A/N

Inside Sarah Walker By Lord Rapier

Story Consultant and Editor

Phathead01

Chapter 9: Things Are Not Always What They Seem

When Stephen turns the player back on Chuck is sitting next to Sarah. "Okay kids, this next part is more about Daddy than me, so he's going to fill you in on the background and then I'll pick it up where I come in."

"Hi kids it's me, Dad, I'll bet Mom's story is pretty surprising huh? I mean you knew she was the best mommy ever, but you didn't know she was the best spy ever." Sarah grabs Chuck's arm, "Sweetie, enough with the editorializing, just tell them about Stanford and Bryce."

Chuck kisses Sarah's cheek, "Right Baby, sorry, I can't help how proud I am of you. Mom told you a little bit about her old partner, but before he worked with her, he was my friend. We went to Stanford together, we were best friends, Frat brothers, he even introduced me to my girlfriend at the time, that was before he ruined my life of course, or so I thought. Actually, what I thought was the worst thing that could ever happen to me turned out to be the best. It is because of Mom's old partner Bryce Larkin that I met Grandpa John, Grandma Diane, Grandpa Roan and Aunt Alex, and best of all your mom.

I had been accepted to Stanford University on a scholarship, because of my computer skills. When I was young my parents disappeared, they just left, Aunt Ellie got stuck taking care of me, without that scholarship I never would have gotten into such a good school. I was sitting on the Quad one day, that's the grassy area between the buildings when a guy came over, he noticed I was reading books on computer programing, and we struck up a conversation about a text-based game I was rewriting, it was called Zork, he said he was into Zork too. That guy was Bryce Larkin, he would become your mom's partner in the CIA, and I know she told you, her boyfriend.

While we were talking, I mentioned that it was hard to meet girls being such a geek, Bryce tells me he knows a girl, Jill Roberts, who is into Everquest another text-based computer game, he offered to introduce me to her. Now this is freshman year, Bryce and I became best friends, things changed as the years passed, by senior year, Bryce accused me of stealing tests to sell, that's how I got thrown out of Stanford twelve credits short of graduating, years later your Mom helped me get that fixed, and I got my degree. He also dated my girlfriend at the time, Jill, she turned out to be an enemy agent, Mom will tell you more about that later. As you know Bryce was also a spy, he ruined my life and stole my girl, but he is also the one who gave me the greatest gifts a man can get, you three and Mom.

The whole thing started for me when your Aunt Ellie threw me a birthday party. I know she was trying to be nice, but she invited all these women that she wanted me to meet, they were all doctors like her, not really right for me. I was still depressed over the turn of events that had derailed the life I had envisioned, it had been five years, I just couldn't seem to pull myself out of the funk I had fallen into. Hang on kids, cause that was all about to change, I mean really change. Be patient I'm almost at the part where I meet Mom."

Sarah sighs with exasperation, "any day now Chuck, we'll be grandparents by the time you get to the point."

Chuck pats Sarah's hand, "Sweetie, if you keep interrupting, I'll never get done, where was I? Ah yes, When the party finally ended Uncle Morgan and I went into my bedroom, where he noticed that I had an email, from Bryce Larkin of all people, sitting on my computer screen. Now from here on out, what I am saying on this recording should never be shared casually with others, some of it is still classified information today, but I can't tell the story without it, so keep it to yourselves. The story about me and Mom doesn't make sense without you knowing everything, besides, I have to warn you, if you tell this to anyone, they won't believe you anyway."

Sarah is getting annoyed, "CHUCK! today, OMG, this man loves to talk."

The kids laugh as they remember that about their dad, he did love to talk, sometimes Mom wouldn't get a word in edgewise.

