I know a lot of you are unhappy with the intrusion by Shaw. He will get what is coming to him in (in my opinion at least) Chuck fashion. He's not going to just lie down and die no matter how badly you all want it to happen. Once again, thanks for all the reviews and I'm surprised this story has accumulated over 100K words. Who would've thought I could find something I'm passionate enough about to write that many words. And I always dreaded those five page papers they made us write back in school.
I do not own Chuck.
/
Chuck, Sarah, Bryce, and Casey are all inside Fortress the next morning as Beckman comes online. "Hello team, Mr. Bartowski, Ms. Walker," Beckman greets professionally.
"Soon to be Mrs. Bartowski," Sarah lifts her left hand and flashes the engagement ring with a huge smile. She knows that she is boasting but after all the trials Beckman put them through; Beckman needs to know that love prevailed and she couldn't deter it.
"Thanks for the invite," Beckman states sarcastically with a completely straight face.
"Oh," Chuck's eyes widen in surprise, "um, well…" He didn't expect Beckman to have any interest; especially since they no longer work together and haven't spoken in months.
"I was kidding," Beckman states with a very subtle smirk. "Congratulations," Beckman nods curtly as her smirk turns to a subtle smile. She always knew there was something special between the two that would be impossible to break and they are finally free of any spy stipulations. Her smile fades to a straight, professional expression as she gets down to the grim business of what should've never happened. "We acquired a hit on Shaw's name. He rented a vehicle just outside LAX airport."
"When did this happen?" Casey asks hastily.
"Last night at 2300 hours."
"Is that the only hit on him, General?" Bryce asks hoping there are more leads they can look into. He would do anything for his two best friends, even sacrifice his life.
"Yes," Beckman explains with a tinge of remorse, "I already put out an APB on him. Colonel Casey, I want you to question the car rental employee to see if he knows anything more about where Shaw is headed."
"He's headed here!" Chuck shouts fearfully in an obvious tone.
"We don't know that Chuck. For the meantime, Agent Larkin will shadow both of you," Beckman assures calmly.
"It's okay Chuck," Sarah takes his hand in hers and gives him a reassuring squeeze. "You have the Intersect protecting you," she grins at him to try to calm him.
"And you?" Chuck asks weakly for reassurance as he looks at her with hopefulness as if he doesn't feel safe without her.
"And me," she smiles genuinely. "I'm not going anywhere. I will kick his ass if he even threatens you," Sarah states with pure conviction.
"Thanks," Chuck lets out a nervous chuckle as he tries to stay sane. "I feel like I'm the one being targeted," Chuck jokes weakly.
"That's what we're expecting," Bryce states without thinking of the repercussions. Sarah instantly glares at Bryce for making Chuck worry more.
"What?" Chuck looks over at Bryce with fear written all over his face.
"He wants his vengeance," Bryce explains as if he knows Shaw like a brother. "He's not going to just settle for killing Sarah. He's going to want to make her suffer like he has."
"No," Chuck freaks out as he looks at Sarah worriedly. His life has been so perfect in the last year and he doesn't want it to end early.
"I won't let that happen. You know that Chuck," Sarah states seriously as she stares into his eyes to convey how true her words are.
"I know," Chuck sighs as his worry slowly fades while he gazes into those mesmerizing blue eyes.
"Agent Larkin," Beckman demands, "make sure both of them are armed and protected."
"Yes ma'am," Bryce nods.
Chuck turns to Beckman with a worrisome smile, "I know it's not exactly the circumstances, but it's good seeing…" Beckman ends the feed. "… you again," he finishes saying to the blank screen. Bryce scoffs as he disappears to the armory.
"You're gonna be fine Chuck," Sarah assures as she lays her head on his shoulder.
"Why can't I be as calm as you?" Chuck asks with slight envy. Sarah laughs as she pats his chest playfully.
"Here," Bryce throws two Kevlar vests onto the table before leaving to get them weapons.
"Fine, huh?" Chuck states sarcastically as he looks at Sarah with his worrying resurfacing after seeing the vests. He knows how much it hurts to get shot while wearing a vest. He's done it twice and twice he's had a nasty bruise.
"It's just precautionary," Sarah states as she starts unbuttoning his shirt.
"Now is not the time for sex!" Chuck's hands cling onto Sarah's hands to stop her in utter surprise that she could possibly be turned on at the moment.
Sarah laughs away his confusion as she continues to unbutton him, "we're putting the vest underneath your shirt, silly."
"I, I knew that," Chuck lies embarrassingly as he smiles bashfully. "I was just joking around."
