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?

10. Chapter 10 or Ch 9 part 2

Here is the final chapter of another story by yours truly. It has been a pleasure writing this one for you all to ENJOY! Not done writing other stories but nothing is ready to post yet. So keep your eyes opening. Thanks for all those of you who have stuck by me and have always come back. You guys ROCK!

Chapter nine part 2 – Finally some Peace

Thomas walked over towards Will. Will thinking the worst Thomas pulls out a chair. "Sit! You're going to tell me everything if you want to get out of this alive."

Will explained what he could which helped Thomas filled in the many blanks. It also gave him the answers to why he was chosen in the first place; his knowledge and his influence and contacts with those in the world of telecommunications would in the end make Marcello and Meriweather very rich men. Then bringing in Alexis and Sergio was just the added support they needed. Thomas knew that Meriweather had been planning this heist for over 40 years. He just needed a guy like Will who would be able to hack into a brain like Chuck's based on the facts that Meriweather knew and that he was the only of the group to know that the files existed and where they ended up. Beside Buchanan no one knew that these codes were hidden, but the fact that Buchanan couldn't live with himself knowing that 99 men died because someone like Meriweather convinced them that they would be rich and the casualties were just that, men in the wrong place at the wrong time. His sins got the best of him and wanting to make things right he gave the files and codes to someone who eventually put them into the Intersect which then Chuck downloaded.

After Thomas digested what Will told him he sat down himself. As he continued to line up the many dots, he confirmed that each of them were in it for themselves and had no plans of working together beyond these new developments. Thomas looked at Will. "So Alexis wants you there so that's where you will be going."

Will looked shocked but at this point he had no other choice. "I will somehow make Marcello and Meriweather think that you left to check out new Intel or to set up for the extraction of the subs. By tomorrow they'll know that the sub isn't out there and this will give you time to get out. I will transfer some money into your account which will take care of you for long time. Help Alexis locate the sub then phone me and I'll head out there as well."

"What about?"

"Leave them to me. You seem to have the codes figured out so it won't take you guys long to retrieve the main consul and with that you will have all the access to whatever form of telecommunications you want. Leave my share and we'll call it even."

Will nodded. At this point he had no choice but to trust Thomas or he would be thrown to the lions. He exited the room grabbing his gear along the way and heading to his plane. Thomas watched as Will snuck out across the tarmac. Sitting down he grabbed the keyboard and pulled out a few tricks of his own. He wanted to make Meriweather squirm but he wanted to make it look like a computer error which it would be, but put the blame on someone other than Will.

La Havana

They say that the night is the darkest just before dawn - for Chuck it was leaving Sarah and his child. He had had such a short time to get to know this Sarah and not the Sarah Walker the spy but Sarah Walker the girlfriend, the mother of his child. He felt that with all he knew it was enough, but having known her beyond the facade life of a spy, he knew deep down that there was a simple down to earth girl who desperately wanted to be loved, and to love. But to be thrown into a life of a spy she didn't know any better. It was the only life she knew or chose to know, but things changed once her world included a child, their child. But if Chuck's dreams were any indication and what he had heard and read about this Intersect his dreams could be more than just dreams but what was to come. Chuck shivered as the thoughts rang through his mind. Lying there he stared outside not knowing the danger that lurked outside. He battled the questions racing through his head and whether he had to prove that he could do both; be the boyfriend/father and or the spy. He had to find out the answer himself. He covered Sarah up with the cotton sheet. He kissed her shoulder again as he did many time that night. He hoped and prayed that this would not be their last time. He caressed and rubbed his hand across Sarah's belly one more time and forced the feeling to memory, for he did not want that memory to die with him.

Jumping into the truck Casey quietly drove off. Instantly Chuck's persona changed as the truck started to pick up speed. All the previous missions flashed on and off as if they were sending him off to battle. Signalling right Chuck watched as the Cantina faded from sight. Opening the map he set his eyes on the circled areas that Casey had circled earlier. What seemed like just a short time ago he had been with Sarah, so intimate so at peace so in love, it quickly dispersed as a sea breeze led Chuck to zipping up his jacket. As Casey put the truck into park, Chuck folded up the map and opened the door. The sea was a dark as the night's sky and he found it hard to find where one ended the other began. Casey walked around the front and patted Chuck on the shoulder.

"I am surprised that Walker let you go. She must love you enough to let you do this." As Casey continued to talk Chuck inners twisted and gnawed. If only Casey knew, that Sarah knew nothing of this and he hoped to be back in time so he didn't have to explain his absence. Walking towards the pier Casey's favours came through as there along the row of the other fishing boats was a fair size shrimp boat but as Chuck looked carefully it was more than your average shrimp boat. Chuck chucked it up to the game of Battleship meets Forest Gump's shrimp boat. Casey jumped on board and packed the gear that they brought into the empty storage containers on the star side of the boat. Chuck followed but every time he breathed he thought of Sarah and the last few weeks. Which had been nothing but amazing, but at the same time life changing. Going from a single man to a boyfriend to a father all in such a short time and on top of it all sneaking out was wrong but if he had told Sarah exactly how his dreams went she wouldn't allow him to go.

In order to make everyone safe he needed to do this. His mind continued to keep busy. Over the past year he learned to force himself to oppress the thoughts and images of what was that of the Intersect and what was not but it took a toll on him. One conversation that kept going on in his mind was the conversation he had with General Beckman and Sarah and how he was asked to be a spied better yet given the opportunity to do great things. Where some where asked some where born to this. Chuck grabbed the rest of his gear and untied the rope that was tied near the back of the boat. Casey had lit a cigar which was his tradition when he would go out on out on any mission. Chuck zipped his jacket up to the top and stared out to the dark abyss.

"You ready?"

"All good."

"And you're sure that Sarah is ok with this?"

"Yeah she's on board." Again Chuck crawled in his own skin as this lie would make or break their relationship; hoping on the former.

Atlantic Ocean/Coast of Cuba

When Casper and Nick pulled up to the villa, Alexis and Sergio waited outside. Casper embraced his daughter as it had been a year or so since they saw had seen each other in person besides by phone or email. Alexis held on a little longer than she anticipated Sergio greeted Nick and headed inside. Sergio went straight to work showing the men what had transpired since their last talk, pinpointing the exact location on the map and circling the area in which they believed the USS scorpion was lying. They agreed on a time and called it a night.

'No time in wasting what's left of this journey.' They all agreed and resorted for a few hours of sleep.

On route to Ascension Island Eastern Shore

The boat bucked and swayed in the water as Chuck secured his life jacket. Casey didn't want to wear one but Chuck persisted telling him that he needed him to stay alive and that any form of weapon warfare wouldn't probably kill him but something as simple drowning could. Casey grunt and smirked not admitting that Casey appreciated how Chuck looked out for him. Chuck returned to set the portable GPS on the dash. They had 200 + miles of uncharted Atlantic Ocean to boat through before they would reach Ascension Island. The first few miles looked promising as the waters seemed to settle the further they got away from Cuba but as they progressed, the skies lightened and the boat started to slam into the waves. As the day continued to awaken they progressed steadily only crossing paths with a few fishing boats and other cargo ships crossing the old tide routes of long ago.

Casey back off on the speed which allowed Chuck to finally sit down. Chuck was not born with sea legs, his tall stature benefitted him in a lot of ways but not when it came to staying afloat or upright. Looking at the GPS every time it chirped both Chuck and Casey knew that they were getting closer to the Island. Looking at the monitor Casey headed south east and turned the boat slightly star board.

"We have to stay due east from here on. I would like to reach the far eastern coast by tonight if possible. There is a small mountain range that could house our gear and keep us out of view for the time being. As we get closer I will drop these satellite imagery buoys. I was surprised that the Navy would allow us to have these."

"Like I said I have some friends that owe me a few favours."

"Yes Casey."

Chuck smiled as Casey grunted a # 24. As the next chirp went off Chuck dropped one of buoys alongside the boat. Turning on the scanner he watched as the buoy bobbled just below the water; out of sight ever so the slightly to avoid being seen by the average boater. The buoy scanned the area with seismic waves that allowed Chuck to transfer the data to a topographic map, where he could see if the ocean floor had any drastic depth changes. (Which could determine whether a sub or any foreign body was lying in its watery grave.) Several buoys were dropped as the GPS continued to chirp, this time Casey threw a few just to add to the mix. As they approached the Island Chuck knew he couldn't turn back now. Casey coasted around the island to the designated spot. Chuck jumped into the water and guided the boat to shore. Securing the boat to a rock Casey passed the gear to Chuck as he set it aside on the rocky shore. Casey grabbed the few items that they would need for the time being. They stretched and found a place to sit down. Opening a few bottles of water they looked at the map.

