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?

7. Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN – NOT THE MAGNIFICANT SEVEN BUT THREE

Chuck flopped on the bed as Sarah pulled out the several garments that she happily bought Chuck. Sarah smiled as Chuck laid there grinning at Sarah as if it was Christmas morning.

"You know we could have just bought the store and be done with that. I don't need all these clothes."

"Well dear not all of them are for you. You did manage to buy our child a retro Star Wars t shirt."

Chuck got up and picked up the shirt. Placing it on Sarah's tummy as he smiled amazement that one day very soon this little guy or gal would be able to wear it. Sarah placed her hand flat on his as they stared at each other smiling.

"You still surprised me."

"Why?" A Sarah continued pulling items out of the bag.

"For one, falling for me and carrying our child."

Sarah stopped what she was doing and stood in front of Chuck and forced him to sit down. "Sit."

Chuck pushed the clothes aside and sat down. Sarah sat down on his lap. Holding his face in her hands she kissed his lips twice to make sure he got the point.

"Chuck I fell in love with you the very first day I walked into the Buy More, and more and more every day. But I have to admit that I have surprised myself as well that I could fall for you but I didn't know that I had a type. I thought that I needed a guy who was like my father or someone like Bryce but instead it was in front of me the whole time. You have shown me how to live life to the fullest and not sweat the small stuff. And my love was verified or stamped for approval the night we made love. I felt that there had to be more and this little angel is that. Whoever this little one turns out to be like they were a gift and I wouldn't change it. So I am the lucky one. That you fell for me."

Chuck gave a slight grin. "I guess we can say were both lucky. This baby is like you said, an added bonus. But there are going to be a few people who are going to be very very surprised maybe even shocked."

"I know, but I can't worry about that. The spy life is not as important as it once was. Look what it did to us. You ended up in a bunker I fled and Casey well, I don't know where he's at?"

Chuck looked up. "Well I do know he's not working in a department store."

Sarah laughed as got up and resumed pulling out Chuck's new wardrobe.

Chuck knew that they weren't done talking about their future but decided to let it go. Chuck continued to help Sarah fold up his new shirts then placed them in the dresser.

West Indies

Sergio grabbed their bags and hailed a cab. Alexis was a little more at ease but she desperately wanted out. She hoped that they could find the sub before Meriweather and Marcello did but without the right codes revealing the prize would take some time.

Arriving at the safe house in Guadeloupe Alexis quickly got to work. Laying out the files she took what Sergio brought with him from MI6 and jotted down a series of numbers that Chuck had provided. But without Chuck's ability to properly decode them it was up to her to figure it out. Sergio pasted up a few maps of possible locations of the where the USS Scorpion could be hiding. MI6 had complied documents indicating that a joint US Navy, CIA and NSA mission was still active in the area by placing wire taps on Soviet underwater communication lines.

Sergio walked over to the side wall that had been previously set up to monitor communications while undercover months before. Flipping a switch the old but reliable monitor spit and creaked as she warmed up. Sergio sat down and placed a set of head phones on. As the dial tone leveled out Sergio turned the closest dial to his right. Slowly turning the tuner he was able to find a clear frequency, he was able to pick up the ping of the signal that Will had put in place hours before. Sergio whistled to get Alexis attention. Alexis walked over as Sergio took off his headset and flipped the speakers on. The slight ping that sounded like dripping water from a tap echoed through the safe house. Alexis and Sergio looked at each other.

"Soon baby, very soon."

Sergio grabbed Alexis and kissed her hard. Alexis reaching for air grabbed his shirt and ripped it open. Sergio picked her up and carried her to bed.

La Havana

Sarah was planning on an early evening, as they chose to stay in for the night. But their exit from the night festivities didn't stop Rosa from as she put it 'checking on them'. Bringing a tray of food she could tell that Chuck was beginning to enjoy his time here. Chuck's mouth watered every time that as Rosa put a tray of food down.

Looking up at Chuck. "Eat your too skinny."

Sarah walked up to him and embraced him.

"Well maybe a little."

Rosa smiled and headed to the door. "Enjoy."

"Thanks Rosa." Both chiding in.

Chuck pulled out the chair as Sarah sat facing the balcony. The sun was setting which gave the room a bright orange glow. Chuck sat down across from her and poured each of them a cold glass of cranberry juice. Chuck held up his glass and hers as Sarah reached for it.

"A toast."

"Ok." As Sarah raised hers.

"To putting away the past and moving forward. Good bye to the spy life."

"Really?" As she was taken back by his toast.

"What do you mean?"

Chuck put his glass down and grabbed his fork.

"You want to quit the spy life?"

Chuck was startled slightly by Sarah's quick response, he looked up.

"Don't you?" Taking a mouth full of food.

Chuck finished chewing as Sarah looked at him again with a slight distress in her voice.

"I don't know. You want to?"

Chuck put his fork down. "I can't go back after this. We can't go back after this. Who would let us be together? They would send me back to the bunker and you – you left – you could be charged with treason or something worse. Beckman wouldn't understand especially when you got yourself pregnant by ME your asset. You broke every rule they had plus your own rules."

