Forward by Bdaddydl.

So I was once again enjoying the privilege of Betaing The Coma when Supesfan18 said " I got my next story idea."

He started telling me about an AU that takes place before during and after 911. I thought it was a great idea, and told him if he would let me, I would be honOred to help.

I would like to give you a warning. These first few chapters are not fluff by any means. Raw intense emotion will be on display. I know for personal reasons I can't hear taps. So please remember there will be some deaths early in the story, and Chuck isn't going to handle it to well. I will say that those scenes are beautifully written. I wanted to warn you because I know some great people who avoid this kind of drama.

Once that is over, a mature romance will form. Finally, at the stories heart, this is a survivors story. It's about 2 extraordinary people fighting internal demons as much as the outside world.
I only hope you enjoy the ideas as much as I have.

there will be an authors note at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 1 PRELUDE TO TERROR

September 7, 2001

Charles Irving Bartowski was a normal college senior. He was attending Stanford University on a full ride scholarship for a double major in engineering and applied sciences; he was set to Graduate in December, a full six months before the rest of his class.

He was just bringing in the last of his furniture into the off campus apartment that he had rented for his last six months with the money he had earned from working at the Buy More by his sisters place last summer. He gave up his room at the frat house for one of the incoming inductees.

He was riding a personal high as he and his best friend Bryce moved the last piece of furniture into the apartment.

Bryce flopped down on the couch pulling the top off the Killian's Irish Red that Chuck had handed to him.

"Hmm the good stuff huh?" Bryce remarked as he nodded to Chuck.

"This is a great day, so why not splurge on something that will taste as great as this?"

"Here, here. Listen Chuck. Man. I gotta ask? You're only here for what another 6 months tops, why so much stuff, and why waste your time when we will need to move you again later in the year?"

Chuck simply shrugged his shoulders and replied "I just want everything to be perfect."

"Sooo what your saying is, once she moves in, the guys and I will never see you again."

The she the Bryce was referring to was Chuck's fiancée Kayla Hart.

Chuck had never been good with women. One night on a trip back to Burbank for the weekend two years ago, Bryce introduced Chuck to his fiancée Kayla. Bryce had heard about this club that had just opened up so he had talked Chuck into going and taking a night off from the Buy More. As soon as they entered the bar there she was. a vision of brunette hair and tanned golden skin. Chuck and Bryce's eyes went immediately to her. Although Bryce had looked over at his friend and saw a look that he had never seen before. Chuck leaned back on the love seat and just let the memory hit him in waves.

April 1999

Bryce watched his friend with amusement as his eyes never left the woman that hovered around the bar of the club. There were literally a few hundred women in the club, and his friend could not take his eyes off the one singular woman. However, this was Chuck Bartowski he was talking about. Chuck would never make the first move. So Bryce made the first move for him.

It started when Bryce started to make some noise at the bar. "Hey bar keep there's a problem with my drink!"

"Bryce what are you doing?" Chuck asked in a hushed tone

"Don't worry old pal." Bryce replied in the same way. He than continued in a much louder voice. "Hey Bartender, why are you watering down your drinks?"

That got the attention of Bryce's target for this operation. .

"Excuse me sir, Can I help you with something?" She asked warily?

"Certainly; first, you can give my apologies to the bartender. Secondly, you can give my friend here your name."

Chuck buried his face in his hands turning beat red.

The manager cocked her head to the side "Well for starters you're going to buy everyone at the bar a round of drinks after you falsely accused my bartender of watering down the drinks. Also, why should I give him my name if he can't even ask me himself?"

Chuck looked up at both Bryce, and the woman in question, and simply said "Look we are sorry to have bothered you let's just go."

As Chuck turned to leave, the Manager spoke up.

"Hey Quiet Man, I never said that I wouldn't talk to you, I was just curious as to why your friend had to approach me?"

Bryce slowly backed away and wandered a little farther down the bar and left the two alone to let nature take its course; he knew once Chuck got started he'd be fine, he just needed a push. "Barkeep, a round for every single woman at the bar."