"That's why your palms are so sweaty?" Sarah deadpans as she grins at Chuck knowingly.
"That may be due to the fact that," he says calmly as he crooks his head before bursting out worriedly, "I'M FREAKING OUT!"
Sarah plants a heart-stopping, reassuring kiss on Chuck's lips that breaks through any threshold of worry Chuck has left. "Feeling better?"
"Maybe a little," he flashes a small thankful grin. "Do you mind doing that again?" Sarah laughs as she pulls off his shirt so she can put the vest under it.
/
Casey gets back to Fortress after questioning the car rental employee. Chuck, Sarah, and Bryce are sitting at the table. "How'd it go?" Sarah asks curiously hoping that he has some useful information so they can get through this situation.
"Didn't get much," Casey answers with slight annoyance. "He's in a grey '06 Ford Taurus and he was wearing a wedding ring."
"He never wore a ring before," Bryce muses as he looks up and to the left in thought. "He must be delusional."
"So what does this mean?" Chuck asks with a slight worry. "Does he know where this is?"
"He knows about Fortress," Bryce answers without a second thought.
"Great," Chuck throws his arms in the air sarcastically.
Casey steps up to the computer and starts typing. "I'm sending out an APB on the car and searching through all cameras in a three mile radius of here and your home."
"At least that's a little more reassuring," Chuck weakly smiles at Sarah. She takes his hand in hers and gives him a comforting squeeze of his hand and a smile. "So, do we just camp out down here forever? Or pretend like we're not being targeted by an ex-CIA agent?"
"For now, you go on with your lives," Bryce answers with the exact option Chuck was hoping not to hear.
"Meet down here at 1700 hours for any updates on the situation," Casey orders.
"Ready, set, break!" Chuck mocks a football huddle as he claps.
"It's hardly the time to joke Chuck," Bryce shakes his head with a small smile.
"It's the only thing keeping me sane right now," Chuck responds as he stands up to go back to work, because that won't be dreadful with this hanging over his head… not! He puts his lips millimeters from Sarah's ear and whispers something to her. She feels the soft warm breeze of his breath but doesn't understand why he would want her to say that and say it that way too.
"Why?" She furrows her brow at him.
"Just say it," Chuck pleads with a playful smile as he bounces like an antsy child.
"Fine," Sarah huffs as she turns to Bryce and Casey. "Just when I thought I was out… They pull me back in," she recites in her best cool calm collected mafia man tone.
"Really?" Bryce scoffs with a huge smile as he raises an eyebrow. Bryce has always been a fan of the Godfather movies.
"Sorry," Chuck smiles. "Just trying not to freak out."
"What does that mean?" Sarah asks Chuck; still not sure why he begged her to say it in the first place. "What is it from?" She hates not having the answers and really wants to know why she just said that line.
"I'll tell you when we get upstairs," Chuck gives her a peck on the lips. God, he loves this woman and her lack of pop culture knowledge.
Sarah holds Chuck's hand the entire elevator ride up to their floor. They both walk hand in hand when they get outside their offices. "Do you think you can work in my room?" Chuck asks weakly with a sheepish smile. He just feels like he has so much more power and confidence when she is around.
"As long as cuddling's involved," Sarah grins brightly as she follows Chuck into his room. His smile becomes genuine and thankful.
/
Sarah is cuddled into Chuck's arms while she lies on top of him on the couch. From under her, Chuck's arms are wrapped around her waist and securing her to him. "You know that I'm not letting anything happen to you, right?" Chuck states confidently.
"You sound like you're the ex-spy," Sarah jokes with a quick snort.
"I'm serious Sar," he kisses her on the cheek. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're safe."
"Thanks Chuck, but I want to protect you. It may not be my mission anymore, but it will always be my job," she states completely serious as she stares into his eyes.
"Well I could protect you too," he responds with the same seriousness. "And I'm not letting that guy touch a hair on your body." Sarah places her head against his neck and slides up until she is secured under his chin.
A knock on the door startles Chuck slightly as he's been on high alert since learning about Daniel Shaw. Sarah quickly tenses as she slides her hand to where her gun usually is behind her back. "Hey dude, it's Morgan," a voice calls from outside the office.
"Come on in," Chuck hollers.
Morgan walks in to see Sarah lying on Chuck. "Oh jeez, I'm sorry," Morgan stammers nervously as he covers his eyes with his hand. "You could've told me!"
