Chapter 6 – Last chapter or not – Let me know what you thought if this story or any of my other ones. Enjoy Mssupertigz

Chuck continued to stare at the screen as Zork popped up. The graphics though out dated were way ahead of its time when they first put it together. A smile came over his face as he thought back to his days at Stanford.

"Bartowski, you, done with the coding."

Bryce entered the room out of breath. Chuck typed as fast as he could, then sat back as he pressed enter. He placed his hands around to the back of his head and leaned back in his chair. "All done."

Bryce grabbed a seat. "Dude you could have showered first."

"No time." Bryce had just returned from his physical education class. Chuck didn't know why he was so keen on sports when he planned to become an accountant. Bryce looked at the screen as the file graphics uploaded. They both smiled when the game started. They laughed hysterically when the avatars came on. Chuck passed Bryce the key board as Bryce typed in his avatars name, Chuck did the same. Chuck was glad that he had added an extra feature that allowed the two of them to both play the game with separate keyboards till they got the kinks out that would allow them to eventually use controllers. Something they felt the game needed.

Chuck came to his final challenge and the win would prove that Chuck was the better player and that the game was ready. Bryce sat back knowing that Chuck would never have it in him to win or even challenge the level. Bryce had come out on top accumulating a handful of gold coins and other treasures. Chuck needed a miracle. Chuck looked at the screen. He smiled inwardly and typed in his last hope of winning. Attack troll with nasty knife.' Bryce smirked. "No way Bartowski, there's no way that, that command is going to do it. Chuck rubbed his hands on his jeans. They waited and just like David picking up the stones to throw at the giant Chuck's strategy worked and the troll disappeared. Chuck's avatar made it across the bridge to the final treasure. Chuck stood up and cheered. "Take that Larkin."

Bryce left the room. Chuck ran to the door. "Come on Bryce it was just a game."

Chuck laughed as he went back to the box and pulled out a photo of the gang. He knew a lot of water had gone under the bridge. He put the photo back and closed his laptop and turned off the light. "This can wait till morning." It had been a long night and who knows what tomorrow would bring. He got changed and slipped into bed as Sarah rolled over holding Chuck close. He laid there till his eyes closed.

Mid morning

Chuck opened his eyes and looked over at Sarah. She had been very restless and sleep had finally come to her. Chuck figured a few hours were better than none. He rolled over and kissed Sarah's forehead and slid out his side and out of the room. He went to the bathroom then walked to the door to grab the paper. He opened the door and saw another new face standing near his door. The agent spoke into his piece. "Bartowski is on the move." Chuck bent down and grabbed the paper and saluted with it and closed the door. He made some coffee and sat down staring at the photo once again.

Bryce slipped in and out of the crowd looking at his watch. Slipping inside a Chinese restaurant he headed upstairs and back down the far steps over to another building. He was sure then that he wasn't being followed. He grabbed the key from under the light hanging on the wall. He jiggled the lock slightly then entered. The room was dark with some light from the outside that shone through the weathered newspaper that was glued to the windows. He saw the case and the handwritten note. He picked up the note and read it out loud. 'Things are moving. The Intersect will be up and running in three days. Here are the directions.' I wished that I could do this myself.' But Bryce knew that if Chuck was on this list he would never be safe and knowing that he was the one – who the Intersect was created for. And now that Scorpios knew that this person existed, that they were crossing off the list, sooner or later Chuck would be found out. Bryce wondered even if Chuck was the one – why would Scorpios still want him? It was the Intersect they wanted but not the person – Bryce's thoughts went dark. 'They find him, upload the files, take what they want, use him and then when they are done with him, they get rid of him.' Bryce tried not to go there but he had seen the pile of dead bodies all because they were not the ones. Bryce wondered besides the list of recruits that Flemming had, how else would they have known that they weren't the ones. From what Bryce knew the Intel was only good if its host had the brain makeup to house all that intel. 'So what did they use to determine that?' Bryce made the call but dreaded hearing her voice. "I was wondering when you would get around to calling?"

"Don't worry I didn't want to but I need to know what Scorpios got. The intel can only work in certain people and from the pile of dead bodies they haven't found that person yet, they have to be using something to determine that they weren't the ones?"

"Your right the Intersect can only work with the right person and from what we have found by like you said the pile of dead bodies, they used some kind of device that if it worked then they knew that they were the ones. Most of them had similar damaged to their retinas and as a result – had their brains fried. Where are we on getting to the Intel first."

"Reuter's knows the time and place – that I had to give him or I wouldn't know as much as I do now. He still doesn't know that Chuck is the one but he's getting close – one more has ended up dead."