Looking up they could see a stretch of mountainous ridges easy enough to tread through with their gear. As they continued to look they confirmed that they had touched down on the far east side and needed to head toward the north side of the island where most of Chuck's data came from. Casey walked over to his weapons tote and started to assemble his weapons. He strapped a few to his upper legs and tossed Chuck a few Tranq guns to load up on. As they packed their backpacks Chuck transferred his GPS monitor to his strap on the front of his back pack. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement to head up the mountain. They were pleased that most of their gear went with them as they looked back all they could see we're empty totes. Casey followed behind Chuck as he put his faith into his GPS.

They wanted to reach the top by night fall and set up a temporary based to overlook the other side of the Island. They hoped that they could reach the USS Scorpion before Alexis and Meriweather's team showed up. Chuck thoughts consumed him again 'Whatever this sub contained many people went to a lot of trouble to find it and hide it.' (Even to the point that the subs secrets were locked inside Chuck's head.') Chuck knew that what he held as secrets would not end well, he just had that feeling.

La Havana

Sarah laid on her back from a well-deserved sleep hoping for some loving but when the room silenced her anticipation she sat up. Looking around she thought she heard him in the bathroom but nothing. So she headed to the outside shower still no Chuck. Taking a few quick breaths she assumed that he was down the hall or downstairs or went out with Casey. When the upstairs came up with nothing she forced herself not to freak out quite yet. She got dressed and went downstairs. As the day progressed helping out in the Cantina memories of the night before made her giggle and blush, how one man could make her feel that way he did; even being so far along in her pregnancy. Over the last four months, it was what she had dreamt about happening when she found out that she was in deed carrying Chuck's child. As their child moved inside her she knew it wouldn't be long before she would be able to see its face, to hold him or her.

As the day progressed, her concerns that she had not heard from Chuck or Casey for that matter made her start to worry. Rosa voiced her concerns as well but didn't want to let on that she knew why Chuck wasn't around. But she convinced Sarah that boys were boys and that whatever they were doing they were together. That seemed to settle the she male in her but along as Chuck was with her or Casey he was safe. 'He wouldn't do anything stupid with his child arriving anytime. Why would he want to jeopardize it?'

Evening came faster than the patrons had anticipated. The crowd was steady but quiet. Rosa busied herself as Sarah sat watching the door. Each time a shadow crossed the threshold of the Cantina she was always disappointed when the person wasn't Chuck. Her spy instincts were kicking in but she didn't want to be that girl friend who was the spy and when the slightest feeling that something wasn't the way it should be, she would go to def con 10. She didn't want to be that girl, she wanted to trust that Chuck would be safe and would come home. (But at least Casey was with him, this thought of him being alone with Meriweather possibly still looking for him was never far from her thoughts.)

As the clock struck 10 o'clock Rosa told her to go get some sleep and that Chuck would be there when she woke up. Taking Rosa's advice Sarah headed up stairs. It didn't take long till sleep over took her.

Sarah woke up at her unusual time, but again it felt different. As she rolled onto her back she noticed that Chuck's side had not been slept in. The room was too quiet; the whole floor was too quiet. She slipped her arms into Chuck's shirt and ramped her feet into her slippers and headed down the hall towards Casey's room. She turned the knob and noticed that his bed hadn't been slept in either. Heading to the stairwell she noticed Alfie's truck still was gone. At this point she knew something wasn't right. Heading back to Casey's room she rummaged through the Intel and discovered her worst nightmare. The ultimate betrayal, Chuck had lied to her. With all that had gone on, this was not what she thought he would go and do. He just left. Now a part of her knew what he must have felt when she left him in Echo Park. But this was different, they had changed, they had gotten back together, they were going to have a baby, they were just getting use to a having a normal un-spy related life. Sarah stared at the walls that use to house the maps, grabbing a coffee mug that Chuck had used she threw it at the wall. The crash alerted Rosa. Rosa walked in and saw her sitting on the edge of Casey's bed. She knew that Sarah knew that Chuck had left. Sarah looked up "He told me, he promised me…..." as the fear and anger in her voice came through. "That he wouldn't go."

Rosa knew that Chuck must have had a very good reason why he would go and she accepted him leaving and lying to protect her but she couldn't tell Sarah what she needed to know, and whether Sarah would listen to her at this point. Rosa could tell by her body language that she wasn't going to take this sitting down; pregnant or not. Sarah moved over to the table and grabbed one of the lap tops and quickly activated her CIA account which surprised her that it had not been locked by Beckman. Activating her account she instantly went from Sarah the girlfriend to Sarah the spy. As she clicked away she was able to get a rough idea where Chuck could be by the GPS on his watch. Grabbing a map she did some recon of her own. She spent the rest of the morning gathering data and Intel. She showered and changed and slipped her feet into the most comfortable shoes she had. She took one last look in the mirror then looked down at her stomach. "When I get a hold of your dad he'd wish he had stayed home. I will do whatever I have to – to protect my family and you. Your dad and Uncle Casey are in big trouble." Grabbing her bag she headed downstairs, she sat down as Alfie walked in. She knew that they wouldn't allow her to boat there but they knew no matter what they would say she wasn't backing down. She knew the consequences and that she was not going to put her child in harm's way but this was Chuck she was talking about. But the more she thought about it the more she was determined to go whether they gave their blessing or not. Sarah stood up and said her goodbyes and headed out the door. Walking out towards the street she hailed a cab to take her to the airport. As the cab drove off she hoped that someone would assist a pregnant woman. No one could resist a pregnant woman. As the cab drove off and left Sarah standing on the tarmac, she hoped that someone would take her seriously, but the more she was rejected, her hopes to find Chuck seemed so far out of reach. As her hoped dwindled she looked up and saw Alfie and his grandson leaning against his car. Alfie walked up to her and gave her a hug. He wiped hers tears away. Lifting her face his words "Let's get you to Chuck." His words made her heart swell. Alfie took her gear and passed it onto his grandson to carry. They walked around the corner and there on the tarmac was his helicopter. It was still in pretty good shape despite its age. Sarah had to quickly recall that Alfie had been a pilot in the Korean War and during the Cuban missile crisis. Sarah's sadness turned to hope. She kissed Alfie and carefully got up into the helicopter, taking a few deep deep breaths she wrapped her arms around her and Chuck's baby as Alfie closed the door. Whispering to herself she quietly spoke to herself. 'I'm not a spiritual person but please protect us and protect this baby and its father wherever he is and please bring us home safe.'

Mediterranean Sea

Will's error in typing the right coordinates gave Thomas a renewed interest in finding this sub. Thomas typed in the right coordinates. 32°54.9' N 33°08.89'W. As the South West end of Ascension Island came up Thomas knew he had Meriweather just where he wanted him. But the more he searched he 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. The missed calculation was one reason but there had to be another. Why would one set of coordinate's link two locations of one particular sub. Whether it was a mistake or not the coincidence of the numbers was cleverly frightening. Eventually Meriwether and Marcello would figure it out but in the mean-time Alexis, Sergio and whomever else they had with them would have the upper hand and a few days head start.

'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'

That conversation rang through Thomas's head as he continued to plan his way out of dealing with Meriweather. Maybe if he got a hold of this fourth member he might be able to back Meriweather into a corner and if he did how much time would he have. Thomas deleted the data that Will had put together and slipped the drive into his pocket. He ventured out and saw Meriweather sitting at a table in the make shift pub and walked in. He noticed that Marcello was at the bar so he pulled up a chair. Meriweather turned over a glass and poured a shot into it. Thomas downed it quickly and the burn hit his toes hard. Meriweather filled it again, this time Thomas was going to savour it as much as possible.

Meriweather spoke and all he heard was Will's explanations to why Bartowski's brain would make him million maybe even billions. Thomas sat back and watched the liquor flowed down the throat of Meriweather as each glass adding another nail into his coffin. He knew that someone would not survive this ordeal. Even if they did, finding the sub was one thing, surviving the ordeal was another. The problem was where to find the data and black box that contained the highly classified material was next challenge. Someone would have to go down there to obtain the material and he knew it wouldn't be Meriweather. Looking at the bar he could see Marcello heading back, as he past him he padded Thomas on the shoulder as he sat down adjacent from him. Holding his own bottle he toasted to the air and took a big swig. Thomas waited till he felt that it was the right time to inform the two men that the coordinates and all the money spent was not going to produce anything. That the coordinates were from the initial departure of the USS Scorpion but it was not where they thought it was today. Thomas didn't want to hang Will out to dry but he somehow convinced them that the coordinates taken from Bartowski were slightly wrong instead of an eastern direction it was a western direction. Marcello stood up furious that all this time they were wasting his money. Meriweather stood up to console the man but it didn't help. Marcello stormed out of the pub and yelled for his men to gather up their gear – they were going to leave at first light. Meriweather looked at Thomas. Whether it was true or not at this point he had to trust him, Meriweather couldn't turn back now.

