Chuck vs. Where Loyalty Lies

Here's another new chapter for you folks. Once again, this chapter mainly focuses on Chuck's dream's state and how he's handling it. Plus, Team B's impending approach paths will soon be converging. Its going down now and intensity has turned way up so strap on your seat belts kids. Anyways, I think you'll enjoy it. Enjoy the read peeps.

Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.

I don't own Chuck but I hope there's a movie.

A Punch To The Stomach

XXX

"Sis!? What happened!? Where's Sarah!?" Chuck's eyes widen expressing a mixture of sheer terror and concern when he hears Ellie mentioned his wife's name in the context of possibly being in danger. So many thoughts are running through his mind at the moment none of which are leaving him with a sense of inner calm.

"It's the baby."

Its those three words that cause the father-to-be to restrain himself from completely freaking out. As much as he wants to grab his big sister and yell at her, he calms himself just enough to respond to the elder Bartowski sibling.

Chuck takes a step forward. "What about the baby?" he inquired with deep concern. "Where are they? Take me to her El!" The deeply concerned husband and expectant father moves lunges forward.

In Chuck's mind, he truly anticipates his older sister immediately motioning him into the elevator in order to take him to wherever Sarah is located at within the hospital. To him, her location may very well be up a floor or several floors up for that matter. Instead, what she does the youngest Bartowski sibling doesn't expect, especially when it concerns his sister the doctor.

"Wait." she calmly requested. Both hands quickly reach up with palms facing outward towards Chuck. A clear sign Ellie is hindering his attempt to get past her and into the elevator.

A mixture of confused disbelief envelopes his face. He takes a step back all-the-while wondering why isn't his sister stopping from entering the elevator instead of rushing inside. "What are you doing? It's Sarah. She needs me." he firmly proclaimed pointing up to the proximity of her possible location.

"I know. Just…" Ellie pauses for a moment then continues on. "…I need you to wait for a minute." she insisted.

A look of disbelief is expressed on Chuck's face. He shakes his head standing there in front of her. Both hands out to the side in a frantic manner. "Sarah doesn't have a minute."

In his mind, it wasn't the fact that Ellie suddenly stopped him and not allowing him to enter the elevator. No. The fact that her whole demeanor is considerably calm to the point where its as if the safety and well being of not only his wife, her sister-in-law, is in dire straights is totally unlike her. The Ellie he knows would be completely freaking out to the point where she would most definitely be dragging him into the elevator the minute the elevator doors opened once she saw him.

"Chuck, you need to listen to me." she firmly stated.

At this point, Chuck is exasperated with what Ellie is doing. His patience is wearing quite thin when it comes to his own older sister hindering him from getting into the elevator. Nearing his wits end, he restrains himself from yelling back at his sister just enough to respond back.

"El…" he calmly replied. "…I'm listening." Chuck added biting his bottom lip. The anger welling up inside him.

"If you want to see Sarah give it up."

A perplexed expression washes over Chuck's face. He takes one step forward quirking his right brow. "Give what up? What are you even talking about El?" he inquired shaking his head in confusion.

"You're only wasting time by asking me questions." the eldest Bartowski stated.

Chuck could only express amused disbelief in the chuckle that he faintly breathes out. "Me…" he responded pointing to himself. "…wasting time. You're the one who is stopping me from seeing Sarah."

"No." Ellie adamantly shakes her head. "You're the one who is stopping yourself from seeing her." she retorted pointing at her older brother with intent.

In that instance, the former nerd herd leader is utterly confused and not to mention irritated at the accusation thrown at him by Ellie. The impact by that statement momentarily caused him to step back due to the absolute absurdity of it all to the point where he couldn't help but place both hands on his head in utter amazement. He stands there briefly speechless taking a quick breather in order to figure out what how he's going to respond. However, he forces himself to speak up.

"What are you even talking about? You're not making any sense Ellie."

"You know what I'm talking about."

"NO!" Chuck blurted out loudly. The echo reverberates within the hallways until it gradually dissipates. The momentary silence is considerably haunting as brother and sister stand in front on one another. One is a hindrance from being taking to an intended location while the other is trying to make sense of the entire situation right before him. "I don't know what you're talking about. Tell me." he pleaded placing both hands on his chest.

