Thanks everybody for reading. I'm having a blast writing this, and I'm glad to be getting some responses. I love your reviews! They give me the strength to write more lol. So please review and enjoy chapter 4!!
"What in God's name were you thinking?!" Casey yelled over the chaos that was going all around them. Chuck cringed away, keeping his head down. He was sitting in the driver seat of the now silent vehicle-courtesy of Casey's fist- that had saved him,his body leaning on the open door. Casey was towering over him like an infuriated mother, while Sarah was talking to the police sergeant.
Firefighters were trying to put out the flames covering the demolished building and police officers were shuffling the panicked neighbors away from Hampton's wreckage. Others were staring in horror at the sight before them, comforting their friends that had just lost there homes and possessions. Chuck ran a hand threw his hair. This was his entire fault.
"I wasn't." he mumbled, the only answer that Chuck could come up with that wouldn't cause him another fist in his face. In fact it was closest to the truth than he could actually get. He knew it was incredibly dumb to get out of the car, but he did any way. He disobeyed the two people who would risk anything to keep him safe, and it cost innocent people their homes and lives; not to mention his own.
"Well I figured out that much Bartowski." Casey snapped, "I knew you were an idiot, but this is ridiculous. You knew damn well that Hampton would have killed you if he got the chance, and still you purposely ignore me and Walker, and go skipping off around a shady neighborhood, that you don't even know, by yourself, into the hands of a paranoid terrorist!! What, did you need a freaking gun shoved into your mouth to convince you that he wanted you dead?!!"
Chuck unconsciously shuddered, trying to block out what had happened only minutes ago. He was afraid to look up; not to face Casey or Sarah, but terrified that he might see Hampton again, giving him that calm, sadist smile. He shook the thoughts away.
Casey was getting impatient, and a little worried. Usually the kid talk's non-stopped about things that make him want to tear his hair out. Now he could barely get three words out of him. "Chuck," he said in a low but hard voice, "look at me."
Chuck slowly raised his head to meet the agent's and Casey immediately regretted it. The younger male looked absolutely terrified. His skin was pale and clammy with sweat, his usual bright brown eyes were dull and wide with shock, and he was shaking uncontrollably now. Casey cursed inwardly.
The agent shrugged off his jacket and threw it over Chuck's shoulder's. Chuck flinched at first, thinking the older man was going to swipe at him, but was surprised when the warm jacket eloped him.
"What's-"
"You looked cold," Casey interrupted, looking away from Chuck and feeling like an idiot, "And I don't need it at this moment…"
Chuck was a little taken back by the agent's unusual kindness. After a moment, he let a smile form on his face, pulling the jacket tighter around him. "So it is true, all living things do have a soul."
"I glad you recovered your ability to be a smart ass." Casey glared at him though relieved that he was starting to perk up. He looked over his shoulder to see Sarah walking towards them, her face unreadable.
"Well, good news, the designs are with us." She sighed, retrieving a disk from her jacket pocket, "Bad news is we don't have Hampton."
"Do you think…he has copies of the prototype?" Chuck asked, hugging Casey's jacket closer to him.
"That's not a security blanket punk," Casey said to Chuck, "Don't wrinkle it."
"Geez, and here I thought our own grinch's heart had finally grew," Chuck sighed.
"Anyway," Sarah chimed in, stopping Casey from yelling at him, "Yes Chuck, Hampton did have some extras, but they were destroyed, along with everything else." Chuck couldn't help but noticed Sarah glance at the smoldering building.
"What if he e-mailed himself the designs to different computers?"
"That," Casey said with a smug grin, "was also taken care of. We attached a virus within the design plans, so that if he tries to open it on any other computer or disk, it will shut down the system."
"Wow that is handy." Chuck sighed standing up from the car. The fire was close to being out, fortunately, and the crowd that had formed around the area was starting to thin. He looked at Sarah.
"Did everybody get out of the building?" Chuck asked his voice cracking. Sarah hesitated.
"Not... everyone. The bomb destroyed three other rooms besides Hampton's, nobody could have survived, but other than that were still not sure. The attendant's taking names as we speak.
Chuck let out a shaking breath. "This is all my fault."
