OK! Welcome back to the final arc in the Postcard series, my Season 3 AU. My goal was to finish this before the end of the actual S3, and it looks like I shall achieve that.
Thank all you readers and reviewers, especially those of you who have followed this saga from the beginning.
Thanks to my wife and Anon for editing brilliance.
I do not own Chuck.
OK! Here's my LONG summary of what has transpired previously in the arc. Remember, this is only for people who have already read all the previous arcs, and need a reminder of what happened. If any new readers are here, please read the actual stories, I beg of you!)
Part 1 - Chuck Vs. the Postcard:
-Chuck's uploading of the new Intersect wreaks havoc on both his body and his relationship with Sarah.
-Sarah requests reassignment, but is turned down by Beckman.
- Orion agrees to work again for the government. In return, Beckman provides him a house which he gives to Ellie and Devon.
- Roan Montgomery is spying on Beckman for Orion.
- Team Bartowski learns that the Ring is purging Fulcrum agents.
- Dr. Jill Roberts is saved from Ring assassins by Vincent Smith.
- Casey confirms that Chuck's Intersect skills only activate when Sarah is physically threatened.
- After an emotional discussion, Chuck and Sarah reconcile and agree to a romantic relationship.
Part 2 - Chuck Vs. Interdependence
- Ellie and Devon notify Chuck that they are moving. Chuck and Sarah take over the apartment.
- Chuck and Sarah discover that all surveillance has been removed from the apartment.
- Jill and Vincent are on the run, and plan to take down the Ring. They intend to get help.
- Casey has another encounter with his old Sensei, which causes him to reevaluate his working relationships.
- Chuck problem-solves how to have safe sex with Sarah.
Part 3 - Chuck Vs. Systematic Desensitization:
- Casey has a difficult time adjusting to Chuck and Sarah's behavior, or lack thereof.
- TB is sent on a mission to steal a cellular phone from a possible ex-Fulcrum agent, requiring Sarah's seduction skills.
- Chuck discovers a new Intersect wrinkle which once again threatens his relationship with Sarah.
Part 4 - Chuck Vs. the First Handler:
-Roan reports to Orion, having spied on TB during Systematic Desensitization.
-Orion revisits his past with Bryce Larkin.
-Orion finds Bryce's hidden plans to the Intersect 2.0.
Part 5 - Chuck Vs. the Child-Proof Safety Locks
- Chuck is having difficulty with the concept of killing.
- Chuck and Sarah go on a dinner date, followed by mini-golf.
- A mission at a Ring Warehouse turns out to be just a test of Chuck engineered by Casey and Beckman. Sarah beats Casey up. Casey insists that Chuck has to take responsibility for his choice to update the Intersect, and all that entails.
- Sarah tells Chuck she loves him.
- Chuck flashes to protect a mysterious intruder.
Part 6 - Sarah Vs. the Best Friend
- Sarah must fight to keep her sanity when Morgan returns and moves in with her and Chuck.
- Mei Ling Cho requests TB's help in taking down a Triad cell.
- Smooth Lau kidnaps Morgan, and Sarah must fight for his life.
- Jill and Vincent intervene to save Chuck.
- Chuck flashes to save Casey.
- A traitor is revealed.
Part 7 - Chuck Vs. the Strange Bedfellows
- Chuck and Orion have a discussion about Chuck's role in the spy community.
- Jill and Vincent break into the home of Ellie and Devon. Ellie is injured. Devon learns that Stephen is more than he seems.
- Orion unveils the house's security and captures Jill and Vincent.
- Chuck learns of Jill's role in the break-in and shows a new side of his personality.
- Orion executes Jill.
Part 8 – Chuck Vs. the Ghost
- Sarah breaks up with Chuck. For less than two minutes.
- Chuck and Sarah decide to move in with Ellie and Devon to protect them. Sarah makes a secret deal with Beckman.
- To investigate the home of Jill's parents, Chuck uses the aid of Roan Montgomery to craft the perfect disguise.
- Chuck and Casey learn that somebody wasn't as dead as they thought.
- Casey has to save Chuck from becoming someone he's not.
