AN1


Love-Struck Spies

Chapter Ten, I Could Have Lost You!


Bryce let Chuck and Sarah be without saying anything as he drove in silence, wishing someday he may find happiness like this himself. Bryce really could not remember seeing Chuck this happy in the years he had known him. He didn't know much about Agent Walker. He had known her for only two months. Most of that time was spent apart, and he could not blame her for that. Bryce was stupid for thinking Sarah was like the other female Agents that he had worked with. He would try to find the time to talk to her about Chuck. Bryce never wanted to lose contact with Chuck, but he had to. Maybe if she saw how much he really did care about his friend, then she might be able to forgive him, and they could start fresh as friends seeing as though they were now partners once more.

And as Sarah's lips had met Chuck's, she never wanted to let go. Chuck would die for me to protect me as my partner? I would die for him!

Once they ran out of air, Sarah, feeling exhausted because of their confessions filling her with so many emotions it tired her, spoke in little more than a whisper. "Chuck, just so you know, I would die as your partner to protect you too. So let's just hope that neither of us ever has to make that sacrifice because if you died saving me, then how could I live with you not being here, Chuck? You mean so much to me already. I've never had anybody in my life who has done for me what you already have."

They held each other's faces with their hands. "Sarah, I would find it hard to cope if you died saving me too. So yes, I hope we are never faced with that situation. And like I said, you are the greatest thing that has happened to me."

They moved to kiss again to stop emotions from pouring out. They had sorrow at the thought of possibly losing each other, and happiness that they were together at this moment in time.

No more words could solve that problem. Two people who would give their life to save the other knowing that if they did, then their life would be empty because the other would be gone. That was one puzzle that could not be solved. Unless they left the CIA, not that they realized that or that it was even present in their minds.

Bryce had to wipe his eye. He came to a realization that if ever the situation required it, then he would give his life so that Chuck and Sarah could live together. That was the most beautiful and loving thing he had ever heard.

After a few minutes, Bryce spoke, "We're ten minutes out."

"Ok. Pullover so we can gear up," Sarah said.

Bryce pulled over, and the three went to the rear of the car and got suited up. All three agents wore kevlar. Sarah took from the weapons cache her Smith & Wesson 5906 while Chuck went for his preferred Sig Sauer P229, and Bryce went for the Glock 17.

"Glock, huh?" Chuck joked to try to lighten up the somber mood that Sarah and Chuck had just created. There would be plenty of time for that tonight when they got home. Right now, they needed to protect Laszlo and each other and Bryce.

"Hey! It's the most reliable weapon out there!" Bryce argued in his defense.

"He's right, Chuck," Sarah said while nodding her head in agreement.

"Yep, it's the most reliable," Chuck also agreed, before he continued again, "But I always trust the Sig. It has never failed me, and it hits the target every time."

"Same for my S&W."

"So, what's the plan?" Bryce asked.

They spent the next ten minutes discussing the best course of action. It was decided that Chuck and Sarah would enter the office in search of Laszlo while Bryce would remain outside alert for a Fulcrum or NSA team. They needed to get Laszlo and get out before Fulcrum, or the NSA arrived and return him to the Orange, Orange. Even Bryce didn't know why the Orange, Orange was so important, and he had also found it weird, but that was their orders.

With the planning of their mission complete, Sarah then entered the car while Chuck remained outside as he wanted a quick word with Bryce.

"Hey, Bryce, I'm sorry for being a little hostile with you two days ago. I'm going to be honest with you. I know what you did in Zurich to Sarah, and I don't like it."

Bryce nodded and smiled. "Chuck, buddy, you have nothing to apologize for. I was an ass to her, I get it. I was always pressing and advancing on her when she clearly wasn't interested in me. I can not be sorrier than I am right now. I just hope you will both find it in your hearts to forgive me. Buddy, we were like brothers at Stanford, and I miss that. You are the only real friend that I have ever had."

