A/N: No ownership or rights to the television show "Chuck" in stated or implied
Canon influence: S1 E10 Chuck Versus the Nemesis and AU from there.
Fanon influence: Probably every fan-fiction I've ever read has influenced this story (all my stories, really) in some shape or form.
Music influence: "Short Change Hero" by The Heavy.
"R" rated violence.
Many thanks to my beta yeahokaycool and their suggestions in this chapter.
From Paris With Love (with apologies to Luc Besson) and we find out what's been going on with Casey.
A Light in the Dark
March 2010
Sarah entered the Starbucks on Maryland Ave near the National Mall. If she was ever questioned, she would say that she was taking in some local tourism at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum. She was a pilot after all.
She had received a package that morning at her apartment. It was unmarked except for an image of the Eiffel tower and a logo that consisted of a bee with an eye as the abdomen. A "see bee", she knew exactly who had sent it.
Inside was a small notebook computer but with no keyboard and a note in familiar sloppy handwriting:
"Sarah, I got you a new iPad a few days early.
I'm sure Steve won't mind.
I also added a few modifications of my own…"
He gave a description on how to use it and instructed her to go to the Starbucks near the mall and log on to her secure email. She had been delighted and confused when Chuck had left a message for her on her j04nKc email she had given him.
The subject line simply read "Pineapple". As she read the email and the video attachment, she knew what she had to do. She took her secure phone and dialed a familiar number. The phone call was picked up on the third ring. "It's Walker…".
April 2010
Sarah approached her new mission in Paris with a mixture of emotions. The City of Light still had some bad memories for her but her recent visit and reconciliation with Chuck had blunted her feelings toward Paris quite a bit. She wondered if she would see him. She hadn't heard from him after their last exchange of emails.
This time her mission was with her former AIC and current co-chair of the Ring taskforce, Daniel Shaw. She had been promoted soon after her last mission to Paris just as Chuck had surmised but Shaw apparently didn't get the memo. He still treated her like he was her superior, debriefing her at the last minute concerning operations they had in progress.
Lately he had been acting more cagey than usual, if that was possible, dropping off grid, not responding to her communiqués in a timely matter and now springing this impromptu mission on her. Ostensibly it was to identify and possibly recover part of the Ring's Intersect Cipher prototype which intel indicated was in Paris. If successful it would be a tremendous blow to the organization.
Sarah and Daniel check into the Albe Hotel Saint-Michel around dinner time and head up to their room. Their cover was that of a married couple on a second honeymoon. Sarah had been mildly concerned he would be looking for some "Anderson" after action activities. Thankfully Shaw was all business.
"Sarah, I know it's been a long flight but we need to sell our cover and do some reconnaissance. Let's go for dinner. We can stretch our legs and do both."
The weather was still cool in Paris, especially in the evening. They could see their breath as they walked to the Cafe Le Petit Pont for dinner. Once seated, Shaw ordered for both of them (a power move Sarah thought) and asked for bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1996. After Shaw had approved of the wine, the waiter poured two glasses.
"To us" Shaw raised his glass in a toast as he gave Sarah a wink. Maybe she was premature on the Anderson thing. After all this was their first mission together and her relationship with Bryce was in her file. Shaw better hope he was just selling the cover or he would be in for a violent surprise.
"So…" Shaw begins but he is interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. He frowns." It's my contact. I'll only be a minute." and he walks toward the restrooms. Sarah sighs in relief and sips her wine. He returns shortly and they continue drinking and sticking to small talk in anticipation of their meal.
"This is amazing." Sarah compliments her partner.
"I'm sorry we haven't done this sooner."
"This is nice."
"No...this is perfect."
After dinner they head back to the hotel but make a slight detour. As they turned onto Rue de la Cite, Sarah becomes edgy and tenses up. She knows this place. "Is something wrong Sarah?"
"No Daniel, I'm fine." She hesitates then sighs. This needed to be addressed.
"No...yeah. Something is bothering me."
Shaw makes a face she can't decipher but she presses on. She has come this far, she feels like he should know. They were partners after all. She had done many things for the greater good without considering the consequences just like he did.