"Well uh…you see." Chuck ran a hand thru his hair in frustration.

"Ahhh I see, one of those shy types. But you are cute in a geeky sort of way; my name is Kayla, and yours?"

"We prefer nerd actually."

"Excuse me?"

"Well I know the first word that rolls of your tongue is geek, but we actually prefer the term nerd."

"Ok, so nerd then, do you have a name, or should I just call you my nerd?"

Chuck stood there for a second unsure what to say. His mouth just fell open. Until he felt a nudge from Bryce and then he heard him whisper "tell her your name genius" and the Bryce continued onto the Dance floor with two blondes on his arm.

"Chuck!" His neck became red again as he said it way to loudly.

Kayla giggled "Well Chuck it's nice to meet you. So, what brings you to my little club?"

"Well, my friend Bryce heard about this place. He suggested we come here on our way back from our weekend break from college."

"What school?"

"Stanford"

Kayla gave him a huge smile "Oh a smart and cute guy huh? So again I ask, why my club?"

"As you can see I'm not so good at talking to beautiful women, and it was either come here with Bryce, or stay home with my sister and her boyfriend."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Please! You know you are?"

"Ok, so tell me what do you think of my little club then?"

"Well, it's kind of flashy; I can see the appeal from the masses but…"

"But?" Kayla stood there incredulously that this gee… nerd, she just met was going to tell her what was wrong with her club.

"The DJ you have playing tonight is ok, not great by any means, but I guess if you keep the booze flowing no one will notice. He did a show up at school but…"

"But" What is it with this guy? Kayla thought to herself. Then she wondered why she cared.

"He mixes his sound to much. He might be trying to go old school with the scratching, but damn that's enough. Plus, his reverb is way too much."

"Well you know what…."

Chuck rocked back on his heels. Have I gone too far?

Kayla took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and shook her head before saying. "You are right. Tonight is his last show playing here, and I think that he is angry that I wouldn't pick up his contract. I am just angry that neither my staff, nor myself, could see his lack of talent before his booking was up for renewal. Yet you saw it while only being in the club for less than an hour."

Chuck bowed and in an English accent said, "Milady, I offer my services to be your personal consultant anytime you need me to."

Kayla giggled and brushed her hair back behind her ear.

"Look if you don't mind my suggesting it. I have a friend who DJ's on the side, and Morgan is much better than this, and he's local."

"Before I try him out, what exactly makes you a music aficionado?"

"I have an eclectic taste really a little Nina Simmone, Arcade Fire, the Soup dragons. Honestly there isn't a music style that I don't listen to save perhaps country, that's just god awful, and let's not forget the countless number of concerts that I have been to. Also I'm pretty sure that my vinyl and CD collection could rival the biggest collector. That and I 'm a double major, in engineering and applied sciences, so I'm pretty sure sound and amplification have some aspects in that."

"OK then, so what's your friend's name again?"

"Morgan Grimes."

Just as Kayla was going to respond, Chuck noticed over her shoulder that two pretty large men were advancing on Bryce and the two young ladies he was dancing with.

Now Chuck may look like a lanky nerd, however when he was younger and he was getting beat up by the school yard bully his sister Ellie had sent him to get some boxing lessons, for self defense. Now Chuck has never told anyone that so that makes what happened next that much more surprising.

The big guy grabbed Bryce back by the neck and turned him around. Now Bryce was not a little guy. But two on one, Chuck was not going to let his friend get taken out by two UCLA frat guys.

Kayla stood back and motioned for her bouncer to come by her. "Be ready in case this gets ugly.

Chuck slid in between Bryce and the jock that had grabbed him and started talking. "Now look guys there is no need for violence. My buddy here bought everyone a round of drinks that were around the bar at the time. Now if you weren't there, I am sorry but I would be happy to buy you guys some. So let's go to the bar."

"Out of my way geek." The jock went to push Chuck out of his way, however Chuck had other ideas.

As the jocks hand came close to Chuck. Chuck slipped to his right and grabbed the man's arm and spun him around to face Chuck. While he was off balance Chuck took the opportunity to place his feet and bring his arms up in front of his face. The jock couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Look! Bob Shrimpo here thinks he can take me on."

