A/N: Sorry, meant to have this out yesterday, but pneumonia has affected da old noggin. We don't quite meet Carina yet, but Chuck now has files to update, read on to see what I mean.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Sarah looked around the private jet, impressed. In her years as a con artist, she had managed to make her way into some upscale situations, but this… this was nice. She glanced over at her traveling companions. Casey was asleep, surprisingly not snoring. Chuck was staring at a folder, one that she knew he had already memorized. She knew he was scared to look at her, due to something he had said earlier.

Not minutes earlier, as the two looked at Casey sleeping, Chuck had turned to Sarah and casually said, "There's a bed back there, you know." Sarah couldn't help but grin as his eyes went wide, realizing, again, the implications of what he had said. He had stumbled and fumbled, trying to clarify what he meant, and Sarah took pity on him. She had reached across, taken his hand, and squeezed it, telling him it was okay… she knew.

She had no idea why she constantly wanted to comfort him, and make sure he was okay. He was kind, good, and trusting. In fact, he was exactly the kind of person she would try to con in the past, and that's when it hit her.

"This isn't going to work," she muttered to herself. She looked up at Chuck, his eyes wide with worry. She shook her head. "You being Charles Carmichael," she said.

"Why not?"

"Because Amy and Bennett know that's a name you use," Sarah explained.

Chuck's eyes went wide, and then suddenly they were like slits; he was thinking, concentrating. And seeing him like that, dear God, something lit in her that she didn't even know existed. "Casey, we've got a problem," he said in a normal voice. Casey's eyes snapped open. "We need Morgan and Beckman." Casey glanced at Chuck. "We might be compromised." Casey nodded, got up and went to the huge TV screen on the wall.

A moment later, via split screen, Beckman and Morgan had joined them. "General, you were right. She figured out we were compromised." Beckman smiled. "Amy and Bennett know my family uses the Carmichael name."

"Well done, Sarah," Beckman said, beaming at her. "Morgan-"

"On it," Morgan replied. "I'm going to reserve two other rooms at a different hotel, I'll need names… would you like the honeymoon suite?"

"That may be a bit much, Morgan," Beckman said gently.

"Wait, who would be on their honeymoon?" Chuck inquired, confused.

"You and Sarah," Morgan replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Chuck's eyes went wide, and he looked over at her.

"Calm down, Chuck," Sarah said shaking her head. "Amy and Bennett would be looking for you, by yourself. They know you, and know how uncomfortable you'd be with a married cover."

"Married!?" Chuck exclaimed. "Listen, I'm not… I wouldn't… I mean I'm flattered…"

"Chuck," Beckman said calmly. "It's a cover, you are not really married."

"But it will look like you and Sarah are really married," Morgan stressed.

"No," Chuck said, shaking his head. "You cannot do this to her." Sarah leaned back, a grin on her face, watching Chuck barge ahead, never even looking at Sarah. "She is new to this team, she didn't ask for this."

"Uhm, this is exactly what I would do, because it's my idea," she said. Chuck turned to her slowly. "No one is looking for you as a married man, and I'm pretty sure you won't try anything. I know you won't succeed, even if you did."

"Unless she wants you to," Beckman muttered, making Sarah laugh. Chuck dropped his head. "No one says you should have kids, Chuck."

"That would really solidify the cover though," Morgan added. Sarah burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Chuck replied, his hands up in surrender. "What's my new name?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Morgan asked. "Charles Charles, of the Texas Charles."

"Uh, no," Sarah retorted. "I do have standards."

"You're marrying me, so they can't be too high," Chuck muttered. Sarah backhanded his shoulder, grinning.

"If you want something Texas, then there is only name it can be…" she paused to build anticipation. She watched Chuck's face, loving the childlike eagerness she saw. "Chuck Walker."

"OMG!" Morgan yelled. "That's like Walker, Texas Ranger, and Chuck Norris, all in one!"

"What can I say, you see a lot of TV at cheap motels, when on the run," Sarah replied shrugging.

"That's really good, Sarah," Chuck said, the warmth in his voice matching the warmth in his eyes. Sarah knew the temperature was fine, but she wanted to shiver, and felt like she was burning up inside, all at the same time.

"So, what about Casey?" Morgan asked.

"He's our man servant, Johnny," Sarah offered.

