Chapter 6 Even at my Worst
Sarah leaned back, seeing Chuck's face inside the crook of her neck. They had moved to the floor sometime during the night lying on a pile of pillows. 'How can one man have so many pillows?' She slid forward trying not to wake him. She looked back down at him, he was out. She leaned over and kissed his cheek then took one last look before she got up, of him lying there naked. She chuckled to herself, then fought to keep in her inner girly scream. Standing up she grabbed his shirt and headed to the bathroom. She desperately needed a toothbrush and a hot shower. She walked into the bathroom, turning on the light, she saw that he had left a sticky note on the mirror. 'When?' She wasn't sure. She grabbed the yellow sticky note and read it. 'Toothbrushes, mouth wash etc. in cabinet then signing it with a heart. Sarah turned around and opened the closet door. Shelves of toiletry items, the more she looked around, she knew that this was his to go closet. She looked at all the items then looked down and tucked away on the floor of the closet was his to go bag. She recognized the dark brown leather bag, the one he had with him when they went to Athens. She ran her hand over all the items, laughing to herself as most of them were toiletries from hotels. She recognized a few familiar items from places she had stayed at as well. She looked up. 'Could they have been in the same spot and didn't even know it. Crossed paths, shared the same sidewalk. He did say that he had watched me from one of the hotels.'
She grabbed a toothbrush and some of his toothpaste. She looked at the brand. 'Peppermint. He's a peppermint man.' Tearing the package open and grabbing the toothbrush she started to brush her teeth. She walked over to the shower and turned on the taps. Looking around to find a place for her new tooth brush, she grabbed a face cloth, towels and slipped inside, placing her brush next to his. The hot water cascaded over her hair and down her back. Her body still had a slight ache to it but not as bad as the day before. She was surprised that she was able to sleep, even with the little amount of sleep she did get. She had to thank Chuck for making everything feel safe to her. She remembered that she'd never really asked how he was doing. Just then, strong arms slid around her waist and cupping them around her stomach. She leaned back when his lips kissed her neck. "Was wondering if you'd like your back washed?" Sarah turned around. "Or your front." With a sheepish grin. She responded by kissing him hard. He pressed her up against the wall of the shower and in seconds they knew what was going to happen next.
Chuck walked out to the balcony carrying a tray. He put it down passing Sarah a cup of coffee, Sarah grabbed the front of his robe and kissed him. Chuck taken back by the kiss, smiled then passed her a plate. Chuck sat down resting his legs on the ottoman. The streets were quiet for an early afternoon. Sarah took a sip of her coffee. "These robes? Which hotel did you snag these from?"
Chuck laughed. "Why do you think that I took these from a hotel?"
Sarah then looked and pointed to the embroidery. "Then explain why you have a robe from the InterContinental Maldives?"
Chuck sat back as Sarah slid her legs onto his lap. He caressed her legs and watched her eat her breakfast. "I took that robe and this one because I want to one day go back there. I was there for a very short time and never got to enjoy the scenery. It's a reminder to one day go back there. I have picked up a few things from other places to remind me that this job is just a job and there's so much more out there. I have plenty of stamps on my passports but I don't have any memories from those places."
Sarah looked at Chuck. She never looked at that side of the job. 'How many places did she fly to and not had the chance to really see the place. How right he was.'
Sarah dozed off lying on the couch. Chuck grabbed a book and sat down beside her after covering her up. They had a big breakfast and the afternoon sun had slipped to the other side of the apartment. Chuck smiled with a full stomach and a full heart. Chuck heard a car backfire and he was instantly brought back to sitting in the back seat of the car, reliving being chased, hit by a 2x4, drugged and left to die. He shook off the thoughts of what happened, days before and directed his thoughts back to the book. He was running out of books that he had brought with him from LA. And he wasn't familiar with any British authors so he grabbed The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Even though he knew how it ended he needed the mental distraction.
