Thanks everyone for all your feedback from the last chapter. Most of you seem to be happy with the direction the story is taking. I look forward to your feedback. Enjoy!

Chapter 14

It was approaching one in the morning by the time they made it back to Sarah's hotel room which was probably a good thing because there weren't that many people up that they could risk running in to.

They brought Chuck in through the back entrance and used the service elevator to get him up to Sarah's floor. Casey, Dan and Devon all waited around the corner out of site while Sarah unlocked her door. Looking around, she made sure there was no one around before she waved them over. Dan and Devon proceeded to assist Chuck into her apartment, his arms slung over their shoulders as they supported him around his waist. Casey led them with his gun drawn, ready to take on anyone who might get in their way.

Sarah quickly ushered the four men inside and closed the door behind them. Dan and Devon led Chuck over to Sarah's bed and gently set him down on the edge of it.

"Nice and easy." Devon instructed as they lowered him to the bed.

"Aaahhh." Chuck groaned.

"You okay?" Dan asked.

"Yeah…I'm Fine." He replied through clenched teeth.

"Chuck we're going to get you settled in and then I'm going to give you something more for the pain." Devon informed him.

Sarah pulled Casey aside while the other two men got Chuck settled into the bed.

"Casey, what are we going to do with Dan?" She asked him in hushed tones.

Casey gave her a look. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean, where is he going to stay tonight? I don't have room for him here. He can't stay at Castle…"

Casey's expression changed to anger. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "Walker…I hope you're not suggesting that he stay with me?"

"Casey it'll only be till we get everything set up for the safe house."

Casey shook his head. "No, No, it's not going to happen."

"Casey, I understand that you two have some things you need to work out and that he is not exactly your favorite person right now, but we need him. Casey if it wasn't for your fath.." Casey gave her the evil eye. "If it wasn't for Dan." She continued. "Then Chuck would have never made it out of there with his injuries. Like it or not, Dan is a part of our team right now and we take care of our team."

Casey grunted, as much as he didn't like it, he knew Sarah was right. "Fine!" He snarled back at her. "But it's just for tonight, so you better get something in place soon."

Sarah nodded and Casey moved away from her, making his way back over to where Chuck was. Sarah sighed heavily before doing the same.

Chuck was now laying down on the bed. Devon had removed his sweatshirt and was examining Chuck's incision site.

"It looks pretty good Chuck if I do say so myself. How's the pain?" Devon asked.

Chuck looked past Devon to see Sarah approaching. A worried expression adorned her face as she waited to hear Chuck's answer to Devon's question.

"It's good." Chuck replied quickly.

Devon gave him a questioning look. "Really?" he said. Devon poked around on Chuck's abdomen a bit causing Chuck to wince in pain. "It's good huh?" he asked.

Chuck sighed. "Okay, well, maybe it hurts a little bit." he finally admitted.

Devon went to his bag and pulled out a syringe and a bottle of medicine. He immediately went to work filling the syringe. "Chuck this should make you more comfortable. It should kick in pretty quickly." Devon said as he approached him with the needle in his hand. Devon went to work injecting Chuck with the medication.

"Sarah I'm going to start a new bag of IV fluids on him for tonight, don't let him eat anything until I give him the go ahead. I want to make sure everything is functioning properly first. He can have some ice chips if he wants them."

"Okay." she replied.

"Here." Devon handed Sarah a bag of syringes and a bottle of medication. "If he needs it, he can have 2 units for pain every four hours. Don't give him any more than that."

Sarah nodded as she took the bag from Devon. "It's good if he gets up once in a while, to just walk around for a couple minutes, but not for long, don't let him do too much. He really needs as much rest as he can get. I'll stop in before work in the morning and Sarah if there is anything, anything at all, call me."

"I will." she said. Sarah leaned in and hugged Devon. "Thank you…for everything."

"You're welcome." he said as the two broke apart.

"Devon, you know, you can't say anything to Ellie right? She can't even know he's back yet."

Devon nodded. "I know."

Devon headed for the door. "Hold up there Devon." Casey stopped him before he headed out. "I need one more thing from you."

"What's that Casey?" he asked.

"I need you to take McKinley to my place."

Dan looked up surprised by Casey's words. "He needs to stay there tonight until we make other arrangements. There's a lot of surveillance camera's in the court yard. Make sure his face is hidden, take him to your place. Have him sneak out the window in the bathroom and enter my place through the back door. He should go undetected that way. I need to go back to headquarters and make sure everything's back up and running properly."

"Will do John." Devon replied. "You ready?" he asked Dan as he made his way for the door.

"Yeah." Dan said. "Lieutenant Walker." Sarah approached him. "I just wanted to thank you for everything."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you Agent McKinley. If it wasn't for you, then Chuck…." She trailed off.

