Title: China Girl
Chapter 1 – Unexpected Visitor
Rated PG-13 (some violent parts)
Series: Original Thriller
Author: Andorian Ice Princess

Summary: Sheldon and Caleb adjust to being engaged while tracking a new foe. The foe has ties to Caleb's past in a way that torments Sheldon and threatens her future happiness.

Disclaimer: This is a piece of fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. All characters are my own. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is pure coincidence

A/N: This is another short story in between the larger stories and focuses on the newly engaged couple. I don't have time right now to start my next big thriller (Pandora's box) but this one will add more to Sheldon and Caleb as a couple and as individuals and I hope you all like this story. It will be a bridge between Codename Icarus and the next major story. Thanks in advance and I hope you review! THANKS!!

"So can you focus on anything other than the rock on your finger these days?" Nickel quipped as he walked into Sheldon's office. "Where is Caleb this morning?"

"Finishing his morning work out," Sheldon answered in an absent tone, her eyes still fixed on the sizeable rock. "Where do you think he got the money for a ring this big?" She wondered to herself.

"Maybe from those drugs he sold to the Columbian Cartel last week," Nickel replied with a wry smile.

"That's great. I think that…" Sheldon started and then stopped, looking up at her father with a frown. "Very funny," she remarked in a dry tone. "Okay so I was out of it for a bit."

"Try the last number of weeks," Nickel smiled. "But we don't care around here. We are all just glad you are finally happy."

"I was happy the last time and…"

"I wasn't wanting to pick a fight," Nickel huffed. "Besides do you think you can pull yourself away from your current euphoria and concentrate on a new assignment?"

"What do you have?"

"Well our under cover agent in China reports that a secret threat to their new republic army has made their way to the US via less than desirable channels."

"So? Are they plotting an attack against the US?" Sheldon asked with a frown.

"Well if they can somehow slip someone here incognito as it were and organize something on our side to throw us into confusion and strike while we are distracted then…"

"We lose," Sheldon stated flatly.

"Oh how I long for the normal days," Nickel sighed as he handed her the file and then headed out of her office. Sheldon offered one more glance to the ring on her left hand and then opened the file. "No picture – naturally. Okay so where do I start first…"

XXXXXXXX

Caleb finished the work out at the Dojo and headed outside to his BMW. The last few days had been a whirlwind of family dinners, congratulation cards and extra overtime to make a bit more money to pay for what he thought would be a big wedding. Sheldon wasn't very tradition; she had told him when it came to the old fashioned stuff, but inside he knew she wanted what every girl did on her wedding day. A big, traditional wedding to show off to, well, everyone. He had borrowed money from his investment to pay for the ring, telling himself that investing in his future wife was more than worth it.

The ride back to the office one of pondering silence. He did struggle with some of Sheldon's underlying emotions and expressions. She was used to being in control and very independent and even still; after more than a year of being together, she still made plans and decisions as if she only had to consult herself. Would she really be able to adjust to a new partnership? Or would it be a constant battle? He knew she put on a brave face around everyone else, but alone…it was when she was alone that he wondered what she really wanted for her future.

XXXXXXXX

"Sheldon Alexander," she answered the phone, noting Caleb's car pulling into the parking lot. "Hi mom," she smiled into the phone.

"Just a quick question…can you please ask Caleb and see if you two can…"

"Why would I ask him? I can make…"

"Sheldon remember what we talked about? When you have a marriage partner you have to work together as one…not one as two but two as one."

Sheldon frowned and then waited for her mother to finish her question before offering her; what she felt was a defeated answer, 'I'll check with Caleb,' and then hanging up. Inside she did struggle with the fact that she now had to consult him for a lot of the major decisions now and that was something she was still uncomfortable with.

"Lost in thought? Hopefully about me," Caleb smiled as he walked into the room and noticed her just staring blankly out the window.

"Always," she smiled as she leaned up to kiss him. "You smell good. But you always smell good after you work out."

"It's my manly sweat," Caleb teased.

"It's Ralph Lauren," Sheldon quipped in return.

"So I…" they both started at once.

"You first," Caleb offered.

"My mom wanted to know if we…" she started and then stopped.

"You can do it you know," he urged.

"What?"

"Ask me if it's okay," Caleb frowned.

"I know…" Sheldon stammered. "I just…" she turned away from him. "It's just hard for me. I am not used to consulting…well anyone…and I…"

"Sheldon just because you get married doesn't mean you give up who you are. You are just adding me to your life. You want that right?"

"Of course I do," Sheldon replied, turning back quickly. "I'm just not used to having to ask someone if it's okay to…"

"Well I'll tell you what," Caleb said leaning in close. "I'll make you a deal."

"A deal? Hmmm every time we make a deal it usually ends up with me wearing something very skimpy and…"

"I see you get the idea," Caleb continued, his smile growing wider. "You can agree to drag me along to any family function, event or dinner as long as you make it up to me later."

"That still feels like me compromising," Sheldon replied firmly. "How about this…I agree to go to any family dinners and I'll have you for dessert later."

"Sounds like a good deal for me," Caleb smiled broadly.

"Can I interrupt?" Nickel asked sheepishly.

"Sure," Sheldon choked out, her face slightly flushed. "What's up?"

"We just got another line on our suspect. If you aren't too busy gazing lustfully into each other's eyes you might want to check this out."

Caleb took the file and looked at it. "Our new case? When were you…"

"Right after you agreed to sign your life over to me," she laughed, snapping the file from his hands. "This one should be right up your alley. A new invisible suspect from China."

