A/N - Here is the next chapter. Thank you to all who continue to review or follow or favorite this story. Standard disclaimers apply. Please let me know what you think.

Chapter 19

After a fabulous train trip through central Europe and the Alps, Chuck and Sarah decided to spend a few weeks in Vail, Colorado. Sarah was happy they ran into a famous eye surgeon on the trip in the dining car of the train on the way from Paris to Zurich. His name was Dr. Juan Diego Arnaldo. He was speaking at an opthamologist conference in Zurich and invited the Bartowskis to attend. Chuck and Sarah eagerly accepted and invited him to dinner after his presentation. Needless to say, he was charmed by Sarah and agreed to help her any way he could with her career in medicine.

Even though she had gone skating at least once a week for exercise when attending medical school, she felt out-of-shape and didn't want to forget everything she learned when competing. Sarah also enjoyed skating with Chuck and they thought it would be fun if Chuck learned from her coach, Diane Beckman. They also wanted to surprise her.

One morning in the middle of July, Diane showed up to work at the rink expecting a couple of young kids to teach as her appointment just indicated two skaters for beginning lessons. I thought coaching the Olympic gold medalists meant that I wouldn't have to resort to this type of work. Oh well, I'll just hand them off to someone else. Approaching her office, she was surprised to see the light on and her door slightly open. When she opened the door and saw who was inside, she dropped her keys.

"Hello Diane. We're your next lesson."

"Sarah! Chuck! It's so great to see you. What do you want lessons for?"

"We've been fooling around on the ice doing some jumps, lifts and throws for fun and we thought it would be fun if you trained Chuck and I for a few weeks. God knows I can use the exercise."

"I don't know….. Now that I'm famous for coaching the gold medal winning team of Walker and Larkin, I don't know if I would be interested in coaching a couple of rookies, especially at your ages."

Chuck laughed. "What, you don't want to coach the next great ice skating team of Bartowski and Bartowski?"

Diane laughed back. "Sounds like a vaudeville act. Actually a friend of mine sent me a video of you two skating when you were in Tahoe. Sarah was great as always and you really surprised me Chuck. What do you want me to do for you?"

"As I said, we've been doing some skating for fun and we would like you to help us do it better. As you taught me Diane, it's more fun when you do it right. Chuck is already a great skater, so it hopefully won't be too hard to help us improve. After all, we're not asking you to get us ready for US Nationals."

"After what I saw on the video, I wish you were. But I know you have other priorities now and I respect that. The number of skaters that have asked me to coach them has skyrocketed since Vancouver thanks to you and Bryce. I'll be happy to do what you ask. Let me get my skates on."

The three of them headed out to the ice and Chuck and Sarah skated around holding hands for a warm up, changing positions and footwork.

"Not bad," said Diane. "Where do you want to start?"

Chuck said "Let's start with the basics to make sure we haven't learned any bad habits."

Diane started at the beginning and had them skate forward and backwards, then turning and spinning. Everything looked perfect. "No bad habits that I see, let's see you do some jumps."

Chuck and Sarah started out doing some side-by-side double toe-loops and landed them just fine, They proceeded to do just as well with lutzes, flips and axels. Diane was amazed.

"I could have you ready for a podium finish at the US Nationals in two months."

Chuck laughed. "You're kidding Diane. I know my wife could do it but me? I'm a hockey player."

"And you're a great skater sweetie. That and you're strong and mentally tough. Learning a routine would be easy for you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence honey, but who's got time to do all that?"

Diane said "Sorry Bartowskis. You had me dreaming for a minute. I know you're doing this for fun, so let's have some fun!"

Diane worked with Chuck and Sarah for three solid weeks and had them landing everything they tried. She even choreographed a short program for them for fun that had a point value equal to what Walker and Larkin skated to in Vancouver. Diane made a video and sent it off to the US Figure Skating Federation without telling Sarah or Chuck.

After they went home to California, Diane received a call from the director of the federation. "Who are those two skaters, Diane? Will they be competing at Nationals?"

"Hold your horses Frank. They won't be competing."

"Why not? They're the best I've seen since Walker and Larkin. What's their names?"

Diane laughed. "Bartowski and Bartowski."

"Are they brother and sister?"

'Nope. Husband and wife."

"What! Why haven't I heard of them? They didn't defect or something did they?"

