The choices we make

by mssupertigz

The jist of the story is Chuck and Sarah Casey too are team up but General Meriweather has other plans. As the team tries to justify his actions, they are given their final answer that doesn't sit well with any of them especially Sarah. Will the team get back to their glory days or will their final decision be their last?

2. Chapter 2

Here we go again for round two! Many thanks for those who again have taken the time to read this story. MRW many thanks as well for reading this masterpiece before anyone else lol.

I don't own Chuck – all in fun with our imaginations…ENJOY

Ch 2 When words are never enough

After days of excruciating meetings and debriefing, Meriweather and his team had not gotten to Chuck. Chuck had waited in the front foyer, for his turn or dreading his turn. But looking at the looks on Casey and Sarah's faces he knew that it didn't look good. Casey tried to put up a good front but Chuck knew that he was only doing it for his benefit. The worse of it was when Chuck looked at Sarah, who was the iron force of the team and whose stoic personally (with a touch of sunshine) had been sucked out of her. That's when reality really hit, that their fears were closer than they realized.

Chuck was finally escorted to the office that was at the end of the hall. He felt like an inmate on death row walking to his demise. Chuck got up and passed Casey first. He gave him a slight smile when Casey's words startled him. "Just tell them the truth, your truth not what they want to hear." Chuck nodded and walked a little further till he reached Sarah. Sarah desperately wanted to hold him right there and now, tell him that everything was going to be ok but with all the eyes on them like microscopic piranhas she refrained. She slid her fingers ever so slightly across his hand and squeezed it. Chuck looked briefly but didn't want to reciprocate but wished he could. He looked up at her and she knew that he understood and knew that he wasn't alone.

Chuck walked in and saw Beckman to his right and the rest of the men and women who knew his secret and a few others that he flashed on. As Chuck sat next to Beckman, she knew that he had flashed on the new faces. She leaned over and slid a note his way, he flipped it open. 'I know you've flashed don't trust them.' Chuck folded the note and placed it in his pocket. The door closed as Casey and Sarah waited outside. Chuck listened as Meriweather introduced the group and explained the reasons for this meeting. Beckman had sat in Casey's and Sarah's meetings and each time Meriweather said the same thing. Almost scripted she thought, 'Way to polish even for his style.' Meriweather flipped open his file on Chuck.

"Mr. Bartowski we thank you for taking the time to meet with us." Chuck thought to himself 'Well you set up the meeting did you forget!' "So let's get to the matter at hand. We are concerned that the intersect project is not meeting the objectives that were set out for it in the beginning. When we put this committee together we assumed that you and your team would have been more advanced than they are. We also hoped that the Intersect would be able to work independently without having any handlers help you along." Chuck sat back trying to figure out where Meriweather was going with this. First he wished that the Intersect had progressed further then he wished that it didn't have the help. Chuck tried to convey his views on the discussions but was stopped every time. When Meriweather got to a file that contained all the missions for the last year Chuck knew that something was up. Meriweather brought up cases and bit by bit Chuck defended the team's actions and his. The panel accepted his answers but when Chuck was asked about the last few missions, he looked at Beckman then back at the panel. Chuck stood up and retold his side of the story.

"Good afternoon. You have listened over the last few days on what General Meriweather has complied on us. Yes, as you are aware our team consists of two well-known members of the CIA and the NSA; Firstly the highly admirable and respected Major John Casey and very well respected and can I say very good at her job Agent Sarah Walker. Then there's me an average everyday man who works for an electronic company and is a graduate from Stanford, also I make $11 an hour. It was by chance that I was given this gift by my friend Bryce Larkin. Bryce knew that I could handle it and because of that you the Government agreed to see where it would end up. I know that we are not conventional in our missions and most time we don't play by the book but we do get the job done. General Beckman has guided us and has shaped us for who we are as a team. We work well together so I don't know why this meeting has to happen. If we were not meeting the requirements or objectives why are we now only hearing of it?"

The men and women at the table all whispered among themselves as Meriweather himself tagged onto one of the conversations.

"Mr. Bartowski, you mentioned that the team works well."

"Yes I did!"

"So can you explain to us why you and Agent Walker have, well how can I say this? Cross the lines."

Chuck looked at Beckman. Beckman knew that Meriweather was playing dirty but now she knew just how dirty?

"Excuse me?" Chuck looked around to see the looks on their faces. He didn't want them to know that he had been affected by the comment.

"We believe that you and Agent Walker have crossed the lines and that Agent Walker's ability to maintain her role as a handler has been compromised and brought into question when it comes to your safety Chuck."

"So you are now questioning Agent Walker's role, her job?"

"Is her job to be your friend or your handler?"