"A mission five years ago. My Red Test was here." She notices him stiffening at the term. Red Tests weren't part of the prerequisites for being a spy per se. They weren't even official policy but if you were given one and you were successful you entered an elite status as an intelligence operative.
Some wore it as a badge of honor. To Sarah it had become a scarlet letter. "A" for assassin. A mindless, soulless tool.
"It was the worst day of my life. I was given a time and a place. I almost didn't do it but the woman squatted down as if to pick up something she had dropped. I thought I saw a weapon and fired my pistol instinctively. She fell to the ground and I ran. I never looked back but I've been haunted by that night ever since."
Previously,
At a secure location in D.C., Daniel Shaw and Sarah Walker sit down with General Beckman.
"Agents Shaw and Walker I have called you in today because of intelligence that has come to our attention that could compromise our project on The Ring."
"What is it General?" Shaw spoke first. Sarah remained silent.
"The Ring has information on your wife's death Agent Shaw. It implicates a current agent in her death. We believe that their intention is to turn you or incapacitate your ability to pursue them in exchange for this information."
"General" Shaw replied. "This is obviously an attempt to confuse and demoralize us when we are so close. Besides, a thorough investigation into Eve's death was done by the Agency and signed off by Director Graham himself. There was a statement from a Ring operative indicating that Eve was targeted when her cover was blown."
"Are you sure Daniel?" Sarah asked.
"Director Graham gave me a copy of the statement personally along with his condolences."
"I know this goes without asking" the General began "but I have to: Has anyone tried to contact you Agent Shaw?"
"No General and if they had I would have reported it so we could exploit their weakness... General I know you have your concerns but my primary goal is and remains taking down the Ring. This isn't the first time they've used one of our own against us".
Daniel Shaw must have ice in his veins thought Sarah. There was no way someone could be this calm and logical about the death of someone they love. Nobody can control their feelings that well. She had the mother of all poker faces, and if Chuck had been killed, much less killed by a fellow agent, she would be falling apart with anger, a feeling of impotence and grief.
Granted Shaw had five years to deal with the grief but something was off here. General Beckman seemed to have complete confidence in him. "An absolute professional" she described his response to the situation. Of course this was the same woman who authorized the kill order on Chuck, so Sarah's confidence in the General's ability to read people and make good decisions was a bit compromised.
"I know you said the Ring hadn't approached you when General Beckman asked, and she didn't give you the specifics. But I think the security footage of that night is what they were going to try and turn you with. I'm the Agent. Your wife was my Red Test. I'm so sorry Daniel, I had no idea."
If Daniel Shaw's eyes were dark before, they were black as coal now with only a fire of rage licking the edges.
"Did you really think I would be okay with you killing my wife Sarah?"
Sarah reacted quickly to his sudden rage. She drew her sidearm and pointed it at Shaw.
"I told you what happened Daniel. I told you I didn't know. You had a Red Test too. I didn't expect you to like it, I expected you to understand. I was the one that initiated the meeting so that you would be aware of the threat from the Ring."
Just then she felt an impact of something on her left shoulder, like a hard push. Her gun wobbled. Sarah turned to see a petite man in a suit and tie with a tranq gun.
"Allow me to introduce you to the Ring director, Sarah."
"It feels heavy doesn't it…." He clarifies when she gives him a puzzled look "...The gun."
Sarah started to lower her weapon.
"I was recruited by the Ring months ago. You killed my wife Sarah. The only thing that drove me since that day was revenge on the people responsible. Now it's time for payback. I'm going to kill you like you killed Eve. A shot to the gut and watch you bleed out slowly."
His face was manic in it's glee. Sarah was unsure if this was the real Daniel Shaw she was seeing or a monster created by desperation and loss. She briefly wondered again, how she would react if Chuck had been murdered. Left to her grief, all alone in the world. The only good thing in your life violently taken away with no hope. Never to see them again. She felt pity for Shaw.
"And the CIA, well those lying bastards are going to lose their precious weapon. I know you've heard of it Sarah: the Intersect. I took some leverage. Good thing too. This is probably the only copy left in existence thanks to that bastard Carmichael. Director, I have the plans on the Intersect on the portable drive in my coat pocket."