"Okay, okay, Morgan wondered why the guy who wrecked my life would send me an Email for my birthday. My curiosity got the best of me, and I opened the email and attachment from Bryce. When I clicked on the attachment a strange prompt came up, it was from that game Bryce and I had written in college, Zork: "The terrible Troll raised his sword", Morgan was telling me how cool we were that we could write a video game when I told him that it was time for him to go home and reluctantly, he did. Turning back to the screen, I answered, I stab him with my nasty knife. Suddenly images started to flash across my screen, much faster than I could see them.

The next thing I knew I was laying on the floor of my bedroom and it was time to go to work. I found out later what had happened. When I opened that attachment a bunch of images flashed across the screen uploading gigabytes of information into my brain. I didn't know it right off, but I now had all of the information gathered by the CIA, NSA and all the other intelligence gathering agencies in my head. I was a threat to national security, and the most valuable asset the intelligence agency had, all at once.

That's where Mommy comes in, are you ready Sarah we're almost up to your part? She was assigned to find out if I had accessed what Bryce had sent me. That was when Mom dressed like a ninja and kicked my butt. The big question is why Bryce had picked me to send this thing, the intersect. I mean the guy had screwed me over big time, as far as I knew he was an accountant and bang here I am, opening the strangest E Mail of all time from him. Mom and Grandpa John… Sarah interrupts, "call him Casey I don't want the kids confused between the nasty spy and their Grandpa." "… right, are assigned to protect me and when they need me, they call me in to help.

Now when this particular adventure started, I wanted no part of it, seems that Professor Fleming, he's the guy that had me thrown out of school, worked for the CIA recruiting agents out of Stanford. He suddenly falls out of sight and sends an emergency message out asking for help and referring to some data he shouldn't have."

Chuck turns to Sarah who is sitting there with her arms crossed, not looking pleased, "we're almost at your part Hon, when that happens Casey pulls me into the Home Theater Room at the Buy More, where General Beckman, she's in charge of the NSA, and CIA Director Graham are already in a video call with Mom. They want my help, because I know Fleming and Stanford, but I'm still angry over what happened to me there, and like I said I wanted no part of it.

They all went on and on about how the CIA data that Fleming referred to could be devastating in the wrong hands. I was adamant, there was no way I was going back to Stanford, right Hon,' Sarah rolls her eyes and nods, 'that's right, no matter what they said I kept saying no." Sarah just sighs and sits back as Chuck rambles on. "

I go home, where Captain Awesome, that's what I call Uncle Devon, and his fraternity brothers from UCLA ask me if I want to go to a homecoming football game at Stanford University; for some reason the whole universe wanted me to go back to Stanford. I went to my room and found a box of college memorabilia that I had been saving.

I decided it was time to throw out that stuff, but when I pick up my old school ID, I had a flash on myself. Let me explain, a flash is when the intersect in my head associates some information with something I see or hear, and it comes to me as a memory.

It freaks me out and, neither Casey nor Sarah know why there's information on me in the intersect, supposedly I was of interest to the government until I became the Intersect. I was hoping that Fleming could provide an answer, but Mommy said he was being hunted by Magnus Einerson, a dangerous Icelandic spy who sells government secrets. His weapon of choice was a crossbow.

Casey comes to tell me that they found Fleming; he wants to use me as a friendly face. I suggested it might not be a good idea, Fleming is the one who accused me of breaking into his office and stealing the midterm answer sheet to sell to other students. He told me that my roommate, Bryce turned me in. Casey being Casey, wouldn't take no for an answer.

When we arrive at Fleming's safe house, Casey and Sarah tell me to wait in the car while they go to retrieve him, they always told me to wait in the car." Sarah finally gets a word in, "did you ever listen, did you ever stay in the car?"

Chuck hunches his shoulders, "come on Hon, you know staying in the car was never safe, anyway I saw Fleming first. I tried to intercept so I could ask him how I got in the intersect, boy I scared the crap out of him when I came up behind him. I told him that I work for the CIA, he's surprised that I didn't know any code phrases, and teaches me one for dangerous situations: "are you coming to the toga party?"

