xxxXXXxxx

Chuck's heart went out to Casey, then it sank, and as it did he felt a panic rise. John Casey, soldier-NSA agent-trained killer, is coming for me. He turned to Sarah, gulped, and asked, "Ok, I believe you, so what do we do?"

"We have to run."

~o~o~O~o~o~

"Ellie." Chuck said his sister's name barely above a whisper. Only one word, but brimming with despair. Sarah understood his meaning and the full weight of what she had dropped on him by telling him they should run.

"Chuck, the best way to keep Ellie safe is to keep her in the dark. Just contacting her, even if you told her nothing of what we're doing, if they thought she might have learned where you were heading–"

Chuck had lowered his chin. "I know, I know." His head came up with a wan smile. "I've already had my dress rehearsal for this moment thanks to Fulcrum."

Sarah looked at Chuck, pained by what she saw in his eyes. She desperately wanted to buoy his spirits. "Don't forget, I may be wrong and you could be back with Ellie and your friends before you know it." I hope I'm wrong about all of this, but I don't think I am.

"Yeah." Chuck stared into Sarah's eyes for a long moment. But you're not wrong, are you. "Tell me what to do, before I lose my nerve."

~oOo~

Casey sat in the SUV on the side of the road. He had pulled off in order to change out of his tactical gear and into his Buy More green polo and khakis (not easy for a man of his size even in the spacious backseat of the SUV) and to make the call to Chuck. As he wrestled with his clothes he had remembered a time a while back driving with the team, he at the wheel, Chuck in the front passenger seat, and Sarah writhing in the back trying to change into her Weinerlicious getup. The poor kid, he tried, he really tried not to look. Casey almost smiled, but the present situation flooded back in and snuffed the pleasant memory.

Casey opened a new NSA proprietary app on his cellphone, punched in a PIN and waited a couple moments. The screen refreshed showing coordinates and a map image with the Burbank Buy More sitting at its center. Chuck's location confirmed, thanks to his watch with its built-in tracker. A search that previously required a computer, Casey could now retrieve on his phone. Chalk one up for nerds, Casey thought with grudging respect.

~oOo~

Chuck had taken off his watch and laid it on the workbench along with his cellphone, as Sarah had instructed. The watch for sure and the phone possibly were means by which Casey could track him and so had to be abandoned. Sarah had explained that leaving them here might buy them a little more time –if Casey searched remotely and saw that the watch, phone or both were located where he expected Chuck to be, Casey might decide he need not rush to the Buy More. The more time that passed before Casey knew Chuck had lammed, the more distance Sarah could put between them and Casey or any other pursuers Beckman and Graham may dispatch.

"Okay, Chuck, we need to get moving. There's some things out in your store I want to grab and then we need to get somewhere difficult for the CIA or NSA to pick up our trail." Sarah glanced once more at the disabled camera, knowing they would shortly be exposed to surveillance out in the store, but speed was now paramount.

Chuck was perplexed. 'Things' in the store? He however let it pass without a word. He picked up a Buy More laptop used for diagnostics along with its cord from the workbench and waggled it for Sarah to see. "In case we need some computing power. Let's stop at my locker so I can drop this into my bag." She nodded and the two rapidly walked through the doorway that was in the direction of the employee lockers.

~.~.~

The doors from the retail floor swung open and Jeff's head poked into the stockroom. "Hello nice ice cream lady. I'm ready for my soft serve. Chuck? Chuck's girlfriend? Are you still here?" Jeff had been walking and talking and found himself in the cage, but there was no sign of Chuck or his out-of-Chuck's-league-he-must-be-paying-for-it (at least that's what Lester said) girlfriend. He was about to head back to the retail floor when his eyes found something to focus on: a digital watch laying on the workbench alongside a cellphone. Ooo, fancy! Jeff's head shot up like a prairie dog on high alert, and he looked about. He decided there was no harm in putting the watch on to see how it looked. He was pleased. No harm in wearing it for a little while, just a test drive that's all. He strolled back towards the doors he came through while staring at his new watch, the soft serve forgotten.

