A/N:

I don't own Chuck / Nor have any rights to characters portrayed

Chapter 11

October 30, 2010 – The Compound – 2:45 pm

It had been over a year since Chuck had escaped being sent to the Bunker. Since he had gone on the run, he had established a new team with new identities or multiple identities, he had been able to bring his family and friends into the spy world, and while he wished he could have spared them from this, he was happy to have them working with him and no longer having to lie to them. They had set up a new base of operations and home in paradise, had plenty of cash thanks to the take down to Ted Roark, Overall things were good.

Team Orion as they went by had been extremely successful. They had run several operations against the Ring, while they didn't work for the government, they recognized the threat they were, with the intersect informational updates, they made them a priority. They had also taking down a couple of drug cartels, a human trafficking ring, and been able to help people that needed help and didn't have anyone else to turn to. He was helping people and that made him happy. He was still lonely, didn't think he would ever not be ever since Sarah had betrayed him, he thought about her often, but a little less each day. She was always in the back of his mind. His new teammates were great, they quickly became family and knew he would give his life to keep them and their families safe. By bringing them in, his family and inner circle had grown.

Chuck had received a series of text messages on the encrypted line he had given Carina and Zondra. He knew they were now part of team LA, he liked both, but they were spies. They both said they would be there if he needed them, and he wanted to believe them, but would never count on them. He knew Bryce still had the intersect and was affecting him more and more, Apparently, they didn't take his advice. He was certain this was going to be about giving them a governor. He would not do that, he didn't want Bryce to have brain damage, but he had given him a way to remove the intersect, it's his choice to not use it. Since the betrayal in Castle, Chuck's thinking had changed, he didn't trust as easily, especially anyone related to the intelligence field. He wanted to see the good in people, but assumed they had an agenda, all the naivety and innocence he once had was gone, hard lessons over the last 20 years. He was very protective of his friends and family, but he didn't welcome outsiders as easily if at all as he once had.

He told his father about the message, they discussed, and both agreed that Beckman was going to try and get them to give her a governor for Larkin. They both agreed that they would not give the government a governor and that they had all they were going to get in the removal glasses. They knew Beckman had something up her sleeve, but they were not exactly sure what it was. They decided it would be best for Chuck to do the teleconference alone, and not confirm for them that they were together. While they knew the government knew they were working together, and that they wouldn't be able to trace the video link, it would keep Beckman and her analysts guessing. In the message Carina mentioned a video meeting with Beckman and all of team LA. He didn't really care about Bryce, seeing Casey and Sarah for the first time, didn't know how to feel about that, especially Sarah. There was still a longing there, but he was her mission, and played him perfectly. He wanted to hope there was some small part of her that might have liked him, but he realized she was doing her job.

November 8, 2010 – Castle - 12:45 pm

Team LA was all present waiting for the video call to start, it was set for 1:00 pm. It had been decided Zondra and Carina would take the lead, then hand it over to the General.

Sarah was fidgety, she had been nervous ever since the response that Chuck would meet via video conference. She couldn't remember being nervous about a call in her life. She hadn't seen Chuck in almost 18 months, but she saw him every night in her dreams. She wanted to look good for him, she picked a blue blouse with white buttons she knew he liked when they were cover dating and dark skinny jeans. She spent time doing her makeup just right and her hair with slight curls at the end.

At 12:55, the screen came to life and their sat General Beckman, she wanted to go over last minute instructions, basically it would be Carina and Zondra's job to build some rapport with Chuck and then Beckman would come in and ask him for a governor to help his 'friend'. Then, she would gently broach the subject of bringing in Chuck and his team under the NSA umbrella.

At 1:02 pm, a second face appeared on the screen, it was the man formerly known as Chuck Bartowski. Sarah smiled seeing Chuck for the first time in 18 months.

He looked good, he was wearing a dark Henley shirt, he had obviously been working out as she could see it in his shoulders. His hair was shorter, gone were the curls she dreamt about running her hands through. He had a 5 o'clock shadow and was tan. There were some visible stress lines but considering everything he had been through Sarah thought he looked great.

