SECOND CHANCES
I own nothing. Enjoy and please let me know what you think. Thank you for the thousands of people stopping by and please drop me a line so I can hear what you think, like or don't like. Its nice to see the numbers but hearing from you with your thoughts is also appreciated. mssupertigz
CHAPTER six
Chuck sat by the window with one of the blankets covering his body, watching the sun rise on their last morning of their 'honeymoon' as Sarah been saying that it was all week. Looking at her sleep, it reminded himself on how lucky he was. But fear slowly crept in and overtook his thoughts. He knew that the train would be arriving soon in Krakow, and all of this would be over. Back to being a spy, back to what it was like before the trip. He threw himself a question 'What is it going to be like between us when we arrived in Krakow or when we head back to LA?'
His question was probably in the back of his mind like it had been in Sarah's, who feared giving into her feeling because of the repercussions of an asset and a handler. No one knew about them and what had happened between them on the train. Chuck took some solace in the fact that because they were confined to this small compartment, safe from the world, the job rules etc. when the train stopped, they didn't.
Chuck looked over at Sarah and wondered because she had told him that 'this' scared her more than any spy mission she had ever been on. He knew that he loved her, and though it was scary for her that last few days he knew that Sarah allowed herself to blossom, breathe, live, experience life and to allow someone to love her. Chuck was glad that he was the one to share that with her.
Sarah rolled over reaching to the other side and not finding what she was searching for. Lifting her head slightly she smiled when she saw her target. "Morning."
"Morning."
"What time is it?"
"Its 's about five?"
"FIVE!"
"Yeah, sorry couldn't sleep. And I didn't want to toss and turn and keep you up."
Sarah opened the bed and patted the mattress. Chuck tossed the blanket and crawled into bed lying in on his side facing Sarah. Sarah quickly kissed his lips the caressed his face. Chuck laid his head down with his hands close to Sarah.
"You ok"
"Yeah."
"Truth?"
"Truth." Chuck sighed slightly.
"Just a little bummed."
"Yeah me too."
Chuck moved onto his back as Sarah snuggled on his chest. Chuck wrapped his arm around her, caressing her arm.
"When do we arrive?"
"By early evening around five or six depending on the train. I don't think that there are many more stops so they could arrive when they said they would?"
"Then we call Casey?"
"I guess or we can call him before hand then and see what's the next step will be?"
"Well we will need to have a meeting with Beckman. Then see what Casey has been up to this week?"
Chuck kissed the top of Sarah's head.
Sarah was waiting for Chuck to say something. Sarah got up onto her elbow and looked at Chuck. She saw that look. She knew that look all too well, she was to blame for it many times. Placing her hand on his face, she it towards her.
She didn't know what to say that would make this moment feel less different. She leaned in and kissed him then moving back from the kiss. "I love you."
Then kissed him again. "This is not over, its just the beginning."
Chuck shifted slightly encasing her face his his hands. "I love you too."
"We have 10 hours to make this the day that we do whatever we want. Until that train stops, and we walk off it. Out there doesn't exist."
Chuck kissed her and brought her on top of him. Sitting up slightly, Sarah kissed him hard. Chuck ran his hands up and down her spine, engulfing all of her. Sarah kept Chuck busy till she got that smile on his face. Chuck returned the look with his infamous eye brow dance and flipped her onto her back. Lifting her leg things sped up but they didn't want it to end too quickly.
Chuck laid on his stomach as Sarah laid on is back kissing his back and massaging his neck and shoulders. "You know, if you continue like this, it might not end well."
Sarah laid down on Chuck, as Chuck felt her skin touch his. "And that's bad because….. I personally think that it will end well for both of us?" Sarah kissed his back.
Sarah rolled over and looked at clock. It was 9:00 and the dining car would be open for another hour, so they had to get moving if they wanted to eat. Leaving Chuck, she showered and returned to find the room empty. Chuck returned 15 minutes later and started to pack. Chuck grabbed his bag and put it on the bed. Adding items, he grabbed a small bag of souvenirs that he had gotten when Sarah was off getting snacks. Seeing Sarah walk back into the main part of the room, he stuffed the small bag it into his bigger bag. Catching a kiss, he zipped up his bag and placed it on the floor.
"So, what now Bartowski?"
"Well, first this." Walking up to her he held her close and kissed her."
"Well we can't do this all day?"
"Why not?"
Sarah hit his chest then smiled.
"Ok." Still holding her close.
"We have breakfast then spend some time in the observational deck till we decide what to do next. We could have a little fun before the train stops."
"One last jaunt."
"Wrestling in the sheets."
Chuck tilted his head side to side.
"Let's go eat."
Sarah grabbed a jacket and Chuck's hand and walked out.
Chuck and Sarah ordered several items and stayed in the dining hall till they took the hint and headed to the observational deck. Chuck and Sarah walked up the side steps to the top and found a four seater at the back facing the on-coming scenery. Chuck gave her the seat by the window but was able to see as much as he could due to his height. The top was made out of clear plexi glass and was open on three sides. It was quiet, which they loved and which allowed them to have some time alone. Chuck stretched out his legs by putting them on the seat in front of him then Sarah placed her legs next to his, resting her back against his chest. Chuck wrapped his arms around her, still keeping his hands free, watching Sarah as she played with his fingers, reminding him of Black Rock.
