Past Redemption
This story will mainly be from Sarah's point of view. It takes place mid S2 after Sarah gives Chuck his Diploma and will cover her past and how sometimes the past needs to silenced once and for all. Still 100% Charah. So, enjoy and let me know what you think?
CHAPTER 2
Looking at her bags she pulled out one of her favourite pictures of her and Chuck. He was wearing his burgundy shirt and he had his arms around her. They had just got back from meeting with Montgomery when the sun was finally shining and Chuck being Chuck said to Casey, take a picture. Sarah laughed outwardly but inside was instant mush and who knew that hours later she's be almost making out with him in his dining room. Smiling she slipped the picture back into her black leather jacket and doubled checked that she had her passports. She arranged them by aliases and when to use them and when to go back using Sarah Walker. She had her original passport with her real name; Samantha Lisa Munoz, then her other known names: Jenny Burton, Cadee Simon, Elana Truffaut, and finally Sarah Walker. She added her in a pinch passport, that Chuck and Casey had put together when they had to leave a country quickly or when her and Chuck played a married couple. Sarah Carmichael, Sarah Johnson, Christina Andrews. Slipping them into her side pocket of her carrying on, she took one last look and slipped out grabbing a cab.
LA – Two weeks later
Chuck stood by the main doors of the Buy More and had done that routine of staring out to the parking lot for the last few weeks and knew that something wasn't right. It started to wain on Chuck, always asking Casey day after day, even if he knew where she was, as on cue he always told him that she was taking some personal days. Personal days was one or two days, this was now going on weeks. It wasn't that Casey was telling him a lie but to hear the same things over and over after what they had shared weeks ago, he thought that they had gotten past the lying. Walking back Casey looked up and actually felt bad for the kid, but he had to stay loyal to Sarah by keeping that promise but also making sure that Chuck was safe.
Chuck walked past the large screen TV's and was stopped by a commercial advertising trips to Europe. He watched and knew that he had always wanted to go to Europe after he finished school but never got around to it. As the commercial ended, the thought of going was even more of possibility. Looking around and seeing that things were quiet he slipped out and walked over to the travel agency, grabbing some brochures slipping them into his back pocket, then into his bag in his locker. After shift he headed home and checked his bank account. He had saved up a lot of his Buy More cheques, and with some benefits with working for the CIA; his investments, that he 'sort of flashed on', allowed him to invest and make some money. But he wasn't going to tell Uncle Sam that. He sat at his computer and searched Euro trips and how much it would cost, he checked every detail, planes, trains and rentals, whether to stay at a hotel, hostel or just find somewhere quiet. He had called in sick and borrowed Awesome's car and headed to another travel agency that Ellie suggested. They had a long talk the night before and she supported his decision to go and better yet his decision to quit the Buy More. But no mention of Sarah. She never asked and he never said.
Chuck sat at his computer and typed up an itinerary so Ellie would have an idea where he was going but he had to find a way to go and not let Casey know that he was leaving. He hoped that he would be well on his way before Casey figured it out that he had quit and left the country. This time Chuck had to think like a spy and hide like one as well. Chuck hacked into the airline and made a false manifest with his real name on it and bought a ticket using one of his credit cards point systems, air miles were now coming in handy. He chose to use one of his favourite aliases to get him to Europe it was a name that Sarah had given him, and it stuck besides Charles Carmichael, Orlando Spencer was what Sarah gave him, sexy but sophisticated. He tossed his passports on his bed and grabbed his backpack from the halls' back closet. He hadn't used his travel backpack since he came back home from Stanford. He packed for both winter and summer, looking at his bag, he was ready to go.
Walking back to his computer, he wrote up his resignation letter and by morning had dropped if off. Big Mike wasn't too pleased, and Chuck couldn't tell Morgan, so Big Mike said he would. Chuck slipped out the back.
Belgium – present day
Sarah had checked off another lead and felt that she had made some progress, but she still didn't know if Hunter Davidson was behind sending the photos. She had tracked down the tattoo artist that had done the tattoo on the woman after showing the blurry image around Europe's tattoo parlors. But the guy she needed to talk to had gone on a 'smoke break' and should be back with in the hour. So, Sarah sat at a coffee bar waiting to talk to the artist. Waiting she stared at the photo again and hoped that he knew who it was, and when it was done. It was a signature tattoo and Sarah knew that tattoo artists are like fingerprints, they leave their mark or have a style that is just their own, so fingers crossed.
Sarah took her last swig when she saw the guy finally walked by. Slipping out she headed across the street. The artist was hanging up his jacket when he paused seeing her walk in. "Well Hallo?" He stared at her from head to toe and Sarah knew what he was thinking. "Wat kan I ik voor jou doen."
"You can help me with this?"
Sarah showed him the photo. He looked at it then looked at her back side. "Mijn ogen zijn heirboven!" "My eyes are up here!"
The guy looked back at the photo. "Do you know who this person is that you drew this tattoo on?"
In not so bad English, the guy looked at Sarah. "Maybe I do maybe I don't?"
Sarah asked nicely again. Again, the guy turned into a creep. So, Sarah asked him one more time. "Do you know who this woman is that you tattooed this image on and what exactly is the image?"
