AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN

by mssupertigz

Chuck gets the intersect while still in Stanford and his life starts to unravel. As he decides what to do, he bumps into the very person that has arrived to pick up the pieces and get back what was taken, but unbeknownst to her, he turns out to be the one that shows her that she is not the job and that her life is worth taking risks, even if it doesn't make any sense.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Thanks for coming back – Read and enjoy and let me know what you thought. – Mssupertigz

Chapter 4

The next morning Chuck stared at Bryce and wondered why Sandwall? What was so special about it that even Sarah hadn't heard of it even when she was a part of the whole Omaha mission. Chuck sat back and drank his coffee even though it was like 99 degrees in the small apartment. Chuck looked up. "Wouldn't you think that a safe house would invest in air conditioning?" Casey sat down. "And miss out on watching us sweat like pigs. This is heaven compared to some of the places I have been lock up in."

Chuck smiled then looked up as saw Sarah walking in and grabbing a cup of coffee and something to eat. She casually sat down next to Chuck as Chuck sat up and rested his elbows on the table at the same time, he felt a squeeze on his upper leg. He looked under the table to see Sarah's whole hand laying flat on his leg and it was armed and very dangerous. Her fingers pointed towards his inner thigh, slightly kneaded the material of his jeans. His mind instantly flew back to last night when that same touch and many other firsts led to them making love.

Sarah kept her hand there till Chuck lowered his hand to meets hers then slipped his hand over hers. Sarah turned her hand upwards and slid her fingers into his. Just to feel his skin next to her sent her goosebumps to certain areas.

Bryce returned to the table closing his phone and sitting down. "I just spoke with my contacts." The three looked at him. "Don't worry they are on our side. I guess the meeting that was last night now has a new time and place. I will contact Fletcher and set up a time to meet and maybe we can get a location on where the other file was sent or who has it?"

"And what are you going to tell him?" As Chuck let go of Sarah's hand. "Exactly what you all know. I will play it as if he got the right file and hope for the best."

"The best, it has to be more than the best Bryce. Its not about words and equations on a page but my life."

"I know how it works."

"But you don't. They think that they have the right file and you can't go in there with your charm and pretend that everything…"

"Chuck, I have to make them believe that they have the right file but I also have to make them think that I know how it works or make them think that I know how it works."

"Does this Fletcher fellow know that there are two files?"

Bryce looked up.

"Not sure. I got there first and took the one you have so he wouldn't have known that there were two, unless he has someone in on the inside?"

Chuck looked worried. Sarah picked up on it. "Bryce, beside you who else knew about this?"

"So far the four of us, Beckman and the one who created it."

"So, who is this mysterious man?" Casey getting up from the table.

"That's not important right now, as long as it is just us we are safe, Chuck is safe."

"That makes me feel a whole lot better." Chuck got up.

"Chuck, all you need to know is that the Intersect is safe with you and we will continue to keep you safe. But we have to get his copy of the file so he can't build a cipher that I know that he is building and we need to destroy it so he or anyone can use it." Bryce looked at Chuck. Casey face the table. "We can't have an army of super soldiers especially if they are Thai military. Bryce is right for once Chuck." Bryce giving him a dirty look. "I have seen this army in action, and they are ruthless, emotionless communist robots."

"That is why I stole the one you have cause, those rumours that were circulating are no longer rumours."

"But who told you that this was going to happen!"

Bryce stood up. "I can't tell you that. But I promised, in time I will."

Chuck looked back at Bryce. "You promised a lot if things Bryce, but you also lied about as many."

"I did it for you."

Chuck raised his voice. "I didn't ask you to and I didn't ask you to save me by condemning me to this life of anxiety fear and worry. So, whoever made you made do this and whoever asked you to keep this promise, you both can go you know where."

Chuck walked off and out the door. Sarah closed her eyes slightly then walked over to Bryce yanking his arm. "You started this you fix it." "Sarah!"

Sarah stormed out the door and down the stairs and tried to find Chuck. It wasn't hard to find him as he towered over the crowd. She grabbed his arm and they walked to the corner then sat down.

Bryce came with Casey and casually passed Sarah and Chuck their ears pieces. Chuck looked at his as Sarah casually moved in and helped him with his. Then desperately wanted to kiss him. Chuck looked at her and wished the same thing. Bryce looked at their surroundings. "I'll take Chuck and see if he flashes on anything."

Sarah wasn't to thrilled to have Bryce alone with Chuck, but they had to work as a team and whatever Bryce was thinking she had to trust him. Bryce and Chuck disappeared in the crowd as Sarah and Casey returned to the safe house waiting for them to return.

Hours later

Bryce and Chuck entered a watering hole that Chuck had seen in many of his Martial art movies that Morgan and he used to watch. Bryce ordered a few beers. "It's a but early, Bryce?"

"Back home it's still evening, so we toast to that."

Chuck tapped Bryce's bottle and took a sip. They sat in silence for awhile till the alcohol kicked in and Bryce wanted to show Chuck that he still had his charm. Bryce cased the bar and saw a beautiful Thai woman sitting at the bar. Chuck turned in his seat and watch the spiralling event unfold but, this was Bryce's choice and he knew it wouldn't end well.

Chuck knocked on the door and Sarah rushed to the door and opened it. Sarah looked up. "You didn't hit him again did you?"

Chuck dragging Bryce over to the chair. "No this time it was his big mouth."

