Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. This is my first Chuck fic, so all your feedback is very encouraging. Anyway, hope you enjoy Chapter 3.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
It's Hard to Say Goodbye
Chapter 3
Beckman's face appeared on the screen in front of him. To Chuck's surprise she didn't look nearly as mad as he expected her to.
"Mr. Bartowski. Or should I say Agent Carmichael?" Beckman greeted Chuck.
"General, I know you're probably pretty upset with me right now. That seems to be the consensus around here, but let me explain." Chuck replied.
For once the General listened intently and without interruption while Chuck walked the General through the events of last night. When he concluded his story the General sat silently contemplating all of what she had just heard.
"Chuck, I have to say I'm surprised by your actions last night and I have to say quite impressed. For someone who has spent two years trying to rid himself of the burden the intersect has had on his life, a burden you never asked for, you sure seemed to welcome it with open arms."
"Well, General, I wouldn't exactly say that I welcomed it….I just knew I had to protect it."
"And you did Chuck. You do realize there is no turning back now?"
"Yes General."
"This new intersect, it's not like the last one Chuck. I know you probably realize that better than anyone else by now. Agent Carmichael is no longer a cover Bartowski. It's who you are. You chose it this time and you need to embrace it. Chuck, I need you to come in, we need to see what you are capable of, you need training. You are the most valuable piece of intelligence in the world and that is not to be taken lightly. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes General…but…How long will I be gone?" Chuck asked.
"That depends on you Chuck. How fast you adapt, how quickly you learn. We need you ready for the field. It could be a few weeks, could be months."
"What about Sarah and Casey? What happens to them? Where do they fit into all this?"
"Well as instructed yesterday, Agent Walker is still heading up the new intersect project, she is your team leader. Colonel Casey was set to ship out, however with this unexpected turn of events, he is being re-called back to work side by side with you and Agent Walker. I'm also in negotiations to secure some other vital key players in this operation to join your team, not necessarily to work side by side with, but you're team will need outside reinforcements. I am confident that Agent Walker will be efficient as their commander in chief."
"General… about Agent Walker.." Chuck started.
"Yes? What about her?"
"General, you know that Sarah and I are….close…I've never made my feelings for her a secret and I'm not about to start now."
"What are you getting at Bartowski?"
"General…surely there are agents who are in relationships, possibly even married, Have families?"
"Well, yes not many in this line of work, but some do."
"General…I love her…. As her asset we could never pursue anything. Two days ago, I felt like I had my life back. I was free of the intersect, I was free to love her, to be with her. The intersect has cost me so much already. And yet to protect this country I took that burden on again….General, I will not let her go. We deserve a shot, to see if this is going anywhere…I deserve this General." Chuck pleaded.
"Very well Agent Carmichael" Beckman replied.
"I'm sorry what?" Chuck was dumbfounded.
"I said very well… Chuck once you return from training, Walker and Casey will no longer be your handlers. You will be working together as equals. You are free to pursue whatever you like with whomever you like, assuming it doesn't effect your work."
Chuck was shocked, it was almost as if she had a heart. "Do you think that maybe you could explain this to Sarah cuz I don't know if she'll believe it coming from me."
"Very well Bartowski. Meet up with your team and I will be back in fifteen minutes for your briefing." and with that the screen went blank once again.
Chuck just stood there for a few minutes. He couldn't believe what had just transpired with Beckman. Finally, everything with Sarah could be out in the open. They could be together. Chuck decided to join up with his team and await General Beckman.
Sarah paced the floor as she waited for Chuck to emerge from the bunker. He had been in there for a long time now and she was dying to know what the General was saying to him.
"Easy there Walker, you're gonna wear a hole in the concrete."
Sarah shot Casey a look and he grunted in response. Just then Chuck emerged from the bunker causing Sarah and Casey's attention to turn to him.
"Chuck." Sarah rushed to his side. "What did Beckman have to say?" She was eager to know.
"Well, you know the usual." He smirked moving in closer.
"No Chuck, I don't know." She was obviously a little perturbed. She turned to move away from him.