Sarah played with her food. Chuck knew he had hit a pretty sensitive nerve. Sarah didn't know what to say. She didn't expect reality to set in. The baby was due in three months and one she didn't expect Chuck to be there so worrying about the next step wasn't a priority nor dealing with the present situation. Sarah tried to eat but eventually pushed her plate forward. Chuck looked up.

"You want to quit the spy life?"

Chuck wiped his lips and got up and knelt by Sarah. Looking up he treaded lightly. "Baby we don't need to make a decision now or ever if we choose too. When the time comes we will but until then let's enjoy this."

Chuck leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. Sarah held on tight and laid her head on his shoulder. Chuck held on as long as he needed too.

Sarah sat up and wiped her eyes. Smiling back she motioned for them to finish eating.

Sarah covered Chuck up as he finally succumbed to sleep. She had noticed that his ability to fall asleep was becoming harder and harder each night. She also noticed that he didn't really sleep. Chuck's patterns were a few hours here and there. Whether it was the Intersect or his natural sleep patterns, she was finding out a lot of firsts. What started to scare her were his dreams. She stayed quiet the first few times but when he started to wake up in a cold sweats she knew that it was something more. Chuck usually shrugged them off as nothing or forgot that he had one, but when things started to happen during the light of day she had to say something.

Chuck threw the covers off his drenched body and headed for the shower. As he reached for his towel, Sarah began to voice her concerns.

"Chuck you need to talk to someone?"

Chuck walked around the room avoiding Sarah's confrontational voice.

"Chuck talk to me."

Sarah continued to follow Chuck around the small room. Chuck knew he had to get out but the distance between him and the door could not have been close enough as the only barrier was Sarah. And the look on her face he knew he hadn't a chance of leaving without doing something or saying something that wasn't deemed appropriate. Chuck moved towards the door. Sarah put her hand on the door as Chuck reached for the knob. Chuck stopped and leaned his head on the door. Sarah walked closer and looked at him.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Really, then explain the dreams that you have been having; the waking up in cold sweats, since you arrived."

"Maybe I am coming down with something?"

"I find that hard to believe."

"It's possible."

Chuck knew that he had to tell Sarah about the dreams, but he wasn't sure what they meant himself. If he started to tell her and they were nothing then great but if they really were an omen to what was to come he couldn't bear losing her or the baby. He grabbed his clothes and opted to go for a swim instead. Chuck reached for the door forcing Sarah to back off. Turning around he kissed Sarah lightly on the cheek and headed down the stairs.

Sarah walked over to the balcony watching Chuck head towards the ocean. Chuck knew that Sarah's eyes were on him but refrained from turning around. He kept on walking which disturbed Sarah slightly as he always looked up towards the balcony when he left her. Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that he was holding something back or worse. She feared that the time in the bunker had done a number on him. She herself remembered having flashbacks from missions that didn't turn out. The horrors of missions gone wrong or situations out of your control haunting you like a demon. Maybe these were Chuck's demons coming out. She recalled Chuck telling her what happened but maybe he left out the worst stuff out. But why? He should know that I could handle it?

She watched him until he turned the corner then sat down. As her eyes darted off the main road, Chuck stopped and turned back quickly looking up at the balcony and the woman he loved. Chuck knew that he had to eventually say something.

Chuck walked back as the coolness of the ocean settled his nerves but not his mind. Grabbing his towel he tossed it over his shoulders and headed back up the hill towards the cantina. Watching where he was walking as his tall frame over powered the locals. He learned quickly that the neighbourhood was't made for very tall Americans or any tall person for that matter. As Chuck dodged the local signs that hung low advertising fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. He ended up getting stuck behind a few seniors who couldn't decide on what to buy. As the senior couple nicely debated on what apples to buy others voices over powered their conversation that Chuck was so enthralled with. The voice triggered a flash that knocked Chuck off balance slightly. Grabbing the fruit stand he turned to see where the voice was coming from. The flash intensified with images of satellites, tracking systems and Submarines. Chuck twisted and turned to again see where the voices where coming from. He scanned the market and noticed two middle aged men in typical islander attire leaving the area. Chuck quickly headed to the edge of the market but as be reached the end, the two men disappeared. Chuck ran his hands through his hair. Failing to pick up on the owner of the voices he cursed himself under his breath.

Chuck knew that the voices triggered the Intersect he just needed to know why? Why now and who were the owners of them. The one voice shot a current through Chuck's system as the voice was similar to the one he had in his dreams. Walking back up he opened the doors to Rosa's and there was Sarah working behind the counter. Just like the day he arrived he stood and watched her waddle but he kept that to himself. He had to protect his Sarah, he had to protect his child, and he had to protect his family. Chuck sat down as Sarah finally noticed him. She saw the look on his face that something had happened. She was having a lot of firsts with Chuck but she knew his looks and this one wasn't a good one. Sarah twisted the cap off a beer and handed it to Chuck. Chuck grabbed her hand and leaned his head on them. Sarah leaned over the best she could over the counter and brought him closer.

"You want to talk?"

Chuck knodded. Sarah walked over and grabbed Chuck's hand as they strolled outside. Chuck pulled a chair out as they sat down. The neighbourhood was quiet but Chuck still looked over his shoulder. Not sure why he did that but Sarah picked up on very quickly.

"Chuck talk to me?"

Chuck cleared his throat. "Well you guessed that I been not myself lately."

