Being distracted – loosely based on S2E2-3. This story will cover the time that follows Sarah and Chuck's after one of their numerous breakups and what they do to coexist as partners. As Chuck and Sarah try not to fail miserably as they figure out their next steps to move on. The distractions that come their way might be harder to come to grips with them. As Casey says, "Being distracted down in Castle is one thing but out here its completely different."

Chapter 1

Casey plopped his mission bag on the table. Chuck snapped out of wherever his mind was at, on, or who. "Being distracted down in castle is one thing but out there is completely different. What's bothering you?" Chuck didn't want to tell Casey what had transpired last night. 'You wouldn't believe me if I told you' Chuck thought to himself.

"Sorry. Still trying to get use to this thing in my head." Casey grunted then continued with his talk. Chuck instinctively could feel Sarah's lips on his. And it wasn't from reliving the memories of the Roan kiss that happened earlier in the week nor the memories of them watching the timer count down, having her lips meet his then finding out that Bryce was alive. It was the look that Sarah gave him when he came to her door with the red rose and white dinner jacket and seeing Bryce appearing at the door and what happened after.

Chuck walked up to the door with a skip in his step and knocked on her door, the way they left things hours ago would now be the perfect time to continue, what was started or what was never really finished as far as he was concerned. The door opened and seeing Sarah and her smile, a smile that showed that she was actually happy to see him. All was going good till the door opened and there in the flesh was Bryce. Sarah looked at him wishing that things were different in so many ways. Chuck looked at her. He couldn't go on with his plan not with Bryce being there, and why was he there? Again!

Chuck looked at Sarah and felt like that third wheel and if he could disappear, he would. "Sorry I better go, I just wanted to drop this off as a thankyou for earlier and the wine I spilled. I have a Buy More thing which I figured I spruce up my looks and maybe get the staff to dress better, so Roan suggested a white dinner jacket, casual but sophisticated. And the rose well, they were selling them down at the front desk." Bryce grabbed the wine and headed back inside. "Thanks Chuck." Chuck turned and headed down the hall, dropping the rose on the table by the elevator. Sarah hated herself for not saying anything, and for Chuck having to lie about the reason he was there. Sarah knew that there was no wine that spilled, nor roses being sold downstairs. And the way he looked in that jacket, he looked very handsome. As Sarah closed the door, she walked to the closet and quickly changed. "Hey, Walker where are you going? Chuck brought a decent bottle of wine." Sarah walked out and grabbed her keys, jacket, the wine and headed to the door. Turning she faced Bryce. "I hope when I come back you are gone, and you have your own room." She slammed the door.

Chuck knew he couldn't go home and spend another evening watching Devon and Ellie snuggle on the couch. The perfect couple, everything he wanted and couldn't have. Chuck headed to the beach, hopefully sitting there would distract him. He walked over to where he usually sat but there was already a couple sitting there enjoying their time together laughing and sharing stories. Chuck turned and headed up and gave into heading home and facing the truth that he'd never have what his sister and Devon had. Chuck pulled into the back and stepped out of the Nerd Herder and clicked his remote when a voice stopped him. Chuck turned and saw Sarah walk out into the light. She stood there, holding the wine and rose. "I know I must be hallucinating cause; Bryce has given you many reasons to walk away into the sunset. Now that he's shown up again, I'm wondering if his offer still stands."

"I don't know why he is here and furthermore I don't care why he is here. He just showed up after I left you and Roan."

Chuck knew that he wasn't seeing things even if he wanted to believe that he was. Sarah walked closer. Chuck leaned against the car as Sarah laid the bottle against the window wiper and the hood. She brought out the rose. "Thanks."

"It was Roan's idea cause frankly I don't have any."

Sarah stood beside him and nudge him with with her shoulder. "That's not true."

"And Bryce?"

"I told him to be gone before I came back. He's probably in between missions or something."

"So, no phones calls or hey, Sarah I'll be in town wanna get a bite to eat or something or can I stay at your place."

"Chuck!"

"Sorry, he just…he just has a way of popping in…."

"I know."

Sarah leaned against the car shoulder to shoulder with Chuck. Little was said between them, but it seemed to work for them. They liked the quietness and just being together. They had broken up a half dozen times and each time they seemed to 'get' back together, but each time it was getting harder to fight how they felt for each other and breaking up was easier than dealing with their feelings. Allow the distraction but don't be the distraction. For Chuck and Sarah, they were one in the same. Sarah leaned forward and turned to face Chuck. She knew that this spot in particular wasn't under the eye of Casey so whatever she thought of doing or was going to do would only be between the two of them. Chuck stood there with his arms folded and finally looked up at her. "I didn't ask you why you came over?"