"And so do I, Bryce. This life we live is lonely. We're always shredding new identities and moving cities all the time. I'm up for a clean slate, Bryce. But you have to know that I will not allow Sarah to be disrespected in any way. And anybody who does will deal with me. Do you understand me?" Chuck said as he gazed reservedly at Bryce until he heard his response.

Bryce nodded. "Chuck, I understand. You really care about her, huh?" he asked.

Chuck nodded. "Bryce, buddy. I care about her more than I have ever cared about anybody. I haven't known her for long. But there's something about her. I also think that she's hurting right now. I can just tell that something isn't right with her, and I want to help her through that. She's beautiful," he declared.

Bryce smiled. "Well, I promise you. You can trust me. I want you to be happy, Chuck. You have had a crap life. You deserve this happiness, Chuck."

Chuck smiled. "Thanks, Bryce. I've kind of missed having you around," Chuck said as he dropped his reservations and warmed up to Bryce again.

"You too, Chuck. Let's get this mission out of the way and then catch up?" Bryce offered.

"Sure. That sounds good to me, Bryce," he said.

The two Stanford alumni shook each other's hands, their former friendship restored.

Chuck then returned into the vehicle. Only this time, he entered into the rear because he wanted to be close to Sarah. They are about to enter an armed facility, and this may be his last moment on earth, and he wanted to spend it with her.

On closing the door of the SUV after him, he slanted himself to glance at Sarah, and he smiled at her, and he held out his arms. Sarah returned the smile as she moved to melt into him.

The air was cleared with Bryce. Sarah was ready to forgive him too. He didn't physically hurt her. He only did what many other guys had tried on her before. But now she had her Chuck to look after her. Chuck is all that matters to me. Nobody else

-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-

The vehicle containing Bryce, Chuck, and Sarah arrived outside the office, and Sarah and Chuck departed the car, and Bryce stayed inside, who would remain on communications. If they needed backup, then he was it. The nearest tactical team was thirty minutes away.

"Watch your backs in there. There are two hostile teams after the same thing we are," Bryce said into comms.

"Copy that," Chuck replied as he entered inside the building, and Sarah followed him inside.

On arrival inside the facility, Chuck and Sarah scanned their gaze around the ground floor in search of any threat to them and to familiarize themselves with the surroundings. There were no guards stationed around any of the exists, which was very odd considering this building was not just any regular office; it was a CIA undercover operations facility. In the United States, the CIA disguises their base of operations as normal working environments. This tactic eliminates most of the threat of an enemy or terrorist attack because to normal people, it looked just like another working environment. But to top CIA agents like Chuck and Sarah, it was an undercover research facility.

"Bryce, there are no guards here," Chuck informed his partner while Sarah took in the surroundings of the office in search of anything out of the ordinary.

"That's suspicious," Bryce replied.

"Something's not right here, Chuck," Sarah stated to her permanent partner.

Chuck nodded. "I agree, Sarah. Bryce, what floor is Lazlo on?" he asked.

"Four. Do you want me in there with you both?" Bryce asked.

"No. Wait outside, Bryce," Chuck said.

"Affirmative," Bryce replied.

"Chuck, let's take the stairs," Sarah said, and Chuck nodded. In any kind of possible armed engagement, you should NEVER use an elevator. Because it may open, and you end up smack bang right in the middle of an ambush.

Sarah and Chuck began to ascend the stairs as they slowly made their way up to the fourth floor.

They had just reached the fourth floor when they heard Bryce yell, "CONTACT!"

'Oh, Shit,' thought the both of them.

"Bryce, do you need backup?" Chuck asked, concerned for the safety of his partner and friend.

"Negative. Chuck, get Laszlo to a secure floor in the facility. I'm calling Graham for a tactical team. Out."

Chuck and Sarah hurried into the fourth floor.

"Chuck, Fulcrum is probably in the lobby and are making their way up to us," Sarah said.

"I agree. We need to hurry before they get up here," he replied.

The two partners entered into the office on the fourth floor, and Chuck instantly moved to smash the alarm.

