A/N One of my favorite chapters. Three separate deathtraps and a wedding in the Klingon mode. I wasn't very happy with the wedding in S4, it felt rushed and tacked on, as well as just plain ordinary. The most original thing about it was the idea of Morgan as the officiant, which is where I started when I went to make my own. If you google 'Star Trek weddings' you'll find the Klingon ceremony Worf and Troi used, which I modified with some quotes I found somewhere else and the Vulcan salute thrown in. Chuck got to look and sound fierce (something I wish I had made more of at the time), and Sarah says 'I love you' for the first time.

Roses. He smelled roses.

Which was weird, since he'd ordered gardenias. Not that he'd had much say in the flower department, or any other department, even when it came to his own wedding. Sarah'd gone to Ellie first, knowing how unhappy his sister was with the whole wedding situation, especially the little things, like a lack of pictures and oh yes, not being invited. She'd been in the air by then, off to her own honeymoon, but pointing out that little fact really wasn't as helpful as he'd hoped it might be.

Chuck wondered if Sarah was beginning to regret her decision. Ellie's own experience with wedding planners was limited to Honey Woodcombe, not the best role model. Casey'd done a much better job, with Ellie's simpler dreams, Chuck's bigger budget, and much less time, but unfortunately Ellie hadn't been there to see it.

Just as well. Chuck didn't want his–well, Sarah's–wedding designed by some Marines as a field exercise. His sister was bad enough on her own.

A door opened, the groom's dressing room, not that Chuck had needed any help dressing himself, and his best man stepped out.

"Devon, do you smell roses?"

"Yeah, bro, a last-minute delivery. They clashed with the gardenias, though, so I figured I'd stash them someplace safe until the General gave us our orders."

They spoke of the Devil and they saw her horns. Drawn by their voices, the General–Ellie Bartowski-Woodcombe at her most autocratic–stepped out into the hall, making sure none of the men could see into the bride's sanctum. She wrinkled her nose. "Who ordered roses?"

Chuck flashed his default I-didn't-do-anything-so-don't-blame-me grin."Not me, sis, no roses of any kind."

Devon spoke up. "They just came in, El. No card or anything, so I stuck 'em in there." He gestured to the door at his back.

"Get rid of them," said Ellie curtly. "Today is gardenias only." What Sarah wanted, Sarah got. "Chuck, go into the chapel and make yourself useful. Don't let me catch you near this door again." What Sarah didn't care so much about, Ellie got.

Chuck walked into the chapel, wondering what his sister-and-commander expected him to do. The bunting was hung properly, the flowers placed as directed. The chapel personnel had everything well in hand, and what they didn't have handled the assorted and hitherto-unknown family members did. Sarah had a lot of strong and solemn CIA-employed male relatives he'd never met, while he had..."Hey, Dimples. How's–Pebbles? You're here!"

Pebbles stood. Slowly, but all on his own. "Told you I would be," he said, taking Chuck's hand gladly. "You didn't have to hold the wedding for me…"

"You wish," said Muffin. "Agent Walker didn't want to walk down the aisle on crutches, that's what I heard."

"You sure it was your fingers that Ladyfeelings broke?" asked Showtunes. "It seems you been hearing a lot of strange things lately…"

"Here we go," said Dimples with much patience. "Which one of you wants to start a fight at Agent Walker's wedding?"

Apparently none. Chuck smiled at the sudden peace and quiet. "The funny thing is, they originally went with the long sleeves for Carina's sake, but then Sarah broke her finger, and she insisted on waiting until it healed before she'd let me put a ring on it. Then right after that happened, they got into a fight and now they both have bruises."

Much head-shaking ensued. "Don't worry, Tough Guy. We ain't gonna let nothing happen to you guys today except what you want to happen." That got a chorus of agreement.

Chuck had no fear of a gun fight in the dining hall this time.

Many guests had already arrived, and Chuck excused himself to greet them because…he was Chuck. Quite a few sported bandages and subdued limps, and he figured them for guests at Sarah's party. Then he spotted a more familiar face. "Alex!"

She turned and recognized him. "Mr. Bartowski."

"Please, call me Chuck," he said. "I think I can promise my bride won't kill you, not after all you did at her party."

Alex blushed, as she always did when praised. "It was nothing."

"Alex, what have I told you about that," said the diminutive brunette she'd been talking to. "Don't you ever sell yourself short–"

"Plenty of people willing to do that for you," chorused Alex with her.

The brunette smiled. "Better." She turned to Chuck and stuck out her hand. "Hi Chuck, I'm Hannah."

Chuck had no problem acting surprised, he'd only seen her a couple of times during that ill-fated plane flight. "The AIC over in Burbank that Sarah keeps telling me about? A pleasure to meet you at last." He shook hands warmly.

Hannah looked confused. "But…I'm not an agent."

"Analyst also starts with 'A'," said Chuck, laughing. "I'm told they're going to create a new position if they can find more analysts like you."

Now it was Hannah's turn to blush, which she covered by introducing her young man.

"Welcome to Washington," said Chuck, neutrally.

"Actually, I came from here, originally. I transferred to LA right after she did."

