A/N: Happy Thursday everyone, and welcome to Chapter 8 – Rejection Connection.
In the last chapter, some realizations hit pretty hard. With a little help from Emma and Carina Sarah had a major emotional awakening. She finally accepted that for the first time in her life she was in love, and that the man she loved, who she pushed away, was now across an entire ocean. Similarly, Chuck struggled with his decision to do what he felt was "the right thing" for everyone concerned, though that didn't help the hole in his heart. How far does one go for love? Read on and find out.
I hope you enjoy this chapter, and find a minute or two to let me know if you are enjoying the ride with a follow, a favorite, and/or a review. I also appreciate all the personal messages I've received, and do my very best to respond to each and every one.
Thanks to Nevr for pre/beta reading, but I've made several changes after his good work, so all the errors are mine and mine alone. And of course, I don't own Chuck or profit financially from writing this completely AU story.
Valkyrie's Invisible Shield
Chapter 8 – Rejection Connection
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 08:00 GMT (03:00 EST)
Location: 29 Landsdowne Gardens, London UK – London - Palone team temporary residence
While vivid dreams of Sarah swept through his mind, they didn't disrupt his sleep pattern, so he had woken up rested and famished. Shortly after getting himself up and organized, he found Lou in the kitchen reading from her tablet while sipping a steaming cup of coffee.
"Good morning, Lou." Chuck gave Lou a friendly smile as he helped himself to a cup of the dark brew. "News?"
"Yeah. We caught a break. Our target in London had a later conversation with his contact at the Tenth Precinct in New York, and ordered Heather Chandler eliminated. The entire conversation was recorded, so they are setting a trap to see if they can catch the guy in the act and turn him. They will still try your idea to see if they can identify him before he makes a move, but that is in five and a half hours in New York. In the meantime, they are secretly moving Chandler to another facility and putting an undercover agent in her place, just in case. They have also copied all the relevant data from the phones and left some dummy phones in the evidence locker. The other big news is that they found out where the kidnapper was staying. They canvassed the area around 116th Street in Spanish Harlem and checked for any Airbnb's that had arrivals on the 13th. There were not that many in the area, so they found it quite quickly. It had been booked and paid for under an Australian alias, and inside, they found very little of value other than a laptop computer. The team at the FBI lab is looking into that, and their point guy, Agent Ratner, thinks they'll crack the encryption in the next 24 hours." Lou took another sip of her coffee and put down the cup and tablet.
"So, how are you feeling, Chuck? Did you rest?" Lou asked gently.
"I had a solid sleep, and I feel fine, but I'm hungry. I skipped dinner last night, so….anything to eat in this place?"
After searching around, Chuck settled for some scrambled eggs with ham and cheddar on white toast. The English ham and cheddar were fantastic and more flavorful than what he usually picked up from the local Giant supermarket back in D.C. A few minutes later, Anna and Mike arrived, and Chuck offered to make more eggs, but both kindly declined. After cleaning up the remnants of breakfast, the team left the house and got in their cars.
"What's the plan for this morning? I thought we were all meeting MI-6?" Chuck noticed the car Anna was driving peeled off in another direction, so he asked Lou, who was busy navigating through London's nightmarish morning rush.
"Anna and Mike have some work to do at the Embassy. You and I are meeting our MI-6 contacts. Good people, the Brits. And good to work with. The senior guy is Cole Barker. He is very sharp, capable, and connected, and his partner is Jillian Roberts. Look out for her….you are her type, and she is no wilting lily." Lou laughed out loud, sneaking a look at Chuck, who suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. "Something wrong, Chuck?"
"No, Nope. Everything is perfect. Just adjusting to sitting on the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road….it all feels wrong." He gave Lou an unenthusiastic smile.
"Ah, you'll get used to it in no time, I promise."