Sarah made sure Chuck was alright. "I'm fine, just got an elbow in my face."

Chuck cleaned up and turned the tap off. "I think he knows."

Sarah shaking her head slightly. "How?"

"I don't know. He tried to show me that he could get any girl in the bar."

"You went to a bar?"

"His idea, then he danced with a fist and here we are. But as we left, I flashed on one of Fletcher's men. Either he drinks there or was following Bryce and me for that matter."

Sarah checked Chuck again. "I'm fine." Sarah turned then came back, kissing him just to make sure. Even though he liked the kiss and kissing Sarah wasn't the worst thing. It was becoming too real. Sarah walked back into the room where Bryce was coming to. But opted not to say anything and went back to what she was doing before they came back. Casey grunted. "Our feeds only go as far as the end of the block but look who we have here."

Chuck walked towards Casey. "Hey that's the same guy I flashed on and the guy who was with Yang last night."

"His name is Ting Sao, Triad gopher. He does their errands and such. But what is interesting is this." Casey zoomed in. "Look what he has on him."

Chuck and Sarah saw the cipher. "Their using him to move the cipher."

Chuck looked at Sarah and Casey. "What? Do you think that this little gopher is behind the trade?"

"More like a pansy, they want us to believe that he is."

"So what do we do now?"

"We go after him."

"And if they catch us and we're all done." Chuck wasn't convinced. He sat down and watched the feed again. Casey stepped away from the computer and Sarah sat down. She was torn, for her duty to protect Chuck but also her duty as a CIA agent. She wanted to believe Casey cause, it made sense, but she also knew Chuck was smart and that his thinking was several steps ahead of the rest of them. And maybe it was the Intersect that was allowing him to think and see things differently, or it was all Chuck.

Chuck pulled a chair up beside Sarah, and watched the feed following the gopher to see which hole he'd crawl back into. As Chuck kept a head of the CCTV feeds he watched the gopher act like Marty Mcfly in third installment of Back to the Future. Sarah looked over her shoulder to see where Casey and Bryce were. She slid her hand on Chuck's forearm and caressed his arm. Chuck stopped what he was doing and placed his hand on hers then leaned slightly against her.

"I'm still new to this spy stuff."

"Your doing great."

"I wish we can take this further."

"Me too." Sarah raised her head and kissed Chuck's cheek, then got up. Chuck looked at the feed again. He was new to this, but it didn't feel right. As he continued to watched Ting, till he finally got a bite. Chuck watched as Ting walked around the corner where he met with a man that when Ting pointed to where the bar was, he flashed on his watch. 'CIA attire.'

He got and went looking for Sarah. But as he entered her room he got caught up in her arms. The kiss was lovely and her lips on his was just what he needed, and it wouldn't take long to take it further. Chuck slid his lips off of hers. "Sa-r-ah."

"Yes, Ch-uck."

Sarah finally stopped. "Sorry."

"Never be sorry for this, never."

Sarah smiled. "What's up?" Trying to change the already heated atmosphere. Chuck looking at her. Her choice of words both made them laugh. "I got a bite, Ting met up with a man that wore a CIA issued watch."

"Fletcher?"

"It has to be."

Sarah and Chuck headed back into the main room to debrief with Beckman and get her up to date.

Chuck walked out towards his room when he saw Bryce sneaking down the hall. Chuck stepped back and out of view as he watched Bryce quietly exit the apartment. Chuck ran to the computers and watched as far as he could then checked the feed. And if on purpose he knew Bryce was avoiding the cameras. "Two can play this game."

Chuck hacked a few sites and broke a few federal laws, getting Bryce crossing the street a few blocks west then had him walking into a back alley. Bryce looked as he crossed the street then entered a long walkway. That was all Chuck could see but made a mental note of what he saw; flowing laced material hanging like curtains and a cotton tarp covering the rest. Casey walked in. "Now what?"

Casey could tell from the look that Chuck was giving him that something wasn't right. Chuck filled Casey in. "I knew we shouldn't have trusted him."

"I totally agree, but we need to know why?"

"The why is he's leading you and us into a trap."

Just then Sarah came in. Chuck then showed them the footage. "Check out his watch."

"CIA."

"Exactly."

"So, Ting was a decoy?" Sarah replied.

"They were probably watching Bryce and saw you."

Casey got up and checked outside. "He could be leading them to us as right now. If they know that there are two."

"If they don't know that the we know then we, I mean will be okay."

"Casey, Chucks right. I said this many times I don't like what Bryce has done but he seems to be trying to make this right. And I know if that is true, he won't let them come after Chuck."

The three looked at the table where Sarah's phone now rang. Sarah picked it up. "Walker. Let me put you on speaker. Bryce, where are you?"

"Chuck was right. I saw the shady Ting last night when Chuck carried me out. He's a wanna be Triad who does all their grunt work. I heard you call him a gopher. I see him more like a weasel. Anyways I am staring at him right now and he definitely waiting for someone."

Sarah wrote down Larkins sitrep and the three got ready. Casey walked to his tote and pulled out a vest. Walking up to Chuck. "Put this on!"

Chuck looked at the vest. Sarah came out velcroing her vest. Casey too. "Can't be too careful."

Sarah walked up to him as Casey slipped into the back. Sarah fiddled around with his straps. "Earlier? Sorry but I hate that we can't…."

"I know, but when this is all over, we can, anytime and do whatever we want, and it won't be the mission. I wanted to tell you about seeing Ting but when I saw you, I forgot why I went there in the first place."