"Chuck would probably be just find. If I learned anything from Agent Carmichael, it's not to judge a book by it's cover. He is definitely more than meets the eye."

Sarah nodded. "That he is." she replied, glancing back at the man laying on her bed. "That he is."

Devon and Dan left Sarah's room and headed back to Devon's. Sarah and Casey went over some details for the next day's mission and then Casey too made his exit. Sarah closed the door behind him and leaned against it momentarily and released a heavy sigh. It had been an incredibly long, grueling day and she was overwhelmed, not to mention exhausted.

"You okay?" the faint voice came from across the room.

Sarah smiled as she made her way over to the bed. "Am I okay? I think I'm the on who should be asking you that." She said taking a seat next to him on the bed. Chuck reached out for her hand and took it into his own. "God I missed that smile." he said as he brought her hand up to his lips, placing a small kiss on it.

"I've missed you." She said, reaching out with her free hand to play with some of his unruly curls. Chuck smiled up at her and reveled in the feel of her touch.

"You look exhausted." he stroked her hand with his thumb.

"I'm a little tired." She admitted.

"Come to bed." he suggested.

Sarah smiled. "I will. I think I'm going to take a quick shower first though."

"Okay. Hurry up though so we can snuggle."

Sarah laughed. "Okay Agent Carmichael. I'll be needing my hand though.'

Chuck smiled and let go of her hand. Sarah smiled at him one last time before making her way into the bathroom. She couldn't fight this thing between them anymore and why should she have to. They loved each other.

Dan didn't want to turn on the lights to raise any suspicion. Feeling his way around Casey's apartment for several minutes he managed to find a desk lamp to turn on. Dan settled down onto the couch. He looked around taking in his surroundings. As much as he could see anyway in the dim light. He couldn't believe that he was here in his son's apartment after all these years. Dan had given up hope of ever seeing his son again years ago and yet here he was, sitting on his couch.

Dan loved his son, but as far as Casey was concerned Dan might as well be dead. How would be ever be able to make him understand. John wouldn't even talk to him.

Exhaustion taking over, Dan laid down on the couch and it was mere seconds before he drifted off.

Sarah emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered, wearing a pair of light blue pajama pants and a thin white tank top, she certainly wasn't trying to impress anyone. Making her way over to the bed she noticed that Chuck seemed to be resting much more comfortably. The medicine Devon had given him had obviously kicked in.

Sarah turned on the lamp from her nightstand and proceeded to turn off the overhead light that was beating down on Chuck.

"Thank you." he said opening his eyes.

"You're still awake? How are you doing?" She asked approaching his side of the bed.

"I was waiting for you. I'm fine." he replied.

"Can I get you anything?" She asked.

Chuck patted the bed at his side as he smiled up at her. She smiled back.

"Okay." she said. She made her way around to the other side of the bed and climbed in next to him careful not to jostle the bed too much. She turned the lamp off and settled in next to him.

"What are you doing all the way over there?" he asked. "Don't be shy." he held his arm open for her to move in closer.

"Chuck, I don't want to hurt you."

"The only thing that is hurting me, is you being so far away."

Sarah gently moved in closer. She rested her head on his shoulder and placed her hand just above his sutures. She slid her hand up his bare chest drawing circles with her finger. Chuck turned his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Sarah." Chuck yawned as he said her name.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." he said as he began to drift off.

Sarah smiled. She couldn't help but think back to a few months ago. She nearly cringed when Chuck had said those words to her and now, she couldn't get enough of it. She loved hearing him say it and more importantly she loved him.

"I love you Chuck." She said before falling into her own deep slumber.

When Casey entered his apartment he saw Agent McKinley passed out on his couch. Casey locked his door and reset his alarm before tossing his keys down on the counter. He made his way to his cupboard where he retrieved a bottle of whisky and a glass.

Casey sat down in his chair and placed his bottle and glass down on the coffee table in front of him. He looked over at Dan briefly who was sound to sleep on his couch. Casey grunted before pouring himself a glass of the whiskey. He downed it one swig and proceeded to pour another glass. Casey sat back in the chair. The day was really starting to take it's toll on him. He glanced back over at his father. The man he never thought he would see again. The man that had abandoned his family all those years ago. The man he had looked up to, aspired to be like. The man he loved more than anyone. The man who broke his heart, taught him to trust no one. The man he loathed more than anything.

Casey closed his eyes and rubbed at his temples.

"Dad, where are you going?" John asked his father who was making his way towards the door, his bag slung over his shoulder.

"I got another business trip Johnny."

"But dad you just got home yesterday. You said would take me to see the air show at the base this weekend." the boy pleaded with his father.

