A/N: We're back.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Mary was sitting in the hospital room in Castle. Stephen had been relocated there, along with a team of doctors and nurses, led by Ellie and Devon. Her phone pinged, and she looked down at it. "Sorry, Honey, I have to get this." She looked up at the TV monitor in the room, pressed a button on her phone, and the incoming video call was cast to it.

"Diane."

"Mary, we have a lead that you may want to track," Beckman began.

"Diane, I've got a whole new team… scratch that, I'm not even on the team, two members are off following a lead, and-"

"We have a lead on Volkoff," Diane said, interrupting her.

Mary stared at her. "Way to bury the lead," Mary muttered.

}o{

Chuck, Sarah, and Casey joined Mary in Stephen's room for an impromptu meeting. "I'm gonna save us all some trouble," Mary said. "Alexi Volkoff." Chuck's flash began.

"Baddest of the bad," Casey said to Sarah. "Arms dealer from Russia that even has the Red Mafiya scared." Sarah's eyebrows lifted. "He hasn't been seen in years," Casey said to Mary.

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Chuck asked, worried about everyone's safety after the flash. "We aren't in any position to go after him… We're down two."

"It's your call, Chuck, but this is a guy that, if we take him off the board, makes the entire world safer," Mary replied.

"Don't worry, Bartowski, Sarah will keep you safe," Casey chided.

Chuck turned to Casey. "I know she will me, but who will you," Chuck replied, looking Casey in the eye. The two drew up and stared each other in the eye.

After a second Casey snorted and looked over at Sarah. "Now that he's grown a set, you gonna protect them, too?"

Sarah grinned. "Who says I haven't been already?" Casey's grin turn into a snarl. He turned and left in a huff. Mary shook her head, but said nothing.

}o{

"Wow!" Chuck said, looking at the floorplans that Morgan had sent to him on the laptop. He turned to Sarah, who was flipping through a magazine. "Think you can handle slumming it with me for a few days at this chateau?"

Sarah glanced at the screen, did a double take, and let out a low whistle. "That is beautiful," Sarah said, gesturing for the laptop, and taking it as Chuck handed it to her. "Mrs. Walker is very lucky her husband is taking her for a nice vacation/art auction at this chateau."

"Mr. Walker is flush like that, apparently," Chuck groused. "We even have our own man-servant."

"Don't," Casey growled from the seat on the other side of the plane.

"Oh, John-John," Chuck called out in a posh sing-song voice. Casey groaned. "Remember to set my slippers out beside the bed tonight, hmmmm?"

"I'm gonna murder you Bartowski," Casey grumbled.

"No, you're not," Sarah said, never raising her head. Casey raised his, glared at the two of them, placed it back on his seat, closed his eyes, muttered something about, "damn lady-feelings," and closed his eyes.

"That's really impressive," Sarah said, looking at the pictures of the chateau. Then she saw their room and let out a low whistle.

"Casey, just so you know, I'm gonna be talking about my feelings for a bit," Chuck said in a very low voice. Casey sat up, glared at Chuck, stood, and walked to the back of the plane, wondering aloud regarding whatever sins he must have committed in this or a prior life to get stuck with this assignment.

"That wasn't necessary," Sarah said, chuckling.

"Uh, it kinda was," Chuck replied. Sarah looked up, surprised. "Listen, the last little bit, we've grown…" He looked down at his hands, struggling for the words.

"Closer?" Sarah offered.

"Yeah," Chuck replied, nodding. "Looking at this chateau, and being with… well… you." He paused, and licked his lips.

"And having to play man and wife as a cover," Sarah added.

"Right, th-that," Chuck said with a nod. "Uh… things could get… well…" He looked at her, his eyes pleading for help.

"We could get lost in the covers?"

"No," Chuck said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I might confuse real life for the cover."

"I see," Sarah said. She shifted in her seat, turning her body toward him, tucking a leg underneath herself. "What if I confuse real life for the cover?"

Chuck shrugged. "Everything I say about you, I mean," he replied.

"You talked about loving me," Sarah pointed out, a smile on her face.

Chuck turned red. "OH! I… uh, I… I-"

"Chuck," she said, reaching her hand toward his neck, and placing it on his shoulder. "I was messing with you." She grinned at him and leaned toward him. Both jerked back as the conferencing system pinged, and Morgan appeared on the screen in front of them.

"Did I interrupt something?" Morgan asked.

"N-No!" Chuck replied.

"Yes," Sarah replied at the same time. They shared a look, and she winked at him.