Sarah had subjected herself to introspection lately and had dabbled with what ifs and maybes. Ultimately she knew fear and uncertainty were an enemy. Yes, she felt some sympathy but what Shaw was doing was wrong. Anger began to build deep inside her. This was not her story and she wasn't going to let her empathy empower a madman. She had to stop this.
Sarah turned toward the Director and slurred slowly. "I gave you a chance, Daniel, to do the right thing. I see you've made your decision."
"Do you want us to...you know." The Director made a slashing sign to neck.
"No, no I'll do it. This is for Eve and I want her" he indicates Sarah with a nod of his head "to see this."
Sarah whipped around to face Daniel Shaw. "I'll bet you do asshole." She raised her pistol and put a bullet through his head. The Director stared dumbfounded. Before he can shoot Sarah or run, his left knee explodes and he falls to the ground writhing in pain. Minutes later, Casey appears as Sarah is taking her coat off to remove the tranq dart.
"Well partner, looks like the vest worked. You had me going for a minute."
"I had to improvise. The Director showing up in person was unexpected. Did you get it all with the parabolic microphone?"
"And video from the scope. I had you covered the whole time. Your plan worked, but how did you know he would betray you?"
"I didn't. I hoped it was a sad coincidence, which is why I told him about my Red Test. I hoped he would understand the circumstances and how he could be manipulated by the Ring, but he was compromised already. Maybe he had been since his wife's death in one shape or other."
"I had initiated a meeting with him and Beckman last month. Beckman told him the Ring was going to try and turn him by implicating an agent in the death of his wife. He denied having been contacted and blew off the threat. He said that destroying the Ring was too important."
Sarah stared at the fallen body of Daniel Shaw with a forlorn look. He had been a wonderful facade, an empty suit with the ability to convincingly play the part of a strong, capable, honorable agent. If only he had been the man he portrayed.
Hearing a groan, Sarah and Casey looked over at the Director and said "Very un-sportsman like Casey. I like it."
"Well don't get too cocky. We still have to secure the Ring Director and that means getting through his security cordon."
As the words leave his lips and they both go to tend to the Director's wound, the sound of automatic gunfire splits the night air. "Your ghost?"
Sarah's iPhone soon vibrates with a text "Sorry about the gunfire. I had to take out the last of them old school. Sorry about your partner also. Say hello to Casey for me."
"My ghost." Sarah smiled. He always has her back now. From the heads up on Shaw to the overwatch on the mission tonight. She can't help but be amused thinking about the exclamation in her earwig at dinner
"What the frak was that "to us" crap! Something is definitely up with that cheesy toast! And "I'm sorry we haven't done this sooner"? Give me a break...gah!" Was that jealousy she heard?
"Don't worry Casey. It's been taken care of. Now let's get to that extraction point."
As they started to transport their prisoner for extraction, Sarah looks at Casey. "I owe you one Casey."
"Trust me after what you did for me in Iran and the bragging rights with the capture of this guy, we're more than even."
"Thanks Casey". She was happy for Casey. This should get his reputation back to where it was three years ago. She also wished that things had been different tonight. She decides she still hates Paris.
February 2010
Sarah had found herself in Budapest again. It was another city that left her cold. Not the city itself, or the people, but it had been the setting of a life changing event.
Like her Red test, she was haunted by those events to this day. Unlike her Red test, there had been some good as the result of it. Her mother had a daughter that she could give all the things she hadn't been able to give to her.
There had been an attempt to breach the security at OTP Bank Group bank. That the suspected perpetrator had ties to a certain Russian arms dealer linked to the Ring put it on the CIA's radar. That the large Hungarian bank had an account bearing the name of one Margit Zsofia Kovacs put it on Sarah's.
It seemed coincidental that she would be assigned this mission. She did not believe in coincidences, or at least she hadn't before that fateful night in Moscow a year and a half ago. The real reason why she was chosen was probably her experience in Alexei Volkoff's organization.