Hours later…..
Sarah awoke to the loud speaker welcoming the passengers to Poland and that they would be arriving at the Krakow station in one hour. She was surprised that she had fallen asleep. Sitting up, she looked at Chuck who had fallen asleep as well. 'I guess our little jaunt isn't going to happen?' She said to herself.
Sarah caressed Chucks face then she leaned in and kissed his lips ever so softly. Chuck woke up with a smile on his face then sat up. He looked at his phone for the time and saw that it was a little past four. Looking at Sarah. "Did I miss something?"
"Yeah the train will arrive in one hour? So, I guess our last hoorah won't happen?"
Chuck got up. "Out there." Pointing out towards the window. "That doesn't exist till this train stops. Remember."
Sarah took Chucks hand and walked back to their compartment. Chuck tossed their bags onto the floor as Sarah rushed to get their clothes off. Chuck watched as Sarah sat on the bed knowing that this was their last hoorah. Sarah reached out her hand as Chuck took it and moved towards the bed. Sarah laid back as Chuck followed her. Chuck kissed her neck and ran his hands over her back keeping her close. Sarah wrapped her legs around him. Like their first time, it wasn't rushed and the outside hummed and busiest itself and the only separation was the compartment walls. Chuck held her hand in his as she caressed his face, their movements had a rhythm of their own. Sarah held him close as she had done many times this week. She felt his heart beat against hers as they whispered, I love you to each other.
Sarah got up placed her feet on the floor reaching for her clothes. Chuck rolled over onto the other side grabbing his boxers and jeans and slipped into them. It felt weird that it ended this way, but it was how they wanted it to happen. Sarah got up and grabbed Chuck's black long sleeve button down shirt. She remembered him wearing this on their first second date a year ago. Holding it up as he slipped his arms into it, she had him turn as she buttoned it for him. Chuck held her close as she buttoned the last button. Their last few minutes again where interrupted by the message that they had arrived at the Krakow station. Chuck kissed her one last time then grabbed his phone. Turning it on, seeing no texts of calls for once, he dialed Casey's number.
Chuck put his phone away and grabbed their bags and headed out. The air was cooler and dampish, with the smell of rain in the air. Walking towards the station Chuck found a bench and put their bags down. Sarah sat down, scanning the area. Chuck watched as the Sarah had slipped back into her other self. Sarah looked up to see that Chuck had diverted his eyes when she looked at him after she had done the sweep of the station. It was in her blood, something that was hard for her to just shut off. Looking towards to where Chuck was, she grabbed his arm, rubbing it to get his attention. "So, when is Casey arriving?"
"About a half hour or hour?"
"You want something to drink?"
"Sure." Sarah turned to leave then faced him.
"I love you?"
Chuck looked down at her. He loved that woman and to hear her say those words out loud made him feel a bit better. "I love you too."
"Be right back."
Sarah walked inside. Chuck sat down on the bench watching passengers come and go. He had never been this far north before so the culture and language was a bit different than what he was use to. But he continued to watch till Sarah came back. They sat on the bench as Sarah snuggled into Chuck's chest allowing him to put his arm around her.
"Thanks for the coffee. So, you have been here before, in Poland?"
"You're welcome and yes. Carina and I had a few missions here with the CAT Squad. I guess it not a popular place, but a lot come here to check out the Concentration camps. But like every other country, you will always have a bag guy or two."
"Yeah it would be cool to check out the camps, but I guess it won't happen this time around."
Chuck took a sip of his coffee. "No, sorry Chuck not this time."
Sarah jumped up and grabbed Chuck's cup and tossed it into the garbage, then turned as Chuck got up about to reach for his bags. Sarah caught his lips. "What was that for?"
"I don't know when I will be able to do it again." Chuck smiled and was about to return the kiss when he saw Casey come around the corner. Casey walked up and greeted the two.
"You survived Walker?"
Sarah looked up at Casey then back at Chuck. "Yeah it wasn't too bad." As every single moment and feelings ran through her mind.
"And you?"
"It was a long trip but like Sarah said it wasn't too bad."
Casey grabbed one of the bags.
"So, what was your week like?"
"Mostly waiting, found some things that I show you when we get back."
"So where are we going?"
"Mei Ling has put us in a small apartment that we can use for the remaining of this mission. I set up a room to correspond with Beckman."
"Yeah we need to debrief."
"Well enjoy the ride, it maybe the last time you have some peace and quiet."
Chuck tossed their bags into the back and slipped inside seeing Mei Ling in the passenger side. Saying hello, Chuck and Sarah sat back. As Casey drove off, they reached for their hands trying to make the ride enjoyable.
Undisclosed location
Casey dropped Sarah's bag in the first room then showed Chuck his room down the hall. Chuck took his spy bag and placed it on the table next to the make shift operations room that Casey had mentioned. Giving them the room Sarah looked at Chuck. "Its time I guess."
Sarah pressed the button waiting for it to connect with DC. It was noon in DC and Sarah hoped that she had gone on her lunch break but as soon as Sarah was about to reach to cancel the call Beckman came on.
"Hello, Agent Walker and Bartowski, how was the train trip?"
Both Sarah and Chuck look at each other but quickly turn their eyes back to the screen.
"Good, long but good."