The guy make a crude remark and Sarah grabbed his hand and twisted it. The guy screamed. "Your breaking my hand?"
"I asked you nicely." He started to struggle; Sarah twisted even more than before. "Well are you going to tell me?"
When he called her the B word Sarah slammed his face into the counter, blood everywhere, then threw him back into the nearest chair and pressed her knee into his throat. Pulling out her gun, preventing the others from breaking up the party. "Okay, her name is Sasha Olenko and the tattoo is of a phoenix and a sword. It was request and drawn up by a man name Davidson."
"When?"
"About 4 years ago, I was in Prague and I met him, and Sasha and this guy said the next time that he was here in Brussels he would get a tattoo and she would get one as well." Sarah couldn't remember if he had a tattoo or not, when they were together. "Where did he have it placed?"
"Back left shoulder blade and she got it on her right upper leg. Same tattoo."
Sarah backed off and the guy wiped his nose with the back of his hand. Sarah turned around. The guy put his hands up in front of his face. "One more thing?"
"Anything?"
"Have you seen him since?"
The guy put his hands down. "The last I heard he was still in Prague but that was months ago, you could check out a place called Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, lot of big rich guys go there, or men who want to become rich."
Sarah walked out grabbing a candy sucker from the counter.
Heading back to her hotel she grabbed her file and crossed off another lead and grabbed the photo and wrote on the side, phoenix and sword/Davidson same tattoo.
Sarah did a search on the name Sasha Olenko and when Sarah saw that she looked a lot like her, it made sense to why he would use her but why frame her. Sasha was shorter and her hair was darker than hers, but if needed to she could easily pull off her look with a stylish reddish brown wig. Sarah searched Sunny Beach Bulgaria, it was a resort town on the Black Sea. Looking into places she could stay she found a small rental apartment/condo over looking the promenade. 'Could work Walker, you just have to find out if he is really there?'
Sarah clicked on her email and clicked on some emails from Casey. Typing back, she let him know that she had found out what the tattoo was and who owned it and if he could look into her old handler Hunter Davidson. Sarah clicked on Casey's reply to the mystery man who dropped off the envelope. Sarah continued to read, 'he was found dead from an apparent self inflicted gun shot', but when Casey arrived, at his place it was ransacked and it was obvious that there was a struggle. Interesting that all the cameras were turned the other way. Sarah read on. 'I found a casing, and had it analysed and got a print of a man named Tatum Olenko who also had ties with the same insurance company as Donaldson. Hope this helps.'
Sarah grabbed her notes and wrote down the name Tatum Olenko. Looking back at Sasha's page and checking any and all info on her, she found out that she had two brothers named Tatum, and Nikola Olenko. Sarah clicked on the images and brought up the photos and printed them. Grabbing a sandwich, she looked at the printed photos and scanned the background, going back to her laptop she zoomed in and got a glimpse of Hunter. Sarah printed the zoomed image and zoomed out and checking the date of when it was posted. 'Thanks, Chuck, for the computer lessons'. It surprised her that she had thought of him now, because of this moment but she had to trudge on memories or not. Looking for more clues, she saw that nightstalker420 posted some photos the night of August 23, 2001. Sarah typed in nightstalker420 and found that this person had posted several other photos on the nightclubs page. Getting the address, she had to check the place out and she knew who she could take with her. Maybe she'll' be lucky and find him, but was she ready?
"Walker, its that you?"
"It is but it's Cadee Simon."
"Oh boy, really? Why?"
"Long story, where are you?"
"Just finishing up in Munich, why?"
"Want to know if you wanted to go clubbing."
"Always up for a party. I can be there in a few days?"
"Ok I will text you my location."
"Ok blondie, see you in a few days."
England
Chuck flew into Heathrow and waited for his backpack. He waited and hailed a cab to take him to his hotel. Sitting down and trying to stay awake a little while longer. He checked his watch after deciding to leave his watch in one of the Nerd Herders. At least, it would look like that he was busy, doing installs would give him a few days before Casey would want to know what he had been up to. Trying to talk to him about Sarah, was a waste of time for both of them. But if Big Mike told Morgan that he quit, Morgan would go to directly to Casey and ask why which would make Casey go all CASEY and hunt him down. Checking the GPS on the Nerd Herder it had been driving all around LA for the last 24 hours and had not arrived back to the Buy More. Chuck coughed it up as a plus. Checking his notifications, he closed the app and checked his itinerary. '1 week in London, take the train to Edinburgh spend a week there, then back on the train to Amsterdam, train leaves there to Belguim 3x week, Maybe head to Germany and Berlin, Auschwitz. Fly to Norway, Sweden, Denmark then maybe head south to Austria, Switzerland. That should take me to early or mid August, planning to be back to LA by.' Chuck looked out the window. 'Why rush back, there's nothing there, except Ellie and Devon and they are super busy and without me there are no missions.' Chuck threw in his towel and crashed.
Belgium – two days later
Sarah checked the peephole and opened the door slowly, there stood Carina wearing a fake feather boa and leather jacket, large Prada sunglasses and an expensive roller style suitcase. Sarah smiled and opened the door even more. Carina walked in and removed her sunglasses, placing them on the table. Turning she gave Sarah a hug. "Ok blondie, where's the wine cause we have a lot to talk about."
