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 be silenced once and for all. Still 100% Charah. So, enjoy and let me know what you think?
CHAPTER 3
Sarah sat Chuck down by the table and was told not to move. Sarah grabbed her keys and headed out the door. In less than 10 minutes she walked back in holding a small box. Placing it on the table she opened it to the curiosity of one Chuck Bartowski. Walking into the bathroom grabbing a towel she also grabbed her shaving cream and a spray bottle topping it off. Chuck sat back and grinned at all the fuss Sarah was making, just to trim his hair. Sarah wrapped the towel around his shoulder and placed his hands where the towel crossed in front of him holding the ends closed. Spritzing some water on his damp hair she grabbed the archaic set of hair clippers and started feeding the ends through her fingers. Chuck went crossed eyes as he watched the scissors move across his line of sight and cut his hair. The first snip was painful, but Chuck sensed that she knew what she was doing. "Hey babe, before you take anymore off, you've done this before, right?"
"Once or twice."
"Once or twice?"
"And no blood."
"And that makes it safe?"
Sarah smiled and continued. She didn't take too much off cause she like running her hands through his longer curls.
Sarah nodded then grabbed the scissors and trimmed his beard trimming what she could. Then reached across Chuck grabbing her shaving cream and watched the foam fall onto her hand. Lathering it she smoothed it all over his face. Chuck just looked up. "Your enjoying this." Sarah winked at him.
She returned the shaving cream, wiped her hands, grabbing the straight razor. Chuck never flinched, he had that much trust in her even after surviving a hair cut. Sarah slid the blade against his beard, Chuck closed his eyes as he heard the blade scrape his skin. Sarah took her time then walked away coming back with a hot towel. As she placed the towel on his face, she leaned in and kissed his forehead. Chuck leaned back and rested his neck against the top of the chair. Sarah cleaned up and swept the area before Chuck noticed that she was gone.
Sarah came back and unravelled the towel which had cool off. She ran her fingers over his bare face and slid his hair over his ears. Chuck placed his hands on her hips then lifted her slightly as she straddled his. Feeling the heat of his breath and his body close to hers, made her tingled inside. She watched as he slid his hands over her body which added to this heated moment. Chuck leaned closer and encase his lips with hers. Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and continued to kiss him. Not missing a beat nor a breath. Chuck slid his hand upwards then settled his fingers just slightly inside the back of her jeans. Sarah whispered. "Bed."
Chuck got up holding her in the same position carrying her to the bed. They fell hard but Sarah never cared. Chuck slipped his arms out from behind her and removed his shirt. Sarah wanted it fast and she wanted him now. Sarah flipped him over and hurried. "Clothes, why?"
Chuck laid his head down on the pillow as he watched Sarah take the lead. "I should be paying you for the cut and shave."
"Don't worry, you will be paying."
Chuck covered his face with his hands as this idea of payment wasn't exactly what he had in mind. Sarah flipped her hair back as she looked at Chuck. Reaching for his hand, she looked at him, placing his hand on her chest. Chuck sat up and moved with her. Chuck waited and at the right moment, he flipped her onto her back which startled her at first but resulted in a new feeling and good feeling that warranted some deep lip action. Chuck slid his bare chin over her heated skin and loved her over and over. Sarah turned her head to the side as Chuck slipped his hands around her back and arched it causing her to moan. Laying her gently down, he slid his fingers up her legs then lifted her leg as he moved again with her.
Chuck slowed down when he knew she was taken care of but didn't stop moving,
Sarah gently rubbed his back and neck. As the exhaustion set in Sarah lifted his face and kissed him softly. Chuck returned the kiss, then smiled. She loved when he smiled at her like this. If only she'd known months before.
Chuck laid his head on her chest as she held him close. Chuck slid his arm over her waist as he covered them up. "We need food."
"I know, but I don't want to move, not just yet. I promise we will get something to eat."
Chuck held her close but wonder how one man such as Hunter could hurt her the way he did. Maybe that is why she turned into the wild card agent that Casey had first described her as being. Thinking back to the first few months, yeah she was that agent, but she changed, and he hoped that he was responsible for that. Chuck kissed her. Sarah held his body close to hers. This is how it was supposed to be between two people who cared for each other, this was how her first time was supposed to feel like. Chuck was nothing like Hunter, life was supposed to pause but with him it didn't. She wished that Chuck was her first. Chuck raised his head then kissed her. Like he knew that she was over thinking something. Sarah never forgot what he said to her before they got up. "No one will ever be the first in my heart as you."
Sarah looked up as Chuck got up and reached for his clothes, walking to the bathroom. Sarah covered herself up and sat up with her knees bent. Chuck walked out. "Babe, we need food."
"Right sorry." Sarah quickly grabbed her clothes and got dressed. Grabbing her key they headed out.
When they returned, hours later Sarah slipped into the bathroom and drew a bath as Chuck wanted to go for a swim. But the way he felt, full and content, he'd go later. Chuck sat at the table sipping a beer that Sarah happened to have a few of. Looking at the table, he straightened the piles of paper that were tossed earlier. He looked at her notebook of the decoded intel and grabbed a pencil. Sarah had started to decode them but either got distracted or she stopped when she moved into here. Chuck got a page and half done before Sarah came out. Sarah grabbed a pair of short shorts and a t-shirt and grabbed a glass of water then one of the bottles in the fridge.
"Any progress?" "Maybe, just decoding it haven't read anything yet."
Sarah walked over to the balcony doors and opened them; the warm evening breeze felt wonderful. Chuck walked over and handed her the first page and half. Sarah smiled then sat down by the window. She read what was decoded and most of it made sense, but some things seemed different. She sat back and continued to read trying to remember times and places. Making a few notes, Chuck returned with another page. "That was quick."
