A/N: Crazy week, so I apologize for the wait for this. The other half of Honeymooners. The wtf's start up again in the second half. Whatever the skier has for pain meds (narcotics as Chuck says) would not knock anyone out like that unless they were killed in an overdose. The angle is strange, but does Morgan even touch Arnaldo or does he just fall out of the train? Where does Sarah get the gun? The worst wtf is the timing at the end. Ellie and Devon's party is portrayed like it is happening at the same time as the events in Switzerland. So they fly back to California from Switzerland, have time to change and go to Castle, and Ellie is coming back to get her phone? What? Sarah is wearing the charm bracelet as she stands in the doorway when she waves at Ellie, but not in Castle. Did she go back to her hotel too before Castle and Ellie is still just leaving? What about luggage and whatever got left in Paris? Too many to make full sense of, for time never seems to be an issue in Chuck. Super super super sonic jets lol. Look for the next chapter of The Darkness before the end of the weekend. Enjoy.

He kissed me before we got settled to sleep. My mind was still working, and so was his, I could tell. I had been in a lovestruck daze for days and days, talking and lovemaking filling our days and nights. I hadn't given a thought to the world I had left behind at all until today, after what we saw on the train. But I think I needed to acknowledge that part of me was enormous, and as much as I wanted to just leave it behind, it might not necessarily leave me behind in the same way. Being a spy had been my job, but because of the very nature of it, it was more than that. It had also been my life.

The low level buzz I felt was excitement, anticipation, thinking about what we should do to complete the mission that we had taken upon ourselves to do. Before Chuck, new missions could make me feel like this. But this time was different, most importantly because I wasn't alone. Sure, I had been with Bryce, both professionally and personally, but as sad as it is, I was still alone during all that time we were partners and lovers. Ourselves hidden deep inside, away from the other. I was doing everything in my power to ensure that my relationship with Chuck would never be that way.

The past few days had been a magnificent start to achieve the kind of togetherness I had always wanted. I was now navigating back into the spy world, with him, to work. The only exposure we had before this was that awful mission with Shaw, the set up in the Ring headquarters. This was to be our swan song, the last time I would be in the spy world with him.

I told myself that the spy world was something I wanted to run from my whole life, so now that I had the chance, feeling wistful or nostalgic was not productive. But I couldn't help how I felt.

Chuck didn't say anything else that night, but I sensed the same sort of emotions from him. He was newer to the spy world, after a grueling time of intensive training and hard work. I couldn't decide if that would make it easier or harder for him to leave it behind.

We made love quickly before we went to sleep. He reached for me in the dark, more intense than usual. It made me wonder if he was wound up and was seeking a way to channel his energy and stress. Somewhere in between the kind of quickie we would have in Castle's supply closet and the times when we would savor each other occurred. This was the first time for this, but it would become a regular thing with us. It reminded me, on the outskirts anyway, of how Bryce and I were after missions. At least in theory, because nothing about how Chuck and I were together was even close to how I had been with Bryce.

We woke up early, ordered breakfast to the cabin, and started to make our plan for taking down Arnaldo. We sat at the foot of the bed, sipping our coffee. I had draped my bare leg over his and he rested his hand on my knee. I didn't even think about it, how easy it was, how comfortable I was with him.

We could take Arnaldo and his men out, and we could place an anonymous call to Interpol. The mission would be quick and easy, and then we could start our real lives together. I know I missed his hesitation, mostly because of my own. It wasn't hesitation to be with each other, rather the unknown, as well as the reluctance to leave behind something we were both good at. It had eaten me alive slowly, but, somehow, Chuck had navigated his way through unscathed. It made me second guess it.

What if there was a way? I would start thinking and then immediately tell myself it couldn't be possible. We would be forced to choose one or the other, and there was nothing that would ever make me choose being a spy over being with Chuck. Nothing.

I reminded Chuck we had left our spy gear in Paris. And that we needed a plan. We needed a way to drug Arnaldo, and a way to restrain him. Chuck remembered that the rock musician on the train had handcuffs as part of his attire, as well as the skier with the injured leg, who most likely would have pain medication with her. We needed to do some spy craft style pick pocketing.