Eastern side of Ascension Island

By the time they reached the top of the mountain it had been a very long day. Chuck slid his arms out of his back pack and sat down on a nearby log. Casey scanned the area and noticed that it was out of the way for anyone to find them at least for the time being. Grabbing a few logs and twigs Casey lit a fire. Chuck opened one of the bags and grabbed a few items to eat. While they ate Chuck looked down over the mountain as the sun disappeared. He wondered what Sarah was doing, she probably figured out by now that they had left. The stress and worry he now placed on her and the baby he felt guilty but he had to do this. He wished that he could change the outcome of this but Meriweather started it and he was going to end it.

Enroute to Ascension Island

It had been two days by the clock standards since she had seen Chuck but a lifetime in her heart. As Alfie ascended into the sky. Her stomach turned and turned, it wasn't until Alfie leveled out that she settled down. Taking several deep breaths she focused on her training that she had received at the farm and how certain situations can elevate blood pressure and cause you to hyperventilate she didn't want either of them. Alfie saw that she was nervous, reaching over he took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. "Soon my love, we will see him soon."

Alfie words gave her some reassurance. As they flew through the open skies she wondered what she would find when she arrived. Alfie hoped to get there by night fall and promised to stay with her till they found Chuck, then he would head back. As the hours ticked the distinction between what was sky and what was water was debatable at this point. But Sarah continued to use her training and look straight ahead. As the water started to get lighter she knew that they were getting closer to the Island. As they approached the Island it looked a lot different from the Intel that they had obtained. It looked a lot smaller and busier for an Island that was supposedly just a pit stop for planes and boats. Alfie circled the Northern side and settled on an area near what looked to be from the sky as a temporary landing strip. As the helicopter lowered to the ground Sarah was able to breathe knowing that she had made it safe and that the baby wasn't fussing too much. Alfie and his grandson helped Sarah out and headed to run down building that housed the airport, gas and concession stand. Alfie gave his grandson a few coins to get something to eat. Sarah hadn't had anything for a while and he felt that she needed to eat whether she wanted to or not. Snacking on a few items she was able to get her strength back. Sarah knew that she was pushing it by coming out here so late in her pregnancy but this was Chuck. If it was anyone else she would have let Casey or some other agent hunt down Meriweather but like Chuck said because he threatened his family it was personal.

Alfie looked at the clock as the concessions restaurant closed its doors, but the airport remained open for the slight chance that someone needed something or would arrive during the night. Sarah found a quiet area off to the side of the small airport. It reminded her of a one of those small deserted of the beaten path gas stations she passed in one of her many missions across Europe before she took on the job of watching Chuck. It had been an interesting year, much to her initial intentions of accepting this assignment. If she knew that she would fall for a nerd and that by years end she would be pregnant she would have laughed in the face of whom ever told her that. She had gone past the CIA protocol and what was considered to be appropriate handler and asset relations and the worst of it the tug ol war between her own personal feelings. Love is a powerful thing combine with the determination, it wasn't even his determination that caught her eyes and captured her heart. It was just him, nothing that the CIA could prepare you for. They tell you to prepare yourself for the ideal make and model but when that make and model is someone like Chuck Bartowski, the good Lord broke the mould when he created him. So could 50 years of the CIA know how you would feel when something like this could happen?

Sarah curled up in her jacket and stretched out the best she could on the couch. Alfie pulled up a chair and sat near her head as his grandson sat across from the both of them. He knew that they would find him till morning so he titled his hat and settled in for a few cat naps throughout the night.

Early the next Morning – Ascension Island

Alfie's grandson was awakened by fierce crashing and loud conversations of people. He looked at the clock it read 5:30 am. He peeked over the furniture to look outside. The tarmac was faintly lit by a light stand opposite of the helicopter, as the sun was just rising. He couldn't make out how many people but he could tell that one of them was a woman. He didn't pay much attention to them, sliding back down and going back to sleep. A couple of hours later Sarah got up and had entered the bathroom and was heading out when she saw the same group of people and noticed the woman. Sarah leaned back against the wall out of the view of the window. As the doors open she feared that she would be seen, she eyed her bag that was next to Alfie that housed her gun but as quickly as the door opened it closed as a voice from outside redirected Alexis away from the door. Sarah walked along the wall and watched where she was walking towards. As Sarah got to the window she could see three other men, one being Sergio and the others were Casper and Nick which she recognized from the photos. Sarah leaned over and grabbed her gear and took a snap shot of the group. (Always a spy, never come unprepared) she said to herself.

The four got into a jeep with a trailer and headed north. Sarah walked out as fast as her feet could take her and watched as they indeed headed north. Remembering the map, the sub must be in that direction, she just needed to find Chuck. She turned around and scanned the tarmac. "Where to start?"

Alfie walked out. "He has to pass through here eventually, at some point. We'll stay here till then. Come inside and get something to eat. The restaurant is open."

Sarah slowly took one last look, looking up at the mountains, then to the sea then back again. It was a nice looking Island from what she could tell, and not very big so she knew that Chuck would have to come by here sometime during the day. She walked back in and waited.

Chuck opened his eyes to the smell of a morning fire. Casey must have been up for some time as the number of cigars that laid at his feet counting 2. Casey leaned over and passed Chuck a cup of hot coffee. Chuck unwrapped himself from his sleeping bag and sat up. The sleep in his eyes made it hard to keep his eyes open. But he did the best he could. Casey had filled him in that it had been quiet and no one had arrived on this side of the mountain. Chuck nodded and got up and walked away from camp to relieve himself. When he came back Casey had made breakfast. Chuck frowned on the food but Casey reminded him to keep up his strength and that he had to stay healthy and get back to Sarah and the baby. Clearing up camp they made their way down the north side of the mountain. The coordinates of the sub were right under their noses. Well technically in the water but under their noses. Chuck took one last look at his GPS and with all the calculations he was sure that the sub was just below them.

"Are you sure?"

"More than anything, I just hope that we get down there before they do."

As the jeep pulled up Alexis, Sergio, her dad and Nick suited up and unloaded the submersibles. Alexis looked at Sergio and they both would have loved to see the look on Meriweather's and the rest of them when the submersibles didn't arrive. Loading the submersibles into the water Alexis jumped on one of them as another car pulls up and out walks Will. Alexis smiled as she saw Will running towards them. Sergio patted him on the back and exchanged his gear for his computer. Will quickly changed and jumped into the water. Alexis, Will took one down as Sergio followed. Casper and Nick used the remaining two as the extra hands went by boat. Will pulled his straps tighter and gave Alexis the nod. As the subs dove into the water there was no turning back.

Will kept his eye on his surroundings as Alexis directed them towards the USS Scorpion. When Will tapped her on the shoulder she slowed down and shone the subs light into the direction that Will pointed to. As the sand settled a faint image of what looked to be a ship came into view. Will swam closer and verified that it was indeed the USS Scorpion. Sergio grabbed his welder and followed Will to find the opening to the sub, as Will and Sergio searched Alexis conversed with her dad. They needed to be quick and get out. Swimming the length of the sub they eventually found the door. Sergio lit his welder as the sparks flew they could see the multitude of sea creatures swimming around them. Will shined the light as the sparks burned away at the rust that had accumulated for over 45 years. Will passed the light to Alexis as the four men slowly made the door move.

Chuck jumped first into the deep blue sea as Casey followed. They signalled under the water and headed deep into the deepest part of the water. Chuck's looked at his wrist as the signal got stronger and weaker depending on which direction they were facing. Chuck took out his map that he had stored in a water proof bag as he pointed to the map. "Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear."

"Ok we need to swim straight down. Remember Casey it's like trying to…"

"Find a needle in a haystack and this is one big haystack."

"Right."

As Chuck forced a flash he needed to get an image of the USS Scorpion. As he regained his focus he turned on his flashlights and set his GPS. Chuck pointed to an area that was higher in elevation than the rest of the area that they had passed yesterday. They would run out of air if they didn't hurry up, and they didn't want to return to the surface empty handed. Casey's sharp eyes caught a ridge that looked like the top of the sub and as he got closer he noticed that indeed it was the sub, and that they were not alone as the submersibles floated alongside the sub. Chuck swam up beside the sub and pushed away the sand that had settled once again. The letters written in Black read USS SCORPION. Casey moved to the front of the sub to find a way in. Locating the wheel he started to turn it and was able to open it quite easily and enter the walls of this watery grave after all these years. Chuck quickly swam over to the top and followed Casey inside. Looking for the shut off switch Casey pressed it as the water exited the tank that they had swam in. Chuck slid his gear of his head and took in a few deep breaths, but decided not to take a third. The smell was stagnant, old and musty. Casey agreed and grabbed his stuff and opened the door slowly. Leaving their gear near the door just in case they had to make a quick escape, they followed the wet foot prints further into the sub. The history that encased the subs wall fascinated Chuck as this was actually happening. That he was in an old Military sub, that almost 45 years had passed since this was an active sub. Casey continued to lead as the voices from the others became louder he knew that they were close.

