A/N Thanks again for all the kind words, reviews, PM's and readers. As we get closer to the final end of this amazing show I for one am so pleased that so many writers have pledged to continue exploring these amazing characters. Through their work and the friendships this show has built Chuck, Sarah and the entire rest of the gang will live on for many many years. I still have a long way to go with this story but I have three other ideas for new stories and I don't see my love for the characters or for sharing these stories with all of you great readers ending anytime soon. Chuck will live on as long as we want it to.
Finally after a long journey we are headed back to Burbank.
Thanks to Esardi for his usual stellar work in finding the plot holes. I can only imagine how much better the show would have been if Fedak had sent him the scripts before they were sent to the actors and directors. I know one thing, the disastrous relationship geometry of Season 3 would have never left the writers room and Daniel Shaw would have been hit by a bus before ever walking into Castle.
I still don't own Chuck but if I did I can guarantee that Sobe Water would be the biggest product placement of the entire season!
Chapter 16
The Homecoming
General Beckman's Office
DNI
03:15 PM EDT
For the second time in two days Chuck and Sarah sat across from the woman who had been so many things in their lives. But today was to begin a new era in their relationship. Last evening the General had given them a sort of don't ask don't tell acceptance of their personal relationship. As Chuck was going to become a full Agent in the next few weeks to months, and their successes as a team had seemed to be enhanced by their feelings for each other, this new policy fit all of their needs quite well. The couple knew for certain however that her acceptance was only based on their ability to continue to perform and that their situation was still very precarious.
But now was the time for them to prove once again how their romantic partnership was in both their best interest as well as General Beckman and the country's. Chuck's unique abilities beyond just the Intersect were being put to the test. Sarah's skill at training Chuck in basic interrogation techniques had allowed Chuck to reach an enemy operative and convince her to work with them. Now they had to pull it off and show Beckman that her confidence in them was well founded.
"So Mr. Bartowski what can you report from your meeting with former Agent Saunders this morning? I hope you have good news for us."
"Yes General, she has agreed to cooperate with us on a couple of fronts."
The General's eyebrows and attention perked up. She was a little surprised that Chuck had actually managed to gain the confidence of his former trainer. She had expected it to take the usual more physical aspects of an interrogation to make her finally talk. To say she was relieved at the apparent ease of her compliance surprised her more than a little. "You mean to tell me that we have the cooperation of a Ring operative? How did you manage to pull that off?"
Before Chuck could speak Sarah leaned forward to take charge of the situation as lead Agent. She knew that Chuck would be his normal humble self and she wanted the General to be fully aware of how great Chuck had performed earlier that morning. "General if I may. Mr. Bartowski displayed a very unique and unconventional approach with Ms Saunders. He used his knowledge of her past experiences and his calm comforting tone to gain her trust and make her see how helping us was to her advantage on a number of levels. We have brought you a flashdrive with the video and audio recordings of the session today and you can see for yourself how brilliantly he performed."
Sarah then glanced over at her partner/boyfriend with a smile of great pride and Chuck nodded his appreciation back to the gorgeous agent sitting next to him. "General, Chuck was able to get her to both open up about her relationship and her mission with former Acting Director Mitchell as well as gave us information on her contact with the Ring She also said she would give us a list of names she had sent to the Ring Director of trainees at the Farm she felt were ripe for recruitment."
Chuck then interrupted. "But General there are certain conditions that we feel must be met in order to continue maintain Ms Saunders trust."
"Mr. Bartowski, Ms Saunders is not in any position to be dictating terms of her cooperation. She is a traitor to the United States government and will be dealt with accordingly." The General said in no uncertain terms who was in complete control of the situation.
Chuck then looked over at Sarah and she gave a slight nod of her head showing her approval for where she felt he was going with this. He turned back to the General, took a deep breath and proceeded. "With all due respect General, former Agent Saunders did not dictate any of the terms in this agreement. We or more precisely I am."
"Mr. Bartowski!" The General had heard just about enough of this ridiculous discussion.
"General please let me explain." Chuck responded calmly and with only a slight bit of concern in his voice.
"General, the terms I feel are appropriate based on the benefit we will be gaining by her cooperation as well as respectful of what up until a few years ago had been a very strong record of service to the government."
The General looked down and to the side as she does many times when she is a bit exasperated by one Charles Bartowski but willing to hear his typically unorthodox approach to things. "Ok Mr. Bartowski, this better be good and I hope I don't have to remind you who is in charge here."
"No ma'am that is quite clear to both Agent Walker and I."
"Good, continue."
"Yes General. First I believe that any termination order should be rescinded. Killing Agent Saunders does no one any good and it would be rather difficult for her to cooperate with us if she is no longer among the living. She already is convinced that former Acting Director Mitchell wants her out of the equation and the Ring certainly has a termination order out on her. Why would she cooperate with us if we are just going to do the same thing the people we want her to turn on are planning on in her mind?"