The drive to the SIS building that housed MI-6, the UK's version of the CIA, was slightly more than two miles, but in London's traffic, it still took almost thirty minutes. Once they arrived, they stopped at a security checkpoint where their vehicle was thoroughly searched, and their credentials were verified before they were given access to the underground garage. After another ten minutes of security checks, they were escorted to a conference room and offered coffee or tea while waiting for agents Barker and Roberts. At precisely 10:00 am, the door opened, and a handsome man with a finely tailored English suit entered. He had a well-trimmed beard and jet-black hair and moved with a smooth confidence.
"Agent Palone. Good morning. Good to see you again. And thank you for sharing your new intel." Barker flashed a million-dollar smile. "Jill is getting some additional materials and will be joining shortly, so let's wait for her to get started, but in the meantime, perhaps you can introduce me to your new colleague."
Chuck stood to shake hands with Barker. "Special Agent Charles Bartowski, US Secret Service, Presidential Protection Detail, but please call me Chuck."
"Agent Bartowski, it's an honor to meet you. We've been read in on what happened in New York, and in particular your actions protecting the President's daughter." Barker held on to the handshake as a sign of respect, and just as the two men broke the handshake, a beautiful woman with long dark hair swept into the room. Immediately, her eyes fixed on Chuck, and with a confident smile, she reached her hand out, ignoring the rest of the room.
"Good morning. Jillian Roberts MI-6, at your service."
Chuck stood, shook her hand, and introduced himself. When he was done, he found that he could not break the handshake as quickly as he would have liked.
"So you're the one…." The woman was stunning but had an absolutely predatory look in her eye.
Chuck just looked at her, a bit stunned. "I'm sorry?"
"You are the one that took out the kidnapper in New York and saved Sarah Walker." After a moment, she released Chuck's hand.
"Uhm, yeah." Was all Chuck could come up with in response, and he sat back in his chair a little uncomfortably.
"Your physical prowess is impressive." Jill eyes lingered. "Snapping the man's neck with a single body shot. Very impressive, Special Agent Bartowski!" Jillian Roberts also settled in her chair, extending her gaze on Chuck for another few seconds before turning and greeting the rest of the group.
Lou watched the interaction and felt a little jealous of Jill's overt fixation on Chuck. He had that "deer in the headlights" look, while Roberts looked at him the way an alligator might look at a pork chop. Lou didn't like the feeling, but she wasn't sure what she could or should do about it. She quickly pushed the uncomfortable feeling out of her mind and focused on the task at hand as the foursome finally started discussing the new intelligence. Lou shared that the FBI was running the recordings through their voice recognition software, but so far, no hits.
Cole spoke up. "Look, the guy calling from here is clearly a Yank, and there can't be that many Americans here in London that can arrange these kinds of things." I want to call in someone from MI-5. He's an old-school fellow, and he knows everyone. This intel might give him the bit he needs to make a connection." Cole turned to Roberts. "Jill, do you mind calling your old friend Roan Montgomery and asking him to join us for a bit?"
Forty-five minutes later, a very suave gentleman entered the room, paying close attention to Jill and then to Lou Palone.
"My dear Jillian…." Roan Montgomery bowed his head slightly as he reached for her hand. "What a great pleasure to see you once again. In the flesh as it were." Montgomery smiled before turning his focus to Lou.
"Good morning, Roan Montgomery of Her Majesty's Intelligence Service. I'm truly delighted to meet you." He flashed a smooth smile before greeting the men in the room. "Gentlemen, may I enquire as to the nature of your summons? I was rather enjoying a de-briefing with the French Cultural Attaché, and your urgent call arrived at a rather un-fortuitous moment." He winked at Cole.
"Roan, a thousand apologies for interrupting your…. 'de-briefing.' Cole turned to Lou and Chuck. "Roan was the chap who first picked up noise about your president being targeted."
"In that case, we owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Montgomery. Without your warning, we would not have had any chance to be prepared for what happened. Thank you!" Chuck nodded to Roan.
"You are most welcome, old boy. I'm sure your chaps would have done the same for Her Majesty," Roan responded modestly before Cole interrupted.