Chuck smiled slightly. "Truth?"

"It might help." Like Sarah would care why he came over.

"Roan got me thinking and he figured that it would be a good idea if I came over and…."

"And?"

Chuck looked down at Sarah's hand that was now caressing his arm. She stepped forward and released his arms. Sarah looked to her left then to her right as if she was making sure that it was safe to go ahead with whatever she had in mind. Chuck looked at her and held her gaze. And then it happened, her hands slipped over his strong forearms and clamped down holding them near her waist. She let go of his left arm and brought her hand up to his face. She touched his cheek briefly just to see that look, then before it could disappear, she kissed him. She pressed firmly holding her lips there till he knew it was safe to continue and that it wasn't anything other than a kiss. Chuck kept his hands on her waist and moved his lips between hers, one over the other and repeated. It was like the Roan kiss but without prying eyes. It was intense and it lasted longer, much longer. Sarah lifted her head as Chuck held her face in his hand. Her eyes looked a bit hazy and unfocussed; he slid his hand holding the base of her head and returned her kiss. His free arm slipped behind her back as her arms quickly wrapped his neck. Their bodies close. Their lips begging for more and getting an instance response.

Chuck held her close and he knew that this was a big risk for the veteran agent, and he didn't want to ask why but he knew that it was the same reason he went to see her in the first place. The alley was just theirs till someone tossed their garbage into one of the bins. Chuck eased up on his hold as Sarah looked at him. "I better go, hopefully my visitor is gone." "Yeah, its late." Sarah headed to her car and Chuck started to follow behind. Chuck looked back at the bottle and the rose. "The wine Sarah." Sarah opened her car door. "Save it till we can enjoy it together." Chuck grabbed the rose and walked towards her car and held the rose the same way he had when he came by earlier. He smelled the rose then gave it to her. Sarah smiled as she placed the rose under her nose and inhaled the sweet smell of the rose. Chuck walked closer and stood between the door. Sarah turned to face him pulling her leg out of the car. "Tomorrow?"

"I guess. Work never stops."

Chuck watched as Sarah grabbed his hand and held it in hers. She kissed his lips then let go of his hand and slipped inside. Chuck closed the door and crouched down as Sarah opened the window. "I'm never going to leave if this continues."

"I guess I could suffer through it?"

"Me too."

They both laughed at what was said as they both remembered saying the exact thing once before. Chuck leaned inside and gave her three quick kisses, just to make sure it was real.

Chuck waved as Sarah drove off and turned right disappearing out of sight. Chuck walked back, grabbed the wine and slipped inside putting it back on the wine cart with a little note on it which said, 'save for when'. It wouldn't make sense to anyone else if they read but it would for them.

Chuck looked up at Casey who was still talking about being distracted. For last night that kind of a distraction wouldn't be a bad idea. But as Casey continued to talk maybe last night had been a bad idea. He tossed back and forth his excuses till his brain finally halted as Sarah came in through Orange Orange door and walked down the stairs. She avoided making eye contact, he would to if he could but as she walked past him sliding her purse inside her drawer then walking back into the conference room. A part of him still wondered if it was a bad idea.

"Good morning team." As Beckman put her glasses on.

"General." They all replied.

"Do you have a mission for us?" Casey speaking for the team.

"I do but it's very slim in the intel department. I am hoping that you Chuck will be able to make something out of this." Beckman showed them a burnt piece of paper in a plastic evidence bag. "One of our Agents Sophie Benjamin was assigned to a joint mission a few months ago between the CIA and the Military Intelligence Directorate."

"The who General?"

"Chuck, the Syrian Secret Service." Casey answered.

Chuck nodded.

"And now she has been reported missing. She was supposed to meet with her contact to drop off intel and look into a new lead but didn't show up. The next thing her apartment was set a blazed. Forensics found this piece of paper in the fireplace with this logo on it. Whomever started the fire left before the pile that was set a flame was completely out." Beckman clicked on her keyboard and brought up an image of the piece of paper displaying the burnt piece of paper with a star looking shape and something maybe in the middle of this shape up on the screen. The three looked at Chuck hoping that he'd flash or something, but he came up empty.

"Sorry General, I got nothing, but that doesn't mean anything. Let me do some digging."