"Actually you probably have heard of both of them. You watch ice hockey don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm a big Devils fan."

"Then I'm sure you've heard of both of them. Did you watch the Stanley Cup finals?"

"Of course I did. That kid from the Ducks killed us. What was his name? Butrusky, Butrowski, something ethnic."

"Chuck Bartowski."

"That's it. He killed us. Was MVP of the finals. As much as I hate to admit it, he deserved it. Has a smoking hot wife too."

Diane burst out laughing. "You still haven't figured it out yet have you."

"What?"

"The skaters you just saw on the video were none other than that same Chuck Bartowski and his smoking hot wife. Although you remember her as Sarah Walker. It's Sarah Bartowski now."

"You're kidding me."

"Nope. They're doing this for fun and exercise. Sarah just finished her first year at medical school and is at the top of her class. Chuck you know about, except for his success with computers."

"Any chance of convincing them to compete?"

"Slim or none. Let them enjoy their lives. I've never seen two people happier and more in love with each other than those two. It would be disgusting if it wasn't so cute and they weren't such nice people."

January 2012

CIA Headquaters

Langston Graham was sitting behind his desk with a scowl on his face. "What do you mean there's a bug in your program. Can't you fix it Orion?"

Bryce Larkin and Stephen Bartowski were sitting in chairs at the front of his desk. "One of the flash drives Bryce gave me to analyze contained a nasty virus. It must have been a Trojan Horse."

"Didn't you back up the program?"

"Of course. What I'm worried about is the data on the drive. Bryce won't be able to go back in and get a clean copy."

"This is important Stephen. This company has its tentacles all over Europe and is trying to establish a beach head in the U.S."

"We know Volkoff Insdustries is important and needs to be stopped," Bryce added.

"Whoever set up the Trojan Horse was good. Real good. I know of only one person who can fix this, but he's very busy right now."

"Well, get him unbusy."

"Can't do that. He doesn't work for the CIA or any government agency."

"Who is he?"

"My son, Chuck."

Langston looked crestfallen. "Do you think he is still angry about what happened in Vancouver?"

"We haven't talked about it. It did smooth things over quite a bit when you let them use the limo and penthouse. Besides, he's in the middle of a two week road trip with the Ducks."

"Can you get one of your laptops to him?"

"Probably. His next game is in Boston tomorrow night."

"Get it up there. They checked into the Four Seasons this afternoon. He's in room 858."

"How did you know that so fast?"

Graham shrugged. "We still keep tabs on your son and daughter-in-law. For protection purposes only. They are not being followed or anything like that. We just know where they are in case."

"In case of what?"

"In case we get wind of something bad happening near where they are. If so, we can try and protect them."

"Humph. They are not spies Langston."

"I know. But they would make good ones."

"Not going to happen Langston. I'll ask him to look at the program for me and that's it. Nothing more."

"OK. You can't say I didn't try. Get that computer to Boston."

Chuck came back from dinner and opened the door to his room. He was looking forward to call Sarah and find out about her day. He missed her terribly. When he flipped on the light, he saw the computer on his bed. He walked closer and saw a note.

'Son. I need you to look at this for me. A virus has corrupted the file and I'm trying to save the data. I also brought you some of your thinkin' juice. Ron Bauer, your favorite.

Aces, Charles. You're aces.

Dad'

Chuck looked in the refrigerator and found the bottle of Ron Bauer. He opened it and took a swig. Thanks dad. I'll call Sarah in a minute.

He opened the laptop and immediately it requested a password. '1 or 11.'

Easy peasy dad. He typed in 'Aces, Charles' and the computer booted right up.

While waiting for the computer to finish running through the startup programs, he set up a video Skype chat with his wife. He entered the appropriate codes and Sarah's beautiful face filled the screen. "Hi sweetheart. How was your day?"

Sarah smiled at him and blew him a kiss. "Just fine sweetie. I love you and miss you."

'I love you too."

"What's that on the bed?"

"Oh, that. My dad left me a computer. Something about saving some data off a drive."

"Right up your alley sweetheart. You'll have it figured out in no time. Did he bring you some thinkin' juice?"

"Yeah. Ron Bauer."

"Your favorite. Don't forget to eat something."

"I just got back from dinner with the guys. I had steak and baked potato. It should hold me for a while."

Sarah chuckled. "I wish you were nibbling on something else."

