A/N: Here it is, people, the final installment of this fic. It was fun to write and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as you did the first chapter. Thank you very much for your comments and support. I hope to start a new story soon, too.

The small group had breakfast in the hotel's restaurant before taking the cars and driving to the convention center. Chuck and Morgan agreed to take both cars, just in case. They were both appropriately dressed for the occasion, each with a t-shirt from a favorite movie – Tron for Chuck and Star Wars for Morgan. Alex, on the other hand, was casually dressed, in a plain t-shirt and comfortable Capri pants.

"Do you have any idea why Sarah is so eager to go to this year's Con?" Chuck asked his best friend on the way to the parking lot. The two ladies were waiting for them in the air-conditioned comfort of the hotel's lobby.

"I was hoping you, of all people, should know," Morgan replied.

"Nope, not a clue. I… we have been too busy lately to even think about looking it up online."

"Well, Sarah obviously has and something has her excited beyond belief. Do you think her pregnancy hormones have anything to do with it?"

"Again, I don't have a clue. Don't worry though. We are going to find out soon enough."

-o-

As expected, there were already many people waiting patiently for the Con to open its doors. It was still early, but the summer heat was already making itself felt. It caused Chuck to worry about having Sarah wait in her current condition, but he was smart enough not to voice his concerns. For the moment, he paid attention to a brochure she was showing him.

Fortunately, a volunteer saw them and immediately approached. "Excuse me sir, ma'am, you can follow me and avoid the wait out here."

"Thank you," Sarah said, smiling sweetly. She was hiding it, but she was already feeling some discomfort.

"See you on the other side, Chuck," Alex joked.

"You know where to find us," Sarah shot back. Each of their phones included a tracking app showing the location of the others. She and Chuck followed the volunteer inside the convention center, checked in and were directed to an area where they could wait for the exhibition halls to open.

Eventually, they met up with Morgan and Alex, then proceeding to visit quite a few booths. Sarah kept glancing furtively at her watch every few minutes, with none of the others noticing. It wasn't hard for her in there, as people gave her a wide berth. There were some perks to being a lead Zeppelin, she conceded grudgingly to herself.

Chuck noticed that Sarah was showing considerable interest in the illustrated children's books, which he correctly attributed to the babies she was carrying, but misinterpreted it as the reason why she'd been so adamant to attend this year's Comic-Con.

It was in such a stand that one of the true reasons became apparent.

Chuck heard a little child's giggle behind them. At first he didn't pay any attention. Many people had brought their kids to the event. It was the conversation between two adults, obviously the aforementioned kid's parents, that he noticed.

"I don't know why we ignored so many other stands," the man said.

"We ignored them because I did my research before coming here and this publishing house has the best educational books for children. I want our daughter to learn as well as be entertained, don't you agree?"

"How can I not, especially with that kind of argument?"

"Anyway, let's hurry up. My publicist called to remind us to be on station in forty minutes. From what she said, there's already a queue of people waiting. Although I really can't understand why people are so excited about a comic book."

"It's a graphic novel, and dare I remind you it's based on your first book? You also have to promote the new book and a movie."

The woman was an author, Chuck deduced. He failed to notice how Sarah had stiffened next to him. Then she swung into action.

"Excuse me, Dr. Brennan?" Sarah said.

"Yes?"

"My name is Sarah Bartowski and it's very nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Mrs. Bartowski." Brennan then remembered something Booth had said about making casual conversation. "I take it that you either know me from my work in forensic anthropology or from my novels."

"Both, actually," Sarah said. "A working knowledge of forensics was part of my job training and your textbooks were quite extensively used in the course. But I also enjoy your novels very much."

Chuck in the meantime had flashed on both Dr. Brennan and her partner. He ignored the Intersect information and instead focused on the conversation between his wife and the world renowned forensic anthropologist.

"In fact it was the announcement of your presence, among others, at this year's Comic-Con that prompted me to buy the tickets," Sarah continued.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Brennan said honestly. "It mustn't be easy on you in your condition. By the way, how far along are you?"

"I'm about six months along and due in October."

"Really? Because you look more like you're well in your third trimester."

"I'm expecting twins," Sarah explained.

"Congratulations then."

"Thank you. Now, allow me to introduce my husband, Chuck Bartowski. Chuck, this is Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth."