"Fine, as long as she continues to cooperate and be of use to us then there will be no such order given by this office or the CIA."
"General, again please forgive me but that isn't good enough. She realizes that she will need to serve time for the crimes she has committed but based on how this government abandoned her when she was doing her duty I feel the least we can do is give her that chance to pay her debt for her crimes."
"General," Sarah then interjected. " I agree with Chuck. From what he has told me Agent Saunders served her country well prior to her mission in Thailand and that what she was forced to go through as a female Agent warrants allowing her to serve out her sentence, alive."
"I understand the nature of her situation and am sorry for what she had to endure but the fact of the matter remains that she was a traitor and the normal penalty for such actions is death. But the statute also allows for a prison term of a minimum of five years. I suppose under these circumstances we could request a lesser penalty."
"Thank you General. But I do have one other small request."
"Go ahead Mr. Bartowski but this better be the end of your conditions."
"General I believe we owe Ms Saunders an opportunity for counseling to deal with any issues related to her experiences. I realize that she was offered such treatment at the time but I feel that she chose to avoid that counseling because she simply didn't trust the government to keep her treatments confidential. I'd like to request that Agent Landers be brought in to work with Ms Saunders. From my experiences with him I trust him to do what's best for his patients."
"Very well. I will see to it that Agent Landers is brought home to work with her as his knowledge of both former Agent Saunders and you may be helpful."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Now what else did she tell you?"
Just as Chuck was about to tell her some of the particulars of the Mitchell case the phone on General Beckman's desk rang. "Yes….. I see… How did it happen?... Were there any casualties?...I see…. Keep me informed of any further developments."
During the phone conversation, Chuck and Sarah tried to be respectful of the General and not listen in but they both looked at each other briefly, curious about what that was about.
"Agent Walker, Mr. Bartowski. I'm afraid I have some rather disturbing news. It seems that some members of the Ring tried to infiltrate a CIA secure facility outside Savannah." Chuck and Sarah looked once again at each other, anxious as to why the General was sharing this information with them and how it was relevant to their team.
"It seems that the target of the operation was the other Ring operative that your team captured in St Moritz, Agent Sydney Prince. Unfortunately she was killed along with two guards and three of the five man team that took part in the operation."
"How did they gain access to the facility, General?"
"Agent Walker, it seems that the shift supervisor was found dead in his car two miles from the facility when he stopped for gas and his access card was stolen. It also seems that they removed his hand to use for the security scanner."
"Ewwww." Chuck mumbled under his breath but both of the two women present heard him.
"Mr. Bartowski, the Ring will use any means necessary to accomplish their goals and that is why we must destroy them to protect the citizens of this country."
"Yes General, I understand that but this changes things."
Sarah then turned to Chuck and asked, "How so?"
"It shows that the Ring has most assuredly infiltrated the CIA and that Ms. Saunders is most definitely being targeted by the Ring and is no longer safe here. I would suggest that she be moved to a different facility as we have no idea if this one had been compromised as well."
"General I agree. We need to move her asap to somewhere we can keep her safe."
The General then thought for a second. "I believe I have a place that will serve that purpose. It's an NSA facility that I have the utmost confidence in, Plus it will actually be much more convenient for you to continue to work with Ms. Saunders should the need arise once you get back to Burbank. Seeing your mission is no longer here you should head there tomorrow."
Both Chuck and Sarah were stunned.
"We're going home already?" Chuck stammered just a bit.
"Yes, the situation with the Ring is becoming increasingly more fluid and I want to get Team Intersect back in full operation as soon as possible. Based on what has been happening of late it is imperative that we get our best team back into the fight immediately. Agent Walker, I expect you to have a full listing of anything you require both at Castle and anything else you feel will assist you once you are back in full operation."
"Yes ma'am."
"General, I'd like to go back and tell Ms. Saunders that you have agreed to the terms I requested and that we will be moving her to a more secure facility."
"Very well Mr. Bartowski, I'll also increase the threat level at the facility until she is moved. No one will be allowed on to the premises without my express written+ permission."
"Thank you ma'am. We will head there immediately."
Interrogation Room C
Undisclosed location
4:37 pm EDT
Former Agent Andrea Saunders was led back into the same interrogation room used earlier that day for her follow up meeting with Chuck. This time she was under even tighter security. There were eight Agents instead of the four previously and Chuck and Sarah had to go through much tighter security checkpoints. Each checkpoint required both full body scans and pat downs while both were subjected to DNA as well as voice print testing to allow them safe passage to see Saunders.
During Andrea's time back in her cell she had thought a great deal about why she had been so trusting of her former student. What was it about this Charles Carmichael that made you feel safe and that you could put your trust in him? He was part of the spy world of deception and lies but yet he was so different. She had no idea why but she found herself thinking about what an actress in a science fiction movie from her childhood said but somehow it seemed quite appropriate. "Help me, Charles Carmichael you're my only hope."