It didn't take a CIA analyst to figure out that chain of events. "Welcome back, then," said Chuck, and then he excused himself to meet other guests.

Ellie left the bride's dressing room, satisfied that matters could be allowed to progress there without her direct supervision for a few minutes at least. Time to make sure the other parts of her temporary domain were in a similar state of order. There may be no danger of gun battles in the foyer, but a damaged ice sculpture could still ruin everything.

She snuck a peek into the chapel, saw Chuck doing what he did best, and she had a quiet word with the leader of the security team to make sure his men were capturing every candid moment with their hidden cameras. Hopefully what they lacked in professional skill they could make up for in quantity.

She went to the reception hall on the ground floor, and caught Morgan Grimes with one of the appetizers at his lips. "Morgan Grimes! Put that down this instant! I will not have you officiating at my brother's wedding with fish-breath."

Grimes complied even as he complained. "Come on, Ellie, you know how I get when I'm nervous. I've never done this before."

"Don't touch that. We did not pay for those and I certainly don't want to see them on our bill because of you!" She signaled a server to remove them. "How about you get back to your waiting room and study…whatever lines it is you have to study."

Morgan slunk out of the room, and she did a quick walk-through, making sure all the settings were perfect, and none of the wait staff were dead and stuffed under any tables. "Good." Back to the bridal dressing room she went. Time to get this show on the road.

"Aunt Diane!" said Chuck. He opened his arms as he approached, but she closed them again with a stern glare. "Still no hugs, huh?"

Here expression softened. "I'm not totally averse to them, Chuck, but given our heights one of us would need to do something undignified. Save that sort of thing for the Fourth of July picnic, not your wedding."

Chuck smiled. "Whatever you say, Aunt Diane." He looked at her escort. "Greetings, my four large and unsmiling cousins." He turned back to their boss. "The ceremony should be starting soon, I think the atomic clock takes its time from Ellie these days." Chuck noticed the wistful look on General Beckman's face. "Perhaps you'd like to sit next to Cole…" He turned to point. "He looks a little lost with no one shooting him."

"Don't you mean shooting at him?"

"I was quite precise in my statement, Aunt Diane–"

"Chuck!" Four hands reached into jackets as a large man ran up to the group, but his target was Chuck, not their own protectee. "Chuck, the General says it's time. You have to get in position now or there'll be hell to pay. Hi, Aunt Diane." Devon dragged the groom off before she could say anything.

The General? Diane Beckman smiled, knowing her favorite protégé had everything well in hand. She could relax, play a different part for a while. Mr. Barker was looking a little lonely, wasn't he?

The chapel manager approached nervously, terrorized as they all were by the intense brunette waiting for him.

"Where is my Wedding March?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Woodcombe, but the CD player assigned for this room is giving us some trouble, the tray won't open."

Ellie'd seen the antique sound system first hand, but they'd assured her they were in the process of upgrading. "Take that antique piece of junk and throw it out, before you ruin someone else's wedding!"

She paused, staring, waiting for something, and the manager realized it was him. "Do it!" he ordered some underling.

"And bring me a mike," said Ellie, getting out her smartphone. "Fortunately I came prepared."

Not too many people noticed the woman standing at the front of the chapel, but the low buzz of conversation died away completely when the music started. Everyone turned as a beautiful redhead in a long-sleeved peach gown stepped out onto the aisle, walking to the beat, slow and stately. Ellie wasn't too happy that tradition demanded that her husband was partnered with Carina of all people, but her eagle eye saw no reason to complain so far. Between Ellie and Sarah, she was walking a very strait and narrow path today.

A couple appeared in the doorway behind Carina, and all eyes turned. The bride glowed, her gown perhaps a bit too snug for proper decorum, but what could you expect from something that had originally been selected by Carina? At least John, proud and tall in his Marine dress uniform, looked the part, as he offered his elbow to the bride for her walk down the aisle.

Sarah really needed him today, to keep her on course as she noted the many, many people who'd come to see her leave her old life and begin a new one, a life she wouldn't have wanted, people she wouldn't have known, if it hadn't been for Chuck. Ellie watched Sarah's face behind the veil, so alive, so animated, eyes moving, gaze shifting from face to face. Ellie would have liked to remember her own wedding, the good parts especially, but she could only clearly remember Devon's face as she walked toward him. For her, Devon was the diamond, and Chuck had worked hard–she only learned later how hard–to make the setting perfect.

Now she was returning the favor.

Sarah already had her diamond, it was the setting she was after. The people, the words, and Ellie'd put that together for her. Well, the people, at any rate, and truth be told, it wasn't entirely for Sarah. Carina had often been the bride but never a bridesmaid, and Ellie herself wanted that second photo album.

The setting was ready. Sarah would have to handle the words on her own.

Ellie looked for the smaller things as the bride got closer. Ring finger bare, good. Sarah'd insisted on waiting until the last minute to remove her ring, and then with the CD fiasco Ellie hadn't been on hand to personally make sure it got handed off to Devon properly. The bouquet hid Sarah's taped fingers, and…oh no. That sprig of plastic flowers from Las Vegas was in there! Ellie looked up to check the veil, but thankfully it seemed the plastic flowers were the only items to escape Sarah's treasure chest for this ceremony.

