A/N: Hey guys, thanks to everyone that has read the first chapter. Special thanks to everyone that has reviewed.

Something of note, no update next week as I'll be out of the country.

Additional note. As one might expect, back stories might be slightly different in this story. One thing of importance, Chuck has been in this game for years, while Sarah is (relatively) new. While that does not change who they are, it does affect certain aspects and might influence the dynamic between them.

Disclaimer: I suppose it's fair to say, I don't own Chuck

Chapter 2: Taking control

All she really wanted right now was to sleep. She couldn't believe how tired she was, but Bear, had insisted that they'd keep moving. So now they were on the train heading north. Apparently, Piranha had been moving a lot, and they had dropped her a hundred miles south of were Piranha was currently operating.

So far her journey had been tense, to say the least. Not only did she hardly know who this bear guy was, actually she had no idea. But oddly she trusted him enough to follow him on this journey. On top of her weird travel partner, she had been thrown for a few loops. Bear had insisted they leave behind the equipment she'd brought with her. The Piranha didn't trust the British radio's. He'd spent years perfecting his own equipment, he didn't want to work with any others. They had arranged for a different group to pick up the equipment.

For Sarah this was unthinkable. She had been taught that the equipment and training the SOE provided was the best of the best. Clearly the French had different ideas. Now they were on the train. Her papers had been checked, and she had been cleared by the soldier carrying out the checks. But what Bear had said stuck with her, these papers would do for now. Another mark adding to her tension.

The train shook suddenly, and threw her against the window next to her. She let out a groan, before looking around. She was struck by how different the demeanor was of the people here than in England. Of course in England you could sense there was a war on, there was some rationing, people were even more obtuse than normal, but the French took it to another level. She hadn't seen a single person laugh in the hour that they had been on the train so far.

Bear was sleeping next to her. He seemed completely unfazed by anything. Not for the first time she wondered who this guy was. How he had ended up as part of the team of Piranha, whoever he was. But he didn't seem to like to talk, at all. So far he had brushed aside all her questions.

She diverted her eyes from her surroundings, and gazed out of the window. They were going through a town that somehow looked familiar to her. Perhaps she had been her before, with her dad, she mused, before the train started to slow down. And ultimately came to a halt.

Once again she darted her eyes around her, a few people got up to leave the train. While others were making room for them to do so. Other people were watching somewhat anxiously around them. Sarah could see it happening, how a few of the people tensed up just a little. Especially two men that were sitting on the opposite side of the train, who had been staring out of the window a few moments before.

It wasn't long before the reason for their tension became apparent. The door opened, and four men in gray uniforms showed up. Or men, they looked more like boys. No older than 20. They seemed completely disinterested in the people around them. Still she could feel the shift in atmosphere around her. An already depressed atmosphere just got a lot more tense. She could see a few people looking at them with hatred or anxiety as the took a seat only a few meters from her and Bear.

One of the soldiers gave her the one over. Not because he figured she was some kind of agent. No he was clearly impressed by something else. It made her skin crawl with disgust. She knew she fit the perfect Aryan mold, and this might happen more often, but she wasn't here because she was interested in fraternizing with the enemy. She managed to keep her face neutral. Thanks dad. As she diverted her own eyes outside. No need to draw attention to herself by scowling at him.

It didn't take long before the soldier had diverted his attention to his friend next to him. They were talking in loud voices, while the rest of the passengers were completely silent. Sarah couldn't wait for this train ride to be over.

X-X

"Come on Charles." The man he knew as Remy said to him with a sigh. "You know we have no other choice."

Chuck looked at him wearily. He was tired, the last few weeks he had run several operations to secure the supplies they needed. Now they were discussing the idea Remy and his group had had to derail a troop transport close to one of the towns Chuck's team used as a base of operations. Chuck agreed that it was a great place to do such a thing. He just didn't appreciate another group attracting attention to him and his friends. The German retaliations were getting more extreme by the day. He needed to protect those that trusted him.

Chuck eyed the map again. The rail line led into the area around Calais. He knew that was why the British wanted to hit the Germans there. He also realized that destroying the bridge was a great way to cripple the German supply lines. He needed to come up with an alternative, and he needed to do it fast. Remy was only here as a courtesy, a thank you for all the help they had given one another in the past. But they both realized there was little room for sentiment in this business.

Still he was grateful Remy was here. It gave him a chance, which was all anyone in their line of work could ask for. It was one of the reasons he liked Remy, despite his desire to play a political part in post war France. A desire that sometimes clouded his judgement.

"You could strike the bridge 40 kilometers further west." Chuck finally suggested. It was not a perfect situation, but at least it wasn't close to those he had sworn to protect.

Remy looked at him annoyed. "Charles." He started with a mixture of sympathy and annoyance. "You know as well as I do, that that bridge is better defended and is more structurally sound. We don't have the means to attack there."