"Roan, our friends here have uncovered some additional intelligence you might be able to help with."
"Yes, of course. Highly inappropriate bit of business in New York. And if I may, well played, sir!" Roan nodded to Chuck. "How can I be of further aid to our lovely friends across the pond?"
Lou pulled out her tablet, selected the audio files, and explained the full story behind the intelligence gathered to date before playing them. Once finished, she played the recordings for Roan, who listened carefully with his eyes closed.
"The Arranger," Roan said out loud as he opened his eyes after listening to the recordings several times. "He's one of yours. Or rather, he is rumored to have been." Roan paused for a moment, sensing some confusion coming from Chuck and Lou. "The Arranger is like a concierge for illegal things. All sorts of illegal things. He himself does not participate in anything, but he makes connections and brokers the deals, allowing parties to get whatever they are looking for. Weapons, illicit drugs, underage girls or boys….whatever. The story is that he is an ex-U.S. intelligence officer banished from your shores, but no one is actually sure of who he is. He's a bother domestically and internationally, so both MI-5 and MI-6 would like to catch him and dismantle his network, but so far, he has eluded us." Roan looked around the room. "And you say he's here in London? Right now?"
"We believe so," Lou responded. "He's been using an encrypted phone, so while we can't track him precisely, we know the calls originate from the UK, and we have a high level of confidence that they originate here in London. We also know from you that London is where the initial plan to go after President Walker was leaked."
"Yes, of course." Roan smiled confidently at Lou. "I was the one who identified the source as Stavros Demetrios, a mid-level thug who is trying to build his reputation. But there is no way he is smart enough or ambitious enough to even consider something like this. The information came from somewhere else."
After a few minutes of discussion, it was clear that there was no more to be gleaned from further debate on the recordings, so Roan Montgomery excused himself, bowing and raising the back of each woman's hand to his lips before turning and leaving the conference room. A few minutes later, after exchanging business cards with the newest member of Lou's team, the meeting adjourned with Cole and Jill escorting Lou and Chuck to their car in the garage.
"I look forward to working with you, Special Agent Bartowski and it goes without saying that if there is anything I can do for you while you are in town, please do not hesitate to call me." Jill smiled as she shook his hand and again held on a little longer than necessary.
'Thanks, Jill….may I call you Jill?" Chuck asked politely, having noticed Cole's use of the abbreviated moniker.
Jill leaned in a little and whispered, "You can call me anything you like, Chuck." She popped the 'K' for added emphasis and smiled.
Uhm….ok, Thank you, I guess, Jill. That's very kind of you. Let me get settled into the work first." Chuck gave Jill a friendly smile, but not the one she was hoping to get. Moments later, safely back in the car, Lou turned to Chuck. "Told you. And by the way, your less-than-enthusiastic answer will probably only make her more aggressive." Lou laughed as Chuck stared ahead blankly. "If you need a cover, just let me know, and I'll tell her you are taken." She turned and looked at Chuck. "Are you taken, Chuck? Wife, girlfriend, significant other?"
Chuck was momentarily lost in thought. "What? No. Not taken. Free as a bird."
"Huh…!?" Lou quirked an eyebrow.
"What, Lou?"
"You are a tall, good-looking man, well built, with a good career, and single. And Jill Roberts is quite a fine piece of ass if I say so myself. So, if you are free as a bird, I'm kinda wondering why you would have such a cool and distant reaction to her overtures? Most men I know would have already agreed to go out with her."
"Jill? Not my type." Chuck's answer was a little defensive and sharp.
"Oh? What is your type, Chuck? Maybe someone more, I don't know….petite?" Lou looked over at him through her eyelashes, and after a moment, Chuck caught on.
"Uhm, no, not really. What I mean is that I'm not looking to meet someone. The whole thing in New York made me realize I really need to focus on doing my job and be the best professional I can be. I almost lost Sarah, I mean Ms. Walker, earlier this week, and I really want to avoid any distractions until this threat is eliminated.
Lou didn't miss it. "Sarah, huh?"