- Roan Montgomery has some trouble.
Part 9 – Chuck Vs. the Lies of Omission
- Team Bartowski learns that General Beckman has been shot. They meet Beckman's interim replacement, Colonel Gondel.
- Chuck and Casey meet Wendell Wagner, an apparent Roan Montgomery "fanboy".
- Chuck and Sarah separately learn of a previously unknown connection between two people they know.
- Gondel spills information to Chuck about a secret mission of Sarah's.
- Chuck has an argument with Sarah and Orion, resulting in rash action.
- Chuck meets a former friend of Roan Montgomery and they discuss One-Armed Men in film and television history.
- Chuck makes a breakthrough, allowing him to use the Intersect as he hasn't before.
- Roan Montgomery confesses.
- Chuck and Sarah make up.
- Everybody makes plans for tomorrow.
Got it? Any questions? Good. Four pages in, and we're finally ready to start on the actual final arc. Let's go!
Damon Harris arrived at his workplace shortly after daybreak. He took a few minutes in the break room to prepare himself an impromptu breakfast of instant oatmeal with raisins and a tall coffee. He brought it all into his office, and set it down, before beginning his regimen of stretches. He fully expected to be at the desk all day, and his back had a tendency to ache if he didn't prepare properly.
Damon considered the room. They had just gotten him one of those new lamps that simulated sunlight. Good thing. The fluorescents had driven him crazy. While spooning the Quakers porridge into his mouth, he enjoyed the pictures of his children. Kathy and Erin would be at the beach today with their mother, but for now, they were able to sleep in. He envied them that. He wished he could be with them, right now, but duty called. Maybe, tomorrow he could take them to one of those new 3D films which were coming out.
Damon stretched one more time, took a big gulp of caffeine, and sat down, while simultaneously flipping the master switch. The bank of computers flickered on, all the monitors igniting their images simultaneously.
Damon cracked his knuckles, and began the day's work.
"Good morning," said Stephen Bartowski as his children rose up to greet him.
"Hi Stranger!" said his daughter. She stepped up from the breakfast table and gave her father a big hug.
Chuck felt less enthusiastic, but he tried to fake warmth, anyway. His hug was a bit briefer, nevertheless. Sarah and Devon gave their greetings from the table. Chuck knew that his girlfriend was uncomfortable, but she was hiding it well. Captain Awesome, not so much. He and Orion may have come to some sort of understanding, but that didn't mean that Devon had regained his full warmth toward his father-in-law. Well, thought Chuck, Devon's forgiving. He'll feel better toward Dad in time.
Chuck hoped that he'd be able to do the same.
Ellie offered breakfast, and Stephen promptly sat down and helped himself to her Eggs Benedict. None of the family asked about his business. Chuck mused that there was this unspoken understanding that nobody wanted to know. He was ashamed, because that had included him. Well, now the wool had been pulled, and Chuck could no longer hide in ignorance. It was time he learned all about what his father had been up to. He would do that in private though. There was time.
Chuck's cellular rang. Chuck glanced and saw Casey's face on the front screen. He picked it up, and said, "Hi John. We're eating breakfast. Can we call you back in about a half-hour or do we need to talk now?"
Casey growled, "Do I ever call you when it's not business? Get Walker and go somewhere private, Moron." The connection clicked off.
Chuck winced. He turned to Sarah, and said in a resigned tone, "It's business."
They apologized to the rest of the table, and excused themselves to have the call in private in their room. Chuck's Dad stood up. "I… uh… hope you don't have any pressing engagements today, Charles. We were going to have a talk, remember?"
Chuck looked back at his Dad. "Uh… yeah, Dad. I want to chat too."
Sarah and Chuck made it to their room, then after closing the door, called the Colonel.
As was the norm, Casey didn't make time for pleasantries.
Chuck thought, Please don't be a mission, please don't be a mission, please don't be a mission.
"We got a mission," said Casey.
"Of course," sighed Chuck. "Of course we do. Why is it than whenever I have an important social thing, a mission always comes up? Hmmm? Never mind the fact that I'm supposed to be covering for my dual life, and me skipping out makes my family and friends suspicious. We can have weeks without a mission, but as soon as I need to do something with my friends and family, that's when the mission comes up."