"Yeah once you do a few it makes sense, the time to figure out your pattern takes the longest. So why this code?"
Chuck sat down. "It was the fastest next to short hand. But I wasn't good at short hand, cause when I got home or when my short hand was looked at – it was easily figured out. Most agents have their own way to keep their intel safe, some use names, or paragraphs and use the first, third or seventh letters as letters to be decoded, this seems to work for me."
"So, is it bringing back any memories?"
Sarah looked at the page. "It was one of first missions that I started to record the discrepancies. Hunter said that there was no record of where a shipment of money went. I clearly remembered him saying that Ansil Petrov was holding a large sum of money after submitting a few insurance claims, that is why we were brought in to find out where the money was going? I believed Hunter when he said that MI6 was worried that the money if placed in the wrong hands would allow groups like the Vasil Iliev clan, to regain their control as they once had?"
Chuck flashed. "Did you say Vasil Iliev?"
"Yeah, why you flashed?"
Chuck sat up. "The Iliev also known as the VIS-2 was a well-known Georgian mafia family. There were two brothers Vasil and Georgi. Both now deceased. But in their prime they ran a successful insurance company but behind the scenes it was more of a secret, under the table criminal organization. Extortion, car theft, drug trafficking."
"Insurance?"
"Yeah why?"
"Remember me telling you that Hunter had an insurance form with the name Ansil Petrov beside it and that he wanted something on Zolotov."
"Right, so he planned to frame him, and use you."
"So maybe this was the insurance company, maybe Hunter had ties with whoever is still running the VIS-2?"
"Could be?"
Sarah got up and stood by the kitchen table. "Casey mentioned a guy that sent the envelope to me in LA." Sarah looked at all the papers. She found the name Jacob Donaldson. Showing Chuck, he didn't flash. "So, who is he?"
"Casey said that he was part of the Iliev Security company and he paid a guy named Toby Smith to deliver the envelope to me. But his whereabouts don't know. Tatum Olenko was in LA probably to see if Donaldson did what he was supposed to do. Casey said that he was looking for me, checked my place and knew of the two of you."
"So Donaldson comes to LA but also Tatum, to find you but when Hunter hears that your not there, he then figures that you have to be here, so where is he?"
"If he was here, he's not anymore and he knows that I am looking for him."
"He sounds like he wants to play the tough guy but from the side lines."
Sarah never responded.
Chuck grabbed his laptop and searched the Iliev Security. He kept to himself but stopped on and off to watch Sarah. He wished that he could sweep her off her feet and make this all go away, but he found out that ones past and trying to redeem it could make or break you. And Sarah though tough on the outside, Hunter was still breaking her down. Chuck looked at the clock and got up. "Hey let's take a break and make use of that pool."
"I need to continue with this." Chuck tried again but fail. He went to change and headed out the door. Sarah wiped her forehead as it was getting warmer the room and a swim would be nice, but she had to figure out her next move.
Chuck swam a few laps then found a lounger and sat down. He watched a small group of people who too felt that a swim would be a good idea. Chuck closed his eyes and must have dozed off, when he woke, he looked up and instantly smiled. Sarah came walking out with her towel draped over her arm carrying two fruity drinks. Standing in front. "Peace offering?"
Chuck grabbed the drinks as Sarah sat down. "Thanks."
"Not many people out?"
"There was, I must have dozed off and they went inside. You used this pool yet?"
"No, I just got to this place a day or so before you arrived and haven't thought about it."
Chuck finished his drink then got up and grabbed Sarah's hand. "Come with me my lady."
Sarah put down her drink and slipped off her shawl around her hips. She smiled when Chuck gave her an agreeable look, then took his hand and followed him. He stepped into the shallow end then turned to face her. Sarah liked his playfulness as he tried to convince her to go deeper. Chuck slid down into the water and rested as the water just settled above his shoulders. Sarah cupped some water and rubbed down her arms and neck. Chuck continued to watch. "You know if you took a picture, it would last longer."
"Yes, your right but the picture in mind right now, I can do a lot with it."
Sarah jumped then dove into the deep end making Chuck turn. She popped out at the other end as Chuck stayed where his feet could touch. Sarah swam back as she swam into his arms. She loved when he brought her close to him and held her. His lips kissing her neck as she hugged him. Their bodies moving freely in the water. Chuck kissed her then went for a quick swim then came back, watching her dive off the diving board. This was the Sarah he loved, this Sarah doing normal things, like a twenty something girl should. It was rare to see her like this, so carefree, spontaneous and not always in spy mode. They raced and wrestled then leaned against the edge of the pool. Sarah moved in behind him and wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder as they stared watching the sun set over the fence. Chuck turned around and looked at her as she continued to have her arms around his neck. She loved this man that was now looking at her, he had fought for her and was there for her even when she treated him so badly, but that was what made Chuck, helping her to keep her walls down. Chuck looked at her as she kissed him, his perfect lips fit hers perfectly. She broke the kiss and held him closer. Chuck held her tight, then kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear. "You wanna get something to eat or head inside?" Sarah nodded into his shoulder. Chuck turned as Sarah got onto his back. Chuck walked out with Sarah on his back. Walking to their towels Sarah slid off and grabbed his towel and hers. Chuck padded his chest, arms and legs then wrapped the towel around his hips. Sarah did the same.
They shared a quick shower, which was electric and a new experience for both of them. Sarah made the call when they ran out of hot water. Chuck grabbed a pair of khaki's and a light blue shirt as Sarah slipped on a sun dress that she was going to wear to the club but got a big NO from Carina. Chuck looked at her as she came out of the bathroom. "Wow, you look amazing, you look like a real girl."
Sarah spun making the sun dress spin with her. Grabbing her key, they headed to the stairs and walked down finding a new restaurant a few blocks away.
