Chapter 14

They had been driving around for hours, searching the open areas for a sign of anything, but it was beginning to feel hopeless. They had gone down several of the paths, having to stop a few times to refuel with still no luck.

"I'm beginning to think this is futile." Morgan groaned out, slamming his head against the backrest of the seat. Alex glanced over giving him a rueful smile. She too was feeling the same way but she would never voice that out loud to Morgan. Right now he needed her support.

Morgan opened the door to the car and stepped out looking around. The air was dry and hot with the sun beating down on him. He reached his hands behind his head and stretched his back. They had been in the car for over twenty for hours now and his body was starting to feel it.

Getting out of the car as well Alex walked around it and stepped up to Morgan placing her hands around his waist.

"It's not futile, we'll find it." She said optimistically. Morgan looked into her eyes with a smile, his heart swelling and loving her more. He bent a bit to place a kiss on her lips, enjoying the feel. He didn't know what he would have done if she hadn't of force her way into this trip.

"I know. It's just….I don't know. Times running out." He said reaching over and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. It was one of the simple things he loved to do. It's what guys did all the time in all the movies he's ever seen, and he loved that he got a chance to do it, and did it as often as he could.

Alex was about to respond but was quickly interrupted by a loud chirping sound from the cars open window. She looked up at Morgan confused for a moment.

"I thought we agreed to leave our phones off to avoid detection." She said. Morgan thought for a moment before realization dawned him.

"We did. I mean, I did. But Jeff and Lester gave me a burn phone so if we get lost or they get more information they could call us or whatever." He said and he quickly dove for the car.

He reached into the back seat and dug in his bag as the phone started ringing again. Finally reaching it after pulling everything out of the bag and all over the back seat.

"Yeah guys?" Morgan said answering the phone, his heart beating quickly in anticipation on what they might convey. There was silence on the other end for a moment of two. "Hello? Guys?" He tried again.

"Morgan?" A soft voice said on the other line. It was quite and barely heard but Morgan would know that voice anywhere.

"Chuck? Chuck is that you?" He said a bit louder. Alex looked at him in alarm and rushed over to his side, grabbing his arm. "Chuck are you alright?" Silence spanned between the lines again and Morgan feared that Chuck had hung up.

"You have something I need." Chuck said simply. Morgan thought for a moment, going over a mental inventory of what he had brought with him before it hit him.

"Yeah, the computer. We have it. We thought that maybe Ellie could use it or something, to help you." He rushed out. Again silence. It was quite unnerving.

"Where are you?" Chuck asked. Morgan thought for a moment incredulously, looking around at the nothing that surrounded them and trying to say in a non-sarcastic way that there weren't any street addresses. Alex noticed his expression and wondered what was going on.

"What he say?" She asked.

"He asked where we were." Alex nodded and reached into the passers side of the car pulling out the GPS map she had borrowed from her friend. She grabbed his hand to pull the mouth piece of the phone towards her and spoke the coordinates to Chuck before letting go.

Morgan waited with baited breath for an answer, adrenaline pumped through him with anticipation and fear. He was doing all this to help his friend but he wasn't totally stupid. He knew the right now Chuck was unpredictable.

"I'm impressed. You guys are very nearly there. Go north another five miles then take first left after the you pass the field of hay bundles. Drive for ten miles, you'll see a building on the right. It's a small house. Park your car in the barn that's a mile down the road after you pull up to it."

"Ok, ok, sounds good. Then what." Morgan asked.

"Then you wait." With that Chuck disconnected the call. Morgan lowered his hand and looked at Alex, conveying Chuck's instructions.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Morgan asked hesitantly. Alex just shrugged.

"I don't know Morgan. All we can do is go and find out. It's too late to go back now." With that she gave him one last hug and walked around the car to the driver's seat. Morgan took a moment to look around once more and take a deep breath, then entered the car as well.