Chuck looked over the video feed, on one box he had General Beckman who looked exactly the same last time he had seen her on a video feed. In the other was 'Team LA' with their perfect intersect agent, I guess finding out he wasn"t so perfect. He saw seated around the conference table in Castle was Carina and Zondra, both looked good and healthy, better than when he had left them. Agents Casey, Larkin and Walker were also seated at the table. When he saw Sarah he wanted to smile, but held it in. She looked great, like she had primped herself for the call, he knew it was for him. But he couldn"t help wonder if she was actually happy to see him. He remembers what Carina had said, he thought back to their interactions of the 2 years and couldn't help hoping it wasn't all a lie. Casey looked the same, but seemed almost glad to see him, that might have been a first. Bryce looked worn, it was obvious the intersect was doing a number on him.

As the silence seemed to linger, Carina decided to get things started.

"Hi Chuckles, it's good to see you. Thanks for agreeing to meet with us."

"Good to hear from you Carina, you look well. How are you Z? Have you started playing Call of Duty or hanging out in the arcades, that nerd blood is something, right"?

Zondra smiled, she really did like Chuck and would never forget what he did to get them out and save her life. "Chuck, I told you to not call me Z. No video games or arcades yet, but I do love a good funnel cake from the pier" she said, still smiling.

Chuck smiled, not the full Bartowski smile that Sarah loved, but it was a smile.

"You look good Z, glad you're doing well" Chuck said meaning it.

Chuck looked at the rest of the table. "Agent Larkin, Major, I'm sorry Colonial Casey, really earned that promotion didn't you Colonial" Chuck said with disdain in his voice.

Chuck looked then at Sarah, she did look good, but he couldn't forget what she did to him, she led him like a lamb to the slaughter. He simply looked at her, "Agent Walker" he said with not quite the disdain that he had directed at Casey, but not the warmth she had hoped for.

Chuck then focused on the other box. "Diane".

The general did not like the lack of respect Chuck showed her. It was time for her to establish the conversation she wanted to have.

"Mr Bartowski, thank you for agreeing to meet. We wanted to discuss something with you. We have seen the success you have had with your updated intersect and have been impressed. Agents Miller and Rizzo explained the governor device you wear to help regulate the intersect, to keep from overheating. Agent Larkin has been suffering the effects of this, we wanted you to provide a governor similar to yours for Agent Larkin, or the schematics so we can create one for him".

Chuck had expected this, although the "complement" of his team's successes was a little surprising, Beckman was a master manipulator.

He chuckled, shaking his head "I don't think so Diane, I provided Zondra and Carina with intersect removal glasses so Agent Larkin could remove the intersect or at least have the option. I explained to them the possible side effects that could come. If he chooses not to use them, that's his decision, but we will not be providing a governor." Chuck stated.

Beckman did not like that he was still calling her Diane or his refusal to cooperate.

"Mr. Bartowski, you're going to let your friend suffer when you can help. You of all people know the effects the intersect can have on the brain, how can you not help". Beckman tried to play on Chuck's forgiving nature and desire to help people.

If Beckman thought that was a way to get Chuck's help, she couldn't be more wrong. The way she had treated him, ordering the bunker, the termination order, for the first time since this intersect business, he finally felt in control of his future.

"Really Diane, you're going to play the friend card with me here. Agent Larkin is the entire reason I got stuck in this whole mess. He is the cause of the hell and danger the last 7 years of my life have become. He could have downloaded it himself originally, or just destroyed it, but no, he decides to ruin my life once again. I have given him the opportunity to remove it, but his ego won't let him, has to prove he's the better intersect, always has to play the hero. Bryce Larkin cares about Bryce Larkin. It just took me a while to realize that. He claims he was looking out for me at Stanford, but all he did was take away my choices, as all of you have at one point or another."

Hearing that, Bryce needed to speak up.

"Chuck, buddy." Was all he got out before Chuck ripped into him.

"Buddy? Seriously Agent Larkin? `` The use of Agent Larkin was not lost on anyone, especially Bryce.

"You claim I was your best friend, but the way you have treated me is not how you treat any kind of friend. First you get me kicked out of Stanford, while your reasons may have been noble, you took away MY CHOICE. You treated me like a child who couldn't take care of himself. It was NOT your decision to make."

"Chuck, buddy, I" was all Bryce got out.

"ENOUGH, I don't want to hear it. You say you got me kicked out of Stanford to "protect" me from the CIA, then 5 years later you send me the intersect, which you know is going to lead the CIA directly to me.

You don't care about anyone but yourself. You come back and try to take away my CIA handler because you missed your girlfriend, knowing she was already in an established cover protecting me.