He was into the third chapter when Sarah woke up. The one gift he had from his dad. His ability to read fast, process information, very quickly and retain what he had read.
He put down the book when Sarah opened her arms. Chuck slid over her and laid down beside her. He kissed her. "How you're feeling sleepy head?"
Sarah smiled as she ran her hand over his face. "Much better."
Chuck grabbed her chin and kissed her softly. They continued to make out for awhile. Chuck looked at the time. "You hungry? Want to go somewhere?"
He tried to sit up. Sarah pulled him back. "You mentioned getting a burger with extra pickles?" As she dragged her fingers over his chest hairs.
Chuck smiled. "I did. You want to share a burger?"
Sarah nodded. "You want to go out or order in?" As Chuck stood up.
Sarah sat up and swung the blanket off exposing her naked leg. "What do you think?"
Chuck looked at her and swallowed hard. He walked over and grabbed his phone.
Chuck unpacked the paper bags. Sarah sauntered over to the table. Chuck lit some candles and sat down walking by giving her a kiss then sitting down beside her. Sarah unwrapped her burger as Chuck slid a small container that housed the extra pickles. They tapped their drinks then enjoyed their burger and fries.
Chuck cleaned up watching Sarah snoop around his apartment. She walked over to the wine rack, grabbing a bottle of pinot noir. Chuck acknowledged her then grabbed two wine glasses. He followed her back to his room. Sarah put the bottle down on his side table, taking the glasses from Chuck. "Dessert first." Sarah moved to the bed and climbed up facing him. She sat on her knees as she untied his robe. Placing kisses on his chest then running her fingers through his chest hairs. She let his robe fall to the floor as his lips met hers. He laid her down as he untied her robe and laid kisses here and there, making her melt into his mattress. He slid his arms around her lower back bringing her into a hot embrace. Dessert had never tasted so sweet.
Chuck poured the wine and they laid in each other's arms watching the sky get darker and darker. Their only light was the moon, which gave them enough light to see each other.
Next morning
Sarah leaned over the edge of the bed reaching for her bra and underwear. Chuck rolled over seeing her naked back. He moved closer and ran his fingers up and down her back. He heard her groan. He nibbled her at her shoulder blades then reaching her neck where he brushed her hair away from her neck. He saw the bruises from their last mission and kissed that area with such tenderness it made Sarah turn around. Falling into his arms things picked up pretty quickly. Sarah wrapped her legs around his waist as it was fast and very sexy.
She kissed him wanting to stay in his arms for another day but they had to get back to work. She rolled over the other side this time to avoid him entirely. She got dressed and headed to the door. Chuck grabbed his robe and put it on. "You could stay?"
Sarah turned around. "I know I could and it is taking everything that I have not to give in to that." She reached for her flowers and took a whiff. He looked at her. "Take them home, their yours." Chuck grabbed a bag and carefully placed them inside. He carried them over to her as she reached for the door knob. She held the flowers as he kissed her. "What do we say?" Chuck asked.
She looked at him. "I don't know, goodbye, see you later."
"Maybe see you later?" Chuck kissed her once more then gave her one last embrace.
Chuck watched her leave and instantly his heart ached. Sarah stopped at the stairs, turned around and desperately wanted to go back.
Chuck walked into the office with a skip in his step. He sat at this desk, as fellow agents welcomed him back, asking him how he was doing. After the 'hundredth' person asked him, he got back to work. His concentration did not last long. He heard the elevators open and his mouth dropped. He had noticed her before but seeing her now, it was different. He tried not to focus on what she looked like naked but he was a man and what they shared the last few days was etched into his brain. She walked in wearing a fitted black skirt and a purple blouse. He thought that he'd might have to change his favourite colour to purple. She hugged a few people wishing that he was at the end of those embraces and maybe a few kisses to follow.
Sarah noticed him as he tried not to look like he was missing out on her coming back. She looked at him and tried not to envision him lying beside her in bed or hot water cascading down his naked body. She admired what he was wearing. He had on black dress pants, tailored of course, with a steel blue dress shirt and dark grey suit jacket.