"Please Chuck, we are time sensitive on this. Agent Walker and Major Casey I need to go to speak with her partner Jeremy Hendricks. He's at the Federal office. I'll text you the address. See what he knows, maybe we can move on this as soon as possible."

Sarah grabbed her gun and badge and headed upstairs, stopping a few steps in and turned. Chuck looked at her but had played this game before. He diverted his eyes and walked over to the printer. Casey came walking in behind her and Sarah followed.

Chuck looked at the door seeing it close. He shook it off and sat down with his laptop and the printed piece of paper. Chuck turned it, flipped it looked at on its side trying to figure out what it was. Grabbing his laptop, he typed in Sophie's name and checked her file. Chuck finally saw some benefit of having the Intersect still in his head was that his pay grade increased or lack of one, but his clearance took a drastic rise allowing him to access a much larger data base and files he couldn't do before. Beckman couldn't really keep all the secrets secret when Chuck was a walking filing cabinet.

Chuck looked into her last mission, her family life and how long she had been serving. Chuck read the typical stuff like where she went to school, who she trained under but her last report got him thinking. Chuck kept reading and noticed that she asked to be stationed in or near LA. Chuck knew that agents didn't have a say where they had to go or where their missions would take them so why would this be a request. Chuck dug deeper and saw that she had a family and that her brother and sister were minors, and no spouse . After her parents died, she took on the role of mother and father. Surprisingly the CIA agreed to her request so seeing that she agreed to go to Syria made him wonder if her last mission was more than what it appeared on paper and what did this fire have to do with her disappearance. Did the fire mean she was dead and that they were covering their tracks? Or was it what she knew, start a fire to shut her up? What did this piece of paper mean?

Chuck typed into his computer the CIA's involvement with Syria and instantly he flashed. 'CIA Covert program, training ops, BASHAR AL ASSAD, Timber Sycamore and Tertia Optio'

Chuck sat back as Casey and Sarah returned. "I hope that – that head of yours got more than we did."

"Not a successful trip?"

"No he's not talking." Sarah sat down.

"That's a good or bad thing?"

"No, not good for us, he's obvious doesn't know anything or he's hiding something or someone watching him so he can't."

Chuck looked at them not sure what to say. Sarah looked at Chuck. "Do you have something?"

Chuck looked at her and could only think about what happened between them last night. He looked at her again, when Casey sat down beside her. "Yeah I flashed. Do any of you know anything about the CIA's covert program in Syria which involves some training program. The name Bashar Al Assad, Timber Sycamore and Tertia Optio?"

Casey looked at Sarah. "Did you say Tertia Optio?"

"Yeah why?"

"Chuck, the Tertia Optio means Third Option. It is a covert action or third option that we use when diplomacy or military action isn't feasible."

"So, its big?"

"More than you know, if Governments can't come to an agreeable solution other means are used."

"Like most covert missions."

"Yes, your right but this type is a secret as secret can get and if you flashed on it – it is either has happened or is going to happen."

Casey pushed his chair back and reached the remote and dialed Beckman. "Yes team, what I can do for you?"

"General we have a Tertia Optio?"

Beckman looked at the team. "You better be sure."

Sarah stood up. "Chuck flashed, General."

Chuck turned his chair around. "Is this true Chuck?"

"Yeah, it is but it means nothing to me?"

"What else did you flash on?"

Chuck looked at Beckman then at Casey and Sarah. "The name Bashar Al Assad, covert ops Timber Sycamore and Tertia Optio mean anything to you."

"Are you sure?"

"As sure as we are standing here." Beckman looked at the team. "Be ready to move at any time. I will get back to you."

Chuck sat back as Casey took off instantly to get ready. Sarah looked at Chuck and squeezed his hand. "Good job."

"Thanks."

Sarah was about to walk away but stopped and turned. Seeing that Chuck was just about to get to work. Sucking up her pride she let her words do the talking this time.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure, (sarcastically) it's not like I can leave if Beckman has her way." Sarah let his abrupt response go. "I want to talk about what happened the last night and the other night." Chuck stood up and kept busy. Sarah leaned on her hand that laid flat on the table. "It wasn't a slip or accident, it happened because I wanted it to happen. When we talked the other night by the fountain it killed me." Chuck looked up. "I was just telling you what you wanted to hear right?" Chuck looked up. "I didn't come to you the other night thinking that it was over between us. We had a mission that didn't go right but it wasn't an excuse to call it off. Then what happened last night. Chuck you broke it off with me." "I did say that, but you agreed and I couldn't take it back and start this roller coaster ride that we seem to go on lately." Sarah placed her hand on his. And what came out of her mouth made Chuck look at her, really look at her. "I'm sorry."