"That's putting it lightly."

"And you're probably thinking it has something to do with being in the bunker."

Sarah surprised by this, she continued to listen.

"I'm not sure what they mean and if they have anything to do with my time in the bunker."

"But I do know that they have to do with." As he pointed to his head.

Chuck's weird demeanour and his paranoia were starting to scare Sarah. She had heard stories about Chuck's dad losing it so to speak and his mother had disappeared and not seen for years. These among Chuck's present state, she feared the worse.

Chuck took a swig of his beer then proceeded to explain what had happened earlier and what the dreams meant to him. As Chuck spoke he watched Sarah's reactions. At first the spy side came out, adding up all the clues and information; processing it as she was taught to do at the farm. Facts and evidence she remembered. Fact that what was in the Intersect was evidence that something was happening or was about to happen. That Meriweather had an ulterior motive and what Chuck held was the key to solving it. The dreams she wasn't too sure about but was equally considered. As Chuck told her about the dream she held onto her baby, their baby, as the fear that what Chuck had dreamed about could happen. In this line of work anything was possible and nothing was impossible. Chuck continued to spill his secrets as his body took on the affects. By this point Sarah the girlfriend, was scared. She had to stay strong but Chuck knew that it was only for his benefit and maybe a little for her as well. They sat watching the street slowly become empty. Sarah grabbed Chuck's hand and headed upstairs. She drew a hot bath she thought just for him but he insisted not with words but a subtle look. Chuck climbed in as he help Sarah settle down in front of him. Chuck embraced the closeness, his love and his child.

Chuck rolled over as Sarah loosened his love hold as she called them. Grabbing Chuck's blue shirt she walked over to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. As the water boiled, she walked over to Chuck's bag. Chuck had mentioned the file that he had brought from the bunker. Maybe a new set of eyes might shed some light on Chuck's dreams and if they were actually dreams or his subconscious was trying to tell him something. Sarah sat down at the table and buttoned up his shirt one more time then settled in. She took one at Chuck sleeping then when she knew it was safe she opened the file. The first thing she saw was the bold letters FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONAL ONLY. She continued to read:

FOR AUTHORIZED PERSONAL ONLY

SUBJECT – Chuck Irving Bartowski , age 27, Born Burbank California 1978

FAMILY – Sister Eleanor Bartowski – Parents – Unknown – presumed dead

EDUCATION – Milton Elementary; Philmond High School; University Degree Engineering Stanford

WORK – Buy More – Burbank California

ASSET – Analyst CIA – Human Intersect – downloaded from email sent by Rogue Agent Bryce Larkin

Prior tests were completed by Dr. Zarnov to confirm that he was indeed the carrier of the Intersect. Dr Zarnov's findings encourage retraction of the Intersect from its current home to agents under the supervision of General Meriweather. This was not followed through due to the unforeseen circumstances of Dr. Zarnov death.

Mr. Bartowski's knowledge and ability to hold the enormous amount of information with the Intersect has surprised the committee. No other individual has been able to host the Intersect. A file pertaining to who created the Intersect is only known by the name Orion. Orion and his group created the Intersect under the Project Name Omaha. Orion has not been seen or heard from since the completion of the Intersect

Agent Bryce Larkin stole the Intersect files from the DNI and sent the files to Mr. Bartowski whence from there he downloaded the data.

Mr. Bartowski was under the protection of Agent Sarah Walker and Major John Casey prior to General Meriweather taking over. Both Agent Walker and Major John Casey failed to protect the Intersect citing lack of training and proper care for the Human Intersect life and his existence. General Meriweather felt that change was needed to protect the future of the Intersect. Agent Walker and Major John Casey were reassigned as Mr. Bartowski was transferred to Washington DC.

Yeah right I was transferred – I, we were forced

General Meriweather, Agent White, Agent Henry resumed care of Mr. Bartowski upon his arrival to DC.

Standard Tests were administered as to the condition of the Intersect:

Sarah continued to flip through the pages till she came to the last page where she found out what they were looking for.

Files to retrieve: BLACK RAIN; AQUASCAPE, USS SCORPION, , BLIND MAN'S BLUFF, CODE DFS OLYMPIA, ASCENSION DFS 1844z

Cc Anthony Walker Jr, Admiral David Lamar McDonald

Sarah finished reading and noticed Chuck's scribble and the names at the bottom. What stumped her was the fact that the tests were inclusive. What did that mean? It looks like they weren't done. And if Chuck left before they were finished then whatever they were looking for will never be retrieved, unless they got what they needed. But what did the test prove? What were they looking for despite the files? These names have to have something in common but what? Are Chuck's dreams the answers or the end? Sarah continued to ask herself many more questions while looking at Chuck's notes, she noticed that he wanted to make contact with Casey and Beckman, but what stopped him. If he knew that these two men could be the key and Chuck was getting somewhere why did he stop? Then she realized, and as she did Chuck awoke to find that he was alone in bed. He scanned the room and saw Sarah sitting at the table. Getting up he adjusted his twisted boxers and t shirt and walked behind Sarah. Placing kisses along her neck, he noticed that his file was out in the open. Chuck moved to the side of Sarah.

"Before you freak out, I…"

"You're a spy first and always will be?"