I approached the rocker to pretend to flirt, quickly realizing he spoke Polish. It was one of the languages I spoke fluently, which made it even easier to distract him. He was very focused on me and never saw me steal his handcuffs when Chuck intentionally bumped into him. I let the conversation linger while Chuck approached the skiers and managed to steal a bottle of pills from the injured skier's bag.

We had what we needed, so we could move forward with the plan. Chuck and I went back to the cabin to get ready for dinner in the dining car, where we would most likely see Arnaldo again. I put on the Texas accent I had used when I was hiding in the bathroom in Arnaldo's cabin. Chuck's accent was less practiced, but he played along. He also removed the metal pulls from the shades to use as fake wedding rings. He put his on and it was a perfect fit, but he needed to crimp the other one to make it fit on my hand.

He was talking in his fake accent, pretending to be my husband, when he reached around me from behind and put the fake ring on my finger. We both knew it was pretend, just like it had been in the suburbs, but this time…it gave me the sensation of all my blood rushing through my veins. What if it were real? I had tortured myself during that other mission, knowing how badly I wanted it, but also knowing I could never have it. But now, now…it was as close to within reach as it could ever be.

I wasn't contemplating it in real time, mind you; the thought of something as permanent as marriage when Chuck and I hardly knew each other for real was too much. So much about our new relationship needed to be felt out, for all of it was foreign territory to me. But it was so nice to be able to dream. To know at least, that if I wanted it, it wasn't a definite impossibility.

We left for the dining car. We sat on the same side of the table while we were eating, and I was practically on Chuck's lap. I was pretending, but it was easy to lose myself in the role, if you will. My loud accent on display, we made a lot of noise to draw as much attention to ourselves as possible. I pretended to notice Arnaldo and his entourage, rushing up to them and laughing about being in their room.

I asked them if they would take a picture of Chuck and I, since we were on our honeymoon. Chuck and I were making a fuss and I intentionally spilled their water bottles all over their cheese tray. We made a big deal about being sorry, and Chuck offered to replace the waters. Chuck left with the old bottles and went to the bar to get fresh ones while I sat with them, chatting to distract them. Chuck drugged the new bottles with the medication he had stolen.

We sat back down, side by side, and waited. Chuck turned to me and said he knew this was our last mission, but that he thought we made a great team.

We did. We always had. And we always would, no matter what we were doing. I knew that with confidence as I kissed him back.

I was still kissing him when I heard a very familiar grunt of disgust.

John Casey slipped into the seat at the other side of the table.

I asked him what he was doing there. He said, in a roundabout way, that he was there to bring us back.

Chuck was quick to defend us, mentioning that we were on a mission. Casey didn't readily believe Chuck, although, to be fair, he wasn't 100% telling the truth. It was, after all, a mission we had given ourselves.

Arnaldo's men succumbed to the drugs at the same time Casey slapped handcuffs on us, binding our wrists together. Arnaldo jumped from the table and fled. Chuck told Casey the Basque terrorist was getting away. Casey still didn't believe us.

Chuck and I apologized, in unison, and punched Casey in the face with our bound hands, like we were one. There wasn't even any discussion. It was like we were thinking with one mind. We knocked Casey out. I jumped up and pulled Chuck behind me, following Arnaldo. He was on his way back to his cabin.

I decided to go in first. I pushed the door open, but Arnaldo kicked the door shut again, the chain from the handcuffs wedged in between the doorjamb. Chuck was trapped in the hallway. I only had one hand and my feet to fight him with, but fortunately for me, that was enough. I could hear Chuck outside, worried, only able to hear the fight and not see it. I managed to pin him to the wall with my heel, then I opened the bathroom door. I grabbed him by his head and pushed him onto the bathroom floor. I closed him in and opened the door to let Chuck inside.

He tumbled and we fell onto the bed together, my legs in the air and all of Chuck's weight on top of me.

Of course, that was when Casey caught up to us. I struggled to get up, telling Chuck to stand. I couldn't believe Casey had his tranq gun out. Were we really back at this point again, after everything?