Chuck entered the room once again following the same pattern he and Sarah had used before. However he was relieved to see the even greater security Beckman had ordered. He walked over and sat down across from former Agent Saunders and he could see a heightened apprehension in her eyes. She had seen the heightened security and Chuck had hoped it would make her feel more secure but in fact it seemed to have had the opposite effect.
"Good afternoon Andrea, I was hoping that the heightened security we have put around you would make you more comfortable and get you to realize how serious we are about protecting you."
"So that's what this is for? I thought you finally realized how great a threat I am to your precious CIA." The sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Look Andrea, I know what this looks like but believe me it is for your own protection."
"Fine, but how effective that is remains to be seen now doesn't it?"
Chuck ignored the comment and began. "Actually I have some news that I need to tell you about and then I'd like to spend a few minutes going over some things you hinted at earlier today if you don't mind."
"Well I did have a dinner date with Prince William but I suppose he can wait a little while longer." Again Chuck tried to get a read on what was going on in her head but something seemed different. He decided to file it away for now.
"Andrea, my boss has agreed to rescind any termination order on you from any official government agency. She has also agreed to allow Agent Landers to meet with you as well. Of course all of this is predicated on your full and honest cooperation. But I promised you I would make sure that you be given the chance to serve out any term you may be given without a threat upon your life and I have fulfilled that promise so now its time for you to fulfill your part of the bargain."
"Good Chuck. Keep her focused on the fact that you did what you said you would do and now its time for her to as well." Sarah said over the comm..
"So you call this added firepower fulfilling your part of the bargain because it certainly looks like I'm in much greater danger now than I was earlier today."
"Actually, yes it is and unfortunately yes you are but not from us."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that unfortunately your life is in more danger now than it was six hours ago when we first met."
"Danger? From whom? Mitchell?"
"No. Earlier today the Ring staged an assault on a secure CIA facility and Agent Prince was killed along with a number of guards as well as part of the Ring assault team. That is how we know they were working for the Ring and not some other Agency. From interrogating some of the survivors it seems that she was the target and that they had some inside help as well."
Saunders' face turned icy cold as the reality of her situation set in. "So you are telling me the truth that the added security force is to protect me and not to terminate me?"
"Yes, my boss ordered it personally. Also after we are done here today you will be moved to a different and even more secure facility because we have no idea how invasive the Ring infiltration into the CIA has gotten."
Chuck could see Andrea's hands begin to shake and he reached out to hold them hoping to calm her anxiety. "Look Andrea, I promised you we will protect you and I meant it. I'd like to bring my partner in now so we can continue this debriefing as quickly as possible so we can get you someplace safer. If the Ring knew Prince was there then they possibly know you are here. So the faster we wrap this up today the safer you will be."
Saunders nodded as she looked down at their clasped hands. She was desperate and her only possible lifeline seemed to be the man she had tried to kidnap. Chuck then turned and signaled for Sarah to join him.
A few seconds later Sarah entered the room and sat down next to Chuck across from the woman she had helped take down in Switzerland.
"Andrea Saunders, this is Agent Sarah Walker, my partner. I'm sure you are familiar with her reputation as one of the best Agents in the CIA. I also want you to know that I trust her completely and if you trust me then you should be able to trust her as well. She was very influential in getting your protection in place and will be supervising your transfer to a more secure facility."
"Ms Saunders, I know we met briefly under much different circumstances but I want assure you that I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe. We understand the threats to your safety are very real but we also know that the best way to neutralize those threats is for you to cooperate fully with us. The sooner we deal with Mitchell and the Ring, the safer you will be."
"Thank you Agent Walker, I'm sure if you had any dealings with Director Mitchell you'll understand much of what I'm about to tell you."
"Unfortunately, I've had his fingerprints on my ass more than once. But my knee did leave a lasting impression on certain parts of his anatomy." That broke the tense mood that had been there since this meeting began and the three operatives began to go over a number of things.
One item that caught Chuck's inner nerd was the way Saunders described the communications device that she used to talk to the Ring Director. It seemed to be a technical marvel as it didn't rely on cellular communications or satellite systems that were worthless once deep underground but what he assumed were ultra low frequency radio waves similar to what was used to talk to submarines underwater. The signals travelled through the earth itself making it ideal for underground use.
"Andrea, what happened to the device you used in Zuoz? If we could get our hands on one it could be a great help to us."
"Charles, when we went on the mission in St. Moritz I had no intention of returning to Zuoz. I took all of my relevant documentation and put it on a flash drive before I did a low level format on my laptop and then destroyed it. I took that flash drive and the device and placed it in a storage locker at the train station the night before. Yea, I know that there were security cameras but I wore a disguise and I planned to pick it up after I had turned you over to the Ring outside the hotel. Unless they know about it, it should be still there."
"That's great. I will arrange to have someone pick it up."
"Fine Agent Walker but I need to warn you. These devices are specially encrypted and as soon as you turn it on they will know that it was mine and they can remotely destroy it, if they haven't already."