Sarah smiled. She took a peek down the hall then kissed him. "We need to be safe, you need to be safe." As she laid the strap against his chest. Chuck then grabbed his hoodie and slipped it on. The three slipped downstairs and grabbed a rickshaw and headed down the busy street. The three jumped off and reached the entrance to where Chuck had seen the flowing material in the CCTV.

Meanwhile

Ramsey held the completed cipher in his hand. It had been a long road to get here and now he was ready to have it uploaded. Ramsey looked up and saw Prija Yang walk in with her small entourage, but he knew that the rest of her team had to be close by. Yang looked at Ramsey and instantly eyed what was in his hand. "And this is going to work?" Yang looked around the room then back at Ramsey. "This is what you asked for and this is what I have provided. Now you can assemble your team and administer this to them."

Yang motioned to men and in seconds the room was full of Thai militants. Ramsey had set up in a large room that he had built, that had very plain white walls, but each wall panel was built to project the intel that his files consisted of. Ramsey escorted Yang to the other side of the room and her small entourage stayed outside. Ramsey and Yang stood behind the two way mirror as a dozen soldiers 2x2 came walking in. They stood in two rows, but the rows were staggered. The men looked like soldiers, wearing dark glasses, uniform and black caps. But soon they would be super soldiers. Ramsey and Yang each slipped on a pair of glasses to protect their eyes. "Better safe than sorry."

Yang stood stoic and waited. Ramsey spoke into a small microphone. "Whenever your ready." A voice came over the speakers. "T̄hxd wæ̀ntā k̄hxng khuṇ (remove yourself glasses)."

The two rows removed their glasses and waited. The room went dark then images and flashes of lights filled the room. In minutes it was done, and Ramsey and Yang walked out as doctors checked the vitals of each of the soldiers. Yang walked the two rows of her newly formed super machines. Impressed. They awaited their mission.

Outside the compound

The three had walked to the end of the alley coming to a fence that when Chuck looked up, he saw the palace and the hotel. Sarah saw them too but had to stay focussed. "So, where is he? He said he'd meet us here."

Eventually Bryce crossed the parking lot and joined them. "I followed Ting. He headed down a trail just near here. Rumours have it that there are underwater drainage systems that the Triad uses to escape the police. So, I think that we should follow them as well."

The three knew that it was too good to be true, with Bryce involved and they were right. As the three followed Bryce they soon realized that it wasn't a drainage system, but a well camouflaged base. Casey pulled back the chain length fence and the four headed in. They walked the perimeter. Bryce leading and Casey taking the back.

Inside the compound

Yang marvelled at the way the 12 men presented themselves and walked back in the small room to get ready for the presentation. Ramsey was happy that it actually worked. Half hour later as the 12 prepared to showcase their new talents Ramsey heard a commotion and headed to the door to see doctors and scientists running to the white room. Ramsey told Yang to relax and that he'd be right back. Ramsey turned the corner and entered the white room as one of the men had collapsed. They were rolling him out with a high fever. The 11 continued getting ready. Yang got up when one of her men informed her. "What is going on?"

"Just a little hiccup?"

"One of my men collapsed."

"I told you that this would happen. I gave you a 50% chance that this would work."

Yang wasn't impressed.

Outside along the perimeter

The four got closer to the building as they crouched down. "I think this is where Chuck should leave."

Chuck looked up. "And why?"

"If Ramsey knows you exist then we are all goners. We need to make him think that he has the only one and if it comes to lying to him, I will tell him that I have the original."

"Fine and dandy but what if he wants you to prove it."

"Let's hope it won't get to that."

Sarah and I will stay and Casey you can go back with him."

Casey looked up. "No, I will stay with you because I don't trust you and Bartowski is Walker's responsibility." Inwardly she liked hearing that. "We will stay and see where this goes. Walker you head back the other way just in case this place is being watched."

Sarah nodded. "Be careful."

Casey grunted. Bryce watched as Chuck and Sarah slipped back and out of the covered wall. Sarah looked down the path that they came on and headed in the other direction hiding her gun in the back of her shirt. They walked quickly to gain some distance then came out at the other end of the trail. It was quieter than when they came through earlier but stayed along the edge of the path.

They arrived back to the street and grabbed a rickshaw back to their safe house. Chuck grabbed some food from the restaurant below as Sarah waited on the street. They headed upstairs. "Sorry you got the babysitting detail."

Sarah grabbed one of the cartons. "I'm not."

"Well Ms. Walker what's going on in that mind of yours?"

"The same thing that is going on in yours?"

Chuck coughed and grabbed a drink.

Bryce looked at Casey as Casey out his phone away. "They are back at the house."

Bryce looked a bit ticked but knew he had to focus. Bryce and Casey saw a few of Yang's entourage come out and have a smoke. They listened. Casey whispered." What are they saying?"

"They seem to be doing some training, my Thai isn't the best, but it sounds like they have uploaded the cipher and out of the 12 there are 11."

"So maybe they will do our dirty work for us and die off?" Casey and Bryce moved closer to the building.

Sarah watched as Chuck's redness in his cheeks subsided then tried to focus on the mission. Sarah called Casey to get an update. Chuck listened as Sarah put the call on speaker. "We got word that 1 of the 12 collapsed with a high fever and didn't make it. So that 11 out of the 12"

Sarah looked at Chuck. "We are about to head in closer."

