Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck…and to be honest, I've killed off so many characters, that this is barely Chuck anymore…still the same I'm not getting a dime for it…I swear.

A/N: Thank you so much for your continued interest in this little story of mine. The reviews for chapter 2 were awesome as always. You guys never disappoint so props to the readers. This chapter will focus on the trip across the country. There will be a couple of surprise appearances that I hope you enjoy. A big, bit thank you to kroblues for giving me a beta on this chapter. He picked up a bunch of crap that would have made me look even more foolish than I am had I not changed it. If you haven't read his stuff yet, give yourself a treat and check it out. Also congrats to ohtheconspiracy for being the first to answer BOTH questions in the last update. The prize was to choose a cameo by a character from past Chuck episodes that I hadn't killed off yet, and your choice is included, congratulations! For the record, Notorious JMG also answered both questions correctly, but was just a little behind the winner. Doesn't make it any less impressive. Oh, and the answers were "Luke the Drifter" was a name used by Hank Williams, and Artie DeVanzo was a character in Beer League. Thanks for playing! There will be more questions at the bottom A/N. I look forward to your feedback. And now, I present to you A Destiny Revealed chapter 3: The Lost Highway.

Cast in order of appearance

"Luke the Drifter"------Kevin Wyndham
Kate Bartowski------Kate Bosworth
John Casey------Adam Baldwin
Jimmy Porter----Brian Austin Green
Artie DeVanzo-----Artie Lange

Outside the Oasis Cantina
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
October 14, 2028

Luke led the two passengers to Jimmy's truck. It was a run down old day-trip semi. The trailer connected to it was tagged with the name of some generic sounding trucking company; 'Reynolds Trucking' it proclaimed in large black font. Even the most careful observer wouldn't have taken any notice to seeing this hunk of junk roll down the highway. The only distinguishing mark on the vehicle other than its overall decrepit appearance was a small logo hidden amongst the trailer number. The logo was a goldenrod circle, bordered in reddish orange and filled with Chinese characters that had been painted in brown. Upon looking at the faded design, Kate began to get that strange tingling just behind her eyes again.

Mao Zedong
A scrolling list of Chinese characters
A similar list with the English translations
Mao Zedong

The girl came out of the flash and nearly fell. It would take her some time to get accustomed to the toll that the process took on her. Once again, however, the flash had provided her with information she'd previously been ignorant to. The symbols in the center of the logo meant 'serenity.' Casey recognized the symptoms and hadn't been at all startled. The other man however didn't know what to make of the now apparently fading passenger.

"Are you alright?" Luke asked, moving to catch her if she indeed fell. Kate managed to keep her balance, but just barely. Still the same, Luke's sturdy arms held her up as she regained her equilibrium. She looked up into the cloudy blue eyes of the stranger who'd come to her rescue and for a moment was lost. There was something so comforting and familiar hidden in those smoky orbs.

"You alright?" Luke asked again, breaking her from her inner thoughts. Kate blushed realizing that she'd been in the man's arms a little too long and had been staring at him a bit too intently. He quietly let the moment pass and continued to show them to their makeshift quarters in the trailer.

Outside, Jimmy Porter was making his way to his truck when he was approached by a rather rotund, middle-aged Italian man. His clothes were designer labels to be sure, but for whatever reason, possibly his immense obesity, he wore them quite poorly. The extravagant black button down shirt hung open, allowing his barrel shaped gut to poke through, covered only by a stained white t-shirt. His tailor-made pants remained unbuttoned, held up only by the belt that encircled him, which was being stretched to its very limits to accomplish that feat. A large bald spot stationed itself at the back of his head. The existence of said bald spot had once lead an intoxicated business associate to suggest that the man convert to Orthodox Judaism so that he could wear a yamaka to cover the patch of missing hair. That associate had never been heard from again.

Jimmy was not the type to make that mistake. If he had a crack to make about Artie DeVanzo, it would be behind his back, and when he knew for certain the local crime lord was out of earshot. To his face, Jimmy would show nothing but respect.