"But I wanted…"

Chuck sat down across from her. "You wanted to find out something to help me with my dreams, and this whole mess we are in?"

Sarah smiled knowing that Chuck was right. It wasn't curiosity it was the fact that the spy in her would never leave no matter what came after. The love she had for Chuck only made it harder to do her job the way she had to.

"So Agent Walker, what now?"

Sarah sorted the few papers that filled the file. "These names?"

"What about them?"

"I am guessing that you're not done with them? And this word Ascension?"

"The two guys, I don't know and I was hoping that if I could get in contact with Casey and Beckman they could do the work for me. I heard the word Ascension when I was in the bunker and I had Casey check it out and what he found out was that it was an old mission about 65 years ago called Black Rain. I flashed and I saw images of the file name called Black Rain, land and water images, 800 – the year 1957 – Hans Jacob – Aquascape – Blind mans' Bluff – USS Scorpion June 5, 1968. I haven't been able to look into it as I just found out just before I found you. And…..I have…..well…..been focusing on other things except you and our baby."

Sarah's smile quickly faded into her infamous spy look. Chuck knew that this honeymoon was over. But he didn't want Sarah involved. Grabbing the file he got up and stuffed it back into his bag.

"What are you doing?"

"Protecting you and the baby."

"I don't need protecting, I am the one who needs to protect you."

Washington

Beckman waited for Casey to walk out of the elevator into the parking lot. Beckman knew that Meriweather wouldn't take the time to bug the whole building. Casey walked in with two black coffees and walked over to Beckman's black SUV.

"Good Morning John?"

"Morning Diane."

They were past formality after the team had been disbanded. As they sipped their coffee a few street people dug into the garbage bin across the entrance but weren't seen as a threat. As long as they stayed away Casey's finger didn't have to pull the trigger.

"Any news?"

"No maam. It has been very quiet. I am going to head back to LA today to see if there is anything there. I tried to log into the main frame at Castle but a security breach came up. Meriweather must still be looking for Chuck. All our access is frozen and to think of it I have had many several surprised visits from his men stating the obvious but they know that I haven't had any contact."

"Do you think that he will get in contact with you?"

"I don't know, he didn't tell me where he was going or what his plan was. I beat him up pretty good so he could be avoiding me."

"No I don't think so. Do you think that he'd gone looking for Walker?"

"Maybe, Chuck is smart but that smart, to hunt down the infamous Sarah Walker. He'd have to be a damn good spy in order to do that. And where would he start to look for her. She has tonnes of alias and safe houses out there. If Sarah wanted to be found she would have been in contact with him or even us for that matter. But because she hasn't in over five months I am guessing she doesn't want to be found. This break up was harder on all of us than we realized. I am thinking that Sarah is blaming herself for what happened, and in her fashion of dealing with things, she runs and doesn't look back."

"So what do you expect to find?"

"I don't know but Chuck had me look into the word Ascension."

"Yes and I looked into it secretly of course as well." Diane smiled slightly.

"The USS SCORPION crashed then disappeared on May 22, 1968. It was coming home from Europe but failed to respond to a routine check. Several attempts were made to make contact with the crew of 103. Reports stated that the sub had been subjacked. Which I found unfounded, and no proof has proven that to be true. The USS Scorpion was ahead of its time and if someone now has found some interest in it we need to find out who they are? If Meriweather is interested then why would he need Chuck? Reports stated that of the 103 members 99 were presumed dead. So where are the 4 that didn't?"

"What gets me as well is how the 99 were presumed dead and 4 were not? If the sub has never been found there is no proof. Where are the bodies then?"

Casey knew he couldn't let this one go even if the Navy had. Diane nodded her blessing and Casey headed towards the entrance. Diane walked towards the elevator and pressed the up button.

LONDON

Marcello had not slept since the glitch over took his search. As Will tried to avoid Marcello, his attempts to slow things down were running out. Will knew that Marcello would eventually figure it out and Will dreaded what would be done to him that hasn't already. Thomas watched Marcello who was tired and stressed tried to figure out the codes. As Marcello plugged away he hollered to Will who had been set up in the back of the hotel room.

"Will try Triangulum."

Will typed in the name and pressed enter. The screen remained blank. Marcello walked up behind Will as Will's hairs on his neck stood up.

"Damn, why isn't working."

"What do you mean?"

"Triangulum was dug out of Bartowski's head so why isn't working?"

Will was careful how he answered. "Sir, you just can't just type in a word and assume that it will give you what you want. If you told me what you were looking for I can cross reference this word with…."

"Ok, fine you win. See if there is any correlation between the name Triangulum and the coordinates that Alexis got from the test on Bartowski."

Will knew that his time was running out. He couldn't hold Marcello back any further. He just hoped that Alexis and Sergio were done with their search.

Will typed in the coordinates. 32°54.9' N 33°08.89'E. As Will typed away he failed to check his coordinates. (His last set of data should have read 33°08.89'W.)

Marcello waited as the screen sent data to a sophisticated map of the world. As the image appeared Marcello set his sights on small area North of Egypt in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

Marcello accepted the results and got on the phone. Ecstatic that he had possibly found the remnants of the USS Scorpion.