Sarah grabbed the wine and two glasses from the bathroom tray and sat down on the couch. "So, when did this all start?"
"A couple of weeks ago. This envelope was delivered." Sarah passed the envelope to Carina. Carina opened it and took a look. "And you think that Hunter is behind this?"
"Maybe, who else would have pictures of this specific mission and this photo which happened but its not me sitting on that guys lap?"
"Definitely not you Walker, but whoever modified the photo had to recreate everything then photo shop your face on hers? So, who is she? Her name is Sasha Olenko, Hunter's girlfriend."
"Before or after you?"
"After, I think, but who knows?"
"He and I were a mistake and if I could change that I would."
"Blondie, you were young, naïve and he took advantage of you. I can see why you fell hard, he's not bad to look at?"
"No, he's not but it didn't take long to go from me to Sasha."
"So, he was you handler then partner then your…so what, we all have been there."
"Yeah, I know." As her voice started to trail off, she took a sip. "I then noticed that he had started to take on missions that weren't sanctioned by MI6 or the CIA. He had me do some things that I felt were against my moral code. Then looking back he did have a way with words that made me believe that what I was doing with him was right. Then we we slept together…."
"What he did was wrong, he played you."
"Besides that, I started to notice changes in his reports, much different than what I had written in mine, like name changes, times, locations. Especially around the time that this photo was taken."
"The one with her on this guy's lap?" Sarah nodded.
"One afternoon I slipped out of bed and walked around his apartment and noticed that he had some files open on his desk. I'm not sure what made me look further but I saw that there was a copy of an insurance claim form with the name Ansil Petrov on it. When I looked at the bottom someone had written in handwriting that it was only valid upon death. I wrote the name down and slipped it into my bra and got dressed. I made it look like I left, and I waited outside for him to leave. I followed him and saw him hooking up with someone that gave him a file and an envelope full of cash. He had a few shots with the guy and then left. I watched him head back up to his apartment. Half hour later he left again, leaving me a voice message that he, was sorry that I left and would like to meet for breakfast. So, I headed back inside and looked for that envelope. I found it in a false drawer in his desk. I opened it up and there was around 10,000 dollars in there with a note, that said more to follow. Then I looked at the papers and it was a plan to take care of man name Ansil Petrov.
"So why the interest?"
"Hunter's quick cash had a huge price tag to it. As I looked more into it, he wanted something that this man Ansil Petrov had and in order for it to pay off, I am guessing that Hunter had to get something on someone, high enough to help make it happen. So, in order to make it work for him he showed me a file, all fake of course, but back then it looked real. The file was on a man named Viktor Zolotov who was running to be the newest Russian Minister of Internal affairs. We were in London, so why would London be interested in the Russian Minister of Internal Affairs?"
"Like you said to get something on him, if he had Zolotov in his back pocket, he could do anything or want anything and not get caught because of what he had on him?"
"That's what I thought, so when I went to our supervisor, and he said that if Hunter had something, then it had to be legit. I went back to my desk and checked the who's who list that was on MI6's radar, but no one was interested in Internal Affairs or Russia's IA at this time. But Hunter was convincing and I did what I was told to do. I looked at the file and Hunter had already had photos and phone calls discussing everything from drug deals, to selling items on the black market. Now he said that MI6 needed some incriminating photos. I was told to pretend to seduce him, get him to tell me what the combination was to his safe and that was it. So, I did what I had to do, make him think that he was getting lucky. I got him drunk enough so he would tell me what I wanted. We headed upstairs, got the combo and then drugged him with the ring in the neck trick. I grabbed my jacket and left."
"So Hunter then came back with Sasha to take these photos and slap your face on hers." Carina looked up as Sarah regretfully nodded. "So it looked like Hunter got what he wanted, make it look like Zolotov was mixed up with a call girl but didn't want to be associated with any of it so he altered the photo, made it look like you were the one that was in with Zolotov, destroy his life. Hunter used the photos to make Zolotov be at his beckon call. But the heat was never on him, making you the bad guy. But why does he need Ansil?"
"I don't know, unless he has something on him as well? He makes Zolotov think that he slept with a prostitute, show him the same photos, hang it over his head but why send me the same ones?"
"He knows that you know, and whatever he was promised by Ansil I guess he hasn't collected yet. Someone is standing in his way and that person is you. Even if he sent you those photos how did he find out that you were in LA? Did the envelope have your name on it?"
"No."
"So he had to have someone tracking you down."
"I can check with Beckman to see if my cover is intact. But she would have said something when I showed her the photos?"
"Yeah, she would have said something, so it has to be Hunter. He has somehow found out where you where. And being desperate, he used the photos to lure you here."
"That is what I am thinking."
"So that is why we are going clubbing then?" Sarah sat up. "If Hunter is using these pictures to lure me out in the open, I thought that we would play a little hard ball by making things harder for someone he cared for."
"So we go after Sasha?"
"In time but I need to know if he was the one who sent the photos and if he is in really town?"
"And let's say you do, then what, its not like you have anything on him do you?"
Sarah got up and brought back a pile of note pads. "This is what I have on him. And I'm not sure if it is enough."