Ellie steps forward in a calm manner. She reaches up placing both hands on either side of Chuck's upper arms. In doing so, she does something next that completely throws him off and takes him by surprise. She pushes him back and gets slammed against the wall behind him. After being momentarily stunned, his eyes are locked on to Ellie's as she's mere inches away from his eyes.

"You have two choices here little brother." she softly announced in a threatening manner. The tinge in her voice sounding ominously dark. So dark that it causes Chuck's eyes to somewhat widen. "You either give it up or you won't see your beloved wife."

The youngest Bartowski sibling is left speechless by the actions of his older sister. He's in utter disbelief to where he's not only left speechless once again, but he shakes his head trying to fathom what is going on. As he's mentally and emotionally assessing the situation, Ellie lets go inevitably stepping back allowing Chuck to have some personal space. Although it seems like forever, he gives his response back to Ellie all-the-while holding back tears in his eyes.

"El…" he said stepping forward. His voice trembling from the emotional turmoil he's going through. "…I don't know why you're doing this. To me. To her. Sarah is family." added the soon-to-be father. He shakes his head once again then turns around throwing his hands in the air. As he does, Chuck rubs the back of his neck attempting to relieve the endue stress endured by his older sister. "There has to be another choice. There always is."

"You made the wrong one little brother."

Ellie's response causes Chuck's eyebrows to furrow. He turns around thinking he's going to talk some sense into her. What he witnesses instead is the elevator doors close in front of the woman who raised him as a little kid. To him, without even thinking he lunges forward attempted to stop the elevator doors from closing but he's too late.

"Ellie…" he breathed out. "…El."

Chuck leans against the metal elevator doors with both hands pressed against it. His forehead lightly touches it as he temporarily closes his eyes. After a few seconds, he whips around now leaning against the elevator doors on his back. He then steps forwards and peers up at the illuminated lighted number above the elevator. She's going up. In that instance, he looks forward and just off to the right is a door with a sign showing the stairwell on the other side. A look of determination appears on his face as he heads towards the stairwell and to questions that need answering.

XXX

"How is it coming along doctor?" wondered The Belgian.

Dr. Mueller is sitting behind the console transfixed on the monitor. He's analyzing the date before him. After a few moments he breaks his concentration on the monitor then turns his head peering up to his left towards his business partner.

"It's remarkable."

"What is?" inquired Eddie.

In that instance, Dr. Mueller spins around in his stool in order to face the remaining group within the fourth floor. He leans forward placing both his hands on his knees. "The mental strength he's exhibiting shows continued resistance. It's astounding." he stated in absolute amazement.

"So…" chimed in Zondra. "…Bartowski is refusing to give up the information?" she inquired crossing both arms.

For the female deep cover agent, finding out that even in Chuck's unconscious state he continues to fight with everything he's got. In her mind, he has that innate inner strength to not succumb to Dr. Mueller's will knowing full well he's only initiated Phase 2 of the 3 Phase process. As much as she's proud of him for fighting the good fight, she knows that eventually that The Belgian will call for the last step in the process.

A process in which she hopes Chuck is strong enough to resist and if not then his whole being will be unfortunately erased. It's a situation that she doesn't want to have happened for the sake of her former CAT Squad teammate Sarah. Her thought process is broken by the sound of her right hand man Rashid who gives his seemingly cold response to the situation concerning the man he considers just a s simply a means to an end.

"Impressive yet foolish."

Impressive yet foolish. Eddie repeated that over in his head. To him, Rashid sounded like the unlikable version of one of his favorite Star Trek characters Spock. At least Spock had some semblance of a personality unlike Rashid whose personality quite possibly committed suicide just to get away from him he thinks to himself. It befuddles the mind, how he and him have been able to keep from killing each other knowing how polar opposites the both of them are. In any case, his attention would be averted by the sound of The Belgian's voice breaking his thoughts process.

"Indeed." retorted The Belgian. "I concur with your assessment Rashid." he firmly nodded tipping his white fedora towards Zondra's right hand enforcer.

It's at that point, Dr. Mueller spins back around analyzing the data on the monitor. While doing so, he punches of few keys on the keyboard and adjusting a few dials as well. "If I had more time and a lab more suited to my liking…" he said briefly looking around at what's he's working with. "…the analysis just off this untested research alone is noteworthy." he added continuing to read the information on the monitor."