"Isn't it one in the same? Can't someone be a friend and still protect them? What we have Major Casey, Agent Walker and I yeah it's a friendship but it's much more. Because we care for each other professionally it may look from the outside as more than that but that is who we are. We can't change the fact that we get along and because of that we may show affection. These two people are risking their own lives to keep me safe and in my books is what's important."

"So do you have feelings for Agent Walker other than a professional one?"

Chuck needed to tread lightly. They weren't concerned about the Intersect but in hindsight they wanted other excuses to make him react. "If you're asking if I have a romantic interest in Agent Walker I am not giving you the benefit of a response. I see no correlation to what this meeting is for and why we have been brought here in the first place. If you wanted dirt on my team you have the wrong guy. I would never rat on my team, and they wouldn't rat on me. So if we are done here I am sorry to have taken up your time." As Chuck scans the room. "Let me know what and if I can help you with anything else, the way my team works will always stay the same and as a long as I have this Intersect in my head it will be with Major Casey and Agent Walker who will be guarding it."

Chuck slid Beckman's chair out from under her as they left the room. Casey and Sarah were surprised to see them so quickly. Beckman just looked motioning them to leave. Chuck opened the doors to the outside as he undid his top button of his shirt and sat down on a bench down from the main doors. He felt that he had the wind knocked out of him. Sarah sat down beside him as Beckman and Casey stood facing him. "So what happened?" Casey wanting to know.

"Chuck did great."

"No I didn't, I probably made it worse!"

"Chuck, Meriweather is up to something and I think that you hit a nerve with him. " Beckman looked at Casey and Sarah. "Meriweather asked Chuck about his relationship with the team he stood strong and didn't back down. Then Chuck was asked if."

"If what?" Sarah looking up. "He wanted to know if you and Chuck had feelings for each other than those of a professional nature."

Sarah blushed slightly as the words feelings and nature were put in the same sentence. "Chuck refused to answer by saying that Meriweather was more concerned in getting dirt on the team than what the team has accomplished. So Chuck left."

"He said the same thing to me? When Beckman was asked to leave, he asked me if I had noticed anything out of the ordinary between you two. I told him that I hadn't and that if I did and it didn't interfere with the job, the Intersect or the missions I would care less. But, that both you and Sarah are very professional and have not crossed that line." Both Chuck and Sarah look at each other knowing what happened over a month ago in Castle. The scene played over in their minds.

"So now what General?"

Beckman looked at her team. "We need to be ready for anything. We need to find out why they are so interested in you guys especially the Intersect after all these months. And why go about finding dirt on this team? Keep looking into the list to see if one of them will talk or has talked. I'll see that Meriweather doesn't go far. I have a few tricks up my sleeves too you know. But if he shutting down all the departments I may not get the support."

Chuck stood up. "General what is the worst scenario?"

"Honestly, at this point. Our main fear is from where we started. You're sent to a bunker and Major Casey and Agent Walker are reassigned."

The three looked at each other. "Well two out of three ain't bad." As Chuck said his goodbyes and exited towards the parking lot.

"Agent Walker go with him. I'll go with the Major and meet you back at Castle." Sarah nodded and left.

CASTLE

Beckman sat looking at the list that Chuck had completed. The more she looked it over the more questions she had. 'What did these names have to do with Chuck and the team?' Casey brought her a cup of tea. "Major? We are missing something here and if we don't find out what it is, Chuck will be sent to the bunker."

"General, I don't know where to look. Without access to the CIA's mainframe and WITSEC we have nothing on Casper Hilton and Nick Jones. Whom I think are the key to what Meriweather needs or wants."

"Yes but why is he after this team?"

"Because he can!" As Chuck and Sarah walked in.

"Meriweather wants control. He wants to have full access and run the CIA his way. And with these new faces like Alexis White, Tomas Henry, Casper Hilton, Nick Jones, Marcello Benetio, Sergio Constantinople maybe it will happen. We know that Alexis White and Tomas Henry were and are CIA so whatever they were working on Meriweather needs now. Or maybe they have something on him. General you did say that Marcello Benetio was not happy when he left that room. You said that he stated that his people weren't waiting. So who are they and what are they waiting for?"

"Your right Chuck. But without access you're stuck." As she spoke she reached into her pocket and pulled out a key card. She held it up as Chuck, Casey and Sarah looked at her.

"Chuck take this. There's a panel in the server room that will over ride this system. We put it in in case something happened that I needed to get access to Castle and her files. I totally forgot till now that this could be done. You'll hopefully have the access that you need."

Chuck reached over and grabbed the key card. Nodding in appreciation Beckman stopped him. "Chuck I don't want this team to be shut down so please do what you can to prevent that. But if worse comes to worse you have this key. Guard it with your life as Casey and Sarah have guarded your life. "

Sarah sat down. She feared knowing what the next few days could bring. She feared for the team and she feared mostly for her love for Chuck. Beckman took Chuck to the back as Casey and Sarah sat at the table. Casey was quiet which made Sarah appreciate his emotional side.