"It's all in code?"
"Yeah, I am working on it to decipher it. I had to write it down somehow but not to make it easy for anyone to figure out."
"You have your reports?"
"Yes but remember he altered his so mine wouldn't have a leg to stand on especially if he using these photos to take the heat off him."
"So where is this Viktor Zolotov?"
"Still in Government, I think. And probably still watching his back for Hunter to call in that favour?"
"So he may not even know that this is happening? And what about Ansil and this insurance?" Sarah looked at Carina. "We could go and find out what Ansil knows and Zoloto for that matter."
"Maybe we will but right now I need to be the prey and lure out Hunter." Sarah finished her glass.
Carina got up and walked over to her suitcase. "Sexy outfit or barely nothing outfit?"
"There's a difference?"
The two laughed and got ready. Carina walked back and forth in a towel grabbing her dress and heels and assorted bracelets and jewelry. Sarah slipped into the shower and grabbed a towel. Looking at Carina. "Which one blondie? Blue or black?"
"Neither."
"So, what are you going to wear? Your wardrobe is less than appealing, and you have nothing that is even close to expressing sexy secret agent."
Sarah walked out and chose the blue dress as Carina went for the purple one. Staring at the small bathroom mirror they zipped up each other dresses and slipped a few knives in places that were deadly enough. Sarah slipped her feet into a pair of high heels and joined Carina at the door. "So where are we going?"
"It's a place called Sunny Beach, where rich men and even richer wanna be's hang out."
"Perfect."
"So we keep an eye out for Hunter and or Sasha."
Carina nodded.
Sunny Beach
Sarah knew that Carina had her back and they had done tonnes of these kind of missions but this one was personal which made it harder to be objective. Strolling in the muscle at the door smiled and held the door open for them. They could feel the music thumping as they walked down the stairs. Carina gave her flirty response then followed Sarah. They walked the room and Carina raised her hands up in time with the music. Sarah kept her head on a swivel and motioned for Carina that she had found seat. Hopping up onto the high stools they glanced out towards the dance floor as it filled up when the next song came on. Carina ordered two glasses of white wine and checked the place out. Like Sarah said, Carina found the room to be mostly full of rich men and rich wanna be's. The rest seemed to be vacationers and locals out for a Friday night.
Carina enjoyed a few flirty attempts from some of the men and accepted a few dances with others, then Sarah joined her for a few. As one song ended another one followed. Heading back to their seats to grab something to eat, Sarah looked up thinking that she had gotten a glimpse of Hunter. Leaning over she pointed and Carina grabbed her purse and the two headed out. But when they reached the door the person, they assumed was Hunter had gotten into a car and drove off. Sarah frustrated with herself headed back to her hotel.
Sarah slipped out of her heels and tossed her dress grabbing a pair of shorts and a t shirt. Carina did the same. "At least we know that he's here?" Carina looked at Sarah. "If that was him?"
"We can see of there is a camera outside in the morning?"
"Yeah I guess."
Carina walked to the small fridge. "Got anything to eat?"
The following week
Sarah knew that keeping Carina with her was not getting the results she wanted. She hoped that with Carina being there they would be able to sniff out Hunter. It was like he had vanished or if he was even in town. Carina was able to get access to the security cameras at the club but the image she got was blurry, she did manage to get one of the guy Sarah thought was him walking in. Sarah looked at the printed copy and wonder 'why now, and why wouldn't he have found another way to get what he wanted.'
Sarah looked at her options and convinced Carina to go after Sasha and get her to talk. "Thanks for doing this?"
Carina stood in the same place she did when she arrived. This time her boa was pink. "I am here for you and always will. It's the least I can do."
"Again thanks. Sasha might be with one of her brothers or even both."
"Got it. You take care."
"I will."
Sarah watched her roll her suitcase down the hall and disappear.
Early morning LA present day
Casey answered quickly and seemed to be waiting for her call. Sarah let him know that Carina had just left and that they had a conformation on Hunter. "So, Carina is going to look for Sasha?"
"Yeah, she's not here and Hunter was here."
"Did he see you?"
"Don't think so and it has been quiet. I haven't been out much, and I haven't had any visitors. Been to the café and the local restaurant for meals and grocery store otherwise been laying low. What did you find out with a Tatum?"
"He's been spending money like he has any. So, someone is fitting the bill. He has been talking to someone at a payphone twice a day. That is where I am now. Someone calls him at exactly the same time everyday, he listens and hangs up. So I put an tracer on the call. Hang on, he just drove up."
Casey put Sarah on speaker as Casey adjusted the volume. Casey adjusted his camera.
"Morning."
"Morning." The other voice replied.
"Any news?"
"No, I haven't seen her, she's not at her work and the two guys she hangs out with haven't be around her place either."
"What about her work place?"
"Haven't been able to find out where she works."
"Anything at her hotel?"
"No, she left and that is all, there was nothing in her room, no papers, drives nothing."
"Okay I need you to pack up, and go find your sister. She's in Shanghai. I sent her there and I need her here. If Cadee isn't there, then she here asking questions."
"Will do."
Casey put down his head set. "Did you hear that?"
Sarah was right it was him and now he knows she is there. "Yeah I heard that."