"Morgan, we're just relaxing," Chuck deadpans as he slides himself from underneath Sarah; she lets out a tiny whimper as she loses Chuck's securing touch. Morgan apprehensively drops his hand and sees both of them fully clothed and Chuck walking over to his desk while Sarah is lying on the couch. "What's up buddy?"
"I reviewed all the beta testers and picked the twenty best," Morgan explains as he sits down on the chair across from Chuck's desk. "You do know the game is releasing in a few weeks, right?"
"I know," Chuck nods. "Did you inform the testers that they got the job?"
"Not yet. I just wanted to run their resumes through you first."
"Okay, I'll look them over."
"I sent you an email."
"Okay, anything else?"
"How was your trip to San Fran?" Morgan smiles as he sits in the chair.
"It was pretty cool. The resort they let me stay at was kind of awesome," Chuck grins as he glances at Sarah who is admiring him with a small grin. "They had an amazing restaurant. Let's just say I may have gained a pound or two that night," Chuck laughs. "The best sizzling shrimp I've ever had."
"Sizzling shrimp's amazing," Morgan smiles admiringly.
"Yea," they both sigh in harmony as they think about the succulent crustaceans and look up at the ceiling. Sarah giggles at how in unison they are.
"So, are you taking Microsoft's offer then?" Morgan asks curiously as this is a huge piece of the successfulness of the game.
"I think so," Chuck nods. "I mean, I have nothing against Sony or Nintendo. We grew up on the NES," Chuck laughs, "but I think this will really help the game succeed."
"Yea, Microsoft is pretty legit," Morgan agrees.
"Yea, and they know how to market a game. We worked out an advertisement campaign and everything. They really know what they're doing."
"That's great," Morgan nods. "They'll teach us the ropes of advertisement so we can do it ourselves next time."
"Exactly!" Chuck excitedly states as Morgan's train of thought is on the exact same track as Chuck's.
"So," Morgan takes on a wide childish grin, "you ready for the bachelor party tonight?"
Chuck's eyes widen in alarm. He forgot all about it with the whole Shaw situation. Chuck looks over at Sarah with the alarmed look and she looks like she just realized that her bachelorette party was tonight too.
Morgan sees the look of fear on Chuck's face and misinterprets it. He steals a glance at Sarah before looking back at Chuck. "Right," Morgan drawls in a knowing nod. "You're not allowed to know what we're doing. Sorry, Sarah," he shrugs with an apologetic smirk.
"It's fine," Sarah recovers and schools her features and smiles back. "I get it."
"I need to talk with Sarah but I'm looking forward to tonight," Chuck plasters a fake smile as he tries not to let any of his worry seep into his voice or facial expression.
"Got it, see you tonight," Morgan drawls with excitement and a devious smile. He walks out of the room and Chuck looks over at Sarah.
"I forgot all about it!" Chuck shrieks worriedly. "What if he attacks us during the party tonight?"
"Don't worry Chuck," Sarah climbs into his lap and gives him a quick peck on the lips, "you'll have Casey there and I'm sure Bryce would love to go."
"No!" Chuck states defiantly as he looks into her eyes while shaking his head and stands up.
"What do you mean no?" She furrows her brow thinking he doesn't like Bryce enough for him to be there. "I thought you guys were friends?" She feels pain trickle from her chest at the thought. She already feels slightly guilty for choosing Chuck over him and she would really like them to stay as friends.
"No, no," Chuck shakes his head. "Bryce and I are friends, but what about you? You'll have no backup. I can't let you go alone."
Sarah smiles lovingly at how much he cares about her. "I'm sure Beckman will have a team just outside if I need any help."
"That's not good enough. I don't want to be away from you," he hugs her close to him as his eyes tear. He can never control his emotions when the thought of losing Sarah forms in his head. "I, I can't lose you Sarah," he sniffs against her shoulder; trying to hold in the tears welling inside him. "You mean too much to me."
"I'm not going anywhere Chuck," Sarah feels tears welling inside her after hearing Chuck's emotional confession. "I'll never ever leave you because," she sniffles herself as she looks into his glassy eyes full of unshed tears, "you mean everything to me." She gives him a loving passionate kiss that proves her point. "I promise that I'll be fine."
/
Daniel Shaw is not an incompetent person. He knows how the government is going to look for him. They're going to search all systems for his name to show up. Then they will search all security cameras for him to appear. He knows that using his real name on the rental agreement was not one of his greatest ideas, but he wasn't exactly prepared when the government suddenly put out an all-points bulletin on him.
