Thanks to charahkids for being my beta. Thanks at the bottom as always.
Chapter 5
Present
They pulled up to a secluded area near the gate of the compound. It was pitch black out and with a new moon that night it was the perfect time to do this. They sat in the car for several minutes waiting for Orion's signal that it was alright to proceed, each tense in anticipation for what was about to happen.
Sarah was a tight coil about to explode any second if she didn't do something and soon. The only sounds in the car were of their breathing as they looked around all angles of the car making sure the perimeter was secure.
Finally it came, a chirp from each of their special burn phones that was built by Orion himself indicated the cameras were on loops and they were free to proceed. Each person got out of the vehicle, quietly shutting the doors behind them, all strapped with weapons and other things they would need in order to get in and out of the facility.
Casey was first as he reached the gate and begun to use special plyers to cut through the currently turned off electrical wire. He rolled it back slightly to allow the others to sneak in. One by one they entered the small gap and then began creeping up to the facility.
2 months previous.
"You're sure that Bartowski is here?" Casey grunted looking at the screen in front of them.
The group of rogue agents, temporary or otherwise was gathered in the dining room area of the cabin that made up the home base for the op. It was an odd assortment of characters with Cold blooded killer NSA Agent Casey, currently supposedly on a mission in Iran. Bryce Larkin CIA currently meant to be in Seattle, WA infiltrating a Fulcrum cell. Jill Roberts, US fugitive, Doctors Ellie and Devon Woodcomb, civilian doctors and one Morgan Grimes, geek extraordinaire.
All in all it was a very eclectic group, people who wouldn't normally come together for any other reason other than to implement a rouge operation to break into a secure government facility to retrieve a high level asset.
"It's the most logical place Major. Unfortunately there is no way to confirm beforehand whether he is being kept at this location or not but it's the best guess." Orion told them. It didn't exactly endow much confidence. But they had been searching for almost a year and this seemed like the most likely location.
"We can't just go on best guesses Orion. We only have one chance at this. If we fail there is no going back." Bryce stated.
"How did you narrow it down to this location?" Jill stepped in. Sarah tossed a slight glare at her, still not trusting her before turning her eyes back to Orion.
"I narrowed it down. With all the data you guys have collected over the year I was able to access the schematics and then the video feeds for every facility location that you have provided and determined that Chuck is not at any of those locations. However I did find that Lazlo guy you mentioned. They have him deep in a mountain in Wyoming, poor guy."
"Poor guy tried to blow up an entire pier of innocent people on Halloween after duping your son. I don't feel sorry for the guy, he's a domestic terrorist." Casey growled out.
"He what? When? How was Chuck involved?" Ellie asked alarmed at hearing about this.
"While I agree with your assessment Casey you can't not feel anything for the guy." Sarah argued, though why she was defending a guy that convinced Chuck to lie and hide from her she had no idea.
"I sure can. I don't feel anything for terrorist." He growled as if the notion was none negotiable.
Sarah just shook her head. He hated Lazlo but now with her experience with Chuck she now had a better understanding of what it must be like for the assets. She of course had other assets but they had meant nothing but means to an end to her in the past. Now she saw what they go through. The lying, the danger, the manipulation of it all. She was pretty sure at one point Laszlo Mahnovski was just a genius child, who was probably lonely and friendless due to his mind. She had seen it many times before. The government would have swooped in, offered the parents a too good to be true deal that effectively sells the kid to the government to be used and manipulated how they saw fit for the rest of their lives.
She remembered Chuck's saddened expression as he explained to her afterword's what had happened. Even if the almost died at the hands of the man, Chuck's heart couldn't bear to think negatively about him, and to feel sorry for him for all that he's lost. She hoped Chuck wont turned out that way.
"I've had this location in Virginia in mind for a while now and have been keeping an eye on it, but I didn't really think it would result in anything as it's too close to the capital. Placing him so close like that would be a shortsighted decision considering how important he is, but it would also be a good one too as most people wouldn't think they'd actually place him there. However after I got into their network, the schematics of the facility seemed a bit off so doing some more digging and watching countless hours of surveillance video, you're welcome by the way, and I've deducted there is a secret area on the 14th floor off to the side." Orion stated pointing on the screen where he was indicating the location to be.