"So he knows your there." "And I am ready for him."
Sarah continued to talk. "We know that the photos were altered, I do know that the tattoo is of a phoenix and a sword. Hunter has the same one. It was done about four years ago. Carina and I went to a club here and got a glimpse of Hunter but he hasn't seen me. I have been looking through my files and he was dealing with a man name Ansil Petrov and he wanted something from him, and someone had to die and the guy in the photo is now Russia's Minister of Internal Affairs. I am guessing he's dangling or did dangle the same photos over his head in order to look the other way."
"Using you?"
"Yeah."
"But, he could have done that years ago, why now?"
"That is what Carina and I were talking about. Why not come after me, then?"
"Maybe whatever he wanted he could only get now? You said that there was an insurance form?"
"What about it?"
"Find out who it belonged to and that might give you an idea to who or what Hunter is after."
"The only name was Ansil Petrov."
"Start there."
Two months later
Looking at her laptop, she had been gone for almost two months and it had been the longest she had been gone away from Chuck. But she knew that it was the right thing to do. There was no point in him knowing what was going on when she didn't have any more answers. Carina was still looking for Sasha in Shanghai in between her own missions and got a location but lost her, but she wasn't alone. So Sarah figured that her brother was there. Maybe she was on her way back if Hunter needed her here. Sarah sat down at her spot at the Americano Coffee Shop. It reminded her of home but mostly it allowed her to clear her head. It was a small coffee shop down the street from her rental. She found it after Carina had left. If Hunter knew that she was in town she had to keep moving. And this place the Prestige House was near everything she needed but it had a small but impacting impression on her. At certain times a day it reminded her of Chuck's apartment building. With its enclosed walkway and pool instead of the fountain, and its one way entrance in from the street. She spent her time using the wifi and to keep an eye on what went on in the area. He knows that she's been leaving crumbs and asking questions. She just wished that Chuck and Casey where there.
With gathering intel by yourself the days were long and the double guessing game usually won but when she started to see things that weren't there or seemed impossible, she knew that she needed a break.
Looking at her watch she counted the seconds as the town clock on the corner chimed 6:00 pm. Traffic had picked up and tourist were making their rounds to find places to eat. She knew she had to head back and enter her findings and see if her planted bug got any hits. Sarah scanned the sidewalk, then sat back lifting her hair off the back of her neck and putting it into a simple ponytail. It helped cool her off but when she saw a crowd of people walk in, she didn't expect to see one person in particular. She adjusted her eyes to make sure. The height was the same, hair color, facial hair not to sure and the sunglasses. Looking down seeing the backpack and a smaller carry on, it couldn't be, and she couldn't take the chance not here. Grabbing a napkin, she quickly wrote something down. Closing her laptop, she also noticed Ansil the one man she had been looking for but when she looked back it was either them or him. Sarah got up and if it had been planned, local police come screeching around chasing a fast moving car. People yell and scatter as the cars drive by. Sarah moves quickly not to be seen and drops the napkin at the table of the person she saw. He looks up and only sees the back of her as she disappears into the crowd.
Things settled as patrons sit back down to enjoy their coffees. Opening the napkin he sees what looked like gibberish but only one person he knew used this code, but how or why would she be here.
Chuck grabbed a pen and and looked at the letter 'CESGVTR UBHFR 12 OZBPXF RNFG EBBY 11 6' – Chuck hadn't used this type of decoding for a long time but it seemed to come back naturally. 'Prestige House 2 blocks East room 16'
Chuck grabbed his stuff and apologized to the worker who came to ask him what he wanted. He asked her where the Prestige House was. She pointed east. Chuck turned left.
Sarah rushed upstairs and avoided the elevator, grabbing her gun just in case it anyone but who she thought it is. If it was Chuck, he'd know how to decode it and would be over soon, if it wasn't him she was ready. Cocking her gun and checking another she waited. Chuck walked the sidewalk ending up at the Prestige House. His first impressions was, it reminded him of home. Walking in the enclosed gate he headed up stairs. He found room 12, 14 and finally room 16. He knocked. Sarah heard the knock and wished the place had a peep hole. Unlocking it as quietly as she could. Chuck tried the door knob and turned it. Sarah standing off to the side watched as the door opened and looking down, a familiar sight. Chuck edged his way in and closed the door. Sarah locked it and as Chuck turned around. "Why are you here?"
Sarah walked over and touched his face. "How did you find me?"
"I didn't know you were here. I just arrived here after taking a train from Austria. And after you left and after I got over the fact that you weren't coming back, I decided to take Ellie's offer to go back packing through Europe. I had planned on doing that when I finished at Stanford, but it didn't happen till you gave me my Diploma. Sarah remembered that day. "So why are you here?"
Sarah looked at him. "Let me look at you." Chuck stood there as Sarah put down her gun and looked at him. He looked at her as well. Placing her hand on his chest. She held them there for what seemed like a lifetime. "Talk to me, what's going on?"
Sarah looked up at him. Chuck grabbed her hands and held them. "Then tell me why?"
"Even longer story."
"Well I'm not going anywhere."