"Yeah, weather not the greatest but we managed and…."
Sarah took a step forward.
"General. We retrieved the USB and the money that was in the safe deposit box after taking out the two men that we believed Keller had hired to follow through on whatever was on the USB. And the money we figured was their payment. We were being followed but ended meeting with the two Interpol Agents as was arranged."
"Very good. I spoke to the two Interpol Agents. Special Agents Stampe and Ivy were impressed with you from the beginning. Agent Ivy mentioned that you two were very convincing as a married couple." Giving them a stern look.
Sarah looked at Chuck "It was them."
Sarah turned to the screen. The couple they met was them and they saw everything, the sexy dancing, the making out. But did they really think that it was all an act?
Chuck saw the look on Sarah's face. Sarah looked firmly at the General.
Beckman shared the same look.
"General."
"Yes Agent Walker."
"Sarah NO!" Chuck moved closer.
"Chuck and I are dating."
Sarah looked at Chuck then grabbed his hand.
"Exclusively. We are a couple."
Chuck lets goof her hand and takes a step back.
Beckman gives the two a stern look.
"General. I know that it's not ethical what's agents do professionally and or personally, but I can't fight with protocol anymore. I will finish this mission then resign."
Beckman's look on her face turned to shock. Chuck was like 'What did you just do.'
"Agent Walker and Bartowski. It is unfounded that an Agent should ever mix their personal life with their professional one…."
Sarah waiting her her response and Chuck knowing that it was all over.
"But when I spoke to Agents Stampe and Ivy, they told me how impressed they were and how professional your were despite the realism of (cough) your performance. I got the suspicious feeling that what they were telling me was more than a what your too had call what your had a fake relationship. Stampe and Ivy have been a married spy couple for 30 years."
Chuck and Sarah reached, for their hands again. They knew that there was no turning back and united they had to be.
"I met the two of them in London when I was training. Ivy was my bunk mate and her first mission were, to protect a man who MI6 had intel on, and what he knew he needed to be protected. Just like Chuck had to be. At first it was casual, playing the role, playing the part, but things changed as they always do. Many people frowned on the idea, but they made it work. And so, have you. Sarah you have never intentionally put your feelings for Chuck ahead of the missions – and it has always been the driving force to why it worked. Just like Chucks feelings for you. He mentioned once that it was those feelings that made the three of you work so well together.
So, I will not accept your resignation. And if you waiting, for my blessing you have it."
Chuck and Sarah smiled at each other.
"Now get back to work. And we will see you back in LA."
Chuck looked back at Sarah, thinking about the amount of pressure and guts it took to stand up for them in front of Beckman of all people. Just added to how he felt about her. That she risked her life. This is one of many times she risked her career. Chuck recalled the Black Rock incident. Which ended up with them expressing how they felt. The 49B, which showed another side of her and Chuck explaining that their feelings was the glue to why they worked so well together. Then there was Prague which didn't end well but Sarah was willing to risk her career for them by running away, and now at this moment, she did it again.
Chuck stepped closer to her and instinctively she turned and embraced his open arms.
"Don't say it."
"Um ok."
Chuck held her close, he was able to feel her heart beat through his shirt.
Chuck watched as Sarah tried to wipe a tear away from her cheek. Chuck kissed the top of her head then moved back.
"That was."
"I don't know what that was?"
"Why then?"
"I was tired of hiding how I felt, and this week was beyond my wildest dreams. To share and experience everything with you, I couldn't just continue and not say that it didn't happened. "
"But your job?"
"Yes, but it's just a job, but this." Grabbing his hands. "This is real."
"So, I figured coming clean might help?"
"You just told Beckman about us."
"I'd do anything for us. A job is a job but you're my whole world."
Sarah leaned in and kissed Chuck. Chuck wrapped his arms around her intensifying the kiss even more.
Breaking the kiss.
"Do we tell Casey?"
"No not yet. He has enough on his plate and adding our love life isn't one of them."
Chuck laughed. He had never heard Sarah talk like this. Walking to the door.
"Love life."
"Well what would you call it then?"
Chuck stopped shy of the door. Then looked at Sarah. "I would call it that we are in a committed relationship and that we are pleasantly enjoying our time communicating in more ways than one."
"Chuck." Staring at him with a devilish smile. "We are dating, exclusively."
"Most exclusively." Chuck answers her by sealing it with a kiss.
Chuck and Sarah open the door noticing Casey and Ming Lei standing around the kitchen table that was a made into make shift work station.
Casey looked up. "All good with Beckman?"
Sarah looked up at Chuck then back to Casey to answer his question.
"Yeah were good."
Still looking at the two of them.
"And the train trip? A week on the train. Must have been brutal."
Chuck and Sarah replayed the whole weeks activities.
"It could have been worse." Not wanting to say anymore Sarah changed the subject.
"So, where are we?"
"Mei Ling and I were able to locate where Keller had been but from the looks of it he hasn't been back. We did find out that Keller had set up a private security firm that was operated on a who's who mentality. But otherwise not much."
"And the years you were here?"
"From what I found out and could remember, I didn't know about it? But that doesn't mean that he wasn't here. And you two?"
"Chuck was able to locate the two men and we took care of them to access the safe deposit box."
"Casey, we found out, that he had hired two men to take the contents from the box."