"No," Morgan said grinning. "John John."

"I hate this assignment," Casey growled.

}o{

Chuck looked over at Sarah, who had dozed off. He appreciated all she was doing for him, but it really was too much. He reached into his bag, pulled out his trusty laptop and fired it up. He messaged Morgan, and told him what he wanted him to do about the room. They argued over PMs for a few minutes, but in the end, Morgan had no good reason not to do what Chuck asked him to.

Chuck shut his laptop, satisfied. Bad enough he was pulling her into this mess, but he wasn't going to force her to do any more than necessary.

}o{

"Okay, this is niiiiiccceeeeee," Sarah drawled, entering the suite that Chuck had reserved.

"Yup," Chuck replied with a shrug. "Plus, it keeps us all together. Casey and I can share that bedroom, and you get that one," he said, pointing. Casey grunted his displeasure, and when Chuck turned back to Sarah, she had a look on her face that was far short of happiness. "What?"

"Numbnuts," Casey grumbled, walking into the smaller bedroom and shutting the door. Chuck heard the distinct sound of the door locking. He turned back to Sarah, who had an amused smile on her face.

"I-" he began.

"I know, Chuck," Sarah said, walking up to him, and slipping her arm into his, steering him to the master bedroom. "I know."

A little while later, Sarah was getting ready for bed in the master bathroom, and Chuck decided to use the one in hallway to get ready. He had figured out his backup plan: He would sleep on the couch in the antechamber. Why there was an antechamber in their hotel room, he wasn't sure, unless it was for the guy to wait while his wife/girlfriend got ready.

He lay down on the couch, surprised at how comfortable it was, even though he had to tuck in his legs to fit. Shockingly, he fell asleep within a few minutes.

He opened his eyes sometime later. He didn't know how long he had slept, but it wasn't long, that he knew. Something was bothering him, and he quickly saw what it was. Across from him, in the chair that faced his couch, was Sarah. She was sitting there, glaring at him, her feet tucked under her. She wore a tank top and shorts, hair in a ponytail, her blue, stormy eyes being quite stormy… and, he realized, he was spiraling.

"Why are you out here?" he asked, sitting up.

"Because your dumb ass is," she retorted. Chuck's eyes widened. "How exactly am I supposed to protect you, when you are out here, and not in there?"

"Sarah, they would have to get past Casey to get to me," Chuck argued.

"And they wouldn't have to get past me to get to you," She countered.

"If they get past Casey, what exactly could you do?" he asked. It was at that moment he knew he had messed up. And not a little mess up like 'dropping your phone in the toilet'. It was more like 'being on a deserted island, and using your sailboat for fire wood, and you're stuck there for the rest of your life', moment.

"Oh," she said with a nod.

"Hey, wait, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way," Chuck began.

"Exactly how did you mean it?" Sarah asked, an amused but dangerous look on her face.

"Your job is to keep me protected, right? To keep me away from bad guys? But if we're here, then isn't it Casey's job to protect me?"

She stood up, a grin on her face. It was like she knew a joke that was the funniest thing in the world, and he did not. "Come on," she said, and headed out into the main room. Chuck followed, confused. He walked out, and she was moving the coffee table.

"What are you doing?"

"Moving this out of the way, so I don't hurt you on it," Sarah explained.

"Why would you hurt me on it?" Chuck asked. She turned to him, a dangerous grin still there. "I feel I've done something wrong."

"Oh, you do?" she asked, clearly amused. "Just out of curiosity, do you think you could beat me in a fight?"

"I would never hit a woman," he said quickly.

"That's really sweet, but that doesn't answer my question… Could you beat me in a fight?"

"I don't know how to answer that. I've had some training from my parents, Bryce-"

"That's a yes," Sarah said, stopping him, seeming even more amused.

"You know, I've seen this show before," Chuck said. "You're gonna challenge me, and then kick me in my privates."

"Nope, I won't touch them," Sarah replied.

"Story of most of the women I ever met," Chuck said, before he could stop himself. He winced, and when he opened his eyes, Sarah was twisting her lips off to the side.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Casey asked, opening his door. He surveyed the room, and grinned. "Oh, Bartowski being stupid?"

"He doesn't think I can physically protect him," Sarah explained.