"Walker we need to do something?"

"What can we do? They'll shut us down. We get new jobs but what about our Chuck. He won't survive in a bunker. "

"I KNOW! The first time in my career I don't know what to do. We know that their up to something but we don't have the proof to stop them or stop Chuck from going into a bunker. And we are not guaranteed that they will give us new jobs."

"Casey I can't see myself going back to what I use to be like? This job has changed me it's changed you."

"So what are you saying?"

"I don't know. If Chuck…"

"Sarah let's not guess what could happen, let's just find the answers so that it doesn't.

Chuck and Beckman walked back as she grabbed her coat and headed up the stairs. "Team we will be in touch."

Beckman left as Chuck sat and stared at the key card.

The next morning the team arrived to find Castle full of CIA and other federal agents cleaning house or their version of cleaning house. Sarah tried to investigate but was turned down and told to sit and wait for someone to talk to them. Casey was removed from his armory several times. Chuck kept his eye on where the feds were going and what they were taking. Chuck's computers were still not touched. He still had 'their' files on it and everything that the CIA didn't know about them. He knew that he had to do something otherwise a lot more prying would happen. Casey saw him looking at his computers and knew that Chuck up to something. Casey kept watch as Chuck snuck to his computer and quickly logged in. Chuck took his USB drive out of his pocket and downloaded the files. He deleted the files but as he was about to log off he decided to give the feds a run for their money. He reprogrammed Castle to as Chuck called it to factory settings which would only allowed Chuck, Casey and Sarah to access Castle if needed but make the feds unable to access it for a long time. Chuck looped the cameras to show that he never left the table and snuck back. Chuck decided to send the data elsewhere, and if the time came the rest would follow too.

Chuck was about to head back when he noticed the manual for Castle. 'If Meriweather wanted to play with fire then that was what he was going to see.'

Chuck placed the manual down on the table and grabbed the waste basket. Chuck placed the manual in the basket and waited.

"What are you doing Bartowski?"

"Playing fire with fire."

"I see that but why the manual?"

"Meriweather has sent these minions to find something on us. If there is no access possible then they can't continue looking for stuff on us, and without the access they are pooched. "

"So burning the manual is your answer?"

"Yes Sarah, but they won't take the time to find a new one. So they will have to give up looking." Chuck looked at his watch. As the clock hit the top of the hour. The Feds stopped their search. Castle became quiet once again.

A middle aged man, receding hair line and grey suit came walking back towards the team. He looked at the team and saw the manual and the lighter. He smiled, paused then walked past Chuck. He called his team to stop what they were doing and head up stairs. Chuck turned around and watched the feds leave Castle with a few boxes and a several towers. Chuck waited to hear the doors close as he jumped off to see if they really had left and were not stationed outside. Chuck brought up the cameras inside and outside Castle. He checked all the feeds and saw that they were outside and were about to leave, when a black car pulled up. Chuck zoomed in on the car caught a visual of Thomas Henry and Alexis White. Sarah and Casey walked up to the screen. "This just got interesting." Casey grinned.

ECHO PARK

Sarah and Chuck sat in Casey's apartment waiting as Casey was on the phone with Beckman. Chuck and Sarah grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat down on the steps. It had been a long few days for both of them and they wished that they could just be alone, the two of them. They didn't know how much time they had before things got really interesting. Chuck opened Sarah's beer and then opened his. Sarah took a swig then leaned against Chuck's left arm. Chuck and Sarah just sat listening to a one sided conversation. At times Casey's responses weren't good but then they looked promising.

Chuck heard Casey hang up and pour himself a drink. He walked towards the stairs pulling a chair behind him. Casey brought his glass to his lips then looked at Chuck and Sarah sitting on the stairs.

"Meriweather has decided to shut down this team. He felt that it would be in better interest for everyone, if they put an end to anything that has to do with the Intersect. Beckman stated that his reasons were solely based on financial but we know that's a bunch of crap. He's up to something and it has nothing to do with how much this project cost. It's not costing him a thing." Casey got up, grabbed the bottle and walked outside slamming the door behind him.

The slamming of the door startled Sarah as Chuck got up. Chuck placed his beer on the counter. Sarah got up and placed hers down beside his, as Sarah wrapped her arms around his waist. She could feel Chuck's heart beating. Chuck reached behind and held her close. He wanted to kiss her but Casey was just outside.