He finally walked towards her as all eyes were on them and how they would response to seeing each other. No one knew what had happened between the two of them the last few days but knew what happened prior to that. Chuck walked up to her and like everyone else he hugged her. As his arms wrapped around her, she was puddy in his arms. She had to stay strong and not pounce on him. He smelled amazing. When he started to pull away his stubble grazed her neck, making her eyes roll.
He stood back and smiled. "And how are we?" Chuck knew that people were still watching them. They had to play along. Sarah looked around, as they were waiting for her to answer. "I'm doing okay, thanks for asking and thanks for rescuing me." That seemed to be what the people in the office were waiting for. A final acknowledgment of what happened to them. Chuck turned around. "Excuse me everyone."
Sarah looked at him wondering what he was about to do. "Agent Walker and I would like to thank each and everyone of you who took the time to look for us. It was a very difficult situation that we were in and it could have gone in a very different way, but thankfully it ended up like it did. So, thank you all?"
"Thank you." As Sarah raised her hand in acknowledgment.
Debriefing
Chuck and Sarah sat in the conference room answering questions about the other day. Each question waning on them. McFadden stood up at the front. "So, Constance Bell is Daniel Shaw's wife?"
"Yes." Sarah replied.
"She goes by Evelyn hence EJ. She recognized me in Athens and when she did a little investigation of her own, she figured out who I was. Chuck."
The room looked at her. Chuck covered his face not to show his smile. "Agent Carmichael, being the partner he is, felt that something wasn't right and I'm glad he did as it led us to Cody."
"And Cody is the one who delivered the letters and chased you two down." McFadden inquiring.
Chuck sat up. "Yes, along with Trent and two others they kept us tied up in the warehouse. Trent drugged me and roughed up Sarah tossing her into the back seat of the car."
Chuck continued to talk then noticed Sarah fidgeting with her fingers. Chuck stood up. "Could we take a break?"
McFadden looked at the clock. "Sure. 30 minutes."
McFadden and Lafayette walked out of the room. Sarah got up and walked out before Chuck could say anything. He slipped into the bathroom then returning walking into the coffee room. She was standing waiting for the coffee to brew. He looked over his shoulder then walked up to her and stood directly behind her. Close but not too close but she felt his breath on her neck. She slid her hand down along her side as he moved to stand next to her grabbing her hand. He looked at the coffee pot. "It's going to be awhile."
Sarah looked around and knew where to go. He needed her and she needed him now. She grabbed his hand and led him out the back of the coffee room. She walked down the hall to the ladies locker room. She pulled him inside and into a side room that was used for what ever. She pushed him inside and closed the door. He looked at her and nothing was needed to be said. Chuck slipped his jacket off grabbing her skirt. She undid his belt and watched his pants drop to the floor. He let her skirt fall as well and lifted her into his arms. He backed her into the wall and gave it all that they had. Sarah kissed him hard trying to make this union last a little longer but she knew that Chuck was focused on not taking too long but making it worth it for both of them.
Sarah held him close nestling in his neck as he lowered her down. Chuck grabbed his boxers and pants and slid them up, then helped Sarah into her skirt. He fixed his shirt and tie as Sarah rearranged her blouse. Chuck adjusted his tie as Sarah grabbed his jacket and slipped it on him. He kissed her softly, several times before he looked at her. "It had only been a few hours, since we?"
Sarah never answered at first, she just kissed him then looked at him. "I know but it felt right."
Chuck grabbed her hand and kissed it.
Chuck grabbed two mugs and filled them up then left when he saw Carina coming. Carina walked in and grabbed a cup. Sarah was stirring her coffee, obviously not watching. "You had sex?"
Sarah snapped out of her trance. "What do you mean?"
"You just had sex; I would say recently?"
