You don't get it do you?"

"No I get it…..It's just…..I don't do love, Walker." She retorted, somewhat defensively.

"You know what, Carina?" Sarah glanced into her eyes, locking gazes. "If its really love…you don't have a say in the matter."

-0-

Nearly an hour had passed since Chuck had entered the building and passed security. Meanwhile, Sarah had prepared to receive Chuck's comm. Link, anxious to hear his voice.

Chuck, back at the headquarters, was following Jill to her work area.

"I mainly do lab work, so just….bear with me here." Jill told him in a hushed voice.

Nodding, he followed, glancing at the nametag on his lab coat. It read: Dr. Charles Carmichael, stating he was a specialist of some sort.

"Well, let's hope no one asks me to brew up something."

"Chuck, its chemistry, not potion making." Jill reminded with a hint of amusement, opening the door.

Chuck took a breath. They stepped through the doors of the white washed lab, and Chuck found that they were completely alone.

"Okay so there's surveillance footage of the labs, but no audio." Jill promised, setting her bags down. "You can say what you want, but make it look like work."

"Right….thanks." Chuck took a breath as he turned away from the camera, activating his link. "Carmichael, clear."

Sarah's heart fluttered as his voice registered in her headset. He was on track. "Walker, clear."

Chuck felt his heart melt at her words. From here on out, she'd monitor their conversations for possible links to Fulcrum members and threats.

"So…" Chuck began, facing Jill. "Dr. Roberts, what are we doing today?"

Jill couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "We're working on a virus."

Chuck nodded. "Right so….we make an antigen?"

Jill coughed a little. "No… We're making the virus."

"We…ah….we're doing what now?" Chuck stammered, hoping Sarah was catching this. "What's…..what's the occasion?"

"I don't know, Chuck. The higher ups gave me the specs and I've been working on it for months. I have no business with the actual release."

"Re….release?" Chuck questioned. There's our first mission, Sarah.

"Find out what you can about the virus and whoever is issuing the orders to Jill, Chuck. We need to stop this." Sarah spoke clearly, listening to the vital information Jill was providing.

"Okay….." Chuck took in a breath. "Sure….and uh….who exactly gives the orders around here….?"

Jill washed out her beaker, turning to Chuck with a sense of secrecy. "Look….There's a chain here, just like anywhere else, Chuck. There's a group of them, I never speak with them directly. They send their orders through their own pawns…..here comes our boss right now."

Sarah stiffened, hoping Chuck could keep the act alive. Casey had a team ready on standby in case it got heated for Chuck, which she hoped would never happen.

"Doctor Zarnow…." Jill began, standing a little straighter as he entered the room.

"Doctor Roberts." Zarnow nodded, watching her with a keen eye. He then turned to Chuck. "Doctor…"

Chuck nodded. "Doctor." Shaking his hand.

Jill resisted the urge to laugh or sigh in frustration. "Sir, this is Doctor Carmichael, he's been assigned to help me with the pathogen."

"Ah….I wasn't aware. My apologies, Doctor Carmichael." Zarnow nodded, still somewhat suspicious. "I'm afraid I haven't been made aware of your accolades, Doctor. Please, enlighten me; who sanctioned you?"

Chuck froze and Jill stepped in. "He's a leading researcher, sir. He's quite prestigious."

"And his clearance level?"

"I ah…..four." Chuck stated, knowing it could possibly earn him some respect.

Zarnow's brows were raised. "Four?"

Jill's eyes widened. Chuck was really digging himself a ditch.

"Ah yes." Chuck nodded, unsure of what to say.

"Then I'll leave you in the capable hands of our fine guest." Zarnow nodded to Chuck. "You must be quite busy…."

Chuck nodded. "Oh….yes with all the gene….splicing and…..testing."

Luckily, Zarnow seemed to have tuned out as his pager went off, allowing him an exit.

With the door closed, Jill turned on Chuck. "Gene splicing?"

"I don't know what you do!" Chuck complained. "Do you…..splice genes?"

"No….Chuck." Jill shook her head. "We don't." she laughed, causing Chuck to turn red. "Again, no wonder you failed bio-chem."

"As I recall, it was because I was up all night trying to pick the right type of flower for our date nights."

Sarah coughed, causing Chuck to stiffen.