"Why? And you can't say it's the job."

"But it will always be the job but - but once in a while you need to look at it with different eyes. What happened the last night was not a slip or accident it happened because I, we wanted it to happen."

Chuck stood even closer to her. "So, what are you saying Sarah?"

Sarah looked up. "I'm saying I want to….."

"Don't say something like share a cheese burger with me."

Sarah laughed into his chest as Chuck got a whiff of her beautiful scented shampoo. He brought his outside arm up and around her bringing her even closer. The moment lasted longer and didn't end the way they hoped it would. Chuck now holding her hand in his. "I guess we better get ready?"

Sarah looked at their hands then looked up. "Yeah I guess we should."

Sarah brought their hands up to their chests. Sarah quickly kissed his hand then let go and walked over to Casey.

Flying over the Atlantic

Beckman debrief the three in the air. "Team you will heading to Damascus and will head to the Beit al – Mamlouka hotel. You will set up surveillance at the hotel and a observe a flat across the street. We believe that one of ours has or is meeting with politicians and senior Syrian military officials. All I know or was given intel on is that this covert mission is so new only a conversation can verify that it exists. So, I can't take their word for it nor let them know that I am interested in it. Whether this conversation actually happened and if what was discussed, has any truth to it. So basically, we don't have much to go on so it is up to you three to get as much as you can and return to the states before anyone knows that we have been looking into this." "So, Agent Benjamin was looking into this?"

"Maybe and whatever she found might have gotten her killed."

That was one thing Chuck didn't like about this job, was people like Sarah and Casey who ended up dead. Chuck fidgeted in his seat making it look like he had to stretch his legs but Sarah new better. Casey poured himself a drink as the long flight barely got started.

Chuck walked the length of the plane back and forth a few times before Sarah got up and headed to the back of the plane. Chuck stopped and opened the cupboards looking for something. Sarah opened the far door where the fridge was and a grabbed two bottles of water, placing one in Chuck's hand and the other she opened quickly and took a few sips.

"You okay?"

Chuck took a deep breath and twisted the cap off his bottle and downed the bottle and placed it back on the counter. "I don't think that I will ever get use to this. How do we know that what I flashed on is what it is?" "Chuck maybe the last upgrade that Bryce put in those glasses is what you are flashing on." "Maybe but how did whoever created this thing know to put what it did in there and if they knew it was going to be the only way that the CIA and the NSA could play nice together – they had to know about this threat years ago."

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what files or documents are in there or why some are more prevalent that others. But we know from experience that anything can be in there and maybe even this secret has been triggered somehow and is now resurfacing. Or this one might be that one we are able to stop before it even starts."

Her words had a tendency to calm him even when he was freaking out on the inside. He stretched his finger across the counter till Sarah reached out and met his fingers halfway between the two of them. Chuck raised his fingers upwards as Sarah slid her fingers downward. Entwined they stood there looking at their fingers as they playfully stay locked together, not only by hand but by their eyes.

He watched her and he couldn't figure her out, but did he have to? He liked what they had, despite the many breakups and fights. But at this moment 30,000 feet above the Atlantic it was just the two of them, despite Casey sitting up at the front of the plane. Sarah moved closer still holding Chuck's hand in hers. "Chuck."

Chuck looked at her. Chuck tilted his head down slightly and met her lips. It was a bad idea and even if they got caught, they wouldn't care because it felt so right. Chuck wanted to hold her tightly like he did last night, have her body close to his but opted out on keeping his distance at bay.

Sarah let go first but kissed him once more and headed back without a goodbye as Chuck walked another round then grabbed a few Mickie's for Casey and a few for himself and Sarah.

Chuck turned his seat around and faced the back of the plane as Sarah sat across him stretching her legs across the common bench that was parallel to their chairs. Chuck stretched his as well and nodded off after seeing Casey succumb to sleep.

Beit al – Mamlouka Damascus

Sarah walked in first wearing a large sun hat and a fancy dress to match, as Casey was dressed in a white cotton dress shirt and black pants. Chuck followed a few feet behind wearing a light blue cotton collarless dress shirt and khaki dress pants. Sarah grabbed the keys to room as Chuck and Casey waited in the court yard. Chuck looked around the bright sun filled courtyard that reminded him of home. The large stoned walls and Bohemian tiled floor. Chuck eyed the archway to the stairs which had a large mural of the history of Damascus on it. The open stairwell wrapped itself around a large tree that went almost as tall as the three-floor hotel.