Will went amongst his business as Thomas wasn't as excited as Marcello was. Thomas found it hard to believe that a sub would end up in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea when records proved that it had already left port on May 26, 1968. So why would a sub's report indicate one thing while the data retrieved from the tests on Bartowski indicated another. Will could tell that Thomas wasn't overly excited but chalked it up to his personality.

LA HAVANA

Chuck sat down as the sun was rising. Sarah sat curled up in the chair next to him reading over his file once again. After several attempts trying to keep the file in his bag and Sarah walking up and grabbing it, he opted to give it to her and as she smile, he couldn't blame her. Sarah analyzed the file and made notes for herself along with Chuck's recall of his dreams and the voices he heard the day before. Chuck watched and waited trying to get something from her but Sarah remained quiet. Chuck sat down on the floor adjacent to where Sarah was sitting and waited. Sarah instinctively stretched her legs not realizing that she was about to lay them on Chuck's shoulders. Chuck got a glimpse of Sarah's long legs and not wasting the moment caressed them ever so slightly. Sarah basked in the feeling that she was receiving from Chuck's strong hands and adjusted her position as Chuck continued to run his fingers up and down her leg ending up massaging her toes.

"Sarah."

"Uh huh."

"You.."

"Yup."

Chuck realized that Sarah wasn't paying attention to his questions. So Chuck continued to caress her legs and toes. When Sarah began to reread portions of their notes again, she knew that something wasn't right. She put her papers down to see Chuck in deep thought over her toes. It felt so good what his hands were doing. If being pregnant prompted this kind of service she would have thought about it long ago. Chuck's fingers grazed her legs and his right amount of pressure on her toes made all her aches and pains go away. Sarah never realized that her body was going through all these changes and no matter what she looked like or felt like Chuck didn't care.

"Chuck?"

"Yeah?"

"I hate to be a party pooper and have this wonderful treatment stop but…." As Chuck pressed a deep finger into her arch of her foot.

"Oh man…..that feels so good."

Chuck looked up and saw the look on her face and smiled.

"You were saying?"

"We should, you should…." Chuck dug his fingers once again into the same spot.

"CHUCK! You need to stop…please…."

"Why?"

"Well if you continue I may not be responsible for what could happen next."

"Well I think that I could handle what might come next."

"Chuck…" As Sarah sat up causing Chuck to let go of her feet.

Chuck turned around a little disappointed. Sarah put the files down and leaned over Chuck's shoulders the best that she could from where she was sitting.

"Thank you dear for the massage but I think it's time to ask for help." Sarah waited for Chuck to respond. When he didn't she asked again.

"No, I heard you the first time."

Sarah got up and knelt down beside Chuck.

"You know if we get in touch with Casey and or Beckman for that matter. (Chuck pointing to their child) This won't be a secret anymore."

Sarah took Chuck's hand and placed it over their baby.

"I know but if we want to bring down Meriweather we need the help. And getting Casey here could speed things up. "

"You want to bring Casey here?"

"Well I'm not in a state to fly plus if Meriweather is looking for us heading back is not a good idea. Plus Casey can easily sneak out from under Meriweather's surveillance. I bet he's been watching Casey since he got back."

"Probably and Beckman too?"

"Oh totally, so if we can get in touch with Casey somehow then we can go from there or here."

"You're starting to talk like me?"

"Well, we do work well together."

"In more ways than one. We created this little person."

Chuck brought Sarah closer and as the air between them shifted, their lips met. Every kiss had as much passion as the first and the last. Sarah leaned her head against Chuck forehead.

"Casey."

"No its' Chuck."

Sarah leaned back and hit him slightly. "I know, but we need to get a hold of Casey now."

Chuck got up and helped Sarah up.

"Do you have an idea on how to get a hold of him?"

Chuck looked around the room and saw that Sarah didn't have a lap top or any other electronic device.

"No computer huh?"

"No sorry, that's one thing that is limited out here."

Chuck paced the floor thinking of ways to get a hold of Casey. Chuck walked over to the table and sat down and made a list.

"What are you doing?" As Sarah sat down.

"Well we can't use computers because you don't have one. We can 't use the phone cause Meriweather can trace the call."

"Can you send him something?"

Chuck looked at Sarah then grabbed her face and kissed her hard.

"You're brilliant."

Surprised by his words she turned around as Chuck got up and got dressed. He tossed her – her sundress. "Here get dressed we are going to the post office."

WEST INDIES

Alexis and Sergio sat up as their hours of catching up finally came to an end. Sergio lit a cigarette as Alexis leaned against his chest.

"This time tomorrow we should have an idea where the USS Scorpion is."

"Then what Sergio? We haven't discussed what we want to do with once we find it? I know that you want to sell what is retrieved to highest bidder but are we ready for that?"

"Honey, once we get the sub, all we need to do is hire a crew to ship it Ascension Island. From there we can strip it of its parts. I need to have the weapons and communication feeds before Marcello gets them. He doesn't have a clue what to do with them and Meriweather is just the go to guy. If Meriweather thinks that he is going to take my money then he has another thing coming."

"But Marcello is going to figure it out that Will delayed his search so that we could get a head start."

"Yes but by then we will be on a boat headed to Ascension Island. "

"And Marcello and Meriweather?"

"They can have what's left. "

"You need to get a hold of Nick and Casper?"

"Why?"