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"Then you wait." Chuck said lastly before disconnecting the phone. He looked down at his hand pressing the power button on it, turning it off and preventing tracking.

He took a shaky breath and leaned his head back against the head rest closing his eyes. His body hurt. His mind was exhausted. All he wanted to do was sleep. To sleep and never wake up again. To end it all. But he had to give his sister her chance to save him. It was the last thing he could give her even though he sincerely believed she would fail. If not the drug or the Intersect, surely that strike team Sarah had mentioned would kill him.

His mind drifted back to Sarah and their fight. He smiled a bit at that. They really kicked the marriage domestic violence thing up a few notches. He didn't know if he believed her about her returning memories or not. Ellie hadn't mentioned it, hadn't mentioned her at all actually. But then again, he hadn't been fishing for information and there were other things to deal with. But still.

He felt numb again thinking of Sarah. Too many emotions surrounded her. He had tried blocking out as much of her as he could over the months but lately with the Laudanol failing he couldn't help but think more and more about her. Especially with his life coming to a quick end.

It made him feel extremely sad. He had always wanted a family life. A loving wife, a house, kids, maybe a dog. He was so close to having that until Nicholas Quinn showed up and took it all away. He had a slim chance of it still happening if Sarah had regained more memories, but now that he was how he was, his dreams of the future are gone forever.

Chuck felt wetness drip from his eyes but made no move to wipe them away. He seemed to either be full of tears or raged now a days. No happy medium. He was always an emotional guy but how he was now was ridiculous. He hoped that Ellie would make some kind of report, maybe publish something. Get a research grant. That would be amazing for her. He made a mental note to mention that to her, though she would be horrified to use him as her lab rat.

Taking a deep breath and holding it in, he finally sat up in the driver's seat of his car. He had waited a few blocks away waiting for the ambulances to arrive, to make sure that everyone was ok. He had used Sarah's phone so he wouldn't be traced. He knew Ellie was going to be pissed when she learned he tranqed her husband.

He reached in the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out the Binkies. At least one person will get what they wanted. He then headed to the Buy More. Sarah and Casey may not have figured out how Morgan got his information but it was easy for him. There was a reason that he kept those two morons around.

He had come to the Buy More via the back entrance and waited there for one of them to come to the cage. Once Jeff was there he quickly approached him, asking him what he told Morgan. Jeff was so excited to see Chuck not even bothering to be horrified like everyone has been and will be at his appearance.

He spilled his intel about how they used their network of creepy stalkers to hack into security cameras and other things in order to track his movements. They lost his location after a certain amount of time figuring that he had finally stopped. He told Chuck the general area they sent Morgan to start looking and finally giving him the phone number to the burn phone they were using if they needed to pass off information.

After obtaining all valuable information from him he used a mint knock out spray that will wipe the last five minutes from his memory and took off driving quickly to try to catch up and make it back to Ellie as quickly as possible.

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Sarah woke slowly to voices surrounding her talking in harsh but silent tones. She heard a groan followed by a loud growl she instantly recognized as Casey. She popped her eyes open best she could, remembering Casey being double tapped in the chest by Chuck.

She looked over to her left seeing him sitting in a wheel chair, grumpy but alive and arguing with the two women, Carina and Mary while they presumed she was still out.

"She's awake." Mary said quickly coming to her side. She ran a hand over her forehead wiping sweat and hair off it.

"What…where…" She tried to say, still under the effects of the tranquilizer.

"It appears your little Chuckie decided to tranq you guys." Carina said, crossing her arms. Sarah looked at Casey again.

"You…shot…" She stumbled over. Casey growled.

"Yeah, I was wearing a vest, I'm fine. Just a few bruised ribs. Luckily it wasn't point blank." Sarah felt relieved. Trust Casey to be prepared.

"Devon?" She asked.

"He's getting his hand fixed up. His wrist was twisted and bruised but it looks like it'll be fine." Mary told her. Sarah nodded and relaxed finally. She must have drifted back to sleep because she woke up later and it was darker outside. She was able to open her eyes better and felt less like lead.