Next Morning
Sarah had been extra cuddly, and Chuck didn't mind. He fluffed up the pillows and laid there as Sarah half laid and half sat resting her head on his chest. They enjoyed each other's company and could finally enjoy their first of many mornings like this. "So, where have you been, travelling." Like Sarah didn't know after she rummaged through his bag. "Pretty much every where. There's still a lot to see so I might check that out after this, if you're not too busy you can come along?" Sarah would have loved to answer him the way he wanted but she didn't know where this would go or how it would turn out and she didn't want to make Chuck think that they could go off grid again and be like this. A life with Chuck after this was not something, she'd thought about but she knew she could fight to make it happen. "I arrived in London and spent a week there then went up north, did Sweden and Norway, Amsterdam, Poland. I loved seeing Auschwitz. Loved seeing the land, the people, did a lot of sight seeing." Chuck got up. "Where are you going?"
"I want to show you something." Chuck walked over to his smaller suitcase which Sarah was curious about. Bringing it back to the bed he sat down and unzipped it. Sarah sat up and saw what was inside. "I was buying so many souvenirs that my back pack wasn't able to hold them all and trying to explain to customs and security I bought a small suitcase, but it's almost full."
"I can't believe that you were able to pull this off."
"Well when your determined and learned a few things from two spies, you go for it." Chuck showed Sarah all the items and where and when he purchased them. Then he brought out something that wrapped in a t-shirt. "I saw this and when I inquired it made sense to buy it." He passed the item to Sarah. "What, why?"
"I saw it and thought of you."
"You shouldn't have."
"I know but it felt right and it's not that I had a habit of buying you things."
"Well you did buy me a new alarm clock."
Chuck smiled. Then looked at her and waited till she unwrapped his shirt. Chuck took his shirt and followed Sarah's eye as she turned the item around. "It's beautiful."
"I saw it in a window in Copenhagen and like I said it reminded me of you. "It has a girl sitting on a bench, looking like she'd the only person in the world but when you look at it and the fake snow, it gives the girl I think some peace and maybe she'll realize that the world isn't a bad place after all."
"You got that all from this snow globe?"
"Yes, loosely translated of course."
"Oh course."
Sarah leaned over and kissed Chuck's cheek. "I love it. Thanks."
Sarah laid it in her palms and stared at it as Chuck put the other items back and placed the suitcase on the floor. Leaning back Sarah laid back against his chest. "It plays music." Chuck turned it downwards. "Right here."
Sarah twisted the crank and turned it as far as it could go, then gave it a shake. The music was a Danish lullaby that fit perfectly to the scene and the snow as it was shaken.
After lunch
An hour later Chuck rearranged Sarah's room, as the WIFI was better near the window. Chuck dragged the small kitchen table next to the window so if they wanted to sit outside, they were close enough to the items on the table. He had finally finished decoding Sarah's notes. They just finished breakfast and Chuck hoped that they will get a good start on ending this nightmare. Sarah sat down and started reading again. Chuck continued looking into this man named Hunter Davidson. The more he looked into him the more he could see why he would be highly regarded as a good handler for Sarah or anyone for that matter but after reading her notes he saw the other side of this man. Chuck looked into his MI6 file, even the for your eyes-only files. Sarah wasn't too far off when she knew that something wasn't right. Chuck looked into his file prior to working with Sarah and he had been reprimanded many times, that Chuck was surprised that he was still able to be a spy, but probably by then he had already got the bug of the "good" life that he wanted more and when he was team up with Sarah he figured that he could continue and not get caught. Chuck looked into the areas that Hunter focussed on the most, his missions and his relationship with anything that had to do with the Iliev group. "Hey Sarah, you wrote down your suspicions and made some notes. You have here Application Fraud."
"Yeah it is when you knowingly provide incorrect info to your insurance company. I figured that Hunter knew that this was happening, worked with Ansil to make it work for them, forget the middleman while making it look like a legit business."
"The next was Claims Fraud." "This I didn't understand at first as to why one would want to fake a death. But when I looked into a few names that had some large numbers attached to it, that is when the money was delivered but no body, that I know of?"
"Forgery?"
"This is where Hunter tried to explain to me that what we were investigating was sanctioned by MI6 and the CIA. I found policies and claims that were filled out then the policies were changed. Names and beneficiaries were altered. But only the owner can change who the beneficiaries is or other details about a policy."
"Maybe that is why he had a copy of an insurance form on Ansil's desk? Fake a claim and reap the benefits. If Ansil was a crooked insurance adjustor, it makes sense why Hunter would want a piece of the action. Ansil changes the claims, fake a death or whatever."
"Get the money but will never get caught cause you have the Minister of Internal Affairs in your back pocket. And who has contacts with Scotland Yard, Interpol, local Police, MI6, CIA. That is why there are so many phony claims out there. Ansil had to hire fake agents."
"The Olenko boys, this Donaldson?" Chuck looking up.
"Possibly, sell these fake policies to unsuspecting customers and pocket the premiums."
"And one big reason why Hunter got Sasha to work on Zolotov."
Sarah looked at him. "Right but Zolotov could be completely oblivious even if he knew that these pictures existed."
"He must be getting something to keep his mouth shut. He's like every other guy in high ranking positions. It's not them that get dragged across the coals, its…"
"Chuck." Sarah not liking his comment.
"No, its not right, even if isn't you entirely in that photo, no ones looking at the body, it's the face and it will always be the face, which happens to be yours."
Sarah reached over and grabbed his hand. Sarah could feel the burden she had been carrying for the last few months being lifted as Chuck was here connecting the dots. She was relieved that she wasn't too far off when she had her suspicions. They just had to find the money.
They continued to work making sure that they were in right direction and that it would help bring down Hunter.