Alexis sat up and covered herself with the sheet.

"Because if you don't they will side with Marcello. And Meriweather has worked very hard to keep their names out of the CIA files. The only smart thing he's done was deleting their names from WITSEC. Without their names there is no way to link them to the subjacking of the USS Scorpion or his name for that matter."

"Yeah but who would ever make the connection that Nick Jones and Casper Hilton were two off the four men who survived and Meriweather was the third. As far as the reports state 99 men died and four survived but there was no proof of that either. No bodies were recovered, only the 99 men who washed up on the shore. "

"But who really subjacked the sub?"

"Rumors state that Meriweather and his team who were Nick Jones and Casper Hilton or better known as Francis Slattery and Joseph Underwood former NAVY cadets were contracted out. The Mission was called Aquascape. They were convinced that the USS was going to end up in the hands of the KGB because of its high tech advancements in underwater espionage. The KGB was interested along with the United Kingdom and United States. At the time the U.S. had the sub heading home but Nick aka Francis Slattery was desperately in need of money. He convinced his friends Casper Hilton aka Joseph Underwood to walk into the Soviet Embassy and offered to sell any information on the whereabouts of the USS Scorpion and a few other important missions of interest such as Operation Ivy Bells. Playing both sides he was able to convince Meriweather another cadet to go against his country in order to make it rich. Unfortunately it didn't work out as fast as the wanted. "

Sergio put out his cigarette, grabbed his robe and walked over to a pile of papers and came back.

"Operation Ivy Bells was a joint US Navy, CIA and NSA mission whose objective was to place wire taps on Soviet underwater communication lines during the cold war. Divers retrieved the recordings and installed a set of new taps. These recordings were supposed to be delivered to the NSA but were delivered to the Hans Jacob who was a well known double agent with the CIA and the KGB. Hans Jacob along with Jones and Hilton and Meriweather managed to keep the mission a secret till the fourth man that survived whose name was Chester "Buck" Buchanan grew a conscience and somehow recorded a secret meeting that proved that the USS Scorpion was indeed subjacked and the 99 crew members were simply murdered. Fearing for his life he saved the files and the recordings of all the codes and gave them to his friend known as Orion who he then saved them in a locked security system. Years later those files among thousands of others were uploaded to the Intersect. Meriweather then was active in the CIA and quickly shot up the ranks so that he could keep an eye on the Intersect. But when the DNI was broken into he lost track of the Intersect till Bryce Larkin resurfaced and sent it to Chuck Bartowski. Meriweather got word that the Intersect was sent to a civilian and whomever received the Intersect also had the codes. It wasn't until a General Beckman was assigned to the intersect project that Meriweather knew he had a chance of getting the codes. Unfortunately it wasn't an easy task to retrieve those files. You found that out."

"All that history for a few codes? We better have gotten enough data from Bartowski. Do you think Chuck knows that he has the codes?"

"Hard to say, you guys dug pretty deep to find just what you did find. I'm not sure how the whole thing works. Orion has disappeared and Larkin was shot by a guy name Casey."

"Well Casey ended up working with Bartowski and Walker. They were a pretty good team till Meriweather shut them down. He made the claim that Walker and Bartowski were more than partners but in hind sight he made it up just to get them apart. All we known is Walker disappeared and Casey was doing odd missions for General Beckman so I don't expect them to cause us any grief."

"Well we don't need that." Sergio walked over to the desk and watched as the beacon pinged back and forth. Will's coordinates were about to be proved right or wrong.

"Sergio should I call the guys?"

"Soon I want to be sure then we can have them meet us on the Island. If Will's coordinates were right the sub should be within miles of the Island. Then they can bring in their team and retrieve the sub."

"Wouldn't the retrieval process turn a few heads?"

"Probably but the Island has been deserted for some time and is only used as a refueling station for air travel and shipping. The locals there usually keep to themselves for a price."

"So I guess we should get dress and go deep sea diving."

Sergio wasn't sure if it was love or the excitement of the hunt but he had to think it was both. He did care for Alexis but he wasn't sure if she did. There were a lot of back stabbers tagged along with this mission and he hoped that she wasn't going to be the one with the knife.

Alexis sauntered over to Sergio and pulled on his belt of his robe. "Didn't you hear me. "

Sergio swung around and picked her up. "After we do our own expedition."

LA HAVANA

Chuck paced the sidewalk waiting for the post office to open.

"Honey, it serves you right for coming so early. The folks here don't move as fast as your head does."

"Funny, now you're a comedian?" Chuck looking at her with a confused face.

Sarah grabbed his arm when he came walking by. Forcing him down on the bench outside the post office she curled up beside him and draped her legs over his.

"Relax, they'll be open soon. Or we can go back to the Cantina and have some breakfast. This child of your is always hungry. I swear it has purposely made me gain weight."

Chuck turned to look at Sarah. "But you're as beautiful as always."

Sarah pulled Chuck's cheek closer to her and kissed it. Moments later the closed sign flipped to open and Chuck carefully got Sarah up from the bench. Taking off their sunglasses they entered the building. It had an old smell to it. A mixture of old papers and mildew. The older gentleman greeted them and Sarah replied back in Spanish. Chuck nodded as he looked for a computer. The older gentleman watched as the American male scoured the post office. After a while Sarah asked the older gentleman if they had a computer the old man said no but he did have an older style Morse code machine if Chuck was interested.