I tell him that my partners Casey and Sarah will be here soon to get him to safety. Finally, I ask about the CIA file on me, he apologizes, but before he says anything else he falls on top of me knocking me to the ground with him on top of me, I didn't see it at first but there was a cross bow bolt in his back. He gives me a paper with a code on it and tells me to get it to Bryce, that Magnus guy shoots the note out of my hand and takes it. Casey and Sarah finally come outside and get Fleming to a hospital, he did live, but he was unconscious, and we couldn't question him. So, Mom and Casey ask me about the note Fleming handed me, but I was scared and didn't really remember what was on it, just a few letters and numbers. Casey was pretty rough on me, I guess I was always frustrating him."

Sarah jumps in, "Chuck I felt awful about questioning you that way, I could tell you felt bad about the way things went down. Casey was treating you like an enemy agent and I felt powerless, I mean he had a point, it was important. I tried to comfort you, Casey always seemed to forget that you were not a professional, I'm sorry you were treated so badly."

Chuck pats her on the hand, "it's okay Sweetheart, I understood, I was just upset that I wasn't being much help. The whole crossbow bolt in the back had me pretty shaken, if you hadn't shown up when you did, I might have been next. The good news is that eventually I did help, all by coincidence. You see later on Your Aunt Ellie hands me a library book she found, I had checked it out of the Stanford library, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, but I wasn't real worried about returning it, I mean it was four years overdue, "What were they going to do? Expel me?" Looking at the book, I realize it wasn't a code Fleming gave me it was a library filing system number.

I started remembering this game Bryce and I used to play in the library called Gotcha! Bryce had a hiding place there, I figured he must have told Fleming and he must have hidden the CIA intel there for Bryce. We needed to get to the hiding place before Magnus does, but I couldn't quite remember where the hiding space was without going there in person. I had no choice, like it or not I had to go back to Stanford to find that data, and maybe the answers I wanted."

Sarah jumps in, "I was there for that part Chuck."

"Yeah, but it was my sister, and Devon's invitation to the game that we used as an excuse to go back to Stanford. When we get there, I take Mom and Casey on the "Chuck Bartowski Memorial Tour." I'm hating being in the school where I had such a good time, but also had the worst day of his life. Mom asks me why Bryce might have betrayed me, I brush it off and say Bryce has betrayed a lot of people, Casey agrees, it made Mom sad, she felt betrayed by him too."

Sarah nods her head and takes Chuck's hand.

"When we get to the library, Casey hands me my old ID, he also had two counterfeited IDs for him and Mom, allowing us to enter.

I remembered Bryce's hiding place, the book was just a place holder, and the hiding spot was a hidden drawer in the bottom of the shelf above it; I find the disc with the intel.

Magnus's men spotted us, so we headed into the science building, looking for a place to hide and avoid a fight. I finally get the chance to take a look at the disc, there's a list of CIA agents that Flemming had recruited over the past ten years. Bryce's name is on the list, but I was surprised to find mine, the CIA never recruited me. Before we could fully explore the disc, the bad guys break into the classroom and start shooting. Mom tells me to get out and keep the disc safe while she and Casey cover for me."

Sarah interrupts, "CHUCK! It wasn't just the disc, I wanted you safe, it wasn't just my job, I wanted you safe, you were becoming very important to me, I was relieved when you got out of the room, I was also scared that I might never see you again, Casey and I were in big trouble."

Chuck leans over and kisses Sarah, "Thank you Baby, you always had my back, and still do, so like I said I run. I find an empty classroom, and put the disc into a computer to read the recruit list, and call everyone on the list, that I figure are on campus at the time, for help; I used the emergency code that Fleming taught me, "Are you coming to the toga party?"

Mom told me later on that she and Casey were out of bullets…,"

Sarah interrupts, "You know I could tell this part Hon."