"I know." He replied softly. He had expected that, he knew the difficulties that faced his plan. But if Remy and his team would succeed, it would have far more impact than taking down the other bridge. "But what if we help you?"

"What do you have in mind?" Remy asked cautiously.

"We could get you the explosives." He suggested, hoping it would be enough.

He could see the doubt flash through Remy's eyes. The reality of war they had both tasted was palpable between them. Their desire to liberate and protect their people was something they shared. It had inspired them to run operations together before.

"I'm afraid that's not enough Charles, I'm sorry." Remy stated matter of factly. "There are at least fifteen Germans around that bridge. I can't risk my people like that."

Chuck nodded. He had expected Remy would do the math. But he also knew Remy. He was going to use Chuck's trepidations to gain some kind of advantage. "Fine. I can arrange for a few people to help carry out the attack. But I want operational authority. I decide when this will happen. And I will decide who will go." He finally said firmly. He hoped his reputation would be enough for the other man to trust him.

"I can't just give you control, Charles." He replied coolly.

"Look, you can take the credit." He offered. "But, I want final say."

Remy looked at him, then took another look at the map. Chuck knew he was thinking, calculating how he could spin this to his advantage. Taking credit for destroying such an important piece of infrastructure would cement his place as one of the leading men in the resistance. The Piranha smelled blood.

"Think about it Remy." Chuck pushed. "This could make your reputation. Perhaps even earn you the Legion d'honneure after the war." He continued.

He could see the effect his words had. Remy straightened himself a little, a flash of a smile appeared on his face and he could see a glint in his eyes. "Okay, Charles." He stated with a mixture of confidence and defiance. "But I want us ready to go in two weeks. Else I'm hitting my original target."

Chuck looked I'm straight in the eyes. "No problem." He replied dismissively. Even though deep down he had no idea how he was going to solve the situation he was in now. He had to though. No way he was failing those that trusted him to keep them safe. Casey really needed to hurry up with this new SOE agent.

X-X

The train ride was finally over. Now Sarah and Bear war walking the last part to their destination. They were on a small unpaved road, leading from Saint Omer to one of the towns nearby. The road was deserted, but at least the intense cold and snow that had plagued her in England had been left on the other side of the channel. The sun was shining, and it felt good to feel the warmth of the sun on her skin and stretch her legs after being flung around in the train for so long.

She looked over at Bear, he looked driven, as if all he'd ever cared about was completing his missions. But she wanted to know more, about him, about Piranha, about what they were doing here. Why they hadn't just let her drop north of Paris. Which had made this whole journey a lot easier.

"Are you going to talk to me at all?" She questioned annoyed. Bear had hardly said anything for the whole trip.

He let out a grunt. She already disliked those grunts.

"Just tell me your name." She prodded.

She saw him look around. This guy took his safety serious. It comforted her to know he was such a professional. "John Casey." He stated gruffly. "Now shut it."

His attitude only annoyed her more. She got it, truly she did. But she couldn't wait to get to Piranha and get some of the answers she needed. And after that she would decide which of her missions she would set in motion. But she was going to take control of this situation, that was certain.

X-X

Chuck was feeling restless. He had been trying to get some work done on something new he was working on. A short range radio that should make it possible to communicate in the heat of battle. But his conversation with Remy was repeating in his mind. He had gotten what he wanted, to move the objective. But he also knew what it meant. Another dangerous mission, and another possible dangerous outcome for him and his friends. It really was time for this war to be done. He wasn't made for it, even if he had proven himself over the last 3.5 years. He would be glad when he could finally focus on his research again.

At moments like these he missed his dad. It had been a tough to have to do things alone, especially since everybody looked at him to lead them and make the smart choices. They all entrusted him with his life, and experience had shown him the stakes. This wasn't like one of his scientific projects he did before the war.

He glanced at the clock opposite from him. He had expected Casey back by now. Silently he hoped nothing bad had happened. Over time he had started to really rely on the big man. And with the deal he'd made with Remy on the clock, he needed to get things under way. Having Casey around would help massively. And potentially the SOE agent could help them out, even if that seemed like an unlikely scenario.

Without giving it much of a second thought, he rose from his seat. He was too restless to just stay in the building. He was going to go for a walk. Perhaps he would run into them. And if not, he could at least clear his head a little.

Within a few strides across the wooden floor, he reached the front door. With a loud clink he opened it. Only to get momentarily blinded by the sudden assault of light on his retina's. Once his eyes had adjusted, he saw two figures coming towards him. One was clearly John Casey. His tall figure stood out against its surrounding.

It didn't take long for Chuck's eyes to be drawn to the person next to him. "Guess I was wrong." Chuck said absentmindedly. His eyes still focused on the blonde woman walking towards him.

A/N: Bit of a bridging chapter. Next chapter we'll get a bit more in the gist of things. Would have stretched this chapter further, but wanted this out before my vacation.

Let me know what you think.