"That would make sense. Chuck basically has every secret of the United States government. They wouldn't want to put him in someplace where anyone would actually be able to find him. What better place than right under everyone's nose so to speak?" Bryce stated, studying the schematics on the screen.
Ellie stood up and approached her father. "But if you found him dad, doesn't that mean other people could find him too?"
"That would be unlikely Eleanor. In order to find him they would have to be up to my par in computer technologies. And as arrogant as it may sound, I highly doubt there is anyone in my caliber." He placated. It placated Sarah as well as she thought of that too but were afraid to voice it. She didn't want to say or do anything that could jinx this mission.
"As it was it took me months to get into the security at this location which makes me both relieved and fearful of this operation." He said.
Sarah was afraid to ask but she did. "What do you mean?"
"Well, relieved that nobody else could have found him, but that means he's under extremely heavy guard. The video, if there is any is on a closed circuit that is within the building itself on its own with no internet access, so I can't even get any visual confirmation he's there. Getting to him will be next to impossible."
"How would they get the data to him if there's no internet access? Wouldn't the higher ups want to see him?" Jill asked.
"As far as I've seen, there are four guards who know about this area. They come in shifts. Every morning one of them is carrying a large briefcase. I suspect that whatever intel they want from the Intersect is in that and they give it to him. They even bring the food in so the kitchens probably don't even know Chuck's there." Orion explained.
Sarah closed her eyes and tilted her head back for a second. "Which means he's practically in solitary confinement." She stated. She doubted that the four agents watching Chuck were spending much time socializing with him. Other assets in bunkers at least had the benefit of interacting with each other at least a little bit of the time. They were able to get at least a little bit of human contact.
"So basically this could just be a giant waste of time that could get us all caught, killed and imprisoned leaving Chuck in the governments hands for the rest of his life." Casey summed up easily.
Silence descended the room as each of those there thought about those words. It was hard to accept them. They knew it would be hard to accomplish but hearing it in words and some sort of confirmation made it seem even more difficult and real than before. They only had one shot at this, and if they screwed up, Chuck will be gone out of their reach forever.
"Let's go then." Morgan's voice broke through the silence. Everyone looked at him curiously except Casey and Bryce who had annoyed expressions on. Neither of them could ever figure out why Chuck and Morgan were such good friends, but it didn't matter why. They were best friends no matter what.
"Morgan, did you not hear what my father said?" Ellie asked somberly, sitting back in the chair she had recently vacated. Morgan nodded his head enthusiastically.
"Yes, he said impossible. Or as Chuck would say 'I'm Possible'. So let's go"
"I hate to agree with the little man here but he's right. Chuck always said that." Bryce said with a smile. "Remember Jill?" She nodded her own head and let out a laugh.
"I swear it was the only thing that got him through biology." She laughed. Sarah glowered at the two of them as they bantered for a moment about college with Chuck. She didn't think they should be on that topic considering what the two of them did to him.
"So we're in agreement then? We'll go after Chuck?" Orion inquired, finally sitting down himself. They spent the next few moments looking at each other before all nodding in agreement.
With that decided Sarah got up from the table and headed up the stairs to the room she was currently staying in, the room that she hoped she would be sharing with Chuck soon. Entering the room she closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, taking solace in the momentary reprieve and the silence. It was all coming to a close soon and she could almost taste the victory.
A heavy knock vibrated against her back as Ellie's voice called out to her from the other side. Giving a silent groan Sarah stood up and opened it slightly to look at the brunette woman on the other side.
"Are you alright?" she asked concerned coming into the room. Sarah closed the door behind her and followed Ellie into the room.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just kind of tired." She admitted. "I was thinking of taking a nap maybe."
Ellie nodded knowingly but instead of taking the hint and leaving she sat on the end of the bed, crossing her legs and placing her hands around them.