Morgan cleared his throat and looked down at something on his desk. "Soooo," he drawled, looking back up to the two of them, smirking. "There has been chatter about Volkoff and the chateau. We've not been able to pinpoint what the chatter is about, but we do know that Pierre Melville, French radical turned suspected terrorist, has been at the chateau for some time."

Pictures of the chateau, the view, it's wine cellar, and various pieces of art were shown on the screen. "The art auction is suspicious in that many think these pieces belong to Volkoff. Pierre has been using the chateau as a means to cater to the uber-rich, and many believe he meets contacts there under the disguise of it being an upscale b-and-b."

"Uh, question: How are we paying for this?" Chuck asked. Sarah glanced at him. "What? I'm in charge, I need to be fiscally responsible."

"The NSA is footing the bill," Morgan replied, shaking his head. "Back to the chateau… if Volkoff is giving away art as payment for something, or is selling it to raise capital, we need to figure it out. Volkoff Industries is one of the top weapons manufactures in the world, and is also believed to be the largest supplier of weapons on the black market."

"Wait, he runs Volkoff Industries?" Chuck asked. "Why not just go there and find him?"

"Chuck, Chuck, Chuck," Morgan said, shaking his head sadly.

"Normally, a business like that is run by a board, and if the namesake disappears there is no real notice," Sarah replied. "It's not publicly traded, so there's no public investors to scare off."

"Oh," Chuck replied. "This is quite complicated."

"Not really," Sarah said with a shrug. "All we have to do is find out what we can, if anything, about Volkoff."

"And why would we even be here?" Chuck asked.

"So glad you asked, Mr. Walker," Morgan stressed. "One of the paintings being auctioned is rumored to be The Storm of the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt." Chuck's eyes went wide. "Right?"

"Uh, Morgan, why would bad guys let us in there?" Chuck asked. "Remember, we work for a reclamation company?"

"Ah, point to Mr. Walker," Morgan said, making an air tick to indicate the score.

"Think he likes calling me that?" Chuck stage whispered to Sarah.

"I know I do," Sarah replied, winking at him, as he snapped his head towards her, his mouth agape.

"Ahem, children," Morgan admonished. "Pierre is allowing those like yourself free access of the chateau to prove everything is on the up and up."

"That sounds… weird," Chuck said. "Why in the world would you do that? I mean, if you have something stolen, it's stupid, and if you don't have anything, it doesn't mean you didn't steal anything, it just means you were smart enough to not have it on site."

Morgan shrugged. "Look, all I know is, this is our in."

"This smells like a setup," Chuck muttered.

"This sounds exactly like a setup," Bryce agreed, joining them on the feed. "You need to keep your eyes and ears open. If something feels wrong, bolt." Chuck gave a quick nod to Bryce. "Watch him, Sarah."

"I've got him," she replied. Bryce smiled, and cut his link.

"Best of luck team," Morgan said, and the feed went dark.

"All we have to do is do our jobs," Chuck said, smiling at Sarah.

"At a romantic chateau," Sarah added.

"As newlyweds," Chuck said, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Who are very much in love."

"We are?" Chuck asked, his eyes wide.

"Oh, the Walkers are over the moon about each other," Sarah told Chuck, with a grin. "I mean, that is, if you can handle it."

"Icanhandleit," he rushed out. "But why?"

She gave him a long look, amusement clear on her face. "Chuck, if we were to sneak away…"

"Ohhhhh," he said, nodding. "So I have to pretend to want to have sex with you in different places."

"Can you handle that?"

"Nope," Chuck replied. "But luckily Chuck Walker can."

"I think Chuck Bartowski could, if he set his mind to it," Sarah said, stretching, knowing his mind was exploding. "I'm going to get some rest. You should, too."

"Yep," he said, his voice a bit high. "I'll go right to sleep." Sarah grinned and was asleep in seconds.

Chuck, on the other hand… he didn't sleep a wink the entire flight.

}o{

"Sarah…" He said, a bit breathless.

"Oh, Chuck," she replied, the same tone in her voice. They had stepped out onto the balcony of the chateau as the sun set, the sky filled with red and purple hues. Sarah turned to him. "Jesus, no wonder they can charge what they do."

"Yeah," Chuck replied, turning to her, and quickly licking his lips. "Uh, listen, about the past few days, the plane, all of that…" She gave him an encouraging smile. "You and I seem to have a… connection."

"I agree," she replied, stepping toward him.

"And, I know we have to put forth a certain…"

"Cover?" she offered.

"Sarah… there is no cover," Chuck replied. He couldn't believe he was saying this, but he knew it was true. "We have to look a certain way, like we have a loving, married relationship, but the words I've been saying…" he trailed off, lost in the starry sapphires that were her eyes. He thought he could get lost in there forever.

