Here is the next chapter. Writing this one seemed a bit tougher for me. It is a fairly important episode that tries to deal with the previous weeks events. I hope I caught the ideas of this one. Like always, let me know what you think.

Thank you Niall, again.

Events in this episode take place in Chuck vs. The Third Dimension

Makeup

Sarah's Apartment

It was late. She was just arriving back at her apartment from another "date night" with the family. Morgan had invited himself over so it had become the five of them. After dinner they played another round of 'Know Ya!', which had become Sarah's favorite game. When they had first played it, the game was a way for her to glean even more bits of information about Chuck and his family. Information was the currency in her world. It was more valuable than money. Now however, whenever they played that game Sarah used it as a way to reveal little fragments of herself and her life to these people she called family. And these details, she didn't mind sharing.

But tonight things felt off. Ever since Christmas Eve, Chuck had been reluctant to make "cover dates" with her and when he did he hadn't been his usual charming self and Sarah was starting to take notice.

Chuck had been uncharacteristically quiet tonight so when the game was over Sarah and Ellie went over some wedding details and Chuck went with Morgan and fired up the X-Box and played some video games.

Something is not quite right with him. Why is he acting this way? Is he mad at me?

She went over to her jewelry box, opened it, and picked up the bracelet. She stared at it. She loved it, loved the idea of it, loved what is symbolized. She had replayed that scene over and over again. He had taken her completely by surprise, which made her reaction all the more genuine.

"Oh, Chuck. I can't take this. This is something real. Something you should give to a real girlfriend."

"I know."

She remembered what her dad had told her.

"I made a ten million dollar bet that he loved you. Turns out I was right."

That thought hadn't really crossed her mind before. She knew he liked her, and was attracted to her, but loved her? Really loved her?

You accepted this token of affection. You could've given it back but you didn't. Why?

Because he wanted me to have it.

No. You kept it because you love him too. Just like he loves you.

No I don't. Spies don't fall in love.

Then give it back. It's hurting you. It's giving you a reason to hesitate. Your feelings for him with be the death of him.

No. My feelings for him will help me keep him safe.

She put the bracelet back in the jewelry box and tried to ignore what her spy training was telling her. That she loved his man but needed to get rid of those feelings and that these feelings will be manipulated by others and will cause her to make bad choices.

She latched onto another thought.

If he cares for me this much, why is he acting this way? Why would he give me that bracelet and then pull away? Something's not right. I need to find out what it is.

And with that thought she crawled into bed with her mind made up. She was going to get to the bottom of this and figure out what is going on.

Castle

Two Days Later

The team had found that Tyler Martin, a rock star, was being used by his manager to pass along information to the bad kinds of people, and now they wanted Tyler dead. An assassin was hunting him and upon receiving this information, General Beckman had ordered the team to persuade Mr. Martin to perform and his benefit concert.

When Sarah heard her orders she nodded to herself as Chuck started to protest.

"No. No. Hey guys, this is way to dangerous. Tyler could get killed."

"Those are nightmares tattooed on his body, Chuck. We have to take Gambir down tonight." Casey responded.

"Okay. Okay. Fine. Fine. You go in there and tell him he has to put his life on the line because he was a pawn in someone else's game."

"He won't listen to us." Sarah pointed out.

"So you want me to do it?" Chuck was appalled. "No, absolutely not."

"What do you mean no? We have orders." Casey growled.

There it is again. He is resisting. He usually does but this feels different. Something is off.

"Chuck, what is the matter with you? This is more than about taking a night off." Sarah probed.

"Maybe. Um, I…" Chuck stuttered out a response but the spy part of Sarah's makeup knew that this assassin and his game plan were bigger than any feelings she might have now. And no matter how it looked, they needed Tyler out there on that stage tonight. HE needed to be the bait to draw out Gambir so they could neutralize him.

Sarah stepped closer and made eye contact with Chuck. She needed him to understand how serious this situation was.

"Chuck, lives are on the line right now. And if Tyler doesn't help us, he will never be free of those people, and if you don't help us, then Gambir gets away."

"And the world becomes a more dangerous place." Casey added while preparing another tranq dart.

Thank you, Casey. Now, let me drive the point home.

"I don't know what happened to you, but this is our job: Not only to protect Tyler, but the country and anybody else who needs protecting and we do whatever it takes, no matter what. Did you forget that?"

"That I definitely didn't forget." Chuck uttered somberly.

His tone and response took her off guard. She thought for a moment. What's that supposed to mean? Did I do something? Why is acting his way?

Casey snapped them back to reality but Chuck looked at Sarah as if to make a point.

"I'll do it. I'll convince him." Chuck let his somber stare hang on Sarah before he turned and headed down the hall towards Tyler.

Sarah tried to shake off the doom and gloom feelings and her angry look but her emotions got the better of her.

What was that all about? We have a job to do. He's a spy. He needs to learn to follow orders.

He's not a spy. You are his handler. He's your asset. You protect him. It's your job. It's why you're here. Does Casey need protecting? No. He's a spy. Chuck is not.

Beach

Winter 2012

"So there I was, in the room with Tyler Martin. And I kinda felt like what I imagine you felt like a lot of the times with me during those first few years.

Sarah turned to face Chuck with a questioning gaze.

"What I mean is, we were in a lot of dangerous situations. I didn't always want to be in those situations but you were there with me, watching out for me, protecting me.

Sarah smiled when she heard this. "Well, it was my job, right?"