"We will put it in a VLF faraday cage when we do the analysis and there will be no way for them to know it's been activated. Then we can study it and break the encryption and hopefully end up with a 'clean' device."
"Agent Walker, on that drive is the list of recruits that I gave the Director. I'm not sure what happened to any of them or if they are now working for the Ring but they were good trainees who had certain 'flaws' that could be exploited."
"What kid of flaws?" Sarah asked.
"The usual stuff like possible affinity for the 'temptations' of the spy life. drugs. sex, ego, the heroes complex. Even possible family weaknesses. Whatever I could find out that made them vulnerable for possible recruitment."
"Once we get that list we will check out each Agent carefully and if any are suspected of having defected to the Ring they will be taken into custody quietly. We don't want to alert the Director that the list has been compromised."
Chuck then asked Andrea about Mitchell and what if anything she had on him.
"Charles, I have a safety deposit box at the Bank of America office on Annapolis Road in Hyattsville Maryland. Box #1390. In there is a drive with footage of three meetings with me at a bar in Virginia where Mitchell promised me a desk down the hall from him in Langley as long as I let him bend me over it. Also in there are recordings of three former trainees that Mitchell traded sex for choice assignments. Let's just say those videos files are very graphic and I know for certain that one of those Agents was someone I had alerted the Director about and he seemed quite interested in talking with her. The Ring had more than one of us 'entertaining' that scumbag. On that video he is drunk and just after the Agent gets up off her knees he boasts about an operation he'd like to assign her to in St. Tropez. Two weeks later the Agents there were all killed in a trap."
"That fucking bastard." Sarah said with disgust.
"You do realize Agent Walker that the reach of the Ring is a lot further than an idiot like Mitchell and probably General Beckman ever suspected. They have operatives at some of the highest levels in the Intelligence Community. No agency is immune. Plus as in my mission with Mitchell they have female Agents working mostly male marks for whatever the Ring needs. There are even a few high ranking female officials that have the services of a select stud force of Ring operatives. Plus in many instances sexual preference is used quite extensively. There are a number of married officials whose 'secret sex life' has been exploited with great results. You can get a lot of information from a married mark that frequents certain shall we say discrete establishments."
Sarah of course knew that all of these activities and tools were used by enemies of the US. It had been going on for centuries. But the feeling she was getting from the brunette woman in front of her was that the threat posed by the Ring was far greater than she or anyone for that matter anticipated. Maybe Beckman's idea to expand the team wasn't such a bad idea after all. How could just three Agents take down this large an organization? She knew the road ahead for her team would be difficult but from her meeting with Andrea Saunders it seemed that it was a lot worse than they had thought previously.
After a few minutes more discussion Sarah decided it was time to move. The General had arranged for Casey and a highly trusted team of NSA Agents to escort Saunders to her new secure location at a top secret NSA facility at Andrews Air Force Base in California. The likelihood of a Ring assault there was extremely remote. The simple size of the facility along with the lack of any cover vegetation helped assure that. Casey had hand picked the security detail that would be escorting her there and he trusted them completely.
The elevator doors opened and Chuck, Sarah, Andrea and the eight man in house security team proceeded to a garage area where three identical black Suburbans along with four armored personnel carriers waited. Beckman had also arranged for two Apache AH-64d attack helicopters to escort the convoy and provide air support on their short trip to Langley Air Force Base if they were attacked by the Ring. From there the group would board a military aircraft for the trip to Edwards.
When Andrea saw the intense security measures that had been put in place for her protection, her jaw dropped. Charles Carmichael had surprised her once again. As Casey walked over to take charge of the prisoner, Saunders asked if she could have a word with Chuck in private. Sarah motioned for the Agents and Casey to step back but to keep their weapons trained on her just in case she threatened Chuck in anyway. Sarah believed that Saunders was sincere in working with them but her professionalism and need to protect Chuck kept her on guard. That was one thing Agent Sarah Walker never lost sight of. Protect Chuck from any and all possible threats. She would even pull a gun on her own team or supervisor if Chuck's life was ever threatened by them. Chuck's safety was always mission one with her.
"Charles, I just want to say thank you for all this and I want to apologize for all the agony I put you through in Switzerland. After what we had planned to do to you I can't believe you would go through this much trouble for me. You are definitely one unique agent."
"Andrea, I promised you we would protect you and I keep my promises. While I don't agree or condone what you did by joining the Ring, I understand the circumstances you were under and no one should ever have to go through that no matter what side you end up on."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Definitely. We still have some more things to discuss once you are safe. Plus Agent Landers will be seeing you soon as well."
"Thank you Charles. I'll look forward to it."
Casey then shouted, "Let's go prisoner."
Andrea Saunders then walked over to the rear suburban and just before she was placed inside she turned and looked back at Chuck. He thought he saw the tiniest bit of a smile form on her lips and definitely saw a glistening in her slightly moist eyes.