"Chuck that's not true-"
"Yes it is Sarah! If I would have just listen to you and stayed in the car safe and sound, this would have never of happened. You would have gotten Hampton and the designs and those people would still be alive and have homes. But thanks to me, everything went to hell, and now there's a psycho on the loose, who wants to freaking tear me apart!! "
"Shut it Bartowski," Casey said, "Yes you stood of stayed in the car, but you didn't. Your stupidity got the better of you, so what? It's nothing new. Like it or not, what happened tonight happened, whether you caused it or not. Besides, many people other Hampton wants you dead."
"Wow Casey that makes me feel so much better about my self. Now I can sleep soundly tonight." Chuck said sarcastically.
"He means that you don't need to blame yourself Chuck," Sarah said taking him by the arm, and walking him to the car; Casey right behind. "This wasn't your fault, and we did get the designs, which were more vital than Hampton." She gave him a serious look. "Though now, Hampton's going to blame you for everything, meaning you are in danger. You're going to have to listen to us, no matter how painful that is for you. Can you promise me, and I mean actually keeping it, that you will let us protect you."
He nodded sadness for disappointing her over whelming him. He could tell in her eyes that she was upset, but not showing it for his sake. That didn't make him feel any better.
When they reached the car, he slid into the back seat silently, the agents doing the same. Casey started the car and drove away from the wreckage, and Chuck, exhaustion hitting him, fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
Sarah looked back, watching Chuck sleep. She let out a low sigh as she turned around. "This is not good."
Casey didn't say anything, a silent agreement noticed.
"Hampton's insane." She continued running her hand threw her blonde hair. "God, if we didn't find Chuck at that exact moment." She just shook her head.
"He sure does know how to stir up trouble." Casey finally said, looking at the sleeping passenger in his rear view mirror.
"That's for sure." Sarah agreed with a dark laugh. Her face then turned deadly serious. "He won't stop you know. Hampton won't stop chasing Chuck until he's personally standing in his blood."
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not going to let that slimy bastard anywhere near Chuck." Casey said determinedly, the image of seeing Hampton having a gun in the kid's mouth made him sick with anger. Sarah smiled at him.
"I thought you weren't going soft Agent Casey."
"Shut up." Casey grumbled, ending their conversation.
Chuck awoke to a soft shake and Sarah's voice. He opened his eyes to see the pretty blonde smiling sweetly back at him, her hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, it's time to get up, were home." She said letting go of shoulder. He stretched, blinking his eyes rapidly. Chuck got out of the car, and with Sarah sliding her arm into his, they started up the sidewalk.
"Where's Casey?" Chuck asked.
"He's checking the area." Sarah said, making Chuck nervous by her vague answer. He looked around nervously, the thought of Hampton being here made his stomach churn.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, Sarah clinging tightly to Chuck's arm. He felt his cheeks grow warm. As they reached his front door, Chuck snuck his arm slowly out of her grip. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Well yes, but you'll also being seeing me the rest of the night because I'm staying with you."
Chuck choke on his spit. "E-excuse you?"
"Do you actually think I'm going to let you stay here by yourself after what happened tonight?"
"No offense Sarah, but after what happened, all I want is some sleep. And you being there….well I don't think I'd be able to."
Sarah hid a smile, her cheeks flushing a light pink. Chuck continued. "I just want some time to myself. Besides, Casey has the whole place wired. If anybody comes in, the big guy will know. I'll be fine."
He watched Sarah for a moment, her eyes hard with thought. Finally she let out a sigh and nodded. "Okay, Chuck, just promise me one thing-" She gave him a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek. His body went still. "Sleep well." And with that she walked away, giving him a small pinky wave as she retreated.
Chuck stood on the step for a moment, staring after her fleeting form. His heart was going crazy and his face was hot. "What was that about?"
"Get inside before I throw you inside Bartowski." He heard Casey say from his apartment window. He little out a small yelp, unlocked the door, turn the knob and rushed inside.
As he locked the door, he heard some one enter the living room in a rush.
"Chuck?" Ellie exclaimed, clearly shocked to see him up at this time. "What are you doing? I thought you came in hours ago."
"Yeah I did, but Sarah needed me for something." he lied turning towards her. Ellie's back was towards him, digging something out of her purse. Her hair was tied in a pony tail, and she was dressed in her blue scrubs.