Sarah kept quiet. She didn't need Carina getting all giddy at the fact the Chuck and her were together. Plus she'd never hear the end of it.
Carina grabbed her coffee and walked with Sarah back to the conference room. "So how are you doing?"
Sarah coughed slightly at the question. Her body still reacting to her and Chuck's locker room romp and how he made her feel once again. "I'm doing okay."
"So did you go and see Charles?"
"Yeah, we went for burgers and he gave me the flowers and I pretty much slept till this morning." Sarah was good at her job and knew what to say and how much. A good spy makes it sound like the truth but not actually saying the truth. Carina seemed to buy it as Sarah sat across the table from him.
William came walking in wearing his three piece suit and headed to Sarah giving her a hug. Sarah whispered in his ear and he stood back smiling. "It's what we do."
He walked over to Chuck and picked him up. Chuck cringed at the bear hug but let the man have his moment.
McFadden walked in. "Alright enough Agent Batson."
William sat down next to Chuck.
Lafayette placed down her files. "We had our teams get in touch with DC and they faxed over information on Mrs. Shaw. Because she is still out there, we are making this a priority. Agent Walker, I know that this is very close to home but when it involves our family, we take it personally. Where do you want to go from here? I am assuming you are still wanting to proceed with criminal charges?"
Sarah composed herself before she spoke. Despite the bruises that could still be seen, she straightened her back and spoke. "She needs to be caught, sooner the better but she has to know by now that Agent Carmichael and I are not in that car and I know she won't stop till she thinks she has won. We need to do what we can to make sure that doesn't happen."
"I agree, we won't stop looking and right now you need to stay busy. If you are up for it, we have a mission in Milan. We got intel that Ahmed Sahab has reared his head. Agent Walker and Carmichael you will be debriefed in the air. He has been on our radar for some time and before you two joined our team. Agent Batson will take lead for now as he is familiar with this case. Agent Millar is here on loan from the DEA as his name came up on one of their cases. She will give her expertise on all his business dealings. The jet leaves in one hour."
Lafayette gave her files to Batson and the two of them left. Carina turned to face Sarah. "Walker, I will meet you at the airport, wasn't planning to leave this early. Got to go and grab my stuff from the hotel." Sarah nodded then headed to her desk. She grabbed her stuff and headed to the door. Chuck hurried up and followed her out. The elevator doors open and they entered. They stood side by side reaching for their hands. They rode the elevator down to the parking lot. Chuck exited the door and stepped aside waiting for Sarah. Sarah walked to her car looking for him. He whistled alerting her. She walked to the back of her car walking into the shadows meeting his lips. "Milan huh?" Chuck kissing her. "Yup." Sarah kissing him. "We don't have time?"
"Sarah looked at her watch. "No, by the time I get to my place grab my bag and head to the airport and you have a longer route."
Chuck kissed her again. "See you at the airport."
Sarah got into her car and watched him watching her till she exited the parking lot. He got into his car and sped in the other direction.
Enroute to Milan
Chuck gave his bag to the stewardess and smiled when Sarah spun around on her chair. She was wearing jeans, a t shirt and her leather jacket and those boots that caught his eyes. She looked down at them then tried to hide her smile. Chuck sat down at the back where the table was. Sarah had grabbed some coffees and there sat his with his name on it. He sat down and took a sip. Surprisingly, it was still hot. He wanted to kiss her and she wanted to kiss him but duty called.
Chuck browsed the file reading the bio on Ahmed. He flipped through the second file after Sarah was done looking at it. He rubbed his eyes and leaned back. He closed his eyes when he felt something on his lap. He looked under the table and there was Sarah's foot. She was wearing fluffy white socks. Chuck grabbed it and tugged on it making Sarah slide in her chair. Sarah sat up just enough to still have contact with Chuck.