"What was in the box?"
"After figuring out what his security question was, which was pretty clever…."
"Chuck!"
"Yeah, a large sum of money and a USB."
"And?"
"That's all?"
"Yeah, we made sure that nothing was left."
Casey diverted his eyes.
"What is it Casey?"
"Not sure Sarah, I mean I was hoping for something bigger than what you found. Than the money and the USB?"
"We handed it over to Interpol as was requested by Beckman." Casey was a bit upset that the only link to Keller was now in the hands of Interpol.
Chuck walked over to his bag and pulled out his laptop. Walking over he accessed his email and opened the zip file he had sent himself.
Turning his screen around.
"We did manage to make a copy."
"That's my Chuck." Casey grunted a #8 happy but this is all that your going to get grunt.
Casey plugged in an adapter and brought Chuck's screen up onto the bigger screen.
Chuck sat down and opened zip file. The four of them watched as only two files were on the drive.
Chuck did a search to see how old the files were and who might have put them on the drive. Coming up with nothing he promised to find out. But when he accessed the first of the two files. The file opened up to what looked like a room but nothing else showed up. Chuck opened up the second file and it was a password protected file. Chuck sat back a bit disappointed to the fact that they had come so far to come up so empty. Casey looked at Chuck.
"Now what?"
"I can keep looking, there has to be something more on this drive to have Keller pay that much money and to have Interpol so interested as well. Give me some time ok."
Sarah moved closer to Chuck and Casey.
"Casey, Chuck's right, and if anyone can figure that out its Chuck." Sarah winked at him and walked away.
Casey, Mei Ling and Sarah went over Casey's surveillance for that last week while Chuck kept busy.
Chuck looked at the file and checked the date in which the file was saved and checked to see what server was used. Doing a DOS command search Chuck checked the servers name and IP folder. Checking for any sign of a stamp date. Which he hoped would give him a time and maybe a location. Chuck continued to type away trying to tap into his inner Piranha from back in the day to help him out.
An hour went by and Chuck was still trying to find out something that would be worth all the time he was spending on this.
It was evident that whomever downloaded the file didn't want to be found and from what he knew of Keller. Keller wasn't the one who downloaded it, but he was definitely the one calling the shots. Chuck went through so many back doors that he wondered if any would be the right front doors. Not giving in he checked what he called his hail Mary. Finding deep within one of the DOS files he located the one of transcript and opened it up. The held the host or owner's pen name and searched those file names. Doing a right click he opened the file and clicked on a new window. The date stamped was dated two months ago.
Chuck leaned back and called the team back to the table.
Sarah sat down next to him as he explained as fast as he could.
"Basically, it was uploaded about two months ago and the original upload might have been a live feed which I find interesting because the first file we see and could find was just that a file and not an actual live feed. But I hope to find that actual feed."
"And the second file?"
Chuck typed a few key strokes then pressed enter.
The team looked at the file as it opened. All the file gave them was a name and a location that wasn't familiar to any of them.
Chuck scrolled down and that was all that was on the page.
"So why would Interpol want this and what good would this file be to the men who were hired to get it in the first place?"
"Don't know Casey."
Mei Ling looked at Chuck.
"Chuck can you go back to the first file."
Chuck clicked back to the first file.
She had peeked Casey's interest.
"You see something?"
"Maybe, but it might be nothing."
Mei Ling sat down and looked at the image.
"Chuck you mentioned that you thought that it might have been a live feed?"
"Yeah but there's no way it can be because it's not linked to a feed, or even that it is hooked up to a camera."
"Exactly but this might just be a still of the actual feed. I have seen this before where kidnappers or high targeted ops use stills to get their message across. They take a photo and send it to whoever they want and if the recipient knows what to look for, they can figure it out without setting off any alarms."
"So, whoever took the photo hid something in the image."
"Most likely."
The four stared at the image making a list of possible clues from what they had found out about this mission so far. They looked at the photo and from what they could tell was that the room was possibly in a building that faced an old bakery. Chuck enhanced the photo to get a better look at the reflection from the street level window. Chuck then did a search of buildings in Krakow that might fit the description.
"Casey and Ming Lei did, you come across any buildings this week that might be the one we are looking for?"
Casey shook his head. Chuck then looked at Ming Lei she also shook her head.
Chuck brought up a few photos that might fit the bill. Casey looked at the photos.
"Possibly, but why would this place be of interest to Keller?"
"It might not be the place we need to focus on but what they might be keeping in that building. Remember he planned to pay those men a pretty penny for their services and they must have had some idea what to look for, if this was all they would have picked up."
"And your sure that there isn't more on this USB?"
"I don't think so, but I can keep looking."
Casey walked off leaving the women standing next to him. "What do you think?"
Mei Ling turned towards Chuck and Sarah. "We can go by the area tomorrow when we can actually see what we are looking for. I agree with Chuck that there has to be more to this than these two files. And from what I know of you Chuck you will find out what we need to know."
Mei Ling smiled then walked away.
Sarah sat down beside Chuck and placed her hand on his neck, rubbing it softly. She knew Chuck liked it, but it also relaxed him, she could tell that he was getting stressed.
Chuck closed his eyes briefly then smiled at Sarah. "You can do this."