"I know buddy, I'm sorry, I just got the call this morning."

"But dad."

"I'm sorry John." Dan leaned in hugged his son. "I love you." he said as he placed a kiss on his head and tousled his hair around.

"I made you a snack for the road." John's mother approached handing her husband a small brown bag.

"Thank you." he said

"Be careful." she replied as the two shared a look.

He leaned in and kissed his wife on the lips. "Love you." he said as they pulled apart.

John watched as his father climbed into his brand new Crown Victoria and sped off down the street.

It had been the last time Casey had seen his father, that was until tonight.

He had been told two weeks later that his father had been killed in a car crash just outside of Phoenix. It wasn't until Casey was a young man that his mother had told him that his father had worked for the CIA and that all those business trips he was always going on were missions. As far as Casey was concerned, the CIA was responsible for his father's death and he resented them for that.

Casey downed his second glass of whiskey in record time. He put the glass down on the table. Grabbing the bottle, he brought it to his lips and took one last big swig before heading off to his bedroom to call it a night.

The buzzing from Sarah's alarm clock caused her to stir. Still not fully conscious she found herself gravitating towards the warm body next to her.

Chuck's eyes fluttered open and despite the pain he was feeling, he had to smile. He turned his head and inhaled deeply taking in the scent of her hair. She stirred again and her eyes opened. She met his gaze and he smiled at her before leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips.

"Good morning." he said seductively in her ear as their lips parted.

"Mmmm, it is a good morning." She tried to move away from him, but he reached out and grabbed hold of her arm.

"Whoa, where are you going?" he asked.

She laughed. "I'm just shutting the alarm off." She reached over and pressed the button, putting an end to the incessant buzzing after which she returned to her rightful spot in his waiting arms.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, running her fingers gently over his abdomen.

"I'm okay." he said.

"Do you need some medication for pain?" She looked up at him waiting for his answer.

"He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You are my pain medication." he replied.

Sarah propped herself up on her elbow and faced him.

"Chuck…Really if you need something tell me. You haven't had any painkillers since last night."

"Sarah."

He reached out and stroked her face with his hand. He brushed the hair from eyes and leaned in to kiss her again. It was soft and gentle and full of promises. Promises of a life together, a future they both wanted.

They parted lips briefly. It wasn't long before they found one another again. This time it was more passionate, urgent and full of desire. Sarah gasped when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth. She ran her fingers through his curls and he moaned as she deepened the kiss. Chuck's hand made it's way under the thin material of her tank top, feeling it's way down her back, sensuously caressing her silky smooth skin in the process. It sent shivers down her spine and she trembled under his touch. She moved in closer to him. Chuck gasped when her leg brushed against his abdomen as she tried to reposition herself. She quickly pulled away from him.

"Oh my God! Chuck are you okay?" She asked frantically examining his gunshot wound.

He laughed. "Sarah, I'm fine."

She moved away from him and got out of the bed.

"Sarah?… what are you doing? It's no big deal…really." he tried to reassure her.

"Chuck it is a big deal..Honeslty I don't know what I was thinking. Here you are with a gunshot wound, broken ribs and I'm pouncing all over you."

"Sarah I would hardly say you were pouncing all over me." He laughed again, but cut it short when she gave him a dirty look.

"Please come here?" he asked patting the edge of the bed next to him.

She walked over and sat down. Chuck sat himself up the best he could.

"I'm sorry." she said. "I don't want to hurt you."

Chuck grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips were he proceeded to place a lingering kiss on it.

"Don't ever apologize for loving me Sarah."

She turned to face him. "I do love you, and I want to be with you, but not like this. Not till you're better."

"I know, I just…I can't help myself when it comes to you. Sarah we've been apart so long now. I didn't think I would ever see you again. I want to make love to you. I want to be close to you. I want to make you happy."

She smiled and brushed her hand over his cheek. "I want those things too, but you already make me happy. Chuck, just seeing your face and hearing your voice. Being around you makes me happy."

"You make me happy." He kissed her hand once again.

"I love you.' She said leaning in she placed a small kiss on his lips.

"I love you Sarah."

Casey woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs and freshly brewed coffee. He came out of his bedroom to find Dan cooking away in the kitchen.

He looked up from the frying pan when he heard Casey approaching.

"John…I hope you don't mind, I helped myself. I haven't had a home cooked breakfast in, well I can't even remember when."

Casey just grunted. It was his 'I'm slightly annoyed grunt'

"I made plenty. If I remember correctly you used to love my bacon and eggs."

"That was a long time ago." Casey replied.

"There's fresh coffee in the pot."