"Unfortunately, we do not Dr. If it were any other day and he wasn't who he is then research away." replied The Belgian. "He's far too important to delay what our benefactor is paying us handsomely in what he wants sooner than later."

Dr. Mueller shakes his head in disappointment upon hearing that. To him, as much as he wants to go in depth with the research involving the test subject he must abide with his business partner's assessment. In his mind, the opportunity to be able to study the young man's mentally capacity regarding how far he can take in enduring the grueling tests is considered to be any scientists wet dream. However, for the sake of being paid handsomely far outweighs the thorough, in depth research that would quite possibly attain him a noble peace price. One could only dream he thinks to himself.

"I agree." he nodded.

Instantly, The Belgian expressed a grin likened to that of the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland. "Let's not waste any time then. Initiate Phase 3."

Upon hearing that, Dr. Mueller proceeds to adjust a the dials then taps the keys on the keyboard. As he is doing this, Eddie speaks up.

"How long will this take?" he wondered directing his question towards Dr. Mueller.

"Anxious are we?" responded Rashid. "Relax, you will get paid once the information needed is extracted." he added. A tone of disdain in his voice towards the man who he should have put a bullet in his head instead of complying to orders.

"To answer your question Mr. Haschal…" The Belgian answered. "….it all depends on his willingness to give up because the next step will not be something he will look forward to." he ominously explained.

The way The Belgian said that, sent a shiver down Zondra's spine but she refrained herself from outwardly showing it. In that instance, she remains stoic knowing full well she's going through inward emotional turmoil. To keep herself focused, she intently stares at Eddie then gives her response with his impatience.

"If you're bored…" she responded stepping forward. "…then why don't you step outside and take a walk." she suggested eyeing the eldest Haschal sibling.

All eyes fall on Eddie after the suggestion Zondra made. He stands there with both hands in his pockets trying to act as if every eye that is currently on him isn't making him uncomfortable. To him, he's never been the type of guy who liked being the center of attention. He was the sort of guy who enjoyed being mixed in with the crowd, which being part of military was all about. Granted, his time was cut short due to nearly dying but that's all in the past he thinks to himself.

"Fine." he replied. The man who betrayed his own little sister steps back moving past Zondra and Rashid. He walks towards the stairs and as he reaches the top step he briefly peers over his right shoulder. What he sees is Zondra, Rashid, Dr. Mueller, and The Belgian grouped around the console. As he descends down the stairs, he hears the following 3 words: Initiating Phase 3.

XXX

The much needed break for the B Team lasted for a total of 30 minutes. After refueling with bottles of water, they continued to hike up the steep pathway without stopping. Sarah truly gained much more respect for Morgan who on any given day would hear him complain and quite possibly whine because of not only the heat and humidity, but the sheer difficulty of the terrain they're currently hiking on. True, she could most definitely feel her feet, legs, and lungs burning. It's something she hasn't experienced in quite some time since leaving the agency.

In any case, she also has to give much respect to her sister-in-law Ellie as well. As a mother and wife herself, she's truly concerned about Devon and Clara back in Los Angeles. She's also preoccupied with the fact that her younger brother is being held captive and his health, safety, as well as well being are an absolute unknown. Added to that, the eldest Bartowski sibling is keeping a close eye on her when it involves her health, safety, and well being too. Its something she truly appreciates knowing she's looking out for her and not to mention her unborn baby.

Of course, she can't say that to her right now due to the intense situation their currently in. Yet, she will once this craziness is over hopefully without anyone she loves/cares about gets seriously hurt, injured or far worse she thinks to herself. Thankfully, Ellie and Morgan are bringing up the rear behind her while she is positioned in the middle while Carina and Bryce are up front armed at the ready.

The both of them are armed with SC-20K M.A.W.S(Modular Assault Weapons System) 4.6X magnified telescope sight and a integral silencer along with NATO jacketed magazines holding 30 round cartridges. Added to that it's equipped with grenade launcher, sticky cams, plus some surprises for any individual who decides to get in their way. When it comes to handheld weapons Bryce is armed with an SC-IS pistol. It doesn't have a recoil, its super accurate, and allows you to crank out shots quickly for the former deep cover agent against Fulcrum, as well as The Ring.