Agent Larkin, you're nothing but a selfish son of a bitch, as long as you get to be the hero and get the girl.

I considered you like a brother at one point, let me be clear, we are not friends, we're barely acquaintances.

Unlike you, I sent the glasses with Carina and Zondra so you would have a choice, I was giving you a choice. Use them, don't use them, I frankly don't care. You will lose your mind, and the intersect will kill you eventually. You have the suppression glasses; I would use them if I were you. Team Orion WILL NOT be supplying you with a governor, and I wouldn't count on the CIA scientist coming up with something before it's too late. Use the glasses before it's too late for you Agent Larkin, you can still have a life."

Chuck let the words hang there for a minute, then continued.

"But don't think that I care one bit about you, I gave you the choice because it's the right thing to do. A choice you never afforded me. You ruined my life more than once, you and I, Agent Larkin, are done."

The room in Castle was silent, the venom Chuck just let out on Bryce was noticeably done after the exchange. No one was sure if it was because he apparently wasn't going to get a governor or if he was really upset about not being Chuck's friend.

Sarah was stunned, she knew he had complicated feelings for Bryce, she knew he was always jealous of Bryce, and not just about her and Bryce's relationship. He always felt inferior to Bryce, when the reality was, he was head and shoulders above him in all ways that matter. She was brought out of her thoughts when Chuck spoke again.

"Was that all Diane?" Before Beckman could respond, it was Casey who spoke next.

"That a US General you're speaking to Moron", Casey had had enough of Bartowski's attitude, even though he knew he did wrong by Chuck, he was quickly tiring of the attitude.

Not to be outdone, Chuck shot right back "AND I'M NOT A SOLDIER OR A SPY COLONIAL. Congrats on the promotion, maybe if you betrayed me and Walker, they would have made you a General, Where I come from you want respect you give respect, something none of you have ever given me".

Hearing Chuck refer to her as Walker hurt, he had yet to address her as Sarah, just Walker or Agent Walker so far.

It wasn't lost on the room that Chuck had just said Casey got his most recent promotion for betraying him.

Casey, not liking the accusation, shot back "I was following orders to secure the asset, that's what good soldiers and spies do. Maybe if you didn't sit around for 5 years feeling sorry for yourself, you might know that."

Casey knew that was a bit of a low blow, but he was a good spy and a good soldier, even though he knew he had made a mistake with betraying Chuck, that didn't diminish his accomplishments. Some of it hurt as well, because in the back of his mind, he wasn't sure betraying Chuck didn't speed his promotion along.

Chuck continued "The problem with all of you and your world, you always use the "Greater Good '' as your excuse to do despicable and awful things, the lying, killing, whoring out your agents, all for the greater good. While I understand sometimes it's required, you don't even consider other options. You train your agents to be robots, ignore their feelings and natural instincts, you don't want them to think for themselves, you call them a detriment, when they are an asset. You don't want your agents to interpret orders, just do what you want right or wrong.

General, you have at least 2 orders against me that are in fact illegal. A termination order on an American citizen for no cause other than I outlived my usefulness and ordering me taken into the bunker. You all know both those orders are ILLEGAL, and yet you all are willing to follow them blindly. Makes you wonder where the word intelligence comes in" Chuck said to no one in particular.

Chuck continued "I may not have had a choice, but I willingly helped you. All I wanted was some semblance of a life. You people forced me to lie and deceive my loved ones, you bugged my home, which was completely over the top, and put my life in danger on a regular basis. You never treated me as a person or a teammate, just as though I was a piece of equipment. By the way General, my name is Chuck, Chuck Bartowski. Wasn't sure you knew that, as you have mostly referred to me as the asset or the intersect, or the Moron. You didn't show me the slightest bit of respect, instead placing me in indentured servitude. And now that I have my freedom from you because I am trying to avoid your Illegal order, you claim I am committing Treason? You are all so full of shit."

Beckman spoke up "Indentured servitude Mr. Bartowski? We made every accommodation for you to stay in your life".