Sarah slept on Casey's couch as Chuck took the chair and Casey passed out in his room. Sarah was awakened to the sounds of men and women scouring the front patio of Chuck's apartment. She grabbed her stuff and opened the door as a Thomas Henry and Alexia White were about to knock on Casey's door. Chuck got up as Casey came down putting his shirt over his head. Henry and White shoved a piece of paper hard into Sarah's chest as Chuck and Casey received theirs as well. Chuck quickly read it over. ´By the authority of the United States of America this letter is to inform you that Operation Bartowski is now officially shut down. No further missions or correspondence will be required from Agent Sarah Walker, Major John Casey and Mr. Charles Bartowski. All computers and electronics associated with the Intersect will be confiscated and returned to Langley. Castle will be shut down until further notice. You have 24 hours to make peace with this decision, as new postings will be given. Mr. Bartowski will become a person of interest and will be returned to Langley as property of the United States Government. Any questions please contact General Meriweather, Agent Thomas Henry and Agent Alexis White (Liaisons to the General Meriweather).

Casey crumbled his letter up and threw it back at Henry. Alexis White walked past Chuck and looked him over as all Sarah could do was watch. They were waiting for the team to react but were disappointed that they didn't. Chuck left and headed to his place to see that his house was ransacked. That his computer and anything to do with electronics were gone. His TV, video games, his own personal electronics from the BUY MORE and software he hid in the fake fire place in his room. All that was left were wires and co axle cables. The seeing - eye as Chuck called it was also removed from his room. Every bug that Sarah and Casey ever planted was also gone. That didn't bother him as much as did the pictures that where of Sarah and him. They were either taken or smashed into pieces.

Chuck walked back into the living room to find Sarah standing there. Chuck walked towards her and was about to embrace her when Henry walked in."

"Sorry about the mess, but you know how things go."

"Yeah, I sure do I guess they didn't teach you that in your training but maybe you forgot when you left the CIA to pursue another career. Funny how money always brings the worst in people."

Henry didn't like Chuck's comment but Chuck could care less. He knew his hours were counting down so whatever he said or was thinking couldn't make things worse than they already were.

Hours later Casey's place was spotless which made up for Chuck's that ended up looking like a cyclone came through it. Casey found Chuck sitting on the floor. Casey sat down beside him.

"I'm sorry Chuck, we tried."

"I know but it still doesn't make any sense. One day they asking about our work ethics and then the next day they finalize their decision based on finances? Until we find out what's going on we have to go along with it."

"GO ALONG WITH IT – CHUCK YOU'RE GOING TO A BUNKER AND YOU WANT TO GO WITH IT!"

"Sarah sit."

Sarah put the food down and sat down on the chair in front of Casey and Chuck. "I know that going into the bunker is not what we wanted to happen and you guys getting reassigned but until we know what is happening they need to win."

"Chuck we're not giving up are we?"

"NEVER, but if we want this to work out for us we need to do what they want. As you can see they took everything – every bug, transmitter and camera. So they are covering their asses, but they still don't have us. They may think that they have shut down this team…"

"But Chuck we can't protect you in the bunker and God only knows what they will do with you there? I can't stand and let them do this to you or to us."

"Sarah we have no choice."

"Yes we do!"

"Sarah, Chuck is right. We need to make them believe that they have won. We if we know that we're still committed to this team then we can get back what was once lost. "

"Sarah, please listen. I don't want to end up in the bunker. I have had nightmares since I was told that this was an option a year ago when Bryce sent this to me. I knew the consequences so I accept them but what I won't accept is, you feeling sorry for me. Your life is now your own, you can do whatever you want. You can travel like you wanted, you can get reassigned…. you can forget about this forget about me."

Deep inside Sarah wanted to scream at Chuck for saying those things. Yeah she could do all that and yes it was something she wanted to do but that was before she started to have feelings for him. ALL those things she wanted to do she now wanted to do with him. Now Chuck was throwing in the towel and she didn't know what to do about it.

They sat and ate the food that Sarah had brought. Talking about old times but each knew that they were just passing time as the end would come sooner than they thought. Casey looked around at Chuck and Sarah, and held his beer up. "Guys a toast. At first I wasn't too keen on taking this job as I didn't need the babysitting gig. But as the days turned into months I knew that this was the best thing for me. I have learned a lot and I couldn't have asked for a better group to work with. I will never judge a Star Wars reference again and I will now know what the differences between a nerd and a geek is. May this new adventure keep us safe and one day back to our former glory? To us!"

"To us!" Chuck and Sarah repeated and clinked their bottles.

"Well if we're toasting I should say one as well. A year ago who would have thought that a guy like me would go from a job that pays $11 an hour to hosting all the government secrets in my head. And to boot have a Major and an Agent protect me. You guy were strangers but now are friends. I owe my life to you, each and every day. You've risked your lives to safe mine when you could have given up and sent me to the bunker long time ago." Chuck laughs. "But in all honestly I thank you from the bottom of my heart I will never forget the sacrifice you both have made. I could never repay how much you guys mean to me."

Casey brought his beer back down as he saw Sarah trying not to react. Knowing how tough it was on him it was obviously harder for Sarah.