"Do you know where they are heading?"

"Not yet. Bryce seems to have his eyes on Ramsey. For some reason Ramsey has been his focus this whole time."

"But if Ramsey had the cipher, wouldn't he know about the Intersect?"

Chuck took drink. "Maybe Bryce got rid of it before he knew about it or whoever he is taking his orders from, made Ramsey believe that he had the only one?"

"So, we can find out who Ramsey was working for?"

"That would explain maybe a few things like where he came from?" Casey answered.

"We can do that. Keep us informed."

"Will do."

Sarah put her phone down. "Now what?"

"Do what Casey wants us to do, and that is look into Ramsey."

"When you saw Ramsey earlier how did you know it was him? Did you flash?"

"Never had to, I saw by his watch and Bryce filled in the rest."

"His watch what else did you see?"

"The watch but also that it was CIA issued and who received those watches."

"So, no picture of anyone else?"

"No, just names."

Sarah grabbed her laptop and brought up his file. Chuck had never seen Ramsey but when Sarah showed his CIA file with his photo Chuck saw a large computer. Chuck went into a flash. He looked at Sarah. "Three men and one was Ramsey and the other two no photo. Sandwall was the project name or file and Omaha was the mission and when the two somehow join forces and this group had a vision to create a military team of super soldiers. It looks like Ramsey had his eyes on the schematics of the Intersect file which was called Sandwall. Originally the intersect was built as a tool that what the original three had in mind."

"The three?"

"Yeah there were three who created the Intersect. But only two were scientists slash agents. One was named Orion and the other Hartley, and Ramsey."

Chuck got up and paced the floor. "Sarah do a search for any alias of Fletcher Ramsey"

Sarah did a search on any known aliases of Fletcher Ramsey. Chuck leaned down beside Sarah. "Anything?"

"It keeps booting me out?"

Chuck looked at his phone. "It's early in DC."

"And?"

Chuck walked over to the main computer and tapped Beckman's direct line. Sarah got up and walked over to Chuck. Beckman came on. "Chuck, Sarah, how are you?"

"Good General, sorry for the early call but I was wondering if you could use that pay grade of yours and the CIA clearance you have to do us a favour?"

Beckman gave Chuck a worried look. "Do I dare ask for what?"

"Not sure exactly but I am going with my gut here and I hope that I am right."

"Okay, what do you need?"

"We think that Fletcher Ramsey is not who we think he is, and he is definitely someone that Bryce is focussed on. I think that he is or was someone else."

"Might need a bit more information?"

"I think that Ramsey might be one Nicholas Quinn."

Beckman froze. "Are you sure?"

"That is why we are asking you to verify my hunch. Sarah's access doesn't allow us to go any further."

"It might sound some alarms."

"But maybe those alarms can be silenced for a little bit and maybe sent our way?"

"I will see what I can do."

"That's all we ask General."

Chuck said his goodbyes and leaned against the table. "I guess we wait?"

"I guess we do. You still hungry?"

Chuck shook his head. Sarah sat down and finished off the takeout. Chuck hoped that his hunch would give them what they wanted and why Bryce was so interested or more like determined to go after Ramsey. And if Chuck was right why didn't he say anything. Chuck sat down and thought about all the lies over this whole thing and why wouldn't the truth come out in the first place instead of coming all the way here to find the answers.

An hour later still no word from Casey and Chuck had reloaded his email waiting to see his inbox light up. Sarah cleaned up then walked over to Chuck and sat down. "It's late, I'm going to bed, you coming?"

Chuck refreshed his screen. Sarah sat down on his lap. Sarah placed her hands on his. "Chuck."

Chuck looked at her. Sarah touched his lips with her fingers and ran her fingers through his hair rubbing his neck. "Did you say bed?"

"I did."

Sarah removed herself from his lap and Chuck followed and got up and reached for Sarah's hand. They knew that they were alone and in a few hours it would be morning and that was one thing that they wanted to do was to wake up next to each other.

Chuck laid down on her bed as Sarah straddled him and unbuttoned his shirt and relished in the benefits of being able touch him. She grazed his chest with her fingers then her lips, kissing and dragging her lips and tongue over his chest and caressing his bare skin. She reached for his belt then lifting herself so Chuck could shimmy out of his jeans. Sarah took the time she had to get rid of her jeans as Chuck hurried taking her shirt and bra off. Chuck tossed his shirt and held her close and kissed her softly. But the urgency just added to the beginning of their second time together. Chuck rolled Sarah onto her back and laid between her legs and held her close placing kisses along her jaw line and settling in his new favourite spot just where her shoulders started up towards her neck. They slipped under the covers and became one. Just like the hotel it was an exciting moment that quickly picked up. The motions, the touches, the glances and their kisses were strategically thought out to give them the most feelings, the most intense indescribable breathtaking reaction that they ever had. Chuck held her close as they ran out of steam and fell into each other's arms. They didn't move for the longest time, then lulled each other to sleep.

The sun still wasn't up as Chuck got up to get a drink. He wanted to get back to holding Sarah and to keep his promise of waking up beside her. But he didn't come back as Sarah found out when she rolled over. Sarah got up and walked out wearing just the sheet that was loosely wrapped around her. Chuck looked up and offered her a drink and she gladly accepted it. "Any word?"

"Nothing."

"That doesn't mean anything." Sarah seeing how concerned he looked. "Your safer here."