"Diane, you didn't pay me, Agent Walker and Colonial Casey got paid for their efforts and I was working just as hard as they were. You forced me to lie to my family, you invaded my and my sister's privacy. And when I did try to bring anything up, I would be threatened with being thrown in a Bunker, all in the name of the greater good. Fuck your greater good. I believe in right and wrong, that is what my team and I do. I am done with your bullshit of the greater good. You have what you always wanted, a 'real' agent with the intersect, not sure what you need from me. And while this trip down memory lane had just been great". Chuck said the sarcasm evident in his tone, "if you want a governor, the answer is no and that will not change. You or any government official can't be trusted to use this as intended".

The room took in what Chuck had just laid on them. He wasn't wrong, and they all knew it. They all in some way had contributed to the destruction of a good, honest man. They forced him to run.

Chuck was processing the meeting as it was happening, he saw the team, his 'old' team, the same one that betrayed him. Trying to read their thoughts. These were all people he legitimately cared about at one point in his life. Now they were a group he had no use for.

Beckman finally spoke, this conversation was not going as she had hoped. She overestimated his friendship with Larkin, which now she realizes she should have seen beforehand, sloppy work on her and her staff's part. She had to try and get this back in the right direction.

"Chuck" she said to everyone, especially Chuck's surprise.

"Your team Orion has been extremely successful; we have seen your successes against the Ring, the human trafficking, and the cartels. You have proven with your enhanced intersect you have mastered its use, much better than Agent Larkin. Your rescue of Agents Miller and Rizzo prove you mastered it quite a while ago. To be frank, we need your help, if we can't get you to provide Agent Larkin, I'm asking you to work with us again. I can get you a pardon for all your crimes committed over the last 18 months, and we will make you an agent. You have worked with Colonial Casey and Agent Walker successfully, as the team now also has Agents Larkin, Rizzo, and Miller, all of whom you're familiar with, I have no doubt we could eliminate the Ring quickly."

Beckman finished the statement; confident she had gotten her message across. Reading his psych profile, he wanted to be a hero, she was giving him the opportunity. If he could get him to work with them again under her command that would be ideal. Worst case, they could capture him and take his governor for Agent Larkin's use.

Sarah heard what Beckman had just said, and while she thought it was ridiculous to expect Chuck to go for that after everything, she couldn't help but hope he might. If they were working together again, she would have a chance to prove herself to him he could trust her and she would never betray him again.

Carina and Zondra both looked at one another thinking Beckman was delusional. They heard Chuck's story, knew the history, and both knew there was no way he would go for this. While they were both interested and intrigued to work with him, after watching what he did in Columbia, they knew he wasn't going to 'accept' Beckman's proposal.

Casey just grunted thinking Beckman had lost her mind. Bartowski may have been a disrespectful moron, but he wasn't stupid.

Bryce didn`t know what to think. He didn't like the idea of Chuck working with the team. Over the last 18 months he had been unpredictable, and Bryce didn't like that. He also didn't want Chuck around Sarah; it was obvious she had feelings for him and he didn't need any more competition.

The room was silent, waiting for Chuck to respond. He had a serious, contemplative look on his face, then he burst out into laughter, almost falling out of his seat deep belly laughter.

"Oh Diane, I didn't know you were this funny. You should tell more jokes; people might like you better."

Beckman had not expected that, with a stern expression "Mr. Bartowski, I am quite serious, all your crimes will be forgiven with a pardon, if you work with us to take down the Ring, you will work as part of Team LA and be based in Burbank."

Chuck had stopped laughing and wearing a shit eating grin, "what's even more funny Diane is your serious. Well, if that's your offer, I pass, I'm good."

"Mr. Bartowski, if you choose not to accept, I will have you taken into custody, we will take your governor, and remand you to a bunker until a time I deem you can leave".

"Try it Diane, so far everyone you have sent ends up in the hospital, and I have only used the same amount of force they attempt on me. I will not be taken, least of all by you or your team. You said I have mastered the intersect, maybe I have, maybe I haven't, but I am sure as hell better with it than Larkin. And you talk about pardons for my crimes? What crimes is that, aside from you issuing that inane order about me being wanted for treason, I have not broken any laws. In fact, I have done your job better than you, I finished off Fulcrum, its my team that has taken down 2 drug cartels, a human trafficking ring, and dealt the Ring multiple personnel and location losses.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you Diane, it's not just me, I am part of a team. We respect each other, we fight for each other, we listen to each other, and we are here for a common goal.

Let me be clear, I am not your enemy, but I am not your ally."