"Everybody, you need to evacuate now! There is a hostile team heading right for this location!" Sarah shouted to all of the analysts and scientists.

"Make your way up to the seventh floor! We have a tactical team on route! Get out now!" Chuck shouted, and the two partners watched as the CIA personnel quickly did as instructed, and they vacated the floor.

On finding Laszlo, they would take him up to the sixth floor and make a last stand there while waiting for the tactical team to arrive.

They found Laszlo a few seconds later. He was destroying his files.

"Laszlo Mahnovski?" Sarah asked.

"And you are?" Laszlo replied as he continued destroying files.

"CIA," Chuck and Sarah showed him their badges.

"We need to move you right now. You are not safe here. There is a kill order out on you. Let's move," Sarah said.

"Waaaaiit!" Laszlo shouted in protest because he had not completed his task, but neither of the agents was having any of his protests.

"Chuck, grab him!" Sarah commanded, and on her command, Chuck took a firm grip of Laszlo, and he manhandled him as they headed for the stairs.

Departing the exit door of the fourth floor, they glanced at the stairwell, and they saw an armed Fulcrum team heading up towards them.

"Sarah, take Laszlo up and secure the sixth floor. I'll delay these guys," Chuck said.

"Chuck, I'm not leaving you!" Sarah protested.

"Sarah, I'll be right behind you, now go!" Chuck shouted.

Sarah began to hesitate as she stood still, and her mind entered into a state of conflict.

"Please, Sarah, protect Laszlo, go!"

Sarah Walker was torn right now between man and job. Would she do her job? Or would she protect the man she cared for?

"No, Chuck! I will not leave you. If we die, then we are going to die together," she said.

"Too late! Get back into the office!" Chuck said as they hurried back into the office to take up a defensive position.

Meanwhile, Laszlo was confused at what just happened as he frowned and rotated his gaze between the two CIA agents.

Chuck and Sarah then took up a defensive position.

"I counted five," Sarah said as she looked at her partner, but Chuck ignored her.

"Bryce, ETA on the tactical team?" Chuck asked.

"About twenty minutes," came the reply.

"What is your situation?" Bryce then asked.

"We're pinned down. Hostiles inside the facility watch your back. Out," Chuck replied.

"Ok, Sarah, it's just us. Backup won't get here in time."

"Then let's show them what the CIA's best can do," she said as she tried to smile affectionately at him, but he seemed to be very angry. He can't blame me for not leaving him, surely? He risked the mission to save me several days ago. He cannot expect me not to do the same thing!

"Stay down, Lazlo," Chuck commanded the analyst.

"I had no intention of doing anything else," Laszlo said in furious agreement with Chuck's statement.

Chuck and Sarah took up firing positions as they waited for the Fulcrum team to appear.

The partners continued in wait as the Fulcrum team still hadn't appeared in view. They must be advancing cautiously and clearing each floor.

'Good. It buys more time for the tactical team to arrive,' they both thought.

Chuck then began to see activity as he watched the exit door open. He paused in wait for a clear visual because he couldn't simply just fire off rounds in case of friendlies. Two targets then came into sight. It was a sweeper team. They were undoubtedly well organized because this was special ops tactics.

Ascertaining that they were, in fact, hostiles, Chuck discharged his sidearm at the two Fulcrum agents, and they immediately scrambled for cover.

While Sarah immediately identified a target and she fired at the Fulcrum agent in the position he had taken. She watched him drop. "Got one," Sarah said simply.

The remaining three of the five-man team that Sarah had encountered on the stairwell then entered onto the floor to reinforce the sweeper team.

Chuck and Sarah could also hear armed contact outside the facility.

'How many agents do Fulcrum have here?' Chuck wondered.

Chuck and Sarah continued to exchange fire with the Fulcrum team. "Got one," came the call from Chuck.

Three remaining.

The exchange of fire continued, and Chuck and Sarah had the positional advantage. They had plenty of cover in their defensive positions, while the hostiles that came out of the exit had limited cover.

"Got one!" Sarah yelled.