Chuck told Casey that the terrorist was in the bathroom. Casey opened the door, saw Arnaldo, and shot him with the tranq gun. He said he finally believed us, but he wanted to know what was going on.

We didn't even get a chance to start to say anything. The train jolted to a stop at the same time Arnaldo, apparently not fully drugged, darted out of the bathroom and into the hallway. All three of us ran after him in pursuit.

All I could see was Chuck's back, but apparently Casey was there with Morgan. Morgan was blocking the walkway. I think it was an accident, but Arnaldo sort of fell out of the train in front of Morgan. Maybe Morgan knocked into him. It was hard to see. Casey breezed by Morgan, and so did we, on the way outside to apprehend Arnaldo.

Casey started the process of arresting him. Arnaldo said something strange, telling Casey if he was going to kill him, to just do it. Morgan told him we were CIA. Arnaldo asked, if we were CIA, why did we take out his Interpol escort.

I almost died when I heard him say that. What happened to my spy sense? It had been non-existent at first, muddled by romance, and then it kicked in without corroborating facts. We had never just acted on a flash of Chuck's, ever, without running it by Beckman first. But, here, we just ran with it.

Oh, God, what did we do?

It got worse as he explained that he was being taken into witness protection by Interpol. Casey was beyond irritated, angry and asking us if we had run this by Beckman. I think he was pretty sure we hadn't.

I tried to explain to Casey that we wanted to do it under the radar. Morgan questioned the reason. Casey provided it–he had figured out we were quitting. Morgan protested verbally.

Chuck and I said it plainly. We wanted to be together, so we were quitting. It felt very final.

Casey told Chuck to get on the phone with Beckman and explain. I only heard Chuck's side of the conversation, but I could hear how loudly she was talking to him outside the phone booth. She also did most of the talking. We didn't have any change and the call got cut, so I'm sure she was even angrier afterwards.

Beckman told Chuck to wait for another Interpol team. We went inside a patisserie shop to wait. There was only one table available, so we had to take turns sitting with Arnaldo. It was Chuck and Morgan, and then Casey and me, swapping every few minutes.

Casey took the time with just me to try and talk some sense into me, or his kind of sense. He asked me why I was throwing my life away for Chuck. I told him I was making a life. I meant it. I couldn't help but remember another conversation between Casey and me, when I asked him if he ever thought about a normal life. He knew me better here, knew what my life was like and the real reason why I "chose" the CIA. He told me he was sent to retrieve us, but he wouldn't stop us from pursuing the life we wanted.

I thanked him, surprised that he gave up with such little argument. Casey had definitely changed. And so had I.

"Unless you want me to."

Ugh, Casey…why did he have to say it like that?

He knew me better, much better, maybe better than I knew myself.

But I told Casey the truth. Even if I did want to be a spy, I wanted Chuck more. I chose Chuck. I would always choose Chuck.

Casey asked if it had to be all or nothing.

I told him I couldn't risk it. I couldn't, I mean, there was no way I could live like we had before, in that endless agony of needing him the way I did and not being able to be with him. But I added, almost to my own surprise, that it was what Chuck wanted.

Little did I know that Chuck was saying pretty much the same thing to Morgan.

Arnaldo overheard all of the conversations.

Casey told us we needed to leave before the other Interpol team arrived. Chuck hugged Morgan and said goodbye. At least, I thought, he had a proper goodbye this time. Chuck shook Casey's hand. Morgan told me to take care of Chuck. I looked at Casey, unsure, but he shooed us out. I know now he wanted no part of the emotions that were threatening to come to the surface.

We walked to the door, I turned to look one last time, and then we were free.

We strolled arm in arm, trying to deal with our new life together. Chuck said it felt weird, since he had never lived anywhere but California. I told him I had lived all over the world, but Burbank was the only place that ever felt like home. I was really glad I got the chance to tell him that, because I had been thinking that way for such a long time.

He smiled, so sweetly it warmed my heart in the chilly air.

We were ready to get on the train. He called me Agent Walker.

I told him we weren't agents anymore. He reminded us that we weren't pretending to be married anymore either. We took off our fake wedding rings.