"Invisible?"

"Well so far. Hopefully this lead will give us something more to work with. Let's go."

Caleb got up and followed her out of the office. Sheldon was so used to being in charge for everything, that it made him wonder if she would truly get used to being his wife. My wife, he smiled inside. He did like the sound of that and truly couldn't imagine anyone else he'd rather spend the rest of his life with.

XXXXXXXX

"Look Mao we got what you asked for," the gruff male voice tried to explain to the Asian voice on the other end of the phone. "We found your two men and they were both dead when we got there. No one followed us and no…no one knows you are here in the US. Your men back in China have been taken care of in a discreet way and you are good to go. Now where's my money?"

"First I want to know who usually works the Asian cases for the CIA in these parts," the voice snapped angrily.

"That's easy. Caleb Kwan and his Barbie," the man laughed. "They are always in the papers."

"Caleb…Kwan…" the voice pondered. "I want my order and I want it tonight! Don't fail me again!"

XXXXXXXX

"Okay so I know you are excited about a wedding and I know you love the ring but…" Caleb started as they rode in the car to their first source.

"But you still have doubts about me giving up my total independence?" Sheldon half squeaked out.

"Yeah you can hardly say it," he lightly smiled.

"Caleb I won't lie to you. Of course it's going to be different for me. I am used to being in charge…all the time. Part of the reason I have stayed alone for so long is because I wouldn't have to worry about…"

"You mean care about?"

"No I mean worry about someone else…if I did something wrong it would only affect me but…now I have to worry about…"

"That's part of being together. Don’t you worry when we are apart on separate missions? I do," he stated.

"Yes of course I do but…"

"But it's the same," he reminded her. "I think sometimes you over analyze things in your head so much so that you make yourself these problems that don't really exist. I love you Sheldon. I am not going anywhere and I hope you aren't either. But we'll work it out. It's not easy for me either you know. I'm used to being a free spirit," he teased, making her laugh. "Let's just take things one day at a time and…"

"And we'll be okay," she replied firmly; mostly to reaffirm to herself what she wanted to believe in her heart. That giving up her complete independence to Caleb would be worth the love and peace of mind in return.

"Were you ever engaged before?" Sheldon asked suddenly. "I can't believe I didn’t ask you before…"

"You did," he smiled. "I guess your mind really is someplace else."

"Remind me again what happened?"

"She wasn't the one and so I called it off," he reminded her. "I was waiting for you."

"Good answer," she teased as they pulled up to their intended destination in Chinatown.

"You know you are going to have to come back with me to China again. That short weekend visit to my parents wasn't long enough," Caleb told her as they headed into the small Chinese trinket store.

"I'd really like that," she replied in earnest. "I think I could spare a week."

"Thanks," Caleb responded dryly as he walked up to the store owner. He started to ask him questions in Chinese, prompting Sheldon to just wander the store. She looked up and out the window, feeling a strange set of eyes watching her from across the street. She glimpsed what she thought was a female face staring back at her but it was just her own reflection.

She turned back to watch Caleb, and even now, a year later, and knowing so much about him, she still thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She had come to love the small crinkles in the corners of his eyes when he smiled or the way he would like over at her and wink and then look away. There were so many small things he did to show that she was the only woman he wanted to be with; but sadly inside there were still nagging doubts about herself. He had called her attractive, sure, lots of times, but she always feared that he was somehow threatened by her strong will and independent spirit. Would marriage tame that? Or just add a flavor that was missing?

"Lost in thought again?" Caleb said walking up behind her as her hands played with a small Asian trinket.

"Good thoughts," she replied. "What did you find out?"

"Well a man with a raspy voice who works for someone named Mao has been trying to set up secret meetings with favorable underground factions to start a small war on the US turf. The store owner doesn't know much more than a date. I'm guessing it could be the next meeting," he said handing her the piece of paper.

"Well Mao…nice name…I wonder if they are related in any way? Or just a fan," she quipped.

"In either case we have to be at that meeting, in secret of course and stop it," Caleb stated firmly as they headed out of the store. Sheldon was hit with the strange feeling of being watched but decided it was just her own personal jitters and got back into the car.

XXXXXXXX

Later that night, the gang from work sat around a large table, laughing and talking and toasting the new engagement, totally unaware of a set of eyes watching with interest. But halfway into their dinner Sheldon started to get that uneasy feeling once again, like someone unwanted was watching with a dark purpose.

"To us," Sheldon smiled as she raised up a glass to toast Caleb's.

"To all of us," Milt smiled as he raised his. "You know this is the first meeting of the clan since you two decided to walk the plank."

"Funny," Caleb remarked dryly.

"So Sheldon any surprises about Caleb that he told you after he popped the question?" Cecil asked in wonder.

"Yeah like how he could afford such a great a ring on Nickel's lame salary?" Milton laughed.

"Hey," Nickel objected.

"Well Sheldon, how about it? Anything about me that surprised you since I asked you to marry me?" Caleb challenged.

Sheldon was about to answer when suddenly a very striking Asian girl rushed up to their table with a smile on her face. "I am the surprise Sheldon. Caleb asked me to marry him first. And I already said yes." Sheldon's mouth fell open when the girl flashed them the same ring on her finger as the one Sheldon had. "Sorry to ruin the party Sheldon…but Caleb is marrying me…"

Dear readers: okay so it's a bit of a shocker cliffhanger but hey I always throw some angst in right? Well this story will be no different. It's a short one though so I hope you enjoy it as well! Please review if you do!