"Aww, a late night visit? How romantic. You know you didn't have to come home. She is your girlfriend and all, it's not like I would have said anything." She turned to him, a smile quickly evaporated as she looked at him. "Oh my god! Chuck! What happened to your face?!"
Chuck's hand immediately flew to his cheek, trying to hide the bruise. Ellie rushed over to him, removing the hand and looking at it with worry. "Good lord, it's all cut up, did you get into a fight or something?"
"No. no I just had a hard fall outside of Sarah's apartment on the pavement. Nothing to bad."
"Nothing bad, Chuck even your lip is bleeding." She grabbed him by the arm and guided him into the kitchen, leaning him against the counter. She bent down and rummaged threw the cabinets.
"Seriously sis, I'm fine. And why are you up so early? Something happened?"
She came up with a first aid kit. "Yeah, there was apparently a gas leak in an old apartment complex. Not a pretty sight from what I was told. It's going to be total chaos down there so they called me in to help out."
Chuck felt his throat go dry. "Did, did they say how many were already pronounced dead?"
Ellie stopped what she was doing and looked at her brother strangely. "No, why do you ask?"
"Just curious." He said looking down, guilt washing over him "But seriously, there's injured people worse off than me. You need to go."
"This will only take a second." She grabbed a huge bandage from the box and ripped it open.
"Wow, super bandage."
"Yeah, well this kit isn't as supplied as I would like it but it should do." Ellie picked up some ointment. "I'm going to put this on that cut, so it won't get infected."
"I'm not three Ellie I know what the stuff is for."
"Smartass." Ellie said with a smile, "Now this will sting a little." She applied some on to the injury gently with Chuck barley flinching. Then she placed the large band aid on the bruise, covering half his cheek.
"There you go. Now keep that on, I don't care how ridiculous you look."
Chuck nodded his cheek still stinging. Ellie grabbed her purse. "I probably won't be back till late this afternoon, so there's some Eggo's in the fridge for breakfast, and call if there's an emergency. Love ya."
"Love you too." Chuck said giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. She smiled and started towards the door. "And Ellie?" he called stopping her. She looked at him, noticing a trace of concern in his eyes. "Be careful okay? I know your safe in the hospital but, please, be careful."
Ellie cocked her head at him and gave him a sweet smile. "Of course I'll be careful. Bye sweetie. And get some sleep, you look exhausted" She winked at him, opened the door, and walked out closing it gently behind her.
Chuck stood there for a moment and ran his hand threw his hair. Exhaustion rushed threw him, causing a yawn to escaped his lips. He started down the hall towards his room, his eye drooping with every step. He didn't even notice that his bed room light was on when he entered the room.
He took off Casey's jacket and threw it in his chair along with his shirt and pants. Changing into a gray t-shirt and homer Simpson pajama pants, he plopped onto his bed, hearing a small crunch underneath him. Chuck frowned, and dug his hand underneath him. He pulled out a small envelope with no address on it. He turned it around and looked inside. Nothing.
Any other time, he would be curious, but sleep was taking over his senses. With a long yawn, he threw the empty envelope to the ground, turned out his light and rolled over, falling to sleep moments later.
After a few minutes of watching him and making sure he was deep in sleep, Sarah opened the closet door and left her hiding place. She stood over him, and swatted a small strand of hair out of his face. She silently took off her shoes and carefully climbed on the other side of the bed, tucking herself in. Sitting up for a moment, the young agent looked down at the piece of paper in her hand, a worried frown forming on her face.
When Sarah snuck into Chuck's bedroom window two minutes after leaving him, she had found the envelope lying conveniently across his bed. Curious she opened it, seeing a sentenced that angered and unnerved her. She wanted so badly to warn Chuck as he entered the room about what she had found, but he was already so tired and scared that it wouldn't make the situation any better. So she would let him sleep for now, letting him save his energy for tomorrow, when he would need it most.
As she looked at the sleeping form beside her, she let out a soft sigh. "Sleep tight Chuck." She whispered laying down close beside him. Even though she planned on not falling asleep, being so close to him comforted her. Sarah unconsciously wrapped her arm around Chuck's body, pulling him close and drifted off; the disturbing sentence still lingering in her mind.
I told you I had many ways of finding you, Chucky-boy.