I don't own Chuck

Two weeks ago

He was running up the hill, slowly. "You didn't pay attention to Rocky and how tired he was from all the working out, did you?"

"I….hate…..you," Chuck managed to get out. Bryce was in front of Chuck running effortlessly, but backwards, facing Chuck, smirking.

"You know I can read those thoughts you're having about me right now, right?" Bryce asked. "Don't waste the oxygen."

You think this isn't going to work?

"Actually this is a great idea," Bryce replied. "I mean, it's one thing to flash and be able to physically do different fighting moves, but if your body isn't in shape to deal with what happens, you could hurt yourself."

I'm so glad you approve.

"Snarkiness doesn't become you, Chuck," Bryce pointed out. "May I remind you, you're taking a hell of a shortcut to being a spy. You need to put in some of the work."

Chuck didn't say anything for a moment. Instead he stopped running, leaned over, and threw up what he ate for lunch…or maybe dinner the day before.

"That's disgusting," Bryce muttered.

"That's also how it tastes," Chuck replied, making Bryce wince. "You're right," Chuck said as he straightened. "I have not had classic training. I haven't been put through hours of torture or learned many of the things you have."

"And you think that gives you an advantage?" Bryce asked.

"In this particular case, yes, but it's also why I need someone with me who understands the government way of thinking," Chuck replied. He was silent a second. "Look, I know you're here-"

"Chuck, I didn't believe in you, believe you could withstand the CIA and still be you." Bryce shook his head. "Two years with two agents, and you are still you. I was wrong. I get why she should be here." Bryce grinned. "Also, she is better looking than me."

"While I appreciate all of that, AND she is," Chuck began, making Bryce grin. "There is another reason I need her." Bryce smirked at that. "No, not that." Chuck took a deep breath. "There is every possibility that the intersect fried my brain and you are not real but a hallucination and I've gone bonkers."

Bryce pressed his lips together and bounced his head side to side, considering what Chuck had said. "I have to admit, I did not see that coming."

Chuck widened his eyes at his friend. "Okay, back to running."

"A spirited walk," Bryce corrected.

"Jogging?" Chuck pleaded.

"Fine, jogging," Bryce conceded, as he began to run backwards.

"You're just showing off!"

-ooooo-

Now

"Colonel," Beckman began. "Why is a civilian here with you?"

"Not a civilian," Ellie said, making Beckman's eyes go wide. "The sister of a dead American hero…or so you want me to believe."

"Colonel?" Beckman asked, confused.

"General, you know who Dr. Woodcomb is," Casey began, knowing he was in the middle of a fire fight he was liable to meet his maker in. "Ellie wants us to, her words, 'drop the act because she has something we need.'"

"What could a civilian doctor have that we need?" Beckman asked, genuinely curious, remembering her history with other Bartowskis.

"Proof of a spy in your ranks," Ellie said, holding up a flash drive.

-ooooo-

One week ago

Stephen poured over the data Charles had found while hacking Ring computers. The information Charles had found had been absolutely valuable. Charles had forwarded everything to Stephen, allowing Stephen to send what needed to be sent to the correct agency.

It was data that was heavily encrypted that worried him the most. He had set up a program to decrypt it but so far nothing had worked. Charles was now considered dead, there was a CIA agent hounding Ellie, and Charles's former handler was on her way to find Charles.

Sarah reminded Stephen of his former CIA handler…his queen. He missed her. What they had done had turned out to be a mistake, he was now sure of it. Charles had done more to fix things than either of them had in the past ten years. Charles attack on the Ring had hurt Volkoff Enterprises and Charles now had another target on his back, one that he didn't know existed.

He received a notification and he looked at the screen. Tears were in his eyes. He read the words over and over. He had told her everything that had happened and the situation that they were now in, that Charles was in. Do I need to come home? God, yes, he needed her to come home. He knew he was half out of his mind with what the Intersect had done to him. He knew he needed her, but at this moment, to not complete her mission…that was admitting failure. He started to type, when his computer dinged again.

He pulled up the encrypted data and found it was a recording. He quickly recognized one of the two women, and he knew what this was. He did a search on the second woman's image to get a name on her. He turned back to the message that had been sent to him, when the computer dinged again. He was surprised how quickly she was found, and then he read who she was and knew why.

He turned back to the message, told her everything and sent her a copy of the recording. He opened a second message box and sent Eleanor a copy of the video and a message. You may need this, do with it what you think best.

The first message box opened up. I'm following him. He knew that was exactly what she would say. He typed back, Come home soon, we all need you. There was no response, she was already gone, but he knew that, he wasn't surprised. He would wait for her, because she was worth waiting for.

-ooooo-

Now

"And what proof do you have Dr. Woodcomb?" Beckman asked.

"This is a video of Sarah Walker's red test," Ellie said. Beckman sat up straight and Casey looked stunned. "Her target that night, was Evelyn Shaw, former wife of Daniel Shaw." There was absolute silence. "Now, I get, that, in and of itself, is not enough, but there are numerous communiques between Daniel and Ring leadership on here as well. Daniel Shaw is not only a member of the Ring, but one of its highest members."

"Chuck me," Casey muttered.