Morgan entered, passing through the doors just as Jeff was heading in the opposite direction, the two brushing shoulders. "Jeff, is Chuck back here? Jeff?" Jeff was absorbed with his wrist and did not respond, then he was on the other side of the doors. "Ooohkaaay." Morgan called out, "Chuck! Where are you? Lester said you were back here. Man, that dude has a bee in his bonnet today. He's in a real pissy mood… pissier than usual. Crazy because he's got reason to celebrate. Oh yeah, Chuck, putting me in charge of picking the next assistant manager, well… I may have made a big mistake. Huge, actually. Chuck?"

Not seeing Chuck, Morgan decided a quick phone call would be the fastest way to find him. He pulled out his cellphone and pressed the speed dial for Chuck (in spot two, right after Morgan's mom, but it had been a close thing). The call was ringing, and then horns were playing somewhere in the stockroom. Morgan followed the ringtone to the cage. Chuck's phone sat there on the workbench, but no Chuck. Chuck must have forgotten his phone back here after finishing up some work. Morgan scooped up the cellphone and put it into his pants pocket so he could return it to his buddy as soon as he found him. He turned and went back out the way he came to the retail floor.

And there was Chuck, standing by the Nerd Herd desk. Sarah was also there, the two close to each other discussing something intently. Morgan could see Jeff along one wall seemingly cornered by a customer with questions. There was no sign of Lester. As Morgan walked towards Chuck he saw Sarah point in the direction of, and then take off at a brisk walk for, the home theater room. Chuck had just plopped his messenger style bag on the desk and was spinning around as Morgan reached him.

"Chuck! There you are. I was looking for you. Oh, hey, I fou–"

Chuck interrupted. "Hold that thought Morgan, I have to get something." Without waiting for an answer, Chuck took off quickly towards the computer accessories section. Morgan stood by the desk, words still on his tongue, watching his friend quickly rifle through the laptop computer carrying cases before grabbing a large, heavily padded model and rapidly walking to the home theater room. Chuck entered, closing the door behind him. Morgan was baffled. Huh, I don't remember the curtains all being drawn closed before Sarah went in there.

~.~.~

"Sarah, I've got…"

Sarah's head shot up, determination –and a measure of worry– on display. Chuck was momentarily frozen in place by her look and what lay open before him: Sarah crouched before the coffee table, its hidden compartment that held two pistols, magazines and extra rounds of ammunition exposed. Sarah's expression softened some, relieved that it was not someone else stumbling into the room.

"Uh, I've got a case. Lots of padding and extra pockets like you wanted." Chuck's eyes were fixed on the small arsenal as he handed her the bag.

~.~.~

"Morgan!"

Morgan closed his eyes and drew in a calming breath as he levered himself off the Nerd Herd desk that he had just leaned against. Lester. What was Chuck thinking, trusting my methods? He turned to face the approaching freshly appointed assistant manager.

"I see you're being your usual productive self." Lester tugged his vest, straightening it. "Don't you have some work you could be doing?"

"Yeah, in just a minute. I'm waiting for Chuck to finish up with Sarah so I can talk with him."

"Humph. 'Finish up' indeed. Those two are still in the back?"

"Back? No, they went into the home theater room."

Lester's nostrils flared. "Is there no corner of the Buy More those two won't defile?"

Morgan again took note of the home theater room's closed curtains and nodded admiringly. Then he wondered aloud, "What exactly do those two use the computer case for?"

Lester's stare was locked on the home theater room. "Well, as the new assistant manager, I think I need to take control of this situation before it gets, well, out of control." He straightened his back, trying to find a bit more height. "I'm… I'm… I'm going to tell Big Mike. Yes! And then Chuck's gonna get it."

As Lester started off towards Big Mike's office, Morgan muttered under his breath, "Good luck with that. Big Mike is on a pastry run."

Lester halted and turned back. "What did you say?"

"Me?" Morgan asked with his best innocent voice. "Nothing." Just then a muffled trumpeting emitted from his pants.

Morgan jammed his hand into his pocket and pulled out Chuck's ringing phone. Yikes, it's Big Mike! Morgan, his eyes wide and innocent act faltering, looked at Lester. Lester's eyes narrowed as he met Morgan's stare.

