Author's Note: Hey everyone, and thanks so much for all the support, kind PM's, and constructive criticism. I know you have a few questions, which should hopefully be resolved by the end of this chapter. I am a novice, so clearly loop holes are an issue. That's why I've got an awesome new beta reader, Maverick 41! I hope you guys will enjoy!
Chapter Two: The beginning of the end.
BURBANK, CA: 12:00 AM, BUYMORE PLAZA PARKING LOT
"I'm not sure about this." Bryce began. The two were leaning back in the CIA issued car, an inconspicuous Ford Escape, much to Sarah's disliking. A Porsche would've been a lot nicer.
"Is it the fact that you'll be betraying him a third and final time?" Sarah began, eyes broken from his. She was staring at the superstore in front of her. "Or the fact that Graham wants him dead without giving him a chance?" Her blonde hair was down around her shoulder, giving her an angelic effect to her already perfect appearance.
Bryce raised a brow. Sarah never usually turned on him like that. "Does that bother you? The first one?"
"It's sick, Bryce." Sarah shrugged. "CIA or not…I would've killed to have had real people who cared."
"Well …But, I-"Bryce's defense was quickly shot down, as Sarah slipped out of the car. She never acted like that.
"I'll be back soon enough." She began, and her icy façade was once again back on.
Bryce leaned back, thinking hard about the past, Chuck, Jill, everything.
He was so busy in his thoughts; he failed to notice the car tailing them.
INSIDE THE BURBANK BUYMORE:
"Jeff, for the love of god, getting your-" Lester Patel, the short Indian man's shirt read.
"Ahem." Sarah coughed.
"One moment ma'am." The Indian snorted indignantly, turning back to his apparent drunken white friend. "Jeff, I can't help you out of the microwave if you keep getting stuck-"
"I need to get my phone fixed…" Sarah gave them a wry smile. Suddenly, they turned, jaws dropping.
"Sweet mother of…." Lester trailed off, gazing at Sarah's face, then mainly her chest. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"And that's enough out of you two." A smooth, embarrassed, happy voice sounded from behind them.
Sarah turned, always the consummate professional…until she saw him. There before her was a tall man, dressed in the same nerdy uniform…though it looked much nicer on him. He had curly hair and rich chocolate eyes that almost knocked the breath out of Sarah. Heart beating, she regained her composure within the millisecond. She'd NEVER done or felt something like that since…ever.
"I'll escort you away from our two comedians here, and we can go to my side of the desk." The man apparently named Chuck beamed down at Sarah, somewhat nervously.
Confidently smiling, Sarah followed.
"Hi…." Chuck fished for a name, attempting to start once more, formally.
"Sarah…Walker." Sarah supplied with a flirtatious smile.
"I'm-"
"-Chuck." She finished knowingly. "Name tags are helpful."
"Yeah…"He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"Don't be." She laughed.
"What can I do for you today, Ms. Walker?" he asked politely.
"My phone…it's useless." She laughed, handing it over to him.
"Ahh, the Intellicell." He laughed. "There's a screw that pops open-" he popped out a screw driver, turning the screw that was positioned loosely by her CIA allies. He was a nerd afterall. And a good one at that. "There you go, good as new." He grinned.
"Oh….you geeks are good." She laughed gently.
"We prefer nerds." He smiled.
"Well, thanks anyway. My life is on this thing."
"Yeah?" Chuck rose a brow. "Business?"
"Well, I'm new to L.A. and I'd be lost without some sort of guide."
"Oh, congrats on the move." Chuck smiled. His heart was beating harder as he stared at her. She was angelic, gorgeous….Vicky Vale like, in a way. She was tall, and dressed in a sexy leather jacket with jeans. He was surprised he hadn't started rambling.
"It's just….too bad I've got no one to show me around….or a good time, for that matter."
"Oh….yeah." Chuck couldn't take the hint. She was way out of his league.
"Maybe you could…show me?" she raised her brow, smiling slightly, hopefully.
"Huh? Yeah…..Oh! Sure, uh….definitely….Tonight?" He stuttered, watching as she smiled.
"Sounds good…Mind if I pick you up? I've got a new car I've been dying to test out…." She grinned somewhat sheepishly.
"Oh, of course."
"Why don't you fill in your contact info in my phone….I'll call you around 6?"
Chuck thought for a moment. Ellie and Awesome wouldn't be home until ten. It was perfect. "Here you go." He couldn't believe his luck in the course of one day.
Maybe his life was starting to finally get better.
*WESTSIDE HOTEL: CIA ISSUED MISSION PREP BASE*
"The CIA really spared no expense on this one." Bryce whistled, falling back into a lounge chair. The suite was gorgeously decorated. The flat screen TV, mini fridge, and breathtaking view seemed CIA standard.
"Yeah…" Sarah muttered, redoing her makeup and sharpening her knives simultaneously.
Bryce frowned, glancing up at his partner. "What's the make up for….? You're not actually going on a date, Sarah."