Casey, Mary, and Carina were still there but off in separate corners obviously having just finished a disagreement. She just laid there and observed them all, contemplating what had taken place. Everyone jumped back into action however when the door opened and Devon walked in, cast on his wrist.

"Devon, honey. I thought it was just a sprain." Mary said coming closer to him. Devon just smirked and allowed her to check it out.

"It is but the doctor that checked it out is a friend of Ellie. You know how Ellie is." He said. Mary laughed knowing exactly. Even a little scratch on Clara causes her to want to put her in a full body cast.

"So how is everyone here?" He inquired.

"Good. Everyone's good." Sarah finally piped in startling everyone.

"Oh Sarah honey you're awake." Mary stated.

"Now that you're all conscious finally why we don't figure out exactly what happened." Carina said, taking a seat at the end of Sarah's bed.

"Well, I didn't come in till I heard loud noises in Sarah's room, so maybe she should start." Devon suggestion.

Sarah spun her tale for those around her of Chucks break in, the fight in the courtyard. She told as much detail as she could, but left some out. She couldn't bring herself to tell them the personal stuff, about their argument on her memories, about the kiss before he put her out. She wasn't even sure what to think about it herself.

"What's with this computer you guys are all up on?" Carina asked confused. Everyone turned away looking at each other not sure how to answer. "Oh come on guys. I'm read up on everything" She protested.

"My husband was a scientist for the CIA. That Intersect in my son's head was created by him. He left that computer for Ellie when he died and she's been able to advance the technology so far in such a short amount of time." Mary explained proudly.

"So why does everyone want this computer all of a sudden?" Carina asked still confused. Nobody answered, not quite sure except for Sarah. She debated if she should tell them. To let them know what Chuck has given up already. That he was only going through with it now to give his sister peace of mind by attempting to save him.

"He could be trying to keep it out of other hands. The last intersect was destroyed by us. He used the last glasses. For security there isn't a complete copy of anything saved anywhere save for that computer." Casey said. Sarah made her decision.

"He needs it to remove the intersect." She said quietly. Mary was startled.

"Remove it? But it's the only thing that's currently keeping him alive. Without it he'll be vulnerable." Mary said alarmed.

"Maybe that's the point." Casey retorted.

"Why would that be the point? Are you saying my son is suicidal?" Mary protested threateningly.

"Well he is a murderer now, so what's a step away from suicide. He's not in the right frame of mind."

"Yes but removing the inter-"

"It's for Ellie's sake." Sarah shouted interrupting the argument that was starting to escalate. Everyone shut up immediately and stared at her.

"What do you mean?" Mary asked alarmed once more. Sarah had to take a moment breath and get herself under control before continuing.

"Chuck has given up. He's dying or going to die and he knows it. Now he's just trying to help his sister cope with it." She explained quietly. They were all silent contemplating the news.

"Well, doesn't matter anyways. Morgan has it." Devon said. Sarah tried avoiding eye contact to him. She was still upset that he had gone after Chuck even though it was justified.

"He knows that Morgan has it. And I have no doubt he'll find he'll find him." Sarah said.

"And how did he find out the idiot has it?" Casey accused. Sarah glared back at him.

"How do you think?" She spat.

"Ok guys. That's enough. So he knows who has the computer and we know why he wants it. Is there anything else he said to you Sarah?" Devon said stepping between Casey and Sarah. Sarah thought for a moment staring at the ceiling. He did say one thing.

"The last thing he said was." She stopped taking a breath. "We'll always have Omaha."

"Well that's random." Carina rolled her eyes. Sarah glared at her.

"I told him, I told him I wanted to help him. To let me come with him." She thought about telling them about the kiss that had taken place after that, but decided against it. It wasn't detrimental information. She wanted to keep that to herself to remember always. "Then he said that before knocking me out."