Carina, on the other hand, is equipped with a desert eagle. A weapon that says screw being stealthy and take out everyone in its path. A weapon perfect for a woman who is considered to be in her mind a one person assault team both sexually and on the battle field. Granted, she would much rather have the red headed vixen on her side than on the other side despite the fact she has tendencies to flip the script at any moment she thinks to herself. I wouldn't have it any other way. A thought that causes a brief smile to appear on her lips.

Essentially, the intensity of Team B's non stop climb towards their intended destination has most definitely caused them to work up an immense sweat. Sweat that has saturated their hair, skin, and not to mention every part of their shirts but mainly each of their backs. Yet, they push through blocking out the heat, humidity, and enduring pain as their full attention is on the rocky pathway ahead of them in order to save someone whose most important to each one of them in a different but same way.

It's at that point, Bryce suddenly holds up his right fist leading him to immediately crouch down. Carina instantly turns around silently signaling the rest of Team B to do crouch down upon approaching the broken down welcome sign leading into Pydnai. It doesn't take long for Bryce to signal the rest of his teammates to reach up with his two fingers point at his eyes then ahead of him telling them to be cautiously careful as they head straight into not only the broken down town, but the first building they come to.

After a few moments of quietly moving in with ninja like stealth making sure theren't weren't any surprise welcoming them into the abandoned town, all 5 instantly turn around hugging the back of the wall. They immediately couch down for precautionary reasons. In doing so, it's Bryce who carefully peaks around the corner making sure there isn't anyone recon whatsoever so as to not alert the others of their arrival. While in a crouched position, his intense focuses on the gravely, dirt path he just took assessment is avert behind him towards the rest of Team B.

"All clear." he whispered. "Remember, from this point on…" he firmly started. "…it gets serious" he added with absolute grit in his voice.

"Everybody ready?" inquired Carina. The red headed seductress is now replaced by the hardened DEA agent.

Its at that point, Morgan takes a quick physical assessment by quickly adjusting the bullet proof vest he's wearing. As much as he's dreamed of this type of situation, going into a high pressure situation like Chuck Norris back in the day with his movies he's internally freaking out. In his mind, they've formed their own version of Delta Force 2.0 and their mission is to kick ass and take names. However, it will be Bryce and Carina kicking ass along with taking names instead.

His job, as is Sarah's and Ellie's is to help as much as possible in providing escape support when getting his hetero life partner out of the danger zone while they take care of the fire power he thinks to himself. He made a solemn promise to the love of his life Alex and he's definitely not going to break it. After properly adjusting the vest to his liking, he takes a deep breath and gives his nervous response.

"Good to go." he quickly whispered giving a brief thumbs up. "El?" he added directing his attention towards her.

"Yeah…" she nervously answered. " …ready." she added tightly clasping and rubbing her sweaty hands.

Sarah could clearly see how freaked out Ellie is at the moment so she leans forward whispering into her. "Just use all the emotions you're feeling to your advantage. The adrenaline rush will do the rest. You're Eleanor Woodcomb and nobody messes with your family. You got this."

Afterwards, the blonde beauty leans back giving an expressive but firm nod and a reassuring smile. For Ellie, what Sarah said to her gave her that much needed confidence boost to use the emotional and mental freak out she's currently having to her advantage. The poignant moment between the two is subsequently broken up by the sound of Bryce's whispered voice.

"Let's move."

Bryce, Carina, and Sarah briefly take second to check the chamber on their weapons. Once they do, Bryce once again quickly take a peek around the corner to see if any individuals are still there. None. He turns back around, signals the team, then motions for the rest of the team to follow as all 5 individuals turn right and eventually disappear out of sight.

XXX

Chuck emerges from the stairwell 2 floors up from where he was previously at. As he steps forward somewhat out of breath, he finds that the elevator is completely empty. Ellie not inside causing him to look quickly to his left then to his right. Clearly disappointed and frustrated, he's about to search for her within the floor he's currently in when all of sudden he feels and experiences a tremor that rocks the area that he is now.

A tremor that to him is much more powerful and impactful than the previous one that he somewhat painfully endured 2 floors down. Yet, this one felt like a punch to the stomach. It causes him to not only be knocked off balance, but gets slammed against the side of the elevator opening to the point where he falls to the ground. He's momentarily stunned and at the same time trying to regain his bearing after the sudden jolt that just rocked his being. His first attempt at pushing himself up fails but his second attempt is a success with help from the façade of the outer elevator.

