A/N: I'm not going to lie. I certainly got a kick out of reading your responses for bringing in the 2x4, as you like to put it! Some of you really attacked me verbally! What i suggest is: slow down. Calm down. Try to relax, and just follow along. And once again, I apologize for unanswered questions. There will be plot holes, as I write this alone, but I really can't help some of them. I will try my best to fix them accordingly! As for the reviews, I'm stunned. The results for the poll said my other two stories were far more popular, but I'm having a hard time buying that...just look at the number on this story! So, sorry for the long note, but thanks a million for all the wonderful,helpful reviews! Can't wait to see more! Enjoy:

Chapter 12:

"Excuse me?" Sarah interrupted, much to Chuck's confusion.

The general frowned, which was quickly becoming a common expression. Chuck pondered. Maybe she had a bad surgery and her face was stuck like that?

"Yes, Walker?" came her disapproving voice.

"Did you say Daniel Shaw?" Sarah repeated.

The general nodded, looking at her like she was an idiot. "Is there a problem?"

Sarah tried to explain calmly. "General, while Larkin held me captive...he was answering calls to an agent Shaw...which I doubt is a mere coincidence..."

The general, much to everyone's surprise, nodded affirmatively. " That is correct, Agent Walker. He's been retrieving intel from Fulcrum for us for almost three years now."

Sarah looked completely skeptical. "And not once did he mention agent Larkin's evil doings or murder?"

The general glanced at her scornfully. "Walker, it's a bold move to accuse such a fine agent of treason. Tread lightly." she snapped. "And yes, he tried, but he was under close watch by all of his fulcrum 'allies'. It was too risky."

"Risky? We lost Graham because of it!" Sarah already hated this man.

"Enough!Agent Walker, restrain yourself." the General was clearly fed up with all of her 'wrongful accusations'.

"I've given you a three day time period to consider this. Choose wisely." with those final, grim words, she ended the comm, Chuck's television returning to it's dormant, black screen.

Sarah glanced at Chuck warily. This was not good. Chuck shared her expression, but Sarah looked far more pissed.

"Who the hell does she think she is, giving us an ultimatum like that?" Sarah turned to Chuck.

"Well, I Know it's sudden, but-"

Sarah cut him off furiously. "Wait. You're actually considering leaving to Prague?"

Chuck looked at her. "Sarah, calm down. You need to breathe..." he put two gentle hands on her tense shoulders, massaging her gently.

Sighing in relaxation, Sarah gave in, allowing him to take over. Sitting back on the bed and glancing at her, he put an arm around her comfortingly.

"so, let's talk now. Like a normal couple..."

The word 'couple' made Sarah's very heart flutter. Even in such a tense, inappropriate situation. "Okay. So tell me, you're actually considering this...?"

Chuck nodded. "Sarah, you'd be with me every weekend. It'd be hard to be apart for so long, and god knows I'd miss you..." he began. "But look. I'm a reject from the Buymore. A putz who is paid to where a pocket protector..."

Sarah gave him an irritated look, trying to tell him he was so much more.

Chuck put a hand up to stop her from interrupting. "And now, meeting you, the single best thing that's ever happened to me, if I may add that..." Despite the self deprecating speech, Sarah smiled. He was so romantic.

"Meeting you has exposed me to a new side of life, Sarah. A new side, where danger and risks don't matter. Where you put your life on the line to help preserve and protect anything and everything you love from harm...and I'd die in a heartbeat to protect you,Sarah..." Sarah listened to his speech in awe. It was truly eye opening.

"So, it's a world where, for once, I'd be of some use..." he finished. "And I can't turn my back on it, knowing what I'd be leaving behind." he ended his speech, glancing at Sarah.

For a while, she didn't speak. When words finally came to her, she spoke softly. "It's a dangerous world, Chuck. You WILL have to take lives. It can ruin a person..."

Chuck nodded solemnly. "But this... This intersect thing... It's something too important to ignore..."

Sarah sighed. "I know. It almost killed you, at the Fulcrum base." she reminded. "And I don't understand why it didn't... It was planned to eat away at your brain until you, the host, dies..."