Greetings were exchanged and then Sarah held a hand out for her messenger bag, which Chuck had been carrying.

"What are you looking for, Sarah?"

"These." She pulled out a copy of Bone of Contention and the Bred in the Bone graphic novel. "Could you please sign them for us, Dr. Brennan? Make the book out to Sarah and the comic to Chuck."

"It will be my pleasure," Bones replied. Booth offered her his floaty pen and she promptly signed the books. "Here you go," she said, handing the items back. "Thank you for reading my work."

"I'd like to thank you too, Dr. Brennan. Your books are a welcome distraction, especially after my doctor recommended that I stay away from work as much as possible."

"What line of work are you in, Mrs. Bartowski?" Booth interjected.

"Chuck and I run Carmichael Industries, a firm specializing in cyber security solutions."

Booth let out a low whistle. "I've heard of your firm. For newcomers in the field you're pretty good." He then leaned in close and lowered his voice. "Are you two former government employees, by any chance?"

Chuck said nothing and stole a quick look at Sarah.

"CIA," Brennan stated, without missing a beat, her voice barely above a whisper. She remembered a blonde young agent looking just like Mrs. Sarah Bartowski, from a classified up the wazoo assignment she'd worked on just after the Emma Arrington case. It was one of the things she couldn't discuss with anyone, not even Booth. But he could put two and two together and figure that Bones and Sarah had crossed paths some time in the past.

"This is something we can neither confirm nor deny," Sarah replied meaningfully, although she knew perfectly well that Dr. Brennan had remembered her. After all, she'd been the one tasked with chaperoning the scientist while she worked on the identification of certain remains. "In any case, here's my card. We do work for law enforcement agencies, so if you need anything from us..."

"Thank you Sarah. I'm sure Angela, our resident computer expert at the Jeffersonian, would like working with you."

In Booth's arms, Christine became fascinated with Sarah's golden locks and since her dad's move had brought her close to them she reached out and took one in her tiny hand. The blonde smiled, gently pinched Christine's cheek and playfully tapped her nose. "You're beautiful too, young lady," she cooed. The little girl giggled and grabbed at Sarah's fingers.

"She likes you," Booth said. "And I think you're going to be a great mom."

"Thank you," Sarah said, beaming at the compliment. She then proceeded to discuss some plot points from the latest Kathy Reichs novel with Bones, while Chuck and Booth looked on, amused.

"Looks like I have a dedicated fan," Bones smiled.

"I concur," Chuck agreed. "I know she's been reading voraciously lately, but I had no idea she was so much into your books."

"Temperance?"

Bones turned to the source of the male voice calling her name. "Richard!" She and the man hugged like the good friends they were.

Sarah's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. This was Richard freaking Castle, her other all time favorite author.

"K-Becks?" Chuck gasped, seeing who was with the writer. He'd never expected to see her again, especially knowing why she'd transferred out of Stanford in the first place.

"Chuck? Chuck Bartowski?" Beckett recognized him, despite not having seen him for years. Of course, Sarah knew who Detective Kate Beckett was. She'd read all the Nikki Heat books as well as the article in Cosmo. Chuck and Kate also hugged.

"K-Becks?" Castle inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"We ran pretty much in the same circles back in Stanford," Kate explained.

"I see. But first, I think a proper round of introductions is in order."

The others agreed and proceeded to do just that.

"Mrs. Bartowski, are you all right?" Kate asked.

"Uh, I... um... yes, I'm fine, thank you. And please, call me Sarah."

"She has the same look you had when you met Joe Torre," Castle whispered in Beckett's ear.

"Well, don't let it go to your head, Ricky," she replied.

"Chuck, the bag," Sarah commanded, snapping out of it. "Mr. Castle, would you mind signing something for me?"

"Anything," he replied. In short order, the latest Nikki Heat book and the new Derrick Storm comic were back in the messenger bag, signed out to Chuck and Sarah by the famous mystery novelist.

"Funny seeing you here, Richard," Bones said.

"I could say the same for you. This is my thing, but I've never seen you in such a convention."

"It was my publicist's idea, especially since one of my books was made into a graphic novel."

"I read it and, let me tell you, they did an excellent job." He then turned to Chuck. "I would very much like to know exactly how you met Kate in Stanford."