"Ms. Walker. She was my responsibility. Had I been just a few meters further away when the perpetrator made his move, it might have been a very different story." Chuck desperately wanted to change the topic. "We also need to have Casey call Langston Graham and play him the recording. If the Arranger was really ex-CIA, Graham might be able to provide an identity. It might also explain why the CIA has not been very forthcoming with their own investigation."
Lou nodded in agreement. She'd been frustrated by the lack of transparency coming from the CIA. "Call him now, Chuck."
Chuck pulled out his phone and looked at the world clock. "It's still too early in D.C., Lou. I'll send him a text. His fingers flew over the device's tiny keyboard, and once he completed the message, he hit the send key. "I'm sure he will take this up to DNI Beckman, so we will need to wait for her to make the call. So, what next?" They were heading back to the Embassy to compare notes with Anna and Mike.
-O-
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 09:00 EST
Location: Washington D.C. - White House, Residence
Sarah had a restful sleep, though she had dreams of lying on top of Chuck Bartowski while snuggled on the couch of her New York apartment. Her emotional realization, good sleep, and pleasant dreams made her feel more confident about managing the way forward. She grabbed her phone and spent a few minutes tapping away. Once finished, she walked down the hall and knocked on the door to her parent's bedroom.
"Hi, Mom. May I come in?" Sarah asked.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep ok?" Emma replied.
"I did. I really needed it. And thanks for yesterday. Sometimes, I'm such an idiot." Sarah ducked her chin.
"Baby, it happens to all of us, so relax. How about some breakfast? I was about to head down."
Sarah paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "Can we just talk for a second, please? I could use your help here."
"Hang on a second." Emma took a moment to breathe deeply and bring her hands together as if praying.
"Mom?" Sarah asked. "What are you doing?"
"Sarah Walker is asking her mother for help. I'm just basking in the motherly moment for a second….there. All done. Sorry." Emma giggled and pulled Sarah in for a hug. "What can I help you with baby?"
"How do I get him back, Mom? I don't know what to do….Can't I have Dad just recall him?"
"Sure, you could, but that's a total cop-out, and you know it. More importantly, if he's not ready, he may very well resent you for forcing him back. I think you need to speak to him. Have an honest, open heart-to-heart. Apologize, and try to explain why you went a little psycho on him. He will need to hear that from you. Make him see and feel that you love him….this is something you need to do privately, face to face." Emma stopped speaking as Sarah was suddenly smiling confidently.
"You snookered me, didn't you?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, I kind of did, Mom. I'm sorry." Sarah smiled apologetically.
"And I'm guessing you have already booked a flight to London?"
"Uhm….yep. I did. I leave at nine pm from Dulles." Sarah was looking down now, nervous about what Emma might say. Silence filled the room for a moment, then Emma walked to the phone on her nightstand, picked it up, and pushed a button.
"Hi, honey….Yes….Everything is fine…." Emma turned to smile at Sarah. "I just wanted to let you know that Sarah and I are going to take a little mother-daughter trip together….Yes….That's right, how'd you guess?... Yes, dear, you are smarter than the average bear….Not sure." Emma looked at Sarah once more. "Four, maybe five days max, but certainly back before Christmas….Ok….I'll speak to Casey right away about extra security….Love you." Emma hung up and turned to Sarah. "So, a little Christmas shopping trip. I'll find something for Dad, and hopefully, you can find yourself a tall and dark-haired boyfriend." Sarah ran over and hugged her mother.
-O-
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 10:15 EST
Location: Washington D.C. – John Casey's Office
John Casey was biting his tongue. Emma Walker had sauntered into his office and casually announced that she was taking her daughter, the one who was the subject of a kidnapping attempt just a few days ago, to London for a few days of Christmas shopping. This meant that he would need to make several changes to the duty rosters and launch an advance team to ensure the lodging and transportation setups were appropriately secure. Not to mention providing hotel rooms for the entire security detail. He made a noble attempt to protest, but Emma Walker just stared down the six-foot-five ex-Marine.