Sarah got up and walked to the bathroom seeing that Carina and William were sleeping and Chuck and moved to a side chair away from the group. She felt confident to lay with him and move to another seat in a few hours. She grabbed her jacket and his. The same one he had worn days before. It had lost all its dust and it smelled like him again. She laid down beside him as she covered up sliding her arm over his stomach. Chuck kept his eyes closed and wrapped his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. Sarah looked up at him and kissed his cheek. That was as much as they could do.
Chuck had moved to the chair beside Sarah, sipping some coffee. She woke up to find out that she was alone. She looked up and padded the seat wanting him to rejoin her. He motioned with his eyes as Sarah sat up seeing William standing near the front on the phone. Chuck put down his book that he started reading at his place. "I moved just in time as he got up and looked back here."
Sarah slightly disappointed but reality just gave them a kick in the gut. They had talked about having this work outside the little bubble that they had created. They knew that it wasn't going to be easy to keep this a secret for now.
Milan
Chuck adjusted his watch and moved it forward. He stood waiting in line at the hotel's desk. He moved forward and put his bag down. Taking off his sunglasses. "Ciao, prenotazione for Carmichael."
"Si, unmomento per favore."
Chuck turned to see Sarah and Carina sitting at the couches and William being William.
Chuck faced the desk. "Si, signore Carmichael. Quattro stanza. Please sign here."
As the clerk felt it was easier for him to speak English than it was for Chuck to speak Italian.
"Grazie, thank you."
Chuck looked at the room numbers then looked at Sarah then back at the clerk. "Which of these rooms are together, I mean near each other." The clerk checked the numbers. Rooms 310 and 312, the others are down the other hallway." Chuck smiled. He slipped those keys into his back pocket and held onto the others. He grabbed his bag and walked over to the three.
"Okay we got our rooms. He passed the two out to Carina and William. "Good, I have to check in with DC. We meet for breakfast?"
Sarah looked at her. "Sure."
Carina headed to the elevator with William close behind her, after he took the key out of Chuck's hand. Chuck looked at Sarah. "You ready?"
Sarah slid her arm into his and headed to the elevator. Reaching the third floor Chuck took the key cards out of his back pocket giving her one. They walked down the hall reaching room 310. Sarah walked into her room then stepped back out to see where he went. Chuck was already inside his. Sarah closed the door. She put her bag down and stared at the empty room. She got up to grab the tv remote when the rooms phone rang. Sarah walked over to the phone. "Hello?" "Room 312." Was all that was said.
Sarah barely put the phone down on the receiver grabbing her key card she ran out of the room. She reached the next room and there stood Chuck. She fell into his arms kissing him. He broke the kiss and slipped the do not disturb sign on the door. Sarah walked to the bed and started taking her boots and jacket off. Chuck kicked his shoes off and pulled his shirt off. He reached Sarah grabbing her face in his hands as she fiddled with his belt buckle. She dropped his pants then worked on hers as she walked back towards the bed. She crawled up on the bed removing the bed spread and pulling back the covers as Chuck covered his body over hers. Chuck kissed her stomach reaching her neck, placing kisses along her neck, then her lips. He rolled her over as she straddled him allowing her to remove her shirt and bra. Chuck caressed her breasts giving them the attention they desperately needed. Sarah's breath turned shallow then levelled out as he continued to tend to her needs. He rolled her over and as they became one, it was just the two of them in their little bubble.
Chuck rolled out of her hold hearing a phone. He grabbed his cell and saw that it wasn't his, he grabbed Sarah's and gave it to her. She saw who it was and sat up. "Hey?"
"My meeting went late and I didn't get a chance to hear what room your in. I'm heading down for breakfast."
Sarah pressed on Chuck's head as he continued to place kisses on her skin, distracting her.
"I'm in room 310, I will meet you down there, going to grab a quick shower."
Sarah put the phone down. And slipped her underwear on and jeans, skipping her bra. She grabbed her shirt, quickly putting it on. Chuck was about to get up. "Stop!"
"What?"
"If you get up, I won't be able to leave."