A week later
Chuck was back on the train that he had planned to be on six days ago, but plans changed, and he couldn't be happier. This time he wasn't alone. He had thought about going across Europe with Sarah and now it was actually happening. Sarah sat across him as the landscape flew by her right shoulder.
Leaving the train station Sarah, hailed a cab driving to a loft type apartment in east London. It was familiar to her as she navigated the streets telling the cab driver where to go and where to park. Chuck looked up at the brick façade and wondered if the inside was as aged as the outside was. They climb into a freight elevator just shy of the front doors and as Sarah pulled down the doors, she flipped the lever allowing the elevator to head upwards. Sarah opened the doors letting Chuck walk in first. Chuck walked into his amazement it wasn't as old looking inside but he could tell that it had not been used in some time. Noticing the covered furniture with white linens he started to uncover them. Sarah disappeared looking for the fuse box and flips the power on. Chuck walks the length of the room folding the sheets and laying them on a chair by the window. He stares out the window catching a glimpse of downtown London. He hears Sarah and turns around.
"So this place?"
"Yeah I know a guy who knows a guy. Who knows?"
"I get it." Sarah walked up to him. "It belongs to my dad." Chuck looked at her. "All legit. I checked before I used it, when I moved here five years ago, I needed a place and when I told my dad he bought the place. When it's not in use it's rented out."
"You lived here?"
"Yes Chuck so he knows about this place." Sarah was now worried that being here would bring up some not so pleasant memories. But maybe she should now worry about how Chuck felt. She knew that Chuck hated Hunter for what he did to her even if it was years ago. Sarah kissed Chuck then he continued to remove the sheets off the furniture. "So, is Casey and Carina showing up?"
"Not sure." As Sarah called down from the upstairs loft bedroom. Chuck looked up then walked over to the fireplace. Sticking his head inside, he didn't see Sarah come back down. "It's a little early for Santa Claus don't you think?"
Chuck popped his head out. "Just wondering when the last time this fireplace had a fire in it. At least it would take the chill off the room." "It should be fine."
Chuck started a fire as Sarah unpacked her stuff.
Sometime later, Sarah grabbed her keys. "Wanna come with me and get some groceries. There's a small store around the corner. Maybe get a pizza?"
"Sure." Chuck closed the flue just enough to keep the fire going.
They took the freight elevator down to ground level and walked out into the rain. They had hot beautiful sunshine all last week and even hotter nights.
Now it poured huge rain drops. They hurried around the corner and grabbed some groceries. Items for breakfast, coffee, snacks and other basic stuff. Like wine and beer and bottled water. Then Sarah took Chuck a few doors down and stood in line at a pizzeria. Chuck watched as Sarah knew exactly which ones to get. Her infamous vegetarian no olives and a loaded for Chuck. Arms full they headed back and enjoyed their slices. Sarah got up to clean up and checked her phone, still no word from Casey or Carina. Sarah returned sat down with two bottles. "Any word?"
"Nothing yet."
Chuck played with Sarah's fingers. "How you doing?"
"Fine?"
"That's usually my line."
"I'm not sure how to feel. This has brought up a lot of not so pleasant memories, but it also has brought us together." They both smiled.
"Strange how that happens."
"Yeah. You okay with this?"
Sarah looked at Chuck. "I don't like that fact that you might have to see him and what he did to you."
"Chuck it takes two to tango."
"It does but you were only 21 and he was?"
"He was 30."
"30 really wow. And I thought you and I had an age difference?"
"Chuck you and I are the same age."
"Well no, technically you are 3 months older than me. So, I guess I am sleeping with an older woman."
Sarah tossed a pillow at him. Chuck grabbed it and was about to toss it when he moved onto his knees and climbed over her. Sarah slid down resting her head on the arm of the couch. Chuck grabbed her waist and slid her down even more. Sarah slid her legs on either side of him as he leaned downward hovering slightly over her. Sarah glanced at his belt which was just above her hands. He looked back up at her and smiled. Sarah lifted her head to meet his. Sarah pressed her lips into his. And whispered, 'I love you'. Bringing him closer, she slid her hand up his back loosening his shirt from its hold. Moving her hands, she felt one of his hands move behind her and rest on her lower back while the other one rested just at the base of her head. As he kissed her, he whispered back. 'I love you too'. Chuck leaned back as Sarah fiddled with his belt as they both helped each other shimmy out of their jeans. It wasn't planned but oh so worth it. Each movement, each electric touch. She knew her words finally were sealed in his heart and it felt good to say them as they made love. No matter what happened from this moment on, he had her back; cause he always had her heart. And now she had all of him.
Sarah held him closer to her as he settled inside her neck placing small kisses on her skin. His hands cooled her heated skin as she wanted it last, a bit longer. But Chuck being the sensible one mumbled. "We better get dressed."
Sarah wrapped her long legs around him. Chuck looked at her and smiled. "Your killing me here." Sarah bit her lips slightly which made Chuck take a deep breath.
Chuck pulled his boxers and jeans up and sat back allowing Sarah to pull her jeans up. Chuck grabbed his shirt and zipped up his jeans and fastened his belt. He reached over and held her hand bringing her into an embrace. They always seemed to cuddle afterwards so why change it now. Chuck put some more firewood into the fire.
An hour later
Sarah looked up as she heard the buzzer. Sarah walked over to the intercom and pressed the button. Chuck stood up. Watching the elevator rise he saw Casey. Their eyes met and his stare locked into Chuck like a bull's eye. Chuck got up and stood by Sarah. His only line of defence. Or he could flash. Maybe he'd flash. Sarah helped lift the gated door as Carina and Casey walked in. Carina hugged Sarah then walked over to Chuck and gave him a big hug then kissed his cheek. Carina noticed the reddish mark on his neck. "You two just had sex, didn't you?" Chuck looked at her and in typical Chuck fashion, which made him even more guilty, he fumbled his words. "Naw! No! We never."