Sarah walked ahead and unlocked her door as Chuck walked in behind her and Casey backed in making sure that they weren't seen. Casey slid the small table over to the window as Chuck placed their suitcases on the bed and removed the layer of clothes covering their surveillance equipment. Chuck pulled out the items and assembled the tripods passing them to Casey as Casey attached the surveillance cameras to them. Chuck then grabbed his laptop and hooked up a satellite feed, all the typical mission stake out attire and set up. Chuck sat back and waited for the satellite he wanted to swing back again so he could get the link he needed, he looked up and watched Sarah keep herself busy. Sarah saw that Chuck was enjoying what ever she was doing and smiled slightly. Sarah was bringing up photos of the faces that they figured were the ones that were attending the meetings. But as the evening approached, this meeting looked more like a frat party. Casey kept the video rolling through the window.

The next morning their night of watching the building across the street came up with just a few hits from their list of names and faces, but a few new faces popped up that Casey and Sarah didn't like seeing, at least not now. They let Chuck know that two of the men that had shown up last night were present and former CIA. "So, who are they and what are they doing here?" Chuck looking at the laptop screen.

"That is what we are going to find out before we head home. If they have anything to do with this – then it is bigger than we thought." Casey checking off the list that Sarah had made.

Chuck was still not on the same page as the veteran agents, so his mind started spiralling. "So why the grim faces, if they are ex CIA or not then what do we have to worry about?"

"Chuck these two men we think worked for or under Director Thomas Jefferies. Jefferies hasn't been the most lawful agent out there and his ego is as big as his bank account. He might be that one man that could be behind all of this and if that is the case then this secret covert mission might already be a go."

The three met with Beckman before she headed home for the evening. Their mission was now to get intel on Jefferies and his involvement. Chuck and Sarah headed down the open stairwell and slipped out the front as Casey slipped down one of the narrow walkways. They had to get intel but not be seen. Assuming that what Agent Benjamin was involved in was behind her getting killed or kidnapped. Casey reminded Chuck and Sarah not to poke the sleeping bear until it was the right time.

Chuck and Sarah held hands as they mingled through the morning market rush. Looking at the variety of clothes, fabrics, spices and people. They reached an outside café near the building they had watched last night. The view was directly adjacent to their hotel Chuck pulled out a chair for Sarah as she sat down and crossed her legs. Chuck looked at a young waiter and spoke perfectly in Arabic two coffees. "Athnan qahua."

Sarah smiled. "You're getting better."

"I'm trying, there's some things that our little friend doesn't have a file on."

The younger waiter came back "hal min shay' akhar?" "Is there anything else?"

"No we are good , la shukraan."

"Mumtaz."

Chuck kinda of proud of himself. "I hope I said thankyou right." "You did and he said very well."

Chuck poured the coffee into two clear bohemian glasses. It was an acquired taste but a little sugar and milk helped. Sarah pulled out a small device that looked like a pen and opened the one end like a flap that ended up being a small speaker. And pointed it towards a group of men that were sitting next to them. Chuck and Sarah slipped in their earpieces and started listening. In no time they were holding hands, innocent to those walking by and not shunned by the older generation that would think it was wrong to show any form of physical contact especially holding hands with a woman in public. But this for now, this was a way not only to be together but to play the part.

An hour went by and they knew they had to move or order something else and with the heat from the sun they chose to move. But Chuck stopped Sarah as the waiter came by and clean up their table. Chuck looked up and noticed the same logo on a rolled-up piece of paper sticking out of the young waiters back pocket. Chuck stopped tried to grab the paper but couldn't get it in time. He pulled Sarah aside and out of the sun. "What is it Chuck?"

"What if Agent Benjamin was the whistle blower that got caught or maybe she was a part of something big." Chuck pointed out the piece of paper sticking out of the back pocket of the young waiter to Sarah. "Look familiar?"

Sarah slipped back inside the café and followed the young waiter. She took her phone out and showed the young waiter a picture of Sophie. The waiter nodded. "Yes, she would sit here most days but I haven't seen her for awhile. Maybe she is with Hassan."

"Hassan?"

"Yes, her boy friend."

"Right yes, she told me about him. But I forgot where he lives. All these homes look the same."

"He lives down the street green door." As the waiter walked past her, Sarah faked a stumble as Chuck grabbed the piece of paper.

"Thanks."