"Get him Dano"

"Yeah Dano, come and get me." Chuck goaded.

Just about everyone in the bar started to form a circle around the two, even Bob and Bryce stopped and stared at the altercation that was about to take place. Meanwhile Kayla while just meeting Chuck had her bouncer ready to act.

Dano threw a sloppy punch to the right of Chuck's face. Chuck easily slid to the left and then returned to his stance prior to that. Dano then threw a punch to the left, which Chuck easily avoided by sliding to the right.

Bryce noticed that Chuck was toying with the man. Who was this Chuck? It certainly wasn't the quiet, video game, studious Chuck he knew.

Ok time to end this. Chuck thought to himself.

The frat boy Dano threw a huge lunging punch at Chuck. Chuck dipped his head and Dano's fist connected square in the forehead. Dano pulled his hand back in its crumpled form as blood slowly dripped from his knuckles.

"Dano, anatomy 101 the human head is the hardest bone in the body. If you hit it in the right spot well you know what happens."

Chuck jabbed at the man's face, hitting him square in the nose.

"Now, the next time you feel the need to gang up and pick on some one; make sure he is really alone will you."

Chuck gave him an upper cut to his jaw and Dano fell back.

"Oh, and lastly, its nerd not geek. Why can't anyone get it right?"

As Bob came over to help his friend, Chuck relaxed his body and walked back over to Kayla.

"Listen I am sorry Mrs. Hart if there is any damage, well just let me know, and I will take care of it somehow." Chuck turned and started for the clubs exit.

Broken out of her stunned silence Kayla, spoke up, just before chuck disappeared out the door, and out of her life forever.

"Chuck, you never told me how to get in touch with your friend about that job."

"Well after this little display of manhood... I figured I…, I mean… we blew our chance."

"Chuck, where did you learn to do that? I don't know a lot of nerds who can fight like you."

"When I was younger, and was getting beat up by the school yard bully my sister Ellie sent me to get some boxing lessons, for self defense." Chuck shook his head. "Wow, I have never told anyone that before."

"Well if you give me his number maybe I'll call him. That is if you promise to call me so we can go out sometime."

"That's a deal" Chuck replied with a huge smile on his face.

September 7, 2001

Chuck was brought out of his memory by a new voice to the room.

"Are you trying to imply that my fiancée is whipped?"

"No not at all. It's just, we barely see him now as it is. With you moving in, we'll never see him" countered Bryce.

Bryce continued to dig himself deeper by going on. "You know it's like he is under house arrest. Permanent lockdown."

Kayla slowly grinned, for she anticipated this.

"Listen, I know your guy time is a lot less then desired. I thought about this already and I even brought a friend along for you to play with while I keep our dear Charles here tied up for a bit."

"Hey guys!" Morgan came trouncing threw the door.

"Wha?" Was all Chuck could respond as his fiancée came and wrapped her arms around him.

While Bryce and Morgan were bro hugging one another, Chuck started to speak up.

"Morgan, what are you doing here little buddy?"

"Well my best friend's lady asked me to come for a visit, so I came."

Chuck looked confused until he heard Kayla's voice. "Uhh guys, can you give me and Chuck a few minutes alone?"

"Sure, Hey Chuck, call my cell when you are done."

Chuck looked up at his fiancée and replied "Yeah I'll call you in a bit."

"Bryce wait, I'll make you a deal. You can have him for the next couple of days all to your selves, and after I get back from New York, one night a week. Is that agreeable?"

Bryce could see the questioning look in Chuck's eyes and nodded to his Fiancée.

With that, Bryce and Morgan flew out the door.

"New York?" Chuck asked with a raised eyebrow.

This is gonna be tough. "Chuck, remember that partner I told you about. He wants in. He wants to put up the remaining money I need for my own club. The catch is that I have to go to New York and meet with his lenders there to secure the funds."

After several moments of "Baby, Chuck please say something."