Alexis opened her bag and pulled out the gear that Will had put together. They needed to find the right box that contained all the telecommunications keys. She had the codes and she hoped that they would work. She sat down at a small desk that house the data board or main frame of the sub. She hoped that the sub had some power left in her. As the other two men searched for the power source Sergio opened compartments looking for the right one. As the two men continued to search Casey and Chuck slid behind a half wall as they walked past them. Casey needed to eliminate the chance of them getting killed so he snuck up behind the two men and with his silencer and took them out.

Chuck whispered "What did you do that for?"

"Either them or us."

Chuck didn't agree on killing anyone but Casey was right. Us or them. Casey headed back to where Alexis and Sergio were. As Alexis, Will took the codes that were extracted from Chuck's brain. Chuck finally got a first hand look at the data. Will had transferred the data but felt that they were still missing something. As Chuck watched the events unfold, Will became increasingly frustrated. As the codes weren't adding up to what the system was showing. Sergio had found the compartment that Meriweather had mentioned would be there and Casper and Nick confirmed it also. Sergio open that hatch and Will stepped in – he quickly pulled out a few wires that had not seen the light of day. He stripped them and rewired them into a male end converter then plugging it into the end of his portable drive. As the wired feed fed the data from the consul to the drive Chuck raised his head once again. He watched the Will click here and there and as the data came on screen Chuck flashed. He knew that they were going in the wrong direction.

Chuck leaned back. "Casey they are going about it all wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"I flashed and the data that is coming from the sub's mainframe is just that – just data there's no file or key to the world's telecommunications. Well not where they are looking."

"So where is it?"

Chuck scanned the area and from his flash he got an image of a removable wall. He felt that originally they whether British Intelligence or the USA Navy knew that if the data got into the wrong hands it would or could lead to WWIII – Someone was thinking and Chuck was the only one who knew where the exact consul was.

Letting Casey in they had to retrieve that consul before Will figured it out. They just hoped that Will wouldn't be first.

Alexis watched as Will was coming to an end. She called for the extra men to help carry out the data but when her cries came unresponsive she asked her dad to go take a look. As Casper and Nick went looking for the other men Casey followed them. As Sergio came back and filled his bag with what he could. He felt that he'd have a better chance with gathering the data on land and not in this watery grave. He grabbed his gear and headed out. Alexis looked at Will and Will felt that he had all that he needed. Unhooking the feed Will grabbed his gear and followed Alexis out. Chuck waited till the close was clear. As he snuck in he crouched down and started typing the data that he had flashed on. As his fingers typed away he heard a clicked. Turning around he watched as a side panel slid open. Standing up he watched as the sub's interior lights came on. All the data that had been saved and frozen in time came alive. His curiosity pulled him towards the panel. As a drawer slid open out came a small square disc that pre dated the compact disc. He knew that he had found the infamous drive; his flashing on the serial numbers confirmed it. The one that housed all the codes and data for most of the world's telecommunications, satellites of the late 50's to the early 60's and some that have never been made public. Those were the ones that worried him. He stepped back and as he closed the panel to shove it back into the recesses of the sub's wall, he saw Will standing there. As Chuck watched where Will was looking he noticed that Will had left his binder; the same binder that housed Chuck's secrets. Will stood there for a moment and as he tried to reach for the binder Chuck grabbed it first. Staring straight in his eyes he knew that he had to get out as quick as he could but Will was standing in the doorway prevented that. Chuck knew that one scream from Will would call the wolves back. As Will looked at Chuck he opened his mouth as Chuck landed a punch. Catching Will he laid him down on the sub's floor just as Casey ran in.

"We got to go!"

Casey saw Will passed out on the floor. Chuck grabbed the binder and the disc and followed Casey. As Alexis, Sergio ran back Chuck and Casey ran up a flight of stairs and ran down the length of the sub to get back to the exit tank. As Sergio found Will, Alexis ran back. She heard the doors opening to the exit tank. As Chuck grabbed his gear he could see her running. With all his might he closed the door stuffing the binder and disc into his water proof bag and clipping it to his belt. As Casey reached for the switch Alexis eyed Chuck through the port hole. Forcefully she hit the door, in an instant they were gone. Alexis cursed under her breath. She interrogated Will but he wasn't up for it. Casper and Nick woke up from their little nap and told her that they weren't alone.

Chuck and Casey reached the water and swam around and disabled a few of the submersibles, hoping that it would slow them down a bit. Casey also laid a few timers along the sea bed just to make things interesting for their journey back. They would go off causing the sea bed to toss and turn giving Chuck and him clear sailing.

Chuck and Casey reached the surface just in time as the first set of timers went off. Water blew up into the sky, then another and another. Chuck looked up from the water's edge as he had to find a place to hide till they could get back up the mountain to the other side. Scanning the island he looked back at the mountains and found that the ocean had carved out a tunnel. He motioned to Casey and headed back towards the tarmac, grabbing their gear that they had hid under a few trees. They agreed that they would hide out and then head back up at dusk and leave from there. Chuck hoped that he would be back in Sarah's arms and not her grip by this time tomorrow. Leaving their gear they headed back. Chuck tossed the bag over his shoulders and headed in. Staying close to side as they walked they didn't want to draw any more attention that they were already giving.

As the approached the restaurant, Casey needed to use the facilities. Chuck waited outside. Leaning against a small table he waited. Sarah had just come from a short walk, it had been her third since this morning and she was getting tired. She hoped that he had come by here and that Alfie had stopped him. She also hoped that Alexis didn't have them or that they had crossed paths. As she turned the corner she looked up and swore that the two men heading towards the cave were Chuck and Casey. As she tried to yell a large boat came in fast. As military men jumped, followed by Meriweather, Marcello and Thomas, Sarah knew that Chuck and Casey were not aware of their arrival. Sarah watched hopefully from a safe distance as the three men looked around. As they watched, Sarah noticed some movement north of her as two divers came out of the water as a submersible popped up. Some of the army men ran in helping what looked to Sarah as Casper, and Nick. No sooner as they came up for air another submersible and another. This time Sarah got a glimpse that it was indeed the rest of the team. Alexis took her gear and the yelling started. Each blaming each other over this mission and purposely sabotaging the mission. Alexis walked off with her dad as Meriweather followed. Will laid on the beach rubbing his neck. She could tell that he had been hurt, just by his actions. Sarah looked towards the mountains, Chuck and Casey were gone. Sarah convinced Alfie to go, one it wasn't safe for them here now and she knew where Chuck was. Alfie boarded his chopper and took off. Sarah waddled down the tarmac. It was peer determination to find Chuck and give him a piece of her mind. Also to inform him of what she had just witnessed.

As they continued to blame each other Thomas headed back to the boat. As he turned to face the boat, he happened to glance of a very pregnant woman. As he watched he couldn't make out who it was, grabbing a pair of binoculars he focused on the woman and to his surprise he knew who it was.

Sarah finally reached the entrance of the cave. Taking a quick look behind her she slipped in hopefully unnoticed. The cave was dark and musty, you could heard the water trickle off the cave's walls. The ground was slippery. She followed the size 11 mud tracks. As the track became less prevalent, she knew that they had turned off somewhere. As she walked she knew that she had to sit down but there was no place to and she had to let Chuck know. As she came to the edge she heard some noises but they didn't sound human. She looked around and found a large pipe. She picked it up the best she could, hoping that it would protect her from the owner of the noise. As the sound came closer she swung and hit the side of the cave. Chuck stumbled to the ground and looked up. There stood Sarah holding a pipe above her head. Chuck got up and stood beside her and reached for the pipe that nearly hit him. Tossing it she wasn't sure if he should be happy to see her or angry. As he decided Sarah slapped him across the face then grabbed her stomach. Chuck reacted to the punch and ran his hand across his face. But with his other hand he reached for Sarah. He took her under arm and walked them back to where Casey was. Casey looked up; he too wondered why she was there. But looking at Chuck's face he declined.

"You are in so much trouble Chuck Bartowski!"

"Me, what are you doing here, it's not safe for you or the baby."

"Well someone had to save your ass."

Casey grunted as he loved to watch them banter but as he tried to grunt again he got his share.

"And as for you! How could you let him do this?"

"He said that it was okay with you?"

"And you believed him? This is Chuck we are talking about?"

"He made a good case."

"A good case I'll give you a good case…"

"Ok ok, Sarah you right but we had to act when we did. We just reached the sub at the right time, Alexis and her team where already in the sub when we arrived."

"So what happened?"

As Casey told Sarah the story. Chuck knelt down in front of Sarah. Worriedly he rubbed the baby.

Casey offered them a few minutes but told them that they had to move quickly. Chuck leaned in and kissed Sarah ever so slightly but after the last few days Sarah wanted more. Chuck had to fall back to gain some air but leaned his forehead against hers. Why did you come?"