The entire room felt like it got colder, no one expected that kind of answer from Chuck. Sarah was disheartened. What happened to her Chuck, the fun loving, open, heart on your sleeve Nerd she loved so much. This was still her Chuck, but more focused, harder. She couldn't help but feel responsible, it might have not been just her, but no doubt she played a big role. All the hopefulness she had before the call had been deflated. Her personal mission hadn't changed but did get a lot harder.

"Mr. Bartowski, you do not want to test me." Beckman barked.

"NO DIANE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO TEST ME." Chuck barked right back, anger and venom in his response.

Chuck continued, "your right Diane, you do need our help. We have seen the intelligence, and you're in trouble. Larkin is going to be worthless to you as the intersect soon. Even without the strain on his brain, he can't process the information like I can. Here's what I will propose, Team Orion will work with the US Government as contractors and we will be paid. We have per view to choose which missions we will and will not take. And when we accept a mission, Team Orion has full control of mission planning and execution. You will not tell us how to accomplish the mission, just what it is and the end result required. You will also provide full pardons for all members of Team Orion, as well as a written order from POTUS that there will never be a termination order or bunker order on me or any member of my team or family. Once the Ring is defeated, we can walk away and do whatever we choose, you will stop interfering in my or any of the team or families lives."

Beckman was almost as red as her hair; she did not like being dictated to like this. He wasn't wrong, they did need him. But if he kept his team around him, they wouldn't be able to tranq him and take the governor. She was certain, even if Larkin had a governor, he wouldn't win in a battle with Bartowski. She realized she didn't really have much of a choice. She needed him and his team to turn the fight with the Ring. Trying to change tactics she began.

"Chuck, I can work on some of what you requested, but for me to get approval on that we will need a show of good faith on your part. We have an upcoming mission to infiltrate a party where we believe we give us a lead to a Ring Elder. I would like you to work with Team LA to attend the party, see if you can identify any and all enemy operatives, if we can plant overwatch spray on them, we can track them and see where they lead. I will allow you to lead the mission and can use Team LA personnel in whatever way you think works best. How does that sound?" Beckman finished, convinced her sincere tone would sway him to help, again playing on his need to be the hero.

Sarah got excited, she and Chuck could attend as a couple, she would have a chance to start to explain what she was thinking and why she did what she did.

Chuck sat there with a grin crossing his face.

"Diane, Diane, Diane, I like the fact you think this is a negotiation. First off, you don't need a 'show of good faith', you know what successes we have had, and a lot you don't know about. We can take the party and identify any Ring operatives, but I will work with my team. It seems that it might be hard for you to believe, but I don't trust anyone on Team LA, and while I like Zondra and Carina, not sure I trust them either. Everyone else in that room, yourself included have all actively lied or manipulated me. When there is a mission that requires Team LA support, they will be secondary, and Larkin will be left in Castle or the van to monitor and contribute via comms. He's unreliable and a liability, and you know it. It's why you are so desperate. I have told you what it will take to get Team Orion's help. I'll give you 48 hours to decide. I would say it's been really great catching up, but I don't like to lie, so."

With that parting shot, Chuck cut the video feed.

November 8, 2010 – Castle – 2:15 pm

Castle was silent, Beckman still on the monitor in her own world. Carina and Zondra had smirks on their faces. They genuinely like Chuck. It's obvious he had told them the truth, they had seen that since their time assigned to Team LA.

Beckman did not like how the meeting went, she was sure she could manipulate the Nerd by making him the hero, the psych profile they had worked up said he wanted to be a hero. Her original plan was not going to work. The worst part was, he was right and they all knew it. She needed him. If he could get him away from his team, they would have the opportunity to get the governor off his wrist, but now that doesn't seem like it would work. She had 48 hours to come up with a new plan before Bartowski's deadline, most likely she would have to agree, but she didn't become the head of the NSA without having back up plans.

Casey didn't know what he just witnessed. The moron grew a set. He had finally stood up for himself. He did not like the inference that he was promoted for tranqing him so he could be taken to a bunker, he was following orders, that's what he has always done. He would never admit it out loud, but Bartowski had grown on him, there might have been some type of friendship developing, but he had orders. He knew he made a mistake following them, he was right both the Termination and Bunker were illegal, he was glad the TO was stopped, but he should have fought Beckman with Walker more when she ordered the Bunker. It might have been safer for him, but it should have been his choice. They all knew Beckman never would have released him.

