This is the first fan-fiction story I've written since I was a kid, and that was decades ago. I've read a lot of fan-fiction, and a lot of speculation in fan forums as to which direction season #3 of "Chuck" will take. I'm not really satisfied with most of the speculations I've seen, so I decided to write a story showing where I hope "Chuck" will go. Comments are welcome. I don't own the rights to "Chuck", the characters, or the source material.

Chuck versus the New Deal

Chapter One

The lights in the Castle conference room were dim as Casey stood before the video screen giving his report to General Beckman. Chuck and Sarah sat silently at the conference table in the center of the room.

"The Ring prisoners are currently being transported to the maximum security detainment facility in San Diego, and the Cleaning Unit is currently dismantling all traces of the Intersect facility." Colonel Casey concluded his report, sat back down in his seat at the table, then glanced over at Chuck.

"And your report, Mr. Bartowski?" asked Beckman, a stern frown on her face.

Chuck grimaced and uttered a low gasp of pain as he rose from his chair. Sarah gave him a discreet look of concern.

"I went to get help for Sarah and Casey. But somehow, I knew that Bryce was in the Intersect room, and since I didn't know he was wounded, I thought he was my best chance of getting help quickly. Once I got into the room and saw how badly Bryce was hurt, I couldn't get out of the room again."

"You trapped yourself in the Intersect room?" asked Beckman.

"Yes, General. I made a poor tactical decision."

Sarah and Casey glanced up at Chuck with puzzled expressions on their faces. Chuck seemed different somehow. He had changed.

"Continue, Mr Bartowski," ordered Beckman.

"My sister taught me basic first aid, but I could see that I couldn't do anything for Bryce." Chuck's voice cracked for a moment, then he continued. "Bryce gave me the device to destroy the Intersect. After he was gone, I almost inserted the destruct device into the Intersect, but I stopped."

"Agent Larkin told you that he intended to destroy the Intersect after he had uploaded it?" asked Beckman incredulously.

"No. No, he never actually said that. I really don't know why Bryce had the destruct device in his pocket."

"Why did you upload the Intersect, Mr Bartowski?" prodded Beckman.

"Well, with Bryce gone, I was the only one left who could help Sarah and Casey. After all the times they saved me, I had to try to save them."

"Oh, Chuck," murmured Sarah sadly.

Chuck gave Sarah a twisted smile. "Actually, it worked out better than I ever could have anticipated."

"Mr. Bartowski, do you realize the consequences of your actions tonight?"

"Yes, General, I do. I want to join the Intersect Project as a real agent. I don't want to be just the Asset who always has to stay in the car."

"You NEVER stayed in the car," grunted Casey.

"Chuck! Have you thought about this?" asked Sarah, her voice betraying her anxiety.

Chuck smiled at Sarah. "Yes, I thought about it all in a matter of seconds. I thought about all the people who are alive because I used the Intersect. And I thought about all the bad things that Fulcrum and The Ring might do if they aren't stopped. I never asked for any of this, but maybe this is what I'm supposed to do."

"If this is really what you want, then I'm proud of you, Chuck!" said Sarah.

"So am I, Mr. Bartowski," said Beckman unexpectedly. "I've told you before that I consider you as a valuable member of the team. And I'm very pleased to officially bring you in ."

Casey grunted.

"I have a couple of requests, General," added Chuck.

Beckman's eyes narrowed. "Such as?"

"No more threats. I'm more valuable now than I was before, and I'm not going to let you throw me into a bunker somewhere."

The General remained silent, waiting for Chuck to continue.

"And I need Sarah and Casey to stay on the team. I know them, and I trust them. Our record of success speaks for itself. Also," Chuck looked directly into Beckman's eyes, "they are my friends. I know what you ordered Casey to do, and he's still my friend."

Sarah glanced questioningly from Casey, to Chuck, then to Beckman, but no one offered an explanation.

"Any other requests?" asked Beckman calmly.

"Yes. I need a respectable cover job. I've already told my sister that I quit the Buy More, and I don't want to disappoint her by going back there."

The General cleared her throat. "Your requests are reasonable, Mr. Bartowski. If I grant them, you will obey my orders?"

Chuck's eyes momentarily darted away from the General. "Well, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't order me to kill anyone."