"I hope so, but when there's no file there's no file. You can retrieve a file if it was deleted by mistake but again you need the server in which it came from."
"Can you get an IP address and then come in that way?"
Chuck turned to look at her. "Now who's the nerd."
Sarah sat back and bent her leg up on the chair grabbing a piece of fruit that was left on the table beside her.
"I guess someone has rubbed off on me."
Chuck swallowed quickly. Her response was both impressive and hot at the same time.
Chuck clicked again on the files preferences and brought up a DOS command and searched the files transcripts again.
After midnight local time
Chuck started to see double on his screen then looked at his watch. It had been almost 21 hours since they had awaken, mixed in with the time differences which would make it almost six a.m. in China. Chuck looked around the room and saw that Ming Lei had gone to sleep and Sarah was heading towards her room. Casey had gone out for his last smoke, but Chuck knew that he would be sleeping anytime soon.
Chuck continued his search but let it search on its own. He needed sleep. Pushing himself away from the table he felt two arms slide in around him. Chuck turned around. Sarah instantly kissed him not worried about who was in the room. Chuck kissed her back then held her close.
"You done for now?"
"Yeah I'm seeing double and looking at the clock we have been up almost 24 hours. I am ready to crash."
Chuck kissed her again then pulled back when he heard the door open.
"Well good night Sarah, Casey."
Sarah gave Chuck a sadden look as he walked by her. It pained him to not say good night the way he wanted. Walking down the hall to his room he turned the knob and entered giving Sarah one last look. Sarah turned to Casey. "Yeah its' late for us so we will see you later."
"Yeah, its been a long day for all of us, have a good sleep. Its good to have you two back."
"Did you miss us Casey?"
Casey grunted his smiley grunt then headed to his room.
Sarah took one last look around the room. It was good to be back in the game, but she also started to instantly miss their time on the train, when it was just them.
Sarah changed then slid into the coldness of the sheets, she instinctively slid her legs over to the other side not finding what she was searching for. She was tired and she must have fallen asleep but when she looked at the clock it had only been a hour. In the other room Chuck was doing the same, he had tossed for what seemed like the hundredth time. Tossing and turning they, both had enough. Chuck got up and grabbed his t shirt and started to put it on. 'Less clothes the better' he thought. Heading to the door he turned the knob and there stood Sarah. Chuck looked up. "I have to leave by morning. " Between kisses. "Ok."
Chuck closed the door then carried Sarah to his bed. Placing her down on the bed, it still felt warm. Chuck reaches for her top and lift it off of her, kissing her neck then laying down further onto the bed. It didn't take long for them to pick things up.
Sarah woke to the faint glow of the sun peeking through the window. She felt pretty good then turned to see her man sleeping beside her. She kissed his cheek then looked at the clock, she could get a few more hours with Chuck but she didn't want to push it. Beckman knew but, with all that was going on this would be the last thing that Casey needed to hear. Slipping out she covered Chuck's back with the covers then grabbed her clothes quickly putting on her short shorts and top and heading out. Heading back to her room she bee lined to the bath room just to make it look like she came out of there then headed to her room.
Chuck rolled over to see his phone. Looking at the time he nervously turned to face Sarah but smiled in his pillow. Seeing that she was gone, last night played through his mind. Getting up, he showered then headed back to his computer hoping to see some progress.
Chuck sat down and looked at the progress that was made. Scrolling down he saw a file blinking. Clicking on the file he was able to get what looked like an audio feed. Putting his head phones on he listened and couldn't make out exactly what he was hearing. Playing it, he listened again then turned causing the cord from his head phones to come loose blasting the sound through out the room. Casey, Sarah and Ming Lei ran out of their rooms with guns in hand as Chuck tried to plug the cord back in.
Looking around. "Sorry guys, but now that your all up I think we have something."
Casey put his gun down then sat down beside Chuck and Sarah and Mei Ling sitting down on the other side.
"The short version is there was a hidden audio file that someone tried to erase but thanks to Mei Ling's suggestion I was able to dig a bit deeper. From what I could hear this could be the what the image is trying to tell us."
Chuck played the audio file turning up the speakers.
"Sounds like industrial?"
"Maybe even the water front?"
"Chuck can you play back that section." As Sarah stands up to point to the exact spot. Chuck scrolled back then replayed the audio.
"Now can you just bring that sound out?"
Chuck edited and removed the other noises to get a stronger sound.
"The water front!" Casey got up and grabbed the photo. If you look at the window."
Chuck brought up the photo again. Scrolling and enhancing the window.
"Chuck you asked what the reflection was, well you were half right. There is an old bakery warehouse near the water front, and I think I might know where that is."
The team felt that they had won the lottery. What they had just listened to would make or break this whole mission.
The four headed down to the Podgorze District or the Old Jewish Quarter walking back and forth near the Vistula waterfront. They split into two groups, allowing Chuck and Sarah to have some time together even if it was doing surveillance. Chuck grabbed some coffees, he was liking their coffee time together and he knew that Sarah liked it as well. Blending with the crowds they walked and followed the crowds. Sarah stopped as Chuck continued to look for the building. Sarah turned and kissed Chuck. Chuck returned the kiss and stayed lip locked longer than he expected. "Sorry for leaving early this morning but I…."
"That's ok I woke up in a fret thinking that we had over slept, and I had to
kick you out."