Beckman paused as she looked up as she was informed that another agent had been killed.

"I just heard. You do what you have to do and if you need to destroy it then do so – we can't have Scorpios get their hands on it. From what I heard it will not end well for any of us."

Bryce hung up the phone. He needed to talk to Chuck, but how.

Bryce donned a dark blue ball cap and jean jacket and headed into A.C.E. He looked around looking for Chuck. He didn't know what to say to the guy as he had not seen him in nearly two years. And he couldn't just come out and tell him that his life was in danger or could he. Bryce walked the store, impressed at how far Chuck had come and all that they had talked about at Stanford had come true. He didn't think he'd be in relationship with a spy such as Sarah Walker. He figured that he'd end up with Jill and be living in the valley or something.

He looked up when he heard Chuck's name being called, making eye contact with his old friend. Chuck handed his co worker a few boxes and exited to the back. Bryce followed and looked into each room trying to locate him. Bryce looked up and saw that the back door was a jarred. He pushed the door open and instantly was slammed against the wall. "How dare you hurt Sarah!" Chuck had Bryce by the throat as he tried to speak. Chuck finally let his grip go as Bryce leaned forward catching his breath. Bryce held his throat then looked up to see Chuck's fist hit him dead in the face. Bryce fell to the ground. Chuck stood up holding his hand. It ached but it was worth it. Chuck stepped back wanting to hit him again but decided not to.

"You better talk, one girlish scream from me and they will be here."

Bryce looked up. "Really a girlish scream?"

"Whatever works."

Bryce got up as Chuck reached for his hand but refused not wanting another punch in the face. Chuck walked over to his car and sat on the hood. Bryce still nursing his cheek. "You better put some ice on it." As he looked at Chuck's hand starting to swell. "You are in danger."

"No kidding. What else do you got. Maybe a why?"

"It's complicated. But what I am going to tell you is not going to make sense nor will you understand now it's importance's or why you were picked."

"It has something to do with Fleming?"

Bryce looked up. Chuck continued. "Fleming had a list and those on the list are dropping like flies because they may or may not be the one that I am guessing this group or organization Scorpios is looking for."

Bryce was surprised that Chuck knew as much as he did. "Chuck they are dangerous, I should know. I have been working with them."

Chuck looked at Bryce and then grabbed his phone. "Chuck don't." Chuck pressed his screen. "I need to tell you why?"

"I don't believe you, and if you were on our side you wouldn't have hurt Sarah."

"I had to they were watching."

"Scorpios."

"Yes and me being here isn't safe for you." Bryce went for the key that was around his neck but as he reached to pull it out. Someone down the alley came out and startled the two of them. Chuck looked down the alley as Bryce slipped away. Chuck looked back to see that he was standing alone and still holding the phone by his ear. All he heard was 'We'll be right there.'

Chuck looked at his phone and saw on the screen that the call had ended. He looked back down the alley then heard his name. Casey's gun was drawn and Sarah turned to face him.

"You okay?"

Chuck looked at Sarah as she noticed his hand. "Chuck what happened?"

"Bryce was here, I hit him."

Casey looked at Chuck's hand. Then grunted. "Way to go Bartowski."

Sarah held his hand in hers. "We better get some ice on this."

Casey looked at Sarah. "I'll call it in."

Sarah took Chuck back inside and into his office. She grabbed some ice from the staff lounge and wrapped it up in a towel and headed back placing it on his hand. She closed the door then sat down beside him. "Thanks for calling."

Chuck looked up briefly then looked back at his hand. "I don't remember calling you. I was so mad at what he did to you then he told me that I was in danger. Which I told him that I already knew that. He said that he needed to tell me something."

Sarah sat up. "Tell you what?"

"He said that he was working for them and him being there, we both were in danger."

"We think he is but not the way you think." Chuck looked up. "Chuck, Bryce we hope, is only doing this to bring down Scorpios."

"He's a inside man?"

"Well I guess. What else did he say?"

"That Scorpios is basically not very nice people."

"We think that they are ex CIA agents who are after an invention created by someone named Orion. We just got word earlier that, there is this thing called the Intersect that is being created or already is and Scorpios is out to get it at any cost. It's intel is beyond what the CIA had ever had or will see. Casey managed to get a redacted report stating that the intel, would be worth millions maybe billions to whomever got a hold of it. So they hoped that with Fleming's help, the intel could stay with the CIA and not get in the hands of someone like Scorpios."

Chuck leaned back, as Sarah joined him. "He was warning me."

"Maybe he was, I think that you should maybe take some time off, just until this is over."

Chuck looked at his hand as it was pretty swollen. "Maybe your right."