Casey then walked back to Chuck who had been joined by Sarah again. "Got what you wanted from the traitor, Carmichael?"
"Yea, but we got a big job ahead of us."
"Well that's why they are sending us."
The three Agents/friends then smiled a smile of professional pride to each other. They were the best and were all glad to be back working together.
"See you soon Casey." Chuck said as the NSA Agent headed back to the convoy. Chuck swore he heard that #32 grunt, "Gladly"
Chuck then turned to Sarah and gave her a slightly tempered version of the famed Bartowski smile. They were in front of a number of other Agents after all. He then said quietly so that only she could hear above the noise of the opening garage doors.
"Now let's go home Sarah. We got an early morning flight"
"I like the sound of that." She said as she smiled back politely and headed back inside to clear through security once more.
As they passed the security checkpoint that they had gone through to get to the conference room before, they didn't notice the detail chief reach for his phone. Once they were past he quickly sent out a text.
Agent Daniel Shaw's loft
Washington
6:04 pm EDT
Sitting in his loft near Dupont Circle, Special Agent Daniel Shaw heard his phone vibrate on the granite countertop. He set down the herbal tea he was drinking next to his plate of pasta primavera and picked it up. As he looked at the screen his face fell.
'no use coming back, she's gone, extremely heavy security, You'd need an F-22 to get to her.'
"Shit!" How was he going to explain this to the Director? All he could hope for was for that ass bag Mitchell to come through somehow and get him on that team. He'd make them realize that was far more important. After all Saunders knew nothing about the Ring beyond her connection to Mitchell and he was a dead man walking anyway. The real prize was Carmichael and the Intersect. With the added prize for him being Agent Sarah Walker.
He quickly went to his desk at the other end of the loft and grabbed the burner phone he used to call Mitchell. He dialed the number and waited for it to ring.
"Did you get it done?"
"Well hello to you too. Yea, I called in a favor with an analyst with a gambling problem and the files have been placed on the servers. The dates were altered so they look legit for when they were entered. Your role as "primary Ring specialist" under Graham has been taken care of. My guy will make sure they are discovered by the right people. That should get you on the team."
"Good."
"What about your part of the bargain?"
"She is no longer a problem for you." Shaw lied but he knew Mitchell was toast anyway. He got what he needed from him and he knew that by the time Mitchell figured it out that she was still alive, his mission both professional and private would long since have been accomplished.
Shaw then hung up the phone and went back to the kitchen. He was no longer interested in tea, this called for something much stronger. He opened up his special cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Glenlivet 18 and poured himself a glass. He had waited years for this to all come together and the final chapter of this part of his plan was about to be put into motion. Once he was assured that these two little possible 'nuisances' were taken care of and that his addition to the Intersect team could not be traced back to him, he could begin the final part of the mission that began on a cold dark street in Paris. Vengeance would be sweet but not as sweet as the rewards when he became the next Ring Elder.
He then sent out two texts on the burner. Six hours later after they were acknowledged he picked up his special communications device and laid out his plan to the Director.
Somewhere over Kansas
09:53 am CDT
Sarah sat looking out the window of the NSA G4 at the scattered clouds and wheat fields below. She glanced over at Chuck who was sleeping quietly in his seat next to her and she couldn't help but put a smile on her face. She was going home. It was a word she had never really used before because she never really had one. The first eight years of her life prior to going on the run with her father were but a distant memory and all those years she travelled the country with him she never stayed in one place long enough for any place to ever feel like one. Each town meant a different name and a different address. She had lost count of the number of schools she had attended and if it hadn't been for her own thirst for knowledge she would never have been ready academically for the rigors of Harvard when Graham had sent her there. Sure she didn't spend much time in her classes because of all of the training but she worked hard for her grades and her 3.85 GPA was honestly achieved. She had insisted on that. The CIA could get her off the hook for missed attendance in those classes that required it but Sarah made sure she completed all of her work just like every other student. She may not have spent much time in Cambridge itself but her degree was legitimately earned.
After she had graduated from the Farm, she bought an apartment in DC but she never spent much time there. There were no personal touches in the place at all. It looked as sterile as many of the hotel rooms she had spent most of her time in. It was simply where she slept and occasionally ate when she was back in DC for however long a time she spent between missions. In fact she had never had anyone there for the entire six years she had owned it. Even during her partnership with Bryce she had preferred to simply meet him at work or on that rare occasion where their mission was in DC itself they simply stayed at a hotel.
That was the nature of their relationship. It had been solely based on their mission status as partners. Bryce had never expected nor wanted to take it beyond that. He knew she had an apartment and so did he but they both had never expressed any real interest in sharing them with the other. Even though they weren't really either of their homes they represented a level of privacy that they both respected. They cared about each other as partners, sought each other out for the adrenaline release after a stressful mission but neither wanted to bridge that gap to their private lives by sharing the one thing that each owned privately. Besides it didn't really feel like a home to Sarah anyway. It just created the illusion of another wall neither she nor Bryce wanted to take down and look behind.