Chuck gulped. "I miss you too sweetheart."

"Carina is in town and we're going out to dinner. We're getting Mexican."

"Sounds like fun. Have some nachos for me."

"Will do." The doorbell rang in the background. "That must be Carina." She went and opened the door to let her in.

Carina gave Sarah a hug and noticed she was on the phone. "Talking to hubby?"

Sarah nodded. "Sweetie, say hi to Carina." She held the display so she could see it.

"Hi Carina."

"Hi Chucky. Where are you?"

"Boston. We're playing the Bruins tomorrow night."

"Good luck."

"Thanks. Have fun with my wife. Make sure she doesn't drink too many margaritas."

"Margaritas? No, we're drinking shots."

Chuck laughed. "Call me when you get home sweetheart. I'll be up for a while."

"Will do Chuck. I love you. Bye."

"I love you, too baby. Bye."

They disconnected their phones and Chuck turned his attention to the laptop. He looked at the screen and started scrolling through the code. He loaded on an elliptical algorithm he designed and ran a diagnostic. While waiting for the program to run he took a swig from the bottle of chardonnay. A few minutes later a series of reports popped up on the screen. Everything looked normal at first glance. Chuck took a second look and started to notice a pattern. It was just a subtle difference from the normal sequences seen in a program, but it was there. Taking a closer look, he spotted the problem, something he had seen before at Harvard, but modified slightly. It was dubbed the omega virus. This was a much more virulent virus which was a bad omen. That's it. I'll call it the omen virus. Chuck started instituting his self-made countermeasures and after another thirty minutes and ten swigs of Ron Bauer Chardonnay, he had the file cleaned and readable. Opening the file, he noticed that it held a ton of financial records and decided to immediately close it. This looks CIA related. I don't want to know. But I better be safe. Chuck logged into his supersecret internet account that bounced the signal around every continent three times and pressed enter. He also set up a new encrypted boot sequence that only he and his dad used and knew about.

Picking up his phone, he call his dad.

"Hello son. How are you?"

"Hi dad. I fixed the file. What do you want me to do with it."

"Wow Chuck. You are special. I tried for a week to fix it. Piranha is still the best. How long did it take you?"

"Oh, about 45 minutes, give or take. What's so special about this file dad?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know. It's related to what I do for Uncle Sam."

"Got it. Maybe you better have them send someone over to pick it up right now. You wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands."

Stephen chuckled. "You watch too many James Bond movies. But you're right. I'll send someone over within the hour."

"Wait, don't I need a passcode before I should hand it over? How do I know it's not an imposter?"

"You really do watch too many spy movies. OK, I'll call you back."

Stephen called Graham. "It's fixed."

"That was quick."

"I told you he was the best there is. He wants someone to pick up the laptop."

"I'll send someone right away."

"How will he know who to give it to?"

"The night manager is one of ours. Tell him to take it to her. Her name is Hannah Hansen."

"What does she look like?"

"Petite. Brunette and quite attractive."

"OK, I'll tell him."

Stephen called Chuck. "They would like you to take the laptop down to the night manager. Her name is Hannah Hansen. I know what you're going to ask next – she's CIA and she's brunette, petite and quite attractive."

"OK dad. I'll take it down right now. Oh, and don't forget about Omaha."

Chuck powered down the laptop after erasing all traces of his internet activities and put it in its case that was left with the computer. He left his room and headed to the elevator. He saw his friend Crash Thompson already in it when the door opened. "Hey Chuck."

"Hey Crash. Heading out?"

"Yeah. I'm going to shoot pool with the guys. You want to come?"

"Sure. I just have to drop this off with the night manager."

"OK."

They exited the elevator and headed to the manager's office. Chuck knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Chuck opened the door and stepped inside. An attractive petite brunette stood and asked "Hello. How can I help you?"

"Are you Hannah Hansen?"

"Yes."

"I was asked to give this to you."

"Yes, right. You're Mr. Bartowski in room 858. Thank you for bringing it down."

Chuck handed over the computer. "You're welcome. Good night."

Hannah put the computer in the hotel safe and locked it up. She called Graham. "I have it."

Crash and Chuck went to the pool hall and played some games with some of their teammates and drank some beers. Chuck was a pretty good player but Crash was a very good player and won most of the bets. A couple of members of the Boston Bruins came into the hall and challenged the Duck players to a game. Chuck decided to sit this one out as he wasn't one of the best players. He went over to the bar and sat down with his beer.