Sarah came back to the Chuck and explained the situation.

"Well if we were in the past that would work. Like in the wild wild west and the train was a coming in."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know."

Just as the tumble weed blew across the deserted orifices of Chuck's massive brain. He got an idea.

He walked over to the older gentleman and asked for a pen and paper. Walking back to the side table he started writing Casey a letter. Sarah stood over Chuck as he proposed his words.

"Remember Meriweather might be checking the mail."

"Right."

So Chuck reworded the letter. It looked more like a Dear John letter than a letter that a spy would send a spy. Sarah picked it up and started to read.

My Dearest Alex

It's been too long, as I write this I am left with the hope that we'll cross paths soon.

It's time to put our differences aside. The show must go on.

I hope to meet with you at your earliest convenience. The sun is always shining here. Remember that picture that I always walked by that was hanging by the desk. I always loved looking at that picture. Rosa can't see now and the toy cube that little havana had needs attention.

Been okay a few surprises but worth the trip. Found the precious gem that I was looking for. But concerns have arose that need looking into.

Supplies are needed as well as my stash. I hope you remember what the stash is. Gummie bears, tonnes of magazines, that old dart game, pin the tail. You know the good stuff. Also can you bring me a new LT mine kinda got left in a hole.

Hope papa bear has gone into hibernation. How is Aunty D doing? Not sure if she is ready for the news so we will tell her together.

See you soon

Little C.

Sarah put the letter down and tried not to laugh. Covering her mouth she tried to gain her composure.

"What?"

"Oh nothing."

"Ya right, what's so funny?"

"Your letter."

"What's wrong with the letter?"

"It reads like a kid wrote it."

"And?"

"Do you think that Casey will figure out where we are by this?" Pointing to the letter.

"Yes I do. I left some clues there and if Casey is as good as a spy that he says he is. He will show up."

"Okay if you say so."

Chuck wrote the Buy More Address on the front of the envelope and licked it shut. He hoped that Casey would return to the Buy More or at least head back to Castle sooner or later. He gave the letter to the older gentleman and asked that it be mailed as soon as possible. The older gentleman looked at his calendar.

"How does a week sound?"

Chuck looked at Sarah and Sarah nodded.

"Okay sounds good."

Chuck paid for the extra cost of the stamp and watched it be added to the pile of outgoing mail. Sarah placed her hand in his and walked out.

"Now can we go and eat?"

Chuck and Sarah walked back as Chuck looked over his shoulder hoping that Casey would understand it. If he gave too much info and Meriweather's men got a hold of it, all their lives would be in more danger than they already were.

Week later

Casey pulled up to the Buy More after staking out the apartments. Meriweather's men were there but it looked like they didn't stay long. Casey avoided Morgan and Chuck's sister and boyfriend but he knew that they would cross paths sooner or later. After an hour of watching the Buy More and the Orange Orange he crossed the street. Casey snuck into the side door of Buy More and headed to the home theatre room. Pulling away the carpet he heard workers coming. Quickly he slid under the carpet and left no mark. He walked down the spiral staircase and waited to see if anyone was coming or going. He patched into a small camera that Chuck had installed that over looked Castle. His reasoning was that he didn't want to come down the stairs to a surprise. Casey scanned the room, nothing.

Entering the main room brought the memories flashing back. It was hard for him to realize that it was all over, his team was done. Casey sat down in the armory thinking but lost track of time and as Casey snapped out of his thoughts as he heard the doors or Orange Orange opening up. Casey quickly ran to the wall that led to the stairs that led to the locker room of the Buy More. Quietly closing the wall he heard Meriweather's men commenting on the waste this building was. Casey squeezed the side of the wall. Casey stayed put as the men finished up their conversation with an adieu to this place. Casey listened again. The first man heading up the stairs called back. "What a waste in a building." The second man. "So glad we can go home." As the doors closed once again at the top of the stairs Casey headed up the stairs to exit through the Buy More. As Casey reached for the door of the locker room, Morgan entered. Casey played it cool as it had been weeks since Casey was last seen.

"Hey big guy, you back?" Morgan obviously looking for someone else.

"Where's Chuck?" "How was the big install? I bet you were the muscles and Chuck was the brains."

Casey thought that must have been the story that Morgan was given. So he played along.

"It was fine and yes I was the muscle and Chuck was the brains."

"So where is he?"

Casey quickly put on the spy mode. "He's still over there. The owner was so impressed that he asked him to do another job. I am just back to get some supplies that Buy More only sells. Once I make the list from here Corporate will ship the items over there.

Morgan not a dumb as he looks asks.

"Then why couldn't you just make the list online?"

"Because I wanted to come back and check on the place. Kind of missed my house and I needed some American food."

"I bet French food can be hard on the gut."

"Yeah, you're right Morgan."

"Well if you see Chuck tell him I miss him."

"Will do."

Morgan and Casey stood in an awkward silent stance still Casey piped up. "I better make the list."

