Chuck vs. Version 2.0
I am a huge fan of Chuck Fan Fiction, I believe there is an extremely talented group of authors out there, I myself, am not one of them.
This is definitely my first Fanfic and in fact is the longest thing I've written other than work emails in at least eight years. I do realize that my punctuation is rusty but I am working on that and will continue to work on that in future chapters. I hope this story at least meets the minimal standards set forth by the community on this site and I do not embarrass myself too badly. Please read and let me know what you think, if you don't like it, I'm sorry. I am open to any and all suggestions.
I don't have a Beta(other than MS Word spellcheck), so all mistakes are my own.
Oh yea, I don't own Chuck.
"Guys… I know Kung Fu!" Chuck looked straight into Sarah and Casey's shocked faces, glanced back down to the broken "Ring" operatives at his feet and then back up to Sarah and Casey, with a patented "Bartowski" grin on his face. "Guys...well, say something because I'm about to start freaking out as much as you obviously are."
As the adrenaline from this new and intense flash begin to ebb away he began to feel light headed and his vision slightly blurred. Chuck still looking intently into Sarah's now "Saucer" shaped crystal blue eyes he began to sway. Trying to stay upright he wracked his brain for something to say as both members of the former "Team Bartowski" stood not 10 feet away speechless.
"Sarah… please don't be mad, I had to do it, you were in danger, I'm so sorrrr" Chuck tried to get out but stopped; grabbing the sides of his head he cried out in pain, "God, it hurts!" Chuck yelled as the remaining strength in his legs left him and he dropped to his knees. "What's… Oh God… going on?" Chuck stammered through gritted teeth? The pain seemed to be bursting through the front of his skull and out of his eyes; his whole body felt like it was on fire. Within seconds the ordeal appeared to be too much for him as he succumbed to the darkness.
Seeing Chuck crumble to the ground in a pile of "Ring" agents was what Sarah needed to snap back into reality and away from the obvious dream she must have been having. Her Chuck Bartowski didn't have combat training; he couldn't disarm and disable one agent, let alone five at once. Her Chuck Bartowski was supposed to be safely topside, getting help.
Casey finally uprooted from the spot he was previously glued to during the whole "Circus De Moron" act rushed forward to Chuck's side to check on his fallen "former" teammate. Applying two fingers just below the jaw line Casey could sense a strong pulse; phew, he's just unconscious, must be from the shock, Casey thought.
"Bartowski! Snap out of it Bartowski, it's not nap time! Casey grunted, obviously still in shock as he roughly slapped Chuck in the face."
"Walker" Casey called over his shoulder, "run and go get assistance, we need a containment team in here ASAP, before these traitors decide to get up and rejoin the party!" "Walker" Casey called again as he didn't get an answer from his first order, "We have to…" Casey stopped as he saw Sarah slowly edging her way towards the door but never taking her "Saucer" sized blue eyes from Chuck's unconscious form. "WALKER!!" Casey yelled, snapping Sarah out of her stupor. "GO...GET… ASSISTANCE… Chuck needs medical attention and we need a containment team!"
"Casey" Sarah whispered. "Someone has to go and save Bryce before it's too late, he could still be… still be alive." Sarah's face was growing even paler as she never took her eyes off of Chuck's unconscious form.
Casey in that instant seemed to realized that Sarah was torn between who needed her more. Recovering the body of her former lover or staying to assist her "Could be, nerdy lover." Casey could see the anguish in her eyes as she continued to stare into the side of Chuck's head.
"Sarah," Casey said a little more calmly. "Think about your 'lady feelings' later, because right now I need my partner back and you're not helping anyone just standing there. Those ring agents have a two minute head start but they aren't expecting anyone but their team to make it out of here alive, we've got the element of surprise. So, either pursue them or help Chuck."
Sarah then took one last look at Chuck's prone form and darted out the door, yelling to Casey that she would call for backup as soon as she was out of the bunker.
Just as Sarah was out of the room Casey saw Miles beginning to stir. Standing up from Chuck's body, Casey sent a quick kick into Mile's stomach, jerking him awake as the air rushed out of his lungs.
"That was for pistol whipping me in the back of the head," Casey yelled to Miles. Casey kicked Miles again, resulting in a series of sickening pops as his foot landed in the side of his ribs, "that one was for trying to kill my partner, myself and my nerdy friend over there." With even greater effort than the previous two Casey stamped down hard on the center of Miles' face, resulting in a loud crunch and a splattering of blood "and that one was for all of the brave marines who won't be making it back to their families!"
Miles screamed in pain as he grabbed his face with both hands and looked up into Casey's rage filled eyes. Picking Miles up by the collar of his jacket Casey dealt Miles one last blow to the side of the head knocking him unconscious once again. Casey then rolled Miles onto his stomach, "we can't have you drowning in your own blood before you wake back up and especially before I get my turn at interrogating you. Casey then went around and kicked each "Ring" operative again in the side of the head, for good measure.
Casey then was able to bend back down to Chuck's body with a grin on his face. "Come on Bartowski, wake up!" Casey said shaking Chuck by the shoulders again, "we've got to get you somewhere safe so I can get outside to 'Walker' before she gets herself killed".