"John, I know it's a pain, and I'm sorry, but just make it happen."
Casey attempted to stand his ground. "Ma'am, in the strongest possible terms, I urge you to reconsider, and….." Casey was cut off.
"John, I understand your concern, I really do, but if we allow these kinds of threats to dictate how we live, we have already lost, and I won't allow that." Emma was not backing off. "Besides, John….this trip is important to Sarah, and you know why." She gave him a warm and reassuring smile as she patted his hand, and could see from his posture and expression that John Casey had raised the white flag. "You are a good man, John. Thank you!" She smiled again and left. Within minutes, Gertrude Verbanski and Morgan Grimes were standing in John Casey's office, getting the good news.
It was a herculean effort, but the preliminary arrangements had been made within a couple of hours. Casey had secured one of the Boeing C-32A's, a fully equipped, transatlantic 757 aircraft commonly referred to as "Airforce Two," when the Vice President was aboard. Arrangements had been made for a suite at the Dorchester Hotel on Hyde Park, and with the help of the hotel, a few guests were relocated to other floors so that the rooms required by the Secret Service could be secured. Next, he called the London Embassy protocol office to coordinate any needed local resources such as local police. Finally, he called Lou Pallone.
"Pallone," Lou answered in her customary manner.
"Hi, Lou. Wanted to let you know that the First Lady and her daughter are making an unplanned trip to London, so I will be tasking your team to augment the security detail when you are not pursuing the investigation. And lean on Bartowski. He knows more about Valkyrie than anyone. I'll let you know more in due course, but you should expect arrival sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening. I'll call as details crystalize."
"Thanks, Casey. I'll let the team know."
-O-
While Lou was getting the news from John Casey, Chuck was down the hall in the break room, preparing a fresh pot of coffee, when his mobile buzzed.
Sarah – Hi.
Chuck stared at his phone. He was more than a little surprised at receiving anything from Sarah, given how they parted in New York. Still, he could not deny the lightness he felt at her simple message.
Chuck – Hi. Are you ok?
Sarah – No. I'm a complete basket case. I did something really, really stupid, and it's taken me a few days to understand the mess I made.
Chuck – But you are ok, right?
Sarah – Not yet, but I hope I will be soon. Can we talk?
Chuck – Sarah, I asked for reassignment, so I'm in London. I know what I did was deceitful and unfair, but even though I didn't have a choice about my assignment, given the pain I caused you, I felt that this would be best for both of us.
Sarah – I know you are in London, and I know it's my fault. I was incredibly unfair to you for the second time, and I really regret lashing out as I did. I'm not very good at "feelings," Chuck, but there are some things I really need to say. Would you be willing to listen if I talk?
Chuck paused as a little voice in his head was screaming at him to 'be cool, be detached, build your wall' while an impossible warmth bloomed in his heart. He took a moment and responded.
Chuck – Of course, Sarah, but right now, I'm on the team investigating the threat against your father and your family, and I can't step away. You understand that, right?
Sarah – I do understand. Do you take breaks, like for dinner? Maybe we could set some time aside to talk tomorrow at your dinner time? If that is ok with you?
Chuck – Ok, Sarah, tomorrow at my dinner time. Any time after 8:00 PM GMT.
Sarah – Thank you, Chuck. I will speak to you tomorrow. And Chuck, I'm really sorry for what I said at the Hospital. I was confused, angry, and shocked, and while it's not an excuse, I really wish I could have every word I uttered back.
Chuck – It's ok, Sarah. It was a scary and confusing day for everyone, especially you. Speak tomorrow.
Chuck was re-reading the message thread when Lou walked into the coffee room with a concerned expression on her face.
"Hey, Lou. What's….wait, what do the Brits say…oh, yeah….what's got your knickers in a twist?" He had a goofy smile on his face.