Morgan hastily fumbled with the phone's silent mode switch and jammed the phone into the bottom of Chuck's bag, then gave Lester a weak smile. Lester hesitated for a moment longer then stormed off towards Big Mike's office.

~.~.~

Sarah had already removed one pistol's silencer and finished doing the same to the other. She weighed the pistol in her hand, assessed it. She looked up at Chuck. No, I won't ask him to carry this. She took the computer case and loaded it with the weapons and accessories. She would have liked more equipment than what was here and knew there was a stocked armory in the base below the Orange Orange, but it was too risky to go there. This, plus the few supplies –money, preloaded debit cards, phony ID, burner phone, some changes of clothes– she had stashed where they would be heading next would have to do. Done, she closed the table's now empty compartment and stood, case in hand, to join Chuck. "Let's go."

"I left my bag on the counter with Morgan. You can get your car while I grab it and tell him… something. Gosh I hate this. The last thing I may ever say to my best friend will be some lie."

"I'm not letting you out of my sight, Chuck, but I'll head to the front doors and wait for you there."

~.~.~

Morgan watched Lester enter Big Mike's office then looked back to the home theater room. Chuck and Sarah had stepped out, and Chuck was coming straight for him at a brisk pace. Morgan let loose with a frantic ramble as soon as he thought Chuck was close enough to hear without Morgan needing to shout.

"Chuck, you gotta watch out, Lester is gunning for you."

"Yeah, there's a lot of that going around."

"Uh, okay." Morgan shook his head. "That Lester. Chuck, what were you thinking, trusting my methods? I don't know what to do with that sort of responsibility! Look what happened, I go and make the one person sure to get drunk on power the assistant manager!" Although, I have to give it to Lester. He really took it to Jeff in the final duel, even Big Mike would have been impressed. "Oh yeah, I think Big Mike is looking for you, he tried–"

"Morg, sorry, but I need to go. Right now." Chuck grabbed his bag from the desk and slung it over his shoulder. "Listen, I'll be gone for a few days, maybe more. It's, uh, a spur of the moment type thing."

"Romantic getaway?"

"Something like that. And very secluded so I won't be able to call or email. I don't have time to explain to Ellie. If she asks, please tell her that all you know is I'm ok and… I love her."

"Uh, yeah, sure." Morgan was far from sure. "What about your shifts?"

Chuck reached out and clasped his hands on his friend's shoulders. "I'll worry about that later. Another favor, if anyone other than Ellie asks about me, tell them you don't know where I am or what I'm doing. And don't mention I'm with Sarah. That includes Casey. Especially Casey."

Morgan searched Chuck's face and then gave a small nod. Chuck whirled away. Morgan was still processing everything that Chuck had said, as Chuck left through the front doors with Sarah.

~oOo~

Casey was making a quick lap around the Buy More. He had parked by the loading dock when arriving and first looked for Chuck in the cage. The computers in need of repair had been present, but no Bartowski. Out on the retail floor he had found one white shirt, Anna, and although she knew that Chuck was supposed to be working, she did not know where he was. Casey had also approached Morgan when he found him in the breakroom. Morgan had been more peculiar than usual, seemingly anxious while denying knowing anything about Chuck's whereabouts. Casey had given serious consideration to throttling Grimes. Sure, the halfwit bearded gnome probably knew nothing, but a little physicality would have been therapeutic.

Casey again scanned the retail floor. Still no Bartowski. Where is the kid? He shook his head. No, the target, where is the target. Casey pulled out his phone and opened the locator app. After a moment the app refreshed. Chuck was… at Bennigan's. Bennigan's? Although surprised, Casey's agita abated. Chuck was close, only a quick jaunt from the Buy More. Casey would need to get Chuck away from that public space, which he figured would be easy enough to do, and then…

~oOo~

Bennigan's was crowded, the sign by the entrance announcing drink specials that were probably partially responsible for the numbers and revelry. Casey was in no mood for either. After a couple moments his eyes finally picked out a Buy More white button down shirt and tie. Actually a pair of them in a booth: Lester and Jeff. Casey let out a long, irritated grunt. Why would Chuck leave his shift early to go hang out with those two jackasses? Casey worked through the crowd and stepped up to the booth, bracing for the spike in his blood pressure he was virtually certain the two would trigger.