Sarah cleaned up as Chuck and Casey went to say their goodbyes. Sarah watched from the window. How would tomorrow look like and the day after without Chuck in it? Chuck was her world for so long and now, she didn't know what to do.

Sarah grabbed the garbage and headed out the door, Chuck and Casey looked up and saw that she had her keys. Chuck looked at her, she couldn't stay any longer. She tossed the garbage in the bin and continued walking. Chuck followed.

"Sarah where are you going?"

Sarah never answered; she got in her car and drove off. Chuck watched as her car drove out of sight. He stood there. 'She left without saying goodbye. Why would she leave?'

Casey walked up beside Chuck and squeezed his shoulder. "We all have our way of dealing with this. And Walker isn't immune to it either. She'll be here in the morning."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"Well I guess this is the last time I tell you to get some sleep."

Chuck looked up and gave a slight smile. He walked back and opened his door for the last time. He hoped that he was making the right choice by not fighting back yet. He knew that he had to play by their rules till he could come up with a few of his own. Chuck locked the door and turned off the lights. He looked across the patio over to Ellie's. He was glad that she was gone on a Doctors retreat and Morgan was pulling an all-nighter at Jeff's – some Wii tourney. 'One less good bye to deal with he thought.'

Chuck grabbed a bag and put a few things in it that he thought would be safe to take with him to the bunker. He grabbed a few books, CD's and DVD's – his systems were gone so he hoped that they would provide some form of activities there for him. He grabbed a menu from the Golden Dragon. He remembered Sarah writing on the back 'Best night ever.' It was the first night in a long time that Sarah was just Sarah the girl and not the spy. They had to bring Morgan along but still it was their night.

Chuck grabbed his suitcase and packed some clothes. He yawned but tried to fight the feeling of sleep. He didn't want to miss anything on just sleep. But his eyes wouldn't allow it.

MAISON23

Sarah pulled into her parking spot and headed up to her room. She grabbed her gear and slid open a panel she had created in her wall next to the vanity. She grabbed the items in the panel and laid them on the bed. She tossed an assortment of passports, various currency, side arms and knives. She tossed them into a black bag. She grabbed some clothes and tossed them into a suitcase. She sat on her bed looking out towards the street below. She just stared at her stuff trying to justify her choices. She didn't want another job, she didn't want to be reassigned and she didn't want Chuck to leave her. She knew that it would be too hard to say goodbye to Chuck but she couldn't leave without saying goodbye her way. Sarah grabbed her passport and opened it to make sure that it was valid. Sarah Gibson she read. Sarah Gibson was her back up. Her dad taught her to have 'the' one – the fall guy alias that when things didn't go the way you wanted and you needed to get out your back up was just that – a backup. Sarah grabbed her phone and booked a flight for the morning. If she couldn't be with CHUCK she'd choose not be in the same country so leaving was her only option.

She zipped up her bag and opened her wallet to put some of the money inside, the rest she stuffed into a duffle bag. When she went to close her wallet she saw in the back was a picture of Chuck. It was taken shortly after she met him when they needed some pictures of them to verify that they were indeed a couple. But this one never made the frame. She grabbed it before anyone could see it. She rubbed her finger over Chuck's face. Chuck had her on his lap as she leaned back into his neck. Chuck had playfully put his lips on her cheek just before the picture was taken. Sarah looked up and she knew that she had to see him one more time.

ECHO PARK

Chuck finally settled as his mind had been racing as it always did. He laid there wondering what the morning would bring. He had to remind himself that he only had to do this till they got something on Meriweather. Then he could get out. Chuck closed his eyes but his thoughts were quickly on Sarah.

Sarah pulled up outside Chuck's apartment and made sure that no Feds or CIA were around. She just was going to say goodbye and leave. She hoped that Chuck would be asleep and it would be easier on both of them; easier for her to say good bye. She walked inside the complex and headed to the Chuck's door. She turned the knob but it was locked. She walked over to the Morgan door and looked inside. There she saw him sleeping peacefully. She loved watching him sleep, even when she caught herself watching him grabbing a few winks at Castle or hotels during long missions when they couldn't go home. She slowly opened the window and slipped inside. Closing the window behind her the curtains fell making it even darker inside. She leaned against the window and watched. Chuck tossed and turned till he woke up staring at the figure by the window. He sat up knowing that the figure belonged to Sarah. Chuck pulled the covers over and walked over to Sarah. Sarah gasped at him just wearing his boxers. His chest glistened in the moon light. Sarah knew that she had crossed the line just by being there but she cared less. Chuck stopped just in front of her. He could feel her without touching her.

"What are you doing here?"

Sarah looked at him. A single tear rolled down her face. Chuck wiped it with his thumb. She turned her face into his hand and brought her hand to his. She took her other hand and laid it flat against his chest and looked up. "I can't say goodbye."

"You don't have too."