Sarah threw him some change and the young man smiled. Sarah put her phone back into her back pocket and they headed down the street looking for a green door. Chuck unfolded the piece of paper and flashed. The logo was much clearer than it was before. "We have a name or at least it explains the logo. It's the logo for the Israel Defence Forces. (IDF) Chuck brought his phone out and opened his photos and brought the photo up. Then Sarah laid the piece of paper beside it. It was a match. IDF's logo was a version of the Star of David with a sword embedded in the middle. "Good eye Chuck." They reached the house with the green door and Chuck stood in front of Sarah as she picked the lock. They snuck inside and walked into a small one-bedroom apartment. They walked around the small apartment. "Look likes he's a merchant worker."

"Probably doesn't have a clue that Sophie was CIA."

"Maybe he was he cover boyfriend." Sarah looked at Chuck as she walked back in. Showing him that she didn't like his comment. Chuck opened some drawers and rummaged through Hassan's belongings till he found something. "Hey, Sarah."

Sarah walked toward the small dresser. Chuck brought the photo up over his shoulder as Sarah grabbed it. Chuck kept looking. Sarah pulled out her phone and snapped a picture and sent it to Casey, then dialed his number. "Hey Casey, bring him in, he's a merchant worker so he must not work far from here."

"Okay I'll meet you in 15."

Chuck and Sarah finished looking and snuck back outside as it was nearing three o'clock. If there were like many eastern towns, they would be closing down for a few hours. Chuck and Sarah waited across the street as the neighbourhood got quiet. Half hour later a man meeting Hassan's description walked towards them. Casey was walking behind him. Hassan unlocked his door and stepped in as Casey came in from beside and Chuck and Sarah quickly followed. Chuck took a quick peek down the street before he closed the door.

Hassan started to scream as Casey's large hand covered the mouth of the smaller stature man and sat him down. He looked a bit different from the photo. His hair was longer, and his beard had grown a few inches. Casey looked at him. "We are going to ask you some questions. We are the good guys. I am going to let my hand go."

The man nodded as Casey released his hold but kept his gun on him. Chuck looked at Casey. "Where did you get a gun?"

Casey looked at Chuck. "Where do you think I was heading to?"

"To find some information."

"I did and I got a gun out of it."

Sarah pulled up a chair and sat back wards facing him, resting her arms on the back of the chair. "Hassan Amed, like my partner said we are the good guys and we need your help to find someone you know. "April?"

Hassan looked at the three. "Is it April? Where is she?"

Sarah didn't no who he was talking about, so she showed him the photo that Chuck had found earlier. "Is this…"

"April? Where is she? She didn't come back."

"Where did she say she was going?"

"She said she had to head back to America but would be back. She had to drop off some files to her boss?"

"Her boss?"

"Yeah she works for Carrington Energy services."

Chuck flashed. "She was on a contract and has worked for them for a year. She was doing some research on developing a wind turbine farm outside of Damascus near Irbid."

"And she hasn't come back?"

"Not even a phone call. She always calls when she arrives, we don't talk long."

"When was the last time you talked to her?"

Hassan looked at his pocket. "My phone."

Casey pulled back as Hassan grabbed his phone and played the message. "Hassan, its me April. Can't talk long but I have to head back to America. Very last minute. I will call when I arrive. Love you."

"When was this left?"

"About a week or so ago. You know where she is?"

Sarah looked at Hassan. "No, that is why we are here."

"Why did she go to Irbid?"

"She said that it was the place where they were thinking of putting the farm."

Sarah got up and put her chair back. "Hassan if you hear from her call this number and leave us a message. We would love to hear from her before she makes contact with anyone else."

Hassan got up and cautiously took the small piece of paper with the number on it.

Sarah walked to the door. "Sorry about earlier."

"She's in trouble right."

Chuck felt sorry for him. "Yes, but we ae the good guys."

"Yes." Sarah reassured him. "We are the good guys."

Casey opened the door and slipped out and around the back.

Back at the Hotel

"Now what?" Chuck grabbing a spot on the bed.

"We drive out to Irbid in the morning and see what is out there, but I think we need to check out the building across the street tonight and see if our friends show up again."

Hours later the three walk across the street dressed in the clothes they arrived in and slip inside. It was late and the room was full of a variety of Military officials both American, British and Syrian. Chuck's head was on a swivel and flashed on pretty much everyone in the room. Sarah found a table and faced the room as Casey sat to her left and Chuck to her right. They ordered a few drinks and blended in. Sarah started to bop her head to dance music blaring and Chuck remembered the last time they dance and how that ended up. Chuck leaned over. "You want to dance?"