Chuck locked up and made sure that A.C.E was covered for the next few days. He grabbed his bag and headed out the back. He closed the door to see Sarah and Casey standing by his car. "Now what?"

"Nothing, just making sure you locked the door."

"Don't feel like laughing."

Sarah grabbed his bag. "Your going to stay with me and Casey is going to continue to keep an eye on things."

"Why can't I stay at my place, there's enough agents there and if Casey is near by and you by myside…"

Sarah looked at Casey. Casey nodded. "Okay Chuck, we'll go back to your place."

Sarah drove them back to his place as she went in first just to make sure that it was safe to come inside. Casey then hauled him inside then closed the door. Chuck sat down on the couch. "Now what?" said Casey.

Sarah walked into the kitchen as Casey followed. "We don't know what Bryce wanted to tell him, so we need to find Bryce."

"You think that he will talk to us? He roughed you up and freaked out Chuck and on top of that we don't know who is watching him."

Sarah looked out towards the living room. "I know but we need to find him."

Casey grunted then headed out the door.

Sarah came into Chuck's room. She sat on the bed and took his hand. "You should have this checked out?"

Chuck pulled out a tensor. "No, just a tensor is good enough – I don't need to go to the hospital and have my sister find out. She'll put a full cast on it, even if it is only sprained."

Sarah took his hand and kissed his bruised knuckles then grabbed the tensor and started wrapping up his hand. Sarah slid to his side and under the covers as Chuck turned the light off. They could see shadows outside the bedroom window but Sarah diverted his eyes with a kiss.

A few days later

Bryce left his motel and headed down the stairs seeing his shadow. He had to get to the facility before Scorpios got wind that the Intersect was up and running. Bryce quickly texted Chuck. 'Meet me now, don't tell anyone.' Before Bryce could send it he was ushered into a car. He got in and saw Rueter's. "Today is the day, so where is our guy?"

"He's coming. But I was rudely interrupted and I haven't had my coffee yet."

"I think your stalling?"

Bryce looked up. "And why would I do that?"

Reuter's tapped the glass behind him and the car took off. "Where are we going?"

"You know and we will wait for our friend just like you promised me you would deliver. I have been patient and the people I work for have been extra patient but we both know that it is up and running and all we need is that last piece of the puzzle."

Bryce tried not to react but he just needed to stall a little bit longer.

Chuck grabbed some coffee and sat down next to Sarah looking out towards the parking lot. It had been a few tense days waiting for something to happen that you had no idea what for. Chuck knew that his life was in danger but to not know why or when made his anxiety levels shoot through the roof. Sarah grabbed his hand and put it in hers. She didn't say anything she just wanted to let Chuck know that she was there. Chuck left giving her a kiss and never said anything as she remained in the store for the rest of the day. He liked having her around.

Chuck closed up and turned the lights off and headed to the back. Sarah sat at his desk waiting, she drew him into a deep kiss. Then whispered. "I missed you."

Chuck kissed her back. "I saw you all day."

"I know but it wasn't the same."

Chuck kissed her again. "Then how can I make it up to you."

Sarah pushed him back as she started with his buttons. "Here? Now?"

Sarah looked at him. "Uh huh."

Chuck backed into the couch and sat down. "Watch the hand."

Sarah pulled his shirt off and tossed it then pulled her shirt off. Chuck placed his hands on her stomach. "Your beautiful."

Sarah tossed her hair back as she moved in to kiss him. She straddled him and embraced his arms as they were wrapped around her. Chuck kissed her shoulder as he took her bra off. He laid her down and made love to her.

Chuck heard his phone ring. Sarah tried to prevent him from grabbing it. Chuck focussed on the screen and saw that it was a text. Chuck sat up forcing Sarah to sit up as well. 'Meet me now, don't tell anyone – URGENT NEED HELP – NOT FOR ME BUT ZORK.' Chuck grabbed his clothes and got up. Sarah covered her chest. "And where are you going?"

"To find Bryce."

"No your not."

"This text, he's in trouble."

"And you got that from his text."

"Yeah, he used the name Zork."

Chuck grabbed his shirt and shoes.

"Chuck you can't, it might be a trap."

Chuck looked up at Sarah. "You coming."

Sarah closed her eyes and took a deep sigh regrettably grabbing her clothes.

Sarah drove as Chuck texted back responding to Bryce's text.

Minutes later Chuck got a response. Chuck read the text to Sarah. "He's at the Hayes Building."

Sarah looked at Chuck. She knew that place as one of the CIA 's secret locations. She stepped on the pedal. "Call Casey and tell him to meet us there."

Chuck dialed Casey. Sarah pulled up to the doors as Casey came running from around the back. "I saw three guys at the front, no sign of Larkin."