But all of that was different with Chuck. Even with all of the places she had lived around the world, Burbank was the only place that ever felt like home. She had friends there, real friends. Even with the secrecy and the cover she viewed Ellie, Devon and even Morgan as her friends. Chuck and his family had opened their hearts and their homes to her honestly and without pretense or expectation. They did it simply because it was who they were and because they cared about her. Chuck had shown her what a real home was like and what it meant to share that with someone you love. It was a concept so simple and so commonplace but it was from a world she had never thought she was worthy to live in. No one had offered her that warmth, that feeling of safety, that feeling that no matter what happened elsewhere you would always be welcome here. Burbank was her home now and Chuck Bartowski had shared that with her and she wanted to share it right back with him.
Sarah's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ringing of the secure phone that was located on the wall of the cabin. She also noticed Chuck had been awoken by the noise as she reached for the receiver and picked it up to her ear.
"Walker secure"
"Beckman secure. Agent Walker have Mr. Bartowski pick up the other handset. I need to speak to you both."
"Yes ma'am"
Sarah then pointed to the handset on the opposite wall of the aircraft and Chuck moved over to pick it up.
"General, we're both on."
"Chuck, Sarah I have both some good and some disturbing news to share with you." Both Chuck and Sarah looked at each other with looks of concern quite noticeable on their respective faces. "First the good news, Colonel Casey and his 'asset' have arrived safely at their destination. The package is secure and the Colonel is on his way to Castle to begin reactivating the facility."
"General that is good news."
"I agree Mr. Bartowski but I'm afraid that is the extent of anything positive I have to say."
"Yes ma'am please continue."
"Agent Walker, late last night former Acting Director Mitchell and his Attorney were killed in a traffic accident near his home in Georgetown. It was made to look like a simple drunk driver as the second vehicle involved was found abandoned a few blocks away with numerous open bottles of liquor found inside. But the car was completely clean of any finger prints or DNA from anyone. We then tapped into the onboard computer and GPS system and that evidence shows that the vehicle containing Mitchell and the Attorney looks to have been targeted in such a way as to drive their vehicle over an embankment and into the oncoming traffic below. It was then struck head on by a tractor trailer. Fortunately the driver of the truck was uninjured."
"So you believe it was intentional?"
"Yes Agent Walker. We believe it is another example of the Ring cleaning up the mess from Switzerland. We also believe that they are trying to send us a message that they can and will attack any and everyone they feel is necessary."
"General if I may, how does that affect us and our mission?"
"In a couple of ways Chuck. First of all it makes your mission even more vital to national security and that is causing us to ramp up our timetable for the re-outfitting of Castle and for the expansion of your team. It also means that you, Mr. Bartowski are even more important and vital to this cause than ever. We know from what happened in Switzerland that the Ring knows that Agent Carmichael is the Intersect and not Agent Larkin. We believe they are fully aware of his death. However we do not believe that they are aware that you, Chuck Bartowski, are in fact Agent Carmichael."
"So you believe that Chuck is in even more danger? Does that mean you are planning on placing him in a bunker?" Sarah looked at Chuck and his eyes grew wide with apprehension at that thought.
"No Agent Walker, we feel that putting the as… Mr. Bartowski in a bunker would be counter productive at this time. We need him in the field and fully engaged in this war but it does mean that he needs twenty-four hour protection."
"So does that mean you want me to move in with Agent Walker?" Chuck grinned over at Sarah who even with the tension she was feeling rolled her eyes at him.
"Actually we think it would be best if she moved in with you. The proximity to Colonel Casey makes that location preferable."
"What about my sister and her husband? I haven't even told them we are returning yet and now you want me to ask if it's ok for Sarah to move in with them as well? That apartment is too small for the four of us especially seeing that she and Devon are now married. Plus doesn't that put them in greater danger?"
"Actually Mr. Bartowski, we have been monitoring your family for their safety the entire time you were in Europe and it seems that the apartment right across the courtyard from the one they currently live in has become available. They have begun the process of purchasing that apartment and we can make arrangements for you and Agent Walker to take over the lease of their current residence once you arrive."
"General, I'd like to talk with Sarah privately about this arrangement. I know it's probably necessary under the circumstances, I'd just like to talk it over with her and we will give you our final decision when we get to Castle later tonight."
"Very well Chuck, but Agent Walker, do not leave his side under any circumstances, that is an order."
"Yes ma'am, I have no intention of ever doing that again."
Chuck looked at Sarah and caught the double meaning. He then mouthed 'I love you' and she replied 'I love you too.'
"Very well. Be in Castle at 20:00 hours your time. That should get Colonel Casey and you enough time to get the servers back up and running for the video link. I will keep you informed of any new developments." The 'secure' light then extinguished on each phone and they both put them back into their respective cradles. Chuck sat down across from Sarah and reached out and took hold of her hands.