She moved again, her body pressed against his. He leaned down, watching as her lips slightly parted, and they both jerked away as they heard a loud knock on the door.

Chuck blinked, looked at the door and back to Sarah. "I got it," she said, pulling a gun from seemingly nowhere. Chuck blinked again, nodded, and watched her walk over the door. She looked into the peephole, and put the gun in the waistband of her pants. She turned to Chuck, rolling her eyes. "It's John-John," she said, opening the door. Casey grunted as he walked in.

"Sweep the room?" he asked, heading toward Chuck and walking past Sarah.

"I did," Sarah replied. "I was about to do a more thorough search right before you got here. She looked over Casey's shoulder at Chuck, winking at him. Chuck turned an unusual shade of red.

Casey stood on the balcony, looked at the sky and then back to the two of them. "Practicing your cover, huh?"

"Practice makes perfect," Sarah retorted. Chuck made a noise like he was choking on his own tongue. "Find anything?"

"A couple of morons trying to play tonsil hockey," Casey replied, snickering.

"Okay, that's about enough, Casey," Chuck said, making the bigger man turn with a raised eyebrow. "I get it, you don't approve of us-"

"No, you don't get it," Casey replied. "I don't care how often you two mix your chocolate and peanut butter, but on this mission, we need to be careful. Volkoff has a body count a mile long." He paused for a second and then shoved a finger into Chuck's chest, adding, "You, of all people, with that Intersect in your head, should know that."

"You're right," Sarah said softly, making them turn to her. "You're absolutely right, we need to be more professional."

Casey shook his head. "No, what I do need you two to be…" he trailed off waving his hand in the general direction of the bed in the room, "…whatever, because you have a cover to maintain, but keep your focus on the mission and how dangerous this is."

"So, you don't think we should be here?"

"Hell no, you shouldn't be here," Casey replied, looking at Chuck like he was an idiot. "But, it's Volkoff, and it's worth the risk."

"I'm getting a lot of mixed signals from you, Casey, seriously," Chuck said, shaking his head. "I should be here, but I shouldn't. Sarah and I should … whatever, and we shouldn't."

Casey nodded. "Sounds like spy life to me." And with that, he turned and headed toward the door. "Also, remember: In my role, I have a key to your room." With that he left.

"Well, that just killed any mood ever," Chuck said, making Sarah snort with laughter.

}o{

For two days the three had scoured the chateau from top to bottom, finding nothing. No Volkoff, no painting. They did find several bottles of wine, some with a stork on the cork, others with a stable on the label. Morgan and Bryce had combed through all the footage online, through satellites, and pictures the three of them took. They searched suggested areas, but found absolutely nothing.

"This has been a complete waste of time," Casey growled, walking up to Chuck and Sarah, who were with other guests in the garden.

"I don't know, seeing you in that pajama outfit in public is kinda worth it," Chuck replied, grinning as he took a drink of his beverage.

"How many cold showers have you had to take, Bartowski?" Casey fired back.

"Why don't you go put Charles's slippers underneath his bed, John-John," Sarah said, giving Casey a dirty look. Casey growled at them and walked off. "He's not wrong, you know."

"How do you know the temperature of my showers?" Chuck asked in a hushed whisper. She grinned, and shook her head at him. "Oh, you meant a waste of time." She nodded agreement. Chuck swallowed, glanced at her, and then back to his drink. "I mean, I've got to spend a lot of time with you, so I found it… more than worth it."

Sarah threaded her arm through one of his. "Mr. Walker, did you not hear our instructions about this being a dangerous situation?"

Chuck looked her right in the eye. "There are many forms of danger." He swore he heard her breath hitch.

"And some are closer than you think," she added after a moment.

Chuck started to speak when they heard a voice behind them. "Mr. and Mrs. Walker?" They both turned. "Pierre Melville." Chuck felt Sarah tense beside him. "I have something you might want to see." Chuck gave a slight head nod. "And don't bother trying to contact your servant… he's already waiting for us."

"What's the meaning of this?" Sarah asked. "We're here on your invitation."

"An invitation that was based on a lie," Pierre said. "Now, I have two men behind you with guns. I don't like to do this kind of thing publicly, so please join me downstairs, and perhaps you can get out of this alive."

"Why do I not believe you?" Chuck asked.

"I did say perhaps," Pierre replied. "Or, I can have a guest shot."

He felt Sarah ready herself for action, and he laid his free hand on her arm. "Sweetie, let's hear the man out. Obviously, there has been some sort of misunderstanding."