Chuck slid one leg out from under the covers. "Chuck, don't."
"Well, your not going to leave without a kiss."
Sarah knew she was playing with fire but it had been awhile since she had kissed him, what harm could that be. Sarah walked over and leaned down to kiss him. Chuck grabbed her and met her lips. She fell to the bed. She felt his hands move to her zipper on her jeans. She looked at him. "You better be quick." Chuck's eyebrows did a little dance as he took Sarah to the shower.
Sarah dried off and got dressed as Chuck had slipped out coming back with one of his t shirts. "Here, you can wear this one, then you don't need to go to your room and change." She looked at it and it was a black t shirt with the British flag on it. She slipped it on feeling him all over again. Chuck buttoned his last button on his shirt and the two of them headed out.
William rented a car and the four them drove out of town. "I got a text this morning saying that Ahmed was staying at a villa up the road. Carina's intel also confirmed his arrival. Our job is to get video or audio surveillance on him. We need proof as the charges that we charged him with haven't been able to stick." Chuck looked at the file again as William stopped the car down the road. He put the car into park then turned around to face the girls in the back seat. William glanced over at the page Chuck flipped to. "See here, this is the villa and we believe that there's a way in over here." As he pointed to the aerial view of the villa. Chuck closed the file sliding it under the seat. The four got out and slipped down the street.
The four split up as William and Carina took the north side of the road and Chuck and Sarah took the south side. It took every bit of strength to not hold hands but when Sarah heard a dog bark she grabbed his hand. Chuck stopped to face her. He saw that she was spooked. Her heart racing. Chuck grabbed her face. "It's only a dog."
"I know."
Chuck waited till she caught her breath. "Maybe it's too soon."
Chuck grabbed her hand bringing up to his lips, giving them a soft kiss. "We can head back to the car?"
Sarah looked at him and knew that he'd do whatever it took to keep her safe and she knew that she could feel safe with him. She just needed to believe it.
The four planned to be quick and get what they needed but with each mission there was always the unpredicted, the unforeseen events. And since the quarry Chuck and Sarah's skills, were less than sharp, and a little unease. Chuck and William lowered themselves near the security box as Carina and Sarah waited on the other side of the fence. Chuck popped the door open grabbing the wires. He hooked up a clamp and plugged it into a scanner getting a code in seconds. He punched the code in as Sarah heard the door click open. Carina entered as Sarah followed. "We are inside." Sarah called out. Chuck closed the door then followed William along the side of the villa climbing the fence and reaching the second floor. The girls entered the main entrance assuming that the house was empty but as they walked through the foyer, they heard chatter. "Guys, were not alone." Carina whispered. Chuck stopped moving as he heard the words. Carina looked at Sarah and when the doors opened with guests exiting the room, they saw that there was a party going on. Sarah slid her hand near her face. "False alarm, sort of. There's a party going on here." Chuck sighed then followed William to the office. Carina reached for a glass of champagne as the young waiter passed her. Sarah shook her head and followed Carina. They made their rounds around the room and stopped near the patio doors adjacent to the stairwell. Carina held back as Sarah continued to walk the room. She felt her cell phone buzz in her back pocket. Pulling it out she looked at the message and sighed deeply. Chuck came walking down and just happened to glance at the message being sent. Carina composed herself as she was shaken by the message. Chuck made eye contact with her as she slid her cell back into her pocket. "Not good news?" Carina looked at him. "Let's just say it had nothing to do with the perks of the job." Her response abrupt as it was, Chuck knew that there was more to it. But he didn't know her well enough to assume but he had been doing this job long enough to know that when a text or call came mid mission you knew that change was coming, whether she agreed with it or not.
Chuck shadowed Carina just because he had a feeling something wasn't right. And his suspicions were correct. Carina moved across the room unbeknownst to her, Chuck saw that someone seemed to recognize her. He texted Sarah. Sarah looked at her cell and found him. Chuck pointed to the guy that was following Carina. Chuck and Sarah approached Carina. Carina didn't care for the intrusion. "Can't talk guys." "Well then just listen." Sarah turned her back to her. "Carina your being watched and whatever you're into we need to know." Carina moved they moved. "I got this."