"Sarah, are you going to be ok with this? I know you will always do what is best to protect me but it is a little soon for us to be moving in together."
"Chuck, I'm fine with it. Actually, more than fine." She said with a rather seductive grin. "Besides according to our cover we have been dating off and on for almost three years. I'm sure that Ellie will be very happy for us and think it's about time we took that step. Are you going to be ok with it?"
"Sarah, I won't deny that I have thought a lot about moving in with you over these past few years. Remember that night we sat at the fountain after Cole left?"
"Of course. You told me that you weren't going to move in with me. I completely understood why you couldn't do it but I have to admit a part of me was hurt and disappointed."
"I am so sorry about that but it wouldn't have been real then. It would have been just a cover excuse to protect me. Now there is no more cover. It still may be for my protection but its also going to be very very real for me and I need to know if you feel the same way because if you don't it's only going to be just as painful as we talked about that night at the fountain."
"Chuck, please believe me when I say this. I want this. A part of me has always wanted this. I know it isn't the traditional way a couple decides to move in together but when have we ever been traditional?"
"It hasn't happened yet so why start now." Chuck then leaned over and gave his new 'live-in girlfriend' a tender kiss on the lips. "But Sarah, I have to warn you. If you think Ellie is going to go all well… 'Ellie' on us when she sees us, you haven't seen anything like you are going to see when she finds out we are going to be living together."
Casa Bartowski
Echo Park CA
03:30 pm PDT
Chuck and Sarah had arrived an hour earlier and were waiting for Ellie to arrive after a sixteen hour shift at the hospital. They had checked her schedule that she had posted on the refrigerator every week just like always. They had decided it would be easier on all of them if they took it in stages with her. Let her come in and relax for a minute and then Chuck would walk out of his room to greet his older, now married sister.
Sarah had decided that it was better to give Chuck and Ellie some alone time before she walked out and they told her of their new relationship status. Besides they had also kind of worked it out to have it be more Ellie's idea for them to take this apartment.
Chuck heard the muffled voices of his sister and now brother in law as they put the key in the door and enter the living room.
"Devon, I'm exhausted. I can't believe what we had to deal with last night. Don't these concert promoters know that general admission concerts are just asking for trouble? We had over thirty five kids treated for everything from alcohol poisoning to three broken arms, two with cracked ribs, one broken jaw and at least ten who had bad reactions to some really bad news crystal meth."
"I know hon. How about I go run you a hot bath and I'll bring you a glass of wine and you can relax before we even think about dinner."
"That sounds like heaven. I love you Mr. Woodcomb!"
"I love you too Mrs. Woodcomb"
Devon then walked down to the bathroom to start the tub while Ellie fell back onto the couch and kicked off her shoes. As he walked by Chuck's door, Chuck opened it slowly with his finger pressed to his lips. Devon was stunned. "Chuck you're back?" he whispered but still a little too loudly. He was shocked to see his new brother in law home.
"Devon did you say something?"
"No babe, just aaaah singing a song I heard on the radio."
"Devon the radio was on the sports station when we drove home."
"Yea, I know I must have heard it at the nurses' station today." Devon really was a terrible liar.
"Chuck…. and Sarah what are you doing here?" He said after Chuck pulled him into his room.
"Devon, we're back but I want to surprise Ellie. Go start her bath and I'm going to go tell her when it's ready. We'll explain it all in a minute."
"Ok bro, awesome to have you back. Ellie has really missed you. You too Sarah. Whatever you two were doing these past few months has been good to you both. I've never seen you look this good. You've been working out too man. I can tell."
Devon then snuck back out and went into the bath to start the water. Chuck walked back out to the living room and saw his sister with his back to him. He noticed that she was about to drop her hospital scrubs on the floor. He tried desperately to not embarrass them both as he knew he had no time to retreat back into the bedroom, so he coughed.
"Devon is the water ready?" Just as she said that, Ellie stepped out of her scrub pants and turned around towards where the sound had come from. Standing in just her blue scrub top and panties she looked up and saw someone she hadn't seen in over three months. Not even realizing how she was dressed she screamed.
"CHUCK!"
Ellie then ran over to Chuck and threw him into a hug bigger than he even remembered she could give. Chuck stumbled back and they both ended up crashing to the floor. Devon then came running out of the bathroom and saw his wife and his new brother in law sprawled in the hallway.
"What are you doing here? When did you get back? Why didn't you call? Where have you been?" Ellie then ran off a hundred more questions without even taking a breath.
"Ellie, I'll answer each and every question you have but first can you let me up please and put some pants back on. I'm not sure which is worse, being tackled by my maniac sister or seeing her in her underwear."
Ellie then looked down and noticed that her scrub top had ridden up because of the fall to the floor and her panties were now clearly in view.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Chuck." Ellie then ran off red faced into her bedroom and returned dressed in a pink terry cloth robe that practically reached the floor.