Several moments then passed as the Fulcrum team repositioned, and Chuck and Sarah met their movement as both teams attempted to outmaneuver the other.

Chuck and Sarah still had the positional advantage, and Chuck was flanking the remaining two Fulcrum agents.

"Sarah, flash and go on three, how copy?" he said into comms.

"Copy," Sarah replied.

"1..."

"2..."

"3..."

Chuck threw a flashbang at the location of the Fulcrum agents, and the device exploded, causing immediate disorientation. Chuck and Sarah were on them in an instant as they each fired rounds off at the two rogue agents.

With the team of five eliminated through Chuck and Sarah's smart tactics, their position was secure for now. But they were unsure how Bryce was holding up down below because they hadn't heard from him in a short while.

"Bryce, situation report?" Chuck asked.

No response.

"Bryce?" Sarah asked.

There was still silence until it was broken when somebody came on the net who they didn't recognize.

"Your agent has been captured. I believe we are both after the same person. Bring him down to the lobby if you want your partner to live. You can not get out of this facility because we control the exit. Your tactical team is at least ten minutes away," the mystery voice said.

Chuck and Sarah took in what the voice had said.

"Look, Sarah, we can't give them Laszlo, but we can't let Bryce die."

Sarah nodded. "I agree, Chuck. We could take Laszlo down and try to take advantage of the situation in the chaos of the tactical team arriving," Sarah mused.

"Sounds good. Are you ready to test your hand to hand combat skills, Sarah?"

"As long as you're by my side, Chuck," she replied as she gazed at him.

"Sarah, I'll always be by your side," he said as he met her gaze.

They then finally gave each other those special smiles that they had now reserved only for each other.

Chuck and Sarah would surrender themselves to Fulcrum, and upon the arrival of the tactical team, they would take advantage of the chaos and eliminate the Fulcrum team.

"Come on, Laszlo, let's go," Chuck then said.

"Do I not get a say in this?" Laszlo protested as he didn't want to be used as bait.

"NO!" Both agents said in unison.

"Oh, Sarah?" Chuck paused.

"Yes?" Sarah asked as she gazed at him.

"Just in case I don't get another chance," Chuck said as he moved to pull Sarah in for a quick kiss.

"Mmm," Sarah said in wonderment. "Just don't do anything stupid, Chuck. I don't think I could live with not being able to kiss those lips anymore."

Chuck nodded.

They began to descend to the lobby to try and save Bryce.

-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-

Chuck and Sarah arrived in the lobby, and they surrendered their weapons. On their descent, they had assured Laszlo that he would be ok because the tactical team was almost on scene.

There was five Fulcrum in the lobby with two more outside.

Four of the Fulcrum agents began to surround Chuck and Sarah, while only one remained to watch over Bryce.

Chuck glanced over at Bryce to see how his friend was doing—he looked fine.

Chuck sent him a signal by nodding at the one Fulcrum guard that was watching over him, and Bryce nodded.

Bryce knew what he had to do. He had to take out that Fulcrum guard as soon as Chuck and Sarah made their move.

The Fulcrum team then spent the next few minutes interrogating the three Agents and Laszlo. They were too confident that the situation was under their control, and that was their mistake.

The tactical team then arrived on the scene as two SUVs pulled up outside the facility.

Agents left the two vehicles, and they immediately began to engage the two Fulcrum outside the lobby.

Chuck and Sarah reacted in an instant as they used the confusion created to attack the four Fulcrum guards that were surrounding them. The Fulcrum agents were in a complete state of panic, and Chuck and Sarah used this to their advance. The Fulcrum team never had a chance to aim their weapons at Chuck or Sarah, and the two partners began fighting in sync, their backs leaning against the other as they used their bodies to their advantage.

Chuck bent over, and Sarah moved to spin over his back as she sent a kick to the advancing agent that was moving in on Chuck.

Laszlo watched on in awe. He had never seen anything this good in his life. Even in the movies, he had seen he had never seen anything as good as this.