It didn't hurt that she had an extensive knowledge of European geopolitics and a mastery of European languages down to dialect level. Yet she still wondered if a certain 'ghost' who had admitted that he kept track of her might not have a hand in this. Though this seemed even beyond his electronic reach.
The fact that she seemed to have a stalker should have creeped her out but instead it was a situation she couldn't quite describe, but didn't mind. Not entirely. But there were some things she would prefer were kept hidden in her past.
Some just weren't there because of the black ops/no paper trail nature of her career. Some would just be hard to find. She might be one person but her career was comprised of many different people. I am Legion she thought derisively.
Ironically, the thing that disturbed her the most was that this keeping tabs on her was a comfort. Chuck knew firsthand the darkness of the spy life. They were equals now. She knew he wouldn't dig into her past unless he had to because of the fact that (now that he was off the Laudenol) he hadn't lost himself like she had. If she was honest, the only time she had felt normal and unburdened was when she was around him.
Sarah's cover was that of an electronic fraud investigator retained by the OTP bank group. The other people on her team were the computer detectives. She interviewed employees that could be involved or could have observed anything about the attempted break in. Statements were taken, lie detector tests were given. Everything indicated an outside attack that thankfully (for her mom and the baby) had been thwarted.
When researching the suspect, a certain Sean Mackintosh, Sarah noticed that he had a known associate named Kyle Packard. Sarah had run into Packard a few times during her tenure with Volkoff Enterprises. He apparently was Frost's (Mrs. Bartowski?! She still could hardly wrap her head around that) second on projects outside the security of Alexei Volkoff.
Further investigation revealed that Mackintosh and Packard were escaped military prisoners and been in the same unit together. A unit commanded by….no way...couldn't be the same….nope, it was...Captain John Casey. What. The. Hell. The rest of the record was redacted. The baby was safe but now maybe she could make good on her promise to herself and help Chuck.
The beige nondescript car with government tags drove up to the main gate at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
"Good morning ma'am. Welcome to Marine Corps Base Quantico. May I see your identification?"
The blond woman behind the wheel gave the guard her FBI photo ID that identified her as Eve Kendall. Other guards circled the car with mirrors on long handles to view the underside of the car.
"Destination Ma'am?"
"FBI Academy, administrative building."
"Very good Ma'am. Do you need assistance with directions?"
"No thanks, I know the way."
The marine guard replied "have a good day" and waved her through.
Since the DEA also had a training school here, Sarah briefly worried that she would run into Carina, even though she knew that Carina hadn't been assigned here for years now. This visit was off the books and she wanted it to stay that way.
As far as anyone knew, Sarah Walker was currently compiling a report (that was written yesterday) at Langley one hour north of here in McLean Virginia. Eve Kendall was a personal cover legend she had created shortly after being assigned as Chuck's handler. When she needed to disappear Eve would show up with the appropriate credentials for the situation.
Casey's office was located in a nondescript office building on the 2nd floor near the corner of Caitlin and Anderson Avenues. Sarah Anderson had a better ring to it but the name didn't taste right in her mouth anymore. She found him at his desk eating a hot pocket and checking the sniper school training schedule.
"Careful Casey, those things are hotter than they look."
If he was surprised he didn't show it.
"Walker. To what do I owe the honor of this visit? Decide to come back for the nerd? In case you haven't heard, I don't do that anymore." He was older but he still had that brusque attitude.
"Still bitter Casey? It's okay I miss him too."
"I don't miss...What the hell do you want Walker? Last time I heard you were headed back to Larkin's loving arms."
"You are still bitter." It was statement this time. She supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Casey was a marine. Semper Fi . She was pretty sure abandoning your charge and running off with your old partner and former lover didn't fit the definition. That's not exactly what happened, but Casey didn't know that.
She replied quickly "Casey I need your help. It's about the you know what. Is there a secure place we can talk?"
"I don't think this place is under surveillance but I only sweep it for bugs once a week. Come on let's take ride". He headed for the door with Sarah following.
They walked the two blocks to the parking garage in silence. Casey's car was on the second level backed into a corner parking space. The area was brightly lit with a line of sight into the blue sky. Sarah was amazed.