A young and pretty college student wearing a Harvard sweatshirt sat next to Chuck and smiled at him. Chuck smiled back and asked "You a Harvard student?"

She responded "Yes."

"What are you studying?"

"Psychology."

"A noble profession. I'm an alum. I graduated a few years ago."

"What are you doing now?"

"I graduated in computer science and I play ice hockey for the Anaheim Ducks. We're playing the Bruins tomorrow."

"I shouldn't be talking to you. I'm a Bruins fan."

Chuck laughed. "I won't tell if you won't. Besides we have Harvard in common."

"I guess you're right."

"My name is Chuck, by the way."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Amber. What are you doing here? Trolling for young coeds?"

Chuck looked horrified for a minute. "No, no, no, no, no. I'd never do that. Besides, I'm very happily married. I wish she was here with me right now. Her name is Sarah. I'm here with some of my teammates playing pool." He pointed over to one of the tables.

Amber looked at him appraisingly. "You know, I believe you. Most men I meet at a bar would have been flirting with me in the hope they can get in my pants."

Chuck turned red. "I'm sorry that happens to you. You are very attractive, but I thinks it's important to respect women."

"Wow, a gentleman and a scholar. Your wife, Sarah is it? Is a very lucky woman"

"Thanks, but I'm the lucky one. She's in medical school at Stanford."

"Do you have a picture?"

Chuck pulled out his wallet. He carried a picture of them on their honeymoon and a picture of Sarah after she was awarded her gold medal. He showed them to Amber.

"Your wife's an Olympic gold medalist?" Wait….. Are you Chuck Bartowski, the hockey player who won the heart of Sarah Walker at the Vancouver Olympics?"

Chuck nodded. "Guilty as charged."

"I followed your story. I'm a big fan of Walker and Larkin. Any chance of a comeback?"

"No, sorry. My wife's retired from skating and concentrating on medical school. Bryce has gone onto other things as well."

Just then Chuck's phone rang. It was Sarah. "Hi sweetheart. Back home now?"

"Hi honey. Yeah, we just got back. Carina's still here but I didn't want to wait too late to call. It sure is noisy. Where are you?"

"I went to play pool with the Crash and some of the boys."

"I take it you fixed the computer problem."

"Piece of cake. Had it done in less than an hour and delivered it to the hotel manager. Did you and Carina have fun?"

"Yep. She's disappointed that I wouldn't let her get me drunk."

"Hah. I'm sitting at the bar next to a Harvard student. Says she's a big fan of Walker and Larkin. Do you want to say hi?"

Sarah shrugged. "Sure."

"Sarah, this is Amber." He held the phone so she could see the display.

"Hi Amber. I hope you're not trying to hit on my husband. He's mine."

"Woah, Sarah. I have to admit when I first saw him I thought he was cute. Then I accused him of trolling for college coeds and was put in my place."

"My Chuck doesn't troll for women in bars."

"I'm sorry. I know that now. I'd be just as possessive of him if I were in your place. He's quite a catch."

"You don't know the half of it."

"Chuck here says there's no chance of a Walker and Larkin comeback."

"Never happen and it's not just because my name is now Bartowski."

Amber chuckled. "I really am a big fan I enjoyed watching you at the Olympics. I wish you well in medical school."

"Thanks. If you want, I can send you an autographed picture of the two of us on the podium. Chuck will let you know how to contact our agent."

"That would be fantastic. Thank you. Goodbye Sarah and it's been a pleasure talking to you."

Chuck took the phone back and walked outside where it was quieter to continue his conversation with his wife.

"Sorry about that baby. I just wanted to show off my beautiful wife."

"To a woman?"

Chuck laughed. "I didn't mean it that way silly. I wanted to show her why I would have to be the stupidest person that ever lived to cheat on you."

That got a chuckle out of Sarah. "I know you'll never cheat on me and I will never cheat on you."

"How long is Carina going to be in town?"

"Through the weekend. We'll see some of the sights although we'll be at a sports bar watching your game tomorrow night."

"I love you Sarah. I wish I could put my arms around you and hold you close right now."

"I love you too Chuck. I miss you like crazy. I would love nothing more than to be snuggled up in your arms. Well, I must admit, I would like it even more if I was snuggled up in your arms naked in bed after several rounds of love making."