Upon hearing those words, Chuck's eyes fluttered open, "Sarah… we have to help… Sarah" Chuck stammered weakly.
"That's right 'Chuck Lee' we have to rescue your girlfriend and stop those 'Ring' agents who escaped topside before they can make contact with whomever their working for. We can't have them reporting back that the new intersect was destroyed. For your protection we need them to think that we thwarted their team during the assault and that we are one step ahead of them, not the other way around. 'The Ring', I've never even heard of them and I've been around the intelligence community for a long time. That's enough chatter though; can you stand up 'Kung Fu Casanova'?"
"No, Casey my legs are all cramped up, god my whole body is screaming at me right now. I don't think my body was ever intended to move like that."
"Alright then 'Bartowski' I'll give you a hand, let's hurry and get you somewhere a little safer and out of the way so I can head up top. After quickly picking up two of the handguns scattered on the floor and tucking them into the waistband in the back of his pants Casey then picked Chuck up in a fireman's carry and threw him over his shoulder. Just as Casey jogged out of the room Chuck caught one last glimpse at the destruction he had caused and grinned.
With the help of Orion's wrist computer and yelling directions over Casey's shoulder they were able to locate the security office down the hallway. Casey was able to drop Chuck into a reclining chair in front of the wall of security monitors. Taking quick inventory of the room by the glow of the security monitors Casey picked up a riot shotgun and ran out of the room to begin his search for his partner and the remaining 'Ring' operatives.
After Casey left the room Chuck slowly let himself fall out of his chair and onto the floor, he needed to lie down; his legs, arms and back were killing him, he could tell he had pulled and/or strained multiple muscles all over his body with his acrobatics. Lying there on the floor he didn't allow himself to dwell on the events that took place over the last hour, he could save that for later, instead he focused on what he needed to do now and how he was going to explain this to Sarah. Bryce had said it before he died, or at least Bryce had almost said it. Bryce told him she wasn't going to go with him and Chuck assumed he meant she was going to stay instead. I have to know, I have to talk to her because I will need her with me if I'm going to survive this… Wow, my legs hurt so much! Chuck thought.
Chuck was then shaken from his thoughts as the sound of gunfire crackled through the speakers on the console nearest him. By sliding further away from the console along the floor he was able to get a good view of the nearest group of monitors. They showed Sarah pinned down by not two, but FIVE agents that he could only assume were "Ring". He could make out what had to have been Bryce's body stashed behind a couple of crates. Casey though, was in a more defensible position closer to the front door of the facility. The "Ring" agents were slowly flanking her and it didn't look like she had noticed yet… Sarah was in trouble! Chuck's eyes glazed over, he could feel the effects of a massive flash overtaking his body…
A Cruise ship
Olympic runners
Olympic gymnasts
A handgun and a paper target
A Cruise ship
Chuck jumped up from his prone position, the pain in his legs and back completely gone, he knew this was only a temporary reprieve though; the effects from the flash had obviously given him newfound abilities and what could amount to a mental dose of steroid/pain killer that would last long enough to allow him to do what he needed to do… and that was save Sarah.
Chuck was out the door in a matter of seconds, he stopped only long enough to grab the Beretta that was racked on the wall by the door and one of the spare clips stored on a shelf underneath. He wasn't sure how this was going to work but his usual apprehensiveness at holding a gun was gone and it felt natural to him, as if it was just an extension of his arm.
As he was running towards the stairs he twirled the gun in his hand, and then ejected the clip verifying it was loaded. That last step was unnecessary because in the back of his mind he knew it was loaded, he could feel each gram of the cold steel in his hand; he knew that it weighed just enough, signifying the clip was full. Chuck slammed into the stairwell door swinging it open; he then proceeded to take each step three at a time as he quickly climbed the eight stories he needed to cover before reaching the top.
Sarah ducked her head back behind her limited cover, she was in a bad spot and she knew it. She hadn't counted on their being three more "Ring" agents waiting for their team up top. Why can't I focus, I've got to get my head in the game, she thought. Not only was she in a dire situation but she couldn't get the thought of Chuck's "Kung Fu prowess" and then unconscious body out of her mind.
Why hadn't I just stayed with Chuck and let Casey pursue Bryce? Why do I always choose wrong? She thought. Why couldn't she just disconnect from Bryce; she had already mourned him once. She had moved on and decided that when she was able to open her heart up again that she would do it with Chuck. She had turned down Cole and the short term gratification that he offered for something more real. She had chosen Chuck to be the one she would spend the rest of her life with; only Chuck just didn't know it yet. So, if she had decided all of this why was she up here now and not underground tending to him! She had tried to tell Chuck during the reception how she felt but had been interrupted by the eldest Bartowski. Now, Chuck had uploaded the intersect again, no doubt because he was afraid of losing her. He makes me so angry sometimes, she thought! Why can't he just be patient? Why can't he understand everything that I have to consider?
Now wasn't the time for these thoughts, she needed to focus now, she could see two "Ring" agents moving from crate to crate, slowly flanking her left and three to her right and she was running out of options. Casey was safe but she was 20ft in front of him and completely exposed on both sides… they needed backup to arrive and they needed them now!