"John! Here to celebrate my promotion –well deserved if I do say so myself– to assistant manager? Sure to be just one of many steps up the corporate ladder for yours truly. Please, join us!" Lester was beaming. He was clearly getting his money's worth from the discount cocktails.

Casey slipped into the booth next to Jeff and across from Lester. "I'm looking for Bartowski."

Some of the good cheer seeped from Lester's face. "Why would I want that under-achiever here to rain on my parade? It's just Jeff and me."

Jeff looked at Casey, his head lolling a bit. "No time like the present to get polluted."

"Exactly. John, forget about Chuck, have a few drinks with us here. Once we get our buzz on we can head back to my place, open some white zin and break out the greatest board game ever conceived."

Casey looked skeptically between Lester and Jeff. "You two idiots play chess? Go?"

"Oh, John, how droll. Those sad old games? No, no, no, please. I'm talking about Settlers of Catan. The ultimate board game of resources, settlement building and bartering."

Jeff listed towards Casey and rested his hand on Casey's shoulder. Casey shot him a look. "Yeah, Casey, we'll have fun. I can give you my wood for your–"

Casey grabbed Jeff's hand like a cobra snatching a vole, pulling it from his shoulder while giving a twist that folded it back painfully. "Finish that sentence and die horribly." A surprised, squelched squeak escaped from Jeff's mouth as he quickly shut his trap. Casey was on the verge of releasing Jeff's hand when his focus settled on Jeff's wrist. Casey instead yanked the hand closer. "What the hell?"

"Easy, John," Lester said, placatingly, "Are you more of a Ticket to Ride kinda guy?"

Casey ignored Lester and put his face close to Jeff's. "Where'd you get this watch?"

"Ow! Whoa! It's, it's just a watch I found!"

Casey growled, "It's Chuck's watch."

"Yeah, okay, but he wasn't wearing it. He left it just sitting there in the middle of the workbench. When I couldn't find him and Sarah– Hey! I remembered her name."

Casey's anger gave way to alarm. "Sarah was there? When?"

"Yes," Lester interjected, his tone laced with panic. "She arrived right after Chuck clocked in. He'd barely started his shift before they snuck off to be alone and do God knows what. Although I've got a pretty good idea."

Casey stood up and without another word hustled off towards the restaurant's exit, putting his cellphone to his ear.

Casey was outside the restaurant when his call connected. On the other end, General Beckman spoke. "Hello, Major, can I safely assume you're calling to report that the task has been completed?"

Casey drew in a deep breath. "General, we may have a problem."

~oOo~

The ride in the Porsche had been nearly silent. Chuck had fought the urge to bombard Sarah with a hundred questions after leaving the Buy More. Sarah had said little, her focus on the road, balancing an urge to floor it with prudence. Being pulled over now by the Highway Patrol could be disastrous. As Chuck reined in his internal freak out, unspoken question after unspoken question became unimportant, until there was just one. Ask her. It's not just me. There's... something here. There has to be. Right? Ask her and then I can tell her how I feel. Stay strong.

"Why are you doing this? Risking everything you worked so hard for."

Sarah stole a glance at him. Stop hiding behind the job and tell him. Her mouth opened then clamped shut as her eyes returned to the road. Coward. "It's my job to protect you. Because after everything you've done for this country you deserve–"

"Oh, right, the job." Chuck slumped slightly, then he turned to look out the passenger side window. Words that were on the tip of his tongue died there. I'm such a chicken.

There had been a pregnant moment from Chuck, Sarah was nearly certain of it. "Chuck, what is it?"

"Nothing."

xxxXXXxxx

A/N: There's a scene in S4:E5 "Chuck vs the Couch Lock" where Lester and Jeff invite Casey to join them to drink zinfandel and play the collectible card game Magic: the Gathering. On a show that glorified nerdom, that mention of M:tG was nerdiness on steroids. The Bennigan's scene here is a nod to that. The Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride mentions will hopefully be entertaining to folks who play designer/Euro-style board games. For others, probably less so (sorry). The lines at the end starting with "Why are you doing this" and ending with "you deserve" are taken, near verbatim (with some rearrangement), from S2:E21 "Chuck vs the Colonel."