"Sarah?" Chuck pleaded.
"Nice one Romeo." Casey chuckled. Chuck shot him a glare and was about to respond when the large screen monitor switched on and General Beckman appeared before them.
Chuck, Sarah and Casey moved in, gathering around the monitor. Chuck briefly made eye contact with Sarah, only for her to look away. In defeat Chuck turned his attention back to the monitor once again.
The General filled the team in on the latest plan. She informed them that Chuck would be shipping out in the morning to report to one of the CIA's top training facilities in D.C., where he would undergo tests, evaluations and special advanced training. Chuck glanced in Sarah's direction while Beckman spoke of his departure, she didn't look very happy. Beckman went on explaining what was expected of Agent Walker and Colonel Casey while Chuck was away training. Sarah and Casey had orders to dig deep. Find anything that could infiltrate the Ring or it's associates. They needed to get close to them at any cost. Sarah was briefed on her new leader status and latest role with the project. Her new recruits would be arriving late tomorrow afternoon. She would have a face to face briefing with, assess their skills and place them where she saw fit.
"Agent Walker, I want to congratulate you on your promotion, don't let us down."
"Yes General." Sarah's response was direct and lacked emotion which didn't go unnoticed by the rest of her team.
"Do any of you have any questions?" Beckman asked after giving out her new orders.
"No General." replied Casey and Sarah in unison.
"Very well then. Colonel Casey, I have a package waiting for you at LAX, You know the drill." Beckman replied.
"Yes General." and with that Casey was off.
"Agent Walker, Agent Carmichael a few more minutes of your time if you don't mind."
"Of course not General, what is it." Sarah replied, curious as to what else the General might have to say.
"Agent Walker, Agent Carmichael has made his feelings for you very clear to me in private conversations. He has expressed a desire to pursue some sort of relationship with you. As you know a handler does not get involved with her asset."
"Of course not General." Sarah's response was quick and dry.
"However Agent Walker, I want to make it clear to you that once Agent Carmichael leaves tomorrow for D.C. you and Colonel Casey are no longer his handlers. When Chuck returns from his training he will be your equals in every way not to mention an extremely valuable member of your team."
Sarah turned her attention to Chuck. His eyes remained focus on the floor but he knew Sarah was watching him. A smile crept across Sarah's face.
"Chuck, Sarah, you are both free to pursue relationships with whoever you like as long as it doesn't interfere with your work. That said, Chuck I would get packing, your flight leaves at 0900." and with that the screen went blank again and she was gone.
Now Sarah was the one who looked dumbfounded. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She turned her attention to Chuck once again. "Did she just say what I think she said?"
"Umm… I don't know …what do you think she said?" Chuck flashed her that killer smile of his.
"You did this? Chuck, what did you say to her?" Sarah was beaming.
"I told her the truth Sarah. The intersect has cost me enough already. I've given up so much for this country and I can't do it anymore. We deserve our chance and I just pleaded our case."
Sarah threw her arms around Chuck's neck and pulled him close. He wrapped his arms around her and closed the gap between them. "I told you I would fix this." he whispered in her ear. His hot breath sent shivers down her spine.
"So, how about helping me pack?"
Sarah's happy, upbeat demeanor quickly changed. "Hey, what is it?" Chuck asked, the concern apparent in his voice.
Sarah stepped away from his embrace, taking a few steps away from him, her back was to him now. "I just realized, you're leaving in the morning. It could be months before I see you again."
Chuck approached her from behind and place his hands gently on her shoulders. He leaned in when he spoke. "Sarah, I am determined to come back as soon as humanly possible. Besides, I have the super intersect in my head now, it kind of gives me a little boost in case you didn't notice."
Sarah smiled. "Yeah I noticed."
"So the only question now is how am I going to spend my last night in town and more importantly who am I going to spend it with?"
Sarah turned again to face him. "Well…I might have an idea or two." she said. "Maybe we should get that packing out of the way."
"Ah, lead the way Agent Walker." Sarah grabbed Chuck's hand and led him towards the door.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Chapter 4 spoilers: Very long chapter with lots of Charah!