Dancing wasn't a part of Sarah's repertoire but when she noticed a familiar face she had to blend in the crowd and not be seen. She grabbed Chuck's arm and leaned down and spoke to Casey. "Bogey at our six."

Casey took a quick glance and nodded. He grabbed his drink and walked around to the back. Chuck followed Sarah to the dance floor, and it was a lot smoother this time around. But still as sexy as the last time they danced. Chuck knew she had moves but man could she dance.

Casey walked around and got a better look at the familiar face and he must have grabbed the next flight out after pretending to be the grief-stricken partner of Agent Sophie Benjamin. Casey kept his distance and watched who he talked to and for how long. He pulled out his phone and took photos. The last one made him stand up and take notice. Casey watched them leave the room. Casey motioned till he got Sarah's attention. "Chuck, we need to go, now!"

Chuck hated to leave but figured out why pretty quick. They met Casey outside. "It was Hendricks and he was talking to this guy for a long time." Chuck looked at the picture. "That would be Syed Hasan Nama, the leader of the Shi'ite Lebanese militia."

"So, Hendricks must have had a flight on stand by to get here so quickly."

"Yeah, probably got rid of loose ends, made an appearance then flew back out here."

"And Hendricks is Sophie's partner?"

"And maybe her killer or kidnapper."

"So, if Hendricks is meeting with Syed then we came at the right time."

Chuck and Casey spent the next few hours looking for Hendricks and after seeing him his hotel lounge they waited till he was heading back to his room. Chuck left the hitting and punching to Casey as Hendrick recognized them and started yelling. Casey shoved Hendricks into his room and as the two brawled, Chuck looked around the room as fast as he could grabbing a few things and decided to add a touch of Chuck to the mix. Chuck slid to the floor tried to type into his laptop. "Casey I need his." Pointing to Hendricks finger. Casey dragged the unconscious man closer and pulled his finger out to open his computer then shoved him to the floor. Chuck quickly typed into his laptop and set up a mirrored file and sent it to Sarah. Sarah heard a beep and sat down at Chuck's computer in their hotel and clicked on the link. She was now able to see his room and look at his files with out him knowing. Chuck bent down and winked into the camera. Sarah smiled and started looking into his files.

The next morning (Irbid)

Casey drove an hour till they reached Irbid. It looked like a war zone and maybe it was. Chuck got out and was glad that Beckman was watching by satellite. Sarah followed as Casey stayed back keeping an eye on their six. Chuck and Sarah walked further into the area of rough ground and debris. Chuck could hear Beckman in his ear, which gave him some comfort. Sarah didn't like this place either but she had been through some training and early ops experience but anything at that moment could go right or wrong. Chuck ears rang as Beckman came back on. "Team you have company. Enemy activity in the hills." Sarah looked out towards the hills and feared the worst. Casey got his gun ready. Casey moved closer to Chuck as a truck full of locals came driving in behind them. Shots fired but Chuck kept his cool. A man came out of the back of the truck. His was heavily draped in bullets along with a leg strap piece and a sniper rifle in his left arm. Chuck saw the man as Casey kept his gun pointed and moved closer to shelter Chuck as Sarah stood even closer. The Syrian man spoke decent English. "You look a little lost?"

The three stayed quiet. The man walked up to Casey as some of the men from the hills came down. The Syrian man asked Casey to put his gun down. At first Casey refused then when he saw the men behind him, he dropped his gun. Once Casey was taken care of, he moved closer to Sarah and Chuck and Sarah was then forced to let her gun go as well. The man walked to up to Chuck. "What no gun?"

Chuck looked at him. "I don't care for them really, not a fan."

"American comes out here with no gun."

"Yeah. Americans and yes I come out here with no gun."

The Syrian pointed his rifle under his chin. "So, if I pulled the trigger."

"I guess I die?"

"You're a smart American. So, tell me American why are you here?"

"Sight seeing? Well I would ask for my money back from your travel agent." Then he swung the end of the rifle hard against Chuck face. Chuck stepped back but the gun was returned deeply into his throat.

Casey tried to move but couldn't. He felt helpless till a voice called from the hills. "Aintazar, aintazar!"

The Syrian stopped and looked up. Blood trickled down his face. "Wait wait! I know them."

Chuck looked up the best he could and finally got a decent breath of air as the end of the rifle left his throat. "I know them."

The three made a huge sigh of relief when the voice belong to Hassan. "You know these Americans?"

"Yes, they are looking for April?"