"no need Sweetheart I already told them, … and the CIA recruits I called arrive, just in the nick of time to save them. I lucked out too, Magnus was about to shoot me with his crossbow when one of the recruits show up, she got there just in time to save my butt.

When we get home, I finally have the chance to take a look at the disc. I put it in my computer, Just as I am about to look up my name, Mom shows up, and wants to take the disc. Now remember she was Sarah Walker CIA Officer not my beautiful, gorgeous wife, and she was doing her job protecting the names on that disc. Okay so now you are kind of caught up to where Mommy can take over, and I will fill in my parts as needed."

Sarah shakes her head and laughs, "thanks Sweetheart, I hope I don't miss anything. I decide to let Dad see what was on the disc before I take it to a safe place. He finds a video file of Fleming preparing to interview Dad about a CIA military project called the "Omaha Project." Dad had scored super high on his test for recognizing patterns and images and the agency wanted him. Instead of Dad, Bryce shows up, he insists that Dad is too good-hearted, and he was not going to let the CIA recruit him and destroy who he is.

When Fleming tells him there's no way to prevent his recruitment, Bryce comes up with a plan to get the test data invalidated by framing Dad for cheating. Watching that file, Daddy finally realizes that his best friend, Bryce, framed him to protect him. Dad and I then have to wonder if there was a good reason for Bryce to steal the Intersect later on and send it to him as well, maybe he wasn't the traitor we thought. I have to admit, that it was a bit of a relief for me, I mean I had trusted Bryce for years, as my partner, it was nice to find out that maybe, just maybe that trust wasn't misplaced, maybe he didn't betray us. I guess things are not always what they seem. I'll tell you more about that later, preferably when your father is at work."

Sarah looks at the camera, "kids I have to remind you; at this point in our story Dad was an asset, and I was his handler, we were not a couple, nor were we allowed to be. Take a deep breath in this next story Daddy meets another woman and breaks up with me, stay calm I'm sure you realize it all works out okay, so here we go."

Diane stops the playback and sits back in her chair, "man the folks really went through a lot, that Bryce guy was something else, I mean he was Dad's best friend, Mom's lover, yuck, and it's hard to tell if he was a good guy or a bad guy."

Stephen looks at his watch, "well maybe Uncle Morgan and Aunt Alex can shed some light on the subject, we have to get going we have a date to meet them at El Compadre, in less than half an hour."

The car ride to the restaurant is filled with excitement, Molly sitting with Diane in the front seat turns back to ask Stephen, "do you think the Grimes were spies too?"

Stephen nods, "well there have been some clues that point to Uncle Morgan, we haven't heard much about Aunt Alex."

Diane parks the car outside the restaurant and turns around too, "Hey guys here's a thought let's go in and ask them."

The trio laugh at the simplicity of the idea as they climb out of the car.

When they enter the restaurant, the smells immediately trigger memories of time spent here with their folks. Stephen sees images in his mind, chasing his sisters around the tables as a little tot, bored with sitting so long to wait and eat, Molly entertaining them so the folks can have an adult moment. He turns to Molly, "wow, you were a great big sister,' hell you still are, 'he hugs her, thanks."

Diane smacks him on the back, "and you were an annoying pill, you used to chase me all around here, bothering the other customers, you made me fall more than once, you were a rotten big brother,' she hugs him, 'I'm glad we grew up, and you became the best big brother ever."

The three of them put their arms around each other and laugh as they walk in towards their favorite table where Morgan, Alex, MJ, and LJ are already waiting. When they see each other, the Grimes get up and they all hug each other happy to be reunited. Their voices carry and the Owner/Manager, Carlos, comes out, "ah my favorite customers, it's been too long,' he turns to the Bartowskis, 'I was so sorry to hear about your folks, they were wonderful people, my father loved them before he passed, he loved to tell me how they had their very first date here, and they treated me like family when I was little." He waves his hand, and two waiters come out with trays of Margaritas, "the first round is on me." He raises his glass, "to Chuck and Sarah, two of the finest people I have ever had the privilege to know, and to the fine family they created." Everyone drinks, there are tears in every one's eye, as they toast to two people, who were very loved. Carlos says, "thank you for allowing me to join you, I will leave you to your family," He turns and walks away.