Chuck leaned in and kissed her passionately. Sarah held on as Chuck lifted her and carried her to his bed. He laid her down and slowly unbuttoned her shirt tossing it to the floor. He removed the rest of her clothes and held her as he hoped that she wouldn't change her mind. Sarah rolled Chuck over as she lay on top of him. She held him tight. Chuck just let her take all the time she needed. He knew that after tonight both their lives would never be the same. Sarah sat up and stared at Chuck. She ran her fingers over every visible section of his skin. She wanted to memorize this moment. She grazed his chest and his fine hairs and ran her fingers down his chest to his waist. She held his hands and placed them all over her body. Chuck too wanted to remember this night. He closed his eyes as Sarah guided his hands to places he only dreamed about. Chuck sat up and held her close as she held herself tight to him. Chuck rolled over lying between her legs, he kissed her over and over and slowly they became one. Chuck didn't rush, he took his time and Sarah appreciated the effort in more ways than one. Chuck rolled over as Sarah lay next to him on her stomach. He moved a strand of hair back over her ears; a gesture that she had gotten used to and loved. Chuck held her one hand and kissed it.

They laid there not saying a thing. They both knew that it was hard enough with what just happened between them. So talking about what was going to happen they chose to be silent. Chuck moved onto his side and leaned on his elbow facing Sarah who was still lying on her stomach. Chuck caressed her back; she loved his touch and his fingers touching her skin. He leaned in and kissed her back. He ran his fingers up and down her back and down her legs then sliding upwards. Sarah's breathing started to labour as Chuck kissed her neck. Sarah turned over and brought Chuck closer to her. Chuck fell into her neck and kissed several sweet spots and caressed her breasts. Sarah moved to accommodate Chuck once again. This time it was a little more intense and faster but still as romantic. Sarah closed her eyes as Chuck made love to her again. When Chuck and Sarah came Chuck rolled over and Sarah settled in his arms. Chuck covered them up. He wanted to tell Sarah that he loved her and Sarah wanted to say the same but instead she just put her fingers on his lips. "I know. Me too!"

Chuck held her as they fell asleep.

Sarah awoke to birds singing in the trees and looked over to her prince. She didn't have much time before the Fed were coming for him. And she didn't want to be there when they did. She slowly released her grip from his warm body and found her clothes. She sat on the edge of the bed. She took one look at him; looking away she noticed a pad of paper on his desk. Call it chicken or a coward move or whatever you want to but she felt that this was the best way to say goodbye. At least on paper she could be a little more honest in her words as she didn't have to see his face. And after what happened between them this was easier.

She uncapped the pen and started to write.

Dear Chuck, why do letters always have to start with dear? Why can't they just say hey buddy, how are you doing? But I guess that anything I write now will only create more questions. I know you and your questions. Chuck I don't want you to feel guilty with what happened between us tonight. I don't expect anything more. Tonight wasn't planned when I came over it just happened because it felt right. We both know that things are different now. A lot different, I won't forget you or how you made me feel tonight. How you have changed my life over and over, since the first day I met you. You have had a special place in my heart for so long and to be honest not many people have been there or will be there. I didn't have any friends till I met you and I didn't have anyone who cared for me like you have and do. You are a very special person, and I hope that you will hear that in person someday. Chuck I want you to fight for what you believe in and not give in to the pressures that can happen in the bunker. I don't want you to get discourage, stay strong and don't freak out.

I have decided that if we can' t be together then I'll walk away, I can't deny myself the feelings I have for you any longer and that is what got us in this situation. We both know it. I can't do my job when my emotions get the best of me. I am no good to you. I will remember this night always. And Chuck I don't used this word lightly but I LOVE YOU.

Good bye,

Love Sarah.

Sarah folded the letter and placed it beside Chuck's pillow. She bent down and kissed him on his cheek. She covered him up and headed to the window. She saw his blue flannel shirt hanging on the hanger. She grabbed it and smelled his scent. She folded it up and opened the window and crept outside. She took one last look at Chuck and closed the window. She ran to her car and burst into tears. She wiped her eyes and started the car. She drove her car to a storage locker and locked it up. She called a taxi and started her journey from away from Chuck, as far as she needed to go. But any place wasn't far enough as long as Chuck was deep in her heart.

Later that morning

Casey knocked on Chuck's door as the Feds came to his by mistake. Casey walked in when Chuck didn't come to the door. Casey cocked his gun and headed down the hall. He tapped his gun against Chuck's bedroom door and saw him sitting up looking at something. Casey couldn't make it out at first but then saw that it was a letter. He coughed slightly to get Chuck's attention. Chuck looked up.

"Sorry buddy I rang but when you didn't answer."

"Sorry, I didn't hear it."

"It's OK. Sorry to disrupt you but the Feds are here. I'll give you some time."