"You've been tired a lot lately. Do you want to talk about it?" Ellie offered sincerely. Sarah shook her head; she's spent way too much time talking lately. She wasn't sure if it was the atmosphere she was currently in, or that she was no longer part of the CIA and therefore didn't have to hide every little thing anymore.
She could even tell them her real name if she so chose.
Sighing to herself Sarah sat in a chair that was by the window. It was one of her favorite spots to be alone. She would sit in that chair and read a book or just plain day dream for hours on end.
"Nothings really wrong Ellie, except for the obvious of course." She insisted. Ellie nodded her head, watching Sarah. She felt a shudder go through her, feeling as though Ellie could see right through her and tell that she was lying. Well, maybe not lying but definitely not telling the whole truth. It was the same look that Chuck would give her, but unlike Chuck, she knew Ellie would not back down so easily.
"You're concerned about this 'op' aren't you?" Ellie asked.
"Aren't you concerned?" Sarah replied. "You gave up everything Ellie. To everyone who knew you think you're dead. As far as the world is concerned, Eleanor Bartowski Woodcomb no longer exists." She knew she hit a spot when Ellie turned her gaze from Sarah. "If this doesn't work, you would have given up everything for nothing."
"That's not true." Ellie stated fiercely, standing up. "Because I still have a chance to get to know my father, and I finally get to learn the truth on what's been happening to my brother."
Sarah laughed slightly, not quite sure why as nothing was really funny. "This is worth it to you? You lose everything just to know the truth. Your brother is as good as dead if we fail this mission. You'll never see him again!"
Sarah heard the slap across her face before she felt it, her head turning quickly to the side by the force. She knew she could have stopped it if she had wanted to but she let Ellie hit her, take her frustrations out on Sarah, and Sarah needed to have someone mad at her. Everyone had been all kind and sweet about the whole situation to her and she wasn't sure how much longer she could take it. The outing with Morgan had helped, and continues to help let out her own aggravation, but she didn't need everyone walking on egg shells around her. Even Casey didn't blame her.
Turning her head back to face Ellie, who looked horrified that she had hit Sarah, she gave a slight smile to the woman. She wasn't sure why she was baiting Ellie in particular at this moment as the woman just came up to make sure Sarah was ok. Maybe it was as simple as Ellie was there and therefore was the chosen one to be poked and prodded into anger.
"Oh god, Sarah. I'm so sorry." Ellie stated alarmed as she dropped to her knees in front of Sarah and placed her hands on her neck to view what damage there might be. Sarah wasn't concerned, the slap was barely a love pat compared to what she's gotten before but she let Ellie comfort her, seeing her need to be a doctor for a moment.
"It's alright Ellie. It didn't hurt, I swear." She said, looking the woman in her eyes. Ellie's thumb drew lazy circles on her cheek for a second before she released Sarah and sat back on her haunches.
"There's a red mark there Sarah. I'm sorry. I've never slapped anyone before." She said. "Aside from Morgan of course."
"I deserved it Ellie. To be honest, I was baiting you. I don't know why." She confessed. Ellie gave her that lopsided half smile that Chuck would give her and Sarah's heart constricted painfully. She looked away from Ellie, not able to bear seeing it.
"I know you're concerned about Chuck. But I'm concerned about you at the moment." Ellie told her.
"I'm fine Ellie. You see? Just a little redness, it'll be gone before I'm finished with my nap." She insisted. But Ellie shook her head, leaning on Sarah slightly in order to push herself up.
"That's not what I'm talking about and you know it Sarah." She said, sitting back on Sarah's bed. "You've been walking around here in some kind of daze, your sole focus being on this mission. When you're not involved in the planning you're a million miles away on your own. I'm really concerned about you Sarah."
Sarah gave a light laugh and as huge a grin as her tired body could muster. "Ellie, you worry too much, and I love you for it but really, I'm fine." She insisted further, but Ellie didn't seem to be buying it as she sat and analyzed Sarah for a few minutes.
Standing, Ellie held out her hand for Sarah who looked at it curiously for a moment before taking it. Standing up she eyed Ellie curiously, not sure what she was doing.