Carina dragged her finger across his chest. "Your secret is safe with me."
Carina smiled and walked in further. Casey followed and dropped his stuff next to wall and turned towards Chuck. Chuck was getting ready to flash. But when Casey extended his hand. Chuck wonder if there was an alternative motive. Hesitantly he extended his.
"Good to see you Chuck."
"Yeah you too."
Casey leaned in and in a low deep whisper. "I'm impressive, what you did but if you ever do that again." Chuck swallowed hard. "Just give me a heads up."
Chuck swallowed again. "Two months! The watch left in the Nerd Herd, the false manifest. Your turning into a spy."
Chuck looked at him. "Th-an-ks?"
Chuck hears his phone but chooses not to answer it. Sarah looks up. Chuck mouths. 'It's Ellie.' Sarah nodded then rejoined Carina and Casey. Chuck walked up to her. "I'll call her back in a bit."
The four sat around the table catching up and hatching out their next plan of action. They now had Sasha and her brothers here and Hunter was here or would be shortly. Sarah knew she had to find him, but she also had to check off a few things she wanted to do.
Casey sat looking at the progress that Chuck and Sarah had been able to put together. "So, this Hunter was into fraud?"
"It looks like it. I guess he had started long before he was teamed up with Sarah but when Sarah started to ask questions it all changed."
"So, where and who is this Ansil Petrov?"
Sarah sat up. "He's the insurance agent that Hunter got to know, I'm assuming through an old mission or word of mouth. Seeing the benefits and looking the other way. He had the money and Hunter wanted it. Zolotov is the Russian Minister of Internal Affairs. He was the one in the photo and in Hunters' back pocket. Hunter has Sasha and her brothers Tatum and Nikola. So, what did you find in Shanghai?"
Carina replied. "Sasha seemed to be the candy and her brother was the muscle. I found a lot of men that she used and those she took more than the money in their pockets. She kept busy, on the phone a lot, probably talking to Hunter. Then all of a sudden she's back here just when you started digging around."
"Tatum the same, he was busy in LA, looking for you, then heads to Shanghai and in as many days is back in London."
"Well if Hunter thinks that Sarah is on her own, he has another thing coming." Chuck mumbled but she heard.
Sarah lips made a straight looking smile as she appreciated what Chuck had said but it had to be bigger than just having these people back here.
"Something must have happened, that it takes him five years to look for the money, why now?"
Casey looked at her. "Maybe he thought that Ansil had the money, and when he didn't the only other person that would know would be you. If you had your suspicions, he would have his as well. Would he have any reason to think that you turned on him or kept something from him?"
Sarah shook her head slightly. "Maybe?"
"Maybe Ansil is trying to save his life so he's…."
"Casey, I don't think that Ansil knew what I knew. But maybe when Hunter told me to keep my nose clean."
Chuck looked at Sarah. "Sarah remember you told me the other day that Hunter said that there was no record of where a shipment of money went. You said that you clearly remembered him saying that Ansil Petrov was holding a large sum of money after submitting a few insurance claims, that is why you two were brought in to find out where the money went. You said that Hunter mentioned that MI6 was worried that if the money was placed in the wrong hands, groups like the Vasil Iliev clan, could regain their control as they once had?"
Sarah nodded. "Right! Hunter also had an insurance form with Ansil's name beside it and that he wanted something on Zolotov. Which he used me to frame him for the information. He wanted Zolotov to look the other way."
"Sarah, guys, Sasha met with a few Russian diplomats one night. A poker game, I was able to get inside and Sasha was giving them more than the required tip. If you get my drift. I later found out that they were under Zolotov's department."
Chuck got up and grabbed Sarah's notes. "Guy's, I think we are getting or making this bigger than it needs to be. We know that there is a larger sum of money out there. Whether Ansil had it originally or you Sarah know where it is. Why would Hunter want you unless you knew where it was? I'm thinking that Hunter goes to Ansil, thinking that the heat is off, Sarah's gone, Zolotov is still in his back pocket. He hooks up with the Vasil Iliev Security company, cause he's not a spy anymore, uses it as a front to continue making money or stealing it. He remembers that he didn't get his large pay out from Ansil five years ago. Goes looking for Ansil, he tells him that he never had the money but to check out his old partner. Grasping at straws he starts to play dirty; he finds his old intel and slaps Sarah's face on it. Somehow, he finds out where you live, sends the photos to LA. Sends Tatum to make sure that Jacob Donaldson does what he is told. Kills him, cause he doesn't want to leave any loose ends. Gets exactly what he wants, and that is making you come to him."
Chuck sat back wanting to vent some more but it got the team thinking and what they heard and had put together finally made sense.
"Chuck's right, Sarah. He needs you to get him the money and it looks like he is not going to stop coming for you till he does." Carina looks at her. If Sarah could disappear, she would in a flash.
The group paused as Sarah's burner phone rings. Sarah answered and she seemed to recognize the voice. She thanked the person on the other end and grabbed a piece of paper. Sarah wrote down an address and passed it to Casey who does a search. "Lofften Building, ok under construction, yes it sounds familiar, yes will do, will be in touch." Sarah hangs up. "Guys that was Lincoln O'Riley a MI6 analyst that I use to know and he gave me the address of the building we should check out. It was one of the building known to be occupied by Vasil's group."
"Could be a front?"
"Most likely? MI6 had several buildings like we do that are a front for something else, but this one has been under construction for the last five years."
"Perfect if you want to hide something."
