Just for the record, I don't own Chuck and I wouldn't want too, too much drama... This is my first fanfic so I would appreciate any input. I did have a lot of help on this chapter from Billatwork, probably kept him from working, but I'm sure glad he had time to keep me in line and I hope I didn't botch this chapter too bad. Feel free to let me know the error of my ways.

Career changes

The next morning Sarah was adjusting Chuck's shirt collar as they were headed over to Casey's to speak with General Beckman…

"Chuck, are you sure your ready for this?" Sarah looked into his eyes and could see the emotions pouring out.

"Sarah, I'm not ready, I probably will never be ready for this but it's time to do it anyway. I just hope I'll have you and Casey by my side for when I screw up!"

Sarah slid her hand down Chuck's shirt to smooth out the last wrinkle "Chuck, your not going to screw up, it's going to be fine, now let's head over to Casey's and start figuring all this out"

Chuck and Sarah stepped out the door of Casa Bartowski and over to Casey's apartment ready for what ever life was about to throw at them. Chuck lifted his right hand to knock and as he did, he felt a light squeeze in his left hand as Sarah gave him one last little vote of confidence and he smiled his Chuck smile for her as he knocked on the door.

Casey immediately opened and spat out "bout time you two showed up, the General is ready and waiting."

Chuck, Sarah and Casey all settled into Casey's make shift office / living room as the LCD display warmed to life with General Beckman in full uniform waiting to hear what Chuck had to say. Little did Chuck know she had plans of her own.

"I see we are all here and ready, Colonel Casey, Agent Walker, Chuck. Since our last conversation Chuck, you owe me and your handlers a decision."

Chuck looked over at Casey and Sarah and back to the screen. "General I am ready and willing to be a full team member of the new intersect team, but I would like to make a few requests."

Casey could barely hide the smirk and smile trying to grow across his face, "I wonder what the hell Bartowski is thinking, Beckman is gonna flip if he goes down the road I think he is"

Sarah silently held her breath as she wasn't quite sure what to make of Chuck's new found character to make requests of General Beckman, "God don't let him do any thing stupid, not that he would, he's Chuck, always does the right thing."

General Beckman raised an eyebrow at Chuck's request and said, "Ok Chuck, since you obviously developed the nerve to ask, I'll listen"

"Well General, I'd, um, first I'd like to continue to have Casey and Sarah on the team to start."

"Request approved, anything else Chuck?"

"Ok, thanks, that means a lot. Second I'd like to be considered an equal on the team. I realize I'm not an agent or anything but I think I have a lot to offer other than the intersect and I think if you take that into consideration along with the capabilities of the intersect I know I can pull my own weight."

"Well Chuck, time will tell, but what I can tell you is this. For starters I'm sure your handlers appreciate your little speech as much as I do, but I'm going to keep my original plan for the new intersect team with a few minor adjustments."

Both Sarah and Chuck look intriguingly at the screen waiting for what could be the second biggest change of both their lives, while Casey just looked on without one hint about what was running though his mind.

Beckman continued with the full attention of the three individuals, "First Colonel Casey will continue to be tasked with the safety of Mr. Bartowski 24 / 7. Colonel you will be escorting the Bartowski to our Atlas NSA facility in Moab Utah where the asset will undergo evaluation from my intersect technicians along with a crash course training for a Senior Field Analyst with some PT and basic field agent training."

Chuck's face turned pale as he let the words of General Beckman replay through his mind, he could feel the perspiration starting to come though his pours until he felt another hand on his, fingers intertwining with his and the feeling ending with a soft subtle squeeze of reassurance that could have only come from slight compromised field agent that knew he needed her support at the moment.

General Beckman noticed the ever so subtle exchange between agent and asset as she continued on, "I'm going to have to see how deep this goes between these two"

"Agent Walker will be the team leader on the intersect project and will have tactical command of operation personal during missions and will report to Fort Meade to meet with my analysts to review the best course of action for the new intersect and developing new intersect mission parameters"

Sarah looked over to Chuck and then right back to the monitor and General Beckman, "General, if I am responsible for the intersect team shouldn't I be headed to Moab with Casey and Chuck?"