Chuck sat there with his fingers crossed and his chin resting on top. "When would you leave?"

"Sunday, the morning of the Nineth and I'd be back no later than Wed the twelfth. Baby, you know how long I've wanted to own my own place."

Chuck stood up and walked to the window, and placed his hands on either side of the frame, and leaned into it. Wetting his lips as he began to speak.. "So it's Friday afternoon now and you'd be leaving with some strange man, which I don't even know, for a weekend long trip to New York City. Should I be jealous? Worried that you won't be coming home to me?"

"CHUCK!"

With a tear slipping down her cheek Kayla turned away hurt clearly showing on her face and started to pick up her suitcase.

"Sweetie, wait it's just… You know how insecure I am. You are gorgeous and I'm me. Just lanky, ok looking me. I'm just not who people think you should be with when they look at us together. No one would ever in a million years see you with me."

Kayla leaned in and grabbed the sides of his face.

Stifling a sob she continued with her grip tight on his face. "Chuck listen to me very carefully….The only person whose opinion counts on who I should be with is mine, and you're stuck with me. For better, for worse and everything in between. I. Love You, you big goof." Kayla smiled wiggling her engagement ring with her thumb.

"Your right, I am sorry."

"It's ok. So how about we break this place in properly?" Kayla whispered with a sexy smile that made Chuck's heart flutter.

The next 36 hours flew by.

As Chuck and Kayla lay spent in each others arms, they lazily stretched out across the bed. Chuck had an arm covering his face breathing hard, as Kayla stirred next to him.

He glanced at the alarm clock next to his bed and saw the time of 7:42pm. Kayla had changed her flight to the red eye on Sunday night.

"Chuck, were did all that passion come from? I mean five times. And I think we broke your kitchen counter." Chuck didn't answer her.

"Chuck I need to jump in the shower so we can leave for the airport."

Again Chuck didn't reply.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"Nothing" was the only reply that she got.

"Charles. Irving. Bartowski. Tell me now, or so help me God, I will call your sister."

"I just have a bad feeling about this trip ok. That's it. Although, I want you to go get this loan set up, and let's get you a club."

Kayla smiled thru her tears.

"Listen, I will call you every night I am away. Ok."

"Ok." Chuck got up out of bed to go make some coffee and smacked Kayla in the ass.

"Go get in the shower."

As she twirled in the dim light in the room Kayla spun around and smiled "Yes sir" with a mock salute.

After dropping Kayla off at the airport which included a fairly passionate kiss that got Chuck a citation for disturbing the peace and offending people with children. Chuck drove off to meet up with Morgan and Bryce.

Little did he know that at 9:03:04 eastern standard time on September 11th, 2001 his life would be changed forever.

Boston 1996

Deputy Director of the CIA Langston Graham hated going on recruitment trips. However, as DDI, he had to go on one once a quarter.

Today, he was on the Harvard campus. His cover was that he was a recruiter for employment within the federal government. He would speak about different agencies and get people interested to work for the government.

He had agents for that. Today, his real purpose was to scout out talent for the CIA.

The agency liked the smart ones, the independent thinkers.

As he was looking out at the vast amount of people passing the booth he would occasionally send out an agent to set up a private meeting with someone that might have potential.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of this slightly nerdy looking young woman who unconsciously avoided being touched or disturbing others with her presence.

She would slide into a booth, retract a pamphlet, and slip back out like she was a professional pick pocket.

Langston grabbed his coffee and from a distance watched this woman. He noticed the eyes constantly on the go and always on alert scanning the room. Instinctive situational awareness

Langston saw the potential this woman had right away, but what happened next truly impressed him.

He had been removed from field duty long ago, but Langston Graham was not rusty, and if he didn't want to be seen then he wouldn't be.

However thirty seconds ago he lost his subject of curiosity completely.

A moment later he was tapped on the shoulder.

When he turned around he was facing the brightest blue sapphire eyes that he had ever seen.

"Why are you following me?"

"I wasn't. Look Miss I assure that I…"

"I don't like being followed, just let me be, and I won't report you to the police for stalking."