Chuck looked at her. "I know you do but I am guessing that the text you got wasn't something you wanted to hear." Carina turned to face them. "I got this, I blew an opportunity that would have saved another visit out here and now I hope that I can get what I need to get." Chuck looked at Sarah. "And that is?"
"I got to go. You look into what you need to get and I will go get what I need." Carina took off. Sarah faced Chuck. "You know her, what's up."
"I am guessing she needs something or someone that should have been taken weeks ago." Chuck tapped his ear. "William, can you find out where Ahmed was before coming here? Was he in the states?"
"One moment." William pulled out his iPad and did a search. "He was in Miami based on his credit cards."
"Okay, what about Carina's trip back home. She left that last mission, so where did she go?"
Dead silence. Chuck repeated what he had said. "She was looking for some link between the two of them, maybe communication between a drug lord named Juan Cantinella and one Ahmed Sahab."
Chuck looked at Sarah. "We need Ahmed and she needs what he knows." Chuck scanned the room and couldn't see Carina. "William, I need Carina's location."
Chuck and Sarah quickly moved through the room. William scanned the villa. "I have her moving across the back and outside towards the pool." "Thanks." William grabbed his gear and moved through the villa reaching Chuck and Sarah. Carina headed over the grassy area spotting Ahmed. Ahmed started to run. Chuck saw Carina running after Ahmed. Ahmed cut across the grass. Chuck followed Carina as Sarah blocked the exit, forcing Ahmed to move down the enclosed patio. Carina came in behind Ahmed pushing him into a side room. Chuck followed then Sarah closing the door behind her. William stood guard just inside the door, scanning the hallway.
Ahmed regained his steps after being pushed into the room. He looked at Carina and smiled. "My ginger vixen, you found me." Carina crawled in her own skin when he spoke. "It wasn't hard but you know I'm not here for you, they are."
Ahmed looked at Chuck and Sarah. "You mean Ken and Barbie?"
Chuck looked at Sarah never thinking that he would ever resemble Ken. Sarah on the other hand was much better looking than Barbie. "Hey Barbie?"
"Yes Ken." The two laughed. Carina wasn't laughing as she made her way closer to Ahmed. Ahmed stared her down. "You think that I am going to give up my sources. You couldn't get me in Miami so what makes you think that I'll give up anything for you here." Carina walked up to him. He watched her but expected that she'd twist his arm or something but when she thrusted her hand up into his neck, he choked and grabbed his neck. He fell down to the floor giving Carina sometime to grab his cell. Carina tried to open it; Ahmed tried to laugh but couldn't. Carina pulled back on his hair and had him open the cell with a facial scan. Carina pushed his head forward. Carina scanned his texts looking for the conversation she knew existed. Chuck moved in as Ahmed tried to make his move. Chuck stepped on his hand as Sarah held a gun above his head. Carina nervously scanned the phone not finding what she needed. She tossed the phone in defeat.
Chuck picked up the phone. "Who are you looking for?" Carina didn't hear him.
Chuck watched as Carina continued to provoke the man and the more, she did the more he kept quiet. He just sat there smirking.
Chuck had to find something, he scanned his phone and found a few conversations that weren't the average or everyday conversations. Chuck scanned a few and he hoped that he found what Carina was looking for but he couldn't verify that they were what she was looking for. Chuck knew that if he didn't help Carina out her reputation as a spy would be in question. He quickly clicked on them and sent all of them to an email address. At least she'd have something. William came into the room. "We got company." Chuck did what he could, hoping that it was enough. William and Chuck grabbed Ahmed and headed out the side door while Sarah kept an eye on their six. Carina needed Juan. Chuck and William kept Ahmed laying low till they were clear from the villa. They looked at each other knowing that they only needed video or audio but Chuck looked at William. "It's your call, we got what we came for but we also have the man himself. We can take him now and let MI6 deal with him."