"I had too; this baby needs his or her father?"

"I couldn't stay there knowing that you two were out here and plus when I saw you heading this way Meriweather and the rest of them arrived. Alexis came out of the water…..So I had to find you."

As Chuck kissed her again Casey ran in.

"We are not alone?"

"Yeah that is why Sarah came in here."

Helping Sarah up they headed east through the cave. Chuck leading as Sarah followed and Casey at their six.

Chuck found a place that he thought was not too far from where they had walked earlier that day. He hoped that just outside was their boat and they could be out of there but Sarah needed to rest. As Sarah sat there Casey headed back to see if they had been followed and Chuck went to make sure that what he thought was right. As Sarah rested she watched the baby kicked her stomach rose each time, she wanted Chuck to see this so when she heard someone coming she looked up. "It's kicking C-h-."

"Well isn't that sweet, a mother and her child."

Sarah glanced up to see Marcello and Thomas. Sarah looked around for something to protect herself. She slowly tried to stand up but couldn't so Thomas made her sit down again.

"You are going to tell us where your partners are. They have something of mine and I would like to have it back?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

Marcello laughed, the more he laughed the more angrier he got.

"Don't play games with me. You know exactly what I am talking about?"

Sarah shook her head.

"I don't. I have had other things on my mind as you can see."

"Indeed, but I am also curious to why a woman like yourself in this state is on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The same island that also has two special Agents in it, oh sorry three special agents."

Sarah knew that her cover was blown but had to play the 'I don't know card' which in hindsight she didn't know.

"I don't know what you talking about and for me being here is none of your business."

Marcello didn't have time to argue with the agent so he picked her up and walked out of the area. "We'll see who is going to help you now."

Chuck walked back to find the area empty he ran in the opposite direction where he stumbled across Casey.

"Someone has Sarah."

Chuck was freaking out but had to concentrate. He knew that this cave only had one way in and one way out. He had come from the other end and did not see anyone. So Casey and Chuck headed back. As they approached and slight incline to the path shots were being fired. Chuck ducked as Casey poured out a round back. Casey slithered over to Chuck and tried to get a glimpse of the shooter. Chuck reached into Casey's vest and pulled out a mirror. As Chuck aimed the mirror he gave Casey an idea where the shots where coming from. As the shooter reloaded they got up and moved. Chuck and Casey were adjacent from the shooter and noticed that he looked familiar. Casey pushed Chuck forward as they tried to get past them without get caught. But as Casey got Chuck out of the clear his foot slipped causing rocks to roll. Casper turned and fired back. Dodging bullets and unknown surroundings Chuck managed to reach another alcove. Sitting back he felt that he had pinched his skin on something, it was uncomfortable but chalked it up to just that. Casey was on one end as Chuck was on the other. Watching they knew that Casper had to walk past them. They hoped that they wouldn't get caught. Casey reloaded his gun and waited, wondering where Casper was. Their question was answered as Chuck walked out with Casper behind him. Casey stood up revealing his hiding spot. Casper took Casey's gun and hit him on the back of his head. Casey fell to the ground as another part of the gun hit him again. Chuck cringed at the blows that Casey was getting, but they had been in this situation before. When Casey gave the signal Chuck would flash. They had to let the guys think that they had the upper hand. When Casey made a comment he got another. This time Casey made the call and Chuck flashed causing Casper to fall backwards hitting the side of the cave. As Chuck ran ahead Casper tried to get up and run after him but as Casper ran towards Chuck as Casey shot his leg out tripping Casper. Chuck returned the favour by doing a few karate chops on the man.

Chuck helped Casey up as they reach for guns they could see from the corners of their eyes that Casper wasn't going down. He was tougher than Meriweather, maybe one of the reasons why they couldn't keep him quiet and why WITSEC didn't work. As Casper reached and aimed for his gun. Chuck turned around grabbing Casey's extra gun behind his back and spinning around as Casey tried to fire his gun.

As the gun smoke settled and time sped up, Casper laid there. Casey checked his pulse and stood up, shaking his head.

Chuck had never shot a gun before nor killed a man so the win was bitter sweet. Chuck heard Sarah scream, her echo rang through the cave. Chuck told Casey to go head towards the tarmac then double back. Casey didn't like splitting up but he trusted the reason.

Chuck crawled through the dampen tunnel once again. The smells were not of dampen soil but that of death. Killing Casper was the hardest thing that he had ever done in his life. He feared that the next turn would be his last. A voice startled his concentration. "We know you're here and unless you want to see the light of day and that beautiful child of yours give us what we want." Chuck trudged further through the cramped muddy tunnel.

"You can run but you can't hide." Chuck felt his side again and he knew that he had been hit but he had to get Sarah to safety. He couldn't leave her not like this like. The voice echoed again through the tunnel. "Bartowski, I know you can hear me. You come back and we can spare your girlfriend and your child. We can get her the help that she needs. Just help yourself by helping us. You don't need what's in the sub nor do you need to be bothered with it."

Chuck had enough, yelling back his voiced echoed back. "NEVER!"

Chuck knew that if what he was saying was true anything happening to Sarah would change the course of this Mission and his own life. Chuck heard whispers of someone coming. He didn't recognize the voice but he didn't fear it either. The whispers with no human form at this point could have been voices coming from his head for all he knew. But he didn't ignore them. Chuck knew that what he was hearing would keep him safe. Chuck tuned into his inner Chuck, his inner Jedi his inner soul. Chuck raised his gun and headed towards the end of the cave. Seeing Sarah lying there he waited to get her attention. Nick stood facing the direction of the open sea with the tunnel and Chuck behind him. Nick glanced over his shoulder as both guns were raised, but only one set of hands fell to the dampened cave floor. Chuck barely survived by some unexplained way of living out his dreams; or his dream saved him, either way he was finally realizing that maybe there was some truth to what Sarah and Beckman were saying about this not being a burden but a gift. And Chuck wasn't going to not look a gift horse in the mouth. He grateful he was blessed.

Chuck and Casey followed the voice to a small clearing within the rock that Chuck assumed was a make shift hanger for airplane storage. Listening Chuck followed the echo of Marcello's voice but his focus was not on where he was walking. Missing a step Chuck fell hard on the rocks. The landing knocked the wind out of him. As he stood up he was whacked from behind. Coming too he looked behind him to find Thomas standing in behind him.

"Why didn't you just stay in the bunker?"

"And miss this?"

Thomas hit him again. This time Chuck heard something crack. Chuck slowly got up despite the pain and turned around. Thomas took his back pack off. Chuck closed his eyes knowing that everything that was important for the safety of the world was in that bag.

"Things would have gone a lot smoother if you had stayed put. Will told us what you have and we would like it back."

"Well wasn't that nice of Will to share. I bet you all friends."

Chuck slowly moved when the gun was aimed at his ribs. Thomas knew he was in pain so he made sure that Chuck felt it. Thomas forced him further into the clearing where Chuck saw Sarah sitting on a crate with fear in her eyes. And Marcello standing behind her with a gun.

"You ok?"

Sarah nodded as tears ran down her face. Marcello pulled her back. Chuck cringed at what he saw. He whispered 'I'm so sorry'. Sarah held back her tears the best she could not wanting to give them the satisfaction. Chuck was brought to his knees.

"Agent Carmicheal or better yet Chuck Bartowski."

Both Chuck and Sarah were shocked. "You seem surprised that I know that. Well you can thank Meriweather and a bottle of gin. He sang like a canary and I couldn't be happier. But what I don't know is what your mind actually does."

Chuck knew that not all his secrets were exposed. Sarah knew that Chuck couldn't hold his flashes for long but hoped that when he did Marcello got what he deserved. Thomas moved in closer and kicked Chuck hard when he refused to answer Marcello's questions. Sarah tried to reach Chuck as Marcello walked over grabbing the bag and walking back towards her. As she tried to get in a few kicks Marcello hit her hard across the cheek. Sarah fell forward as Chuck lunged towards her. Thomas grabbed him neck and pulled him back.

Sarah whispered. "You need to flash."

Chuck got back on his knees. Shaking his head he knew she was right. Marcello grabbed Sarah again and ran his fingers down her cheek then touch Chuck's child. Chuck despised that man as he continued to comment and touch their child. He couldn't hold it anymore, flashing he took Thomas out. Chuck ran towards Marcello but Marcello grabbed the bag and ran off. Casey ran in as Chuck untied Sarah's hands. Quickly checking her over, he looked up and took off after Marcello.

"He has the bag. I need to get the bag."

Casey ran but couldn't catch up to him. Turning around Casey could see that Sarah didn't look to go. He picked her up and moved her to a place where she could lay down. As Casey paced the cave Sarah filled Casey in. As she spoke her words became slow and her breathing laboured. Casey knelt down beside her. He knew that look; it wasn't a normal Agent Walker or even a normal Sarah Walker look.