He felt Sarah relax, and the two followed Pierre to the wine cellar. A large door in the back was opened, and they were led inside. The only thing in the room was a large wooden vat, that was sealed. Inside was a man wearing a suit.

"Riley," Pierre said, nodding toward the man in the suit. Pierre turned to Chuck and Sarah. "Mr. Riley informs me you are not who we think you are."

"That's preposterous," Chuck began.

"Mr. Walker," Riley interrupted. "I apologize for the ruse, but, there's something I need you to see." He turned to the two men with guns. "Gentlemen, open the vat."

"Why?" Pierre asked, stepping toward Riley. The two men with guns turned them on Pierre, who threw up his hands, and stepped back. One of the men put his gun in the holster, grabbed an ax and swung it into the face of the vat. No wine ran out, as the ax pierced the lid, but an overwhelming smell assaulted them all.

"Ohmygod," Chuck said, moving for the entrance, trying not to throw up. The man still holding the gun held the weapon tighter, anger on his face.

"Wait," Pierre said. The other man began to tear into the vat, splinters flying. He made a hole big enough to get his arm through. He stuck it through and pulled at the boards. In a moment, a hole was created large enough for the man to get through. He pulled out a flashlight and went in. A second later he returned.

"He has the bracelet," the man that had entered the vat said to the man with the gun. The man with the gun fired, killing Pierre. Chuck's eyes went wide, and then he threw up.

"Why did you do that?" Sarah asked.

"Mr. Kent feels bad about what happened with your associate," Riley said with a smile that creeped Sarah out. "Volkoff is dead, and Pierre killed him. Now Pierre is dead. You're welcome."

Riley started to walk out, followed by the other two. "You tell that sonofabitch I'm coming for him," Chuck said, holding his stomach, but having a look of determination on his face. "You tell him he's gonna pay for what he did."

"That would not be wise… Mr. Walker," Riley said, smiling.

"Tell him I'm coming for him." Riley shook his head and left, flanked by the two men.

}o{

The three spent another day at the chateau. Casey gave Chuck and Sarah hell over wanting to use the mood to mix their peanut butter and chocolate, but the two were more concerned over the events that had taken place. The bracelet on the corpse's arm had been Volkoff's. A preliminary analysis had shown it was Volkoff. Beckman ordered further tests to determine if it truly was, but quietly confided in the team that she could find no reason as to question that the dead body was anyone but Volkoff.

The plane ride home was full of questions, none of which the team had answers for. Sarah and Chuck rode back to Castle together, Casey separately, for his 'sanity.' On arrival at Castle, they started inside toward their rooms. Sarah's hand slipped into his.

"Walk you to your room?" Chuck asked with a grin.

"I was thinking I should walk you to yours, and do a thorough sweep," Sarah replied. Chuck grinned at her. "Gonna be lonely in bed tonight."

Chuck cleared his throat. "If you need company…" He trailed off, not sure how to finish what was on his mind. Sarah bit her bottom lip to keep from grinning.

"Chuck," she began, but spun instead toward him, taking his face in her hands.

"Oh, sorry!" a booming voice said. "Listen, I really hate to interrupt you two," Awesome began.

"It's fine, Awesome," Chuck said with a sigh, turning to Devon. Chuck saw Devon's face and became concerned. "Devon?"

"Chuck, I really need to speak to Sarah alone," Devon said with a wince. Chuck's mind began to turn. There was only one reason he could think of Devon would need that. "Unless…" Devon trailed off, looking at Sarah.

"No, I think this is something I need to hear alone," Sarah said, giving Chuck a look. He saw the guilt on her face.

"I get it," he said, and started toward the cafeteria. It was Jack's cancer, it had to be. He understood her needing time to herself. Maybe they weren't as close as he thought, or maybe Sarah didn't want anyone to know exactly how close she was with her father. Either way, it was her choice, but he hoped she would let him in.

A/N: Oof...wanna sneak peak?

"Mr. Walker is always in a good mood because he's married to Sarah Walker," Chuck said, a slight grin crossing his face.

"Dork," Sarah said, grinning at him.

"Uh, it's nerd, Mrs. Walker, I would think you would know that better than anyone."

"Does that have something to do with that Space Wars movie?" she asked, trying her best to look innocent. Chuck laughed at her. "There he is," she said softly. "Chuck, just be with me during this, I'll get through it."

"You shouldn't have to," he argued.

"Maybe I want to, for you, for your dad, for Morgan, for Bryce, for your whole team," Sarah said. "Maybe I want to be a part of something bigger."

I think they'll be okay. Reviews, PMs, whatever, all appreciated! Take care!

DC