"Oh…I know." Sarah shrugged. "Just standard mission prep habits, I suppose." She shrugged.
"You okay?" Bryce asked wearily. Sarah seemed different after meeting Chuck. She was quiet. He didn't know that she already felt weighed down with what could only be described as anvils of guilt, one for each shoulder, and maybe one in the gut.
"Of course." Sarah replied professionally, slipping each knife into its according strap a little too fast.
"Do you want to-"
"Let's review the mission." Sarah cut him off, whipping around. "Start at the top."
"Okay…"Bryce sighed. "I really did review our options, Sarah. The safest thing for him is to simply….bunker him up and shut this mission down."
"Safest for him or you?" Her arms were folded across her chest, lips pursed.
"Why do you care?" Bryce snapped suddenly.
"OUR JOB is to protect the lives of civilians and the wellbeing of the country Bryce." She replied heatedly. "And Chuck….he IS the civilian AND part of this country. And something tells me putting him in a god damned bunker is somehow UNCONSTITUTIONAL. "She retorted indignantly.
"I know, I know…." Bryce sighed. "There's just nothing we can do…not without committing treason."
Sarah remained silent.
Bryce took his cue to carry on with the plan.
"So, you ask to come in." Bryce spoke thoughtfully. "I'll sneak in through his back window."
"How do you know it'll be open?"
"I was his friend at some point, Sarah." He smiled wryly. "I know this man."
"Okay, so?" Sarah huffed impatiently. Bryce was taken aback by the sudden mood swing. What on earth did Chuck do to her in ten minutes that could've broken her wall?
"So, you lure him in, and that's when we interrogate him….see what he knows. Once we know all the stupid details, for Graham's sake, we can get him with the tranq and get him to D.C…..Good?"
"Not really." Sarah muttered, slipping her Smith and Wesson into its holster.
The two were off to finish their job.
*CASA BARTOWSKI: 7: 10 PM*
Chuck's heartbeat was loud enough as he spent his entire night getting ready. When the doorbell rang, he swore his heart was ready to fall out of his chest. Sarah Walker. He was going on a date with Sarah Walker. She was gorgeous, new….and into him. What were the odds?
"Hey…" He smiled nervously, as he opened the door to a grinning and beautiful Sarah Walker. She was in a nicer dress shirt and jacket with jeans. She of course, was gorgeous.
"Hi Chuck…" She smiled. Her eyes took in his height. He was wearing a button up, the nice kind, with dark jeans. His cologne was radiant, and it was almost intoxicatingly good. Sarah felt a sharp, strong pain in her heart. None of this was real. And for some reason, for the first time in years, she was reminded of it more than usual.
"Oh….you look….wow…." Chuck breathed, trying to regain his composure. "You're gorgeous…" he blurted out.
"You look great too Chuck, thanks…" She smiled, though the pang got even sharper. She felt the urge to wipe the smile and run. But she…she and Bryce…they had a job to do.
"Ready to go?" Sarah smiled.
"Actually, I forgot my phone!" Chuck mentally smacked himself.
Sarah grinned. Lucky her; she didn't have to make up an excuse to come in. "Do you mind if I use your bathroom then?"
"Oh, not at all!" He smiled, leading her in and down the hall. As they parted and he turned to retrieve his phone from his bed, a small thunk was heard.
Sarah took her cue and slipped into his room, shutting the door behind him.
Chuck immediately glanced up, and saw two now very threatening figures blocking either exit.
"Sarah…" He turned. "BRYCE?!" he yelped. "What the…what's going on?" he tried, heart beating unreasonably.
"Chuck, calm down…." Bryce began.
"CALM?" Chuck snapped. "You….you're the guy who got me out of college! And a job! And you SLEPT with my girlfriend! Calm? You expect me to be calm?"
"No, I-"
"Bryce, you son of a bitch!" Chuck couldn't believe his eyes. Chuck was in mid motion; to late to stop himself as he threw a solid hook to Bryce's chin, causing him to slam backwards into the wall.
"You feeling better?" Bryce panted, clutching his face,
Sarah rose a brow, jaw almost dropping. She resisted the urge to grin.
"Yes…." Chuck seethed.
"Chuck…please, we need you to be calm…" Sarah tried.
Amazingly enough, Chuck responded well. "Who's we? What kind of sick joke is this?"
Sarah tried to explain, but Chuck leaned back against the wall helplessly, almost sliding down. "Bryce…haven't you taken enough from me?"
Sarah suddenly felt something like a black hole in her stomach and a prickling sensation at her eyes. She almost couldn't believe the overwhelming sympathy she was feeling for this man; a complete stranger.
"Chuck…" Bryce swallowed. "We're CIA…"
"CIA? Are you kidding me?"
Sarah responded by showing him her badge.
"How do I know this is real?" Chuck breathed.
"This usually helps…" Sarah lifted a pant leg, showing her sheathed knives.