"I'm beginning to think there is stuff that wasn't in her folder," Chuck muttered.

"Ya think?" Casey asked, walking over to the couch to sit down. They both looked at him. "Oh, don't mind me, I'm just here to watch the festivities."

"Tell you what, I'll make you a deal: You try and kiss me, and I'll try and stop you," Sarah began.

"I would never try and force myself on you," Chuck began.

"I know, Chuck, you slept on the couch for God's sake, I know!" Chuck lowered his head. "You kiss me, I'll tell you anything not in my file you want to know."

"And if you stop me?" Chuck asked.

"You sleep with me, and quit this nonsense, because that chair is very uncomfortable," Sarah replied.

"Anything that's not in your file?" he asked, after thinking for a moment.

"Anything," Sarah replied. She closed her eyes and held her arms open. "Try it."

Chuck shrugged, and moved towards her. The next thing he knew, he was flying over her, and came crashing down on his back.

"Moron," Casey said, standing up and walking back to his room. Chuck lay there as he heard the door shut. He tried to get up, but reached for his back.

"Here, let me help," she said, bending down and offering him her hand.

"No, I think…" He trailed off with a groan.

A concerned look appeared on her face, and she got on one knee, bending over, looking down at him. He quickly shot up, and gave her a peck on her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise. "I guess we both win," he said.

"I guess," she said, shock running through her body.

"That was not in your file," Chuck continued. "I'm gonna have to speak to Beckman about that."

"I don't think having all the training I have would be, since it was done… well…"

"I see," Chuck replied. "Would it be too much to ask for you to let us know your skills, so that I can make better decisions for the missions? And also, so I don't get my ass kicked by you on a regular basis?" She grinned at him. "For the record, I never thought you couldn't protect me because you're a girl, er, woman, er… female?"

"You don't know if I'm a female?" she asked, watching his eyes widen.

"Oh, I know you are!" His eyes went wider.

"You are way too easy," she said with a grin. "I know, Chuck, I know you didn't do that."

"How?" he asked, his brow furrowed, genuinely curious.

"Because in the little time I've spent with you, it's quite obvious who you are. And that is not you, Chuck."

"That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me," Chuck replied, a soft smile on his face. "So… I'm tired. Can… can we go to bed?" She grinned at him, and nodded. She helped him up, and held on to his hand. "What?"

"Aren't you going to ask?" There was a smirk on her face.

"Okay," Chuck said, taking a deep breath. "Is there any type of special coffee you prefer?"

"No," Sarah replied, confused. "That's what you ask?"

"That's what I need to know right now," Chuck replied with a shrug. "I gotta keep my bodyguard caffeinated." She gave him grin and a hip bump.

"You, Chuck Bartowski, are not normal."

"It's my brand," he shrugged, opening the door to the bedroom, and holding it for her.

"It looks good on you," she said, entering. Chuck followed her to bed and, minutes later, he was asleep, dreaming about being tossed around all night.

}o{

Sarah woke first, used the bathroom, and headed out to the front room. There was knock on the main door, that she answered, and was surprised to see room service. She grinned at the coffee and three cups, and quickly helped herself to one. She sat on the couch, enjoying her coffee, when Casey walked out.

"Where's the nerd?" Casey asked, making his way to the cart.

"Still in bed I guess," Sarah answered, shrugging and sipping on her coffee.

"Wear him out?" Casey asked.

"I'll have you know-"

"Hang on, kid, I'm just yanking your chain," Casey said, shaking his head. "But you should be aware of something." He gave her a long look. "The kid blames himself for being too close to his teammates, and that's why he missed what happened last time."

"That's kinda… well…"

"Stupid?" Casey offered. Sarah gave him a look, but he shrugged. "Listen, the kid lost a friend, so… all I'm saying is, don't be shocked if he doesn't want to get all warm and cozy."

"I'm here to pay back that bitch, Amy," Sarah replied.

"And I'm here to bring honor back, that Bennett stole," Casey added. "Just… watch Bartowski. You're the one that's gonna be closest to him. You're the one that's gonna watch him either shit the bed, or pull this off."

"If you have so little faith in him, then why be here?" Sarah asked, genuinely curious.

Casey looked toward the bedroom where Chuck was located. "People that believe in him, and think he can do this, are people I trust and respect."