Chuck turned to face her. "I know."

Sarah didn't want to add to his anxiousness, so she stared at him eyeing at what they did earlier. She traced the veins on his arm sliding her fingers over his chest. She traced his chin making him face her as she kissed him. The kiss was intense. "Bedroom." Sarah whispered. Chuck smiled and carried her back to her bed laying her down and leaning upwards to find her within her cocoon that she had wrapped herself in. He finally reached her and slipped out of his boxers and slid between her legs. This wasn't an intentional last-ditch effort to keep him from thinking about what was going on with Casey and Bryce and what he had asked Beckman to do but mostly because it was their time.

Morning came and the sun shone through the small window and they got their wish to wake up the way it should have been like days ago in the hotel. They could hear the businesses of the noise from the street but more importantly their phones were quiet. It was just the two of them. Chuck held her close as they slowly woke up. Basking in their post love making through out the night. They were both tired but oh so worth it.

"Good morning."

"Morning to you too."

Sarah slid to her side and looked up at him as he looked down at her. It was a perfect movie scene, a love story that had evolved and finally ended up the way it should have been all along. Chuck dragged his index finger over her sleepy face and kissed her forehead, bringing her into his warm embrace.

Sarah kissed him then slipped into the bathroom. Chuck slipped into the other bathroom, showered and changed and headed into the living room hoping to hear some new. Chuck sat down and opened his email and saw that Beckman had replied and as he moved his cursor to open it one of Casey's alarms went off. Chuck brought up the feed and the sensor a half of block down had been triggered. Chuck wondered at first when Casey had brought up the idea of setting sensors that far from the safe house but right now Chuck was relieved but worried. Chuck clicked on the feed and saw Ting and a few militias, that Chuck figured were Ramsey's men or even Yang's for that matter. "Sarah!"

Sarah ran out. "We got company."

Chuck flashed as their faces came into view. "Not good people."

Sarah grabbed her boots and slipped them on grabbing a few guns. "Chuck! Do you have a back up on these computers?"

"Yeah."

"Back everything up and grab your bag."

"Kill the intel."

"Yes. Now!"

Chuck backed up his laptop and slipped it into a bag. Sarah grabbed a small arsenal and headed to a door behind the closet. Chuck tossed their bags and anything else that he could get a hold of, even though it wasn't much. Sarah called Casey. "Casey, been compromised. Will send you our location once we are safe."

"Chuck, we got to go now!"

Chuck had seen enough. Chuck was reliving every spy movie he had seen especially when it came to deterring the bad guy or slowing them down, so he ran to the kitchen and yanked the pipe from the stove then followed Sarah. He knew they had to either break the door down, blow it up or use a welding torch so any spark would cause the room to go boom, and their intel would be useless. He took one last look, then grabbed what was left and slipped through the door down a metal spiral case that led to an alley. Sarah jumped first catching what Chuck tossed then he followed.

Triad military ran up the stairs followed by Ting who obviously was them helping. They broke through the door and sparks flew just what Chuck had hoped for. As the sparks settled it created a slow mode scene with the hissing sound of the gas hose in the kitchen and in seconds the place blew up. Sarah looked back as flames blew glass and debris out the window. Sarah then looked at Chuck. "Not bad."

Chuck shrugged his shoulders. Sarah and Chuck slipped further into the alley and headed for the furthest place they could get to. Sarah slipped into a small coffee shop and the two found a booth and placed their bags beside them. Sarah grabbed her phone as Chuck looked around and grabbed his cap from his bag and slipped it on trying to hide his face. "Casey. Sitrep on Ting?"

Casey replies. "Haven't seen him why?"

"And that is because he just led them straight to us. Sending our location to you."

Casey looked at his phone. "Be right there."

Bryce had slipped away during the call and Casey was ticked and couldn't go and look for him. He wasn't the mission, and he definitely wasn't the priority. Casey commandeer a car and sped back to where Sarah and Chuck where hiding. Sarah looked up as Casey came to the back. Sarah and Chuck never asked where Bryce Casey didn't either.

They caught up and Chuck finally got the nerve to look at his email. Chuck clicked on it and read her response. Then whispered to Sarah and Casey. "Fletcher Ramsey also known as Nicholas Quinn." Sarah and Casey looked up as Chuck was flashing on something. Sarah took Chuck's laptop. Waiting till Chuck came too, Casey ordered some coffee and the three waited. Chuck nodded that he was okay. Sarah continued reading. "Quinn, was assigned to be a test subject for the original Intersect but the team that worked on it weren't sure that he was the right person. So upset he did what he could to get his hands on it for his own benefit and went to the extreme circumstances to get what he wanted." Sarah kept reading. "He started using one of his alias's and seemed to have some sort of cosmetic surgery that changed his appearance. His undercover name." Sarah looked up. Chuck looked at her. "The one and only Fletcher Ramsey."

Casey looked at them. "Ramsey is Quinn?"

"So Larkin wasn't after the cipher, he's after Ramsey because Quinn, or whoever he is, wanted it in the first place and that…."

Chuck interrupted. "He wanted the original because he felt that he was cheated. Fletcher Ramsey and Nicholas Quinn are the same person, but finding the cipher has to be Bryce's reason as well."

"I'm beginning to wonder, now that he knows where it is, he can control it."

"How?"

"If he sent it to you, and he's working for someone and its not Ramquinn then he has to make sure that it is working, to verify that the science or whatever makes it work is successful."