Bryce was dumbstruck. He never heard that tone or anger from Chuck, even when he was packing up and leaving the Frat House for the last time. He did it to protect him, how can he not understand that. Truth was he knew why, but Chuck was always the most forgiving person, he was sure he would forgive him. It was obvious to him now, Chuck wouldn't, He sent him the intersect, while at the time he didn't think how that would affect him, he should have. He made him a target, not just for the enemy, but for the government too. The life he tried to save him from almost 7 years ago, he threw him into without a second thought. He had hoped when Beckman suggested working with Chuck, he would get him a governor and maybe repair their friendship, he was his only real friend. But now, he realized that wasn't going to happen.

Sarah was proud of Chuck, he stood up for himself. He really had become a good spy, and his team was impressive, one of the things she missed was working with him. She didn't realize till he was gone, how much more fun missions were with him. When he ordered Chinese food to be delivered to the car on his first stakeout, the mix CDs he would bring for the rides to missions. The random facts, not from the intersect, but his own mind. The way he would look at her in awe when she had to get dressed in a sexy outfit for a mission. She just missed him.

She didn't like how he said he didn't trust them, but she understood why they had all broken his trust, especially her. If she could just talk to him, she would answer any question he asked, she would take him down a tour of her worst kept secrets, have t-shirts made, she just wanted the chance. If Beckman would agree, they would be working with him and his team, and she might have a chance, she would do anything to get him back. She wanted to tell him she loved him, but she knew Chuck. If she said that now, he would see that as another way the government was trying to control him, she knew she was only going to get one chance, so she had to make sure she gave it her all.

One thing was clear to all of them, this was not going to go like they all thought.

November 8, 2010 – The Compound - 2:18 pm

Chuck had just wrapped up the video conference with Beckman and Team LA. Despite his confident manner during the call, he was almost shaking now. He had to keep reminding himself what they had done to him, and not just tranqing him, but the previous 2 years, the lying, lack of respect, termination order, playing with his emotions, that helped keep him centered during the call, as well as using the intersect to help him focus.

He knew they needed him, and he and his father had talked before the call, and figured Beckman would try to separate him from his team, probably order Team LA to take him into custody and take his governor, as they had made clear they would not create one for the government.

It was good to see Sarah, although seeing her brought a mix of longing and anger, longing for what might have been and what he hoped had been something, and anger for the betrayal. She asked him to trust her and he did, he had been starting to question, then she came in saying they found his father, then it all went to shit.

If he was honest, it was not the first time he had seen her, although watching surveillance from Castle made him feel more like he was lurking than might have been appropriate. From what he had seen, it didn't appear she and Bryce were together, but she was a master manipulator, so who knows. He supposed if they did end up working together, he would find out.

He decided he should brief his team on the call, so he sent out a text to the entire team to meet at 5pm, after they could sit down to dinner, most nights the team and their families ate together for dinner, between Ellie and Morgan, there was always good food to eat. As it wasn't even 2:30, Chuck decided to go for a swim, he spent most days around the compound in board shorts, so he was already dressed for it. He went up the stairs and was soon making his way onto the beach. When he got to the beach, he had the dogs following him, Rex, who was his constant companion, Tilly, Luke and Leigha who all enjoyed the water and what Chuck referred to as 'beach smells'. At the beach he sees Heather and Lisa Cole were playing in the water, seeing Chuck, Lisa ran out of the water pulling Chuck by the hands to come in the water and play with her. He had become Uncle Chuck to all the kids, they loved Chuck like he really was their family, he was good with them which wasn't a surprise as he was a big kid himself. He was picking Lisa up and tossing her into the water, and she was happily screaming each time. After a few minutes, Heather Cole, who was about waist deep water, spoke up.

"You ok Chuck? Link had mentioned today you would be talking to the General and your old team, how did that go?"

The team shared all everything, there weren't secrets, Chuck had let the team know about the request and that he was going to see what the government wanted. It was no surprise Link had shared that with his wife.

Chuck, who had had a grin on his face, became a little more subdued before answering.

"It went ok Heather, thanks for asking. It was about what I expected, they wanted a governor, which we reminded we have given the only 'intersect' help we plan to give with the suppression glasses. Beckman then wanted to get me to do a mission with her team, to prove the value of me working with them. As you know, that was hard No from me. I laid out the terms, reminded them why I don't trust them. They do need our help, and now they seem to realize it. I gave them 48 hours to agree to our terms, if not, we go on doing what we do, if they agree, then we'll have a mission later this week, but it will be me and the entire team."