Just as she thought this she looked over the crates just in time to see the nearest enemy operative to her left fall from two shots to the shoulder and the forearm, successfully dislodging his gun between the metal containers he was using for cover. His partner following suit right after taking a shot somewhere below the waist and in the hand holding his weapon, causing it to fly over to Sarah's position.
Gun fire rained down upon the remaining three enemy agents to her right causing them to hold in their positions allowing Sarah and Casey time to circle around to the right and gain the upper hand. Finally! Sarah thought. Backup just in the nick of time. Sarah glanced over her shoulder just long enough to see a shadowy figure standing 30 yards to her left behind several box crates and expertly providing cover fire. Upon coming within range Sarah and Casey were able to "put down" the remaining three "Ring" agents with little to no resistance.
Once the firefight was over, several black SUVs pulled up to the perimeter that Casey and Sarah had just secured allowing several fully armored NSA agents to pile out. The nearest arriving agent ran up to Casey and saluted.
"Colonel Casey, Captain Anderson at your service, sir. Tell me we're not late for the party."
"No Captain, your man over there provided just the assistance we needed, if it wasn't for him we might not have lasted much longer."
"Um sir, what man are you talking about? My unit rode with me once we received orders for General Beckman. It was our understanding that all of the facilities ground units had been lost in the initial invasion".
As the Captain said this they both snapped their heads over to the crates that concealed their mysterious savior, they could hear his screams of pain. Chuck stumbled out several feet from behind the crates he had used as cover still clutching his head in his hands, he fell to his knees and vomited before collapsing to the ground.
"MEDIC"! Casey yelled as he and the young Captain rushed over to where their lanky savior had just fallen. "Bartowski? Oh come on Bartowski you idiot, you were supposed to stay downstairs and wait for us. Now, you're lying face down in the dirt, covered in puke and I'm supposed to 'thank you' again for saving my life for the 2nd time in the last fifteen minutes.
As the Medic rushed over to Casey and the Captain's side he immediately stated, "Backup! I need to assess the situation".
"Corporal", Casey demanded his attention, "this man has a prior medical condition that needs to be addressed… Umm, caused by previous head trauma. Without prior knowledge to his condition you won't be able to do much. I want him secured, stabilized, flown to a secure facility in Los Angeles and kept for observation. I will personally bring in his primary care physician." Normally Casey would leave this in the hands of the honorable men and women who served in the United States military, but no one knows of Chuck's 'new' version of his 'old' condition and he wasn't going to let just anyone in on that secret until he had discussed it with Sarah.
Maybe something good will come from Woodcombe finding out about Chuck's other life. I'll contact him as soon as I can secure Walker and get her out of here, Casey thought. Wait, why isn't Walker crying over Chuck's body right now… Oh, she doesn't know yet, she only has eyes for the deceased right now. Wow, when she finds out Chuck risked his life to save her again, that kid is really going to have some serious head trauma.
While what she thought was the "rest" of the containment unit arriving Sarah began walking slowly towards Bryce's body. He had been laid down behind the last set of crates in the clearing and had originally been used as cover when she had first ambushed the escaping "Ring" agents. He hadn't been harmed anymore than… he already had been though, even though she was an expert marksman she hadn't risked taking the shot while they still held him. She apparently could take the shot when he was alive, but only when he was giving her permission, but not in death. This is why they were able to advance on her so quickly, she had hardly returned fire. Now though, as she knelt beside him he looked so peaceful, his eyes were closed and the sun was setting behind him and everything had become quiet. He looked just as he had those wonderful mornings several years ago when she had awoken before him and had stolen a few moments of peace to watch him sleep.
That's just it, that's what he was doing this time, he was just sleeping. She has already mourned his death and moved on, she'd even fallen in love with another. She wasn't going to let this tear her apart again, she would miss him, she would remember him as he was, but she would not dwell. She would only let a few silent tears fall before going back for Chuck; he needed her now more than Bryce did. Just then Sarah's head snapped up as she heard a man scream, the silence had been broken. She could see in the distance a shadowy figure stumble and fall and Casey call out for a medic. He had things obviously under control, giving her a few moments to herself.
Sarah stood and addressed the nearest NSA agent and informed him that the body be taken care of, because his life depended on it. Looking scared he immediately nodded, snapped a salute and called over two of his team. She looked down at Bryce one final time, thanked him for the good times, the bad times and for sending Chuck the intersect. Chuck himself may never thank Bryce, but she could. Bryce had unintentionally brought her and Chuck together and saved her from what she was becoming. In that moment she told herself that she would not lose another love, a greater love. She would stand up against the U.S. Government, and the entire intelligence community if she had to. She was going to get what she wanted for once and that was a normal life, with the man she loved and his wonderful family. She would not let anything or anyone take Chuck away from her. "Agent" Sarah walker was not a force to be reckoned with…
I greatly hope that you enjoyed this story even a little. I actually have a pretty interesting direction I would like to take this piece in. SO, if you enjoyed it even a little please read and review. Thank you for giving me your time!