"Casey you have too! This baby is coming."

Casey was getting very nervous. "Chuck needs to be here!"

"Well this baby isn't going to wait for its baby daddy so you need to help me."

"Its too early."

"But something is wrong and….I need you Casey."

Casey knew that the baby was coming way too early and looking through the first aid kit or what was left of it, he grabbed a few gloves and a heat blanket to place the baby in. He hoped that Chuck would be there shortly. As the seconds turned into minutes Sarah was getting worse. The pain was intolerable and she was losing consciousness. Casey didn't want to cross that line of friend and trespass on his friend's girl but saw it as bringing in a new life. Chuck would understand. Sarah reached over and grabbed Casey's arm.

"It's time." As Casey looked down the walls of the cave a shadow engulfed the area. There as if on cue walked in Chuck. Chuck despite his injuries which he didn't want Sarah to know about so he zipped up his jacket again and ran in and saw her leaning against the make shift bed. Chuck knelt down beside Casey as Casey passed his gloves onto Chuck.

"So glad you're here. The baby is coming."

Chuck looked over at Sarah as her color was going from a normal skin color to a pastely color. Chuck reached for her hand as he knew that he had to deliver his baby there and now.

"But Sarah…."

"I know it's early but you can do this we can do this."

Sarah leaned back into Casey's lap as Chuck lifted the blanket that covered Sarah's legs. He adjusted the lamp behind him. As the events unfolded Sarah started to push and Chuck could see the top of his child's head. Casey monitored Sarah's vitals as Chuck flashed on the schematics of delivering a baby. When his flash was over more of his child came into focus. As he reached in to grab the shoulders he asked for Sarah to push one more time. For someone who was as strong as Sarah this was taking a toll on her, all her strength was now given to her child. As she forced the last push Chuck got a hold of the baby as it fell into his arms. Cleaning out the air ways he turned over the baby to find out that it was a boy. As he wrapped it up into the heat blanket he looked up as Sarah.

"It's a boy."

Sarah with all her might reached over as Chuck laid the baby on her chest. Chuck settled in beside her as they gazed at their child. Chuck kissed Sarah's forehead then kissed his child. Seconds later Sarah's hold on the baby was slipping. Chuck looked at her as she closed her eyes. Chuck looked up at Casey as he knew something wasn't right. Chuck passed the baby onto Casey and moved back to take a look. He found out that Sarah was losing a lot of blood. Chuck did what he could but without the right medical assistance he was helpless. Chuck took her vitals, though low she was still with them. Chuck walked over to Casey and took his son into his arms. He cleaned him up the best he could. The baby whimpered and made funny noises which freaked Chuck out. Casey left the three of them and walked out of the cave. He grabbed his satellite phone and made a call.

In the early hours of the next morning Sarah hadn't fully waken enough to communicate or even able to give some nourishment to her son. She wasn't fully aware of her surroundings but knew that things weren't right. Chuck did his best to keep his child safe. Casey knew that they had to get out of the cave. As Chuck laid his son down beside Sarah he and Casey made a make shift stretcher. They lifted her not to cause any more bleeding than necessary. As they approached the opening Casey was about to let Chuck in that he had made a call. As the medi helicopter approached Chuck noticed Marcello again, and he still had the bag with him. Chuck knew he had to get him. He caused Sarah to go into labour and was the voice behind all those dreams. Casey watched as the helicopter landed. Chuck looked at him then at Sarah and his baby.

"I got to do this. Please stay with Sarah and the baby."

Casey nodded. Chuck kissed Sarah and the baby and ran after Marcello. Casey waited for the helicopter to opens its doors as two soldiers ran towards them and carried Sarah inside. As Casey approached the doors with the baby in his arms and Sarah on the stretcher out of the back came Beckman. She was concerned with the nature of the call that she had to see for herself. She saw Agent Walker, Casey and a baby. Casey jumped inside holding the baby. The medic officers hook Sarah up to and IV and took the baby and pricked his little hand to feed him some nutrients. Casey knew that Beckman was going to over react but knew that it wasn't the time or the place.

Casey looked at Sarah then Beckman then answered the medic's questions.

"Yes 7 hours ago. Little over 8 months. Lots of blood loss. "

"And the father?"

Beckman looked up. She wanted to hear this and a lot more about her missing Agent. She waited thinking that maybe the child belonged to Casey or Bryce or some other man but she wasn't prepared for what she heard.

"Bartowski, Chuck."

Beckman's mouth dropped but she quickly composed herself. Her suspicions were right there was something between Sarah and Chuck. But a child this she couldn't quite grasp the concept.

"Where is he?" The Medic replied.

"Where I need to be, can't leave a member of your team behind."

Casey looked at Beckman then jumped out.

"I entrust that she is in good hands as well as the baby." Casey's look seemed to overpower the harden General but at the same time she had no choice. Whether she agreed with this union or not, there were two lives in the balance and maybe more.

Beckman knew that she had the best team in the world even if she didn't always agree with their methods. As Casey shut the doors and moved back the helicopter took off. Casey ran in the direction that Chuck had run earlier. Tracking the foot prints back into the cave he heard gun shots and yelling as Chuck was on the tail of Marcello once again. Casey hoped that Alexis and Sergio were caught by the local police, one less thing to worry about. As for Casper and Nick, Chuck had to deal with the fact that he had shot one of them dead. For Casey it was part of his nature another notch under his belt. Meriweather was gone but Casey knew that he would eventually show up somewhere. Casey ran back into the recesses of the cave and saw that Marcello had slipped and Chuck was holding onto his hands. The bag lay off to the side. Casey moved in beside him as Marcello pleaded for Chuck to bring him up and not to let go. Casey knew that Chuck could go either way. This man was responsible for causing Sarah to go into labour, forcing Chuck and Casey to make the call to kill Casper and Nick. "Them or us." Chuck was reminded.

Chuck's hold was slipping as Casey moved in and grabbed the man. Casey pulled the man up onto the edge of the cave overlooking the ocean. Marcello caught his breathe. He eyed Casey's ankle strap and reached for Casey's gun. Casey fell backwards as Marcello got up and fired at Casey. Chuck turned around and flashed as his legs came around and kicked Marcello right in the gut. Marcello lost his balance and fell back. As Chuck landed on his two feet he watched Marcello fall into the depths of the cave firing Casey's gun as he fell to his death. Chuck moved back and waited till he heard a thud. Casey got up holding his left shoulder and the two of them looked down to see Marcello's body draped over a pile of rocks at the bottom of the mountain. The waves moved in eventually taking the body with them.

Chuck reached over and put pressure on Casey's wound and headed back to the front of the cave. "Where's Sarah?"

"She's safe."

Chuck was getting good at removing bullets from Casey that he didn't have to flash on this one. But as Chuck bandaged up Casey, he noticed that there was a lot of blood coming from somewhere and it wasn't his. Chuck moved away as Casey took his right arm and grabbed Chuck's jacket. He forced it open to find that Chuck had been stabbed by something maybe shot. Chuck was startled by the gesture and fell back.

"Spill it Bartowski."

"It's nothing."

"Nothing, you're bleeding like a stuck pig."

"I'll be fine."

Casey walked towards Chuck and squeezed his left side. As Chuck howled Casey let go.

"Yeah you're ok."

"That hurt."

"Now you know how hurt you are."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"What for, Sarah's life was in danger, the baby, yours?"

"I can take care of myself."

"Yes I know you can, but I didn't want this mission to cause any more problems. Remember it wasn't your battle to fix."

"Yes it was we are a team. And a team sticks together no matter what."

Chuck watched as Casey lifted his shirt again to survey the damage. He couldn't tell how much blood he had lost but knew that he couldn't remove the bandages that Chuck had already put on there. He added a few more and secured them with a tensor as Chuck zipped up his jacket.

"Let's get you to Sarah."

As Casey and Chuck headed out of the cave and walked back to the Island's square. Several troops from Guantanamo arrived by air. Saluting the Major, they informed them that General Beckman had sent them to retrieve and assist. Chuck and Casey filled in the troops as much as they could. They asked them to retrieve the body of Marcello if they could, any documents and data that were retrieved from the sub and had been scattered throughout the cave. He sent an APB out for Alexis and Sergio and General Meriweather, but wanted to check the Island first. Word had it Alexis had a villa back on the main Island of Cuba. But no mention of a boat leaving with two people had left the Island, but Casey and Chuck wanted to make sure. Meriweather would eventually pop up. They watched as the soldiers carried the bodies of Casper and Nick out of the cave and placed them near the helicopter, others returned with a few items. Thomas was hand cuffed and sat down beside Will. Casey made arrangements with one of pilots to fly them back. Chuck painfully got into the hub of the helicopter and placed the head set on. Casey followed and settled in. Casey went straight into the role of Major and executed his rank in finding out where Agent Walker and General Beckman went to.