Chuck was about to reply when he saw the horrified look on the detective's face and her pleading eyes. "It's a long story," he said diplomatically, much to Kate's relief. "But we were both into graphic novels and sci-fi movies and shows."

Beckett breathed another sigh of relief. Her sordid secrets, or one of them at least, were safe for the moment. "It was fun," she said simply.

"Believe it or not, Becks, I wouldn't be here had it not been for Sarah. She planned the whole thing in advance and now I know why. She wanted to meet both Dr. Brennan and Mr. Castle."

"Now, that I find hard to believe. You are a Nerd with a capital N, Chuck."

"Maybe, but lately I was busy setting up my new business, moving in to our new house, plus expecting twins and I kind of lost touch with the latest developments. Hell, I didn't even know anything about this year's Con. What about you? How are things in New York?"

"Currently, I'm on vacation," she said. Vacation wasn't exactly correct, as she was suspended until September, but it was close enough. "When Rick asked me to join him on his trip, I said yes, having nothing better to do. Anyway, I forgot to congratulate you on becoming a dad, so... congrats."

"Thanks."

"Have you decided on names yet?" Castle butted in.

"As a matter of fact, we did. We are going to name them Stephen and Yvonne."

"You're having a boy and a girl, huh? I'd name them Luke and Leia if I were you."

Chuck laughed and Kate did her signature eye roll. "I suggested those names, but Sarah almost bit my head off."

"I don't know what that means," Bones said. "Why were those names so averse to you, Sarah?"

"They are the names of twins from Star Wars," Sarah explained.

"Oh."

"Bones, you need to pay more attention on movie nights," Booth said.

She glared at him. "It's almost impossible to do that with a fussy infant in the house, as you perfectly well know, Booth."

Cue baby babble from Christine, prompting laughter from the adults and a couple of kicks from the unborn twins.

"See, Chuck? Don't complain when those two interrupt the furthering of my pop culture education," Sarah said, pointing at her own swollen abdomen.

Booth looked at his watch and nudged Bones, who immediately understood. "Excuse us, but we have to pick up Booth's son from a video games stand and then I have to be on station for the signings."

"By all means, Temperance," Castle said. "Before I forget, this is for you and your partner." He pulled a Derrick Storm graphic novel from his bag, autographed it and handed it to his friend.

"Thank you Richard. I'm sure Booth will appreciate it."

"So will you, Bones," Booth said. "Thank you Mr. Castle."

"You, me the beer hat and this book in the tub when we get back to DC?" Brennan was heard to say as she, Booth and Christine left to go find Parker. She got an answer in the form of a deep male laugh and an arm around her shoulders.

"She's a great person," Castle said.

"I've only just met her, but I agree," Sarah nodded. "And she's a great author as well. My favorite, in fact, together with you."

"I'm honored."

Chuck and Kate were watching Castle and Sarah talk. "Becks, why aren't you in your Nebula 9 outfit?" Chuck asked her.

"Sssshhhhhh!" Kate shushed him, looking, somewhat alarmed, over at Castle to see if he'd heard anything. "The absolute last thing I need on this Earth is Castle razzing me for it."

"He doesn't know, then."

"That I was a sci-fi loving, costume wearing geek? No, not yet. Besides, I wouldn't put it past him using it as part of Nikki Heat's background."

"In all fairness, Nikki Heat is based on you, Becks."

"Yeah, well, she's not me, Chuckles."

Just then, Castle and Sarah rejoined them, Castle having an arm around her shoulders. "Well, Chuck, as it turns out your wife is a hardcore Castle groupie... Just like the lovely Detective Beckett here."

"She has read – and liked – Hell Hath No Fury," Beckett guessed.

"I loved it," Sarah confirmed. "It was so over the top that it was hugely entertaining and no, it's not my raging hormones talking right now."

"My Sarah has excellent taste," Chuck said. "She found a copy of At Dusk We Die when she moved in with me, read it in one sitting and became hooked on your books, just like she was on Dr. Brennan's."

"Ah, so I have you to thank for playing a crucial part in making her a fan of my work."

"You're welcome," Chuck replied.

"Chuck, can we continue this over a light lunch? Your kids are hungry again."

"Now, this is something I can totally get behind," Castle agreed. "I'm starving."