"That general," Sarah said. Casey nodded. "I was told a story about her, and Chuck sitting in her lap as a little boy."

"It's true, it's all true," Casey admitted. "He can get to people, do things, and then…" Casey took a deep breath and walked into his room. When he walked out, he dropped a folder on the table in front of her. "You need to read this. You need to understand what you're dealing with." Sarah picked it up. "Again, it's all true."

"I have to ask you something… I swear I overheard Chuck say something about a computer in his brain," Sarah said, holding the file.

"Read it," Casey said, and carried his coffee back to his bedroom.

}o{

Chuck woke up with the same feeling as the night before. "I'm beginning to think that you are becoming obsessed with watching me."

"I'm trying to figure out how your head doesn't explode from the Intersect," Sarah replied. Chuck rolled over, his eyes wide. "Casey," she said, holding up a folder. "Beckman gave it to him, who gave it to me."

He sat there a moment, like he was processing. "Okay," he said, nodding. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Does it hurt?"

Chuck stared at her for a second. "My family all asked me that," he said softly. "That was the first thing they asked."

"Well, if you're in pain, I think you'll be whiny, and I can't stand whiny."

"It was nice knowing you," Chuck muttered. She grinned at him. "No, dad has made tweaks to it over the years where it doesn't hurt. It's never really hurt… been uncomfortable, yeah, but not hurt."

"Okay, I mean I have a lot, but no pressing ones. I figure I'll just ask as I go?" Chuck nodded. "So, plan?"

"Yeah, tonight, we'll join the part as Chuck and Sarah Walker. Obviously, I took your name, after I lost of bet of who could flip who," Chuck began.

"Really? Because I feel that by the time she accepted his proposal, he'd have known her well enough that he would have known better," Sarah retorted.

"It was in their early dating days, before he came to realize what a strong woman she was… not only physically, but emotionally, as well, and how she was so badass."

"Sounds like Mr. Walker is trying to get laid," Sarah pointed out, with a grin.

"If you were married to Mrs. Walker, wouldn't you be?"

"Point," Sarah said. "So, how affectionate and into PDA are they?" Sarah watched his eyes grow wide. "Chuck, it's. A. Cover."

"I know, I know. I just feel like I'm putting you in a bad position," he began, and then he shut his eyes, wincing.

"Quit worrying about what position I'm in, and tell me the plan," Sarah said, pushing his shoulder, laughing at him.

"Okay," Chuck began, lying on his back after going with the push. "DEA and MI6 are working a joint-task force. We are to approach 'Pam', and try to get her to join."

"What's our angle?" Sarah asked.

"We'll probably have to help them finish their mission," Chuck admitted.

"Which is?"

"The best I understand it, they need to get a journal with all of this drug runner's contacts," Chuck explained.

"So, does Mrs. Walker need to distract the drug runner?" Chuck gave her a look. "I said distract, not sleep with."

"No, I don't think she goes that way," Chuck replied. "She's one of the models… Sophia Stepanova."

A/N: Why does that name sound familiar? What next...you wanna peak?

"Keep it in your pants, Miller," Casey growled. "I'm asking you to join, as a favor."

Carina grinned like the cat that had eaten the canary. "I'll make you a deal. You finish our mission, and I'll join you. We finish our mission before you, I get you, for 24 hours, to do whatever, however, whenever."

Casey grimaced, but held out his hand. "Deal."

Chuck quickly reached over and pushed his hand down before Carina could shake it, surprising everyone. "No," he said, as he turned to Casey. "If you two want to do… what-the-hell-ever you two want to do, that's on you. But to do this for my op… no, that's not how I operate. And I would never ask you to, or allow it, for this team."

"You are so screwed," Carina said with a headshake. "You're in the real world, and that's how things happen."

"Tell my mom, Agent Frost, that," Chuck snapped. Carina's eyes went wide. "There's a way we do things. We'll finish your mission, and then Casey, Sarah, and I can decide if you fit our team, and if you're worthy of an invitation." With that, Chuck spun and walked away from everyone. Carina stood there, here mouth open, respect in her eyes… along with something else: Desire.

This is fine. I'm sure this is absolutely fine. *pulls collar away from neck* Gettin hot in here to anyone else?

Reviews and PMs always appreciated

DC