Lou noticed Chuck was holding his phone and had clearly been texting with someone. "Surprise VIP visit tomorrow. Seems the First Lady and her daughter have decided to come to town to do some Christmas shopping for a few days. This was totally unexpected and unplanned, so we will be augmenting their security detail in addition to doing our investigative work….Casey is having kittens."
Chuck looked momentarily confused, then his face brightened with a smile. "Well, I have dinner plans tomorrow night." He grabbed his coffee and walked out.
"Jill got to you, huh?" Lou yelled out as Chuck disappeared down the hall.
-O-
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 10:45 (EST)
Location: Intercontinental Hotel – 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL.
"Sir, the motorcade is ready for your departure," the head of Vice President Roarke's security detail advised through the partially open door.
"Thanks, Tom. I need three minutes, please. And close the door." Ted picked up his phone and dialed Volkoff's number.
"Da."
"Listen, Alexei. I don't have much time to talk. I just learned that Walker's wife and daughter are coming to London tomorrow sometime for a shopping trip. They will stay at the Dorchester, but security will be heavier than usual, given the recent attempt on the daughter. This is the opportunity we need, so call your people and make this work." Roark hung up the phone and made his way out of the room. Next stop, fucking Las Vegas. Maybe he would secure the services of a couple of professional ladies. 'When life gives lemons, get some prostitutes and have a party!' Ted Roark thought as he smiled inwardly.
-O-
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 16:00 GMT (11:00 EST)
Location: Savoy Hotel – The Strand, London UK – Suite of Daniel Shaw
Daniel Shaw's phone rang, and for the first time in a long time, he was apprehensive about answering it. On the third ring, his resolve strengthened. He picked up the phone, responding with his usual confident tone.
"Yes."
"Mr. Shaw, the gods have handed you a rare and precious gift. You should smile and be thankful."
"What are you talking about, Alexei?" Shaw pushed back, curious but annoyed at the man's tone.
"The First Lady and her daughter will be coming to London tomorrow for a little Christmas shopping. Unfortunately, they will have heavier security than usual, but think about your good fortune, Shaw. They are coming to you!" Volkoff let out a belly laugh. "They will be staying at the Dorchester. Don't fuck this up, Shaw." Volkoff's laugh could again be heard as he hung up the call.
Shaw sat frozen in thought for a moment, then realized that his original plan was still viable. And if he could point some resources toward Volkoff, perhaps there would be fewer people to cover the President's wife and daughter.
Shaw picked up the phone again and dialed another number.
"Larkin." Bryce Larkin was one of Shaw's many "paid on-demand" resources.
"I have a job for you, Larkin."
"What, when, and how much?" Larkin was always a greedy bastard but a reliable resource and exactly what Shaw needed.
"Just surveillance. I need eyes on the Dorchester Hotel. Emma and Sarah Walker, the wife and daughter of U.S. President Walker, will arrive tomorrow. I need information on all of their movements."
"Just surveillance? No direct action?"
"Just surveillance. If you see them leave the hotel, I want to know where they are going and how much protection they have around them. I need the information relayed in real time, and it needs to be fucking accurate. Do you understand me, Larkin?" Shaw sneered. "I'll pay you five thousand pounds a day up to four days….how many resources you take on or how you pay them is not my concern."
"Forty thousand pounds for five days, and I furnish you with accurate, real-time, and actionable intelligence," Larkin countered.
"Done. I want twenty-four-seven coverage and real-time, onsite intel. I want calls to this number only." Shaw had paused for a moment before conceding to the demand. He needed the help, and for what Volkoff paid, this was a trivial expense. "The women should be arriving tomorrow afternoon or evening, and if things go well, you can expect a little Christmas bonus as well, you greedy bastard." Shaw closed the call and prepared himself mentally for doing something he vowed to never do….take direct action in a contract he arranged.
