~~Author Note: This is my last story in the AU Trilogy I created for Agent John Casey with 'Chuck Vs. the Ex-wife' and 'Chuck Vs. The Florists.' It's better to take a peek at those two first, but that's only my suggestion. :)

I was inspired to write a story after watching a terrific Sci-Fi drama called 'Déjà Vu.' I'm letting readers know in case they say, 'Hey! This plot's familiar!' It's the same plot, but not a cross-over. I take no credit for the original ideas, and hope you enjoy the way I meshed the movie with the world of Team Chuck. ~~

~Oo~

Chapter 1: Same as it ever was

If somebody had warned Major John Casey that he would have worst day of his entire life, he would've shrugged it off with his impeccable, sardonic grin. "It was the same as it ever was" shouted the singer from his mint stereo set. He'd always appreciated the wisdom of the 'Talking heads.' Today was Saturday and the start of his week-long vacation. Casey planned this "stay-cation" as Chuck called it, doing absolutely nothing. He checked the time after shuffling around the kitchen preparing his snack.

Exactly 11:15am.

The night before Casey managed to put in a full nine hours of sleep and didn't wake up until ten am. His agenda for today was to drink fine wine, gorge on bumblebee tuna with Ritz crackers, and let his mind go numb.

As relaxing as those options sounded, Casey's mind was rarely at ease since he discovered his ex-wife's secret; they had a daughter. Little Charlotte was a six-year-old burgeoning beauty and Casey loved her madly. His association with her mother, beautiful and strong willed Julia Forsythe, deepened and they danced around commitment. This was despite the fact that she and Charlotte lived way up in Canada. Casey did all he could to keep his family situation under wraps. In the last year, his cover was nearly compromised twice. Old villains came back to haunt him and dangled his new-found family as bait.

The last case beat his psyche the hardest. Casey discovered that foolhardy, aging members of the clandestine organization, 'Dracon,' were hiding out in California. In 1989 they'd kidnapped his new bride Julia and tried to force Government secrets from her with an outrageous torture tactic. Julia had no knowledge of Casey's 'Tony Rosella' cover up to that point. However, she refused to compromise him. Casey's admiration and desire for her grew tenfold when he learned of this a few months ago.

"Love is for suckers, Chuck." He'd recently told the Buy more nerd. That was the biggest pile of manure he ever spewed. Love had never been more a part of his life than now, at least not since he met Julia a lifetime ago. She was the only one who penetrated the solid armor he encased himself in. But there was the exception of the Buy More nerd.

Casey vowed to never tell a soul that he lost his nerve for Chuck Bartowski's elimination. After General Beckman called him with orders to stop, Casey hurried home and shed a few tears. If the day to dispose of Chuck ever came again, Casey wouldn't follow through and he'd kill the ones that tried. It was a twisted logic, but why should anyone else have the privilege? If Chuck had to die, Casey wanted full responsibility, just as he took on the responsibility of saving his life.

Casey cut the rock music and flipped the disc to play a soothing Beethoven. Just as he situated the headphones on, heart wrenching wails erupted from Chuck's apartment.

"That's Ellie!"

Casey ripped off the headphones and leaped out of his easy chair. Never mind that he was still decked in pajamas, a silk robe and bedroom slippers, trouble invaded the Bartowski home. He pulled a spare automatic from a hidden compartment of the armchair and ran out the door. Ellie moaned louder. When Casey peeked in, he saw her crying against Devon's chest. They both sobbed inconsolable.

"Chuck! Chuck! Oh god! No! No! No!... Not Chuck!" Ellie gasped.

"Babe! Please! Maybe it's not true…maybe he's safe! Babe! I'm so sorry!"

Casey's heart curled in a tight knot. He skipped the pleasantries and banged on their door, nearly splintering the wood. It took a moment, but Devon finally pulled it open, not bothering to hide his tears.

"I heard screaming. What happened to Chuck?"

Casey rushed in the apartment; Devon moved out of his way too stunned to answer. Ellie collapsed in a fetal position on the wooden floor. She wailed for her brother, and mumbled Morgan and Sarah's names. The mid-morning news reporter's chilling words cut through Casey like a double-edged sword.

"Tragedy struck the Burbank mall at approximately 11:00am…"

Casey stepped over Ellie and sank into the couch. His mouth inched open wider and wider as the camera panned from the stricken reporter to the scene of a horrific explosion of what was twenty minutes ago, 'Buy More.'

Fires blazed and plumes of black smoke billowed across the sky, making it hard to view the scene. Casey was so engrossed in the report he'd fallen to his knees beside Ellie and stroked her hair. She gripped his robe, and sobbed in his lap.

"Ellie…I…I don't know what…" Casey was at a loss for words. Comfort was not his strong suit.

Devon sank next to them and pried Ellie off the floor, cradling her. Casey looked at them panicked.

"Tell me Chuck wasn't at work today. Tell me he was out of the store!"

Devon cradled Ellie. "I can't say! He left around eight o'clock. He said he had an errand to run before work. Ellie tried to reach him later but he didn't answer his cell. She called Morgan to remind him to pick up steaks for dinner tonight. Oh my god! I can't believe this happened! Who would do this? Why? All those people!"

There was still a glimmer of hope that Chuck survived, but Sarah hadn't called him either. Casey leaped up and bounded out.

"I don't know who! But I'm going to find out right! Take care of her, Devon!"