While everyone is still standing, Little John raises his glass again, "to General John Casey, hero, father, friend and Grandpa, the best grandfather a kid could have, I still miss our fishing and hunting trips and times on the range, he made us all family, to Grandpa." Everyone nods says "hear, hear" and drinks to his memory.

The family sits, and everyone starts to talk all at once to the person next to them, catching up and laughing at childhood memories. The waiter comes over pad in hand, no one has to look at the menu, they all know their favorites, he takes down the order and heads to the kitchen.

The conversation stays light as lunch is eaten, finishing the meal with flan and fried ice cream is perfect, everyone is full and happy. Morgan leans forward and addresses the Bartowski kids, "what's up, you've been calling your Aunt Molly just Molly the whole time we've been here? You didn't come by the house, instead you invite MJ and LJ out to lunch and add us as an afterthought, what's up?"

Alex puts her hand on Morgan's, "Honey go easy, these are painful times."

Stephen smiles, "that's okay Aunt Alex, we love you and Uncle Morgan, and I want to apologize that we didn't get with you sooner."

Molly speaks up, "um… you see we found these wills that Mom and Dad left…

Alex interrupts, "Molly did you say Mom and Dad?"

Molly nods, "yeah well you see there were also there recordings, Mom… Sarah, told us the story about where I'm from, that her and Dad were my real parents even though Mom, Emma raised me so I would be safe. I know it's a little confusing you see…

Alex reaches over and holds her hand, "it's okay Honey we know the story, I'm glad you finally know how much they loved you, it was hard for them, keeping that secret. It was especially hard for Chuck; he loved his kids so much all three of you, he hated that you didn't know that you had a dad who loved you.

Molly has tears in her eyes, "I know, it's weird but when I look back, I know now that he was my dad and how much he loved me, I couldn't love him or Mom, Sarah, any more than I do. So now I am no longer Aunt Molly, but I have a little brother and sister and, she looks at MJ and LJ, two great cousins. I'm an incredibly lucky woman. Molly lets out with a short laugh, I guess the easy part is you're still Aunt Alex and Uncle Morgan, and I love you both so very much."

Morgan is dabbing his eyes, "we love you too Honey."

MJ and LJ are looking at each other, then towards Alex, and MJ says, "Mom what the hell are you talking about?"

Alex speaks sharply, "Morgan Junior, watch your mouth, you spent too much time with your grandfather, you, young man are not a Marine."

MJ shakes his head, "Mom, you do know I'm a grown man with kids of my own."

Morgan shakes his finger at MJ, "don't you speak to your mother in that tone, you do as you're told."

The young people at the table try to hide their smiles, MJ nods, "of course Dad, you're right, just please don't take away my comic books." LJ snorts trying to keep in his laugh.

Alex smiles, "alright that's enough, we'll explain it to you later, no use putting Molly through those feeling again so soon.

Diane looks at them, "Uncle Morgan, are you a spy?"

Morgan looks around, "shhh, keep your voice down, no not anymore, but I was…"

Alex puts her hand on Morgan's, "Honey slow down we don't know what Sarah and Chuck wanted them to know, there's that whole Bryce mess, and you know who."

Morgan nods, "okay let's do it this way, tell us what you know, and I will try to answer what questions I can, but there may be somethings I won't answer, Dad and Mom were my best friends, and I won't say anything that might hurt them." The kids take turns telling everyone at the table what they've learned up until the return to Stanford.

MJ and LJ are amazed, Little John blurts out, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Chuck were spies, Dad you were a spy, Holy shit, you too Mom?