They stood still, it had been months and they both had lots to say and in time they would talk but this wasn't the time. Sarah looked up at him. Chuck loosened her ponytail and fingered her hair, spreading it over her shoulders. Keeping her eyes on him and whispering to him. "This is how the elevator should have ended."
Sarah touched his face and brought her lips to his. Chuck followed through and returned her kiss. It was like they had never missed a beat. Chuck broke the kiss to get a head start on his shoes as she helped with his shirt and jeans. Standing near her bed Chuck held her face in his hands and placed short kisses on her warm lips. Then he slowly moved to her shoulders giving them the same amount of attention. Lifting her shirt, he held her naked body close to his as she pushed him back onto the bed. Chuck's body encased hers as Sarah tried to get accustomed to having him so close. Caressing his back and getting in as many kisses as she could. She started to regret that wish she made months ago as she had trouble catching her breath. Chuck took him time, that is all he has but Sarah wanted more and wanted it fast. As she wrapped her legs around his hips, Chuck fell into her she remembered all those times, all those times that they fought their feelings, ignored the signs and those times they wished that the moment didn't have to end.
Chuck looked at her as his lips met hers, she knew that he was listening to her. He responded with the right touch, or whisper. Sarah held on as Chuck made love to her. She never knew that it would end up like this or if it could feel like it did. It was nothing she had ever experience and maybe she was able to feel something, to feel love and to be loved by a man like Chuck.
Sarah woke up and was thankful that it wasn't a dream. Even her dreams weren't as intense as this reality. Crawling out she reached for his shirt and walked to where he left his bag. Lifting the handle, it had some weight to it but the other suitcase, baffled her. She opens up his backpack and did some investigating and sees his rail pass and some brochures. See also sees his map of where he'd been and his journal. She browsed quickly only to see certain words that told her that he was thinking of her. Smiling she puts his stuff back and rejoined him in bed. Chuck woke up and turned to face her. He too thought that he was dreaming. But when Sarah pushed him back and slipped her shirt off, Chuck knew that it wasn't a dream. Sitting up he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hard. Sarah placed her legs on either side of him pressing her knees close to his hips. Chuck lifted her slightly as they start to move slowly. They were not in a rush and this time, they mentally took notes of what they liked and what they really liked. Sarah leaned in which made Chuck lay his face on her chest. He held her there till she pushed him back onto the bed. Sarah slid her hands up his chest and admired the view, she knows that he liked the view too. Sarah leans forward as they make love for a second time.
The next day
Chuck looked at the clock and was around 11. Sarah came back in from the bathroom. Sitting down she kissed him. "Morning."
"Morning."
"Did I wake you?"
"No." Sarah grabbed his hand. "Last night?"
"About that?"
"Yeah probably a mistake."
"No, Chuck it wasn't and don't think that." Chuck looked like he had done something wrong. "It wasn't a mistake, its just that I wasn't expecting to see you and when I did….it just progressed."
"Me too, this wasn't on my list of places to come to, but I met a older couple and they said that if I had some time and was heading south to check it out. So, I had a few days that I needed to fill in with something and I never figured that you'd be here. I thought that you were in DC?"
Sarah crawled over and sat with her knees bent and looked at Chuck. "I was in DC but not for what you thought or if you did."
"I didn't know why you left, and Casey didn't say anything but reminded me that you were taking some personal days but after a few weeks I knew that it wasn't completely true. You wanted out."
Sarah titled her head then leaned in and kissed him. "I told you that I would never leave you, but something came up and l couldn't tell you."
"But you could tell Casey."
Chuck got up and grabbed his boxers. Walking to the window. "Yes and no. I knew that Casey would understand what was happening."
"I would too?"
Sarah crawled out of bed and walked over and slid her arms around his. "Chuck I didn't know how to tell you or if I should, I am still trying to find the answers."
"What is so secretive that you had to leave and not say goodbye."
Chuck turned around and saw her eyes. Sarah grabbed his hand and had him sit down on the chair by the window.
"Chuck, I need you to know that you mean the world to me and last night was amazing."
"You mean the world to me as well, I have told you that, and last night was beautiful."
"But what is going on?"
"It's about my past and some things that I thought were silenced have resurfaced and I am here to find the answers. You always wanted to know something about my past."
"Not like this?"
"Your going to find out sooner or later, now that you're here."
Chuck reached out his hand. Sarah grabbed it and felt his warm hand caress hers. "Where to start?"
"Usually the beginning."
Sarah smiled but her smile quickly disappeared. "It was after Graham hired me and took me in. He found out that my name at the time was Jenny Burton but he mentioned that my birth certificate said something else. I said I know. My birth name is Samantha Lisa Munoz and Jenny Burton was the second name that I could remember having for longer than a few weeks. So when Graham took me in I became Sarah Walker."
Chuck nodded.
"My first mission, I was given a handler like you and me. I was stationed in DC and London with a MI6 Agent name Hunter Davidson and my alias was Cadee Simon. We had several joint ops, so that both agencies could lay claim to them. Anyways I was barely 21 when I moved to London, fresh out of the farm. I was still learning the ropes, but I thought that I had a good hold on reality, a good sense of character, a decent moral code with this job that I had and after the life I led with being on the run with my dad. But when I was teamed with Hunter things started to feel different than what I was used to. Methods, work ethics, you name it was different. But I did what I was told. Things progressed both on the job and personally." Sarah looked at Chuck. Chuck continued to look at her.
