Okay, so here's the next chapter. Funny thing is; I'm updating this while I'm at school. In truth, I've already finished writing this story, so after this chapter there's just the epilogue. Best thing; There's a sequel which I've already started! Reason(s) why: there's a cliffy at the end of this story.

Readers! If you are the FIRST READER who is able to guess what the cliffy is, I will do a special oneshot of either a Charah or Lasey oneshot dedicated to you. The oneshot can be any type of genre (humor, romance, angst, tragedy, etc.), and it must be rated T, so no lemons. lol. The winner will be announced in the epilogue, so good luck to all!

PS: there is one little NCIS reference in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Chuck (c) Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak
: NCIS (c) Donald Bellisario
Claimer: Everything else (c) me

PLEASE R&R! (not to mention guess what the cliffy is: Put what happened and who did it)

Chapter Twelve: Phase Three: Life or Death

Casey dropped to his knees by her side, clenching her hands tightly in his as he let his tears freely run down his face. "Damn it, Lara, I'm sorry," he choked. And damn me for letting my feelings show. I know you wouldn't have wanted me to cry like this, he thought, Sometimes I think I wish I never had feelings for you. Never fell in love with you. Look where it's brought us. Me crying over your dead body.

Sarah bowed her head in respect. She didn't know Lara very well, but she knew that she was an agent to be respected. She had given her life to save Chuck's, and for that, she was grateful.

Mark didn't say anything, because he knew that if he tried, no words would come out of his mouth. He only clenched his hands by his sides as he knew he had failed to save a patient, his old friend, and a fellow CIA agent.

Chuck, however, was mortified. He, Sarah and Casey had nearly died to get the antidote, and now he found out it was already too late? He shook his head in disbelief and he wasn't quite willing to believe that Lara was dead. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, and he just barely held himself back from crying out and breaking down.

Without warning, a single beep echoed in the room, followed by many more beeps as Lara Clark's heartbeat continued to grow stronger. Her breathing had returned, and her hands tensed slightly in both Chris and Casey's. Casey wiped away his tears, trying to regain more of his normal hard façade than his weak, exposed one.

"Lara?' Chris chided quietly, gently shaking his sister, "Lara? Please, wake up, Sis."

Casey abruptly looked up at the man across on the other side of Lara's bed. That was Lara's brother? The new CIA Director Chris Clark? "You're Director Chris Clark of the CIA?" he inquired.

The older Clark nodded. "Yes, I'm Lara's older brother, Chris Clark," he introduced, "I take it you're Major John Casey? Lara's undercover lover?"

He nodded gravely as Lara's eyes gently stirred open, seeing both her brother and her boyfriend at her side.

"Damn..." she breathed half-jokingly, "If this is heaven, I like it already, as I know DiNozzo would say. But that would mean that both of you are dead, and I don't want that."

Casey leaned down and kissed her softly but desperately. "You're here with us on Earth, idiot. I thought I lost you for a sec there," he said, "Good to know you're back."

She smiled warmly. "It feels as if a huge weight has just been lifted off my chest," she said, "Feels kinda weird, if you ask me. Relieving, but weird." Then she turned to her brother. "Chris, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in DC?" she asked quietly.

"I received word that you were dying," he answered seriously, "and I knew I needed to be here with you. I still say that you should retire from the agency, and I know you're still going to say no."

Lara's smile widened. "You know it," she said.

Mark moved next to Casey and took Lara's hand in his, checking the coolness of her skin and how it was growing warmer. He nodded positively as he placed his hand on her forehead. "Good, good, your temperature is getting back to normal," he said, "You should be better by the next few weeks."

"Well... in any case, I'll speak with General Beckman in taking Lara off the job of protecting the Intersect until she gets better," Chris explained, "I know she won't mind, and I also know that she'll be grateful to know that she saved the Bartowski's life."

Lara looked over at Chuck, smiling. "And that he saved mine. Thank you, Chuck," she thanked gratefully, "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

"Wait... How did you know I went to get the antidote for you?" he implored, a bit surprised, though Sarah and Casey did not.

"After you left, Sarah burst in here telling Casey and I that you had most likely gone after the antidote. I told them to go and rescue you, either with or without the antidote. I didn't want you to get hurt trying to save my life," Lara explained quietly as Casey hovered over her protectively.

Mark took note of this and smiled. "Guys, why don't we give the Major and Agent Clark some alone time?" he suggested, half-hinting what was going on.

Everyone but Casey and Lara left the room, and he looked deeply into her tired golden eyes. "You've had a long few days, haven't you?" he began.

She gave a weak nod. "And after I get better, things are just going to continue from there," she said, "I'll continue to protect Charles unless I'm called away for another mission. Or unless Chuck wants me to leave," she explained, letting her heavy lids droop close.

"You're tired," he noted, kissing her gently on the forehead, "Get some sleep. You've been through a lot in the past few days."

She moaned quietly in agreement as calming sleep pulled at her. Her injuries didn't bother her as much as they did before probably because there were several sedatives in the antidote, not to mention that after what she's been through, her injuries seemed like nothing.

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Meanwhile, outside, Mark and Chris went to the ER to inform General Beckman of Lara's recovery. As for Chuck and Sarah, well, they were standing just outside Room 218.

Sarah suddenly lashed out at Chuck. "What the hell were you thinking, Chuck? You nearly got yourself killed if Casey and I hadn't made it in time!" she snapped.

He shrunk back. "I-I was only trying to save Lara's life," he defended.