The four 'borrowed' a car and left, arriving at the downtown building, the rain finally stopped as Sarah stared upwards looking at the building and remembering the last time she was there and whether she actually stashed the money there. And if after five years would it still be there. Sarah continued to try and talk herself out of going in but when Chuck walked up to her. "If its there great, if not then Hunter has nothing on you. Some fool is that much richer." She hoped that she could have some of Chuck's optimism rather than her doubting thoughts.
Chuck slid to his knees as he used one of tricks to enter the building. He was proud that he had picked up a few things while working with Sarah and Casey.
Casey held the door as they quickly bypassed the security system. Casey moved in behind the front desk and hacked into the security system. Carina walked the main floor as Chuck and Sarah headed upstairs. They reached the top floor and it was completely under construction. "Anything the same here?" Sarah looked around. There were no walls and they were able to see the whole floor, window to window. They took the stairs and dropped to the next floor. Arriving at the floor that housed the Ansil's office, they waited till Casey gave them the go. Sarah followed the hall from the stairwell as Chuck followed. Sarah knew where to go. Sarah looked at the door. "Chuck this is it?"
Sarah crouched down and jimmied the door. Sneaking in they looked around keeping their flashlights low. Chuck looked around and didn't see anything that would indicate a safe or hidden wall. "There's nothing here, Sarah."
Sarah looked around. She was sure that she had been here, but it didn't look the same. "Guys." Casey's voice came through their earpieces. "We lost track of security on our floor; they are now heading your way." Sarah looked at Chuck. They were too far from the stairwell and by the time they found a place to hide it would be too late. Chuck looked up and noticed that the ceiling was a dropped ceiling. He coughed to get her attention. Chuck jumped up on the side counter and used the filing cabinet to get higher in order to climb inside. Pushing the panel up and down he hoisted Sarah up as Sarah tried to balance on the tresses. Chuck followed as he quickly as he could sliding the panel back just as the door opened. They could hear two people inside the office. The one voice was talking to someone but couldn't make it out who it was. They turned the lights off. The two waited till Casey told them it was safe to get down. Chuck looked over and noticed that every time the exhaust fan spun, he noticed a shadowy image. He motioned for Sarah to point her flashlight. Sarah pointed the flashlight to where Chuck was pointing. "You see that black spot?"
"Yeah, now shine the light to the edges." Sarah shone the flashlight. "What does that look to you?"
"A wall, some type of box, furnace vent?"
"Maybe."
Casey and Carina met Chuck and Sarah at the far northeast corner of the building. Chuck lets them know what they saw and Casey joins in tapping the wall. "Sounds different doesn't it."
"Yeah, but if you saw what looked like a furnace it wouldn't be hollow."
"It doesn't make sense."
"Well at least we know that something is here, we can come back later."
Chuck was hesitant to go, Casey walked with him. "It doesn't feel right."
"I know I sensed that as well." As the four left the building, Hunter watched from the parking lot. "In time Cadee, I knew you would come through."
Arriving back Chuck looked at the schematics of the building as the three chatted. Chuck then searched for the blueprints of what was being built now, he printed them and laid the recent one and the one that he had. He noticed a few changes that weren't there originally five years but were now. Placing the new print over the old one Chuck noticed that there was an air vent or hollow space near the basement, that wasn't filled in for whatever reason. Chuck walked over to the three. "There is something different here." Chuck showed them the plans from five years ago and what he just printed, "There is a false wall or venting system that wasn't filled in for whatever reason, maybe costs?"
Casey took a closer look. "It could be many reasons, maybe Ansil knew you had stashed the money there in a crunch and would eventually come back for it but something happened and it stayed there till now."
"You mean that a large bag of money with who knows the amount is lying in between two studs just hanging there?"
"Looks like it and now that Sarah has an idea where it could be. Hunter isn't too far behind."
"So why hasn't Ansil looked for it?" Carina inquiring.
"Again Sarah repeated what she knew, maybe he's like me and forgot about it or he's dead. If Ansil made Hunter his money and it was taken, he'd look at Ansil. He wouldn't look or think of me unless Ansil convinced Hunter that it was me that took it. Either way he's after me."
Chuck looked at Sarah. "There's something there and we need to go back there."
"Or Sarah you try and remember where you put the money." Sarah looked at Casey. "It was five years ago, and I was probably running from him and stashed it and ran and didn't even look at where I tossed it."
"I hear you Sarah, but this is big and with our luck Hunter has been watching you and us and knows that you were there."
Sarah motioned for Chuck to follow her. Chuck got up and headed upstairs. Chuck leaned against the windowsill. Sarah sat beside him. Putting his arms around her he squeezed her close. "How are you doing?"
"I'm frustrated."
"Because you can't remember?"
"What kind of spy am I that I can't remember where I stashed the money he stole?"
"A kind of spy who is good at her job and knew that she had to find a good hiding spot so if the worst happened she'd not be able to tell anyone where it was but a very smart spy who has been jotting down everything in here in a coded craft just in case she had to find it. We haven't been through all your notes. Maybe its in there."
Sarah grabbed his hand and held it in hers. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"Well I'm not sorry I listened to that older couple and got off the train when I did." Chuck turned to face her cupping her face in his hands. "I promise to…"
"I know and I appreciate it." Sarah leaned in again and they continued to stay close. "I never cared for you with the thought of saving you. I love you because you are who you are and not what people say you are."
Sarah kissed him a few times just because. They looked at the bed then laughed. "I don't think it would be a good idea." "Raincheck?"
"Definitely."
Standing up they headed back down looking over her notes again. They all agreed to check out the building again even if it was under construction it would make it a bit easier to find that needle in the haystack.
Close to midnight
Sarah heads back with the last of her notes and Chuck was determined to find that one clue that would give them an idea where Sarah stashed the money, Sarah told the group that it was a wall facing a window and what looked like a built in cupboard surrounding it. Chuck jotted down what Sarah remembered, finally connecting the dots but looked up when Sarah's cell rang again. Answering she knew the voice then looked at her watch. "When?"