Casey walked over the desk as Morgan and the rest of the gang watched in awe as John made his fake list. Casey checked off a few items and was interrupted several times buy the nerd herd stooges that tried to offer their expertise. As Casey continued with the list, Jeffery brought in the mail and flipped through the pile. Jeffery's eyes widened as he got a glimpse of a 2 for 1 Subways sale coupon. As Jeffery placed the mail down Casey got a glimpse and recognized the handwriting on one of the letters. Using the pen he slowly tossed the letters aside and eyed the one that looked familiar. Placing the mail aside he slowly slid the letter onto the clipboard then slid the letter into his pocket.

Morgan looked at him and Casey feared that he had been caught.

"Hey big guy the gang is going to Subway wanna join us?"

Casey nodded. Anything to get out of here.

That night Casey brought out a bottle of Jack and sat down in his favourite brown chair. Flipping on an old broadcast of Patton's war efforts, he slid the letter out of his pocket. Tearing open the letter he laughed as he knew for sure who the letter was from. As he read it, he shook his head but he understood the cryptic child like reasoning behind the letter. Casey grabbed a pen and started solving the mystery.

LA HAVANA

Sarah watched as Chuck and Rosa tried to make tortillas from scratch. Not sure who had more flour Chuck or Rosa. As she watched visions of the future popped into her head. What life would be like once the baby was born? What would he or she look like? But Chuck's dream over showered the pleasant ones but as Sarah continued to think a welcome interruption stopped her. Chuck was standing over her, with his broad shoulders just slightly in front of hers. Sarah cautiously ran her fingers over them. Chuck leaned in and nibbled on her neck. Sarah slid her hands down to his apron strings and pulled them slightly bringing his closer to her. She loved that Chuck was able to drape his body over hers and the baby with no problems at all. As Chuck continued to nibble here and there, Rosa closed up for the afternoon.

"You two stop that…as she laughed…that is how you got here in the first place."

Sarah and Chuck both thought. 'If you only knew what the first time was like and how it all happened…..'

Chuck stood up and took off his apron. But as he slid it over his head his shirt got caught exposing his taunt stomach, which Sarah reacted too of course. She quickly took her finger and slid it across the bottom of his shirt just like you would if you had stolen a lick or two from a decorated cake.

Chuck knew that look. He said thanks to Rosa and headed up stairs. Sarah's childlike giggle made Chuck reaction even more loveable. Chuck stood closer to Sarah as she started for his shirt and he with hers. Chuck dragged his fingers down her forearm that sent shivers down her spine. Sarah unbutton his shorts and slid her hand in behind and squeezed his cheeks. Chuck moaned as Sarah slid her fingers up his back. Chuck turned Sarah around as he stood behind her and kissed neck. He slowly disrobed her of her clothes and laid her gently on the bed. They had become very inventive with their love making which heighten the experience and this time was no exception. As Sarah allowed Chuck and her to become one the world around them went silent. Chuck was gentle as he usually was maybe even gentler. Chuck was not a wham bam thank you ma'am but he was a man of detail. Like everything he did he took his time and Sarah was ever so grateful to return the favour.

The temperature rose a few degrees not only in the bed room but outside as well as the sounds of the outside world slowly filtered back into the room. Chuck lay on his back as Sarah laid beside him. Hands clasped together they entertained themselves with the quietness of the post love making moment.

"Do you think that Casey got the letter?"

"Don't know."

LA

Casey secured the items into a large crate and sent it to the airport. He hoped that he had gotten the message right and the location if not this shipment would be in the wrong hands.

Casey grabbed his bag and locked up Castle.

LA HAVANA

Chuck busied his way through the kitchen as Rosa allowed him to cook for the dinner rush as her nephew was late coming home from school. Rosa loved the fact that her grand nephew had picked up his socks and was starting to take school seriously after Chuck took some interest in him. His dad had spilt and left his mom and siblings moving back in with Rosa and Alfie. Chuck loved the role of 'dad' he told Rosa it was preparing him for his own.

Chuck continued to cook as Sarah watched from the small window. Chuck had installed a small TV with a VCR in the corner so that Alfie didn't have to head upstairs to watch his movies. Alfie could pause and rewind whenever he wanted to. His favourite movie was the Magnificent Seven. Chuck was able to find one with Spanish subtitles. As Alfie watched the Cantina took on the sights and sounds of the wild west. As Chuck heard the sounds from the movie he knew what part of the movie was playing. The typical gun battle. The sounds of the wind and the tumble weed blowing across the plains. The evil looks in the bad guys eyes as the seven enters on horseback. The saloon piano coming to a halt, the chatter stopping instantly as all you hear it the splash of the man who just spit his tobacco.

Chuck was enjoying the moment that he didn't hear Sarah plea for his attention.

"C-H-U-CK!"

By this point the Cantina was a silent as the scene in the movie. A slight gust of wind entered the room in which Alfie shut the movie off, which caused Chuck to respond. The men stood their ground as a stranger had entered the Cantina. Sarah looked up and the silhouette could only be one man. As Sarah wanted to confirm the identity of this stranger, the locals armed with stares followed her as she walked around the bar to the open space of the Cantina.

The stranger's eyes widen at the sight of the blonde. As the blonde stared down the stranger she knew that he was no stranger. But the look on his face said otherwise. The known stranger to some eyed the slight of the infamous spy not sure what to make of it. As the tension rose between the two parties, Chuck entered.

"Casey!"