Sarah looked at Casey. " Why the change?"

"Something didn't feel right once we got here and how he knew too many of the players. And his focus on Ramsey."

"So whoever he is working for, needed Bryce to shut him down."

"Yeah but he needed our help as well, he needed Chuck and what Chuck knew or could tell him. He also stuck around and came back it seemed just at the right moment that the Intersect would or could benefit him and put Chuck in danger."

Chuck felt sick, he didn't care for the man but to hear Casey just tell him. It made sense. Casey looked at his watch. "We need to get out of here." As authorities flew by. "Do you have a place?" As Sarah slid out of the bench.

Casey made a few calls and located another place that they could stay but it was minimal even to Chucks standards. But the main thing was that they were out there seen or even caught. Casey kept vigil by the window as Sarah was checking the feeds before they ran. Chuck came by and grabbed her hand then subtly let go. Sarah looked back down at the feed and saw Ting just like Chuck had said. But as Chuck watched he saw the same man with the watch, which they assumed was now Ramsey aka Quinn. Sarah's froze the feed as Casey walked by. "That can't be a coincidence that he came back. We were watching him." Chuck acknowledged the elephant in the room. "So, where's Bryce in all of this."

"When you called he was gone not sure when he left, then this happens. I knew we couldn't trust him."

Chuck fell back into his seat. "Talk to me Chuck." Sarah looked at him.

"I don't get it. Bryce steals the intersect file which had two versions."

"Yes."

"Then he sends it to me to protect me. How does that protect me?"

Sarah continued to listen cause she knew he needed to vent. "You two come because you think it's just a regular file some computer program. Then surprise! It ends up being me. Now you now have to protect me from a guy named Ramsey who is also known as Quinn who thinks he has the original cipher. He obtains it and sells what he thinks is the original cipher to Yang who is the head of the Thai mafia who operates a militia that now has uploaded the file and has created a team of super soldiers. And the only one that knows all the answers and can put an end to this is the one and only Bryce who started all of this."

Sarah didn't want to say yes but Casey turned to face them. "All true, but he has to be working for someone and that person has to be on our side. Otherwise why would these files, the actual Intersect files be stolen and sent to you."

The three had the right to be upset. Casey from a government and military point of view and Chuck because his life is now not his own anymore and Sarah who never thought that a mission would turn out like this. And on top of it how things had changed between them and where she was when this all started. Sarah thought to herself. 'If Bryce hadn't stolen the files and sent them to his friend would they have met. Would she have feelings for him. Would Bryce go to all this trouble for someone else?

Casey looked at his watch. "Going to grab something to eat, want anything specific?" Sarah shook her head slightly and she appreciated that Casey was giving them some time alone. She got up and walked with Casey to the door. "Maybe something strong as well?"

"I think we deserve that."

Casey left as Sarah walked to the window to watched Casey cross the street and take off in the car he stole. She watched till he was out of sight then saw Chuck get up. There wasn't much room to spread out, but he eventually joined her by the window. He leaned against the back of the couch as Sarah walked back towards him and settled in between his legs. He caressed her arm and held her hand as she went in for an embrace. Chuck held her close and it felt good. It had only been a few hours since they woke up in each other's arms, this felt natural, and right now it was the only thing that felt real. Chuck kissed the top of her head resting his lips a little longer on hers. Sarah moved her head back to catch his lips and kiss them softly. There was no urgency in the kiss just a kiss to show they care for each other.

Middle of the night

Chuck woke up to his phone ringing and looked at the number. He grabbed it and got up as Sarah was laying beside him. Casey slept on the chair facing the other way. Chuck quietly answered. "Hello?"

"Chuck."

"Bryce?"

"Don't have time to talk. They know that there are two."

"What do you mean?"

"They blew up the safe house."

"I know but it wasn't them that blew it up it was me. They came after us."

"The cipher that Ramsey had and sold has now affected 7 of the 12. Three are comatose and four are dead, that leaves five. Ramsey knows that he got the wrong cipher."

"You mean Quinn."

Bryce went silent.

"How?"

"Good ol' spy work and then I flashed. Why? Bryce?"

"In time, I don't have it right now, but I need you to trust me."

"It getting hard to do that, a lot doesn't add up."

"I know and I get it. But right now, last time I promise, please trust me."

Chuck looked at Sarah, then Casey. Then paused but answered him. "Last time Bryce."

"Chuck. Quinn knows that someone out there has the real cipher and I told him that it was me."

"You did what? Where are you?"

"Take Sarah and Casey and go."

"We can't do that where are you?"

Chuck got up and did a cell search and located Bryce.

"Bryce, where are you?"

"It's been nice knowing you, remember I did this for you and for your ….."

"Bryce?"

The line went dead, but Chuck was able to get a ping.

He grabbed his coat and slipped out.

Sarah woke up hearing the door close. She looked to find Chuck gone. "Casey, Chuck's gone."

Sarah's phone rings. She looks at her screen. "Don't be mad. I'm sorry."

Near the Grand Palace

Quinn finally catches and confronts Bryce. "You've been naughty, you lied. You made me believe that what I took was the right cipher."

"I gave you nothing."

"You took the original, so where is it?"

"I told you I have it."

"You stole it and uploaded it."

"Yes."

"Really?'"

Quinn showed Bryce a photo. "Who is this?"