"What exactly does that mean?" Devon was confused, face scrunched up thinking. "Did you guys do something in Nebraska?"

"Isn't that was Larkin said to you?" Casey but in. Sarah looked sharply at him. "After he came back. He said that. Bartowski asked me about it and I told him it means if you want to join him that's where he'll be."

Sarah thought on that. She didn't remember Bryce saying that to her. She didn't remember that time at all.

"I thought Bryce died before Sarah came." Devon said.

"Don't bother jock." Casey replied not taking his eyes off Sarah. She closed her eyes trying to remember. She did have missions with Bryce in Omaha, but what did that have to do with Chuck? Did Bryce tell him about Omaha?

"I don't know Casey." Sarah said dejected.

"Wait, Chuck knew Bryce?" Carina asked sounding frustrated. She was really out of the loop here.

"Yeah man, they went to college together. Stanford. They were best friends, frat brothers, and roommates. That was until he framed Chuck for cheating and kicked out of school, then slept with his girlfriend." Devon said angrily. Sarah smiled and reached her hand out for Devon. She knew he was mad at him for Ellie but the anger he held for what Bryce did to Chuck still meant he cared for the man.

"Wow. Harsh." Carina responded. Sarah nodded her agreement but then stopped.

"Bryce got Chuck kicked out of school." She said staring into space searching her memory.

"Yeah Walker we got that Thanks." Casey replied sarcastically, but she didn't appear to hear him.

"Chuck was being recruited for some military project. They weren't going to give him a choice. That's why he did it. It was something to do with Chuck's retention rate being the highest they've ever seen."

"The Intersect." Casey said. "They had testing for that a long time ago but none were successful. What was the project code name?" He said to himself thinking.

"Project Omaha." Sarah said. She closed her eyes as the memory became as fresh as if it were yesterday. She remember going to Stanford, obtaining the disc, watching it with Chuck. She took the disc telling him to never tell anyone about it. It wasn't safe for anyone to know. She opened her eyes when the memory finally ended.

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Morgan and Alex leaned against the car arms crossed waiting. Waiting for what they weren't quite sure but they were told to do so. It was surprisingly cool in the car and both were glad to finally get out of the direct heat. They had taken that time to have a small lunch consisting of snacks they picked up at the last gas station hey stopped at.

The sun was starting to set on the horizon and both were beginning to wonder if they would indeed end up sleeping in the car once more that night when a noise from the outside startled them from their thoughts. Both stood up straight both fearful and anxious about who it was.

They didn't have to wait long. Chuck had pulled up around the back of the barn and entered the door. Both shielded their eyes from the sunlight that shone directly behind them into their faces as they looked towards their visitor.

Chuck closed the barn door behind him, leaving them once again in the dimness of the barn. Morgan lowered his hand from his brow to get the first real look of his friend since 8 months ago when he had said his temporary goodbye as Ellie packed him in her van to the hospital.

"Chuck." He said softly. Chuck looked up at the sound of his voice, a small smile sliding upon his face.

"It's good to see you again buddy." He said simply.

Morgan walked the distance and stood right in front of his best friend. Typically he would have just jumped on him and hugged the life out of him, but finally getting a good look at him he was afraid to even breathe.

His best friend had turned into a skeleton with dark shadows, marks and scars all over him. He wore heavy black clothes to hide himself. His hair was neatly trimmed, cut short to be in order but long enough to show his curls and his face had a days' worth of hair.

"Chuck, man. What happened?" Morgan asked for lack of a better question. Chuck gave a rueful smile.

"Do you have the computer?" He asked, avoiding Morgan's question. Morgan nodded. "I need it."

"Oh yeah bro. Anything. We grabbed it for you." Morgan stumbled over his words but didn't move to retrieve it, still stuck staring on what was physically left of his friend. They stood there staring at each other for several minutes before Alex walked up behind him and held out the computer to Chuck.