"Come with me, I think I know something that will help you feel better." Ellie told her with a smile. Without further ado Ellie lead Sarah out of her bedroom and down the stairs, past the dining room that now only had Orion and Morgan. They waved at the two of them passing them by as Ellie guided her down another hallway that was barely used.
It amazed Sarah the size of the house, wondering yet again how Orion was able to get the place built. There was no way he could have done it himself, the size of it alone with all its technology would have taken an entire crew several weeks. However she never asked and it seems unimportant so she didn't bother.
They stopped in front of a wooden door, Ellie having a huge smile on her face as if expecting Sarah to know what was behind it. The door was innocuous; there was no discerning characteristic of it. Just a plain albeit nice wooden door.
"What's in there?" Sarah finally asked, her curiosity growing. With a final grin Ellie reached for the plain door handle and opened the door, pushing it open all the way and stepping to the side to allow Sarah to enter.
Light shown through the windows, brightening the room as Sarah took a step in, only to have the air knocked out of her lungs at the sight before her. Tears crept behind her eyes, burning them as they tried to escape, but as Sarah covered her mouth with her hand she had to close them to stop the pain for a moment before reopening them, discovering that her vision wasn't an illusion.
It was Chuck's bedroom, exactly how he had left it. Everything was there from his bed, to his comics, his full length mirror she loved to use when getting dressed at his house to his beloved Tron poster. Everything was there and from what she could see nothing was missing. She stepped a little more into the room, feeling the familiarity of it as who ever had set it up set it exactly as it was before. From the inside of the room, Sarah couldn't even tell that they were in a cabin and not in the apartment in Echo Park.
"How…" Sarah managed to get out, but she wasn't able to say anything else as she walked into the room and sat on Chuck's side of the bed. Ellie followed her in with a huge grin.
"Before we left for the supposed sabbatical, I had given Morgan instructions to pack up Chuck's room. We wanted it to seem like we were ready to move on. We even started house hunting before we left."
"Oh." Sarah stated stunned.
"Morgan arranged with dad to put the stuff in some storage and then went back to retrieve it later. We just got it set up a couple days ago."
"I don't understand. Why would you bring all this here?" She asked, still looking around the room, her body aching to lie on the bed and curl up in a ball and wait for his return.
She felt Ellies eyes on her, watching, her smile falling into a slight concerned frown.
"We brought it for Chuck of course. And for you too Sarah." Ellie responded.
Sarah was speechless. What was the point of bringing all this stuff here to the cabin? Did any of it really mean anything? She didn't really think so, but then again, it might to Chuck. She had lived her life out of a suitcase ever since she was a little girl running off on cons with her father; she never really owned anything that she wouldn't be able to leave behind in a moment's notice. Chuck might be different, she thought, looking up at the Tron poster that sat on the same wall side as it always had.
"He'll appreciate it Ellie." Sarah stated distracted. With a last nod and without a word Ellie left her alone in the bedroom.
Taking in the entire room one more time, she kicked her shoes off and rolled onto her left side curling up around herself. She grabbed the pillow and hugged it close; her heart beating wildly and painfully as Chuck's sent came through the clean smell of the pillow case.
Letting out a breath she didn't even know she was holding a sob escaped her throat once, then twice until she was unable to contain them anymore and she let them come as they pleased. She knew Ellie meant well by showing her what the others have been working on but it just hurt Sarah more. Having Chuck surround her so much and the realization that this might be all that she'll ever have of him in the future hurt more than anything else in her life.
She wasn't sure how long stayed like that, curled on his bed, crying herself hoarse. If she was honest with herself she didn't really care either. She would gladly just stay there for as long as it took to get him back.
Finally after what felt like forever her tears subsided and she was left in that floating between of exhaustion and feeling blank. She closed her eyes, concentrated on her breathing, and finally she fell asleep.
"Do you think anyone would notice if we just stay here for the rest of our lives?" Chuck asked her.
"Stay in bed? Don't you think it would get pretty stinky after a while?" Sarah asked, looking up at him from where her head lay on his chest. He gave her a scandalized look, causing her to laugh.