After he pulls himself up, he finds his balance. He inevitably shakes the cobwebs from his head and while doing so the elevator sounds off a ding then closes behind him. The former nerd herd leader then reaches up to check his head for any injuries. Thankfully, he doesn't find any but it feels like he suffered something major because his head his throbbing. Although it is, he pushes through and makes the decision to go in the right direction instead of the left. To him, he's going with his gut instinct.

In doing so, he suddenly stops and looks behind him. When he does, lights begin to shut off down at the far end of the hallway going completely dark to his right. At first, he doesn't think anything of it and proceeds to move on. It's not until he continues for a few more feet that another tremendous tremor is experienced causing him to hug the left side of the wall. It's at that point the business leader of Whiz Kid Systems, Inc. senses impeding danger leading him to turn around looking down to immediate right. When he does, hallway light after hallway light begin to shut off going completely dark from the far right end.

To Chuck, that isn't a good sign whatsoever so he books it as fast as he can all-the-while noticing the same framed pictures of his friends and family on the hallway walls. Sadly, one by one are engulfed by darkness as he briefly looks behind him. Rusty, Isabel, Travis, Shannon, Casey, Jayne, Devon, Ellie, Morgan, Alex, and everyone he has ever known or come in contact with. To him, its as if his whole world is being sucked into a dark abyss never to be seen again. Not knowing what to do next, his only option at the moment is to just keep running. He then suddenly notices quietly literally a light at the aforementioned end of the tunnel or in this case hallway. With everything he can muster, he runs towards the lighted door.

Each passing second he runs the darkness seems to be gaining behind him. He doesn't stop. He doesn't quit. The youngest Bartowski sibling can feel the darkness nipping at his heals and the lighted door is just within reach. The last few seconds feel like an eternity but in a last ditch effort of desperation he uses every bit of forward momentum he has and leaps forward to where he crashes through the door into the glowing bright room. A glowing bright room that he rolls into ending up face down in.

It's in that same room that although he temporarily got the wind knocked out of him, he frantically crawls over to push the door closed as hard as he possibly can. At the same time, he places himself with his back against the door as if attempting to not let the darkness enter in order to completely devour him into the dark abyss. Its attempts in trying to forcefully enter fail much to Chuck's delight. He takes a few moments to gather himself sucking in some much needed air after running an Olympic style track meet down the hallway.

While doing so, he pushes himself in a more seated position and when he does he winces due to the brightness of the lights within the room he's currently in. The brightness leads him to raise his right hand in order shade his eyes. Gradually, the brightness subsides leading his eyes to adjust. It doesn't take long for Chuck to pull himself up in a standing position and after briefly looking behind him he cautiously takes a few steps forward. He then soon realizes where he is…a room where newborns are held. A maternity ward to be exact. On the other side of the room, a large observation window with total darkness on the other side.

What he first notices is the eerily haunting sound of silence. Not what you would expect in a room that should be filled with coos and cries of newborns. Still cautious, he approaches the first row of transparent baby bassinets. Nothing. He approaches the next row. Nothing again. From where he's standing, he sees that all the baby bassinets are empty except for one located in the middle area. Once again he cautiously moves towards it and upon reaching the front of the transparent baby bassinet he reads the name labeled on it. BABY BARTOWSKI. Inside he finds not one but two wrist tags. One is baby Bartowski's and the other is Sarah's.

Chuck is considerably perplexed by what he sees. A mixture of emotions come over him. As he holds those two wrist tags in his hands, he hears a voice behind him causing to be startled. He quickly spins around to see Ellie standing in front of the observation window.

"El?"

"It you're fault."

"What's my fault?" he questioned in confusion. The uneasiness of the situation is totally unsettling for him. He doesn't want to ask but he forces himself to. "Sis, where is Sarah?"

"It's because of your selfishness little brother…" Ellie pauses. She then takes a step forward. "…they both died." she added pointing to the wrist tags in his hands.

A look of absolute horror is witnessed by the youngest Bartowski sibling as the realization of what the wrist tags represent sets in causing his eyes to widen.

XXX

NOTE: THANKS FOR READING. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE THE NEXT CHAPTER UP SOON. HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED IT SO FAR! WHAT DO YOU THINK? PLEASE REVIEW!