William liked the idea of having that man taken off of the streets and Chuck was right MI6 could deal with him. William pulled out his phone. "Agent Batson, we need a pickup…." William walked off still on the phone.
London
Chuck waited outside the conference room seeing Carina walk inside. She had been dreading this meeting since they got back. Carina had told the team that she had failed to grab Ahmed back in Miami therefore delaying the progress with the DEA. She hoped for a second chance and when it came she hoped for the best. Chuck couldn't help hearing the raised voices. It was such a rush when they got back, he forgot to tell Carina what he had done. Chuck grabbed his laptop as Sarah sat down beside him. She looked up and grabbed his free hand. They both couldn't help looking towards the conference room. Sarah then eyed the laptop. Chuck looked at her. "Remember when Carina said that she needed something on Juan."
"Yeah, but they took his phone." "They did, but I think that I found something so I sent his texts to my email."
Sarah stood up, she wanted to kiss him so badly. "You have his texts?"
"I haven't looked at them entirely, but there's something there."
"Then go in there."
Chuck took a deep breath, then headed to the door. He knocked then entered. Carina was glad for the intrusion. "Agent Carmichael, we are in a middle of a debrief." McFadden looking at Chuck then back at the screen. That's when Chuck saw that on the screen was a panel of Government and DEA personnel. Carina looked at Chuck. "I'm sorry for the interruption but I think that you need to see this before you point fingers or do something that you'll regret."
"Agent Carmichael." McFadden not impressed.
"Give me one minute. Agent Miller was right when it came to assuming that Juan and Ahmed were corresponding. And you all tried for years to get something on them, and you did but it would never stick. Well, it was because they weren't using their real names."
The faces on the screen fell into disbelief. "Agent Carmichael."
Chuck looked up. "I still have my minute."
"Carina was able to get a hold of his phone and because of the circumstances was unable to read all his texts. So, I took it upon me to do that for her. I was able to send all his texts to an email where I was able to decode their conversation." Chuck walked over to the front and hooked up his laptop and brought up the emails. "Everything is here from dates, to people, to jobs. They were good at keeping it on the DL but I assume with all the intel that Agent Miller has come up with, you people can easily decipher this, finally putting an end to the mission." Chuck walked to the door. Carina smiled and mouthed a thank you.
Sarah watched the door open then closed as Chuck walked towards her. He sat down at his desk as Sarah pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. "It's not what a regular guy would do." Chuck smiles. "I'm not a regular guy." Sarah leaned into him wanting to kiss him but lost the opportunity as Carina walked towards him. Chuck got up, like the gentleman he was. "Chuckles, thanks." She leaned in giving him an embrace of thanks. Sarah stood up and she too received an embrace of thanks. "So, now what?" Sarah sitting back down as Chuck gave up his seat for Carina. Leaning on the edge of his desk. "Head back to DC, I guess. Now that this nightmare of a mission is done." Chatting for a while, Carina bid farewell as she heard that her ride had arrived. Sarah got up as Carina turned to say goodbye. Carina leaned in. "He's a keeper, trust him." Sarah smiled but knew the meaning behind her words. Carina knew her probably more than she knew herself. And next to Chuck they would be her only definition of what a family was.
A month later
Sarah smiled as she turned the corner to enter the elevator. She hadn't seen Chuck for a few weeks as McFadden and Lafayette had sent them in separate missions. Sarah pressed the elevator button and heard someone come up behind her. The stranger approached her and looked at her as if they were making sure that she was the right person. Once they had their confirmation they handed her a small box. Sarah's throat tightened and every muscle in her body stiffened. She turned to face the person but as soon as they had appeared they disappeared. Sarah looked at the box. It was no bigger than her hand and it didn't tick. She stepped to the side and tore it open.