"Well it wasn't how I wanted to wake up this morning."
"I guess it is our new normal now that we are back in the game."
Sarah held him close, knowing that he was right, but she needed to tell him it was going to be on their own terms; mission or not.
Sarah led Chuck to the Old Jewish Quarter remembering that he wanted to see some of Poland's history. And lucky for them the building that they were looking for might be right in front of them. Sarah pulled out the photo of the picture that was on the USB and held it up trying to get a visual. Turning and adjusting for height she did the same for every building that they came across. Passing Casey and Mei Ling a few times. They too tried using the same idea on the next block but came up with nothing. Chuck stopped and looked at the plaques that listed some of the history of the neighbourhood and when these neighbourhood became Jewish Ghetto's during WWII.
Crossing the street at Krakowska and Rybaki walking towards Podgorka street, he found one building that had basement windows that faced the river. Looking up at the name of the surrounding buildings he found one with a faint light blue hand painted sign with the words Kazmeirz Bakery. Chuck asked Sarah for the photo and walked towards the building casually not to cause a concern. When he noticed two guards coming around the corner he half walked ran across the street to meet up with Sarah and embraced her in a hug. "We have bogeys on our six."
Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder then looked across the street. "Casey, we have two armed men on the corner of Krakowska and Rybaki near Podgorka street."
"Be there in 2."
Chuck and Sarah walked hand in hand then slipped by them on the other side of street near a park that led to the Jewish Ghetto entrance. Where they met Casey and Mei Ling.
Casey took his binoculars and scanned the area.
"You just saw two?"
"So far."
"Ok this might be it."
Casey snapped some photos of the front of the building. "Ok Mei Ling and I will head around the back and see what we find, and we will meet you two back at the apartment. No sense in having you two seen again near by if this is where Keller is. We will come back tonight and get a better look."
The four nodded then headed out.
Casey and Mei Ling walked around the back, and there was something familiar about this place, making Casey start to wonder if he had been here before.
"You remember something?"
"Maybe but I don't know why?"
"Did you take the Ambassador anywhere near here?"
Casey stopped. "We went on a city tour with the family once or twice when we first got here. Maybe we drove by here?"
"Did you keep any of your manifests?"
"No, I don't think so but the Chinese Consulate might have records on where we went?"
"It wouldn't hurt to look, it might give us a better reason to why this place is so familiar. I'll make a phone call and we can check it out tomorrow."
Casey nodded then continued taking photos till they were spotted by a curious guard. Casey and Mei Ling ran and hid. The guard walked by and finding nothing, he headed back. Casey took a photo then the two slipped down to the waterfront. Casey headed down the stairs then slipped his gun into the back of his back then looked up. Memories flooded back as fast as the flow of the water. He remembered walking down those exact stairs with Yu Yan after her dad headed back to the Embassy and she didn't want to go. So, he had Casey go with her. That is where their relationship started. They had spent so much time together up to this point that it felt nice to just to be there alone with her. Casey turned and caught up to Mei Ling.
" Did you know Yu Yan?"
"No, we knew very little of foreign affairs when growing up especially the family side of Governmental officials, but she sounded like she was very special?"
"Do you know where she is?"
"No, but if this continues, I might have to look for her and her dad."
"You think that they maybe targets?"
" If Keller is involved who knows."
Casey and Mei Ling headed back and by the time they returned to the apartment it was already late afternoon. Chuck and Sarah ordered in and waited for their return.
Casey replayed his time in Krakow and after talking with Mei Ling he felt that he had to see if there was a connection with Yu Yan and her dad. Helping clear the table he slipped into spare room and made some phone calls. The first one was to Beckman, he figured that if Keller was involved and if he was involved with the Ring he needed permission to dig.
"So Major you think that Keller might have it in for the former Ambassador of Poland and his family?"
"Yes, General so I need to know where they are?"
"Ok I will make some calls and get back to you. Then what?"
"Keep them safe? If they are targets for the Ring, we don't know what they will do and what we found today the building is heavily guarded. Chuck thinks that there must be something important in there to have such have presence."
"Ok you four do some more surveillance on that building and I will make contact with my Chinese counterparts."
"Thanks General."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, Mei Ling mentioned that there could be record of my assignment here years ago and a manifest or itinerary of places where the Ambassador went to while he was here, would that information still be available?"
"It might. I will see what I can do?"
"Thanks and good after noon General."
"Major."
Casey sat down and started making a list of what to do next.
The old Jewish Quarter
The door slid open and a tray was carried in by a face that was becoming familiar to them, but still over protective the tray was received. The man walked back out. This was becoming too much as word travelled through out the abandoned bakery that things were starting to move. Fear of the unknown crept in as the food was consumed. The only hope was what the window provided them and after seeing people out there earlier maybe was the reason for why things were moving.
Safehouse
Casey walked back out. "Chuck you want to head out and check out the building again. Two heads are better than one?"
The three knew what that meant, that Casey wanted Chuck but also the Intersects help. Sarah followed Chuck into his room as he grabbed his jacket. Sharing a moment. "Be safe."
"I will. So, you wanna come over tonight, we can just sleep."
"Just sleep?"
"We can cuddle some, talk."
Sarah smiled again. "You come back, and I will let you know."
"Awesome."