"Thanks." Casey closed the door as Chuck got up and took a shower, each minute from last night flooding his brain. It was a welcomed changed from what he was use to but at the same time as painful. Chuck stood under the spray and let the hot water cascade over his body. His touches were her touches. Chuck washed then shut the water off. He changed and grabbed his gear and met Casey outside his place.

"Good morning Mr. Bartowski."

"Morning."

"So is Agent Walker going to be here?"

"No she said her goodbyes already." Casey looked at him. So that was what he was reading, her letter.

"Ok, well you will be glad to know that Major Casey had been given permission to go with us to Langley. At least you'll have some of your team with you during this transition."

Chuck was glad that he wasn't going to be alone. That Casey would be with him. He was kind of glad that Sarah didn't have to see him like this. The Feds drove to the airport and Chuck boarded a private jet. Chuck sat back and tried to fight a tear. As the jet started to gain speed, Chuck took one last look at LA, his only home. Now in a few hours this too would be a memory.

WASHINGTON DC

Beckman stood outside the gate as Chuck and Casey arrived at the airport. She was surprised that Sarah wasn't with them. She leaned over and asked Casey where she was and he shook his head. This was not like Sarah to miss an exchange even if it was one of their own. Beckman feared that Sarah may have just jeopardized her career. Chuck was escorted to a black SUV.

Langston Graham, Colonel Hanford, Lieutenant Forman, Secretary Baines and General Meriweather were waiting for Chuck when they pulled up to a highly secured gate. Chuck tried to make out the letters but his line of vision was blocked by two heavy set security guards. Chuck remained seated as the car drove further into an open like hanger. Chuck got out and Casey followed carrying his bags. Chuck was given an id badge as well as Casey. Chuck was directed to follow Colonel Hanford and Secretary Baines. Casey and Beckman were asked to wait in the lobby. A young soldier saluted Casey and took Chuck's bags. The door closed.

Casey grabbed some coffee for both of them. Casey sat down next to Beckman overlooking a solarium. "So far this bunker looks ok but looks can be deceiving?" Beckman took a sip and looked at Casey. "So where is she?"

"Don't know. She left Chuck a note and from what I can tell it wasn't what he wanted to hear or needed to hear. She left last night after we sat around reminiscing and I haven't heard from her since."

"Don't you think that it's strange that Sarah isn't here to say good bye to Chuck?"

"NO, their relationship I never really understood, and whether it was more, neither of them showed it.

"So you think she ran?"

"Wouldn't you? I MEAN she doesn't have any reason to stay. She can hide quite nicely. She could be anywhere by now?"

"Yes she does have a lot of alias and your right she can hide quite nicely."

"Will they go and look for her."

"They could but for some reason you guys are not what they want. They have Chuck now and Sarah going on the lam is the least of their worries. In time, they might but by then she'll be so far away that no one can find her. This job has changed her; she's not the same person we use to know. This job has changed you to John."

Casey looked up. Beckman had never used his first name. He nodded knowing that she was right. Chuck had changed him too.

The doors opened as Casey and Beckman were escorted down a long hallway. They walked past a few side doors but the walk reminded Casey of the house of mirrors. At the end of a long hallway which looked a lot like the CIA building in LA. They reached an elevator. The soldier scanned a card and the doors opened. They entered and the doors closed. The lights flickered on and off then flashed an infrared light in front of them. A computerized voice came over the speaker: General Diane Beckman and Major John Casey ids confirmed.

The elevator counted backwards as they descended downwards. The air was a little lighter as the elevator came to an abrupt stop. Casey allowed Beckman to exit first as the doors opened to a brightly lit living space. It looked like a cafeteria but without all the tables and food trays. The walls to the left and right were of glass. With plants and flowers and the odd butterfly. The area was lit with artificial light but looked like the sun was shining. They walked down the hall to a TV area where Casey stopped dead in his tracks. His first impression was that they had been zapped back to Chuck's apartment. Everything from the red couch to his video game consul was there. Casey followed Beckman around the corner where they came to an exercise area. Langston Graham walked in and called Beckman over. Casey went to go find Chuck. Casey walked across the main floor where a large kitchen stood near the back of this large room. A bathroom and a few extra rooms. He looked back to see where Beckman went and noticed a highly secured door, where he assumed she disappeared into.

Casey found Chuck staring at four empty walls. Chuck had started to unpack but stopped.

"Hey there."

Chuck turned and looked at Casey. "I guess it could be worse, they could have stuck with the cement color than this grey blue. If you weren't depressed before you got here you will be soon."

"Hey let's change the scenery."

Casey took Chuck to his new living room. "Hey this must have cost the decorators a lot of money. I wonder where they got inspired with this look."

"Hahaah they must have good taste."

"Or lack of one."

"So how far are we from the outside world?"

"I don't know a few hundred feet maybe or less." The number counted down to five but that doesn't take into consideration the speed we were going at."