"Yes but the mission with Tyler was different. I realized something while I was talking to him. I had been upset with you for shooting Lieutenant Mauser, only I didn't tell you I was upset. And you lied to me about what you did."

When she had asked him to tell her their story she initially wanted facts, like a normal spy would. But as he told her their story she quickly became less interested in facts and more appreciative of him when he would deviate and ramble on about motives and feelings.

"I realized that we were very different people. I was a normal/regular guy with computer files stuck in my brain who wasn't a spy but sometimes acted like I was. And when you showed up I felt important, like my life mattered, or had a purpose. And you were a very good, very deadly when needed to be spy who sometimes acted normal for me. I think you started to like the idea of being normal. But when I saw you shoot Mauser I was reminded that we were operating in two very different realms."

Sarah looped her left arm around his right elbow and leaned into him. Even now, having her memories taken, her feelings were there and the sound of a normal life felt oddly appealing.

"So anyway, I had to convince him to help us. That's what I meant by being you. And I did it. I got him to help us."

Back in Castle

Sarah was standing next to Casey watching the screen. This mission now hung on Chuck. Tyler wouldn't listen to the real spies, so it was up to Chuck to get him to cooperate.

"What do you want me to do?" Tyler asked.

Chuck paused and looked back at the camera.

Come on Chuck. You can do it. Ask him.

"We would like you to perform tonight at your special concert." Chuck asked gingerly.

"That's madness. People are trying to kill me." Tyler protested.

"Yes. And you can help us catch them. You can help the world, the entire world by doing this, for real. You can go back to living your life again, one night of bravery, for an entire life of normalcy. I can't even tell you what I'd give for that."

As Sarah listened, she thought she began to understand what his hang up was really about.

Is it really just about taking a break? He said there's more to it then that but maybe not. Maybe he just needs some time off. Is he trying to impress me by pretending he doesn't need a break?

After a few moments of silence Tyler finally spoke up. "How do I know I can trust your people?"

"Because I do." Chuck grinned. "They're the best. I stake my life on it every day."

Sarah let a slight smile slip. She knew this team was good but like everything else, every now and then, it's good to hear it. It's even better when it is coming from the asset your protecting.

Casey laughed. "Kid's a natural."

Back at the Beach

2012

"Nooooo. You went crowd surfing!" Sarah gently laughed. "That's something I could never do. All those hands."

"Never say never Mrs. Bartowski. You'd be surprised at what I can get you to do." Chuck flirted with his wife.

"Well, I did end up marrying you." She flirted back, not really understanding why.

"Yes you did."

"So I take it we made up after the mission?"

"Well, sort of. It was more like we came clean with one another."

Courtyard

After the Martin Concert

"You did a great job, Chuck." She encouraged. And it was the truth. It was his flash that gave them the current intel. It was Chuck who convinced Tyler to perform when he didn't want to. And it was Chuck's imporv that led to the crowd surfing and the chance to take out Gambir.

"Thanks."

"Look, if there's something that's bothering you, then please tell me. I know part of your job is to have all these secrets in your head but you're not supposed to keep them from me."

"Yeah, I know, I know." He gave her a fake grin.

She held her gaze. The moment got awkward and anyone within the courtyard would've been able to tell something wasn't quite right.

Sarah saw Chuck swallow hard, and his face got flushed, like he was trying to work up the courage to tell her something.

"I saw you shoot that Fulcrum agent on Christmas Eve after they took over the Buy More." Chuck started nervously. " And when I asked you about it…"

"I lied." Sarah interrupted calmly.

"Yeah."

Just the mention of Christmas Eve brought back the feelings from that incident.

"Chuck, I have to protect you." She reminded him.

"I know that. I know that you do." He took a few steps closer to her. "And you were protecting me. You were protecting all of us. He threatened my family, my friends, and you were just doing your job. I get that, but…" Chuck mustered up his strength to find the words he was searching for. "Sarah, the guy was unarmed and you just…"

As he was talking about what he saw Sarah was reliving the incident. She caught a glimpse of Mausers evil grin. She heard his we won speech ringing in her ears. She had made a choice. One she would never be proud of. She had joined the agency to help people, not kill people. It had taken her several sleepless nights to bury the feelings associated with shooting an evil, yet defenseless man. But she had done it, and now he wanted to talk about it. Sarah wasn't going to let him.

"I did what I had to. He knew who you really were. Your whole family was in danger. And I'm sorry. Sometimes I forget that you never asked for all of this."

And he hadn't. Bryce was to thank for that. But Sarah, at least, had chosen this lifestyle. She had made a conscious decision to do what she does.

"There's part I'm not sure I will ever get used to." Chuck responded with a bit of contrition.

I was wrong about what was bothering him, but maybe a few days away would do him some good.

"Well, you deserve a break, so take tonight, tomorrow, whatever you need, it's yours."

"Seriously? Really?"

She reemphasized that the next few days were spy free and that they would be waiting when he was ready.

Back at the Beach

2012

"And you told me I was free from all things spy related for a while."

"But you came with us on the next mission, didn't you?"

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

"I don't know. I just knew. But why did you come with us?"

"You were my girlfriend…sort of for real and fake. I guess when I saw your reaction to my questions I realized you didn't want to do what you did. But you did what you had to do, what I could never do. I didn't want to be in love with a cold blooded killer. I realized you weren't.

"Oh, well, that's good." Sarah continued her flirtatious behavior. "Because, I'm not."

"No. I know you're not."