A/N: H ey sorry it's a short chapter, it's the set up for the first big arch of the story really, I plan on this being kind of long with multiple high archs…this is just the first one that came to mind. I am writing the next chapter now and it should be finished this week, much longer. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get people to make this better please tell me. Just…don't be mean, criticism is fine but if you could word it nicely I would appreciate it lol, sorry I am really shy and I don't think I am very good at writing, I just enjoy it a lot.

Chuck drove Sarah home in the nerd herder, it was quiet except for the few sniffs from Sarah as she silently cried. When they pulled into the apartment complex Chuck turned off the car and moved to wrap his arms around Sarah gently, pulling her in close.

"Listen, I can't even imagine what you must be feeling like. In the past couple of weeks you have realized you loved me, had me write you off, been kidnapped by Fulcrum, had me realize you really did love me and for us to get together, then Bryce gets killed…and then whatever Beckman was trying to do…it is a lot. But you are home now. You are safe. You are with family." Chuck soothed, holding Sarah as tightly as he could. "I can't promise to make the pain go away, but I can promise you will never, ever, have to face it alone. I love you."

Sarah stayed silent, but she melted into Chuck's loving embrace. His body was warm and gave the sense of protection. Sarah never realized before how much Chuck really meant to her, how much she needed him. Before, Sarah would have never admitted to needing anyone, but it was true, she desperately needed Chuck in her life.

There was a problem though. Every time she closed her eyes Sarah saw Bryce's lifeless body on the floor. What if Sarah had been alone when Fulcrum had taken her and Chuck was with everyone during the rescue? It could have been him that was killed! What if they hadn't been fighting downstairs while the shooting was going on? What if she lost Chuck?

"Say something Sarah, say anything." Chuck pleaded as they stayed in the car.

"I can't lose you." Sarah choked out after a second. She was trying to keep as much of her emotions as she could in check, but she was losing control.

"I am right here. I am not going anywhere. I promise." Chuck said strongly.

"You could get killed. Me being here puts your life in danger." Sarah cried out.

"No, me being the intersect puts my life in danger, you are here protecting me, without you I could end up like Bryce, but with you I am strong." Chuck replied. "You are my hero Sarah, you save me so much…maybe it is time that I saved you."

"You can't, once this mission is over I am going to be gone. I am going to be taken away from you, and I don't know if I can handle that Chuck, I can't I really mean can't lose you!" Sarah yelled.

"Ok, Ok Sarah shhh it will be ok." Chuck soothed, pulling Sarah tighter into him. "Lets get inside and talk, we will figure this out.

Sarah agreed and the two got out of the car. Sarah immediately grabbed Chuck's hand as the walked towards the apartment. Chuck had noticed then since finding out about Bryce, Sarah had barley let him go. He was really worried about her.

The apartment was dark when the couple walked in, much to the relief of Sarah and Chuck. Not having to explain this to Awesome and Ellie tonight would be a lot less stress. Chuck opened the door and led Sarah back to his room.

"Lets get changed, I feel gross in these clothes." Chuck suggested, pulling out a pair of shorts an white t-shirt for himself, and lounging pants an a shirt for Sarah.

Chuck went into the bathroom to change while Sarah changed in his room. It took some convincing for Sarah to let him go, but Chuck promised he just needed to use the bathroom and put on his clothes, then he would be back. Sarah changed quickly and then climbed into bed where she waited as patiently as she could for Chuck to return.

"See, here I am." Chuck whispered as he came back into the room, climbing into bed next to Sarah, who again grabbed his hand an snuggled into his chest. Chuck softly stroked her hair, doing anything he could to keep her calm and content.

"Now, do you want to talk about it?" Chuck asked.

"I don't want to talk about Bryce, that is unfair to you." Sarah whispered.

"How so?" Chuck countered.

"Because you shouldn't have to see me cry over an ex boyfriend, one who in the past made you extremely jealous." Sarah admitted.

"Sarah, Bryce…Bryce and me had a weird relationship after he sent me the intersect…but deep down I know he was trying to protect me from the start. He will always be my best friend, not like Morgan, but in his own right. So, I am upset about him being gone to, it would be nice to have someone to share those feelings with. I understand where you are coming from…but after you admitted to loving me, I was no longer jealous of the hold Bryce seemed to hold over you…because you never told Bryce you loved him, only me." Chuck replied softly. He could feel the tears soaking his shirt from Sarah, but it didn't matter to him.