"Jimmy, you still haven't gotten me my money."

"Art, come on man. You know what happened with that shipment to Lawrence. It wasn't my fault. The damn Republic has been breathing down my neck-"

"Jimmy, I like you. You know I like you, but I don't pay you to go out and make excuses. I pay you to make deliveries. Are you telling me that you cannot make those deliveries? Because if you are-"

"No!" Jimmy answered a little more firmly than he'd intended. He quickly lowered his voice as he continued. "Mr. DeVanzo, sir, I can make the deliveries. I've just had a little bad luck lately." He saw the large man was about to interrupt again, so Jimmy moved to speak up before he got the opportunity. "But I have a pie job on my hands, Art. Real cakewalk and it is going to pay me enough to get you your money back for the last two jobs, plus interest."

"Plus interest?" asked DeVanzo. His interest was clearly peaked. Jimmy only nodded in response. "Very good, Jimmy. You go take care of your business." Artie was good at many parts of running an organized crime ring. His one weakness was allowing his greed to rule his judgments instead of common sense. Jimmy's promise of even more money than was actually owed him was then an excellent way to get an extension of sorts on the payback.

Inside the truck, Kate had wandered off to find some solitude. Honestly, she wanted to find anything that would allow her to put the awkward moment with Luke behind her. She'd had a few close friends growing up, but her Uncle John had drawn the line at dating. He would never say why, but with the recent information she'd become privy to, she reasoned that it probably had something to do with this spy-world. It had never really bothered her however. She'd been much more interested in sports and cars than boys anyway. But something about that guy… She'd have to put those thoughts away for now. It wasn't very spy like of her to harbor such musings.

Casey, in the meantime was trying to glean as much information from the driver's navigator as he could. His attempts were proving mostly worthless. This Luke was a quiet kid. From the weary look in his eyes, Casey could tell that for such a young man, he'd been through a lot. There was something else about this man that caught Casey's attention however. Something vaguely familiar…

"So what do you think of Serenity?" asked the blustering voice of Jimmy Porter as he entered the trailer.

"I think she's seen her better days," quipped Casey. "And Serenity?"

"Yeah, ol' Luke here is a big fan of old science fiction. He suggested the name from some film he'd seen before. Sounded good enough to me."

Casey knew the film. He'd been forced to watch it over surveillance of the moron plenty of times back all those years ago. Hell, even Walker had come to like that movie. It wasn't really Casey's cup of tea, but he did like that Jayne character. He shook his head to snap out of the memories of times gone by. Kate needed his attention in the here and now. "Well, that's all well and good, but the question is, can it move?"

Jimmy's face took on an indignant expression. "You bet your ass she can move! I've outrun more Republic Patrolmen in this rig than you could ever imagine." Casey nodded in approval. These two seemed to have no love lost for the current regime, and that was the type of partnership he really needed right now. It still couldn't hurt to get a little back story.

"So, besides being smugglers, what do you guys have against the Republic?" Casey watched them closely for any sign of dishonesty. Not surprisingly, Luke didn't seem as though he would talk about it, but his buddy Jimmy just wasn't the type to stay quiet.

"They meddle," he stated plainly. "They get into people's business, and they mess with people's minds." At the last part, Jimmy turned a sympathetic face toward his partner. It was only a brief slip, and would have been imperceptible to most people. John Casey, however, was not most people. He picked up immediately that whatever the beef these two had with the powers-that-be it was based mostly on Luke's history. And from the comment that preceded the look it almost certainly had something to do with Intersect testing. Casey made a mental note to try to learn more on that later.

Serenity was certainly not a typical beaten down old truck. The trailer was actually connected to the cab allowing Luke and Jimmy easy movement back to the trailer which housed compartments for smuggling, bunks, a surprisingly well stocked arsenal, and enough NOS to supply the dental community for the next century. Casey was impressed by the setup, though he would never tell that to the hothead in charge of this wreck that.