Chuck saw that Sarah's expression was troubled. As for Casey, there was a pause on the other line, then, "Geez, Bartowski, what crawled up and died in your-"
"Just leave it, Casey," said Chuck. "I was supposed to have an important talk with my Dad today, but that's not going to happen. The mission comes first."
Another pause, until Casey said, "Actually, maybe you can sit this one out, Chuck."
"Excuse me?" said Chuck and Sarah together.
"Gondel wants us to follow-up on a specific lead, bring something back. But it's nothing that Chuck can't flash on later.
"But one of us is always supposed to be with Chuck," protested Sarah, "while the other one keeps an eye on-"
"That was before the Intersect was finally able to work," interrupted Casey. "Bartowski can take care of himself and his family now. It's about time he took a turn on watch duty."
Chuck was shocked. It had been so long since he'd even been given an offer to be left behind, and a mission sounded so much better than having it out with Dad. But….
"Yeah," he said. "That's a good idea, Casey. Thanks."
"Alright," said the Colonel. "Get yourself over to Castle, Walker. I'll get our equipment ready and we'll go."
"On my way." Sarah grabbed her car keys. Her firearm was already in her purse. Sarah and Chuck stopped in the kitchen to apologize to everybody for her abrupt exit. Chuck then walked her out to her car.
"Be careful," he said, hugging her firmly. She kissed him softly.
"Of course. I'll call if I'm going to be late for dinner. Good luck with your Dad. I love you."
"I love you too."
Chuck got back to the kitchen just in time to swipe the last couple of eggs. His father was looking at him.
Chuck said, "Sarah and John are going to be able to take care of work by themselves. I get a break."
"That's very considerate of them," said the elder Bartowski.
"So… when do you want to talk?"
"You're so mysterious," commented Ellie with a smile. "What do you two need to talk about in private?"
"The incredible birthday present we're getting for you," said Chuck.
"That's right," said Stephen. "It involves chocolate, diamonds, and a zebra."
"Oooh! I've always wanted a zebra!" Ellie winked at her husband.
"Sounds Awesome," said Devon.
Ellie grinned. "OK, I'll mind my own business. Besides, I love a surprise."
"Anyway, Charles," said his father, "why don't you give me a bit to rest and shower, then we'll chat in the cottage. That work?"
Chuck shrugged. "Sure."
When Sarah walked into the Castle briefing room, she saw Colonel Gondel on the monitor. The old man treated her to that bizarre vacuous smile of his. "Ah! Agent... Er...."
"Walker, Sir." As if you don't know my name. Gondel had leaked to Chuck her mission to spy on Orion. His agenda was clearly to cause a rift in the team. She wasn't about to indicate that she was aware of his game, but she was going to be careful. Very careful. So, she gave her most professional expression.
Casey appeared to be having more difficulty staying neutral. He would periodically almost curl his hands into fists, before straightening them out. When her partner spoke, Sarah detected the faintest hint of a strain in his voice. "So, does this information appear fully legit this time? Sir?"
Gondel appeared puzzled at first at the question, then he brightened. "Oh. Yes! I'm very sorry about that, Colonel. I don't know why the initial data was so inaccurate, but the new information is quite clear about the location of this Vincent Smith."
Sarah's body stiffened. Vincent. Jill.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like a backup team, Colonel Casey?" asked Gondel.
"Thank you Sir, but no" Casey said without hesitation. "Walker and I have experience with Smith. Even when he had full resources, we've been able to handle him ourselves. A large team would have more chance of tipping him off. I don't want him to slip through our fingers."
They weren't mentioning Jill. There must have been a reason for that. Sarah kept silent.
"Very well, then," said Gondel. "Happy hunting!" One last stupid grin, and he signed off.
Casey grunted, and looked back at Sarah, scowling. "Even odds are that bastard is sending us on some kind of wild-goose chase. An hour ago, Vincent was supposedly spotted in North Hollywood. Now, he's apparently on the other side of town. We're being played. Again."