It was a Crown Victoria. She had known Casey had a soft spot for the trusty police interceptor and wondered if this was like the one that Chuck had blown up on the mission that involved the wealthy philanthropist Lon Kirk she had read about. As soon as they shut the doors, she knew this was no ordinary old Ford.
"We can talk here, I had the car modified. The car is soundproof."
He turned the ignition key. The doors locked and there was a 5 second delay before the car started. "External scan" was all he said. Casey then flipped a switch which tinted the windows.
"Now we can't be seen through the glass. What's going on with Bartowski? I know you're not here because you missed my charming personality or my Michelangelo good looks." There was no hesitation or doubt in his voice.
"You might be surprised, Casey." she drawled and then she winked.
"Wha...you… no...Walker!" he barked.
"Casey! Relax. I'm just teasing. This is about you… and me. But yes, I saw Chuck in Russia…"
"You met up with Bartowski? I heard he had gone rogue. That's a dangerous game Walker."
"I was on a deep cover mission and we crossed paths. It wasn't until I got back to Langley and debriefed that I found out about of his... status. Listen about Burbank…"
"Walker, I don't want to hear it. Yes, it was hard on the nerd but your job was to protect Chuck. You were compromised. You made the right call. I would have done the same thing."
Sarah felt a weight lift off her shoulders. "I just wish it hadn't been with Larkin. It made the job exponentially more difficult." And there it was back again.
"Look, Casey. I know it was a mistake. I appreciate the support but my leaving compromised the mission and almost ended it. You know it and I know it. Hell, Chuck might not have become an operative or gone rogue if I had stayed."
"Or he could been killed. Who knows? What's done is done."
Sarah pauses. She almost wants this subject to end here. With Casey backing up her decision in spite of everything but she has to ask. "Would you have done it Casey?"
"What are you talking about, Walker? Would I have done what?"
"You know what I mean Casey. Don't try to play me! You know goddamn well what I'm talking about. The termination order!" She still can't say what it really was, a kill order.
"Calm down Walker. Calm down." Casey takes a deep sigh "The simple truth is that I don't know."
A low growl starts to emanate from Sarah, but he continues without notice.
"You know the routine as well as I do. Assets eventually get burned. It's the job. Hell, you've done it yourself before."
Sarah's breathing slowed. He was right assets as a rule became a liability once their usefulness was done. But she stubbornly held onto her opinion that Chuck was different. That Casey should have known better.
"After you left, reassigned, whatever, the kid became despondent. I found myself in a tough spot." He looked at Sarah directly.
"I'm by the book Walker, you know that. The termination order was always an option for Beckman and I knew it. I expected there was one from Graham too, but I figured you were too compromised so I thought there was a chance that Chuck would get out of this alive. As long as he was an asset, I could justify putting the hit off."
Sarah was shocked. Casey knew about her feelings for Chuck? And was relieved about it, glad even? What. The. Hell? Graham had never mentioned a kill order although it had been implied since her "date" with Chuck. It just had never crossed her mind as an option and was soon ignored and forgotten.
"Chuck didn't ask for this life. He did everything we asked and even as a civilian he was good at it. Hell he was better then some trained agents I know. With you gone, I knew I would have to follow my orders or let someone else do it. I really couldn't bear either option and now the Intersect had stopped working which made the possibility more likely. And when they sent Forrest to replace you, with her reputation, I knew the kid was screwed."
Sarah felt ill. She literally started breathing through her mouth to keep the vomit down. If she had felt bad when she first found out about the consequences of her leaving, this revelation was infinitely worse.
Sarah considered herself fearless. It was part of what made so good at her job. And yet fear, her fear concerning her feelings for Chuck had almost taken away his life. The exact opposite of what she had been taught in the CIA. Training which she used to convince herself that leaving was the right thing to do.
"I had to do something Walker. If the Intersect stopped working. If Chuck wasn't an asset anymore… So I tried to convince Chuck to be an operative. At least he would still be of value to the bosses and learn to protect himself from them."
