I almost gave up on this because... well long story short, I had all my chapters saved, edited, and ready to go on this site. I did this because there were some changes going on in my life that I wanted to make sure the stories were safe. Well, I didn't realize they only kept for a couple months and then were deleted. So here I had at least three chapters with major changes and they ended up gone. I tried my best to take from my original drafts and make the changes that were needed but you will probably see some inconsistencies or errors, but I wanted to at least get something out there.

I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 36 - Real American Hero

Sarah screamed Chuck's name as she was about to jump back into the water. She had to get to her husband but two very strong arms grabbed her and pulled her back, carrying her over the rocks as the mudslide filled the cavern depths.

"Casey, put me the hell down." Sarah was trying to punch him in the back, hating the way she was being manhandled.

Casey knew at any second Sarah could take him down. He needed to talk sense into her. "Sarah… the baby." He leaped over the rocks taking two to three at a time as he carried her over the dangerous surface and up the side of the path, gently placing her safely down on an even patch of ground, as the giant mudslide came crumbling down the side of the mountain.

"Chuuuck!" Sarah screamed as the entire mountain side came crashing down where the beautiful waterfall was just moments before.

Devon and Ellie had made sure most of the civilians were out of harm's way as they ushered everyone out of the cavern.

Sarah was still livid at the way Casey had handled her but now she needed to get Chuck back. She saw the destruction in front of her and her only thought was now how to get Chuck out of there. Her thoughts were interrupted by a screaming woman.

"My baby, where is my little girl?"

Sarah looked at the panicked woman and then at the spot where Chuck had headed to. Of course, Chuck must have known there was a helpless child in danger. Damn it why did he always have to be the hero?

Casey was already on the phone calling in the rescue team. He routed the call through Beckman and Graham who put a priority blue on the team. Even so, he knew they had to do something to get Bryce and Chuck out of there, and apparently now what he understood to be a little girl.

"Devon, come on, we've got to see if we can reach Chuck and Bryce." Casey was eyeing the steadily moving mass of land still pouring down into the cavern. It had slowed down and luckily due to the lack of current, the flow of mud had already stopped. It still didn't make it safe though as he knew all too well it was like one big cavern of quick sand.

Casey turned and scanned the crowd that all had a look of shock on their face, all except one, a Devon clone with an intense look in his eyes. Casey instantly knew... Military, a Marine judging by the tattoo he could now see on his arm. "You." Casey pointed to the Marine. "What's your name?"

The man stood a little taller, knowing he was in the presence of one of his own. "Master Sergeant Barry Allen, 1st Battalion third Marine Regiment."

Casey knew it, this guy was the right one. "I need you to double time back to the opening and see if you can find some rope and..." Casey thought about what to use for leverage. "And see if you can also find a surfboard. Hurry man." Barry was off in a flash.

Devon turned to Casey. "What can I do big guy?"

Casey looked at Sarah, trying to process the best course of action. Luckily she responded quickly.

"We need to get air in there to them somehow." Sarah was already looking around for something, anything that would provide a breathing tunnel for Chuck, Bryce, and the little girl.

Devon looked around at the bamboo shuts scattered around the area. "What about those?" Devon pointed to the long stalks of bamboo.

"That'll work." Casey motioned for Devon and a few bystanders to get the longest stalks they could. He then turned to Ellie who had a stunned look on her face as she stared out over the once beautiful waterfall. "Ellie, how much time do the three of them have trapped in there?"

Ellie just stared not really focusing on anything other than the fact her baby brother was trapped. She only came to as Sarah grabbed a hold of her arm.

"Ellie, how long do they have?"

Ellie shook herself out of her stupor. "They might two hours, maybe, depending on the size of the air pocket they were able to make. The problem isn't air though."

Sarah and Casey looked at each other a sudden aching in the pit of their stomachs. "Carbon monoxide?"

Ellie shook her head. "Yes. The release of their own oxygen will not have sufficient air to convert into regular oxygen. It will convert to carbon monoxide which will end up killing them all if there is not a way to release the buildup of oxygen."