"Okay, see you soon."
Chuck gets up and grabs his coat. "Where are we going?"
"Chuck."
Chuck knew that look. "No way you're not going by yourself."
"I have to."
"Sarah, we don't know if he's out there or if this guy is on your side."
"Chuck, I have to and its safer for you to stay here."
"What about you? Who's going to protect you!"
Casey got up. "Chuck I 'll go, at least she won't be alone. Okay?"
Chuck tossed his jacket. Sarah walked over and placed her hand on his chest, whispering to him. "I have to do this, okay. I love you." She kissed his cheek and left with Casey.
Chuck paced the floor as Carina straightened up. "Chuckie can you stop, soon you'll go through the floor, come and sit."
Chuck stopped and took one last look out the window, it started to rain again. He walked over to the couch and sat down. Two days ago, he was sitting by the pool with Sarah in his arms. Just letting the waves hit their skin. Sarah held onto him as much as he was holding her. Carina could tell that Chuck was concerned even more than his title of an analyst should have but what a boyfriend would have for the girl he loved. Carina remembered telling Chuck a year and half ago that she knew he liked her, and he didn't deny it. Chuck sat down and slid into his chair. "Don't worry Chuck, she knows what she's doing." Chuck sat up and rested his elbows on his knees. "What do you know about this Hunter guy?" Carina drew out her answer. Chuck looked at her. "Sarah told me what he did to her."
"Then as a spy he was one of the best. But as a human being he was a creep. But unfortunately, Sarah didn't realize it till it was too late."
"He took something from her." "Yeah but it made Sarah realize that you can't trust people based on looks alone. She knew that something wasn't right. Even when he said the right things, did the right things. But he didn't expect Sarah to take the high road."
"Well we know how that turned out, he altered photos to use against her. But why would he come after her now?"
"Chuck, he wants his money and he's running out of options, if Ansil is dead he's not going to talk and if Ansil told him that Sarah took the money it makes sense to why he's after her now."
"She doesn't remember."
"She knows, somewhere she knows where the money is and now that you have figured out that there is a space in the wall, that is where we will start." Chuck sat back and put his feet up. "So how did you arrive in Sunny Beach?" Chuck knew that Carina was just making small talk, but it kept his mind off of things. "I was travelling, and I met a older couple who said if I had time to check it out, so I did not even thinking that Sarah would be there as well. I was sitting at a café when I looked up and there she was and here we are."
Midtown London
Sarah and Casey walked towards the man who Sarah figured had called. He was standing under a large umbrella that hid his true height. Casey opted not to have one, he wanted to keep his eyes on the situation and not be hindered by a large obstacle such as an umbrella. Sarah walked up and grabbed the handle in such a way that if she had to use it as a weapon she could easily. The closer she got the more she saw how the man had aged. Life had crept up and it hadn't been generous. He tilted his umbrella back while nodding. He opened his mouth. "The Thames beats the Siene." Sarah replied. "But it never freezes over." They moved closer to the walls of the building in the alley way. Sarah closed her umbrella as Casey eased up on his hand that was near his gun. Sarah hugged the little man and she introduced him to Casey. "John Casey this is Edmund Chang or Eddie for short. He was one of my loyal CI's back in the day." John extended his hand. "Nice to meet you." Eddie looked up at Sarah who towered over him at least a foot and a half. "Can we trust this cop face character?"
"Yes Eddie. So why the call?"
"Got word that you were looking into Hunter." Sarah looked at Casey. "How did you find that out?"
"Heard that some pictures were sent and that a blonde she male knocked out the teeth of one tattoo artist." Sarah shrugged her shoulders. "Where did you hear this?"
"Hanigan's Bar. You know the place?"
"Yeah."
"Well someone was talking about waiting for a payment?"
"Payment?"
"Some delivery of photos?"
Casey looked at Sarah. "The person who dropped the photos off was found dead."
"One of the Olenko brothers?"
"Maybe, Tatum was there then left for Shanghai."
"So Eddie why would they need the money?" Casey looked at Eddie. "What did this guy look like?" Eddie shook his head. Sarah helped by taking out her phone and showing Eddie a picture. "It was a guy but also a girl." Sarah showed him another picture of Sasha. "Yeah that's her but her hair was different, it was like 2 days ago." "So she must have done that as soon as she arrived from Shanghai?" "Did you follow her Casey?" "We did but I don't recall seeing her go to a place called Hanigan's?"
"I take you there."
Casey didn't like it, but they had to know. They hailed a cab and headed over to where Eddie said that he saw Sasha. The rain subsided as they arrived at the bar. Casey looked around. "It looks somewhat familiar, but it was during that day." Eddie opened the door. As they entered the room quietened as all eyes were on the three strangers. Finding a booth, they slid in and ordered quickly something to drink. Eddie sat facing the bathroom as Casey sat next to him and Sarah sat facing the door. Casey and Sarah did there scan of the place, seeing that there wasn't much security which would allow anyone to do some business and not get caught. They sat and nursed their drinks and Eddie was about to order another round when he looked up and saw who was at the bar. "It's the guy, she was with." Sarah looked up and saw that it was Tatum. Casey got a quick glance in as well. "Yup that's Tatum all right." Sarah looked again then got up and walked up to the bar. Casey got up and grabbed her arm. "Not here." Tatum took a shot and swallowed then looked at Sarah and smiled. He knew who she was. Grabbing his phone, he snapped a photo and left. Sarah followed him while Casey and Eddie slipped out the back. Tatum walked into the alley and was boxed in as he saw Casey at one end and Sarah coming in from the street. Tatum grabbed his phone and held it in the air. "One click and its sent." Go ahead." Sarah yelled from the street entrance. "I want him to know that I am here." "Who?" "The guy your going to send the picture to." "I wasn't going to sent it to…" Casey got closer and as Tatum turned, he bumped into Casey. Casey grabbed the phone and tossed it to Sarah. Sarah slipped the phone to her left hand as she threw a right hook hitting Tatum squarely in the jaw. Tatum fell hard to the pavement. Sarah grabbed his phone and snapped another photo. Attaching it to Hunter's number. Sarah added a little note. "See you soon." Sarah tossed the phone as it landed on one unconscious Tatum. Casey looked at Sarah. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes!"