"Agent Walker we have not defined what the Intersect team is going to be with the loss of Bryce Larkin, I need you here with my analysis as we determine the best course of action moving foreword with the changes in the team. You were originally headed to the field with Bryce Larkin as the intersect, but that plan has changed now that Chuck has the intersect again. I want to reevaluate our plans now that we have new intelligence on the Ring and organize our manpower in an efficient manor. You will report to my office first thing tomorrow at 0800. "

Chuck couldn't bare the thought of having to go separate ways from Sarah. Now with how things were slowly progressing between the two and he knew deep down he couldn't do this with out Sarah's help. "General, why can't…"

General Beckman cut Chuck off like he just performed a verbal crime against the United States of America,

"Mr. Bartowski, need I remind you that I am in the process of making you a fully active member of the intersect team and I do not need input from someone who could possible end up in a bunker reading field reports 24 hours a day with at the end of this conversation?"

"I'm sorry General, I'll just shut up now."

"Good thinking Mr. Bartowski, Colonel you will report to Atlas at 1200 tomorrow with the asset in tow. I will arrange for an Air force transport for you from the 61st air base group.

"Yes ma'am, will I be developing a training plan for the asset, or will there be one provided?"

"Colonel, you will develop a training regiment, leaving time for his work with the intersect technicians."

"I'll get started right on that General." Casey couldn't help a stoic grin come across is face. He sat there watching the facial expressions from Walker and Bartowski and for once in his life John Casey was looking foreword to his mission. Physically, verbally, and abusively whip the asset into an agent, oh how the gods were looking out for John Casey. He would be able to fire back at all Bartowski's little barbs military style, pushups, exercise, verbal lashings for screw ups, and oh, gun play. This was like a paid vacation as long as Bartowski didn't kill him.

"Colonel, Casey, Agent Walker, any last questions on your assignments?"

A universal no ma'am was heard from both and General Beckman signed off. Casey looked at Walker as Chuck started to speak.

"Sarah, I don't understand, what's going on?"

"Chuck, I don't know. Beckman obviously has a plan and didn't share it with me." Just the thought brought a scowl to her face as she realized she was out of the loop.

"Casey, you haven't said a word. Did you know this was coming? Did you know and you didn't tell me?"

"Listen Walker, don't go getting your panties all in a bunch because you have to leave your little boy toy behind. You've had your fun with him, now it's my turn." As Casey looked over to the asset and gave a half grunt half laugh.

Casey threw out one last verbal volley to Chuck as he waited for them to leave his apartment, "Bartowski, meet at my apartment tomorrow at 10am and pack light. Oh, and enjoy your last night of peanut butter and chocolate."

"Casey, shove it out your…."

"Oh leave it Walker, go have your fun with the asset before I shove my foot so far up his ass he grows a pair."

"Come on Chuck, you can help me pack. I'm going to have to catch a flight tonight."

Chuck and Sarah left Casey's apartment and headed back to Casa Bartowski. Chuck walked back into the apartment and plopped right down on the couch and waited for Sarah to join him. So many things were running through his mind, why was Sarah leaving for starters, she was supposed to be the team leader?"

"Sarah, if you're the team leader why is Beckman making you fly out east to meet with her?"

"Chuck, I think she has more planned out than she is telling us. It's obvious Casey doesn't know all the details but I will find out what's going on. I promise I will come back to you Chuck, I'm in this with you until the end."

No matter what Sarah said her words always comforted him, but the last thing she said with such conviction, until the end, what is the end? The end of the Ring, the intersect project, the end of their lives? That was such an open ended comment and every possibility was running through Chuck's mind.

"Chuck, Chuck?"

"Oh sorry Sarah, I just kind of spaced out."