As the woman turned to go, Langston made his move.

"Wha-wait" he caught her elbow with his hand.

Mistake.

The subject of his attention grabbed his wrist and flipped him over her shoulder almost effortlessly.

If he wasn't impressed before he was now.

"I said leave….."

"Wait miss, my name is Langston Graham. I am a Deputy Director of the CIA." Langston handed her his ID for her to examine. "I'd like to discuss your future with you." .

The woman handed back his ID and took his hand and replied "Sarah Walker, nice to meet you."

Langston led her to a private conference room, and called for one of the younger agents to come over.

While Director Graham was giving the young agent a few orders by the door, Sarah sat there thinking about her family. Could I really leave them?

Could she leave and never speak to her parents again, or her younger sister Christina, or her baby brother Sebastian? Would it even come to that?

Would this proposed job change her?

Could she live with that?

She thought about her family, and if taking this job meant ensuring their safety and protecting them so they could lead normal and happy lives, and help ensure the safety of the free world, then yes, she could do it.

For the next four hours, Langston Graham laid out a very detailed explanation of what Sarah would be asked to do. He didn't sugar coat anything as she had asked him not to at the beginning of their chat. He went into detail about the rigorous training that she would receive. He was surprised to learn that Sarah was fluent in nine languages already.

Mr. Graham what aren't you telling me? Sarah asked. "I asked you to be honest and forth coming if you're not going to tell me everything then this interview is over." Sarah stood up to grab her bags.

"Ok, ok sit down young lady. There are some very unsavory aspects of the job. You will be moving from assignment to assignment all over the world, that part is true. However, there will be times a lot of times maybe were you will be asked to kill someone. There may be times were you will have to seduce someone."

Graham took a second to pause before he continued on to let it sink in.

"We would never tell you to sleep with a mark you go as far as you are comfortable with. However, with experience the farther you go the easier it is to get the mark to do what you need them to do. Maybe you have a silver tongue that will get you out o that. There is a seduction school, where you are required to learn different ways to seduce people however as I said whether you decide to employ these techniques is up to you."

"The people we are fighting against are classified as enemies of the state. You are not permitted to kill someone unless directly authorized, or it unless it is a life or death situation."

"I am sure that there are things that I have missed. How ever, that covers everything I consider to be the worst of the worst. The question is, are you ready to serve your country Sarah Walker?"

Sitting there with her hands in her lap Sarah looked up and simply asked if she could have a few hours to think about it.

Langston Graham would have given her two days to think about it; however he didn't want something to turn her away from something he knew would help him, and something she would excel at.

"You have until the end of the business day. Here is my cell number, please call me with your decision. Remember, you have until this afternoon. Thank you, Miss Walker for your time."

Sarah shook his hand and walked to the local star bucks and just sat in the window with a cup of coffee and went over everything in her head.

Langston Graham was even more impressed with his candidate after he was done with her lengthy interview. She had asked for the honest truth, and when he held back she noticed it and called him on it. Now he just had to wait for the phone call.

Around 5:30pm Langston Graham got the phone call he had been waiting for.

Sarah Walker had said yes, but on her terms. She would train at night on weekends and all summer till she graduated. If they selected others on the campus they would all dorm together and train as one unit together.

Yes Sarah Walker would be the handpicked protégé of Langston Graham, and would help catapult him to the director of the CIA. Her career had exceeded his expectation in such a short amount of time until that fateful day when he got the news, and Jennifer Burton walked into his office tendering her resignation on February 19, 2003.

Author's note: This story is deeply personal to me. The feelings that will be felt by Chuck were felt first hand. I will warn anyone reading that the next few chapters will be intense. This story is written as two seperate stories that will merge into one. Please please pay attention to years and dates for they are diferent for both stories till they connect together to form one big story. For those of you looking for the sequel to Chuck vs the coma. it will happen after this story is completed. This is something that needed to be told to help me finally move on. I want to thank me wife for coming along and helping me with this process. I love you mor then ife itself and you have given me the greatest gift ever. Our lovely daughter Siena Grace.