"Idiot! It's your life that matters! I know you meant well, but that was the most stupidest thing you could have done. You could have been killed!" she continued angrily.

"I-I'm sorry," he apologized quietly.

She shook her head and sighed, her anger all simmered out. "Just don't do it again," she told him.

He pulled her forward and kissed her deeply. Right there and then, they began to make out, pulling each other closer and closer.

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Two weeks later, Lara had made a full recovery, and her brother and Mark had returned to DC so they could get back to work. Sarah and Chuck were just a tiny bit more open about their relationship, though that was only mostly Chuck, for Sarah was still playing her professional role.

The team was down below the Orange Orange in the Castle, having a briefing with the General. Chuck and Casey was wearing their Buy More uniforms, Sarah was wearing her Orange Orange shirt with white pants, and Lara was in a short sleeve white blouse and faded blue jeans.

"Good to see that you've made a successful recovery," Beckman said to Lara, "Thank you for putting your life on the line to save Mr. Bartowski's. Your country owes you one, Agent Clark."

She dipped her head. "Thank you, General," she replied, "It's an honour to protect our military's most valuable secrets."

"Was an honour," she corrected.

"P-Pardon me?" Chuck asked, his eyes wide, "What do you mean 'was'?"

"Agent Clark is being temporarily reassigned. Clark, you're taking a private jet in an hour that will take you across seas to a disclosed location. Private jet code JW-7638," she explained, "Your mission is to help a man named Ronald Ferguson. He claims to not know you, but has requested you and you alone to help him. Does the name sound familiar to you?"

She crossed her arms, shaking her head. "No, but I will proceed immediately with the mission," she said, "After my mission is complete, I request to return here in Burbank to continue protecting Mr. Bartowski alongside Agents Walker and Casey."

The General gave a single nod. "Granted. You leave in an hour, Agent Clark," she said, "Be careful, Lara, the mission itself is highly suspicious, and I strongly suggest that you proceed with caution." Then the screen went blank.

"It seems kinda iffy," Chuck commented, "Are you sure you wanna go?"

Lara nodded gravely. "My gut feeling is that I should actually remain here, but I've already told the General that I will go. I have a feeling there is more behind this than I know," she replied before smiling and shaking her head, "Forget about it. It's my mission, not yours. All you have to worry about is to stay safe." Then she turned to Sarah and Casey. "Keep him safe, you two."

Both agents nodded. Sarah shook Lara's hand warmly. "Thank you for everything you've done to help Chuck," she said.

"Knowing that you and Casey will continue protecting him is all the thanks I need," Lara retorted.

Chuck first shook her hand before pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Lara. You saved my life twice," he thanked gratefully, "I'd probably be in Fulcrum's hands if it weren't for you."

She chuckled, "And thank you, Chuck. You went through all that trouble to save my life by putting your own in jeopardy. Yeah, I have to admit it was pretty stupid of you to do that, but I'm thankful that you did."

They pulled away and Chuck sniffed, trying not to break into tears. Who knows what awaited her during her mission? He knew that this may be the last time he'd see her alive.

"Hey, don't worry, Chuck," Lara reassured, "I'll come right back after I complete my mission." Then she turned to Casey, whose face was as solemn as ever.

"I'm taking you to the airport, so we don't have to say our goodbyes just yet," he declared.

She shook her head in disagreement, placing a gentle hand on his chest. "No, Casey. I need you to take me back to the apartment so I can pack my things. You've gotta continue doing your job," she disagreed, "As I've gotta do mine."

His eyes hardened as he looked into hers before reluctantly giving in, "Fine. Let's get going." He began to make his way up the stairwell out of the Castle.

"I'm coming too!" Chuck exclaimed.

Lara laughed, handing him a letter. "No, you've got to give this to Big Mike. It's my letter of temporary resignation. My story: My childhood friend's mother got into a terrible accident across seas, and I've got to accompany them there because their mother was very kind to me when I was young," she explained, "He'll probably believe it. Goodbye, Chuck." Then she went up the stairwell and followed Casey, leaving Sarah and Chuck alone together.

"Sarah, do you think she'll be okay?" Chuck inquired worriedly.

The CIA agent smiled and nodded. "She's been through worse, after all," she reassured.

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Back at Casa Bartowski, Lara packed up what she had unpacked two weeks ago, and Casey helped her load it into the taxi. When it was all packed, an awkward silence hung between the two as neither of them wanted to say goodbye.

Lara sighed, "Well... it was good to see you again, Casey."

"Yeah, you too," he retorted, "So... come around sometimes. I'll be here."

"I guess this is goodbye for now," she said.

He nodded, watching her turn away. Then he decided, "Ah, screw this." He grabbed her arm, twisting her around and kissed her passionately, one arm tightly around her waist and the other hand on the back of her head, pulling her closer. She kissed back, one hand on his chest while the other was on his arm. For a few moments, they made out passionately, then they finally pulled away, resting their foreheads together before Lara pulled away and smiled at him.

"Oh, that reminds me," he stated suddenly, drawing out the familiar golden heart necklace from his pocket, "This belongs to you."

She shook her head. "Keep it. It'll remind you of me," she responded.

"I'd never forget you," he teased, a smirk working its way onto his face, "You always do the craziest and stupidest stunts. Not to mention you've slept by my side ever since you were released from the hospital."

She laughed. "Slept by and not with, remember. I'll see you later, Casey," she said.

"Be seeing you," he retorted as he watched her climb into the taxi and driving away.

You may THINK it's over, but there's still the epilogue left. What do you think the cliffy is?

PLEASE REVIEW!