"I thought that it was what we did, it started out as innocent. The odd hand holding, the kiss on the cheek, the hugs for a job well done. Then the hugs were longer, and then it spilled over into the how we got intel, the making out, the kissing, then the stake outs which led to more flirtation, making out which led to his bed. He said the right things, he cared for me and I believed every word he said. It was nice to feel appreciated, a part of me craved it and he promised me everything that I wanted to hear and…."
Sarah got up and walked around the room. Chuck grabbed a shirt. "You want to stop?"
Sarah turned to face him. "No."
Sarah walked the room as Chuck leaned on the dresser. "He was my first, he was a lot of my firsts and things were going pretty good till I noticed changes in reports and him going on his own side missions and making me do things, say things that I didn't want to do but being the rookie I did them. I started taking notes and jotting things down in code."
"Like the one you sent me?"
"Yeah, that is what I have been doing since I left DC. But the main reason I left LA was because of this."
Sarah walked over to the table and grabbed the envelope and gave it to Chuck. Chuck slid his hand in and pulled out the photos. Flipping through them he came across the one with Sarah sitting on a man's lap wearing very little.
"H-e- s-e-n-t y-o-u- t-hi-s?" Chuck's face went grey. He felt like throwing up. Gaining his composure, he looked up. Sarah appreciated that he didn't react to harshly, the way she figured that he would.
"Yeah the night you dropped me off. I got to my room and the next morning there was knock at the door. It was dropped off and when I saw what was inside, I called Casey, then headed to DC after Beckman told me to come and get them analysed."
"This isn't you?" Chuck stood up. His face now starting to redden.
"No, it's not me, well its my face but body belongs to a woman named Sasha Olenko. Hunter Davidson's girlfriend."
"So why the photos and why now?"
"That is why I am here?"
"And you figured that I wouldn't understand? I guess you don't know me well enough."
Chuck got up and looked for his jeans. "Chuck, wait! It's not that I didn't want to tell you its that, whoever sent these knew that I was in LA and they would easily find out why, which meant that they would know about you and Casey."
"There's no name on the envelope."
"I know and that's what got me concerned. Someone had been watching me. Casey found out that Sasha's brother was looking for me and went to my place and to Orange Orange looking for me. As far as that Buy More and anyone else like you have not been of interest."
"All because of these photos?"
"The photos were used to lure me out and I think he now knows that I am here."
Sarah stopped him from reaching down to grab his shoes. Chuck stood straighter and brought Sarah into an embrace. Holding her close. "I'm sorry that this is happening to you and sorry for the way I reacted."
"If I told you weeks ago, you'd react the same way. Even more after what happened last night."
Sarah broke the embrace and walked to the window. Her voice quieter than before. Chuck sat on the bed facing her back. "Carina and I checked out a club a few weeks ago, and I have her checking out Sasha." "And this Hunter."
"He's has to be after the money."
"And you? You're here to put an end to him, maybe put him behind bars, settle the score?"
Sarah turned and gave him a dirty look as if I would do that.
"I know you Sarah, he hurt you, used you. For crying out loud you were only 21."
"Still legal?"
"That's not the point. He knew how to play you, he probably read your file and read about how your life was like and how vulnerable you were and he waited and preyed on you till he got what he wanted and now he is using those doctored photos to make it look like you were in bed with this guy."
Sarah turned around and cupped his face. She could see in his eyes that he hurt for her, that is what she loved about him. "I wasn't."
Chuck still looking up at her. "I know you weren't but that is what we have to prove. "Your right he knew how to play me and he ... used me."
Chuck pulled her down and made her sit on his lap facing him. "I know and I'm sorry for what he did. But you are not that person anymore and he has no control over you. He probably thinks that he has control over you by sending those photos but now I assume you have turned over some rocks and he knows that you're coming for him. Based on what I you have said you have something on him so why don't we used that?"
"Trap him?"
"I think that we need to do more than that."
"How big of bread crumbs are we taking about?"
Chuck and walked over to the table and looked at her collection. "Impressive."
"Well I learned a few things from this guy I know."
"Really?"
"He must know a lot."
"He does."
Sarah caressed his arm. Chuck turned as Sarah kissed him and as he picked her up, he placed her on the small kitchen table and stood between her legs, feeling his hands on her body. She knew that she was safe, that he loved her and that he's do whatever it took to protect her.
Chuck kissed her neck. "What else did you learn from this guy?"
Sarah's bit her lip. "He's an amazing guy." As he slid her shirt up and over her shoulders, he slid his hands his hand along her ribs. He squeezed her side just enough to make her shudder. Sarah grabbed the hem of his shirt and pushed it upwards and pulled it over his head. This was the third time she would be with Chuck. She wasn't counting but it scared her that she would feel anything for a man again. Chuck continued to kiss her, and she watched him love her and take his time.
Sliding her hands behind his back she slid them down shy of his waist band on his jeans. She wondered what if would have been like if they had given in to those times that left them making excuses to why it never happened.