Heather listened to Chuck, no real feeling in what he was saying, she and the entire team knew the video call would be hard for him, despite putting up his own walls, they knew he was still hurt over what his old team did to him. The order by Beckman didn't surprise anyone, but Casey and especially Walker doing what they did, from what she had heard surprised Heather Cole. Ellie had caught everyone up on what had happened in much more detail than Chuck did, and Heather knew Chuck was in love with Sarah Walker.

"So, what happens next Chuck, what do you think they'll say?" Heather asked.

"I expect Beckman will try to change the deal, but it's all or nothing, meet our terms, or leave us alone. We all know she won't leave us alone, but you know what I mean. Eventually she will agree, she wants to get us embedded somehow with Team LA, then we just have to wait for her to make her move. She'll play nice for a bit, but eventually she won't be able to resist trying to one up us or get the governor. We're prepared for that, so I am not worried. We have the contingencies for everybody in the worst case, so just make sure everyone has their go bags ready with the new ids, and we should all be fine.

I don't expect it to come to that point, but we need to be prepared for anything. Ideally we can work with them, bring down the Ring, then as long as Beckman holds up her end, we can 'retire', you will all be taken care of, I can get the intersect removed, and we start new lives". Chuck said matter of fact.

Heather wasn't worried, since she, Link, and Lisa arrived in Oahu, Chuck and his family have welcomed them as family, they were brilliant and while she would always be nervous when Lincoln was on a mission, she trusted Chuck to bring everyone back, she knew he would do everything he could to keep them safe.

'We trust you Chuck', she said, eliciting a small smile from Chuck.

After another couple of tosses of Lisa into deeper water, Heather asked the question she wanted to ask.

"What about Sarah, Chuck? Did you get a chance to talk to her?"

"She was part of the video conference, but we didn't speak per se other than acknowledging each other. Most of the conversation was with Beckman, when Larkin and Casey piped in, I might have had choice words for them but other than a quick hi to Carina and Zondra, Sarah and I didn't speak."

"Chuck, I'm your friend, we consider you family, you do know at some point you are going to have to talk to her.

I know she hurt you, but you need to speak to her, tell her what she did to you. You need closure."

Chuck knew Heather wasn't wrong. He did need closure; he had thought a lot about how a conversation with Sarah Walker would go after what she did. He knew he made mistakes when he was her 'asset', but none were malicious. He did go 'off grid' with Jill, but that was just him wanting some semblance of normalcy, he wanted to be wanted, to spend time with someone who wasn't being paid to watch him, or at least so he thought at the time. Of course, the betrayal hurt, but what also hurt, what he needed to know, was it all fake? Would she tell him now that he was no longer her asset? Would he ever get an honest answer from Sarah Walker?

He came out of his thought by the look from Heather Cole, "Chuck stop spiraling. I'm here if you need a friend, so is Link. I just want you to know you're not alone in this, we got your back" she said with a smile.

Chuck smiled back, "Thanks Heather, I know. It's hard you know, I really did love her, maybe I still do. But after what happened, I just don't know if any of it was real. I'd like to think it was, but then again I never thought she would do what she did." Chuck stopped to take a breath, and another chance to toss Lisa into the water. Then he continued "Hopefully I will get some answers, then I can work on moving on".

Heather just smiled and nodded.

"Well, it's time I get Lisa in, we've been down here long enough", she looked at her 7-year-old who didn't want to leave, but reluctantly agreed. "We'll see you at dinner tonight Chuck?" Heather asked. While they did have regular 'family' dinners, Chuck often would eat at his cottage, alone with some of the dogs.

"Yes, you will. I will update the team and dinner tonight sounds good. And Heather, thanks."

She smiled, "anytime Chuck, we're all here for you. You've done so much for us, we're here for you." With that she took Lisa's hand and led her back to the beach to get their towels and head back up to the house.

Chuck, now alone in the water, decided to go for his swim to clear his head. He had gotten in the habit of swimming or running every day, and he was looking at about a 2-mile swim. He never would have thought, but he liked exercising, which gave him a chance to clear his mind and just focus on what he is doing in the moment. He began his swim, hoping some clarity would help him figure out what he was going to do.