How could the CIA have been the ones to issue his wife's death? The thought makes him question everything he did for them. They probably used him for their own advances by telling him the Ring killed his wife. They just went along with their lives knowing they covered up the real murder of his wife. The CIA is going to pay; starting with the blonde agent they assigned to kill Evelyn.
Luckily, the Ring understands his frustration with how the government lied to him for five years. They offered to help him exact his revenge in any way he needs. He informed them about renting the car and he's dumped it a mile from Sarah Walker's apartment as a trap. He lets out an evil chuckle at the thought as he walks through the Ring bunker.
"Ah… Daniel," the Director of the Ring greets him with a smug smile as he holds his chin high, "so glad you could make it."
"I want revenge. I want to kill the guy right in front of her face. Let her feel what she made me feel for five years!" Shaw's voice rises by the end with anger as he clenches his fists.
"There will be time for that. You have our entire armory at your disposal," the Director points off to his side to show an armory filled with state-of-the-art weapons and spy gadgets. "We have all the resources you'll need."
"Thank you," Shaw smirks evilly as he hands over a manila file stacked with papers to the Director.
"You scratch our back, we scratch yours," the Director lets out a low approving laugh at their quick budding friendship.
/
Chuck, Bryce, Casey, and Sarah all meet in Fortress as the clock ticks to five at night. They are sitting at the main table in the center when Beckman appears on the screen. "Agents, we've got a hit on the rental car. It is a mile north of your apartment," Beckman informs all of them, ready to give more orders.
"Crap," Chuck blurts out worriedly as his eyes widen.
"Colonel, I want you to take a team and check out the vehicle. Shaw is dangerous and knows our processes," Beckman continues seriously. "Be ready for anything."
"General?" Chuck weakly butts in.
"What is it Chuck?" Beckman glares at him disapprovingly for the interruption.
"I kind of have my bachelor party tonight and Casey is invited," he smiles sheepishly.
"I'm well aware of that, but we cannot let Shaw think we know anything about his whereabouts," Beckman explains in a slightly condescending tone. "I'm having Agent Larkin going as your friend as you *obviously* felt the need to tell everyone about your secret," Beckman rolls her eyes in annoyance.
"I'm sorry General," Chuck smirks apologetically, "but I couldn't keep lying to everyone. And I didn't tell them anything about the Intersect."
"It's fine General," Bryce speaks up; much to Chuck's relief. "I'll be happy to shadow Chuck during the party."
"Once Colonel Casey is finished with his investigation with the vehicle, he will join your party," Beckman explains, but this just worries Chuck.
"What about Sarah?" Chuck asks fearfully as he glances at her. "You need to give her some kind of backup. My sister is gonna be there too!"
"I'll have a team tail your every move and I believe your consociate, Agent Carina Miller, is in town on vacation," Beckman states, causing everyone to quirk an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What is Carina doing here?" Sarah blurts out in surprise as he brow furrows deeply.
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Beckman smirks knowingly. Carina saunters into Fortress and sits down in a chair at the table.
"Carina, what are you doing here?" Sarah asks as a smile grows on her lips from seeing one of her best friends.
"Chuckles' sister called me about the bachelorette party," Carina smirks deviously. "You know that I can't say no to a party. Especially when it's my Sarah's party."
"That was so sweet of her," Sarah muses as her smiles grows at the thought of Ellie doing something like that. "I'm glad you're here."
"Yea, thank god," Chuck sighs as a smile of relief forms on his lips. "You can watch Sarah's back at the bachelorette party!" Chuck insists with pure hope.
Carina pouts with a huge puppy dog look as she protrudes her lower lip profoundly, "Does that mean no alcohol?" She quips with a feigned somber tone.
Sarah rolls her eyes as she snorts, typical Carina. "Just don't get too wasted," Sarah finally states.
"Will do, mom," Carina nods her head exaggeratedly.
"Alright team, Colonel, check on the car, the rest of you, try to have fun," Beckman smirks as she fades off the screen.
"Let's go Walker," Carina excitedly grabs Sarah's hand and pulls her to her feet. Carina loves to bring out her inner love for clothing and fashion. "You need to help me pick out a pretty dress." Sarah shakes her head as she laughs. Carina seems like such a normal pretty-girl.
"I'll see you later Sarah," Chuck smiles sadly at her. "At least I hope so," he mumbles quietly in despondence.
"I will see you tonight Chuck," Sarah says with conviction. "Nothing is going to happen to me or you," she cups his cheeks and gives him a loving passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you Chuck," she states seriously as she retreats after the kiss.