Jill smiled fondly at the memory. "Well, you lost bio-chem….but it worked on me."

-0-

The day went on with minimal interruptions from the rest of Fulcrum. Chuck learned that there was an even higher power existing over fulcrum, but it couldn't be infiltrated without first getting Fulcrum down. He learned that Jill was indeed nothing short of a genius, and that she was still humorous as ever. Most of all, he learned that a day without Sarah was like hell.

"That wasn't so bad." Jill mused as they stepped out of the car.

"I guess….I mean, it's too bad I couldn't mix up a potion like you did."

"Potion….right…." Jill chuckled. "You are a nerd, Bartowski."

"Yeah….." Chuck nodded, smiling as he opened the door for her.

"About time you two came home." Carina, who was splayed out on the couch, sat up.

"You're CIA…..in my house?" Jill gaped.

"Oh…..Chucky here didn't mention the fun part?" Carina smirked, rising. "I keep an eye on you while Chuck here can't. Someone from the agency is going to babysit you every single night for the foreseeable future, Doc."

"No…." Jill took off her coat. "He mentioned that. I just thought they'd send a normal agent out."

"You're lucky this mission requires you alive, doc." Carina smirked.

"Hey….." Chuck stepped between them. "Guys…..knock it off. Jill….I'm sorry, but I promise it won't be long."

Jill nodded. "Alright Chuck. I'll see you tomorrow….remember, Fulcrum is watching you from now on. The houses….they're not tapped, but watch who you're seen with outside, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks." He nodded, watching her leave to her room.

"Chucky." Carina smiled, stepping towards him. "Nice work today."

"Thanks, Carina." He smiled. "Everything okay back at work?"

Carina rolled her eyes. "You can skip pleasantries with me, Chuck. Walker's waiting for you back at the safehouse."

Chuck visibly brightened. "Thanks….keep her busy when I'm not there."

Carina smiled, watching him leave. Walker finally picked a good one.

-0-

Chuck stepped through the door, locking it as he stepped in. He hadn't seen any cars, so Sarah must not have come. He frowned, throwing his jacket on the bed. He threw off his shirt, getting ready to jump in the shower when he was thrown back against the door, shocked when Sarah met him with a ridiculously passionate kiss.

"Oh….God, Sarah…" He smiled against her lips, pulling her to him. "I missed you so much…."

"Chuck…" she smiled, kissing him between breaths. "Me too…."

Finally the two pulled their lips apart, stopping to smile and breathe.

"Nice work today, Chuck. We got exactly what we needed to start our investigation."

"Good." Chuck nodded, reaching for his shirt. "God, I missed your face."

"I know…" Sarah bit her lip, taking in his warm cologne scent. "This is harder than I could have imagined."

"At least I have you here, now…" he smiled as he sat back on the bed, watching as Sarah curled up to him, their bodies fitting perfectly.

"So, what did I miss today?" Chuck smiled the warm vanilla scent of her hair inviting.

"Well….I'm pretty sure Bryce wants to make it official with Carina." Sarah admitted, enjoying the feel of his arms.

"Oh? And does Carina like him back?" He teased.

"Hard to tell, but yeah…" Sarah nodded. "I've known her for a while, and she's never been like that before."

"And Casey…" Chuck nodded thoughtfully. "How's he coping with Alex?"

"He sees her every day….she waitresses and he's her best customer." Sarah replied, amazed by Chuck's thoughtfulness. "It must be maddening…." Sarah commented. "To see someone and want to be a part of their life, but you're too unsure to make the move…"

"I'm pretty sure I had that exact experience when I met you, Agent Walker." He grinned.

"Well, Chuck…." She turned, so that she was on top of him. "You have me now."

"I know…..and I love you, Sarah." He grinned, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

"And I love you, Chuck." She returned the favor, savoring every last minute.

A/N: So about that favor- for those of you who read my other stories, I feel it is time to bring another one to life as I work to wrap them up. You guys simply go leave a quick review on the story you most want updated and I'll take to the most popular one! That's all!

Also, another amazingly talented and awesome writer here in our chuckdom- Aren Summers, who writes an AWESOME fic called "Don't Quit Your Day Job"- check that out and review for a fun story!

Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing, and most of all sticking with me. Let me know what you thought of the chapter, and as always, have a great one guys.

-LLC