"What's on your mind?" Sarah asked all the she had a good idea and she was afraid of the same thing,

"I can't figure out what I'm more scared about, how happy and excited Casey is, or how am I going to do this without you? I mean no offence to Casey, Casey, no offence I know you're probably listening and laughing but, Sarah, you're always the one supporting me and I could never do this with out you."

"I know it's going to be hard Chuck, and yes Casey is probably listening, but it's going to be ok. Tell you what, why don't you help me grab my stuff and we can have lunch before I have to pack and leave. According to my itinerary I have a flight in about 4 hours so let's get moving and we can talk over lunch"

"Ok, do I need to bring anything?"

"Nope, just let me collect my things and we can be off"

Casey was listening to every word and as Bartowski and Walker both poked at him listening in he spoke up knowing no one was around to hear him. "Don't do anything stupid Walker, I think the general has something up her sleeve…"

At that the monitor warmed to life catching the Colonel off guard.

"Colonel, I'd like a moment"

"Yes General, did we forget something in our briefing?"

"No, but you have two over see a few arrangements before you leave tomorrow for training. First, you will find out this afternoon that Mrs. Hedician has moved out of your apartment complex and I want you to direct the NSA cleaner team to install the necessary safety and surveillance equipment while your gone and have it patched into your apartment."

"Pardon me, but General why would I need surveillance on an empty apartment? Casey had his ideas but he wanted to hear the plan from the General herself.

"I'm making some changes to your covers while you are gone. First, Colonel, from your last report you expected Bartowski to move out from his sisters apartment. I'm sure the offer of an apartment across the complex from his sisters place will entice him to stay near by so we can easily keep tabs on him."

"General, are we still treating Bartowski as an asset after we have completed his initial training?"

"The intersect is still an asset, but Bartowski will be a senior analyst and will be treated as such depending on the situation."

"Understood, General, what about cover jobs for all of us?"

"We are making some changes to the castle while you're away as well. It's undergoing an addition and will reopen as a engineering firm's satellite office that will have maintenance and specialty contracts with the Army Core of Engineers as well as other government agencies. Bartowski will be a field engineering specializing in corporate networking and computer programming."

"Will we both be working there?"

"Yes, Colonel, you will use your back ground as retired officer of the air force to help as a liaison between the engineering company and the government services as well as in charge of security because of the classified contracts that C&N Engineering has."

"What about Agent Walker ma ' am?"

"Agent Walker's status has yet to be determined. I will evaluate that upon her arrival to Fort. Meade."

"General with all do respect, I thought we covered Agent Walker with your 49B?"

"Colonel, as you know I am keeping Walker on the intersect team but the best place for her may be with a new partner as you would be with your new partner."

"My new partner General?" Oh dear God not Bartowski

"Well address that at the appropriate time Colonel."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"

"Not at this time, just make sure Walker is on that flight tonight and get Bartowski ready for tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am and thank you for the update."

Casey almost wanted to feel sorry for the boy as his life was about to get turned upside down once again, but no it was going to be a lot of fun screwing with him…

Meanwhile Chuck and Sarah pulled into the Orange Orange for lunch and had two Chuck's delivered from Lou's Sandwich Shop.

"So Sarah what do you think is going to happen to us?"

"Well, I'm going to remind Beckman how well we all work together and remind her that you are an integral part of the team and team Bartowski doesn't work so well with out all it's members. But I just have this strange feeling like the dynamics of our team are going to change. But Chuck, I need you to know that I will not get reassigned. I made a promise to you and I intend to keep that promise."

Chuck could see the emotion in her eyes and he knew she meant what she said and he could feel the bond between them grow

"Sarah, will I be able to talk to you while we're gone?"

"I don't know Chuck, I'll keep my phone on me so you can call and message me, but I'm not sure if you will be allowed to keep your phone."

"What's training like Sarah, what will I have to do?"

"I'm sure Casey will try to get your boney ass in shape for starters!"