He asked me then, and I know it was because Morgan told him to, if running away was what I really wanted. I told Chuck I thought it had to be one or the other. But I started thinking, unsure of what to say. He told me to tell him, that it was ok. We were so bad at communication, but there were times, even here, where he shined like that.

We were interrupted by the Interpol agents that we had inadvertently drugged on the train, holding us at gunpoint. They didn't know where Arnaldo was. They handcuffed us together again.

Chuck was trying to explain what happened. They told us the team Beckman sent had been killed. Chuck and I realized Casey and Morgan, and Arnaldo, were in terrible danger. They were calling it in. We didn't have time.

Chuck and I made the decision. We each punched out one agent with a fist, in unison once again. Chuck was looking for the keys for the handcuffs, but we didn't have time. Chuck stole a scooter that was parked nearby and headed back in the direction of the patisserie. The scooter was a one-seater, and we were still handcuffed, so he drove and I straddled him, facing him as he drove.

Once we arrived, we could see the team inside the patisserie, lots of men and firepower. We couldn't see Arnaldo, but we could see Casey and Morgan tied together and at gunpoint. I just nodded to Chuck. That was all that was necessary.

He revved the motor of the scooter and sent it crashing through the shop window as a distraction. We came charging through the broken glass of the window. I fired my gun and he flashed.

Very soon, my gun was kicked out of my hand and Chuck and I were left to hand to hand combat, handcuffed together.

We were like two sides of the same body. He lifted me, swung me into the thugs. I kicked and then he kicked, I punched and he punched. We clotheslined one guy together, then turned to fight a person each. Chuck was facing the sole woman in the group, flinching because she was female. I took her out for him.

Casey swung Morgan into the woman with the gun, and I punched out the last man standing.

I asked Casey if he was alright. He said he would take care of Arnaldo, that we had a train to catch.

Chuck and I were out of breath from the fight, but Arnaldo chose then to speak up. He said he had heard from both of us that running wasn't what either one of us wanted.

I pulled Chuck to the side to have a private conversation.

"You don't want to quit?

"I thought that's what you wanted."

"I don't want you to choose me over something that you want for yourself." I realized after I said it that would have been the right thing to say after he chose to be a spy, instead of the awful things that I thought.

"I want you. I want us." I couldn't help but smile, to hear him say it so honestly, so profoundly. That was what I had wished he said in Prague. Somehow, after all that we had been through, hearing it here was enough.

"Do you think if we went back and we told Beckman the honest-to-god absolute truth, do you think we'd really have a shot at having it all?"

I was still smiling, my face aching from it. I kissed him. I repeated the same set of vows from before, but backwards, and he did the same.

I really kissed him. He lifted me up and I continued kissing him. Until I heard Casey protesting at what he was looking at.

Interpol arrived and took Arnaldo back into custody. Chuck and I both thanked him for helping us to figure out what it was we wanted.

All four of us flew back to the US on the CIA jet, rather than the commercial flight Casey and Morgan had taken to get there.

It was the middle of the night by the time Beckman chose to debrief us after the whole thing. She was appreciative of Casey. Casey had rare praise for Morgan, who then embarrassed himself in front of Beckman and irritated her. It ended with Beckman telling Casey to get him out of there.

Once we were alone, Beckman started the dress down. Chuck jumped to my defense, as usual. I jumped to his defense right back. Beckman snapped at us, accusing us of treating her like she was an idiot. She told us to stop lying.

Chuck chose then to tell the general that we were together, in a relationship. He grabbed my hand and held it. His palm was sweaty, but so was mine. We were putting everything out there with the hopes that we could have it all. She, in the end, was the ultimate decision maker, though.

She tried to get us to not tell her. I think she thought plausible deniability, the less she knew the better. I just blurted it out anyway, telling her that Chuck and I were together.

She gave us the usual spiel, telling us that letting our professional and personal lives intertwine could be dangerous.

"But off the record," she smirked, the ire slowly ebbing, "It's about damn time." She punched off the connection.

I was ready to jump for joy, our hopes and dreams now reality.