"You bite your tongue Sarah Walker. We all know that you, the most beautiful woman in the room is incapable of being stinky. You would just smell like daffodils and rainbows for the rest of your life." He waxed poetically, making her laugh even more.
Sarah turned on her left side, still using his bare chest as a pillow as watched him. His eyes were soft and caring and his hands were creating goosebumps on her arm where his thumb was drawing lazy circles. Pulling up the blanket that was wrapped around her, she couldn't stop the shiver that wracked through her.
Chuck gave her a sad puppy look as she covered herself. "Why you do that? I was enjoying the view." He pouted at her. Sarah rolled her eyes and shoved the blanket down a little so he could at least see something.
"I have a feeling you're becoming spoiled." She told him.
"Never! You could never spoil me with your presence Sarah. Everyday I'm with you is a gift." Again Sarah rolled her eyes but she couldn't stop the grin that was plastered on her face or the butterflies that rolled through her stomach. Chuck was always saying such pretty things to her, always making her feel as if she were the best thing on the planet. It was something she was used to, men always telling her she was beautiful and trying to get her into bed with them, but Chuck was the first one whose words she believed. Every day spent with her, he genuinely believed was a gift and he had always made sure that she knew it. If anyone was becoming spoiled it was her.
"Well, I don't think General Beckman would approve of the Intersect wasting away in his bedroom, no matter how sated he was." She pointed out. And she was pretty sure that Casey would cut his ears out and serve it to them. She recently learned that she's not as quite as normal when Chuck is involved, much to his delight.
"True. No break for the Intersect." He huffed out annoyed at being reminded of his role as the government plaything.
Sarah pulled herself up slightly, leaning over him letting the blanket fall and placed her lips upon his. The tip of his tongue licked her lower lip as she opened her mouth to allow him entrance, and moan coming from deep in her throat as she pressed herself further again, loving the feel of his body against hers.
They kissed languidly for a while, just enjoying the momentary reprieve from missions, covers and Casey. For the moment the entire world ceased to exist except for the two of them and Sarah wished with all her heart that it would always stay that way.
Soon though, too soon for Sarah, Chuck slowed the kiss, placing a few lazy pecks as he pulled away from her to look deep into her blue eyes. It made her shudder again, the intensity of his gaze; as if he could see right through her and view everything she ever tried to hide. Not for anything nefarious, to use against her or to harm her, but to know her, the real Sarah, who didn't even really exist.
"Let's run away together." He whispered to her. Sarah's eyes widened as her brows narrowed, never expecting that kind of request to come from Chuck.
"We can't Chuck." She said, pulling slightly away only to be pulled back to him as he placed a few kisses on her crown.
"Why not, why can't we? You have the skills, I have the Intersect. We can hide away and never be found. Just you and me." He said, his words painting a beautiful picture in his mind.
"What about Ellie, Chuck? You can't just leave her; she's your sister, your only family left." Sarah stated seriously, as she finally was able to pull away from him. The cold air hit her and she wished for nothing more than to curl up next to him again and steal his heat, but this was serious, this was treason.
Chuck's mouth opened a closed a few times before words were able to come out. "I'll tell her the truth." He stated.
"You can't do that Chuck. You know you can't."
"It won't matter at that point Sarah. If I told her the truth on why I had to run away to be with the woman I love then she would understand. She would know that I wasn't just leaving her like our parents did, that there was a reason." He stated.
"And the reason is some girl you're sleeping with?" She said incredulous. "You honestly think your sister will accept that? You obviously don't know Ellie very well."
Chuck sat up straighter, closing the distance between them and kissing her fiercely, causing the groan to come out of her once more. She wasn't sure how he was able to do that again and again but kissing Chuck was like needing air. She just didn't think she could live without it any longer. Pulling away from her he placed his hands on her shoulders, gripping them hard, but not enough to leave a mark. Sarah knew she could easily break his hold if she wanted to but the intensity of his gaze stopped her breath, wanting to hear whatever it was that he would say to her.
"You are not just some girl, Sarah." His eyes set on hers. "You have never been and you could never be."