Chuck glanced at her hopefully. "That's just it, Sarah. I DIDN'T die. Maybe it's fate. I don't know, but I'm sure we can figure out a way to make this work. I'll suppress any flashes until we figure out a sure solution..."

Sarah frowned. "Can you do that?"

Chuck nodded. " It's not painful if the full flash doesn't take place."

Sarah sighed. "I'm not too sure,Chuck."

Placing a gentle kiss on her soft lips, he nodded. "We do have time, Sarah."

Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder, looking up at him. "I have to be alone with this Shaw character. I don't trust him...them... Anyone, Chuck."

"Only you."

Chuck wrapped both arms around her, her embrace comforting.

"Just know this, Chuck: whatever you decide to do, I'll always be with you. One hundred percent."

"I love you, Sarah Walker."

"I love you more, Chuck Bartowski."

Chuck smiled, falling backwards onto their bed. That was all he really needed.

The next day came quickly, waking Chuck first. Yawning, he sat up, glancing at the gorgeous blonde angel that slept beside him, breathing softly.

Chuck's sleep brought him even more questions about the whole situation, if that were even possible. Sarah probably had all the answers, considering her experience and all, but it could wait until she was awake.

Missing some of his warmth that escaped when he sat up, Sarah turned over, tossing an arm around him, snuggling to remaining half of his body under the sheets. "Chuck..." she murmured, half asleep.

"Morning beautiful..." he gave her his usual greeting, which was followed by a gentle back massage.

"mmmm..." Sarah moaned in pleasure. "I love waking up like this..."

Chuck smiled, placing soft kisses on her neck. "Then I'll do it everyday..."

Finally sitting up, Sarah placed her head comfortably on her shoulder. "What's up?"

Chuck glanced at her, holding her hand. "More questions, mostly about Beckman, training... The like.."

"shoot..."Sarah nodded, playing with his hand.

"Firstly, why Prague? Why so far? Why not D.C. Or something?"

Sarah gave him a wry smile. "Prague's training is known for building the world's elite spies. I spent some time training there myself." she told him.

Chuck nodded. "okay, so what will we tell Ellie...? I'm almost totally sure she wouldn't want me fooling around in the spy world..."

"Tell Ellie...the truth. As much as you can, anyway..." Sarah had taken quite a liking to Ellie, and didn't want to damage her and Chuck's relationship any further. "Tell her you're taking preventative measures for the intersect, so you'll be examined in a facility in Prague. And tell her that they also offer physical training just in case..." she finished.

Chuck nodded, grinning despite the situation. "Sarah Walker, you're a genius. And I love you so much... Thank you."

Sarah's heart fluttered slightly. "Anytime, Chuck. And I love you too..." she smiled, leaning up to capture his lips in a sweet, loving embrace.

It was Saturday, and Ellie was lucky enough to be off call. So Chuck decided the best thing to do was tell her over lunch. Plus, Sarah was there, and Ellie couldn't be men to her...right?

So the three gathered, Awesome being on call, and sat for a simple, homemade lunch. After a simple conversation had been rolling, Chuck finally had the nerve to bring it up. "Uh, El..." he began, nervously running a hand over his hair.

"Chuck?Whats wrong?" Ellie demanded calmly, a frown adorning her features.

Sarah put a hand on Chuck's leg comfortingly under the table, giving him the much needed strength to continue.

"I uh, Well..." Sarah gave him a gentle squeeze, and finally, her poured it all out.

"I was offered a stay in Prague, where some special government scientists would take a look at my mind..." he finished, glancing to Sarah.

"I would be joining him, Ellie." Sarah nodded.

"Did Sarah's old employers offer you this...'stay' ?" Ellie asked skeptically.

"Well... Uh...yes, but not the whole...gun and action thing. Think of it as more of a...analyst like experiment." he told her, coming up with it on the spot.

An awkward silence hung in the air, it was almost palpable. Finally, Ellie did the unexpected. She smiled.

"Congrats, Chuck..." she sighed happily. "I'm just so glad you're moving on with life, and we can finally learn about this crazy thing inside your head..." she paused for a moment, glancing at Sarah. "And, Sarah is an amazing girl, Chuck. I'm so happy for the both of you..." she finished with a smile.