Until Chuck saw Ellie and Devon's apartment on the monitor. He remembered that she was due to leave. We rushed out of Castle to go straight there, even though I did tell him it was so late there was almost no chance that they were still home.

While we were in the car, I put on the jacket that went with the dress I was wearing. I had completely forgotten, but I had packed this before leaving my hotel, when Casey came to tell me that he had shot the mole. I reached into the pocket of the jacket, and it was there. The charm bracelet Chuck had given me for Christmas in 2008.

At the first red light, I asked him to help me put it on. He was driving, so he put it on my left wrist with my watch, but it felt nice. It felt right. I wanted to be his real girlfriend…and now I was.

When we arrived, I told Chuck I would stay near his apartment door. I didn't want to interfere with their sibling moment. I was a little disheartened when I saw how empty it was, sure that we had missed her.

But before I went inside, I saw Ellie rushing through the courtyard, towards her door.

Oh, thank God.

She left the door open. I watched them talk from a distance. I saw her hug him, so I walked over to their apartment. I wanted a chance to say goodbye to her, too.

I saw Chuck look up and see me over Ellie's shoulder.

He told her she wasn't leaving him alone. He looked over at me.

Ellie turned, shock and awe on her face. But her eyes lit up. I gave a gentle wave.

"You guys are back together?" She was so happy she almost squeaked.

"We're together." He didn't like lying to his sister, so he said it just the perfect way. Absolute. Perfect.

I hugged her before she left. I was still not completely honest with her, and I was bothered by that, but I felt like that was the first real hug I had given her. It felt sisterly, like a real friend. She was Chuck's sister, but she was my friend. The best friend I have ever had, or will ever have.

She had to hurry in order to not miss the plane, so we said goodbye quickly and she promised to call Chuck to let him know they had landed safely.

I decided to stay with Chuck at his place that night. Everything was new again, though it was all familiar. I had been in his room before. I had even slept in his bed with him. But now, this was real.

It had been so long since I'd been in his room. God, was it really the day of his sister's wedding? I had been in the apartment to help cook dinner for Hannah, but even just the thought of his bedroom had made me so sad I was sick.

A few things were different. He had rearranged some knick knacks, his bookshelf, his computer speakers. But it was still his room. It smelled deliciously of him, how he smelled when my head was buried in his neck, or resting on his chest.

We were both exhausted, so we got ready for bed. Brushing my teeth next to him, like we had that day I'd stayed so long ago, seemed to hit us all at once. He put his arm around me and just pulled me to him while he was still brushing his teeth.

I felt like he finally understood what I meant all that time. It was a beautiful moment.

He let me go and told me he wanted to play me a song. He said he knew I needed a favorite song, since I didn't know that much music, and he had the perfect thing.

I knelt on his bed to watch him while he rifled through his record collection. He pulled something out, pulled the vinyl from the sleeve, and set it up on the record player.

He turned to look at me over his shoulder. "I think I found the one."

His voice was gentle, like a caress. Those words sent shivers down my spine. I know he meant the song, but he definitely understood the double meaning of what he said. His eyes went through me.

I couldn't breathe for a moment. Yes, the one. My Chuck.

He started playing the song. Feeling Good by Nina Simone. He turned and watched me as I listened.

It was about starting a new life, being filled with joy. "I like this." I told him softly.

He moved forward and kissed me. We crawled back and laid side by side on the bed, our heads on our pillows and just listening. Each new line seemed to reach further inside me. I was smiling softly. He turned to look at me and I looked back. Everything he felt was there on his face, shining at me in the soft light.

He put his arm around me and I snuggled close, burying my face against his chest and the side of his neck. I swung my hips closer and slid my leg between his. He wrapped me tightly in his arms.

I have never felt so loved, so safe, as I did in that moment. My heart was close to bursting.

He kissed my forehead tenderly. I looked up at him, wishing with all my might that he could see my feelings on my face, since I had yet to say them. He brushed my hair away from my face and kissed me again.

We stayed like that, softly kissing, wrapped around each other, until the entire album had played through. Then we fell asleep.

My head never left his shoulder.