Bryce looked at the photo and saw a familiar face. But he had to pretend that it wasn't Chuck that he was staring at. "Don't know?"

Quinn showed him another and this time it was them at the gala the other night. "He's nobody."

"So you talked to no one."

"I guess I do."

"Well this no body took out my guys."

"I see that your new face got a bit scratched up, hope that there is a refund?"

Quinn slapped Bryce hard across the face. Chuck slipped in the back and slid to a stop when he heard the noise that Ramsey's hand hitting Bryce's skin had made.

Quinn walked around him then grabbed a wad of hair in his hands. "My men who uploaded the cipher."

"You mean Yang's men. You don't own it anymore?"

"Quinn rephrased his question. "The men that uploaded the version I had seem to be dying off but your still here."

"Lucky draw I guess."

"Or you don't have at all but maybe this person in these photos does because he seems to be protected by two agents and well known agents at that and right now he's seems to be paying us a visit. Quinn motions for his men to bring Chuck in.

Bryce shrugged his shoulders slightly. Quinn looked at Chuck then Bryce. "So are you going to introduce us?"

Chuck starts to extend his hand then gets a look from Bryce?"

"No, you're not worthy."

"Ok if that's how it's going to be."

"It is."

Quinn walked over to Chuck, and Bryce was worried that Chuck was going to give himself up by flashing. "If you are not the host then what I am about to have done to you, you will not respond as if you had the Intersect. If you do have the Intersect my men will end up probably dead." Quinn walked back to Bryce and squeezed his face. Chuck watched as Bryce flinched slightly but kept his cool.

"You made me believe that you had left the CIA but you been speaking to Agent Walker and Major Casey."

"Ye-ssss." As his face was being squished.

"Why?"

"Easy, to throw them off. I had to keep them thinking that they were heading in the right direction. They were looking for the cipher just like you were."

Chuck looked at Bryce. Quinn let go off his face as Bryce moved his jaw to get the feeling back.

"And Beckman."

"Quinn, Beckman hired them to find the missing files that everyone knew about but didn't know where they were cause, I took them. And now only this guy knows that I have it."

"Walker and the Major don't know?"

"No, I have been able to keep them out of the loop till now but now that they know that he's gone and standing here, they will probably figure it out then your done."

Bryce and Quinn continued to talk and as they talked Bryce motioned for him to pay attention.

Casey and Sarah sped down the crowded streets not making any head way but Sarah knew that Chuck wouldn't purposely make her worry. He wasn't that kind of guy. And she knew the importance of this whole thing. But she wanted it to be over. Casey drove up to a familiar spot. "Why are we back here?"

"Let's find out."

Bryce was tied back down and Chuck had men on each side of him. It pained him not to flash. Flashing he was used to, preventing them from happening hurt his head even more. Quinn continued you speak. "Who hire you?"

Bryce looked at Quinn.

"Hired me?"

"Yes, I am guessing that your job was to locate the cipher, which you did. So, where did you get your orders and it wasn't Beckman."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Chuck unsure what is going on tried to focus on not flashing.

"Quinn, you got your files and you sold them to Yang so what is the issue."

"The issue is that I am out millions cause the file was the wrong one and now that they are dying off."

"Your nest egg is dwindling." Bryce laughed. Then felt Quinn's fist hit him straight in the face.

Chuck tried to get loose. "Don't play games with me. You know darn well what I am talking about."

"I'm just an agent that was following orders, to protect the integrity of the real CIA and not what you felt it owned you."

"Your wrong. The CIA owed me everything and I would have been what Sandwall needed and now its never going to happen. Sandwall was to be my salvation my chance to take back the CIA. And you took that from me just like Orion took it from me."

Chuck fell forward holding his head and Quinn knew that Bryce was lying. Bryce rocked his chair to break loose, getting up as Quinn's men grabbed him. Chuck was dragged and still not alert as Quinn had his men do a number on him. Bryce yelled at Chuck to wake him up but as the men held his head up and shoulders back the punches kept coming. Casey and Sarah came around the corner and heard Bryce yelling.

"Stop! I do whatever you want me to do, just stop."

Quinn raised his hand as the men dropped Chuck. Sarah came around the bend and saw Chuck on the floor and Bryce on his knees. Sarah was about to scream when Bryce signalled to her. Casey reached for her to take notice. "Awe Agents Walker and Casey."

"That's Major Casey."

Casey kept his gun pointed.

Sarah looked at Chuck who eventually snapped out of his flash and stood up spitting blood onto the floor. Quinn stopped and turned. "I knew it." Quinn spun and pointed the gun at Bryce. "You lied."

"I did and what are you going to do about it."

Quinn kept the gun pointed at Bryce as Chuck looked at Sarah. He mouthed to her that he was okay. Though it didn't make her feel any better she had to push her feelings aside and finish this.

Chuck stepped forward. "Fletcher Ramsey or Nicholas Quinn or my new favourite Ramquinn this needs to end."

"Oh I agree. But the problem is, Mr Larkin doesn't have what I want but you do."

"I guess I do. But that's where it ends."

"Does it?"

Quinn snapped his fingers and the doors opened and the remaining seven entered along with Yang. She stood to the side and next to her was a rough looking Ting. "I want to welcome everyone, and this wasn't what I had in mind, but I am going to use what I have and see how it ends. I will let Larkin go, all of you if you Chuck can take out Yang's seven. We will see which Intersects are triumphant."