"I just can't believe he is gone. He was my partner! He saved my life so many times, and I saved his…now he is gone!" Sarah sobbed out, completely breaking down.

"And now you think that because you lost Bryce, you are going to lose me to? Is that what you meant in the car?" Chuck asked.

"Bryce was in the wrong spot at the wrong time…Chuck you are constantly in danger…how can I keep you from ending up like Bryce?" Sarah asked brokenly.

"There is a difference between me and Bryce Sarah, one you are missing." Chuck softly replied.

"What?" Sarah asked.

"Bryce has always been a live for the moment type of guy. He wants to be hero, he was never careful. Casey told me that he and Carina took cover, while Bryce tried to be the hero and take everyone out at once. I wouldn't do that Sarah, I am not a hero…I know you disagree so let me rephrase that…I am not that type of hero." Chuck answered.

"I don't understand. If it was just me downstairs are you saying you wouldn't have been completely focused on saving me?" Sarah asked.

"Of course I would have." Chuck replied.

"Then who would be making sure you were thinking right? Who would be there making sure that you didn't run in and think about your safety over finding me?" Sarah challenged.

"That's easy, Casey." Chuck answered.

"Chuck, Casey may not be here forever." Sarah sighed out.

"As long as I am the intersect, which is looking like that is going to be a while, someone else will always be here…so when you don't have my back, they will. I am covered honey, no one is going to take me away from you, especially not now that I have you. No one." Chuck strongly replied.

"And what if I get reassigned Chuck? Huh? What the hell do we do then?!" Sarah cried out. "I keep repeating myself because you don't seem to understand. I love you so much that it hurts. I can't lose you. I just can't." Sarah collapsed into tears, completely falling apart, becoming more vulnerable then she ever had been in her entire life.

"Why does the job have to come first?" Chuck asked softly. "How about we make this part of the deal with Beckman…you are stationed her for the duration of your time in the CIA…if they need you on missions, then you will go as long as it is no more then a couple days at most. We can stay together." Chuck proposed.

"You want to make a deal with Beckman? She wants to ship you away!" Sarah replied horrified.

"Listen, I think we have the upper hand in this." Chuck started. "Just hear me out, Beckman is freaking, but if we all stay together on this I think we are the ones who can come out on top. We tell Beckman she either follows our rules, or we stop cooperating. No intersect, No top agents, nothing. It will force her to fold. We show her why we are the top team they have and why it is important for us to stay together, especially you and me. No one can protect me better then the love of my life."

"That…is crazy." Sarah sighed out.

"But….?" Chuck prodded.

"But just crazy enough that it might work!" Sarah excitedly replied, smiling for the first time in hours.

"We have to talk to Casey and Carina." Chuck replied.

"Lets go now!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Now? Sarah it's late, you need sleep." Chuck soothed.

"We don't have time! Come on Chuck!" Sarah replied, hopping out of bed.

Sarah and Chuck hopped out the Morgan door and walked to Casey's house in there pjs. The only had until tomorrow morning at 7 to figure out a plan that would not only save Chuck from the bunker, but Sarah's sanity as well.

"What are you two doing here?" Casey grunted after Chuck had knocked.

"We need to talk, all of us." Chuck replied, motioning to Sarah and himself and then Casey and Carina, who had popped her head out the door.

"What do we need to talk about?" Carina asked. "Bryce?"

"No. I sort of have a plan regarding tomorrow morning with Beckman, but it will need all of us to work." Sarah replied softly. "If you guys are willing to put your jobs on the line, I think we can win this tiff with the General."

"I'm in." Carina easily replied.

"You don't know the plan!" Sarah retorted.

"I don't need to, I am in no matter what, no one is sending Chuckles anywhere." Carina replied.

"Jobs on the line?" Casey asked, unusually soft.

"Yep. I know it is asking a lot, if you can't I understand." Sarah replied equally as soft.

Casey seemed to think it over for a second before grinning like a little kid on Christmas morning.

"I am so in. This is going to be great. Maybe we will have to blow some stuff up!" Casey exclaimed. Everyone couldn't help but laugh. "We are going to need coffee, who wants some?"

"Are you making it?" Sarah asked quizzically.

"Yup." Casey smirked.

"Then I'll pass, you like your coffee weird." Sarah replied.

"Black and bitter, the only way to drink it." Casey retorted. "Now come inside and lets here this plan…"