Alex gives LJ a dirty look, "LJ I don't care how old you and your brother are, I will put you both over my knee, watch your mouth, and no, I came in at the end of that whole business when the Family started CI. Right about the time your father was making a fool of himself with that Carina woman and Bo Derek."

MJ looks at his father, "Bo Derek, you mean that woman with the beads in that old movie."

Morgan just looks at Alex, "you just had to bring that up."

Diane has been sitting there eyes wide, "Uncle Morgan, you and Aunt Gretchen?"

Morgan slaps his forehead, "shit!"

There is a mixed chorus of "Morgan, Dad, Uncle Morgan."

Morgan just stares at everyone, and they stare back, then the table breakups with laughter.

Morgan waves his hands, "okay, okay I wasn't always an old man, just remember that this woman right here is the love of my life,' he kisses Alex, 'and they don't get any better. He looks at the people at the table, "there's no doubt that Chuck and I found the two best women in the world, and it all happened because of that thing in your dad's head. Look I'm hesitant to answer too many questions, seems Mom and Dad are filling you in, in their own way."

Alex sees the disappointment in the kids face, "look how about you listen to Mom's story, and we answer your questions as you watch. Alex smiles broadly, "here's something I will tell you, Molly if it hadn't been for you, MJ and LJ wouldn't be here."

There is a single shout of "WHAT!" from all the young people at the table.

Morgan nods as Alex continues, "you see your uncle and I had broken up, that whole spy business was really getting to me, not to mention that annoying redhead. Don't get me wrong I loved him, but there was so much getting in the way. Thankfully Uncle Morgan did not give up easily, but OMG he was annoying, seduction is not his strong suit. Your Aunt Ellie sat me down and told me the story of how she had broken up with Uncle Devon, she said there was this moment when she knew that he was the one, that she wanted him, and I should watch for that, and I would know what to do.

Morgan tried very hard to make that moment happen, but I was unwilling to let him in. Then it happened the day we met you Molly, when I watched him play with you. That was when I knew, I knew how much I loved him and the man he was. I realized that we could work out anything else as long as we were together. Thank you, Molly, I owe my love and my family to you showing me who Morgan Grimes really was. I'm wondering if you guys know who your namesakes are?"

Stephen looks sad as he answers, "I was named after our grandfather, but I don't get it, I mean he abandoned Dad and Aunt Ellie, why would they give me his name, I just don't get it?"

Morgan is sympathetic, "your grandfather was a great man, a hero, he loved his kids just as much as your folks loved you, listen to the story, you may change your opinion of him, and know that Dad loved his father with all his heart."

Next, he turns to Diane, "you young lady were named after an incredible woman, your Grandma Diane played a big role in your parents being together, She was a General, a hard thing for a woman to accomplish in those days, she wasn't just a General she was also the director of the National Security Agency, she reported directly to the President, her name was Diane Beckman, so you became Diane Becca, and your folks loved her too, she kind of hated me, but I think I grew on her."

Diane nods, "I remember, she looked after us with Grandpa Roan when we were kids, she was one tough lady."

Morgan adds, "you know listening to you I'm realizing there was a lot going on before I was read in, maybe we could watch with you sometime, I miss your folks something terrible, I wouldn't mind seeing them again, but how you are going to watch together, you guys live all over the country?"

Stephen answers, "well that's the other reason we wanted to get together, Diane and I will be moving back to this area, Amy and I will be moving into the family home, Diane, Harry and their family will be moving into one of the houses the folks bought as an investment, it's time for us to bring the family back together. I'll need to find someone to oversee our satellite office, and we were hoping there's room for us and our families at the Home Office."

MJ and LJ nod their heads, MJ says, "hell yeah… sorry Mom, I mean, sure we can use the help, I've had to cut way back on my fishing."

Everyone laughs, and Morgan says, "as Dad would say I love it when a plan comes together. Then he would say call me Dad again and your kids will think they have two Moms, yep John Casey had a way with words. The laughter continues as Stephen orders another round of Margaritas.