Somewhere on the map in East Texas
In the guest quarters of Serenity
Later that night

Kate sat on her bunk, her back resting against the wall. She was utterly exhausted from the workout her uncle had put her through. She had always been quite athletic, a trait Casey had told her was definitely a gift from her mother, but even so she found herself unready for the exertion he was asking of her. Luke had come back a few minutes earlier to inform the two passengers that the truck would soon be stopping to refuel and that he and Jimmy would be getting something to eat at a little diner nearby.

Kate had been surprised that Uncle John had agreed to accompany them to get some food. She'd thought it would probably be best if they remained out of sight of anyone. He'd informed her, however that the most important thing was to make sure that their transporters were on the up and up. Leaving them alone to handle their own business could lead to Casey and Kate being turned over to the Republic in exchange for the government looking the other way during Jimmy's smuggling runs. That logic seemed reasonable enough to the novice spy, and with the growing hunger in the pit of her stomach, she was certainly not going to argue it.

As she continued her ruminations of what was to come, and what she was to become, she was nearly startled as her uncle quietly came to join her in the dark room. He was carrying something in a brown paper bag, thought she couldn't begin to make out what it might be.

"Hey Kate Monster," he said softly in greeting. He hadn't called her that since she was a little girl. Maybe he was feeling a little nostalgic. Maybe I am too, she thought as his childhood term of endearment for her brought a big smile to her face.

"What's up Uncle John?" She pushed herself up on the old lumpy mattress to get a better look at the man. It was a chore with the aching she had in her muscles from the training earlier in the evening. He walked over to the bunk and took a seat beside her, holding out the paper bag.

"What is it?" she asked without taking the bag.

"Open it and see," he replied.

She shrugged and began to tear at the bag that had been taped closed. The package was hard, and heavy. More than likely it was some type of electrical device. Upon finally getting it open, she realized that she was right. It was what appeared to be a very old iPhone. But I already have a phone…one that wasn't made twenty years ago. Still, she wasn't going to be ungrateful. "Thank you Uncle John," she said, wrapping him in a hug.

"That's not the gift, Kate. Turn it on." She did as she'd been instructed, and then went to the videos which had been his next directive. There were eighteen videos in all. They were labeled as 'kate18' and numbers 001-018. She looked over to her uncle who seemed to be encouraging her to play them. Hesitantly, she started the first video. The picture came into focus on a woman that looked almost exactly like Kate. The blonde hair and striking blue eyes on the screen made her feel almost as though she was looking in a mirror.

Then the image began to speak.

My dearest Kate. I am your mother, Sarah Walker. If you're watching this, then it means that my final mission was unsuccessful. I regret that I won't get to see you grow up to be the beautiful and strong young woman that I know you will be. I regret also that you will never know me as I would have liked, but I've left you with someone that I trust to always do right by you, and who I believe will help guide you toward your future.

Kate, the Intersect is a powerful weapon when put into the right hands. Your father was the only one I ever met that could properly use it. It is our belief that such use is a genetic trait; one that you will almost certainly have inherited. And so, my little girl, it is your duty, and your destiny to avenge all of those who have fallen to this new Republic. It breaks my heart that I must task you with this, but even now, when I look at you lying in your crib, I can tell that you will be up to the challenge. The other videos you will find on this device are instructive that I have recorded for you. I will take you through how to properly use the Intersect as I understand it, how to survive in the world of espionage, and some information on your enemies. They are listed in a step-by-step fashion, and I only ask that you do not try to get ahead of yourself. Listen to John, and follow what I will teach you on these recordings, and you will never have anything to worry about.

I have all the confidence in the world in you, my beautiful daughter. And if you ever feel alone, or as if no one is there to help you, just know that I'm always watching. I'm always there for you. I love you with all my heart Kate.