"thank you." Chuck said. He turned away from them and walked towards a wall on the left. He pressed in a portion of a wall exposing a panel to which he pressed a sequence of numbers. The wall next to him lifted revealing a stainless steel elevator. They watched as he slowly walked into it clutching the computer to his chest and turned around towards them waiting expectantly.

Morgan and Alex glanced at each other for a moment before quickly grabbing their bags from the car and following him.

The ride down in the elevator was silent, each lost in their own thoughts. The doors opened a few minutes later, Morgan wondered how far down they had gone. The room it opened to was a blinding shade of white, accented by the sharp brightness of the florescent lighting. They followed Chuck off the elevator and down a couple hallways until they reached a large door with another panel next to it.

Chuck entered another long sequence of numbers and the door unlocked and opened giving them entry. Chuck entered first and they followed right behind. They entered into a room that looked like a lab. There were computers and wires and all sorts of stuff spread out through the room on stainless steel tables.

On the wall opposite them where a half dozen screen displaying different things, and standing in front of that Ellie working on a computer.

"Ellie!" Morgan shouted in joy, cringing slightly at the loud echo in the large room. Ellie jumped startled and turned around to see who shouted. It was quickly followed by a squeak of "UCK!" as Clara ran down the aisle towards Chuck.

She ran right into his leg below his knee being so tiny and tightly wrapped her arms around his calves sobbing. Morgan crouched down to her height best he could and patted her on the head.

"Hey sweetie, how are you? I missed you." But the little girl didn't even notice him.

He stood up as Ellie approached them at a more dignified pace. As soon as she reached Chuck she wrapped her arms tightly around him, squeezing him. She pulled back a bit to study his face, lightly brushing her fingers over the scratches and bruises that were there. Pulling away finally she reached out for the computer and looked at Morgan and Alex.

"What are they doing here Chuck. Please tell me you didn't kidnap them too?" She asked. Chuck smirked a second.

"No Ellie. These two came on their own. They had already taken the computer by the time I got there." He said.

"Are you going to let them go?"

"No, no he's not. We're here voluntarily." Morgan interrupted. Ellie just stared at him exasperated.

"And why would you do that?" She inquired looking back and forth between Alex and him.

"Well, you see"

"They're here to help Ellie. They wanted to help me. They are free to go whenever they please." Chuck interrupted Morgan. With that he reached down and picked up the sobbing Clara holding her close. He reached inside his jacket and took out her Binkie. She tried reaching for it. "No little one, let's go clean it first ok?"

He looked pointedly at the other two as he walked by, indicating that he wanted them to follow. Ellie just shook her head and rolled her eyes, turning back to return to the computer she was working at. They followed Chuck down another hall and through into another room that appeared to be an examination room.

"Chuck, I"

"Don't tell Ellie about the strike force." He said simply, placing Clara on the counter next to the sink to wash her binkie.

"How did you"

"Sarah told me. It would make her worry more. So don't mention it. Or anything else in relation."

"Chuck. I don't understand. Why did you take Ellie in the first place?" Morgan asked finally getting a word in. Chuck gave Clara the binkie still not facing them.

"You know very well why. They were using her as bait. She needs to be safe until it's over." He finally turned around to look at them. "You two are free to go, but I must implore you to not tell anyone where we are. But, I hope you will stay. Ellie will need you." The last part was said too softly to barely hear.

Morgan shook his head and finally reached out embracing Chuck as hard as he could, not caring about anything.

"No man. I'm here for you. No matter what happens we're besties and you can count on me." He state firmly.

"Good." Chuck said pulling away after a few moments. "Because I'm really going to need you."

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A/N: Ok it was probably if i remembered be explained later but bascially the reason he can feel kinda now is because the laudnaol loses its effects with continual use. (or at least in my story) It is after all an untested drug. The emotions he does feel however are supposidly extreame. But i'm trying to cut back on the angst here.

Next chapter when ig et to it :-d