"Thought so. I was hoping that the entrance to this place was consisted of a pop machine that you had to press the pop selections just so and then you held on to dear life as it plummeted underground."

"Way to spyish for this place? But I would like to see the schematics. They had us on a wild goose chase, probably to disorient us. But there has to be an easier way of getting in here."

After the round of small talk, Chuck got up and headed back to his room.

"Might as well start unpacking."

Casey watched as Chuck headed back to his room. Moments later Beckman came out with Graham. Casey stood up. Beckman leaned over. "Will fill you in later."

"Where's Chuck?" Graham inquired.

"He went back to his room to unpack."

"Well Diane I guess we will see in the morning, we will complete the paper work and you can officially be done with the Intersect project."

Casey couldn't believe what he just heard. After tomorrow it would be all over.

Beckman walked back with Casey to Chuck's room. Beckman knocked on the door as Chuck turned around. "We just came to say goodnight. We will be back in the morning."

"Ok."

"You ok?" Beckman asking like a mother would.

"I guess I don't really know what to feel? I thought that having Casey and Sarah watch me 24 hours a day was bad. This place just topped it."

Beckman walked over and gave Chuck a hug. Chuck tried to shrink down to reciprocate but the height difference was too evident. Casey too hugged Chuck. "Stay strong, we'll talk in the morning."

Chuck nodded and walked with them to the main door. Casey and Beckman said goodbye again as the doors closed. Chuck stood there listening to the sounds of the elevator. He found some solace in the fact that they would be back tomorrow. Chuck walked around the floor, after few hours he knew that he was the only guy down here or at least on this side. Casey's words about this place not being what it was made him curious but he had to tread lightly. Once he made them believe that he was willing to make this work and that he had accepted his fate then he would investigate more.

Chuck walked back to his 7x12 room. That consisted of a bed, a dresser and a wardrobe. He tossed his bags on the floor and plopped himself on his bed. He adjusted his pillow and leaned against it. Staring at the wall. Shortly there after the main lights went out. He looked at his watched but realized he wasn't wearing one. He remembered that they took his watch, his id, and wallet. He looked around and saw that they did manage to leave him a clock radio. The clock read 10:30. "Wow they don't skimp on a curfew here."

Chuck turned the radio on. But all he got for his efforts was static so he gave up. He didn't have his ipod or phone that held his songs, he could go into his new living room but he felt more at home where he was. Chuck turned the light off. The security lights and the glare from the solarium were his only light. Chuck rolled to his side thinking of one person.

Sarah left her flight from LA and landed in Miami. She wanted to ward off any chance of being followed. Every step she took, her mind went back to Chuck. She looked at her watch it read 10:45 pm. She knew that Chuck would have already arrived in DC. She wondered what he was doing. She wondered what he was thinking. She wondered what he was feeling. She sat back as the ferry wouldn't be leaving till the morning. She found a payphone as she tossed her cell at the LAX. She would get one in the morning amongst other things. She grabbed some coins and made a call. The woman on the other end was cautious for the lateness of the call but when Sarah spoke, the older lady remembered the sound of her voice.

"Si senorita, we will meet you at the ferry."

"Gracias."

Sarah put the phone down and found a spot to rest. She had been up since dawn. She curled up against a corner chair as other waited for the Ferry to arrive. She grabbed some brochures and read them to familiarize herself with her new home. It had been years since she had been there. She recalled one of her first missions was in Argentina and she had some time off from working with the CAT squad. She had a full month off and she didn't know what to do. She decided not to stay at one of the all-inclusive resorts but chose a small apartment over a small restaurant and laundry mat. She promised herself that one day she would return when she needed a change.

THE NEXT MORNING

Beckman and Casey arrived as they said they would and Chuck met them at the door. He was so glad to see them. He sat down and caught up even though it hadn't been long enough for anything new to happen but they were his eyes and ears to the outside world. Chuck heard his name being called and got up as he saw the few souls who knew his secret. Chuck walked in with Casey and Beckman followed him inside the secured doors. The door closed in behind him. Chuck sat for the next few hours hearing what the next steps were going to be. Chuck just listened as Meriweather waited for his turn. He knew that he had to get on Chuck's good side in order for his plan to work. Meanwhile in an office building in downtown DC, Alexis White, Thomas Henry waited for Meriweather's call giving them the go ahead to put their plan in to action. Alexis grabbed her id and her white lab coat tossing Thomas's his. She placed a silver briefcase on the table and opened it displaying a selection of drugs and needles.

Sarah finally set foot on solid ground as the ride over from the main land wasn't as romantic as the brochure had portrayed it to be. La Habana was written in big bold letters as Sarah walked from the ferry to the board walk. The warm ocean breeze cooled Sarah off as the temperatures were definitely something she had to get used to again.

She waited for her ride but her thoughts weren't too far from one particular guy.