Sarah grabbed her mouth realizing the enormity of what that meant. "How much time?"

"Maybe thirty minutes, with death inevitable in one hour."

Sarah saw Devon and the ones helping him pick up the speed at which they were trying to tear down the bamboo.

Ellie looked to Casey. "How do we get to them, that mud will suck us in like quicksand."

Sarah looked over at Casey. "How long do you think it will take that Marine to make it back?"

Without hesitating, having extreme confidence in any Marine serving, Casey replied, "Maybe twenty minutes, could be longer on the way back carrying the board and rope."

"Damn it that's cutting in to close." Sarah looked out over the mud filled cavern. "We have to figure out a way to get close enough to jam the bamboo through the wall of mud."

"Mass to weight displacement." Devon responded.

Sarah shot her head around towards Devon. "What?"

"The mass and weight of the object has to be less dense then the mass of the mud. Thus the object will not sink."

"How do we know what the mass of the mud is?" Casey asked not quite liking where this was going.

"We can't really. We'd just have to guess. Bottom line though, the smallest and lightest object has the best chance to make it across."

"I'll do it." Sarah was heading back down the rocks, making sure not to slip and fall.

"Hell no. There's no way I'm letting you do that." Casey grabbed Sarah's arm spinning her around.

That was the last straw as the super spy had enough of this cuddling shit. "That's my damn husband out there. If anyone doubts my ability to save him then step forward otherwise get the hell out of my way."

No one dared step forward at the determination of the blond. Who could argue the sheer will power of Sarah Bartowski?

"Give me the damn bamboo." Sarah reached out to Devon who did a double take as he looked over at Ellie.

"Damn it Devon, give me the stick now!" Sarah reached out towards Devon who reluctantly gave her the 15 foot stalk.

"Okay Sarah, here's the deal. You have to spread out your mass as much as you can to keep the disbursement of your body as spread out as possible. And here, you might want to wear this." Devon took off his shirt and handed it to Sarah.

Sarah looked down at her bikini clad body and realized trying to shimmy across the mud in what she was wearing probably wasn't the best idea. She took the shirt and put it on as she picked up the bamboo and made her way around the rocks.

The guys followed her to the safest part of the rocks before it led into the muddy depths below.

"One other thing, if you do feel yourself sinking, relax your body the best you can. Your body has a natural fight or flight instinct to save itself which will allow you to almost become lighter. It's what helps us float when we need to in normal water."

"Okay, I'm going." Sarah kneeled down at the edge of the rock where not long ago she was making quite the spectacle with her husband. Now it was the launching point for what could possibly be her most important rescue mission, the one for her Chuck.

Sarah calmed her nerves as she slowed her breathing and relied on her years of training to slow her heart beat. She knew Chuck would laugh at her but she was literally becoming one with the mud. It wasn't the devastating monstrosity that destroyed the area, it was the thing that stood between her and her husband. Thus it would be conquered because nothing would ever come between them. Not Mother Nature and definitely not another human being.

"You're doing good Sarah, slow and steady." Devon was doing his best to encourage Sarah, knowing at any moment he would jump in to save her if it called for it. He might not have known Sarah for very long but she had saved Chuck. He would do anything for her and if it came to it, he'd give his own life.

Sarah kept repeating in her head 'I'm coming Chuck' as she slowly and meticulously made her way over the now hardening mud. It was both a blessing and a curse that the mud was hardening due to the bright sunny day. If she didn't get there in time, the mud might be too hard to penetrate. However if she went to fast, she could be sucked into the murky depths. Not to mention she prayed that the worst of the landslide was already over.

Ellie thought it felt like hours when in reality it was only fifteen minutes as Sarah was now almost to the spot against the wall. It was also the time Barry had come streaking down the path rope and surfboard securely in his arms.

Casey ran up to the Marine, taking the rope and surf board. He then ran to wear Devon was standing.

Devon turned to him, a questioning look in his eyes. "Damn it, how do we get the surfboard out there?"