With most of the audience behind her Sarah's gaze was now focused on the man in front of her, and Ellie followed that gaze. Chuck was looking fine this morning, ready and waiting to receive his bride. A part of Ellie was willing to admit that she'd been hoping for one of his gobsmacked oh-my-God-she's-so-beautiful expressions, but she was disappointed this time.

He was here. She was here.

The combat suit was gone, and the veil was real, but the Intersect couldn't help noticing she still held the same sprig of plastic flowers in her hand. God she was beautiful.

She smiled at him, for him, and the sun rose. Today, tomorrow, and hopefully forever.

Casey stopped precisely on coda, right in front of him, and saluted. Chuck said, "Thank you, Colonel", and Casey dropped the salute and turned to find his seat (held for him, naturally) as Chuck turned and Sarah took that final step forward.

Oh, God, is it my turn already?

Morgan had never married anyone. He'd never even tried to marry anyone. He'd been looking for a bathroom when he stumbled into that Star Trek trivia contest. How was he supposed to know it was a catechism?

Word to the wise, never get drunk at Comic-Con.

That's what the United Federation of Planets was for, marrying people at Comic-Con, so they'd have a memory to treasure (or regret) for the rest of their lives. They were his kind of people, tolerant and non-sectarian, willing to perform the ceremony for people in any costume. He certainly wasn't licensed to marry people in DC, but unfortunately for him they were already married, all he was supposed to do was stumble through the mostly-forgotten words of a ceremony he'd only seen performed.

Oh God, why did I ever volunteer for this?

He stepped forward. "Dearly Beloved…" Okay, that's a start, now what? For a second he froze in terror. Come on, what kind of Trekkie am I? What would Picard do? Suddenly he knew the answer. "Charles, son of Stephen, does your heart beat only for this woman?"

Oo, buddy, going for the Klingon! Chuck adopted a suitably fierce scowl on his face. "Yes."

"And do you swear to join with her and stand with her against all who would oppose you?"

"I swear." If she'd let me.

Morgan decided to mix it up a little. "I bid you, speak your heart." He gestured at Sarah.

Wow, buddy, throw me in at the deep end, why don't you? Chuck turned to Sarah. Vows. His vows. In Klingon? He hadn't even gotten them straight in English yet! "Sarah. I am…not a warrior, not in my heart, but…you know this and here you are anyway." The audience laughed softly. "With you I will stand, and for you I will fight to my last breath. To you I can only yield. My heart is yours, as it has always been and ever will be." No vows, just me.

"Honor gives little comfort to a man alone in his home, and in his heart," quoted Morgan. "Sarah, daughter of Jack, does your heart beat only for this man?"

"Yes," she said, as firmly as Chuck had.

"And do you swear to join with him and stand with him against all who would oppose you?"

"I swear." I'd stand before him, if he'd let me.

"I bid you, speak your heart."

She turned to Chuck, took his hands, and he could feel her trembling. She wanted this, she'd asked for this, she had no idea what to say. "Chuck, you...are a warrior, you are that guy. You don't always fight, but you always strive, you always succeed, in ways where mere warriors would only fail. When we met, I knew you wanted to speak to me, but you turned away from what you wanted to help a child in trouble. No 'warrior' would have done that, Chuck, but a hero would have. A hero did. I fell for you then, Chuck. It took me a long time to realize it, and longer to admit it. I love you, Chuck Bartowski. I always have."

Complete silence reigned, broken only by Morgan's snuffling as he wiped his eyes. Finally he gasped out, "How hollow is the sound of victory, without someone to share it with? Charles Irving Bartowski, do you claim this woman as your own?"

"I do."

"And do you, Sarah–?"

"Mine."

"Give me the rings."

Devon pulled the rings from his pocket, and handed them to Chuck, but Chuck didn't hand them to Morgan, putting them in his pocket instead.

"Chuck?" asked Sarah.

His hand came out of his pocket with a little box. Inside were two bands, made of 24-karat pink gold. "For us. For ever." He handed those rings to Morgan.

Morgan took the rings in his clasped hands. "We all know that the Great Bird of the Galaxy poops on us all, just and unjust alike. May he poop on you less, and on your enemies more." Everyone laughed. Morgan handed the rings back to Chuck, and Chuck slid the first on Sarah's finger, then she the second.

Everyone heard her say, "Perfect."

"Turn and clasp your hands." When they did, Morgan raised his hand, spread in a 'V', two fingers to each side. "They came before us as two." He put his hand over theirs, and slid his fingers together. He lifted their hands with his own. "They leave us as one. Let the gods tremble."

He released their hands and they turned back to each other. Chuck lifted the veil, for the second and final time.

"One more thing," said Morgan.

They froze, and Chuck stared at his friend in utter confusion. "Morgan?"

Morgan was staring at Sarah, looking...impish. "You're standing in front of a bomb, with seven seconds left on the clock."

She took a deep breath, nodded.

"Go."