She had to look away from him, not able to take his gaze and the way it saw her. "Chuck, I-"
"Why can't you see it Sarah?" He said pleadingly. She felt her gut wrench at his tone, forcing her to meet his gaze once again. His expression had fallen from one of determination to that of sadness. "You're more than just an ordinary girl, especially to me. You're everything to me."
Chuck-"
"You're everything I've been looking for, all wrapped up in one perfect blonde package."
"Chuck, please-"
"No, Sarah. I love you, damn it." He said angrily. "I love you, why can't you just accept it?"
"Because I love you too, Chuck!" She shouted, trying to get his attention. Chuck's mouth quickly closed as he stared at her. "I love you Chuck. I've never said it before because, well, it scares me." She admitted.
"Why would it scare you? I would never hurt you Sarah." HE said softly reaching out for her, but Sarah brushed off his attempt.
"I've never been in love with someone before. At least not real love I think. I'm trained to not have emotions, and…"
"And it scares you on how much you actually feel?" Chuck finished for her as a small smile crossed her face. She never would figure out how he could always read her so easily, but it was times like this that she was really glad for it.
"Yes." She said simply.
Chuck scooted the few inches that separated them, closing the distance and wrapping his arms tightly around her. Sarah laid her cheek against his shoulder, her lips gracing his neck, inhaling his musk as he held her tight. His warmth removed all coldness from her
"You never have to be afraid of anything with me Sarah, I promise you that." He whispered in her ear. Sarah closed her eyes, as a few stray tears fell down her cheek and onto his shoulder. She didn't even know that she was crying, but somehow she was. She had never felt so safe in her life, and she didn't think she would ever feel it again without Chuck.
"Sarah? Sarah, wake up sweetie." Ellie's voice broke through the haziness of her dream.
Sarah startled for a second, sitting up immediately, looking around the room. Forgetting where she was, she felt surprise and shock at seeing Chuck's bedroom, until remembering why she was seeing it, what had happened? For one blissful moment she had forgotten about all the pain. She looked over at Ellie questioning for a second as the confusion melted away and the pain came back.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep." She said quietly, rubbing her hand over her eye. They felt tired and stiff from the dried tears of late.
"It's ok Sarah. I just wanted to come tell you that dinner is almost ready. "Ellie told her gently. Sarah nodded that she understood as Ellie gave her a soft pat on the shoulder before leaving her to her peace once more.
With one last glance around the room, Sarah collapsed back on the bed, clutching the pillow tightly to her chest and let a small smile creep upon her face as she closed her eyes and remembered that wonderful night with Chuck again.
A/N: I don't wish to alarm anyone...but I think I've almost mastered the Rubix Cube!
zanex9: But of course!
MrBi11: It does feel kinda slow but I think its cause it keeps going back and forth.
fezzywhigg: You're welcome! Thanks for the compliment. I try to keep the characters as close to how they should be as possible, as its why we fell in love with them.
atcDave: Thank you. I wish the series had had more Morgan/Sarah scenes.
Rob M (Guest): I'm so glad you're enjoying the story so far. I love the Sarah/Morgan stuff. I like to think that if something were to happen to him Chuck would want Sarah to watch out for Morgan as well, which she had done in ch 1. And thank you for the compliment. I love drama and angst (in reading not real life.) I agree, it really makes the resolution more powerful and enjoyable, and it seems more real.
sevenrez: *gasps* Not a Morgan fan? Its ok, I still like you *huggles* And, you're welcome.
phnxgrl: Thank you for reviewing! i'm glad you enjoyed it.
wilf21: And all 'round great friend.
sram15: Wow...lots of dislike there...i totally approve. And as for how Chuck is gonna be..you're just gonna have to wait hehe.
.58118: That is a high compliment! I'm glad its an itty bitty like the show! thanks for reviewing!
uplink2: I totally never believed it either. I truly believe Jill and Bryce did the naughty. And thank you for the compliment. It is kinda tough especially since I have to transition out of it in a few chapter. *sigh* Hopfully you'll enjoy it.