Sarah gave Ellie a happy grin, while she rested on Chuck lovingly. "Thanks Ellie..." Sarah said shyly. "Yeah, thanks El..." Chuck nodded.

"So, when do you leave...?"

Chuck glanced nervously at Sarah. Ellie frowned. "What...?"

Chuck smiled sheepishly. "uh... Two days?"

Getting Ellie to calm down proved to be a tough challenge, even with help from the hardened, badass agent, Sarah Walker.

The final day arrived. Chuck contacted Beckman. He and Sarah were to leave that night. After packing and relaxing, they were to meet Daniel Shaw, and catch their jet. Chuck was nervous, to say the least.

Currently, the two sat on their couch, cuddling. They were waiting for Shaw now. Both didn't trust him.

"I'm not happy about letting this stranger in your house, Chuck." Sarah admitted. She was lying on top of him, her head in his lap, as he gently stroked her hair.

"I know, but it'll only be for a short time. All we have to do is meet, chat, and leave." he reminded. "Beckman said he'd be staying in a hotel outside here anyway..." he reminded.

"So what about when you're gone, Chuck? When I'm not visiting, I'll have to be back here with this Shaw guy."

Chuck frowned, holding Sarah closer. "Well, you'll be staying here, in YOUR home, with Ellie and Awesome." he smiled, comfortingly. "No way I'd let you stay in a hotel."

Sarah grinned, and he softly held up her hand, kissing it. "I'm going to miss you so much..." she frowned, biting her lip softly.

Chuck shared her expression, nodding. "It'll all be over soon. I'll work my hardest to come back sooner."

"Nothing will keep me away from you, Chuck..." she said solemnly, kissing his lips with a soft passion.

The doorbell pulled the two apart. "I'll get it..." Sarah sat up, straightening herself. Chuck went to answer the door. Behind it stood a muscular, well built man. He looked about their age, with dark hair and darker eyes. Chuck frowned inwardly. 'Of course he looks like superman...'

"Charles Carmichael...?" the man asked in a smooth, easy going voice.

Chuck smiled and held his hand out. The man shook it. "I'm agent Shaw." he told him, as Chuck guided him inside.

Sarah stepped up, an emotionless facade on her face. Shaw smirked, holding his hand out. "Agent Sarah Walker?" he stated, shaking her hand. "You're truly as great as they say."

Chuck tried to suppress the boiling anger that took over him.

Sarah kept her face cold. She shook Shaw's hand, nodding. "Agent Shaw, nice to meet you."

She took a step back towards Chuck. They were supposed to keep their relationship low key, but surely, he got the hint. She was his. And they were happy.

"So, Prague, huh?" Shaw turned to Chuck with a knowing smile. "It's really a great program they have down there."

"Really?" Chuck piped up. "I'm a little anxious..."

"You'll adapt. Sure, it's difficult at first, but in the long run, you won't regret it..." Shaw told him.

The three sat down, Sarah beside Chuck on one couch, Shaw on a chair across. Chuck and Shaw spoke animatedly for almost an hour and a half about training, missions, and the like. Finally, Sarah rose, and the two others followed suit.

"Shaw, it's been a pleasure, but we have to leave for our flight now..."

Shaw nodded, eyes on Sarah. "The pleasures been all mine, agents." Sarah looked disgusted. Chuck seemed to miss the underlying meaning.

They said their goodbyes, and Sarah shut the door.

Chuck watched her. "I liked him..."he smiled.

Sarah shrugged. "You're not the one spending almost a month and a half alone with him..."

Chuck came over. "Our flights not till another three hours or so..." he put his arms around her, as she did the same, leaning up to his ear.

Smirking, she whispered," I've got plans of my own, Bartowski..."

And with that, she dragged him to their bedroom for their last minute 'packing'.

A/N: okay. So hopefully, that answered some or most of your questions. Shaw's appearance was meant to be brief. He might've been hitting on Walker a little, but what sane guy wouldn't? That doesn't make him evil right off the bat! There will be more in that later. Now is Charah time, and next chapter will be as well, as their goodbye will be coming up. Don't worry about Shaw, things will work themselves out as usual, right? Thanks a million for all the reviews! Tell me what you thought/suggest in a review! I'll be sure to read it! Have a great day!

-LLC