Casey didn't have time to think about that right now as he threw the rope to where Sarah was lying flat against the mud.

Sarah caught the rope on the first attempt and secured it safely around her waist. Luckily worse case she would be able to be pulled out. Now it was time to try to get the bamboo through the wall of mud.

Sarah realized trying to jam it in from her prone position was going to be a lot harder than if she was standing. Didn't matter though, either way, it was what she needed to do and nothing was going to stop her now. She prayed that her aim was true as she slowly and mechanically shoved the bamboo through the wall of mud.

Sarah paused suddenly as she felt herself starting to sink from the uneven pressure her position was causing as she tried to jam the bamboo through the mud.

"Sarah, remember widen your stance and calm down, you got this."

'Yes you moron, I know'. Sarah gritted her teeth, hate being told what to do. She needed to get to her husband and she didn't need some meat head trying to tell her what to do. She closed her eyes, widening her prone stance as she spread wide eagle. She couldn't help but smile thinking of what Chuck would think of this position.

"Come on Sarah, you can do this." Ellie did her best to encourage her sister.

Sarah knew that was Ellie's way of saying she had to hurry. So with renewed strength and resolve, she used all her strength to ram the Bamboo in the rest of the way. She couldn't help the tears as she heard her husband through the end of the stalk say 'That's going to leave a mark'.

"Honey are you okay?" Sarah yelled through the open end of the tube.

"Hey baby. Yeah we're doing good. Bryce and I have a new friend, her name is Rebecca."

Sarah took a deep breath. "Hi Rebecca, my name is Sarah and I'm Chuck's wife."

"Hi Sarah, Chuck said you would come for us."

Sarah grabbed her heart as she couldn't help the tears. Her husband always had such faith in her. "Yeah, I kind of have this thing for my big nerd. I need him to be okay and I'll do anything to bring him back to me."

"Honey, it's a little tight in here and Rebecca would really like to see her mom. Any chance we're getting out of here soon?"

"Sweetie, just concentrate on my voice okay? Help is coming but this is kind of a remote area."

"Okay I will but make sure you're… uh oh."

Sarah felt it too as another rumble was heard from up above. However instead of another mud slide, this just caused the mud to shift. Luckily Sarah at the last minute rolled out of the way as the mud shifted right where she was laying.

Sarah quickly looked back towards the guys on the rocks. "We have to get them out of there now. The mud is shifting again."

"Thread the rope through the bamboo and we'll pull every one out." Casey suggested realizing the time was shortening and they probably wouldn't be able to wait for the rescue team.

Sarah quickly removed the rope as she threaded it through the bamboo shoot hoping Chuck would get it. "Baby, I'm sending a rope through, make sure to wrap everyone up securely because we're only going to get one shot at this."

Sarah didn't hear a reply but she knew it was just a matter of seconds as another rumbling was heard from high above. It felt like hours as she threaded the rope, waiting for someone to grab it on the other end. She had almost given up hope until finally the rope went taught. She waited for what she thought would give them enough time but she couldn't wait any longer. The mud was starting to shift once again and she had a bad feeling something much worse was coming.

Sarah turned back to now what made her faith in humanity renewed. There, standing lined up behind Devon was almost the entire group of onlookers that just moments before were running for their lives. They were all lined up as if in a tug of war, Casey was providing anchor as only he could. "Okay guys, pull them out."

"On three, pull like you've never pulled before." Casey made sure to encourage everyone when out of nowhere, even more people came and joined in the efforts. Casey couldn't help but feel proud as now they had over twenty people helping them. "One… two… three… Pull!"

The group pulled with all their might. Sarah was expecting a slow process and it was at first but then just like being born into the world, Chuck, Bryce, and Rebecca, were pulled out through the mud. Bryce and Chuck were protecting the little girl as they came through.

Sarah grabbed a hold of Chuck as now they were free the now loosening mud, the group pulled them much quicker. She felt such relief as she felt his free hand hold onto her tightly as they skidded across the mud.