Chuck's mind just melted at that thought.

"Earth to Chuck. Come in Chuck."

He managed somehow to return to his senses. "What was that Sarah? You were inviting me to come in?"

It was Sarah's turn to blush a little.

The Ducks – Bruins game was a sell out and in front of a very boisterous pro Bruin crowd. The Ducks played an excellent defensive game for the first two periods and managed to hold the Bruins scoreless, giving them a 2 – 0 lead heading into the third period. Sarah and Carina were sitting at a sports bar in the City watching the game while leaving untouched numerous drinks given to them by the predominately male crowd. Two young college students from Berkeley had been watching them from a distance and was wondering if they were lesbians, as they turned down every approach from a male of the species. They simply had to find out.

They approached the bar where Carina and Sarah were sitting and the one called Dave said "My friend and I were wondering something." Carina looked at him from the corner of his eye while Sarah was absorbed with the game. Chuck was on the ice for a shift and she wasn't going to miss it for anything. "We were wondering if you liked men?"

Carina snorted at the question and Sarah wasn't even listening. Her man was on the ice and that was all that mattered to her. Carina turned her head and smirked. "What's it to you if we like men? I only see a couple of young boys. Let me know if you see any real men."

Dave's friend Bob spoke up. "You've turned down about a dozen men that have approached you. What are we supposed to think?"

"If you would have bothered to look at the third finger of her left hand, you might have noticed she's married. And I'm sort of dating her husband's friend."

Chuck had a shot on goal that was somehow saved by the goalie. Sarah wondered aloud how the puck didn't end up in the net. She said to the TV "That's OK sweetie. The next one will go in."

Bob said "What's with her?"

Carina said "Her husband plays for the Ducks."

"You're kidding me, right?" There was a break in the action and a commercial came on. Sarah turned to Bob.

"Why would she kid about something like that?"

"I dunno. I guess I never thought I'd see someone like you in here."

Carina said "I guess it's your lucky day. My sort of boyfriend also plays for the Ducks."

"Really? Sort of boyfriend?"

"We have an understanding."

"Does that mean I have a chance?"

Carina smirked. "Like an ice cube on a hot summer's day."

Bob turned to Dave "Did you hear that? I've got a chance."

Dave dragged Bob away from the bar. "You never were the sharpest tool in the shed."

Carina turned to Sarah and burst out laughing. "How much time's left in the game Sarah?"

"About ten minutes to go. Chuck and Crash have had really good games so far. Chuck has a goal and an assist and Crash two assists. Where do you want to go after the game?"

"Let's go to Fisherman's Warf. I want some seafood."

"I know just the place."

They continued to watch the game and it remained 2 – 0 going in to the final two minutes. Chuck and Crash were on the ice and both ladies were glued to the TV. Crash brought the puck out of his zone and head manned it up to center ice. He passed in to Chuck who took it across the blue line and set up behind the net. He passed the puck out and went into the corner. When the puck came to him, a Bruin player battled him for possession of the puck and it squirted free. When Chuck turned away from the boards and looked down to find the puck, another Bruin player charged into the area to get the puck. His stick got tangled with his teammate's and Chuck took control and passed it out to Crash at the blue line. When the two Bruins tried to free their sticks by lifting up on them, both sticks hit Chuck in the back of his head causing a large gash and a severe sprain of his left wrist when he fell. Chuck laid motionless on the ice as he was out cold. The game was stopped and the two Bruin players waived the trainer frantically on the ice. It was a total accident, but they felt horrible about injuring another player.

The camera followed the puck out to the blue line and Sarah couldn't see at first what had happened. When play was stopped, the commentators immediately started talking about a Duck player being down on the ice. Alarm bells went off in Sarah's brain and she watched the screen for more information with her hand over her mouth. Carina, sensing that bad news was about to happen put her arms around Sarah and held on. After a few minutes, they finally showed a replay and Sarah screamed at the TV. "Nooooooooooooooooooo."

Earlier that day the CIA courier came to the hotel manager's office to collect the computer. After giving the passcode to Hannah, the courier received the computer and left the hotel. Once in his vehicle he made a phone call. "I've got it." At the other end of the call Alexei Volkoff smiled.

A/N 2 - A little bit of a cliff hanger. Stay tuned.