So... here's the next chapter for those who enjoy reading this story. I hope you like this next chapter! I know this chapter is rather short compared to the others, but, well, there are reasons behind that. Mostly so that it co-exists/makes sense with the name of this chapter. hahaha.

This chapter might be a bit cheezy, and I probably put Casey a little outta character just for the occassion.

Please R&R!

Disclaimer: Chuck (c) Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak
Claimer: everything else (c) me

Chapter Ten: Phase One: Escape

Casey stayed vigil at Lara's side all night, not leaving her side. Sarah, Chuck and Mark stayed in the empty room next door after speaking with the General through the TV in the ER.

"I'm not a very good boyfriend, am I..." Casey said quietly before sighing, "Please wake up soon. I'm feeling like I'm going crazy here by talking to myself."

"Casey..." Lara sighed, half-opening her eyes, "Where am I? What time is it?"

"Lara, you're awake, finally, God, I thought you weren't ever gonna wake up while I was still awake," he responded, "You're at the hospital. It's 1:40 PM." And 20 minutes till the deadline to get the antidote to save you. Damn James and Jason Wilson.

"I-I'm dying, Casey," she said in a sad voice, "The AY-63 dart, it's-"

He placed a finger over her lips, silencing her as he moved to sit on her bedside. "Shhh... I know. Bartowski flashed on it," he responded, "I'm sorry." Gently, he brushed his lips on hers.

Lara looked up into his eyes, her own golden eyes sad. "C-Casey," she whispered, "There's something I want to tell you. Something that I've been forced to keep closed up in me, letting only pieces of my feelings show through. I want to say this, not as your partner, but as a lover and a friend. I love you, John Casey, I love you with all my heart. I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with you."

"Shhh... I know, I know," he mumbled, forgetting his Major's façade for a moment, "I love you too. I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

Her back arched and her heart rate jumped as pain shot through her body as the poison was affecting her. Casey held her down and tried to ease her pain by pressing his lips against hers.

"Lara, I-I'm afraid we can't get the antidote to save you," he apologized quietly.

She forced a smile. "I know. You've got to protect Charles," she muttered, "It's okay, Casey." Her hand reached up to touch his cheek, and he placed his hand over hers. "I understand everything," she said, "I've lived a good life. At least I know the man I love will be here with me the moment I die."

Very gently, he sat her up best as he could, then he let her head rested against his chest. "I'm sorry, Lara. I'm so sorry I can't save you." Tears ran freely from his eyes, dripping onto the top of Lara's head. His strong arms wrapped around her torso, keeping her close against him. Her cold hands rested atop his, and he held them tightly in his own, pulling her closer against him. She groaned as a spark of pain accommodated the change in position.

"Sorry," he said quietly, wiping away his tears and holding her tighter.

She didn't reply, quietly listening to his strong heartbeat. Her own heartbeat continued to slow, and the last time Casey looked at what the heart rate monitor said, her heart was only beating 47 reps per minute. Time was running out.

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Outside, Chuck watched painfully through the blinds at the loving couple. He was surprised at the tears that leaked from Casey's eyes, and he knew in his heart that the major had truly loved her.

That's it, I'm going to do something. I can't just stand around and let one of my handlers die. If Casey's crying about it, then I have to do something, the nerd thought determinedly, beginning to leave the hospital, Okay, Sarah and Mark and in a briefing with the General to see if they can do anything to ease Lara's pain. And they're in the ER, which is the opposite direction of the exit. Slowly, he began to creep towards the door before he would run like hell.

"Chuck?" Sarah's voice was right behind him and he turned around, a completely innocent grin on his face.

"Hey, Sarah," he replied, trying to be cool about it.

"Chuck, where are you going?" the blonde CIA agent inquired.

"Uh, I'm going home," he lied, "I need to drive Morgan to work and let Big Mike know that Casey and Lara won't be coming in. I don't want to be here when Lara... you know..."

She nodded gravely. "I'll check up on you later at the Buy More," she said, and watched as the human Intersect walked out of the ICU department.

Once Chuck got out of Sarah's sighting range, he sighed in relief and let his shoulders sag. "Okay, phase one is complete," he said to himself, "Now all I have to do is go to the meeting point and surrender myself to Fulcrum. But how will I ensure that what they give me is the antidote? Hmm... I'm smart, I should be able to figure this out."

Hurriedly, he got to the Nerd Herd car and began to drive towards the Burbank Opera House. He took a glance at the car clock. "1:45. Darn, I need to get there in 15 minutes," he muttered to himself. He stepped harder on the gas and sped towards the opera house.

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5 minutes later, Sarah burst into Room 218, and Casey looked up at her. His tears had already dried, and Lara's head still rested against his chest.

"Something wrong?" Casey began raspy. Then he cleared his throat and repeated, "Is something wrong, Agent Walker?"

"It's Chuck! I just called Ellie, and she said that Chuck never came home. He left 5 minutes ago and said he was going to go take Morgan to work because he didn't want to stay and watch Lara die," she explained quickly, "My gut tells me that he's going to the opera house to sacrifice himself to get the antidote for Lara!"

"What?!" Casey growled, "That idiot better have a plan!"

"Come on, Casey! We've gotta go save him!" she snapped.

Lara smiled weakly. "That moron... he's trying... to make it up... to me... f-for saving... his life..." she breathed.

Casey gently moved her back onto the bed, her head resting against the pillow. "I'll be back, Lara, I promise," he told her quietly.

She gave a weak nod. "B-Bring Chuck back safely," she whispered, "With or without the antidote."

He kissed her forehead before letting his lips brush hers softly. Then he and Walker immediately ran out of the building, leaping into Casey's huge black van, which he took to get to the hospital.

Sarah immediately hopped behind the wheel, slamming her foot on the gas. In the back with all of the spy tracking equipment, Casey was loading up his weaponry, holstering his various guns, and checking all of the gun casings.

Damn it Bartowski! What the hell are you thinking?! You're walking right into their trap! You're walking, UNARMED, into their trap! The Major screamed in his head, Why are you doing this?! Lara's not even your girlfriend? You've only know her for a few days! Why are you going through all this trouble to save her life?!

Sarah's hands were clenched tightly on the wheel, her teeth gritted and her eyes filled with the desire to kill. Damn it, Chuck! Why are you putting your life in danger?! She thought desperately, I just hope we're not too late!

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Chuck walked nervously into the empty opera house, walking into the same hall in which the Burbank Talent Competition was held only less than two days ago.

A barrel was pressed against the side of his head and he was immediately still.

Jason Wilson grinned menacingly. "Hello," he greeted, "Mr. Bartowski, also known as the human Intersect."

Cliffy!!!!!!! (And wow, Chuck is pretty sneaky)

Please Review and I'll update as soon as I can!