"What, I don't have a boney ass, I have a very nice ass thank you very much!"

"I'm sure you already know what my opinion of your ass is Chuck, but I think you should know, analysis's go through mental exercises and they test your way of thinking… but I'm worried."

"I promise I'll do my best for you Sarah…" Chuck stopped talking when Sarah started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You Chuck, you're worried about failing, and I'm worried what you're going to do to these poor analysts when you take all their theories and throw them out the window. You're going to boggle their mind with the way you think and your problem solving methods."

"Oh, I can't wait." Chuck said, but his mind was not on the sandwich in front of him, or on the way he was going to dazzle the analysts in Moab, or what he needed to pack to leave with Casey tomorrow. No, his mind was on the beautiful blond across from him and how he was about to face the most demanding task he has ever been challenged with, and he had to do this without the one person that makes him strive to be the best he can.

Sarah just looked at the long face Chuck had on and felt the same way in the bottom of her heart, but there was no way she was going to show him that now, not with such an important week coming up for Chuck. She knew how hard the week was going to be for him and she needed him to focus.

"Sarah, I know we need to get you to the airport, but what's going to happen to us?"

Sarah just looked at Chuck and couldn't help but think what if… what if she stayed on the intersect project but wasn't Chuck's handler, what if she never got to see Chuck again, could she live that life?

Chuck and Sarah were quiet as Casey drove them both to the airport. Chuck always the gentleman helped Sarah with her carryon case as Casey just looked on and gave Sarah a quick nod… Sarah shared a brief smile with Chuck as he pulled her bag aside her.

"Chuck, walk me to the security line?"

"Chuck, you have 5 minutes before I drag your sorry ass home."

Chuck just shot Casey a facial dagger as he grabbed Sarah's bag and headed into the airport. They walked in silence to the security line when Sarah broke the silence that both of them were taking comfort in.

"Chuck, this is as far as you can go, I get to use my skip the line CIA badge to head straight to the gate."

"Sarah, can I call you, I mean will I be able to call you?"

"Chuck, you need to focus on the training you are going to get in Moab. Try not to push Casey's buttons too much. I want you to be in once piece when I return." There, she said it. The white elephant in the room, will they see each other again, and when?"

"Tell you what, as soon as I am in DC, I'll let you know what's going on as soon as possible. You better go before Casey get's mad."

"Sarah, just be safe and come back, just remember I can't do this without you." Chuck looked into her deep blue eyes and felt a warming sensation go through his body as he reached out and grasped her hand. He gave it a slight squeeze and let go as the tears started to build in his favorite blue eyes.

Sarah couldn't believe the warmth and comfort that came from such a small gesture. But that was Chuck and she knew she needed the comfort he offered her. He kept her grounded, he was a gravitational force that was growing and pulling her in. She could feel her life changing but now she had to leave it all behind. She didn't know how long or what was going to happen but she made a vow to herself right then and there to return no matter what would happen.

As Sarah turned and walked towards the concourse, Chuck could feel his heart melted as she turned her head in one brief moment and gave him a smile, just a small one, but it was enough for him to hold onto until he saw her again. Chuck walked back to the car wondering how much of his heart just left him.

"Get it in gear Bartowski, we have our own flight tomorrow" Casey barked at Chuck as he slowly got into the car with his every thought about a blue eyed blond who was the center of his life.

"Chuck, you have to get your head in the game, we leave tomorrow morning and we have to pack tonight. Come on and get those lady feelings all out of your system so we can move on."

"Why, are we going to have some male bonding time next week?"

"The only bonding going on will be from my foot in your ass, and maybe some gun play."

Chuck just looked at Casey's straight face and grinned, "Casey this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"Don't you ever quote me like that after one of your movie nights with Walker on one of your fake but real, but who knows what it is dates, Now shut up and listen I need to you pack…."

Casey just went on about what Chuck needed to pack but all Chuck would think about was Sarah Walker and what Casey was going to do to him starting tomorrow.