Chuck looked up. "Where are you Bryce?"

The three headed inside seeing the three guys that Casey said he saw lying dead. They headed to the elevators as Sarah looked at the directory. She points to the floor and waits for the doors. The elevator went to the 3rd floor and as the doors open Casey took a peek first, seeing no one. Casey steps out as Chuck follows and Sarah behind him. They round a corner and are hailed with gun fire. Chuck turns back looking for a way out. He runs and skids to a stop as he sees Bryce leaning against a wall. He enters slowly and sees a room, all white, with a control console or pedestal in the center of it. He walks up to Bryce and sees the blood. Chuck crouches down and pulls back his jacket. "Your shot Bryce."

"Yeah, hazards of the job."

"What is going on?"

"Where are Sarah and Casey?"

"They are outside doing the shooting stuff."

Bryce winced. "I don't have much time."

"Hang on, your not going to die."

Bryce pulls the chain with the key off his neck and gives it to Chuck. "Destroy it!" As he looks over to the console.

" Destroy what Bryce."

Bryce then points to the console. "Destroy the Intersect."

"What's the Intersect, Bryce?"

Bryce held onto his side."

Sarah and Casey take care of the men in the hall as Sarah looks around for Chuck. She looks up. "Where's Chuck?"

They back track down the hall.

Bryce winces again. "The Intersect is a super computer that a man named Orion created but word got out and people like Scorpios are looking for it. They are here now and will come for this. I had to wait till it was ready to go so I could destroy it before they got it. They can't have it."

"And why not?"

"It's too important, Orion created it for good, to help the CIA for good not for evil. It needs someone to take care of it and that was what Fleming was trying to do but when I saw your name on the list I had to stop it from happening. You were never suppose to be involved. I promised Orion that I would keep you safe. He told me that you were special and if you were the one, you would never be safe."

"Bryce your making no sense."

"You are the one they want. I won't let them have you. You need to destroy the Intersect so no one can have it and you will stay safe. Sarah and Casey will make sure of that. Your dad…."

Bryce closes his eyes as Chuck shakes him. "What about my dad."

Bryce came to. "Don't be a hero. It's not worth it and he wouldn't want you to be one. He said that you were already special."

"You said that already Bryce. Who are you talking about, my dad, Orion?"

Bryce winced then forced the key into his hand. "Destroy it Chuck, your dad wouldn't want it to get in their hands. He told me a story."

"We don't have time Bryce, for a story."

With a demanding tone. "Listen! Chuck! When you were eight, remember, you went into your dads office."

Chuck sat back a little and remembered. "And you sat on his chair. He had tonnes of computer equipment."

"Yeah what about it?"

"Do you remember what you did?"

Chuck remembered pressing the button and his head started to spin.

"You always had the capabilities Chuck, so they can't know you are the only one."

Bryce winced again. "Destroy this one. Sarah and Casey will protect you."

"What if it's not."

"They won't stop. Don't be a hero." Chuck watched as the life of his best friend left him. Chuck could feel his heart pounding. He looked over at the box then ran over to the when he heard voices. He looked at the key. "Don't be a hero. Your special son." Words he had heard and words he heard almost a decade or so ago ring through his ears. Chuck continued to hear gun shots. He put the key in. He saw the screen pop up with lights and the words activate or destroy come into view, then he saw the hand scan. He looked at his dead friend. He placed his hand on the scanner and reached to turn the key.

The sounds choked through the room as a calmness over took his body. Chuck slowly turned the key to activate. 'Whatever this was, his dad created it and Bryce died to protect it.' Chuck thought to himself. Chuck looked back and Bryce had always been protecting him and now he had to protect his friend and make sure his dad's work was protected and stayed safe, at whatever cost to him. Chuck turned the key fully and instantly the room went dark, as images popped up on the screen and walls. Chuck's body started to sway back and forth. His eyes flickered. It was similar to Professor Fleming's test, similar to his first time. Images, sounds, voices, pictures and important info flooded his senses. The room continued to spin, then he went dark. Chuck fell backwards as Sarah rushed in and saw Bryce then saw Chuck fearing the same. She ran over to him and checking for a gun shot and checking for a pulse. Casey ran in and saw the both of them on the floor. He rushed to Sarah. "We need to get him out of here."

Casey checked the box. It was toast as it sizzled and smoked. "It's destroyed." As he looked at Bryce then back down to Chuck and Sarah.

Casey grabbed Chuck, and lifted him up and over his shoulder and headed out before Reuter's showed up. Reuter's eventually walked in and up to console. His bloody hand slid across the screen pulling the key out and tossing it. He screamed.