Sarah rushed over to Chuck and looked at his face. "I'm okay?"

"How come you didn't use the Intersect?"

"I couldn't, he mentioned the name Orion and I flashed and while I was out, they did this."

"So you can take care of them."

"Gladly."

Chuck smiled but wanted to kiss her instead. Casey put his gun down but kept it close.

Chuck walked towards the seven that had all lined up in a straight line. They didn't show their faces but stood there like robots. Yang spoke in Thai and the seven shouted the same phrase. They moved in forming a circle and Chuck knew that they were about to flash and if they'd flashed like he did. Chuck scanned the seven and flashed on a fight pattern that took out the first two, then he made moves that took out the third but got blinded when two came from behind and hit him hard. It was like whatever Chuck did they knew the next step. Chuck figured out that there was a delayed response or the lead host which would have been him could maybe control the other Intersects. Chuck had to prove that his idea would work. Chuck threw a punch and stepped back as the punch landed on the face of one of the Thai militants. They fell down then got up but not before Chuck's foot kicked him hard knocking him against the wall. Four remained and Chuck took his hits but was still able to control the fight. He tried it again making moves and throwing punches that confused the four making them hit each other and when they faced Chuck, he threw a hard punch or threw them hard against the wall. One remained and he was taller and broader than the other six. Chuck tried to get ahead but his punches weren't as strong or precise. His face was tired of receiving punches and he saw Sarah staring at him worried, and Casey was not egging him on like he thought he would and then there was Bryce who now saw the results of his efforts to keep the Intersect safe. Chuck thought to himself. 'Was it worth it?"

Chuck looked at his options and knew he was not a fighter and that he could use this for good just like it was intended for, that he had the power and the control to make it better than Orion had ever thought off. Chuck scanned the room and knew that fighting him was like fighting an equal, but nerd smart was one thing that this guy didn't have. Chuck saw a puddle near by and nodded to Bryce and motioned to him to grab the booster cables. Chuck moved towards the puddle then stepped over it and stood on the other side. The lone militant came closer fist up and ready to fight. Chuck raised his hands and as the man stepped forward Bryce tossed the cables into the puddle. The man jolted and shook in his boots then collapsed. Bryce shut the power off as Chuck kneed the man as he fell backwards.

Quinn looked at Yang as she started to leave. Sarah pulled her gun and made her stop. Ting started to run but ran into Casey's large hand. Casey raised his arm with Ting holding onto his wrist squirming like a gopher in a trap. Bryce went after Quinn.

New safe house

Sarah taped up Chuck face and cleaned him up and helped him with his shirt. Casey had poured three glasses. Chuck sat down and laid back, as Sarah passed him his glass she sat at the other end. They still hadn't heard from Bryce. Chuck feared that if Quinn talked then his secret was out there. That there would be more people coming after him. That this nightmare wouldn't be over anytime soon.

Chuck dozed off but woke up when he heard Sarah and Casey talking to someone. Chuck got up and held his ribs and walked towards the noise and saw Bryce at the door. Sarah turned to face Chuck. "Hear him out." Then she kissed his lips. Bryce saw but he knew that Sarah wanted him to see it. Casey stayed close by. Chuck tried to stand straight but gave up.

"Quinn?"

"Taken care of. Floating in the Chao Phraya River. They will find him by morning and will be looking at Yang. But I need to go into hiding."

"You three are safe. I spoke to Beckman along with Casey and Sarah and I am going to go dark and bring an end to Fulcrum and anyone else that might be coming after the Intersect."

Chuck wasn't convinced. "Chuck, I know that you don't like me very much but you may find it hard to believe that I am still loyal to the CIA and what it stands for. And I did this all for you."

Chuck looked at Bryce and he finally saw Bryce the man he met back in Stanford, the one he called friend, the one he knew before all of this happened."

Chuck was shocked when Bryce extended his hand. Chuck extended his and they shook hands. Bryce walked to the door. "Bryce, who is Orion?"

Bryce turned around. "Another story, another chapter and another time."

But?"

"Trust me, in time."

Those words hit Chuck hard as Bryce opened the door and walked out. As the door closed Chuck knew that it was Bryce's way of apologizing.

Sarah came up to him and held him close as Casey grunted a number 26, I'm glad this is over and that your okay, that we are all okay.

Chuck and Sarah walked back in and saw an envelope. Sarah picked it up and turned it around. It read thanks. Sarah opened it up and saw a key card. "What's this?"

"Key card."

"For what?"

Sarah opened the piece of paper and read; I can't use it now so go ahead. You can stop there on your way home. Take a few days. Enjoy. My treat. Bora Bora.'

"Wow! Could we? I mean it is on the way home." Chuck excited.

Sarah laughed. Casey looked at Chuck and Sarah. "He's your responsibility I'm going home. Sarah faced Chuck as their lips met and for the first time they didn't care if Casey knew or saw.

A few days later

Chuck felt better but his face was all sorts of colours and his head was heavy but the fear he had – had lessen since Quinn was taken care of and that threat was shut down. Chuck and Sarah slipped into another section of the airport as Casey headed to catch a red eye to LA. It would only be less than a week but as Chuck sat in his seat he wondered if it was Bryce's way of saying he was sorry. Sarah closed the overhead door above their seats and sat down and saw Chuck waiting hand. They let go briefly to buckle up but returned holding hands.

Bora Bora was another first for the two of them, or what they chose to see other than the four walls of their suite.