The video faded to black and the screen went back to the main menu. Casey looked over to his surrogate niece who now had tears streaming down her face. The one thing that Casey really regretted in raising the girl is that she never saw a picture of anyone from her real family. It would have been too dangerous to keep pictures around should they have had to run. Even for a man hardened by war such as Casey, it was hard not to understand just how emotional that moment was for Kate. He couldn't fathom what it must be like to see your mother for the very first time at the age of eighteen.

"Happy birthday, Kate," he said. She pounced forward wrapping her arms securely around Casey's neck as the tears continued to flow. He hugged her back, holding her just as firmly. In many ways, he was still struggling with the thought of not being able to protect her anymore. The little girl that he'd taught to ride a bike, fix and drive cars, the little girl that had always depended on him was all grown up. Irrationally he thought that if he never let her go from this hug that it never had to be true.

And so as the truck came to a stop, and Jimmy made his way back to the quarters to retrieve his passengers, he found them still embraced in the arms of one another.

"Whoa, man. I thought you said that was your niece? Know what? Don't care. Not judgment on this ride." The driver walked off, seeming to ignore the deadly gaze that Casey had cast on him.

Groucho's Deli
Humble, Texas
Even later that night

I see all types of people come through here late nights. Most of them look just like that group of drifters over at table three. Well, that's not true. Very few of them look like the girl. She's worn out from whatever journey they're on, that's for sure, but I haven't seen anyone that pretty since I lived out in California. In fact, she looks like someone I remember. I just can't quite put my finger on it.

"How're you folks doing tonight?" It's a faux accent, but unless you're a local, it's hard to tell the difference. The two young ones don't seem to say anything. There's a sad look on the girl's face, so she must be going through something. The boy I can't tell. Maybe he's just the silent type. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Shoot, a strong silent type can be just what a woman needs sometimes. The oldest of the group doesn't seem to be a big talker either. He mostly just grunts and speaks in monosyllabic non-sentences. He kind of reminds me of someone too come to think about it. Course, I can't really concentrate on where I might have seen the old man and the girl before because the other one in the group, Jimmy, he'd called himself, wouldn't shut up.

Those fast talkers are always the one's you have to watch out for, and he's one of the fastest. Well, no use and standing around gawking, I'll just go wait for them to get done.

I can't help feeling like I know that girl though. And I know for sure that I've seen the old man before. Maybe I knew him a long time ago. Back before everything changed…

Oh my God…that's John Casey from the Buy More! And that girl looks just like Sarah Walker the yogurt girl did twenty years ago. Oh my God! Wait…wasn't there a reward for both Sarah and John out at one time? Seems like I remember that from years ago. Ah, hell, I wouldn't turn 'em in anyway. If there's a reward for them then that means they're no friends of the Republic. And anyone that's on the bad side of the Republic is on the right side by me. Hell, I'd still be in Los Angeles if it wasn't for those meddling bastards. I ain't going to cause John and…whoever the girl is any trouble.

If John and Sarah's clone are here, I wonder what Chuck Bartowski's up to nowadays. There was some talk that he died, but damn it wasn't ever confirmed. They kind of just glazed over that in the papers. Well, no use worrying about it now, I suppose. Just the same, I might make me a 'Chuck' sandwich, just for old-times' sakes.

With: Yvonne Strahovski as Sarah Walker
and Rachel Bilson as Waitress/Lou Palone

A/N: Thank you guys so much for reading, and I hope you'll take just a moment to review. And I also hope you enjoyed it, but you can still review even if you didn't…I'll keep it between us. Now for the questions:

What poster on the TWoP Kicked Us Out But We Still Love Chuck forum was referenced in this chapter, and where?

Groucho's Deli is a real place, but is located in the Carolinas, and eastern Georgia. What is their trademark sandwich? Bonus if you can name the dipping sauce they are famous for.

There can be two winners. You only have to answer one question to win. First person to answer each question will be given a fabulous prize! Thank you again for reading, and you guys are awesome. Peace.