"Aha!" Sarah crowed. "A man after my own heart." She looped her arm around Castle's. "Lead the way, Gallant Sir. You coming, guys?"

Chuck and Kate shared a laugh over the others' antics and fell into step behind them, animatedly discussing the last Stanford versus NYU game.

-o-

"I'm an acknowledged expert on denials, Rick," Sarah told Castle, midway through lunch. "I was in love with Chuck for almost three years before I admitted it to him. You are head over heels for your muse and so is she. Is she playing hard to get, or are you two together and hiding it?"

"Rick, please forgive Sarah's bluntness," Chuck intervened. "But…"

"I know, Chuck. It's her pregnancy hormones that make her act like this. No worries, though. Kate and I are together, finally, and we're closing on two months."

"Congratulations and you can rely on our discretion," Sarah said.

"What she said," Chuck agreed.

"One more thing, Rick," Sarah said. "You know I love your books, right?"

"Yes?"

"If you need anything on cyber security, hacking and cyber espionage, don't hesitate to give me a call. Chuck, our friends and I will be happy to help." She handed him her Carmichael Industries business card.

"Cyber Heat," Castle said suddenly, his eyes lighting up.

"Huh?"

"I'm already thinking of a case where Nikki Heat comes up against a hacker or group of hackers... or investigates the murder of one. I think it's going to be good. Or should I call it Virtual Heat?"

Beckett glared at him. "You are the novelist, Rick. But I hate it when you do that." She turned to Sarah. "Consider yourself lucky for not being involved with a bestselling author, Sarah."

"I may not be a bestselling author, but Sarah is my muse, just like K-Becks is yours," Chuck said smugly.

"Do tell," Castle said, leaning forward.

"Down boy," Beckett scolded him.

"Well, I'm writing code for a computer game on my free time," Chuck said. "The leading character is going to look just like Sarah."

"What?" Sarah gasped.

"Surprise, honey," Chuck said, a bit lamely. "I figured this was as good a time as any to spring it."

"For what it's worth, I think it's very sweet of him," Kate said.

"You need to pick up the pace, because once your kids are born, you won't have time for anything else," Castle advised him.

"Good advice," Chuck agreed. "But I'm certain it'll be done before September."

"Send me a copy. I'm serious."

"Of course," Chuck said, without missing a beat.

"Does anyone want more soda?" Kate asked, getting up. All did, so Chuck volunteered to assist her. Sarah sighed as they went to the stand.

"What is it?" Castle asked her.

"Nothing... it's just... Those pants look so good on Kate and I found myself wondering when I'll be able to wear something like them, her shirt, and her shoes, again," she replied, eying Beckett's form-fitting jeans, open-necked shirt and killer heels.

"Strange... I thought Chuck would be complimenting your looks every chance he got. I used to do it with my first wife all the time when she was pregnant on my daughter."

"He does and it drives me insane. I had to threaten him with grievous bodily harm if he did that more than twice a day. I know how I look right now and, believe me, I'm happy to be an expectant mom, but I do miss my old figure."

"I take it the pregnancy wasn't planned, right?"

"Not really," she admitted. "We were on a business trip in Japan when it happened." A spy mission can be considered a business trip, right? "His best friend had filched the emergency reserve condom from Chuck's wallet – again – and I made a mistake doing some mental arithmetic about my cycle."

"OK, now that's kind of TMI, Sarah."

"Men," she huffed, somewhat annoyed at the male tendency to shy away from certain female issues. "Anyway, to cut to the chase, I got pregnant that day, six months ago." She stopped talking and looked at him questioningly. "Don't you have a signing or something to go to?"

"No, mine is scheduled for later. Right now, I want to enjoy the Con. It's been ages since I last came here."

"Don't you have the Supernova Con in New York?"

"Yes, but it's not the same, although I will be going there, too."

Meanwhile, Chuck and Kate were waiting their turn to order the sodas. "What do you think they're talking about, Becks?"

"Beats me, although Castle may be giving her parenting advice. He's a father, you know."

"Uh-huh. Ten to one Sarah interrogates me later about what you and I were up to back in Stanford, even though she knows about the girl I was dating back then."

"Ditto for Castle. He gets too curious sometimes, especially when he's after more pulp for his fiction. By the way, Chuckles, I meant to ask you, do you have any photos of the, ahem, you know, gatherings from Stanford?"