Chuck kissed her twice then a third time for good luck then headed out with Casey.
Casey drove up to the Jewish Quarter and parked down the block. The sky was getting darker which helped keep them out of sight. Chuck grabbed the night scope and aimed it at building. "I see four on the sidewalk and two on the roof."
"Check. Recognize anyone?"
Chuck looked again and only flashed on one, after recognizing the name on his army jacket. "I recognize the name as one Hendricks. Carter Hendricks."
Casey took the scope and looked for himself. "Yeah that's Carter, hasn't aged any still looks like a kid."
Casey then moved to the other men that Chuck mentioned. Casey was shocked to see Johnson, Salman and Rogers on the first floor and when he scanned to the roof. He saw Templeton and Forrest. That leaves Carver."
"Carver? Are the men…"
"Yeah the very ones."
Casey stood back against the tree. "Keller is definitely there, he has to be."
"But you mentioned Carver, he's not there?"
"Didn't see him. If these five are there he has to be as well."
"Keller turned them?"
"Most likely. Those five were always more like Keller and Carver and me were not."
Casey secretly hoped that Carver wasn't inside.
"Chuck when you and Sarah were looking did you by chance check to see where the rest had been?"
Chuck looked at him. "No, but it shouldn't take long to find out."
"Ok."
Basement
A box was dragged to the window where an old book was placed on top of the box allowing a better view of the outside. Grabbing a broken piece of a mirror the angle had to be just perfect. The light outside would shine on the mirror and hopefully someone would notice. They had tried the night before but when they saw movement earlier today and the people were new, they hoped that they would be back. The street light turned on. Chuck looked as the the light nearest to the building had come on which made the men move positions. The three on the street moved inside and the men from the roof came inside leaving one on the stoop. Chuck watched as the men moved but his eye caught a flash. Casey noticed that Chuck was focussed on something. Wondering if he had flashed.
"What is it?"
"Don't know, but there was something that flashed from that window."
Chuck pointed to what window and as Casey turned to look, he too got a glimpse, but it was so quick he wasn't sure.
The box was slid back when they heard a noise. A flash light was shone in room which was seen outside. Casey happened to look back just at the right time.
"Your right, there is something or someone downstairs."
Casey headed back and got back into the car.
"Now what?"
"We try to get inside."
"Now?"
"No, tomorrow once we hear from Beckman. I don't think that they will be moving too soon."
"Keller did say that he was waiting for you."
"Exactly and if this is where he is, I want to meet him on my terms and not his."
"Does he know you're here?"
"Maybe, but he hasn't shown his face, so I don't know for sure. So, we need to be a step ahead of him."
Casey started the car.
"What about the guys from your former team?"
"Well that was a surprise."
"Maybe he's trying to get the whole team back and you're the last piece."
Casey drove off and didn't respond. Chuck was hundred percent correct on his observation. Keller did say that he wanted Casey back. As they drove Casey wondered if their initial meeting with who they later found out was the Ring and what got them bench was Keller instead of Shaw. Maybe it was Shaw that hired Keller to mess with the team, mess with him and Shaw was there to mess with Chuck and Sarah.
Chuck stared out the window as Casey drove back rethinking everything from the last eight years. Chuck opened the door and headed to his computer. Sarah got up and followed Chuck and Mei Ling turned where she was sitting.
"And?"
"He definitely here."
Chuck grabbed his bag and the files from San Francisco.
"What are we looking for?"
Chuck looked up. "Hi, the files from San Fran, Casey and I got a look of the men guarding the old bakery and guess what?"
"What?"
"They are Casey's old team from Honduras."
Sarah walked closer and helped Chuck look for the files.
"And why do we need them?"
"I want to know if we found out where they are now or where. Casey thinks that the only one not there is Carver. Ben Carver."
"I guess out of the eight Casey and Carver were more alike and the others were more like Keller. And seeing them tonight he thinks that Keller is trying to get the group back together."
"Well, we figured that."
"I know we did but I think that Casey didn't want to believe it. Especially if Keller was the reason why we got benched. We obviously were digging in the right direction to have it end like it did."
Sarah sat down as Chuck finally found the file. Looking at the file with new eyes and a new perspective. Now things were making sense about that mission months ago. Sarah sat back and grabbed the file and logged into her castle files to refresh her memory of that mission.
Sarah recalls getting word from Beckman about time sensitive intel that was to be recovered after she had got word that team Bartowski might be under the microscope. Unbeknownst to her at the time it was because of a man named Shaw. Sarah regretted hooking up with Shaw no matter how hurt she was because she wasn't with Chuck. She missed the signs and she put Chuck in danger. Sarah walked past the security desk looking for the elevator to the 7th floor. Chuck's voice was both welcoming and a deterrent, but it was a mission. Chuck continued to talk to her as she weaved her way through the hallways as Chuck slipped in and out of the venting system. Casey was coming from the other side up from the basement. Chuck stopped as his specs triggered two men coming towards Sarah. Chuck told her to fall back but Sarah didn't respond. Chuck calls for Casey. All Casey said was to wait. The men approached Sarah as Sarah fired her gun running out of bullets. Two more men came from behind and grabbed her. Sarah held her own till the the two men closest to her finally reached her. Chuck spun around and kicked the vent grate open and as he jumped down, he fell on top of the two men. The men broke his fall. Chuck looked up grabbing Sarah's hand. They ran down the hallway, meeting a few more guys. Chuck bent down and grabbed his tranq guns and fired hitting the four men. Sarah continued to run with Chuck close by. Turning the corner Chuck failed to look as Sarah screamed. Chuck felt the object smash his face knocking him to the ground. Sarah fell forward as the same person hammered her hard on the back of the head. Casey reached the far stairwell as he saw Chuck and Sarah being dragged into the far room. Casey snuck down the hall reaching the last room. Looking at the numbers on the door they went from mid 700's to the last room which ended up being room 756. Sarah read on.