"I love you too," Chuck calls out as Carina hurriedly drags Sarah out of Fortress.
"Watch the kid, trouble always finds him," Casey jokingly orders Bryce as he heads for the exit of Fortress. "I'm going to check out the rental car."
"Be careful Casey," Chuck says with a tinge of worry. He would never want any harm to come to Casey as he has become a great friend to Chuck over the years.
"He's right," Bryce agrees with Chuck. "Shaw is smart and he wouldn't just leave his car in such an obvious spot. Just watch yourself."
"Will do," Casey walks out of the main area of Fortress, leaving Bryce and Chuck to themselves.
"So, let's check out the wardrobe here in Fortress," Bryce smiles brightly at the nervous Chuck.
/
Beckman is sitting at her desk when her computer monitor instantly turns on and shows a feed of Stephen Bartowski scowling. "Ori—Stephen?" Beckman furrows her brow from the unexpected appearance. "May I ask why the intrusion?"
"Maybe because one of the top CIA agents has defected to the Ring and is now hunting my son and daughter-in-law," Stephen states like it is obvious. "Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?"
Beckman sighs as she pinches the bridge of her nose, you can't get anything past Bartowskis. "I didn't think it was pertinent to inform you and I thought your son would've told you by now."
"I may not be a spy but I'm still a father!" Stephen makes sure Beckman understands that. "I want to know every detail." Beckman sighs with a long breath as she rolls her eyes. She knows she doesn't have much of a choice but to tell Stephen everything.
/
"Colonel," Second Lieutenant Adams speaks into his headset while eyeing the grey Ford Taurus from fifty feet out, "I have eyes on the vehicle. There is no one inside."
"Roger that," Casey affirms through his headset as he sits inside a van one hundred feet away. "Team 2, are you in position?"
"Moving into position now," Captain James answers through his headset as he sneakily narrows the gap to the parked vehicle on the street. He and his two soldiers behind him crouch closer to the car, using other parked cars as cover. They tactically approach the car and inform Casey. "Colonel, we're in position."
"Affirmative," Casey states professionally. "Check the undercarriage for explosive devices."
"Yes, sir," James states as one of his men pulls out a tilted mirror on a staff. The soldier slowly walks around the car; looking through the mirror at the bottom of the car for any explosives. After inspecting all three hundred and sixty degrees of the car, he comes to a conclusion.
"It looks clear," he informs Captain James.
"Colonel, the undercarriage is clear," James informs Casey through the headset.
"Hold your position, I'll be there in a minute," Casey states as he climbs out of the van; the icy cold breeze clouds over him. The night air is filled with a chillier feeling than usual as he looks into the sky to see absolutely no clouds. He has an odd feeling swelling in his stomach that tells him something is off. He walks over to the Taurus and peeks into the windows. He doesn't see anything out of the ordinary. All the door pockets are empty and there is nothing but the upholstery on any of the seats. He notices all the doors unlocked and that odd feeling resurfaces inside him. He steps back from the driver's side door as he ponders what the next action should be.
One of James' soldiers puts his hand on the front passenger side door's handle and pulls it up after noticing the door is open. "Wait!" Casey demands in a thunderous roar as he reaches out and takes a single lunge forward to stop the soldier, but it was too late. The car door opens and a double beep is heard, and the car instantly explodes into a fiery inferno. The car erupts as it bursts; lifting the car ten feet into the air. The explosion obliterates the soldier and the force blows Casey, James, and the other soldier clear off their feet.
Shards of glass shatter in a radial pattern; pelting and piercing into Casey's upper body. Casey hits the pavement hard as the force drags him eight feet from where he was standing. His entire back and the back of his tactical outfit grind against the asphalt while the back of his skull makes a sickening crack as it bangs against the ground. He groans as he lifts his head to look at what remains of the car through squinted eyes as he tries to ignore the pain.
All that is left is a smoking frame of the car with a small fire simmering inside the interior. He can faintly hear the faraway shouts of "Colonel! Captain!" but it is almost inaudible under the ringing in his ears from the loud explosion. He reaches for the back of his head after feeling some dampness, but his vision fades into blackness as he loses consciousness. Blood drips down the front of his face and a puddle starts to form underneath him.
/
Cliffhangers are fun, tehe tehe…
I was just wondering if you think I should change the name of this story. They aren't exactly having a long distance relationship anymore and it just doesn't seem to go together anymore. Anyways, I would just like to know if you want to see it changed or you don't really care. If you think I should change it and you have any ideas for a new title, feel free to let me know.
Please review.