"Hurry, get them out and we've got to move." Casey was barking orders, as people pulled the four out of the mud, pouring water from water bottles on the faces of Bryce, Chuck, and Rebecca to help them see and breathe a little better.

It was at the moment Sarah pulled into the arms of her husband that a second mud slide roared down the side of the mountain completely engulfing the area they were just in.

Once safely on the path, everyone finally had a chance to sit down and reflect on what just happened. Sarah was holding Chuck's head in her lap as she continued to clean him from the mud. Rebecca was with her mom but she kept stealing glances back towards Bryce and Chuck.

Sarah turned to Bryce who was cleaning himself up, a look of pure exhaustion on his face. "Thank you." Sarah might have hated Bryce but she couldn't deny how great he was for Chuck.

Bryce just shook his head. "It wasn't me Sarah, you're husband once again was incredible."

Chuck could only smile at his best buds words, exhaustion overwhelming every muscle in his body. "Thank you for coming back for me Sarah."

Sarah leaned down and kissed Chuck on the forehead. 'I'll always come for you honey."

Chuck gave her a scrunched up look wondering if that was a play on words.

Sarah gently slapped his chest. "Really Chuck, after what we just went through and that's on your mind?"

"Honey, I thought it was a given, when I met you that's always on my mind."

"What am I going to do with you?" Sarah hugged his head close to her chest.

"Well that's a start." Chuck snuggled into her revealing chest now that her shirt was back off and she was in her white bikini top.

The two were interrupted by a very shy little girl standing near them. "Excuse me Chuck?"

Chuck quickly sat up, his exhaustion not so much an issue now as Rebecca was talking to him. "Hey girl, how are you?"

Rebecca had her hands folded in front of her as she stared at the ground. "I wanted to thank you for not leaving me… for coming back for me."

Chuck kneeled down in front of her. "Of course sweetie. There was no way I was going to let you out of seeing Bryce wear a hula skirt all day." Chuck gave her his megawatt smile and it seemed to light up the little girls world.

"I'd like to see that." The girl shyly replied.

"Hey do you think it'd be okay if I give you a hug. I think we could both use one of those." Chuck held out his arms.

"I'd like that." And then the girl was in Chuck's arms, holding onto him as tightly as possible. "Thank you Chuck."

"Anytime sweetie."

Sarah just looked at the interaction between her husband and this child. As if she needed reaffirmation before now there was no doubt. Her husband was going to be the best dad in the Universe. He truly was an American Hero.

{* * *}

"I don't want us to ever quit what we're doing honey." Chuck was sitting up in bed, holding Sarah right next to him. It was a long and exhausting day and after having what felt like a two hour shower the two lovers finally had some time for themselves.

"What do you mean Chuck? Are saying you never want to quit spying?" Sarah had to admit she was a little disappointed at that.

"Not necessarily spying, but saving lives. We're just so good at it and Sarah… I mean we save lives. I've gone from a fat, lazy slob, drowning in his own sorrow to now having the opportunity to work with the best out there and save lives. I mean this is incredible."

Sarah lovingly rubbed his hand not wanting to diminish his excitement but he needed to know how she felt. "Well what about when I have to leave for the baby."

"No Sarah you don't understand. I agree spying is too dangerous, especially to raise a family. And I guess to a degree saving lives is dangerous too. But I want us to concentrate more on the actual human beings that are looking for help from people like us." Chuck wriggled his eyebrows. "We could provide… leverage."

Sarah was still trying to figure him out. "You mean like paramedics or something like that?"

"Not exactly. I don't know exactly how to put it into words. Maybe spies that care." Chuck just looked at Sarah trying to hold in his laugh.

"How about, spies like Chuck." Sarah deadpanned as she saw her nerd get the biggest grin on his face. "Yeah you love me don't yah?"

"Yah know, I really do." Chuck leaned down to give Sarah a kiss. "I think tomorrow I just want to stay in the room and relax. What do you think?"

"I think that is a great idea." Sarah gave him a seductive look. "But I'm not sure the relaxing part is going to happen."