"Why didn't you tell me the mission was to go after Vincent? And is Jill with him?"
"Gondel didn't bring up Jill, and I didn't ask. As I said, Walker, I don't even know if the Vincent sighting is real."
"But if it is, Casey, and Jill is with him, then Chuck is going to want to know!"
"Yeah. I left him out of this on purpose, Walker."
Oh no. Not again, she thought.
Seeing the horrified look on her face, Casey said, "Walker, if it is real, I don't want Bartowski anywhere near that woman. He nearly shot a man in cold blood because of her. When it comes to Roberts, Chuck cannot stay rational, and that will endanger everything. He's out of this one. I'm just glad Bartowski wanted to stay home, so I wouldn't have to come up with an excuse."
Sarah could hear Chuck's words in her mind. I want her dead. Maybe his fury had abated. Maybe he wasn't going to lose it again. But, what if he did? If Chuck were to kill, especially from a place of anger, Sarah didn't think he'd ever recover from that.
But to keep this information was to lie to him. Again.
"No," said Sarah. "We're offering Chuck a choice." She pulled out her cellular phone and pressed down on "1".
"WALKER!" Casey yelled.
"This is happening, Casey," she said holding her hand over the receiver. "Demand to have me taken off the team, I don't care. I am not lying to him anymore."
Chuck picked up the phone, and was about to talk, when he heard Sarah yell, "BACK OFF, CASEY!" Less distinctly, he could here the Colonel swearing.
"Wow," said Chuck, "I leave you two alone for five minutes-"
"Chuck," interrupted Sarah, "It's Vincent. Vincent's been spotted."
Chuck heard Casey unleash a particularly vile profanity, but it hardly registered. Vincent.
Jill.
"That's what the mission's about, Chuck," said Sarah. "We're going after him. I don't know if she's with him, but we have to assume she is. I knew you'd want to – CASEY!"
Chuck heard banging, the sounds of a struggle, Sarah and Casey cursing at each other, and then a beep.
"OK," he heard Casey say more clearly, "We're on speaker. We're all talking about this. I don't want you on this mission, Bartowski."
"That's not for you to decide, Casey!" snarled Sarah. Then her voice softened. "It's your choice, Chuck."
Chuck began to say something, but before he could get a sound out, Casey was back again. "No! No, no, no, no, NO! I am in charge, and I have decided. He's too emotionally invested."
Chuck tried again to respond but then Sarah's voice broke in. "Emotionally invested? I'll show you emotionally invest- OW!"
"DON'T PUNCH ME IN THE FACE, YOU BITCH!!!"
"Er… Guys?" Chuck said.
The sounds of struggle and more profanity came back to him.
Chuck stared at the phone in his hands, and shook his head. Unbelievable. He yelled into the speaker as loud as he could, "HEY! GUYS!"
There was sudden silence on the other end, and then he heard a male and female voice say in unison, "Yeah?"
"Are you crazy kids willing to listen?"
For a second, he heard the arguing start to pick up again. He rode over it. "No no! No. It's time to listen."
Silence.
Chuck ran his right hand down his face. "OK. What I want to know is, while you're fighting about this, who is watching Vincent?"
Silence.
"Yeah," Chuck sighed. "I thought so. Let me ask you something, do you need my help to deal with him? Them?"
"No!" Casey immediately said.
Sarah followed with, "I'm sure we can deal with them ourselves, Chuck. But, it being Jill, you should be able to join us." She paused, and he heard the slightest quaver in her voice. "If you want to."
She wants to protect me. She wants to protect me, but she's given me a choice. Chuck smiled. All the anger I feel. Sarah can just push that away.
"Casey, can I talk to Sarah off-speaker for a moment?"
"Oh sure," he heard a growl. "It's not like the bad guy might go anywhere." There was a beep.
"Sarah?"
"I'm here, Chuck."
"Thank you. I just… thank you."
"You're welcome." She paused. "What do you want to do?"
"I want you two to go get them. Just… play nice and be careful, OK? If you think I'm angry at Jill now, I think I'd lose my mind if anything happened to you because of her."
"I won't let it."
"You'd better get going then. Come back to me safe."
"I will."