Chuck removed their extra barriers of clothing tossing them on the chair beside them laying her back on top of her papers. Chuck took a step up leaning on his knee pushing him up and over her. Sarah kept her hands moving around his body and when they became one, her eyes rolled back was the only way to describe how it felt. Their time made her forget about why she was doing this whole thing. Chuck wanted to make her forget, at least for a little while and when Sarah rolled on to her side, her smile was contagious. Chuck rolled over and grabbed his shirt that was still on the table and passed to her. Sarah sat up and slipped it on as Chuck reached over to the chair and slid his boxers on. Sarah came back and pushed him back down onto the table and slipped her leg across his hips. Chuck slipped his arm under her head and brought her close. "How you doing?"
"Honestly."
"Yeah."
"Better that you here. I guess I needed you here, but I told myself that it was better to distance myself. I'm not proud of my past and now this."
"Your past ended yesterday, and your present is whatever you want it to be."
Chuck got up and carried Sarah to the bed and laid down on his side holding her close. Sarah laid quiet. She didn't want this moment to end. Chuck kissed the top of her head. She laid quiet and safe in his arms.
Hours later
Sarah sat up when her cell went off. Sliding out of Chuck's hold she got up and grabbed her phone. Chuck was heading to the bathroom and saw how she was standing. It meant a few things: she was very curious to what she was hearing or it wasn't very good news. Sarah placed her hand on her hips and gave him that look that he knew that he was in trouble. Chuck stopped just before the bathroom. Whispering. "What now?"
"You took off! Casey is freaking out as much as Casey freaks out. He says that he found your watch in a Nerd Herd car. Then found a flight manifest that had you flying to Muskogee Oklahoma and funny thing is your here and have been here for almost two months and Casey is just finding out now that you have been gone?"
"Ok, in my defense if I told Casey that I wanted to go to Europe, he would have said no."
"And so, would I!"
"Exactly."
"So I didn't tell him. I picked up on a few things being with you two and figured that I could easily hide from the world for a little while. So, the first few weeks I made it look like I was out of town on an install. I left my watch in the car I used and knew that it was going to be busy on installs for another few weeks. And if Casey knew that he could still track me, I didn't have to be seen. Plus, it gave Casey a break."
"That's not the point Chuck."
"Ok, but my plan, I faked a flight using my name then booked a flight using one of my aliases."
"Which one?"
"Orlando."
Sarah put her phone down and walked up to him and gave him a kiss. "Oh Chuck."
Chuck watched as Sarah started dialing. "What are you doing?"
"Calling Casey."
"I'm dead."
"Yes, but at least you can say you had a good time before you did."
Sarah put her phone on speaker. "Casey, Sarah. I got your message."
"I lost track of him after the idiot put his watch in the one of the Nerd Herder's and it finally came back."
"Casey check any of the flight manifests to Europe about a month and a half ago. Name Orlando Spencer."
"An Orlando Spencer left LAX to Heathrow."
"Now check the security feeds of that flight." Minutes later. "He's dead."
Chuck swallowed hard. "That twerp is in Europe?"
"Yes, and actually he did the impossible."
"He's there? He found you?"
"Yes and no. He was on his way through and happened to be at the same café as I was. He arrived yesterday. He had no clue that I was here. And I had no reason to think that he would ever come here. So where is he now."
"Hi Casey buddy." Both hearing him growl. "Take me off speaker!"
Sarah pressed the screen. Chuck didn't like what he heard and what he was thinking, he grabbed his things and went to have a shower.
"He just happened to be there?"
"Yeah I saw his itinerary. He had no clue, he had been through England, Germany Sweden, Denmark, and Poland and was sitting there at a café down the street just waiting for his next train."
"Impressive but don't tell him that."
"I won't."
"Any news?"
"Tatum left for Shanghai. Otherwise nothing new here."
"No word from Carina either."
"Chuck quit the Buy More."
"He what?"
"Yeah he did it. And his trip and everything else, and without us knowing. I still thought that he was still in LA. Our boy has grown up."
Sarah walked over to the bathroom door and got a glimpse of him before he entered the shower.
Casey broke her train of thought. "So, what do you want to do with Chuck?"
"He's fine here and it's nice not to do this alone over here at least I have you watching my back, even if your not here."
"I don't need to be."
"I couldn't ask you to do that it's not a team mission. It's personal. All the more to have your family there with you. Give me to the end of the week. I think that Olenko needs an escort. Like you said follow the money."
"Thanks Casey."
"Ok I'll see you at the end of the week."
Sarah put her phone down and entered the bathroom. Chuck had just come out and was brushing his hair. "So, Casey has calmed down."
"Casey doesn't have a calm remember. He'll be here at the end of the week." Chuck started to freak out. Sarah laughed. "Not funny you know what he can do to me."
Sarah took her shirt off and slipped into the shower. "Did you leave me any hot water?"
Chuck turned around. Sarah smiled then pulled the shower curtain. Chuck walked out and got dressed. Walking over to the fridge door, not seeing much, he checked the cupboards, even less. Chuck walked back and grabbed the TV remote. Sarah came out and grabbed a change of clothes. "You need groceries."
Sarah faced him, pulling her arms through her sleeves. Touching his face. "You like the beard?"
"It's okay but needs to be trimmed if you going to keep it. And you need a haircut."