Sarah and Casey laughed. Beckman nearly smiled.

"Welcome aboard, Agent Bartowski," said Beckman. Then the video screen went blank.

"What orders did Beckman give you, Casey?" asked Sarah.

"It's okay, Sarah," Chuck interrupted, "I was just using some leverage on Beckman.

Sarah gave Casey a glare which told him that she suspected the truth.

"Can one of you please drive me home," groaned Chuck, "I think I've sprained every muscle in my body. Knowing Kung-Fu, and actually doing it, are two different things!"

"Let's go," said Sarah, pulling her car keys from her pocket.

Casey unexpectedly reached out his right hand to Chuck. "You have guts, Bartowski. It'll be an honor to serve with you again."

"Thanks, Casey," replied Chuck, grasping the big man's hand. The muscles and tendons under the skin felt like taut bands of steel.

* * *

Chuck closed his eyes. The husky throb of the engine coming from the rear of the Porsche was comforting.

"You saved our lives tonight, Chuck," said Sarah, "did Casey thank you?"

Chuck laughed. "Maybe. His Number 55 grunt is sort of a thank-you, isn't it?"

Sarah laughed. "Actually, I think it is."

* * *

The strings of lights and the lanterns were still up, but the tables and chairs had been neatly stacked near the rear entrance to the courtyard. Someone had cleared away the reception debris and swept the courtyard.

"Place doesn't look too bad," said Chuck wearily, "what a night!"

"Where are Ellie and Devon spending the night?" asked Sarah as she took the keys from Chuck's hand.

"They went to one of the nicer hotels near LAX. They have an early flight in the morning."

As the apartment door swung open, Chuck called out softly, "Dad?"

There was no answer.

Chuck moved towards the couch. "I need to sit down. Would you please check the bedrooms to see if my father is here?"

Chuck closed his eyes and listened to the sound of Sarah's heels as she walked down the hall. First she flicked on the light in his bedroom, then the light in Ellie's bedroom.

"We're alone, Chuck," Sarah called out as she walked back to the living room. "Do you want anything?"

"A couple more of those prescription-strength Ibuprofen would be nice. The ones you gave me at the Castle are wearing off."

Sarah walked into the kitchen, then returned a few moments later with a glass of cold water. She dropped two pills into his upturned palm. Chuck swallowed the pills and drained the glass, then he patted the sofa cushion beside his hip. "Please stay?" he asked.

"Of course, Chuck. I wasn't going to leave," replied Sarah as she sat down next to him.

Chuck's eyes locked onto Sarah's. "Really? You weren't going to leave?"

Sarah blinked. Then realization dawned on her face. She looked down at the space between them as she replied. "No, Chuck. I wasn't going to leave tomorrow. I wanted to stay here with you." Chuck saw her eyes become moist. "But now things are back to the way they were before."

"No they aren't," said Chuck earnestly, "You heard the General. I'm an Agent now, not an Asset. We can be together."

"Chuck, we need to contact your father as soon as possible. We don't even know what this new Intersect is capable of."

"When I downloaded this new Intersect, I knew I was giving up my chance at having a normal life. But I refuse to give up my chance at having a life with you. Without you Sarah, nothing matters."

Sarah gazed into Chuck's eyes. Chuck's emotions were visible there. His emotions were always visible in his kind eyes. As always, Sarah saw the longing in Chuck's eyes. And she also saw the love, the deep and absolute love which always confused her for some reason. How could this wonderful, caring man be so in love with her? Was she worthy of a man like Chuck?

"Chuck, it's my job to protect you."

"What does that mean, Sarah?" Chuck interrupted. "Why did I ever accept that as a logical reason for why we can't be together? If you weren't going to leave, then you must feel something for me. Sarah, I lov—."

"Chuck, wait!" Sarah pleaded, cutting him off.

Chuck sighed sadly. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way I do. I just want you to give us a chance."

A momentary expression of anger flashed across Sarah's face. "Chuck, don't ever question my feelings for you again. I want the same thing that you want, a future together. But it's not that simple."

Chuck gave her a glowing smile, and a warm sensation flooded throughout Sarah's body.

"Actually, it's the simplest thing in the world. I love you, Sarah."

* * *