Disclaimer—Characters belong to Chris Fedak and Joshua Schwartz. No copyright infringement intended. Any similarity to events or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Author's Notes—Sitting here, snowed in, wishing I were in Sunny California with Team Chuck! Written 'cause Iguana said I should. :)

Spoilers—Chuck versus First Class post-ep/missing scene. References other 3rd season episodes.

Comparing Notes—Sarah and Casey compare notes on a certain CIA special agent.

They'd been partners long enough to have worked out unspoken communication. Right under Daniel Shaw's nose, a quick glance was all it took to secure a private meeting, away from Castle, away from Orange Orange and the Buy More, away from any possible listening devices.

John Casey had gone for a run along a popular stretch of beach just before dusk. It wasn't normally where he exercised, but it was perfect for what they needed. He slowed when he saw the familiar blonde up ahead.

Sarah Walker sat on a bench, watching the crashing waves.

He stopped near her, uncapping his bottle of water. "What's up?" he asked, taking a long drink.

She never actually looked at her partner. "What do you know about Shaw?"

"He's from your agency," he reminded her.

"Yeah, but we knew each other before this assignment. I figure, between the two of us, we ought to know everyone worth knowing in either agency. So, what do you know about Shaw?"

"Nothing," he told her honestly. "You?"

"I'd never heard of him, not until we wound up in lock-down outside Crystal Towers."

Casey grunted, shaking his head.

"What?"

"The Intersect project is classified above top-secret and yet Shaw knows all about it, knows all about us. He's supposed to be this Ring expert and he does seem to know so much, but then he accuses us of turning rogue?" He sneered. "Shows you what he really knows. Here's my question: how can we be sure he's one of us, that he can be trusted?"

"I don't know," Sarah admitted. "I mean, Shaw must've known that he was the target of Devon's test the whole time. But, how? How could he have possibly known that?"

"Not to mention, the 'rescue' plan was clearly meant for a doctor to execute. Granted, Chuck was able to access the Intersect for my stitches, he didn't seem to be flashing on any medical anything that night. Shaw knew that Woodcomb would be there."

"The Ring hadn't even known about Devon for that long. Shaw's counter mission would've taken time to plan."

"Well, I trust this guy about as far as Bartowski could throw him," Casey said, chancing a glance at his partner. "What about you?"

"Even less," she said, grim determination in her eyes.

"What do you want to do about it?"

"Play it out?" Sarah asked. "See what happens?"

Casey groaned. He'd been hoping for something a little more proactive, something a little more definitive. Something definitely faster.

She seemed to read his mind. "You really don't want to deal with the paperwork that comes from killing him, do you?"

He shrugged. "It might be worth it," he muttered under his breath.

"Casey," she chided lightly.

"I wouldn't mind making him sit for a half hour in a secured surveillance van. Not that you aren't a joy to be around, Walker, but it was avoidable."

"We should've been briefed beforehand. If Shaw had time to prepare, we should've been given a head's up."

"It would've been a professional courtesy," Casey agreed.

Sarah sighed heavily, silent for a long moment. "So, we wait?"

Casey capped his water bottle. "We wait."

"See you tomorrow."

He nodded as he took off to finish his run.

End.