The two agents that were protecting him were fighting with their backs to each other as they protected the other agent. He knew that they were close after the female agent wouldn't leave her partner back up in the office, but they fought with a strong purpose to make sure the other one was ok.

As soon as Bryce saw Chuck make his move, he attacked the Fulcrum agent that was guarding him who had turned towards his buddy. They fought with each other, but the agent was no match for Bryce.

Bryce quickly disabled his contact, and he was pretty happy with himself over how easy that was until he saw that Chuck and Sarah had already eliminated four Fulcrum guards. Bloody hell, they're fast!

The Fulcrum threat had now been eliminated, and team one of the tactical teams entered into the lobby, and it immediately reported to the three CIA Agents.

Chuck immediately went over to them while Bryce was protecting Laszlo from any further possible threat.

"Ok, I want you positioned outside. We've just had a twelve-man team here, and I don't know how many more are around. There's also the threat of an NSA attack. Be alert," Chuck told the team leader.

"Yes, sir," the team leader said as he positioned his men outside the lobby until they were ready to extract Laszlo to safety.

Chuck then turned to Sarah.

"Nice job there, and great kick ouch, that must have hurt," Chuck joked with a grin.

Sarah smiled at her partner and boyfriend.

"You're such a geek, Chuck," she said as she held her smile.

"It's nerd, and you love it, admit it," he said as he smiled, and he brushed two of his fingers over Sarah's cheek.

"Maybe just a little," Sarah said as she held her smile at him.

They were just about to move to kiss as Laszlo headed over to them, leaving them both frowning at the disruption.

"Wow! You two are just amazing! That was the greatest thing I have seen! Wait! I know who you both are. You're... You're! Agent Walker!" he said, pointing at Sarah. "And and and and you're Agent Carmichael!"

Chuck and Sarah smiled.

"I have admired you for quite some time, Agent Carmichael! I never believed how good you actually were, but now I just saw what you two did to those guards and the other five back in the lobby I'm proud to have you both protecting me."

Lazlo was rambling.

Chuck felt proud of himself that somebody spoke highly of him like that.

"Uh, thanks, Lazlo, but I'm not that special," Chuck protested.

'Yes, Chuck, you are,' thought Sarah. 'You're special to me.'

Sarah interrupted, "My partner is just being modest. He is very special. He is the best Agent that I have seen," she said as she looked right into Chuck's eyes.

Chuck was shaking his head dismissively.

Sarah had already told Chuck how amazing he was, and he always brushed it off. And that's what she liked about him most of all. Chuck could never be arrogant. That was why he was special to her among hundreds of other reasons she'd already thought of.

Chuck continued, "So, you ok, Laszlo?"

'Another reason why he is so special,' thought Sarah.

He was putting others before himself.

"Yeah, I'll live. I owe you both my life!" Laszlo said.

"Don't worry about it, it's our job lets get you to safety," Chuck said as he grinned at the analyst.

Chuck then turned his attention to Bryce.

"Thanks for coming for me, Chuck," Bryce said with a smile.

Chuck returned the smile. "Don't worry about it, buddy. I couldn't let anything happen to you."

Bryce offered his hand, which Chuck shook.

'Caring for his friends. There is another reason why he is special,' thought Sarah. Sarah would show Chuck just how special he was to her tonight when they got back to their hotel.

The Agents and Laszlo then headed to the transport, and they quickly departed for the Orange, Orange.

-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-

The SUVs carrying the CIA personnel were about ten minutes away from the Orange, Orange, and there was a roadblock up ahead.

"Pull over!" Chuck yelled suddenly.

The SUVs ground to a halt on Chuck's request. The three vehicles began forming a perimeter.

"Bryce, get the Director on the sat phone immediately and get him to call off the NSA. This is an NSA ambush," Chuck said with complete confidence in his assessment.

Every agent inside of the vehicles suddenly went into immediate action. Chuck had spotted it first. Workers were acting suspiciously a hundred yards away.

NSA hit team.