He turned and lowered his gun and motioned for the rest to lower their guns as well. Casey grabbed his gun and put it away and Sarah grabbed hers. "You know April?"

"Yes, and we need to find her."

"She left for America?"

"We know but that is all."

"They found her?"

"Who?"

"Them."

Suddenly a wail of a cry or holler echoed through out the hills. "You better go, we have company. Hassan go with them we will take care of this."

"Amir no, I stay."

"We can't have anything happen to you brother, trust these Americans, now go."

Sarah shoved Chuck into the car as Casey jumped into the driver's side. Hassan slipped into the back with Sarah as Casey backed up and drove around the truck and gunned it out. The echoes of shots being fired thundered through the air.

The team stopped in front of Hassan's house. Chuck turned to look into the back. "Who was Amir firing after." "We think Lebanese militia."

They remembered Hendricks talking to Syed Hasan Nama. "Do you know who Syed Hasan Nama is?"

"Yes, he is their leader. We think that they want to something other than a Wind Turbine to be built there but I think there's more to it."

"Why?" Sarah inquiring.

"Too many, how you say it too many right chances?"

"Coincidences?"

"Yeah that's the word."

"We have seen a lot of military in the area and so we sit out there to keep them away. And when we saw your car and it was only three of you, we thought that you were suits."

"Suits?"

"Yeah, men in suits come with Syed."

Sarah showed Hassan another picture of Hendricks. "Would this guy be one of the men in suits?"

Hassan looked at the photo. "Yes, he was one of them. And the other I only ever saw his back. Then when I looked through the binoculars, I saw you." Hassan looked at Chuck. "Charles, but you can call me Chuck."

"When I saw you Chuck, I knew that you weren't those Americans."

Hassan opened his door. "Sorry about the head. My brother can be a bit pushy."

Chuck rolled down his window. "Don't forget to call if any happens."

"I won't. By Chuck."

Chuck nodded then rested his head back. Casey turned around and parked the car up the street as the three slipped inside. Casey stayed downstairs to grab something to eat as Sarah grabbed the ice bucket and ran down the hall and grabbed some ice and came back to see Chuck slip his shirt off and toss it and walk into the bathroom trying to wash his face. Sarah came in. "Go sit down." Chuck walked over to one of the chairs and as Sarah came back with a wash cloth and a first aid kit from Casey's bag. She cleaned the area and slipped some tear strips over his cut and kissed it tenderly. Chuck closed his eyes as her hands sandwiched his face. She leaned down and kiss raised his face and their lips met. Chuck held her close as they, Sarah straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She saw that his neck was bruised from the end of the rifle, so she kissed his neck and caressed his bare chest. Chuck titled his head to meet her lips as she raised her head. Their make out session was what they needed but it also got shut down as Casey knocked on the door. Sarah got up and walked over and opened the door as Casey walked in carrying a tray of food and drinks. Chuck grabbed a clean shirt and gave Sarah a look.

They started to eat, when Beckman chimed in. "Hello team. Glad that you made out okay. Who were they? And what happened to Chuck?"

"Chuck got hit with a rifle when they took our guns and the men General they were locals, out there to protect the area from the Lebanese Militia and men in suits."

"Men in suits?"

"Yes General, we got intel that Agent Hendricks and another agent along with Director Thomas Jefferies might be behind this and Sophie is still missing or dead. We met her boyfriend Hassan Amed and his brother Amir who want to protect the area and or, are interested in a Wind Turbine Farm."

"A farm?"

"We know that April's cover was working for a company called Carrington Energy and she had developed a close relationship with Hassan and his people. But now they know that something isn't right and that something could have happened to Sophie."

"General." Chuck voice was rough and scratchy. "What Sophie discovered would put many people out of business, but we need to be prepared for anything. I think that we have just covered the tip of this iceberg."

Beckman pondered her answer. "I'm sending you back to LA to wait for further orders. We don't need you there if the men in suits are CIA or not. Hopefully they haven't seen your faces."

The three looked at each other.

"That might be a problem General. We paid Hendricks a visit last night after we got intel that he was meeting with Syed Hasan Nama. So, we followed him and."

"I don't want to hear it, you're definitely heading back to LA."

"But General we also tagged his laptop. I was able to get into his laptop and duplicate his files so we can see and hear everything that he does with his laptop."

"And when he finds out who did it."

"There's a kill switch that can go off if and when he figures it out but by then, we might have everything we need."

Beckman praised the team but still ordered them to head to the airport. "We will talk when you three touch down in LA."