"Your giving him exactly what he wanted." Sarah stopped and looked at Casey. "Yes but it is on my terms and not Tatum's. If he thinks that I am that naïve agent he once knew, he's mistaken."
Back at the apartment
Sarah crouched down to say goodbye to Eddie. "Thanks for your help."
"Always, dear."
"Will be in touch."
Sarah got up and closed the cab door as it drove off. Heading upstairs Carina was heading to bed. Sarah looked at her watch, when she couldn't see Chuck. "He's been sleeping for some time, about an hour or so?"
Casey leaves to find a room and closes the door. Carina walks over before heading into the room she chose. "He loves you." Sarah looks up. "Be careful that's all I'm saying. Hunter is not worth it, and you have one terrific guy up there."
"I know." Sarah gave Carina a hug.
Sarah walked around and shut the lights off and headed upstairs closing the door. Sarah paused outside the door looking at her hands. She closed them tight to lessen the ache and the shakiness. She hated that he was getting under her skin and she hadn't even seen him yet. Opening the door, Sarah saw that Chuck was curled up in the covers. He must have changed the sheets as she noticed the pile in the corner. Changing, she slid in behind him and slid her arms under his and kiss his shoulder. Chuck rolled over when he felt her close. "You're back. You ok?" "Yeah. Just hold me." Chuck laid on his back as Sarah rested her head on his shoulder.
Next Morning
Chuck left Sarah to sleep and slipped downstairs. He felt uneasy about going back to the building to find out what was behind the wall and if there was anything still there, now that the building was under construction. They planned to in after 6 pm less people and after surveying the place Casey knew that it would allow them to move around and not be asked questions. Sarah finally came down hoping to see Chuck, But Carina told her that Eddy had called and Casey and him went to grab some stuff from Eddie. Sarah sat down. "Did you talk to Chuck?"
"No, I didn't want to bother him."
"So you two, seeing you both came out of the same room?"
Carina would be the only other person she'd confide in regarding her love life. She was there during the Hunter fiasco and Bryce. Sarah looked up. "No just a few weeks well you know."
Carina sat beside her. "A few weeks, you mean you to haven't in a year and a half." "Nope."
"Wow, didn't know you had it in you Walker."
"Chuck was worth it. And it probably wouldn't have happened when it did if he didn't accidentally show up at the café. "You didn't know he was coming?" Like she hadn't heard the story from Chuck. "No, I left LA a few months ago and told him about the photos. The last time I talked to him was the night we actually went on a date; a regular date and we had a really good time. Then the next day the photos show up. I called Beckman and she said to be in DC ASAP. And Chuck figured that I wasn't coming back so he decided to go to Europe and heard about Sunny Beach. I was doing some reconnaissance and when I looked up, there he was."
"So, you told him about Hunter and what he did to you?"
Sarah nodded. "So how did he take it."
"You know Chuck, on the outside he might show that he's okay with it but on the inside he's a whole ball of anger and confusion. Chuck is nothing like Hunter or Bryce. He's still dealing with it but putting up a good front."
Sarah ran her fingers through her hair. "Chuck is loyal and that's one of the reasons I love him." Carina smiled. "I knew it. You love the nerd." Sarah chuckled. "Always have to be honest. Now he's carrying this burden of my past."
"He would anyways whether you two slept together or not. I knew a year ago that you had feelings for him, and I told him that you probably didn't even know it yourself. But he did and he was loyal then and he will continue to be loyal even after this."
Chuck and Casey walked in with their hands full of gear. Casey looked up. "Eddie came through?" "Yeah big time, nice stuff too." Casey was like a kid in a candy store. Sarah walked up to them and gave Casey the look and he walked away. Chuck was laying out the gear into piles of four. Sarah smiled when she saw a traq gun amidst the pile. She never questioned it. Gently she placed her hand on his back, he tensed slightly but only for a second. Sarah reached for his hand to stop him from carrying on. He turned to face her. She kissed him, which made him focus on her for a little while. Looking at him as he broke the kiss, she could see in his eyes that he was still thinking about this whole thing. She hated that he felt that he had to take on her burdens, she hated to see him worry. Sarah placed his hands on her hips. "Talk to me?"
"What is there to say?"
"Don't you want to know what happened last night?"
"Other than you came back around 3 and that you probably provoke the tiger and he's…."
"Chuck!"
"I'm right ain't I."
Sarah didn't deny it. Chuck removed his hands and stepped away. "Chuck wait!"
Chuck stopped and faced her. "Why? How could you allow yourself to still go after that creep even after what he did to you?"
Sarah walked towards him again. "I have to make sure he doesn't get the money."
"Anyone else could do this for you, Casey some other MI6 agent but no you have to be the tough agent, the wild card. Be the one in control, when you don't have to be. He took your soul and your letting him step on it all over again."
"He's not and he won't. I won't let him."
Chuck looked at her. "You really think he's not seething wherever he's at after whatever you did last night and not come after you." Sarah stepped forward. Chuck pushed Sarah's hand away. "Sarah he used you and took your….. "
Sarah looked at him. "Well so did you…." Sarah hated herself as soon as those words left her mouth. She saw the pain and the hurt on his face. Chuck grabbed his coat and slammed the elevator doors and descended.