"Sure I do."

"Here with you?" Kate hissed.

"No, they are in a photo album back home."

"Good, because I wouldn't hear the end of it from Castle, like I told you."

"He's going to find out, eventually."

"Maybe, but not now." She stopped talking, as it their turn came. Soon, they rejoined Castle and Sarah.

"Kate mentioned something about you being a Nerd, Chuck," Castle said, once they were all settled again.

"Guilty as charged," Chuck smiled.

"I was thinking… Maybe you could suggest a few cool gadgets for me."

"Please," Kate scoffed. "You've already got enough toys."

"No, Rick is right," Chuck objected. "One can never have enough cool gadgets. Well, I have a few in mind, plus several classified ones that are exclusively used by government agencies and not available to the general public."

"But you have used them."

"I've handled government contracts," he obfuscated. It was not like he could tell Castle about the Intersect and its related gear, like the Orion laptops, the Key, the blocker or the installation/update glasses.

"Go on," Castle urged him.

"Off the top of my head, I can tell you about watch tracking devices with the related smartphone app…"

"Something Alexis is certain not to appreciate," Kate interjected.

"I was thinking more along the lines of Ryan and Esposito knowing where we are while working on cases... just in case they have to, say, rescue us from a starving tiger, and us knowing their whereabouts, in case we have to save their asses."

Beckett rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder, but said nothing.

"Apples!" Castle used his safe word against further attempts by Kate to inflict bodily harm on him.

"Watch communicators," Chuck continued.

Castle smiled. "These we can use. How hard is it going to be to get me four?"

"Four?"

"Yes, for me, Kate and the rest of the team."

"It will take a while."

"Well, I'm a patient man. Do these watches have any more cool functions by any chance, like lasers?"

"You watch too many James Bond movies."

"I had to ask, Chuck."

"Still, I have some more nice stuff you can use, such as a peer to peer network for your cars."

"Neat," Castle commented. "Did you make them yourself?"

"I use commercially available components, but the design and integration is all me."

"Money is no object," Castle said. "What else have you got?"

"Let me think... well, there is a kit to convert any flat screen TV into a two-way secure videoconference setup. But I wouldn't recommend it for your bedroom TV."

"Noted," Kate nodded.

"Your groupie here can handle your order," Chuck said, playfully nudging Sarah.

"It will be my pleasure," she stated simply.

Just then, someone from Black Pawn called Castle to let him know that everything was ready and he could come to the stand in ten minutes.

"That's it for now, folks. Kate, we should be going."

"Hold on a sec," Sarah said. "Kate, this might seem a little strange to you, but since you are the inspiration for Nikki Heat and you are friends with Chuck, perhaps you could sign my book as well."

"Why not?" Kate said affably. "If anything, it will be even more valuable in the future," she joked and gladly obliged Sarah.

"After this is over, maybe you can come to LA for a few days, Kate," Chuck said, hugging her and giving her a peck on the cheek. "Ellie has said several times that she would like to see you again."

"She remembers me?"

"Yup. Kind of hard not to, given how much publicity you've attracted over the past few years."

"I have Castle to blame for it, but I may just take you up on your offer."

"See you soon, then."

"See you soon," she agreed.

-o-

When they finally got back to the hotel, they were all exhausted, especially Sarah. But they were happy, too. Taking a few days off to go to the Con turned out to be just what they needed. As it turned out, they were able to see Booth, Bones, Christine, Castle and Beckett again, as Sarah had bought four-day passes. Plus, Beckett kept her promise and visited Chuck and Sarah in Burbank after the Comic-Con was over, spending a couple of fun-filled days with her old friend and his family. Afterwards, they made sure to keep in touch. Chuck was glad that Sarah had done what she'd done and it made him love her even more, if that were possible to begin with. As for Sarah, the whole Con thing had been refreshing and kept her in a good mood for the rest of the summer.

THE END

P.S.: As you may have guessed, the crossover with Bones and Castle is kind of AU, presupposing that either the events of the Bones season 7 finale happened differently, or the situation was resolved before the Comic-Con, plus Castle learned about Beckett's Stanford nickname earlier (but not about her Nebula 9 obsession). I felt the above had to be explained.