"Hmmm." Casey made his way through the kitchen. He went to the cupboard and grabbed a clean mug. He filled it with coffee and took a seat on a stool at the counter. He watched as Dan dished out the food onto two separate plates. He noticed how he took two extra pieces of bacon from his own plate and placed them on the plate he was fixing for his son, just like he always had done when he was a kid.

Casey had to admit, it did smell good and if he remembered correctly it was definitely going to taste good. Maybe he would have a little of it, it was his food after all.

Dan walked over to the counter with the two plates. He placed the one with the extra bacon on it in front of Casey. He stood across from him at the counter picking at the food on his plate. He was definitely walking around on eggshells around Casey.

Casey took a swig of his coffee and proceeded to pick at the food on the plate. It was just as good as he remembered. For some reason when he was a kid, breakfast was always better when his father made it. Perhaps it was because he was hardly ever there to do it, so when he did, it was pretty special.

"So John. I really think we should talk about things." Dan started.

"There's nothing to talk about." Casey replied, shoving a piece of bacon into his mouth.

"I think there is."

"Look, you left us. We thought you were dead, but you weren't, you just left." Casey was angry, he didn't want to be having this conversation right now. He didn't want to have it ever, but here he was having it.

"I didn't just leave John!" Dan raised his voice. "They made me leave. Leave you, your mother. It was the only way I could protect you. You think it didn't tear me up inside? My wife and son thinking I was dead. You and your mother, you meant everything to me. You mean everything to me. The day I said goodbye to you and your mother was the worst day of my life."

Casey sat in silence taking it all in. "Who made you leave?" he finally asked.

"The CIA. It was a special mission. I was going off grid to take down this new terrorist threat. They were close to uncovering my identity. They would have gone after you…your mother. The only way to protect you was to leave and get them before they could get me…The CIA faked my death. It guaranteed the safety of my family, but made it so I could never go back. They gave me my new name, new identity. New life." his voice trailed off.

Casey looked down, he couldn't bare to look the man in the eye. "I didn't know." he finally said.

"How could you? You were only twelve."

"Yeah…well we should get going here, we need to meet Walker at her place. Ill see if I can find you some clothes to wear." Casey stood from his stool and Dan watched as he disappeared back into his bedroom closing the door behind him. He was going to win his son back if it killed him.

"Nice and easy Chuck." Devon ordered as he helped Chuck back onto the bed. "You're getting around much better than I was expecting. Any problems or concerns?"

"Can I take a shower?" Chuck asked.

"Tonight I'll stop back and replace those suitures with something more shower friendly, until then you cant get them wet. A sponge bath would be fine though."

"A sponge bath?" Chuck repeated as he looked up at Sarah with a smile on his face.

"I'm going to remove the IV Chuck. Here." Devon handed him a bottle of pills. "I brought you these for the pain, just follow the directions on the label. No more injections."

Devon went to work removing Chuck's IV while Sarah had disappeared into the bathroom. She emerged moments later while Devon was finishing up with Chuck.

"Alright guys, everything looks good. If there are any problems page me and I'll get here as soon as I can. Other than that, I'll see ya tonight." Devon gathered his belongings and headed for the door.

"Thanks Devon" Sarah walked him to the door, she locked it securely behind him.

Sarah stepped back into the bathroom and emerged carrying a towel, a wash cloth and a bowl of warm soapy water. She slowly made her way back to the bed, so as not to spill anything.

"What's all that?" Chuck was curious.

"This Agent Bartowski is for that sponge bath."

Chuck's face lit up. "Oh, you don't say." He smiled as he sat up a little more in the bed.

Sarah placed the bowl on the night stand. "Now, we just have to find someone to give it to you."

Chuck reached out grabbed her arm. "Oh I got someone." he smiled up at her.

Sarah pulled his sheet down to his waist. She sat down next to him and submerged the washcloth into the water and wrung it out over the bowl. She ran the washcloth over his bare muscular chest. He closed his eyes and savored the sensations coursing through his body as she ran her hands over his bare skin She bit her lip in attempt to keep her own emotions under control.

Chuck sat up and leaned forward so she could get at his back. His eyes met hers again.

"Thank you Sarah. That feels really good." He reached out and tucked a few of her tresses behind her ear. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her waiting lips. They parted and rested their foreheads against one another's.

"You're welcome." she said.

He leaned in for another kiss, but stopped short when he heard the knocking on the door.

They both sighed heavily and Sarah set down the washcloth and got up to see who was at the door.

"Who is it?" She called out as she approached the door.

"It's us." she recognized Casey's voice and moved quicker to unlock the door. She quickly ushered Casey and Dan inside closing the door behind them.

Okay hope you enjoyed. I know it's a little shorter than usual, but I wanted to get something out and I figured it was better than nothing. I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks for reading.