When Chuck heard Beckman's name, he wasn't sure if he was hearing things right or being punished once again. Why Beckman, why now? Sitting back he didn't know what think especially now that Beckman knew everything. Casey got word that they had flown back to the American Hospital at Guantanamo Bay. Trying to compose himself as it had been one of the longest day ever, next to the first night without Sarah. The helicopter took off heading back to the Island.

Guantanamo

Beckman escorted Sarah and the baby into the bases hospital. The doctors took Sarah straight into surgery and the nurses took the baby down the hall. Beckman now stood alone in the hall of the makeshift hospital. Beckman shook her head then chuckled to herself of the events that unfolded. 'Who knew' she thought to herself. Beckman stood at the nurse's desk and made a few phone calls, she debriefed her people back in DC and promised to inform them when she herself got confirmation of the current events.

A nurse walked in interrupting her thoughts.

"Excuse me General."

Beckman looked up.

"I need to ask you a few questions."

Beckman stood up and followed the nurse back to the desk.

"Ok lets' start with Agent."

"Walker, Agent Sarah Walker CIA."

"Baby's father?"

"Agent Carmicheal, Charles Carmicheal CIA/NSA."

Beckman was so use to protocol that when the nurse asked her again she had to give her their real names.

"You understand that I need their real names."

"Yes, so sorry. Agent Sarah Walker is right. Charles Bartowski. B-a-r-t-o-w-s-k-I is the father."

"Both are agents with you?"

"Yes."

"When was the child born?"

"That I don't know, you'll have to wait till the baby's father arrives. Agent Walker gave birth to the child on a mission."

The nurse looked at her papers and looked up. "Ok that is good for now?"

"How is Agent Walker…..and the baby?"

"Agent Walker lost lots of blood and they had to find the source of her hemorrhaging, she should recover with lots of rest. The baby was dehydrated but is doing well, his vitals are up which is a good sign."

"Can I see the baby?"

The nurse smiled. "Yes I will bring him out to you. It's good for a baby to be held."

Beckman took off her jacket and rolled up her sleeves. She sat down and waited. As the nurse walked back with the little guy an IV followed and stood beside her. She crossed her legs and stared as the baby was placed in her arms. The nurse left them alone in the waiting room. Beckman looked at the features of the little guy. Being early he didn't look it, an okay weight and he looked ok. The doctors gave him a clean bill of health, but needed to keep him under observation for a few days. He had what looked to be curly hair but it was so faint more like peach fuzz to her. He looked like Sarah around the mouth and Chuck around the forehead. He was tall in stature; 'He must have gotten that from his dad'. Beckman laughed as she continued to hold him.

Chuck winced as the helicopter landed hard on the tarmac. He could see lights flashing as the motorcade awaited their arrival. Casey saluted as Chuck nodded to the awaiting soldiers.

"We are here to take you to the hospital."

"How are Agent Walker and the baby?"

"Don't know that sir."

Chuck got in one side as Casey in the other. The motorcade headed off as the soldiers carried their gear into another truck. As the truck headed towards the hospital Chuck couldn't wait for the truck to stop. He ran in despite the pain to find the entrance empty. He ran through the halls till he did a slide stop to find Beckman holding his son. He stopped as tears filled his eyes. His little one was ok. Beckman looked up as she heard the squeak of Chuck's shoes. Chuck walked in as Beckman stood up and placed his child in his arms. It seemed to be like an olive branch between Chuck and the General. Chuck brought his son close to his face and kissed his little cheek. The baby made a slight smile, from what Chuck could see. Casey followed with a nurse and a doctor.

"Chuck?"

Chuck didn't hear Casey at first. Walking up to him he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Chuck they want to you check out."

Chuck looked at Casey finally registering the fact that he was talking to him.

Beckman reached over and took the baby.

"He's safe I'll continue to stay with him."

Chuck wiped the tears from his eyes and turned to find a wheelchair waiting for him. Begrudgingly he sat down and they wheeled him out. Casey followed in another chair. Hours later Chuck sat with an IV inside his arm putting fluids back into him as Casey nursed a cup of coffee. Casey was stitched up and his arm in a sling, Chuck was also stitched up as the kicks and fall didn't do too much damage internally as they thought and thankfully the bullets just grazed him. His cracked ribs were more of a concern to the doctors. Anymore movement from him they could have caused a lot more damage. The doctors walked in as Beckman came with the baby.

"Well how is she?"

"She had lost a lot of blood but we were able to stop that."

Chuck was concerned that she wouldn't be able to have any more children. When the doctors noticed the look on his face they ensured him that she could still have more children if she wished to. Chuck was relieved. They had made this one by accident he hoped that the next one would be planned. Beckman placed Chuck's son in his arms and sat down next to Casey. Watching the clock as Sarah was still in recovery, so waiting was the only thing they could do till they were able to see her once she woke up. Chuck stared at his son, intrigued by the little body he was holding. Just days ago he was touching Sarah's stomach with him inside and weeks before that he just found out that she was expecting. He looked at his fingers and toes, analyzing every detail. Beckman came by helping Chuck by making sure that he was covered up. She gave him a bottle and stood as Chuck fumbled for a short second or two but as his son took the bottle he relaxed. Beckman leaned in and watched. Her motherly instinct kicked in. She cared for this team and somehow this little guy was a part of the team. As the feeding continued Chuck looked up.

"I didn't know till a few months ago, when I broke out of the bunker and went looking for her."

Beckman didn't know what happened after Casey had sent the text. She knew that it was safer not to hear from him as Meriweather was still looking for him. Chuck continued to inform Beckman of the events leading up to today. She wasn't surprised that Chuck and Sarah had found each other and the fact that protocol was broken but what surprised her was Meriweather's sick reasons for breaking up the team.

Chuck continued to debrief Beckman when Beckman stopped him.

"Chuck this can wait. I will check out Casey's ABP on Alexis and Sergio and see if Meriweather has been seen. With those codes that he has any and all telecommunications will be at his beckon call. I will take your Intel with me and have it locked up in a secure place till I can get it back to DC. I will have Thomas Henry extradited back to Virginia for questioning. And as for Will he will have some explaining to do."

"Don't be too hard on the kid, he was just following orders."

"Yes but he knows your secret and we can't have that knowledge out there, that goes for Thomas as well."

Both Chuck and Casey knew that they would end up in a bunker like Chuck did for all those months, maybe years. Chuck's secret had to be silenced.

"It's safer that you guys wait here. I will set up a 24 detail outside Sarah's room and this hospital as along as both your handler and watcher are indisposed you'll need all the protection that I can provide for you. I'll be back in the morning gentleman."

Beckman leaned over and gave the baby a kiss on the cheek as well one for Chuck.

"Welcome home."

Beckman walked over and shook Casey's hand. Casey walked out of the room escorting Beckman to the door. Chuck wheeled over to the window and watched Beckman get into a black Hummer. Looking down at his son, "You know your Aunt Diane is very sweet, very tough but very sweet. You will like her."

Casey walked in letting him know that he was going to have a cigar before he called it a night. Chuck agreed then wheeled down the hall. A nurse informed him that Sarah was out of the recovery room and that they could see her. The nurse wheeled them into Sarah's room as Chuck slowly got up and walked over and sat down on her bed. He laid their son on her chest as he instantly curled up. Chuck took her free hand and placed it on their child. He hoped that when she woke up she'd see him and it would put a smile on her face. Chuck pulled a chair up and leaned back. The pain meds were slowly kicking in. He must have dozed off for some time cause when he awoke Sarah adjusted the bed and was staring at the baby. She had his blanket open and was counting his fingers and toes. Staring him down like an operative in training. He watched as she ran her fingers over his little head and around his little chin, down one arm and down the next and placing his little feet on her palms. Chuck had never felt so much love for her as he did at that moment. He got up "I guess he needs a name?"

Chuck leaned in and gave her a kiss. She placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him again with such passion that she could muster up. Chuck sat next to her as they looked at their son. "He's pretty cute."

"Well he does take after his mother."

"Well he does have a little bit of you as well around the forehead and me around the mouth."

"Yeah I saw that too."

"So what should we call this little guy instead of baby?"

Sarah flashed back to the cave as Casey was prepared to deliver the baby then Chuck arriving. Many other memories flashed in front of her eyes as well. She looked up and leaned in to kiss Chuck again. Chuck couldn't resist kissing Sarah at any point especially now. As they kissed tenderly Sarah leaned into Chuck as Chuck wrapped his arms around her.

"I want to call him Charles John. CJ for short. After his dad and his Uncle Casey."

Chuck looked at Sarah as she looked up towards him.

"I like that Charles John."

Chuck took his son in his arms. "Welcome to the world Charles John, CJ."