Sarah came to as Chuck still laid on the floor bleeding from somewhere on his face. She wasn't sure why he hadn't flashed but when she looked up to see who had walked in from the next room it didn't make sense then, but it did now. The man standing there flipping his zippo was Daniel Shaw.
Only a few people knew how the intersect worked. And later they found out that Shaw was the first one outside the team to know what happens to Chuck when his feelings interfere with his concentration, he can't flash. But how did Shaw know that then, when they had never met till that night.
Casey reached for the door but was apprehended as he entered the room. Shoved in with his hands raised, he saw Chuck down on the floor and Sarah sitting on a chair and this stranger leaning against the desk.
Flipping the page. Casey sat down next to her. The man introduced himself and praised their efforts but slammed them for their getting caught and letting the intel fall into the wrong hands. Sarah remembered Casey asking him what the intel was that they presumably had lost?
Shaw never answered. Shaw motioned for the other men in the room to pick Chuck up and sit him in a chair. Sarah finally was able to see where the blood was coming from. Chuck's left side of his face was swollen. Shaw watched Sarah look over towards Chuck. Seeing him she sat back holding her feeling back.
Sarah scrolled down the page. Hoping to see if there was any connection to Keller. Seeing nothing, she looked up.
"Chuck do you remember flashing on anything out of the ordinary the night we entered that building that got us benched?"
Chuck grabbed the file and sat down.
"Like what?"
"I just read briefly through our reports on that night that we met Shaw. It didn't make sense then but some of it makes sense now."
Chuck looked up.
"How did Shaw know that you had the intersect and that your feelings prevented you from flashing. Only a few people knew so how did he find out? And the room that we had to find, that supposedly had the intel in it was the very room we met him in?"
"Wow, now that you mention it. He knew way too much to all of a sudden introduce himself to us that night."
"Exactly, so who told him about you and us and how it is connected with Keller?"
Casey walked in. "The only other man not yet caught in the grips of Keller's hold."
"Carver?"
"Yeah, did you find anything?"
Chuck opened the file and quickly scanned the files looking for anything on Carver. Chuck jotted down an address that Casey then did search on. At the same time Sarah then did a CIA search looking for the same name. Mei Ling made a few calls, maybe he was stationed in China.
Casey hoped that all his bases where covered. As the information came in from Beckman, Carver would be picked up in London and flown to army based outside Warsaw.
Casey held onto that glimmer of hope that one thing was going right.
The next morning
Chuck slid in closer to Sarah as he snuck onto her room missing their opportunity the other night. Chuck had showered and his fresh scent awoke Sarah who sat up as Chuck slid her top off. Sarah whispered softly in Chuck's ear. "We will have to be quiet."
Chuck answered back.
"No worries. Casey knocked on my door and told me that he was heading to Warsaw to speak with Carver and Mei Ling went with him. I got up showered then realized that we had the place to ourselves."
Sarah reached for Chuck towel and tossed it on the floor. Sarah wrapped her arms and legs around Chuck and basked in their morning jaunt. Chuck felt Sarah's fingers dig into his back massaging his lower back and shoulder blades. Their kisses followed their movements as they quickly got tangled in the sheets. Sarah rolled Chuck over finally taking control over their love making. Chuck smiled as Sarah pressed her palms deep into his chest and kneaded her fingers in his chest hairs. Bending down, kissing his chest, his neck then his lips. Chuck placed his hands on her bottom and kept them there kneading his thumbs into her skin. His hand encased enough of her which kept Sarah focussed on what she needed to do.
Sarah fell into his body trying to get her breath as Chuck slipped his arms around her holding her tight.
Chuck reached for the sheet and covered their sweaty bodies with the sheet. Sarah laid on top Chuck with her head on his chest. She loved being this attached, this close to him. When their breathing settled Sarah slid to the side and dragged her fingers around his chest making circle eights with her fingers.
"That was…."
"Yeah…"
"Love you."
"Love you more." As Sarah giggled slightly.
"You know, this might have topped our times together."
"You saying, that the previous times you where faking it?"
Chuck sat up and leaned on his side.
"Faking it. Neither of us were what you call faking it."
"And you could tell?"
Chuck lifted the sheet and looked at Sarah.
"Babe, there would be no way that a hot blooded male would fake it with you."
Sarah lifted the sheet just like Chuck and took a good look.
"Well no hot blooded female could never fake it with a hot blooded male like you Chuck."
Chuck laughed then placed his hand on her shoulder kissing her lips then her chest then pressing her down onto her back as he slid between her legs.
"You up for more?"
Sarah looked up. "Well someone is."
Sarah pulled the sheet over their heads.