Sure enough, once the vehicles pulled over, the workers stopped what they were doing, and they began reaching for their weapons. Hopefully, unnecessary collateral damage could be avoided. The CIA agents began to take up positions in cover around the SUVs, and Bryce was on the phone to the Director who was trying to reach the head of the NSA.

All of a sudden, one of the NSA agents opened fire towards one of the CIA SUVs, and the CIA agents immediately returned fire.

The two agencies then began to exchange intense fire.

"STAND DOWN!" the Director was screaming into the satellite phone, but it was too late for that.

The NSA hit team was now advancing on the CIA's position.

Sarah was coordinating the teams. "Chuck, on me. We need to flank, are you with me?" she asked.

"Always," he replied instantly.

"Ok, I need two of you with me," Sarah said as she motioned to two of the tactical team.

"Bryce, take over. Provide suppressive fire so my team can break and flank. Clear?" Sarah said.

"Copy," Bryce replied.

"On three," she stated.

On the count of three, Chuck, Sarah, and the two agents broke cover from the SUVs, and they took up a flanking position on the NSA hit team.

They were now thirty meters away from the SUVs in a flanking position. Some of the NSA agents repositioned themselves to cover the move as the two American agencies continued returning fire while sustaining casualties on both sides.

The government was going to be outraged over this. Two United States government Agencies were firing upon each other. All because one of the NSA agents lost his cool and fired upon the CIA.

As he advanced, Chuck noticed in his peripheral vision an NSA agent aiming towards Sarah, and he reacted instantly, and he threw her out of the way to the floor, and gunshots rang out as Chuck fell to the floor.

"CHUCK!" Sarah screamed as she shot her gaze at her partner, lying on the road.

Chuck had been hit.

"CHUCK! Where are you hit? Chuck, talk to me!" Sarah shouted out as tears began flowing down her cheeks.

Her partner was having trouble breathing.

And he was coughing violently.

Sarah stripped his vest and shirt as she hurriedly began looking for an entry wound. She couldn't find one. The vest must have taken all of the impact. It was close to his heart.

"Oh, Chuck..." Sarah was sobbing as she held his face in her arms.

He just saved her life and took a bullet for her.

Chuck was still having trouble speaking or regaining his breath. The impact took it out of him. His heart had even stopped momentarily because of the impact of the gunshot.

Bryce's team had managed to make the NSA team retreat, and they were advancing on them. The NSA dropped their weapons as they were no match, and it was pointless losing any more of their team.

"CIA!" Bryce yelled. "Don't you move!"

"CIA? We thought you were a Fulcrum team!" one of the NSA agents shouted.

"You just opened fire on us, you fucking ASSHOLES!" Bryce yelled as he and the rest of the CIA agents shook their heads with strong distaste.

Bryce saw Chuck on the floor with Sarah over him and instantly thought the worst. He walked over to them, and he let out the biggest sigh of relief to see that the bullet had only hit Chuck's vest.

"Bryce, stay with Chuck," Sarah said before she proceeded to storm towards the NSA team that was being surrounded by tactical.

Chuck had regained his full composure, and he made Bryce help him up. 'God that hurt like hell,' he thought. But it was worth it to save the life of the person who meant everything to him. And now he was probably going to have to save her again. He knew where she was heading. He could just somehow feel the rage inside of her.

Sarah found the person she was looking for, and she sent a blow from her fist to his head, and she was about to reach for her weapon in a fit of uncontrolled rage when she felt somebody put their arms around her from behind. She instantly calmed, but she needed to make the NSA agent hurt who had just shot the only person that mattered in her life.

"Chuck, please, he shot you," she protested.

"But I'm fine, Sarah," he said reassuringly

"I could have lost you, Chuck!" Sarah let out an ever so brief sob as she turned around into Chuck's arms as he stroked her hair.

"I could have lost you!" she repeated.

"I'm here, Sarah," he said, and Chuck grimaced as she got tight into him. But he didn't care about himself. He cared about Sarah. He comforted her for the time it took to get her emotions back under control.