-O-
Date: Friday, 17 December 2021
Time: 14:00 EST
Location: Washington D.C. - White House, Residence
With the President occupied, Sarah, Emma, and Carina ate lunch in the family dining room of the White House. With lunch over, Emma excused herself to work on some additional travel details with Gertrude Verbanski, John Casey, and her personal secretary, leaving Sarah and Carina to themselves. The two young women found themselves in the "Queen's Sitting Room," an elegant lounge just outside the "Queen's Bedroom" where Carina was staying.
"So," Carina began. "Special Agent Chuck Bartowski?" There was nothing but warmth and affection in Carina's voice as she spoke to her best friend.
"Honestly, Carina, I have no idea what happened to me. We talked, danced, and fell asleep on the couch in each other's arms. I've never felt closer or more connected to anyone in my life. We somehow fit together on a level that was totally new to me."
"I'm sure you fit together just fine," Carina giggled salaciously.
"Jesus, Carina. I didn't even kiss him properly. But, when we woke up together on the couch, all wrapped up around each other, our legs intertwined….I've never felt safer or more complete. I didn't want the moment to end. I wanted that feeling….forever." Sarah was rambling a little, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar emotions flooding her. "All I know is that when he was preparing to leave our apartment on Sunday afternoon, I felt a horrible emptiness deep in my chest. I spent hours dissecting what that might mean without ever considering that I might have fallen in love with him." She shook her head in disbelief. "And Morgan?"
"I like him, Sarah. I mean it….and not like all the other times I've said I like a guy. Morgan is different." Sarah smiled at her friend.
"I'll say. He's not the typical pretty frat boy you normally go for, so what is it?" Sarah asked.
"Morgan is silly, funny, gentle and warm on one side, but he is also strong and quietly confident. When he takes charge, well, there is no question he is in charge. No doubt, no hesitation. Pure confidence, which is sexy as hell." Carina grinned like the cat who ate the canary. "And he's the first man I've ever been with whose first priority in bed is giving me pleasure. I kinda like that, you know." Both women laughed out loud momentarily before Carina turned the conversation a little more serious.
"What are you going to say to sexy Agent Bartowski when you see him, Sarah?" Carina asked quietly.
"First, I am going to apologize for my inexcusable behavior, and I'll do my best to not hang it on the stress of the moment. Then I plan on telling him that I've never met anyone like him and that I felt a connection to him like I've never felt before. And assuming he hasn't walked out on me, I will tell him I love him and want to fix things between us so that we can explore a future path of some kind together." Sarah went quiet for a moment. "And if he wants to run away from me because I'm such a complete lunatic, I'll tackle him and beg on my hands and knees." She looked momentarily at Carina. "Too needy?" Sarah started laughing at herself as she felt the desperation for the talk with Chuck to go well.
"Relax, Sarah. I saw the way he looked at you, and I'm sure he feels the same way. You just need to let him catch up to you a little, that's all."
Sarah winked at her best friend. "I hope he catches up fast because if I can't fix this, you will be living with a grump for a while." She pulled Carina in for a hug, then changed the subject. "Do you need help packing for your trip to Maine?"
"Nah. I'm in good shape. Morgan is going to drive me to the airport at four-thirty, and my flight to Boston is at six pm. Then, I catch a Cape Air flight to Bar Harbor. Mom and Dad will pick me up."
"So you won't see Morgan for Christmas?" Sarah asked.
"No, but assuming he gets back from London in time, he'll try to get to Los Angeles to see his mother for Christmas. Apparently, she lives close to Chuck's sister. If we are lucky, we will be together for New Year's here in D.C…..He's invited me to his place for the weekend." Carina clapped her hands excitedly.
"Now. For London, pack some clothes that will make his knees weak, then tattoo your name on his ass and bring sexy Agent Bartowski back here. The rest will take care of itself. I promise." Carina gave Sarah another supportive hug and a peck on the cheek.
As Sarah sat back and looked at her friend, she suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach. She thought of the heart-to-heart she needed to have with Chuck and quietly prayed she had not messed things up to the point they were irreparable. Tomorrow would come soon enough, and with it, the possibility of starting a deeply fulfilling romance with a man she now knew she loved. Or it could break her heart.