"My worst fears had come to pass. The Intersect stopped working and there was no sign of it resuming. I didn't trust Forrest so I called in some favors from the NSA psyops division. Chuck was eventually put on a drug called Laudenol but by that time Fulcrum had blown his cover and he was brought into protective custody."
"I was reassigned but I heard the medication was a success. The Intersect was working. That was the last I heard about Chuck until one of my buddies mentioned a priority one burn notice on a CIA spook no one had heard of named Carmichael."
"So how did you end up here?"
"After the Fulcrum incident I was put on "administrative leave" while Forrest went with Bartowski to a secure facility."
"Were you injured? PTSD?"
"I think it was more of a reprimand. I was the AIC and things went pear shaped on my watch."
He stated his treatment as if it was a reasonable expectation under the circumstances.
"If Forrest hadn't killed the Fulcrum agent, I don't want to think what would've happened to Bartowski."
Casey hesitates a second, then snorts. "I don't know what it is about Bartowski that brings out the protectiveness in you skirts. Forrest was a class A bitch but she was a good agent. I mean she was hardcore."
"It was the Asset this and the Asset that. Then it was Bartowski this and Bartowski that. By the time Fulcrum tried to kidnap him it was just Chuck. I don't think that Fulcrum agent stood a chance against her. Don't get me wrong, she played it by the book but when it came to Bartowski...Well let's just say I could see a change in her like I saw in you before you left."
Sarah could feel her cheeks begin to burn. And she was pretty sure it wasn't all from embarrassment. Apparently Casey's acerbic personality had hidden quite an observant operative underneath. Suddenly that conversation in the van three years ago didn't seem so random or out of the blue.
Casey continued as Sarah mused on his words "I think Forrest held the Fulcrum attack against me. She was so pissed she all but accused me of working for Fulcrum. I can't prove it but I always thought her after action report contributed to my treatment and reassignment from the Intersect project afterward."
"It also didn't help that in the beginning of 2009 my old commander James Keller tracked me down and tried to blackmail me into obtaining the same medication that Chuck was put on. Apparently Laudenol wasn't an anti-depressant. It was some sort of a super soldier serum and he wanted it."
Sarah smiled at the reference. Chuck seemed to have rubbed off on Casey too. "Well, he obviously didn't know who he was dealing with."
"And I didn't know who I was dealing with either. Keller had been put on to me by a traitorous bastard named Kyle Packard…"
"I know him Casey, what happened?"
Casey cocked his head and looked at her. "How the hell do you know Packard?"
"I ran into him while working a deep cover with Volkoff Industries."
Casey's face revealed no recognition.
"He's a Russian arms dealer with suspected ties to the Ring."
"Well, that makes sense then. Anyhow, I tried to cowboy the situation by working alone and playing along. I pretended to get the medication for Kellor. At the meet, after I killed Keller and had taken out his men, a black op squad dropped in and took me into custody."
"They insisted I was helping Keller but couldn't prove it. Before I knew it my clearance was downgraded and I was "promoted" to instructor at the Scout Sniper Basic Course here in Quantico."
They sat in silence for a moment. Then recognition spread across John Casey's face.
"Oh I get it. Chuck is working for Volkoff and you want me to assist you in getting him out of Russia."
Casey put a smug smile on his face.
"I knew you had it bad for the nerd but I'm just sayin', that's crazy."
"Thank for your vote of confidence Casey but (and I am going to enjoy saying this) you are wrong. I told you this was about you not Chuck. At least not only about Chuck. In fact, that's why I need your help on this op I'm working on."
"I know you have a history with Packard and I know this "promotion" is killing you. And for the record Chuck may be rogue but he is still a good guy. He's not working for Volkoff or anyone else. He left because he was betrayed by people he trusted. You of all people should understand that."
"But he talks to you?"
"Ungh! Casey! I didn't betray him. I made a mistake. Once I could, I talked to Chuck and worked things out..mostly. Anyhow do want to hear more of what I'm here for or do you want to discuss my "lady feelings"?"
"You make a point Walker. You make a point."
A/N: I think that's a little of Arya's prayers Sarah in there, at least how this Sarah thinks of herself in the spy world. There was a little jumping around in this chapter. I hope I didn't lose you.