"OH BOY!" Chuck jumped back.
"We're not here to hurt you…" Bryce began. "Last night…did you open the email from me?"
"Email? Bryce, you abandoned me years ago." Chuck tried desperately to find the light.
"No….I sent you something almost two nights ago…." Bryce countered. "Open the computer, Chuck…." Bryce instructed. Sure enough, the email from Bryce was sitting there.
"Oh god….what does the CIA want with me?" Chuck breathed slowly.
"Inside it…there's an important….tool. A weapon that you could have accidentally ended up with, had we not have saved you."
"Saved me? Bryce, what would've happened if I…opened it?" He glanced frantically at the little open mail icon before him. He felt chilled.
"You'd be the country's top weapon." Bryce sighed. "Accidentally. It would ruin your life…your family's….if it doesn't kill you instantly…."
"You mean it would….transfer to my body? How?" Chuck was astounded. "What will happen to me?"
"Nothing, If I can have that-"
BANG! A sudden crash sent Sarah diving down on the floor, drawing her gun immediately. Silenced pings and shots filled the air as Bryce shot out the window, trying to hurt the rushing attackers.
"What the hell?!" Chuck shouted. "Call off your men, Bryce!"
"They're not ours." Sarah bit her lip, protecting Chuck's flat form.
"FULCRUM." Bryce stated through gritted teeth.
Sarah stood in a crouched position, emptying her gun save for one back up bullet.
"They followed us here?" All eyes were on the window as Sarah stated the inevitable. "I would've noticed!"
"Apparently not!...I'm out!" He tossed his gun on the floor. Smoking, it landed right next to Chuck, who suppressed a squeal in terror.
"I think that's the last of-"
The door to Chuck's room was busted open, and in came a tall man with brown hair and sharp green eyes.
"Agents Walker, Larkin…..Up on the wall…" He motioned to them, his men had them at gunpoint. Chuck, deemed useless, was left to stand by the computer, shaking.
"Who are you?" Bryce spat, hands up.
"That's insulting." The man grinned. "I'm disappointed….."
Sarah watched, jaw clenched. This was a nightmare. But she and Bryce always had a backup. Glancing over at him, she nodded.
Within seconds, they made a motion to grab their weapons. Sarah drew her gun, while Bryce caught one of her knives, throwing them. Sarah shot one man who jumped in front of the leader defensively, Bryce killing the man on his right. Within the millisecond, the leader aimed for Bryce's chest and shot him three times. He was done fore.
"NO! "Sarah cried, leaning over his limp body as she tried to keep him going. The man smirked, gun trained on Sarah. She was weaponless; defenseless. He began to take steps towards her, enjoying their agony.
"Stay the hell away from him!" She snarled. Glancing down at Bryce, she saw his eyes close. "Stay with me! Dammit, come on Bryce!" She watched the red in his shirt pool. Her partner. Her first friend. Gone.
"You son of a bitch!" Sarah rose, but he backhanded her quickly, knocking her down relentlessly. She tried to get up, but froze under the aim of his gun. She had to think before she moved.
"I'll enjoy killing you…." He grinned, taking aim.
Sarah's eyes fell to Chuck, who was staring like a zombie with millions of pictures flashing before him on the screen. In seconds, he turned eyes blank.
"Chuck! NO!" She cried, but it was too late. The man turned as he and Sarah watched in awe and horror as Chuck's eyes rolled back. In seconds, he leapt up professionally, delivering a disarming kick to the gun in the man's hands. First a right hook, then a left, then an upper cut. Sarah had never seen such skill. He was a blur, and the only blood being shed was Justin's, everywhere.
As the man fell to the floor, worn from the relentless beating, Sarah picked up is gun, rising from the floor. Stepping towards his face, she pressed the burning barrel against his cheek and watched him writhe in pain. "This is for Bryce, you son of a bitch." With that final statement in the air, she took aim, and fired, three times. One in the face, throat, and chest. She would make sure this man was dead.
Rising slowly, she turned to Chuck, who was standing there with a blank expression on his face. Sarah waved her eyes in front of him, though it didn't seem to register. "Chuck?" she tried gently, holding back tears. "Justin Sullivan, 32, born and raised in Springfield. Fulcrum affiliate, joined at age 22, works under a D. Shaw, sector B 32; specialist. High contract killer….." Chuck muttered so swiftly, Sarah almost missed it. "Chuck?" she tried, feeling the lump in her throat. Within the second, he fell over on the floor, feinting.
"Oh my god." Sarah gasped.
For the first time in years…she felt truly alone, once again.
A/N: Okay, so that's the basis. You're going to see the spins and choices from here. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed, please please please leave a review! I read EACH AND EVERY One and it really helps me see what you like! I know most questions still aren't answered; that's the nature of this story. Please stay tuned, as I plant to tackle them as we progress. Have a nice week, I'll see on Wednesday or Thursday, if all goes well and I get feedback soon enough to write the next chapter!
-Jen