Ellie regained her composure and pulled her brother into a gentler but no less than heartfelt hug. "Chuck it's so good to have you home."
"It's good to be home Ellie. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, baby brother."
Chuck then hugged his sister close one more time before breaking the hug and heading over towards the couch.
"So are you back now or just visiting?"
"No I'm back."
"Are you working at the BuyMore again? Please say no."
"No, I'm not working at the BuyMore. I have some plans for the future but they don't include the BuyMore."
"So what have you been doing? You look great by the way. Whatever it was certainly has been good for you. You look really happy and I've never seen you in such good shape."
"Told you bro, you can really see the difference. Tone, definition, muscle mass, all awesome."
With a big smile Chuck said, "Well, yes I have been working out but the real reason I'm so happy is right back here." Chuck then walked back over towards the hallway and reached out his hand for Sarah to come with him. Ellie looked on inquisitively.
"SARAH!" Ellie jumped back up and ran over to the woman she once had hoped would be a sister to her if she and her clueless brother would ever just realize how great they were together. She grabbed Sarah and pulled her into a big classic Ellie Bartowski Woodcomb bear hug that almost frightened Sarah but also made her feel warm, welcome and at home once again.
"Oh my god Sarah I've missed you too. Almost as much as my idiotic brother."
"I've missed you, Ellie. More than you know."
The tears were now flowing from both Ellie's and Sarah's eyes. Chuck looked over at the scene of the two most important people in his life hugging each other and his heart swelled with a joy he had longed for. Not only had he found the love of his life, he had found a sister for the woman who had virtually raised him, a woman that his sister loved almost as much as he did.
"So I take it your trip went well? You guys are back together?" Ellie asked after she released Sarah from her massive bear hug.
"Yes, Ellie we're together." Chuck said.
Sarah then spoke. "Ellie, we both really needed this trip. I know I did at least. It gave me time to sort out my feelings for Chuck and I realized that I love him more than anything."
"So no more, It's complicated?"
"Well life and love are never easy but we want to work this all out together. I love her with all my heart."
Ellie then pulled both Chuck and Sarah into another amazing Ellie hug and said to both of them. "I always knew you loved each other. I could tell by the way you looked at each other. I'm just so happy that you finally realized it yourselves."
"So are we sis, believe me." Chuck then kissed his sister on her cheek.
"So what are your plans now that you're back?" Devon asked as he came back in with a bottle of Merlot and four glasses.
Chuck looked at Sarah and she gave him her approval to say what she knew he was about to say.
"Well we have to look for a place to live, you guys are married now and you don't need a third wheel living with you anymore."
"Wait, we need a place to live?" Ellie's eyebrows shot up even higher with shocked delight.
"Yes well Sarah and I are thinking about moving in with each other and four of us certainly can't live here. Besides Sarah's lease is up at the end of the month and she doesn't want to extend it."
Ellie let out a squeal that was probably heard on Catalina Island and ran back to grab hold of Sarah this time.
Devon then put his arms around his wife and pulled her back off of Sarah. "Look bro, we haven't had the chance to tell you yet but your timing couldn't be more perfect. Ellie and I have decided to take some of our savings and buy the apartment across the courtyard. You know how much your sister has always loved that place and it just went on the market while you were away. We put down a deposit a couple of weeks ago and are closing on it at the end of the month. We still have four months left on the lease here and we haven't even thought about subletting it yet. You can live here if you two want to that is."
Chuck looked at Sarah and even though he hated to tell even this little white lie he knew it was best to play this out. "Well Sarah and I will talk about it later. We're kind of tired and we have to go take some of her things back to her place but we'll let you know tomorrow if that's ok."
"Chuck, we don't need to talk about this. I love this place. It's perfect and I've always felt at home here. Besides I know how much you want to stay near Ellie so if it's ok with you I'd love to move in here."
"Well I guess we can scratch finding a place to live off our list, now we just need to find new jobs to pay for it."
"Now that we can wait to talk about till tomorrow." Sarah chuckled. She then gave Chuck a peck on the cheek. As she pulled away she whispered, "nicely done sweetie."
"I'm so excited you guys are back and my baby brother is moving in with his amazing girlfriend. Sarah, I always knew you were a great influence on him and I can't believe how proud of him I am right now." She reached over and pulled the both in one more time. But this time Devon joined the 'group hug'.
"Awesome guys."
"Ellie, Sarah and I have some things we need to do for a bit so we're going to let you get back to that bath you had planned on."
"Thanks. I can't believe your home Chuck. Now promise me, tomorrow night we are having a big family dinner. I'm off for the next thirty six hours and we are going to celebrate your homecoming Bartowski style!"
"We wouldn't want it any other way sis. Besides we want to hear all about your honeymoon and your new apartment."
A/N2 Another long chapter and now the original idea I had for this story is about to take shape. Next chapter some new faces get added to the team and the behind the scenes story continues to unfold.