The next morning

Casey stared at his name sake. CJ was so tiny inside the hands of John Casey. Casey had held bombs and guns and tonnes of other things but this was the most precious thing ever. Chuck laid back with Sarah in his arms. Watching Casey maneuver the little guy made it a little comical. When Beckman arrived and saw the frustration she took over. Casey sat down along the window. Beckman made funny faces but CJ could care less. He liked being held. He seemed to have gained the soft heartedness of his dad but the spunk of his mother. Beckman left the shop talk out of the room. But she did manage to surprise Chuck and Sarah with a few items. Beckman said that the bureau donated the items but when Chuck looked at the list all items they were paid for by one Diane Beckman.

Beckman stood up and passed CJ onto Sarah. Instantly her persona changed and she was back to being the General. She said her goodbye as personal as she could and headed out. As she reached the door she stopped and informed the team that she expected a full debrief when they got settled.

Chuck looked at Sarah then their baby, then leaned in and kissed her. Casey took this a sign. He got up and took CJ in his arms and held him tight. As he brought him down CJ grabbed his uncles finger and wasn't letting go.

Chuck commented "I guess he likes you?"

Casey grunted then smiled. Sarah reached out her arms as she thanked Casey for saving her life. Chuck got up and slowly walked over and gave Casey a hug. This time Casey welcomed it. They said there goodbye the only way they knew how, short but appreciated. Casey headed out. "I'll see you all back in LA."

Casey walked out and jumped into Beckman's hummer.

Three weeks later

Sarah watched as Chuck pulled up in front of Rosa's Cantina. Sarah's original due date had past and she wanted to share this day with Rosa and Aflie. Chuck opened the doors of the Ford Fairlane. Sarah stepped up on the curb and walked inside. It had been a rough few weeks as she recovered from surgery. But a blessing as she got to spend time with Chuck and their son. Sarah walked in as Rosa glanced up; she walked around the bar and greeted the three of them. Rosa took CJ in her arms as Chuck and Sarah sat down in their old booth. Rosa and Alfie pampered the little guy as well as Chuck and Sarah. As the night progressed Sarah had fallen asleep. Chuck carried Sarah upstairs as Rosa took over the baby duties. Chuck and Sarah needed a good night's rest. Chuck covered Sarah up and laid on his back watching the moon dance across the ceiling. He heard CJ a few times but Aunty Rosa was right there. Alfie had moved in a small bassinette in Casey's old room now that it was empty. Casey had popped by after he left the hospital to grab his things and return Alfie's truck.

Chuck woke up to his favourite sight. As Sarah tried to wake up herself she basked in the warmth of the new day and Chuck's embrace. They planned to stay for a little awhile as Chuck promised his sister that they would be home soon.

Chuck headed back upstairs as he walked in. CJ had just finished eating. Chuck sat down and watched his little guy sleep as Sarah headed towards the bathroom. He rolled over and grabbed Sarah books on her night stand. Out popped Chuck's copy of Mice and Men. Chuck grabbed a pillow and placed it under his chest as he laid facing CJ. Chuck thumbed through the pages and saw that a few lines where underlined and as he continued more lines were underlined. Chuck turned the page and read ' Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. . . . With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us. "

Sarah came out and laid beside him. "Sorry about writing in your book."

"That's ok, looks like you finished it."

"I did, it had a sad ending."

"So what's with the underlining?"

"I had a personal connection with Lenny and George. I saw you and I in some of what they said, I mean this business of being a spy, we are not supposed to have a life, better yet a family is exactly like George and Lenny, but their relationship was special just like ours. Though nobody really understood it, like we do. There is something between us."

Chuck looked at Sarah as she touched his face. "Yes there is and there always was."

Sarah grabbed the book and turned to the last page. "Remember the final scene between George and Lennie." Chuck nodded. "Remember how Lennie is suffused with sadness, even though Lennie retains his blissful ignorance until the end. George forces himself through their habitual interaction one last time. Though angry he reassures him that all is forgiven and recites the story of their farm. For George, this final description of life with Lennie, of the farm and the changes it would have brought about, is a surrender of his dreams. The vision of the farm recedes, and George realizes that all of his talk and plans have amounted to nothing. He is exactly the kind of man he tried to convince himself he was not, just one among a legion of migrant workers who will never be able to afford more than the occasional prostitute and shot of liquor. Without Lennie, George relinquishes his hope for a different life. Lennie was the only thing that distinguished his life from the lives of other men and gave him a special sense of purpose. With Lennie gone, these hopes cannot be sustained."

Chuck continued to listen to Sarah. He hoped that she didn't feel that they were exactly like George and Lenny. But as Sarah made her plea Chuck knew that the only thing that was the same between George and Lenny and them was the fact that they gave each other a sense of purpose. A life without Chuck, Sarah felt that something was missing, that she had no purpose. Chuck shifted to his side and wiped the tears from her eyes. He loved this Sarah and Sarah was starting to love her too. Chuck rolled onto top of Sarah straddling her leg with his. Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him close. Their make out session was overdue. Knowing that they couldn't take it to where they wanted it to go, they were ok with that.

Months end

Chuck strolled into his apartment it had been way to long and his last memories were not pleasant ones. Ellie had met them at the airport and instantly fell in love with her nephew. She didn't ask too many questions about the whole relationship thing but knew that they loved each other. Sarah told her as much as she could without spilling the fact that they were spies. Ellie was told that Chuck and her had a huge fight because Chuck got a job in DC. His Stanford buddies had a job for him and ended up in training for 5 months. Sarah wasn't pleased and took off. Chuck's 'intership' was done and he wanted to get back with Sarah, so he eventually caught up with her and to their surprise CJ arrived. Ellie accepted the reasoning and loved having her baby brother home again.

CASTLE

Casey, Chuck and Sarah reunited in the recesses of walls of Castle. Beckman came on the screen as the team stood up. Beckman welcomed the team back and asked about CJ. Sarah was more than excited to tell her and Beckman thanked them for the pictures of CJ. Beckman debriefed the team and told them that she had the pleasure of capturing Meriweather. Much to his surprise he didn't expect his see Beckman sitting in his living room. Beckman turned on the light as he walked in, and headed to his safe. Startled he turned around. Beckman listened as Meriweather tried to blame the rest; he had an answer for everything, even for putting Chuck in a bunker. He pointed fingers at Alexis and Sergio. But when Beckman told him that they had been captured outside their Villa and that Thomas and Will would spend the rest of their lives in the same bunker that housed Chuck, that Casper and Nick were dead alongside Marcello, it was over. Beckman took out her phone and the next thing Army personal took Meriweather into custody.

Chuck and the rest were happy that he was captured and that Chucks secret was still a secret. Beckman added to the celebration by showing them news footage that was taken recently. As the footage came up on the screen the team watched as BBC reporters filmed what looked like a ship that had come out of the water. Upon further viewing this ship was not a ship but a sub, the USS Scorpion had risen from its watery grave and floated into the alcove of the mountainous area of Accession Island. Both USA Navy and British Intelligence are on scene. The USS Scorpion was…

Chuck flipped the TV off as Beckman continued to debrief them. She told them and there had been a very bad storm that uprooted a lot of the sea bed, which could explain why the USS decided to float upwards. But she had her suspicions that it was something that Chuck did. Chuck just let her think what she wanted. Beckman also wanted to let the team know that the President was going to give them medals for their bravery and that they were expected in DC tomorrow. Chuck and Sarah looked at each other and smiled as Casey grunted a #34. He had been through several of these before so it wasn't a big deal.

Washington DC

Chuck put CJ down in his bassinet in the other room and scooted back over to Sarah who was waiting. Chuck snuggled in her arms and quickly was drawn in by her scent and overall Sarahness. Chuck rolled Sarah onto her back and kissed her passionately. Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and kept him close. Sarah had seen the Langley doctors and was given a clean bill of health. Chuck also had his physical and couldn't be happier. It had been a long time that since they were last intimate and this time was special. They had survived a mission that wasn't supposed to be one in the first place. They became lovers when they felt that their lives were in danger. They became parents when their souls found each other again. Chuck made love to Sarah several times that night as CJ gave his parents a break and slept through the night.

The medal ceremony was done in highest security possible as other spies where awarded similar medals. Chuck stared at his medal; he pondered the last year and wondered why he was given this gift. 'Whoever created the Intersect and gave it to Bryce to send to me, knew what good it could do. He just wished he knew who he was.' Chuck watched as the festivities started. Sarah had come back from changing CJ and Casey sat down beside Chuck. Sarah placed CJ in Chuck lap as she sat down. Chuck and Sarah were going to take one day at a time and try to figure out this family life and spy life. Beckman was okay with it along as it didn't take too long. Casey had a few side missions but told Beckman that his loyalties were with this team. Chuck looked at his girlfriend, his best friend Casey and his son CJ. He smiled and was content with his life right now. He took his medal and laid on his sons chest. As Chuck looked down at the medal, Sarah looked at him. "Chuck did you just flash?"