A/N - I'm really busy with other things right now so here is a short setup chapter to get things started in Sochi. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think. Don't own Chuck, Cutting Edge or Olympics.

Chapter 23

Sochi, Russia February 2014

Two days before the Opening Ceremony, Chuck and Sarah checked into their one bedroom suite at their hotel, The Radisson Blu Paradise Resort and Spa on the Black Sea. Fortunately, they chose one of the hotels that was actually finished and close to the Iceberg Skating Palace where they would be competing. Being married, they did not want to stay in the Olympic Village where their privacy could be interrupted.

Since it was a surprisingly warm day, Sarah and Chuck decided to take a walk around the grounds of the hotel and check out the spa. After heading outside, they noticed a young couple pushing a baby stroller. Chuck said "Look Sarah, that'll be us one of these days."

Sarah smiled at him and said "One of these days."

Approaching the young couple, Sarah noticed something familiar about them and the language they were speaking. She touched Chuck on the arm "Is that who I think that is, sweetie?"

Chuck raised an eyebrow. "Who, honey?"

The young couple turned a corner and they could see their profiles. "It is them" Sarah exclaimed.

She called out to them "Kasia, Damian!"

The Dudeks stopped and looked. Recognizing Sarah and Chuck they smiled broadly and waived them over.

"Chuck, Sarah, it's so great to see you," Damian exclaimed.

They exchanged handshakes and hugs. Kasia reached into the stroller and picked up Morella and passed her to Sarah. Sarah, a little nervous at first, gradually relaxed and the baby cooed at her, bringing a smile to Sarah's face. Kasia said "See Sarah, you're a natural for when the time comes for you."

Sarah talked to the baby "Hi little Morella, you're adorable just like your mommy."

Morella started to fuss a little and Damian stroked her cheek calming her down. "It's OK little Molly, mommy and daddy are here."

"Molly?" Chuck asked.

"Her cousin who is two years old can't say Morella, so he calls her Molly. We think it's cute, so now everyone is calling her Molly."

They all continued their stroll around the gardens before Molly needed a change and feeding. They made plans to eat dinner together at the restaurant hotel at 7pm. Chuck and Sarah continued on to the spa and the Dudeks went back to their two bedroom suite which they found out later was on the same floor as theirs.

Once in the spa, Sarah and Chuck decided to have couples massages and aroma therapy. After receiving the treatments, they were sitting on bar stools in white terry cloth robes enjoying a refreshment from the juice bar when Chuck said "You sure looked cute holding little Molly."

Sarah chuckled. "She's really cute and a good baby. I'm looking forward to having our own, but it's kind of scary and exciting at the same time to think about."

"I know what you mean, but you'll make a great mom when the time comes."

Sarah looked coyly at her husband and said, "I hope so and I know you'll be a great dad. But talking about kids makes me want to go back to our room to practice some more."

"Practice?"

Sarah reached over, grabbed the front Chuck's robe and pulled him close for a kiss. She then whispered in his ear "I really don't have to answer that, do I?"

xxxxx

Bryce and Lindsay Larkin landed at the Sochi Airport and headed to the Olympic Media Center. He finally convinced her to marry him three months ago in a small ceremony attended by close friends and family. Chuck and Sarah were among the friends who attended. Bryce was hired by NBC as a figure skating commentator. It was also a great cover for his job with the CIA. Graham had become aware from his operatives in Eastern Europe that there was a plot to do harm to one of the prominent business leaders attending the games. Details were sketchy and who the target was but what had the CIA concerned was that the rumors involved a business with ties to energy supplies, something that could destabilize friendly governments and drive up energy prices. Bryce was tasked with observing and reporting anything that might be important. After meeting with the NBC media employees, Bryce and Lyndsay headed to their hotel, the same one that Chuck and Sarah were in, but did not have a suite.

Looking around the lobby Bryce said "I know we didn't have time for a long honeymoon, Lindsay. But I hope coming to the Olympics will help make up for it."

"I understand, Bryce. It'll be nice to have the time together as you'll be finished with your work for NBC after the pairs. How do you feel about Sarah returning to competition without you?"

"Frankly, I'm surprised she's doing it but I know the only reason is because of the plane crash. And she's doing it with her husband. I think it's rather cool. I was amazed at how well they did at Nationals. Love definitely suits her."

"Does love suit you, Mr. Larkin?" asked Lindsay as she kissed her husband.

"Most definitely Mrs. Larkin," as he kissed her back.

Xxxxx

Cole Barker walked into the Olympic Village with a member of the women's GB Curling team on each arm. He had become one of the top skips in Curling over the past four years and his team was one of the favorites for a gold medal. His rugged good looks and swagger helped the sport gain interest with the sporting public, especially with the ladies, after his team posed for strategically covered nude photos, mostly of Cole. Even though he had an attractive woman on each arm, he looked around constantly, scouting the female "talent" at the village. After meeting Sarah at the last Olympics, he had taken a liking to women figure skaters, but knew she was off limits. That didn't mean there weren't other lovely young ladies in the sport for him to conquer.

Daniel Shaw and Amy Smith also made the return trip to the Olympics as Canadian champions looking to avoid a repeat of their embarrassment in Vancouver. The return of Sarah Walker Bartowski was an unexpected and unwelcome surprise for them as it reduced their chances to win a medal. Morgan and Alex, Carina, and Zondra also qualified and came back to compete in their events. All were staying in the Olympic Village.

Xxxxx

At a suite in another hotel in Sochi, a man sat in a chair next to a window talking on the phone.

"Have you spotted them?" he asked the person on the other end of the line.

"I have eyes on them. They are eating dinner with another couple in the hotel restaurant. What are my orders?"

"Just watch and observe for now. It is too early to strike. We want to wait until the middle of the Games for the greatest impact. Follow them whenever they leave the hotel. Learn their patterns so we know the best time and place."

"Yes, Dr. Zarnow."

"And Ryker? Don't screw this up like you did your last mission."

Kieran Ryker disconnected the call and stared at his phone for a moment. How dare he talk to me that way. It wasn't my fault the last mission failed. I'll show him.

xxxxx

John Casey returned to coach the US Ice Hockey team in Sochi. He was the natural choice as he coached the gold medal winning team in Vancouver. After checking into his hotel, he called a friend.

"Hey Langston. You wanted me to call after I arrived?"

"Thanks Casey. We have a situation I would like your help with."

"What is it? Anything to help a former Marine."

"Just keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual. We've caught wind of a possible attack at the games and want as many people on the lookout as we can. If you see anything, your contact is Bryce Larkin."

"Larkin, Sarah Walker Bartowski's former figure skating partner?"

"The one and the same."

"What's he doing here?"

"He's a TV commentator for NBC."

"You think we can get him to take Chuck's place as Sarah's partner so he can play ice hockey? I really need him back on the team if we're going to have a chance to win gold again."

"I thought he had vision issues and can't play hockey right now."

"I know. The Duck's won't let him play. It doesn't affect his skating though. It's a tough break for us but a big break for the figure skating team."

"Here's how you contact Larkin if you see or anything suspicious. Anything. Do you understand?" He gave Casey the information.

"Understood. Talk to you later. Goodbye."

"Thanks Casey. Goodbye."

xxxxx